UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2020

 

Or

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from ___________ to ___________

 

Commission File Number 001-37503

 

B. RILEY FINANCIAL, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware   27-0223495
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
     
11100 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 800
Los Angeles, CA
  90025
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(310) 966-1444
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

21255 Burbank Boulevard, Suite 400

Woodland Hills, CA 91367

(Former Address)

 

 

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

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on
which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share   RILY   Nasdaq Global Market
Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1000th fractional interest in a share of Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock   RILYP   Nasdaq Global Market
7.25% Senior Notes due 2027   RILYG   Nasdaq Global Market
7.50% Senior Notes due 2027   RILYZ   Nasdaq Global Market
6.50% Senior Notes due 2026   RILYN   Nasdaq Global Market
6.375% Senior Notes due 2025   RILYM   Nasdaq Global Market
6.75% Senior Notes due 2024   RILYO   Nasdaq Global Market
7.375% Senior Notes due 2023   RILYH   Nasdaq Global Market
6.875% Senior Notes due 2023   RILYI   Nasdaq Global Market

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one)

 

Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer ☒
Non-accelerated filer ☐ Smaller reporting company ☐
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. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

 

As of July 27, 2020, there were 25,452,765 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, outstanding.

 

 

 

 

 

B. Riley Financial, Inc.

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2020

Table of Contents

 

    Page
     
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
Item 1. Financial Statements 1
  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 1
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 2
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 3
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 4
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 5
  Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 6
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 31
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 47
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 48
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION  
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 49
Item 1A. Risk Factors 49
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 50
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 50
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 50
Item 5. Other Information 50
Item 6. Exhibits 50
SIGNATURES 53

 

i

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements.

 

B. RILEY FINANCIAL, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Dollars in thousands, except par value)

  

    June 30,     December 31,  
    2020     2019  
    (Unaudited)        
Assets            
Assets:            
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 106,253     $ 104,268  
Restricted cash     471       471  
Due from clearing brokers     29,089       23,818  
Securities and other investments owned, at fair value     399,044       408,213  
Securities borrowed     786,363       814,331  
Accounts receivable, net     43,226       46,624  
Due from related parties     295       5,832  
Advances against customer contracts     1,413       27,347  
Loans receivable, at fair value (includes $233,396 from related parties at June 30, 2020)     325,517       43,338  
Loans receivable, at cost (includes $157,080 from related parties at December 31, 2019)    
      225,848  
Prepaid expenses and other assets     105,312       81,808  
Operating lease right-of-use assets     44,636       47,809  
Property and equipment, net     12,287       12,727  
Goodwill     227,046       223,697  
Other intangible assets, net     199,991       220,525  
Deferred income taxes     14,329       31,522  
Total assets   $ 2,295,272     $ 2,318,178  
Liabilities and Equity                
Liabilities:                
Accounts payable   $ 4,301     $ 4,477  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities     106,531       130,714  
Deferred revenue     71,017       67,121  
Due to related parties and partners     617       1,750  
Securities sold not yet purchased     9,804       41,820  
Securities loaned     779,013       810,495  
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests     4,351       4,616  
Operating lease liabilities     57,364       61,511  
Notes payable     714       38,167  
Loan participations sold     14,109       12,478  
Term loan     57,195       66,666  
Senior notes payable     854,037       688,112  
Total liabilities     1,959,053       1,927,927  
                 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)    
 
     
 
 
B. Riley Financial, Inc. stockholders' equity:                
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; 2,531 and 2,349 issued and  outstanding as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively; liquidation preference of $63,273 and $58,723 as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.    
     
 
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 25,864,393 and 26,972,332 issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.     3       3  
Additional paid-in capital     306,772       323,109  
Retained earnings     5,927       39,536  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (2,693 )     (1,988 )
Total B. Riley Financial, Inc. stockholders' equity     310,009       360,660  
Noncontrolling interests     26,210       29,591  
Total equity     336,219       390,251  
Total liabilities and equity   $ 2,295,272     $ 2,318,178  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

1

 

 

B. RILEY FINANCIAL, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2020     2019     2020     2019  
Revenues:                        
Services and fees   $ 125,595     $ 139,968     $ 284,976     $ 243,864  
Trading income  (losses) and fair value adjustments on loans     114,547       5,595       (67,895 )     31,462  
Interest income - Loans and securities lending     24,506       16,961       46,357       28,381  
Sale of goods     1,820       2,160       2,824       3,105  
Total revenues     266,468       164,684       266,262       306,812  
Operating expenses:                                
Direct cost of services     7,985       19,663       27,937       33,779  
Cost of goods sold     860       1,805       1,629       2,924  
Selling, general and administrative expenses     106,562       91,907       194,306       186,871  
Restructuring charge           1,552             1,699  
Impairment of tradenames     8,500             12,500        
Interest expense - Securities lending and loan participations sold     11,221       5,502       19,694       12,306  
Total operating expenses     135,128       120,429       256,066       237,579  
Operating income     131,340       44,255       10,196       69,233  
Other income (expense):                                
Interest income     224       331       470       968  
Loss from equity investments     (318 )     (1,400 )     (554 )     (5,162 )
Interest expense     (16,509 )     (11,588 )     (32,163 )     (22,358 )
Income (loss) before income taxes     114,737       31,598       (22,051 )     42,681  
(Provision) beneft for income taxes     (32,208 )     (9,289 )     5,331       (12,393 )
Net income (loss)     82,529       22,309       (16,720 )     30,288  
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests     (1,311 )     152       (1,895 )     108  
Net  income (loss) attributable to B. Riley Financial, Inc.   $ 83,840     $ 22,157       (14,825 )     30,180  
Preferred stock dividends     1,087             2,142        
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders   $ 82,753     $ 22,157     $ (16,967 )   $ 30,180  
                                 
Basic income (loss) per common share   $ 3.23     $ 0.84     $ (0.66 )   $ 1.15  
Diluted income (loss) per common share   $ 3.07     $ 0.82     $ (0.66 )   $ 1.13  
                                 
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding     25,627,085       26,278,352       25,827,849       26,247,952  
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding     26,992,823       26,896,573       25,827,849       26,770,922  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

2

 

 

B. RILEY FINANCIAL, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2020     2019     2020     2019  
Net income (loss)   $ 82,529     $ 22,309     $ (16,720 )   $ 30,288  
Other comprehensive (loss) income:                                
Change in cumulative translation adjustment     515       167       (705 )     337  
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax     515       167       (705 )     337  
Total comprehensive income (loss)     83,044       22,476       (17,425 )     30,625  
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests     (1,311 )     152       (1,895 )     108  
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to B. Riley Financial, Inc.   $ 84,355     $ 22,324     $ (15,530 )   $ 30,517  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3

 

 

B. RILEY FINANCIAL, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

 

  

                            Accumulated              
                            Additional           Other              
    Preferred Stock     Common Stock     Paid-in     Retained     Comprehensive     Noncontrolling     Total  
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Capital     Earnings     Loss     Interests     Equity  
Balance, April 1, 2020     2,531     $
      25,988,565     $ 3     $ 308,472     $ (70,232 )   $ (3,208 )   $ 27,986     $ 263,021  
ESPP shares issued and vesting of restricted stock, net of shares withheld for employer taxes    
     
      481,709      
      (2,157 )    
     
     
      (2,157 )
Common stock repurchased and retired    
     
      (605,881 )    
      (3,711 )    
     
     
      (3,711 )
Share based payments    
     
     
     
      4,168      
     
     
      4,168  
Dividends on common stock ($0.25 per share)    
     
     
     
     
      (6,594 )    
     
      (6,594 )
Dividends on preferred stock ($429.69 per share)    
     
     
     
     
      (1,087 )    
     
      (1,087 )
Net income          
           
     
      83,840      
      (1,311 )     82,529  
Distributions to noncontrolling interests    
     
     
     
     
     
     
      (465 )     (465 )
Other comprehensive income    
     
     
     
     
     
      515      
      515  
Balance, June 30, 2020     2,531     $
      25,864,393     $ 3     $ 306,772     $ 5,927     $ (2,693 )   $ 26,210     $ 336,219  
                                                                         
Balance, April 1, 2019    
    $
      26,525,216     $ 2     $ 257,888     $ 7,468     $ (1,991 )   $ 558     $ 263,925  
ESPP shares issued and vesting of restricted stock, net of shares withheld for employer taxes    
     
      425,436       1       (1,578 )    
     
     
      (1,577 )
Common stock repurchased and retired    
     
      (30,711 )    
      (602 )    
     
     
      (602 )
Common stock warrants repurchased    
     
     
     
      (2,777 )    
     
     
      (2,777 )
Share based payments    
     
     
     
      2,934      
     
     
      2,934  
Dividends on common stock ($0.26 per share)    
     
     
     
     
      (7,201 )    
     
      (7,201 )
Net income          
           
     
      22,157      
      152       22,309  
Other comprehensive income    
     
     
     
     
     
      167      
      167  
Balance, June 30, 2019    
    $
      26,919,941     $ 3     $ 255,865     $ 22,424     $ (1,824 )   $ 710     $ 277,178  

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

 

 

                            Accumulated              
                            Additional           Other              
    Preferred Stock     Common Stock     Paid-in     Retained     Comprehensive     Noncontrolling     Total  
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Capital     Earnings     Loss     Interests     Equity  
Balance, January 1, 2020     2,349     $
      26,972,332     $ 3     $ 323,109     $ 39,536     $ (1,988 )   $ 29,591     $ 390,251  
Preferred stock issued     182      
     
     
      4,630      
     
     
      4,630  
ESPP shares issued and vesting of restricted stock, net of shares withheld for employer taxes    
     
      520,007      
      (2,677 )    
     
     
      (2,677 )
Common stock repurchased and retired    
     
      (1,627,946 )    
      (27,779 )    
     
     
      (27,779 )
Share based payments    
     
     
     
      9,489      
     
     
      9,489  
Dividends on common stock ($0.60 per share)    
     
     
     
     
      (16,642 )    
     
      (16,642 )
Dividends on preferred stock ($859.38 per share)    
     
     
     
     
      (2,142 )    
     
      (2,142 )
Net loss          
           
     
      (14,825 )    
      (1,895 )     (16,720 )
Distributions to noncontrolling interests    
     
     
     
     
     
     
      (1,486 )     (1,486 )
Other comprehensive loss    
     
     
     
     
     
      (705 )    
      (705 )
Balance, June 30, 2020     2,531     $
      25,864,393     $ 3     $ 306,772     $ 5,927     $ (2,693 )   $ 26,210     $ 336,219  
                                                                         
Balance, January 1, 2019    
    $
      26,603,355     $ 2     $ 258,638     $ 1,579     $ (2,161 )   $ 602     $ 258,660  
ESPP shares issued and vesting of restricted stock, net of shares withheld for employer taxes    
     
      504,347       1       (2,292 )    
     
     
      (2,291 )
Common stock repurchased and retired    
     
      (187,761 )    
      (3,252 )    
     
     
      (3,252 )
Common stock warrants repurchased    
     
     
     
      (2,777 )    
     
     
      (2,777 )
Share based payments    
     
     
     
      5,548      
     
     
      5,548  
Dividends on common stock ($0.34 per share)    
     
     
     
     
      (9,335 )    
     
      (9,335 )
Net income          
           
     
      30,180      
      108       30,288  
Other comprehensive income    
     
     
     
     
     
      337      
      337  
Balance, June 30, 2019    
    $
      26,919,941     $ 3     $ 255,865     $ 22,424     $ (1,824 )   $ 710     $ 277,178  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4

 

 

B. RILEY FINANCIAL, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

  

    Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2020     2019  
Cash flows from operating activities:            
Net (loss) income   $ (16,720 )   $ 30,288  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:                
Depreciation and amortization     9,879       9,744  
Provision for doubtful accounts     2,081       1,067  
Share-based compensation     9,489       5,548  
Fair value adjustments, non-cash     21,975       (5,639 )
Non-cash interest and other     (6,943 )     (3,144 )
Effect of foreign currency on operations     (73 )     339  
Loss from equity investments     554       5,162  
Deferred income taxes     (14,340 )     6,430  
Impairment of intangibles and loss on disposal of fixed assets     12,550       (344 )
Gain on extinguishment of debt     (1,556 )      
Income allocated for mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests     397       446  
Change in operating assets and liabilities:                
Due from clearing brokers     (5,271 )     8,493  
Securities and other investments owned     20,009       8,926  
Securities borrowed     27,967       171,425  
Accounts receivable and advances against customer contracts     27,601       (22,420 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets     (19,707 )     (45,500 )
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities     738       1,143  
Amounts due to/from related parties and partners     4,404       (3,454 )
Securities sold, not yet purchased     (32,017 )     5,131  
Deferred revenue     3,896       (790 )
Securities loaned     (31,481 )     (171,413 )
Net cash provided by operating activities     13,432       1,438  
Cash flows from investing activities:                
Purchases of loans receivable     (152,228 )     (225,072 )
Repayments of loans receivable     74,450       17,640  
Sale of loan receivable to related party     1,800        
Proceeds from loan participations sold     2,400        
Repayment of loan participations sold     (940 )      
Purchases of property, equipment and other     (851 )     (2,514 )
Proceeds from sale of property, equipment and intangible assets     1       503  
Purchase of equity investments     (6,486 )     (25,183 )
Proceeds from sale of division of magicJack           6,196  
Dividends and distributions from equity investments     797       854  
Acquisition of other businesses     (1,500 )      
Net cash used in investing activities     (82,557 )     (227,576 )
Cash flows from financing activities:                
Repayment of asset based credit facility     (37,096 )      
Repayment of notes payable     (357 )     (357 )
Proceeds from term loan           10,000  
Repayment of term loan     (9,620 )     (8,305 )
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes     171,078       123,935  
Redemption of senior notes     (1,829 )      
Payment of debt issuance costs     (2,760 )     (2,039 )
Payment of employment taxes on vesting of restricted stock     (2,678 )     (2,291 )
Common dividends paid     (17,489 )     (9,991 )
Preferred dividends paid     (2,142 )      
Repurchase of common stock     (27,779 )     (3,252 )
Repurchase of warrants           (2,777 )
Distribution to noncontrolling interests     (2,143 )     (856 )
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock     4,630        
Net cash provided by financing activities     71,815       104,067  
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash     2,690       (122,071 )
Effect of foreign currency on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash     (705 )     37  
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash     1,985       (122,034 )
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period     104,739       180,278  
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period   $ 106,724     $ 58,244  
                 
Supplemental disclosures:                
Interest paid   $ 45,934     $ 31,604  
Taxes paid   $ 608     $ 891  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5

 

 

B. RILEY FINANCIAL, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

NOTE 1 — ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS

 

B. Riley Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) provide investment banking and financial services to corporate, institutional and high net worth clients, and asset disposition, valuation and appraisal and capital advisory services to a wide range of retail, wholesale and industrial clients, as well as lenders, capital providers, private equity investors and professional services firms throughout the United States, Australia, Canada, and Europe and consumer Internet access and cloud communication services through its wholly-owned subsidiaries United Online, Inc. (“UOL” or “United Online”) and magicJack VocalTec Ltd. (“magicJack”). The Company acquired a majority ownership interest in BR Brand Holding, LLC (“BR Brand” or “Brands”) on October 28, 2019, which provides licensing of trademarks.

 

The Company operates in five operating segments: (i) Capital Markets, through which the Company provides investment banking, corporate finance, securities lending, restructuring, consulting, research, sales and trading and wealth management services to corporate, institutional and high net worth clients; (ii) Auction and Liquidation, through which the Company provides auction and liquidation services to help clients dispose of assets that include multi-location retail inventory, wholesale inventory, trade fixtures, machinery and equipment, intellectual property and real property; (iii) Valuation and Appraisal, through which the Company provides valuation and appraisal services to clients with independent appraisals in connection with asset based loans, acquisitions, divestitures and other business needs; (iv) Principal Investments - United Online and magicJack, through which the Company provides consumer Internet access and related subscription services from United Online and cloud communication services primarily through the magicJack devices; and (v) Brands, which is focused on generating revenue through the licensing of trademarks.

 

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

(a) Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of B. Riley Financial, Inc. and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. The condensed consolidated financial statements also include the accounts of Great American Global Partners, LLC which is controlled by the Company as a result of its ownership of a 50% member interest, appointment of two of the three executive officers and significant influence over the funding of operations. The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to interim financial reporting guidelines and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments, consisting of only normal and recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and the results of operations for the periods presented have been included. These condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on March 10, 2020. The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results to be expected for the full fiscal year or any future periods.

 

(b) Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Estimates are used when accounting for certain items such as valuation of securities and loan receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts, the fair value of intangible assets and goodwill, the fair value of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests, fair value of share based arrangements, accounting for income tax valuation allowances, recovery of contract assets and sales returns and allowances. Estimates are based on historical experience, where applicable, and assumptions that management believes are reasonable under the circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved with estimates, actual results may differ.

 

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) announced a global health emergency because of a new strain of coronavirus (the “COVID-19 outbreak”). In March 2020, the WHO classified the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic, based on the rapid increase in exposure globally. The full impact of the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve. The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the Company’s results of operations, financial position and cash flows will depend on future developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak and related advisories and restrictions. These developments and the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the financial markets and the overall economy are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial markets and/or the overall economy are impacted for an extended period, the Company’s results of operations, financial position and cash flows may be materially adversely affected.

 

6

 

 

(c) Interest Expense — Securities Lending Activities and Loan Participations Sold

 

Interest expense from securities lending activities is included in operating expenses related to operations in the Capital Markets segment. Interest expense from securities lending activities is incurred from equity and fixed income securities that are loaned to the Company and totaled $10,802 and $5,502 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $18,723 and $12,306 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Loan participations sold as of June 30, 2020 totaled $14,109. Interest expense from loan participations sold totaled $419 for the three months ended June 30, 2020, and $971 for the six months ended June 30, 2020.

 

(d) Concentration of Risk

 

Revenues in the Capital Markets, Valuation and Appraisal and Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack segments are currently primarily generated in the United States. Revenues in the Auction and Liquidation segment are primarily generated in the United States, Australia, Canada and Europe. Revenues in the Brands segment are primarily generated in the United States and Canada.

 

The Company’s activities in the Auction and Liquidation segment are executed frequently with, and on behalf of, distressed customers and secured creditors. Concentrations of credit risk can be affected by changes in economic, industry, or geographical factors. The Company seeks to control its credit risk and potential risk concentration through risk management activities that limit the Company’s exposure to losses on any one specific liquidation services contract or concentration within any one specific industry. To mitigate the exposure to losses on any one specific liquidations services contract, the Company sometimes conducts operations with third parties through collaborative arrangements.

 

The Company maintains cash in various federally insured banking institutions. The account balances at each institution periodically exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (“FDIC”) insurance coverage, and as a result, there is a concentration of credit risk related to amounts in excess of FDIC insurance coverage. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. The Company also has substantial cash balances from proceeds received from auctions and liquidation engagements that are distributed to parties in accordance with the collaborative arrangements.

 

(e) Advertising Expenses

 

The Company expenses advertising costs, which consist primarily of costs for printed materials, as incurred. Advertising costs totaled $864 and $584 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $1,704 and $946 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Advertising expense is included as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

(f) Share-Based Compensation

 

The Company’s share-based payment awards principally consist of grants of restricted stock, restricted stock units and costs associated with the Company’s employee stock purchase plan. In accordance with the applicable accounting guidance, share-based payment awards are classified as either equity or liabilities. For equity-classified awards, the Company measures compensation cost for the grant of membership interests at fair value on the date of grant and recognizes compensation expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations over the requisite service or performance period the award is expected to vest.

 

(g) Income Taxes

 

The Company recognizes deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the condensed consolidated financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the difference between the financial statement basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company estimates the degree to which tax assets and credit carryforwards will result in a benefit based on expected profitability by tax jurisdiction. A valuation allowance for such tax assets and loss carryforwards is provided when it is determined to be more likely than not that the benefit of such deferred tax asset will not be realized in future periods. Tax benefits of operating loss carryforwards are evaluated on an ongoing basis, including a review of historical and projected future operating results, the eligible carryforward period, and other circumstances. If it becomes more likely than not that a tax asset will be used, the related valuation allowance on such assets would be reduced.

 

7

 

 

The Company recognizes tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. Once this threshold has been met, the Company’s measurement of its expected tax benefits is recognized in its financial statements. The Company accrues interest on unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. Penalties, if incurred, would be recognized as a component of income tax expense.

 

(h) Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

 

(i) Restricted Cash

 

As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, restricted cash balance of $471 related to one of the Company’s telecommunication suppliers.

 

(j) Securities Borrowed and Securities Loaned

 

Securities borrowed and securities loaned are recorded based upon the amount of cash advanced or received. Securities borrowed transactions facilitate the settlement process and require the Company to deposit cash or other collateral with the lender. With respect to securities loaned, the Company receives collateral in the form of cash. The amount of collateral required to be deposited for securities borrowed, or received for securities loaned, is an amount generally in excess of the market value of the applicable securities borrowed or loaned. The Company monitors the market value of the securities borrowed and loaned on a daily basis, with additional collateral obtained, or excess collateral recalled, when deemed appropriate.

 

The Company accounts for securities lending transactions in accordance with ASC “Topic 210: Balance Sheet,” which requires companies to report disclosures of offsetting assets and liabilities. The Company does not net securities borrowed and securities loaned and these items are presented on a gross basis in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

(k) Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Property and equipment held under finance leases are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the asset. Depreciation and amortization expense on property and equipment was $899 and $1,487 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $1,831 and $3,023 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

(l) Loans Receivable

 

The Company adopted the new credit loss standard effective January 1, 2020. Pursuant to ASU 2016-13 and its amendment ASU 2019-05, the Company elected the irrevocable fair value option for all outstanding loans receivable that were previously measured at amortized cost. Under the fair value option, loans receivable are measured at each reporting period based upon their exit value in an orderly transaction and unrealized gains or losses from changes in fair value are recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. These loans are no longer subject to evaluation for impairment through an allowance for loan loss as such losses will be captured through fair value changes. The impact of adopting ASC 326 was immaterial to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Loans receivable, at fair value totaled $325,517 and $43,338 at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The loans have various maturities through December 2024. As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the historical cost of loans receivable accounted for under the fair value option was $336,732 and $32,578, respectively, which included principal balances of $341,723 and $32,691 and unamortized costs, origination fees, premiums and discounts, totaling $4,991 and $113, respectively. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company recorded unrealized losses of $4,049 and $21,975, respectively on the loans receivable, at fair value, which is included in trading income (losses) and fair value adjustments on loans on the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

 

Prior to the adoption of the new credit loss standard effective January 1, 2020, at December 31, 2019 loans receivable, at historical cost totaled $225,848. Loans receivable, at cost are reported at their outstanding principal balances of $232,118 net of $6,270 of unearned income, and loan origination costs which includes unamortized deferred fees and costs on originated loans, and for purchased loans, net of any unamortized premiums or discounts.

 

The Company may periodically provide limited guarantees to third parties for loans that are made to investment banking and lending customers.  At June 30, 2020, the Company has provided limited guarantees with respect to the Franchise Group, Inc. (collectively with all of its affiliates, “FRG”) as further described in Note 14(b) and Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. (“B&W”) as further described in Note 17.  In accordance with the new credit loss standard, the Company evaluates the need to record an allowance for credit losses for these loan guarantees since they have off-balance sheet credit exposures.  At June 30, 2020, the Company has not recorded any provision for credit losses on the FRG and B&W guarantees since the underlying guaranteed loans are senior to most of the outstanding debt of FRG and B&W and the Company believes that there is sufficient collateral to protect the Company from any credit loss exposure.  The maximum amount of credit exposure related to these limited guarantees is approximately $255,000.

 

Interest income on loans receivable is recognized based on the stated interest rate of the loan on the unpaid principal balance plus the amortization of any costs, origination fees, premiums and discounts and is included in interest income - loans and securities lending on the condensed consolidated statement of operations. Loan origination fees and certain direct origination costs are deferred and recognized as adjustments to interest income over the lives of the related loans. Unearned income, discounts and premiums are amortized to interest income using a level yield methodology.

 

8

 

 

(m) Securities and Other Investments Owned and Securities Sold Not Yet Purchased

 

Securities owned consist of marketable securities and investments in partnership interests and other securities recorded at fair value. Securities sold, but not yet purchased represents obligations of the Company to deliver the specified security at the contracted price and thereby create a liability to purchase the security in the market at prevailing prices. Changes in the value of these securities are reflected currently in the results of operations.

 

As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company’s securities and other investments owned and securities sold not yet purchased at fair value consisted of the following securities:

 

    June 30,     December 31,  
    2020     2019  
Securities and other investments owned:            
Equity securities   $ 341,515     $ 353,162  
Corporate bonds     5,375       19,020  
Other fixed income securities     2,768       8,414  
Partnership interests and other     49,386       27,617  
    $ 399,044     $ 408,213  
                 
Securities sold not yet purchased:                
Equity securities   $ 4,181     $ 5,360  
Corporate bonds     5,272       33,436  
Other fixed income securities     351       3,024  
    $ 9,804     $ 41,820  

 

(n) Fair Value Measurements

 

The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market. In general, fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical instruments that are highly liquid, observable and actively traded in over-the-counter markets. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable and can be corroborated by market data. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

 

9

 

 

The Company’s securities and other investments owned and securities sold and not yet purchased are comprised of common and preferred stocks and warrants, corporate bonds, and investments in partnerships. Investments in common stocks that are based on quoted prices in active markets are included in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company also holds loans receivable valued at fair value, nonpublic common and preferred stocks and warrants for which there is little or no public market and fair value is determined by management on a consistent basis. For investments where little or no public market exists, management’s determination of fair value is based on the best available information which may incorporate management’s own assumptions and involves a significant degree of judgment, taking into consideration various factors including earnings history, financial condition, recent sales prices of the issuer’s securities and liquidity risks. These investments are included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Investments in partnership interests include investments in private equity partnerships that primarily invest in equity securities, bonds, and direct lending funds. The Company also invests in priority investment funds and the underlying securities held by these funds are primarily corporate and asset-backed fixed income securities and restrictions exist on the redemption of amounts invested by the Company. The Company’s partnership and investment fund interests are valued based on the Company’s proportionate share of the net assets of the partnerships and funds; the value for these investments are derived from the most recent statements received from the general partner or fund administrator. These partnership and investment fund interests are valued at net asset value (“NAV”) in accordance with ASC “Topic 820: Fair Value Measurements.”

 

The fair value of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests is determined based on the issuance of similar interests for cash, references to industry comparables, and relied, in part, on information obtained from appraisal reports and internal valuation models.

 

The following tables present information on the financial assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

 

     Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value  
    on a Recurring Basis at June 30, 2020 Using  
          Quoted prices in          
    Fair value at     active markets for     Other
observable
    Significant
unobservable
 
    June 30,     identical assets     inputs     inputs  
    2020     (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)  
Assets:                        
Securities and other investments owned:                        
Equity securities   $ 341,515     $ 233,726     $
    $ 107,789  
Corporate bonds     5,375      
      5,375      
 
Other fixed income securities     2,768      
      2,768      
 
Investment funds valued at net asset value (1)     49,386                          
Total securities and other investments owned     399,044       233,726       8,143       107,789  
Loans receivable, at fair value     325,517      
     
      325,517  
Total assets measured at fair value   $ 724,561     $ 233,726     $ 8,143     $ 433,306  
                                 
Liabilities:                                
Securities sold not yet purchased:                                
Equity securities   $ 4,181     $ 4,181     $
    $
 
Corporate bonds     5,272      
      5,272      
 
Other fixed income securities     351      
      351      
 
Total securities sold not yet purchased     9,804       4,181       5,623      
 
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests issued after November 5, 2003     4,351      
     
      4,351  
Total liabilities measured at fair value   $ 14,155     $ 4,181     $ 5,623     $ 4,351  

 

10

 

 

     Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value  
     on a Recurring Basis at December 31, 2019 Using  
          Quoted prices in          
    Fair value at     active markets for     Other
observable
    Significant
unobservable
 
    December 31     identical assets     inputs     inputs  
    2019     (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)  
Assets:                        
Securities and other investments owned:                        
Equity securities   $ 353,162     $ 243,911     $
    $ 109,251  
Corporate bonds     19,020      
      19,020      
 
Other fixed income securities     8,414      
      8,414      
 
Investment funds valued at net asset value(1)     27,617                          
Total securities and other investments owned     408,213       243,911       27,434       109,251  
Loans receivable, at fair value     43,338      
     
      43,338  
Total assets measured at fair value   $ 451,551     $ 243,911     $ 27,434     $ 152,589  
                                 
Liabilities:                                
Securities sold not yet purchased:                                
Equity securities   $ 5,360     $ 5,360     $
    $
 
Corporate bonds     33,436      
      33,436      
 
Other fixed income securities     3,024      
      3,024      
 
Total securities sold not yet purchased     41,820       5,360       36,460      
 
                                 
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests issued after November 5, 2003     4,616      
     
      4,616  
Total liabilities measured at fair value   $ 46,436     $ 5,360     $ 36,460     $ 4,616  

  

 

(1) Certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy in accordance with ASC “Topic 820 Fair Value Measurements.” The fair value amounts presented in the tables above for investment funds valued at net asset value are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

11

 

 

As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, financial assets measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis and classified within Level 3 were $433,306 and $152,589, respectively, or 19% and 6.6%, respectively, of the Company’s total assets. In determining the fair value for these Level 3 financial assets, the Company analyzes various financial, performance and market factors to estimate the value, including where applicable, over-the-counter market trading activity.

 

The following table summarizes the significant unobservable inputs in the fair value measurement of level 3 financial assets and liabilities by category of investment and valuation technique as of June 30, 2020:

 

    Fair value at                  
    June 30,                 Weighted
    2020     Valuation Technique   Unobservable Input   Range   Average
Assets:                      
Equity securities   $ 107,789     Market approach   Multiple of revenue   2.8x - 6.1x   4.6x
                Multiple of EBITDA   6.3x - 11.09x   6.5x
                Multiple of PV-10   .29x   .29x
                Market price of related security   $0.53 - $2.28/share   $1.02
            Discounted cash flow   Market interest rate   107.0%   107.0%
            Option pricing model   Annualized volatility   123.0%   123%
Loans receivable at fair value     325,517     Discounted cash flow   Market interest rate   8.3%-18.4%   15.1%
            Market approach   Market price of related security   $0.53/share   $0.53
Total level 3 assets measured at fair value   $ 433,306                  
                         
Liabilities:                        
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests issued after November 5, 2003   $ 4,351     Market approach   Operating income multiple   6.0x   6.0x

 

The changes in Level 3 fair value hierarchy during the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

 

    Level 3     Level 3 Changes During the Period     Level 3  
    Balance at Beginning of Year     Fair Value Adjustments     Relating to Undistributed Earnings     Purchases, Sales and Settlements     Transfer in and/or out of Level 3     Balance at
End of
Period
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2020                                    
Equity securities   $ 109,251     $ (2,462 )   $
    $ 1,000     $
    $ 107,789  
Loans receivable at fair value     43,338       (21,974 )     2,462       75,843       225,848       325,517  
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests issued after November 5, 2003     4,616      
      (265 )    
     
      4,351  
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019                                                
Equity securities   $ 24,577     $ 5,267     $ 1,360     $ 1,451     $
    $ 32,655  
Loans receivable at fair value     33,731       8,619       475       (978 )    
      41,847  
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests issued after November 5, 2003     4,633      
      (409 )    
     
      4,224  

  

The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 and its amendment ASU 2019-05 effective January 1, 2020. Pursuant to ASU 2016-13 and its amendment ASU 2019-05, the Company elected the irrevocable fair value option for all outstanding loans receivable that were measured at amortized cost as of December 31, 2019. The loans receivable, at fair value are included in transfers into level 3 fair value assets in the above table.

 

The amount reported in the table above for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 includes the amount of undistributed earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interests that is distributed on a quarterly basis. The carrying amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements for cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other liabilities approximate fair value based on the short-term maturity of these instruments.

 

As of June 30, 2020, the senior notes payable had a carrying amount of $854,037 and fair value of $772,721. The carrying amount of the term loan approximates fair value because the effective yield of such instrument is consistent with current market rates of interest for instruments of comparable credit risk.

 

12

 

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, except for the impact of the intangible impairment charge as described in Note 7- Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, there were no assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. The fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets was determined based on a discounted cash flow model using a rate of 13.8%. The indefinite-lived intangible assets are level 3 assets in the fair value hierarchy.

 

(o) Foreign Currency Translation

 

The Company transacts business in various foreign currencies. In countries where the functional currency of the underlying operations has been determined to be the local country’s currency, revenues and expenses of operations outside the United States are translated into United States dollars using average exchange rates while assets and liabilities of operations outside the United States are translated into United States dollars using period-end exchange rates. The effects of foreign currency translation adjustments are included in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Transaction gains (loss) were ($438) and ($139) during the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively and $510 and ($325) during the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These amounts are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

(p) Common Stock Warrants

 

The Company issued 821,816 warrants to purchase common stock of the Company (the “Wunderlich Warrants”) in connection with the acquisition of Wunderlich Securities, Inc. (“Wunderlich”) on July 3, 2017. The Wunderlich Warrants entitle the holders of the warrants to acquire shares of the Company’s common stock from the Company at an exercise price of $17.50 per share, subject to, among other matters, the proper completion of an exercise notice and payment. The exercise price and the number of shares of Company common stock issuable upon exercise are subject to customary anti-dilution and adjustment provisions, which include stock splits, subdivisions or reclassifications of the Company’s common stock. On May 16, 2019, the Company repurchased 638,311 warrants for $2,777 ($4.35 per warrant). On June 11, 2020, 167,352 warrants held in escrow from the acquisition of Wunderlich were cancelled in accordance with the terms of the escrow instructions. The Wunderlich Warrants expire on July 3, 2022. As of June 30, 2020, Wunderlich Warrants to purchase 16,153 shares of common stock were outstanding.

 

On October 28, 2019, the Company issued 200,000 warrants to purchase common stock of the Company (the “BR Brands Warrants”) in connection with the acquisition of a majority ownership interest in BR Brand Holdings LLC. The BR Brand Warrants entitle the holders of the warrants to acquire shares of the Company’s common stock from the Company at an exercise price of $26.24 per share. One-third of the BR Brand Warrants immediately vested and became exercisable upon issuance, and the remaining two-thirds of warrants will vest and become exercisable following the first and/or second anniversaries of the closing, subject to BR Brand’s (or another related joint venture with Bluestar Alliance LLC) satisfaction of specified financial performance targets. The BR Brand warrants expire three years after the last vesting event occurs.

 

(q) Equity Investment

 

bebe stores, inc.

 

At June 30, 2020, the Company had a 30.5% ownership interest in bebe stores, inc. (“bebe”). The equity ownership in bebe is accounted for under the equity method of accounting and is included in prepaid expenses and other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

National Holdings Corporation

 

In 2018, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire shares of National Holdings Corporation (“National Holdings”), a Nasdaq-listed issuer, from Fortress Biotech, Inc. for an aggregate purchase price totaling approximately $22.9 million. The transaction was completed in two tranches. In the first tranche, which was completed in the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company acquired shares representing 24% of the total outstanding shares of National Holdings. The second tranche was completed in the first quarter of 2019. As of June 30, 2020, the Company owned 6,159,550 shares of National Holdings’ common stock, representing 45.7% of National Holdings’ outstanding shares. The carrying value for the National Holdings investment is included in prepaid expenses and other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The equity ownership in National Holdings is accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

 

As of June 30, 2020, the carrying values of the Company’s investments in bebe and National Holdings exceeded their fair values based on their quoted market prices. In light of these facts, the Company evaluated its investments in bebe and National Holdings for impairment. The Company utilized no bright- line tests in such evaluations. Based on the available facts and information regarding the operating results of both entities, the Company’s ability and intent to hold the investments until recovery, the relative amount of the declines, and the length of time that the fair values were less than the carrying values, the Company concluded that recognition of impairment losses in earnings was not required. However, the Company will continue to monitor these investments and it is possible that impairment losses will be recorded in earnings in future periods based on changes in facts and circumstances or intentions.

 

13

 

 

(r) Loan Participations Sold

 

As of June 30, 2020, the Company has sold investments (“Loan Participations Sold”) to third parties (“Participants”) that are accounted for as secured borrowings under ASC Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing. Under ASC Topic 860, a partial loan transfer does not qualify for sale accounting in order for sale treatment to be allowed. A participation or other partial loan transfer that meets the definition of a participating interest is classified as loan receivable and the portion transferred is recorded as a secured borrowing under loan participations sold in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Participants are entitled to payments made by the borrower of the related loan equal to the current Loan Participations Sold outstanding at the interest rates for the respective investment. In the event that the borrower defaults, the Participants have rights to payments from such borrower, but do not have recourse to the Company. The terms of the Loan Participations Sold are commensurate with the terms of the related loan.

 

As of June 30, 2020, the Company had entered into participation agreements for a total of $14,109. In addition, the interest income and interest expense related to the Loan Participations Sold resulted in interest income and interest expense which is presented gross on the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

 

(s) Supplemental Non-cash Disclosures

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2020, non-cash investing activities included $4,633 non-cash conversion of an equity method investment and $6,170 conversion of a loan receivable to shares of stock.

 

(t) Reclassifications

 

As of December 31, 2019, loans receivable recorded at fair value of $43,338 were previously included in securities and other investments owned, at fair value. These loans receivable amounts have been reclassified and reported in loans receivable, at fair value to conform to the 2020 presentation. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, trading income and fair value adjustments on loans of $5,595 and $31,462, respectively were previously included in services and fees income in the capital markets segment. These trading income and fair value adjustments on loans amounts have been reclassified and reported in trading income and fair value adjustments on loans to conform to the 2020 presentation. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, interest income earned on loans of $16,961 and $28,381, respectively were previously included in services and fees income in the capital markets segment. These interest income amounts have been reclassified and reported in interest income – loans and securities lending to conform to the 2020 presentation. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, expenses of $4,569 and $8,990, respectively, were previously included in direct cost of services in the valuation and appraisal segment. These expenses have been reclassified and reported in selling, general and administrative expenses to conform to the 2020 presentation.

 

(u) Variable Interest Entity

 

In 2018, the operations of GACP II, LP, a private debt investment limited partnership (the “Partnership”) commenced operations. The Company’s investment in the Partnership is a variable interest entity (“VIE”) since the unaffiliated limited partners do not have substantive kick- out or participating rights to remove the Company’s subsidiary that is the general partner managing the Partnership. The Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary due to the fact that its fee arrangements are considered at-market and thus not deemed to be variable interests, and it does not hold any other interests in the Partnership that are considered to be more than insignificant. The Company determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE at the time it becomes involved with a VIE and reconsiders that conclusion at each reporting date. In evaluating whether the Company is the primary beneficiary, the Company evaluates its economic interests in the entity held either directly by the Company or indirectly through related parties. The consolidation analysis can generally be performed qualitatively; however, if it is not readily apparent that the Company is not the primary beneficiary, a quantitative analysis may also be performed.

 

The carrying value of the Company’s investments in the VIE that was not consolidated is shown below.

 

    June 30,
2020
 
Partnership investments   $ 20,352  
Due from related party     15  
Maximum exposure to loss   $ 20,367  

 

14

 

 

(v) Recent Accounting Standards

  

Not yet adopted

 

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. This standard simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions for recognizing deferred taxes on investments, performing intra-period allocations, and calculating income taxes in interim periods. The ASU also adds guidance to reduce the complexity in certain areas, including recognizing deferred taxes for tax goodwill and allocating taxes to members of a consolidated group. The revised guidance will be applied prospectively and is effective for SEC filers for annual periods or interim periods with fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual periods for which financial statements have not been issued. The Company has not yet adopted this update and is currently evaluating the effect this new standard will have on its financial condition and results of operations.

 

Recently adopted

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments − Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASC 326”). This standard requires an allowance to be recorded for all expected credit losses for certain financial assets. The new standard introduces an approach, based on expected losses, to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments. In May 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-05, Financial Instruments − Credit Losses (Topic 326); Targeted Transition Relief,” which allows entities to irrevocably elect, upon adoption of ASU 2016-13, the fair value option on financial instruments that (1) were previously recorded at amortized cost and (2) are within the scope of ASC 326-20 if the instruments are eligible for the fair value option under ASC 825-10. ASU 2016-13 and ASU 2019-05 are effective for public companies for interim and annual period beginning December 15, 2019.

 

The Company adopted the new credit losses standard effective January 1, 2020. Pursuant to ASU 2016-13 and its amendment ASU 2019-05, the Company elected the irrevocable fair value option for all outstanding loans receivable that were previously measured at amortized cost. Under the fair value option, loans receivable are now measured at each reporting period based upon their exit value in an orderly transaction and unrealized gains or losses from changes in fair value are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. These loans are no longer subject to evaluation for impairment through an allowance for loan loss as such losses will be captured through fair value changes. The impact of adopting ASC 326 was immaterial to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

NOTE 3 — ACQUISITIONS

 

Membership Interest Purchase Agreement with BR Brand Acquisition LLC

 

On October 11, 2019, the Company and B. Riley Brand Management LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the “B. Riley Member”), entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “MIPA”) with BR Brand Acquisition LLC (the “BR Brand Member”) and BR Brand, pursuant to which the B. Riley Member acquired a majority of the equity interest in BR Brand. The closing of the transactions in accordance with the MIPA (the “Closing”) occurred on October 28, 2019.

 

The B. Riley Member completed the Closing of a majority of the equity interest in BR Brand pursuant to the terms of the MIPA in exchange for (i) aggregate consideration of $116,500 in cash and (ii) warrant consideration of $990 from the issuance by the Company to Bluestar Alliance LLC (“Bluestar”), an affiliate of the BR Brand Member, of a warrant to purchase up to 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price per share equal to $26.24. One-third of the shares of common stock issuable under the warrant immediately vested and became exercisable upon issuance at the Closing, and the remaining two-thirds of such shares of common stock will vest and become exercisable following the first and/or second anniversaries of the Closing, subject to BR Brand’s (or another related joint venture with Bluestar) satisfaction of specified financial performance targets. The fair value of the non-controlling interest in the amount of $29,373 was determined based on the relative fair value of the net assets acquired. The Company incurred $570 of transaction costs in connection with the acquisition.

 

In connection with the Closing, (i) the BR Brand Member has caused the transfer of certain trademarks, domain names, license agreements and related assets from existing brand owners to BR Brand and (ii) the Company, Bluestar and certain of their affiliates (including the B. Riley Member and the BR Brand Member) entered into an amended and restated operating agreement for BR Brand and certain other commercial agreements.

 

The Company evaluated the transaction under the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805, Business Combinations, and Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-01, Business Combinations: Clarifying the Definition of a Business. Based on this evaluation, the Company has determined that the acquisition did not meet the definition of a business and, therefore, has accounted for the transaction as an acquisition of assets. The fair value of the assets acquired, including transaction costs, have been reflected in the accompanying financial statements as follows:

 

Consideration paid by B. Riley:      
Cash acquisition consideration   $ 116,500  
Transaction costs     570  
Total cash consideration     117,070  
Warrant consideration     990  
Total consideration   $ 118,060  

 

15

 

 

Tangible assets acquired and assumed:      
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 2,160  
Accounts receivable     1,751  
Deferred revenue     (1,332 )
Tradename     136,176  
Customer list     8,678  
Non-controlling interest     (29,373 )
Total   $ 118,060  

 

NOTE 4 — RESTRUCTURING CHARGE

 

The Company did not record any restructuring charges for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020. The Company recorded restructuring charges in the amount of $1,552 and $1,699 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively.

 

The restructuring charges during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 were primarily related to severance costs for magicJack employees from a reduction in workforce in the Principal Investments – United Online and magicJack segment.

 

The following tables summarize the changes in accrued restructuring charge during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019:

  

    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2020     2019     2020     2019  
Balance, beginning of period   $ 1,284       3,384       1,600       3,855  
Restructuring charge    
      1,552      
      1,699  
Cash paid     (315 )     (2,411 )     (631 )     (3,047 )
Non-cash items     10       117       10       135  
Balance, end of period   $ 979     $ 2,642     $ 979     $ 2,642  

 

The following tables summarize the restructuring activities by reportable segment during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019:

 

    Three Months Ended June 30, 2019     Six Months Ended June 30, 2019  
    Capital Markets     Principal Investments - United Online and magicJack     Total     Capital Markets     Principal Investments - United Online and magicJack     Total  
Restructuring charge:                                    
Employee termination costs   $
    $ 1,418     $ 1,418     $
    $ 1,594     $ 1,594  
Facility closure and consolidation charge (recovery)     25       109       134       (4 )     109       105  
Total restructuring charge   $ 25     $ 1,527     $ 1,552     $ (4 )   $ 1,703     $ 1,699  

 

16

 

 

NOTE 5 — SECURITIES LENDING

 

The following table presents the contractual gross and net securities borrowing and lending balances and the related offsetting amount as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

 

    Gross amounts recognized     Gross amounts offset in the consolidated balance sheets(1)     Net amounts included in the consolidated balance sheets     Amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets but eligible for offsetting upon counterparty default(2)     Net amounts  
As of June 30, 2020                              
Securities borrowed   $ 786,363     $
        —
    $ 786,363     $ 786,363     $
          —
 
Securities loaned   $ 779,013     $
    $ 779,013     $ 779,013     $
 
As of December 31, 2019                                        
Securities borrowed   $ 814,331     $
    $ 814,331     $ 814,331     $
 
Securities loaned   $ 810,495     $
    $ 810,495     $ 810,495     $
 

 

 

(1) Includes financial instruments subject to enforceable master netting provisions that are permitted to be offset to the extent an event of default has occurred.
(2) Includes the amount of cash collateral held/posted.

 

NOTE 6 — ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

 

The components of accounts receivable, net, include the following:

 

    June 30,     December 31,  
    2020     2019  
Accounts receivable   $ 36,942     $ 36,385  
Investment banking fees, commissions and other receivables     4,879       8,043  
Unbilled receivables     4,165       3,710  
Total accounts receivable     45,986       48,138  
Allowance for doubtful accounts     (2,760 )     (1,514 )
Accounts receivable, net   $ 43,226     $ 46,624  

 

Additions and changes to the allowance for doubtful accounts consist of the following:

 

    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2020     2019     2020     2019  
Balance, beginning of period   $ 2,238     $ 766     $ 1,514     $ 696  
Add:  Additions to reserve       940       834       2,081       1,067  
Less:  Write-offs       (418 )     (219 )     (835 )     (382 )
Less: Recovery        
      (21 )    
      (21 )
Balance, end of period     $ 2,760     $ 1,360     $ 2,760     $ 1,360  

  

NOTE 7 — GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Goodwill was $227,046 at June 30, 2020 and $223,697 at December 31, 2019. The increase in goodwill of $3,349 is due to the acquisition of a business consulting firm in the second quarter of 2020.

 

17

 

 

Intangible assets consisted of the following:

 

        As of June 30, 2020     As of December 31, 2019  
    Useful Life   Gross Carrying Value     Accumulated Amortization     Intangibles Net     Gross Carrying Value     Accumulated Amortization     Intangibles Net  
Amortizable assets:                                        
Customer relationships   2 to 16 Years   $ 99,008     $ 33,788     $ 65,220     $ 99,008     $ 27,269     $ 71,739  
Domain names   7 Years     235       132       103       233       117       116  
Advertising relationships   8 Years     100       50       50       100       44       56  
Internally developed software and other intangibles   0.5 to 5 Years     11,775       6,068       5,707       11,765       4,843       6,922  
Trademarks   7 to 10 Years     4,600       1,605       2,995       4,600       1,324       3,276  
Total         115,718       41,643       74,075       115,706       33,597       82,109  
                                                     
Non-amortizable assets:                                                    
Tradenames         125,916      
      125,916       138,416      
      138,416  
Total intangible assets       $ 241,634     $ 41,643     $ 199,991     $ 254,122     $ 33,597     $ 220,525  

 

Amortization expense was $4,024 and $3,344 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively and $8,048 and $6,721 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. At June 30, 2020, estimated future amortization expense was $7,669, $15,225, $14,564, $12,574 and $8,487 for the years ended December 31, 2020 (remaining six months), 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively. The estimated future amortization expense after December 31, 2024 was $15,556.

 

In the first quarter of 2020, in accordance with ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, the Company made a qualitative assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on goodwill and other intangible assets. The Company determined that the COVID-19 outbreak was a triggering event for testing the indefinite-lived tradenames in the Brands segment and made a determination that the indefinite-lived tradenames in the Brands segment were impaired and the Company recognized an impairment charge of $4,000. As a result of the continuing impact and duration of the COVID-19 outbreak on the operations of the Brands segment, the Company determined that there was another triggering event for testing the indefinite-lived tradenames in the Brands segment and made a determination that the indefinite-lived tradenames in the Brands segment were impaired and the Company recognized an additional impairment charge of $8,500 in the second quarter of 2020. The Company will continue to monitor the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak in future quarters. Changes in our forecasts could cause the book values of indefinite-lived tradenames to exceed fair values which may result in additional impairment charges in future periods.

 

NOTE 8 — NOTES PAYABLE

 

Asset Based Credit Facility

 

On April 21, 2017, the Company amended its credit agreement (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”) governing its asset based credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo Bank”) to increase the maximum borrowing limit from $100,000 to $200,000. Such amendment, among other things, also extended the expiration date of the credit facility from July 15, 2018 to April 21, 2022. The Credit Agreement continues to allow for borrowings under the separate credit agreement (a “UK Credit Agreement”) which was dated March 19, 2015 with an affiliate of Wells Fargo Bank which provides for the financing of transactions in the United Kingdom. Such facility allows the Company to borrow up to 50 million British Pounds. Any borrowings on the UK Credit Agreement reduce the availability on the asset based $200,000 credit facility. The UK Credit Agreement is cross collateralized and integrated in certain respects with the Credit Agreement. Cash advances and the issuance of letters of credit under the credit facility are made at the lender’s discretion. The letters of credit issued under this facility are furnished by the lender to third parties for the principal purpose of securing minimum guarantees under liquidation services contracts. All outstanding loans, letters of credit, and interest are due on the expiration date which is generally within 180 days of funding. The credit facility is secured by the proceeds received for services rendered in connection with liquidation service contracts pursuant to which any outstanding loan or letters of credit are issued and the assets that are sold at liquidation related to such contract. The Company paid Wells Fargo Bank a closing fee in the amount of $500 in connection with the April 2017 amendment to the Credit Agreement. The interest rate for each revolving credit advance under the Credit Agreement is, subject to certain terms and conditions, equal to the LIBOR plus a margin of 2.25% to 3.25% depending on the type of advance and the percentage such advance represents of the related transaction for which such advance is provided. The credit facility also provides for success fees in the amount of 2.5% to 17.5% of the net profits, if any, earned on the liquidation engagements funded under the Credit Agreement as set forth therein. Interest expense totaled $143 and $104 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively and $420 and $586 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. There was no outstanding balance on this credit facility at June 30, 2020. The outstanding balance on this credit facility was $37,096 at December 31, 2019. At June 30, 2020, there were no open letters of credit outstanding.

 

18

 

 

We are in compliance with all financial covenants in the asset based credit facility at June 30, 2020.

 

Other Notes Payable

 

Notes payable include notes payable to a clearing organization for one of the Company’s broker dealers. The notes payable accrue interest at the prime rate plus 2.0% (6.75% at June 30, 2020) payable annually, maturing January 31, 2022. At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the outstanding balance for the notes payable was $714 and $1,071, respectively. Interest expense was $48 and $22 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively and $63 and $45 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

NOTE 9 — TERM LOAN

 

On December 19, 2018, BRPI Acquisition Co LLC (“BRPAC”), a Delaware limited liability company, UOL, and YMAX Corporation, Delaware corporations (collectively, the “Borrowers”), indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company, in the capacity as borrowers, entered into a credit agreement (the “BRPAC Credit Agreement”) with the Banc of California, N.A. in the capacity as agent (the “Agent”) and lender and with the other lenders party thereto (the “Closing Date Lenders”). Certain of the Borrowers’ U.S. subsidiaries are guarantors of all obligations under the BRPAC Credit Agreement and are parties to the BRPAC Credit Agreement in such capacity (collectively, the “Secured Guarantors”; and together with the Borrowers, the “Credit Parties”). In addition, the Company and B. Riley Principal Investments, LLC (“BRPI”), the parent corporation of BRPAC and a subsidiary of the Company, are guarantors of the obligations under the BRPAC Credit Agreement pursuant to standalone guaranty agreements pursuant to which the shares outstanding membership interests of BRPAC are pledged as collateral.

 

The obligations under the BRPAC Credit Agreement are secured by first-priority liens on, and first priority security interest in, substantially all of the assets of the Credit Parties, including a pledge of (a) 100% of the equity interests of the Credit Parties, (b) 65% of the equity interests in United Online Software Development (India) Private Limited, a private limited company organized under the laws of India; and (c) 65% of the equity interests in magicJack VocalTec LTD., a limited company organized under the laws of Israel. Such security interests are evidenced by pledge, security and other related agreements.

 

The BRPAC Credit Agreement contains certain covenants, including those limiting the Credit Parties’, and their subsidiaries’ ability to incur indebtedness, incur liens, sell or acquire assets or businesses, change the nature of their businesses, engage in transactions with related parties, make certain investments or pay dividends. In addition, the BRPAC Credit Agreement requires the Credit Parties to maintain certain financial ratios. The BRPAC Credit Agreement also contains customary representations and warranties, affirmative covenants and events of default, including payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, covenant defaults and cross defaults. If an event of default occurs, the agent would be entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of amounts due under the outstanding BRPAC Credit Agreement.

 

Under the BRPAC Credit Agreement, the Company borrowed $80,000 due December 19, 2023. Pursuant to the terms of the BRPAC Credit Agreement, the Company may request additional optional term loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $10,000 at any time prior to the first anniversary of the agreement date (the “Option Loan”) with a final maturity date of December 19, 2023. On February 1, 2019, the Credit Parties, the Closing Date Lenders, the Agent and City National Bank, as a new lender (the “New Lender”), entered into the First Amendment to the Credit Agreement and Joinder (the “First Amendment”) pursuant to which, among other things, (i) New Lender became a party to the BRPAC Credit Agreement, (ii) the New Lender extended to Borrowers the Option Loan in the amount of $10,000, (iii) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the term loans was increased from $80,000 to $90,000; and (iv) the amortization schedule under the BRPAC was amended as set forth in the First Amendment. Additionally, in connection with the Option Loan, the Borrowers executed a term note in favor of New Lender dated February 1, 2019 in the amount of $10,000. Borrowings under the BRPAC Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate equal to (a) the LIBOR rate for Eurodollar loans, plus (b) the applicable margin rate, which ranges from two and one-half percent (2.5%) to three percent (3.0%) per annum, based upon the Borrowers’ ratio of consolidated funded indebtedness to adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) for the preceding four fiscal quarters or other applicable period. At June 30, 2020 interest rate on the BRPAC Credit Agreement was at 2.93%. Interest payments are to be made each one, three or six months. Amounts outstanding under the BRPAC Credit Agreement are due in quarterly installments commencing on March 31, 2019 with any remaining amounts outstanding due at maturity. For the $80,000 loan, quarterly installments from June 30, 2020 to December 31, 2022 are in the amount of $4,244 per quarter and from March 31, 2023 to December 31, 2023 are $2,122 per quarter. For the $10,000 loan, quarterly installments from June 30, 2020 to December 31, 2022 are $566 per quarter and from March 31, 2023 to December 31, 2023 are $265 per quarter. As of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the outstanding balance on the term loan was $57,195 (net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $452) and $66,666 (net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $600), respectively. Interest expense on the term loan during the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 was $586 (including amortization of deferred debt issuance costs of $72) and $1,257 (including amortization of deferred debt issuance costs of $93), respectively. Interest expense on the term loan during the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 was $1,415 (including amortization of deferred debt issuance costs of $148) and $2,535 (including amortization of deferred debt issuance costs of $181), respectively.

 

19

 

 

We are in compliance with all financial covenants in the BRPAC Credit Agreement at June 30, 2020.

 

NOTE 10 — SENIOR NOTES PAYABLE

 

Senior notes payable, net, are comprised of the following:

 

    June 30,     December 31,  
    2020     2019  
7.50% Senior notes due May 31, 2027   $ 125,536     $ 117,954  
7.25% Senior notes due December 31, 2027     122,545       120,126  
7.375% Senior notes due May 31, 2023     127,358       122,140  
6.875% Senior notes due September 30, 2023     113,109       105,952  
6.75% Senior notes due May 31, 2024     110,476       106,589  
6.50% Senior notes due September 30, 2026     134,657       124,226  
6.375% Senior notes due February 28, 2025     130,942      
 
      864,623       696,987  
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs     (10,586 )     (8,875 )
    $ 854,037     $ 688,112  

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company issued $38,828 of senior notes with maturity dates ranging from May 2023 to December 2027 pursuant to At the Market Issuance Sales Agreements with B. Riley FBR, Inc. which governs the program of at-the-market sales of the Company’s senior notes.

 

On February 12, 2020, the Company issued $132,250 of senior notes due in February 2025 (“6.375% 2025 Notes”) pursuant to the prospectus supplement dated February 10, 2020. Interest on the 6.375% 2025 Notes is payable quarterly at 6.375%. The 6.375% 2025 Notes are unsecured and due and payable in full on February 28, 2025. In connection with the issuance of the 6.375% 2025 Notes, the Company received net proceeds of $129,213 (after underwriting commissions, fees and other issuance costs of $3,037).

 

During March 2020, the Company repurchased bonds with an aggregate face value of $3,443 for $1,829 resulting in a gain net of expenses and original issue discount of $1,556 during the six months ended June 30, 2020. As part of the repurchase, the Company paid $30 in interest accrued through the date of each respective repurchase. 

 

At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the total senior notes outstanding was $854,037 (net of unamortized debt issue costs of $10,586) and $688,112 (net of unamortized debt issue costs of $8,875) with a weighted average interest rate of 6.94% and 7.05%, respectively. Interest on senior notes is payable on a quarterly basis. Interest expense on senior notes totaled $15,588 and $10,071 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively and $29,980 and $18,926 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

Sales Agreement Prospectus to Issue Up to $150,000 of Senior Notes

 

On February 14, 2020, the Company entered into a new At Market Issuance Sales Agreement (the “February 2020 Sales Agreement”) with B. Riley FBR, Inc. governing a program of at-the-market sales of certain of the Company’s senior notes. This program provides for the sale by the Company of up to $150,000 of certain of the Company’s senior notes. As of June 30, 2020, the Company had $148,415 remaining availability under the February 2020 Sales Agreement.

 

20

 

 

NOTE 11 — REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

 

Revenue from contracts with customers by reportable segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:

  

    Three Months Ended June 30, 2020  
    Reportable Segment  
                      Principal              
                      Investments-              
     Capital     Auction and     Valuation and     United Online and              
    Markets     Liquidation     Appraisal     magicJack     Brands     Total  
Revenues from contracts with customers:                                    
Corporate finance, consulting and investment banking fees   $ 49,653     $
    $
    $
    $
    $ 49,653  
Wealth and asset management fees     18,701      
     
     
     
      18,701  
Commissions, fees and reimbursed expenses     12,785       2,596       7,668      
     
      23,049  
Subscription services    
     
     
      18,287      
      18,287  
Service contract revenues    
      4,610      
     
     
      4,610  
Advertising, licensing and other    
      1,045      
      3,145       3,206       7,396  
  Total revenues from contracts with customers     81,139       8,251       7,668       21,432       3,206       121,696  
                                                 
Other sources of revenue:                                                
Interest income - Loans and securities lending     24,506      
     
     
     
      24,506  
Trading gains on investments     118,596      
     
     
     
      118,596  
Fair value adjustment on loans     (4,049 )    
     
     
     
      (4,049 )
Other     5,719      
     
     
     
      5,719  
Total revenues   $ 225,911     $ 8,251     $ 7,668     $ 21,432     $ 3,206     $ 266,468  

  

    Three Months Ended June 30, 2019  
    Reportable Segment  
                      Principal              
                      Investments-              
    Capital     Auction and     Valuation and     United Online and              
    Markets     Liquidation     Appraisal     magicJack     Brands     Total  
Revenues from contracts with customers:                                    
Corporate finance, consulting and investment banking fees   $ 39,597     $
    $
    $
    $
    $ 39,597  
Wealth and asset management fees     18,509      
     
     
     
      18,509  
Commissions, fees and reimbursed expenses     10,376       27,466       9,742      
     
      47,584  
Subscription services    
     
     
      21,071      
      21,071  
Service contract revenues    
      6,274      
     
     
      6,274  
Advertising, licensing and other    
      1,176      
      4,707      
      5,883  
Total revenues from contracts with customers     68,482       34,916       9,742       25,778      
      138,918  
                                                 
Other sources of revenue:                                                
Interest income - Loans and securities lending     16,961      
     
     
     
      16,961  
Trading losses on investments     (93 )    
     
     
     
      (93 )
Fair value adjustment on loans     5,688      
     
     
     
      5,688  
Other     3,210      
     
     
     
      3,210  
Total revenues   $ 94,248     $ 34,916     $ 9,742     $ 25,778     $
    $ 164,684  

  

21

 

 

    Six Months Ended June 30, 2020  
    Reportable Segment  
    Capital Markets     Auction and Liquidation     Valuation and Appraisal     Principal Investments - United Online and magicJack     Brands     Total  
Revenues from contracts with customers:                                    
Corporate finance, consulting and investment banking fees   $ 117,034     $
    $
    $
    $
    $ 117,034  
Wealth and asset management fees     39,022      
     
     
     
      39,022  
Commissions, fees and reimbursed expenses     27,255       18,774       16,457      
     
      62,486  
Subscription services    
     
     
      37,120      
      37,120  
Service contract revenues    
      9,093      
     
     
      9,093  
Advertising, licensing and other    
      1,045      
      7,034       7,007       15,086  
Total revenues from contracts with customers     183,311       28,912       16,457       44,154       7,007       279,841  
Other sources of revenue:                                                
Interest income - Loans and securities lending     46,357      
     
     
     
      46,357  
Trading losses on investments     (45,920 )    
     
     
     
      (45,920 )
Fair value adjustment on loans     (21,975 )    
     
     
     
      (21,975 )
Other     7,959      
     
     
     
      7,959  
Total revenues   $ 169,732     $ 28,912     $ 16,457     $ 44,154     $ 7,007     $ 266,262  

 

    Six Months Ended June 30, 2019  
    Reportable Segment  
    Capital Markets     Auction and Liquidation     Valuation and Appraisal     Principal Investments - United Online and magicJack     Brands     Total  
Revenues from contracts with customers:                                    
Corporate finance, consulting and investment banking fees   $ 57,433     $
    $
    $
    $
    $ 57,433  
Wealth and asset management fees     36,044      
     
     
     
      36,044  
Commissions, fees and reimbursed expenses     21,273       35,099       18,325      
     
      74,697  
Subscription services    
     
     
      43,469      
      43,469  
Service contract revenues    
      19,350      
     
     
      19,350  
Advertising, licensing and other    
      1,176      
      9,844      
      11,020  
Total revenues from contracts with customers     114,750       55,625       18,325       53,313      
      242,013  
Other sources of revenue:                                                
Interest income - Loans and securities lending     28,381      
     
     
     
      28,381  
Trading gains on investments     25,822      
     
     
     
      25,822  
Fair value adjustment on loans     5,639      
     
     
     
      5,639  
Other     4,957      
     
     
     
      4,957  
Total revenues   $ 179,549     $ 55,625     $ 18,325     $ 53,313     $
    $ 306,812  

 

Contract Balances

 

The timing of the Company’s revenue recognition may differ from the timing of payment by its customers. The Company records a receivable when revenue is recognized prior to payment and the Company has an unconditional right to payment. Alternatively, when payment precedes the provision of the related services, the Company records deferred revenue until the performance obligations are satisfied. Receivables related to revenues from contracts with customers totaled $43,226 and $46,624 at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The Company had no significant impairments related to these receivables during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020. The Company’s deferred revenue primarily relates to retainer and milestone fees received from corporate finance and investment banking advisory engagements, asset management agreements, Valuation and Appraisal engagements and subscription services where the performance obligation has not yet been satisfied. Deferred revenue at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was $71,017 and $67,121, respectively. During the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized revenue of $10,087 and $11,932 that was recorded as deferred revenue at the beginning of the respective year. During the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized revenue of $24,074 and $25,166 that was recorded as deferred revenue at the beginning of the respective year.

22

 

 

Contract Costs

 

Contract costs include: (1) costs to fulfill contracts associated with corporate finance and investment banking engagements are capitalized where the revenue is recognized at a point in time and the costs are determined to be recoverable; (2) costs to fulfill Auction and Liquidation services contracts where the Company guarantees a minimum recovery value for goods being sold at auction or liquidation where the revenue is recognized over time when the performance obligation is satisfied; and (3) commissions paid to obtain magicJack contracts which are recognized ratably over the contract term and third party support costs for magicJack and related equipment purchased by customers which are recognized ratably over the service period.

 

The capitalized costs to fulfill a contract were $410 and $450 at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, and are recorded in prepaid expenses and other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. For the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized expenses of $70 and $430 related to capitalized costs to fulfill a contract, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized expenses of $142 and $1,031 related to capitalized costs to fulfill a contract, respectively. There were no significant impairment charges recognized in relation to these capitalized costs during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.

 

Remaining Performance Obligations and Revenue Recognized from Past Performance

 

The Company does not disclose information about remaining performance obligations pertaining to contracts that have an original expected duration of one year or less. The transaction price allocated to remaining unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied performance obligations with an original expected duration exceeding one year was not material at June 30, 2020. Corporate finance and investment banking fees and retail liquidation engagement fees that are contingent upon completion of a specific milestone and fees associated with certain distribution services are also excluded as the fees are considered variable and not included in the transaction price at June 30, 2020.

 

NOTE 12 — INCOME TAXES

 

The Company’s effective income tax rate was a benefit of 24.2% and provision of 29.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

As of June 30, 2020, the Company had federal net operating loss carryforwards of $53,932 and state net operating loss carryforwards of $64,088. The Company’s federal net operating loss carryforwards will expire in the tax years commencing in December 31, 2032 through December 31, 2037. The state net operating loss carryforwards will expire in the tax years commencing in December 31, 2029.

 

The Company establishes a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Tax benefits of operating loss, capital loss and tax credit carryforwards are evaluated on an ongoing basis, including a review of historical and projected future operating results, the eligible carryforward period, and other circumstances. The Company’s net operating losses are subject to annual limitations in accordance with Internal Revenue Code Section 382. Accordingly, the Company is limited to the amount of net operating loss that may be utilized in future taxable years depending on the Company’s actual taxable income. As of June 30, 2020, the Company believes that the existing net operating loss carryforwards will be utilized in future tax periods before the loss carryforwards expire and it is more-likely-than-not that future taxable earnings will be sufficient to realize its deferred tax assets and has not provided a valuation allowance. The Company does not believe that it is more likely than not that the Company will be able to utilize the benefits related to capital loss carryforwards and has provided a valuation allowance in the amount of $61,945 against these deferred tax assets.

 

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S., various state and local jurisdictions, and certain other foreign jurisdictions. The Company is currently under audit by certain federal, state and local, and foreign tax authorities. The audits are in varying stages of completion. The Company evaluates its tax positions and establishes liabilities for uncertain tax positions that may be challenged by tax authorities. Uncertain tax positions are reviewed on an ongoing basis and are adjusted in light of changing facts and circumstances, including progress of tax audits, case law developments and closing of statutes of limitations. Such adjustments are reflected in the provision for income taxes, as appropriate. The Company is currently open to audit under the statute of limitations by the Internal Revenue Service for the calendar years ended December 31, 2016 to 2019.

 

NOTE 13 — EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, after giving effect to all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period. Basic common shares outstanding exclude 387,365 common shares in 2019 that were held in escrow and subject to forfeiture. The 387,365 common shares held in escrow were forfeited and cancelled on June 11, 2020 to indemnify the Company for certain representations and warranties and related claims pursuant to a related acquisition agreement. Securities that could potentially dilute basic net income per share in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted net income per share were 1,365,738 and 1,104,198 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively and 1,592,958 and 1,528,533 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, because to do so would have been anti-dilutive.

 

23

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share were calculated as follows:

 

    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2020     2019     2020     2019  
Net income (loss) attributable to B. Riley Financial, Inc.   $ 83,840     $ 22,157     $ (14,825 )   $ 30,180  
Preferred stock dividends     (1,087 )    
      (2,142 )      
Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders   $ 82,753     $ 22,157     $ (16,967 )   $ 30,180  
                                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:                                
Basic     25,627,085       26,278,352       25,827,849       26,247,952  
Effect of dilutive potential common shares:                                
   Restricted stock units and warrants     1,365,738       543,442             448,191  
   Contingently issuable shares    
      74,779             74,779  
Diluted     26,992,823       26,896,573       25,827,849       26,770,922  
                                 
Basic income (loss) per common share   $ 3.23     $ 0.84     $ (0.66 )   $ 1.15  
Diluted income (loss) per common share   $ 3.07     $ 0.82     $ (0.66 )   $ 1.13  

 

NOTE 14 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

(a) Legal Matters

 

The Company is subject to certain legal and other claims that arise in the ordinary course of its business. In particular, the Company and its subsidiaries are named in and subject to various proceedings and claims arising primarily from the Company’s securities business activities, including lawsuits, arbitration claims, class actions, and regulatory matters. Some of these claims seek substantial compensatory, punitive, or indeterminate damages. The Company and its subsidiaries are also involved in other reviews, investigations, and proceedings by governmental and self-regulatory organizations regarding the Company’s business, which may result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, injunctions, and other relief. In view of the number and diversity of claims against the Company, the number of jurisdictions in which litigation is pending, and the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of litigation and other claims, the Company cannot state with certainty what the eventual outcome of pending litigation or other claims will be. Notwithstanding this uncertainty, the Company does not believe that the results of these claims are likely to have a material effect on its financial position or results of operations.

 

On August 11, 2017, a putative class action lawsuit titled Freedman v. magicJack VocalTec Ltd. et al., Case 9-17-cv-80940, was filed against magicJack and its Board of Directors in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida (Case No: 9:17-cv-80940-RLR). In November 2018, the District court granted the Company’s request for dismissal of the case. However, the plaintiff appealed the ruling and oral arguments for the appeal were held in January 2020. On June 25, 2020, the Appeals court provided its ruling in favor of the Company, upholding the District court’s dismissal of the case.

 

On January 5, 2017, complaints filed in November 2015 and May 2016 naming MLV & Co. (“MLV”), a broker-dealer subsidiary of FBR, as a defendant in putative class action lawsuits alleging claims under the Securities Act, in connection with the offerings of Miller Energy Resources, Inc. (“Miller”) have been consolidated. The Master Consolidated Complaint, styled Gaynor v. Miller et al., is pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, and, like its predecessor complaints, continues to allege claims under Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act against nine underwriters for alleged material misrepresentations and omissions in the registration statement and prospectuses issued in connection with six offerings (February 13, 2013; May 8, 2013; June 28, 2013; September 26, 2013; October 17, 2013 (as to MLV only) and August 21, 2014) with an alleged aggregate offering price of approximately $151,000. The Court ordered mediation before a federal magistrate took place on August 6, 2019, with no resolution. In December 2019, the Court remanded the case to state court. In July 2020, the Company agreed to settle this matter, subject to court approval.

 

In July 2017, an arbitration claim was filed with FINRA by Dominick & Dickerman LLC and Michael Campbell against WSI and Gary Wunderlich with respect to the acquisition by Wunderlich Investment Company, Inc. (“WIC”) (the parent corporation of WSI) of certain assets of Dominick & Dominick LLC in 2015. The Claimants allege that respondents overvalued WIC so that the purchase price paid to the Claimants in shares of WIC stock was artificially inflated. On April 7, 2020, the arbitration panel issued an award against BRWM and Gary Wunderlich holding each party jointly and severally liable for damages, costs and expenses in an aggregate amount of $11,400. The Company filed a motion to vacate the arbitration award in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on May 5, 2020. In June 2020, Dominick & Dickerman LLC settled the matter for $10,150 in cash. Michael Campbell agreed that the award shall be vacated as to him.

 

24

 

 

In December 2015, magicJack received a Letter of Inquiry (the “2015 LOI”) from the Enforcement Bureau (the “Bureau”) of the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) in which the Bureau indicated that it was investigating whether the Company is subject to the FCC’s rules applicable to interconnected VoIP providers. magicJack believes that it is not an interconnected VoIP provider under current regulations and is not subject to the FCC rules. Previously, magicJack received similar letters of inquiry in 2010 and 2013, neither of which resulted in any enforcement action. magicJack responded to the 2015 LOI in February 2016. The Company participated in discussions with the FCC regarding a potential settlement, and on June 5, 2020, the Company and the FCC entered into a Consent Decree to settle the FCC’s inquiry. In the Consent Decree, magicJack made no admission of non-compliance with FCC regulations but did agree to make certain changes to its product offerings and marketing materials on a go forward basis and to make a cash payment of $5,000 to the FCC.

 

(b) Franchise Group Commitment Letter, Loan Participant Guaranty and CIBC Guarantee

 

Commitment Letter

 

On February 14, 2020, affiliates of FRG entered into an ABL Credit Agreement (the “Franchise Credit Agreement”), with GACP Finance Co., LLC (“GACP Finance”) as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto, pursuant to which the lenders provided an asset based credit facility to FRG in an aggregate principal amount of $100,000 In connection with the Franchise Credit Agreement, the Company entered into a commitment letter, dated as of February 14, 2020 (the “Commitment Letter”), pursuant to which the Company committed to provide a $100,000 asset based lending facility to FRG, on April 14, 2020 if, on or before such date, the obligations under the Franchise Credit Agreement are not refinanced in full. On May 1, 2020, the Company extended its commitment under the Commitment Letter until 30 days prior to the maturity date which is currently set forth in the Franchise Credit Agreement as September 30, 2020.

 

The Loan Participant Guaranty

 

On February 14, 2020, FRG, the lenders from time to time party thereto and GACP Finance as administrative agent, entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Term Loan Credit Agreement”), pursuant to which the lenders provided a term loan facility to FRG in an aggregate principal amount of $575,000. On February 19, 2020, the Company entered into a limited guaranty (the “Loan Participant Guaranty”) to one of the lenders under the Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Loan Participant”) pursuant to which the Company guaranteed the payment when due of certain obligations, including principal, interest, and other amounts payable to the Loan Participant under the Term Loan Credit Agreement in an amount not to exceed $50,000 plus certain expenses of the Loan Participant and certain protective advances related to such guaranteed obligations (the “Loan Participant Guaranteed Obligations”). The Loan Participant may require payment of the Loan Participant Guaranteed Obligations by the Company upon the occurrence of certain guarantor events of default, including payment or bankruptcy events of default, in each case pursuant to the Term Loan Credit Agreement. The Loan Participant Guaranty remains in effect until the date that the Loan Participant Guaranteed Obligations have been paid in full.

 

The Loan Participant Guaranteed Obligations are unsecured obligations of the Company and rank equally in right of payment with all of the Company’s other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The Loan Participant Guaranteed Obligations are effectively subordinated in right of payment to all of the Company’s existing and future secured indebtedness and structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness of the Company’s subsidiaries, including trade payables.

 

CIBC Guaranty

 

On February 14, 2020, the Company entered into a limited guaranty (the “CIBC Guaranty”) in favor of CIBC Bank USA (“CIBC”), pursuant to which the Company guaranteed the payment when due of certain obligations, including all principal, interest, and other amounts that shall be at any time payable by FRG under FRG’s credit agreement with CIBC and the lenders party thereto, dated as of May 16, 2019, as amended (the “CIBC Credit Agreement”) in an amount not to exceed $125,000 plus certain expenses of CIBC related to such guaranteed obligations (the “CIBC Guaranteed Obligations”). CIBC may require payment of the CIBC Guaranteed Obligations by the Company upon the occurrence of either (a) the failure of FRG to pay any principal of any loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any letter of credit disbursement or (b) the failure of FRG to pay any interest on any loan or on any reimbursement obligation in respect of any letter of credit disbursement within five business days of the date due, in each case pursuant to the CIBC Credit Agreement. The CIBC Guaranty terminated on June 30, 2020.

 

(c) Babcock & Wilcock Commitments and Guarantee

 

On May 14, 2020, the Company entered into an a agreement to provide Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. (“B&W”) future commitments to loan B&W up to $40,000 at various dates starting in November 2020 and the Company provided a limited guaranty of B&W’s obligations under B&W’s amended credit facility as more fully described in Note 17 - Related Party Transactions.

 

25

 

 

NOTE 15 — SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS AND COMMON STOCK

 

(a) Employee Stock Incentive Plans

 

Share- based compensation expense for restricted stock units under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) was $4,109 and $2,860 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively and $9,265 and $5,353 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, in connection with employee stock incentive plans the Company granted 586,916 restricted stock units with a weighted average grant date fair value of $18.53 per share.  The restricted stock units generally vest over a period of one to three years based on continued service. Performance based restricted stock units generally vest based on both the employee’s continued service and the Company’s common stock price, as defined in the grant, achieving a set threshold during the three-year period following the grant.  In determining the fair value of restricted stock units on the grant date, the fair value is adjusted for (a) estimated forfeitures, (b) expected dividends based on historical patterns and the Company’s anticipated dividend payments over the expected holding period and (c) the risk-free interest rate based on U.S. Treasuries for a maturity matching the expected holding period. 

 

(b) Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

In connection with the Company’s Purchase Plan, share based compensation was $59 and $74 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively and $224 and $195 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. At June 30, 2020, there were 524,891 shares reserved for issuance under the Purchase Plan.

 

(c) Common Stock

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company repurchased 1,240,581 shares of its common stock for $27,779 which represents an average price of $22.39 per common share. On July 1, 2020, the Company entered into an agreement to repurchase 900,000 shares of its common stock for $19,800 ($22.00 per common share) from one of its shareholders. In accordance with the agreement, the Company repurchased 450,000 shares for $9,900 on July 2, 2020 and the remaining 450,000 shares are required to be repurchased for $9,900 at a mutually agreeable date prior to January 1, 2021. In addition to the repurchases of common stock, 387,365 shares of the Company’s common stock that were previously held in escrow in connection with the acquisition of WIC in 2017 were forfeited and cancelled on June 11, 2020 to indemnify the Company for certain representations and warranties and related claims pursuant to a related acquisition agreement.

 

NOTE 16 — NET CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

 

B. Riley FBR and B. Riley Wealth Management (“BRWM”), the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiaries, are registered with the SEC as broker-dealers and are members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). The Company’s broker-dealer subsidiaries are subject to the SEC’s Uniform Net Capital Rule (Rule 15c3-1) which requires the subsidiaries to maintain minimum net capital and provides that the ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital, both as defined, shall not exceed 15 to 1. As of June 30, 2020, B. Riley FBR had net capital of $99,404, which was $96,325 in excess of its required net capital of $3,079; and BRWM had net capital of $4,923 which was $4,263 in excess of its required net capital of $660.

 

NOTE 17 — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

At June 30, 2020, amounts due from related parties of $295 included $32 from GACP I, L.P. (“GACP I”) and $15 from GACP II, L.P. (“GACP II”) for management fees and other operating expenses, and $248 due from CA Global Partners (“CA Global”) for operating expenses related to wholesale and industrial liquidation engagements managed by CA Global on behalf of GA Global Ptrs. At December 31, 2019, amounts due from related parties of $5,832 included $145 from GACP I and $12 from GACP II for management fees and other operating expenses, $13 due from B. Riley Principal Merger Corp, a company that consummated its initial public offering on April 11, 2019, for which our wholly owned subsidiary, B. Riley Principal Sponsor Co. LLC, was the Sponsor, and $3,846 due from John Ahn, who at the time was the President of Great American Capital Partners, LLC, our indirect wholly owned subsidiary (“GACP”), pursuant to a Secured Line of Promissory Note related to a Transfer Agreement as further discussed below. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company sold a portion of a loan receivable to GACP for $1,800. At June 30, 2020, the Company had sold loan participations to BRC Partners Opportunity Fund, LP (“BRCPOF”), a private equity fund managed by one of its subsidiaries, in the amount of $14,109, and recorded interest expense of $971 during the six months ended June 30, 2020 related to BRCPOF’s loan participations.  Our executive officers and members of our board of directors have a 72.9% financial interest, which includes a financial interest of Bryant Riley, our Co-Chief Executive Officer, of 42.1% in the BRCPOF at June 30, 2020.   At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had outstanding loan to participations to BRCPOF in the amount of $14,109 and $12,478, respectively.

 

On April 1, 2019, the Company entered into a Transfer Agreement (the “Transfer Agreement”) with GACP II, a fund managed by GACP, and John Ahn, who is the brother of Phil Ahn, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. The Transfer Agreement provides for among other things, the transfer to Mr. J. Ahn of 55.56% of the Company’s limited partnership interest in GACP II (the “Transferred Interest”), which represents a capital commitment in the aggregate amount of $5,000. In connection with the Transfer Agreement, the Company provided Mr. J. Ahn with a non-recourse, secured line of credit in an aggregate amount of up to $5,003 pursuant to the terms of a Secured Line of Credit Promissory Note (the “Note”) dated April 1, 2019, to fund the purchase price of the Transferred Interest. We also entered into a Security Agreement with Mr. J. Ahn on April 1, 2019, which granted to the Company a security interest in the Transferred Interest to secure Mr. J. Ahn’s obligations under the Note. The Note is subject to an interest rate per annum of 7.00%. As of December 31, 2019, the principal and accrued interest on the Note were $3,798 and $48, respectively. In June 2020, the Company entered into an investment advisory services agreement with Whitehawk Capital Partners, L.P., a limited partnership controlled by Mr. J. Ahn, (“Whitehawk”). Whitehawk has agreed to provide investment advisory services for GACP I and GACP II.  In accordance with the terms of the Note, Mr. Ahn surrendered the Transferred Interest to the Company in exchange for the cancellation of the Note. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, interest payments received on the Note was $121 and management fees paid for investment advisory services by Whitehawk was $103. 

26

 

 

On May 22, 2020, the Company earned $3,275 of underwriting fees from the initial public offering of B. Riley Principal Merger Corp. II, (“BRPM II”), which was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (the “BRPM II IPO”). The Company has also agreed to loan BRPM II up to $300 for operating expenses. The loan is interest free and there were no amounts outstanding at June 30, 2020. BRPM II entered into a non-binding letter of intent to acquire a privately held company that is not related to the Company (the “Proposed Acquisition”). The non-binding letter of intent contemplates that the Company would provide a backstop guarantee to raise $50,000 new equity in a private placement for the Proposed Acquisition.  The Proposed Acquisition is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2020, subject to, among other things, the negotiation and execution of a definitive agreement between BRPM II and the privately held company.

 

In addition to the above, the Company from time to time participates in loans and financing arrangements in respect of companies in which the Company has an equity ownership and representation on the board of directors or equivalent body. The Company may also provide consulting services or investment banking services to raise capital for these companies. These transactions can be summarized as follows:

 

Sonim

 

The Company has a loan receivable due from Sonim Technologies, Inc. (“Sonim”) that is included in loans receivable at fair value with a fair value of $9,603 at December 31, 2019. Interest is payable at 10.0% per annum with a maturity date of September 1, 2022. The original loan was made in October 2017 in connection with the Company’s initial investment in common stock and preferred stock that was purchased from Sonim’s existing shareholders. In October 2017, the Company also entered into a management services agreement with Sonim to provide advisory and consulting services for management fees of up to $200 per year. The management services agreement was terminated in September 2019.

 

In June 2020 Sonim repaid $4,000 of the outstanding loan balance in cash and the remaining principal amount, accrued interest and other amounts outstanding of $6,170 under the loan converted into shares of common stock of Sonim at the then public offering price of shares of Sonim’s common stock.

 

Babcock and Wilcox

 

The Company has a last-out term loan receivable due from B&W that is included in loans receivable, at fair value with a fair value of $150,812 at June 30, 2020. As of December 31, 2019, the last-out term loan was included in loans receivable, at cost with a carrying value of $109,147. On January 31, 2020, the Company provided B&W with an additional $30,000 of last-out term loans pursuant to new amendments to B&W’s credit agreement. On May 14, 2020, the Company provided B&W with another $30,000 of last-out term loans pursuant to a further amendment to B&W’s credit agreement which also included future commitments for the Company to loan B&W $40,000 at various dates starting in November 2020 and a limited guaranty by the Company of B&W’s obligations under the amended credit facility, (the “Amendment Transactions”). Interest is payable quarterly at the fixed rate of 12.0% per annum in common stock of B&W at $2.28 per common share through December 31, 2020 and in cash thereafter. All of these loans were made to B&W as part of various amendments to B&W’s existing credit agreement with other lenders not related to the Company. As part of the Amendment Transactions, the Company entered into the following agreements: (i) an Amendment and Restatement Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2020, among B&W, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other lenders party thereto, including the Company; (ii) a Fee Letter, dated as of May 14, 2020, among the Company and B&W; (iii) a Fee and Interest Equitization Agreement, dated May 14, 2020, between the Company, B. Riley FBR, and B&W; (iv) a Termination Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2020, the Company and B&W and acknowledged by Bank of America, N.A. with respect to the Backstop Commitment Letter; and (v) a Limited Guaranty Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2020, among the Company, B&W and Bank of America, N.A.

 

In connection with making the loan to B&W, in April 2019 the Company received warrants to purchase 1,666,667 shares of common stock of B&W with an exercise price of $0.01 per share. The option to exercise the warrants expires on April 5, 2022.

 

One of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries entered into a services agreement with B&W that provided for the President of the Company to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of B&W until November 30, 2020 (the “Executive Consulting Agreement”), unless terminated by either party with thirty days written notice. Under this agreement, fees for services provided are $750 per annum, paid monthly. In addition, subject to the achievement of certain performance objectives as determined by B&W’s compensation committee of the board, a bonus or bonuses may also be earned and payable to the Company.

 

Maven

 

The Company has loans receivable due from theMaven, Inc. (“Maven”) that are included in loans receivable, at fair value of $71,118 at June 30, 2020. At December 31, 2019, the Company had a loan receivable due from Maven that is included in loans receivable at fair value of $21,150 and another loan receivable from Maven that is included in loans receivable at historical cost with a carrying value of $47,933 (which is comprised of the principal balance due in the amount of $49,921, less original issue discount of $1,988). Interest on these loans is payable at 12.0% to 15.0% per annum with maturity dates through June 2022.

 

27

 

 

Franchise Group

 

The Company has a loan receivable due from Vitamin Shoppe, a subsidiary of FRG, (“Vitamin Shoppe”) that was included in loans receivable, at fair value with a fair value of $4,951 at December 31, 2019. Interest was payable at 13.7% per annum with a maturity date of December 16, 2022. The principal balance of $4,697 on the Vitamin Shoppe loan receivable was repaid in May 2020 and the final interest payment of $31 was paid on June 1, 2020. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company earned $4,329 of underwriting fees from FRG in connection with FRG’s capital raising activities.

 

The Company is party to a Commitment Letter, Loan Participant Guaranty and was party to the CIBC Guarantee with FRG as disclosed above in Note 14 – Commitments and Contingencies.

 

NOTE 18 — BUSINESS SEGMENTS

 

The Company’s business is classified into the Capital Markets segment, Auction and Liquidation segment, Valuation and Appraisal segment, Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack segment, and Brands segment. These reportable segments are all distinct businesses, each with a different marketing strategy and management structure.

 

28

 

 

The following is a summary of certain financial data for each of the Company’s reportable segments:

 

    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2020     2019     2020     2019  
Capital Markets segment:                        
Revenues - Services and fees   $ 86,858     $ 71,692     $ 191,271     $ 119,706  
Trading income (losses) and fair value adjustments on loans     114,547       5,595       (67,895 )     31,462  
Interest income - Loans and securities lending     24,506       16,961       46,357       28,381  
Total revenues     225,911       94,248       169,733       179,549  
Selling, general and administrative expenses     (81,030 )     (63,041 )     (135,741 )     (126,430 )
Restructuring (charge) recovery    
      (25 )    
      4  
Interest expense - Securities lending and loan participations sold     (11,221 )     (5,502 )     (19,694 )     (12,306 )
Depreciation and amortization     (1,091 )     (1,287 )     (2,196 )     (2,563 )
Segment income     132,569       24,393       12,102       38,254  
Auction and Liquidation segment:                                
Revenues - Services and fees     7,206       33,740       27,867       54,449  
Revenues - Sale of goods     1,045       1,176       1,045       1,176  
Total revenues     8,251       34,916       28,912       55,625  
Direct cost of services     (3,217 )     (12,939 )     (18,033 )     (19,213 )
Cost of goods sold     (285 )     (852 )     (314 )     (866 )
Selling, general and administrative expenses     (2,729 )     (3,295 )     (4,255 )     (6,210 )
Depreciation and amortization    
      (2 )     (1 )     (4 )
Segment income     2,020       17,828       6,309       29,332  
Valuation and Appraisal segment:                                
Revenues - Services and fees     7,669       9,742       16,457       18,325  
Selling, general and administrative expenses     (6,144 )     (6,974 )     (13,011 )     (14,161 )
Depreciation and amortization     (47 )     (31 )     (88 )     (64 )
Segment income     1,478       2,737       3,358       4,100  
Principal Investments - United Online and magicJack segment:                                
Revenues - Services and fees     20,656       24,794       42,374       51,384  
Revenues - Sale of goods     775       984       1,779       1,929  
Total revenues     21,431       25,778       44,153       53,313  
Direct cost of services     (4,768 )     (6,724 )     (9,904 )     (14,566 )
Cost of goods sold     (575 )     (953 )     (1,315 )     (2,058 )
Selling, general and administrative expenses     (4,049 )     (5,495 )     (9,512 )     (12,515 )
Depreciation and amortization     (2,851 )     (3,300 )     (5,730 )     (6,763 )
Restructuring charge    
      (1,527 )    
      (1,703 )
Segment income     9,188       7,779       17,692       15,708  
Brands segment:                                
Revenues - Services and fees     3,206      
      7,007      
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses     (309 )    
      (1,213 )    
 
Depreciation and amortization     (715 )    
      (1,429 )    
 
Impairment of tradenames     (8,500 )    
      (12,500 )    
 
Segment loss     (6,318 )    
      (8,135 )    
 
Consolidated operating income from reportable segments     138,937       52,737       31,326       87,394  
                                 
Corporate and other expenses     (7,597 )     (8,482 )     (21,130 )     (18,161 )
Interest income     224       331       470       968  
Loss on equity investments     (318 )     (1,400 )     (554 )     (5,162 )
Interest expense     (16,509 )     (11,588 )     (32,163 )     (22,358 )
Income (Loss) before income taxes     114,737       31,598       (22,051 )     42,681  
(Provision) benefit for income taxes     (32,208 )     (9,289 )     5,331       (12,393 )
Net income (loss)     82,529       22,309       (16,720 )     30,288  
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests     (1,311 )     152       (1,895 )     108  
Net income (loss) attributable to B. Riley Financial, Inc.     83,840       22,157       (14,825 )     30,180  
Preferred stock dividends     1,087      
      2,142      
 
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders   $ 82,753     $ 22,157     $ (16,967 )   $ 30,180  

 

29

 

 

The following table presents revenues by geographical area:

 

    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2020     2019     2020     2019  
Revenues:                        
Revenues - Services and fees:                        
North America   $ 124,039     $ 139,968     $ 282,505     $ 243,788  
Australia     1,038      
      1,702       15  
Europe     518      
      769       61  
Total Revenues - Services and fees   $ 125,595     $ 139,968     $ 284,976     $ 243,864  
                                 
Trading (losses) income and fair value adjustments on loans                                
North America   $ 114,547     $ 5,595     $ (67,895 )   $ 31,462  
                                 
Revenues - Sale of goods                                
North America   $ 1,820     $ 2,160     $ 2,824     $ 3,105  
                                 
Revenues - Interest income - Loans and securities lending:                                
North America   $ 24,506     $ 16,961     $ 46,357     $ 28,381  
                                 
Total Revenues:                                
North America   $ 264,912     $ 164,684     $ 263,791     $ 306,736  
Australia     1,038      
      1,702       15  
Europe     518      
      769       61  
Total Revenues   $ 266,468     $ 164,684     $ 266,262     $ 306,812  

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 long-lived assets, which consist of property and equipment and other assets, of $12,287 and $13,997, respectively, were located in North America.

 

Segment assets are not reported to, or used by, the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker to allocate resources to, or assess performance of, the segments and therefore, total segment assets have not been disclosed.

 

NOTE 19 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

From time to time, the Company may decide to pay dividends which will be dependent upon our financial condition and results of operations. On July 30, 2020, the Board of Directors announced an increase to the regular quarterly dividend from $0.25 per share to $0.30 per share. On July 30, 2020, the Company declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share and a special dividend of $0.05 per share which will be paid on or about August 28, 2020 to stockholders of record as of August 14, 2020. While it is the Board’s current intention to make regular dividend payments each quarter and special dividend payments dependent upon exceptional circumstances from time to time, our Board of Directors may reduce or discontinue the payment of dividends at any time for any reason it deems relevant. The declaration and payment of any future dividends on our common stock will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will be dependent upon our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, capital expenditures, and other factors that may be deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.

 

30

 

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

This report contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “future,” “intend,” “seek,” “likely,” “potential” or “continue,” the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially.

 

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither we, nor any other person, assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements. We are under no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the filing of this Quarterly Report to conform such statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations.

 

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. Readers are also urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us which attempt to advise interested parties of the factors which affect our business, including without limitation the disclosures made in Item 1A of Part II of this Quarterly Report under the caption “Risk Factors.”

 

Risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements include but are not limited to risks related to: volatility in our revenues and results of operations; the unpredictable and ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; changing conditions in the financial markets; our ability to generate sufficient revenues to achieve and maintain profitability; our exposure to credit risk; the short term nature of our engagements; the accuracy of our estimates and valuations of inventory or assets in “guarantee” based engagements; competition in the asset management business; potential losses related to our auction or liquidation engagements; our dependence on communications, information and other systems and third parties; potential losses related to purchase transactions in our auction and liquidations business; the potential loss of financial institution clients; potential losses from or illiquidity of our proprietary investments; changing economic and market conditions; potential liability and harm to our reputation if we were to provide an inaccurate appraisal or valuation; potential mark-downs in inventory in connection with purchase transactions; failure to successfully compete in any of our segments; loss of key personnel; our ability to borrow under our credit facilities or at-the-market offering as necessary; failure to comply with the terms of our credit agreements or senior notes; our ability to meet future capital requirements; our ability to realize the benefits of our completed acquisitions, including our ability to achieve anticipated opportunities and operating cost savings, and accretion to reported earnings estimated to result from completed and proposed acquisitions in the time frame expected by management or at all; the diversion of management time on acquisition- related issues; the failure of our brand investment portfolio licensees to pay us royalties; and the intense competition to which our brand investment portfolio is subject. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Except as otherwise required by the context, references in this Quarterly Report to the “Company,” “B. Riley,” “B. Riley Financial,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to the combined business of B. Riley Financial, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries.

 

Overview

 

General

 

B. Riley Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: RILY) and its subsidiaries provide collaborative financial services and solutions through several operating subsidiaries including:

 

B. Riley FBR, Inc. (“B. Riley FBR”) is a leading, full service investment bank providing financial advisory, corporate finance, research, securities lending and sales and trading services to corporate, institutional and high net worth individual clients. B. Riley FBR was formed in November 2017 through the merger of B. Riley & Co, LLC and FBR Capital Markets & Co., which the Company acquired in June 2017; the name of the combined broker dealer was subsequently changed to B. Riley FBR, Inc.

 

B. Riley Wealth Management, Inc. (“B. Riley Wealth Management”) provides comprehensive wealth management and brokerage services to individuals and families, corporations and non-profit organizations, including qualified retirement plans, trusts, foundations and endowments. B. Riley Wealth Management was formerly Wunderlich Securities, Inc., which the Company acquired on July 3, 2017 and changed the name in June 2018.

 

31

 

 

B. Riley Capital Management, LLC, a Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) registered investment advisor, which includes:

 

B. Riley Asset Management, an advisor to certain private funds and to institutional and high net worth investors;

 

Great American Capital Partners, LLC (“GACP”), the general partner of two private funds, GACP I, L.P. and GACP II, L.P., both direct lending funds that provide senior secured loans and second lien secured loan facilities to middle market public and private U.S. companies.

 

GlassRatner Advisory & Capital Group LLC (“GlassRatner”), a specialty financial advisory services firm that provides consulting services to shareholders, creditors and companies, including due diligence, fraud investigations, corporate litigation support, crisis management and bankruptcy services. We acquired GlassRatner on August 1, 2018. GlassRatner strengthens B. Riley’s diverse platform and compliments the restructuring services provided by B. Riley FBR.

 

Great American Group, LLC (“Great American Group”), a leading provider of asset disposition and auction solutions to a wide range of retail and industrial clients.

 

Great American Group Advisory and Valuation Services, LLC, a leading provider of appraisal and valuation services for asset based lenders, private equity firms and corporate clients.

 

We also pursue a strategy of investing in or acquiring companies which we believe have attractive investment return characteristics. We acquired United Online, Inc. (“UOL” or “United Online”) on July 1, 2016 and magicJack VocalTec Ltd. (“magicJack”) on November 14, 2018 as part of our principal investment strategy.

 

UOL is a communications company that offers consumer subscription services and products, consisting of Internet access services and devices under the NetZero and Juno brands primarily sold in the United States.

 

magicJack is a Voice over IP (“VoIP”) cloud-based technology and services communications provider.

 

BR Brand, in which the company owns a majority interest, provides licensing of a brand investment portfolio. BR Brand owns the assets and intellectual property related to licenses of six brands: Catherine Malandrino, English Laundry, Joan Vass, Kensie Girl, Limited Too and Nanette Lepore. 

 

We are headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in major cities throughout the United States including New York, Chicago, Boston, Dallas, Memphis, Metro Washington D.C and West Palm Beach.

 

For financial reporting purposes we classify our businesses into five operating segments: (i) Capital Markets, (ii) Auction and Liquidation, (iii) Valuation and Appraisal, (iv) Principal Investments – United Online and magicJack and (v) Brands.

 

Capital Markets Segment. Our Capital Markets segment provides a full array of investment banking, corporate finance, consulting, financial advisory, research, securities lending, wealth management and sales and trading services to corporate, institutional and high net worth clients. Our corporate finance and investment banking services include merger and acquisitions as well as restructuring advisory services to public and private companies, initial and secondary public offerings, and institutional private placements. In addition, we trade equity securities as a principal for our account, including investments in funds managed by our subsidiaries. Our Capital Markets segment also includes our asset management businesses that manage various private and public funds for institutional and individual investors.

 

Auction and Liquidation Segment. Our Auction and Liquidation segment utilizes our significant industry experience, a scalable network of independent contractors and industry-specific advisors to tailor our services to the specific needs of a multitude of clients, logistical challenges and distressed circumstances. Furthermore, our scale and pool of resources allow us to offer our services across North American as well as parts of Europe, Asia and Australia. Our Auction and Liquidation segment operates through two main divisions, retail store liquidations and wholesale and industrial assets dispositions. Our wholesale and industrial assets dispositions division operates through limited liability companies that are controlled by us.

 

Valuation and Appraisal Segment. Our Valuation and Appraisal segment provides Valuation and Appraisal services to financial institutions, lenders, private equity firms and other providers of capital. These services primarily include the valuation of assets (i) for purposes of determining and monitoring the value of collateral securing financial transactions and loan arrangements and (ii) in connection with potential business combinations. Our Valuation and Appraisal segment operates through limited liability companies that are majority owned by us.

 

32

 

 

Principal Investments - United Online and magicJack Segment. Our Principal Investments - United Online and magicJack segment consists of businesses which have been acquired primarily for attractive investment return characteristics. Currently, this segment includes UOL, through which we provide consumer Internet access, and magicJack, through which we provide VoIP communication and related product and subscription services.

 

Brands Segment. Our Brands segment consists of our brand investment portfolio that is focused on generating revenue through the licensing of trademarks and is held by BR Brand.

 

Recent Developments

 

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) announced a global health emergency because of a new strain of coronavirus (the “COVID-19 outbreak”). In March 2020, the WHO classified the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic, based on the rapid increase in exposure globally. The full impact of the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve. The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows will depend on future developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak and related advisories and restrictions. These developments and the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the financial markets and the overall economy are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial markets and/or the overall economy are impacted for an extended period, our results of operations, financial position and cash flows may be materially adversely affected.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following period to period comparisons of our financial results are not necessarily indicative of future results.

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2019

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    Three Months Ended      
    June 30,     June 30,     Change  
    2020     2019     Amount     %  
Revenues:                        
Services and fees   $ 125,595     $ 139,968     $ (14,373 )     (10.3 %)
Trading income and fair value adjustments on loans     114,547       5,595       108,952       n/m  
Interest income - Loans and securities lending     24,506       16,961       7,545       44.5 %
Sale of goods     1,820       2,160       (340 )     (15.7 %)
Total revenues     266,468       164,684       101,784       61.8 %
                                 
Operating expenses:                                
Direct cost of services     7,985       19,663       (11,678 )     (59.4 %)
Cost of goods sold     860       1,805       (945 )     (52.4 %)
Selling, general and administrative expenses     106,562       91,907       14,655       15.9 %
Restructuring charge           1,552       (1,552 )     (100.0 %)
Impairment of tradenames     8,500             8,500       100.0 %
Interest expense - Securities lending and loan participations sold     11,221       5,502       5,719       103.9 %
Total operating expenses     135,128       120,429       14,699       12.2 %
Operating income     131,340       44,255       87,085       196.8 %
Other income (expense):                                
Interest income     224       331       (107 )     (32.3 %)
Loss from equity investments     (318 )     (1,400 )     1,082       (77.3 %)
Interest expense     (16,509 )     (11,588 )     (4,921 )     42.5 %
Income before income taxes     114,737       31,598       83,139       263.1 %
Provision for income taxes     (32,208 )     (9,289 )     (22,919 )     246.7 %
Net income     82,529       22,309       60,220       269.9 %
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests     (1,311 )     152       (1,463 )     n/m  
Net income attributable to B. Riley Financial, Inc.     83,840       22,157       61,683       278.4 %
Preferred stock dividends     1,087             1,087       100.0 %
Net income available to common shareholders   $ 82,753     $ 22,157     $ 60,596       273.5 %

 

 

n/m - Not applicable or not meaningful.

 

33

 

 

Revenues

 

The table below and the discussion that follows are based on how we analyze our business.

 

    Three Months Ended              
    June 30,
2020
    June 30,
2019
    Change  
    Amount     Amount     Amount     %  
Revenues - Services and fees:                        
Capital Markets segment   $ 86,858     $ 71,692     $ 15,166       21.2 %
Auction and Liquidation segment     7,206       33,740       (26,534 )     -78.6 %
Valuation and Appraisal segment     7,669       9,742       (2,073 )     -21.3 %
Principal Investments - United Online and magicJack segment     20,656       24,794       (4,138 )     -16.7 %
Brands     3,206             3,206       100.0 %
Subtotal     125,595       139,968       (14,373 )     -10.3 %
                                 
Revenues - Sale of goods:                                
Auction and Liquidation segment     1,045       1,176       (131 )     -11.1 %
Principal Investments - United Online and magicJack segment     775       984       (209 )     -21.2 %
Subtotal     1,820       2,160       (340 )     -15.7 %
                                 
Trading income and fair value adjustments on loans                                
Capital Markets segment     114,547       5,595       108,952       n/m  
Subtotal     114,547       5,595       108,952       n/m  
                                 
Interest income - Loans and securities lending:                                
Capital Markets segment     24,506       16,961       7,545       44.5 %
Total revenues   $ 266,468     $ 164,684     $ 101,784       61.8 %

 

 

n/m - Not applicable or not meaningful.

 

Total revenues increased approximately $101.8 million to $266.5 million during the three months ended June 30, 2020 from $164.7 million during the three months ended June 30, 2019. The increase in revenues during the three months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily due to an increase in revenue from trading income and fair value adjustments on loans of $109.0 million and interest income - loans and securities lending of $7.5 million, partially offset by decreases in revenue from services and fees of $14.4 million and a decrease in revenues from sales of goods of $0.3 million. The decrease in revenue from services and fees of $14.4 million in the three months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily due to decreases in revenue of $26.5 million in the Auction and Liquidation segment, $2.1 million in the Valuation and Appraisal segment and $4.1 million in the Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack segment, partially offset by increases of revenue of $15.2 million in the Capital Markets segment and $3.2 million in the Brands segment.

 

Revenues from services and fees in the Capital Markets segment increased $15.2 million, to $86.9 million during the three months ended June 30, 2020 from $71.7 million during the three months ended June 30, 2019. The increase in revenues was primarily due to an increase in revenue of $10.1 million from corporate finance, consulting and investment banking fees, an increase in revenues from commissions of $2.4 million and an increase in asset management fees of $0.2 million.

 

Revenues from services and fees in the Auction and Liquidation segment decreased $26.5 million to $7.2 million during the three months ended June 30, 2020 from $33.7 million during the three months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in revenues in the Auction and Liquidation segment was primarily due to fewer large retail liquidation engagements during the quarter and the impact of COVID-19 which resulted in delays and temporary stoppage of certain retail liquidation engagements. In June 2020, a number of retail liquidation engagements resumed as a number of states allowed the reopening of retail stores.

 

Revenues from services and fees in the Valuation and Appraisal segment decreased $2.1 million to $7.7 million during the three months ended June 30, 2020 from $9.7 million during the three months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in revenues in the Valuation and Appraisal segment is primarily due to a decrease in revenues for appraisal engagements of $0.7 million where we perform valuations for the monitoring of collateral for financial institutions, lenders, and private equity investors and $1.4 million for appraisal engagements where we provide corporate valuation services and the valuation of machinery and equipment.

 

Revenues from services and fees in the Principal Investments - United Online and magicJack segment decreased $4.1 million to $20.7 million during the three months ended June 30, 2020 from $24.8 million during the three months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in revenues from services and fees is a result of a decrease in subscription services of $2.8 million and a decrease in advertising licensing and other of $1.4 million. Management expects revenues from the Principal Investments - United Online and magicJack segment to continue to decline year over year.

 

Revenues from services and fees in the Brands segment were $3.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. We established the Brands segment in 2019 following the acquisition of a majority interest in BR Brands on October 28, 2019. The primary source of revenue included in this segment is the licensing of trademarks.

 

Trading income and fair value adjustments on loans increased $109.0 million to $114.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 from $5.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The $114.5 million gain for the three months ended June 30, 2020 includes realized and unrealized gains earned on investments made in our proprietary trading account of $118.6 million, partially offset by unrealized losses on our loans receivable that are measured at fair value of $4.1 million. 

34

 

 

Interest income – loans and securities lending increased $7.5 million, to $24.5 million during the three months ended June 30, 2020 from $17.0 million during the three months ended June 30, 2019. Interest income from securities lending was $13.5 million and $7.7 million during the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Interest income from loans was $11.0 million and $9.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase in interest income on loans was primarily due to the increase in lending activities in our Capital Markets segment which included an increase in loans receivable to $325.5 million at June 30, 2020 from $250.5 million at June 30, 2019.

 

Sale of Goods, Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Margin

 

    Three Months Ended June 30, 2020     Three Months Ended June 30, 2019  
          Principal                 Principal        
          Investments -                 Investments -        
    Auction and     United Online           Auction and     United Online        
    Liquidation     and magicJack           Liquidation     and magicJack        
    Segment     Segment     Total     Segment     Segment     Total  
Revenues - Sale of Goods   $ 1,045     $ 775     $ 1,820     $ 1,176     $ 984     $ 2,160  
Cost of goods sold     285       575       860       852       953       1,805  
Gross margin on sale of goods   $ 760     $ 200     $ 960     $ 324     $ 31     $ 355  
                                                 
Gross margin percentage     72.7 %     25.8 %     52.7 %     27.6 %     3.2 %     16.4 %

 

Revenues from the sale of goods decreased $0.3 million, to $1.8 million during the three months ended June 30, 2020 from $2.2 million during the three months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in revenues from sale of goods was primarily attributable to a $0.3 million decrease in the sales of magicJack devices that are sold in connection with VoIP services. Cost of goods sold for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was $0.9 million, resulting in a gross margin of 52.7%.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Direct Cost of Services. Direct cost of services and direct cost of services measured as a percentage of revenues – services and fees by segment during the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

 

    Three Months Ended June 30, 2020     Three Months Ended June 30, 2019  
          Principal                 Principal        
          Investments -                 Investments -        
    Auction and     United Online           Auction and     United Online        
    Liquidation     and magicJack           Liquidation     and magicJack        
    Segment     Segment     Total     Segment     Segment     Total  
Revenues - Services and fees   $ 7,206     $ 20,656             $ 33,740     $ 24,794          
Direct cost of services     3,217       4,768     $ 7,985       12,939       6,724     $ 19,663  
Gross margin on services and fees   $ 3,989     $ 15,888             $ 20,801     $ 18,070          
                                                 
Gross margin percentage     55.4 %     76.9 %             61.7 %     72.9 %        

 

Total direct costs decreased $11.7 million, to $8.0 million during the three months ended June 30, 2020 from $19.7 million during the three months ended June 30, 2019. Direct costs of services decreased by $9.7 million in the Auction and Liquidation segment and $2.0 million in the Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack segment. The decrease in direct costs in the Auction and Liquidation segment was primarily due to mix of more fee type retail liquidation engagement which have lower gross margins that were performed during the three months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in direct costs in the Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack segment was primarily as a result of the sale of a division of magicJack in May of 2019.

 

Auction and Liquidation

 

Gross margin in the Auction and Liquidation segment for services and fees decreased to 55.4% of revenues during the three months ended June 30, 2020, as compared to 61.7% of revenues during the three months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in margin in the Auction and Liquidation segment is due to the mix of more fee type retail liquidation engagements which generally have lower gross margins that were performed in the three months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019 where the Company had more retail liquidation engagements that contain guarantees of recovery values that generally yield higher gross margins.

 

35

 

 

Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack

 

Gross margins in the Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack segment increased to 76.9% of revenues during the three months ended June 30, 2020, as compared to 72.9% of revenues during the three months ended June 30, 2019. The increase in margin in the Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack segment is primarily due to the sale of a division of magicJack in the second quarter of 2019.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses during the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 were comprised of the following:

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

    Three Months Ended     Three Months Ended              
    June 30, 2020     June 30, 2019     Change  
    Amount     %     Amount     %     Amount     %  
Capital Markets segment   $ 82,121       77.0 %   $ 64,328       70.0 %   $ 17,793       27.7 %
Auction and Liquidation segment     2,729       2.6 %     3,297       3.6 %     (568 )     (17.2 )%
Valuation and Appraisal segment     6,191       5.8 %     7,005       7.6 %     (814 )     (11.6 )%
Principal Investments - United Online and magicJack segment     6,900       6.5 %     8,795       9.6 %     (1,895 )     (21.5 )%
Brands segment     1,024       1.0 %           0.0 %     1,024       100.0 %
Corporate and Other segment     7,597       7.1 %     8,482       9.2 %     (885 )     (10.4 )%
Total selling, general & administrative expenses   $ 106,562       100.0 %   $ 91,907       100.0 %   $ 14,655       15.9 %

   

Total selling, general and administrative expenses increased approximately $14.7 million to $106.6 million during the three months ended June 30, 2020 from $91.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The increase of approximately $14.7 million in selling, general and administrative expenses was due to increases of $17.8 million in the Capital Markets segment and $1.0 million in the Brands segment, partially offset by decreases of $0.6 million in the Auction and Liquidation segment, $0.8 million in the Valuation and Appraisal segment, $1.9 million in the Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack segment and $0.9 million in the Corporate and Other segment.

 

Capital Markets

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Capital Markets segment increased by $17.8 million to $82.1 million during the three months ended June 30, 2020 from $64.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2019. The increase was primarily due to increases of $17.5 million in consulting expenses and $2.6 million in payroll and related expenses partially offset by decreases of $1.5 million in business development expenses and $0.9 million in travel and entertainment expenses.

 

Auction and Liquidation

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Auction and Liquidation segment decreased by $0.6 million to $2.7 million during the three months ended June 30, 2020 from $3.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Auction and Liquidation segment was primarily due to a decrease of $0.5 million in payroll and related expenses.

 

Valuation and Appraisal

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Valuation and Appraisal segment decreased by $0.8 million to $6.2 million during the three months ended June 30, 2020 from $7.0 million during the three months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Valuation and Appraisal segment was primarily due to a decrease of $0.5 million in travel and entertainment expenses.

 

Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack segment decreased $1.9 million to $6.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 from $8.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack segment is primarily due to decreases of $0.7 million in payroll and related expenses and $0.7 million in other expenses.

 

36

 

 

Brands

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Brands segment was $1.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. We established the Brands segment in 2019 following the acquisition of a majority equity interest in BR Brands on October 28, 2019.

 

Corporate and Other

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the Corporate and Other segment decreased approximately $0.9 million to $7.6 million during the three months ended June 30, 2020 from $8.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in expenses in the Corporate and Other segment for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily due to a reversal of an accrual to other expenses from the final negotiated settlement of a pre-acquisition litigation claim that related to our wealth management business we acquired in 2017.

 

Impairment of tradenames. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on economic activity and market volatility, we tested our intangible assets as of June 30, 2020 and made the determination that the indefinite-lived tradenames in the Brands segment were impaired and the Company recognized an impairment charge of $8.5 million.

 

Other Income (Expense). Other income included interest income of $0.2 million during the three months ended June 30, 2020 and $0.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2019. Interest expense was $16.5 million during the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $11.6 million during the three months ended June 30, 2019. The increase in interest expense during the three months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily due to an increase in interest expense of $5.5 million from the issuance of additional senior notes, partially offset by a decrease in interest expense of $0.7 million from the term loan dated December 2018. Other income in the three months ended June 30, 2020 also included losses from equity investments of $0.3 million, a decrease from losses from equity investments of $1.4 million in the prior year period.

 

Income Before Income Taxes. Income before income taxes was $114.7 million during the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to income before income taxes of $31.6 million during the three months ended June 30, 2019. The increase in income before income taxes was primarily due to an increase in revenues from trading income and fair value adjustments in the Capital Markets segment of $109.0 million, an increase in segment income of $1.4 million in the Principal Investments – United Online and magicJack segment, offset by a decrease in segment income of $15.8 million in the Auction and Liquidation segment, a loss of $6.3 million in the Brands segment and an increase in interest expense of $4.9 million.

  

Provision for Income Taxes. Provision for income taxes was $32.2 million during the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $9.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2019. The effective income tax rate was 28.1% for the three months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to 29.4% for the three months ended June 30, 2019.

 

Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests represents the proportionate share of net income generated by BR Brand, 20% of the membership interest of which we do not own and Great American Global Partners, LLC, 50% of the membership interest of which we do not own. The net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests was $1.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to net income attributable to noncontrolling interests of $0.2 million during the three months ended June 30, 2019.

 

Net Income Attributable to the Company. Net income attributable to the Company for the three months ended June 30, 2020 increased to $83.8 million, an increase of $61.6 million, from net income attributable to the Company of $22.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The increase in net income attributable to the Company during the three months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019 was primarily due to an increase in operating income of $87.1 million, a decrease in loss from equity investments of $1.1 million, and partially offset by an increase in provision for income taxes of $22.9 million, an increase in interest expense of $4.9 million, an increase in loss attributable to noncontrolling interest of $1.5 million.

 

Preferred Stock Dividends. On October 7, 2019, the Company closed its public offering of Depositary Shares, each representing 1/1000th of a share of 6.875% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock, when and as authorized by the board of directors of the Company, are entitled to cumulative cash dividends at the rate of 6.875% per annum of the $25,000 liquidation preference ($25.00 per Depositary Share) per year (equivalent to $1,718.75 or $1.71875 per Depositary Share). Dividends will be payable quarterly in arrears, on or about the last day of January, April, July and October. On April 13, 2020, the Company declared a cash dividend $0.4296875 per Depositary Share, which was paid on April 30, 2020 to holders of record as of the close of business on April 23, 2020. 

 

Net (Loss) Income Available to Common Shareholders. Net income available to common shareholders for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was $82.8 million, from net income available to common shareholders of $22.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The increase in net income available to common shareholders during the three months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019 was primarily due to an increase in operating income of $87.1 million, a decrease in loss from equity investments of $1.1 million, and partially offset by an increase in provision for income taxes of $22.9 million, an increase in interest expense of $4.9 million, an increase in loss attributable to noncontrolling interest of $1.5 million.

 

37

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2019

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    Six Months Ended     Change  
    June 30, 2020     June 30, 2019     Amount     %  
Revenues:                        
Services and fees   $ 284,976     $ 243,864     $ 41,112       16.9 %
Trading (losses) income and fair value adjustments on loans     (67,895 )     31,462       (99,357 )     (315.8 %)
Interest income - Loans and securities lending     46,357       28,381       17,976       63.3 %
Sale of goods     2,824       3,105       (281 )     (9.0 %)
Total revenues     266,262       306,812       (40,550 )     (13.2 %)
                                 
Operating expenses:                                
Direct cost of services     27,937       33,779       (5,842 )     (17.3 %)
Cost of goods sold     1,629       2,924       (1,295 )     (44.3 %)
Selling, general and administrative expenses     194,306       186,871       7,435       4.0 %
Restructuring charge           1,699       (1,699 )     (100.0 %)
Impairment of tradenames     12,500             12,500       100.0 %
Interest expense - Securities lending and loan participations sold     19,694       12,306       7,388       60.0 %
Total operating expenses     256,066       237,579       18,487       7.8 %
Operating income     10,196       69,233       (59,037 )     (85.3 %)
Other income (expense):                                
Interest income     470       968       (498 )     (51.4 %)
Loss from equity investments     (554 )     (5,162 )     4,608       (89.3 %)
Interest expense     (32,163 )     (22,358 )     (9,805 )     43.9 %
(Loss) income before income taxes     (22,051 )     42,681       (64,732 )     (151.7 %)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes     5,331       (12,393 )     17,724       (143.0 %)
Net (loss) income     (16,720 )     30,288       (47,008 )     (155.2 %)
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests     (1,895 )     108       (2,003 )     n/m  
Net (loss) income attributable to B. Riley Financial, Inc.     (14,825 )     30,180       (45,005 )     (149.1 %)
Preferred stock dividends     2,142             2,142       100.0 %
Net (loss) income available to common shareholders   $ (16,967 )   $ 30,180     $ (47,147 )     (156.2 %)

  

 

n/m - Not applicable or not meaningful.

 

38

 

 

Revenues

 

The table below and the discussion that follows are based on how we analyze our business.

 

    Six Months Ended              
    June 30, 2020     June 30, 2019     Change  
    Amount     Amount     Amount     %  
Revenues - Services and fees:                        
Capital Markets segment   $ 191,271     $ 119,706     $ 71,565       59.8 %
Auction and Liquidation segment     27,867       54,449       (26,582 )     -48.8 %
Valuation and Appraisal segment     16,457       18,325       (1,868 )     -10.2 %
Principal Investments - United Online and magicJack segment     42,374       51,384       (9,010 )     -17.5 %
Brands     7,007             7,007       100.0 %
Subtotal     284,976       243,864       41,112       16.9 %
                                 
Revenues - Sale of goods:                                
Auction and Liquidation segment     1,045       1,176       (131 )     -11.1 %
Principal Investments - United Online and magicJack segment     1,779       1,929       (150 )     -7.8 %
Subtotal     2,824       3,105       (281 )     -9.0 %
                                 
Trading (losses) income and fair value adjustments on loans                                
Capital Markets segment     (67,895 )     31,462       (99,357 )     n/m  
Subtotal     (67,895 )     31,462       (99,357 )     n/m  
                                 
Interest income - Loans and securities lending:                                
Capital Markets segment     46,357       28,381       17,976       63.3 %
Total revenues   $ 266,262     $ 306,812     $ (40,550 )     -13.2 %

 

 

n/m - Not applicable or not meaningful.

 

Total revenues decreased approximately $40.6 million to $266.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 from $306.8 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in revenues during the six months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily due to a decrease in revenue from trading losses and fair value adjustments on loans of $99.4 million and a decrease in revenues from sales of goods of $0.3 million, partially offset by increases in revenue from services and fees of $41.1 million and interest income - loans and securities lending of $18.0 million. The increase in revenue from services and fees of $41.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily due to increases in revenue of $71.6 million in the Capital Markets segment and $7.0 million in the Brands segment, partially offset by decreases of revenue of $26.6 million in the Auction and Liquidation segment, $1.9 million in the Valuation and Appraisal segment and $9.0 million in the Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack segment.

 

Revenues from services and fees in the Capital Markets segment increased $71.6 million, to $191.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 from $119.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019. The increase in revenues was primarily due to an increase in revenue of $59.6 million from corporate finance, consulting and investment banking fees, an increase in commissions of $6.0 million and an increase in asset management fees of $3.0 million.

 

Revenues from services and fees in the Auction and Liquidation segment decreased $26.6 million to $27.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 from $54.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in revenues in the Auction and Liquidation segment was primarily due to fewer large retail liquidation engagements during the six months ended June 30, 2020 and the impact of COVID-19 which resulted in delays and temporary stoppage in certain retail liquidation engagements. In June 2020, a number of retail liquidation engagements resumed as a number of states allowed the reopening of retail stores.

 

Revenues from services and fees in the Valuation and Appraisal segment decreased $1.9 million to $16.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 from $18.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in revenues in the Valuation and Appraisal segment is primarily due to a decrease in revenues of $0.6 million for appraisal engagements where we perform valuations for the monitoring of collateral for financial institutions, lenders, and private equity investors and $1.3 million for appraisal engagements where we provide corporate valuation services and the valuation of machinery and equipment.

 

Revenues from services and fees in the Principal Investments - United Online and magicJack segment decreased $9.0 million to $42.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 from $51.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in revenues from services and fees is a result of a decrease in subscription services of $6.3 million and a decrease in advertising licensing and other of $2.7 million. Management expects revenues from the Principal Investments - United Online and magicJack segment to continue to decline year over year.

 

Revenues from services and fees in the Brands segment were $7.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. We established the Brands segment in 2019 following the acquisition of a majority interest in BR Brands on October 28, 2019. The primary source of revenue included in this segment is the licensing of trademarks.

 

39

 

 

Trading income and fair value adjustments on loans decreased $99.4 million to a loss of $67.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 from a gain of $31.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The $67.9 million loss for the six months ended June 30, 2020 includes realized and unrealized loss amounts earned on investments made in our proprietary trading account of $45.9 million and unrealized losses on our loans receivable at fair value of $22.0 million.

 

Interest income – loans and securities lending increased $18.0 million, to $46.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 from $28.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019. Interest income from securities lending was $23.6 million and $17.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Interest income from loans was $22.8 million and $11.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase in interest income on loans was primarily due to the increase in lending activities in our Capital Markets segment which included an increase in loans receivable to $325.5 million at June 30, 2020 from $250.5 million at June 30, 2019.

 

Sale of Goods, Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Margin

 

    Six Months Ended June 30, 2020     Six Months Ended June 30, 2019  
          Principal                 Principal        
          Investments -                 Investments -        
    Auction and     United Online           Auction and     United Online        
    Liquidation     and magicJack           Liquidation     and magicJack        
    Segment     Segment     Total     Segment     Segment     Total  
Revenues - Sale of Goods   $ 1,045     $ 1,779     $ 2,824     $ 1,176     $ 1,929     $ 3,105  
Cost of goods sold     314       1,315       1,629       866       2,058       2,924  
Gross margin on sale of goods   $ 731     $ 464     $ 1,195     $ 310     $ (129 )   $ 181  
                                                 
Gross margin percentage     70.0 %     26.1 %     42.3 %     26.4 %     (6.7 )%     5.8 %

 

Revenues from the sale of goods decreased $0.3 million, to $2.8 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 from $3.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in revenues from sale of goods was primarily attributable to a decrease in the sales of magicJack devices that are sold in connection with VoIP services. Cost of goods sold for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was $1.6 million, resulting in a gross margin of 42.3%.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Direct Cost of Services. Direct cost of services and direct cost of services measured as a percentage of revenues – services and fees by segment during the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

 

    Six Months Ended June 30, 2020     Six Months Ended June 30, 2019  
          Principal                 Principal        
          Investments -                 Investments -        
    Auction     United Online           Auction     United Online        
    and Liquidation     and magicJack           and Liquidation     and magicJack        
    Segment     Segment     Total     Segment     Segment     Total  
Revenues - Services and fees   $ 27,867     $ 42,374             $ 54,449     $ 51,384          
Direct cost of services     18,033       9,904     $ 27,937       19,213       14,566     $ 33,779  
Gross margin on services and fees   $ 9,834     $ 32,470             $ 35,236     $ 36,818          
                                                 
Gross margin percentage     35.3 %     76.6 %             64.7 %     71.7 %        

 

Total direct costs decreased $5.8 million, to $27.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 from $33.8 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019. Direct costs of services decreased by $1.2 million in the Auction and Liquidation segment and $4.7 million in the Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack segment. The decrease in direct costs in the Auction and Liquidation segment was primarily due to the impact of COVID-19 which resulted in delays and temporary stoppage certain retail liquidation engagements. In June 2020, a number of retail liquidation engagements resumed as a number of states allowed the reopening of retail stores. The decrease in direct costs in the Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack segment was primarily as a result of the sale of a division of magicJack in May of 2019.

 

Auction and Liquidation

 

Gross margin in the Auction and Liquidation segment for services and fees decreased to 35.3% of revenues during the six months ended June 30, 2020, as compared to 64.7% of revenues during the six months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in margin in the Auction and Liquidation segment is due to the mix of more fee type retail liquidation engagements which generally have lower gross margins that were performed in the three months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019 where the Company had more retail liquidation engagements that contain guarantees of recovery values that generally yield higher gross margins.

 

40

 

 

Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack

 

Gross margins in the Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack segment increased to 76.6% of revenues during the six months ended June 30, 2020, as compared to 71.7% of revenues during the six months ended June 30, 2019. The increase in margin in the Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack segment is primarily due to the sale of a division of magicJack in May of 2019.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses during the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 were comprised of the following:

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

    Six Months Ended     Six Months Ended              
    June 30, 2020     June 30, 2019     Change  
    Amount     %     Amount     %     Amount     %  
Capital Markets segment   $ 137,937       71.0 %   $ 128,993       69.1 %   $ 8,944       6.9 %
Auction and Liquidation segment     4,256       2.2 %     6,214       3.3 %     (1,958 )     (31.5 )%
Valuation and Appraisal segment     13,099       6.7 %     14,225       7.6 %     (1,126 )     (7.9 )%
Principal Investments - United Online and magicJack segment     15,242       7.8 %     19,278       10.3 %     (4,036 )     (20.9 )%
Brands segment     2,642       1.4 %           0.0 %     2,642       100.0 %
Corporate and Other segment     21,130       10.9 %     18,161       9.7 %     2,969       16.3 %
Total selling, general & administrative expenses   $ 194,306       100.0 %   $ 186,871       100.0 %   $ 7,435       4.0 %

   

Total selling, general and administrative expenses increased approximately $7.4 million to $194.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 from $186.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The increase of approximately $7.4 million in selling, general and administrative expenses was due to increases of $8.9 million in the Capital Markets segment, $2.6 million in the Brands segment and $3.0 million in the Corporate and Other segment, partially offset by decreases of $2.0 million in the Auction and Liquidation segment, $1.1 million in the Valuation and Appraisal segment and $4.0 million in the Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack segment.

 

Capital Markets

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Capital Markets segment increased by $8.9 million to $137.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 from $129.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019. The increase was primarily due to increases of $17.9 million in payroll and related expenses, partially offset by a decrease of $8.3 million in consulting expenses.

 

Auction and Liquidation

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Auction and Liquidation segment decreased by $2.0 million to $4.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 from $6.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Auction and Liquidation segment was primarily due to a decrease of $1.7 million in payroll and related expenses.

 

Valuation and Appraisal

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Valuation and Appraisal segment decreased by $1.1 million to $13.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 from $14.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Valuation and Appraisal segment was primarily due to decreases of $0.7 million in travel and entertainment expenses, $0.3 million in consulting expenses and $0.3 million in legal expenses, partially offset by an increase of $0.2 million in payroll and related expenses.

 

Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack segment decreased $4.0 million to $15.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 from $19.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Principal Investments — United Online and magicJack segment is primarily due to decreases of $1.3 million in payroll and related expenses, $0.8 million in legal expenses, $0.3 million in transaction costs and $0.9 million in other expenses.

 

41

 

 

Brands

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Brands segment was $2.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. We established the Brands segment in 2019 following the acquisition of a majority equity interest in BR Brands on October 28, 2019.

 

Corporate and Other

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the Corporate and Other segment increased approximately $3.0 million to $21.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 from $18.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The increase of expenses in the Corporate and Other segment for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily due to an increase of $2.3 million in payroll and related expenses.

 

Impairment of tradenames. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on economic activity and market volatility, we tested our intangible assets as of March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020 and made the determination that the indefinite-lived tradenames in the Brands segment were impaired and the Company recognized impairment charges of $12.5 million.

 

Other Income (Expense). Other income included interest income of $0.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 and $1.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019. Interest expense was $32.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $22.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019. The increase in interest expense during the six months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily due to an increase in interest expense of $11.1 million from the issuance of senior notes due in 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027, partially offset by a decrease in interest expense of $1.1 million from the term loan dated December 2018 and a decrease in interest expense on our asset based credit facility and other of $0.2 million. Other income in the six months ended June 30, 2020 also included losses on equity investments of $0.6 million, a decrease from losses from equity investments of $5.2 million in the prior year period.

  

(Loss) Income Before Income Taxes. Loss before income taxes was $22.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to income before income taxes of $42.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in income before income taxes was primarily due to a decrease in revenues of approximately $40.6 million, an increase in interest expense of $9.8 million, an increase in operating expenses of $18.5 million and a decrease in interest income of $0.5 million, partially offset by a decrease in loss from equity investments of $4.6 million, as discussed above.

 

Benefit (Provision) for Income Taxes. Benefit from income taxes was $5.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to provision for income taxes of $12.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019. The effective income tax rate was a benefit of 24.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to a provision of 29.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2019.

 

Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests represents the proportionate share of net income generated by BR Brand, 20% of the membership interest of which we do not own and Great American Global Partners, LLC, 50% of the membership interest of which we do not own. The net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests was $1.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to net income of $0.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019.

 

Net (Loss) Income Attributable to the Company. Net loss attributable to the Company for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was $14.8 million, from net income attributable to the Company of $30.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in net income attributable to the Company during the six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019 was primarily due to a decrease in operating income of $59.0 million, an increase in interest expense of $9.8 million and a decrease in interest income of $0.5 million and an increase in loss attributable to noncontrolling interest of $2.0 million, partially offset by an increase in benefit from income taxes of $17.7 million and a decrease in loss from equity investments of $4.6 million.

 

Preferred Stock Dividends. On October 7, 2019, the Company closed its public offering of Depositary Shares, each representing 1/1000th of a share of 6.875% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock, when and as authorized by the board of directors of the Company, are entitled to cumulative cash dividends at the rate of 6.875% per annum of the $25,000 liquidation preference ($25.00 per Depositary Share) per year (equivalent to $1,718.75 or $1.71875 per Depositary Share). Dividends will be payable quarterly in arrears, on or about the last day of January, April, July and October. On January 9, 2020, the Company declared a cash dividend representing $0.4296875 per Depositary Share, which was paid on January 31, 2020 to holders of record as of the close of business on January 21, 2020. On April 13, 2020, the Company declared a cash dividend $0.4296875 per Depositary Share, which was paid on April 30, 2020 to holders of record as of the close of business on April 23, 2020. 

 

42

 

 

Net (Loss) Income Available to Common Shareholders. Net loss available to common shareholders for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was $17.0 million, from net income available to common shareholders of $30.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The increase in net loss available to common shareholders during the six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the same period in 2019 was primarily due to a decrease in operating income of $59.0 million, an increase in interest expense of $9.8 million, a decrease in interest income of $0.5 million and an increase in loss attributable to noncontrolling interest of $2.0 million and an increase in preferred stock dividends of $2.1 million, partially offset by an increase in benefit from income taxes of $17.7 million and a decrease in loss from equity investments of $4.6 million.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our operations are funded through a combination of existing cash on hand, cash generated from operations, borrowings under our senior notes payable, term loan and credit facility, and special purposes financing arrangements.

 

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) announced a global health emergency because of a new strain of coronavirus (the “COVID-19 outbreak”). In March 2020, the WHO classified the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic, based on the rapid increase in exposure globally. The full impact of the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve. The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the Company’s results of operations, financial position and cash flows will depend on future developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak and related advisories and restrictions. These developments and the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the financial markets and the overall economy are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial markets and/or the overall economy are impacted for an extended period, the Company’s results of operations, financial position and cash flows may be materially adversely affected.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, we generated net loss of $16.7 million and net income of $30.3 million, respectively. Our cash flows and profitability are impacted by the number and size of retail liquidation and capital markets engagements performed on a quarterly and annual basis.

 

As of June 30, 2020, we had $106.3 million of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, $0.5 million of restricted cash, $399.0 million of securities and other investments held at fair value, $325.5 million of loans receivable, and $926.0 million of borrowings outstanding. The borrowings outstanding of $926.0 million at June 30, 2020 included (a) $854.0 million of borrowings from the issuance of the series of Senior Notes that are due at various dates ranging from May 31, 2023 to December 31, 2023 with interest rates ranging from 6.375% to 7.5%, (b) $57.2  million term loan borrowed pursuant to the BRPAC Credit Agreement discussed below, (c) $0.7 million of notes payable, and (d) $14.1 million of loan participations sold. We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents, securities and other investments owned, funds available under our asset based credit facility, and cash expected to be generated from operating activities will be sufficient to meet our working capital and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months from issuance date of the accompanying financial statements. We continue to monitor our financial performance to ensure sufficient liquidity to fund operations and execute on our business plan.

 

From time to time, we may decide to pay dividends which will be dependent upon our financial condition and results of operations. On July 30, 2020, the Board of Directors announced an increase to the regular quarterly dividend from $0.25 per share to $0.30 per share. On July 30, 2020, the Company declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share and a special dividend of $0.05 per share which will be paid on or about August 28, 2020 to stockholders of record as of August 14, 2020. On May 8, 2020, we declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share which was paid on June 10, 2020 to stockholders of record as of June 1, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we paid cash dividends on our common stock of $41.1 million. On March 3, 2020, the Board of Directors announced an increase to the regular quarterly dividend from $0.175 per share to $0.25 per share. While it is the Board’s current intention to make regular dividend payments of $0.30 per share each quarter and special dividend payments dependent upon exceptional circumstances from time to time, our Board of Directors may reduce or discontinue the payment of dividends at any time for any reason it deems relevant. The declaration and payment of any future dividends or repurchases of our common stock will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will be dependent upon our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, capital expenditures, and other factors that may be deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.

 

A summary of our common stock dividend activity for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and the year ended December 31, 2019 was as follows:

 

            Regular     Special     Total  
        Stockholder   Dividend     Dividend     Dividend  
Date Declared   Date Paid   Record Date   Amount     Amount     Amount  
May 8, 2020   June 10, 2020   June 1, 2020   $ 0.25     $ 0.00     $ 0.25  
March 3, 2020   March 31, 2020   March 17, 2020     0.25       0.10       0.35  
October 30, 2019   November 26, 2019   November 14, 2019     0.175       0.475       0.650  
August 1, 2019   August 29, 2019   August 15, 2019     0.175       0.325       0.500  
May 1, 2019   May 29, 2019   May 15, 2019     0.08       0.18       0.26  
March 5, 2019   March 26, 2019   March 19, 2019     0.08       0.00       0.08  

 

43

 

 

Holders of Series A Preferred Stock, when and as authorized by the board of directors of the Company, are entitled to cumulative cash dividends at the rate of 6.875% per annum of the $25,000 liquidation preference ($25.00 per Depositary Share) per year (equivalent to $1,718.75 or $1.71875 per Depositary Share). Dividends will be payable quarterly in arrears, on or about the last day of January, April, July and October. On January 9, 2020, the Company declared a cash dividend $0.4296875 per Depositary Share, which was paid on January 31, 2020 to holders of record as of the close of business on January 21, 2020. On April 13, 2020, the Company declared a cash dividend $0.4296875 per Depositary Share, which was paid on April 30, 2020 to holders of record as of the close of business on April 23, 2020. On July 7, 2020, the Company declared a cash dividend $0.4296875 per Depositary Share, which will be paid on or about July 31, 2020 to holders of record as of the close of business on July 21, 2020.

 

Our principal sources of liquidity to finance our business are our existing cash on hand, cash generated from operations, borrowings under our senior notes payable, term loan and credit facility, issuances of common and preferred stock and special purpose financing arrangements.

 

Cash Flow Summary

 

    Six Months Ended  
    June 30,  
    2020     2019  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Net cash provided by (used in):            
Operating activities   $ 13,432     $ 1,438  
Investing activities     (82,557 )     (227,576 )
Financing activities     71,815       104,067  
Effect of foreign currency on cash     (705 )     37  
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   $ 1,985     $ (122,034 )

 

Cash provided by operating activities was $13.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $1.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019. Cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2020 included net loss of $16.7 million adjusted for noncash items of $34.0 million and changes in operating assets and liabilities of $3.9 million. Noncash items of $34.0 million include (a) depreciation and amortization of $9.9 million, (b) share-based compensation of $9.5 million, (c) loss on equity investments of $0.6 million, (d) fair value adjustments of $22.0 million, (e) provision for doubtful accounts of $2.1 million, (f) income allocated for mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests of $0.4 million, (g) other non-cash interest and other of $6.9 million, (h) deferred income taxes of $14.3 million, (i) impairment of intangibles and loss on disposal of fixed assets of $12.6 million and (j) gain on extinguishment of debt of $1.6 million.

 

Cash used in investing activities was $82.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to cash used in investing activities of $227.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, cash used in investing activities consisted of cash used for purchases of loans receivable of $152.2 million, repayments of loan participations sold of $0.9 million, cash used for equity investments of $6.5 million and cash used for acquisition of other businesses of $1.5 million, offset by cash received from loans receivable repayment of $74.5 million, sale of a loan receivable to a related party of $1.8 million, loan participations sold of $2.4 million and dividends from equity investments of $0.8 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2019, cash used in investing activities consisted of cash used for loans receivable of $225.1 million, cash used for equity investments of $25.2 million and cash used for purchases of property and equipment of $2.5 million, offset by proceeds from sale of division of magicJack of $6.2 million, cash received from loans receivable repayment of $17.6 million, dividends from equity investments of $0.9 million and proceeds from sale of property, equipment and intangible assets of $0.5 million. 

 

Cash provided by financing activities was $71.8 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to cash provided by financing activities of $104.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, cash provided by financing activities primarily consisted of $171.1 million proceeds from issuance of senior notes and $4.6 million proceeds from issuance of preferred stock, offset by (a) $37.1 million used to repay our asset based credit facility, (b) $27.8 million used to repurchase our common stock, (c) $17.5 million used to pay dividends on our common shares, (d) $9.6 million use for repayment on our term loan, (e) $1.8 million used to repurchase our senior notes, (f) $2.8 million used to pay debt issuance costs, (g) $2.1 million distribution to noncontrolling interests, (h) $2.1 million used to pay dividends on our preferred shares (i) $2.7 million used for payment of employment taxes on vesting of restricted stock and (j) $0.4 million used to repay our other notes payable. During the six months ended June 30, 2019, cash provided by financing activities primarily consisted of $10.0 million proceeds from our term loan, $123.9 million proceeds from issuance of senior notes, offset by (a) $10.0 million used to pay dividends on our common shares, (b) $8.3 million use for repayment on our term loan, (c) $6.0 million used to repurchase our common stock and warrants, (d) $2.0 million used to pay debt issuance costs, (e) $2.3 million used for payment of employment taxes on vesting of restricted stock, (f) $0.9 million distribution to noncontrolling interests, and (g) $0.4 million used to repay our other notes payable.

 

44

 

 

Credit Agreements

 

On April 21, 2017, we amended the asset based credit facility agreement (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Bank to increase the maximum borrowing limit from $100.0 million to $200.0 million. Such amendment, among other things, also extended the expiration date of the credit facility from July 15, 2018 to April 21, 2022. The Credit Agreement continues to allow for borrowings under the separate credit agreement (a “UK Credit Agreement”) which was dated March 19, 2015 with an affiliate of Wells Fargo Bank which provides for the financing of transactions in the United Kingdom with borrowings up to 50.0 million British Pounds. Any borrowing on the UK Credit Agreement reduce the availability of the asset based $200.0 million credit facility. The UK Credit Agreement is cross collateralized and integrated in certain respects with the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement continues to include the addition of our Canadian subsidiary, from the October 5, 2016 amendment to the Credit Agreement, to facilitate borrowings to fund retail liquidation transactions in Canada. From time to time, we utilize this credit facility to fund costs and expenses incurred in connection with liquidation engagements. We also utilize this credit facility in order to issue letters of credit in connection with liquidation engagements conducted on a guaranteed basis. Subject to certain limitations and offsets, we are permitted to borrow up to $200.0 million under the credit facility, less the aggregate principal amount borrowed under the UK Credit Agreement (if in effect). Borrowings under the credit facility are only made at the discretion of the lender and are generally required to be repaid within 180 days. The interest rate for each revolving credit advance under the related credit agreement is, subject to certain terms and conditions, equal to the LIBOR plus a margin of 2.25% to 3.25% depending on the type of advance and the percentage such advance represents of the related transaction for which such advance is provided. The credit facility is secured by the proceeds received for services rendered in connection with the liquidation service contracts pursuant to which any outstanding loan or letters of credit are issued and the assets that are sold at liquidation related to such contract, if any. The credit facility also provides for success fees in the amount of 2.5% to 17.5% of the net profits, if any, earned on liquidation engagements that are financed under the credit facility as set forth in the related credit agreement. We typically seek borrowings on an engagement-by- engagement basis. The credit agreement governing the credit facility contains certain covenants, including covenants that limit or restrict our ability to incur liens, incur indebtedness, make investments, dispose of assets, make certain restricted payments, merge or consolidate and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. There was no outstanding balance on this credit facility at June 30, 2020. The outstanding balance on this credit facility was $37.1 million at December 31, 2019. At June 30, 2020, there were no open letters of credit outstanding.

 

On December 19, 2018, BRPI Acquisition Co LLC (“BRPAC”), a Delaware limited liability company, UOL, and YMAX Corporation, Delaware corporations (collectively, the “Borrowers”), indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company, in the capacity of borrowers, entered into a credit agreement with the Banc of California, N.A. in the capacity as agent and lender and with the other lenders party thereto (the “BRPAC Credit Agreement”). Under the BRPAC Credit Agreement, we borrowed $80.0 million due December 19, 2023. Pursuant to the terms of the BRPAC Credit Agreement, we may request additional optional term loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $10.0 million at any time prior to the first anniversary of the agreement date. On February 1, 2019, the Borrowers entered into the First Amendment to Credit Agreement and Joinder with City National Bank as a new lender in which the new lender extended to Borrowers the additional $10.0 million as further discussed in Note 9 to the accompanying financial statements. The borrowings under the BRPAC Credit Agreement bear interest equal to the LIBOR plus a margin of 2.50% to 3.00% depending on the Borrowers’ consolidated total funded debt ratio as defined in the BRPAC Credit Agreement.

 

Borrowings under the BRPAC Credit Agreement are due in quarterly installments commencing on March 31, 2019 with any remaining amounts outstanding due at maturity. For the $80.0 million loan, quarterly installments from June 30, 2020 to December 31, 2022 are $4.2 million per quarter and from March 31, 2023 to December 31, 2023, the quarterly installments are $2.1 million per quarter. For the $10.0 million loan, quarterly installments from June 30, 2020 to December 31, 2022 are $0.6 million per quarter and from March 31, 2023 to December 31, 2023, the quarterly installments are $0.3 million per quarter. At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the outstanding balance of the term loan was $57.2 million (net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $0.5 million) and $66.7 million (net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $0.6 million), respectively.

 

Senior Note Offerings

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2020, we issued $38.8 million of senior notes due with maturities dates ranging from May 2023 to December 2027 pursuant to At the Market Issuance Sales Agreements with B. Riley FBR, Inc. which governs the program of at-the-market sales of our senior notes. We filed a series of prospectus supplements with the SEC which allowed us to sell these senior notes.

 

45

 

 

On February 12, 2020, we issued $132.3 million of senior notes due in February 2025 (“6.375% 2025 Notes”) pursuant to the prospectus supplement dated February 10, 2020. Interest on the 6.375% 2025 Notes is payable quarterly at 6.375%. The 6.375% 2025 Notes are unsecured and due and payable in full on February 28, 2025. In connection with the issuance of the 6.375% 2025 Notes, we received net proceeds of $129.2 million (after underwriting commissions, fees and other issuance costs of $3.0 million). We currently anticipate using the net proceeds from the 6.375% 2025 notes for general corporate purposes, including funding future acquisitions and investments, repaying indebtedness, making capital expenditures and funding working capital.

 

During March 2020, we repurchased bonds with an aggregate face value of $3.4 million for $1.8 million resulting in a gain net of expenses of $1.6 million as of June 30, 2020. As part of the repurchase, we paid $30 thousand in interest accrued through the date of each respective repurchase. 

 

At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the total senior notes outstanding was $854.0 million (net of unamortized debt issue costs of $10.6 million) and $688.1 million (net of unamortized debt issue costs of $8.9 million) with a weighted average interest rate of 6.94% and 7.05%, respectively. Interest on senior notes is payable on a quarterly basis.  Interest expense on senior notes totaled $15.6 million and $10.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively and $30.0 million and $18.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

On February 14, 2020, we entered into a new At Market Issuance Sales Agreement (the “February 2020 Sales Agreement”) with B. Riley FBR, Inc. governing a program of at-the-market sales of certain of our senior notes. The most recent sales agreement prospectus was filed by us with the SEC on February 14, 2020 (the “February 2020 Sales Agreement Prospectus”). The Sales Agreement Prospectus allows us to sell up to $150.0 million of certain of our senior notes pursuant to an effective Registration Statement on Form S-3. As of June 30, 2020, we had $148.4 million remaining availability under the February 2020 Sales Agreement.

 

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As part of our investment banking and financial services activities, from time to time we enter into guaranties of debt, commitments of other entities, and similar transactions that may be considered off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

B&W Credit Agreement and Backstop

 

On January 31, 2020, the Company provided Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. (“B&W”) $30 million of additional Tranche A-4 last out term loans pursuant to Amendment No. 20 (“Amendment No. 20”) to the Credit Agreement, dated May 11, 2015 (as amended to date, the “B&W Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and lender, and the other lenders party thereto. The Company is a lender with respect to B&W’s existing last out term loans under the Credit Agreement. Kenneth Young, our President, is the Chief Executive Officer of B&W. Pursuant to Amendment No. 20, B&W and the lenders, including the Company, also agreed upon a term sheet pursuant to which B&W would undertake a refinancing transaction on or prior to May 11, 2020 (the “Refinancing”) and B&W and the lenders, including the Company, would amend and restate the Credit Agreement on the terms specified therein. As part of the Refinancing, the size of B&W’s board of directors may also be reduced to 5 members, with the Company retaining the ability to appoint 2 members. On January 31, 2020, B&W also entered into a letter agreement with the Company (the “Backstop Commitment Letter”) pursuant to which the Company agreed to fund any shortfall in the $200 million of new debt or equity financing required as part of the terms of the Refinancing to the extent such amounts have not been raised from third parties on the same terms contemplated by the Refinancing. On May 14, 2020, the Company entered into the Amendment Transactions with B&W as more provided B&W with another $30,000 of last-out term loans pursuant to a further amendments to B&W’s credit agreement which also included future commitments for the Company to loan B&W $40,000 as various dates starting in November 2020 and a limited guaranty by the Company of B&W’s obligations under the amended credit.

 

Franchise Group Commitment Letter and Loan Participant Guaranty

 

Commitment Letter

 

On February 14, 2020, affiliates of Franchise Group, Inc. (collectively with all of its affiliates, “FRG”) entered into an ABL Credit Agreement (the “Franchise Credit Agreement”), with GACP Finance Co., LLC (“GACP Finance”) as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto, pursuant to which the lenders provided an asset based credit facility to FRG in an aggregate principal amount of $100.0 million. In connection with the Franchise Credit Agreement, the Company entered into a commitment letter, dated as of February 14, 2020 (the “Commitment Letter”), pursuant to which the Company committed to provide a $100.0 million asset based lending facility to FRG, on April 14, 2020 if, on or before such date, the obligations under the Franchise Credit Agreement are not refinanced in full. On May 1, 2020, we extended our commitment under the Commitment Letter until 30 days prior to the maturity date which is currently set forth in the Franchise Credit Agreement as September 30, 2020.

 

The Loan Participant Guaranty

 

On February 14, 2020 FRG, the lenders from time to time party thereto and GACP Finance as administrative agent, entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Term Loan Credit Agreement”), pursuant to which the lenders provided a term loan facility to FRG in an aggregate principal amount of $575.0 million.

 

46

 

 

On February 19, 2020, the Company entered into a limited guaranty (the “Loan Participant Guaranty”) to one of the lenders under the Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Loan Participant”) pursuant to which the Company guaranteed the payment when due of certain obligations, including principal, interest, and other amounts payable to the Loan Participant under the Term Loan Credit Agreement in an amount not to exceed $50.0 million plus certain expenses of the Loan Participant and certain protective advances related to such guaranteed obligations (the “Loan Participant Guaranteed Obligations”). The Loan Participant may require payment of the Loan Participant Guaranteed Obligations by the Company upon the occurrence of certain guarantor events of default, including payment or bankruptcy events of default, in each case pursuant to the Term Loan Credit Agreement. The Loan Participant Guaranty remains in effect until the date that the Loan Participant Guaranteed Obligations have been paid in full.

 

The Loan Participant Guaranteed Obligations are unsecured obligations of the Company and rank equally in right of payment with all of the Company’s other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The Loan Participant Guaranteed Obligations are effectively subordinated in right of payment to all of the Company’s existing and future secured indebtedness and structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness of the Company’s subsidiaries, including trade payables.

 

CIBC Guaranty

 

On February 14, 2020, the Company entered into a limited guaranty (the “CIBC Guaranty”) in favor of CIBC Bank USA (“CIBC”), pursuant to which the Company guaranteed the payment when due of certain obligations, including all principal, interest, and other amounts that shall be at any time payable by FRG under FRG’s credit agreement with CIBC and the lenders party thereto, dated as of May 16, 2019, as amended (the “CIBC Credit Agreement”) in an amount not to exceed $125.0 million plus certain expenses of CIBC related to such guaranteed obligations (the “CIBC Guaranteed Obligations”). CIBC may require payment of the CIBC Guaranteed Obligations by the Company upon the occurrence of either (a) the failure of FRG to pay any principal of any loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any letter of credit disbursement or (b) the failure of FRG to pay any interest on any loan or on any reimbursement obligation in respect of any letter of credit disbursement within five business days of the date due, in each case pursuant to the CIBC Credit Agreement. The CIBC Guaranty terminated on June 30, 2020.

 

The CIBC Guaranteed Obligations are unsecured obligations of the Company and rank equally in right of payment with all of the Company’s other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The CIBC Guaranteed Obligations are effectively subordinated in right of payment to all of the Company’s existing and future secured indebtedness and structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness of the Company’s subsidiaries, including trade payables.

 

 

B. Riley Principal Merger Corp. II LOI Backstop Commitment

 

B. Riley Principal Merger Corp. II (“BRPM II”), which was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses, entered into non-binding letter of intent to acquire a privately held company that is not related to the Company (the “Proposed Acquisition”).  The non-binding letter of intent contemplates that the Company would provide a backstop guarantee to raise $50,000 new equity in a private placement for the Proposed Acquisition (the “LOI Backstop Commitment”). The Proposed Acquisition is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2020, subject to, among other things, the negotiation and execution of a definitive agreement between BRPM II and the privately held company.

 

Except as disclosed above, we have no material obligations, assets or liabilities which would be considered off-balance sheet arrangements and do not participate in transactions that create relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, often referred to as variable interest entities, established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

In February 2020, we issued $132.3 million of our 6.375% 2025 Notes, which are due and payable in full on February 28, 2025. As a result, our total senior notes payable increased to $1,117.0 million as of June 30, 2020 and our senior notes payable due in more than 5 years increased to $560.5 million. There were no other material changes to our contractual obligations from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

Recent Accounting Standards

 

See Note 2(v) to the accompanying financial statements for recent accounting pronouncements we have not yet adopted and recently adopted.

  

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

B. Riley’s primary exposure to market risk consists of risk related to changes in interest rates. B. Riley has not used derivative financial instruments for speculation or trading purposes.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Our primary exposure to market risk consists of risk related to changes in interest rates. We utilize borrowings under our senior notes payable and credit facilities to fund costs and expenses incurred in connection with our acquisitions and retail liquidation engagements. Borrowings under our senior notes payable are at fixed interest rates and borrowings under our credit facilities bear interest at a floating rate of interest. We invest in loans receivable that primarily bear interest at floating rates of interest.

 

47

 

 

The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve capital for the purpose of funding operations while at the same time maximizing the income we receive from investments without significantly increasing risk. To achieve these objectives, our investments allow us to maintain a portfolio of cash equivalents, short-term investments through a variety of securities owned that primarily includes common stocks, corporate bonds and investments in partnership interests, and loans receivable. Our cash and cash equivalents through June 30, 2020 included amounts in bank checking and liquid money market accounts. We may be exposed to interest rate risk through trading activities in convertible and fixed income securities as well as U.S. Treasury securities, however, based on our daily monitoring of this risk, we believe we currently have limited exposure to interest rate risk in these activities.

 

Foreign Currency Risk

 

The majority of our operating activities are conducted in U.S. dollars. Revenues generated from our foreign subsidiaries totaled $2.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 or 0.9% of our services and fees revenues of $284,976 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020. The financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at period-end rates, with the exception of revenues, costs and expenses, which are translated at average rates during the reporting period. We include gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions in income, while we exclude those resulting from translation of financial statements from income and include them as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. Transaction gains (losses), which were included in our condensed consolidated statements of operations, amounted to a gain of $0.5 million and a loss of $0.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. We may be exposed to foreign currency risk; however, our operating results during the six months ended June 30, 2020 included less than $0.3 million of revenues from our foreign subsidiaries and a 10% appreciation of the U.S. dollar relative to the local currency exchange rates would result in a $2.5 million increase in our operating income and a 10% depreciation of the U.S. dollar relative to the local currency exchange rates would have resulted in a net decrease in our operating income of less than $0.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We maintain a system of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Rules 13a-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act. Based upon the foregoing evaluation, our Co-Chief Executive Officers and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of June 30, 2020 our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date.

 

Remediation of Material Weakness

 

Since the quarter ended December 31, 2019, management undertook remediation measures related to the previously reported material weakness in internal control over financial reporting.  We completed these remediation measures in the quarter ended June 30, 2020, including testing of the design and concluding on the operating effectiveness of the related controls. Specifically, we enhanced the related party policies and procedures, with a specific focus on related party disclosures, that included the creation of a related party oversight function and increasing the frequency of related party controls.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Except for the changes in connection with our implementation of the remediation plan discussed above, there have been no changes to our internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter covered by this Quarterly Report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Inherent Limitation on Effectiveness of Controls

 

Our management, including our Co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well- designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of controls to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.

 

48

 

 

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

 

On August 11, 2017, a putative class action lawsuit titled Freedman v. magicJack VocalTec Ltd. et al., Case 9-17-cv-80940, was filed against magicJack and its Board of Directors in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida (Case No: 9:17-cv-80940-RLR). In November 2018, the District court granted the Company’s request for dismissal of the case. However, the plaintiff appealed the ruling and oral arguments for the appeal were held in January 2020. On June 25, 2020, the Appeals court provided its ruling in favor of the Company, upholding the District court’s dismissal of the case.

 

On January 5, 2017, complaints filed in November 2015 and May 2016 naming MLV & Co. (“MLV”), a broker-dealer subsidiary of FBR, as a defendant in putative class action lawsuits alleging claims under the Securities Act, in connection with the offerings of Miller Energy Resources, Inc. (“Miller”) have been consolidated. The Master Consolidated Complaint, styled Gaynor v. Miller et al., is pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, and, like its predecessor complaints, continues to allege claims under Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act against nine underwriters for alleged material misrepresentations and omissions in the registration statement and prospectuses issued in connection with six offerings (February 13, 2013; May 8, 2013; June 28, 2013; September 26, 2013; October 17, 2013 (as to MLV only) and August 21, 2014) with an alleged aggregate offering price of approximately $151,000. The Court ordered mediation before a federal magistrate took place on August 6, 2019, with no resolution. In December 2019, the Court remanded the case to state court. In July 2020, the Company signed a binding term sheet to settle this matter, subject to court approval.

 

In July 2017, an arbitration claim was filed with FINRA by Dominick & Dickerman LLC and Michael Campbell against WSI and Gary Wunderlich with respect to the acquisition by Wunderlich Investment Company, Inc. (“WIC”) (the parent corporation of WSI) of certain assets of Dominick & Dominick LLC in 2015. The Claimants allege that respondents overvalued WIC so that the purchase price paid to the Claimants in shares of WIC stock was artificially inflated. On April 7, 2020, the arbitration panel issued an award against BRWM and Gary Wunderlich holding each party jointly and severally liable for damages, costs and expenses in an aggregate amount of $11,400. The Company filed a motion to vacate the arbitration award in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on May 5, 2020. In June 2020, Dominick & Dickerman LLC settled the matter for $10,150 in. Michael Campbell agreed that the award shall be vacated as to him.

 

In December 2015, magicJack received a Letter of Inquiry (the “2015 LOI”) from the Enforcement Bureau (the “Bureau”) of the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) in which the Bureau indicated that it was investigating whether the Company is subject to the FCC’s rules applicable to interconnected VoIP providers. magicJack believes that it is not an interconnected VoIP provider under current regulations and is not subject to the FCC rules. Previously, magicJack received similar letters of inquiry in 2010 and 2013, neither of which resulted in any enforcement action. magicJack responded to the 2015 LOI in February 2016. The Company participated in discussions with the FCC regarding a potential settlement, and on June 5, 2020, the Company and the FCC entered into a Consent Decree to settle the FCC’s inquiry. In the Consent Decree magicJack made no admission of non-compliance with FCC regulations but did agree to make certain changes to its product offerings and marketing materials on a go forward basis and to make a monetary payment of $5,000 to the FCC.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

There are certain risks and uncertainties in our business that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. A detailed discussion of our risk factors was included in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 9, 2020 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2020, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 11, 2020. These risk factors should be read carefully in connection with evaluating our business and in connection with the forward-looking statements and other information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Any of the risks described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2020, could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results and the actual outcome of matters as to which forward-looking statements are made. There have been no material changes to the risk factors set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2020. 

 

49

 

  

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

 

None.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

 

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information.

 

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits.

 

The exhibits filed as part of this Quarterly Report are listed in the index to exhibits immediately preceding such exhibits, which index to exhibits is incorporated herein by reference.

 

50

 

 

Exhibit Index

 

        Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit No.

  Description   Form   Exhibit   Filing Date
10.1  

Amendment and Restatement Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2020, among B&W, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other lenders party thereto, including the Company §*

           
                 
10.2  

Fee Letter, dated as of May 14, 2020, among the Company and B&W*

           
                 
10.3  

Fee and Interest Equitization Agreement, dated May 14, 2020, between the Company, B. Riley FBR, and B&W*

           
                 
10.4   Termination Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2020, the Company and B&W and acknowledged by Bank of America, N.A. with respect to the Backstop Commitment Letter*            
                 

10.5

Limited Guaranty Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2020, among the Company, B&W and Bank of America, N.A.*

           
                 
10.6  

Limited Waiver, Joinder and Amendment Number Two to Credit Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2020, by and among Franchise Group New Holdco, LLC, Franchise Group Intermediate Holdco, LLC, each of its subsidiaries named therein, the lenders named therein, GACP Finance Co., LLC, as administrative agent, and Kayne Solutions Fund, L.P., as collateral agent* ^

           
                 
10.7  

Joinder and Amendment Number Three to ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2020, by and among Franchise Group New Holdco, LLC, Franchise Group Intermediate Holdco, LLC, each of its subsidiaries named therein, the lenders named therein, and GACP Finance Co., LLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent* ^

           

 

51

 

 

31.1*  

Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

           
                 
31.2*   Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934            
                 
31.3*   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934            
                 
32.1**   Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002            
                 
32.2**   Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002            
                 
32.3**   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002            
                 
101.INS*   XBRL Instance Document            
                 
101.SCH*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document            
                 
101.CAL*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document            
                 
101.DEF*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document            
                 
101.LAB*   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document            
                 
101.PRE*  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

           
                 
104  

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

           

 

 

§

The Company has omitted certain information contained in this exhibit pursuant to Rule 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K. The omitted information is not material and, if publicly disclosed, would likely cause competitive harm to the Company. Certain schedules and annexes to this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. A copy of any omitted schedule and/or annex will be furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.
# Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
^ Pursuant to Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K, certain annexes to the agreement have not been filed herewith. The registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted annex to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

 

52

 

 

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.

 

 

B. Riley Financial, Inc.
     
Date: July 31, 2020 By: 

/s/ PHILLIP J. AHN

    Name:  Phillip J. Ahn
   

Title:

Chief Financial Officer and
Chief Operating Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

53

 

 

false --12-31 Q2 0001464790 2027-05-31 2027-12-31 2023-05-31 2023-09-30 2024-05-31 2026-09-30 2025-02-28 0001464790 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 2020-07-27 0001464790 2020-06-30 0001464790 2019-12-31 0001464790 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:PreferredStockMember 2020-03-31 0001464790 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2020-03-31 0001464790 us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2020-03-31 0001464790 us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember 2020-03-31 0001464790 us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember 2020-03-31 0001464790 us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember 2020-03-31 0001464790 2020-03-31 0001464790 us-gaap:PreferredStockMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:PreferredStockMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:PreferredStockMember 2019-03-31 0001464790 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2019-03-31 0001464790 us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2019-03-31 0001464790 us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember 2019-03-31 0001464790 us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember 2019-03-31 0001464790 us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember 2019-03-31 0001464790 2019-03-31 0001464790 us-gaap:PreferredStockMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:PreferredStockMember 2019-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2019-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2019-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember 2019-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember 2019-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember 2019-06-30 0001464790 2019-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:PreferredStockMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:PreferredStockMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:PreferredStockMember 2018-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2018-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2018-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember 2018-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember 2018-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember 2018-12-31 0001464790 2018-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:PreferredStockMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:GreatAmericanGlobalPartnersLLCMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:LoansReceivableMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:LoansReceivableMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:LoansReceivableMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 rily:WunderlichWarrantMember 2017-07-03 0001464790 us-gaap:WarrantMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:WarrantMember 2019-05-16 0001464790 us-gaap:WarrantMember 2020-06-11 0001464790 us-gaap:WarrantMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:BrBrandWarrantsMember 2019-10-28 0001464790 rily:BebeStoresIncMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:NationalHoldingsCorporationMember 2018-01-01 2018-12-31 0001464790 rily:NationalHoldingsCorporationMember 2018-12-31 0001464790 rily:NationalHoldingsCorporationMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:NationalHoldingsCorporationMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:BabcockandWilcoxMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember 2019-01-01 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:EquitySecuritiesMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:EquitySecuritiesMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 rily:CorporatebondsMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CorporatebondsMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 rily:PartnershipInterestsAndOtherMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:PartnershipInterestsAndOtherMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:EquitySecuritiesMember us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:EquitySecuritiesMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:EquitySecuritiesMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:EquitySecuritiesMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember us-gaap:CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember us-gaap:CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember us-gaap:CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember us-gaap:CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember us-gaap:FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember us-gaap:FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember us-gaap:FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember us-gaap:FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember rily:LoanReceivableMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember rily:LoanReceivableMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember rily:LoanReceivableMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember rily:LoanReceivableMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:EquitySecuritiesMember us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:EquitySecuritiesMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:EquitySecuritiesMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:EquitySecuritiesMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember us-gaap:CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember us-gaap:CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember us-gaap:CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember us-gaap:CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember us-gaap:FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember us-gaap:FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember us-gaap:FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember us-gaap:FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember rily:LoanReceivableMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember rily:LoanReceivableMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember rily:LoanReceivableMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember rily:LoanReceivableMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:EquitySecuritiesMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:EquitySecuritiesMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 srt:MinimumMember us-gaap:EquitySecuritiesMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 srt:MaximumMember us-gaap:EquitySecuritiesMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:EquitySecuritiesOneMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 srt:MinimumMember rily:EquitySecuritiesOneMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 srt:MaximumMember rily:EquitySecuritiesOneMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SecuritiesTwoMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:EquitySecuritiesThreeMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 srt:MinimumMember rily:EquitySecuritiesThreeMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 srt:MaximumMember rily:EquitySecuritiesThreeMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:EquitySecuritiesFourMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:EquitySecuritiesFiveMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:LoansReceivableAtFairValueMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:LoansReceivableAtFairValueMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 srt:MinimumMember rily:LoansReceivableAtFairValueMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 srt:MaximumMember rily:LoansReceivableAtFairValueMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:LoansReceivableAtFairValueOneMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:MandatorilyRedeemableNoncontrollingInterestsIssuedMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:MandatorilyRedeemableNoncontrollingInterestsIssuedMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:EquitySecuritiesMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2019-12-31 0001464790 rily:LoansReceivableAtFairValueMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2019-12-31 0001464790 rily:MandatorilyRedeemableNoncontrollingInterestsIssuedAfterNovember52003Member us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2019-12-31 0001464790 rily:MandatorilyRedeemableNoncontrollingInterestsIssuedAfterNovember52003Member us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:MandatorilyRedeemableNoncontrollingInterestsIssuedAfterNovember52003Member us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:EquitySecuritiesMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2018-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:EquitySecuritiesMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:EquitySecuritiesMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:LoansReceivableAtFairValueMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2018-12-31 0001464790 rily:LoansReceivableAtFairValueMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:LoansReceivableAtFairValueMember us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:MandatorilyRedeemableNoncontrollingInterestsIssuedAfterNovember52003Member us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2018-12-31 0001464790 rily:MandatorilyRedeemableNoncontrollingInterestsIssuedAfterNovember52003Member us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:MandatorilyRedeemableNoncontrollingInterestsIssuedAfterNovember52003Member us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:BRBrandAcquisitionLLCMember 2019-10-01 2019-10-11 0001464790 rily:BRBrandAcquisitionLLCMember 2019-10-11 0001464790 2019-10-11 0001464790 rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 srt:MinimumMember us-gaap:CustomerRelationshipsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 srt:MaximumMember us-gaap:CustomerRelationshipsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:CustomerRelationshipsMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:CustomerRelationshipsMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 rily:DomainNamesMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:DomainNamesMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:DomainNamesMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 rily:AdvertisingRelationshipsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:AdvertisingRelationshipsMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:AdvertisingRelationshipsMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 srt:MinimumMember rily:InternallyDevelopedSoftwareAndOtherIntangiblesMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 srt:MaximumMember rily:InternallyDevelopedSoftwareAndOtherIntangiblesMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:InternallyDevelopedSoftwareAndOtherIntangiblesMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:InternallyDevelopedSoftwareAndOtherIntangiblesMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 srt:MinimumMember us-gaap:TrademarksMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 srt:MaximumMember us-gaap:TrademarksMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:TrademarksMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:TrademarksMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 us-gaap:TradeNamesMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:TradeNamesMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 rily:WellsFargoBankNationalAssociationMember srt:MinimumMember rily:AssetBasedCreditFacility100000Member rily:SecondAmendedAndRestatedCreditAgreementMember 2017-04-21 0001464790 rily:WellsFargoBankNationalAssociationMember srt:MaximumMember rily:AssetBasedCreditFacility100000Member rily:SecondAmendedAndRestatedCreditAgreementMember 2017-04-21 0001464790 rily:WellsFargoBankNationalAssociationMember rily:AssetBasedCreditFacility100000Member rily:SecondAmendedAndRestatedCreditAgreementMember 2017-04-01 2017-04-21 0001464790 rily:WellsFargoBankNationalAssociationMember us-gaap:LineOfCreditMember rily:UKCreditAgreementMember 2015-03-19 0001464790 rily:UKCreditAgreementMember 2015-03-19 0001464790 rily:WellsFargoBankNationalAssociationMember rily:AssetBasedCreditFacility100000Member rily:SecondAmendedAndRestatedCreditAgreementMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:WellsFargoBankNationalAssociationMember rily:AssetBasedCreditFacility100000Member rily:SecondAmendedAndRestatedCreditAgreementMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:WellsFargoBankNationalAssociationMember rily:AssetBasedCreditFacility100000Member rily:SecondAmendedAndRestatedCreditAgreementMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:WellsFargoBankNationalAssociationMember rily:AssetBasedCreditFacility100000Member rily:SecondAmendedAndRestatedCreditAgreementMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:WellsFargoBankNationalAssociationMember rily:AssetBasedCreditFacility100000Member rily:SecondAmendedAndRestatedCreditAgreementMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 rily:ClearingOrganisationMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:ClearingOrganisationMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:ClearingOrganisationMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 rily:ClearingOrganisationMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:ClearingOrganisationMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:ClearingOrganisationMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:BRPIAcquisitionCoLLCMember rily:TermLoanMember rily:BancOfCaliforniaMember rily:BRPACCreditAgreementMember 2018-12-01 2018-12-19 0001464790 rily:BRPIAcquisitionCoLLCMember rily:TermLoanMember rily:BancOfCaliforniaMember rily:BRPACCreditAgreementMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:BRPIAcquisitionCoLLCMember rily:TermLoanMember rily:BancOfCaliforniaMember rily:BRPACCreditAgreementMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:BRPIAcquisitionCoLLCMember rily:TermLoanMember rily:CityNationalBankMember rily:BRPACCreditAgreementMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:BRPIAcquisitionCoLLCMember srt:MinimumMember rily:CityNationalBankMember rily:BRPACCreditAgreementMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:BRPIAcquisitionCoLLCMember srt:MaximumMember rily:CityNationalBankMember rily:BRPACCreditAgreementMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:BRPIAcquisitionCoLLCMember rily:TermLoanMember rily:BRPACCreditAgreementMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:BRPIAcquisitionCoLLCMember rily:TermLoanMember rily:CityNationalBankMember rily:BRPACCreditAgreementMember 2019-02-01 0001464790 rily:BRPIAcquisitionCoLLCMember rily:TermLoanMember rily:BRPACCreditAgreementMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:BRPIAcquisitionCoLLCMember rily:December312023Member rily:TermLoanMember rily:CityNationalBankMember rily:BRPACCreditAgreementMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:BRPIAcquisitionCoLLCMember rily:DecemberThirtyTwoThousandThreeMember rily:TermLoanMember rily:CityNationalBankMember rily:BRPACCreditAgreementMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:BRPIAcquisitionCoLLCMember rily:DecemberThirtyFirstTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember rily:TermLoanMember rily:CityNationalBankMember rily:BRPACCreditAgreementMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:BRPIAcquisitionCoLLCMember rily:DecemberThirtyTwoThousandThreeMember rily:TermLoanMember rily:CityNationalBankMember rily:BRPACCreditAgreementMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:BRPIAcquisitionCoLLCMember srt:MinimumMember rily:CityNationalBankMember rily:BRPACCreditAgreementMember 2019-02-01 0001464790 rily:BRPIAcquisitionCoLLCMember rily:TermLoanMember rily:BRPACCreditAgreementMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 rily:BRPIAcquisitionCoLLCMember rily:TermLoanMember rily:BRPACCreditAgreementMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:BRPIAcquisitionCoLLCMember rily:TermLoanMember rily:BRPACCreditAgreementMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:BRPIAcquisitionCoLLCMember rily:TermLoanMember rily:BRPACCreditAgreementMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:BRileyFBRIncMember us-gaap:SeniorNotesMember rily:MarketIssuanceSalesAgreementsMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SeniorNotesTwentyFiveMember 2020-02-12 0001464790 rily:SeniorNotesTwentyFiveMember 2020-02-01 2020-02-12 0001464790 2020-03-01 2020-03-31 0001464790 us-gaap:SeniorNotesMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:SeniorNotesMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:SeniorNotes1359Member rily:SalesAgreement265Member 2020-02-14 0001464790 rily:BRileyFBRIncMember rily:SeniorNotes999Member rily:SalesAgreement3Member 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SeniorNotes1Member 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SeniorNotes1Member 2019-12-31 0001464790 rily:SeniorNotes4Member 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SeniorNotes4Member 2019-12-31 0001464790 rily:SeniorNotes5Member 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SeniorNotes5Member 2019-12-31 0001464790 rily:SeniorNotes7Member 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SeniorNotes7Member 2019-12-31 0001464790 rily:SixPointSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SixPointSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 rily:SeniorNotesSevenMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SeniorNotesSevenMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 rily:SeniorNotesEightMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SeniorNotesEightMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 rily:SeniorNotes1Member 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SeniorNotes4Member 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SeniorNotes5Member 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SeniorNotes7Member 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SixPointSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SeniorNotesSevenMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SeniorNotesEightMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 2019-01-01 2019-12-31 0001464790 rily:CorporateFinanceAndInvestmentBankingFeesMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CorporateFinanceAndInvestmentBankingFeesMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CorporateFinanceAndInvestmentBankingFeesMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CorporateFinanceAndInvestmentBankingFeesMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CorporateFinanceAndInvestmentBankingFeesMember rily:BrandsMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CorporateFinanceAndInvestmentBankingFeesMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:WealthAndAssetManagementFeesMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:WealthAndAssetManagementFeesMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:WealthAndAssetManagementFeesMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:WealthAndAssetManagementFeesMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:WealthAndAssetManagementFeesMember rily:BrandsMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:WealthAndAssetManagementFeesMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CommissionsFeesAndReimbursedExpensesMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CommissionsFeesAndReimbursedExpensesMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CommissionsFeesAndReimbursedExpensesMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CommissionsFeesAndReimbursedExpensesMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CommissionsFeesAndReimbursedExpensesMember rily:BrandsMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CommissionsFeesAndReimbursedExpensesMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SubscriptionServicesMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SubscriptionServicesMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SubscriptionServicesMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SubscriptionServicesMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SubscriptionServicesMember rily:BrandsMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SubscriptionServicesMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:ServiceContractRevenuesMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:ServiceContractRevenuesMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:ServiceContractRevenuesMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:ServiceContractRevenuesMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:ServiceContractRevenuesMember rily:BrandsMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:ServiceContractRevenuesMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:AdvertisingLicensingAndOtherMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:AdvertisingLicensingAndOtherMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:AdvertisingLicensingAndOtherMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:AdvertisingLicensingAndOtherMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:AdvertisingLicensingAndOtherMember rily:BrandsMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:AdvertisingLicensingAndOtherMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:BrandsMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:InterestIncomeSecuritiesLendingMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:InterestIncomeSecuritiesLendingMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:InterestIncomeSecuritiesLendingMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:InterestIncomeSecuritiesLendingMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:InterestIncomeSecuritiesLendingMember rily:BrandsMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:InterestIncomeSecuritiesLendingMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:TradingGainslossesOnInvestmentsMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:TradingGainslossesOnInvestmentsMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:TradingGainslossesOnInvestmentsMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:TradingGainslossesOnInvestmentsMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:TradingGainslossesOnInvestmentsMember rily:BrandsMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:TradingGainslossesOnInvestmentsMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:FairValueAdjustmentOnLoansMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:FairValueAdjustmentOnLoansMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:FairValueAdjustmentOnLoansMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:FairValueAdjustmentOnLoansMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:FairValueAdjustmentOnLoansMember rily:BrandsMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:FairValueAdjustmentOnLoansMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:OtherMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:OtherMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:OtherMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:OtherMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:OtherMember rily:BrandsMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:OtherMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CorporateFinanceAndInvestmentBankingFeesMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:CorporateFinanceAndInvestmentBankingFeesMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:CorporateFinanceAndInvestmentBankingFeesMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:CorporateFinanceAndInvestmentBankingFeesMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:CorporateFinanceAndInvestmentBankingFeesMember rily:BrandsMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:CorporateFinanceAndInvestmentBankingFeesMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:WealthAndAssetManagementFeesMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:WealthAndAssetManagementFeesMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:WealthAndAssetManagementFeesMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:WealthAndAssetManagementFeesMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:WealthAndAssetManagementFeesMember rily:BrandsMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:WealthAndAssetManagementFeesMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:CommissionsFeesAndReimbursedExpensesMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:CommissionsFeesAndReimbursedExpensesMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:CommissionsFeesAndReimbursedExpensesMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:CommissionsFeesAndReimbursedExpensesMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:CommissionsFeesAndReimbursedExpensesMember rily:BrandsMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:CommissionsFeesAndReimbursedExpensesMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:SubscriptionServicesMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:SubscriptionServicesMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:SubscriptionServicesMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:SubscriptionServicesMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:SubscriptionServicesMember rily:BrandsMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:SubscriptionServicesMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:ServiceContractRevenuesMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:ServiceContractRevenuesMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:ServiceContractRevenuesMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:ServiceContractRevenuesMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:ServiceContractRevenuesMember rily:BrandsMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:ServiceContractRevenuesMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:AdvertisingLicensingAndOtherMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:AdvertisingLicensingAndOtherMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:AdvertisingLicensingAndOtherMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:AdvertisingLicensingAndOtherMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:AdvertisingLicensingAndOtherMember rily:BrandsMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:AdvertisingLicensingAndOtherMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:BrandsMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:InterestIncomeSecuritiesLendingMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:InterestIncomeSecuritiesLendingMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:InterestIncomeSecuritiesLendingMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:InterestIncomeSecuritiesLendingMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:InterestIncomeSecuritiesLendingMember rily:BrandsMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:InterestIncomeSecuritiesLendingMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:TradingGainslossesOnInvestmentsMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:TradingGainslossesOnInvestmentsMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:TradingGainslossesOnInvestmentsMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:TradingGainslossesOnInvestmentsMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:TradingGainslossesOnInvestmentsMember rily:BrandsMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:TradingGainslossesOnInvestmentsMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:FairValueAdjustmentOnLoansMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:FairValueAdjustmentOnLoansMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:FairValueAdjustmentOnLoansMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:FairValueAdjustmentOnLoansMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:FairValueAdjustmentOnLoansMember rily:BrandsMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:FairValueAdjustmentOnLoansMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:OtherMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:OtherMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:OtherMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:OtherMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:OtherMember rily:BrandsMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:OtherMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:CorporateFinanceAndInvestmentBankingFeesMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CorporateFinanceAndInvestmentBankingFeesMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CorporateFinanceAndInvestmentBankingFeesMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CorporateFinanceAndInvestmentBankingFeesMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CorporateFinanceAndInvestmentBankingFeesMember rily:BrandsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CorporateFinanceAndInvestmentBankingFeesMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:WealthAndAssetManagementFeesMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:WealthAndAssetManagementFeesMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:WealthAndAssetManagementFeesMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:WealthAndAssetManagementFeesMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:WealthAndAssetManagementFeesMember rily:BrandsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:WealthAndAssetManagementFeesMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CommissionsFeesAndReimbursedExpensesMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CommissionsFeesAndReimbursedExpensesMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CommissionsFeesAndReimbursedExpensesMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CommissionsFeesAndReimbursedExpensesMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CommissionsFeesAndReimbursedExpensesMember rily:BrandsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CommissionsFeesAndReimbursedExpensesMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SubscriptionServicesMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SubscriptionServicesMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SubscriptionServicesMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SubscriptionServicesMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SubscriptionServicesMember rily:BrandsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SubscriptionServicesMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:ServiceContractRevenuesMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:ServiceContractRevenuesMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:ServiceContractRevenuesMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:ServiceContractRevenuesMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:ServiceContractRevenuesMember rily:BrandsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:ServiceContractRevenuesMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:AdvertisingLicensingAndOtherMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:AdvertisingLicensingAndOtherMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:AdvertisingLicensingAndOtherMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:AdvertisingLicensingAndOtherMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:AdvertisingLicensingAndOtherMember rily:BrandsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:AdvertisingLicensingAndOtherMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:BrandsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:InterestIncomeSecuritiesLendingMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:InterestIncomeSecuritiesLendingMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:InterestIncomeSecuritiesLendingMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:InterestIncomeSecuritiesLendingMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:InterestIncomeSecuritiesLendingMember rily:BrandsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:InterestIncomeSecuritiesLendingMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:TradingGainslossesOnInvestmentsMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:TradingGainslossesOnInvestmentsMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:TradingGainslossesOnInvestmentsMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:TradingGainslossesOnInvestmentsMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:TradingGainslossesOnInvestmentsMember rily:BrandsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:TradingGainslossesOnInvestmentsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:FairValueAdjustmentOnLoansMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:FairValueAdjustmentOnLoansMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:FairValueAdjustmentOnLoansMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:FairValueAdjustmentOnLoansMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:FairValueAdjustmentOnLoansMember rily:BrandsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:FairValueAdjustmentOnLoansMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:OtherMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:OtherMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:OtherMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:OtherMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:OtherMember rily:BrandsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:OtherMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CorporateFinanceAndInvestmentBankingFeesMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:CorporateFinanceAndInvestmentBankingFeesMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:CorporateFinanceAndInvestmentBankingFeesMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:CorporateFinanceAndInvestmentBankingFeesMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:CorporateFinanceAndInvestmentBankingFeesMember rily:BrandsMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:CorporateFinanceAndInvestmentBankingFeesMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:WealthAndAssetManagementFeesMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:WealthAndAssetManagementFeesMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:WealthAndAssetManagementFeesMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:WealthAndAssetManagementFeesMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:WealthAndAssetManagementFeesMember rily:BrandsMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:WealthAndAssetManagementFeesMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:CommissionsFeesAndReimbursedExpensesMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:CommissionsFeesAndReimbursedExpensesMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:CommissionsFeesAndReimbursedExpensesMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:CommissionsFeesAndReimbursedExpensesMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:CommissionsFeesAndReimbursedExpensesMember rily:BrandsMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:CommissionsFeesAndReimbursedExpensesMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:SubscriptionServicesMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:SubscriptionServicesMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:SubscriptionServicesMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:SubscriptionServicesMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:SubscriptionServicesMember rily:BrandsMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:SubscriptionServicesMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:ServiceContractRevenuesMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:ServiceContractRevenuesMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:ServiceContractRevenuesMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:ServiceContractRevenuesMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:ServiceContractRevenuesMember rily:BrandsMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:ServiceContractRevenuesMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:AdvertisingLicensingAndOtherMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:AdvertisingLicensingAndOtherMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:AdvertisingLicensingAndOtherMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:AdvertisingLicensingAndOtherMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:AdvertisingLicensingAndOtherMember rily:BrandsMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:AdvertisingLicensingAndOtherMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:BrandsMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:InterestIncomeSecuritiesLendingMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:InterestIncomeSecuritiesLendingMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:InterestIncomeSecuritiesLendingMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:InterestIncomeSecuritiesLendingMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:InterestIncomeSecuritiesLendingMember rily:BrandsMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:InterestIncomeSecuritiesLendingMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:TradingGainslossesOnInvestmentsMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:TradingGainslossesOnInvestmentsMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:TradingGainslossesOnInvestmentsMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:TradingGainslossesOnInvestmentsMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:TradingGainslossesOnInvestmentsMember rily:BrandsMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:TradingGainslossesOnInvestmentsMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:FairValueAdjustmentOnLoansMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:FairValueAdjustmentOnLoansMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:FairValueAdjustmentOnLoansMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:FairValueAdjustmentOnLoansMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:FairValueAdjustmentOnLoansMember rily:BrandsMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:FairValueAdjustmentOnLoansMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:OtherMember rily:CapitalMarketsMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:OtherMember rily:AuctionAndLiquidationMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:OtherMember rily:ValuationAndAppraisalMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:OtherMember rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:OtherMember rily:BrandsMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:OtherMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:StateAndLocalJurisdictionMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 srt:MinimumMember us-gaap:DomesticCountryMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:EscrowSubjectToCancellationEscrowClaimsMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 2017-01-01 2017-01-05 0001464790 2020-04-01 2020-04-07 0001464790 2020-02-01 2020-02-14 0001464790 rily:FranchiseGroupMergerSubAFINCMember 2020-02-01 2020-02-14 0001464790 rily:FranchiseGroupMergerSubAFINCMember 2020-02-01 2020-02-19 0001464790 rily:FranchiseGroupIntermediateL2LLCMember 2019-05-01 2019-05-16 0001464790 rily:BabcockandWilcoxMember 2020-05-14 0001464790 us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember rily:AmendedAndRestated2009StockIncentivePlanMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember rily:AmendedAndRestated2009StockIncentivePlanMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember rily:AmendedAndRestated2009StockIncentivePlanMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember rily:AmendedAndRestated2009StockIncentivePlanMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:AmendedAndRestated2009StockIncentivePlanMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:EmployeeStockPurchasePlan2018Member 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:EmployeeStockPurchasePlan2018Member 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:EmployeeStockPurchasePlan2018Member 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:EmployeeStockPurchasePlan2018Member 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:EmployeeStockPurchasePlan2018Member 2020-06-30 0001464790 2020-06-24 2020-07-01 0001464790 2020-07-01 0001464790 2020-06-24 2020-07-02 0001464790 2019-12-24 2020-01-02 0001464790 rily:FBRAndCoMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 srt:MaximumMember rily:FBRAndCoMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:BRileyWealthManagementMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 srt:MaximumMember rily:BRileyWealthManagementMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:GACPILPMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:GACPIILPMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CAGlobalPartnersLLCMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:GACPILPMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 rily:GACPIILPMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 srt:PresidentMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:GACPMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:LoanParticipationsMember rily:BRileyPartnersOpportunityFundMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:BRileyPartnersOpportunityFundMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:ExecutiveOfficersAndBoardOfDirectorsMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CoChiefExecutiveOfficerMember rily:BRileyPartnersOpportunityFundMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:LoanParticipationsMember rily:BRileyPartnersOpportunityFundMember 2019-01-01 2019-12-31 0001464790 2019-03-29 2019-04-02 0001464790 2020-05-01 2020-05-22 0001464790 rily:SonimMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 rily:SonimMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:SonimMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 2017-10-02 2017-10-17 0001464790 rily:SonimMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:BabcockandWilcoxMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 rily:BabcockandWilcoxMember 2020-05-01 2020-05-14 0001464790 rily:BabcockandWilcoxMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:MavenMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:MavenMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 rily:MavenMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 rily:MavenMember 2019-01-01 2019-12-31 0001464790 rily:FranchiseGroupMember 2019-12-31 0001464790 rily:FranchiseGroupMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:FranchiseGroupMember 2020-05-31 0001464790 rily:FranchiseGroupMember 2020-05-01 2020-05-31 0001464790 rily:FranchiseGroupMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 srt:NorthAmericaMember 2020-06-30 0001464790 srt:NorthAmericaMember 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:CapitalMarketsSegmentMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CapitalMarketsSegmentMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:CapitalMarketsSegmentMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:CapitalMarketsSegmentMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:AuctionAndLiquidationSegmentMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:AuctionAndLiquidationSegmentMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:AuctionAndLiquidationSegmentMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:AuctionAndLiquidationSegmentMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:ValuationAndAppraisalSegmentMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:ValuationAndAppraisalSegmentMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:ValuationAndAppraisalSegmentMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:ValuationAndAppraisalSegmentMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackSegmentMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackSegmentMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackSegmentMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:PrincipalInvestmentsUnitedOnlineAndMagicJackSegmentMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:BrandsSegmentMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:BrandsSegmentMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 rily:BrandsSegmentMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 rily:BrandsSegmentMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:CorporateAndOtherMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:CorporateAndOtherMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:CorporateAndOtherMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 us-gaap:CorporateAndOtherMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 srt:NorthAmericaMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 srt:NorthAmericaMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 srt:NorthAmericaMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 srt:NorthAmericaMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 pf0:AU 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 pf0:AU 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 pf0:AU 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 pf0:AU 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 srt:EuropeMember 2020-04-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 srt:EuropeMember 2019-04-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 srt:EuropeMember 2020-01-01 2020-06-30 0001464790 srt:EuropeMember 2019-01-01 2019-06-30 0001464790 srt:MinimumMember us-gaap:SubsequentEventMember 2020-07-03 2020-07-30 0001464790 srt:MaximumMember us-gaap:SubsequentEventMember 2020-07-03 2020-07-30 0001464790 us-gaap:SubsequentEventMember 2020-07-30 0001464790 us-gaap:SubsequentEventMember 2020-08-28 xbrli:shares iso4217:USD iso4217:USD xbrli:shares xbrli:pure

Exhibit 10.1

 

AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT AGREEMENT

 

This AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of May 14, 2020, is among BABCOCK & WILCOX ENTERPRISES, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement described below) (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”), and each of the Lenders party hereto, and, for purposes of Sections 1, 5, 6, and 8 hereof, acknowledged and agreed by certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower, as Guarantors.

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders have entered into that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of May 11, 2015 (as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 10, 2016, Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement, dated as of February 24, 2017, Amendment No. 3 to Credit Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2017, Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2017, Amendment No. 5 to Credit Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2018, Amendment No. 6 to Credit Agreement, dated as of April 10, 2018, Consent and Amendment No. 7 to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018, Amendment No. 8 to Credit Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2018, Amendment No. 9 and Consent to Credit Agreement, dated as of September 14, 2018, Amendment No. 10 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of September 28, 2018, Amendment No. 11 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of October 4, 2018, Amendment No. 12 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2018, Amendment No. 13 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of December 19, 2018, Amendment No. 14 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of January 15, 2019, Amendment No. 15 and Limited Waiver to the Credit Agreement, dated as of March 19, 2019, Amendment No. 16 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of April 5, 2019, Amendment No. 17 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of August 7, 2019, Amendment No. 18 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2019, Amendment No. 19 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of January 17, 2020, Amendment No. 20 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2020, and Amendment No. 21 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of March 27, 2020 and from time to time further amended, supplemented, restated, amended and restated or otherwise modified the “Credit Agreement”); capitalized terms used in this Agreement not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings given thereto in the Credit Agreement (as amended and restated hereby), pursuant to which the Revolving Credit Lenders have provided the Revolving Credit Facility to the Borrower and the Term Loan Lenders have provided the Term Loan Facility to the Borrower; and

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that (i) the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree to, among other items, amend and restate the Credit Agreement to effectuate the 2020 Refinancing and (ii) the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuers and the Lenders agree to amend and restate the Credit Agreement in the form attached hereto as Annex A.

 

 

 

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and further valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1. Amendment and Restatement of the Credit Agreement.

 

  (a) The Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety (other than the exhibits and schedules attached thereto) in the form set out in Annex A hereto (the “A&R Credit Agreement”).
     
  (b) Schedule 2.01 (Commitments and Applicable Percentages) to the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety in the form set out on Annex B hereto.
     
  (c) Exhibit A (Committed Loan Notice) to the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety in the form set out on Annex C hereto.
     
  (d) Exhibit D (Compliance Certificate) to the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety in the form set out on Annex D hereto.
     
  (e) Exhibit E-1 (Assignment and Assumption) to the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety in the form set out on Annex E hereto.
     
  (f) Schedule 4.02(iii) (Mortgaged Properties) to the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety in the form set out on Annex F hereto.
     
  (g) Schedule 5.03 (Ownership of Subsidiaries) to the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety in the form set out on Annex G hereto.
     
  (h) Schedule 5.19(b) (Real Property) to the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety in the form set out on Annex H hereto.

 

2. Joinder

 

From and after the Restatement Effective Date, pursuant to Section 10.01 of the Credit Agreement, each Tranche A-6 Term Loan Lender executing this Agreement shall become a party to the Credit Agreement (to the extent not already a party) and have the rights and obligations of a Term Loan Lender thereunder and under the other Loan Documents and shall be bound by the provisions thereof.

 

  2  

 

 

3. Effectiveness; Conditions Precedent.

 

The amendment and restatement and other amendments contained herein shall only be effective upon the satisfaction or waiver of each of the following conditions precedent (the date of satisfaction or waiver, the “Restatement Effective Date”):

 

  (a) counterparts of this Agreement executed by the Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent, and the Lenders;
     
  (b) the occurrence of each of the “Conditions Precedent” in Section 4.01 (Conditions of Restatement Effective Date) of the A&R Credit Agreement attached as Annex A hereto;
     
  (c) The Tranche A-6 Term Loan Lender shall have made the full amount of the Tranche A-6 Term Loans to be made on the Restatement Effective Date available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds to the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. Eastern time (or such later time as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion) on the Restatement Effective Date.

 

The Administrative Agent agrees that it will, upon the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions contained in this Section 3, promptly provide written notice to the Borrower, and the Lenders of the effectiveness of this Agreement.

 

4. Representations and Warranties.

 

In order to induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into this Agreement, the Borrower represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, for itself and for each other Loan Party, as follows:

 

  (a) that both immediately prior to and immediately after giving effect to this Agreement, no Default or Event of Default exists;
     
  (b) the representations and warranties contained in the A&R Credit Agreement are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof (except to the extent that such representations and warranties (i) specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date and (ii) contain a materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifier, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects);
     
  (c) the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower and the other Loan Parties of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, limited liability company or partnership action, including the consent of shareholders, partners and members where required, do not contravene any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries’ respective Constituent Documents, do not violate any Requirement of Law applicable to any Loan Party or any order or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbiter applicable to any Loan Party and do not require the consent of, authorization by, approval of, notice to, or filing or registration with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person in order to be effective and enforceable;

 

  3  

 

 

  (d) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties;
     
  (e) this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties enforceable against the Borrower and the other Loan Parties in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, Debtor Relief Laws or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity; and
     
  (f) as of the date hereof, all Liens, security interests, assignments and pledges encumbering the Collateral, created pursuant to and/or referred to in the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents, are valid, enforceable, duly perfected to the extent required by the Loan Documents, non-avoidable, first priority liens, security interests, assignments and pledges (subject to Liens permitted by Section 7.02 of the Credit Agreement), continue unimpaired, are in full force and effect and secure and shall continue to secure all of the obligations purported to be secured in the respective Security Instruments pursuant to which such Liens were granted.

 

5. Consent, Acknowledgement and Reaffirmation of Indebtedness and Liens.

 

By its execution hereof, each Loan Party, in its capacity under each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party (including the capacities of debtor, guarantor, grantor and pledgor, as applicable, and each other similar capacity, if any, in which such party has granted Liens on all or any part of its properties or assets, or otherwise acts as an accommodation party, guarantor, indemnitor or surety with respect to all or any part of the Obligations), hereby:

 

  (a) expressly consents to the amendment and restatement of the Credit Agreement and other amendments effected hereby;
     
  (b) expressly confirms and agrees that, notwithstanding the effectiveness of this Agreement, each Loan Document to which it is a party is, and all of the obligations and liabilities of such Loan Party to the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and each other Secured Party contained in the Loan Documents to which it is a party (in each case, as amended and modified by this Agreement), are and shall continue to be, in full force and effect and are hereby reaffirmed, ratified and confirmed in all respects and, without limiting the foregoing, agrees to be bound by and abide by and operate and perform under and pursuant to and comply fully with all of the terms, conditions, provisions, agreements, representations, undertakings, warranties, indemnities, guaranties, grants of security interests and covenants contained in the Loan Documents;
     
  (c) to the extent such party has granted Liens or security interests on any of its properties or assets pursuant to any of the Loan Documents to secure the prompt and complete payment, performance and/or observance of all or any part of its Obligations to the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, and/or any other Secured Party, acknowledges, ratifies, remakes, regrants, confirms and reaffirms without condition, all Liens and security interests granted by such Loan Party to the Administrative Agent for their benefit and the benefit of the Lenders, pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and acknowledges and agrees that all of such Liens and security interests are intended and shall be deemed and construed to continue to secure the Obligations under the Loan Documents, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time, including but not limited to, the Loans made by, and Letters of Credit provided by, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to the Borrower and/or the other Loan Parties under the Credit Agreement, and all extensions renewals, refinancings, amendments or modifications of any of the foregoing;
     
  (d) agrees that this Agreement shall in no manner impair or otherwise adversely affect any of the Liens and security interests granted in or pursuant to the Loan Documents; and
     
  (e) acknowledges and agrees that: (i) the Guaranty and any obligations incurred thereunder, have been provided in exchange for “reasonably equivalent value” (as such term is used under the Bankruptcy Code and applicable state fraudulent transfer laws) and “fair consideration” (as such term is used under applicable state fraudulent conveyance laws) and (ii) each grant or perfection of a Lien or security interest on any Collateral provided in connection with Loan Documents, this Agreement and/or any negotiations with the Administrative Agent and/or the Lenders in connection with a “workout” of the Obligations is intended to constitute, and does constitute, a “contemporaneous exchange for new value” (as such term is used in Section 547 of the Bankruptcy Code).

 

  4  

 

 

6. Releases; Waivers.

 

(a) By its execution hereof, each Loan Party (on behalf of itself and its Affiliates) and its successors-in-title, legal representatives and assignees and, to the extent the same is claimed by right of, through or under any Loan Party, for its past, present and future employees, agents, representatives, officers, directors, shareholders, and trustees (each, a “Releasing Party” and collectively, the “Releasing Parties”), does hereby remise, release and discharge, and shall be deemed to have forever remised, released and discharged, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and each of the other Secured Parties, and the Administrative Agent’s, each Lenders’ and each other Secured Party’s respective successors-in-title, legal representatives and assignees, past, present and future officers, directors, affiliates, shareholders, trustees, agents, employees, consultants, experts, advisors, attorneys and other professionals and all other persons and entities to whom any of the foregoing would be liable if such persons or entities were found to be liable to any Releasing Party, or any of them (collectively hereinafter, the “Lender Parties”), from any and all manner of action and actions, cause and causes of action, claims, charges, demands, counterclaims, suits, covenants, controversies, damages, judgments, expenses, liens, claims of liens, claims of costs, penalties, attorneys’ fees, or any other compensation, recovery or relief on account of any liability, obligation, demand or cause of action of whatever nature, whether in law, equity or otherwise (including, without limitation, any so called “lender liability” claims, claims for subordination (whether equitable or otherwise), interest or other carrying costs, penalties, legal, accounting and other professional fees and expenses and incidental, consequential and punitive damages payable to third parties, or any claims arising under 11 U.S.C. §§ 541-550 or any claims for avoidance or recovery under any other federal, state or foreign law equivalent), whether known or unknown, fixed or contingent, joint and/or several, secured or unsecured, due or not due, primary or secondary, liquidated or unliquidated, contractual or tortious, direct, indirect, or derivative, asserted or unasserted, foreseen or unforeseen, suspected or unsuspected, now existing, heretofore existing or which may heretofore have accrued against any of the Lender Parties under the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, whether held in a personal or representative capacity, and which are based on any act, fact, event or omission or other matter, cause or thing occurring at or from any time prior to and including the date hereof, in all cases of the foregoing in any way, directly or indirectly arising out of, connected with or relating to the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document and the transactions contemplated thereby, and all other agreements, certificates, instruments and other documents and statements (whether written or oral) related to any of the foregoing (each, a “Claim” and collectively, the “Claims”), in each case, other than Claims arising from Lender Parties’ gross negligence, fraud, or willful misconduct. Each Releasing Party further stipulates and agrees with respect to all Claims, that it hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all provisions, rights, and benefits conferred by any applicable U.S. federal or state law, or any principle of common law, that would otherwise limit a release or discharge of any unknown Claims pursuant to this Section 6.
     
  (b) By its execution hereof, each Loan Party hereby (i) acknowledges and confirms that there are no existing defenses, claims, subordinations (whether equitable or otherwise), counterclaims or rights of recoupment or setoff against the Administrative Agent, the Lenders or any other Secured Parties in connection with the Obligations or in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution, performance or any other matters relating to the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents or this Agreement and (ii) expressly waives any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such Loan Party now has against the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any of their respective affiliates, whether in connection with this Agreement, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Credit Agreement and the Loan Documents, or any agreement or instrument relating thereto.

 

  5  

 

 

7. Entire Agreement.

 

This Agreement, the Credit Agreement (including giving effect to the amendment and restatement and the other amendments set forth in Section 1 above), and the other Loan Documents (collectively, the “Relevant Documents”), set forth the entire understanding and agreement of the parties hereto in relation to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior negotiations and agreements among the parties relating to such subject matter. No promise, condition, representation or warranty, express or implied, not set forth in the Relevant Documents shall bind any party hereto, and no such party has relied on any such promise, condition, representation or warranty. Each of the parties hereto acknowledges that, except as otherwise expressly stated in the Relevant Documents, no representations, warranties or commitments, express or implied, have been made by any party to any other party in relation to the subject matter hereof or thereof. None of the terms or conditions of this Agreement may be changed, modified, waived or cancelled orally or otherwise, except in writing and in accordance with Section 10.01 of the Credit Agreement.

 

8. Full Force and Effect of Credit Agreement.

 

This Agreement is a Loan Document (and the Borrower and the other Loan Parties agree that the “Obligations” secured by the Collateral shall include any and all obligations of the Loan Parties under this Agreement). Except as expressly modified hereby, all terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement and all other Loan Documents remain in full force and effect and nothing contained in this Agreement shall in any way impair the validity or enforceability of the Credit Agreement or the Loan Documents, or alter, waive, annul, vary, affect, or impair any provisions, conditions, or covenants contained therein or any rights, powers, or remedies granted therein. This Agreement shall not constitute a modification of the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or a course of dealing with Administrative Agent or the Lenders at variance with the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents such as to require further notice by Administrative Agent or any Lender to require strict compliance with the terms of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents in the future, except in each case as expressly set forth herein. The Borrower acknowledges and expressly agrees that Administrative Agent and the Lenders reserve the right to, and do in fact, require strict compliance with all terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents (subject to any qualifications set forth therein), as amended herein.

 

9. Counterparts; Effectiveness.

 

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Except as provided in Section 3 above, 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 that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile, electronic email or other electronic imaging means (e.g., “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

  6  

 

 

10. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.

 

THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. Sections 10.04, 10.14 and 10.15 of the Credit Agreement are hereby incorporated herein by this reference.

 

11. Severability.

 

If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavour in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

12. References.

 

All references in the Credit Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “hereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement and each reference to the “Credit Agreement”, (or the defined term “Agreement”, “thereunder”, “thereof” of words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement) in the other Loan Documents shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement as amended and restated hereby and giving effect to the amendment and restatement contained in this Agreement.

 

13. Successors and Assigns.

 

This Agreement shall be binding upon the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and the respective successors and assigns of the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent.

 

[Signature pages follow]

 

  7  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be made, executed and delivered by their duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

BABCOCK & WILCOX ENTERPRISES, INC.  
   
By: /s/ Dwayne M. Petish  
Name: Dwayne M. Petish  
Title:  Treasurer  

 

Acknowledged and Agreed for purposes of Sections 1, 5, 6 and 8 of the Agreement:

 

AMERICON EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC.

AMERICON, LLC

BABCOCK & WILCOX CONSTRUCTION CO., LLC

BABCOCK & WILCOX EBENSBURG POWER, LLC

BABCOCK & WILCOX EQUITY INVESTMENTS, LLC

BABCOCK & WILCOX HOLDINGS, LLC

BABCOCK & WILCOX INDIA HOLDINGS, INC.

BABCOCK & WILCOX INTERNATIONAL SALES AND SERVICE CORPORATION

BABCOCK & WILCOX INTERNATIONAL, INC.

BABCOCK & WILCOX CANADA CORP.

BABCOCK & WILCOX SPIG, INC.

BABCOCK & WILCOX TECHNOLOGY, LLC

DELTA POWER SERVICES, LLC

DIAMOND OPERATING CO., INC.

DIAMOND POWER AUSTRALIA HOLDINGS, INC.

DIAMOND POWER CHINA HOLDINGS, INC.

DIAMOND POWER EQUITY INVESTMENTS, INC.

DIAMOND POWER INTERNATIONAL, LLC

DPS ANSON, LLC

DPS BERLIN, LLC

DPS CADILLAC, LLC

DPS FLORIDA, LLC

DPS GREGORY, LLC

DPS MECKLENBURG, LLC

DPS PIEDMONT, LLC

EBENSBURG ENERGY, LLC

O&M HOLDING COMPANY

 

 

 

 

POWER SYSTEMS OPERATIONS, INC.

 

SOFCO EFS HOLDINGS LLC

 

THE BABCOCK & WILCOX COMPANY  
   
By: /s/ Dwayne M. Petish  
Name: Dwayne M. Petish  
Title:  Treasurer  

 

 

 

 

BABCOCK & WILCOX DE MONTERREY, S.A. DE C.V.  
   
By: /s/ Victor Alfonso Muñoz Pérez  
Name:   Victor Alfonso Muñoz Pérez  
Title: Authorized Person  

 

 

 

 

Administrative Agent:

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as  
Administrative Agent  
   
By: /s/ Bridgett J. Manduk Mowry  
Name:   Bridgett J. Manduk Mowry  
Title: Vice President  

 

 

 

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Lender

 

By: /s/ Stefanie Tanwar  
Name:   Stefanie Tanwar  
Title: Director  

 

 

 

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as L/C Issuer  
   
By: /s/ Stefanie Tanwar  
Name:   Stefanie Tanwar  
Title: Director  

 

 

 

 

Banc of America Credit Products, as Lender  
   
By: /s/ Miles Hanes  
Name:   Miles Hanes  
Title: Authorized Signatory  

 

 

 

 

B. Riley Financial, Inc., as Lender  
   
By: /s/ Bryant R. Riley  
Name:   Bryant R. Riley  
Title: Co-CEO  

 

 

 

 

B. Riley FBR, Inc. as Lender  
   
By: /s/ Michael McCoy  
Name:   Michael McCoy  
Title: CFO  

 

 

 

 

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, as Lender  
   
By: /s/ Hiliary Lai  
Name:   Hiliary Lai  
Title: Senior Manager  

 

 

 

 

BBVA USA, as Lender  
   
By: /s/ Bruce Bingham  
Name:   Bruce Bingham  
Title: Vice President  

 

 

 

 

BNP PARIBAS, as Lender and L/C Issuer  
   
By: /s/ Pierre Nicholas Rogers  
Name:   Pierre Nicholas Rogers  
Title: Managing Director  
   
By: /s/ Joseph Mack  
Name: Joseph Mack  
Title: Vice President  

 

 

 

 

CREDIT AGRICOLE CORPORATE AND INVESTMENT BANK, as Lender  
   
By: /s/ Yuriy A Tsyganov  
Name:   Yuriy A Tsyganov  
Title: Director  
   
By: /s/ Kathleen Sweeney  
Name: Kathleen Sweeney  
Title: Managing Director  

 

 

 

 

CREDIT AGRICOLE CORPORATE AND INVESTMENT BANK, as L/C Issuer  
   
By: /s/ Yuriy A Tsyganov  
Name:   Yuriy A Tsyganov  
Title: Director  
   
By: /s/ Kathleen Sweeney  
Name: Kathleen Sweeney  
Title: Managing Director  

 

 

 

 

Citizens Bank, N.A., as Lender  
   
By: /s/ David W. Stack  
Name:   David W. Stack  
Title: Senior Vice President  

 

 

 

 

HANCOCK WHITNEY BANK, as Lender  
   
By: /s/ Eric K. Sander  
Name:   Eric K. Sander  
Title: Vice President  

 

 

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Lender  
   
By: /s/ Antje Focke  
Name:   Antje Focke  
Title: Executive Director  

 

 

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as L/C Issuer  
   
By: /s/ Antje Focke  
Name:   Antje Focke  
Title: Executive Director  

 

 

 

 

MUFG Bank, Ltd., as Lender  
   
By: /s/ David Helffrich  
Name:   David Helffrich  
Title: Director  

 

 

 

 

The Northern Trust Co, as Lender  
   
By: /s/ Robert P. Veltman  
Name: Robert P. Veltman  
Title: Vice President  

 

 

 

 

PNC Bank, National Association, as Lender  
   
By: /s/ Jamie Chioda  
Name: Jamie Chioda  
Title: Senior Vice President  

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

TD Bank, N.A., as L/C Issuer  
   
By: /s/ Bethany H. Buitenhuys  
Name: Bethany H. Buitenhuys  
Title: Vice President  

 

 

 

 

U.S. Bank, N.A., as Lender  
   
By: /s/ David C. Heyson  
Name: David C. Heyson  
Title: Senior Vice President  

 

 

 

 

UniCredit Bank, AG New York Branch, as Lender  
   
By: /s/ Michael D. Novellino  
  Michael D. Novellino  
  Director  
   
By: /s/ Scott Obeck  
  Scott Obeck  
  Director  

 

 

 

 

Vintage Capital Management LLC,  
as Lender  
   
By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn  
Title: Manager  

 

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK N.A., as Lender  
   
By: /s/ Constantin E. Chepurny  
Name: Constantin E. Chepurny  
Title: EVP  

 

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK N.A., as L/C Issuer  
   
By: /s/ Constantin E. Chepurny  
Name: Constantin E. Chepurny  
Title: EVP  

 

 

 

 

Annex A

 

A&R Credit Agreement

 

[Please see attached]

 

 

CERTAIN IDENTIFIED INFORMATION HAS BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS EXHIBIT BECAUSE IT IS NOT MATERIAL AND WOULD LIKELY CAUSE COMPETITIVE HARM TO THE REGISTRANT IF PUBLICLY DISCLOSED. [***] INDICATES THAT INFORMATION HAS BEEN REDACTED.

 

 

 

 

Published CUSIP Number: 056147AA1

 

Revolving Credit CUSIP Number: 05614TAB9

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

dated as of May 14, 2020

 

among

 

BABCOCK & WILCOX ENTERPRISES, INC.,

 

as the Borrower,

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

 

as Administrative Agent,

 

and an L/C Issuer,

 

and

 

The Other Lenders Party Hereto

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Section Page
   
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS 2
1.01 Defined Terms 2
1.02 Other Interpretive Provisions 56
1.03 Accounting Terms 57
1.04 Rounding 58
1.05 Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents 58
1.06 Alternative Currencies 58
1.07 Times of Day; Rates 59
1.08 Letter of Credit Amounts 59
1.09 Surviving Provisions Perpetual 59
ARTICLE II THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS 60
2.01 Revolving Credit Loans 60
2.01A [Reserved] 60
2.01B [Reserved] 60
2.01C Tranche A-3 Term Loans 60
2.01D Tranche A-4 Term Loans 61
2.01E Tranche A-5 Term Loans 61
2.01F Tranche A-6 Term Loans 62
2.01G Tranche A-7 Term Loans 62
2.02 Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans 63
2.03 Letters of Credit 65
2.04 [Reserved] 77
2.05 Prepayments 77
2.06 Termination or Reduction of Commitments 81
2.07 Repayment of Loans 83
2.08 Interest 84
2.09 Fees 85
2.10 Computation of Interest and Fees 88
2.11 Evidence of Debt 89
2.12 Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback 90
2.13 Sharing of Payments by Lenders 92
2.14 [Reserved] 93
2.15 Cash Collateral 93
2.16 Defaulting Lenders 95
ARTICLE III TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY 97
3.01 Taxes 97
3.02 Illegality 102
3.03 Inability to Determine Rates 103
3.04 Increased Costs; Reserves on Eurocurrency Rate Loans 107
3.05 Compensation for Losses 105
3.06 Mitigation Obligations 110
3.07 Survival 111

 

i

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)

 

3.08 No Payment to Term Loan Lenders 111
ARTICLE IV CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS 111
4.01 Conditions of Restatement Effective Date 111
4.02 [Reserved] 115
4.03 Conditions to Revolving Credit Extensions 115
4.04

Conditions to Tranche A-5 Term Loan Borrowing

116
4.05

Conditions to Tranche A-6 Term Loan Borrowing

116
4.06

Conditions to Tranche A-7 Term Loan Borrowing

117
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES 117
5.01 Corporate Existence, Compliance with Law 117
5.02 Corporate Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations 118
5.03 Ownership of Borrower; Subsidiaries 119
5.04 Financial Statements 119
5.05 Material Adverse Change 120
5.06 Solvency 120
5.07 Litigation 120
5.08 Taxes 120
5.09 Full Disclosure 121
5.10 Margin Regulations 121
5.11 No Burdensome Restrictions; No Defaults 121
5.12 Investment Company Act 121
5.13 Use of Proceeds 122
5.14 Insurance 122
5.15 Labor Matters 123
5.16 ERISA 123
5.17 Environmental Matters 125
5.18 Intellectual Property 125
5.19 Title; Real Property 126
5.20 Security Instruments 127
5.21 OFAC 127
5.22 Anti-Corruption Laws 127
5.23 EEA Financial Institutions 127
5.24 Budget 127
ARTICLE VI AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS 128
6.01 Financial Statements 128
6.02 Collateral Reporting Requirements 130
6.03 Default and Certain Other Notices 131
6.04 Litigation 131
6.05 Labor Relations 132
6.06 Tax Returns 132
6.07 Insurance 132
6.08 ERISA Matters 132
6.09 Environmental Matters 133
6.10 Patriot Act Information 134
6.11 Other Information 134
6.12 Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc. 134

 

ii

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)

 

6.13 Compliance with Laws, Etc. 135
6.14 Conduct of Business 135
6.15 Payment of Taxes, Etc. 135
6.16 Maintenance of Insurance 135
6.17 Access 135
6.18 Keeping of Books 136
6.19 Maintenance of Properties, Etc. 136
6.20 Application of Proceeds 136
6.21 Environmental 136
6.22 Additional Collateral and Guaranties 138
6.23 Real Property 139
6.24 Further Assurances 140
6.25 Anti-Corruption Laws; Sanctions 140
6.26 Post-Closing Covenants 141
6.27 [Reserved] 141
6.28 Consultant 141
6.29 Variance and Cash Flow Reporting 142
6.30 Account Control Agreements 142
6.31 Information Updates 142
6.32 [Reserved] 142
6.33 Chief Implementation Officer 142
6.34 [Reserved] 143
6.35 [Reserved] 143
6.36 Foreign Collateral; Pledges of Stock and Stock Equivalents 143
ARTICLE VII NEGATIVE COVENANTS 143
7.01 Indebtedness 144
7.02 Liens 146
7.03 Investments 149
7.04 Asset Sales 151
7.05 Restricted Payments 152
7.06 Fundamental Changes 153
7.07 Change in Nature of Business 154
7.08 Transactions with Affiliates 154
7.09 Burdensome Agreements 155
7.10 [Reserved] 156
7.11 Fiscal Year 156
7.12 Use of Proceeds 156
7.13 Sale Leasebacks 156
7.14 No Speculative Transactions 156
7.15 Anti-Corruption Laws 156
7.16 Financial Covenants 156
7.17 Sanctions 156
7.18 Minimum Liquidity 157
7.19 [Reserved] 157
7.20 Capital Expenditures 157

 

iii

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)

 

ARTICLE VIII EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES 157
8.01 Events of Default 157
8.02 Remedies Upon Event of Default 161
8.03 Application of Funds 161
8.04 Right to Cure 163
ARTICLE IX ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT 165
9.01 Appointment and Authority 165
9.02 Rights as a Lender 166
9.03 Exculpatory Provisions 166
9.04 Reliance by Administrative Agent 167
9.05 Delegation of Duties 168
9.06 Resignation of Administrative Agent 168
9.07 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders 170
9.08 [Reserved] 171
9.09 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim 171
9.10 Collateral and Guaranty Matters 173
9.11 Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements 174
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS 175
10.01 Amendments, Etc. 175
10.02 Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication 178
10.03 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement 181
10.04 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver 182
10.05 Payments Set Aside 185
10.06 Successors and Assigns 186
10.07 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality 192
10.08 Right of Setoff 193
10.09 Interest Rate Limitation 194
10.10 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness 194
10.11 Survival of Representations and Warranties 195
10.12 Severability 195
10.13 Replacement of Lenders 195
10.14 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc. 196
10.15 Waiver of Jury Trial 198
10.16 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility 198
10.17 Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents 199
10.18 Judgment Currency 200
10.19 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions 200
10.20 Parallel Debt 201
10.21 Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs 203
10.22 Amendment and Restatement 204
ARTICLE XI ADDITIONAL SUBORDINATION TERMS 205
11.01 Payment Subordination 205
11.02 Turnover 205
11.03 Financing Matters 206
11.04 Adequate Protection 207
11.05 Voting Matters 207
11.06 Right to Appear 207
11.07 Indemnification; Release 208
11.08 Enforceability 208
11.09 Article XI; Generally 208
     
  SIGNATURES S-1

 

iv

 

 

SCHEDULES

 

1.01(a) Affiliate Agreements  
     
1.01(b) Initial Guarantors  
     
2.01 Commitments and Applicable Percentages  
     
4.02(a)(iii) Mortgaged Properties  
     
5.02  Consents  
     
5.03  Ownership of Subsidiaries  
     
5.04  Supplement to Financial Statements  
     
5.07  Litigation  
     
5.19(b)  Real Property  
     
6.36 Pledges of Stock and Stock Equivalents; Account Control Agreements  
     
7.01  Existing Indebtedness  
     
7.02 Existing Liens  
     
7.03  Existing Investments  
     
10.02  Administrative Agent’s Office; Certain Addresses for Notices  

 

v

 

 

EXHIBITS

 

  Form of  
     
Committed Loan Notice  
     
[Reserved]  
     
Note  
     
Compliance Certificate  
     
E-1  Assignment and Assumption  
     
E-2  Administrative Questionnaire  
     
[Reserved]  
     
[Reserved]  
     
Forms of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates  

 

vi

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

This AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT is entered into as of May 14, 2020, among BABCOCK & WILCOX ENTERPRISES, INC., a Delaware corporation, as the borrower hereunder (the “Borrower”), each lender from time to time party hereto (collectively, the “Lenders” and individually, a “Lender”), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent and an L/C Issuer.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower wishes to (i) continue the Revolving Credit Loans and certain Term Loans under and as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement, (ii) add the Tranche A-6 Term Loan Commitment and other obligations of certain Term Loan Lenders to fund Tranche A-6 Term Loans, and (iii) add certain Term Loan Commitments relating to the issuance of third-party letters of credit (the transactions set forth in clauses (i) through (iii) all on the terms set forth in this Agreement, the “2020 Refinancing”);

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuers and the Lenders are willing to amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement in order to provide for certain amendments thereto and to provide for the making of certain term loans and revolving credit loans and the extensions of letters of credit, all on the terms set forth in this Agreement, which making of term loans and revolving credit loans, the extensions of letters of credit and the amendment and restatement in the form of this Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent set forth in this Agreement and the occurrence of the Restatement Effective Date;

 

WHEREAS, it is the intent of the parties hereto that this Agreement not constitute a novation of the obligations and liabilities existing under the Existing Credit Agreement or evidence payment of all or any of such obligations and liabilities (except for fees owing to the Revolving Credit Lenders and Term Loan Lenders (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) explicitly waived pursuant to Section 2.09(d)), that this Agreement amend and restate in its entirety the Existing Credit Agreement and renew and extend the extensions of credit under the Existing Credit Agreement, as so amended and restated, and that from and after the Restatement Effective Date the Existing Credit Agreement be of no further force or effect except as to evidence the incurrence of the obligations of Borrower and its Subsidiaries thereunder and as otherwise set forth hereunder;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto hereby amend and completely restate the Existing Credit Agreement, effective as of the Restatement Effective Date, and do hereby agree as follows:

 

1

 

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

 

1.01 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

2020 Refinancing” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraphs hereto.

 

2020 Refinancing Term Loan Lender Expenses” has the meaning specified in Section 10.04(a).

 

Acquired Entity” means a Person to be acquired, or whose assets are to be acquired, in an Acquisition.

 

Acquisition” means, by way of any single transaction or a series of related transactions, the acquisition of all or substantially all of (a) the assets of an Acquired Entity, (b) the assets constituting what is known to the Borrower to be all or substantially all of the business of a division, branch or other unit operation of an Acquired Entity, or (c) the Stock and Stock Equivalents (other than director’s qualifying shares and the like, as may be required by applicable Requirements of Law) of, an Acquired Entity.

 

Administrative Agent” means Bank of America in its capacity as administrative agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.

 

Administrative Agent’s Office” means the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 10.02, or such other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify to the Borrower and the Lenders.

 

Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in substantially the form of Exhibit E-2 or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

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 Person specified.

 

[***] Drawing Certificate” means a certificate of the Tranche A-5 Term Loan Lender certifying that (i) an amount equal to the proposed Tranche A-5 Term Loan Borrowing has been drawn under the [***] Letter of Credit and (ii) the Borrower has reimbursement obligations due to the Tranche A-5 Term Loan Lender in such amount.

 

2

 

 

[***] Letter of Credit” means a letter of credit, bankers acceptance, surety bond, performance bond, bank guarantee or other similar obligation issued to or obligated to be settled by B. Riley Financial, Inc., in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Revolving Credit Lenders, to secure ordinary course performance obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in connection with bidding, procurement, engineering, construction and maintenance for the prospective “[***]” project located in [***].

 

Affiliate Agreements” means, collectively, the agreements listed on Schedule 1.01(a) hereto.

 

Aggregate Commitments” means the Commitments of all the Lenders.

 

Aggregate L/C Sublimit” means (x) prior to May 1, 2021, $190,000,000 and (y) thereafter, $175,000,000.

 

Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment” means the Revolving Credit Commitments of all the Revolving Credit Lenders.

 

Aggregate Term Loan Commitment” means the Term Loan Commitments of all the Term Loan Lenders.

 

Aggregate Working Capital Term Loan Commitment” means the Term Loan Working Capital Commitments of all the Tranche A-6 Term Loan Lenders.

 

Agreement” means this Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

 

Alternative Currency” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, those currencies (other than Dollars) that are approved by the L/C Issuer issuing such Letters of Credit in accordance with Section 1.06.

 

Alternative Currency Equivalent” means, at any time, with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, the equivalent amount thereof in the applicable Alternative Currency as determined by the Administrative Agent or the applicable L/C Issuer, as the case may be, at such time on the basis of the Spot Rate (determined in respect of the most recent Revaluation Date) for the purchase of such Alternative Currency with Dollars.

 

Alternative Currency Sublimit” means an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the Revolving Credit Facility and, (ii) prior to May 1, 2021, $125,000,000, and thereafter, $110,000,000. The Alternative Currency Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Credit Facility.

 

3

 

 

Amendment and Restatement Agreement” means that certain Amendment and Restatement Agreement dated as of the Restatement Effective Date by and among the Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.

 

Amendment and Restatement Effective Date Fee” has the meaning specified in Section 2.09(c).

 

Anti-Corruption Laws” means all laws, rules and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption, including, without limitation, the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 and the UK Bribery Act 2010, each as amended, and any other applicable anti-corruption law in all material respects.

 

Applicable Percentage” means (a) with respect to the Term Loan Facility (and in each case, as may be adjusted for a particular Tranche, as the context may require), with respect to any Term Loan Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Term Loan Facility represented by (i) at any time during the Availability Period in respect of such Facility, such Term Loan Lender’s Term Loan Commitment at such time, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.16, plus the principal amount of such Term Loan Lender’s Term Loans at such time, and (ii) thereafter, the principal amount of such Term Loan Lender’s Term Loans at such time and (b) in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility, with respect to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Revolving Credit Facility represented by such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment at such time, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.16. If the Revolving Credit Commitment of each Lender to make Loans and the obligation of each L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02 or if the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments have expired, then the Applicable Percentage of each Lender in respect to the applicable Facility shall be determined based on the Applicable Percentage of such Lender most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments. The Applicable Percentage of each Lender as of the Restatement Effective Date in respect of the Term Loan Facility and the Revolving Credit Facility, respectively, is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable.

 

Applicable Rate” means a percentage per annum equal to:

 

(a) (x) at any time the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments are equal to or in excess of $200,000,000.00 (i) 7.00%, with respect to Revolving Credit Loans that are Eurocurrency Rate Loans, and (ii) 6.00%, with respect to Revolving Credit Loans that are Base Rate Loans, and (y) at any other time (i) 5.00%, with respect to Revolving Credit Loans that are Eurocurrency Rate Loans, and (ii) 4.00%, with respect to Revolving Credit Loans that are Base Rate Loans; and

 

4

 

 

(b) with respect to Letter of Credit Fees for Financial Letters of Credit, commercial Letters of Credit and Performance Letter of Credit, 4.00%.

 

Approved Fund” means any Fund 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.

 

Asset Sale” has the meaning specified in Section 7.04.

 

Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 10.06(b)), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit E-1 or any other form (including electronic documentation generated by use of an electronic platform) approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

Availability Period” means (a) in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility, the period from and including the Restatement Effective Date to the earliest of (i) the Revolving Credit Facility Maturity Date, (ii) the date of termination of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments pursuant to Section 2.06, and (iii) the date of termination of the Commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans and of the obligation of the L/C Issuers to make L/C Credit Extensions pursuant to Section 8.02, (b) in respect of the Tranche A-5 Term Loan Commitment, the period from and including the Restatement Effective Date to the earlier of (i) the date the Tranche A-5 Term Loan Lender has provided the Administrative Agent with written notice of the termination of the Tranche A-5 Term Loan Commitment and (ii) the Term Loan Facility Maturity Date, (c) in respect of the Term Loan Working Capital Commitment, the period from and including the Restatement Effective Date to the earliest of (i) the Term Loan Facility Maturity Date, (ii) the date of termination of the Aggregate Term Loan Working Capital Commitments pursuant to Section 2.06, (iii) the date of termination of the Term Loan Working Capital Commitment of each Tranche A-6 Term Loan Lender to make Working Capital Term Loans pursuant to Section 8.02 and (iv) the date of the reduction of the Term Loan Working Capital Commitment to zero as a result of Term Loan Borrowings made under Section 2.01F, and (d) in respect of the Tranche A-7 Term Loan Commitment, the period from and including the Restatement Effective Date to the earlier of (i) the date the Tranche A-7 Term Loan Lender has provided the Administrative Agent with written notice of the termination of the Tranche A-7 Term Loan Commitment and (ii) the Term Loan Facility Maturity Date.

 

5

 

 

B. Riley Fee Letter” means the certain Fee Letter, dated as of the date hereof between B. Riley Financial, Inc. and the Borrower (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, including any rights or obligations thereunder as may be amended, supplemented or modified as a result of an amendment, supplement or other modification to the Fee and Interest Equitization Agreement dated as of the date hereof, among B. Riley Financial, Inc., B. Riley FBR, Inc. and the Borrower, in each case, with the consent of the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion).

 

B. Riley Limited Guaranty” means the certain Limited Guaranty, dated as of the date hereof, between B. Riley Financial, Inc. and the Administrative Agent (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified).

 

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

 

Bail-In Legislation” means, 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 for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

Bank of America” means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.

 

Base Rate” means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1%, (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its “prime rate” and (c) the Eurocurrency Rate determined in accordance with clause (b) of the definition thereof, plus 1.00%; provided that if the Base Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes of this Agreement. The “prime rate” is a rate set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of America’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in the “prime rate” announced by Bank of America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

 

Base Rate Loan” means a Revolving Credit Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate. All Base Rate Loans shall be denominated in Dollars.

 

6

 

 

Borrower” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraphs hereto.

 

Borrower Materials” has the meaning specified in Section 6.01.

 

Borrower’s Accountants” means Deloitte & Touche LLP or another firm of independent nationally recognized public accountants.

 

Borrowing” means a Revolving Credit Borrowing or a Term Loan Borrowing, as the context may require.

 

Budget” means a 13-week cash flow budget of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated and segment-level basis, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, as may be updated pursuant to Section 6.29.

 

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Requirements of Law of, or are in fact closed in, the state where the Administrative Agent’s Office with respect to Obligations denominated in Dollars is located and:

 

(a) if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan denominated in Dollars, any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in Dollars in respect of any such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, or any other dealings in Dollars to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, means any such day that is also a London Banking Day; and

 

(b) if such day relates to any determination of the Spot Rate pursuant to this Agreement, means any such day on which banks are open for foreign exchange business in the principal financial center of the country of the relevant Alternative Currency for which the Spot Rate is being determined.

 

BWC” means The Babcock and Wilcox Company (f/k/a Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc.), a Delaware corporation.

 

Canadian Guarantee Agreement” means the Canadian Guarantee Agreement, dated as of April 27, 2018 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified), by the Canadian Guarantor and Megtec Turbosonic Inc. in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

Canadian Guarantor” means Babcock & Wilcox Canada Corp. (f/k/a Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group Canada Corp.).

 

Canadian Pledge and Security Agreement” means the Canadian Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of April 27, 2018 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified), by the Canadian Guarantor and Megtec Turbosonic Inc. to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

7

 

 

Capital Expenditures” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the amount of all expenditures by such Person and its Subsidiaries during such period that are capital expenditures as determined in accordance with GAAP, whether such expenditures are paid in cash or financed.

 

Capital Lease” means, with respect to any Person, any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) property by such Person as lessee that would be accounted for as a capital lease on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in conformity with GAAP.

 

Capital Lease Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, the capitalized amount of all obligations of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries under Capital Leases, as determined on a consolidated basis in conformity with GAAP.

 

Captive Insurance Subsidiaries” means, collectively or individually as of any date of determination, those regulated Subsidiaries of the Borrower primarily engaged in the business of providing insurance and insurance-related services to the Borrower, its other Subsidiaries and certain other Persons.

 

Cash Collateralize” means to pledge and deposit with or deliver directly to an L/C Issuer or to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, any L/C Issuer or any Lender, as the context may indicate, as collateral for L/C Obligations, or obligations of Lenders to fund participations in respect of either thereof (as the context may require), cash or deposit account balances or, if the L/C Issuer benefitting from such collateral shall agree in its sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to (a) the Administrative Agent (but only if the Administrative Agent is a party to such Cash Collateral arrangement) and (b) the applicable L/C Issuer.

 

Cash Collateral” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.

 

Cash Equivalents” means (a) securities issued or fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency thereof, (b) certificates of deposit, eurodollar time deposits, overnight bank deposits and bankers’ acceptances of (i) any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, any foreign bank, or any branch or agency of any of the foregoing, in each case if such bank has a minimum rating at the time of investment of A-3 by S&P or P-3 by Moody’s, or (ii) any Lender or any branch or agency of any Lender, (c) commercial paper, (d) municipal issued debt securities, including notes and bonds, (e) (i) shares of any money market fund that has net assets of not less than $500,000,000 and satisfies the requirements of rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and (ii) shares of any offshore money market fund that has net assets of not less than $500,000,000 and a $1 net asset mandate, (f) fully collateralized repurchase agreements, (g) demand deposit accounts and (h) obligations issued or guaranteed by the government or by a governmental agency of Canada, Japan, Australia, Switzerland or a country belonging to the European Union; provided, however, that (i) all obligations of the type specified in clauses (c) or (d) above shall have a minimum rating of A-1 or AAA by S&P or P-1 or Aaa by Moody’s, in each case at the time of acquisition thereof, (ii) the country credit rating of any country issuing or guaranteeing (or whose governmental agency issues or guarantees) any obligation of the type specified in clause (h) above shall be AA or higher by S&P or an equivalent rating or higher by another generally recognized rating agency providing country credit ratings and (iii) the maturities of all obligations of the type described in clause (b) or (h) above shall not exceed one year from the date of acquisition thereof.

 

8

 

 

Cash Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Interest Expense of such Person for such period less, to the extent included in the calculation of Interest Expense of such Person for such period, (a) the amount of debt discount and debt issuance costs amortized, (b) charges relating to write-ups or write-downs in the book or carrying value of existing Financial Covenant Debt, and (c) interest payable in evidences of Indebtedness or by addition to the principal of the related Indebtedness.

 

Cash Management Agreement” means any agreement to provide cash management services, including treasury, depository, overdraft, credit or debit card, electronic funds transfer and other cash management arrangements in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

 

Cash Management Bank” means (a) any Person that, at the time it enters into a Cash Management Agreement, is a Revolving Credit Lender or an Affiliate of a Revolving Credit Lender, in its capacity as a party to such Cash Management Agreement, and (b) any Person that is a party to a Cash Management Agreement at the time it or its relevant Affiliate becomes a Revolving Credit Lender (whether on the Restatement Effective Date or at a later date pursuant to Section 10.06), in its capacity as a party to such Cash Management Agreement.

 

Change in Law” means the occurrence after the Restatement Effective Date of any of the following: (a) the adoption 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) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines 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 or issued.

 

9

 

 

Change of Control” means an event or series of events by which:

 

(a) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding (i) any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan and (ii) underwriters in the course of their distribution of Voting Stock in an underwritten registered public offering provided such underwriters shall not hold such Stock for longer than five Business Days) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), directly or indirectly, of more than 30% of the equity securities of the Borrower entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of the Borrower on a fully-diluted basis; provided that it shall not be deemed to be a Change of Control if Vintage Capital Management, LLC, B. Riley FBR, Inc. or a related “person” or “group” acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders becomes the beneficial owner of more than 30% of such equity securities of the Borrower pursuant simultaneously with or after the 2020 Refinancing; or

 

(b) during any period of twelve consecutive calendar months, a majority of the members of the board of directors or other equivalent governing body of the Borrower cease to be composed of individuals (i) who were members of that board or equivalent governing body on the first day of such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to that board or equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body or (iii) whose election or nomination to that board or other equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body; provided that individuals who are (A) deemed to be members of the board of directors under clause (i) prior to the Restatement Effective Date pursuant to clause (b) of the definition of “Change of Control” under the Existing Credit Agreement or (B) appointed by B. Riley FBR, Inc. or its respective Affiliates as members of the board of directors or other equivalent governing body in connection with the 2020 Refinancing shall, before and after the date the 2020 Refinancing is consummated, be deemed to be members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body pursuant to clause (b)(i) above.

 

10

 

 

CIO” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.33.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

 

Collateral” means, collectively, the Pledged Interests and all other personal and real property of the Borrower, any Guarantor or any other Person in which the Administrative Agent or any Secured Party is granted a Lien under any Security Instrument as security for all or any portion of the Obligations or any other obligation arising under any Loan Document.

 

Collateral Agreement” means, collectively the U.S. Collateral Agreement, the Canadian Pledge and Security Agreement, and the Mexican Pledge Agreement.

 

Commitment” means, as to each Lender, the Revolving Credit Commitment and the Term Loan Commitment (as applicable) of such Lender.

 

Commitment Reduction Amount” means (x) for reductions under the Revolving Credit Commitments, (a) with respect to any Prepayment Event under clause (a) of the definition thereof, an amount equal to 50% of the Net Cash Proceeds of such event required to be utilized pursuant to Section 2.05(b) to make such a prepayment (including any amount that may be retained by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.05(b)(iv)), and (b) with respect to the issuance or other incurrence by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any unsecured Indebtedness pursuant to either (x) Section 7.01(i) in an aggregate principal amount outstanding in excess of $25,000,000 or (y) Section 7.01(o), in each case other than any such Indebtedness that constitutes Subordinated Debt, an amount equal to 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the incurrence such Indebtedness and (y) for reductions under the Term Loan Working Capital Commitments, with respect to any Prepayment Event under clause (a)(iii) of the definition thereof in connection with Prepayment Events, an amount equal to 50% of the Net Cash Proceeds of such event required to be utilized pursuant to Section 2.05(b) to make such a prepayment.

 

Commitment Reduction Event” means any event described in the definition of “Commitment Reduction Amount.”

 

11

 

 

Committed Loan Notice” means a notice of (a) a Term Loan Borrowing, (b) a Revolving Credit Borrowing, (c) a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or (d) a continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, pursuant to Section 2.02(a), which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A or such other form as may be approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system, as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

 

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.

 

Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D.

 

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.

 

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

 

Consolidated Tangible Assets” means, as of any date of determination, the difference of (a) the consolidated total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of such date, determined in accordance with GAAP, minus (b) all Intangible Assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date.

 

Consortium” means any joint venture, consortium or other similar arrangement that is not a separate legal entity entered into by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and one or more third parties, provided that no Loan Party shall, whether pursuant to the Constituent Documents of such joint venture or otherwise, be under any Contractual Obligation to make Investments or incur Guaranty Obligations after the Restatement Effective Date, or, if later, at the time of, or at any time after, the initial formation of such joint venture, consortium or similar arrangement that would be in violation of any provision of this Agreement.

 

Constituent Documents” means, with respect to any Person, (a) the articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation or certificate of formation (or the equivalent organizational documents) of such Person and (b) the bylaws, partnership agreement or operating agreement (or the equivalent governing documents) of such Person.

 

12

 

 

Consultant” means a consultant of recognized national standing acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

Contaminant” means any material, substance or waste that is classified, regulated or otherwise characterized under any Environmental Law as hazardous, toxic, a contaminant or a pollutant or by other words of similar meaning or regulatory effect, including any petroleum or petroleum derived substance or waste, asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls.

 

Contractual Obligation” of any Person means any obligation, agreement, undertaking or similar provision of any Security issued by such Person or of any agreement, undertaking, contract, lease, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other instrument (excluding the Loan Documents) to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

 

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.

 

Control Agreement” means a deposit account control agreement, securities account control agreement or a commodities account control agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, among the Loan Party or Loan Parties holding the deposit account or deposit accounts, the security account or securities accounts, or the commodity account or commodities accounts subject to such control agreement, the Administrative Agent and the depositary bank of such deposit account(s), the securities intermediary maintaining any securities account, or the commodity intermediary maintaining any commodity account.

 

COVID-19 Relief Indebtedness” means governmental assistance in the form of Indebtedness in connection with COVID-19 relief.

 

Credit Extension” means each of the following: (a) a Borrowing and (b) an L/C Credit Extension.

 

Cure Expiration Date” has the meaning specified in Section 8.04.

 

Cure Right” has the meaning specified in Section 8.04.

 

13

 

 

Customary Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person, any of the following Liens:

 

(a) Liens with respect to the payment of taxes, assessments or governmental charges in each case that are not yet due or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves or other appropriate provisions are being maintained to the extent required by GAAP and, in the case of Mortgaged Property, there is no material risk of forfeiture of such property;

 

(b) Liens of landlords arising by statute or lease contracts entered into in the ordinary course, inchoate, statutory or construction liens and liens of suppliers, mechanics, carriers, materialmen, warehousemen, producers, operators or workmen and other liens imposed by law created in the ordinary course of business for amounts not yet due or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves or other appropriate provisions are being maintained to the extent required by GAAP;

 

(c) liens, pledges or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance or other types of social security benefits, taxes, assessments, statutory obligations or other similar charges or to secure the performance of bids, tenders, sales, leases, contracts (other than for the repayment of borrowed money) or in connection with surety, appeal, customs or performance bonds or other similar instruments;

 

(d) encumbrances arising by reason of zoning restrictions, easements, licenses, reservations, covenants, rights-of-way, utility easements, building restrictions and other similar encumbrances on the use of Real Property not materially detracting from the value of such Real Property and not materially interfering with the ordinary conduct of the business conducted at such Real Property;

 

(e) encumbrances arising under leases or subleases of Real Property that do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially detract from the value of such Real Property or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business conducted at such Real Property;

 

(f) financing statements with respect to a lessor’s rights in and to personal property leased to such Person in the ordinary course of such Person’s business;

 

(g) liens, pledges or deposits relating to escrows established in connection with the purchase or sale of property otherwise permitted hereunder and the amounts secured thereby shall not exceed the aggregate consideration in connection with such purchase or sale (whether established for an adjustment in purchase price or liabilities, to secure indemnities, or otherwise);

 

14

 

 

(h) bankers’ Liens, rights of setoff and other similar Liens existing solely with respect to cash and Cash Equivalents on deposit in one or more accounts maintained by the Borrower or a Subsidiary, in each case granted in the ordinary course of business in favor of the bank or banks with which such accounts are maintained, securing amounts owing to such bank with respect to cash management and operating account arrangements, including those involving pooled accounts and netting arrangements; provided that, unless such Liens are non-consensual and arise by operation of law, in no case shall any such Liens secure (either directly or indirectly) the repayment of any Indebtedness; and

 

(i) options, put and call arrangements, rights of first refusal and similar rights (i) relating to Investments in Subsidiaries, Joint Ventures and Consortiums or (ii) provided for in contracts or agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business.

 

Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Requirements of Law of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.

 

Default” means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.

 

Default Rate” means (a) when used with respect to Obligations arising under any Loan Document other than Letter of Credit Fees, an interest rate equal to (i) the Base Rate plus (ii) the Applicable Rate applicable to Base Rate Loans plus (iii) 2% per annum; provided, however, that with respect to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, the Default Rate shall be an interest rate equal to the interest rate (including any Applicable Rate) otherwise applicable to such Loan plus 2% per annum, and (b) when used with respect to Letter of Credit Fees, a rate equal to the Applicable Rate applicable to Letter of Credit Fees plus 2% per annum.

 

15

 

 

Defaulting Lender” means, subject to Section 2.16(b), any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within three Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent, any L/C Issuer, or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit) within three Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any L/C Issuer in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lender’s obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within three Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity or (iii) become the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above, and of the effective date of such status, shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.16(b)) as of the date established therefor by the Administrative Agent in a written notice of such determination, which shall be delivered by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower, each L/C Issuer, and each other Lender promptly following such determination.

 

Deferred PBGC Payments” means pension payments deferred by the Borrower with the consent of the PBGC in an amount no greater than $25,000,000.

 

16

 

 

Designated Jurisdiction” means any country or territory to the extent that such country or territory itself is, or whose government is, at the time of determination, the subject of any Sanction.

 

Disqualified Stock” means with respect to any Person, any Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any Security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is exchangeable for Indebtedness of such Person, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part.

 

Disregarded Entity” means any Person that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Dollar” and “$” mean lawful money of the United States.

 

Dollar Equivalent” means, at any time, (a) with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, such amount, and (b) with respect to any amount denominated in any Alternative Currency, the equivalent amount thereof in Dollars as determined by the Administrative Agent or the applicable L/C Issuer, as the case may be, at such time on the basis of the Spot Rate (determined in respect of the most recent Revaluation Date) for the purchase of Dollars with such Alternative Currency.

 

Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of any political subdivision of the United States.

 

EBITDA” means, for any period,

 

(a) Consolidated Net Income for such period;

 

plus

 

(b) the sum of, in each case (other than in the case of clause (xii)) to the extent deducted in the calculation of (or, in the case of clause (vii), otherwise reducing) such Consolidated Net Income but without duplication,

 

(i) any provision for income taxes,

 

(ii) Interest Expense,

 

(iii) depreciation expense,

 

(iv) amortization of intangibles or financing or acquisition costs,

 

17

 

 

(v) any aggregate net loss from the sale, exchange or other disposition of business units by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries,

 

(vi) all other non-cash charges (including impairment of intangible assets and goodwill) and non-cash losses for such period, including non-cash employee compensation pursuant to any equity-based compensation plan (excluding any non-cash item to the extent it represents an accrual of, or reserve for, cash disbursements for any period ending prior to the Maturity Date);

 

(vii) realized and unrealized foreign exchange losses of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries resulting from the impact of foreign currency changes on the valuation of assets and liabilities;

 

(viii) with respect to the period commencing on January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020, non-recurring charges incurred by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in respect of business restructurings to the extent disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent and in an amount not to exceed $5,000,000; and

 

(ix) with respect to the period commencing on January 1, 2020 all restructuring-related professional fees and expenses, including but not limited to this Agreement and the 2020 Refinancing and other matters acceptable to the Administrative Agent to the extent disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent, provided that the aggregate amount added back to Consolidated Net Income pursuant to this clause (ix) for any four consecutive Fiscal Quarter period shall not exceed $28,900,000;

 

provided, that, to the extent that all or any portion of the income or gains of any Person is deducted pursuant to any of clauses (c)(iv) and (v) below for a given period, any amounts set forth in any of the preceding clauses (b)(i) through (b)(ix) that are attributable to such Person shall not be included for purposes of this clause (b) for such period,

 

minus

 

(c) the sum of, in each case to the extent included in the calculation of such Consolidated Net Income but without duplication,

 

(i) any credit for income tax,

 

(ii) non-cash interest income,

 

(iii) any other non-cash gains or other items which have been added in determining Consolidated Net Income (other than any such gain or other item that has been deducted in determining EBITDA for a prior period),

 

18

 

 

(iv) the income of any Subsidiary or Joint Venture to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions or transfers or loans by such Subsidiary or Joint Venture, as applicable, of that income is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to such Subsidiary or Joint Venture, as applicable,

 

(v) the income of any Person (other than a Subsidiary) in which any other Person (other than the Borrower or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or any director holding qualifying shares in accordance with applicable law) has an interest, except to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions or transfers or loans actually paid to the Borrower or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary by such Person during such period,

 

(vi) any aggregate net gains from the sale, exchange or other disposition of business units by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries out of the ordinary course of business,

 

(vii) realized and unrealized foreign exchange gains of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries resulting from the impact of foreign currency changes on the valuation of assets and liabilities, and

 

(viii) any income on account of any settlement of or payment in respect of any property or casualty insurance claim or professional liability insurance claims or any taking or condemnation proceeding relating to any asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

 

For any period of measurement that includes any Permitted Acquisition or any sale, exchange or disposition of any Subsidiary or business unit of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, EBITDA (and the relevant elements thereof) shall be computed on a pro forma basis for each such transaction as if it occurred on the first day of the period of measurement thereof, so long as the Borrower provides to the Administrative Agent reconciliations and other detailed information relating to adjustments to the relevant financial statements (including copies of financial statements of the acquired Person or assets in any Permitted Acquisition) used in computing EBITDA (and the relevant elements thereof) sufficient to demonstrate such pro forma calculations in reasonable detail.

 

It is understood and agreed that the definition of EBITDA shall be negotiated in good faith in connection with the negotiation of the financial covenants contemplated by Section 7.16(a).

 

19

 

 

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.

 

Eligible Assignee” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 10.06(b)(iii) and (v) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.06(b)(iii)).

 

Eligible Line of Business” means the businesses and activities engaged in by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement), any other businesses or activities reasonably related or incidental thereto and any other businesses that, when taken together with the existing businesses of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, are immaterial with respect to the assets and liabilities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

Employee Benefit Plan” means any “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA which is sponsored, maintained or contributed to by, or required to be contributed to by, the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, any Guarantor or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates or was sponsored, maintained or contributed to by, or required to be contributed to by, the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, any Guarantor or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates with respect to liabilities for which the Borrower, any such Subsidiary, any such Guarantor or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates could be liable under the Code or ERISA.

 

Environmental Laws” means all applicable Requirements of Law now or hereafter in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time, relating to pollution or the regulation and protection of human health, safety, the environment or natural resources, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.); the Hazardous Material Transportation Act, as amended (49 U.S.C. § 1801 et seq.); the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. § 136 et seq.); the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq.); the Toxic Substance Control Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq.); the Clean Air Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.); the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.); the Occupational Safety and Health Act, as amended (29 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.); the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 300f et seq.); and each of their state and local counterparts or equivalents.

 

20

 

 

Environmental Liabilities and Costs” means, with respect to any Person, all liabilities, obligations, responsibilities, Remedial Actions, losses, damages, punitive damages, consequential damages, treble damages, costs and expenses (including all fees, disbursements and expenses of counsel, experts and consultants and costs of investigation and feasibility studies), fines, penalties, sanctions and interest incurred as a result of any claim or demand by any other Person, whether based in contract, tort, implied or express warranty, strict liability, criminal or civil statute and arising under any Environmental Law, Permit, order or agreement with any Governmental Authority or other Person, in each case relating to and resulting from the past, present or future operations of, or ownership of property by, such Person or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Environmental Lien” means any Lien in favor of any Governmental Authority pursuant to any Environmental Law.

 

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

 

ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control or treated as a single employer with the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any Guarantor within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code. Any former ERISA Affiliate of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any Guarantor shall continue to be considered an ERISA Affiliate of the Borrower, such Subsidiary or such Guarantor within the meaning of this definition solely with respect to the period such entity was an ERISA Affiliate of the Borrower, such Subsidiary or such Guarantor and with respect to liabilities arising after such period for which the Borrower, such Subsidiary or such Guarantor could be liable under the Code or ERISA.

 

ERISA Event” means (a) a reportable event described in Section 4043(b) or 4043(c) of ERISA with respect to a Title IV Plan for which notice has not been waived, (b) the withdrawal of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, any Guarantor or any ERISA Affiliate from a Title IV Plan subject to Section 4063 or Section 4064 of ERISA during a plan year in which any such entity was a “substantial employer” (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or the termination of any such Title IV Plan resulting, in either case, in a material liability to any such entity, (c) the “complete or partial withdrawal” (within the meaning of Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA) of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, any Guarantor or any ERISA Affiliate from any Multiemployer Plan where the Withdrawal Liability is reasonably expected to exceed $1,000,000 (individually or in the aggregate), (d) notice of reorganization, insolvency, intent to terminate or termination of a Multiemployer Plan is received by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, any Guarantor or any ERISA Affiliate, (e) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Title IV Plan under Section 4041(c) of ERISA or the treatment of a plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041(e) of ERISA, where such termination constitutes a “distress termination” under Section 4041(c) of ERISA, (f) the institution of proceedings to terminate a Title IV Plan by the PBGC, (g) the failure to make any required contribution to a Title IV Plan or Multiemployer Plan or to meet the minimum funding standard of Sections 430 and 431 of the Code (in either case, whether or not waived), (h) the imposition of a Lien with respect to any employee pension plan under the provisions of the Code that relate to such plans or ERISA on the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, any Guarantor or any ERISA Affiliate, (i) any other event or condition that might reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Title IV Plan or Multiemployer Plan or the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, (j) any Multiemployer Plan entering endangered status for purposes of Section 305 of ERISA, (k) the imposition of liability on the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, any Guarantor or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates pursuant to Section 4062(e) or 4069 of ERISA or by reason of the application of Section 4212(c) of ERISA, (l) the occurrence of an act or omission which would reasonably be expected to give rise to the imposition on the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, any Guarantor or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of fines, penalties, taxes or related charges under Chapter 43 of the Code or under Section 409, Section 502(c), (i) or (l), or Section 4071 of ERISA in respect of any “employee pension plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA), (m) receipt from the IRS of notice of the failure of any employee pension plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code so to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code, or the failure of any trust forming part of any such employee pension plan to qualify for exemption from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code or (n) the occurrence of any non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code involving the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, any Guarantor or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in this Agreement to the contrary, an ‘ERISA Event’ shall not include (a) an application for waiver of the minimum funding standard under Section 412 of the Code for a Title IV Plan for the 2018 plan year or the 2019 plan year or (b) the failure to make any required contribution to a Title IV Plan or to meet the minimum funding standard of Section 430 of the Code with respect to a Title IV Plan for the 2018 plan year or the 2019 plan year.

 

21

 

 

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.

 

Eurocurrency Rate” means:

 

(a) for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, the rate per annum equal to (i) the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), as published by Bloomberg (or other commercially available source providing quotations of LIBOR as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two London Banking Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for Dollar deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period or (ii) if such rate is not available at such time for any reason, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the rate at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in Same Day Funds in the approximate amount of the Eurocurrency Rate Loan being made, continued or converted and with a term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered by Bank of America’s London Branch to major banks in the London interbank eurodollar market at their request at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two London Banking Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period; and

 

(b) for any interest calculation of the Eurocurrency Rate with respect to a Base Rate Loan on any date, the rate per annum equal to (i) LIBOR, at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time determined two London Banking Days prior to such date for Dollar deposits being delivered in the London interbank market for a term of one month commencing that day or (ii) if such published rate is not available at such time for any reason, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the rate at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the date of determination in Same Day Funds in the approximate amount of the Base Rate Loan being made or maintained and with a term equal to one month would be offered by Bank of America’s London Branch to major banks in the London interbank eurodollar market at their request at the date and time of determination.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Eurocurrency Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Eurocurrency Rate Loan” means a Term Loan or Revolving Credit Loan, as the context requires, that bears interest at a rate based on clause (a) of the definition of “Eurocurrency Rate.”

 

22

 

 

Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 8.01.

 

Excluded Deposit Account” means (a) any deposit account that is used solely for payment of taxes, payroll, bonuses, other compensation and related expenses, in each case, for employees or former employees, (b) fiduciary or trust accounts, (c) zero-balance accounts, so long as the balance in such account is zero at the end of each Business Day and (d) any other deposit account with an average daily balance on deposit not exceeding $100,000 individually or $500,000 in the aggregate for all such accounts excluded pursuant to this clause (d).

 

Excluded Domestic Subsidiary” means any direct or indirect Subsidiary of a Loan Party that is directly or indirectly owned (in whole or in part) by any Foreign Subsidiary of a Loan Party.

 

Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guaranty of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guaranty 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 Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act (determined after giving effect to any “keepwell, support or other agreement” for the benefit of such Guarantor and any and all guarantees of such Guarantor’s Swap Obligations by other Loan Parties) at the time the Guaranty of such Guarantor, or a grant by such Guarantor of a security interest, becomes 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 Guaranty or security interest is or becomes excluded in accordance with the first sentence of this definition.

 

Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to any 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 case of any Lender, its 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 or L/C Issuer, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender or L/C Issuer (as applicable) with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment or otherwise under a Loan Document pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender or L/C Issuer (as applicable) acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment or becomes a party to this Agreement (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 10.13) or (ii) such Lender or L/C Issuer (as applicable) changes its Lending Office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 3.01(b), amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s or L/C Issuer’s (as applicable) assignor immediately before such Lender or L/C Issuer (as applicable) became a party hereto or to such Lender or L/C Issuer (as applicable) immediately before it changed its Lending Office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 3.01(f) and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed pursuant to FATCA.

 

23

 

 

Existing Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of May 11, 2015 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the Restatement Effective Date), by and among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the lenders party thereto.

 

Existing Tranche A-3 Term Loans” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01C.

 

Existing Tranche A-4 Term Loans” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01D.

 

Existing Tranche A-3 Term Loan Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01C.

 

Existing Tranche A-4 Term Loan Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01D.

 

Facility” means the Term Loan Facility or the Revolving Credit Facility, as the context may require.

 

Fair Market Value” means the value that would be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in a transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party; provided that, for any determination of Fair Market Value in connection with an Asset Sale to be made pursuant to Section 7.04(i) in which the estimated fair market value of the properties disposed of in such Asset Sale exceeds $10,000,000, the Borrower shall provide evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent with respect to the calculation of such Fair Market Value.

 

FASB ASC” means the Accounting Standards Codification of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

 

24

 

 

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, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code, and any intergovernmental agreements that implement or modify the foregoing (together with any Requirement of Law implementing such agreements).

 

Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the immediately preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) charged to Bank of America on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.

 

Fee Letters” means each of (a) the fee letter dated as of the Restatement Effective Date, by and among the Borrower and Bank of America, (b) the fee letter dated as of April 7, 2015 by and among the Borrower, BWC, BNP Paribas and BNP Paribas Securities Corp., (c) the fee letter dated as of April 7, 2015 by and among the Borrower, BWC, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, (d) the fee letter dated as of April 7, 2015 by and among the Borrower, BWC, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC. For the avoidance of doubt, the B. Riley Fee Letter shall not be deemed a “Fee Letter” hereunder.

 

Financial Covenant Debt” of any Person means, without duplication, Indebtedness of the type specified in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) of the definition of “Indebtedness”. For the avoidance of doubt, the term “Financial Covenant Debt” shall not include (a) reimbursement or other obligations with respect to unmatured or undrawn, as applicable, Performance Guarantees and (b) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is owed to the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower.

 

Financial Covenants” means such financial covenants described in Section 7.16.

 

Financial Letter of Credit” means any standby Letter of Credit that is not a Performance Letter of Credit.

 

25

 

 

First-Tier Foreign Subsidiary” mean a Foreign Subsidiary all or any portion of whose Stock is owned directly by the Borrower or a Domestic Subsidiary that is a Guarantor.

 

Fiscal Quarter” means the fiscal quarter of the Borrower ending on March 31, June 30, September 30 or December 31 of the applicable calendar year, as applicable.

 

Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Borrower, which is the same as the calendar year.

 

Fixed Rate” means a fixed rate per annum equal to 12.00%;

 

Fixed Rate Loans” means those Term Loans that bear interest at the Fixed Rate. All Fixed Rate Loans shall be denominated in Dollars.

 

Flood Requirement Standards” means, with respect to any parcel of owned Real Property to be subject to a Mortgage, (a) the delivery to the Administrative Agent of a completed “Life-of-Loan” Federal Emergency Management Agency Standard Flood Hazard Determination with respect to each such parcel of owned real property (together with a notice about special flood hazard area status and flood disaster assistance duly executed by the applicable Loan Party relating to such parcel of owned Real Property), (b) maintenance, if available, of fully paid flood hazard insurance on all such owned Real Property that is located in a special flood hazard area from such providers and on such terms and in such amounts as required by Flood Disaster Protection Act, The National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 or as otherwise reasonably required by the Administrative Agent and (c) delivery to the Administrative Agent of evidence of such compliance in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

Foreign Lender” means a Lender that is not a U.S. Person.

 

Foreign Security Provider” means the Foreign Subsidiaries identified by the Administrative Agent from time to time in consultation with the Borrower, which Foreign Subsidiaries may be located in the following jurisdictions: (i) Canada, (ii) the United Kingdom and (v) Mexico.

 

Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States, a State thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

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

 

26

 

 

Fronting Exposure” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, with respect to each L/C Issuer, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the outstanding L/C Obligations with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such L/C Issuer, other than L/C Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

FTI” means FTI Consulting, Inc.

 

Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities.

 

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.

 

Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether 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 (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

 

Guarantors” means, collectively, (x)(i) each Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower listed on Schedule 1.01(b) hereto, (ii) Babcock & Wilcox Canada Corp. (f/k/a Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group Canada Corp.), (iii) Babcock & Wilcox de Monterrey, S.A. de C.V. and (iv) each other Person that is or becomes a party to the Guaranty (including by (x) execution of a Joinder Agreement pursuant to Section 6.22 or (y) otherwise pursuant to this Agreement), but expressly excludes all Captive Insurance Subsidiaries and B. Riley Financial, Inc.

 

Guaranty” means, together, the U.S. Guaranty Agreement and the Canadian Guarantee Agreement.

 

27

 

 

Guaranty Obligation” means, as applied to any Person, without duplication, any direct or indirect liability, contingent or otherwise, of such Person with respect to any Indebtedness of another Person, if the purpose of such Person in incurring such liability is to provide assurance to the obligee of such Indebtedness that such Indebtedness will be paid or discharged, or that any agreement relating thereto will be complied with, or that any holder of such Indebtedness will be protected (in whole or in part) against loss in respect thereof, including (a) the direct or indirect guaranty, endorsement (other than for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business), co-making, discounting with recourse or sale with recourse by such Person of Indebtedness of another Person and (b) any liability of such Person for Indebtedness of another Person through any agreement (contingent or otherwise) (i) to purchase, repurchase or otherwise acquire such Indebtedness or any security therefor, or to provide funds for the payment or discharge of such Indebtedness (whether in the form of a loan, advance, stock purchase, capital contribution or otherwise), (ii) to maintain the solvency or any balance sheet item, level of income or financial condition of another Person, (iii) to make take-or-pay or similar payments, regardless of non-performance by any other party or parties to an agreement, (iv) to purchase, sell or lease (as lessor or lessee) property, or to purchase or sell services, primarily for the purpose of enabling the debtor to make payment of such Indebtedness or to assure the holder of such Indebtedness against loss or (v) to supply funds to, or in any other manner invest in, such other Person (including to pay for property or services irrespective of whether such property is received or such services are rendered), if (and only if) in the case of any agreement described under clause (b)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) above the primary purpose or intent thereof is to provide assurance to the obligee of Indebtedness of any other Person that such Indebtedness will be paid or discharged, or that any agreement relating thereto will be complied with, or that any holder of such Indebtedness will be protected (in whole or in part) against loss in respect thereof. The amount of any Guaranty Obligation shall be equal to the amount of the Indebtedness so guaranteed or otherwise supported or, if such amount is not stated or otherwise determinable, the maximum reasonable anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith. For the avoidance of doubt, the term “Guaranty Obligation” shall not include reimbursement or other obligations with respect to unmatured or undrawn, as applicable, Performance Guarantees.

 

Hedge Bank” means (a) any Person that, at the time it enters into a Secured Swap Contract, is a Revolving Credit Lender or an Affiliate of a Revolving Credit Lender, in its capacity as a party to such Secured Swap Contract, and (b) any Person that is a party to a Secured Swap Contract at the time it or its relevant Affiliate becomes a Revolving Credit Lender (whether on the Restatement Effective Date or at a later date pursuant to Section 10.06), in its capacity as a party to such Secured Swap Contract.

 

28

 

 

Immaterial Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower that, together with its Subsidiaries, (a) contributed less than $1,000,000 to the EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during the most recently-ended four-quarter period of the Borrower (taken as a single period) and (b) as of any date of determination has assets with an aggregate net book value of $1,000,000 or less.

 

Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by promissory notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments, (c) all matured reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances, surety bonds, performance bonds, bank guarantees, and other similar obligations, (d) all other obligations with respect to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances, surety bonds, performance bonds, bank guarantees and other similar obligations, whether or not matured, other than unmatured or undrawn, as applicable, obligations with respect to Performance Guarantees, (e) all indebtedness for the deferred purchase price of property or services, other than trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business that are not overdue by more than ninety days or are being disputed in good faith, (f) all indebtedness of such Person created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement (other than operating leases) with respect to property acquired by such Person (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or lender under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property), (g) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (h) all Guaranty Obligations of such Person, (i) all obligations of such Person to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise acquire for value any Stock or Stock Equivalents of such Person, valued, in the case of redeemable preferred stock, at the greater of its voluntary liquidation preference and its involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends, (j) net payments that such Person would have to make in the event of an early termination as determined on the date Indebtedness of such Person is being determined in respect of Swap Contracts of such Person and (k) all Indebtedness of the type referred to above secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien upon or in property (including accounts and general intangibles) owned by such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such Indebtedness, but limited to the value of the property owned by such Person securing such Indebtedness. For the avoidance of doubt, the term “Indebtedness” shall not include reimbursement or other obligations with respect to unmatured or undrawn, as applicable, Performance Guarantees.

 

29

 

 

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 (a), Other Taxes.

 

Indemnitees” has the meaning specified in Section 10.04(b).

 

Information” has the meaning specified in Section 10.07.

 

Intangible Assets” means assets that are considered to be intangible assets under GAAP, including customer lists, goodwill, computer software, copyrights, trade names, trademarks, patents, franchises and licenses.

 

Intellectual Property Security Agreement” has the meaning given to such term in the Collateral Agreements, as applicable.

 

Intercompany Subordinated Debt Payment” means any payment or prepayment, whether required or optional, of principal, interest or other charges on or with respect to any Subordinated Debt of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, so long as (a) such Subordinated Debt is owed to the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower and (b) no Event of Default under Sections 8.01(a), (b) or (f) shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

Interest Coverage Ratio” means, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of any day, the ratio of (a) EBITDA for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the last four full Fiscal Quarters ending on or prior to such day for which the financial statements and certificates required by Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b) have been delivered to (b) the Cash Interest Expense of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the last four full Fiscal Quarters ending on or prior to such day for which the financial statements and certificates required by Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b) have been delivered.

 

Interest Expense” means, for any Person for any period, total interest expense of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period, as determined on a consolidated basis in conformity with GAAP and including, in any event (without duplication for any period or any amount included in any prior period), (a) net costs under Interest Rate Contracts for such period, (b) any commitment fee (including, in the case of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the commitment fees hereunder) accrued, accreted or paid by such Person during such period, (c) any fees and other obligations (other than reimbursement obligations) with respect to letters of credit (including, in respect of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the Letter of Credit Fees) and bankers’ acceptances (whether or not matured) accrued, accreted or paid by such Person for such period, (d) the fronting fee with respect to each Letter of Credit and (e) any facility fee accrued, accreted or paid by such Person during such period. For purposes of the foregoing, interest expense shall (i) be determined after giving effect to any net payments made or received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary with respect to interest rate Swap Contracts, (ii) exclude interest expense accrued, accreted or paid by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower to the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower and (iii) exclude credits to interest expense resulting from capitalization of interest related to amounts that would be reflected as additions to property, plant or equipment on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries prepared in conformity with GAAP.

 

30

 

 

Interest Payment Date” means, (a) as to any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan or a Fixed Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and the Maturity Date of the Facility under which such Loan was made; provided, however, that if any Interest Period for a Eurocurrency Rate Loan exceeds three months, the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such Interest Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates; (b) as to any Base Rate Loan or any Fixed Rate Loan, the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date of the Facility under which such Loan was made; and (c) notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, as to any interest accrued on Revolving Credit Loans from the Restatement Effective Date through and including August 31, 2020, the last Business Day of each calendar month commencing on January 29, 2021 through June 30, 2021, which interest shall be paid in six (6) equal installments.

 

Interest Period” means, as to each Eurocurrency Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such Eurocurrency Rate Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency Rate Loan and ending on the date one, two, three or six months thereafter (in each case, subject to availability), as selected by the Borrower in its Committed Loan Notice or such other period that is twelve months or less requested by the Borrower and consented to by all the Lenders under the applicable Facility; provided that:

 

(a) any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day;

 

(b) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and

 

31

 

 

(c) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date.

 

Interest Rate Contracts” means all interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements, interest rate collar agreements and interest rate insurance.

 

Investment” means, as to any Person, (a) any purchase or similar acquisition by such Person of (i) any Security issued by, (ii) a beneficial interest in any Security issued by, or (iii) any other equity ownership interest in, any other Person, (b) any purchase by such Person of all or substantially all of the assets of a business conducted by any other Person, or all or substantially all of the assets constituting what is known to the Borrower to be the business of a division, branch or other unit operation of any other Person, (c) any loan, advance (other than deposits with financial institutions available for withdrawal on demand, prepaid expenses, accounts receivable and similar items made or incurred in the ordinary course of business) or capital contribution by such Person to any other Person, including all Indebtedness of any other Person to such Person arising from a sale of property by such Person other than in the ordinary course of its business and (d) any Guaranty Obligation incurred by such Person in respect of Indebtedness of any other Person. For the avoidance of doubt, the term “Investment” shall not include reimbursement or other obligations with respect to unmatured or undrawn, as applicable, Performance Guarantees.

 

Inventory” has the meaning specified in the U.S. Collateral Agreement.

 

IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

 

ISP” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, Inc. (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

 

Issuer Documents” means with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Application, and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by the L/C Issuer and the Borrower (or any other Permitted L/C Party) or in favor of the L/C Issuer and relating to such Letter of Credit.

 

Joinder Agreement” means a joinder agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, with respect to the Guaranty or any Security Instrument.

 

32

 

 

Joint Venture” means any Person (a) in which the Borrower, directly or indirectly, owns any Stock and Stock Equivalents of such Person and (b) that is not a Subsidiary of the Borrower, provided that (i) the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, has a valid, perfected, first priority security interest in the Stock and Stock Equivalents in such joint venture owned directly by any Loan Party except where (x) the Constituent Documents of such joint venture prohibit such a security interest to be granted to the Administrative Agent or (y) such joint venture has incurred Non-Recourse Indebtedness the terms of which either (A) require security interests in such Stock and Stock Equivalents to be granted to secure such Non-Recourse Indebtedness or (B) prohibit such a security interest to be granted to the Administrative Agent, and (ii) no Loan Party shall, whether pursuant to the Constituent Documents of such joint venture or otherwise, be under any Contractual Obligation to make Investments or incur Guaranty Obligations after the Restatement Effective Date, or, if later, at the time of, or at any time after, the initial formation of such joint venture, that would be in violation of any provision of this Agreement.

 

Landlord Lien Waiver” means a lien waiver signed by a landlord in such form as is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

L/C Advance” means, with respect to each Lender, such Lender’s funding of its participation in any L/C Borrowing in accordance with its Applicable Percentage. All L/C Advances shall be denominated in Dollars.

 

L/C Borrowing” means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made. All L/C Borrowings shall be denominated in Dollars.

 

L/C Credit Extension” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the increase of the amount thereof.

 

L/C Issuer” means Bank of America, each other Lender that is listed on the signature pages hereto as an “L/C Issuer” and any other Lender that becomes an L/C Issuer in accordance with Section 2.03(l) hereof, each in its respective capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, or any successor issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder (whether pursuant to Section 2.03(l), 2.03(m), 9.06, 10.06 or otherwise), but excluding any Lender that resigns or is removed as an L/C Issuer pursuant to the terms hereof (except to the extent such Person has continuing rights and/or obligations with respect to Letters of Credit after such resignation or removal). References to the L/C Issuer herein shall, as the context may indicate (including with respect to any particular Letter of Credit, L/C Credit Extension, L/C Borrowing or L/C Obligations), mean the applicable L/C Issuer, each L/C Issuer, any L/C Issuer, or all L/C Issuers.

 

L/C Issuer Sublimit” means with respect to each L/C Issuer, such amount as may be separately agreed between such L/C Issuer and the Borrower from time to time (with specific notice of such amount, and any change thereto, with respect to each L/C Issuer being promptly communicated to the Administrative Agent), provided that the L/C Issuer Sublimit with respect to any Person that ceases to be an L/C Issuer for any reason pursuant to the terms hereof shall be $0 (subject to the Letters of Credit of such Person remaining outstanding in accordance with the provisions hereof).

 

33

 

 

L/C Obligations” means, as at any date of determination, the aggregate amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all Unreimbursed Amounts, including all L/C Borrowings. For purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.08. 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 Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn. The L/C Obligations of (a) any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total L/C Obligations at such time, and (b) any particular L/C Issuer at any time shall mean the L/C Obligations allocable to Letters of Credit issued by such L/C Issuer.

 

Lender” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraphs hereto and, unless the context requires otherwise and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall exclude B. Riley Financial, Inc. in its capacity as a guarantor under the B. Riley Limited Guaranty.

 

Lending Office” means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender described as such in such Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, which office may include any Affiliate of such Lender or any domestic or foreign branch of such Lender or such Affiliate. Unless the context otherwise requires each reference to a Lender shall include its applicable Lending Office.

 

Letter of Credit” means any letter of credit issued hereunder providing for the payment of cash upon the honoring of a presentation thereunder, and includes all letters of credit issued under the Existing Credit Agreement that are outstanding on the Restatement Effective Date and issued for the account of a Permitted L/C Party, which shall in each case be deemed to have been issued hereunder. A Letter of Credit may be a commercial letter of credit or a standby letter of credit, and a standby Letter of Credit may be a Performance Letter of Credit or a Financial Letter of Credit.

 

Letter of Credit Application” means an application and agreement for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit in the form from time to time in use by the L/C Issuer.

 

34

 

 

Letter of Credit Expiration Date” means the day that is 30 days prior to the Revolving Credit Facility Maturity Date (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day).

 

Letter of Credit Fee” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(h).

 

LIBOR Successor Rate” has the meaning specified in Section 3.03.

 

Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, collateral assignment, charge, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), security interest or preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever intended to assure payment of any Indebtedness or the performance of any other obligation, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, the interest of a lessor under a Capital Lease and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing, and the filing of any effective financing statement under the UCC or comparable law of any jurisdiction naming the owner of the asset to which such Lien relates as debtor.

 

Liquidity” means at any time the sum of (a) unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties, subject to a Control Agreement in favor of the Administrative Agent, (b) unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents of the Non-Loan Parties in an amount not to exceed $25,000,000 and (c) the lesser of (x) $205,000,000, less the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans and (y) the Revolving Credit Facility, less the Total Revolving Outstandings.

 

Loan” means an extension of credit by a Lender to the Borrower under Article II in the form of a Revolving Credit Loan or a Term Loan.

 

Loan Documents” means this Agreement, each Note, the Guaranty, the B. Riley Limited Guaranty, each Security Instrument, each Joinder Agreement, each Committed Loan Notice, each Issuer Document, each Fee Letter, any agreement creating or perfecting rights in Cash Collateral pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.03 or 2.15 of this Agreement and all other instruments and documents heretofore or hereafter executed or delivered to or in favor of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any L/C Issuer in connection with the Loans made, Letters of Credit issued and transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Loan Parties” means, collectively, the Borrower, each Guarantor and any other Person (other than a Lender) providing Collateral pursuant to any Security Instrument.

 

35

 

 

London Banking Day” means any day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.

 

Material Adverse Effect” means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, assets, properties, liabilities (actual or contingent), or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment of the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document or of the ability of any Loan Party to perform its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party; or (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against any Loan Party of any Loan Document to which it is a party; provided, that, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the operations, business, assets, properties, liabilities (actual or contingent), or condition of any of the Loan Parties and/or Subsidiaries that have been disclosed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders prior to the Restatement Effective Date, will be disregarded.

 

Material Intellectual Property” has the meaning specified in the U.S. Collateral Agreement and/or the Canadian Pledge and Security Agreement, as applicable.

 

Material Real Property” means, any parcel of real property located in the United States and owned by any Loan Party that has a Fair Market Value in excess of $1,000,000; provided that the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion to exclude from this definition any parcel of real property (and/or the buildings and contents therein) that is located in a special flood hazard area as designated by any federal Governmental Authority.

 

Material Subsidiary” means, as of any date of determination, any Subsidiary of the Borrower that (a) has assets that represent more than 10% of the consolidated GAAP value of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, inclusive of the subject Subsidiary, as of such date or (b) contributed more than 10% of the EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, inclusive of the subject Subsidiary, during the most recently-ended four-quarter period of the Borrower (taken as a single period), or (c) with respect to any new Person acquired or created by the Borrower, (i) would have contributed more than 10% of the EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, inclusive of the subject Subsidiary, on a pro forma basis as of the last day of the most recently ended four-quarter period of the Borrower (taken as a single period) or (ii) held more than 10% of the consolidated GAAP value of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, inclusive of the subject Subsidiary, as of such date, or (d) owns, directly or indirectly, Stock or Stock Equivalents in one or more other Subsidiaries of the Borrower that, when aggregated with such Subsidiary, (i) contributed more than 10% of the EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, inclusive of the subject Subsidiary, during the most recently ended four-quarter period of the Borrower (taken as single period) or (ii) held more than 10% of the consolidated GAAP value of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, inclusive of the subject Subsidiary, as of such date.

 

36

 

 

Maturity Date” means (a) the Revolving Credit Facility Maturity Date or (b) the Term Loan Facility Maturity Date, as the context requires.

 

Mexican Pledge Agreement” means the Pledge Agreement (Contrato De Prenda Sin Transmisión De Posesión), dated as of June 7, 2018 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified) by Babcok & Wilcox de Monterrey, S.A. de C.V. to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

Minimum Collateral Amount” means, at any time, (i) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances provided to reduce or eliminate Fronting Exposure during the existence of a Defaulting Lender, an amount equal to 100% of the Fronting Exposure of each L/C Issuer with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such L/C Issuer and outstanding at such time and (ii) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances provided in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.15(a)(i) or (a)(ii), an amount equal to 105% of the Outstanding Amount of all LC Obligations.

 

MIRE Event” means any increase, extension or renewal of any Commitment, or the addition of any new commitment hereunder.

 

MLPFS” means Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.

 

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.

 

Mortgagee Policies” has the meaning specified in Section 4.02(a)(iii)(B).

 

Mortgaged Properties” mean, initially, (a) each parcel of Real Property and the improvements thereto specified on Schedule 4.02(a)(iii) and (b) shall include each other parcel of Material Real Property and improvements thereto with respect to which a Mortgage is granted pursuant to Section 6.23.

 

Mortgages” mean the fee or leasehold mortgages or deeds of trust, assignments of leases and rents and other security documents (including any such document delivered in connection with the Existing Credit Agreement, which for the avoidance of doubt shall include documents delivered prior to May 11, 2015 that remained in effect and secured obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement and remain in place on the Restatement Effective Date) granting a Lien on any Mortgaged Property to secure the Obligations, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, as the same may be amended, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

 

37

 

 

Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan, as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, any Guarantor or any ERISA Affiliate has any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise.

 

Net Cash Proceeds” means:

 

(a) with respect to any Asset Sale by, or Recovery Event of, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the excess, if any, of (i) the sum of cash and Cash Equivalents received in connection with such transaction (including any cash or Cash Equivalents received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so received) over (ii) the sum of (A) the principal amount of any Indebtedness that is secured by the applicable asset and that is required to be repaid in connection with such transaction (other than Indebtedness under the Loan Documents), (B) the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in connection with such transaction and (C) Taxes actually paid or withheld or reasonably expected to be paid or withheld within the twenty-four month period following the date of the relevant transaction (and Tax distributions or payments under a Tax sharing agreement with respect thereto) in connection with such Asset Sale or Recovery Event (including any Taxes paid or withheld or reasonably expected to be paid or withheld within the twenty-four month period following the date of the relevant transaction as a result of any gain recognized in connection therewith or any repatriation of the resulting cash or Cash Equivalents to the United States); provided that, if the amount of any estimated taxes pursuant to subclause (C) exceeds the amount of taxes actually required to be paid in cash in respect of such Asset Sale or Recovery Event, the aggregate amount of such excess shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds;

 

(b) with respect to the incurrence or issuance of any Indebtedness by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the excess of (i) the sum of the cash and Cash Equivalents received in connection with such transaction over (ii) the underwriting discounts and commissions, and other reasonable and customary out-of-pocket expenses and Taxes, incurred by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in connection therewith; and

 

(c) with respect to the issuance of any Stock or Stock Equivalents of the Borrower or contribution to the equity of the Borrower, the excess of (i) the sum of the cash and Cash Equivalents received in connection with such transaction over (ii) the reasonable and customary out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in connection therewith.

 

38

 

 

Non-Cash Consideration” means the Fair Market Value of non-cash consideration received by the Borrower or a Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of or collection on such Non-Cash Consideration.

 

Non-Loan Parties” means, collectively, the Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties.

 

Non-Recourse Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of a Joint Venture or Subsidiary of the Borrower (in each case that is not a Loan Party) (a) that, if it is incurred by a Subsidiary of the Borrower, is on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (b) that is not, in whole or in part, Indebtedness of any Loan Party (and for which no Loan Party has created, maintained or assumed any Guaranty Obligation) and for which no holder thereof has or could have upon the occurrence of any contingency, any recourse against any Loan Party or the assets thereof (other than (i) the Stock or Stock Equivalents issued by the Joint Venture or Subsidiary that is primarily obligated on such Indebtedness that are owned by a Loan Party and (ii) a requirement that a Loan Party make an Investment of equity in such Joint Venture in connection with the terms of such Indebtedness), (c) owing to an unaffiliated third-party (which for the avoidance of doubt does not include the Borrower, any Subsidiary thereof, any other Loan Party, any Joint Venture (or owner of any interest therein) and any Affiliate of any of them) and (d) the source of repayment for which is expressly limited to (i) the assets or cash flows of such Subsidiary or Joint Venture and (ii) the Stock and Stock Equivalents of such Subsidiary or Joint Venture securing such Indebtedness in compliance with the provisions of clause (b) above.

 

Note” means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of a Lender evidencing Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans, as the case may be, made by such Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit C.

 

Obligations” means all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Loan Party (and, with respect to Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements only, any Subsidiary of the Borrower) arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan, Letter of Credit, Secured Cash Management Agreement or Secured Hedge Agreement, in each case whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party (or any Subsidiary of the Borrower solely with respect to Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements) of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding; provided that the Obligations shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations.

 

39

 

 

OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.

 

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 Tax (other than connections 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 or 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 10.13).

 

Outstanding Amount” means (a) with respect to Term Loans on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of such Term Loans occurring on such date; (b) with respect to Revolving Credit Loans on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of such Revolving Credit Loans occurring on such date; and (c) with respect to any L/C Obligations on any date, the Dollar Equivalent amount of the aggregate outstanding amount of such L/C Obligations on such date after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension occurring on such date and any other changes in the aggregate amount of the L/C Obligations as of such date, including as a result of any reimbursements by the Borrower of Unreimbursed Amounts.

 

Overnight Rate” means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Rate and (b) an overnight rate determined by the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

 

40

 

 

Patriot Act” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Title III of Pub. L. No. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).

 

Participant” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d).

 

Participant Register” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d).

 

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor thereto.

 

Performance Guarantee” of any Person means (a) any letter of credit, bankers acceptance, surety bond, performance bond, bank guarantee or other similar obligation issued for the account of such Person to support only trade payables or nonfinancial performance obligations of such Person, (b) any letter of credit, bankers acceptance, surety bond, performance bond, bank guarantee or other similar obligation issued for the account of such Person to support any letter of credit, bankers acceptance, surety bond, performance bond, bank guarantee or other similar obligation issued for the account of a Subsidiary, a Joint Venture or a Consortium of such Person to support only trade payables or non-financial performance obligations of such Subsidiary, Joint Venture or Consortium, and (c) any parent company guarantee or other direct or indirect liability, contingent or otherwise, of such Person with respect to trade payables or non-financial performance obligations of a Subsidiary, a Joint Venture or a Consortium of such Person, if the purpose of such Person in incurring such liability is to provide assurance to the obligee that such contractual obligation will be performed, or that any agreement relating thereto will be complied with.

 

Performance Letter of Credit” means (a) a standby Letter of Credit issued to secure ordinary course performance obligations in connection with project engineering, procurement, construction, maintenance and other similar projects (including projects about to be commenced) or bids for prospective project engineering, procurement, construction, maintenance and other similar projects, and (b) a standby Letter of Credit issued to back a bank guarantee, surety bond, performance bond or other similar obligation in each case issued to support ordinary course performance obligations in connection with project engineering, procurement, construction, maintenance and other similar projects (including projects about to be commenced) or bids for prospective project engineering, procurement, construction, maintenance and other similar projects.

 

Permit” means any permit, approval, authorization, license, variance or permission required from a Governmental Authority under any applicable Requirements of Law.

 

41

 

 

Permitted Acquisition” means, the Acquisition of an Acquired Entity occurring after the delivery of financial statements and certificates required by 6.01(b) for the Fiscal Year ending 2020; provided that:

 

(a) such Acquisition was approved by the board of directors of such Acquired Entity;

 

(b) the Acquired Entity shall be in an Eligible Line of Business;

 

(c) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall comply with Sections 6.22 and 6.23, as applicable, within the time periods set forth in such Sections;

 

(d) at the time of such transaction:

 

(i) both before and after giving effect thereto, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

(ii) (a) the Senior Leverage Ratio of the Borrower shall not exceed 4.00 to 1.00 or (b) if the Acquisition is solely financed by Net Cash Proceeds received by the Borrower pursuant to (x) issuances of common Stock (or other Stock of the Borrower reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) or (y) direct equity contributions to the Borrower, the Borrower would be in compliance with the Senior Leverage Ratio set forth in Section 7.16(b), in each case, as of the last day of the most recently completed four Fiscal Quarter period ended prior to such transaction for which the financial statements and certificates required by Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b) have been delivered, after giving pro forma effect to such transaction and to any other event occurring after such period as to which pro forma recalculation is appropriate as if such transaction had occurred as of the first day of such period (assuming, for purposes of pro forma compliance with Section 7.16(b), that the maximum Senior Leverage Ratio permitted at the time by such Section was in fact 0.25 to 1.00 more restrictive than the Senior Leverage Ratio actually provided for in such Section at such time); and

 

(iii) the Borrower shall have delivered (prior to or simultaneously with the closing of such Acquisition) a certificate of a Responsible Officer, certifying as to the foregoing and containing reasonably detailed calculations in support thereof, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

 

(e) if (i) the Borrower is a party to such transaction, it shall be a surviving entity thereof and shall continue as the Borrower hereunder, and (ii) if any party to any such transaction is a Guarantor, and the surviving entity of such transaction shall either be a Guarantor or become a Guarantor pursuant to Section 6.22, provided that, in each case, such surviving entity shall also be a Domestic Subsidiary, unless the Administrative Agent shall have consented to such Acquisition in its sole discretion;

 

42

 

 

(f)  and such Acquisition is made by a Loan Party that is either the Borrower or a Domestic Subsidiary, provided that such Loan Party may be a Foreign Subsidiary if the Administrative Agent shall have consented to such Acquisition in its sole discretion.

 

Permitted L/C Party” means (a) the Borrower, (b) any Subsidiary of the Borrower, (c) any Joint Venture and (d) any Consortium.

 

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

 

Platform” has the meaning specified in Section 6.01.

 

Pledged Interests” means (a) the Stock and Stock Equivalents of each of the existing or hereafter organized or acquired direct Domestic Subsidiaries of a Loan Party; and (b) 100% of the Voting Stock (or if the relevant Person shall own less than 100% of such Voting Stock, then 100% of the Voting Stock owned by such Person) and 100% of the nonvoting Stock and Stock Equivalents of each existing or hereafter organized or acquired First-Tier Foreign Subsidiary; provided that Pledged Interests shall not include any Stock or Stock Equivalents in (i) any Captive Insurance Subsidiary, (ii) any Joint Venture to the extent that the Constituent Documents of such Joint Venture prohibit such a security interest to be granted to the Administrative Agent, or (iii) any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party or any Joint Venture (provided that this clause (iii) shall not prohibit or exclude any pledge of the Stock and Stock Equivalents of any Foreign Subsidiary that is required to be pledged pursuant to this Agreement) to the extent that such Joint Venture or Subsidiary has incurred Non-Recourse Indebtedness the terms of which either (A) require security interests in such Stock and Stock Equivalents to be granted to secure such Non-Recourse Indebtedness or (B) prohibit such a security interest to be granted to the Administrative Agent; provided, further, that the Pledged Interests (x) shall not include any Stock or Stock Equivalents of a Foreign Subsidiary owned by any Person other than the Borrower or a Guarantor, and (y) shall not include any Stock or Stock Equivalents of any Excluded Domestic Subsidiary.

 

Prepayment Event” means:

 

(a) (i) any Asset Sale (other than an Asset Sale permitted by any of Section 7.04(a), (b), (c), (e), (f), (g), (h), (j) or (k)), (ii) any sale and leaseback transaction (whether or not permitted by Section 7.13) resulting in aggregate Net Cash Proceeds in excess of $3,000,000 for any single transaction or a series of related transactions or (iii) any Recovery Event; or

 

43

 

 

(b) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any Indebtedness, other than Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.01.

 

Public Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 6.01.

 

Rabbi Trust” means a “rabbi trust” or other similar arrangement established by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to hold assets in connection with an employee benefit plan or arrangement.

 

Real Property” means all Mortgaged Property and all other real property owned or leased from time to time by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Recipient” means the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any L/C Issuer.

 

Recovery Event” means any settlement of or payment in respect of any property or casualty insurance claim or professional liability insurance claims or any taking or condemnation proceeding relating to any asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary resulting in aggregate Net Cash Proceeds in excess of $3,000,000 for any single transaction or a series of related transactions.

 

Register” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(c).

 

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

 

Release” means, with respect to any Person, any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration, in each case, of any Contaminant into the indoor or outdoor environment or into or out of any property owned by such Person, including the movement of Contaminants through or in the air, soil, surface water, ground water or property and, in each case, in violation of Environmental Law.

 

Remedial Action” means all actions required by any applicable Requirement of Law to (a) clean up, remove, treat or in any other way address any Contaminant in the indoor or outdoor environment, (b) prevent the Release or threat of Release or minimize the further Release so that a Contaminant does not migrate or endanger or threaten to endanger public health or welfare or the indoor or outdoor environment or (c) perform pre remedial studies and investigations and post remedial monitoring and care.

 

44

 

 

Repayment Deadline” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.05(b)(vi).

 

Request for Credit Extension” means (a) with respect to a Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans, a Committed Loan Notice, and (b) with respect to an L/C Credit Extension, a Letter of Credit Application.

 

Required Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders holding more than 50% of the sum of (a) the Total Outstandings (with the aggregate amount of each Revolving Credit Lender’s risk participation and funded participation in L/C Obligations being deemed “held” by such Lender for purposes of this definition) and (b) the unused Aggregate Commitments. The Commitment of, and the portion of the Total Outstandings held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders; provided that the amount of any participation in any Unreimbursed Amounts that such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund that have not been reallocated to and funded by another Lender shall be deemed to be held by the Lender that is the applicable L/C Issuer, as the case may be, in making such determination.

 

Required Term Loan Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, Term Loan Lenders holding more than 50% of the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loan Facility on such date; provided that the portion of the Term Loan Facility held by any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Term Loan Lenders.

 

Requirement of Law” means, with respect to any Person, the common law and all federal, state, local and foreign laws, rules and regulations, orders, judgments, decrees and other determinations of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator, applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

 

Responsible Officer” means the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of a Loan Party and, solely for purposes of notices given for Credit Extensions, amendments to Letters of Credit, and continuations and conversions of Loans, any other officer or employee of the applicable Loan Party so designated by any of the foregoing officers in a notice to the Administrative Agent (which such notice shall include a specimen signature and incumbency confirmation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent). Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.

 

45

 

 

Restatement Effective Date” means the first date all the conditions precedent in Section 4.01 are satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 10.01.

 

Restricted Payment” means (a) any dividend, distribution or any other payment whether direct or indirect, on account of any Stock or Stock Equivalents of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries now or hereafter outstanding, except a dividend payable solely in Stock or Stock Equivalents (other than Disqualified Stock) or a dividend or distribution payable solely to the Borrower or one or more Guarantors, (b) any redemption, retirement, sinking fund or similar payment, purchase or other acquisition for value, direct or indirect, of any Stock or Stock Equivalents of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries now or hereafter outstanding other than one payable solely to the Borrower or one or more Guarantors, (c) any payment or prepayment of principal, premium (if any), interest, fees (including fees to obtain any waiver or consent in connection with any Indebtedness) or other charges on, or redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance, sinking fund or similar payment with respect to, any Subordinated Debt of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, other than any Intercompany Subordinated Debt Payment, COVID-19 Relief Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.01 or any required (in each case) payment, prepayment, redemption, retirement, purchases or other payments, in each case to the extent permitted to be made by the terms of such Subordinated Debt and (d) any payment in connection with matured or drawn obligations with respect to the [***] Letter of Credit or Tranche A-7 Letters of Credit, except in the form of payments or prepayments of Tranche A-5 Term Loans or Tranche A-7 Term Loans, as applicable, in each case subject to the provisions of Article XI and any other subordination terms set forth herein. For the avoidance of doubt, payments to any Term Loan Lender, in its capacity as such, under the B. Riley Fee Letter shall not be considered “Restricted Payments” under this definition.

 

Revaluation Date” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, each of the following: (a) each date of issuance of a Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, (b) each date of an amendment of any such Letter of Credit having the effect of increasing the amount thereof (solely with respect to the increased amount), (c) each date of any payment by an L/C Issuer under any Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, and (d) such additional dates as the Administrative Agent or the applicable L/C Issuer shall determine or the Required Lenders shall require.

 

46

 

 

Revolving Credit Borrowing” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Revolving Credit Loans of the same Type and, in the case of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01.

 

Revolving Credit Commitment” means, as to each Revolving Credit Lender, its obligation to (a) make Revolving Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01 and (b) purchase participations in L/C Obligations, in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the Dollar amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

 

Revolving Credit Exposure” means, as to any Lender at any time, the aggregate principal amount at such time of its outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and such Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations at such time.

 

Revolving Credit Facility” means, at any time, the aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Revolving Credit Commitments at such time. As of the Restatement Effective Date, the aggregate amount of Revolving Credit Facility shall equal $326,922,091.95.

 

Revolving Credit Facility Maturity Date” means June 30, 2022.

 

Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date” means the date on which (a) the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment has been terminated in accordance with the terms hereof, (b) aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans made to the Borrower outstanding and all other Obligations with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash (other than contingent indemnification claims as to which no claim has been asserted) or, with respect to Letters of Credit constituting Obligations with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility, such Letters of Credit have been Cash Collateralized at 105% of face value pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (c) satisfactory arrangements have been made by the Borrower with the applicable Revolving Credit Lender and/or its Affiliate with respect to all Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements.

 

Revolving Credit Lender” means each Lender that has a Revolving Credit Commitment or holds Revolving Credit Loans or participations in L/C Obligations.

 

Revolving Credit Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.

 

Revolving Funded Debt Sublimit” means the lesser of (a) $205,000,000, plus, in each case, the principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans made pursuant to Section 2.03(c) (ii) that have not been repaid, and (b) the Revolving Credit Facility. The Revolving Funded Debt Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Credit Facility. For purposes of this definition of “Revolving Funded Debt Sublimit”, repayments and prepayments of Revolving Credit Loans shall be deemed to be applied, first, to Revolving Credit Loans not made pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(ii) and, second, to Revolving Credit Loans made pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(ii).

 

47

 

 

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and any successor thereto.

 

Same Day Funds” means (a) with respect to disbursements and payments in Dollars, immediately available funds, and (b) with respect to disbursements and payments in an Alternative Currency, same day or other funds as may be determined by the Administrative Agent or the applicable L/C Issuer, as the case may be, to be customary in the place of disbursement or payment for the settlement of international banking transactions in the relevant Alternative Currency.

 

Sanction(s)” means any sanction or trade embargo imposed, administered or enforced at the time of determination by the United States Government (including without limitation, OFAC), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, Global Affairs Canada or other relevant sanctions authority exercising jurisdiction over the Borrower or its Subsidiaries from time to time, the violation of which constitutes a violation of the law of the United States or, as to any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of any non-United States jurisdiction, the law of that jurisdiction.

 

Scheduled Term Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01F.

 

Scheduled Loan Principal Reduction Certificate” has the meaning specified in Section 4.05(a).

 

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

 

Secured Cash Management Agreement” means any Cash Management Agreement that is entered into by and between or among the Borrower and/or any (or one or more) Subsidiary of the Borrower and any Cash Management Bank.

 

Secured Hedge Agreement” means any Secured Swap Contract that is entered into by and between or among the Borrower and/or any (or one or more) Subsidiary of the Borrower and any Hedge Bank.

 

48

 

 

Secured Parties” means, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, each L/C Issuer, the Hedge Banks, the Cash Management Banks, each co-agent or sub-agent appointed by the Administrative Agent from time to time pursuant to Section 9.05, and the other Persons the Obligations owing to which are or are purported to be secured by the Collateral under the terms of the Security Instruments.

 

Secured Swap Contracts” means all Swap Contracts entered into by the Borrower and/or any (or one or more) Subsidiary of the Borrower designed to alter the risks of any Person arising from fluctuations in interest rates, currency values or commodity prices.

 

Security” means any Stock, Stock Equivalent, voting trust certificate, bond, debenture, promissory note or other evidence of Indebtedness, whether secured, unsecured, convertible or subordinated, or any certificate of interest, share or participation in, or any temporary or interim certificate for the purchase or acquisition of, or any right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing, but shall not include any evidence of the Obligations.

 

Security Instruments” means, collectively, the U.S. Collateral Agreement, the Canadian Pledge and Security Agreement, the Mexican Pledge Agreement, the Mortgages, each Intellectual Property Security Agreement, and all other agreements (including Joinder Agreements, control agreements, supplements, collateral assignments and similar agreements), instruments and other documents, whether now existing or hereafter in effect, pursuant to which the Borrower, any Subsidiary or other Person (other than a Lender) shall grant or convey to the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) a Lien in, or any other Person shall acknowledge any such Lien in, property as security for all or any portion of the Obligations or any other obligation under any Loan Document.

 

Senior Leverage Ratio” means, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of any day, the ratio of (a) Financial Covenant Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP as of such day to (b) EBITDA for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the last four full Fiscal Quarters ending on or prior to such day for which the financial statements and certificates required by Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b) have been delivered.

 

Solvent” means, with respect to any Person, that the value of the assets of such Person (both at fair value and present fair saleable value) is, on the date of determination, greater than the total amount of liabilities (including contingent and unliquidated liabilities) of such Person as of such date and that, as of such date, such Person is able to pay all liabilities of such Person as such liabilities are expected to mature and does not have unreasonably small capital for its then current business activities. In computing the amount of contingent or unliquidated liabilities at any time, such liabilities shall be computed at the amount that, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

 

49

 

 

Specified Equity Contribution” has the meaning specified in Section 8.04.

 

Spot Rate” for a currency means the rate determined by the applicable L/C Issuer, with notice thereof to the Administrative Agent, to be the rate quoted by the Person acting in such capacity as the spot rate for the purchase by such Person of such currency with another currency through its principal foreign exchange trading office at approximately 11:00 a.m. on the date two Business Days prior to the date as of which the foreign exchange computation is made; provided that the applicable L/C Issuer may obtain such spot rate from another financial institution designated by such L/C Issuer if the Person acting in such capacity does not have as of the date of determination a spot buying rate for any such currency; and provided further that such L/C Issuer may use such spot rate quoted on the date as of which the foreign exchange computation is made in the case of any Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency.

 

Stock” means shares of capital stock (whether denominated as common stock or preferred stock), partnership or membership interests, equity participations or other equivalents (regardless of how designated) of or in a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or similar business entity, whether voting or non-voting.

 

Stock Equivalents” means all securities convertible into or exchangeable for Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to purchase or subscribe for any Stock, whether or not presently convertible, exchangeable or exercisable.

 

Subordinated Debt” means Indebtedness (other than with respect to the Term Loan Facility) of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to terms and conditions acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders in their respective sole discretion that is, by its terms, expressly subordinated to the prior payment of any of the Obligations pursuant to subordination terms and conditions acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders in their respective sole discretion. The terms of any Subordinated Debt may permit Intercompany Subordinated Debt Payments.

 

Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person; provided that any reference herein or in any other Loan Document to a “Subsidiary” of the Borrower shall exclude any Person whose financial statements are not consolidated with the financial statements of the Borrower in accordance with GAAP. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

 

50

 

 

Swap Contract” means (a) any and all interest rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

 

Swap Obligations” means, with respect to any 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.

 

Tax Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, (a) any Subsidiary of such Person, and (b) any Affiliate of such Person with which such Person files or is eligible to file consolidated U.S. federal income tax returns or consolidated, combined, unitary or similar tax returns for state, local or foreign tax purposes.

 

Tax Return” has the meaning specified in Section 5.08.

 

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

 

51

 

 

Term Loan” means a Tranche A-3 Term Loan, a Tranche A-4 Term Loan, a Tranche A-5 Term Loan, a Tranche A-6 Term Loan or a Tranche A-7 Term Loan as the context may require.

 

Term Loan Borrowing” means any Tranche A-3 Term Loan Borrowing, any Tranche A-4 Term Loan Borrowing, any Tranche A-5 Term Loan Borrowing, any Tranche A-6 Borrowing or any Tranche A-7 Term Loan Borrowing, as the context may require.

 

Term Loan Commitment” means any Tranche A-5 Term Loan Commitment, any Tranche A-6 Term Loan Commitment or any Tranche A-7 Term Loan Commitment, as the context may require.

 

Term Loan Facility” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all the Term Loans outstanding at such time.

 

Term Loan Facility Maturity Date” means the date that is six (6) calendar months after the Revolving Credit Facility Maturity Date.

 

Term Loan Lender” means each Lender that has a Term Loan Commitment or holds Term Loans.

 

Term Loan Working Capital Commitment” means, as to each Tranche A-6 Term Loan Lender, its obligation to make Working Capital Term Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01F in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the Dollar amount set forth opposite such Tranche A-6 Term Loan Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01. As of the Restatement Effective Date, the aggregate amount of the Tranche A-6 Term Loan Lenders’ Term Loan Working Capital Commitments shall equal $5,000,000.00.

 

Test Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.05(b)(vi).

 

Title IV Plan” means an “employee pension benefit plan” (as defined by Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, covered by Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code and to which the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, any Guarantor or any ERISA Affiliate has any obligation or liability (contingent or otherwise).

 

Total L/C Outstandings” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations.

 

52

 

 

Total Outstandings” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Loans and all L/C Obligations.

 

Total Revolving Outstandings” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Revolving Credit Loans and all L/C Obligations.

 

Tranche” means, with respect to a Term Loan, its character as a Tranche A-3 Term Loan, a Tranche A-4 Term Loan, a Tranche A-5 Term Loan, a Tranche A-6 Term Loan or a Tranche A-7 Term Loan.

 

Tranche A-3 Term Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01C.

 

Tranche A-3 Term Loan Borrowing” means the borrowing consisting of a Tranche A-3 Term Loan described in Section 2.01C.

 

Tranche A-3 Term Loan Lender” means each Lender that holds Tranche A-3 Term Loans.

 

Tranche A-4 Term Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01D.

 

Tranche A-4 Term Loan Borrowing” means the borrowing consisting of a Tranche A-4 Term Loan described in Section 2.01D.

 

Tranche A-4 Term Loan Lender” means each Lender holds Tranche A-4 Term Loans.

 

Tranche A-5 Term Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01E.

 

Tranche A-5 Term Loan Borrowing” means a borrowing consisting of a Tranche A-5 Term Loan made pursuant Section 2.01E.

 

Tranche A-5 Term Loan Commitment” means, as to the Tranche A-5 Term Loan Lender, the deemed making of Term Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01E in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the Indebtedness described in Section 7.01(r).

 

Tranche A-5 Term Loan Lender” means B. Riley Financial, Inc.

 

Tranche A-6 Term Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01F.

 

Tranche A-6 Term Loan Borrowing” means a borrowing consisting of a Tranche A-6 Term Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01F.

 

Tranche A-6 Term Loan Lender” B. Riley Financial, Inc.

 

53

 

 

Tranche A-6 Term Loan Commitment” means, as to the Tranche A-6 Term Loan Lender, (i) the Term Loan Working Capital Commitment and (ii) its obligations to make Scheduled Term Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01F in an aggregate principal amount to not exceed the Dollar amount set forth opposite such Tranche A-6 Term Loan Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01; provided that the aggregate principal amount shall not exceed the amounts listed in Section 2.01F.

 

Tranche A-7 Term Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01G.

 

Tranche A-7 Term Loan Borrowing” means a borrowing consisting of a Tranche A-7 Term Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01G.

 

Tranche A-7 Drawing Certificate” means a certificate of the Tranche A-7 Term Loan Lender certifying that (i) an amount equal to the proposed Tranche A-7 Term Loan Borrowing has been drawn under a Tranche A-7 Letter of Credit and (ii) the Borrower has reimbursement obligations due to the Tranche A-7 Term Loan Lender or its affiliate in such amount.

 

Tranche A-7 Letter of Credit” means a letter of credit, bankers acceptance, surety bond, performance bond, bank guarantee or other similar obligation issued to or obligated to be settled by the Tranche A-7 Lender or an affiliate thereof, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, to secure ordinary course performance obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in connection with bidding, procurement, engineering, construction and maintenance.

 

Tranche A-7 Term Loan Commitment” means, as to the Tranche A-7 Term Loan Lender, the deemed making of Term Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01G in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the Indebtedness described in Section 7.01(s).

 

Tranche A-7 Term Loan Lender” means B. Riley Financial, Inc.

 

Trigger Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.05(b)(vi).

 

Type” means, with respect to a Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan, a Eurocurrency Rate Loan or (with respect to Terms Loans only) a Fixed Rate Loan.

 

UCC” has the meaning specified in the U.S. Collateral Agreement.

 

UCP” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) Publication No. 600 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

 

54

 

 

United States” and “U.S.” mean the United States of America.

 

Universal” means Babcock & Wilcox Universal, Inc. and its Subsidiaries.

 

Unreimbursed Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c)(i).

 

U.S. Collateral Agreement” means the Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2015 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified), by the Borrower and the Guarantors to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

U.S. Guaranty” means the Guaranty Agreement dated as of June 30, 2015 made by the Borrower (solely with respect to Obligations in the nature of Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements) and by the Guarantors in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and any Joinder Agreement with respect thereto.

 

U.S. Person” means any Person that is a “United States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

 

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(f)(ii)(B)(III).

 

Vølund Projects” means projects related to the manufacture, construction, maintenance and operation of renewable energy plants in [***] by Babcock & Wilcox Vølund A/S, an indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower, and/or one or more Subsidiaries or Affiliates of Babcock & Wilcox Vølund A/S, including Babcock & Wilcox Vølund A/B.

 

Voting Stock” means Stock of any Person having ordinary power to vote in the election of members of the board of directors, managers, trustees or similar controlling Persons, of such Person (irrespective of whether, at the time, Stock of any other class or classes of such entity shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).

 

Wholly-Owned” means, in respect of any Subsidiary of any Person, a circumstance where all of the Stock of such Subsidiary (other than director’s qualifying shares, and the like, as may be required by applicable law) is owned by such Person, either directly or indirectly through one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries thereof.

 

Withdrawal Liability” means, with respect to the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any Guarantor, the aggregate liability incurred (whether or not assessed) with respect to all Multiemployer Plans pursuant to Section 4201 of ERISA.

 

55

 

 

Working Capital Term Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01F.

 

Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, 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.

 

1.02 Other Interpretive Provisions. With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:

 

(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 “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including any Constituent Document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (iii) the words “hereto,” “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, and (vi) 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) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including;” the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding;” and the word “through” means “to and including.”

 

(c) Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

56

 

 

1.03 Accounting Terms.

 

(a) Generally. All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the audited financial statements for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2014, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining compliance with any covenant (including the computation of any financial covenant) contained herein, Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be carried at 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof, and the effects of FASB ASC 825 and FASB ASC 470-20 on financial liabilities shall be disregarded.

 

(b) Changes in GAAP. If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrower or the Required Lenders shall so request, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP. Without limiting the foregoing, leases (including leases entered into or renewed after the Restatement Effective Date) shall be classified and accounted for (and the interest component thereof calculated) on a basis consistent with that reflected in the audited financial statements for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2019 for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding any change in GAAP relating thereto, unless the parties hereto shall enter into a mutually acceptable amendment addressing such changes, as provided for above.

 

(c) Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. All references herein to consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or to the determination of any amount for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis or any similar reference shall, in each case, be deemed to include each variable interest entity that the Borrower is required to consolidate pursuant to FASB ASC 810 as if such variable interest entity were a Subsidiary as defined herein.

 

57

 

 

1.04 Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).

 

1.05 Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents.

 

(a) The applicable L/C Issuer shall determine the Spot Rates (and notify the Administrative Agent of the same) as of each Revaluation Date to be used for calculating Dollar Equivalent amounts of L/C Credit Extensions and Outstanding Amounts denominated in Alternative Currencies. Such Spot Rates shall become effective as of such Revaluation Date and shall be the Spot Rates employed in converting any amounts between the applicable currencies until the next Revaluation Date to occur. Except for purposes of financial statements delivered by Loan Parties hereunder or calculating financial covenants hereunder or except as otherwise provided herein, the applicable amount of any currency (other than Dollars) for purposes of the Loan Documents shall be such Dollar Equivalent amount as so determined by the Administrative Agent or the applicable L/C Issuer, as applicable.

 

(b) Wherever in this Agreement in connection with the issuance, amendment or extension of a Letter of Credit, an amount, such as a required minimum or multiple amount, is expressed in Dollars, but such Letter of Credit is denominated in an Alternative Currency, such amount shall be the relevant Alternative Currency Equivalent of such Dollar amount (rounded to the nearest unit of such Alternative Currency, with 0.5 of a unit being rounded upward), as determined by the Administrative Agent or the applicable L/C Issuer, as the case may be.

 

1.06 Alternative Currencies.

 

(a) The Borrower may from time to time request that one or more L/C Issuers issue and maintain Letters of Credit denominated in a currency other than Dollars. Any such request shall be subject to the approval of the L/C Issuer that will be issuing Letters of Credit in such currency.

 

58

 

 

(b) Any such request shall be made by the Borrower to one or more L/C Issuers not later than 11:00 a.m., ten Business Days prior to the date of the desired issuance of a Letter of Credit in such currency (or such other time or date as may be agreed by any such L/C Issuer, in its sole discretion).

 

(c) If any L/C Issuer consents to the issuance of Letters of Credit in such requested currency, such L/C Issuer shall so notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and such currency shall thereupon be deemed for all purposes to be an Alternative Currency hereunder for purposes of any Letter of Credit issuances by each such approving L/C Issuer (but not by any L/C Issuer not approving such currency).

 

(d) Prior to the Restatement Effective Date, each L/C Issuer may agree, or may have agreed under the Existing Credit Agreement, with the Borrower to issue Letters of Credit in particular currencies (other than Dollars) immediately upon, and at all times after, the Restatement Effective Date, or under the Existing Credit Agreement, and each L/C Issuer and the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (if not already notified pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement) of the currencies (other than Dollars) approved by such L/C Issuer prior to or on the Restatement Effective Date.

 

1.07 Times of Day; Rates.

 

(a) Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).

 

(b) The Administrative Agent does not warrant, nor accept responsibility, nor shall the Administrative Agent have any liability with respect to, the administration, submission or any other matter related to the rates in the definition of “Eurocurrency Rate” or with respect to any rate that is an alternative or replacement for or successor to any of such rate (including, without limitation, any LIBOR Successor Rate) or the effect of any of the foregoing, or of any LIBOR Successor Rate Conforming Changes.

 

1.08 Letter of Credit Amounts. Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the Dollar Equivalent of the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided, however, that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Issuer Document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the Dollar Equivalent of 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 such time.

 

1.09 Surviving Provisions Perpetual. Unless otherwise specified herein, each of the parties hereto expressly intend that any provision herein stated to survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement is of perpetual duration.

 

59

 

 

ARTICLE II
THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS

 

2.01 Revolving Credit Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Revolving Credit Lender severally agrees to make loans to the Borrower in Dollars (each such loan, a “Revolving Credit Loan”) from time to time, on any Business Day during the Availability Period for the Revolving Credit Facility, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment; provided, however, that after giving effect to any Revolving Credit Borrowing, (i) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Revolving Credit Facility, (ii) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Lender shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment and (iii) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans shall not exceed the Revolving Funded Debt Sublimit. Within the limits of each Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.01, prepay under Section 2.05, and reborrow under this Section 2.01. Revolving Credit Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurocurrency Rate Loans, as further provided herein.

 

2.01A [Reserved]

 

2.01B  [Reserved]

 

2.01C Tranche A-3 Term Loans.  The Loan Parties and the Tranche A-3 Lenders acknowledge and agree that as of the date hereof (i) the aggregate principal amount of “Tranche A-3 Term Loans” under the Existing Credit Agreement (the “Existing Tranche A-3 Term Loans”) equals $ $113,330,152.36, (ii) the aggregate principal amount of loans outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement owing to each “Tranche A-3 Term Loan Lender” (each an “Existing Tranche A-3 Term Loan Lender”) equals the amount set forth opposite such Existing Tranche A-3 Term Loan Lender set forth opposite such Existing Tranche A-3 Loan Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 hereto under the column entitled “Prior Loans” and (iii) all remaining outstanding Existing Tranche A-3 Term Loans are hereby converted into and continued as Tranche A-3 Term Loans hereunder (the “Tranche A-3 Term Loans”) such that, immediately after giving effect to such conversion, the outstanding principal amount of Tranche A-3 Term Loans shall be in the amount set forth opposite such Tranche A-3 Term Loan Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 under the column entitled “Tranche A-3 Term Loans”). Tranche A-3 Term Loans shall be Fixed Rate Loans, as further provided herein. Subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may prepay the Tranche A-3 Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.05, subject to any subordination terms set forth herein. Amounts so prepaid or repaid may not be reborrowed.

 

60

 

 

2.01D Tranche A-4 Term Loans. The Loan Parties and the Tranche A-4 Lenders acknowledge and agree that as of the date hereof (i) the aggregate principal amount of “Tranche A-4 Term Loans” under the Existing Credit Agreement (the “Existing Tranche A-4 Term Loans”) equals $30,000,000, (ii) the aggregate principal amount of loans outstanding under the Existing Credit owing to each “Tranche A-4 Term Loan Lender” (each an “Existing Tranche A-4 Term Loan Lender”) equals the amount set forth opposite such Existing Tranche A-4 Term Loan Lender set forth opposite such Existing Tranche A-4 Loan Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 hereto under the column entitled “Prior Loans” and (iii) all remaining outstanding Existing Tranche A-4 Term Loans are hereby converted into and continued as Tranche A-4 Term Loans hereunder (the “Tranche A-4 Term Loans”) such that, immediately after giving effect to such conversion, the outstanding principal amount of Tranche A-4 Term Loans shall be in the amount set forth opposite such Tranche A-4 Term Loan Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 under the column entitled “Tranche A-4 Term Loans”). Tranche A-4 Term Loans shall be Fixed Rate Loans, as further provided herein. Subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may prepay the Tranche A-4 Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.05, subject to any subordination terms set forth herein. Amounts so prepaid or repaid may not be reborrowed.

 

2.01E Tranche A-5 Term Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Tranche A-5 Term Loan Lender shall be deemed to have made loans to the Borrower in Dollars (each such loan, a “Tranche A-5 Term Loan”) on any Business Day during the Availability Period with respect to the Tranche A-5 Term Loan Commitment (which date shall correspond with the date that the principal amount of such Tranche A-5 Term Loans was drawn under the [***] Letter of Credit as set forth in a Committed Loan Notice, and the Borrower shall deliver such a Committed Loan Notice within two (2) Business Days of any such drawing (or such longer period, not to exceed five (5) Business Days, in the Administrative Agent’s reasonable discretion) with respect to such Tranche A-5 Term Loan, in an aggregate amount not to exceed such Term Loan Lender’s Tranche A-5 Term Loan Commitment; provided that the Tranche A-5 Term Loan Lender shall also deliver a [***] Drawing Certificate to the Administrative Agent certifying that such amounts have been drawn under the [***] Letter of Credit. Tranche A-5 Term Loans shall be Fixed Rate Loans, as further provided herein. Subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may prepay the Tranche A-5 Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.05, subject to any subordination terms set forth herein. Amounts so prepaid or repaid may not be reborrowed. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to request any [***] Drawing Certificate or ascertain or inquire into any [***] Drawing Certificate or the contents of any [***] Drawing Certificate.

 

61

 

 

2.01F Tranche A-6 Term Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Tranche A-6 Term Loan Lender severally agrees to make loans to the Borrower in Dollars (each such loan, a “Tranche A-6 Term Loan”) (x) from time to time, on any Business Day during the Availability Period with respect to the Term Loan Facility, in an aggregate amount not to exceed such Term Loan Lender’s Term Loan Working Capital Commitment (each such Tranche A-6 Term Loan, a “Working Capital Term Loan”) and (y) on the dates and in the aggregate amounts set forth below (each such Tranche A-6 Term Loan, a “Scheduled Term Loan”):

 

Date   Amount  
Restatement Effective Date   $ 30,000,000  
November 30, 2020   $ 10,000,000  
March 31, 2021   $ 5,000,000  
June 30, 2021   $ 5,000,000  
September 30, 2021   $ 5,000,000  
December 31, 2021   $ 5,000,000  
March 31, 2022   $ 5,000,000  

 

Tranche A-6 Term Loans shall be Fixed Rate Loans, as further provided herein. Subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may prepay the Tranche A-6 Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.05, subject to any subordination terms set forth herein. Amounts so prepaid or repaid may not be reborrowed.

 

2.01G Tranche A-7 Term Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Tranche A-7 Term Loan Lender shall be deemed to have made loans to the Borrower in Dollars (each such loan, a “Tranche A-7 Term Loan”) on any Business Day during the Availability Period with respect to the Tranche A-7 Term Loan Commitment (which date shall correspond with the date that the principal amount of such Tranche A-7 Term Loans was drawn under a Tranche A-7 Letter of Credit as set forth in a Committed Loan Notice, and the Borrower shall deliver such a Committed Loan Notice within two (2) Business Days of any such drawing (or such longer period, not to exceed five (5) Business Days, in the Administrative Agent’s reasonable discretion) with respect to such Tranche A-7 Term Loan, in an aggregate amount not to exceed such Term Loan Lender’s Tranche A-7 Term Loan Commitment; provided that the Tranche A-7 Term Loan Lender shall also deliver a Tranche A-7 Drawing Certificate to the Administrative Agent certifying that such amounts have been drawn under a Tranche A-7 Letter of Credit. Tranche A-7 Term Loans shall be Fixed Rate Loans, as further provided herein. Subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may prepay the Tranche A-7 Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.05, subject to any subordination terms set forth herein. Amounts so prepaid or repaid may not be reborrowed. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to request any Tranche A-7 Drawing Certificate or ascertain or inquire into any Tranche A-7 Drawing Certificate or the contents of any Tranche A-7 Drawing Certificate.

 

62

 

 

2.02 Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans.

 

(a) Each Borrowing, each conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, and each continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, (which irrevocable notice may be modified in connection with the delivery of a Scheduled Loan Principal Reduction Certificate in accordance with Section 4.05) which may be given by (A) telephone or (B) a Committed Loan Notice; provided that any telephonic notice must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Committed Loan Notice. Each such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. (i) three Business Days prior to the requested date of any Revolving Credit Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans or of any conversion of Eurocurrency Rate Loans to Base Rate Loans, (ii) on the requested date of any Revolving Credit Borrowing of Base Rate Loans and (iii) five Business Days prior to the requested date of any Term Loan Borrowing of Working Capital Term Loans; provided that if the Borrower wishes to request Eurocurrency Rate Loans having an Interest Period other than one, two, three or six months in duration as provided in the definition of “Interest Period,” the applicable notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. four Business Days prior to the requested date of such Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, whereupon the Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice to the Lenders under the applicable Facility of such request and determine whether the requested Interest Period is acceptable to all of them. Not later than 1:00 p.m., three Business Days before the requested date of such Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans having an Interest period other than one, two, three or six months in duration as provided in the definition of “Interest Period”, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower (which notice may be by telephone) whether or not the requested Interest Period has been consented to by all such Lenders. Each Revolving Credit Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Except as provided in Sections 2.03(c), each Revolving Credit Borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof. Each Committed Loan Notice shall specify (i) whether the Borrower is requesting a Revolving Credit Borrowing and/or a Term Loan Borrowing (and, in the case of a Term Loan Borrowing, the Tranche thereof), a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, (ii) the requested date of the Borrowing(s), conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans and/or Term Loans to be borrowed, converted or continued, (iv) the Type of Loans to be borrowed or to which existing Loans are to be converted, and (v) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period with respect thereto. If the Borrower fails to specify a Type of Revolving Credit Loan in a Committed Loan Notice or if the Borrower fails to give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the applicable Loans shall be made as, or converted to, Base Rate Loans. Any such automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the applicable Eurocurrency Rate Loans. If the Borrower requests a Borrowing of, conversion to, or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans in any such Committed Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month.

 

63

 

 

(b) Following receipt of a Committed Loan Notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of its Applicable Percentage of the Loans, and if no timely notice of a conversion or continuation is provided by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the details of any automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans as described in Section 2.02(a). In the case of a Revolving Credit Borrowing, each Lender shall make the amount of its Revolving Credit Loan available to the Administrative Agent in Same Day Funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office not later than (i) 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in the applicable Committed Loan Notice so long as such Committed Loan Notice was received prior to the Business Day specified for such Revolving Credit Borrowing in such Committed Loan Notice and (ii) 3:00 p.m. in the case of any Revolving Credit Borrowing requested in a Committed Loan Notice that was received on the same Business Day as the Business Day specified for such Revolving Credit Borrowing in the applicable Committed Loan Notice. In the case of a Tranche A-6 Term Loan Borrowing (other than the Scheduled Term Loans to be funded on the Restatement Effective Date, which shall be subject to Section 3 of the Amendment and Restatement Agreement), each Tranche A-6 Term Loan Lender shall make the amount of its Working Capital Term Loan available to the Administrative Agent in Same Day Funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office not later than (i) 11:00 a.m. on the Business Day specified for such Term Loan Borrowing in the applicable Committed Loan Notice (or this Agreement as deemed a Committed Loan Notice pursuant to Section 4.05). Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Sections 4.03 and 4.05 the Administrative Agent shall make all funds so received available to the Borrower in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of Bank of America with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the Administrative Agent by the Borrower; provided, however, that if on the date a Committed Loan Notice with respect to a Borrowing is given by the Borrower, there are L/C Borrowings outstanding, then the proceeds of such Borrowing, first, shall be applied to the payment in full of any such L/C Borrowings, and second, shall be made available to the Borrower as provided above and, if such Borrowing includes a Term Loan Borrowing of Working Capital Term Loans, to the extent any Term Loan Borrowing results in a Trigger Event or if a Repayment Deadline exists, proceeds of the applicable Term Loan Borrowing may be applied to the prepayment of Revolving Credit Loans in amounts equal to the excess of the thresholds set forth in the definition of “Trigger Event”. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to make any amounts available to the Borrower on a proposed date of any Borrowing if such amounts have not been received by the Administrative Agent from the applicable Lenders.

 

(c) Except as otherwise provided herein, a Eurocurrency Rate Loan may be continued or converted only on the last day of an Interest Period for such Eurocurrency Rate Loan. During the existence of a Default, no Loans may be requested as, converted to or continued as Eurocurrency Rate Loans without the consent of the Required Lenders.

 

(d) The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for Eurocurrency Rate Loans upon determination of such interest rate. At any time that Base Rate Loans are outstanding, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of any change in Bank of America’s prime rate used in determining the Base Rate promptly following the public announcement of such change.

 

(e) After giving effect to all Revolving Credit Borrowings, all conversions of Revolving Credit Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Revolving Credit Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than five Interest Periods in effect in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility.

 

64

 

 

2.03 Letters of Credit.

 

(a) The Letter of Credit Commitment.

 

(i) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (A) each L/C Issuer agrees to issue Letters of Credit, (1) from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Restatement Effective Date until the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, denominated in Dollars or in one or more Alternative Currencies applicable to such L/C Issuer for the account of any Permitted L/C Party, and to amend or extend Letters of Credit previously issued by it, in accordance with subsection (b) below, and (2) to honor drawings under the Letters of Credit; and (B) the Revolving Credit Lenders severally agree to participate in Letters of Credit issued for the account of any Permitted L/C Party and any drawings thereunder; provided that after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension with respect to any Letter of Credit, (u) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Revolving Credit Facility, (v) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Revolving Credit Lender shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment, (w) the Outstanding Amount of the L/C Obligations in Alternative Currencies shall not exceed the Alternative Currency Sublimit, (x) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Financial Letters of Credit and commercial letters of credit at any time shall not exceed $75,000,000, (y) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Letters of Credit and commercial letters of credit at any time shall not exceed the Aggregate L/C Sublimit and (z) the Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations of any L/C Issuer shall not exceed the L/C Issuer Sublimit of such L/C Issuer. Each request by the Borrower or a Permitted L/C Party for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a representation by the Borrower that the L/C Credit Extension so requested complies with the conditions set forth in the proviso to the preceding sentence. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower’s ability to obtain Letters of Credit shall be fully revolving, and accordingly the Borrower may, during the foregoing period listed in subclause (A)(1) of this Section, obtain Letters of Credit to replace Letters of Credit that have expired or that have been drawn upon and reimbursed. For the avoidance of doubt, all Letters of Credit outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement as of the Restatement Effective Date for the account of a Permitted L/C Party shall in each case be deemed to have been Letters of Credit issued pursuant hereto, and from and after the Restatement Effective Date shall be subject to and governed by the terms and conditions hereof.

 

65

 

 

(ii) No L/C Issuer shall issue any Letter of Credit if the expiry date of such requested Letter of Credit would occur after the date that is seven Business Days prior to the Revolving Credit Facility Maturity Date.

 

(iii) No L/C Issuer shall be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if:

 

(A) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain such L/C Issuer from issuing the Letter of Credit, or any Requirement of Law applicable to such L/C Issuer or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over such L/C Issuer shall prohibit, or request that such L/C Issuer refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or the Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon such L/C Issuer with respect to the Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which such the L/C Issuer is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Restatement Effective Date, or shall impose upon such L/C Issuer any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Restatement Effective Date and which such L/C Issuer in good faith deems material to it;

 

(B) the issuance of the Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of such L/C Issuer applicable to letters of credit generally;

 

(C) except as otherwise agreed by such L/C Issuer, the Letter of Credit is in an initial stated amount less than $100,000, in the case of a commercial Letter of Credit, or $500,000, in the case of a standby Letter of Credit;

 

(D) except as otherwise agreed by such L/C Issuer, the Letter of Credit is to be denominated in a currency other than Dollars or an Alternative Currency applicable to such L/C Issuer;

 

(E) such L/C Issuer does not, as of the issuance date of such requested Letter of Credit, issue Letters of Credit in the requested currency; or

 

66

 

 

(F) any Revolving Credit Lender is at that time a Defaulting Lender, unless such L/C Issuer has entered into arrangements, including the delivery of Cash Collateral, satisfactory to such L/C Issuer (in its sole discretion) with the Borrower or such Lender to eliminate such L/C Issuer’s actual or potential Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv)) with respect to the Defaulting Lender arising from either the Letter of Credit then proposed to be issued or that Letter of Credit and all other L/C Obligations as to which such L/C Issuer has actual or potential Fronting Exposure, as it may elect in its sole discretion.

 

(iv) No L/C Issuer shall amend any Letter of Credit if such L/C Issuer would not be permitted at such time to issue the Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof.

 

(v) No L/C Issuer shall be under any obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if (A) such L/C Issuer would have no obligation at such time to issue the Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof, or (B) the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to the Letter of Credit.

 

(vi) Each L/C Issuer shall act on behalf of the Revolving Credit Lenders with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith, and each L/C Issuer shall have all of the benefits and immunities (A) provided to the Administrative Agent in Article IX with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by such L/C Issuer in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or proposed to be issued by it and Issuer Documents pertaining to such Letters of Credit as fully as if the term “Administrative Agent” as used in Article IX included the L/C Issuers with respect to such acts or omissions, and (B) as additionally provided herein with respect to the L/C Issuers or any of them.

 

(b) Procedures for Issuance and Amendment of Letters of Credit; Auto-Extension Letters of Credit.

 

(i) Each Letter of Credit shall be issued or amended, as the case may be, upon the request of the Borrower delivered to the applicable L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) in the form of a Letter of Credit Application, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower or the applicable Permitted L/C Party. Such Letter of Credit Application may be sent by facsimile, by United States mail, by overnight courier, by electronic transmission using the system provided by the applicable L/C Issuer, by personal delivery or by any other means acceptable to such L/C Issuer. Such Letter of Credit Application must be received by the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. at least two Business Days (or such later date and time as the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer may agree in a particular instance in their sole discretion) prior to the proposed issuance date or date of amendment, as the case may be. In the case of a request for an initial issuance of a Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the L/C Issuer: (A) the proposed issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day unless otherwise permitted by such L/C Issuer); (B) the amount and currency thereof; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (F) the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (G) whether such requested Letter of Credit is a Performance Letter of Credit, a Financial Letter of Credit or a commercial Letter of Credit; (H) the Permitted L/C Party for whom such Letter of Credit is to be issued; and (I) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may require. In the case of a request for an amendment of any outstanding Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the L/C Issuer (A) the Letter of Credit to be amended; (B) the proposed date of amendment thereof (which shall be a Business Day unless otherwise permitted by such L/C Issuer); (C) the nature of the proposed amendment; and (D) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may reasonably require. Additionally, the Borrower shall furnish to the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent such other documents and information pertaining to such requested Letter of Credit issuance or amendment, including any Issuer Documents, as the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent may reasonably require.

 

67

 

 

(ii) Promptly after receipt of any Letter of Credit Application, the applicable L/C Issuer will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has received a copy of such Letter of Credit Application from the Borrower and, if not, the L/C Issuer will provide the Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. Unless the L/C Issuer has received written notice from any Lender, the Administrative Agent or any Loan Party, at least one Business Day prior to the requested date of issuance or amendment of the applicable Letter of Credit, that one or more applicable conditions contained in Article IV shall not then be satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the L/C Issuer shall, on the requested date, issue a Letter of Credit for the account of the applicable Permitted L/C Party or enter into the applicable amendment, as the case may be, in each case in accordance with the L/C Issuer’s usual and customary business practices. Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the L/C Issuer a risk participation in such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the product of the Applicable Percentage of such Lender times the amount of such Letter of Credit.

 

(iii) If the Borrower or any Permitted L/C Party so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the applicable L/C Issuer may, in its sole discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic extension provisions (each, an “Auto-Extension Letter of Credit”); provided that any such Auto-Extension Letter of Credit must permit the L/C Issuer to prevent any such extension at least once prior to the then applicable expiration date of such Letter of Credit (without giving effect to the next ensuing extension thereof) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the “Non-Extension Notice Date”) to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued. Unless otherwise directed by the L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the L/C Issuer for any such extension. Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the L/C Issuer to permit such extensions of such Letter of Credit; provided, however, that the L/C Issuer shall not permit any such extension if (A) the L/C Issuer has determined that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation, at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of clause (ii) or (iii) of Section 2.03(a) or otherwise), or (B) it has received notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is seven Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date (1) from the Administrative Agent that the Required Lenders have elected not to permit such extension or (2) from the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.03 is not then satisfied, and in each such case directing the L/C Issuer not to permit such extension.

 

(iv) Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, the L/C Issuer will also deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment.

 

68

 

 

(c) Drawings and Reimbursements; Funding of Participations.

 

(i) Upon receipt from the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit of any notice of a drawing under such Letter of Credit, the applicable L/C Issuer shall notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent thereof. In the case of any draw under a Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, the L/C Issuer shall notify the Borrower of the Dollar Equivalent of the amount of the drawing promptly following the determination thereof. The Borrower agrees to pay to the L/C Issuer of any Letter of Credit that has been drawn upon the amount of all draws thereunder, in Dollars (or the Dollar Equivalent of such payment if such payment was made in an Alternative Currency), no later than (x) the Business Day on which the L/C Issuer has provided notice thereof to the Borrower if such notice has been provided prior to 11:00 a.m. on such Business Day, or (y) no later than 10:00 a.m. on the next succeeding Business Day after the Borrower receives such notice from such L/C Issuer if such notice is not received prior to 11:00 a.m. on such day (each such date, an “Honor Date”), and such L/C Issuer shall provide prompt notice to the Administrative Agent of such reimbursement. If the Borrower fails to so reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer by such time, such L/C Issuer shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of the Honor Date and the amount of the unreimbursed drawing (expressed in Dollars in the amount of the Dollar Equivalent thereof in the case of a Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency) (the “Unreimbursed Amount”), and the Administrative Agent shall provide such notice, along with the amount of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof, to each Lender. In such event, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Revolving Credit Borrowing of Base Rate Loans to be disbursed on the Honor Date in an amount equal to the Unreimbursed Amount, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified in Section 2.02 for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the amount of the unutilized portion of the Revolving Credit Commitments and the conditions set forth in Section 4.03 (other than the delivery of a Committed Loan Notice). Any notice given by any L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(i) may be given by telephone if immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.

 

(ii) Each Revolving Credit Lender shall upon any notice pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) make funds available (and the Administrative Agent may apply Cash Collateral provided for this purpose) for the account of the L/C Issuer, in Dollars, at the Administrative Agent’s Office for Dollar-denominated payments in an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the Unreimbursed Amount not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in such notice by the Administrative Agent, whereupon, subject to the provisions of Section 2.03(c)(iii), each Revolving Credit Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Loan to the Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the L/C Issuer in Dollars.

 

69

 

 

(iii) With respect to any Unreimbursed Amount that is not fully refinanced by a Revolving Credit Borrowing of Base Rate Loans because the conditions set forth in Section 4.03 cannot be satisfied or for any other reason, the Borrower shall be deemed to have incurred from the L/C Issuer an L/C Borrowing in the amount of the Unreimbursed Amount that is not so refinanced, which L/C Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the Default Rate. In such event, each Lender’s payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(ii) shall be deemed payment in respect of its participation in such L/C Borrowing and shall constitute an L/C Advance from such Lender in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this Section 2.03.

 

(iv) Until each Lender funds its Revolving Credit Loan or L/C Advance pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, interest in respect of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such amount shall be solely for the account of the applicable L/C Issuer.

 

(v) Each Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans or L/C Advances to reimburse the L/C Issuer for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, as contemplated by this Section 2.03(c), shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against any L/C Issuer, the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided, however, that each Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.03 (other than delivery by the Borrower of a Committed Loan Notice). No such making of an L/C Advance shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer for the amount of any payment made by the L/C Issuer under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided herein.

 

(vi) If any Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of any L/C Issuer any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.03(c) by the time specified in Section 2.03(c)(ii), then, without limiting the other provisions of this Agreement, the applicable L/C Issuer shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the L/C Issuer at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the L/C Issuer in connection with the foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Revolving Credit Loan included in the relevant Revolving Credit Borrowing or L/C Advance in respect of the relevant L/C Borrowing, as the case may be. A certificate of the applicable L/C Issuer submitted to any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (vi) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

70

 

 

(d) Repayment of Participations.

 

(i) At any time after the L/C Issuer has made a payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any Lender such Lender’s L/C Advance in respect of such payment in accordance with Section 2.03(c), if the Administrative Agent receives for the account of the L/C Issuer any payment in respect of the related Unreimbursed Amount or interest thereon (whether directly from the Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of Cash Collateral applied thereto by the Administrative Agent), the Administrative Agent will distribute to such Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof in Dollars and in the same funds as those received by the Administrative Agent.

 

(ii) If any payment received by the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) is required to be returned under any of the circumstances described in Section 10.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the L/C Issuer in its discretion), each Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer its Applicable Percentage thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned by such Lender, at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

 

(e) Obligations Absolute. The obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer for each drawing under each Letter of Credit and, without duplication, to repay each L/C Borrowing shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances, including the following:

 

(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of Credit, this Agreement, or any other Loan Document;

 

(ii) the existence of any claim, counterclaim, setoff, defense or other right that the Borrower or any Subsidiary may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the L/C Issuer or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or by such Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transaction;

 

71

 

 

(iii) any draft, demand, certificate or other document presented under such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; or any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under such Letter of Credit;

 

(iv) waiver by the L/C Issuer of any requirement that exists for the L/C Issuer’s protection and not the protection of the Borrower or any waiver by the L/C Issuer which does not in fact materially prejudice the Borrower;

 

(v) any payment made by the L/C Issuer in respect of an otherwise complying item presented after the date specified as the expiration date of, or the date by which documents must be received under such Letter of Credit if presentation after such date is authorized by the UCC, the ISP or the UCP, as applicable;

 

(vi) any payment by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment made by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit to any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law;

 

(vii) any adverse change in the relevant exchange rates or in the availability of the relevant Alternative Currency to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or in the relevant currency markets generally; or

 

(viii) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, including any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

 

The Borrower shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and each amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of noncompliance with the Borrower’s instructions or other irregularity, the Borrower will immediately notify the L/C Issuer. The Borrower shall be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the L/C Issuer and its correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid, but only to the extent not prohibited by any applicable Requirement of Law.

 

72

 

 

(f) Role of L/C Issuer. Each Lender and the Borrower agree that, in paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, no L/C Issuer shall have any responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight draft, certificates and documents expressly required by the Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority of the Person executing or delivering any such document. None of the L/C Issuers, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of any L/C Issuer shall be liable to any Lender for (i) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the request or with the approval of the Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable; (ii) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct; or (iii) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit or Issuer Document. The Borrower hereby assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any Letter of Credit; provided, however, that this assumption is not intended to, and shall not, preclude the Borrower’s pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement. None of the L/C Issuers, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of any L/C Issuer shall be liable or responsible for any of the matters described in clauses (i) through (viii) of Section 2.03(e); provided, however, that anything in such clauses to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower may have a claim against the applicable L/C Issuer, and the applicable L/C Issuer may be liable to the Borrower, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by the Borrower which the Borrower proves were caused by the L/C Issuer’s willful misconduct or gross negligence or the L/C Issuer’s willful failure to pay under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the beneficiary of a sight draft and certificate(s) strictly complying with the terms and conditions of a Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, each L/C Issuer may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and no L/C Issuer shall be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason. The applicable L/C Issuer may send a Letter of Credit or conduct any communication to or from the beneficiary via the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (“SWIFT”) message or overnight courier, or any other commercially reasonable means of communicating with a beneficiary.

 

73

 

 

(g) Applicability of ISP and UCP; Limitation of Liability. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the applicable L/C Issuer and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued, (i) the rules of the ISP shall apply to each standby Letter of Credit, and (ii) the rules of the UCP shall apply to each commercial Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no L/C Issuer shall be responsible to the Borrower or any other Permitted L/C Party for, and no L/C Issuer’s rights and remedies against the Borrower or any other Permitted L/C Party shall be impaired by, any action or inaction of such L/C Issuer required or permitted under any law, order, or practice that is required or permitted to be applied to any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, including any Requirement of Law or any order of a jurisdiction where the applicable L/C Issuer or the beneficiary is located, the practice stated in the ISP or UCP, as applicable, or in the decisions, opinions, practice statements, or official commentary of the ICC Banking Commission, the Bankers Association for Finance and Trade - International Financial Services Association (BAFT-IFSA), or the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, whether or not any Letter of Credit chooses such law or practice.

 

(h) Letter of Credit Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender (subject to Section 2.16) in accordance with its Applicable Percentage, in Dollars, a Letter of Credit fee (the “Letter of Credit Fee”) (i) for each commercial Letter of Credit equal to the Applicable Rate for commercial Letters of Credit times the Dollar Equivalent of the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit, and (ii) for each standby Letter of Credit equal to the Applicable Rate for such type (Financial Letter of Credit or Performance Letter of Credit) of such Letter of Credit times the Dollar Equivalent of the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. For purposes of computing the Dollar Equivalent of the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.08. Letter of Credit Fees (including any Letter of Credit Fees accrued under the Existing Credit Agreement on or prior to the Restatement Effective Date) shall be (i) due and payable on the tenth Business Day after the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and thereafter on demand and (ii) computed on a quarterly basis in arrears. If there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the Dollar Equivalent of the daily amount available to be drawn under each Letter of Credit shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists, all Letter of Credit Fees shall accrue at the Default Rate.

 

74

 

 

(i) Fronting Fee and Documentary and Processing Charges Payable to L/C Issuer. The Borrower shall pay directly to the applicable L/C Issuer for its own account, in Dollars, a fronting fee (i) with respect to each commercial Letter of Credit, at a rate separately agreed to between the Borrower and such L/C Issuer, computed on the Dollar Equivalent of the amount of such Letter of Credit, and payable upon the issuance thereof, (ii) with respect to any amendment of a commercial Letter of Credit increasing the amount of such Letter of Credit, at a rate separately agreed between the Borrower and such L/C Issuer, computed on the Dollar Equivalent of the amount of such increase, and payable upon the effectiveness of such amendment, and (iii) with respect to each standby Letter of Credit, at the rate per annum specified in the applicable Fee Letter or otherwise agreed between such L/C Issuer and the Borrower, computed on the Dollar Equivalent of the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit on a quarterly basis in arrears. Such fronting fee with respect to standby Letters of Credit shall be due and payable on the tenth Business Day after the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December in respect of the then-ended quarterly period (or portion thereof, in the case of the first payment), commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and thereafter on demand. Such fronting fee with respect to commercial Letters of Credit shall be due and payable as provided in subparts (i) and (ii) above. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.08. In addition, the Borrower shall pay directly to the applicable L/C Issuer for its own account, in Dollars, the customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of the L/C Issuer relating to letters of credit as from time to time in effect. Such customary fees and standard costs and charges are due and payable on demand and are nonrefundable.

 

(j) Conflict with Issuer Documents. In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Issuer Document, the terms hereof shall control.

 

(k) Letters of Credit Issued for Permitted L/C Parties. Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder is in support of any obligations of, is for the account of, or the applicant therefor is, a Permitted L/C Party other than the Borrower, the Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse the L/C Issuer hereunder for any and all drawings under such Letter of Credit. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account, or upon the application, of Permitted L/C Parties other than the Borrower inures to the benefit of the Borrower, and that the Borrower’s business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Permitted L/C Parties.

 

75

 

 

(l) Additional L/C Issuers. In addition to Bank of America and each L/C Issuer listed on the signature pages hereto as an “L/C Issuer,” the Borrower may from time to time, with notice to the Lenders and the consent of the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender being so appointed, appoint additional Lenders to be L/C Issuers hereunder, provided that the total number of L/C Issuers at any time shall not exceed six Lenders (or such larger number of additional Lenders as the Administrative Agent may agree to permit from time to time). Upon the appointment of a Lender as an L/C Issuer hereunder such Person shall become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of an L/C Issuer hereunder.

 

(m) Removal of L/C Issuers. The Borrower may at any time remove Bank of America or any L/C Issuer that is appointed pursuant to subpart (l) above, if either such Person is at such time a Defaulting Lender or such Person consents to such removal; provided that (i) such removal shall be made upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice to such L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent (or such shorter time as such L/C Issuer shall agree) and (ii) such removed L/C Issuer shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of an L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit issued by such L/C Issuer and outstanding as of the effective date of its removal as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make Revolving Credit Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c)). Without limiting the foregoing, upon the removal of a Lender as an L/C Issuer hereunder, the Borrower may, or at the request of such removed L/C Issuer the Borrower shall use commercially reasonable efforts to, arrange for one or more of the other L/C Issuers to issue Letters of Credit hereunder in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, issued by such removed L/C Issuer and outstanding at the time of such removal, or make other arrangements satisfactory to the removed L/C Issuer to effectively cause another L/C Issuer to assume the obligations of the removed L/C Issuer with respect to any such Letters of Credit.

 

(n) Reporting of Letter of Credit Information and L/C Issuer Sublimit. At any time that there is more than one L/C Issuer, then on (i) the last Business Day of each calendar month, and (ii) each date that an L/C Credit Extension occurs with respect to any Letter of Credit, each L/C Issuer (or, in the case of part (ii), the applicable L/C Issuer) shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a report setting forth in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent information with respect to each Letter of Credit issued by such L/C Issuer that is outstanding hereunder, including any auto-renewal or termination of auto-renewal provisions in such Letter of Credit. In addition, each L/C Issuer shall provide notice to the Administrative Agent of its L/C Issuer Sublimit, or any change thereto, promptly upon it becoming an L/C Issuer or making any change to its L/C Issuer Sublimit. No failure on the part of any L/C Issuer to provide such information pursuant to this Section 2.03(n) shall limit the obligation of the Borrower or any Lender hereunder with respect to its reimbursement and participation obligations, respectively, pursuant to this Section 2.03.

 

76

 

 

2.04 [Reserved].

 

2.05 Prepayments.

 

(a) Optional.

 

(i) The Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, at any time or from time to time voluntarily prepay Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty (except as provided in clause (iv) below); provided that (i) such notice must be in a form acceptable to the Administrative Agent and be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (A) three Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, (B) on the date of prepayment of Base Rate Loans, (C) five Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of Fixed Rate Loans; (ii) any prepayment of Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; and (iii) any prepayment of Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof or, in each case, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding. Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Facility, Type(s) and, if applicable, Tranche, of Loans to be prepaid and, if Eurocurrency Rate Loans are to be prepaid, the Interest Period(s) of such Loans. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of each such notice, and of the amount of such Lender’s ratable portion of such prepayment (based on such Lender’s Applicable Percentage in respect of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment or Aggregate Term Loan Commitment with respect to the relevant Tranche, as applicable). If such notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein. Any prepayment of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05. Any Additional Term Loan Prepayment of a Fixed Rate Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid (including the capitalization of any interest to be paid-in-kind) to the extent that such interest is permitted to be paid under Section 11.01. Subject to Section 2.16, each such prepayment shall be paid to the Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages in respect of each of the relevant Facilities and Tranches.

 

77

 

 

(ii) [Reserved.]

 

(iii) Except as set forth in clause (d) of Section 11.01 and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Borrower shall not be permitted to prepay the Term Loan Facility (pursuant to Section 2.05(a)(i) or otherwise) until the occurrence of the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date, provided that the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, may permit a prepayment in full of the Term Loan Facility on the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date, provided further that the Administrative Agent will not release funds paid with respect to the Term Loan Facility to any Term Loan Lender until the Administrative Agent has deemed, in its reasonable discretion, that the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date has occurred.

 

(b) Mandatory.

 

(i) In the event, and on each occasion, that any Net Cash Proceeds are received by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of any Prepayment Event, the Borrower shall, within five Business Days after such Net Cash Proceeds are received (or, in the case of a Prepayment Event described in clause (b) of the definition of the term “Prepayment Event”, on or before the next succeeding Business Day following the occurrence of such Prepayment Event), prepay the Revolving Credit Facility in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of the amount of such Net Cash Proceeds (such mandatory prepayments to be applied as set forth in clause (ii) below).

 

(ii) Each prepayment of the Revolving Credit Facility pursuant to Section 2.05(b)(i) and (vi) shall be applied to the Revolving Credit Facility (without permanent reduction of the Commitments except as provided in Section 2.06(a)(ii)) in the manner set forth in clause (iv) or clause (vii), as applicable, of this Section 2.05(b).

 

78

 

 

(iii) If (A) the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans exceeds the Revolving Funded Debt Sublimit in effect at such time, then, within two Business Days after receipt of such notice, the Borrower shall prepay Revolving Credit Loans in an aggregate amount sufficient to reduce such outstanding principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans as of such date of payment to an amount not to exceed the Revolving Funded Debt Sublimit then in effect, (B) the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower at any time that the Total Revolving Outstandings at such time exceed the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment in effect at such time, then, within two Business Days after receipt of such notice, the Borrower shall prepay Loans and/or Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations in an aggregate amount sufficient to reduce such Outstanding Amount as of such date of payment to an amount not to exceed the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment then in effect; provided, however, that the Borrower shall not be required to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations pursuant to this Section 2.05(b)(iii) unless, after the prepayment in full of the Revolving Credit Loans, the Total Revolving Outstandings exceed the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment then in effect or (C) the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower at any time that the Total L/C Outstandings at such time exceed the Aggregate L/C Sublimit in effect at such time, then, within two Business Days after receipt of such notice, the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations in an aggregate amount sufficient to reduce such Outstanding Amount as of such date of payment to an amount not to exceed the Aggregate L/C Sublimit then in effect. The Administrative Agent may, at any time and from time to time after the initial deposit of such Cash Collateral, request that additional Cash Collateral be provided in order to protect against the results of further exchange rate fluctuations.

 

(iv) Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.16 or clause (vii) below, prepayments of the Revolving Credit Facility made pursuant to this Section 2.05(b), first, shall be applied ratably to the L/C Borrowings, second, shall be applied ratably to the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans, and, third, shall be used to Cash Collateralize the remaining L/C Obligations in full; and, in the case of prepayments of the Revolving Credit Facility required pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 2.05(b), the amount remaining, if any, after the prepayment in full of all L/C Borrowings, and Revolving Credit Loans outstanding at such time and the Cash Collateralization of the remaining L/C Obligations in full may be retained by the Borrower for use in the ordinary course of its business. Upon the drawing of any Letter of Credit that has been Cash Collateralized, the funds held as Cash Collateral shall be applied (without any further action by or notice to or from the Borrower or any other Loan Party or any Defaulting Lender that has provided Cash Collateral) to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer or the applicable Lenders, as applicable.

 

79

 

 

(v) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any other provision of this Section 2.05(b), to the extent any mandatory prepayment required pursuant to Section 2.05(b)(i) (without giving effect to this Section 2.05(b)(v)) is attributable to a Prepayment Event by a Foreign Subsidiary of the Borrower or an Excluded Domestic Subsidiary, no such prepayment (or a portion thereof) shall be required to be made if such prepayment (or portion thereof, or dividend or distribution to facilitate such prepayment) shall, at the time it is required to be made, be prohibited by applicable Requirement of Law (including by reason of financial assistance, corporate benefit, restrictions on upstreaming or transfer of cash intra group and the fiduciary and statutory duties of the directors of relevant Subsidiaries), provided that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall make commercially reasonable efforts with respect to such Requirement of Law to permit such prepayment (or portion thereof, or dividend or distribution to facilitate such prepayment) in accordance therewith (it being understood that such efforts shall not require (x) any expenditure in excess of a nominal amount of funds or (y) modifications to the organizational or tax structure of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to permit such prepayment (or portion thereof, or dividend or distribution to facilitate such prepayment)). Notwithstanding anything in the preceding sentence to the contrary, in the event the limitations or restrictions described therein cease to apply to any prepayment (or portion thereof, or dividend or distribution to facilitate such prepayment) required under Section 2.05(b)(i), the Borrower shall make such prepayment in an amount equal to the lesser of (x) the amount of such prepayment previously required to have been made without having given effect to such limitations or restrictions and (y) the amount of cash and Cash Equivalents on hand at such time, in each case, less the amount by which the Net Cash Proceeds from the Prepayment Event were previously used for the permanent repayment of Indebtedness (including any reductions in commitments related thereto).

 

(vi) In the event, and on each occasion, at the close of any Business Day (the “Test Date”), the aggregate unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents (a) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries exceeds $45,000,000 or (b) of the Non-Loan Parties exceeds $40,000,000 (a “Trigger Event”), in either case for each of the preceding three Business Days, the Borrower shall prepay the Revolving Credit Loans in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of the amount of such excess such that after giving effect to such repayment, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and/or the Non-Loan Parties, as applicable, do not hold unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents in amounts in excess of the above (such mandatory prepayments to be applied as set forth in clause (ii) above) on or prior to (A) the first Business Day after the Test Date or (B) the third Business Day after the Test Date solely with respect to any cash held in a deposit account owned by a Foreign Subsidiary of the Borrower required to be used for such prepayment (each of such dates, a “Repayment Deadline”) .

 

80

 

 

2.06 Termination or Reduction of Commitments.

 

(a) Reductions.

 

(i) Optional. The Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, terminate the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment, the Tranche A-5 Term Loan Commitment, the Tranche A-7 Term Loan Commitment or the Term Loan Working Capital Commitment, or from time to time permanently reduce the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment, the Tranche A-5 Term Loan Commitment, the Tranche A-7 Term Loan Commitment or the Term Loan Working Capital Commitment; provided that (a) any such notice shall be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. five Business Days prior to the date of termination or reduction, (b) any such partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount of $10,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, (c) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Total Revolving Outstandings would exceed the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment, (d) if, after giving effect to any reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitment, the Alternative Currency Sublimit exceeds the amount of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment, such Sublimit shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such excess, (e) [reserved], (f) the Borrower shall have no right to terminate or reduce the Tranche A-5 Term Loan Commitment without the written consent of the Tranche A-5 Term Loan Lender and (g) the Borrower shall have no right to terminate or reduce the Tranche A-6 Term Loan Commitment prior to the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date, except the Aggregate Term Loan Working Capital Commitment as set forth in clause (ii) below. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, the amount of any such Revolving Credit Commitment reduction shall not be applied to the Alternative Currency Sublimit unless otherwise specified by the Borrower.

 

(ii) Mandatory. In the event, and on each occasion, that a Commitment Reduction Event occurs (after giving effect to any reinvestment period, and regardless of whether the Borrower is permitted to retain any or all of such Net Cash Proceeds thereof pursuant to the application of Section 2.05(b)(iv)), the Borrower shall, on or prior to the Business Day (x) the related prepayment is made (or, if not made, is required to be made) with respect to a Commitment Reduction Event described in clause (a) of the definition of “Commitment Reduction Amount” or (y) any other Commitment Reduction Event occurs, give notice thereof, and of the Commitment Reduction Amount with respect thereto (and shall clearly specify the portion of which is in connection with Recovery Events), to the Administrative Agent. Promptly (and in any event not later than the next succeeding Business Day) after receiving such notice, the Administrative Agent shall reduce (x) the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment by an amount equal to such applicable Commitment Reduction Amount and (y) the Aggregate Term Loan Working Capital Commitment by an amount equal to such applicable Commitment Reduction Amount.

 

81

 

 

(iii) Automatic. The Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments shall automatically and permanently be reduced on the below dates and in the corresponding amounts, without any notice or action of any of the Loan Parties or the Administrative Agent:

 

Date   Amount  
November 30, 2020   $ 10,000,000  
March 31, 2021   $ 5,000,000  
June 30, 2021   $ 5,000,000  
September 30, 2021   $ 5,000,000  
December 31, 2021   $ 5,000,000  
March 31, 2022   $ 5,000,000  

  

(iv) In connection with each such reduction under clauses (ii) and (iii) of this Section 2.06(a), the Borrower shall be required to prepay Revolving Credit Loans and, if the Revolving Credit Loans are paid in full, Cash Collateralize Letters of Credit to the extent that any such reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment would result in the Total Revolving Outstandings exceeding the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment (as so reduced), including any costs or expenses pursuant to Section 3.05. If, after giving effect to any such reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment, the Alternative Currency Sublimit, the Revolving Funded Debt Sublimit or the Aggregate L/C Sublimit exceeds the amount of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment, such sublimit shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such excess. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, the amount of any such Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment reduction shall not be applied to the Alternative Currency Sublimit, the Revolving Funded Debt Sublimit or the Aggregate L/C Sublimit unless otherwise specified by the Borrower.

 

82

 

 

(b) Application of Commitment Reductions; Payment of Fees.

 

(i) The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Lenders of any notice of (or mandatory) termination or reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment. Any reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment shall be applied to the Revolving Credit Commitment of each Lender according to its Applicable Percentage. All fees in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility accrued until the effective date of any termination of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment shall be paid on the effective date of such termination. Any reduction of the Aggregate Term Loan Working Capital Commitment shall be applied to the Term Loan Working Capital Commitment of each Lender according to its Applicable Percentage.

 

(ii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, a notice of termination of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments or the Aggregate Term Loan Commitments and the prepayment in full of the Loans in connection therewith may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, and if any notice so states it may be revoked by the Borrower by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date specified for the termination of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments or Aggregate Term Loan Commitments, as applicable, and such prepayment that the refinancing condition has not been met and the termination and prepayment is to be revoked, provided that the Borrower will continue to be responsible for any costs or expenses pursuant to Section 3.05 in connection with the failure to prepay Loans resulting from such revocation.

 

2.07 Repayment of Loans.

 

(a) Revolving Credit Loans. The Borrower shall repay to the Revolving Credit Lenders on the Revolving Credit Facility Maturity Date the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans made to the Borrower outstanding on such date.

 

(b) [Reserved].

 

(c) Term Loans. The Borrower shall repay to the Lenders on the Term Loan Facility Maturity Date the aggregate principal amount of all Term Loans made to the Borrower capitalized as principal outstanding on such date, subject to any subordination terms set forth herein.

 

83

 

 

2.08 Interest.

 

(a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) below, (i) each Eurocurrency Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the Eurocurrency Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Rate; (ii) each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate; and (iii) each Term Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Fixed Rate, including interest accrued under the Existing Credit Agreement on or prior to the Restatement Effective Date, other than the period from the Restatement Effective Date through and including December 31, 2020 (during which period each Term Loan Lender hereby waives the payment of interest payable under this Agreement, provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Term Loan Lenders may receive payments in lieu of such interest pursuant to the B. Riley Fee Letter, subject to the provisions of Article XI and any other subordination terms set forth herein).

 

(b) (i) If any amount of principal of any Loan is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law.

 

(ii) If any amount (other than principal of any Loan) payable by the Borrower under any Loan Document is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, then upon the request of the Required Lenders, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law.

 

(iii) Upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists (other than as set forth in clauses 2.08(b)(i) and (b)(ii) above), the Borrower shall pay interest on the principal amount of all outstanding Obligations hereunder at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law.

 

(iii) Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon the demand of the Administrative Agent.

 

84

 

 

(c) Interest (including interest accrued under the Existing Credit Agreement on or prior to the Restatement Effective Date) on each Loan (including each Revolving Credit Loan and each Term Loan) shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.

 

(d) Term Loan Interest Payments.

 

(i) [Reserved].

 

(ii) Upon and during the continuance of an Event of Default and until the occurrence of the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date, all interest with respect to the Term Loans, including such interest at the Default Rate, shall not be payable, provided that such interest shall continue to accrue.

 

2.09 Fees. In addition to certain fees described in subsections (h) and (i) of Section 2.03:

 

(a) Commitment Fee.

 

(i) The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender (subject to Section 2.16(a)(iii) with respect to Defaulting Lenders) in accordance with its Applicable Percentage, a commitment fee in Dollars equal to the Applicable Rate times the actual daily amount by which the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment exceeds the sum of (i) the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Credit Loans and (ii) the Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.16. The commitment fee with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility shall accrue at all times during the Availability Period with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility, including at any time during which one or more of the conditions in Article IV is not met, and shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the tenth Business Day after the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the Restatement Effective Date (and shall include payment of any commitment fees accrued under the Existing Credit Agreement on or prior to the Restatement Effective Date), and on the last day of the Availability Period for the Revolving Credit Facility.

 

(ii) The commitment fees set forth in clause (i) above shall be calculated quarterly in arrears, and if there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the actual daily amount shall be computed and multiplied by such Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect.

 

85

 

 

(b) Other Fees.

 

(i) The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for their own respective accounts, in Dollars, fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the Fee Letters. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.

 

(ii) Subject to the provisions of Article XI and any other subordination terms set forth herein, (x) the Borrower shall pay to the Lenders, in Dollars, such fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing in the amounts and at the times so specified and (y) such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.

 

(c) Amendment and Restatement Fees.

 

The Borrower agrees to pay, or cause to be paid, to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender, an amendment and restatement fee equal to (i) 75 basis points (0.75%) of the portion of the Revolving Credit Facility held by such consenting Revolving Credit Lender as of the Restatement Effective Date which fees shall be earned on the Restatement Effective Date and shall be payable in immediately available funds upon the Restatement Effective Date (the fees under this clause (i), the “Amendment and Restatement Effective Date Fees”) and (ii) 50 basis points (0.50%) of the portion of the Revolving Credit Facility held by each Revolving Credit Lender as of the Restatement Effective Date which fees shall be earned on the Restatement Effective Date and shall be payable on the last day of the Availability Period with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility.

 

(d) Existing Credit Agreement Fees.

 

Other fees owing and accruing under or in respect of the Existing Credit Agreement shall be paid in full in the amounts and at such times as set forth below, except to the extent explicitly waived herein:

 

(i) for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender, the “Deferred Facility Fee” (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) in the aggregate amount of $11,675,103.06 (and the Loan Parties and the Revolving Credit Lenders acknowledge and agree that the amount of the “Deferred Facility Fee” is equal to such amount) shall be payable on the last day of the Availability Period for the Revolving Credit Facility;

 

86

 

 

(ii) for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender who consented to that certain Amendment No. 6, dated as of April 10, 2018, by and among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders party thereto, and acknowledged and agreed by the Guarantors, the fees under Section 4(d)(i)(b) of such Amendment No. 6 in the aggregate amount of $540,000.00 (and the Loan Parties and the Revolving Credit Lenders acknowledge and agree that the amount of the fees under Section 4(d)(i)(b) of such Amendment No. 6 is equal to such amount) shall be payable on the last day of the Availability Period for the Revolving Credit Facility;

 

(iii) for the account of Vintage Capital Management, LLC, in its capacity as Tranche A-1 Term Loan Lender (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement), the fee under Section 2(b) of Amendment No. 11, dated as of October 4, 2018, by and among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders party thereto, and acknowledged and agreed by the Guarantors, in the aggregate amount of $120,000 shall be waived on a permanent basis (and Vintage Capital Management, LLC agrees to such waiver);

 

(iv) for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender, (x) the “Deferred Ticking Fees” (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) in the aggregate amount of $6,723,651.61 (and the Loan Parties and the Revolving Credit Lenders acknowledge and agree that the amount of the “Deferred Ticking Fees” is equal to such amount) and (y) the “Other Amendment Fees” (as defined in that certain Amendment No. 16, dated as of March 19, 2019, by and among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders party thereto, and acknowledged and agreed by the Guarantors) in the aggregate amount of $13,879,348.26 (and the Loan Parties and the Revolving Credit Lenders acknowledge and agree that the amount of the “Other Amendment Fees” is equal to such amount) for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender, shall be paid, waived on a permanent basis (and each Revolving Credit Lender agrees to such waiver) or maintained, as applicable, to be applied between the two fees in the Administrative Agent’s discretion, as follows:

 

(A) an amount equal to $11,602,999.87 shall be payable on the last day of the Availability Period with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility; provided that (x) $3,500,000 of the Deferred Ticking Fees and Other Amendment Fees (inclusive of any amount waived on November 30, 2020, March 31, 2021 and/or June 30, 2021 as set forth in clause (y) below) shall be waived if the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date occurs on or before June 30, 2021 and, (y) upon each automatic commitment reduction to the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments required under Section 2.06(a)(iii) for which (I) a corresponding amount of proceeds of Scheduled Term Loans are funded pursuant to Section 2.01F substantially contemporaneously therewith and received by the Borrower (or as such funding may be replaced with Net Cash Proceeds of the issuance of Stock or Stock Equivalents of the Borrower or contribution to the equity of the Borrower in accordance with Section 4.05(a)) and (II) no requirement to make any prepayment under Section 2.06(a)(iv) would result from such commitment reduction, an amount equal to 10% of such automatic commitment reduction will be waived on the date thereof; and

 

87

 

 

(B) the remainder of the outstanding Deferred Ticking Fees and Other Amendment Fees shall be payable on the last day of the Availability Period with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility; provided that the Deferred Ticking Fees and Other Amendment Fees shall be waived in the amounts set forth below, if the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date occurs on or before the date as set forth below:

 

Date   Aggregate Amount Waived  
June 30, 2021   $ 9,000,000.00  
July 31, 2021   $ 6,000,000.00  
August 31, 2021   $ 3,000,000.00  
September 30, 2021   $ 1,500,000.00  
October 31, 2021   $ 750,000.00  
November 30, 2021   $ 375,000.00  

 

2.10 Computation of Interest and Fees.

 

(a) All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans (including Base Rate Loans determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate) shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year). Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid, provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.12(a), bear interest for one day. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

 

(b) [reserved].

 

88

 

 

2.11 Evidence of Debt.

 

(a) The Credit Extensions made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by the Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of business. The accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Credit Extensions made by the Lenders to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. Promptly after the request of any Lender to the Borrower made through the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Administrative Agent) a Note, which shall evidence such Lender’s Loans to the Borrower in addition to such accounts or records. Each Lender may attach schedules to a Note and endorse thereon the date, Type (if applicable), amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.

 

(b) In addition to the accounts and records referred to in subsection (a), each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Lender of participations in Letters of Credit. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by the Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Lender in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.

 

89

 

 

2.12 Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback.

 

(a) General. All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made free and clear and without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrower hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the Administrative Agent’s Office in Dollars and in Same Day Funds not later than 2:00 p.m. on the date specified herein, except to the extent any such payment is to be paid-in-kind pursuant to Section 2.08(d). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent may require that any payments due under this Agreement be made in the United States. The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its Applicable Percentage (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender’s Lending Office. All payments received by the Administrative Agent or the applicable L/C Issuer after 2:00 p.m. shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. If any payment to be made by the Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.

 

(b) (i) Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Revolving Credit Lender prior to the proposed date of any Revolving Credit Borrowing of Eurocurrency Rate Loans (or, in the case of any Revolving Credit Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, prior to (A) 12:00 noon on the date of such Revolving Credit Borrowing if such Revolving Credit Borrowing is to be made on a Business Day other than the date the Administrative Agent received the applicable Committed Loan Notice with respect to such Revolving Credit Borrowing and (B) 2:00 p.m. on the date of such Revolving Credit Borrowing if such Revolving Credit Borrowing is to be made on the same Business Day as the date the Administrative Agent received the applicable Committed Loan Notice with respect to such Revolving Credit Borrowing) that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Revolving Credit Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.02 (or, in the case of a Revolving Credit Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, that such Lender has made such share available in accordance with and at the time required by Section 2.02) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Revolving Credit Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in Same Day Funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the Overnight Rate, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing, and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans. If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

 

90

 

 

(ii) Payments by Borrower; Presumptions by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the time at which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Revolving Credit Lenders or the applicable L/C Issuer hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the applicable L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Revolving Credit Lenders or the applicable L/C Issuer, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or such L/C Issuer, in Same Day Funds 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 Overnight Rate.

 

A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or the Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this subsection (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

 

(c) Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent. If any Lender makes available to the Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender to the Borrower as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Article II, and such funds are not made available to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent because the conditions to the applicable Credit Extension set forth in Article IV are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.

 

91

 

 

(d) Obligations of Lenders Several. The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Term Loans and Revolving Credit Loans, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and to make payments pursuant to Section 10.04(c) are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan, to fund any such participation or to make any payment under Section 10.04(c) on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan, to purchase its participation or to make its payment under Section 10.04(c).

 

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

 

(f) Insufficient Funds. Subject to the application of Section 8.03 by its terms, if at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, L/C Borrowings, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, toward payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, toward payment of principal and L/C Borrowings then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and L/C Borrowings then due to such parties; provided that no payments may be made to the Term Loan Lenders pursuant to this clause (f) until the occurrence of the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date.

 

2.13 Sharing of Payments by Lenders. Subject to the turnover provisions set forth in Section 11.02, if 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 the Revolving Credit Loans or Term Loans made by it, or the participations in L/C Obligations held by it resulting in such Lender’s receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of such Revolving Credit Loans, Term Loans or participations and accrued interest thereon greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Revolving Credit Loans or Term Loans and subparticipations in L/C Obligations of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Revolving Credit Loans, Term Loans and other amounts owing them, provided that:

 

(i) if any such participations or subparticipations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations or subparticipations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and

 

92

 

 

(ii) the provisions of this Section shall not be construed to apply to (x) any payment made by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including the application of funds arising from the existence of a Defaulting Lender or the B. Riley Limited Guaranty), (y) the application of Cash Collateral provided for in Section 2.15, or (z) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or subparticipations in L/C Obligations to any assignee or participant, other than an assignment to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this Section shall apply).

 

The 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 the Borrower rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

 

2.14 [Reserved].

 

2.15 Cash Collateral.

 

(a) Certain Credit Support Events. If (i) as of the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, any L/C Obligation for any reason remains outstanding, (ii) the Borrower shall be required to provide Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 8.02(c), or (iii) there shall exist a Defaulting Lender with a Revolving Credit Commitment, the Borrower shall immediately (in the case of clause (ii) above) or within one Business Day (in all other cases) (or such longer period of time permitted by the Administrative Agent and the applicable L/C Issuer) following any request by the Administrative Agent or the applicable L/C Issuer, provide Cash Collateral in an amount not less than the applicable Minimum Collateral Amount (determined in the case of Cash Collateral provided pursuant to clause (iii) above, after giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv) and any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender). If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that any funds held as Cash Collateral pursuant to the preceding sentence are subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent or that the total amount of such funds is less than the applicable Minimum Collateral Amount as required by the preceding sentence, the Borrower will, forthwith upon demand by the Administrative Agent, pay to the Administrative Agent, as additional funds to be deposited as Cash Collateral, an amount equal to the excess of (x) such applicable Minimum Collateral Amount over (y) the total amount of funds, if any, then held as Cash Collateral that the Administrative Agent determines to be free and clear of any such right and claim. Upon the drawing of any Letter of Credit for which funds are on deposit as Cash Collateral, such funds shall be applied, to the extent permitted under applicable Laws, to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer.

 

93

 

 

(b) Grant of Security Interest. All Cash Collateral (other than credit support not constituting funds subject to deposit) shall be maintained in blocked, non-interest bearing (unless otherwise agreed by the depositary) deposit accounts at the Administrative Agent or the relevant L/C Issuer, as applicable. To the extent provided by the Borrower, the Borrower, and to the extent provided by any Lender, such Lender, hereby grants to (and subjects to the control of) the relevant L/C Issuer or to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Revolving Credit Lenders, as applicable, and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein, and all other property so provided as collateral pursuant to this Section 2.15, and in all proceeds of the foregoing, all as security for the obligations to which such Cash Collateral may be applied pursuant to Section 2.15(c). If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent or the applicable L/C Issuer as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the Minimum Collateral Amount, the Borrower or the relevant Defaulting Lender will, promptly (but in any event within five Business Days) after demand by the Administrative Agent, pay or provide to the Administrative Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency. The Borrower shall pay on demand therefor from time to time all customary account opening, activity and other administrative fees and charges in connection with the maintenance and disbursement of Cash Collateral.

 

(c) Application. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under any of this Section 2.15 or Sections 2.03, 2.05, 2.16 or 8.02 in respect of Letters of Credit shall be held and applied to the satisfaction of the specific L/C Obligations, obligations to fund participations therein (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) and other obligations for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may be provided for herein.

 

94

 

 

(d) Release. Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce Fronting Exposure or to secure other obligations shall be released promptly following (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure or other obligations giving rise thereto (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender (or, as appropriate, its assignee following compliance with Section 10.06(b)(vi))) or (ii) the Administrative Agent’s and the applicable L/C Issuer’s good faith determination that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided that (x) Cash Collateral furnished by or on behalf of a Loan Party shall not be released during the continuance of a Default (and following application as provided in this Section 2.15 may be otherwise applied in accordance with Section 8.03), and (y) the Person providing Cash Collateral and the L/C Issuer, as applicable, may agree that Cash Collateral shall not be released but instead held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations.

 

2.16 Defaulting Lenders.

 

(a) Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law:

 

(i) Waivers and Amendments. Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definition of “Required Lenders,”, “Required Term Lenders” and Section 10.01.

 

(ii) Defaulting Lender Waterfall. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VIII or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 10.08 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the L/C Issuer hereunder; third, to Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuer’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.15; fourth, as the Borrower may request (so long as no 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, to be held in a non-interest bearing (unless otherwise agreed by the depositary) 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 L/C Issuer’s future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with Section 2.15; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the L/C Issuer as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, the L/C Issuer against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh, so long as no Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; 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 L/C Borrowings in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.03 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and L/C Obligations owed to, all non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or L/C Obligations owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in L/C Obligations are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Commitments hereunder without giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv). 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 2.16(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

 

95

 

 

(iii) Certain Fees.

 

(A) No Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any commitment fee or facility fee payable under Section 2.09(a) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender).

 

(B) Each Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive Letter of Credit Fees for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its Applicable Percentage of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.15.

 

(C) With respect to any Letter of Credit Fee not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (B) above, the Borrower shall (x) pay to each non-Defaulting Lender that portion of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations that has been reallocated to such non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (iv) below, (y) pay to the applicable L/C Issuer the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such L/C Issuer’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (z) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.

 

(iv) Reallocation of Applicable Percentages to Reduce Fronting Exposure. All or any part of such Defaulting Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders that are Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) but only to the extent that such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of any non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment. No reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation.

 

(b) Defaulting Lender Cure. If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender (except that during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Borrower’s agreement shall not be required and the agreement of the L/C Issuer shall not be necessary with respect to a Term Loan Lender), the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages (without giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv)), whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

 

96

 

 

ARTICLE III

 

TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

 

3.01 Taxes.

 

(a) L/C Issuer. For purposes of this Section 3.01, the term “Lender” includes any L/C Issuer and the term “Requirements of Law” includes FATCA.

 

(b) Payments Free of Taxes; Obligation to Withhold; Payments on Account of Taxes.

 

(i) 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 Requirements of Law. If any applicable Requirements of Law (as determined in the good faith discretion of the Administrative Agent) require the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by the Administrative Agent or a Loan Party, then the Administrative Agent or such Loan Party shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding, upon the basis of the information and documentation to be delivered pursuant to subsection (f) below.

 

(ii) If any Loan Party or the Administrative Agent shall be required by the Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes, including both United States Federal backup withholding and withholding taxes, from any payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document, then (A) the Administrative Agent shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined in the good faith discretion of the Administrative Agent to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to subsection (f) below, (B) the Administrative Agent shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with the Code, and (C) to the extent that the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after any required withholding or the making of all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.01) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction for Indemnified Taxes been made.

 

97

 

 

(iii) If any Loan Party or the Administrative Agent shall be required by any applicable Requirements of Law other than the Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes from any payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document, then (A) such Loan Party or the Administrative Agent, as required by such Requirements of Law as determined in the good faith discretion of such Loan Party or the Administrative Agent (as applicable), shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined by it to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to subsection (f) below, (B) such Loan Party or the Administrative Agent, to the extent required by such Requirements of Law, shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with such Requirements of Law, and (C) to the extent that the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after any required withholding or the making of all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.01) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction for Indemnified Taxes been made.

 

(c) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower. The Loan Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Requirements of Law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.

 

(d) Tax Indemnifications. (i) Each of the Loan Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient, within 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 3.01) 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 (setting forth in reasonable detail the basis and calculation of such payment or liability) delivered to the Borrower 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. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, the Loan Parties are not indemnifying any Person for Excluded Taxes, except to the extent provided in the immediately succeeding sentence. Each of the Loan Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for any amount which a Lender for any reason fails to pay indefeasibly to the Administrative Agent as required pursuant to Section 3.01(d)(ii) below. Upon making such payment to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall be subrogated to the rights of the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 3.01(d)(ii) below against the applicable defaulting Lender (other than the right of set off pursuant to the last sentence of Section 3.01(d)(ii)).

 

98

 

 

(ii) Each Lender shall, and does hereby, severally indemnify, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, (x) the Administrative Agent against 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), (y) the Administrative Agent and the Loan Parties, as applicable, against any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 10.06(d) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Loan Parties, as applicable, against any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent or a Loan Party 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 set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this clause (ii).

 

(e) Evidence of Payments. Upon request by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, after any payment of Taxes by the Borrower or by the Administrative Agent to a Governmental Authority as provided in this Section 3.01, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent or the Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Borrower, as the case may be, the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of any return required by Requirements of Law to report such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be.

 

99

 

 

(f) Status of Lenders; Tax Documentation.

 

(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 and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower 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 or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by Requirements of Law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower 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 3.01(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,

 

(A) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower 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 or the Administrative Agent), and the Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Borrower on or prior to the date it becomes the Administrative Agent under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower), properly completed and executed originals of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender (or the Administrative Agent, as applicable) 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 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 or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

  

  (I) 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, properly completed and executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN or 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, properly completed and executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN or 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;

 

100

 

 

  (II) properly completed and executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI;
     
  (III) 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 H-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is neither a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, nor a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) properly completed and executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable; or
     
  (IV) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, properly completed and executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H-2 or Exhibit H-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 H-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

 

(C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower 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 or the Administrative Agent), properly completed and executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable Requirements of 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 Requirements of Law to permit the Borrower 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 and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by Requirements of Law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable Requirements of Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower 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.

 

(iii) Each Lender and the Administrative Agent agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered pursuant to this Section 3.01 expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

 

101

 

 

(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 3.01 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.01), 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 subsection (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 subsection (g), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this subsection (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 indemnification payments or additional amounts giving rise to such refund had never been paid. This subsection (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.

 

(h) Survival. Each party’s obligations under this Section 3.01 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other Obligations.

 

3.02 Illegality. If any Lender determines that any Requirement of Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurocurrency Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the applicable interbank market, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, (a) any obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurocurrency Rate Loans or to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be suspended, and (b) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender making or maintaining Base Rate Loans the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate, the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate, in each case until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, (x) the Borrower shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, convert all Eurocurrency Rate Loans of such Lender to Base Rate Loans (the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Rate Loans and (y) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the Eurocurrency Rate, the Administrative Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Base Rate applicable to such Lender without reference to the Eurocurrency Rate component thereof until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurocurrency Rate. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.

 

102

 

 

3.03 Inability to Determine Rates.

 

(a) If in connection with any request for a Eurocurrency Rate Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof, (i) the Administrative Agent determines that (A) Dollar deposits are not being offered to banks in the London interbank eurodollar market for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such Eurocurrency Rate Loan or (B)(x) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the Eurocurrency Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurocurrency Rate Loan or in connection with an existing or proposed Base Rate Loan and (y) the circumstances described in Section 3.03(c)(i) do not apply (in each case with respect to this clause (a), “Impacted Loans”), or (ii) the Required Lenders determine that for any reason the Eurocurrency Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurocurrency Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender. Thereafter, (x) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be suspended (to the extent of the affected Eurocurrency Rate Loans or Interest Periods), and (y) in the event of a determination described in the preceding sentence with respect to the Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate, the utilization of the Eurocurrency Rate component in determining the Base Rate shall be suspended, in each case until the Administrative Agent (upon the instruction of the Required Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans (to the extent of the affected Eurocurrency Rate Loans or Interest Periods) or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Revolving Credit Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein.

 

103

 

 

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Administrative Agent has made the determination described in clause (a)(i) of this Section, the Administrative Agent, with the consent of the Borrower and in consultation with the affected Lenders, may establish an alternative interest rate for the Impacted Loans, in which case, such alternative rate of interest shall apply with respect to the Impacted Loans until (1) the Administrative Agent revokes the notice delivered with respect to the Impacted Loans under clause (a) of the first sentence of this Section, (2) the Administrative Agent or the affected Lenders notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that such alternative interest rate does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding the Impacted Loans, or (3) any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for such Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to such alternative rate of interest or to determine or charge interest rates based upon such rate or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to do any of the foregoing and provides the Administrative Agent and the Borrower written notice thereof.

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Documents, if the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error), or the Borrower or Required Lenders notify the Administrative Agent (with, in the case of the Required Lenders, a copy to Borrower) that the Borrower or Required Lenders (as applicable) have determined, that:

 

(i) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining LIBOR for any requested Interest Period, including, without limitation, because the LIBOR Screen Rate is not available or published on a current basis and such circumstances are unlikely to be temporary; or

 

(ii) the administrator of the LIBOR Screen Rate or a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which LIBOR or the LIBOR Screen Rate shall no longer be made available, or used for determining the interest rate of loans, provided that, at the time of such statement, there is no successor administrator that is satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, that will continue to provide LIBOR after such specific date (such specific date, the “Scheduled Unavailability Date”), or

 

104

 

 

(iii) syndicated loans in the U.S. market currently being executed, or that include language similar to that contained in this Section, are being executed or amended (as applicable) to incorporate or adopt a new benchmark interest rate to replace LIBOR, then, reasonably promptly after such determination by the Administrative Agent or receipt by the Administrative Agent of such notice, as applicable, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may amend this Agreement to replace LIBOR with (x) one or more SOFR-Based Rates or (y) another alternate benchmark rate, giving due consideration to any evolving or then existing convention for similar U.S. dollar denominated syndicated credit facilities for such alternative benchmarks and, in each case, including any mathematical or other adjustments to such benchmark giving due consideration to any evolving or then existing convention for similar U.S. dollar denominated syndicated credit facilities for such benchmarks, which adjustment or method for calculating such adjustment shall be published on an information service as selected by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its reasonable discretion and may be periodically updated (the “Adjustment;” and any such proposed rate, a “LIBOR Successor Rate”), and any such amendment shall become effective at 5:00 p.m. (New York time) on the fifth Business Day after the Administrative Agent shall have posted such proposed amendment to all Lenders and the Borrower unless, prior to such time, Lenders comprising the Required Lenders have delivered to the Administrative Agent written notice that such Required Lenders (A) in the case of an amendment to replace LIBOR with a rate described in clause (x), object to the Adjustment; or (B) in the case of an amendment to replace LIBOR with a rate described in clause (y), object to such amendment; provided that for the avoidance of doubt, in the case of clause (A), the Required Lenders shall not be entitled to object to any SOFR-Based Rate contained in any such amendment.

 

If no LIBOR Successor Rate has been determined and the circumstances under clause (i) above exist or the Scheduled Unavailability Date has occurred (as applicable), the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender. Thereafter, (x) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be suspended, (to the extent of the affected Eurocurrency Rate Loans or Interest Periods), and (y) the Eurocurrency Rate component shall no longer be utilized in determining the Base Rate. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans (to the extent of the affected Eurocurrency Rate Loans or Interest Periods) or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Committed Borrowing of Base Rate Loans (subject to the foregoing clause (y)) in the amount specified therein.

 

Notwithstanding anything else herein, any definition of LIBOR Successor Rate shall provide that in no event shall such LIBOR Successor Rate be less than zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

105

 

 

In connection with the implementation of a LIBOR Successor Rate, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make LIBOR Successor Rate Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such LIBOR Successor Rate Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement.

 

For the purposes hereof, “LIBOR Screen Rate” means the LIBOR quote on the applicable screen page the Administrative Agent designates to determine LIBOR (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time).

 

For purposes hereof, “LIBOR Successor Rate Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any proposed LIBOR Successor Rate, any conforming changes to the definition of Base Rate, Interest Period, timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest and other administrative or operational matters as may be appropriate, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, to reflect the adoption and implementation of such LIBOR Successor Rate and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent determines that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or that no market practice for the administration of such LIBOR Successor Rate exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent determines in consultation with the Borrower).

 

For the purposes hereof, “Relevant Governmental Body” means the Federal Reserve Board and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for the purpose of recommending a benchmark rate to replace LIBOR in loan agreements similar to this Agreement.

 

For the purposes hereof, SOFR with respect to any day means the secured overnight financing rate published for such day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as the administrator of the benchmark (or a successor administrator) on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s website (or any successor source) and, in each case, that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body.

 

For the purposes hereof, “SOFR-Based Rate” means SOFR or Term SOFR.

 

For the purposes hereof, Term SOFR means the forward-looking term rate for any period that is approximately (as determined by the Administrative Agent) as long as any of the Interest Period options set forth in the definition of “Interest Period” and that is based on SOFR and that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body, in each case as published on an information service as selected by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its reasonable discretion.

 

Without prejudice to any other provision of this Agreement, each Loan Party acknowledges and agrees for the benefit of each of the other parties: (a) LIBOR (i) may be subject to methodological or other changes which could affect its value, (ii) may not comply with applicable laws and regulations (such as the Regulation (EU) 2016/1011 of the European Parliament and of the Council, as amended (EU Benchmarks Regulation)) and/or (iii) may be permanently discontinued; and (b) the occurrence of any of the aforementioned events and/or the replacement of LIBOR with a LIBOR Successor Rate may have adverse consequences which may materially impact the economics of the financing transactions contemplated under this Agreement.

 

106

 

 

3.04 Increased Costs; Reserves on Eurocurrency Rate Loans.

 

(a) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:

 

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement contemplated by Section 3.04(e)) or the L/C Issuer;

 

(ii) subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) 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; or

 

(iii) impose on any Lender or the L/C Issuer or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Eurocurrency Rate Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein; and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making, converting to or continuing or maintaining any Loan the interest on which is determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender or the L/C Issuer of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or the L/C Issuer hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

107

 

 

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

 

(c) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender or the L/C Issuer setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this Section 3.04 and delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

 

(d) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the L/C Issuer to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.04 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.04 for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than nine months prior to the date that such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the nine-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

 

108

 

 

(e) Additional Reserve Requirements. The Borrower shall pay to each Lender, (i) as long as such Lender shall be required to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency funds or deposits, additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurocurrency Rate Loan equal to the actual costs of such reserves allocated to such Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), and (ii) as long as such Lender shall be required to comply with any reserve ratio requirement or analogous requirement of any other central banking or financial regulatory authority imposed in respect of the maintenance of the Commitments or the funding of the Eurocurrency Rate Loans, such additional costs (expressed as a percentage per annum and rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest five decimal places) equal to the actual costs allocated to such Commitment or Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), which in each case shall be due and payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan, provided the Borrower shall have received at least 10 days’ prior notice (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of such additional interest or costs from such Lender. If a Lender fails to give notice 10 days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest or costs shall be due and payable 10 days from receipt of such notice, provided that, with respect to interest payable on any Interest Payment Date, the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.04(e) for any reserves (or analogous amount) suffered by such Lender more than four months prior to such Interest Payment Date.

 

3.05 Compensation for Losses. Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) from time to time, the Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:

 

(a) any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise);

 

109

 

 

(b) any failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower;

 

(c) any failure by the Borrower to make payment of any drawing under any Letter of Credit (or interest due thereon) denominated in an Alternative Currency on its scheduled due date or any payment thereof in a different currency; or

 

(d) any assignment of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 10.13; including any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan, or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained, but excluding any loss of profits or margin. The Borrower shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing. A certificate of a Lender setting forth the amount of any such loss, cost or expense provided for in this Section and delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the Lenders under this Section 3.05, each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each Eurocurrency Rate Loan made by it at the Eurocurrency Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the offshore interbank market for such currency for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Eurocurrency Rate Loan was in fact so funded.

 

3.06 Mitigation Obligations. Each Lender may make any Credit Extension to the Borrower through any Lending Office, provided that the exercise of this option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Credit Extension in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or any additional amount to any Lender, the L/C Issuer, or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 3.01, or if any Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 3.02, then at the request of the Borrower such Lender or the L/C Issuer shall, as applicable, 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 or the L/C Issuer, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.04, as the case may be, in the future, or eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 3.02, as applicable, and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender or the L/C Issuer in connection with any such designation or assignment.

 

110

 

 

3.07 Survival. All of the Borrower’s obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of the Aggregate Commitments, repayment of all other Obligations hereunder, and resignation of the Administrative Agent.

 

3.08 No Payment to Term Loan Lenders. Notwithstanding the above, until the occurrence of the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date, no amounts (or portion thereof) owing pursuant to this Article III shall be paid to any Term Loan Lender or Affiliate thereof (and no Default or Event of Default shall occur as a result of such non-payment), provided that such amounts may accrue.

 

ARTICLE IV
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS

 

4.01 Conditions of Restatement Effective Date. The effectiveness of this Agreement and the occurrence of the Restatement Effective Date is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

 

(a) the Administrative Agent’s receipt of the following, each of which shall be originals, telecopies or electronic images (e.g., “pdf” or “tif”) (followed promptly by originals) unless otherwise specified, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower (to the extent applicable), each dated the Restatement Effective Date (or, in the case of certificates of governmental officials, a recent date before the Restatement Effective Date) and each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders:

 

(i) executed counterparts of the Amendment and Restatement Agreement, sufficient in number for distribution to the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Borrower;

 

(ii) a Note executed by the Borrower in favor of each Lender requesting a Note;

 

(iii) the B. Riley Limited Guaranty properly executed by B. Riley Financial, Inc. and acknowledged and agreed by the Administrative Agent and the Loan Parties;

 

111

 

 

(iv) a certificate of the secretary or assistant secretary of each of (i) the Loan Parties that are Domestic Subsidiaries, (ii) the Canadian Guarantor and (iii) Babcock & Wilcox De Monterrey, S.A. DE C.V., certifying and confirming that (i) attached thereto is a true, correct and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the board of directors (or similar governing body) of each such Loan Party, authorizing (or ratifying, as applicable) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party, or is to be, a party, and that such resolutions have not been amended, rescinded or otherwise modified and are in full force and effect in the form adopted; (ii) attached thereto is a true, correct and complete copy of the certificate of incorporation or certificate of formation (or the equivalent organizational documents) of each such Loan Party, together with any amendments thereto, and that the certified charter has not been revoked, amended, rescinded or modified and remains in full force and effect as of the date thereof; (iii) attached thereto is a true, correct, and complete copy of the bylaws, partnership agreement or operation agreement (or the equivalent governing documentation) of each such Loan Party, together with any amendments thereto, and that the bylaws have not been revoked, amended, rescinded or modified and remain in full force and effect as of the date hereof; and (iv) attached thereto is a true, correct and complete list of names, offices and true signatures of the duly qualified, acting and elected or appointed officers of each such Loan Party authorized to sign the Loan Documents to which the such Loan Party is, or is to be, a party and the other agreements, instruments and documents to be delivered by such Loan Party pursuant to the Amendment and the Loan Documents;

 

(v) such documents and certifications as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require to evidence that each Loan Party that is a Domestic Subsidiary is duly organized or formed, validly existing, and in good standing in its jurisdiction of organization;

 

(vi) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower either (A) attaching copies of all consents, licenses and approvals required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower and the validity against the Borrower of this Agreement, and such consents, licenses and approvals shall be in full force and effect or (B) stating that no such consents licenses or approvals are so required;

 

(vii) a certificate of the chief financial officer or treasurer of the Borrower certifying that as of the Restatement Effective Date (A) all of the representations and warranties (i) in this Agreement and (ii) of each Loan Party in each other Loan Document are true and correct in all material respects (or, to the extent any such representation and warranty is modified by a materiality or Material Adverse Effect standard, in all respects) as of such date (except to the extent that such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, to the extent any such representation and warranty is modified by a materiality or Material Adverse Effect standard, in all respects) as of such earlier date) and (B) no Default or Event of Default shall exist, or would result from the occurrence of the Restatement Effective Date;

 

112

 

 

(viii) a solvency certificate, executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, which, among other things, shall certify that the Borrower will be Solvent immediately before and after the occurrence of the Restatement Effective Date;

 

(ix) the affirmations of Security Instruments and Guaranty to be entered into by each Foreign Security Provider and First-Tier Foreign Subsidiaries and each other similar document necessary or reasonably advisable under Canadian, Mexican, English or Luxembourg law; and

 

(x) [reserved];

 

(b) the Administrative Agent shall have received a funds flow memorandum, detailing the flow of funds on the Restatement Effective Date in form and substance reasonable satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

 

(c) Each Revolving Credit Lender shall have received, evidence satisfactory to each Lender of flood insurance as may be required to comply with the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 and the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Act of 2012, in form and substance satisfactory to each Revolving Credit Lender;

 

(d) the Administrative Agent shall have received favorable opinions of (i) (A) King & Spalding LLP, counsel to the Loan Parties, (B) John J. Dziewisz, internal counsel to the Borrower, (B) Norton Rose Fulbright LLP, local Canada counsel to certain of the Loan Parties, (C) Stewart McKelvey as local counsel in the province of Novia Scotia, and (D) Cornejo, Méndez, González y Duarte, S.C., local Mexico counsel to certain of the Loan Parties, in each case addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and addressing such matters concerning the Loan Parties, this Agreement and the Loan Documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request and (ii) Sullivan & Cromwell, as counsel to B. Riley Financial, Inc. with respect to the B. Riley Limited Guaranty;

 

(e) each Revolving Credit Lender shall have received a satisfactory environmental assessment as may be required by each such Revolving Credit Lender;

 

113

 

 

(f) the Administrative Agent shall be satisfied with compliance under any applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act;

 

(g) without prejudice to, or limiting the Borrower’s obligations under, Section 10.04 (Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver) of this Agreement, all outstanding fees, costs and expenses due to the Administrative Agent and the Revolving Credit Lenders, including on account of Freshfields Bruckhaus Derringer LLP and FTI Consulting, shall have been paid in full to the extent that the Borrower has received an invoice therefor (with reasonable and customary supporting documentation) at least two Business Days prior to the Restatement Effective Date (without prejudice to any post-closing settlement of such fees, costs and expenses to the extent not so invoiced);

 

(h) the Administrative Agent shall have received in immediately available funds the Amendment and Restatement Effective Date Fees to apply to the account of each Revolving Credit Lender;

 

(i) the termination of the that certain letter regarding the backstop financing commitment, dated January 31, 2020 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the date hereof), between the Borrower and B. Riley Financial, Inc; and

 

(j) all outstanding fees, costs and expenses due to B. Riley Financial, Inc. on account of Sullivan & Cromwell, LLP, shall have been paid in full to the extent that the Borrower has received an invoice therefor (with reasonable and customary supporting documentation) at least two Business Days prior to the Restatement Effective Date (without prejudice, but subject to Article XI and any other subordination terms set forth herein, to any post-closing settlement of such fees, costs and expenses to the extent not so invoiced). Without limiting the generality of the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 9.03, for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 4.01, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Restatement Effective Date specifying its objection thereto.

 

114

 

 

4.02 [Reserved].

 

4.03 Conditions to Revolving Credit Extensions. The obligation of each Revolving Credit Lender or L/C Issuer to honor any Request for Credit Extension with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility (other than a Committed Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type, or a continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans) is subject to the following conditions precedent:

 

(a) The representations and warranties of (i) the Borrower contained in Article V and (ii) each Loan Party contained in each other Loan Document or in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, with respect to representations and warranties modified by a materiality or Material Adverse Effect standard, in all respects) on and as of the date of such Credit Extension, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, with respect to representations and warranties modified by a materiality or Material Adverse Effect standard, in all respects) as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes of this Section 4.03, the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.04 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01.

 

(b) No Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Credit Extension or the application of the proceeds thereof.

 

(c) The Administrative Agent and, if applicable, the L/C Issuer shall have received a Request for Credit Extension in accordance with the requirements hereof.

 

(d) In the case of an L/C Credit Extension to be denominated in an Alternative Currency, there shall not have occurred any change in national or international financial, political or economic conditions or currency exchange rates or exchange controls which in the reasonable opinion of the applicable L/C Issuer would make it impracticable for such L/C Credit Extension to be denominated in the relevant Alternative Currency.

 

115

 

 

(e) (i) Unless compliance is suspended for such Fiscal Quarter, The Borrower shall be in pro forma compliance with the Senior Leverage Ratio level in effect for the Fiscal Quarter most recently tested calculated as if such Credit Extension had occurred on the first day of the four full Fiscal Quarters ending on or prior to such day for which the financial statements and certificates required by Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b) have been delivered (including pro forma application of the proceeds of such Credit Extension) as of the date of such Request for Credit Extension, (ii) no Trigger Event would result from such Credit Extension (including pro forma application of the proceeds of such Credit Extension) and no Repayment Deadline exists and (iii) Liquidity, as of the Business Day immediately prior to each of (x) the date of the applicable Committed Loan Notice and (y) the proposed date of the Credit Extension (which may be confirmed by electronic mail notice), shall not be, after giving pro forma effect to the application of proceeds of the good faith intended use of such Credit Extension, less than $30,000,000 Each Request for Credit Extension (other than a Committed Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type or a continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans) submitted by the Borrower (or with respect to a Letter of Credit Application, any Permitted L/C Party) shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty of the Borrower that the conditions specified in Sections 4.03(a), (b) and (e) have been satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Credit Extension.

 

4.04 Conditions to Tranche A-5 Term Loan Borrowing. A deemed Tranche A-5 Term Loan Borrowing is subject to the following condition precedent:

 

(a) The Administrative Agent shall have received a Request for Credit Extension in accordance with the requirements hereof.

 

4.05 Conditions to Tranche A-6 Term Loan Borrowing.

 

The obligation of each Tranche A-6 Term Loan Lender to honor each Tranche A-6 Term Loan Borrowing for Scheduled Term Loans or Working Capital Term Loans is subject to the following condition precedent:

 

(a) The Administrative Agent shall have received a Request for Credit Extension in accordance with the requirements hereof; provided that the aggregate principal amount of all Term Loan Borrowings of Scheduled Term Loans (other than the Term Loan Borrowing scheduled for the Restatement Effective Date) may be reduced if, and only to the extent that, (x) the Borrower shall have received after the Restatement Effective Date Net Cash Proceeds of the issuance of Stock or Stock Equivalents of the Borrower or contribution to the equity of the Borrower (other than the issuance of, or on account of, Disqualified Stock) on terms satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (y) the Administrative Agent shall have received at least five (5) Business Day prior to any such scheduled date a certificate of a Responsible Officer certifying that the Borrower has received such Net Cash Proceeds and the amounts and date of receipt thereof and the Borrower is electing to reduce the principal amount the Term Loan Borrowing of Scheduled Term Loans with respect to such scheduled date in such amount (a “Scheduled Loan Principal Reduction Certificate”).

 

116

 

 

4.06 Conditions to Tranche A-7 Term Loan Borrowing. A deemed Tranche A-7 Term Loan Borrowing is subject to the following condition precedent:

 

(a) The Administrative Agent shall have received a Request for Credit Extension in accordance with the requirements hereof.

 

ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

To induce the Revolving Credit Lenders, the L/C Issuers and the Administrative Agent to enter into this Agreement, the Borrower represents and warrants each of the following to the Revolving Credit Lenders, the L/C Issuers and the Administrative Agent (and after the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date, the Term Loan Lenders), on and as of the Restatement Effective Date and the making of Credit Extensions after the Restatement Effective Date and on and as of each date as required by Section 4.03 or on any other date required by any Loan Document (with references in this Article V (other than Sections 5.03, 5.04 and 5.05) to “Subsidiaries” to exclude Captive Insurance Subsidiaries):

 

5.01 Corporate Existence, Compliance with Law. Each of the Borrower and the Borrower’s Subsidiaries (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where such qualification is necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect, (c) has all requisite corporate or other organizational power and authority and the legal right to own, pledge, mortgage and operate its properties, to lease the property it operates under lease and to conduct its business as now or currently proposed to be conducted, (d) is in compliance with its Constituent Documents, (e) is in compliance with all applicable Requirements of Law except where the failure to be in compliance would not, in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect and (f) has all necessary licenses, permits, consents or approvals from or by, has made all necessary filings with, and has given all necessary notices to, each Governmental Authority having jurisdiction, to the extent required for such ownership, operation and conduct, except for licenses, permits, consents, approvals, filings or notices that can be obtained or made by the taking of ministerial action to secure the grant or transfer thereof or the failure of which to obtain or make would not, in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

117

 

 

5.02 Corporate Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations.

 

(a) The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby:

 

(i) are within such Loan Party’s corporate, limited liability company, partnership or other organizational powers;

 

(ii) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, limited liability company or partnership action, including the consent of shareholders, partners and members where required;

 

(iii) do not and will not (A) contravene such Loan Party’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ respective Constituent Documents, (B) violate any other Requirement of Law applicable to such Loan Party (including Regulations T, U and X of the FRB), or any order or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator applicable to such Loan Party, (C) conflict with or result in the breach of, or constitute a default under, or result in or permit the termination or acceleration of, any lawful Contractual Obligation of such Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, other than in the case of this clause (C) any such conflict, breach, default, termination or acceleration that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (D) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any property of such Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, other than those in favor of the Secured Parties pursuant to the Security Instruments; and

 

(iv) do not require the consent of, authorization by, approval of, notice to, or filing or registration with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person, other than (A) routine tax filings, of which the failure to so file will not result in any Loan Document being unenforceable against, or the performance of any Loan Document being impaired in any way with respect to, any Loan Party and (B) those listed on Schedule 5.02 or that have been or will be, prior to the Restatement Effective Date, obtained or made, copies of which have been or will be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 4.01, and each of which on the Restatement Effective Date will be in full force and effect.

 

(b) This Agreement has been, and each of the other Loan Documents will have been upon delivery thereof pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party who is a party thereto. This Agreement is, and the other Loan Documents will be, when delivered, the legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party who is a party thereto, enforceable against such Loan Party 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.

 

118

 

 

5.03 Ownership of Borrower; Subsidiaries.

 

(a) All of the outstanding capital stock of the Borrower is validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

(b) Set forth on Schedule 5.03 is a complete and accurate list showing, as of the Restatement Effective Date, all Subsidiaries of the Borrower and, as to each such Subsidiary, the jurisdiction of its organization, the number of shares of each class of Stock authorized (if applicable), the number outstanding on the Restatement Effective Date, the number and percentage of the outstanding shares of each such class owned (directly or indirectly) by the Borrower. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.03, as of the Restatement Effective Date no Stock of any Subsidiary of the Borrower is subject to any outstanding option, warrant, right of conversion or purchase of any similar right. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.03, as of the Restatement Effective Date all of the outstanding Stock of each Subsidiary of the Borrower owned (directly or indirectly) by the Borrower has been validly issued, is fully paid and non-assessable (to the extent applicable) and is owned by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower, free and clear of all Liens (other than the Lien in favor of the Secured Parties created pursuant to the Security Instruments), options, warrants, rights of conversion or purchase or any similar rights. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.03, as of the Restatement Effective Date neither the Borrower nor any such Subsidiary is a party to, or has knowledge of, any agreement restricting the transfer or hypothecation of any Stock of any such Subsidiary, other than the Loan Documents and, with respect to any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, the Constituent Documents of such Subsidiary. The Borrower does not own or hold, directly or indirectly, any Stock of any Person other than such Subsidiaries and Investments permitted by Section 7.03.

 

5.04 Financial Statements.

 

(a) The interim unaudited financial statements for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the most-recently ended Fiscal Quarter, copies of which have been furnished to each Lender, fairly present in all material respects, subject to the absence of footnote disclosure and normal recurring year-end audit adjustments, the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at such dates and the consolidated results of the operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the period ended on such dates, all in conformity with GAAP.

 

(b) The audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2019, and the related statements of income and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year, copies of which have been furnished to each Lender, (i) were prepared in conformity with GAAP and (ii) fairly present in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the date indicated and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flow for the period indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior years (except for changes with which the Borrower’s Accountants shall concur and that shall have been disclosed in the notes to the financial statements).

 

119

 

 

(c) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.04, neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has, as of the Restatement Effective Date, any material obligation, contingent liability or liability for taxes, long-term leases (other than operating leases) or unusual forward or long-term commitment that is not reflected in the financial statements referred to in clause (b) above and not otherwise permitted by this Agreement.

 

5.05 Material Adverse Change. Since December 31, 2019, there has been no event or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had or would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.06 Solvency. Both before and after giving effect to (a) the Credit Extensions to be made or extended on any date as Credit Extensions requested hereunder are made or extended, (b) the disbursement of the proceeds of such Loans pursuant to the instructions of the Borrower, (c) the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and (d) the payment and accrual of all transaction costs in connection with the foregoing, the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, are Solvent.

 

5.07 Litigation. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.07, there are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened actions, investigations or proceedings against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries before any court, Governmental Authority or arbitrator other than those that, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Schedule 5.07 lists all litigation pending against any Loan Party as of the Restatement Effective Date that, if adversely determined, could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.08 Taxes. All federal income and other material tax returns, reports and statements (collectively, the “Tax Returns”) required to be filed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries have been filed with the appropriate Governmental Authorities in all jurisdictions in which such Tax Returns are required to be filed, all such Tax Returns are true and correct in all material respects, and all material taxes, charges and other impositions reflected therein or otherwise due and payable have been paid prior to the date on which any fine, penalty, interest, late charge or loss may be added thereto for non-payment thereof except where contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings if adequate reserves therefor have been established on the books of the Borrower or such Subsidiary in conformity with GAAP. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries have withheld and timely paid to the respective Governmental Authorities all material amounts required to be withheld.

 

120

 

 

5.09 Full Disclosure. Any information prepared or furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party and delivered to the Lenders in writing (i) in connection with this Agreement or (ii) the Existing Credit Agreement or, in each case, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder or thereunder (in each case, taken as a whole) does not, as of the time of delivery of such information (with respect to the information provided under or in connection with the Existing Credit Agreement, as of the Restatement Effective Date), contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein or herein not misleading; provided that to the extent any such information was based upon, or constituted, a forecast or projection, such Loan Party represents only, in respect of such projection or forecast, that it acted in good faith and utilized reasonable assumptions and due care in the preparation of such information.

 

5.10 Margin Regulations. The Borrower is not engaged in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the FRB), and no proceeds of any Credit Extension will be used to purchase or carry any such margin stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any such margin stock in contravention of Regulation T, U or X of the FRB.

 

5.11 No Burdensome Restrictions; No Defaults.

 

(a) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) is a party to any Contractual Obligation (x) the compliance with which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (y) the performance of which by any party thereof would result in the creation of a Lien (other than a Lien permitted under Section 7.02) on the property or assets of any party thereof or (ii) is subject to any charter restriction that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default under or with respect to any Contractual Obligation owed by it, other than, in either case, those defaults that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c) No Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

5.12 Investment Company Act. None of the Borrower or any Subsidiary is or is required to be registered as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

121

 

 

5.13 Use of Proceeds. Except as prohibited by Section 7.12:

 

(a)  the proceeds of the Revolving Credit Loans are being used by the Borrower only (i) for working capital needs, Capital Expenditures, Permitted Acquisitions, general corporate purposes and other lawful corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (ii) to pay fees and expenses in connection with this Agreement and the related transactions;

 

(b)  Letters of Credit are being solely used by the Borrower to support warranties, bid bonds, payment or performance obligations and for other general corporate purposes by Permitted L/C Parties;

 

(c)  the proceeds of the Tranche A-3 Term Loans were or are being used by the Borrower only (i) to make payments required under the Vølund Projects Settlements (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement), (ii) for working capital needs and general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including any payments of Obligations with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility required or permitted hereunder and (iii) other permitted expense reimbursements prior to the Restatement Effective Date permitted under the Existing Credit Agreement; and

 

(d) the proceeds of the Tranche A-4 Term Loans were or are being used by the Borrower only (i) to repay Revolving Credit Loans, (ii) for working capital needs and general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including any future payments of Obligations with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility required or permitted hereunder, and (iii) other permitted expense reimbursements prior to the Restatement Effective Date permitted under the Existing Credit Agreement.

 

(e) the proceeds of the Tranche A-6 Term Loans were or are being used by the Borrower only to repay Revolving Credit Loans; provided that any proceeds remaining after reducing the principal amount of outstanding Revolving Credit Loans to zero on the date of any relevant Borrowing may be used for (i) working capital needs, Capital Expenditures, Permitted Acquisitions, general corporate purposes, and other lawful corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including any future payments of Obligations with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility required or permitted hereunder, and (ii) other permitted expense reimbursements prior to the Restatement Effective Date permitted under the Existing Credit Agreement

 

5.14 Insurance. All policies of insurance of any kind or nature currently maintained by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, including policies of fire, theft, product liability, public liability, property damage, other casualty, employee fidelity, workers’ compensation and employee health and welfare insurance, are in full force and effect and are of a nature and provide such coverage as is sufficient and as is customarily carried by businesses of the size and character of such Person.

 

122

 

 

5.15 Labor Matters.

 

(a) There are no strikes, work stoppages, slowdowns or lockouts pending or, to the Borrower’s knowledge, threatened against or involving the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any Guarantor, other than those that, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b) There are no unfair labor practices, grievances or complaints pending, or, to the Borrower’s knowledge, threatened, against or involving the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any Guarantor, nor, to the Borrower’s knowledge, are there any unfair labor practices, arbitrations or grievances threatened involving the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any Guarantor, other than those that if resolved adversely to the Borrower, such Subsidiary or such Guarantor, as applicable, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.16 ERISA.

 

(a) Each Employee Benefit Plan that is intended to qualify under Section 401 of the Code (i) (x) has received a favorable determination letter, or is subject to a favorable opinion letter, from the IRS indicating that such Employee Benefit Plan is so qualified and any trust created under any Employee Benefit Plan is exempt from tax under the provisions of Section 501 of the Code, (y) is substantially similar to an “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA that is, or was, sponsored, maintained, or contributed to by a former ERISA Affiliate that received such a favorable determination letter or opinion letter, or (z) is the subject of an application for such a favorable determination letter or opinion letter that is currently being processed by the IRS, and (ii) to the knowledge of the Borrower, nothing has occurred subsequent to the issuance of such determination or opinion letter, as applicable, which would cause such Employee Benefit Plan to lose its qualified status or that would cause such trust to become subject to tax, except where such failures could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b) Except for the Deferred PBGC Payments, the Borrower, each of its Subsidiaries, each Guarantor and each of their respective ERISA Affiliates is in material compliance with all applicable provisions and requirements of ERISA, the Code and applicable Employee Benefit Plan provisions with respect to each Employee Benefit Plan except for non-compliances that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c) There are no pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

123

 

 

(d) There has been no, nor is there reasonably expected to occur, any ERISA Event other than those that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(e) Except (i) to the extent required under Section 4980B of the Code or similar state laws, and (ii) with respect to which the aggregate liability, calculated on a FAS 106 basis as of December 31, 2019, does not exceed $150,000,000, no Employee Benefit Plan provides health or welfare benefits (through the purchase of insurance or otherwise) to any retired or former employees, consultants or directors (or their dependents) of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, any Guarantor or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates.

 

(f) With respect to each retirement savings scheme or arrangement mandated by a government other than the United States (a “Foreign Government Scheme or Arrangement”) and with respect to each employee benefit plan maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, that is not subject to United States law (a “Foreign Plan”), except as could not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect:

 

(i) Any employer contributions required by law or the terms of any Foreign Government Scheme or Arrangement or any Foreign Plan have been made, or if applicable, accrued, in accordance with normal accounting practices of the jurisdiction in which such plan is maintained;

 

(ii) The Fair Market Value of the assets of each funded Foreign Plan that is required to be funded, or the liability of each insurer for any Foreign Plan funded through insurance or the book reserve established for any Foreign Plan, together with any accrued contributions, is sufficient to procure or provide for the accrued benefit obligations, as of the date hereof, with respect to all current and former participants in such Foreign Plan according to the actuarial assumptions and valuations most recently used to account for such obligations in accordance with applicable generally accepted accounting principles of the jurisdiction in which such plan is maintained; and

 

(iii) Each Foreign Plan required to be registered has been registered and has been maintained in good standing with applicable regulatory authorities.

 

124

 

 

5.17 Environmental Matters.

 

(a) The operations of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries have been and are in compliance with all Environmental Laws, including obtaining and complying with all required environmental, health and safety Permits, other than non-compliances that, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b) None of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any Real Property currently or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, previously owned, operated or leased by or for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened, claim, order, agreement, notice of violation, notice of potential liability or is the subject of any pending or threatened proceeding or governmental investigation under or pursuant to Environmental Laws other than those orders, agreements, notices, proceedings or investigations that, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c) To the knowledge of the Borrower, there are no facts, circumstances or conditions arising out of or relating to the operations or ownership of the Borrower or of Real Property owned, operated or leased by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that are not specifically included in the financial information furnished to the Lenders other than those that, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.18 Intellectual Property. Except where the failure to do so would not, taken as a whole, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries own or license or otherwise have the right to use all licenses, permits, patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, trade names, copyrights, copyright applications, franchises, authorizations and other intellectual property rights (including all Intellectual Property as defined in the Collateral Agreement) that are necessary for the operations of their respective businesses, without infringement upon or conflict with the rights of any other Person with respect thereto. Except where the failure to do so would not, taken as a whole, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, no slogan or other advertising device, product, process, method, substance, part or component, or other material now employed, or now contemplated to be employed, by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries infringes upon or conflicts with any rights owned by any other Person, and no claim or litigation regarding any of the foregoing is pending or threatened.

 

125

 

 

5.19 Title; Real Property.

 

(a) Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has valid and indefeasible title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all of its material properties and assets (including Real Property) and good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all material personal property, in each case that is purported to be owned or leased by it, including those reflected on the most recent financial statements delivered by the Borrower hereunder, and none of such properties and assets is subject to any Lien, except Liens permitted under Section 7.02. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have received all deeds, assignments, waivers, consents, non-disturbance and recognition or similar agreements, bills of sale and other documents, and have duly effected all recordings, filings and other actions necessary to establish, protect and perfect the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ right, title and interest in and to all such property, other than those that would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b) Set forth on Schedule 5.19(b) is a complete and accurate list, as of the Restatement Effective Date, of all (i) owned Real Property located in the United States with a reasonably estimated Fair Market Value in excess of $1,000,000 showing, as of the Restatement Effective Date, the street address, county (or other relevant jurisdiction or state) and the record owner thereof and (ii) leased Real Property located in the United States with annual lease payments in excess of $1,000,000 showing, as of the Restatement Effective Date, the street address and county (or other relevant jurisdiction or state) thereof.

 

(c) No portion of any Real Property has suffered any material damage by fire or other casualty loss that has not heretofore been completely repaired and restored to its original condition other than those that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. As of the Restatement Effective Date, no portion of any Mortgaged Property is located in a special flood hazard area as designated by any federal Governmental Authority other than those for which flood insurance has been provided in accordance with Section 4.02(a)(iii).

 

(d) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each Loan Party has obtained and holds all Permits required in respect of all Real Property and for any other property otherwise operated by or on behalf of, or for the benefit of, such person and for the operation of each of its businesses as presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted, (ii) all such Permits are in full force and effect, and each Loan Party has performed and observed all requirements of such Permits, (iii) no event has occurred that allows or results in, or after notice or lapse of time would allow or result in, revocation or termination by the issuer thereof or in any other impairment of the rights of the holder of any such Permit, (iv) no such Permits contain any restrictions, either individually or in the aggregate, that are materially burdensome to any Loan Party, or to the operation of any of its businesses or any property owned, leased or otherwise operated by such person, (v) each Loan Party reasonably believes that each of its Permits will be timely renewed and complied with, without material expense, and that any additional Permits that may be required of such Person will be timely obtained and complied with, without material expense and (vi) the Borrower has no knowledge or reason to believe that any Governmental Authority is considering limiting, suspending, revoking or renewing on materially burdensome terms any such Permit.

 

126

 

 

(e) None of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice, or has any knowledge, of any pending, threatened or contemplated condemnation proceeding affecting any Real Property or any part thereof, except those that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(f) Each of the Loan Parties, and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, each other party thereto, has complied with all obligations under all leases of Real Property to which it is a party other than those the failure with which to comply would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and all such leases are legal, valid, binding and in full force and effect and are enforceable in accordance with their terms other than those the failure of which to so comply with the foregoing would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No landlord Lien has been filed, and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, no claim is being asserted, with respect to any lease payment under any lease of Real Property other than those that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(g) There are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, proposed special or other assessments for public improvements or otherwise affecting any material portion of the owned Real Property, nor are there any contemplated improvements to such owned Real Property that may result in such special or other assessments, other than those that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.20 Security Instruments. The provisions of the Security Instruments, from and after the Restatement Effective Date, continue to be effective to create in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a legal, valid and enforceable first priority Lien (subject to Liens permitted by Section 7.02) on all right, title and interest of the respective Loan Parties in the Collateral described therein. No filing or other action in the United States, Mexico or Canada will be necessary to perfect or protect such Liens.

 

5.21 OFAC. Neither the Borrower, nor any of its Subsidiaries, directors, officers, nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any employee, affiliate or agent thereof, is or is owned or controlled by an individual or entity that is (i) listed on the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons or Sectoral Sanctions Identifications List maintained by OFAC, (ii) otherwise the subject of any Sanctions or a Person who, under any Sanctions, the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any L/C Issuer is prohibited from transacting business with or (iii) in violation of any applicable Requirement of Law relating to Sanctions. No Loan, nor the proceeds from any Loan, has or have been used, directly or indirectly by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or, by any recipient of those funds from the Borrower or any Subsidiary, to lend, contribute, provide or make available by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary to fund any activity or business in any Designated Jurisdiction if that activity or business would violate any Sanctions, or to fund any activity or business of any Person located, organized or residing in any Designated Jurisdiction or who is the subject of any Sanctions, or in any other manner that, in each case, would result in any violation by any Lender, the Administrative Agent, any L/C Issuer or any other Secured Party of Sanctions.

 

5.22 Anti-Corruption Laws. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have conducted their businesses in all respects in compliance with applicable Anti-Corruption Laws and have instituted and maintained policies and procedures intended to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.

 

5.23 EEA Financial Institutions. No Loan Party is an EEA Financial Institution.

 

5.24 Budget. The Budget has been prepared in good faith based upon assumptions of the Borrower reasonable at the time made.

 

127

 

 

ARTICLE VI

 

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

The Borrower agrees to each of the following, (a) from and after the Restatement Effective Date and until the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date, with the Revolving Credit Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent (and the Term Loan Lenders hereby agree that no Term Loan Lender shall have any right to make requests under this Article VI, provided that the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Revolving Credit Lenders agree that the Term Loan Lenders may make requests pursuant to Section 6.10) and, (b) from and after the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date and thereafter as long as any Obligation or any Commitment remains outstanding, with the Term Loan Lenders and the Administrative Agent and, in each case, unless the Required Lenders otherwise consent in writing (provided that those provisions under this Article VI with which Subsidiaries of the Borrower are required to comply shall exclude from such compliance any Captive Insurance Subsidiary):

 

6.01 Financial Statements. The Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent each of the following:

 

(a) Quarterly Reports. Within 45 days after the end of each of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year (unless such period is extended pursuant to SEC guidelines), consolidated unaudited balance sheets as of the close of such quarter and the related statements of income and cash flow for such quarter and that portion of the Fiscal Year ending as of the close of such quarter, setting forth in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period in the prior year, in each case certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as fairly presenting in all material respects the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and cash flow for the periods indicated in accordance with GAAP (subject to the absence of footnote disclosure and normal year-end audit adjustments).

 

(b) Annual Reports. Within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year (unless such period is extended pursuant to SEC guidelines), consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Year and related statements of income and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year, all prepared in conformity with GAAP and certified, in the case of such consolidated financial statements, without qualification as to the scope of the audit or, except with respect to the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2020, only, as to the Borrower being a going concern by the Borrower’s Accountants, together with the report of such accounting firm stating that (i) such financial statements fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and cash flow for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior years (except for changes with which the Borrower’s Accountants shall concur and that shall have been disclosed in the notes to the financial statements) and (ii) the examination by the Borrower’s Accountants in connection with such consolidated financial statements has been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.

 

128

 

 

(c) Compliance Certificate. Together with each delivery of any financial statement pursuant to clause (a) or (b) above, a Compliance Certificate (i) showing in reasonable detail the calculations used in determining the Senior Leverage Ratio and Interest Coverage Ratio (including during any period for which compliance therewith is suspended) and demonstrating compliance with any other financial covenants contained in Section 7.16 and (ii) stating that no Default has occurred and is continuing or, if a Default has occurred and is continuing, stating the nature thereof and the action which the Borrower has taken or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

(d) Monthly Reports. Within 15 days after the end of each calendar month, (i) a consolidated balance sheet and profit and loss statement, (ii) segment-level profit and loss statements, in each case, relating to the most recently ended calendar month and with commentary by management on financial and operational performance and (iii) the certificate described in Section 7.18 (Minimum Liquidity).

 

The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (i) the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make available to the Lenders and the L/C Issuers materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on Debt Domain, IntraLinks, SyndTrak or another similar electronic system (the “Platform”) and (ii) certain of the Lenders (each, a “Public Lender”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities. The Borrower hereby agrees that (w) all Borrower Materials that the Borrower intends to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, each L/C Issuer and the Lenders to treat the Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 10.07); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Side Information;” and (z) the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Side Information.”

 

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) (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 the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 10.02; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the 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 sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that: (i) the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon its request to the Borrower to deliver such paper copies until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and (ii) the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (by facsimile or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents. The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or to maintain paper copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with any such request by a Lender for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.

 

129

 

 

6.02 Collateral Reporting Requirements. The Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent each of the following:

 

(a) Updated Corporate Chart. If requested by the Administrative Agent, together with each delivery of any financial statement pursuant to Section 6.01(b), a corporate organizational chart or other equivalent list, current as of the date of delivery, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and certified as true, correct and complete by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, setting forth, for each of the Loan Parties, all Persons subject to Section 6.22, all Subsidiaries of any of them and any joint venture (including Joint Ventures) entered into by any of the foregoing, (i) its full legal name, (ii) its jurisdiction of organization and organizational number (if any) and (iii) the number of shares of each class of its Stock authorized (if applicable), the number outstanding as of the date of delivery, and the number and percentage of the outstanding shares of each such class owned (directly or indirectly) by the Borrower.

 

(b) Additional Information. From time to time, statements and schedules further identifying and describing the Collateral and such other reports in connection with the Collateral, all as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, and in reasonable detail.

 

(c) Additional Filings. At any time and from time to time, upon the reasonable written request of the Administrative Agent, and at the sole expense of the Loan Parties, duly executed, delivered and recorded instruments and documents for the purpose of obtaining or preserving the full benefits of this Agreement, each Security Instrument and each other Loan Document and of the rights and powers herein and therein granted (and each Loan Party shall take such further action as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request for such purpose, including the filing of any financing or continuation statement under the UCC or other similar Requirement of Law in effect in any domestic jurisdiction with respect to the security interests created by any Security Instrument but excluding any filings or actions in any jurisdiction outside the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom or Luxembourg.

 

The reporting requirements set forth in this Section 6.02 are in addition to, and shall not modify and are not in replacement of, any rights and other obligation set forth in any Loan Document (including notice and reporting requirements) and satisfaction of the reporting obligations in this Section 6.02 shall not, by itself, operate as an update of any Schedule or any schedule of any other Loan Document and shall not cure, or otherwise affect in any way, any Default, including any failure of any representation or warranty of any Loan Document to be correct in any respect when made.

 

130

 

 

6.03 Default and Certain Other Notices. Promptly and in any event within five Business Days after a Responsible Officer of the Borrower obtains actual knowledge thereof, the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent notice:

 

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

 

(b) of the issuance of a notice of proposed debarment or notice of proposed suspension by a Governmental Authority or Governmental Authorities; and

 

(c) of (i) management changes and (ii) reorganization and consolidation changes with respect to Foreign Subsidiaries.

 

Each notice pursuant to this Section 6.03 (other than Section 6.03(b)) shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein, the anticipated effect thereof, and stating what action the Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto. Each notice pursuant to Section 6.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Agreement and any other Loan Document that have been breached. Any notice pursuant to this Section 6.03, if given by telephone, shall be promptly confirmed in writing on the next Business Day.

 

6.04 Litigation. Promptly after a Responsible Officer of the Borrower obtains actual knowledge of the commencement thereof, the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent written notice of the commencement of all actions, suits and proceedings before any domestic or foreign Governmental Authority or arbitrator, regarding the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture that (i) seeks injunctive or similar relief that, in the reasonable judgment of the Borrower, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) in the reasonable judgment of the Borrower would expose the Borrower, such Subsidiary or such Joint Venture to liability in an amount aggregating $20,000,000 (in excess of insurance as to which a solvent and unaffiliated insurance company has acknowledged coverage) or more or that, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

131

 

 

6.05 Labor Relations. Promptly after a Responsible Officer of the Borrower has actual knowledge of the same, the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent written notice of (a) any material labor dispute to which the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, any Guarantors or any Joint Venture is a party, including any strikes, lockouts or other material disputes relating to any of such Person’s plants and other facilities, provided that such dispute, strike or lockout involves a work stoppage exceeding 30 days, (b) any material Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act or related liability incurred with respect to the closing of any plant or other facility of any such Person affecting 300 or more employees of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (c) any material union organization activity with respect to employees of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries not covered by a collective bargaining agreement as of the Closing Date (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement).

 

6.06 Tax Returns. Upon the reasonable request of any Lender, through the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall provide copies of all federal, state, local and foreign tax returns and reports filed by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture in respect of taxes measured by income (excluding sales, use and like taxes).

 

6.07 Insurance. As soon as is practicable and in any event within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year, the Borrower shall furnish the Administrative Agent with a report on the standard “Acord” form (or other form acceptable to the Administrative Agent) outlining all material insurance coverage maintained as of the date of such report by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and the duration of such coverage.

 

6.08 ERISA Matters. The Borrower shall furnish the Administrative Agent each of the following:

 

(a) promptly and in any event within 30 days after a Responsible Officer of the Borrower knows, or has reason to know, that any ERISA Event has occurred that, alone or together with any other ERISA Event, would reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower, any Subsidiary, any Guarantor and/or any ERISA Affiliate in an aggregate amount exceeding $20,000,000, written notice describing the nature thereof, what action the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, any Guarantor or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto, including copies of any notices or correspondence with any Governmental Authority and, when known by such Responsible Officer, any action taken or threatened by the IRS, the Department of Labor or the PBGC with respect to such event;

 

132

 

 

(b) simultaneously with the date that the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate files with the PBGC a notice of intent to terminate any Title IV Plan, if, at the time of such filing, such termination would reasonably be expected to require additional contributions of the Borrower, any Subsidiary, any Guarantor and/or any ERISA Affiliate in an aggregate amount exceeding $20,000,000 in order to be considered a standard termination within the meaning of Section 4041(b) of ERISA, a copy of each notice; and

 

(c) promptly, copies of (i) each Schedule SB (Actuarial Information) to the annual report (Form 5500 Series) filed by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, any Guarantor or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates with the IRS with respect to each Title IV Plan, which is requested by the Administrative Agent; (ii) all notices received by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, any Guarantor or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor concerning an ERISA Event that would reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower, any Subsidiary, any Guarantor and/or any ERISA Affiliate in an aggregate amount exceeding $20,000,000; and (iii) copies of such other documents or governmental reports or filings relating to any Employee Benefit Plan as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, promptly, and in any event within 60 days after a Multiemployer Plan is certified to be in “endangered” or “critical” status within the meaning of Code Section 432 or Section 305 of ERISA, notice of such Multiemployer Plan’s status and a copy of such Multiemployer Plan’s most recent funding improvement plan or rehabilitation plan, as required to be adopted under ERISA.

 

6.09 Environmental Matters. The Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent promptly, and in any event within 10 Business Days after any Responsible Officer of the Borrower obtains actual knowledge of any of the following, written notice of each of the following:

 

(a) that any Loan Party is or may be liable to any Person as a result of a Release or threatened Release that would reasonably be expected to subject such Loan Party to Environmental Liabilities and Costs of $20,000,000 or more;

 

(b) the receipt by any Loan Party of notification that any material real or personal property of such Loan Party is or is reasonably likely to be subject to any Environmental Lien;

 

133

 

 

(c) the receipt by any Loan Party of any notice of violation of or potential liability under, or knowledge by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower that there exists a condition that would reasonably be expected to result in a violation of or liability under, any Environmental Law, except for violations and liabilities the consequence of which, in the aggregate, would not be reasonably likely to subject the Loan Parties collectively to Environmental Liabilities and Costs of $20,000,000 or more; and

 

(d) promptly following reasonable written request by any Lender, through the Administrative Agent, a report providing an update of the status of any environmental, health or safety compliance, hazard or liability issue identified in any notice or report delivered pursuant to this Section 6.09.

 

6.10 Patriot Act Information. Each Lender that is subject to the Patriot Act (as hereinafter defined) and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Patriot Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower and each other Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and each other Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the Borrower and each other Loan Party in accordance with the Patriot Act. The Borrower shall promptly, following a request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent or such Lender reasonably requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the Patriot Act.

 

6.11 Other Information. The Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent or any Lender with such other information respecting the business, properties, condition, financial or otherwise, or operations of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any Joint Venture as the Administrative Agent or such Lender, through the Administrative Agent, may from time to time reasonably request.

 

6.12 Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, preserve and maintain its legal existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises, except as permitted by Sections 7.03, 7.04 and 7.06 and except if, in the reasonable business judgment of the Borrower, it is in the business interest of the Borrower or such Subsidiary not to preserve and maintain such rights (charter and statutory) and franchises, and such failure to preserve the same would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and would not reasonably be expected to materially affect the interests of the Secured Parties under the Loan Documents or the rights and interests of any of them in the Collateral.

 

134

 

 

6.13 Compliance with Laws, Etc. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all applicable Requirements of Law, Contractual Obligations and Permits, except where the failure so to comply would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.14 Conduct of Business. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (a) conduct its business in the ordinary course (except for non-material changes in the nature or conduct of its business as carried on as of the Closing Date (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) and changes reasonably necessary in light of the COVID-19 pandemic) and (b) use its reasonable efforts, in the ordinary course, to preserve its business and the goodwill and business of the customers, suppliers and others having business relations with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, except where the failure to comply with the covenants in each of clauses (a) and (b) above would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.15 Payment of Taxes, Etc. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay and discharge (or cause to be paid and discharged) before the same shall become delinquent, all lawful governmental claims, taxes, assessments, charges and levies made, assessed, filed or otherwise imposed on or against any of them, except where (a) contested in good faith, by proper proceedings and adequate reserves therefor have been established on the books of the Borrower or the appropriate Subsidiary in conformity with GAAP or (b) the failure to so pay and discharge would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.16 Maintenance of Insurance. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (a) maintain insurance with responsible and reputable insurance companies or associations in such amounts and covering such risks as, in the reasonable determination of the Borrower, is usually carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in the same general areas in which the Borrower or such Subsidiary operates and (b) cause all property and general liability insurance to name the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties as additional insured (with respect to liability policies), loss payee (with respect to property policies) or lender’s loss payee (with respect to property policies), as appropriate, and to provide that no cancellation, material addition in amount or material change in coverage shall be effective until after 30 days’ written notice thereof to the Administrative Agent.

 

6.17 Access. The Borrower shall from time to time during normal business hours permit the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuers and the Lenders, or any agents or representatives thereof, within five Business Days after written notification of the same (except that during the continuance of an Event of Default, no such notice shall be required) to (a) examine and make copies of and abstracts from the records and books of account of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, (b) visit the properties of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, (c) discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries with any of their respective officers or directors; provided that the Borrower will not be required to permit any examination or visit as set forth in clauses (a) and (b) above with respect to each of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuers and the Lenders (or any agents or representatives thereof) (i) within the twelve-month period following the date of the most recent examination or visit by any L/C Issuer, any Lender or the Administrative Agent (or any agents or representatives thereof), as applicable, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and (ii) unless such visit is coordinated through the Administrative Agent.

 

135

 

 

6.18 Keeping of Books. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to keep, proper books of record and account, in which full and correct entries shall be made in conformity with GAAP of the financial transactions and assets and business of the Borrower and each such Subsidiary.

 

6.19 Maintenance of Properties, Etc. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain and preserve (a) in good working order and condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted) all of its properties necessary in the conduct of its business, (b) all rights, permits, licenses, approvals and privileges (including all Permits) necessary in the conduct of its business and (c) all Material Intellectual Property, except where failure to so maintain and preserve the items set forth in clauses (a), (b) and (c) above would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.20 Application of Proceeds. The Borrower shall use the entire amount of the proceeds of the Loans as provided in Section 5.13.

 

6.21 Environmental.

 

(a) The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, exercise reasonable due diligence in order to comply in all material respects with all Environmental Laws.

 

(b) The Borrower agrees that the Administrative Agent may, from time to time, retain, at the expense of the Borrower, an independent professional consultant reasonably acceptable to the Borrower to review any report relating to Contaminants prepared by or for the Borrower and to conduct its own investigation (the scope of which investigation shall be reasonable based upon the circumstances) of any property currently owned, leased, operated or used by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, if (x) a Default or an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, or (y) the Administrative Agent reasonably believes (1) that an occurrence relating to such property is likely to give rise to any Environmental Liabilities and Costs or (2) that a violation of an Environmental Law on or around such property has occurred or is likely to occur, which could, in either such case, reasonably be expected to result in Environmental Liabilities and Costs in excess of $20,000,000, provided that, unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, such consultant shall not drill on any property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries without the Borrower’s prior written consent. Borrower shall use its reasonable efforts to obtain for the Administrative Agent and its agents, employees, consultants and contractors the right, upon reasonable notice to Borrower, to enter into or on to the facilities currently owned, leased, operated or used by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to perform such tests on such property as are reasonably necessary to conduct such a review and/or investigation. Any such investigation of any property shall be conducted, unless otherwise agreed to by Borrower and the Administrative Agent, during normal business hours and shall be conducted so as not to unreasonably interfere with the ongoing operations at any such property or to cause any damage or loss at such property. Borrower and the Administrative Agent hereby acknowledge and agree that any report of any investigation conducted at the request of the Administrative Agent pursuant to this subsection will be obtained and shall be used by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for the purposes of the Lenders’ internal credit decisions, to monitor the Obligations and to protect the Liens created by the Loan Documents, and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby acknowledge and agree any such report will be kept confidential by them to the extent permitted by law except as provided in the following sentence. The Administrative Agent agrees to deliver a copy of any such report to Borrower with the understanding that Borrower acknowledges and agrees that (i) it will indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent and each Lender from any costs, losses or liabilities relating to Borrower’s use of or reliance on such report, (ii) neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender makes any representation or warranty with respect to such report, and (iii) by delivering such report to Borrower, neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender is requiring or recommending the implementation of any suggestions or recommendations contained in such report.

 

136

 

 

(c) Promptly after a Responsible Officer of the Borrower obtains actual knowledge thereof, the Borrower shall advise the Administrative Agent in writing and in reasonable detail of (i) any Release or threatened Release of any Contaminants required to be reported by Borrower or its Subsidiaries, to any Governmental Authorities under any applicable Environmental Laws and which would reasonably be expected to have Environmental Liabilities and Costs in excess of $20,000,000, (ii) any and all written communications with respect to any pending or threatened claims under Environmental Law in each such case which, individually or in the aggregate, have a reasonable possibility of giving rise to Environmental Liabilities and Costs in excess of $20,000,000, (iii) any Remedial Action performed by Borrower or any other Person in response to (x) any Contaminants on, under or about any property, the existence of which has a reasonable possibility of resulting in Environmental Liabilities and Costs in excess of $20,000,000, or (y) any other Environmental Liabilities and Costs in excess of $20,000,000 that could result in Environmental Liabilities and Costs in excess of $20,000,000, (iv) discovery by Borrower or its Subsidiaries of any occurrence or condition on any material property that could cause Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ interest in any such property to be subject to any material restrictions on the ownership, occupancy, transferability or use thereof under any applicable Environmental Laws or Environmental Liens, and (v) any written request for information from any Governmental Authority that fairly suggests such Governmental Authority is investigating whether Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may be potentially responsible for a Release or threatened Release of Contaminants which has a reasonable possibility of giving rise to Environmental Liabilities and Costs in excess of $20,000,000.

 

(d) Borrower shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of (i) any proposed acquisition of Stock, assets, or property by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to expose Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to, or result in Environmental Liabilities and Costs in excess of $20,000,000 and (ii) any proposed action to be taken by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to commence manufacturing, industrial or other similar operations that would reasonably be expected to subject Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to additional Environmental Laws, that are materially different from the Environmental Laws applicable to the operations of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement).

 

(e) Borrower shall, at its own expense, provide copies of such documents or information as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request in relation to any matters disclosed pursuant to this subsection.

 

137

 

 

(f) To the extent required by Environmental Laws or Governmental Authorities under applicable Environmental Laws, Borrower shall promptly take, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries promptly to take, any and all necessary Remedial Action in connection with the presence, handling, storage, use, disposal, transportation or Release or threatened Release of any Contaminants on, under or affecting any property in order to comply in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws and Permits. In the event Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries undertakes any Remedial Action with respect to the presence, Release or threatened Release of any Contaminants on or affecting any property, Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall conduct and complete such Remedial Action in material compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, and in material accordance with the applicable policies, orders and directives of all relevant Governmental Authorities except when, and only to the extent that, Borrower or any such Subsidiaries’ liability for such presence, handling, storage, use, disposal, transportation or Release or threatened Release of any Contaminants is being contested in good faith by Borrower or any of such Subsidiaries. In the event Borrower fails to take required actions to address such Release or threatened Release of Contaminants or to address a violation of or liability under Environmental Law, the Administrative Agent may, upon providing the Borrower with 5 Business Days’ prior written notice, enter the property and, at Borrower’s sole expense, perform whatever action the Administrative Agent reasonably deems prudent to rectify the situation.

 

6.22 Additional Collateral and Guaranties. Notify the Administrative Agent promptly after any Person (i) becomes a Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary that is not an Immaterial Subsidiary (including a Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary that ceases for any reason to satisfy the definition of “Immaterial Subsidiary” at any time) or (ii) becomes a First-Tier Foreign Subsidiary, and promptly thereafter (and in any event within 30 days, or such longer period of time permitted by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion):

 

(a) if such Person is a Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary and is not a Captive Insurance Subsidiary or an Excluded Domestic Subsidiary:

 

(i) cause such Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary to become a Guarantor by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent a Joinder Agreement or such other document as the Administrative Agent shall deem reasonably appropriate for such purpose; and

 

(ii) cause such Person to deliver to the Administrative Agent documents of the types referred to in clauses (iv), (v) and (vii) of Section 4.02(a) and, at the request of the Administrative Agent, favorable opinions of counsel to such Person (which shall cover, among other things, the legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability of the documentation referred to in clause (a)(i)), all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

 

(iii) cause such Person to deliver to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, Security Instruments (or supplements thereto), as specified by and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (including delivery of all certificated Pledged Interests in and of such Subsidiary, and other instruments of the type specified in Section 4.02(a)(ii) and (iii)), securing payment of all the Obligations and constituting Liens on all such real and personal properties,

 

138

 

 

(iv) take whatever action (including the filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements and the giving of notices) as may be necessary or advisable in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent to vest in the Administrative Agent (or in any representative of the Administrative Agent designated by it) valid and subsisting Liens on the properties purported to be subject to the Security Instruments (or supplements thereto) delivered pursuant to this Section 6.22, enforceable against all third parties in accordance with their terms (subject to Liens permitted by the Loan Documents), provided that no such actions shall be required in any jurisdiction outside the United States; and

 

(b) if such Person is a First-Tier Foreign Subsidiary any of whose Stock is owned by a Loan Party (or a Person becoming a Loan Party pursuant to this Section), cause such Loan Party to deliver to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties all certificated Pledged Interests in and of such First-Tier Foreign Subsidiary, and any Security Instruments (or supplements thereto), as specified by and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, in each case securing payment of all the Obligations and constituting Liens on all such Pledged Interests.

 

6.23 Real Property. With respect to any fee interest in any Material Real Property that is acquired or any lease of domestic Real Property that is leased for more than $5,000,000 annually, in either case after the Restatement Effective Date by the Borrower or any other Loan Party, the Borrower or the applicable Loan Party shall promptly (and, in any event, within thirty days following the date of such acquisition, unless such date is extended by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) (i) in the case of any Material Real Property, execute and deliver a first priority Mortgage (subject only to Liens permitted by this Agreement and such Mortgage) in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, covering such Real Property and complying with the provisions herein and in the Security Instruments, (ii) in the case of any leased domestic Real Property that is leased for more than $5,000,000 annually, if requested by the Administrative Agent, execute and deliver a first priority Mortgage (subject only to Liens permitted by this Agreement and such Mortgage) in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, covering such Real Property and complying with the provisions herein and in the Security Instruments, (iii) provide the Secured Parties with title insurance in an amount at least equal to the purchase price of such Real Property (or such other amount as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably specify) described in clauses (i) or (ii) above, and if applicable, lease estoppel certificates, all in accordance with the standards for deliveries contemplated on or prior to the Closing Date (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement), as described in Section 4.02(a)(iii) hereof, (iv) if requested by the Administrative Agent, deliver to the Administrative Agent legal opinions relating to the matters described above, which opinions shall be in form and substance, and from counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (v) if requested by the Administrative Agent, use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain Landlord Lien Waivers for each domestic Real Property leasehold interest on which a manufacturing facility or warehouse or other facility where Collateral is stored or held (but excluding any office lease that does not include manufacturing or warehouse facilities), provided that no such Landlord Lien Waiver shall be required for any location at which Collateral is stored or located unless the aggregate value of Collateral stored or held at such location exceeds $5,000,000 and (vi) comply with the Flood Requirement Standards. Without limiting the foregoing, at any time there is Material Real Property that is subject to a Mortgage, no MIRE Event shall be consummated prior to the Administrative Agent confirming compliance with the Flood Requirement Standards.

 

139

 

 

6.24 Further Assurances. Promptly upon request by the Administrative Agent, or any Lender through the Administrative Agent, the Borrower or the applicable Loan Party shall (a) correct any material defect or error that may be discovered in any Loan Document or in the execution, acknowledgment, filing or recordation thereof, and (b) do, execute, acknowledge, deliver, record, re-record, file, re-file, register and re-register any and all such further acts, deeds, certificates, assurances and other instruments as the Administrative Agent, or any Lender through the Administrative Agent, may reasonably require from time to time in order to (i) carry out more effectively the purposes of the Loan Documents, (ii) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, subject any Loan Party’s properties, assets, rights or interests to the Liens now or hereafter intended to be covered by any of the Security Instruments, (iii) perfect and maintain the validity, effectiveness and priority of any of the Security Instruments and any of the Liens intended to be created thereunder and (iv) assure, convey, grant, assign, transfer, preserve, protect and confirm more effectively unto the Secured Parties the rights granted or now or hereafter intended to be granted to the Secured Parties under any Loan Document or under any other instrument executed in connection with any Loan Document to which any Loan Party is or is to be a party, and cause each of its Subsidiaries that is required by this Agreement to be a Guarantor to do so.

 

6.25 Anti-Corruption Laws; Sanctions. The Borrower will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures intended to promote and achieve compliance by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents (in their respective activities on behalf of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries) with applicable Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.

 

140

 

 

6.26 Post-Closing Covenants

 

(a) No later than 10 days after the Restatement Effective Date, the Borrower shall deliver a perfection certificate for the Borrower, the Domestic Subsidiaries and the Canadian Guarantor in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(b) No later than 10 days after the Restatement Effective Date (or such longer period in Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank’s discretion), each Existing Letter of Credit issued by Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank or its affiliates shall be terminated or returned, in each case, undrawn or replaced with a Letter of Credit issued by an L/C Issuer other than Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank or its affiliates.

 

6.27 [Reserved].

 

6.28 Consultant. (a) The Borrower shall continue to (i) retain a Consultant, which Consultant shall assist the Borrower in further developing its financial planning & analysis function, standardization of segment reporting and weekly cash flow forecasting, and shall not terminate or modify such engagement without the consent of the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders (except as set forth in the last sentence of this Section 6.28), (ii) cause the Consultant to be available to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent’s advisors, including FTI, in each case as commercially reasonable and (iii) cause the Consultant to present a monthly written update to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and answer any related questions of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders and (b) the Borrower shall cause the Consultant to, in addition to the Consultant’s existing responsibilities specified in the foregoing clause (a)(ii) and (iii), (i) assist with the business plan of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to ensure that all assumptions are viable, (ii) assist management in identifying and implementing additional cost reduction opportunities and third party recoveries, and present related findings to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, and the Lenders, (iii) assist management with evaluating and making recommendations on incremental project write-downs and/or losses, (iv) assist management with evaluating strategic business sale(s) and equity transactions and make recommendations to the board of directors, and, (v) with respect to all of the Consultant’s responsibilities, provide a detailed presentation of the results of such responsibilities to the Administrative Agent and Lenders as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent. To the extent that the Borrower hires professional staff members as mutually agreed to between the CIO and the other members of senior management of the Borrower in respect of its financial planning and analysis functions, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower may modify the engagement described under this Section 6.28 (on such terms as may be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) to permit the CIO to implement a transition process in respect of such financial planning and analysis functions from the Consultant to such professional staff members.

 

141

 

 

6.29 Variance and Cash Flow Reporting. The Borrower shall deliver, each in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (a) prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the third Business Day of each calendar week, a variance report showing all variances by line-item from the amounts set forth in the Budget, as most recently updated, with an explanation for each material line-item variance, and (b) prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the tenth (10th) Business Day of each calendar month, an update to the Budget covering the 13-week period after the week’s end of the week in which such day occurs.

 

6.30 Account Control Agreements. Except as set forth on Schedule 6.36, at all times the Borrower shall maintain and shall cause each other Loan Party to enter into and maintain, Control Agreements with respect to each of the Loan Parties’ deposit accounts, securities accounts, commodity accounts, except for Excluded Deposit Accounts.

 

6.31 Information Updates. The Borrower shall (a) (i) hold bi-weekly conference calls with its advisors, including legal counsel, the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent’s advisors, including FTI and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP, and the Consultant, and, (ii) commencing once the relevant delivery requirement is in effect, a monthly conference call with the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent’s advisors, including FTI, the Lenders and the Consultant to discuss the financial statements furnished pursuant to Section 6.01(d), each segment’s performance and material contracts, including current margin expectations compared to original estimates, and (b) provide the Administrative Agent’s advisors, including FTI, upon request with commercially reasonable access to records, books of account and the properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries with no notice required and on an ongoing basis.

 

6.32 [Reserved].

 

6.33 Chief Implementation Officer. The Borrower shall continue to retain, on terms and having a scope of engagement satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders (which appointment shall not be modified or terminated without the consent of the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders), a chief implementation officer acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders (the “CIO”), which CIO shall (a) report to and be supervised by the board of directors of the Borrower, (b) be responsible, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, for directly managing and implementing the obligations and activities specified in Section 6.28 of this Agreement, (c) be vested with the power and authority to manage and direct, (i) all restructuring activities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (ii) the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ liquidity management, (iii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries’ vendor relationships, (iv) strategic alternatives and refinancing initiatives for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and (v) such other activities and such additional duties as the board of directors may from time to time determine, and (d) be authorized by the Borrower to communicate directly with the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as to its duties described above. The CIO and the senior management of the Borrower shall undertake to work cooperatively with each other.

 

142

 

 

6.34 [Reserved].

 

6.35 [Reserved].

 

6.36 Foreign Collateral; Pledges of Stock and Stock Equivalents. Except as set forth on Schedule 6.36, as soon as commercially reasonable, the Borrower shall cause, (i) upon the request of the Administrative Agent, each Foreign Security Provider subject to such a request to execute a Joinder Agreement to the Guaranty or other guaranty or equivalent documentation satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and provide, pursuant to security documentation satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, a security interest in substantially all of its assets (subject to exceptions to be agreed between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent) and (ii) each Foreign Subsidiary identified by the Administrative Agent from time to time, in consultation with the Borrower, to grant a security interest to the Administrative Agent in proceeds with respect to insurance policies and deliver other related customary documentation in the applicable jurisdiction and (b) each Loan Party to provide a pledge of 100% of the Stock and Stock Equivalents in each Wholly-Owned Subsidiary to the Administrative Agent to the extent not previously pledged, together with, in each case, such customary legal opinions as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent.

 

The Administrative Agent shall provide copies of any written information provided to it by the Borrower or any Loan Party pursuant to this Article VI to any Lender requesting the same to the extent that such Lender had the right to make such request herein. Prior to the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date, the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to distribute to any Term Loan Lender information received from any Loan Party pursuant to this Article VI.

 

ARTICLE VII

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

The Borrower agrees to each of the following, (a) from and after the Restatement Effective Date and until the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date, with the Revolving Credit Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent and, (b) from and after the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date and thereafter as long as any Obligation or any Commitment remains outstanding, with the Term Loan Lenders and the Administrative Agent and, in each case, unless the Required Lenders otherwise consent in writing (provided that references herein to “Subsidiaries” shall exclude any Captive Insurance Subsidiary for all Sections under this Article VII except Sections 7.01 and 7.02):

 

143

 

 

7.01 Indebtedness. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly create, incur, assume or otherwise become or remain directly or indirectly liable with respect to any Indebtedness except for the following:

 

(a) Indebtedness under the Loan Documents;

 

(b) Indebtedness outstanding on the Closing Date (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) and listed on Schedule 7.01;

 

(c) Guaranty Obligations incurred by the Borrower or any Guarantor in respect of Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Guarantor that is permitted by this Section 7.01 (other than clause (g) below);

 

(d) (i) Indebtedness in respect of Capital Lease Obligations and purchase money obligations for tangible property, (ii) Indebtedness in respect of sale and leaseback transactions permitted by Section 7.13 (giving effect to the proviso contained therein) and (iii) other secured Indebtedness (including secured Indebtedness incurred or assumed by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in connection with a Permitted Acquisition); provided, however, that (A) the Liens securing such Indebtedness shall be within the limitations set forth in Sections 7.02(d), 7.02(e) or 7.02(k) and (B) (x) the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness permitted by this subsection (d) at any one time outstanding shall not exceed $50,000,000 and (y) the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness at any one time outstanding under clause (d)(iii) shall not exceed $10,000,000;

 

(e) renewals, extensions, refinancings and refundings of Indebtedness permitted by clause (b) or (d) above or this clause (e); provided, however, that any such renewal, extension, refinancing or refunding is in an aggregate principal amount not greater than the principal amount of (plus reasonable fees, expenses and any premium incurred in connection with the renewal, extension, refinancing or refunding of such Indebtedness), and is on terms that in the aggregate are not materially less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary than, including as to weighted average maturity, the Indebtedness being renewed, extended, refinanced or refunded;

 

144

 

 

(f) Indebtedness arising from intercompany loans among the Borrower and its Subsidiaries; provided that (x) if any such Indebtedness owing to a Loan Party that is a party to a Collateral Agreement is evidenced by a promissory note, such note shall be subject to a first priority Lien pursuant to such Collateral Agreement, provided that any such Indebtedness owing to a Loan Party by a Foreign Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be limited to Indebtedness incurred pursuant to transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (y) all such Indebtedness owed by a Loan Party to a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be Subordinated Debt, and (z) any payment by any Guarantor under any guaranty of the Obligations shall result in a pro tanto reduction of the amount of any Indebtedness owed by such Subsidiary to the Borrower or to any of its Subsidiaries for whose benefit such payment is made; provided, further, that, in each case, the Investment in the intercompany loan by the lender thereof is permitted under Section 7.03;

 

(g) Non-Recourse Indebtedness;

 

(h) Indebtedness under or in respect of Swap Contracts that are not speculative in nature;

 

(i) unsecured Indebtedness of any Subsidiary (other than a Guarantor) in aggregate principal amount not to exceed $15,000,000 at any time outstanding;

 

(j) Indebtedness in respect of any insurance premium financing for insurance being acquired by the Borrower or any Subsidiary under customary terms and conditions and not in connection with the borrowing of money;

 

(k) Indebtedness under or in respect of Cash Management Agreements;

 

(l) Indebtedness in respect of matured or drawn Performance Guarantees in the nature of letters of credit, bankers acceptances, bank guarantees or other similar obligations, but only so long as such Indebtedness is reimbursed or extinguished within 5 Business Days of being matured or drawn;

 

(m) Indebtedness in respect of matured or drawn Performance Guarantees in the nature of surety bonds, performance bonds and other similar obligations, in each case that would appear as indebtedness on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower prepared in accordance with GAAP, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $150,000,000 at any time outstanding;

 

(n) Cash Collateralized Letters of Credit;

 

(o) unsecured Indebtedness of any Loan Party so long as at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness (i) no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and (ii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are in pro forma compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.16 immediately before and after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness;

 

145

 

 

(p) COVID-19 Relief Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $10,000,000;

 

(q) [reserved]

 

(r) Indebtedness with respect to (i) unmatured or undrawn obligations to reimburse B. Riley Financial, Inc. with respect to the [***] Letter of Credit and (ii) matured or drawn obligations to reimburse B. Riley Financial, Inc. with respect to the [***] Letter of Credit, provided that such Indebtedness is deemed a Tranche A-5 Term Loan Borrowing within 2 Business Days of being matured or drawn (or such longer period, not to exceed five (5) Business Days, in the Administrative Agent’s reasonable discretion); and

 

(s) Indebtedness in the aggregate not to exceed a principal amount of $50,000,000 with respect to (i) unmatured or undrawn obligations to reimburse the Tranche A-7 Lenders with respect to the Tranche A-7 Letter of Credit and (ii) matured or drawn obligations to reimburse the Tranche A-7 Lenders with respect to the Tranche A-7 Letter of Credit, provided that such Indebtedness is deemed a Tranche A-7 Term Loan Borrowing within two (2) Business Days of being matured or drawn (or such longer period, not to exceed five (5) Business Days, in the Administrative Agent’s reasonable discretion);

 

provided that the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Indebtedness pursuant to Sections 7.01(i) and (o) (including any Indebtedness that is Subordinated Debt) shall not exceed $25,000,000 at any time.

 

7.02 Liens. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any of their respective properties or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or assign, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to assign, any right to receive income, except for the following:

 

(a) Liens created pursuant to any Loan Document;

 

(b) Liens existing on the Closing Date (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) and listed on Schedule 7.02;

 

(c) Customary Permitted Liens;

 

(d) Liens granted by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower under a Capital Lease and Liens to which any property is subject at the time, on or after the Restatement Effective Date, of the Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s acquisition thereof in accordance with this Agreement, in each case securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.01(d) and limited to the property purchased (and proceeds thereof) with the proceeds subject to such Capital Lease or Indebtedness;

 

146

 

 

(e) purchase money security interests in real property, improvements thereto or equipment (including any item of equipment purchased in connection with a particular construction project that the Borrower or a Subsidiary expects to sell to its customer with respect to such project and that, pending such sale, is classified as inventory) hereafter acquired (or, in the case of improvements, constructed) by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that (i) such security interests secure purchase money Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.01(d) and are limited to the property purchased with the proceeds of such purchase money Indebtedness (and proceeds thereof), (ii) such security interests are incurred, and the Indebtedness secured thereby is created, within ninety days of such acquisition or construction, and (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the lesser of the cost or Fair Market Value of such real property, improvements or equipment at the time of such acquisition or construction;

 

(f) any Lien securing the renewal, extension, refinancing or refunding of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien permitted by clause (b), (d) or (e) above, this clause (f) or clause (k) below, without any material change in the assets subject to such Lien;

 

(g) Liens in favor of lessors securing operating leases permitted hereunder;

 

(h) Liens securing Non-Recourse Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.01(g) on (i) the assets of the Subsidiary or Joint Venture financed by such Non-Recourse Indebtedness and (ii) the Stock of the Joint Venture or Subsidiary financed by such Non-Recourse Indebtedness;

 

(i) Liens arising out of judgments or awards and not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(g);

 

(j) Liens encumbering inventory, work-in-process and related property in favor of customers or suppliers securing obligations and other liabilities to such customers or suppliers (other than Indebtedness) to the extent such Liens are granted in the ordinary course of business and are consistent with past business practices;

 

(k) Liens not otherwise permitted hereunder securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.01(d)(ii) or (iii) and encumbering assets of (i) Foreign Subsidiaries or (ii) Domestic Subsidiaries that are not (and are not required to be) Guarantors, in each case that do not constitute Collateral;

 

147

 

 

(l) Liens with respect to foreign exchange netting arrangements to the extent incurred in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past business practices; provided that the aggregate outstanding amount of all such obligations and liabilities secured by such Liens shall not exceed $10,000,000 at any time;

 

(m) Liens securing insurance premium financing permitted under Section 7.01(j) under customary terms and conditions; provided that no such Lien may extend to or cover any property other than the insurance being acquired with such financing, the proceeds thereof and any unearned or refunded insurance premiums related thereto;

 

(n) Liens not otherwise permitted by this Section securing obligations or other liabilities (other than Indebtedness for borrowed money) of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries; provided that the aggregate outstanding amount of all such obligations and liabilities secured by such Liens shall not exceed $10,000,000 at any time;

 

(o) Liens on Cash Collateral securing only Cash Collateralized Letters of Credit;

 

(p) Liens securing reimbursement obligations of any Foreign Subsidiary in respect of Performance Guarantees (including any obligation to make payments in connection with such performance, but excluding obligations for the payment of borrowed money) issued by a Person that is not the Borrower or an Affiliate of the Borrower; provided such Liens shall be limited to (i) any contract as to which such Performance Guarantee provides credit support, (ii) any accounts receivable arising out of such contract and (iii) the deposit account into which such accounts receivable are deposited (the property described in clauses (i) through (iii), collectively, the “Performance Guarantee Collateral”);

 

(q) Liens on cash or Cash Equivalents securing (i) reimbursement obligations in respect of Performance Guarantees and other similar obligations (including any obligation to make payments in connection with such performance, but excluding obligations for the payment of borrowed money) and (ii) Swap Contracts that are not speculative in nature; provided that, in each case, the aggregate outstanding amount of all such obligations and liabilities secured by such Liens shall not exceed $25,000,000;

 

148

 

 

(r) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 7.01(p), provided that (x) such Liens are not on any assets or properties of Loan Parties or (y) the Administrative Agent, in its reasonable discretion, has provided its prior written consent to such Lien;

 

(s) Liens not otherwise permitted by this Section securing obligations or other liabilities of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries; provided that such Liens and the aggregate outstanding amount of all such obligations and liabilities secured by such Liens permitted under this clause (s) shall be on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders;

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, no Loan Party or Subsidiary shall pledge, cause to be pledged, or permit the pledge of, any asset owned by a Domestic Subsidiary as credit support in favor of, or for the benefit of, any Non-Loan Party.

 

7.03 Investments. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly make or maintain any Investment except for the following:

 

(a) Investments existing on the Closing Date (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) and disclosed on Schedule 7.03, and any refinancings of such Investments to the extent constituting Indebtedness otherwise permitted under Section 7.01(b), provided such refinancing complies with the provisions of Section 7.01(e);

 

(b) Investments held by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents;

 

(c) Investments in accounts, contract rights and chattel paper (each as defined in the UCC), notes receivable and similar items arising or acquired from the sale of Inventory in the ordinary course of business consistent with the past practice of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

 

(d) Investments received in settlement of amounts due to the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower effected in the ordinary course of business;

 

(e) Investments by the Borrower in any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary and Investments of any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary in the Borrower or in another Wholly-Owned Subsidiary; provided that any such Investments permitted under this clause (e) made by a Loan Party in a Foreign Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be limited to such Investments entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries; provided further that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be permitted to convert outstanding intercompany loans made from the Borrower through a series of Subsidiaries into Babcock & Wilcox Vølund, A/S, Babcock & Wilcox Vølund AB, Babcock & Wilcox Vølund Limited, Babcock & Wilcox Slovakia s.r.o. and/or SPIG S.p.A. and its subsidiaries incurred pursuant to Section 7.01(f) into intercompany equity holdings;

 

149

 

 

(f) loans or advances to employees of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (or guaranties of loans and advances made by a third party to employees of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) in the ordinary course of business; provided, that the aggregate principal amount of all such loans and advances and guaranties of loans and advances shall not exceed $1,000,000 at any time;

 

(g) Investments constituting Guaranty Obligations permitted by Section 7.01;

 

(h) Investments in connection with a Permitted Acquisition;

 

(i) Investments in Rabbi Trusts in an aggregate amount not to exceed $15,000,000 (plus income and capital growth with respect thereto);

 

(j) Investments in the nature of, and arising directly as a result of, consideration received in connection with an Asset Sale made in compliance with Section 7.04;

 

(k) [reserved];

 

(l) other Investments not constituting Acquisitions by the Borrower or any Subsidiary made after the Closing Date (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement); provided that the aggregate outstanding amount of all Investments made pursuant to this clause (l) at any time shall not exceed $15,000,000.

 

For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the original cost of such Investment, minus the amount of any portion of such Investment repaid to the investor as a dividend, repayment of loan or advance, release or discharge of a guarantee or other obligation or other transfer of property or return of capital, as the case may be, but without any other adjustments for increases or decreases in value, or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to such Investment or interest earned on such Investment.

 

150

 

 

7.04 Asset Sales. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of any of their respective assets or any interest therein (including the sale or factoring at maturity of any accounts) to any Person, or permit or suffer any other Person to acquire any interest in any of their respective assets or, in the case of any Subsidiary, issue or sell any shares of such Subsidiary’s Stock or Stock Equivalent (any such disposition being an “Asset Sale”) except for the following:

 

(a) the sale or disposition of inventory in the ordinary course of business;

 

(b) transfers resulting from any taking or condemnation of any property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (or, as long as no Default exists or would result therefrom, deed in lieu thereof);

 

(c) as long as no Default exists or would result therefrom, the sale or disposition of equipment that the Borrower reasonably determines is no longer useful in its or its Subsidiaries’ business, has become obsolete, damaged or surplus or is replaced in the ordinary course of business;

 

(d) as long as no Default exists or would result therefrom, the sale or disposition of assets (including the issuance or sale of Stock or Stock Equivalents) of any Subsidiary that either (i) is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or (ii) is an Immaterial Subsidiary that, in each case, both at the time of such sale and as of the Closing Date (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) (or if later, the time of formation or acquisition of such Subsidiary), do not constitute, in the aggregate, all or substantially all of the assets (or the Stock or Stock Equivalents) of such Subsidiary; provided, however, with respect to any such Asset Sale made pursuant to this clause (d), no such Asset Sale shall be permitted between Loan Parties and Foreign Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties;

 

(e) as long as no Default exists or would result therefrom, the lease or sublease of Real Property not constituting a sale and leaseback, to the extent not otherwise prohibited by this Agreement or the Mortgages;

 

(f) as long as no Default exists or would result therefrom, non-exclusive assignments and licenses of intellectual property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

(g) as long as no Default exists or would result therefrom, discounts, adjustments, settlements and compromises of Accounts and contract claims in the ordinary course of business;

 

(h) any Asset Sale (i) to the Borrower or any Guarantor or (ii) by any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to another Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party;

 

151

 

 

(i) as long as no Default exists or would result therefrom, any other Asset Sale for Fair Market Value and where 100% of the consideration received therefor is cash or Cash Equivalents; provided, however, that with respect to any such Asset Sale pursuant to this clause (i), the aggregate consideration received for the sale of all assets sold in accordance with this clause (i) during any Fiscal Year, including such Asset Sale, shall not exceed the lesser of (I) $10,000,000 and (II) 5% of Consolidated Tangible Assets as of the last day of the immediately preceding Fiscal Year;

 

(j) any single transaction or series of related transactions so long as neither such single transaction nor such series of related transactions involves assets having a Fair Market Value of more than $5,000,000; and

 

(k) Asset Sales permitted by Section 7.13, Investments permitted by Section 7.03 and Restricted Payments permitted by Section 7.05.

 

7.05 Restricted Payments. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, declare, order, pay or make any sum for any Restricted Payment except for:

 

(a) Restricted Payments by the Borrower to any Guarantor;

 

(b) Restricted Payments by (i) any Subsidiary of the Borrower to the Borrower or any Guarantor or (ii) any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to another Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party;

 

(c) Restricted Payments by any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary to the Borrower or any Guarantor and to any other direct or indirect holders of equity interests in such Subsidiary to the extent (i) such Restricted Payments are made pro rata (or on a basis more favorable to the Borrower or such Guarantor) among the holders of the equity interests in such Subsidiary or (ii) pursuant to the terms of the joint venture or other distribution agreement for such Subsidiary in form and substance approved by the Administrative Agent (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed);

 

(d) any redemption, retirement, sinking fund or similar payment, purchase or other acquisition for value, direct or indirect, of any Stock or Stock Equivalents of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Specified Equity Contributions) that is deemed to occur upon the cashless exercise of stock options or warrants;

 

152

 

 

(e) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Stock or Stock Equivalents of the Borrower or any Subsidiary held by any current or former officer, director or employee pursuant to any equity-based compensation plan, equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement, shareholders’ agreement or similar agreement in an aggregate amount not to exceed $20,000,000 in any Fiscal Year; and

 

(f) payment of fees and other amounts, including amounts in lieu of interest waived hereunder, to B. Riley pursuant to the B. Riley Fee Letter which may be made in Stock, Stock Equivalents, Cash or Cash Equivalents.

 

7.06  Fundamental Changes. Merge, amalgamate, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate with or into another Person, or dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person, except that, so long as no Default exists or would result therefrom: any Subsidiary may merge or consolidate with or into (i) the Borrower, provided that the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person, or (ii) any one or more other Subsidiaries, provided that when (i) any Guarantor is merging or consolidating with another Subsidiary, the continuing or surviving Person shall be a Guarantor (whether as the survivor or by becoming a Guarantor in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, including by joining the Guaranty) and (ii) any Guarantor that is a Domestic Subsidiary is merging or consolidating with another Subsidiary, the continuing or surviving Person shall be a Guarantor that is a Domestic Subsidiary;

 

(b) any Subsidiary may dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to the Borrower or to another Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor in such a transaction is (i) a Guarantor, then the transferee must either be the Borrower or a Guarantor or (ii) a Guarantor that is a Domestic Subsidiary, then the transferee must either be the Borrower or a Guarantor that is a Domestic Subsidiary;

 

(c) any Person may be merged or amalgamated with or into the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower in connection with a transaction that constitutes a Permitted Acquisition, provided that (i) if the Borrower is a party to such transaction, the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person, or (ii) if a Guarantor is a party to such transaction, the continuing or surviving Person shall be a Guarantor (whether as the survivor or by becoming a Guarantor in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, including by joining the Guaranty);

 

(d) any Subsidiary may dissolve or liquidate so long as (i) such dissolution or liquidation could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or have a material adverse effect on the value of the Guaranty or the Collateral (if any) and (ii) if such dissolving Subsidiary is (x) a Guarantor, it transfers all or substantially all of its assets and operations to another Guarantor or (y) a Guarantor that is a Domestic Subsidiary, it transfers all or substantially all of its assets and operations to another Guarantor that is a Domestic Subsidiary; and

 

(e) an Asset Sale permitted under Section 7.04 may be consummated.

 

153

 

 

7.07 Change in Nature of Business. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than the Eligible Line of Business.

 

7.08 Transactions with Affiliates. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any transaction of any kind involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $1,000,000 with any Affiliate of the Borrower, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, other than on fair and reasonable terms substantially as favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary as could reasonably be expected to be obtainable by the Borrower or such Subsidiary at the time in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate except:

 

(a) transactions among the Borrower and its Subsidiaries not otherwise prohibited under the Loan Documents;

 

(b) Restricted Payments and Investments otherwise permitted by this Agreement;

 

(c) transactions in accordance with the Affiliate Agreements or as thereafter amended or replaced in any manner that, taken as a whole, is not more disadvantageous to the Lenders or the Borrower in any material respect than such agreement as it was in effect on the Restatement Effective Date;

 

(d) reasonable director, officer and employee compensation (including bonuses) and other benefits (including pursuant to any employment agreement or any retirement, health, stock option or other benefit plan) and indemnification and insurance arrangements, in each case, as determined in good faith by the Borrower’s board of directors or senior management;

 

(e) the entering into of a tax sharing agreement, or payments pursuant thereto, between the Borrower and/or one or more Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any Tax Affiliate, on the other hand, which payments by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are not in excess of the tax liabilities that would have been payable by them on a stand-alone basis;

 

154

 

 

(f) so long as the Borrower is subject to the filing requirements of the SEC, any transaction not otherwise prohibited under the Loan Documents with a Person that would constitute an Affiliate of the Borrower solely because the Borrower or a Subsidiary owns Stock in or otherwise Controls such Person;

 

(g) pledges by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of Stock of any Joint Venture in a transaction permitted by Section 7.02(h)(ii);

 

(h) any transaction entered into by a Person prior to the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or is merged or consolidated into the Borrower or a Subsidiary (provided that such transaction is not entered into in contemplation of such event); and

 

(i) the transactions entered into pursuant to the B. Riley Fee Letter, including the issuance of Stock and Stock Equivalents.

 

7.09 Burdensome Agreements. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (a) other than for any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, agree to enter into or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction of any kind on the ability of such Subsidiary to pay dividends or make any other distribution or transfer of funds or assets or make loans or advances to or other Investments in, or enter into any Guaranty Obligation or pay any Indebtedness owed to, the Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower or (b) other than customary non-assignment provisions in contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, enter into or permit to exist or become effective any enforceable agreement prohibiting or limiting the ability of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to secure the Obligations, including any agreement requiring any other Indebtedness or Contractual Obligation to be equally and ratably secured with the Obligations; provided that the limitations of this Section 7.09 shall not apply to such limitations contained in (i) the Loan Documents, (ii) any agreement governing any Non-Recourse Indebtedness or any Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.01(b), (d), (e), (g) (in the case of any such Indebtedness, so long as any prohibition or limitation is only effective against the assets financed thereby) or (i) or (iii) any agreement of a Subsidiary that is not (and is not required to become) a Loan Party that is in existence at the time of, and is not entered into in anticipation of, the acquisition of such Person as a Subsidiary of the Borrower (and, with respect to this clause (iii), including any amendment, extension, amendment and restatement, replacement, refinancing or other modification of such agreement so long as the relevant limitations are not altered in any manner that is materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders).

 

155

 

 

7.10 [Reserved].

 

7.11 Fiscal Year. The Borrower shall not change its Fiscal Year.

 

7.12 Use of Proceeds. (a) The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, use all or any portion of the proceeds of any credit extended hereunder to purchase or carry margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the FRB) in contravention of Regulation U of the FRB and (b) the proceeds of Loans shall not be used to cash collateralize any letters of credit, sureties, support for warranties or performance obligations, or any similar obligations other than the Letters of Credit.

 

7.13 Sale Leasebacks. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any sale and leaseback transaction unless the proceeds of such transaction received by the Loan Parties equal the Fair Market Value of the properties subject to such transaction and, after giving effect to such sale and leaseback transaction, the aggregate Fair Market Value of all properties covered at any one time by all sale and leaseback transactions permitted hereunder (other than any sale and leaseback transaction of property entered into within 90 days of the acquisition of such property) does not exceed $10,000,000; provided that any such sale and leaseback transactions permitted under this Section 7.13 shall be limited to the sale and leaseback of the (i) the Power Copley property and (ii) Volund Esjberg assembly facility.

 

7.14 No Speculative Transactions. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in any material speculative transaction or in any material transaction involving the entry into of Swap Contracts by such Person except for the sole purpose of hedging in the normal course of business.

 

7.15 Anti-Corruption Laws. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of any Credit Extension in violation of applicable Anti-Corruption Laws.

 

7.16 Financial Covenants.

 

(a) Interest Coverage Ratio and Senior Leverage Ratio. Compliance with any Interest Coverage Ratio or Senior Leverage Ratio as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter of the Borrower ending on or prior to September 30, 2020 is hereby suspended. The Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Required Lenders agree to negotiate in good faith covenants with respect to interest coverage and leverage ratios.

 

(b) [Reserved].

 

7.17 Sanctions. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to directly or indirectly use the proceeds of any Credit Extension, or make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, Joint Venture partner or other individual or entity, to fund, finance or facilitate any activities of or business with any individual or entity, or in any Designated Jurisdiction, that, in each case at the time of such funding, is the subject of Sanctions, or in any other manner that, to the Borrower’s knowledge, would result in a violation by any Lender, Administrative Agent or L/C Issuer of Sanctions.

 

156

 

 

7.18 Minimum Liquidity. The Borrower shall not permit Liquidity as of the last Business Day of any calendar month, as demonstrated by a certificate of a Responsible Officer delivered within 15 days of the end of the relevant calendar month certifying as to the foregoing and containing reasonably detailed calculations in support thereof, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent to be less than $30,000,000.

 

7.19 [Reserved].

 

7.20 Capital Expenditures. Permit the aggregate amount of Capital Expenditures made by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in each fiscal year to exceed $27,500,000 for such fiscal year other than any expenditures for replacements and substitutions for fixed assets, capital assets or equipment to the extent made with the proceeds of insurance to repair replace any such assets or equipment that were lost, damaged or destroyed from a casualty or condemnation event.

 

ARTICLE VIII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

 

8.01 Events of Default. Any of the following shall, at any time on or after the Restatement Effective Date (other than with respect to Section 8.01(c)), and at any time with respect to Section 8.01(c), constitute an “Event of Default”:

 

(a) Non-Payment of Principal. the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any L/C Obligation when the same becomes due and payable; or

 

(b) Non-Payment of Interest and Other Amounts. the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan, any fee under any of the Loan Documents or any other Obligation (other than one referred to in clause (a) above and other than Obligations under any Secured Cash Management Agreement or Secured Hedge Agreement) and such non-payment continues for a period of three Business Days after the due date therefor; or

 

(c) Representations and Warranties. any representation or warranty made or deemed made by any Loan Party in any Loan Document shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect (or, with respect to representations and warranties modified by a materiality or Material Adverse Effect standard, in all respects) when made or deemed made; or

 

157

 

 

(d) Failure to Perform Covenants. any Loan Party shall fail to perform or observe (i) any term, covenant or agreement contained in Sections 6.03(a), 6.08, 6.12 (with respect to the existence of the Borrower), 6.17, 6.25, 6.37, or Article VII or (ii) any other term, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document if such failure under this clause (ii) shall remain unremedied for 30 days after the earlier of (A) the date on which a Responsible Officer of the Borrower obtains actual knowledge of such failure and (B) the date on which written notice thereof shall have been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any L/C Issuer; or

 

(e) Cross-Default. (i) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to make any payment on any recourse Indebtedness of the Borrower or any such Subsidiary (other than the Obligations (except Obligations under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements, which are expressly covered by this clause (e))) or any Guaranty Obligation in respect of Indebtedness of any other Person, and, in each case, such failure relates to Indebtedness (x) having a principal amount in excess of $25,000,000 when the same becomes due and payable (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, early termination event or otherwise), or (y) under any foreign revolving credit facility, whether committed or uncommitted, (ii) any other event shall occur or condition shall exist under any agreement or instrument relating to any such Indebtedness, if the effect of such event or condition is to accelerate, or to permit the acceleration of, the maturity of such Indebtedness or (iii) any such Indebtedness shall become or be declared to be due and payable, or required to be prepaid or repurchased (other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment), prior to the stated maturity thereof; provided that clauses (ii) and (iii) above shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness; or

 

(f) Insolvency Proceedings, Etc. (i) the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries shall generally not pay its debts as such debts become due, shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (ii) any proceeding shall be instituted by or against the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief or composition of it or its debts, under any Requirement of Law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a custodian, receiver, trustee or other similar official for it or for any substantial part of its property; provided, however, that, in the case of any such proceedings instituted against the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries (but not instituted by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries), either such proceedings shall remain undismissed or unstayed for a period of 60 days or more or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered, or (iii) the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries shall take any corporate action to authorize any action set forth in clauses (i) or (ii) above; or

 

158

 

 

(g) Judgments. one or more judgments, orders or decrees (or other similar process) for the payment of money in an amount in excess of $35,000,000 in the aggregate (to the extent not covered by insurance as to which a solvent and unaffiliated insurance company has acknowledged coverage), shall be rendered against one or more of the Borrower and its Material Subsidiaries and shall remain unpaid and either (x) enforcement proceedings shall have been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment, injunction or order or (y) there shall be any period of 30 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment, injunction or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect; or

 

(h) ERISA. one or more ERISA Events shall occur and the amount of all liabilities and deficiencies resulting therefrom imposed on or which could reasonably be expected to be imposed directly on the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any Guarantor, whether or not assessed, when taken together with amounts of all such liabilities and deficiencies for all other such ERISA Events exceeds $35,000,000 in the aggregate; or

 

(i) Invalidity of Loan Documents. Any of:

 

(i) any provision of any Security Instrument or the Guaranty after delivery thereof pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall for any reason, except as permitted by the Loan Documents, cease to be valid and binding on, or enforceable against, any Loan Party which is a party thereto, or any Loan Party shall so state in writing;

 

(ii) any Security Instrument shall for any reason fail or cease to create a valid Lien on any Collateral with an aggregate value of $10,000,000 or more purported to be covered thereby or, except as permitted by the Loan Documents, such Lien shall fail or cease to be a perfected and first priority Lien or any Loan Party shall so state in writing; or

 

159

 

 

(iii) any provision of the B. Riley Limited Guaranty after delivery thereof pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall for any reason cease to be valid and binding on, or enforceable against B. Riley Financial, Inc.; or

 

(j) Change of Control. there occurs any Change of Control; or

 

(k) Project-Related Defaults. (x) With respect to any Vølund Project other than the Vølund Projects located at [***], [***] and [***], the exercise of any rejection or termination right under any contract with respect to the Vølund Projects in accordance with the terms thereof pursuant to any written communication or notice or pursuant to any judicial, regulatory or administrative procedure and such rejection or termination is not cured or waived within 10 Business Days, (y) [reserved] or (z) with respect to any Vølund Project other than the Vølund Projects located at [***], [***] and [***], (A) any Vølund Project counterparty or other Vølund Project stakeholder takes any material step to enforce any rights or remedies it may have with respect to Performance Guarantees it may have against any Loan Party as determined by the Administrative Agent based upon advice of counsel, (B) the aggregate potential liability thereof exceeds $10,000,000 and (C) the relevant counterparties and/or stakeholders have not agreed to waive or postpone the exercise of such rights or remedies within 10 Business Days.

 

(l) Financial Covenant Reinstatement. The Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Required Lenders fail to agree on interest coverage and leverage ratios testing levels and appropriate calculations thereof on or prior to October 31, 2020; provided that the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders have negotiated such covenants in good faith or have attempted to engage the Borrower in good faith in such negotiations.

 

(m) Tranche A-6 Term Loan Fundings. Any Tranche A-6 Term Loan Lender shall fail to fund any Tranche A-6 Term Loan in full in accordance with the terms hereunder (solely except as such amount may be reduced on account of Net Cash Proceeds of the issuance of Stock or Stock Equivalents of the Borrower in accordance with Section 4.05), or the Borrower shall fail to provide a Request for Credit Extension as set forth with Section 4.05 for any of the Scheduled Term Loans in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.02 for each scheduled date and in the full corresponding principal amount set forth in Section 2.01F (solely except as such amount may be reduced on account of Net Cash Proceeds of the issuance of Stock or Stock Equivalents of the Borrower in accordance with Section 4.05).

 

160

 

 

8.02 Remedies Upon Event of Default. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall, at the request of, or may, with the consent of, the Required Lenders, take any or all of the following actions:

 

(a) declare the Commitment of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuers to make L/C Credit Extensions to be terminated, whereupon such Commitments and obligation shall be terminated;

 

(b) declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower;

 

(c) require that the Borrower Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (in an amount equal to the then Outstanding Amount thereof); and

 

(d) exercise on behalf of itself, the Lenders and the L/C Issuers all rights and remedies available to it, the Lenders and the L/C Issuers under the Loan Documents;

 

provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, the obligation of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuers to make L/C Credit Extensions shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, and the obligation of the Borrower to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations as aforesaid shall automatically become effective, in each case without further act of the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

 

8.03 Application of Funds. After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 8.02 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable and the L/C Obligations have automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set forth in the proviso to Section 8.02), any amounts received on account of the Obligations shall, subject to the provisions of Sections 2.15 and 2.16, be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:

 

First, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent and amounts payable under Article III) payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;

 

Second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal, interest and Letter of Credit Fees) payable to the Revolving Credit Lenders and the L/C Issuers (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders and the L/C Issuers arising under the Loan Documents and amounts payable under Article III), ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;

 

161

 

 

Third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid Letter of Credit Fees and interest on the Revolving Credit Loans, L/C Borrowings and other Obligations arising under the Loan Documents owing to the Revolving Credit Lenders, ratably among the Revolving Credit Lenders and the L/C Issuers in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;

 

Fourth, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Revolving Credit Loans, L/C Borrowings and Obligations then owing under Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Cash Management Agreements, ratably among the Revolving Credit Lenders, the L/C Issuers, the Hedge Banks and the Cash Management Banks in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them;

 

Fifth, to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuers, to Cash Collateralize that portion of L/C Obligations composed of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit to the extent not otherwise Cash Collateralized by the Borrower pursuant to Sections 2.03 and 2.15, ratably among the L/C Issuers in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fifth held by them;

 

Sixth, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting interest on the Term Loans and other Obligations arising under the Loan Documents owing to the Term Loan Lenders, ratably among the Term Loan Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Sixth payable to them;

 

Seventh, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Term Loans, ratably among the Term Loan Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Seventh held by them; and

 

Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by the Intercreditor Agreement or any applicable Requirement of Law.

 

Subject to Sections 2.03(c) and 2.15, amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fifth above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur. If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above.

 

162

 

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements shall be excluded from the application described above if the Administrative Agent has not received written notice thereof, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank, as the case may be. Each Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank not a party to the Agreement that has given the notice contemplated by the preceding sentence shall, by such notice, be deemed to have acknowledged and accepted the appointment of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms of Article IX hereof for itself and its Affiliates as if a “Lender” party hereto.

 

8.04 Right to Cure

 

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 8.01, for purposes of determining whether any Default or Event of Default resulting from the failure to perform or observe any Financial Covenant has occurred, as of any date, and at any time during the applicable Fiscal Quarter or on or after the last day of the applicable Fiscal Quarter and on or prior to the day that is the tenth Business Day after the date on which financial statements are required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) and Section 6.01(b), as applicable, with respect to the applicable Fiscal Quarter hereunder (the “Cure Expiration Date”), the Borrower shall have the right to issue common Stock (or other Stock of the Borrower reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) for cash or otherwise receive direct equity contributions in cash (any such net cash proceeds of such issuance or contribution, excluding such net cash proceeds of such issuance or contribution of Disqualified Stock, a “Specified Equity Contribution”), and upon the receipt by the Borrower of the Specified Equity Contribution, the Financial Covenants shall be recalculated, giving effect to a pro forma increase to EBITDA for such Fiscal Quarter and each subsequent period that includes such Fiscal Quarter (the “Cure Right”).

 

(b) The right to make a Specified Equity Contribution is subject to the following conditions: (i) no more than two Specified Equity Contributions may be made in any period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters, (ii) no more than two Specified Equity Contributions may be made prior to the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date, (iii) the net cash proceeds of any Specified Equity Contribution shall be no more than the amount required to cause the Borrower to be in pro forma compliance with the Financial Covenants for any applicable period, (iv) there shall be no pro forma reduction in Indebtedness with the proceeds of any Specified Equity Contribution used to increase EBITDA for determining compliance with the Financial Covenants for the four Fiscal Quarter period ending with the Fiscal Quarter ended immediately prior to the exercise of the Cure Right, (v) all Specified Equity Contributions shall be disregarded for purposes of determining availability or amount under any basket, financial ratio-based conditions or for carve-outs or for any other purposes and (vi) no Specified Equity Contributions held by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall qualify as “unrestricted cash” or Cash Equivalents” for the purpose of calculating Liquidity.

 

163

 

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 7.16, (A) if upon the exercise of the Cure Right the Borrower shall then be in compliance with the requirements of the Financial Covenants, the Financial Covenants shall be deemed satisfied and complied with as of the end of the relevant Fiscal Quarter with the same effect as though there had been no failure to comply the Financial Covenants, and any Default or Event of Default related to any failure to comply the Financial Covenants shall be deemed not to have occurred ; provided that no Borrower shall be permitted to borrow Revolving Credit Loans or make any request for the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit) until and unless (x) the Specified Equity Contribution has been received by the Borrower or (y) all such Defaults and Events of Default (or the restrictions contained in this proviso) shall have been waived or cured in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(d)  Following the delivery by the Borrower of a written notice to the Administrative Agent of its intent to exercise the Cure Right, (x) prior to the Cure Expiration Date, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall not be permitted to exercise any rights then available as a result of an Event of Default under this Article VIII on the basis of a breach of the Financial Covenant so as to enable the consummation of the Cure Right as permitted under this Section 8.04 and (y) for the avoidance of doubt, the Revolving Credit Lenders shall not be required to make any Revolving Credit Loans and the L/C Issuers shall not be required to make any L/C Credit Extension, unless and until the Borrower has received a Specified Equity Contribution in an amount that causes the Borrower to be in compliance with the Financial Covenants, and further subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 4.03.

 

164

 

 

ARTICLE IX

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

 

9.01 Appointment and Authority.

 

(a) Each of the Lenders and each L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints Bank of America to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuers, and the Borrower shall not have any rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Requirement of Law; provided that the meaning of such term in Section 10.06(c) is intended to be consistent with the meaning of such term as used in Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.

 

(b) The Administrative Agent shall also act as the “collateral agent” under the Loan Documents, and each of the Lenders (including in its capacities as a potential Hedge Bank and a potential Cash Management Bank) and the L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to act as the agent of such Lender and the L/C Issuer for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any of the Loan Parties to secure any of the Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. In this connection, the Administrative Agent, as “collateral agent” and any co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 9.05 for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under the Security Instruments, or for exercising any rights and remedies thereunder at the direction of the Administrative Agent), shall be entitled to the benefits of all provisions of this Article IX and Article X (including Section 10.04(c), as though such co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact were the “collateral agent” under the Loan Documents) as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent is further authorized on behalf of all the Lenders, without the necessity of any notice to or further consent from the Lenders, from time to time to take any action, or permit the any co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Administrative Agent to take any action, with respect to any Collateral or the Loan Documents which may be necessary to perfect and maintain perfected the Liens upon any Collateral granted pursuant to any Loan Document.

 

165

 

 

9.02 Rights as a Lender. The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person 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 business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

 

9.03 Exculpatory Provisions. The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, and its duties hereunder shall be administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:

 

(a) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

(b) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law; and

 

(c) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.

 

166

 

 

The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 10.01 and 8.02) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or the L/C Issuer.

 

The Administrative 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 this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Security Instruments, (v) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral, or (vi) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.

 

9.04 Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance, extension, renewal or increase of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or the L/C Issuer unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or the L/C Issuer prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

 

167

 

 

9.05 Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may perform any and all 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 Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or 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 Administrative Agent and any such sub agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and non appealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.

 

9.06 Resignation of Administrative Agent.

 

(a) The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the L/C Issuers and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Resignation Effective Date”), then the retiring Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) on behalf of the Lenders and the L/C Issuers, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above, provided that in no event shall any such successor Administrative Agent be a Defaulting Lender at the time of such appointment and succession. Whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date.

 

(b) If the Person serving as Administrative Agent is a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof, the Required Lenders may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, by notice in writing to the Borrower and such Person remove such Person as Administrative Agent and, in consultation with the Borrower, appoint a successor. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Removal Effective Date”), then such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date.

 

168

 

 

(c) With effect from the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date (as applicable) (1) the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders or the L/C Issuers under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed) and (2) except for any indemnity payments or other amounts then owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent, all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and each L/C Issuer directly, until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or removed) Administrative Agent (other than as provided in Section 3.01(h) and other than any rights to indemnity payments or other amounts owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent as of the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date, as applicable), and the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section) . The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring or removed Administrative Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 10.04 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring or removed Administrative 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 or removed Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.

 

(d) Any resignation by Bank of America as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall also constitute its resignation as L/C Issuer. If Bank of America resigns as an L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of an L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit issued by it and outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c). Upon the appointment by the Borrower of a successor L/C Issuer, and the acceptance by such successor L/C issuer of such appointment, with respect to the Letters of Credit issued by Bank of America and the related L/C Obligations (which may be another existing L/C Issuer) (which successor shall in all cases be a Lender other than a Defaulting Lender), (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer, (b) the retiring L/C Issuer shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and (c) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to Bank of America to effectively assume the obligations of Bank of America with respect to such Letters of Credit.

 

169

 

 

9.07 Non-Reliance on the Administrative Agent and the Other Lenders. Each Lender and each L/C Issuer expressly acknowledges that the Administrative Agent has not made any representation or warranty to it, and that no act by the Administrative Agent hereafter taken, including any consent to, and acceptance of any assignment or review of the affairs of any Loan Party of any Affiliate thereof, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Administrative Agent to any Lender or each L/C Issuer as to any matter, including whether the Administrative Agent has disclosed material information in its (or its Related Parties’) possession. Each Lender and each L/C Issuer represents to the Administrative Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis of, appraisal of, and investigation into, the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, and all applicable bank or other regulatory Laws relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, and made its own decision to enter into this Agreement and to extend credit to the Borrower hereunder. Each Lender and each L/C Issuer also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and 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, and to make such investigations as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties. Each Lender and each L/C Issuer represents and warrants that (i) the Loan Documents set forth the terms of a commercial lending facility and (ii) it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans in the ordinary course and is entering into this Agreement as a Lender or L/C Issuer for the purpose of making, acquiring or holding commercial loans and providing other facilities set forth herein as may be applicable to such Lender or L/C Issuer, and not for the purpose of purchasing, acquiring or holding any other type of financial instrument, and each Lender and each L/C Issuer agrees not to assert a claim in contravention of the foregoing. Each Lender and each L/C Issuer represents and warrants that it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to make, acquire and/or hold commercial loans and to provide other facilities set forth herein, as may be applicable to such Lender or such L/C Issuer, and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to make, acquire and/or hold such commercial loans or to provide such other facilities, is experienced in making, acquiring or holding such commercial loans or providing such other facilities.

 

170

 

 

9.08 [Reserved]

 

9.09 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim.

 

In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or L/C Obligation 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 the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, 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, L/C Obligations and all other Obligations (other than Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements) 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 L/C Issuers and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the L/C Issuers and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the L/C Issuers and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.03(h) and (i), 2.09 and 10.04) 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 judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and each L/C Issuer to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent, in its sole discretion, to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the L/C Issuers, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.09 and 10.04.

 

171

 

 

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 any L/C Issuer any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or any L/C Issuer to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or any L/C Issuer in any such proceeding.

 

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 accepting some or all of the Collateral in satisfaction of some or all of the Secured 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 of the United States, including under Sections 363, 1123 or 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, or any similar Laws in any other jurisdictions to which a Loan Party is subject, (b) at any other sale or 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 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 would vest upon the liquidation of such claims in an amount proportional to the liquidated portion of the contingent claim amount used in allocating the contingent interests in the asset or assets so purchased (or in the Stock, Stock Equivalents or debt instruments of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles that are used to consummate such purchase). In connection with any such bid (i) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to form one or more acquisition vehicles to make a bid, (ii) to adopt documents providing for the governance of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles; provided that all such documents will reflect the agreements set forth in Section 8.03 and any other subordination terms set forth herein; provided further that any actions by the Administrative Agent with respect to such acquisition vehicle or vehicles, including any disposition of the assets, Stock or Stock Equivalents thereof shall be governed, directly or indirectly, by the vote of the Required Lenders, irrespective of the termination of this Agreement and without giving effect to the limitations on actions by the Required Lenders contained in clauses (a) through (i) of Section 10.01 of this Agreement, (iii) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to assign the relevant Obligations to any such acquisition vehicle pro rata by the Lenders, as a result of which each of the Lenders shall be deemed to have received a pro rata portion of any Stock, Stock Equivalents and/or debt instruments issued by such an acquisition vehicle on account of the assignment of the Obligations to be credit bid, all without the need for any Secured Party or acquisition vehicle to take any further action, and (iv) 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 debt credit bid by the acquisition vehicle or otherwise), such Obligations shall automatically be reassigned to the Lenders pro rata and the Stock, Stock Equivalents and/or debt instruments issued by any acquisition vehicle on account of the Obligations that had been assigned to the acquisition vehicle shall automatically be cancelled, without the need for any Secured Party or any acquisition vehicle to take any further action.

 

172

 

 

9.10 Collateral and Guaranty Matters.

 

(a) Each of the Lenders (including in its capacities as a potential Cash Management Bank and a potential Hedge Bank, and on behalf of their Affiliates in such capacities) and each L/C Issuer irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion,

 

(i) to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document (i) upon termination of the Aggregate Commitments and payment in full of all Obligations (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations and (B) obligations and liabilities under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements either (x) as to which arrangements satisfactory to the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank shall have been made or (y) notice has not been received by the Administrative Agent from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank that such amounts are then due and payable) and the expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit (other than Letters of Credit as to which other arrangements satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the applicable L/C Issuer shall have been made), (ii) that is sold or otherwise disposed of or to be sold or otherwise disposed of as part of or in connection with any sale or other disposition permitted hereunder or under any other Loan Document (including, without limitation, in connection with the Foreign Subsidiary Reorganization) or (iii) subject to Section 10.01 (including Section 10.01(h)), if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders;

 

173

 

 

(ii) to subordinate or release 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 7.02(b), (d), (e), (f) or (h), and to enter into any intercreditor agreement, subordination agreement or similar agreement with respect to any such property;

 

(iii) to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents; and

 

Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release or subordinate its interest in particular types or items of property, or to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty pursuant to this Section 9.10. In each case as specified in this Section 9.10, the Administrative Agent will, at the Borrower’s expense, execute and deliver to the applicable Loan Party such documents as such Loan Party may reasonably request to evidence the release of such item of Collateral from the assignment and security interest granted under the Security Instruments or to subordinate its interest in such item, or to release such Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents and this Section 9.10.

 

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 for any failure to monitor or maintain any portion of the Collateral.

 

9.11 Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements. Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, no Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank that obtains the benefits of the provisions of Section 8.03, the Guaranty, the B. Riley Limited Guaranty or any Collateral by virtue of the provisions hereof or of any Guaranty, the B. Riley Limited Guaranty or any Security Instrument shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document or otherwise in respect of the Collateral (including the release or impairment of any Collateral) (or to notice of or to consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of the provisions hereof or of the Guaranty, the B. Riley Limited Guaranty or any Security Instrument) other than in its capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article IX to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements unless the Administrative Agent has received written notice of such Obligations, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank, as the case may be.

 

174

 

 

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

 

10.01 Amendments, Etc. Subject to Section 3.03(c), no amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by the Borrower or any other Loan Party therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Required Lenders and the Borrower or the applicable Loan Party, as the case may be, and acknowledged by the Administrative Agent, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, however, that no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:

 

(a) (x) waive the condition set forth in Section 4.01(e) without the written consent of each Revolving Credit Lender or (y) waive any condition set forth in Section 4.04, Section 4.05 or Section 4.06 without the written consent of each Term Loan Lender holding a Term Loan Commitment;

 

(b) extend or increase the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Commitment (i) terminated pursuant to Section 8.02 or (ii) mandatorily reduced pursuant to Section 2.06(a)(ii) or (iii), but excluding any waiver or modification with respect to any mandatory Commitment reduction pursuant to Section 2.06(a)(ii) or (iii)) without the written consent of such Lender, provided that any Commitment reduction pursuant to Section 2.06(a)(ii) for the benefit of the Term Loan Lenders shall not be waived or modified without the consent of each Tranche A-6 Term Loan Lender;

 

(c) postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment (excluding mandatory prepayments, if any) of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender entitled to such payment, provided that a postponement of any payment with respect to the Term Loan Facility that results from a modification of the definition of “Revolving Credit Facility Maturity Date” shall not be deemed to be a postponement of any payment;

 

175

 

 

(d) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or L/C Borrowing, or (subject to clause (iv) of the second proviso to this Section 10.01) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document (including any rights to indemnification or expense reimbursement under clauses (a) and (b) of Section 10.04) without the written consent of each Lender entitled to such amount; provided, however, that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary (i) to amend the definition of “Default Rate” or to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest, commitment fees or Letter of Credit Fees at the Default Rate or (ii) to amend any financial covenant hereunder (or any defined term used therein) even if the effect of such amendment would be to reduce the rate of interest on any Loan or L/C Borrowing or to reduce any fee payable hereunder;

 

(e) change Section 8.03 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby;

 

(f) amend Section 1.06 or the definition of “Alternative Currency” without the written consent of the Administrative Agent and each affected L/C Issuer;

 

(g) change any provision of this Section 10.01 or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender;

 

(h) release all or substantially all of the Collateral in any transaction or series of related transactions, or release all or substantially all of the value of the Guaranty or the B. Riley Limited Guaranty in each case without the written consent of each Lender, except to the extent the release of any Collateral or any Guarantor is permitted pursuant to Section 9.10 (other than Section 9.10(a)(iii)) (in which case such release may be made by the Administrative Agent acting alone); or

 

176

 

 

(i) waive or amend Section 6.26(b) without the written consent of Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank in its capacity as an L/C Issuer; and, provided further, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the applicable L/C Issuer in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of such L/C Issuer under this Agreement or any Issuer Document relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by it; (ii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; and (iii) each Fee Letter may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (x) no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (1) the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (2) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender disproportionately adversely relative to other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender and (y) the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the applicable L/C Issuer may, without the consent of any other Lender or L/C Issuer, make such changes as may be necessary to incorporate provisions with respect to the issuance of Letters of Credit in any Alternative Currency approved by such L/C Issuer. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section, if the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall have jointly identified (each in its sole discretion) an obvious error or omission of a technical or immaterial nature, in each case, in any provision of the Loan Documents, then the Administrative Agent and the applicable Loan Parties shall be permitted to amend such provision and such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to any Loan Document if the same is not objected to in writing by the Required Lenders within five Business Days following the posting of such amendment to the Lenders.

 

If any Lender does not consent to a proposed amendment, waiver, consent or release with respect to any Loan Document that requires the consent of such Lender and that has been approved by the Required Lenders, the Borrower may replace such non-consenting Lender in accordance with Section 10.13; provided that such amendment, waiver, consent or release can be effected as a result of the assignment contemplated by such Section (together with all other such assignments required by the Borrower to be made pursuant to this paragraph).

 

Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary:

 

(x) this Agreement may be amended with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (i) to add one or more additional revolving credit or term loan facilities to this Agreement and to permit the extensions of credit and all related obligations and liabilities arising in connection therewith from time to time outstanding to share ratably (or on a basis subordinated to the existing facilities hereunder) in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the obligations and liabilities from time to time outstanding in respect of the existing facilities hereunder, and (ii) in connection with the foregoing, to permit, as deemed appropriate by the Administrative Agent and approved by the Required Lenders, the Lenders providing such additional credit facilities to participate in any required vote or action required to be approved by the Required Lenders or by any other number, percentage or class of Lenders hereunder so long as such amendment does not adversely impact any other Lender’s ability to participate in such vote or action;

 

177

 

 

(y) until the occurrence of the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date, for purposes of determining whether the “Required Lenders” or any other amount of requisite Lenders (other than express references to the “Required Term Lenders”) have (i) consented to any amendment, modification, waiver, consent or other action with respect to any terms of the Loan Documents or (ii) directed or required the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party to undertake any action with respect to the Loan Documents, the Term Loan Lenders shall be deemed to have voted in the same proportion as the allocation of voting with respect to such matter by the Revolving Credit Lenders; provided that, to the extent such clause is applicable to any Term Loan Lender, such Term Loan Lender shall have consent rights under clauses (a)(y), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (g) of this Section 10.01 prior to the occurrence of the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date; and

 

(z) for purposes of determining whether the “Required Lenders” or any other amount of requisite Lenders have (i) consented to any amendment, modification, waiver, consent or other action with respect to any terms of the Loan Documents or (ii) directed or required the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party to undertake any action with respect to the Loan Documents, any Lender who holds (I) either Term Loans or Term Loan Commitments and (II) Revolving Credit Commitments shall, in its capacity as Revolving Credit Lender, be deemed to have voted in the same proportion as the allocation of voting with respect to such matter by the Revolving Credit Lenders which do not hold Term Loans or Term Loan Commitments; provided that, to the extent such clause is applicable to any Revolving Credit Lender, such Revolving Credit Lender shall have consent rights under clauses (b), (c), (d), (e), and (g) of this Section 10.01.

 

10.02 Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication.

 

(a) Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in subsection (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 or electronic mail as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:

 

(i) if to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, Bank of America as an L/C Issuer, to the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 10.02; and

 

178

 

 

(ii) if to any other Lender or any other L/C Issuer, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire (including, as appropriate, notices delivered solely to the Person designated by a Lender on its Administrative Questionnaire then in effect for the delivery of notices that may contain material non-public information relating to the Borrower).

 

Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices and other communications delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subsection (b) below, shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b).

 

(b) Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail, FpML messaging, and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or any L/C Issuer pursuant to Article II if such Lender or such L/C Issuer, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent any L/C Issuer or the Borrower may each, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

 

Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications 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), and (ii) notices or communications 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), if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice, email or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.

 

179

 

 

(c) The Platform. THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender, any L/C Issuer or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrower’s, any Loan Party’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Borrower Materials or notices through the Platform, any other electronic messaging service, or through the Internet, except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent Party; provided, however, that in no event shall any Agent Party have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other Person for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages).

 

(d) Change of Address, Etc. Each of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuers may change its address, facsimile or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Each other Lender may change its address, facsimile or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, and each L/C Issuer. In addition, each Lender and each L/C Issuer agrees to notify the Administrative Agent from time to time to ensure that the Administrative Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, facsimile number and electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender or L/C Issuer. Furthermore, each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable Requirements of Law, including United States Federal and state securities laws, to make reference to Borrower Materials that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal or state securities laws.

 

180

 

 

(e) Reliance by Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer and Lenders. The Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic or electronic Committed Loan Notices, and Letter of Credit Applications) purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower (or with respect to a Letter of Credit Application, any Permitted L/C Party) even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each L/C Issuer, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower (or with respect to a Letter of Credit Application, any Permitted L/C Party). All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.

 

10.03 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement. No failure by any Lender, any L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided, and provided under each other Loan Document, are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents against the Loan Parties or any of them (including the acceleration of any Obligations) or exercise any right under the applicable law or to credit bid at any foreclosure sale, UCC sale, any sale under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code (and for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at any such sale) or other similar Disposition of Collateral shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 8.02 for the benefit of all the Lenders and the L/C Issuer; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit (a) the Administrative Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Administrative Agent) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (b) any L/C Issuer from exercising the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as an L/C Issuer) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (c) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 10.08 (subject to the terms of Section 2.13), or (d) any Lender from filing proofs of claim or any appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a proceeding relative to any Loan Party under any Debtor Relief Law (subject to any limitations set forth in Section 11.06); and provided, further, that if at any time there is no Person acting as Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (i) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.02 and (ii) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (b), (c) and (d) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 2.13, any Lender may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by the Required Lenders.

 

181

 

 

10.04 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.

 

(a) Costs and Expenses. The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (including MLPFS and including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent, and of special and local counsel retained by the Administrative Agent, but not any other separate counsel to the Lenders), in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement (including, without limitation, the administration of any assignment under Section 10.06 that is determined to be void ab initio) and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated); (ii) all reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by each L/C Issuer in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder; (iii) all out of pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any L/C Issuer (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer) in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or (B) 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, provided that the Borrower’s obligations to pay or reimburse for legal fees and expenses pursuant to this clause (iii) shall be limited to the reasonable and documented legal fees and expenses of a single law firm as counsel for the Administrative Agent and one additional law firm as counsel for all other such parties, taken together, in each appropriate jurisdiction (which may include a single law firm as special, local or foreign counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions), except that in the case where any such Person determines in good faith that a conflict of interest does or may exist in connection with such legal representation and such Person advises the Borrower of such actual or potential conflict of interest and engages its own separate counsel, the reasonable and documented legal fees and expenses of such separate counsel shall also be paid or reimbursed, and (iv) all out of pocket expenses incurred by any Term Loan Lender and their respective Affiliates in connection with review, administration or negotiation of this Agreement, in an aggregate amount, including amounts paid under Section 4.01(k), not to exceed $300,000 (the “2020 Refinancing Term Loan Lender Expenses”).

 

182

 

 

(b) Indemnification by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Lender and each L/C Issuer, 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, liabilities and related expenses (subject to proviso (y) to this sentence below, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee), incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any Person (including the Borrower or any other Loan Party) other than such Indemnitee and its Related Parties arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or, in the case of the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and its Related Parties only, the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by any L/C Issuer to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Contaminants on or from any property owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Borrower or any other Loan Party, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that (x) such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (A) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee, (B) arises solely from disputes solely between or among Indemnitees (except that in the event of a dispute involving the Administrative Agent, or any L/C Issuer (in each case, acting in its capacity as such), the Administrative Agent, or such L/C Issuer, shall be entitled (subject to the other limitations and exceptions set forth in this clause (b)) to the benefit of such indemnification) not relating to or in connection with acts or omissions by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, any of their respective Affiliates or any other Person or entity or (C) result from a claim brought by the Borrower or any other Loan Party against an Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee’s obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if the Borrower or such Loan Party has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction and (y) the Borrower’s obligation to pay or reimburse an Indemnitee for the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel under this subsection (b) shall be limited to the reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of a single law firm chosen by the Administrative Agent as counsel for all such Indemnitees, taken together, in each appropriate jurisdiction (which may include a single law firm as special or local counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions), except that in the case where an Indemnitee determines in good faith that a conflict of interest does or may exist in connection with such legal representation and such Indemnitee advises the Borrower of such actual or potential conflict of interest and engages its own separate counsel, the reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of each such separate counsel shall also be paid or reimbursed. This Section 10.04(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.

 

183

 

 

(c) Reimbursement by Lenders. To the extent that the Borrower for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay (and without limiting any obligation of the Borrower so to pay) any amount required under subsection (a) or (b) of this Section to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), any L/C Issuer or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the applicable L/C Issuer or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought based on each Lender’s unused Revolving Credit Commitments and Revolving Credit Exposure and, other than respect to payments to any L/C Issuer, unused Term Loan Commitments and Term Loans at such time) of such unpaid amount (including any such unpaid amount in respect of a claim asserted by such Lender), such payment to be made severally among them based on such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought), provided, further that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the applicable L/C Issuer in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), such L/C Issuer in connection with such capacity. The obligations of the Lenders under this subsection (c) are subject to the provisions of Section 2.12(d).

 

(d) Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower shall not assert, and the Borrower hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, 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, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee referred to in subsection (b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnitee through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than for the Borrower’s direct or actual damages resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee as determined by a final and nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

184

 

 

(e) Payments. Except as otherwise agreed herein, all amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than ten Business Days after demand therefor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, until the occurrence of the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date, no amounts owing by any Loan Party pursuant to this Section 10.04 may be paid to any Term Loan Lender or Affiliate thereof other than the 2020 Refinancing Term Loan Lender Expenses (and no Default or Event of Default shall occur as a result of such non-payment), provided that such amounts may accrue. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the reimbursement of expenses of any party hereto or their respective affiliates, which are incurred in connection with the 2020 Refinancing in a capacity other than as a Lender and required to be reimbursed pursuant to documentation other than the Loan Documents.

 

(f) Survival. The agreements in this Section 10.04 and the indemnity provisions of Section 10.02(e) shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent and/or any L/C Issuer, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments, the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

 

10.05 Payments Set Aside. To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower is made to the Administrative Agent, any L/C Issuer or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent, any L/C Issuer or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent, such L/C Issuer or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender and each L/C Issuer severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect, in the applicable currency of such recovery or payment. The obligations of the Lenders and the L/C Issuers under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

 

185

 

 

10.06 Successors and Assigns.

 

(a) Successors and Assigns Generally. 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, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section, or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of subsection (f) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). 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, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuers and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(b) Assignments by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans (including for purposes of this subsection (b), participations in L/C Obligations) at the time owing to it); provided that in each case any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

 

(i) Minimum Amounts.

 

(A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment and/or the Loans at the time owing to it or contemporaneous assignments to related Approved Funds that equal at least the amount specified in paragraph (b)(i)(B) of this Section in the aggregate or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and

 

(B) in any case not described in subsection (b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

186

 

 

(ii) Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Revolving Credit Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to each of the Revolving Credit Loans, the L/C Obligations or the Revolving Credit Commitment, except that this clause (ii) shall not prohibit any Lender from assigning all or a portion of its rights and obligations under any separate revolving credit or term loan facilities provided pursuant to clause (x) of the last paragraph of Section 10.01 in each case on a non-pro rata basis;

 

(iii) Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition:

 

(A) the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (1) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (2) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within five Business Days after having received notice thereof;

 

(B) the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect of (x) any unfunded Revolving Credit Commitment if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender with a Revolving Credit Commitment, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender, (y) any unfunded Term Loan Commitment, or (z) any Term Loan if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Term Loan Lender, an Affiliate of such Term Loan Lender, or B. Riley FBR, Inc.; and

 

(C) the consent of each L/C Issuer (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility.

 

(iv) Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount of $3,500; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment. The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.

 

187

 

 

(v) No Assignment to Certain Persons. No such assignment shall be made (A) to the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries, or (B) to any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (B), or (C) to a natural person, or (D) to any competitor of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is primarily engaged in an Eligible Line of Business and that has been previously identified as such, by legal entity name, by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and provided by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders on the Platform, it being understood that the Administrative Agent shall have no responsibility for maintaining or otherwise managing any such list of competitors. No assignment of any Revolving Credit Commitment or Revolving Credit Loan shall be made to any Term Loan Lender or any of the Term Loan Lender’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries.

 

(vi) Certain Additional Payments. In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent, any L/C Issuer or any Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon) and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit in accordance with its Applicable Percentage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable Requirements of Law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.

 

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement 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 3.01, 3.04, 3.05, and 10.04 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment; provided that, except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender. Upon request, the Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection 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 subsection (d) of this Section.

 

188

 

 

(c) Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower (and such agency being solely for tax purposes), shall maintain at the Administrative Agent’s Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it (or the equivalent thereof in electronic form) and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts (and stated interest) of the Loans and L/C Obligations 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 Borrower, the Administrative Agent 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. In addition, the Administrative Agent shall maintain on the Register information regarding the designation, and revocation of designation, of any Lender as a Defaulting Lender. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

 

(d) Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a Person described in Section 10.06(b)(v) that is not permitted to be an assignee with respect to Loans or Commitments) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans (including such Lender’s participations in L/C Obligations) 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 Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section 10.04(c) without regard to the existence of any participation.

 

189

 

 

Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first proviso to Section 10.01 that affects such Participant to the extent that such Lender has such right to agree hereunder. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04 and 3.05 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 3.01(f) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 3.01(f) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Section 3.06 and 10.13 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 3.01 or 3.04, with respect to any participation, than the Lender from whom it acquired the applicable participation 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 Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 10.13 with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.08 as though it were a Lender, provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.13 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 Borrower, 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 the Loan Documents (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 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 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.

 

190

 

 

(e) Reserved.

 

(f) Certain Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note(s), if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

 

(g) Resignation as L/C Issuer after Assignment.

 

(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time Bank of America or any other L/C Issuer assigns all of its Commitment and Loans pursuant to subsection (b) above, then Bank of America or such other L/C Issuer may, upon 30 days’ notice to the Borrower and the Lenders, resign as an L/C Issuer. In the event of any such resignation of an L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders a successor L/C Issuer (which may be an existing L/C Issuer); provided, however, that no failure by the Borrower to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of Bank of America or the applicable L/C Issuer as an L/C Issuer or of Bank of America.

 

(ii) If Bank of America or any other L/C Issuer resigns as an L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of an L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit issued by it and outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as an L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c)). Upon the appointment of a successor L/C Issuer, and the acceptance of such appointment by such successor L/C Issuer, with respect to such resigning L/C Issuer (x) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer and (y) such successor L/C Issuer (or another of the L/C Issuers, as may be arranged by the Borrower) shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, issued by the resigning L/C Issuer and outstanding at the time of such succession, or make other arrangements satisfactory to Bank of America or such other resigning L/C Issuer to effectively assume the obligations of Bank of America or such other resigning L/C Issuer with respect to such Letters of Credit. The provisions of subparts (g)(i) and (g)(ii) of this Section shall not limit the ability of the Borrower to appoint and remove L/C Issuers pursuant to Sections 2.03(l) and (m).

 

191

 

 

10.07 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and each L/C Issuer agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its Related Parties (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 required or requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over such Person or its Related Parties (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any 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 party (or its Related Parties) to any swap, derivative or other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to the Borrower and its obligations, this Agreement or payments hereunder, (g) on a confidential basis to (i) any rating agency in connection with rating the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or the credit facilities provided hereunder or (ii) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers or other market identifiers with respect to the credit facilities provided hereunder, (h) with the consent of the Borrower, (i) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, any L/C Issuer or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower or (j) to any credit insurance provider relating to the Borrower and its Obligations. In addition, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may disclose the existence of this Agreement and information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry and service providers to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in connection with the administration of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the Commitments. For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of the Borrower relating to the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of the Borrower or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is (i) available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any L/C Issuer on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of the Borrower, or (ii) is clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” by the Borrower, which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the page thereof. 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.

 

192

 

 

Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuers acknowledges that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning the Borrower or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable Requirements of Law, including United States Federal and state securities laws.

 

Notwithstanding anything herein, (i) no Term Loan Lender or its Affiliate shall have any right to (x) attend any meeting or discussions (whether in person, via telephone or otherwise) among the Administrative Agent, any advisors retained by the Administrative Agent (including, without limitation, legal counsel and financial advisors) or any Revolving Credit Lender to which representatives of the Loan Parties are not invited or (y) receive any information or material prepared by the Administrative Agent, any advisors retained by the Administrative Agent (including, without limitation, legal counsel and financial advisors) or any Revolving Credit Lender or any communication by or among the Administrative Agent and/or one or more Revolving Credit Lenders and (ii) the Term Loan Lenders shall receive from the Borrower all information that the Borrower has provided to the Administrative Agent for distribution to the Revolving Credit Lenders.

 

10.08 Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, each L/C Issuer and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, such L/C Issuer or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender or such L/C Issuer or their respective Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, such L/C Issuer or such Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrower may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch, office or Affiliate of such Lender or such L/C Issuer different from the branch, office or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided that (i) 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 2.16 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 L/C Issuers and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff and (ii) in the event that any Term Loan Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent to, as applicable, prepay Revolving Credit Loans and, if the Revolving Credit Loans are paid in full, Cash Collateralize Letters of Credit or application in accordance with the provisions of 8.03 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Term Loan Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuers and the Revolving Credit Lenders, and (y) the Term Loan Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Term Loan Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender, each L/C Issuer and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, such L/C Issuer or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender and each L/C Issuer agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

 

193

 

 

10.09 Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Requirements of Law (the “Maximum Rate”). If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

 

10.10 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent or any L/C Issuer 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 that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic imaging means (e.g., “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

194

 

 

10.11 Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding.

 

10.12 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.12, if and to the extent that the enforceability of any provisions in this Agreement relating to Defaulting Lenders shall be limited by Debtor Relief Laws, as determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent or any L/C Issuer, then such provisions shall be deemed to be in effect only to the extent not so limited.

 

10.13 Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or if the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, or if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, or if any Lender is subject to replacement pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 10.01, then the Borrower may, at its 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, and consents required by, Section 10.06), all of its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Sections 3.01 and 3.04) and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that:

 

(a) the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee specified in Section 10.06(b);

 

195

 

 

(b) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to 100% of the outstanding principal of its Loans and L/C Advances, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 3.05) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);

 

(c) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 3.04 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 3.01, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter;

 

(d) such assignment does not conflict with applicable Requirements of Law; and

 

(e) in the case of an assignment resulting from a Lender becoming a non-consenting Lender pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 10.01, the applicable assignee shall have consented to the applicable amendment, waiver or consent.

 

A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

 

10.14 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.

 

(a) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT (EXCEPT, AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

196

 

 

(b) SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. THE BORROWER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT COMMENCE ANY ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING OF ANY KIND OR DESCRIPTION, WHETHER IN LAW OR EQUITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT OR OTHERWISE, AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER, ANY L/C ISSUER, OR ANY RELATED PARTY OF THE FOREGOING IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATING HERETO OR THERETO, IN ANY FORUM OTHER THAN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION 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 IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR ANY L/C ISSUER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE BORROWER OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

 

(c) WAIVER OF VENUE. THE BORROWER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

 

(d) SERVICE OF PROCESS. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 10.02. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

 

197

 

 

10.15 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY 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 OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON 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 AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

10.16 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that: (i) (A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrower and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand, (B) the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) the Borrower is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) the Administrative Agent and each Lender is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any obligation to the Borrower or any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower, the other Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates, and neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Borrower hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent or any Lender with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.

 

198

 

 

10.17 Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents. This Agreement and any document, amendment, approval, consent, information, notice, certificate, request, statement, disclosure or authorization related to this Agreement (each a “Communication”), including Communications required to be in writing, may be in the form of an Electronic Record and may be executed using Electronic Signatures. The Borrower and each of the Loan Parties agrees that any Electronic Signature on or associated with any Communication shall be valid and binding on the Borrower and each of the Loan Parties to the same extent as a manual, original signature, and that any Communication entered into by Electronic Signature, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower and each of the Loan Parties enforceable against such in accordance with the terms thereof to the same extent as if a manually executed original signature was delivered. Any Communication may be executed in as many counterparts as necessary or convenient, including both paper and electronic counterparts, but all such counterparts are one and the same Communication. For the avoidance of doubt, the authorization under this paragraph may include, without limitation, use or acceptance by the Administrative Agent and each of the Secured Parties of a manually signed paper Communication which has been converted into electronic form (such as scanned into PDF format), or an electronically signed Communication converted into another format, for transmission, delivery and/or retention. The Administrative Agent and each of the Secured Parties may, at its option, create one or more copies of any Communication in the form of an imaged Electronic Record (“Electronic Copy”), which shall be deemed created in the ordinary course of the such Person’s business, and destroy the original paper document. All Communications in the form of an Electronic Record, including an Electronic Copy, shall be considered an original for all purposes, and shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a paper record. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Administrative Agent is under no obligation to accept an Electronic Signature in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Administrative Agent pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided, further, without limiting the foregoing, (a) to the extent the Administrative Agent has agreed to accept such Electronic Signature, the Administrative Agent and each of the Secured Parties shall be entitled to rely on any such Electronic Signature purportedly given by or on behalf of any Loan Party without further verification and (b) upon the request of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any Electronic Signature shall be promptly followed by such manually executed counterpart. For purposes hereof, “Electronic Record” and “Electronic Signature” shall have the meanings assigned to them, respectively, by 15 USC §7006, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

The words “execute,” “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in or related to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including without limitation Assignment and Assumptions, amendments or other Committed Loan Notices, waivers and consents) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Administrative Agent, or the keeping of records in electronic form.

 

199

 

 

10.18 Judgment Currency. If, for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder or any other Loan Document in one currency into another currency, the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the first currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given. The obligation of the Borrower in respect of any such sum due from it to the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “Judgment Currency”) other than that in which such sum is denominated in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement (the “Agreement Currency”), be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent or any Lender from the Borrower in the Agreement Currency, the Borrower agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, against such loss. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is greater than the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in such currency, the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, agrees to return the amount of any excess to the Borrower (or to any other Person who may be entitled thereto under applicable law).

 

10.19 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions. Solely to the extent any Lender or L/C Issuer that is an EEA Financial Institution is a party to this Agreement and 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 Lender or L/C Issuer that is an EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA 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 EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any Lender or L/C Issuer that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

 

200

 

 

(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;

 

(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, 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 EEA Resolution Authority.

 

10.20 Parallel Debt.

 

(a) For the purpose of this Section 10.20, “Corresponding Obligations” means each Loan Party’s Obligations other than the Parallel Debt.

 

(b) Each Loan Party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally undertakes to pay to the Administrative Agent, acting on its own behalf and not as agent for any person, an amount equal to the Corresponding Obligations (such payment undertakings by each Loan Party to the Administrative Agent, hereinafter referred to as the “Parallel Debt”).

 

(c) The Parallel Debt will become due and payable in the currency or currencies of the Corresponding Obligations as and when one or more of the Corresponding Obligations become due and payable.

 

(d) Each of the parties to this Agreement hereby acknowledges that: (i) the Parallel Debt constitutes an undertaking, obligation and liability of each Loan Party to the Administrative Agent which is transferable and separate and independent from, and without prejudice to, the Corresponding Obligations; (ii) the Parallel Debt represents the Administrative Agent’s own separate and independent claim to receive payment of the Parallel Debt from each Loan Party and (iii) the Liens granted under the Loan Documents to the Administrative Agent to secure the Parallel Debt is granted to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as creditor of the Parallel Debt and shall not be held in trust, it being understood, that the amount which may become payable by each Loan Party under or pursuant to the Parallel Debt from time to time shall never exceed the aggregate amount which is payable under the relevant Corresponding Obligations from time to time.

 

201

 

 

(e) For the purpose of this Section 10.20 the Administrative Agent acts in its own name and on behalf of itself (for the benefit of the Secured Parties and each subsequent maker of any Loan by its making thereof) and not as agent or representative of any of the Secured Parties and each subsequent maker of any Loan by its making thereof.

 

(f) To the extent the Administrative Agent irrevocably receives any amount in payment of the Parallel Debt (the “Received Amount”), the Corresponding Obligations shall be reduced by an aggregate amount (the “Deductible Amount”) equal to the Received Amount in the manner as if the Deductible Amount were received as a payment of the Corresponding Obligations. For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent the Administrative Agent irrevocably receives any amount in payment of the Corresponding Obligations, the Parallel Debt shall be reduced accordingly as if such payment was received as a payment of the Parallel Debt. All amounts received or recovered by the Administrative Agent from or by the enforcement of any security interest granted to secure the Parallel Debt, shall be applied in accordance with this Agreement. Without limiting or affecting the Administrative Agent’s rights against the Loan Parties (whether under this Section 10.20 or under any other provisions of the Loan Documents or any Secured Cash Management Agreement or Secured Hedge Agreement) each Loan Party acknowledges that (i) nothing in this Section 10.20 shall impose any obligation on the Administrative Agent to advance any sum to any Loan Party or otherwise under any Loan Document or any Secured Cash Management Agreement or Secured Hedge Agreement, except in its capacity as Lender, Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank and (ii) for the purpose of any vote taken under any Loan Document or any Secured Cash Management Agreement or Secured Hedge Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall not be regarded as having any participation or commitment other than those which it has in its capacity as a Lender, Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank.

 

202

 

 

10.21 Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for any Swap Contract 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 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.

 

As used in this Section 10.21, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

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.

 

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).

 

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.

 

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).

 

203

 

 

10.22 Amendment and Restatement.

 

(a) On the Restatement Effective Date, the Existing Credit Agreement shall be amended and restated in its entirety by this Agreement, and the Existing Credit Agreement shall thereafter be of no further force and effect, except that the Borrower, the Guarantors, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuers and the Lenders agree that (i) the incurrence by the Borrower of “Obligations” under and as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement (whether or not such “Obligations” are contingent as of the Restatement Effective Date) shall continue to exist under and be evidenced by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (ii) except as expressly stated herein or otherwise amended, the other Loan Documents are ratified and confirmed as remaining unmodified and in full force and effect with respect to all Obligations. This Agreement is not in any way intended to constitute a novation of the obligations and liabilities existing under the Existing Credit Agreement or evidence payment of all or any portion of such obligations and liabilities.

 

(b) The terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ rights and remedies under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall apply to all of the Indebtedness incurred under the Existing Credit Agreement.

 

(c) On and after the Restatement Effective Date, (i) all references to the Existing Credit Agreement (or to any amendment or any amendment and restatement thereof) in the Loan Documents (other than this Agreement) shall be deemed to refer to the Existing Credit Agreement, as amended and restated hereby (as it may be further amended, modified or restated) and (ii) all references to any section (or subsection) of the Existing Credit Agreement or in any Loan Document (but not herein) shall be amended to become, mutatis mutandis, references to the corresponding provisions of this Agreement.

 

(d) Except as expressly provided herein or in any other Loan Document, all terms and conditions of the Loan Documents remain in full force and effect unless specifically amended hereby or by any other Loan Document.

 

204

 

 

ARTICLE XI

ADDITIONAL SUBORDINATION TERMS

 

11.01 Payment Subordination. The Term Loan Lenders agree that the Obligations with respect to the Term Loan Facility continue to be expressly subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Obligations with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility (including any interest or entitlement to fees or expenses or other charges with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility accruing after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, whether or not such amounts are allowed in any proceeding), except for any payment of (a) any payment expressly permitted to be made prior to the Restatement Effective Date under Section 11.01 of the Existing Credit Agreement, (b) the 2020 Refinancing Term Loan Lender Expenses, and (c) other than upon and during the continuance of an Event of Default, any interest on the Term Loans due on the applicable Interest Payment Date, and payments made in lieu of interest pursuant to the B. Riley Fee Letter and any fees paid in connection with the Term Loans pursuant to the B. Riley Fee Letter.

 

11.02 Turnover.

 

(a) Any payment or distribution (whether in cash, property or securities) that may be received by any Term Loan Lender or its Affiliate on account of any Obligations with respect to the Term Loan Facility, the B. Riley Fee Letter or the 2020 Refinancing in violation of this Agreement shall be segregated and held in trust and promptly paid over to the Administrate Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in each case, in the same form as received, with any necessary endorsements, and each of the Term Loan Lenders hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to make any such endorsements as agent for such Term Loan Lender or its respective Affiliate (in each case, which authorization, being coupled with an interest, is irrevocable). All such payments paid over to the Administrative Agent shall be, as applicable, used to prepay Revolving Credit Loans and, if the Revolving Credit Loans are paid in full, Cash Collateralize Letters of Credit or applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.03. For purposes of this Agreement, each Term Loan Lender agrees that in an any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party of the Borrower, any debt or equity securities issued or to be issued by the reorganized or liquidating Borrower or any reorganized or liquidating Loan Party that is allocated to any Term Loan Lender or Affiliate thereof on account of the Term Loan Facility, the B. Riley Fee Letter or the 2020 Refinancing in a plan of reorganization or liquidation shall be deemed to be payments that are subject to the turnover provisions hereunder.

 

205

 

 

(b) If the Administrative Agent or any Revolving Credit Lender is required in any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise to disgorge, turn over or otherwise pay to the estate of any Loan Party any amount (a “Recovery”), whether received as proceeds of security, enforcement of any right of set-off or otherwise, because such amount was avoided or ordered to be paid or disgorged for any reason, including because it was found to be a fraudulent or preferential transfer, then the Obligations with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility shall be reinstated to the extent of such Recovery and deemed to be outstanding as if such payment had not occurred and the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date, as applicable, shall be deemed not to have occurred. If this Agreement shall have been terminated prior to such Recovery, this Agreement shall be reinstated in full force and effect, and such prior termination shall not diminish, release, discharge, impair or otherwise affect the obligations of the parties hereto. Each of the Term Loan Lenders agrees that none of them shall be entitled to benefit from any avoidance action affecting or otherwise relating to any distribution or allocation made in accordance with this Agreement, whether by preference or otherwise, it being understood and agreed that any benefit of such avoidance action otherwise allocable to them shall instead be allocated and turned over for application in accordance with the priorities set forth in this Agreement.

 

11.03 Financing Matters. Prior to the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date, if any Loan Party becomes subject to any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law:

 

(a) If the Administrative Agent or the Revolving Credit Lenders consent (or do not object) to the use of cash collateral under the Bankruptcy Code or provide debtor-in-possession financing to any Loan Party under the Bankruptcy Code or consent (or do not object) to the provision of such financing to any Loan Party by any third party, then each Term Loan Lender agrees that it (i) will be deemed to have consented to, will raise no objection to, nor support any other Person objecting to, the use of such cash collateral or to such debtor-in-possession financing and (ii) will not request or accept adequate protection or any other relief in connection with the use of such cash collateral or such DIP Financing except as set forth in Section 11.04 below.

 

(b) No Term Loan Lender or Affiliate thereof may (i) propose to provide any debtor-in-possession financing or (ii) support any other Person in providing any debtor-in-possession financing to any Loan Party that competes with any debtor-in-possession financing offered by one or more of the Administrative Agent or the Revolving Credit Lenders.

 

206

 

 

11.04 Adequate Protection. Prior to the occurrence of the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date, no Term Loan Lender shall be granted any adequate protection in any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, provided that, if the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of itself and the Revolving Credit Lenders, or the Revolving Credit Lenders are granted adequate protection consisting of replacement Liens on existing Collateral or new Liens on property that is unencumbered or does not constitute Collateral and/or superpriority claims in connection with any debtor-in-possession financing or use of cash collateral, then in connection with any such debtor-in-possession financing or use of cash collateral each of the Term Loan Lenders may, as adequate protection, seek or accept (and the Administrative Agent and the Revolving Credit Lenders shall not object to) adequate protection consisting solely of (x) replacement Liens on existing Collateral or new Liens on such property that is unencumbered or does not constitute Collateral, which replacement Liens shall be subordinated in all respects to the Liens granted to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of itself and the Revolving Credit Lenders, or the Revolving Credit Lenders and such debtor-in-possession financing and/or (y) superpriority claims junior in all respects to the superpriority claims granted the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of itself and the Revolving Credit Lenders, or the Revolving Credit Lenders; provided, however, that each Term Loan Lender shall have irrevocably agreed, pursuant to Section 1129(a)(9) of the Bankruptcy Code, that prior to the occurrence of the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date any plan of reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code may provide, and any stipulation and/or order granting such adequate protection may similarly provide, that the Term Loan Lenders may receive on account of such junior superpriority claims any combination of cash, debt, equity or other property having a value on the effective date of such plan equal to the allowed amount of such superpriority claims; provided further that recovery on account of the superpriority claim received by any Term Loan Lender is subject to, inter alia, Section 11.02.

 

11.05 Voting Matters. Prior to the occurrence of the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date, in no event shall any Term Loan Lender or any Affiliate thereof vote to accept or take any other action to support the confirmation or approval of any plan of reorganization in any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law if the Administrative Agent has provided notice to the Term Loan Lenders at least one Business Day prior to the applicable voting deadline that the Required Lenders do not approve of such plan of reorganization.

 

11.06 Right to Appear. Prior to the occurrence of the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date, each of the Term Loan Lenders may appear in any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law; provided, however, that no Term Loan Lender may oppose any action or position taken or relief sought by the Administrative Agent.

 

207

 

 

11.07 Indemnification; Release.

 

The Term Loan Lenders, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Administrative Agent and/or the Revolving Credit Lenders from and against any and all reasonable and documented expenses, losses, claims, damages, suits, proceedings and liabilities that are incurred by or threatened against the Administrative Agent and/or the Revolving Credit Lenders, including, but not limited to reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses caused by or resulting from the breach of any representation, warranty, agreement, covenant or other obligation of the Term Loan Lenders contained herein; provided that no Term Loan Lender shall be liable under this clause (a) for the payment of any portion of the foregoing that are found by a final and non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the Administrative Agent’s and/or any Revolving Credit Lender’s own gross negligence, willful misconduct or breach in bad faith of the Loan Documents. The indemnification rights set forth in this clause (a) are in addition to any rights of indemnification or reimbursement that the Administrative Agent or the Revolving Credit Lenders may have under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

No Term Loan Lender shall have any right to make or bring (or participate in, other than as a passive participant in or recipient of its pro rata benefits of) any claim, in its capacity as a Lender, against the Administrative Agent or any other Lender with respect to any duties or obligations or alleged duties or obligations of the Administrative Agent or any other such Lender under the Loan Documents (except to the extent the basis of such claim is found by a final and non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent or the Revolving Credit Lenders).

 

11.08 Enforceability. The parties hereto expressly acknowledge that the provisions of this Article XI, any other subordination terms set forth herein and any other provision governing the rights among any and all Secured Parties are a “subordination agreement” under Section 510(a) of the Bankruptcy Code and that such provisions shall be effective before, during and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law and shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

11.09 Article XI; Generally. The provisions of this Article XI are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Revolving Credit Lenders, the L/C Issuers and the Term Loan Lenders, and the Borrower shall not have any rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions.

 

 

208

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

May 14, 2020

 

To: Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.
1200 East Market Street, Suite 650
Akron, Ohio
Attention: General Counsel

 

Re: That certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as amended, supplemented, restated, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) among Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Bank of America, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement) (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”), and each of the Lenders from time to time party thereto.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This letter agreement (this “Fee Letter”) is delivered to you in connection with (a) the Credit Agreement and (b) that certain Fee and Interest Equitization Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “Equitization Agreement”), by and between the Company, B. Riley Financial, Inc. (“B. Riley”) and B. Riley FBR, Inc. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meaning given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

The Company desires to obtain accommodations in respect of certain interest and fee obligations in connection with Term Loans extended or to be extended under the Credit Agreement in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement; B. Riley has agreed to provide funding to the Loan Parties in an amount up to $70,000,000 in the form of Tranche A-6 Term Loans pursuant and subject to the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement; and B. Riley desires to provide certain accommodations to the Company by permitting the Company to pay certain of its interest and fee obligations in the form of Stock or Stock Equivalents or, only to the extent required pursuant to Section 1(c)(iii) of the Equitization Agreement, Cash or Cash Equivalents in lieu of Stock or Stock Equivalents, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, in the Equitization Agreement and in the Credit Agreement.

 

In connection with the foregoing, and in good and valuable consideration of the agreements contained herein and in the Credit Agreement, the Company and B. Riley hereby agrees as follow:

 

A. Fee: The Company will pay to B. Riley a fee of $3,900,000 (the “Fee”). The Fee shall be in consideration for the B. Riley Limited Guaranty and shall be due and payable in the form of Stock of the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Equitization Agreement.

 

B. Interest Payments: On each relevant Interest Payment Date, the interest accrued from May 14, 2020 through and including December 31, 2020 on the unpaid principal amount of the Term Loans, (including the Tranche A-6 Term Loans), shall be payable to B. Riley in the form of Stock of the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Equitization Agreement and subject to the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement.

 

 

 

 

C. Fees Due and Payable: The fees described above in this Fee Letter shall be: (a) fully earned upon becoming due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof; (b) non-refundable for any reason whatsoever; and (c) only to the extent required pursuant to Section 1(c)(iii) of the Equitization Agreement, payable in U.S. dollars in immediately available funds, free and clear of, and without deduction for, any and all present or future applicable taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with respect thereto. The Company’s obligation to pay the foregoing fees and interest will not be subject to counterclaim or setoff for, or be otherwise affected by, any claim or dispute the Company may have.

 

D. Beneficiaries: This Fee Letter is binding on and solely to the benefit of and enforceable by B. Riley and the Company, and nothing set forth in this Fee Letter shall be construed to confer upon or give to any other person any benefits, rights or remedies under or by reason of, or any rights to enforce or cause B. Riley to enforce any provisions of this Fee Letter.

 

E. Governing Law and Waiver of Trial by Jury: This Fee Letter is governed in all respects, including as to validity, interpretation and effect, by the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to its principles or rules of conflict of laws, to the extent such principles are not mandatorily applicable by statute and would permit or require the application of the laws of another jurisdiction. The parties hereto hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of the State of New York sitting in New York County and the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof solely in respect of the interpretation and enforcement of the provisions of this Fee Letter, and irrevocably agree that all claims in respect of the interpretation and enforcement of the provisions of this Fee Letter, or with respect to any action or proceeding hereunder, shall be heard and determined in any of the Courts of the State of New York sitting in New York County and the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and that such jurisdiction of such courts with respect thereto shall be exclusive, except solely to the extent that all such courts shall lawfully decline to exercise such jurisdiction. Each party hereto hereby waives and agrees not to assert, as a defense in any action, suit or proceeding for the interpretation or enforcement hereof, that it is not subject to such jurisdiction. Each party hereto hereby waives and agrees not to assert, to the maximum extent permitted by law, as a defense in any action, suit or proceeding for the interpretation or enforcement hereof, that such action, suit or proceeding may not be brought or is not maintainable in such courts, that the venue thereof may not be appropriate or that this Fee Letter may not be enforced in or by such courts. The parties hereto hereby consent to and grant any such court jurisdiction over the person of such parties and over the subject matter of any such dispute. THE PARTIES HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) BROUGHT BY EITHER OF THEM AGAINST THE OTHER IN ANY MATTERS ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR CONTEMPLATED BY THIS FEE LETTER.

 

F .Miscellaneous: This Fee Letter constitutes the sole agreement, and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and statements, written or oral, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. The terms of this Fee Letter may not be modified or otherwise amended, or waived, except pursuant to a written agreement signed by the parties hereto. This Fee Letter may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

G. Subordination: All payments, whether in the form of Stock or Stock Equivalents or Cash or Cash Equivalents to any B. Riley Party under this Fee Letter to B. Riley or any of its affiliates shall be subject to the provisions of Article XI of the Credit Agreement and any other subordination terms set forth therein. For the purposes of Article XI of the Credit Agreement and any other subordination terms set forth therein, the fee payable pursuant to clause (A) hereof shall be deemed to be payable in respect of the Tranche A-6 Term Loan Commitments.

 

[signature pages follow]

 

2

 

 

Very truly yours,  
     
B. RILEY FINANCIAL, INC.  
     
By: /s/ Bryant R. Riley  
Name: Bryant R. Riley  
Title: Co-CEO  

 

Acknowledged and agreed as of the date first above written:
     
BABCOCK & WILCOX ENTERPRISES, INC.  
     
By: /s/ Dwayne M. Petish  
Name: Dwayne M. Petish  
Title: Treasurer  

 

 

3

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

FEE AND INTEREST EQUITIZATION AGREEMENT

 

This Fee and Interest Equitization Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of May 14, 2020, is made by and among Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), B. Riley Financial, Inc. (“B. Riley Financial”) and, solely for purposes of Section 13 hereof, B. Riley FBR, Inc. (“B. Riley FBR”). As used herein, “Parties” refers collectively to the Company and B. Riley Financial.

 

RECITALS

 

1. B. Riley Financial and B. Riley FBR are the sole Term Loan Lenders, as such term is defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2020 (the “Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”), among the Company, as the borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other lenders party thereto.

 

2. In connection with their entry into the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, the Company has agreed pursuant to a fee letter dated the date hereof between B. Riley Financial and the Company (the “B. Riley Fee Letter”) to pay to B. Riley Financial an aggregate fee of $3,900,000.00 with respect to the provision of the B. Riley Limited Guaranty on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement (the “Fee Payment”).

 

3. On the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, B. Riley Financial has agreed to accept payment of the Fee Payment and payment of interest with respect to the Term Loans payable between the date hereof and December 31, 2020 that is waived under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Interest Payments” and, together with the Fee Payment, the “Payment Amounts”) in shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), in lieu of payment in cash pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement or the B. Riley Fee Letter, as applicable.

 

Now, therefore, in consideration of the mutual promises, agreements, representations, warranties, and covenants contained herein, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Payment of Payment Amounts in Common Stock.

 

(a) Satisfaction of Payment Amounts in Common Stock. On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, including Section 5, in satisfaction of any requirement contained in the B. Riley Fee Letter that the Fee Payment be paid by the Company to B. Riley Financial, or any requirement contained in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement that the Interest Payments be paid by the Company to the Term Loan Lenders, B. Riley Financial agrees to purchase and accept from the Company on the applicable Settlement Date (as defined below), and the Company agrees to sell, issue and deliver to B. Riley Financial on the applicable Settlement Date, a number of shares of Common Stock (the “Shares”) equal to (x) the aggregate dollar value of the applicable Payment Amount divided by (y) subject to Section 1(c), the Conversion Price. For purposes of this Agreement:

 

(i) “Average VWAP” means, with respect to any period of Trading Days, the average of the VWAP for each Trading Day in such period.

 

1

 

 

(ii) “Conversion Price” means the Average VWAP over the fifteen (15) consecutive Trading Days beginning on and including the Trading Day immediately following the date of this Agreement (such period, the “Measurement Period”); provided that (A) the Conversion Price shall be subject to adjustment as described in Section 1(d) and (B) prior to the receipt of any stockholder approvals under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), the Conversion Price shall not be less than $1.55 (subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 1(d)).

 

(iii) “Market Disruption Event” means any of the following events: (A) any suspension of, or limitation imposed on, trading by the Principal Stock Exchange in shares of Common Stock during any period or periods aggregating one half-hour or longer and whether by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the Principal Stock Exchange or otherwise relating to the Common Stock; or (B) the failure to open of the exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is traded or the closure of such exchange or quotation system prior to its respective scheduled closing time for the regular trading session on such day (without regard to after hours or other trading outside the regular trading session hours).

 

(iv) “Principal Stock Exchange” means the NYSE or, if the Common Stock is not listed on the NYSE, the principal national securities exchange or public quotation system on which the Common Stock is then listed for trading or quoted.

 

(v) “Trading Day” means any day on which (A) there is no Market Disruption Event and (B) the Principal Stock Exchange is open for trading, or, if the Common Stock is not listed on a national securities exchange, any Business Day; provided that a “Trading Day” only includes those days that have a scheduled closing time of 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) or the then standard closing time for regular trading on the relevant exchange or trading system.

 

(vi) “Settlement Date” means (A) with respect to the Fee Payment, the first Business Day following the Measurement Period and (B) with respect to an Interest Payment, the scheduled interest payment date as provided for in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement without giving effect to any waiver or deferral contemplated thereby.

 

(vii) “VWAP” means, on any Trading Day, the per share volume-weighted average price as displayed under the heading “Bloomberg VWAP” on Bloomberg page (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available) BW <Equity> AQR in respect of the period from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on such Trading Day, or, if such price is not available, the market value per share of the Common Stock on such Trading Day as determined by a nationally recognized investment banking firm retained by the Company for this purpose.

 

2

 

  

(b) Compliance with Stock Exchange Listing Requirements. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and do or cause to be done, all things, necessary, proper or advisable on its part to obtain, prior to the applicable Settlement Date, any necessary stockholder approval under the rules of the Principal Stock Exchange, or the application of any available exemption therefrom, for the sale, issuance and delivery of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement. B. Riley Financial agrees to, and to cause each of its subsidiaries to, cause all issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by any of them to (i) be present at each meeting of the stockholders of the Company for purposes of determining a quorum to transact business contemplated by this Section 1(b) and (ii) vote in favor of any proposal presented to the Company’s stockholders seeking approval of the sale, issuance and delivery of any Shares pursuant to this Agreement or approval of any increase in the Company’s authorized capital for purpose of the sale, issuance and delivery of any Shares pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(c) Payment if Shares Unable to be Delivered in Whole or in Part. To the extent that the Company is unable to sell, issue and deliver any Shares pursuant to Section 1(a) of this Agreement due to the failure to have obtained stockholder approval under the requirements of the Principal Stock Exchange for such sale, issuance and delivery as a result of the Conversion Price not being at least $1.55 (disregarding, for purposes of this Section 1(c), clause (B) in the definition of Conversion Price), then with respect to any Payment Amount payable between the date hereof and the Term Loan Facility Maturity Date, the Company shall (i) sell, issue and deliver on the applicable Settlement Date such number of Shares that it may permissibly issue under the rules of the Principal Stock Exchange without stockholder approval; (ii) if an exemption from such stockholder approval requirements (or the required stockholder approval) is later obtained between the date of this Agreement and the Term Loan Facility Maturity Date, sell, issue and deliver such additional number of Shares that would have been issued but for the limitation in subclause (i) on the later of (A) the applicable Settlement Date and (B) the Business Day after obtaining such exemption or stockholder approval; and (iii) if an exemption from such stockholder approval requirements (or the required stockholder approval) is not obtained between the date of this Agreement and the Term Loan Facility Maturity Date, pay in cash on the Term Loan Facility Maturity Date that portion of such Payment Amount not paid in Shares pursuant to subclause (i) or (ii), as applicable.

 

(d) Adjustment to Conversion Price. If, prior to the applicable Settlement Date, the Company effects a reclassification, stock split (including a reverse stock split), stock dividend or distribution, recapitalization, merger, issuer tender or exchange offer, or other similar transaction with respect to any shares of its capital stock, the Conversion Price (including the price set forth in clause (B) of the definition thereof) shall be equitably adjusted to reflect such change and, as adjusted, shall, from and after the date of such event, be subject to further adjustment in accordance herewith.

 

(e) Restrictions During Measurement Period. B. Riley Financial shall not, directly or indirectly, including through one or more of their respective affiliates, engage in any transactions with respect to the Common Stock intended to or reasonably likely to affect the market price of the Common Stock, or otherwise buy or sell any shares of Common Stock, during the Measurement Period, whether taken before or during the Measurement Period.

 

3

 

 

(f) Subordination. All payments, whether in the form of Shares or cash, to B. Riley Financial under this Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of Article XI of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and any other subordination terms set forth therein. For the purposes of Article XI of the Credit Agreement and any other subordination terms set forth therein, the Fee Payment shall be deemed to be payable in respect of the Tranche A-6 Term Loan Commitments.

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to B. Riley Financial as set forth below:

 

(a) Organization, Power and Authority. The Company is duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into, execute, and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder and has taken all necessary action required for the due authorization of this Agreement.

 

(b) Authorized and Issued Capital Stock. As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock of the Company consists of (i) 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock and (ii) 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Preferred Stock”). As of May 8, 2020, (i) 46,407,555 shares of Common Stock were issued and outstanding, (ii) 619,181 shares of Common Stock were held in the treasury of the Company, (iii) 2,601,359 shares of Common Stock were reserved for future issuance pursuant to outstanding stock options and other rights to purchase shares of Common Stock and vesting of restricted stock units and restricted stock granted under the Company’s stock option or stock-based compensation plans, (iv) 1,666,667 shares of Common Stock were reserved for issuance pursuant to outstanding warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock and (v) no shares of Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding. The issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable, are not subject to and were not issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights. Except as set forth in this Section 2(b), and except as contemplated by the Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of April 30, 2019 (the “Investor Rights Agreement”), by and among the Company, B. Riley FBR and Vintage Capital Management, LLC, as of the date of this Agreement, no shares of capital stock or other equity securities or voting interest in the Company are issued, reserved for issuance, or outstanding. Except as set forth in this Section 2(b), and except as contemplated by the Investor Rights Agreement, as of the date hereof, the Company is not party to or otherwise bound by or subject to any outstanding option, warrant, call, subscription, or other right (including any preemptive right), agreement, or commitment that (w) obligates the Company to issue, deliver, sell, or transfer, or repurchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire, or cause to be issued, delivered, sold, or transferred, or repurchased, redeemed, or otherwise acquired, any shares of the capital stock of, or other equity or voting interests in, the Company or any security convertible or exercisable for or exchangeable into any capital stock of, or other equity or voting interest in, the Company, (x) obligates the Company to issue, grant, extend, or enter into any such option, warrant, call, right, security, commitment, contract, arrangement, or undertaking, (y) restricts the transfer of any shares of capital stock of the Company (other than pursuant to restricted stock award agreements under the Company’s stock option or stock-based compensation plans), or (z) relates to the voting of any shares of capital stock of the Company (other than the Investor Rights Agreement).

 

4

 

 

(c) Execution and Delivery; Enforceability. This Agreement is duly and validly 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 may be limited by the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and subject to principles of equity and public policy.

 

(d) Issuance. The Shares, when issued and delivered on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, will be duly authorized, validly issued and delivered, and fully paid and nonassessable, and will not be issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights.

 

(e) No Conflict. Assuming the Company is not required to increase the amount of Common Stock it is authorized to issue under its Restated Certificate of Incorporation in order to sell, issue and deliver the Shares under this Agreement (the “Capitalization Exception”), the sale, issuance, and delivery of the Shares on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and the performance of and compliance with all of the provisions herein by the Company and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein, (i) will not conflict with, or result in a breach or violation of, any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both), or result, in the acceleration of, or the creation of any lien under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject, (ii) will not result in any violation of the provisions of the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, or Amended and Restated Bylaws or any of the organizational or governance documents of the Company’s subsidiaries, and (iii) will not result in any violation of, or any termination or impairment of any rights under, any law, statute, rule or regulation or any license, authorization, injunction, judgment, order, decree, rule, or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their properties, except in any such case described in subclauses (i) and (iii) for any conflict, breach, violation, default, acceleration, lien, termination, or impairment which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or impair or materially delay the ability of the Company to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

(f) Consents and Approvals. Subject to the Capitalization Exception and assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of B. Riley Financial contained in Section 3 and the agreements set forth in Section 4(c), no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration, or qualification of or with any third party or any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their properties is required for the sale, issuance, and delivery of the Shares on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and the performance of and compliance with all of the provisions herein by the Company and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein, except such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations, or qualifications (i) as may be required under state securities or blue sky laws in connection with the purchase, acceptance, sale, issuance and delivery of the Shares or (ii) pursuant to the rules of the Principal Stock Exchange.

 

5

 

 

(g) No Reliance. The Company acknowledges that it is not, with respect to its entry into this Agreement (but not the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) on the date hereof, relying upon any representation or warranty made by B. Riley Financial not expressly set forth in this Agreement.

 

Section 3. Representations and Warranties of B. Riley Financial. B. Riley Financial represents and warrants to the Company as set forth below:

 

(a) Organization, Power and Authority. B. Riley Financial is duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. B. Riley Financial has the requisite power and authority to enter into, execute, and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder and has taken all necessary action required for the due authorization of this Agreement.

 

(b) Execution and Delivery; Enforceability. This Agreement is duly and validly executed and delivered by B. Riley Financial and constitutes, or, when executed and delivered, will constitute, a valid and binding obligation of B. Riley Financial, enforceable against B. Riley Financial in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and subject to principles of equity and public policy.

 

(c) No Registration. B. Riley Financial understands that the Shares issued to it have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), by reason of a specific exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act, the availability of which depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent and the accuracy of B. Riley Financial’s representations and warranties as expressed herein or otherwise made pursuant hereto.

 

(d) Investment Intent. B. Riley Financial is acquiring the Shares for investment for its own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with the view to, or for resale in connection with, any distribution thereof not in compliance with all applicable securities laws, including the Securities Act. B. Riley Financial has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same, except in compliance with all applicable securities laws, including the Securities Act.

 

(e) Securities Laws Compliance. The Shares will not be offered for sale, sold, or otherwise transferred by B. Riley Financial except pursuant to a registration statement or in a transaction exempt from, or not subject to, registration under the Securities Act and any other applicable securities laws.

 

(f) Sophistication. B. Riley Financial has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the Shares being acquired hereunder. B. Riley Financial understands and is able to bear any economic risks associated with such investment (including the delayed delivery of the Shares from the date hereof until the applicable Settlement Date and the necessity of holding the Shares for an indefinite period of time). B. Riley Financial acknowledges that it has been afforded the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers concerning the Company and to obtain additional information that it has requested to verify the information contained herein and evaluate its investment in the Shares.

 

6

 

 

(g) Accredited Investor. B. Riley Financial is an “Accredited Investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act.

 

(h) Legended Securities. B. Riley Financial understands and acknowledges that, upon the original issuance thereof and until such time as the same is no longer required under any applicable requirements of the Securities Act or other applicable securities laws, the Company and its transfer agent shall make such notation in the stock book and transfer records of the Company as may be necessary to record that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act and that the Shares may not be resold without registration under the Securities Act and all other applicable securities laws or pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements thereof.

 

(i) No Conflict. The purchase and acceptance of the Shares acquired by B. Riley Financial on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and the performance of and compliance with all of the provisions herein by B. Riley Financial and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein, (i) will not conflict with, or result in a breach or violation of, any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both), or result, in the acceleration of, or the creation of any lien under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, or other agreement or instrument to which B. Riley Financial is a party or by which B. Riley Financial is bound or to which any of the property or assets of B. Riley Financial or any of its subsidiaries is subject, (ii) will not result in any violation of the provisions of its certificate of incorporation, bylaws, or similar governance documents, and (iii) will not result in any material violation of, or any termination or material impairment of any rights under, any law, statute, rule or regulation or any license, authorization, injunction, judgment, order, decree, rule, or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over B. Riley Financial or any of its properties, except in any such case described in subclauses (i) and (iii) for any conflict, breach, violation, default, acceleration, or lien which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to prohibit, materially delay, or materially and adversely affect B. Riley Financial’s performance of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(j) Consents and Approvals. No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration, or qualification of or with any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over B. Riley Financial or any of its properties is required to be obtained or made by B. Riley Financial for the purchase and acceptance of the Shares on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and the performance of and compliance with all of the provisions herein by B. Riley Financial and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein, except for any consent, approval, authorization, order, registration, or qualification which, if not made or obtained, would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to prohibit, materially delay, or materially and adversely affect B. Riley Financial’s performance of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(k) No Reliance. B. Riley Financial acknowledges that, with respect to its entry into this Agreement (but not the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) on the date hereof, it is not relying upon any representation or warranty made by the Company not expressly set forth in this Agreement.

 

7

 

 

Section 4. Additional Covenants and Agreements of the Parties.

 

(a) Listing; Registrable Securities. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to list the Shares on the Principal Stock Exchange where the Common Stock is then listed or admitted for trading. For the avoidance of doubt, any Shares issued pursuant to this Agreement shall be “Investor Registrable Securities” under the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 30, 2019, by and among the Company, B. Riley FBR and Vintage Capital Management, LLC.

 

(b) Cooperation. Each of the Parties shall use its reasonable best efforts (and shall cause its subsidiaries to use their respective reasonable best efforts) to reasonably cooperate with all other Parties and to take or cause to be taken all actions, and do or cause to be done all things, reasonably necessary, proper, or advisable on its or their part under this Agreement and applicable laws to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including making and seeking all material governmental and third-party notifications, filings, consents, waivers and approvals required for the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(c) Access to Non-Public Information. B. Riley Financial (i) understands and acknowledges that the Company is in possession of information about the Company and its operations (which may include material non-public information) that may or may not be material or superior to information available to B. Riley Financial and the public generally, (ii) waives any claim, or potential claim, it has or may have against the Company relating to the Company’s possession of material non-public information in connection with B. Riley Financial’s agreement to purchase and accept Shares pursuant to this Agreement, (iii) has independently participated in the negotiation of this Agreement and has been represented by separate counsel and (iv) understands and acknowledges that the Company would not enter into this Agreement in the absence of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in this Section 4(c).

 

(d) Reserves. The Company shall keep reserved out of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock to satisfy the issuance of the full amount of Shares pursuant to Section 1(a).

 

(e) No Transfer of Term Loans. Until the earlier to occur of the final Settlement Date or the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 6, B. Riley Financial will not, without the Company’s prior written consent, transfer any interest in (i) any Term Loans or (ii) any interest, fees or other payments owing to it under this Agreement, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement or the B. Riley Fee Letter, including the right to receive any part or portion of the Fee Payment and Interest Payments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, B. Riley Financial may at any time and without the consent of the Company transfer its interest in any Term Loans or any interest, fees or other payments owing to it under this Agreement, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement or the B. Riley Fee Letter, to any wholly owned subsidiary of B. Riley Financial; provided that (i) B. Riley Financial shall remain liable for any of its obligations hereunder and under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and the B. Riley Fee Letter following any such transfer and (ii) B. Riley Financial and its controlled affiliates shall be prohibited from transferring any of its ownership interest in such transferee to a third party without the Company’s prior written consent. Any purported transfer in violation of this Section 4(e) shall be null and void ab initio.

 

8

 

 

Section 5.Conditions to the Obligations of the Parties.

 

(a) Conditions to the Company Obligation to Deliver Shares. The obligations of the Company to sell, issue and deliver the Shares on each Settlement Date shall be subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions (which may be waived in whole or in part by the Company in its sole discretion):

 

(i) No statute, rule, regulation, or order shall have been enacted, adopted, or issued by any federal, state, or foreign governmental or regulatory authority of competent jurisdiction, and no judgment, injunction, decree, or order of any federal, state, or foreign court of competent jurisdiction shall have been issued that, in each case, prohibits the sale, issue, delivery, purchase and acceptance of the Shares as contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(ii) The Shares shall have been approved for listing on the Principal Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance; provided, however, that this condition shall not apply in the event the Common Stock is no longer listed and traded on any national securities exchange as of the applicable Settlement Date.

 

(b) Conditions to the Obligations of B. Riley Financial to Accept Shares. The obligations of B. Riley Financial to purchase and accept Shares on each Settlement Date shall be subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions (which may be waived in whole or in part by B. Riley Financial in its sole discretion):

 

(i) No statute, rule, regulation, or order shall have been enacted, adopted, or issued by any federal, state, or foreign governmental or regulatory authority of competent jurisdiction, and no judgment, injunction, decree, or order of any federal, state, or foreign court of competent jurisdiction shall have been issued that, in each case, prohibits the sale, issue, delivery, purchase and acceptance of the Shares as contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(ii) The Shares shall have been approved for listing on the Principal Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance; provided, however, that this condition shall not apply in the event the Common Stock is no longer listed and traded on any national securities exchange as of the applicable Settlement Date.

 

Section 6. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated, and the transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned, at any time prior to the applicable Settlement Date by (a) mutual written agreement of the Company and B. Riley Financial, (b) by the Company following a material breach of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement or this Agreement by B. Riley Financial (after notice thereof and a reasonable opportunity to cure), or (c) by B. Riley Financial following a material breach of this Agreement by the Company (after notice thereof and a reasonable opportunity to cure). Upon termination under this Section 6, all rights and obligations of the Parties shall terminate without any liability of any Party to any other Party except that (i) nothing contained herein shall release any Party hereto from liability for any willful breach of this Agreement and (ii) the covenants and agreements made by the Parties herein in Section 4(c) and Sections 6 through 14 will survive indefinitely in accordance with their terms.

 

9

 

 

Section 7. Notices. All notices and other communications in connection with this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed given (and will be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) if delivered personally, sent via electronic transmission, mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), or delivered by an express courier (with confirmation) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as will be specified by like notice):

 

If to the Company:

Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.

1200 East Market Street, Suite 650

Akron, OH 44305

Attention: General Counsel

 

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

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

51 West 52nd Street

New York, NY 10019

Attention: David A. Katz

Email: dakatz@wlrk.com

 

King & Spalding LLP

1180 Peachtree Street, NE

Atlanta, GA 30309

Attention: William Calvin Smith, III

Zachary L. Cochran

Email:    calsmith@kslaw.com

zcochran@kslaw.com

 

If to B. Riley Financial:

B. Riley Financial, Inc.

299 Park Avenue, 21st Floor

New York, NY 10171

Attention: Alan N. Forman, General Counsel

Email: aforman@brileyfin.com

 

10

 

 

Section 8. Assignment; Third Party Beneficiaries. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests, or obligations under this Agreement (including the right to receive any Shares on any Settlement Date) may be assigned by any Party (whether by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of (a) the Company, in the case of an assignment by B. Riley Financial and (b) B. Riley Financial, in the case of an assignment by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, B. Riley Financial may at any time and without the consent of the Company assign this Agreement or its rights, interests or obligations hereunder to any wholly owned subsidiary of B. Riley Financial; provided that (i) B. Riley Financial shall remain liable for any of its obligations hereunder following any such assignment, (ii) any such assignee shall, as of the effective date of such assignment, be required to make and be capable of making the representations set forth in Section 3 with respect to such assignee, (iii) such assignee shall be bound by and subject to the obligations of B. Riley Financial under this Agreement (including for the avoidance of doubt the transfer restrictions set forth in Section 4(e)) as if such assignee were a party hereto, and (iv) B. Riley Financial and its controlled affiliates shall be prohibited from transferring any of its ownership interest in such assignee to a third party without the Company’s prior written consent. Any purported assignment in violation of this Section 8 shall be null and void ab initio.

 

Section 9. Prior Negotiations; Entire Agreement; Expenses. This Agreement, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and the B. Riley Fee Letter together constitute the entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements, arrangements, or understandings, whether written or oral, between the Parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby. Each Party shall bear all costs incurred by such Party in connection with the negotiation and execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Section 10. Governing Law; Venue. This Agreement is governed in all respects, including as to validity, interpretation and effect, by the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to its principles or rules of conflict of laws, to the extent such principles are not mandatorily applicable by statute and would permit or require the application of the laws of another jurisdiction. The Parties hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of the State of New York sitting in New York County and the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof solely in respect of the interpretation and enforcement of the provisions of this Agreement, and irrevocably agree that all claims in respect of the interpretation and enforcement of the provisions of this Agreement, or with respect to any action or proceeding hereunder, shall be heard and determined in any of the courts of the State of New York sitting in New York County and the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and that such jurisdiction of such courts with respect thereto shall be exclusive, except solely to the extent that all such courts shall lawfully decline to exercise such jurisdiction. Each Party hereby waives and agrees not to assert, as a defense in any action, suit or proceeding for the interpretation or enforcement hereof, that it is not subject to such jurisdiction. Each Party hereby waives and agrees not to assert, to the maximum extent permitted by law, as a defense in any action, suit or proceeding for the interpretation or enforcement hereof, that such action, suit or proceeding may not be brought or is not maintainable in such courts, that the venue thereof may not be appropriate or that this Agreement may not be enforced in or by such courts. The Parties hereby consent to and grant any such court jurisdiction over the person of such parties and over the subject matter of any such dispute. THE PARTIES HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) BROUGHT BY EITHER OF THEM AGAINST THE OTHER IN ANY MATTERS ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT.

 

11

 

 

Section 11. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which will be considered one and the same agreement and will become effective when counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other Parties (including via facsimile or other electronic transmission), it being understood that each Party need not sign the same counterpart.

 

Section 12. Waivers and Amendments.

 

(a) Waivers and Amendments Generally. This Agreement may be amended, modified, superseded, cancelled, renewed, or extended, and the terms and conditions of this Agreement may be waived, only by a written instrument signed by all the Parties (and, in the case of a modification to or waiver of Section 13, by B. Riley FBR) or, in the case of a waiver, by the Party waiving compliance. No delay on the part of any Party in exercising any right, power, or privilege pursuant to this Agreement will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any waiver on the part of any Party of any right, power, or privilege pursuant to this Agreement, nor will any single or partial exercise of any right, power, or privilege pursuant to this Agreement, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power, or privilege pursuant to this Agreement. The rights and remedies provided pursuant to this Agreement are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies which any Party otherwise may have at law or in equity.

 

(b) Waivers, Amendments and Consents by the Company. Until the later of (i) the date when the services of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer are no longer provided by an affiliate of B. Riley Financial and (ii) B. Riley FBR no longer holds the right to nominate any directors to serve on the Company’s board of directors pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement or any other agreement with the Company, any amendment, wavier or consent given on behalf of the Company in connection with this Agreement shall not be effective unless approved by a majority of the members of the Company’s board of directors on the date of such action that are independent of B. Riley Financial under applicable law.

 

Section 13. Waiver of Certain Preemptive Rights. B. Riley FBR hereby (i) consents to the offer, sale, issue and delivery of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement and waives any and all notice requirements with respect to hereto pursuant to Section 3 of the Investor Rights Agreement and (ii) waives its right to purchase or otherwise acquire shares of Common Stock in accordance with Section 3 of the Investor Rights Agreement in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Section 14. Definitions; Interpretation. All capitalized terms used in this Agreement without definition have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. When a reference is made in this Agreement to “Sections” such reference shall be to a Section of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The terms defined in the singular have a comparable meaning when used in the plural, and vice versa. The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and are not part of this Agreement. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed followed by the words “without limitation.” No rule of construction against the draftsperson shall be applied in connection with the interpretation or enforcement of this Agreement, as this Agreement is the product of negotiation between sophisticated parties advised by counsel. All references to “$” or “dollars” mean the lawful currency of the United States of America. Except as expressly stated in this Agreement, all references to any statute, rule or regulation are to the statute, rule or regulation as amended, modified, supplemented or replaced from time to time (and, in the case of statutes, include any rules and regulations promulgated under the statute) and to any section of any statute, rule or regulation include any successor to the section. Whenever the words “hereof”, “hereby”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of like import are used in this Agreement, they shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. “Business Day” means any day except a Saturday, a Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks are required or authorized by law to close in New York, New York.

 

12

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered all as of the date first written above.

 

Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.  
       
By: /s/ Dwayne M. Petish
  Name: Dwayne M. Petish
  Title: Treasurer

 

B. Riley Financial, Inc.  
       
By: /s/ Bryant R. Riley
  Name: Bryant R. Riley  
  Title: Co-CEO  

 

B. Riley FBR, Inc.,  
solely for purposes of Section 13 hereof  
       
By: /s/ Michael McCoy
  Name: Michael McCoy  
  Title: CFO  

 

[Signature Page – Fee and Interest Equitization Agreement]

 

 

 13

 

Exhibit 10.4

 

May 14, 2020

B. Riley Financial, Inc.

21255 Burbank Boulevard, Suite 400

Woodland Hills, California 91367

Bank of America, N.A.

Agency Management

555 California Street, 4th Floor

Mail Code: CA5-705-04-09

San Francisco, CA 94104

Attention: Bridgett J. Manduk Mowry

Facsimile: 415-503-5011

bridgett.manduk@bofa.com

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to (i) that certain letter agreement, dated January 31, 2020 (the “B, Riley 2020 Backstop”), between B. Riley Financial, Inc. (“B. Riley”) and Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. (the “Company”), executed in connection with Amendment No. 20, dated as of January 31, 2020, to the Company’s Credit Agreement, dated as of May 11, 2015, among the Company, Bank of America, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”), and each of the lenders from time to time party thereto (as amended, supplemented or modified prior to the date hereof and as may be further amended and restated by the Amendment and Restatement Agreement (as defined herein), the “Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”), and (ii) that certain Amendment and Restatement Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2020 (the “Amendment and Restatement Agreement”), among the Company, as the borrower, it affiliates party thereto, the Administrative Agent, and each of the lenders.

 

Simultaneously with and conditioned upon the occurrence of the Restatement Effective Date (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement), and in consideration of the entry into the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement by B. Riley and B. Riley’s obligations thereunder, and other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, (a) the B. Riley 2020 Backstop is, and all obligations thereunder are, hereby terminated and of no further force and effect; and (b) each of the Company and B. Riley, on their own behalf and behalf of their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, employees, directors, agents and attorneys (collectively, the “Releasees”) hereby mutually release each other from any and all claims, demands, liabilities, responsibilities, disputes, defenses, causes of action (whether at law or equity) and obligations of every kind or nature whatsoever, whether liquidated or unliquidated, known or unknown, matured or unmatured, fixed or contingent that any Releasee may have against any other Releasee which arise from or in any way relate to the B. Riley 2020 Backstop (the “Mutual Releases”). For the avoidance of doubt, the termination of the B. Riley 2020 Backstop and the exchange of the Mutual Releases extinguish all rights and obligations under the B. Riley 2020 Backstop, including without limitation, all rights and obligations of any third party beneficiaries thereto.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

 

Very truly yours,  
     
Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.  
       
By: /s/ Dwayne M. Petish  
  Name: Dwayne M. Petish  
  Title: Treasurer  

 

Acknowledged and Agreed:  
       
B. Riley Financial, Inc.  
       
By: /s/ Bryant R. Riley
  Name: Bryant R. Riley  
  Title: Co-CEO  
       
Acknowledged:  
   
Bank of America, N.A.,  
as Administrative Agent under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement  
       
By: /s/ Bridgett J. Manduk Mowry
  Name: Bridgett J. Manduk Mowry  
  Title: Vice President  

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.5

 

LIMITED GUARANTY AGREEMENT

 

This LIMITED GUARANTY AGREEMENT (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Limited Guaranty”), dated as of May 14, 2020, is made by B. RILEY FINANCIAL, INC. (the “Limited Guarantor”), in favor of BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) for the ratable benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Revolving Credit Lenders, each L/C Issuer, each co-agent or sub-agent appointed by the Administrative Agent from time to time pursuant to Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement described below and the other Persons to whom the Guaranteed Obligations are owed (collectively, the “Guaranteed Parties”).

 

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2020 (as further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. (the “Borrower”), the Guarantors, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, and each L/C Issuer, the Revolving Credit Lenders have agreed to make certain accommodations under and amend and restate that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of May 11, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Credit Agreement”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein.

 

WHEREAS, execution of this Limited Guaranty is a condition precedent to the Credit Agreement, and the Administrative Agent and the Revolving Credit Lenders are entering into the Credit Agreement in reliance on the Limited Guarantor’s obligations hereunder;

 

WHEREAS, execution of this Limited Guaranty is in partial consideration for the Borrower’s agreement to terminate the B. Riley 2020 Backstop as set forth in that certain letter agreement dated as of the date hereof, among the Limited Guarantor, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent; and

 

WHEREAS, the Limited Guarantor has materially benefited from the Credit Extensions made under the Existing Credit Agreement and will materially benefit from the Credit Extensions to be made under the Credit Agreement and the payments to be made by the Borrower under that certain fee letter agreement dated as of the date hereof, between the Borrower and the Limited Guarantor;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, and to induce the Administrative Agent and the other Guaranteed Parties to enter into, and make their respective Credit Extensions and other accommodations (including extending the maturity of their respective commitments under the Existing Credit Agreement) under the Credit Agreement, the Limited Guarantor hereby agrees with the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Guaranteed Parties as follows:

 

AGREEMENT

 

1.Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings herein that are assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement. The following terms when used herein shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

Borrower Entities” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9(a).

 

 

 

B. Riley 2020 Backstop” means that certain letter dated January 31, 2020 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the date hereof), between the Company and B. Riley Financial, Inc. executed in connection with Amendment No. 20, dated as of January 31, 2020, to the Existing Credit Agreement.

 

Guarantee Event” means any of the following acts or omissions:

 

(a) the failure of the Limited Guarantor for any reason to fund in full any Tranche A-6 Term Loan Borrowing in accordance with the Credit Agreement (solely except as such amount may be reduced on account of Net Cash Proceeds of the issuance of Stock or Stock Equivalents of the Borrower in accordance with Section 4.05 of the Credit Agreement) on the proposed date of the Credit Extension with respect thereto; or

 

(b) (i) the Limited Guarantor shall generally not pay its debts as such debts become due, shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (ii) any proceeding shall be instituted by or against the Limited Guarantor seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or an insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief or composition of it or its debts, under any Requirement of Law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a custodian, receiver, trustee or other similar official for it or for any substantial part of its property; provided, however, that, in the case of any such proceedings instituted against the Limited Guarantor (but not instituted by the Limited Guarantor), such proceedings shall remain undismissed or unstayed for a period of 60 days or more or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered, or (iii) the Limited Guarantor shall take any corporate action to authorize any action set forth in clauses (i) or (ii) above; or

 

(c) notwithstanding the waivers of the Limited Guarantor set forth in Section 5, the Limited Guarantor or any of its affiliates or any other party acting on the Limited Guarantor or any of its affiliates’ behalf in concert with the Limited Guarantor or any of its affiliates makes any assertion that that this Limited Guaranty or any provision hereof ceases to be valid, binding on, or enforceable against the Limited Guarantor; or

 

(d) the acceleration of the Revolving Credit Loans under Section 8.02 of the Credit Agreement, whether automatic or resulting from the action of the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders; or (e) an Event of Default under any of clauses (a) or (b) of Section 8.01 of the Credit Agreement (other than with respect to Obligations with respect to the Term Loan Facility).

 

Guarantor Claims” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9(a).

 

Guaranteed Obligations” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).

 

2

 

 

2. Guaranty.

 

(a) The Limited Guarantor hereby absolutely and unconditionally guarantees, as a guaranty of payment and performance and not merely as a guaranty of collection, prompt payment at all times of all Obligations with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility, (i) including any outstanding Revolving Credit Loans (including all renewals, extensions, amendments, restatements and other modifications thereof) and earned interest and fees in relation thereto as set forth in the Credit Agreement (including any interest paid-in-kind or deferred, any commitment fees, the fees set forth in Section 2.09(c) of the Credit Agreement and any other consent fees and the fees set forth under Section 2.09(d), including to the extent earned under the Existing Credit Agreement (but as may be limited to any explicit waiver in effect under the Credit Agreement),  and in each case whether recovery upon such indebtedness and liabilities may be or hereafter become unenforceable or shall be an allowed or disallowed claim under any proceeding or case commenced by or against the Limited Guarantor or the Borrower under any Debtor Relief Laws, and including interest that accrues after the commencement by or against the Borrower of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws, but (ii) excluding contingent obligations and L/C Borrowings (collectively, the “Guaranteed Obligations”); provided that the Limited Guarantor shall have no liability to make any payment under this Section 2(a) until the occurrence of a Guarantee Event; provided further that if the only Guarantee Event that has occurred is a Guarantee Event under clause (e) of the definition thereof, the Limited Guarantor shall only be required to make payments of the Guaranteed Obligations under the Loan Documents when due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, upon acceleration, demand or otherwise;

 

(b) The books and records of the Administrative Agent and the books and records of each Guaranteed Party, showing the amount of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be admissible in evidence in any action or proceeding, and shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Credit Extensions and the interest and payments thereon. This Limited Guaranty shall not be affected by the genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or any instrument or agreement evidencing any Guaranteed Obligations or by the existence, validity, enforceability, perfection, non-perfection or extent of any collateral therefor, or by any fact or circumstance relating to the Guaranteed Obligations, which might otherwise constitute a defense to the obligations of the Limited Guarantor under this Limited Guaranty, and the Limited Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any defenses it may now have or hereafter acquire, in law or in equity, in any way relating to any or all of the foregoing or otherwise. Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the obligations of the Limited Guarantor hereunder at any time shall be limited to an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render its obligations hereunder subject to avoidance as a fraudulent transfer or conveyance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code (Title 11, United States Code) or any comparable provisions of any similar federal or state law;

 

(c) The Limited Guarantor further agrees to pay any and all expenses (including, without limitation, all fees and disbursements of counsel) which may be paid or incurred by any Guaranteed Party in enforcing, or obtaining advice of counsel in respect of, any rights with respect to, or collecting, any or all of the Guaranteed Obligations and/or enforcing any rights with respect to, or collecting against, the Limited Guarantor under this Limited Guaranty.

 

(d) The Limited Guarantor agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may at any time and from time to time exceed the amount of the liability of the Limited Guarantor hereunder without impairing this Limited Guaranty or affecting the rights and remedies of any Guaranteed Party hereunder;

 

(e) The Limited Guarantor agrees that whenever, at any time, or from time to time, it shall make any payment to any Guaranteed Party on account of its liability hereunder, it will notify the Administrative Agent in writing that such payment is made under this Limited Guaranty for such purpose.

 

3. No Setoff or Deductions; Taxes; Payments. The Limited Guarantor shall make all payments hereunder without setoff or counterclaim against, among others, the Loan Parties, the Guaranteed Parties, and free and clear of and without deduction for any taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions, withholdings, compulsory loans, restrictions or conditions of any nature now or hereafter imposed or levied by any jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof or taxing or other authority therein unless the Limited Guarantor is compelled by Requirement of Law to make such deduction or withholding and the Limited Guarantor shall pay and indemnify each Guaranteed Party for Indemnified Taxes and Other Taxes. The obligations of the Limited Guarantor under this paragraph shall survive the payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations and termination of this Limited Guaranty as to the Limited Guarantor.

3

 

 

4. Rights of Guaranteed Parties. The Limited Guarantor consents and agrees that the Guaranteed Parties may, at any time and from time to time, without notice or demand, and without affecting the enforceability or continuing effectiveness hereof: (a) amend, extend, renew, compromise, discharge, accelerate or otherwise change the time for payment or the terms of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof, (b) take, hold, exchange, enforce, waive, release, fail to perfect, sell, or otherwise dispose of any security for the payment of this Limited Guaranty or any Guaranteed Obligations, (c) apply such security and direct the order or manner of sale thereof as the Guaranteed Parties in their sole discretion may determine and (d) release or substitute one or more of any endorsers or other guarantors of any of the Guaranteed Obligations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Limited Guarantor consents to the taking of, or failure to take, any action which might in any manner or to any extent vary the risks of the Limited Guarantor under this Limited Guaranty or which, but for this provision, might operate as a discharge of the Limited Guarantor. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, the Limited Guarantor does not waive any of its rights as a Lender under the Credit Agreement, which rights shall be governed by the Credit Agreement.

 

5. Certain Waivers. The Limited Guarantor waives (a) any defense arising by reason of any disability or other defense of the Borrower or any other guarantor of the Obligations, or the cessation from any cause whatsoever (including any act or omission of any Guaranteed Party) of the liability of the Borrower other than payment and performance in full of the Guaranteed Obligations, (b) any defense based on any claim that the Limited Guarantor’s obligations exceed or are more burdensome than those of the Borrower, (c) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting the Limited Guarantor’s liability hereunder, (d) any right to require any Guaranteed Party to proceed against the Borrower, proceed against or exhaust any security for the Guaranteed Obligations, or pursue any other remedy in any Guaranteed Party’s power whatsoever, (e) any benefit of and any right to participate in any security now or hereafter held by any Guaranteed Party, other than any benefit or right attributable to B. Riley Financial Inc.’s status and capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement, which benefits and rights are hereby preserved, and (f) to the fullest extent permitted by law, any and all other defenses or benefits that may be derived from or afforded by Requirement of Law limiting the liability of or exonerating guarantors or sureties, including, without limitation,  any defense, waiver, or objection relating in any way to the B. Riley 2020 Backstop, or any defense related  to change circumstances, frustration of purpose, impossibility of performance or other claim based in law or equity. The Limited Guarantor expressly waives all setoffs and counterclaims and all presentments, demands for payment or performance, notices of nonpayment or nonperformance, protests, notices of protest, notices of dishonor and all other notices or demands of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations, and all notices of acceptance of this Limited Guaranty or of the existence, creation or incurrence of new or additional Guaranteed Obligations.

 

6. Obligations Independent. The obligations of the Limited Guarantor hereunder are those of primary obligor, and not merely as surety, and are independent of the Obligations and the obligations of any other guarantor of the Obligations, and a separate action may be brought against the Limited Guarantor to enforce this Limited Guaranty whether or not the Borrower or any other person or entity is joined as a party.

 

7. Subrogation. The Limited Guarantor shall not exercise any right of subrogation, contribution, indemnity, reimbursement or similar rights with respect to any payments it makes under this Limited Guaranty until the occurrence of the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date. If any amounts are paid to the Limited Guarantor in violation of the foregoing limitation, then such amounts shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Guaranteed Parties and shall forthwith be paid to the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of itself and the other Guaranteed Parties) to reduce the amount of the Guaranteed Obligations, whether matured or unmatured.

 

4

 

 

8. Termination; Reinstatement. This Limited Guaranty is a continuing and irrevocable guarantee of all Guaranteed Obligations, now or hereafter existing, and shall remain in full force and effect with respect to the Limited Guarantor, until the termination of this Limited Guaranty in accordance with its terms. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, this Limited Guaranty shall continue in full force and effect or be revived, as the case may be, if any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower or the Limited Guarantor is made, or any Guaranteed Party exercises its right of setoff, in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by any Guaranteed Party in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws or otherwise, all as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred and whether or not any Guaranteed Party is in possession of or has released this Limited Guaranty and regardless of any prior revocation, rescission, termination or reduction. The obligations of the Limited Guarantor under this paragraph shall survive termination of this Limited Guaranty.

 

9. Subordination.

 

(a) As used herein, the term “Guarantor Claims” shall mean all debts and liabilities of the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Borrower Entities”) to the Limited Guarantor, whether such debts and liabilities now exist or are hereafter incurred or arise, or whether the obligations of the Borrower Entities thereon be direct, contingent, primary, secondary, several, joint and several, or otherwise, and irrespective of whether such debts or liabilities be evidenced by note, contract, open account, or otherwise, and irrespective of the Person in whose favor such debts or liabilities may, at their inception, have been, or may hereafter be created, or the manner in which they have been or may hereafter be acquired by the Limited Guarantor; provided that the Guarantor Claims shall not include any debt, liabilities or other obligations of the Borrower Entities to the Limited Guarantor in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement arising under the Credit Agreement, which shall be subject to the provisions of Article XI and any other subordination terms set forth in the Credit Agreement. The Guarantor Claims shall include without limitation all rights and claims of the Limited Guarantor against the Borrower Entities (arising as a result of subrogation or otherwise) as a result of the Limited Guarantor’s payment of all or a portion of the Guaranteed Obligations. Without limitation to the provisions of Article XI and any other subordination terms set forth in the Credit Agreement, the Guarantor Claims are subordinate in right of payment until the occurrence of the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default or Default, the Limited Guarantor shall not, and shall not be entitled to, receive or collect, directly or indirectly, from the Borrower Entities or any other party any amount upon the Guarantor Claims.

 

(b) In the event that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Limited Guaranty, the Limited Guarantor should receive any funds, payment, claim or distribution which is prohibited by this Limited Guaranty, the Limited Guarantor agrees to hold in trust for the Guaranteed Parties an amount equal to the amount of all funds, payments, claims or distributions so received, and agrees that it shall have absolutely no dominion over the amount of such funds, payments, claims or distributions so received except to pay them promptly to the Guaranteed Parties, and the Limited Guarantor covenants promptly to pay the same to the Guaranteed Parties.

 

5

 

 

10. Stay of Acceleration. In the event that acceleration of the time for payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations is stayed, in connection with any case commenced by or against the Borrower or any guarantor of the Obligations under any Debtor Relief Laws, or otherwise, all such amounts shall nonetheless be payable by the Limited Guarantor immediately upon demand by the Administrative Agent.

 

11. Condition of Borrower. The Limited Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that it has the sole responsibility for, and has adequate means of, obtaining from the Borrower such information concerning the financial condition, business and operations of the Borrower as the Limited Guarantor requires, and that no Guaranteed Party has a duty, and the Limited Guarantor is not relying on any Guaranteed Party at any time, to disclose to the Limited Guarantor any information relating to the business, operations or financial condition of the Borrower (the Limited Guarantor waiving any duty on the part of any Guaranteed Parties to disclose such information and any defense relating to the failure to provide the same).

 

12. Representations and Warranties. To induce the Guaranteed Parties to enter into the Credit Agreement, the Limited Guarantor represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Guaranteed Parties, as follows:

 

(a) The Limited Guarantor is a direct owner of Equity Interest in and holder of Term Loans of the Borrower, and has received or will receive, direct or indirect benefit from the making of this Limited Guaranty with respect to the Obligations.

 

(b) The Limited Guarantor is familiar with, and has independently reviewed books and records regarding, the financial condition of the Borrower; however, the Limited Guarantor is not relying on such financial condition or the Collateral as an inducement to enter this Limited Guaranty.

 

(c) No Guaranteed Party, nor any other party has made any representation, warranty or statement to the Limited Guarantor in order to induce the Limited Guarantor to execute this Limited Guaranty.

 

(d) As of the date hereof, and after giving effect to this Limited Guaranty and the contingent obligation evidenced hereby, the Limited Guarantor is, and will be, solvent, and has and will have assets which, fairly valued, exceed its obligations, liabilities (including contingent liabilities) and debts, and has and will have property and assets sufficient to satisfy and repay its obligations and liabilities.

 

(e) The Limited Guarantor has the legal right to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, this Limited Guaranty.

 

(f) This Limited Guaranty constitutes legal, valid and binding obligations of the Limited Guarantor enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as may be affected by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, general equitable principles and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

 

(g) The execution, delivery and performance of this Limited Guaranty will not violate any provision of any Requirement of Law or contractual obligation of the Limited Guarantor and will not result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of the properties or revenues of the Limited Guarantor pursuant to any Requirement of Law or contractual obligation of the Limited Guarantor.

 

(h) No litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the knowledge of the Limited Guarantor, threatened by or against the Limited Guarantor or against any of its properties or revenues (i) with respect to this Limited Guaranty or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, or (ii) which could reasonably be expected to have a material impairment of the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent or any Guaranteed Party under this Limited Guaranty or the ability of the Limited Guarantor hereunder.

 

6

 

 

(i) No consent or authorization of, filing with, or other act by or in respect of, any arbitrator or Governmental Authority and no consent of any other Person (including, without limitation, any stockholder or creditor of the Limited Guarantor) is required in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Limited Guaranty.

 

(j) All representations and warranties made by the Limited Guarantor herein shall survive the execution hereof.

 

13. Amendments; Etc. None of the terms or provisions of this Limited Guaranty may be waived, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, nor any consent be given, except with the written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Limited Guarantor.

 

14. Notices. All notices and communications hereunder shall be given to the addresses and otherwise made in accordance with Section 10.02 of the Credit Agreement; provided that notices and communications to the Limited Guarantor shall be directed to:

 

B. Riley Financial, Inc.
Burbank Blvd. Suite 400
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Attention: Chairman (with a copy to General Counsel)
brriley@brileyfin.com
aforman@brileyfin.com

 

15. Right of Setoff; Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Venue; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL; Judgment Currency. THIS LIMITED GUARANTY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. Without limiting the general applicability of the foregoing and the terms of the other Loan Documents to this Limited Guaranty and the parties hereto, the terms of 10.14, 10.15 and 10.18 of the Credit Agreement are incorporated herein by reference, mutatis mutandis, with each reference to the “Borrower” therein (whether express or by reference to the Borrower as a “party” thereto) being a reference to the Limited Guarantor, and the parties hereto agree to such terms.

 

16. Counterparts; Electronic Execution. This Limited Guaranty may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Limited Guaranty by telecopy or other electronic imaging means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Limited Guaranty.

 

17. Miscellaneous. No failure by any Guaranteed Party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, remedy or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy or power hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. The remedies herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law or in equity. The unenforceability or invalidity of any provision of this Limited Guaranty shall not affect the enforceability or validity of any other provision herein. Unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the Limited Guarantor in writing, this Limited Guaranty is not intended to supersede or otherwise affect any other guaranty now or hereafter given by the Limited Guarantor or any other guarantor of the Obligations for the benefit of the Guaranteed Parties or any term or provision thereof.

 

18. Acknowledgments. The Limited Guarantor hereby acknowledges that (a) it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Limited Guaranty and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party and (b) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and has reviewed and understands the same.

 

19. Termination; Release.

 

Upon the Revolving Credit Facility Termination Date, this Limited Guaranty and all obligations (other than those expressly stated to survive such termination or as may be reinstated after such termination) of the Administrative Agent and the Limited Guarantor hereunder shall terminate, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Limited Guaranty to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

LIMITED GUARANTOR:
     
B. RILEY FINANCIAL, INC.  
     
By: /s/ Bryant R. Riley  
Name: Bryant R. Riley  
Title: Co-CEO  

 

Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.

Limited Guaranty Agreement

Signature Page

 

 

 

BABCOCK & WILCOX ENTERPRISES, INC.,  
as Borrower  
     
By: /s/ Dwayne M. Petish  
Name: Dwayne M. Petish  
Title: Treasurer  

 

Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.

Limited Guaranty Agreement

Signature Page

 

 

Acknowledged and accepted:  
   
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,  
as Administrative Agent  
     
By: /s/ Bridgett J. Manduk Mowry  
Name: Bridgett J. Manduk Mowry  
Title: Vice President  

 

Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.

Limited Guaranty Agreement

Signature Page

 

 

11

 

Exhibit 10.6

 

LIMITED WAIVER, JOINDER AND AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

THIS LIMITED WAIVER, JOINDER AND AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO TO CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Amendment No. 2”), dated as of May 1, 2020, is entered into by and among GACP FINANCE CO., LLC (“GACP”), in its capacity as administrative agent for each of the Lenders (in such capacity, “Agent”), FRANCHISE GROUP NEW HOLDCO, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Global Parent”), FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE HOLDCO, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Lead Borrower”), AMERICAN FREIGHT GROUP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“AFG”), certain other Subsidiaries of Lead Borrower party hereto as Borrowers (together with Lead Borrower and AFG, each individually and collectively, jointly and severally, “Borrower”), the other Loan Parties party hereto and the lenders identified on the signature pages hereof (such lenders, and the other lenders party to the below-defined Credit Agreement, together with their respective successors and permitted assigns, each individually, a “Lender”, and collectively, the “Lenders”), and in light of the following:

 

W I T N E S S E T H

 

WHEREAS, Global Parent, Borrower, Lenders, the other Loan Parties and Agent are parties to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2020 (as amended by that certain Amendment Number One to Credit Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2020, the “Existing Credit Agreement”, and the Existing Credit Agreement as amended by this Amendment No. 2, the “Credit Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, the Event of Default listed on Annex A attached hereto (the “Specified Event of Default”) has occurred and is continuing;

 

WHEREAS, Borrower has requested that the Lenders and the Agent (1) waive the Specified Event of Default and (2) make certain amendments to the Existing Credit Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower is required to join the Persons listed on Schedule I attached hereto (such Persons, the “Liberty Tax Entities”) as parties to the Credit Agreement pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement (the “Joinder”);

 

WHEREAS, upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, Agent and Required Lenders have agreed to waive the Specified Event of Default, and to make certain amendments, including certain amendments to facilitate the Joinder, to the Existing Credit Agreement on the terms set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1.Defined Terms. All initially capitalized terms used herein (including the preamble and recitals hereof) without definition shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement.

 

2.Amendments to Credit Agreement. Subject to the satisfaction (or waiver in writing by the Required Lenders) of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 5 hereof, the Existing Credit Agreement shall be amended to reflect the changes which are attached as Annex B hereto, such that on the Amendment Effective Date (as defined below) the terms set forth in Annex B hereto which appear in bold and double underlined text (inserted text) shall be added to the Existing Credit Agreement and the terms appearing as text which is stricken (deleted text) shall be deleted from the Existing Credit Agreement, (b) Schedules 4.1, 4.2, 4.12, 4.24, 4.25 and 4.30 to the Existing Credit Agreement shall be amended and restated in their entirety as attached in Annex C hereto and (c) Schedules 1.1, 4.13, 4.27, 4.28, 6.1, 6.2, 6.7, 6.12, 6.17 and 7.1 to the Existing Credit Agreement shall be supplemented as attached in Annex D hereto.

 

- 1 -

 

 

3.Waiver. Subject to the satisfaction (or waiver in writing by the Required Lenders) of the conditions set forth in Section 5 below and in reliance upon the representations and warranties set forth in Section 6 below, Agent and the Required Lenders hereby waive the Specified Event of Default. For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing waiver shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any other existing or hereafter arising Defaults or Event of Default or any other deviation from the express terms of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document. This is a limited waiver and shall not be deemed to constitute a consent or waiver of any other term, provision or condition of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, as applicable, or to prejudice any right or remedy (except with respect to the Specified Event of Default) that Agent or any Required Lender may now have or may have in the future under or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

4.Joinder. The Liberty Tax Entities hereby acknowledge, agree and confirm that, by their execution of this Amendment No. 2, the Liberty Tax Entities will be deemed to be “Borrowers” for all purposes of the Credit Agreement and shall have all of the rights and obligations of a Borrower thereunder as if the Liberty Tax Entities had executed the Credit Agreement. The Liberty Tax Entities hereby ratify, as of the date hereof, and agree to be bound by, on and after the date hereof, all of the terms, provisions and conditions contained in the Credit Agreement applicable to a Borrower, including, without limitation, (a) all of the representations and warranties of the Borrowers set forth in Article IV of the Credit Agreement and (b) all of the covenants set forth in Article V and Article VI of the Credit Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing terms of this paragraph, as of the date hereof, the Liberty Tax Entities (i) are hereby made a party to the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents as Borrowers thereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as Borrowers and the Liberty Tax Entities hereby jointly and severally assume and agree to pay and perform all obligations of a Borrower under the Credit Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents, (ii) hereby jointly with all other Borrowers and Guarantors and severally agree to pay in full the Obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and (iii) hereby expressly assume all obligations and liabilities of a Borrower under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

5.Conditions Precedent to Amendment. The satisfaction (or waiver in writing by Agent and Required Lenders) of each of the following shall constitute conditions precedent to the effectiveness of this Amendment No. 2 (such date being the “Amendment Effective Date”):

 

(a) Agent shall have received this Amendment No. 2, duly executed by the parties hereto, and the same shall be in full force and effect.

 

(b) Agent shall have received a copy of that certain Joinder and Amendment Number Three to ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Borrowers, the other loan parties party thereto, the lenders party thereto and GACP, as agent, and the same shall be in full force and effect.

 

(c) Agent shall have received the Consolidated, Supplemented, Amended and Restated Security Agreement, by and among the Grantors (as defined therein) and Kayne Solutions Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, as the Collateral Agent, dated as of the date hereof, duly executed by the parties thereto, and the same shall be in full force and effect.

 

- 2 -

 

 

(d) Agent shall have received signed signature pages or joinders, as applicable, to the Term Notes from each of the Liberty Tax Entities.

 

(e) After giving effect to this Amendment No. 2, with respect to Global Parent and its Subsidiaries, the representations and warranties contained herein, in the Credit Agreement, and in the other Loan Documents, in each case, shall be true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and 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 date hereof, to the same extent as though made on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically 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) on and as of such earlier date.

 

(f) Other than the Specified Event of Default, no event has occurred and is continuing or would result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein that would constitute a Default or Event of Default.

 

(g) Agent shall have received (i) a certificate as to the good standing of each of the Liberty Tax Entities as of a recent date, from such Secretary of State or similar Governmental Authority; (ii) a certificate of the Secretary or other officer of each Liberty Tax Entity dated the Amendment Effective Date and certifying (A) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of the by-laws or operating (or limited liability company) agreement of such Liberty Tax Entity as in effect on the Amendment Effective Date and at all times since a date prior to the date of the resolutions described in clause (B) below, (B) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of such Liberty Tax Entity on the Amendment Effective Date, which authorize the execution, delivery and performance, as applicable, of the Loan Documents and the applicable amendments and joinders thereto, and, in the case of the Borrowers, the borrowings thereunder, and that such resolutions have not been modified, rescinded or amended and are in full force and effect, (C) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of the certificate or articles of incorporation or organization of each Liberty Tax Entity as in effect on the Amendment Effective Date and that such certificate or articles of incorporation have not been amended since the date of the last amendment thereto shown on the certificate of good standing furnished pursuant to clause (i) above, and (D) as to the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer executing any Loan Document or any other document delivered in connection herewith on behalf of such Liberty Tax Entity countersigned by another officer as to the incumbency and specimen signature of the Secretary or other officer executing the certificate pursuant to clause (ii) above.

 

(h) In order to create in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a valid, perfected security interest in personal property Collateral, Collateral Agent shall have received:

 

  i. evidence satisfactory to Collateral Agent of the compliance by each of the Liberty Tax Entities of its obligations under the Collateral Documents to which it is a party (including, without limitation, its obligations to authorize or execute, as the case may be, and deliver UCC financing statements, originals of securities, instruments and chattel paper, and any agreements governing deposit and/or securities accounts as provided therein), together with (A) appropriate financing statements on Form UCC 1 duly filed in such office or offices as may be necessary or, in the opinion of Collateral Agent, desirable to perfect the security interests purported to be created by each Collateral Document, and (B) evidence satisfactory to Agent of the filing of such UCC 1 financing statements,

 

- 3 -

 

  

  ii. subject to Section 8(c) below, original certificates (if any) with respect to all of the Capital Stock issued by each of the Liberty Tax Entities, together with undated powers executed in blank with respect thereto (provided, that any such certificates issued by any Person other than the Liberty Tax Entities shall only be required to be delivered on the date hereof to the extent timely received after using commercially reasonable efforts to obtain them), and

 

  iii. a completed Perfection Certificate Supplement, dated the date hereof and executed by an Authorized Officer of each of the Borrowers, together with all attachments contemplated thereby.

 

(i) Lenders and their respective counsel shall have received executed copies of the favorable written opinions of counsel for the Loan Parties (other than for the Loan Parties organized under the laws of the state of Florida and the Loan Parties organized under the province of Ontario), as to such matters as Agent may reasonably request, dated as of the date hereof and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to Agent (and such counsel is hereby instructed to deliver such opinion to Lenders).

 

(j) On the Amendment Effective Date, Agent shall have received a solvency certificate of the chief executive officer, chief operating officer or chief financial officer of the Lead Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2 of the Credit Agreement, dated as of the Amendment Effective Date and addressed to the Agent and Lenders.

 

(k) Agent shall have received (i) copy of a duly executed payoff letter (“Payoff Letter”), in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, executed by CIBC Bank USA and acknowledged by Liberty Borrower and each other Liberty Tax Entity party thereto, together with (A) copies of UCC-3 termination statements or other appropriate termination statements, each in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, to be filed on or before the Amendment Effective Date and (B) any other releases, terminations or other documents reasonably required by Agent to evidence the payoff of Indebtedness owed by Liberty Borrower to CIBC Bank USA and (ii) evidence that Liberty Borrower’s obligations under the credit facility with CIBC Bank USA has been paid in full and all other Liens on assets of Liberty Borrower or any other Liberty Tax Entities party to such credit facility are or will be released and terminated in accordance with the Payoff Letter.

 

(l) Lead Borrower shall pay substantially concurrently with the closing of the transactions evidenced by this Amendment No. 2, all fees, costs, expenses and taxes then payable pursuant to the Credit Agreement and Section 7 of this Amendment No. 2.

 

6. Representations and Warranties. Each Loan Party (including the Liberty Tax Entities), jointly and severally, hereby:

 

(a) represents and warrants that, after giving effect to any updated schedules attached hereto, each of the representations and warranties made to Agent and Lenders under the Credit Agreement and all of the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof (after giving effect to this Amendment No. 2 and the other documents executed in connection with this Amendment No. 2) except to the extent that (i) such representations or warranties are qualified by a materiality standard, in which case they shall be true and correct in all respects, or (ii) such representations or warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date (or, if such representations or warranties are qualified by a materiality standard, in all respects as of such earlier date));

 

- 4 -

 

 

(b) in the case of the Loan Parties other than the Liberty Tax Entities, reaffirms all of the covenants contained in the Credit Agreement;

 

(c) represents and warrants that, after giving effect to updated Schedule 4.12 attached hereto, Schedule 4.12 contains a true, accurate, and complete list of all Material Real Estate Assets as of the date hereof and as of the Amendment Effective Date;

 

(d) represents and warrants that, after giving effect to this Amendment No. 2, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

(e) represents and warrants that the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of this Amendment No. 2 and the other documents, agreements and instruments executed by any Loan Party in connection herewith (collectively, together with this Amendment No. 2, the “Amendment Documents”) and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, are within such Loan Party’s powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary organizational action, and do not contravene (i) the Organizational Documents of such Loan Party or (ii) any law or any Contractual Obligation of any Loan Party, except, for purposes of this clause (ii), to the extent such contravention would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(f) represents and warrants that no authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority, any stockholders, members, partners or any other equityholders of any Loan Party, and any Person pursuant to any Contractual Obligation, is required for the due execution, delivery and performance by any Loan Party of any Amendment Document to which it is a party that has not already been obtained if the failure to obtain such authorization, approval or other action, or to provide such notice or make such filing, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(g) represents and warrants that each Amendment Document has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party party thereto; and

 

(h) represents and warrants that this Amendment No. 2 constitutes, and each other Amendment Document to be executed on the date hereof will constitute, upon execution, the legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party party thereto enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its respective terms, subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or moratorium or similar laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).

 

7.Payment of Costs and Fees. Lead Borrower shall pay to Agent and each Lender all expenses required to be paid pursuant to Section 10.02 of the Credit Agreement in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution and delivery of this Amendment No. 2 and any documents and instruments relating hereto.

 

8.Post-Closing Obligations.

  

(a) No later than 90 days after the Amendment Effective Date (or such later date to which the Collateral Agent may agree in its sole discretion), Liberty Tax Entities shall execute and deliver to Collateral Agent, with respect to any Material Real Estate Asset located in the United States, Mortgage Deliverables.

 

- 5 -

 

 

(b) As soon as practicable after the Amendment Effective Date, the Liberty Tax Entities formed under the laws of Virginia shall deliver to Agent and Collateral Agent the certified charter for such Loan Party.

 

(c) No later than 30 days after the Amendment Effective Date (or such later date to which the Collateral Agent may agree in its sole discretion), the Loan Parties shall have delivered to the Collateral Agent (i) the certificates representing the Pledged Interests (as defined in the Security Agreement) in Liberty Tax Holding Corporation and Liberty Tax Service Inc., together with undated powers (or other instruments of transfer acceptable to Collateral Agent) endorsed in blank by the applicable Loan Party and (ii) all Pledged Notes (as defined in the Security Agreement) owned by the Liberty Tax Entities and required to be delivered to the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 6(a) of the Security Agreement, together with undated powers (or other relevant documents of transfer acceptable to Collateral Agent) endorsed in blank by the applicable Liberty Tax Entity.

 

(d) No later than 45 days after the Amendment Effective Date (or such later date to which the Collateral Agent may agree in its sole discretion), the Loan Parties shall have delivered to the Collateral Agent (i) a security agreement, deed of hypothec, and/or such other agreements, instruments and documents as reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent, each in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, executed and delivered by Liberty Tax Holding Corporation and Liberty Tax Service Inc. (the “Canadian Security Documents”), and (ii) (A) financing statements in form appropriate for filing under the Personal Property Security Act (Ontario) and the regulations promulgated thereunder as the Collateral Agent may deem desirable to perfect the security interests purported to be created by each Canadian Security Document, and (B) evidence satisfactory to the Collateral Agent of the filing of such financing statements.

 

(e) No later than 45 days after the Amendment Effective Date (or such later date to which the Agent may agree in its sole discretion), the Loan Parties shall have delivered to the Agent copies of duly executed terminations or releases, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, to evidence the termination and release of the SunTrust IP Filings.

 

9.APPLICABLE LAW; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL PROVISIONS. THIS AMENDMENT NO. 2 SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS REGARDING APPLICABLE LAW; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 10.14, 10.15 AND 10.16 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT, AND SUCH PROVISIONS ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE, MUTATIS MUTANDIS.

 

10.Amendments. This Amendment No. 2 cannot be altered, amended, changed or modified in any respect except in accordance with Section 10.05 of the Credit Agreement.

 

11.Counterpart Execution. This Amendment No. 2 may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Amendment. The words “execution,” signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in this Amendment No.2 or in any other certificate, agreement or document related to this Amendment No.2 or any other Loan Documents shall include images of manually executed signatures transmitted by facsimile or other electronic format (including, without limitation, “pdf”, “tif” or “jpg”) and other electronic signatures (including, without limitation, DocuSign).The use of electronic signatures and electronic records (including, without limitation, any contract or other record created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means) shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or use of a paper-based record-keeping system to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act and any other applicable law, including, without limitation, any state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or the Uniform Commercial Code.

 

- 6 -

 

 

12.Effect on Loan Documents.

 

(a) The Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, and each of the other Loan Documents shall be and remain in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms and hereby are ratified and confirmed in all respects. The execution, delivery, and performance of this Amendment No. 2 shall not operate, except as expressly set forth herein, as a modification or waiver of any right, power, or remedy of Agent or any Lender under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document. Except for the amendments to the Credit Agreement expressly set forth herein, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect. The waivers, consents and modifications set forth herein, if any, are limited to the specifics hereof (including facts or occurrences on which the same are based), shall not apply with respect to any facts or occurrences other than those on which the same are based, shall neither excuse any future non-compliance with the Loan Documents nor, except as expressly set forth in this Amendment No. 2, operate as a waiver of any Default or Event of Default, shall not operate as a consent to any further waiver, consent or amendment or other matter under the Loan Documents, and shall not be construed as an indication that any future waiver or amendment of covenants or any other provision of the Credit Agreement will be agreed to, it being understood that the granting or denying of any waiver or amendment which may hereafter be requested by Borrower remains in the sole and absolute discretion of Agent and Lenders. To the extent that any terms or provisions of this Amendment No. 2 conflict with those of the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents, the terms and provisions of this Amendment No. 2 shall control.

 

(b) Upon and after the effectiveness of this Amendment No. 2, each reference in the Credit Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “herein”, “hereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, and each reference in the other Loan Documents to “the Credit Agreement”, “thereunder”, “therein”, “thereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement as modified and amended hereby.

 

(c) To the extent that any of the terms and conditions in any of the Loan Documents shall contradict or be in conflict with any of the terms or conditions of the Credit Agreement, after giving effect to this Amendment No. 2, such terms and conditions are hereby deemed modified or amended accordingly to reflect the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement as modified or amended hereby.

 

(d) This Amendment No. 2 is a Loan Document.

 

(e) Unless the context of this Amendment No. 2 clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include the singular, references to the singular include the plural, the terms “includes” and “including” are not limiting, and the term “or” has, except where otherwise indicated, the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or”. The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and similar terms in this Amendment No. 2 refer to this Amendment No. 2 as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Amendment No. 2. Section, subsection, clause, schedule, and exhibit references herein are to this Amendment No. 2 unless otherwise specified. Any reference in this Amendment No. 2 to any agreement, instrument, or document shall include all alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements, thereto and thereof, as applicable (subject to any restrictions on such alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements set forth herein) Any reference herein to the Obligations shall (i) mean “Obligations” as defined in the Credit Agreement (including any expenses, fees or interest that accrue after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding) and (ii) include all or any portion thereof and any extensions, modifications, renewals, or alterations thereof, both prior and subsequent to any Insolvency Proceeding.

 

- 7 -

 

 

13.Entire Agreement. This Amendment No. 2, and the terms and provisions hereof, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire understanding and agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all prior or contemporaneous amendments or understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether express or implied, oral or written.

 

14.Integration. This Amendment No. 2, together with the other Loan Documents, incorporates all negotiations of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and is the final expression and agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

15.Reaffirmation of Obligations. Each Loan Party hereby (a) acknowledges and reaffirms its obligations owing to Agent and each Lender under each Loan Document to which it is a party (including, in respect of Global Parent, its Guaranty of the Obligations), and (b) agrees that each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party is and shall remain in full force and effect. Each Loan Party hereby (i) further ratifies and reaffirms the validity and enforceability of all of the Liens and security interests heretofore granted, pursuant to and in connection with the Security Agreement or any other Loan Document to Collateral Agent, on behalf and for the benefit of each Secured Party, as collateral security for the obligations under the Loan Documents in accordance with their respective terms, and (ii) acknowledges that all of such Liens and security interests, and all Collateral heretofore pledged as security for such obligations, continue to be and remain collateral for such obligations from and after the date hereof (including, without limitation, from after giving effect to this Amendment No. 2).

 

16.Severability. In case any provision in this Amendment No. 2 shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall be severable from the remainder of this Amendment No. 2 and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

- 8 -

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have entered into this Limited Waiver, Joinder and Amendment Number Two as of the date first above written.

 

FRANCHISE GROUP NEW HOLDCO, LLC,

as Global Parent

By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn  
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer  

 

FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE HOLDCO, LLC,

 as Lead Borrower

By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn  
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer  

 

AMERICAN FREIGHT GROUP, LLC,

as a Borrower

By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn  
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer  

  

FRANCHISE GROUP NEWCO INTERMEDIATE AF, LLC,

as a Borrower

 

By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn  
Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer  

 

AMERICAN FREIGHT HOLDINGS, LLC,

as a Borrower

 

By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn  
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer  

 

- 9 -

 

 

AMERICAN FREIGHT, LLC

as a Borrower

 

By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn  
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer  

 

AMERICAN FREIGHT MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC,

as a Borrower

 

By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn  
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer  

 

FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE B, LLC,

as a Borrower

 

By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn  
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer  

 

BUDDY’S NEWCO, LLC,

as a Borrower

 

By: /s/ Michael Bennett  
Name: Michael Bennett  
Title: Chief Executive Officer  

 

BUDDY’S FRANCHISING AND LICENSING LLC,

as a Borrower

 

By: /s/ Michael Bennett  
Name: Michael Bennett  
Title: Chief Executive Officer  

 

- 10 -

 

 

FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE S, LLC,

as a Borrower

 

By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn  
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer  

 

FRANCHISE GROUP NEWCO S, LLC,

as a Borrower

 

By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn  
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer  

 

AMERICAN FREIGHT OUTLET STORES, LLC,

as a Borrower

 

By: /s/ Will Powell  
Name: Will Powell  
Title: President  

 

OUTLET MERCHANDISE, LLC,

as a Borrower

 

By: /s/ Will Powell  
Name: Will Powell  
Title: President  

 

LEASING OPERATIONS, LLC,

as a Borrower

 

By: /s/ Will Powell  
Name: Will Powell  
Title: President  

  

- 11 -

 

 

AMERICAN FREIGHT DISCOUNT OUTLET FRANCHISING, LLC,

 

as a Borrower

 

By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn  
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer  

 

FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE V, LLC,

as a Guarantor

 

By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn  
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer  

 

FRANCHISE GROUP NEWCO V, LLC,

as a Guarantor

 

By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn  
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer  

 

FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE L, LLC,

as a Guarantor

 

By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn  
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer  

 

FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE L 1, LLC

 

By: /s/ Michael Piper  
Name: Michael Piper  
Title: Chief Financial Officer  

 

FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE L 2, LLC

 

By: /s/ Michael Piper  
Name: Michael Piper  
Title: Chief Financial Officer  

 

- 12 -

 

 

JTH TAX LLC

  

By: /s/ Michael Piper  
Name: Michael Piper  
Title: Chief Financial Officer  

 

SIEMPRETAX+ LLC

 

By: /s/ Michael Piper  
Name: Michael Piper  
Title: Chief Financial Officer  

 

LIBERTY CREDIT REPAIR, LLC

 

By: /s/ Michael Piper  
Name: Michael Piper  
Title: Chief Financial Officer and Vice President  

  

JTH FINANCIAL, LLC

 

By: /s/ Michael Piper  
Name: Michael Piper  
Title: Chief Financial Officer  

 

WEFILE LLC

  

By: /s/ Daniel Brashier  
Name: Daniel Brashier  
Title: Treasurer  

 

JTH PROPERTIES 1632, LLC

 

By: /s/ Michael Piper  
Name: Michael Piper  
Title: Chief Financial Officer  

 

LTS PROPERTIES, LLC

 

By: /s/ Michael Piper  
Name: Michael Piper  
Title: Chief Financial Officer  

 

- 13 -

 

 

LTS SOFTWARE LLC

 

By: /s/ Daniel Brashier  
Name: Daniel Brashier  
Title: Treasurer  

  

JTH TAX OFFICE PROPERTIES, LLC

 

By: /s/ Michael Piper  
Name: Michael Piper  
Title: Chief Financial Officer  

 

360 ACCOUNTING SOLUTIONS LLC

  

By: /s/ Michael Piper  
Name: Michael Piper  
Title: Chief Financial Officer  

 

JTH COURT PLAZA, LLC

 

By: /s/ Michael Piper  
Name: Michael Piper  
Title: Chief Financial Officer  

  

LIBERTY TAX HOLDING CORPORATION

  

By: /s/ Michael Piper  
Name: Michael Piper  
Title: Chief Financial Officer  

 

LIBERTY TAX SERVICE INC.

 

By: /s/ Michael Piper  
Name: Michael Piper  
Title: Chief Financial Officer  

  

GACP FINANCE CO., LLC,

as Administrative Agent

 

By: /s/ Robert Louzan  
Name: Robert Louzan  
Title: President  

 

- 14 -

 

 

OC II LVS XXV LP,

as a Lender

By: OC II GP LLC, its General Partner

 

By: /s/ Adam L. Gubner  
Name: Adam L. Gubner  
Title: Authorized Person  

 

PIF ONSHORE VI LP,

as a Lender

By: Pacific Investment Management Company LLC, its investment manager

 

By: /s/ Adam L. Gubner  
Name: Adam L. Gubner  
Title: Managing Director  

 

HVS XXIV LLC,

as a Lender

 

By: /s/ Russell D. Gannaway    
Name: Russell D. Gannaway  
Title: Authorized Person  

  

RSF XI LLC,

as a Lender

 

By: /s/ Russell D. Gannaway  
Name: Russell D. Gannaway  
Title: Authorized Person  

 

TOCU XXVIII LLC,

as a Lender

 

By: /s/ Russell D. Gannaway  
Name: Russell D. Gannaway  
Title: Authorized Person  

  

- 15 -

 

 

CERBERUS PSERS LEVERED LOAN

 

OPPORTUNITIES FUND, L.P.
By: Cerberus PSERS Levered Opportunities GP, LLC

Its: General Partner

 

By: /s/ Eric Miller  
Name: Eric Miller  
Title: Senior Managing Director  

 

CERBERUS ASRS FUNDING LLC

 

By: /s/ Eric Miller  
Name: Eric Miller  
Title: Vice President  

 

CERBERUS FSBA HOLDINGS LLC

 

By: /s/ Eric Miller  
Name: Eric Miller  
Title: Vice President  

 

CERBERUS FSBA LEVERED LLC

 

By: /s/ Eric Miller  
Name: Eric Miller  
Title: Vice President  

  

CERBERUS KRS LEVERED LLC

 

By: /s/ Eric Miller  
Name: Eric Miller  
Title: Vice President  

 

CERBERUS ND LEVERED LLC

 

By: /s/ Eric Miller  
Name: Eric Miller  
Title: Vice President  

  

- 16 -

 

 

CERBERUS ONSHORE LEVERED IV LLC

  

By: /s/ Eric Miller  
Name: Eric Miller  
Title: Vice President  

 

CERBERUS PSERS LEVERED LLC

 

By: /s/ Eric Miller  
Name: Eric Miller  
Title: Vice President  

 

CERBERUS STEPSTONE LEVERED LLC

 

By: /s/ Eric Miller  
Name: Eric Miller  
Title: Vice President  

 

KAAMANEN HOLDINGS, LP

By: Kaamanen GP, LLC, its general partner

BY: CBF Manager, L.P., its non-member manager

 

By: /s/ Eric Miller  
Name: Eric Miller  
Title: Senior Managing Director  

 

RELIANCE STANDARD LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,

By: CBF-D Manager, LLC

Its: Investment Manager

 

By: /s/ Eric Miller  
Name: Eric Miller  
Title: Senior Managing Director  

 

MC INCOME PLUS FINANCING SPV LLC,

as a Lender

 

By: /s/ Jake Silverman  
Name: Jake Silverman  
Title: Senior Associate  

 

- 17 -

 

 

MONROE CAPITAL OPPORTUNISTIC PRIVATE CREDIT MASTER FUND SCSP,

as a Lender

By: Monroe Capital Management Advisors LLC,

as Investment Manager

 

By: /s/ Jake Silverman  
Name: Jake Silverman  
Title:  Senior Associate  

 

MONROE CAPITAL PRIVATE CREDIT FUND III (LUX) FINANCING SPV LP,

as a Lender

By: Monroe Capital Private Credit Fund III (Lux) Financing SPV GP LLC,

its General Partner

 

By: Monroe Capital Management Advisors LLC,

as Manager

 

By: /s/ Jake Silverman  
Name: Jake Silverman  
Title: Senior Associate  

 

MONROE CAPITAL PRIVATE CREDIT FUND III

(UNLEVERAGED) LP,

as a Lender

By: Monroe Capital Private Credit Fund III LLC,

its general partner

 

By: /s/ Jake Silverman  
Name: Jake Silverman  
Title: Senior Associate  

 

MONROE CAPITAL CORPORATION,

as a Lender

 

By: /s/ Jake Silverman  
Name: Jake Silverman  
Title: Senior Associate  

 

- 18 -

 

 

MONROE CAPITAL PRIVATE CREDIT FUND III

FINANCING SPV LLC, as a Lender

By: MONROE CAPITAL PRIVATE CREDIT FUND III LP,

as Designated Manager

 

By: MONROE CAPITAL PRIVATE CREDIT FUND III LLC,

its general partner

 

By: /s/ Jake Silverman  
Name: Jake Silverman  
Title: Senior Associate  

 

MONROE PRIVATE CREDIT FUND A FINANCING SPV LLC,

as a Lender

By: MONROE PRIVATE CREDIT FUND A LP,

as Designated Manager

 

By: MONROE PRIVATE CREDIT FUND A LLC,

its general partner

 

By: /s/ Jake Silverman  
Name: Jake Silverman  
Title: Senior Associate  

 

MONROE (NP) U.S. PRIVATE DEBT FUND LP,

as a Lender

By: MONROE (NP) U.S. PRIVATE DEBT FUND GP LTD,

its general partner

 

By: /s/ Jake Silverman  
Name: Jake Silverman  
Title: Senior Associate  

 

MONROE CAPITAL FUND SV S.A.R.L., acting in respect of its FUND III (UNLEVERAGED) COMPARTMENT,

as a Lender

By: Monroe Capital Management Advisors LLC,

as Investment Manager

 

By: /s/ Jake Silverman  
Name: Jake Silverman  
Title: Senior Associate  

 

- 19 -

 

 

BTC HOLDINGS SC FUND LLC,

as a Lender

By: Blue Torch Credit Opportunities SC Master Fund LP,

its sole member

 

By: Blue Torch Credit Opportunities SC GP LLC,

its General Partner

 

By: /s/ Kevin Genda  
Name: Kevin Genda  
Title: Authorized Signatory  

 

BTC HOLDINGS FUND I, LLC, as a Lender

By: Blue Torch Credit Opportunities Fund I LP,

its sole member

 

By: Blue Torch Credit Opportunities GP LLC,

its general partner

 

By: /s/ Kevin Genda  
Name: Kevin Genda  
Title: Authorized Signatory  

 

BTC HOLDINGS FUND I-B, LLC, as a Lender

By: Blue Torch Credit Opportunities Fund I LP,

its sole member

 

By: Blue Torch Credit Opportunities GP LLC,

its general partner

 

By: /s/ Kevin Genda  
Name: Kevin Genda  
Title: Authorized Signatory  

 

KAYNE SOLUTIONS FUND, L.P.,

as a Lender

 

By: Kayne Solutions Fund GP, LLC,

its general partner

 

By:  /s/ Jon Levinson  
Name: Jon Levinson  
Title: Managing Partner  

 

- 20 -

 

 

KAFRG INVESTORS, L.P.,

as a Lender

By: KAFRG Investors GP, LLC,

its general partner

 

By: /s/ Jon Levinson  
Name: Jon Levinson  
Title: Managing Partner  

 

GACP II, LP, as a Lender

 

By: /s/ Robert Louzan  
Name: Robert Louzan  
Title: President  

 

FLF I AB HOLDINGS FINANCE L.P.,

as a Lender

By: FLF I AB Holdings Finance CM LLC,

as Servicer

 

By: Fortress Lending I Holdings L.P.,

its sole Member

 

By: Fortress Lending Advisors LLC,

its investment manager

 

By: /s/ Jennifer Sorkin  
Name: Jennifer Sorkin  
Title: Authorized Signatory  

 

DBDB FUNDING LLC,

as a Lender

 

By: /s/ Jennifer Sorkin  
Name: Jennifer Sorkin  
Title: Authorized Signatory  

 

FLF I HOLDINGS FINANCE L.P.,

as a Lender

By: FLF I Holdings Finance CM LLC, as Servicer

 

By: Fortress Lending I Holdings L.P.,

its sole Member

 

By: Fortress Lending Advisors LLC,

its investment manager

 

By: /s/ Jennifer Sorkin  
Name: Jennifer Sorkin  
Title: Authorized Person  

 

- 21 -

 

 

Schedule I

  

Liberty Tax Entities

 

Franchise Group Intermediate L 1, LLC

Franchise Group Intermediate L 2, LLC

SiempreTax+ LLC

JTH Tax LLC

Liberty Credit Repair, LLC

Wefile LLC

JTH Court Plaza, LLC

LTS Properties, LLC

LTS Software LLC

JTH Tax Office Properties, LLC

360 Accounting Solutions LLC

JTH Financial, LLC

JTH Properties 1632, LLC

Liberty Tax Holding Corporation

Liberty Tax Service Inc.

  

- 22 -

 

 

Annex A

 

Specified Event of Default

  

Event of Default pursuant to Section 8.01(b)(ii) of the Credit Agreement due to the Borrower’s breach of the ABL Credit Agreement prior to the Second Amendment Effective Date

 

- 23 -

 

 

Annex B

 

Amended Credit Agreement

  

[See attached.]

 

- 24 -

 

 

ANNEX AB

 

Conformed Copy

 

Execution Version

 

Amendment Number One to Credit Agreement dated as of March 13, 2020

 

Limited Waiver, Joinder and Amendment Number Two to Credit Agreement dated as of May 1, 2020

 

This instrument and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby and any interests or other liens securing such obligations are subordinate in the manner and to the extent set forth in that certain Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement (the “Subordination Agreement”) dated as of February 14, 2020, by and among, inter alia, FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE L 2, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Franchise Group 2”), FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE L 1, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Franchise Group 1”), JTH TAX LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“JTH Tax”), SIEMPRETAX+ LLC, a Virginia limited liability company (“Siempre”), JTH FINANCIAL, LLC, a Virginia limited liability company (“JTH Financial”), WEFILE LLC, a Virginia limited liability company (“WeFile”), JTH PROPERTIES 1632, LLC, a Virginia limited liability company (“JTH Properties”), LTS PROPERTIES, LLC, a Virginia limited liability company (“LTS Properties”), LTS SOFTWARE LLC, a Virginia limited liability company (“LTS Software”), JTH TAX OFFICE PROPERTIES, LLC, a Virginia limited liability company (“JTH Tax Office”), 360 ACCOUNTING SOLUTIONS, LLC, a Virginia limited liability company (“360 Accounting”), JTH COURT PLAZA, LLC, a Virginia limited liability company (“JTH Court”), Liberty Tax Credit Repair, LLC, a Virginia limited liability company (“LTCR”), Liberty Tax Holding Corporation Canada, an Ontario Corporation (“LTH”), Liberty Tax Service, Inc., an Ontario Corporation (“LTS Service”), Trilogy Software, Inc., an Ontario Corporation (“Trilogy”; collectively, with Franchise Group 2, Franchise Group 1, JTH Tax, Siempre, JTH Financial, WeFile, JTH Properties, LTS Properties, LTS Software, JTH Tax Office, 360 Accounting, JTH Court, LTCR, LTH, LTS Service and each other Loan Party (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement as defined below) under the Senior Credit Agreement, and each other Person (as defined below) who guarantees, becomes a borrower with respect to, or grants a lien on its assets to secure Senior Debt (as defined below) from time to time, the “Credit Parties”), GACP FINANCE CO., LLC, as administrative agent for the lenders from time to time party to the Subordinated Credit Agreement (as defined in the Subordination Agreement), KAYNE SOLUTIONS FUND, L.P., as collateral agent for the lenders from time to time party to the Subordinated Credit Agreement (as defined in the Subordination Agreement), and CIBC BANK USA, as administrative agent for the lenders from time to time party to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of May 16, 2019 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Senior Credit Agreement”), to the indebtedness (including interest) owed by the Credit Parties, and the security interests and liens securing such indebtedness, pursuant to the Senior Credit Agreement and certain related documents and to indebtedness refinancing the indebtedness under the Senior Credit Agreement and/or such related documents as contemplated by the Subordination Agreement; and each holder of this instrument, by its acceptance hereof, irrevocably agrees to be bound by the provisions of the Subordination Agreement.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

dated as of February 14, 2020

 by and among

 

FRANCHISE GROUP NEW HOLDCO, LLC,
as Global Parent,

 

FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE HOLDCO, LLC,
as Lead Borrower,

certain Subsidiaries of Lead Borrower party hereto as Borrowers,

certain Subsidiaries of Lead Borrower party hereto as Guarantors,

the Lenders from time to time party hereto,

 

GACP FINANCE CO., LLC,
as Administrative Agent

 

and

 

KAYNE SOLUTIONS FUND, L.P.,

as Collateral Agent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  

      Page
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION 1
       
  Section 1.01 Definitions 1
  Section 1.02 Accounting and Other Terms 2542
  Section 1.03 Construction 2542
  Section 1.04 Time References 2543
  Section 1.05 Effect of Benchmark Transition Event 2543
  Section 1.06 Fiscal Periods 2546
     
ARTICLE II LOANS 2546
     
  Section 2.01 Term Loans 2546
  Section 2.02 [Reserved] 2547
  Section 2.03 Protective Advances 2547
  Section 2.04 Pro Rata Shares; Availability of Funds 2548
  Section 2.05 Use of Proceeds 2548
  Section 2.06 Evidence of Debt; Register; Lenders’ Books and Records; Term Notes 2548
  Section 2.07 Interest 2549
  Section 2.08 Conversion/Continuation 2550
  Section 2.09 Default Interest 2551
  Section 2.10 Fees 2551
  Section 2.11 Repayments of Loans and Commitment Reductions 2551
  Section 2.12 Voluntary Prepayments 2551
  Section 2.13 Mandatory Prepayments 2553
  Section 2.14 Application of Prepayments/Reductions 2555
  Section 2.15 General Provisions Regarding Payments 2556
  Section 2.16 Ratable Sharing 2557
  Section 2.17 Making or Maintaining LIBOR Rate Loans 2558
  Section 2.18 Increased Costs 2559
  Section 2.19 Taxes; Withholding, etc 2560
  Section 2.20 Obligation to Mitigate 2563
  Section 2.21 Defaulting Lenders 2563
  Section 2.22 Removal or Replacement of a Lender 2564
  Section 2.23 Joint and Several Liability 2564
  Section 2.24 Lead Borrower 2567
     
ARTICLE III CONDITIONS PRECEDENT 2568
     
  Section 3.01 Closing Date 2568
     
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES 2572
     
  Section 4.01 Organization; Requisite Power and Authority; Qualification 2572
  Section 4.02 Capital Stock and Ownership 2572

 

- i -

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Section 4.03 Due Authorization 2572
  Section 4.04 No Conflict 2572
  Section 4.05 Governmental Consents 2573
  Section 4.06 Binding Obligation 2573
  Section 4.07 Historical Financial Statements 2573
  Section 4.08 Projections 2573
  Section 4.09 No Material Adverse Effect 2573
  Section 4.10 Adverse Proceedings, etc. 2573
  Section 4.11 Payment of Material Taxes 2574
  Section 4.12 Properties 2574
  Section 4.13 Environmental Matters 2574
  Section 4.14 [Reserved] 2575
  Section 4.14 [Reserved] 2575
  Section 4.16 Governmental Regulation 2575
  Section 4.17 Margin Stock 2575
  Section 4.18 Employee Matters 2575
  Section 4.19 Employee Benefit Plans 2575
  Section 4.20 Certain Fees 2575
  Section 4.21 Solvency 2576
  Section 4.22 [Reserved] 2576
  Section 4.23 Compliance with Statutes, etc 2576
  Section 4.24 Intellectual Property 2576
  Section 4.25 Inventory and Equipment 2576
  Section 4.26 Trademarks and Key Trademark Licenses 2576
  Section 4.27 Insurance 2577
  Section 4.28 Franchise Agreements 2577
  Section 4.29 Permits, etc 2578
  Section 4.30 Cash Management 2578
  Section 4.31 Security Interests 2578
  Section 4.32 PATRIOT ACT 2578
  Section 4.33 OFAC/Sanctions 2578
  Section 4.34 Disclosure 2578
  Section 4.35 Use of Proceeds 2578
       
ARTICLE V AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS 2579
       
  Section 5.01 Financial Statements and Other Reports 2579
  Section 5.02 Existence 2584
  Section 5.03 Payment of Taxes and Claims 2584
  Section 5.04 Maintenance of Properties 2584
  Section 5.05 Insurance 2584
  Section 5.06 Inspections; Field Examinations and Appraisals 2585
  Section 5.07 Lenders Meetings and Conference Calls 2586

  

- ii -

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Section 5.08 Compliance with Laws 2586
  Section 5.09 Environmental 2586
  Section 5.10 Subsidiaries 2587
  Section 5.11 Material Real Estate Assets 2588
  Section 5.12 Location of Inventory and Equipment 2589
  Section 5.13 Further Assurances 2589
  Section 5.14 Corporate Separateness 2590
  Section 5.15 [Reserved] 2590
  Section 5.16 Post-Closing Matters 2590
  Section 5.17 Use of Proceeds 2590
  Section 5.18 Franchise Agreements 2590
       
ARTICLE VI NEGATIVE COVENANTS 2591
       
  Section 6.01 Indebtedness 2591
  Section 6.02 Liens 2591
  Section 6.03 [Reserved] 2591
  Section 6.04 No Further Negative Pledges 2591
  Section 6.05 Restricted Junior Payments 2592
  Section 6.06 Restrictions on Subsidiary Distributions 2593
  Section 6.07 Investments 2593
  Section 6.08 Financial Covenants 2594
  Section 6.09 Fundamental Changes; Disposition of Assets; Acquisitions 2596
  Section 6.10 Disposal of Subsidiary Interests 2597
  Section 6.11 Sales and Lease Backs 2597
  Section 6.12 Transactions with Affiliates 2598
  Section 6.13 Conduct of Business 2598
  Section 6.14 Permitted Activities of Parent Companies 2599
  Section 6.15 Changes to Certain Agreements and Organizational Documents 2599
  Section 6.16 Accounting Methods 25100
  Section 6.17 Cash Management 25100
  Section 6.18 Prepayments of Certain Indebtedness 25101
  Section 6.19 Issuance of Capital Stock 25101
  Section 6.20 Anti-Terrorism Laws 25101
  Section 6.21 Franchise Agreements 25101
       
ARTICLE VII GUARANTY 25102
       
  Section 7.01 Guaranty of the Obligations 25102
  Section 7.02 Contribution by Guarantors 25102
  Section 7.03 Payment by Guarantors 25102
  Section 7.04 Liability of Guarantors Absolute 25103
  Section 7.05 Waivers by Guarantors 25104
  Section 7.06 Guarantors’ Rights of Subrogation, Contribution, etc 25105

  

- iii -

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  

  Section 7.07 Subordination of Other Obligations 25105
  Section 7.08 Continuing Guaranty 25105
  Section 7.09 Authority of Guarantors or Borrower 25105
  Section 7.10 Financial Condition of Borrower 25105
  Section 7.11 Bankruptcy, etc 25106
  Section 7.12 Discharge of Guaranty upon Sale of Guarantor 25106
     
ARTICLE VIII EVENTS OF DEFAULT 25106
     
  Section 8.01 Events of Default 25106
  Section 8.02 Curative Equity 25109
       
ARTICLE IX ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT 25110
     
  Section 9.01 Appointment of Agents 25110
  Section 9.02 Powers and Duties 25111
  Section 9.03 General Immunity 25111
  Section 9.04 Agents Entitled to Act as Lender 25112
  Section 9.05 Lenders’ Representations, Warranties and Acknowledgment 25112
  Section 9.06 Right to Indemnity 25112
  Section 9.07 Successor Agent 25113
  Section 9.08 Collateral Documents and Guaranty 25113
  Section 9.09 Agency for Perfection 25114
  Section 9.10 [Reserved] 25114
  Section 9.11 Reports and Other Information; Confidentiality; Disclaimers 25114
       
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS 25115
       
  Section 10.01 Notices 25115
  Section 10.02 Expenses 25116
  Section 10.03 Indemnity 25117
  Section 10.04 Setoff 25117
  Section 10.05 Amendments and Waivers 25118
  Section 10.06 Successors and Assigns; Participations 25119
  Section 10.07 Independence of Covenants 25122
  Section 10.08 Survival of Representations, Warranties, and Agreements 25122
  Section 10.09 No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative 25122
  Section 10.10 Marshalling; Payments Set Aside 25123
  Section 10.11 Severability 25123
  Section 10.12 Obligations Several; Independent Nature of Lenders’ Rights 25123
  Section 10.13 Headings 25123
  Section 10.14 APPLICABLE LAW 25123
  Section 10.15 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION 25123
  Section 10.16 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL 25124
  Section 10.17 Confidentiality 25124

  

- iv -

 

  

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

 

                   
  Section 10.18 Usury Savings Clause 25125
  Section 10.19 Counterparts 25125
  Section 10.20 Effectiveness 25126
  Section 10.21 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions 25126
  Section 10.22 PATRIOT Act Notice 25126
  Section 10.23 Consent to Intercreditor Agreement and Liberty Intercreditor Agreement  25126
  Section 10.24 Intercreditor Agreement and the Liberty Intercreditor Agreement Govern Governs 25127

  

- v -

 

 

APPENDICES: A Term Loan Commitments
  B Notice Addresses
   
SCHEDULES: 1.1 Third Party Franchisees 
  4.1 Jurisdiction of Organization
  4.2 Capital Stock and Ownership
  4.12 Material Real Estate Assets
  4.13 Environmental Matters
  4.24 Intellectual Property
  4.25 Inventory and Equipment
  4.27 Insurance
  4.28 Franchise Agreements
  4.30 Bank Accounts and Securities Accounts
  5.1 Performance Information
  5.16 Certain Post Closing Matters
  6.1 Certain Indebtedness
  6.2 Certain Liens
  6.7 Certain Investments
  6.12 Certain Affiliate Transactions
  6.17 Credit Card Issuers and Credit Card Processors
  7.1 List of Names
   
EXHIBITS: A-1 Funding Notice
  A-2 Conversion/Continuation Notice
  B Initial Perfection Certificate
  C Compliance Certificate
  D Assignment Agreement
  E-1 Certificate Regarding Non-Bank Status (For Non-US Lenders That Are Not Partnerships or Pass-Thru Entities For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
  E-2 Certificate Regarding Non-Bank Status (For Non-US Lenders That Are Partnerships or Pass-Thru Entities For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
  F-1 Closing Date Certificate
  F-2 Solvency Certificate
  G Security Agreement
  H Credit Card Notifications
  I [Reserved] 
  J-1 Tranche A-1 Term Note
  J-2 Tranche A-2 Term Note
  K Borrower Joinder Agreement

 

- vi -

 

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

This CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of February 14, 2020, by and among FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE HOLDCO, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Lead Borrower”), as a Borrower, FRANCHISE GROUP MERGER SUB AF, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), as a Borrower (which, on the Closing Date, shall be merged with and into AMERICAN FREIGHT GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (“AFGI”), with AFGI surviving such merger as a Borrower), certain other Subsidiaries of Lead Borrower from time to time party hereto as Borrowers, FRANCHISE GROUP NEW HOLDCO, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Global Parent”), as a Guarantor, certain Subsidiaries of Lead Borrower from time to time party hereto as Guarantors, the lenders identified on the signature pages hereof (each of such lenders, together with its successors and permitted assigns, is referred to hereinafter as a “Lender,” as that term is hereinafter further defined), GACP FINANCE CO., LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“GACP”), as administrative agent for each of the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, “Administrative Agent”), KAYNE SOLUTIONS FUND, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Kayne”), as collateral agent for each of the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, “Collateral Agent”), and GACP II, L.P. and Kayne, as joint lead arrangers and joint book runners.

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, capitalized terms used in these recitals shall have the respective meanings set forth for such terms in Section 1.01 hereof;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 28, 2019 (as amended from time to time in accordance therewith, the “Acquisition Agreement”), by and among AFGI, Franchise Group Newco Intermediate AF, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“AF Holdings”), Merger Sub and The Jordan Company, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, as Representative, Merger Sub will merge with and into AFGI (the “Acquisition”), with AFGI surviving the Acquisition as an indirect Subsidiary of Lead Borrower;

  

WHEREAS, Lenders have agreed to extend a credit facility to Borrowers in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $575,000,000, consisting of $575,000,000 in term loans, the proceeds of which will be used as described in Section 2.05.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

Section 1.01 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following definitions:

 

A Team” means A Team Sales, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

A Team Secured Note” means that certain Secured Promissory Note, dated October 23, 2019, between A Team and Franchise Group Newco S, LLC, as may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

ABL Agent” means (1) GACP Finance Co., LLC, in its capacity as agent on behalf of lenders or any successor agent under the ABL Credit Agreement or (2) the collateral agent or administrative agent equivalent, as applicable, under the agreements and other documents governing any refinancing of the Indebtedness under the ABL Credit Agreement, the ABL Loan Documents and the ABL Obligations which is permitted under this Agreement and under the Intercreditor Agreement.

  

- 1 -

 

 

ABL Borrowing Base Certificate” means (1) the “Borrowing Base Certificate” as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement or (2) the equivalent term to “Borrowing Base Certificate”, if any, under the agreements and other documents governing any refinancing of the Indebtedness under the ABL Credit Agreement, the ABL Loan Documents and the ABL Obligations which is permitted under this Agreement and under the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

ABL Bridge Replacement Credit Agreement” has the meaning specified in the definition of “ABL Credit Agreement”.

 

ABL Bridge Replacement Credit Agreement Effective Date” means the first date upon which an ABL Bridge Replacement Credit Agreement is effective.

 

ABL Credit Agreement” means (1) the ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2020, by and among the Loan Parties, the Persons from time to time party thereto as lenders and the ABL Agent, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time; provided that any such amendment, restatement, supplement or modification shall be subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement or (2) the credit agreement governing any refinancing of the Indebtedness under the ABL Credit Agreement, the ABL Loan Documents and the ABL Obligations which is permitted under this Agreement and under the Intercreditor Agreement (any such credit agreement under this clause (2), an “ABL Bridge Replacement Credit Agreement”).

 

ABL Excess Availability” means “Excess Availability” or the equivalent term, if any, as defined in the agreements and other documents governing any refinancing of the Indebtedness under the ABL Credit Agreement, the ABL Loan Documents and the ABL Obligations, which is permitted under this Agreement and under the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

ABL Lenders” means (1) the “Lenders” as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement or (2) the equivalent term to “Lenders”, if any, under the agreements and other documents governing any refinancing of the Indebtedness under the ABL Credit Agreement, the ABL Loan Documents and the ABL Obligations which is permitted under this Agreement and under the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

ABL Loan Documents” means (1) the “Loan Document” as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement or (2) the equivalent term to “Loan Document”, if any, under the agreements and other documents governing any refinancing of the Indebtedness under the ABL Credit Agreement, the ABL Loan Documents and the ABL Obligations which is permitted under this Agreement and under the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

ABL Maturity Date” means (1) “Maturity Date” as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement or (2) the equivalent term to “Maturity Date”, if any, under the agreements and other documents governing any refinancing of the Indebtedness under the ABL Credit Agreement, the ABL Loan Documents and the ABL Obligations which is permitted under this Agreement and under the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

ABL Obligations” means all Indebtedness and other Obligations (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement) of the Loan Parties incurred or owing under the ABL Loan Documents, including all obligations in respect of the payment of principal, interest, fees, prepayment premiums and indemnification obligations, and any refinancing of such Indebtedness permitted under this Agreement and under the Intercreditor Agreement; provided that all ABL Obligations are subject to the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Accounts” means all “accounts” (as defined in the UCC) of the Loan Parties (or, if referring to another Person, of such Person), including, without limitation, accounts, accounts receivable, monies due or to become due, and obligations in any form (whether arising in connection with contracts, contract rights, instruments, general intangibles, or chattel paper), in each case whether arising out of goods sold or services rendered or from any other transaction and whether or not earned by performance, now or hereafter in existence, and all documents of title or other documents representing any of the foregoing, and all collateral security and guaranties of any kind, now or hereafter in existence, given by any Person with respect to any of the foregoing.

  

- 2 -

 

 

Accounting Changes” means changes in accounting principles required by the promulgation of any rule, regulation, pronouncement, or opinion by the Financial Accounting Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (or any successor thereto or any agency with similar functions).

 

Acquisition” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

Acquisition Agreement” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

Adjusted LIBOR Rate” means for any Interest Rate Determination Date with respect to an Interest Period for a LIBOR Rate Loan, the greater of (a) the rate per annum obtained by dividing (and rounding upward to the next whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) (i) (A) the rate per annum (rounded to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) equal to the rate determined by Administrative Agent to be the offered rate appearing on Bloomberg L.P.’s service for ICE LIBO USD (for delivery on the first day of such period) with a term equivalent to such period in Dollars, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) on such Interest Rate Determination Date or (B) in the event the rate referenced in the preceding clause (a) does not appear on such page or service or if such page or service shall cease to be available, the rate per annum (rounded to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) equal to the rate determined by Administrative Agent to be the offered rate on such other page or other service which displays ICE LIBO USD (for delivery on the first day of such period) with a term equivalent to such period in Dollars, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) on such Interest Rate Determination Date (the rate described in this clause (a)(i), the “LIBOR Rate”), by (ii) an amount equal to (A) one, minus (B) the Applicable Reserve Requirement, and (b) 1.50% per annum.

 

Administrative Agent” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

 

Administrative Agent’s Account” means an account at a bank designated by Administrative Agent from time to time as the account into which the Loan Parties shall make all payments to Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

Adverse Proceeding” means any action, suit, proceeding (whether administrative, judicial, or otherwise), governmental investigation, or arbitration (whether or not purportedly on behalf of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities)) at law or in equity, or before or by any Governmental Authority, domestic or foreign (including any Environmental Actions) or other regulatory body or any mediator or arbitrator, whether pending or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened in writing against or affecting any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) or any property of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities).

 

AF Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2014, among American Freight, Inc., American Freight Holdings, Inc., the lenders named therein and KeyBank National Association, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the other Persons party thereto, as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

AF Holdings” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

Affected Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(b).

 

Affected Loans” has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(b).

  

- 3 -

 

 

Affiliate” means, as applied to any Person, any other Person who controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, of the power to direct the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of Capital Stock, by contract, or otherwise; provided, that for purposes of Section 6.12 of this Agreement: (a) any Person which owns directly or indirectly 30% or more of the Capital Stock having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other members of the governing body of a Person or 30% or more of the partnership or other ownership interests of a Person (other than as a limited partner of such Person) shall be deemed an Affiliate of such Person, (b) each director (or comparable manager) of a Person shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of such Person, (c) each partnership in which a Person is a general partner shall be deemed an Affiliate of such Person and (d) each Permitted Holder and each of its employees, directors, officers and other Affiliates shall be deemed an Affiliate of the Loan Parties. Without limiting the foregoing, Ultimate Parent and any Subsidiary of Ultimate Parent that is not a Loan Party shall be considered Affiliates of the Loan Parties for purposes of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall any Agent or any parent company thereof be considered an “Affiliate” of any Loan Party.

 

AFGI” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

 

Agent” means each of Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent.

 

Aggregate Amounts Due” has the meaning specified in Section 2.16.

 

Aggregate Payments” has the meaning specified in Section 7.02.

 

Agreement” means this Credit Agreement and any annexes, exhibits, and schedules attached hereto as it may be amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Alternate Base Rate” shall mean, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the per annum rate publicly quoted from time to time by The Wall Street Journal as the “Prime Rate” in the United States (or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases quoting a prime rate of the type described, either (i) the per annum rate quoted as the base rate on such corporate loans in a different national publication as reasonably selected by Administrative Agent or (ii) the highest per annum rate of interest published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve statistical release H.15 (519) entitled “Selected Interest Rates” as the bank prime loan rate or its equivalent), (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate (but not less than zero) in effect on such day, plus 1/2 of 1.00%, (c) the Adjusted LIBOR Rate (taking into account the 1.50% floor therein) for a one month Interest Period on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day), plus 1.00%, and (d) 2.50%. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in such “Prime Rate”, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBOR Rate shall be effective on the effective date of such change in the “Prime Rate”, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBOR Rate, as the case may be.

 

Anti-corruption Laws” means the FCPA, and all other applicable laws concerning or relating to bribery, money laundering or corruption.

 

Applicable Margin” means (a) (x) with respect to Tranche A-1 Term Loans that are LIBOR Rate Loans, 8.00%, and (y) with respect to Tranche A-1 Term Loans that are Base Rate Loans, 7.00% and (b) (x) with respect to Tranche A-2 Term Loans that are LIBOR Rate Loans, 12.50%, and (y) with respect to Tranche A-2 Term Loans that are Base Rate Loans, 11.50%; provided that the Applicable Margin, in each case, shall be increased by 1.00% for all periods following the Closing Date up to but excluding the Liberty JoinderSecond Amendment Effective Date.

 

Applicable Prepayment Premium” has the meaning specified in Section 2.12(b).

 

- 4 -

 

 

Applicable Reserve Requirement” means, at any time, for any LIBOR Rate Loan, the maximum rate, expressed as a decimal, at which reserves (including, without limitation, any basic marginal, special, supplemental, emergency, or other reserves) are required to be maintained with respect thereto against “Eurocurrency liabilities” (as such term is defined in Regulation D) under regulations issued from time to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or other applicable banking regulator. Without limiting the effect of the foregoing, the Applicable Reserve Requirement shall reflect any other reserves required to be maintained by such member banks with respect to (a) any category of liabilities which includes deposits by reference to which the applicable Adjusted LIBOR Rate or any other interest rate of a Loan is to be determined or (b) any category of extensions of credit or other assets which include LIBOR Rate Loans. A LIBOR Rate Loan shall be deemed to constitute Eurocurrency liabilities and as such shall be deemed subject to reserve requirements without benefits of credit for proration, exceptions, or offsets that may be available from time to time to the applicable Lender. The rate of interest on LIBOR Rate Loans shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in the Applicable Reserve Requirement.

 

Application Event” means the (a) occurrence of an Event of Default and (b) the election by the Required Lenders during the continuance of such Event of Default to require that payments and proceeds of Collateral be applied pursuant to Section 2.15(g).

 

Asset Sale” means a sale, lease, or sub lease (as lessor or sublessor), sale and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer, license, or other disposition to (other than to or with a Loan Party), or any exchange of property with, any Person, in one transaction or a series of transactions, of all or any part of any Loan Party’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ businesses, assets, or properties of any kind, whether real, personal, or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, including, without limitation, the Capital Stock of any Loan Party (other than Global Parent to the extent the issuance of such Capital Stock does not result in a Change of Control), other than inventory (or other assets) sold, licensed in the ordinary course of business, or leased in the ordinary course of business. For purposes of clarification, “Asset Sale” shall include (a) the sale or other disposition for value of any contracts, (b) any sale of merchant accounts (or any rights thereto, including, without limitation, any rights to any residual payment stream with respect thereto) by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries and (c) licenses of patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights granted by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Assignment Agreement” means an Assignment and Assumption Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit D, with such amendments or modifications as may be approved by Administrative Agent.

 

Authorized Officer” means, as applied to any Person, any individual holding the position of chairman of the board (if an officer), chief executive officer, chief operating officer, secretary, president, or one of its vice presidents (or the equivalent thereof), and such Person’s chief financial officer or treasurer.

 

B. Riley” means the parent company of GACP.

 

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

 

Bail-In Legislation” means, 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 for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

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

 

Base Rate Loan” means a Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

  

- 5 -

 

 

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

 

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

 

Beneficiary” means each Agent and each Lender.

 

Board” means (a) with respect to any corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board, (b) with respect to a partnership, the board of directors of the general partner of the partnership, (c) with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee or board of directors of such company or the sole member or the managing member thereof, and (d) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.

 

Borrower Joinder Agreement” shall mean a joinder agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit K hereto and otherwise in form and substance acceptable to Agent.

 

Borrowers” shall mean, collectively, the following: (a) Lead Borrower, (b) each of the other Persons identified on the signature pages hereof as a “Borrower” and (c) any other Person that at any time after the Closing Date becomes a Borrower pursuant to the terms hereof, including, without limitation, Section 5.10(a) hereof and by execution of a Borrower Joinder Agreement; each sometimes being referred to herein individually as a “Borrower”.

 

Buddy Top Parent” means Franchise Group Intermediate B, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Buddy’s Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of July 10, 2019, among Buddy Top Parent, its direct and indirect subsidiaries as borrowers, the other parties party thereto and Kayne, as administrative agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Business Day” means (a) any day excluding Saturday, Sunday, and any day which is a legal holiday under the laws of the State of New York or is a day on which banking institutions located in such state are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close and (b) with respect to all notices, determinations, fundings, and payments in connection with the Adjusted LIBOR Rate or any LIBOR Rate Loans, the term “Business Day” shall mean any day which is a Business Day described in clause (a) and which is also a day for trading by and between banks in Dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

 

Capital Lease” means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any property (whether real, personal, or mixed) by that Person (a) as lessee that, in conformity with GAAP as in effect on the date hereof, is or should be accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of that Person or (b) as lessee which is a transaction of a type commonly known as a “synthetic lease” (i.e., a transaction that is treated as an operating lease for accounting purposes but with respect to which payments of rent are intended to be treated as payments of principal and interest on a loan for Federal income Tax purposes).

 

Capital Stock” means any and all shares, interests, participations, or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation, any and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person (other than a corporation), including, without limitation, partnership interests and membership interests, and any and all warrants, rights, or options to purchase, or other arrangements or rights to acquire any of the foregoing.

 

Cash” means money, currency, or a credit balance in any demand or Deposit Account.

  

- 6 -

 

 

Cash Equivalents” means, as at any date of determination, (a) marketable securities (i) issued or directly and unconditionally guaranteed as to interest and principal by the United States Government or (ii) issued by any agency of the United States, the obligations of which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within one year after such date, (b) marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof, in each case maturing within one year after such date and having, at the time of the acquisition thereof, a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody’s, (c) commercial paper maturing no more than one year from the date of creation thereof and having, at the time of the acquisition thereof, a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody’s, (d) certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances maturing within one year after such date and issued or accepted by any Lender or by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia that (i) is at least “adequately capitalized” (as defined in the regulations of its primary Federal banking regulator) and (ii) has Tier 1 capital (as defined in such regulations) of not less than $100,000,000, and (e) shares of any money market mutual fund that (i) has substantially all of its assets invested continuously in the types of investments referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above, (ii) has net assets of not less than $250,000,000, and (iii) has the highest rating obtainable from either S&P or Moody’s.

 

Cash Management Services” means any cash management or related services including treasury, depository, return items, overdraft, controlled disbursement, merchant store value cards, e-payables services, electronic funds transfer, interstate depository network, automatic clearing house transfer (including the Automated Clearing House processing of electronic funds transfers through the direct Federal Reserve Fedline system) and other customary cash management arrangements.

 

Casualty Event” means any involuntary loss of title, any involuntary loss of, damage to, or any destruction of, or any condemnation or other taking (including by any Governmental Authority) of, any property of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries. “Casualty Event” shall include, but not be limited to, any taking of all or any part of any real estate of any Person or any part thereof, in or by condemnation or other eminent domain proceedings pursuant to any requirement of law, or by reason of the temporary requisition of the use or occupancy of all or any part of any Real Property of any Person or any part thereof by any Governmental Authority, civil or military, or any settlement in lieu thereof.

 

Certificate Regarding Non-Bank Status” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit E.

 

Change of Control” means that:

 

(a) after the Closing Date, any Person or two or more Persons acting in concert (other than Permitted Holders or Ultimate Parent, any subsidiary of Ultimate Parent or any successor entity thereto) shall have acquired beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, of Capital Stock of Global Parent (or other securities convertible into such Capital Stock) representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of all Capital Stock of Global Parent,

 

(b) during any period of 24 consecutive months commencing on or after the Closing Date, the occurrence of a change in the composition of the Board of Directors of Ultimate Parent such that a majority of the members of such Board of Directors are not Continuing Directors,

 

(c) after the Closing Date, Global Parent fails to own and control, directly or indirectly, 100% of the Capital Stock (other than directors’ qualifying shares, issuances pursuant to any equity incentive plan or similar plan, the Equity Grant, or other nominal issuance in order to comply with local laws) of each other Loan Party (other than as permitted by Section 6.10 or Section 6.19),

 

- 7 -

 

 

(d) after the Closing Date, the Specified Holders fail to own and control, directly or indirectly, Capital Stock in Global Parent or Ultimate Parent, as applicable, in an aggregate amount equal to 80% or greater than the aggregate amount of Capital Stock of Global Parent and Ultimate Parent, as applicable, that is owned and controlled directly by the Specified Holders immediately following the Closing Date (in each case, on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all Capital Stock of Global Parent and Ultimate Parent that the Specified Holders may have the right to acquire pursuant to any option right); provided, that any exchange of Capital Stock of Global Parent held by the Specified Holders for Capital Stock of Ultimate Parent effectuated by the Specified Holders, Ultimate Parent or Global Parent after the Closing Date shall be disregarded for purposes of this clause (d), or

 

(e) the occurrence of a Change of Management after the Closing Date.

 

Change of Management” means that Brian Kahn’s direct or indirect management responsibilities of Lead Borrower are materially diminished from those held by him as of the Closing Date, in each case, other than as a result of (a) death or (b) physical or mental incapacity.

 

Closing Date” means the date on which the initial Term Loans are made.

 

Closing Date Certificate” means a Closing Date Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1.

 

Collateral” means, collectively, all of the real, personal, and mixed property (including Capital Stock) and all interests therein and proceeds thereof now owned or hereafter acquired by any Person upon which a Lien is granted or purported to be granted by such Person pursuant to the Collateral Documents as security for the Obligations.

 

Collateral Access Agreement” means a collateral access agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent.

 

Collateral Agent” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

 

Collateral Coverage Test” has the meaning specified in Section 5.10.

 

Collateral Documents” means the Security Agreement, the Liberty Security Agreements, if any, the Mortgages, if any, the Collateral Access Agreements, if any, any Control Agreement, the Credit Card Notifications, and all other instruments, documents, and agreements delivered by any Loan Party pursuant to this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents in order to grant to Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a Lien on any real, personal, or mixed property of such Loan Party as security for the Obligations, in each case, as such Collateral Documents may be amended or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Commitment” means any Term Loan Commitment.

 

Compliance Certificate” means a Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C.

 

Consolidated Amortization Expense” means, for any period, the amortization expense of Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities) for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Capital Expenditures” means, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures of Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities) during such period determined on a consolidated basis that, in accordance with GAAP, are or should be included in “purchase of property and equipment or which should otherwise be capitalized” or similar items reflected in the consolidated statement of cash flows of the Loan Parties.

  

- 8 -

 

 

Consolidated Cash Interest Expense” means, for any period, Consolidated Interest Expense of Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities) for such period based upon GAAP, excluding any paid-in-kind interest, and amortization of deferred financing costs.

 

Consolidated Depreciation Expense” means, for any period, the depreciation expense of Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities) for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated EBITDA” means, for any period, Consolidated Net Income for such period, adjusted by (a) adding thereto, in each case only to the extent deducted in determining such Consolidated Net Income and without duplication:

 

(i) Consolidated Interest Expense,

 

(ii) Consolidated Amortization Expense,

 

(iii) Consolidated Depreciation Expense,

 

(iv) Consolidated Tax Expense and, without duplication, Permitted Tax Payments,

 

(v) reasonable and documented costs and expenses incurred by the Borrower on or prior to 30 days after the Closing Date in connection with the Transactions,

 

(vi) (A) the aggregate amount of all other non-cash charges, non-cash write-downs, non-cash expenses, non-cash losses, or non-cash items (including, without limitation, purchase accounting adjustments under ASC 805 or similar acquisition accounting under GAAP or similar provisions under GAAP) reducing Consolidated Net Income (including any non-cash expense relating to the vesting of warrants), (B) net non-cash exchange, non-cash translation, or non-cash performance losses relating to foreign currency transactions and currency fluctuations, and (C) cash charges resulting from the application of ASC 805,

 

(vii) charges, losses, expenses, and payments that are covered by indemnification, reimbursement, guaranty, or purchase price adjustment provisions in favor of Global Parent, the Lead Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities) in any agreement entered into by such Person to the extent such expenses and payments have been reimbursed pursuant to the applicable indemnity, guaranty, or acquisition agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to the Acquisition and Permitted Acquisitions) in such period (or reasonably expected to be so paid or reimbursed within one year after the end of such period to the extent not accrued) or an earlier period if not added back to Consolidated EBITDA in such earlier period; provided, that (A) if such amount is not so reimbursed within such one-year period, such expenses or losses shall be subtracted in the subsequent calculation period and (B) if reimbursed or received in a subsequent period, such amount shall not be added back in calculating Consolidated EBITDA in such subsequent period,

 

(viii) any non-cash extraordinary, non-cash unusual, or non-cash non-recurring expenses, losses, or charges incurred,

 

(ix) any cash extraordinary, unusual, or non-recurring expenses, losses, or charges incurred,

 

(x) any restructuring, business optimization, integration or similar charges,

 

- 9 -

 

 

(xi) pro forma “run rate” cost savings, operating expense reductions and other synergies and similar pro forma adjustments (in each case, net of amounts actually realized) related to acquisitions, dispositions, integrations, and other specified transactions, or related to restructuring initiatives, cost savings initiatives, business optimization initiatives and other initiatives that are reasonably identifiable and projected by the Lead Borrower in good faith to result from actions that have either been taken or with respect to which substantial steps have been taken and, in any event, will be realized within eighteen (18) months of, the date of consummation of such acquisition, disposition or other specified transaction or the initiation of such restructuring initiative, cost savings initiative or other initiatives, in each case, that are factually supportable (in the good faith determination of the Lead Borrower and certified by an Authorized Officer of the Lead Borrower), net of amounts actually realized from such actions during such test period (collectively, “Cost Savings”),

 

(xii) the unamortized fees, costs, and expenses paid in cash in connection with the repayment of Indebtedness to persons that are not Affiliates of any Loan Party,

 

(xiii) letter of credit fees,

 

(xiv) any net loss included in Consolidated Net Income attributable to non-controlling interests in any non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary, and

 

(xv) for the first four Fiscal Quarters after the Closing Date, other adjustments identified or set forth in the model delivered to the Agents on February 13, 2020; and (b) adding thereto all dividends paid in cash during such period by any non-Loan Party Subsidiary of a Loan Party, Joint Venture or any Excluded Entity directly or indirectly to any Loan Party; and (c) subtracting therefrom, in each case only to the extent (and in the same proportion) added in determining such Consolidated Net Income and, without duplication, the aggregate amount of (i) all non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period (other than the accrual of revenue or recording of receivables in the ordinary course of business), (ii) any extraordinary, unusual, or non-recurring gains increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period, (iii) the amount of any minority interest net income attributable to non-controlling interests in any non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary, (iv) the aggregate amount of Restricted Junior Payments made in cash and permitted by Section 6.05(a)(ii)(x) during such period, and (v) the amount of any Tax credits realized during such period.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, it is agreed, that for any period that includes the fiscal quarter ended on September 30, 2019, Consolidated EBITDA shall be deemed to be $21,149,000, as adjusted on a pro forma basis. For the purposes of calculating Consolidated EBITDA for any period, if at any time during such period (and after the Closing Date), any Loan Party shall have consummated (a) an acquisition permitted hereunder or (b) a material disposition permitted hereunder (including the termination or discontinuance of activities constituting the disposed of business) of business entities, properties, or assets, in each case, constituting one or more divisions or lines of business of any business entity, Consolidated EBITDA for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if any such acquisition or disposition occurred on the first day of such period. For the avoidance of doubt, Consolidated EBITDA shall not be calculated on a cash basis.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the aggregate amount of addbacks made pursuant to clauses (ix), (x) and (xi) of clause (a) above shall not exceed 10% of Consolidated EBITDA (calculated prior to giving effect to any such addbacks or pro forma adjustments) for such four fiscal quarter period.

  

- 10 -

 

 

Consolidated Excess Cash Flow” means, for any period, Consolidated EBITDA for such period, minus, without duplication:

 

(a) Consolidated Cash Interest Expense and other payments of Indebtedness (including, without limitation, related fees and expenses), to the extent paid in cash and to the extent such payments are permitted hereunder (but excluding any mandatory cash prepayments with respect to the Loans under this Agreement) to the extent made from Internally Generated Cash); provided, that, in each case, payments of revolving Indebtedness shall not be deducted from Consolidated Excess Cash Flow pursuant to this clause (a) unless accompanied by a permanent reduction in the relevant commitment,

 

(b) Consolidated Capital Expenditures made from Internally Generated Cash that are paid in cash (excluding Consolidated Capital Expenditures made in such period that were included in the calculation of Consolidated Excess Cash Flow in a prior period and net of any (i) Net Proceeds from Asset Sales to the extent reinvested in accordance with Section 2.13(a), (ii) Net Proceeds to the extent reinvested in accordance with Section 2.13(b), and (iii) any proceeds of related financings with respect to such expenditures),

 

(c) the aggregate amount of Consolidated Tax Expense (including, but without duplication, any direct or indirect distributions for the payment of such Consolidated Tax Expense) paid or payable with respect to such period and, if payable, for which reserves have been established to the extent required under GAAP,

 

(d) the aggregate amount of cash items added back to Consolidated Net Income in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA for such period to the extent paid with Internally Generated Cash by Global Parent, the Lead Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities) during such period,

 

(e) the aggregate amount of Restricted Junior Payments and other payments made in cash permitted by Sections 6.05(a) (to the extent not deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income pursuant to the definition thereof and without duplication of clause (c) above),

 

(f) to the extent added to Consolidated Net Income pursuant to clause (vii) of the definition of Consolidated EBITDA, such amounts with respect to which no cash payment to any Loan Party was received during such period; provided, that any such cash payment subsequently received shall be included in the calculation of Consolidated Excess Cash Flow for the subsequent period when received, and

 

(g) solely for the purposes of Section 6.05(c), the aggregate amount of Cost Savings added back to Consolidated EBITDA in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA for such period; provided, that any amount deducted pursuant to any of the foregoing clauses that will be paid after the close of such period shall not be deducted again in a subsequent period; plus, without duplication:

 

(i) cash items of income during such period not included in calculating Consolidated EBITDA, including, without limitation, proceeds from Asset Sales to the extent not reinvested in accordance with Section 2.13(a),

 

(ii) the aggregate amount of non-cash items deducted from Consolidated Net Income in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA for such period, and

 

(iii) any cash payment that was actually received by any Loan Party during such period with respect to which a deduction was taken pursuant to clause (f) above during the previous period.

 

Consolidated Fixed Charges” means, for any period, the sum, without duplication, of the amounts determined for Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities) on a consolidated basis equal to (a) Consolidated Cash Interest Expense, plus (b) scheduled payments of principal on Consolidated Total Debt.

  

- 11 -

 

 

Consolidated Interest Expense” means, for any period, total interest expense (including that portion attributable to Capital Leases in accordance with GAAP and capitalized interest) of the Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities) on a consolidated basis with respect to all outstanding Consolidated Total Debt, including all commissions, discounts, and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit, but excluding, however, any amounts referred to in Section 2.10 payable on or before the Closing Date.

 

Consolidated Liquidity” means, for any period, an amount determined on a consolidated basis, equal to the aggregate sum of Qualified Cash of Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities) plus, if applicable, ABL Excess Availability.

 

Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, (a) the net income (or loss) of Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities) on a consolidated basis for such period taken as a single accounting period determined in conformity with GAAP, minus (b) the sum of (i) the income (or loss) of any Person (other than Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities)) in which any other Person (other than Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities)) has a joint interest, plus (ii) the income (or loss) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary of Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities) or is merged into or consolidated with any Subsidiary of Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities) or that Person’s assets are acquired by any Subsidiary of Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities), plus (iii) the income of Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities) to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities) of that income is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule, or governmental regulation applicable to Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities), as applicable, plus (iv) any gains or losses attributable to Asset Sales or returned surplus assets of any Pension Plan, plus (v) (to the extent not included in clauses (b)(i) through (iv) above) any net extraordinary gains or net extraordinary losses.

 

Consolidated Tax Expense” means, for any period, the Tax expense (including federal, state, local, foreign, franchise, excise, and foreign withholding Taxes) of Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities), including any penalties and interest relating to any Tax examinations for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Total Debt” means, as at any date of determination, the aggregate stated balance sheet amount of all Indebtedness of Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities) determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, less, solely for purposes of the Total Leverage Ratio, the lesser of (x) aggregate amount of Qualified Cash and (y) $25,000,000.

 

Continuing Director” means (1) any member of the Board of Directors of Ultimate Parent who was a director (or comparable manager) of Ultimate Parent on the date hereof and (2) any individual who becomes a member of the Board of Directors of Ultimate Parent after the date hereof if such individual was approved, appointed, or nominated for election to the Board of Directors of Ultimate Parent by either a majority of the Permitted Holders or a majority of the Continuing Directors. 

 

Contractual Obligation” means, as applied to any Person, any provision of any Security issued by that Person or of any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, contract, undertaking, agreement, or other instrument to which that Person is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound or to which it or any of its properties is subject.

 

Control Agreement” means a control agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent, executed and delivered by Collateral Agent, ABL Agent (if party thereto), the applicable securities intermediary (with respect to a Securities Account) or bank (with respect to a Deposit Account) and any of the Loan Parties.

 

- 12 -

 

 

Conversion/Continuation Date” means the effective date of a continuation or conversion, as the case may be, as set forth in the applicable Conversion/Continuation Notice.

 

Conversion/Continuation Notice” means a Conversion/Continuation Notice substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2.

 

Cost Savings” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA”.

 

“COVID-19 Pandemic” means the global spread of the coronavirus illness, which was declared to be a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020.

 

Credit Card Issuer” shall mean any Person (other than a Loan Party) who issues or whose members issue credit cards, including, without limitation, MasterCard or VISA bank credit or debit cards or other bank credit or debit cards issued through MasterCard International, Inc., Visa, U.S.A., Inc. or Visa International and American Express, Discover, Diners Club, Carte Blanche and other non-bank credit or debit cards, including, without limitation, credit or debit cards issued by or through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., and Novus Services, Inc. and other issuers approved by Administrative Agent.

 

Credit Card Notification” has the meaning provided in Section 6.17(d).

 

Credit Card Processor” shall mean any servicing or processing agent or any factor or financial intermediary who facilitates, services, processes or manages the credit authorization, billing transfer and/or payment procedures with respect to any Loan Party’s sales transactions involving credit card or debit card purchases by customers using credit cards or debit cards issued by any Credit Card Issuer.

 

Credit Extension” means the making of a Loan.

 

Curative Equity” means equity investments (other than in respect of Disqualified Capital Stock) made by Permitted Holders, any Parent Company, any Excluded Entities or other holders of the Capital Stock of Ultimate Parent to Lead Borrower (whether directly or through one or more intermediate Persons) in immediately available funds.

 

Cure Quarter” has the meaning specified in Section 8.02(f).

 

Debtor Relief Law” means the Bankruptcy Code and any other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief law of the United States or other applicable jurisdiction from time to time in effect.

 

Default” means a condition or event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

Default Excess” means, with respect to any Defaulting Lender, the excess, if any, of such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Loans of all Lenders (calculated as if all Defaulting Lenders (other than such Defaulting Lender) had funded all of their respective Defaulted Loans) over the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Loans of such Defaulting Lender.

 

- 13 -

 

 

Default Period” means, with respect to any Defaulting Lender, the period commencing on the date of the applicable Funding Default, or violation of Section 9.05(c), and ending on the earliest of the following dates: (a) the date on which all Commitments are cancelled or terminated, and/or the Obligations are declared or become immediately due and payable, (b) the date on which (i) the Default Excess with respect to such Defaulting Lender shall have been reduced to zero (whether by the funding by such Defaulting Lender of any Defaulted Loans of such Defaulting Lender or by the non pro rata application of any voluntary or mandatory prepayments of the Loans in accordance with the terms of Section 2.11 or Section 2.13 or by a combination thereof), and (ii) such Defaulting Lender shall have delivered to Lead Borrower and Administrative Agent a written reaffirmation of its intention to honor its obligations hereunder with respect to its Commitments, (c) with respect to a Funding Default, the date on which Lead Borrower, Administrative Agent, and Required Lenders waive all Funding Defaults of such Defaulting Lender in writing, and (d) with respect to violation of Section 9.05(c), the date on which Administrative Agent shall have waived all violations of Section 9.05(c) by such Defaulting Lender in writing.

 

Default Rate” means any interest payable pursuant to Section 2.09.

 

Defaulted Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.21.

 

Defaulting Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.21.

 

Deposit Account” means a demand, time, savings, passbook, or like account with a bank, savings and loan association, credit union, or like organization, other than an account evidenced by a negotiable certificate of deposit.

 

Disqualified Capital Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security or other Capital Stock into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Qualified Capital Stock), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (except as a result of a change of control or asset sale so long as any rights of the holders thereof upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale event shall be subject to the prior repayment in full of the Loans and all other Obligations that are accrued and payable and the termination of the Commitments), (b) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely for Qualified Capital Stock), in whole or in part, (c) provides for the scheduled payments of dividends in cash, or (d) is or becomes convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness or any other Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Capital Stock, in each case, prior to the date that is 180 days after the Maturity Date. Any Capital Stock in any Person that is issued to any director, officer, or other employee shall not constitute a Disqualified Capital Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by such Person or any of its subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s termination, death, or disability.

 

Disqualified Institutions” means (a) any person that has been separately identified in writing by Ultimate Parent to Administrative Agent on or prior to the Closing Date, (b) those persons who are competitors of Ultimate Parent and its and their subsidiaries that are separately identified in writing by Ultimate Parent, Global Parent or the Lead Borrower to Administrative Agent from time to time, and (c) in the case of each of clauses (a) and (b), any of their respective Affiliates (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include any bona fide debt investment funds that are Affiliates of the persons referenced in clause (b) above, unless separately identified by Ultimate Parent, Global Parent or the Lead Borrower pursuant to clause (a) above) that are either (i) identified in writing by Ultimate Parent, Global Parent or the Lead Borrower from time to time or (ii) readily identifiable on the basis of such Affiliate’s name; provided that no updates to the list of Disqualified Institutions shall be deemed to retroactively disqualify any parties that have previously acquired an assignment or participation interest in respect of the Loans from continuing to hold or vote such previously acquired assignments and participations on the terms set forth herein for Lenders that are not Disqualified Institutions (it being understood and agreed that such prohibitions with respect to Disqualified Institutions shall apply to any potential future assignments or participations to any such parties).

  

- 14 -

 

 

Dividend Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means the ratio as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter of:

 

(i) (w) (A) Consolidated EBITDA for the Fiscal Quarter period then ending plus (B) net cash received from A Team and its Subsidiaries and utilized to repay or prepay term loan Indebtedness or permanently reduce revolving Indebtedness during such Fiscal Quarter period ending on such date, minus (x) the sum of (A) Consolidated Capital Expenditures for such Fiscal Quarter period then ending, plus (B) the aggregate amount of federal, state, local and foreign income Taxes and Permitted Tax Payments paid in cash during the Fiscal Quarter period then ending (net of cash refunds of such Taxes received during such Fiscal Quarter period); provided that in no event shall the amounts calculated under this clause (B) be less than zero, plus (C) the aggregate amount of Restricted Junior Payments paid in cash during such Fiscal Quarter period then ending, plus (D) the aggregate amount of Cost Savings added back to Consolidated EBITDA in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA for such period; to

 

(ii) Consolidated Fixed Charges for the Fiscal Quarter period then ending.

 

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.

 

Dollars” and the sign “$” mean the lawful money of the United States of America.

 

ECF Payment Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.13(e).

 

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.

 

Eligible Assignee” means (a) any Lender, any Affiliate of any Lender, and any Related Fund (any two or more Related Funds being treated as a single Eligible Assignee for all purposes hereof), and (b) any commercial bank, insurance company, investment or mutual fund, or other entity that is an “accredited investor” (as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act) and which extends credit or buys loans as one of its businesses, and (c) any other Person (other than a natural Person) approved by Lead Borrower (so long as no Specified Event of Default has occurred and is continuing) and Administrative Agent (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided, that (i) no approval of Lead Borrower shall be required during the continuance of a Specified Event of Default, (ii) no approval of Lead Borrower shall be required for Disqualified Institutions during the continuance of a Specified Event of Default, and (iii) to the extent the consent of Lead Borrower is required for any assignment, such consent shall be deemed to have been given if Lead Borrower has not responded within ten (10) Business Days of a written request for such consent; provided further, that (x) neither (A) Lead Borrower nor any Affiliate of Lead Borrower nor (B) the Permitted Holders nor any Affiliate of the Permitted Holders shall, in any event, be an Eligible Assignee, (y) no Person owning or controlling any trade debt or Indebtedness of any Loan Party (other than the Obligations) or any Capital Stock of any Loan Party shall, in any event, be an Eligible Assignee and (z) B. Riley and its affiliates (other than GACP and any of GACP’s related funds) shall not, in any event, be an Eligible Assignee.

 

- 15 -

 

 

Employee Benefit Plan” means any “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA which is or was sponsored, maintained, or contributed to, or required to be contributed, by any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates.

 

Environmental Action” means any written complaint, summons, citation, notice, directive, order, claim, litigation, investigation, judicial or administrative proceeding, judgment, letter, or other written communication from any Governmental Authority or any third party involving violations of Environmental Laws or releases of Hazardous Materials (a) from any assets, properties, or businesses any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), or any of their respective predecessors in interest, (b) from adjoining properties or businesses, or (c) from or onto any facilities which received Hazardous Materials generated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), or any of their respective predecessors in interest.

 

Environmental Law” means any applicable federal, state, provincial, foreign or local statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, binding and enforceable guideline, binding and enforceable written policy, or rule of common law now or hereafter in effect and in each case as amended, or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent decree, or judgment, in each case, to the extent binding on any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), relating to protection of the environment, protection of employee health (from exposure to Hazardous Materials), or Hazardous Materials, in each case as amended from time to time.

 

Environmental Liabilities” means all liabilities, monetary obligations, losses, damages, costs, and expenses (including all reasonable fees, disbursements, and expenses of counsel, experts, or consultants, and costs of investigation and feasibility studies), fines, penalties, sanctions, and interest incurred as a result of any claim or demand, or Remedial Action required, by any Governmental Authority or any third party, and which relate to any Environmental Action.

 

Environmental Lien” means any Lien in favor of any Governmental Authority for Environmental Liabilities.

 

Equipment” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Security Agreement.

 

“Equity Grant” means Capital Stock issued within 365 days of the Second Amendment Effective Date by Liberty/Revolution Top Parent to Brent Turner; provided that no more than 5% of the Capital Stock issued by Liberty/Revolution Top Parent as of the Second Amendment Effective Date may be so issued.

 

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.

 

ERISA Affiliate” means, as applied to any Person, (a) any corporation which is a member of a controlled group of corporations within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person is a member, (b) any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is a member of a group of trades or businesses under common control within the meaning of Section 414(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person is a member, and (c) any member of an affiliated service group within the meaning of Section 414(m) or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person, any corporation described in clause (a) above, or any trade or business described in clause (b) above is a member. Any former ERISA Affiliate of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) shall continue to be considered an ERISA Affiliate of Global Parent or any such Subsidiary (excluding the Excluded Entities) within the meaning of this definition with respect to the period such entity was an ERISA Affiliate of Global Parent or such Subsidiary and with respect to liabilities arising after such period for which Global Parent or such Subsidiary could be liable under the Internal Revenue Code or ERISA.

 

- 16 -

 

 

ERISA Event” means: (a) a “reportable event” within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued thereunder with respect to any Pension Plan (excluding those for which the provision for thirty day notice to the PBGC has been waived by regulation); (b)the failure to meet the minimum funding standard of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan (whether or not waived in accordance with Section 412(d) of the Internal Revenue Code), the failure to make by its due date a required installment under Section 412(m) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to any Pension Plan, or the failure to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan; (c) the provision by the administrator of any Pension Plan pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) of ERISA of a notice of intent to terminate such plan in a distress termination described in Section 4041(c) of ERISA; (d) the withdrawal by Global Parent, any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates from any Pension Plan with two or more contributing sponsors or the termination of any such Pension Plan resulting in liability to Global Parent, any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), or any of their respective Affiliates pursuant to Section 4063 or 4064 of ERISA; (e) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate any Pension Plan or the occurrence of any event or condition which might constitute grounds under ERISA for the termination of or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (f) the imposition of liability on Global Parent, any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates pursuant to Section 4062(e) or 4069 of ERISA or by reason of the application of Section 4212(c) of ERISA; (g) the withdrawal of Global Parent, any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates in a complete or partial withdrawal (within the meaning of Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA) from any Multiemployer Plan if there is any potential liability therefor, or the receipt by Global Parent, any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of notice from any Multiemployer Plan (1) imposing withdrawal liability, (2) that such Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or insolvency pursuant to Section 4241 or 4245 of ERISA, (3) that such Multiemployer Plan is in “endangered” or “critical” status (within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA), or (4) that such Multiemployer Plan intends to terminate or has terminated under Section 4041A or 4042 of ERISA; (h) the occurrence of an act or omission which could give rise to the imposition on Global Parent, any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of fines, penalties, Taxes, or related charges under Chapter 43 of the Internal Revenue Code or under Section 409, Section 502(c), (i), or (l), or Section 4071 of ERISA in respect of any Employee Benefit Plan; (i) the assertion of a material claim (other than routine claims for benefits) against any Employee Benefit Plan other than a Multiemployer Plan or the assets thereof, or against Global Parent, any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates in connection with any Employee Benefit Plan; (j) receipt from the Internal Revenue Service of notice of the failure of any Pension Plan (or any other Employee Benefit Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code) to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code or the failure of any trust forming part of any Pension Plan to qualify for exemption from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, (k) the imposition of a Lien pursuant to Section 430(k) of the Internal Revenue Code or pursuant to Section 303(k) of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan, (l) the existence with respect to any funded Employee Benefit Plan sponsored by Global Parent, any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of a non-exempt “Prohibited Transaction” (within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975(c) of the Code), (m) 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 Pension Plan, (n) a determination that any Pension Plan is in “at risk” status (within the meaning of Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA).

 

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” means each of the conditions or events set forth in Section 8.01.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

 

- 17 -

 

 

Excluded Accounts” means Deposit Accounts, Securities Accounts and Commodity Accounts (1) specially and exclusively used for payroll, payroll Taxes, accrued and unpaid employee compensation payments and other employee wage and benefit payments to or for any Grantor’s employees and (including salaries, wages, benefits and expense reimbursements, 401(k) and other retirement plans and employee benefits, including rabbi trusts for deferred compensation and health care benefits), (2) that are zero balance accounts or other accounts (including, for the avoidance of doubt, local operating accounts of individual retail locations) that automatically sweep balances on an at least daily basis (other than days that are not business days for the applicable bank) (or, solely with respect to AF Holdings and its Subsidiaries, weekly) to a concentration account that is subject to a Control Agreement (subject to the timing requirements set forth in Section 6.17), (3) that (x) individually have a daily balance of not more than $100,000 and (y) together with all other Deposit Accounts, Securities Accounts and Commodity Accounts constituting Excluded Accounts under this clause (3), have a daily balance of not more than $2,500,000 in the aggregate for all such Deposit Accounts, Securities Accounts or Commodity Accounts and (4) consisting solely of Cash or Cash Equivalents securing Permitted Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) to the extent such security constitutes Permitted Liens (including, for avoidance of doubt, any account used solely in connection with cash collateralizing the Workers Comp L/C to the extent not in violation of clause (o) of the definition of “Permitted Liens”), and (5) used solely for withholding and trust accounts, escrow and any other fiduciary accounts, and (6) subject to compliance with Section 6.17(b), Local Deposit Accounts.

 

Excluded Entities” means (a) Revolution Holdings and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, and (b) Vitamin Holdings and its direct and indirect subsidiaries and (c) Liberty Holdings and its direct and indirect subsidiaries until the Liberty Joinder Date; provided that (x) with respect to clausesclause (b) and (c), to the extent not prohibited by law, regulation or the terms of such Person’s third party Indebtedness, each such Person and its respective direct and indirect subsidiaries shall immediately, and without further action by any Person, no longer constitute “Excluded Entities” and (y) in the case of clause (c), after the Liberty Joinder Date, Liberty Holdings and its direct and indirect subsidiaries shall immediately, and without further action by any Person, no longer constitute “Excluded Entities”.

 

Excluded Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary (a) that is prohibited, but only so long as such Subsidiary would be prohibited, by applicable law, rule, or regulation from providing a guaranty of the Obligations or granting a Lien on its assets to secure the Obligations or that would require governmental (including regulatory) consent, approval, license or authorization to provide such a guaranty or grant such a Lien, unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received (it being understood that the Loan Parties shall not be obligated to seek any such consent, approval, license or authorization); provided that the exclusion in this clause (a) shall in no way be construed to (A) apply to the extent that any described prohibition is ineffective under Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408, or 9-409 of the Code or other applicable law, or (B) limit, impair, or otherwise affect any of the Collateral Agent’s continuing security interests in and liens upon any rights or interests of any Loan Party in or to (1) monies due or to become due under or in connection with the Capital Stock of such Excluded Subsidiary, or (2) any proceeds from the sale, license, lease, or other dispositions of the Capital Stock of such Excluded Subsidiary; (b) to the extent the Agents and the Borrower mutually determine that the cost and/or burden of obtaining a guaranty of the Obligations and/or a grant of a Lien on its assets to secure the Obligations by such Subsidiary outweighs the benefit to the Lenders, (c) that is, or if it were a Loan Party, would be, an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, (d) that is a not-for-profit entity with a charitable purpose, or (e) the Excluded Entities, and (f) that is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of an entity described in clause (a), (b), (c) or (d) above. For the avoidance of doubt, none of thethe only Excluded Subsidiaries that are Loan Parties as of the Closing Date shall be an Excluded Subsidiary as of the Closing Dateas of the Second Amendment Effective Date are the Excluded Entities.

 

Excluded Taxes” has the meaning specified in Section 2.19(a).

 

Existing Businesses” means each of the businesses owned or operated, directly or indirectly, as of the Closing Date by Global Parent and its Subsidiaries.

 

Existing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness and other obligations outstanding under each of (i) the Buddy’s Credit Agreement, (ii) the Sears Credit Agreement and (iii) the AF Credit Agreement.

 

- 18 -

 

 

Extraordinary Receipts” means any cash received by Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (for the avoidance of doubt, this includes the Excluded Entities) not in the ordinary course of business (and not consisting of proceeds described in Section 2.13(a) or (b) hereof), including, without limitation, (a) foreign, United States, state, or local Tax refunds, (b) pension plan reversions, (c) judgments, proceeds of settlements, or other consideration of any kind in connection with any cause of action, (d) [reserved], (e) indemnity payments, and (f) any purchase price adjustment received in connection with any purchase agreement, excluding for the avoidance of doubt proceeds from (i) the issuance of Capital Stock of Global Parent or the issuance of Capital Stock of any of its Subsidiaries (so long as such issuance is to its direct parent company that owns 100% of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary prior to such issuance) and (ii) the issuance of Indebtedness (it being understood and agreed that the issuance of Indebtedness not permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 6.01 shall remain subject to Section 2.13(d)).

 

Fair Share” has the meaning specified in Section 7.02.

 

Fair Share Contribution Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 7.02.

 

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue Code, in effect 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, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue 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 Internal Revenue Code.

 

Federal Funds Effective Rate” means for any day, the rate per annum (expressed, as a decimal, rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher 1/100 of 1%) equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided, that if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

Fee Letter” means the fee letter, dated as of the Closing Date, by and between Ultimate Parent and GACP, as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, restated or replaced.

 

Financial Officer Certification” means, with respect to the financial statements for which such certification is required, the certification of the chief operating officer, chief financial officer, chief executive officer or other officer with similar responsibilities of the Lead Borrower that such financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Loan Parties (or Global Parent and its Subsidiaries, or Ultimate Parent and its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, in each case subject to Section 5.14) as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated, subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments.

 

Financial Plan” has the meaning specified in Section 5.01(i).

 

First Priority” means, with respect to any Lien purported to be created in any Collateral pursuant to any Collateral Document, that such Lien is the only Lien to which such Collateral is subject, other than any Permitted Lien.

 

Fiscal Quarter” means a fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year, which quarters shall generally end on (a) with respect to the first fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year, the Saturday of the thirteenth week of such Fiscal Year, (b) with respect to the second fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year, the Saturday of the twenty-sixth week of such Fiscal Year, (c) with respect to the third fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year, the Saturday of the thirty-ninth week of such Fiscal Year, and (d) with respect to the last fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year, the last day of such Fiscal Year, as such Fiscal Quarters may be amended in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.16 hereof.

 

- 19 -

 

 

Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Lead Borrower ending on the Saturday closest to December 31 of each calendar year (or such other date as may be permitted by Section 6.16).

 

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means the ratio as of the last day of:

 

(a) the first full Fiscal Quarter ending after the Closing Date of:

 

(i) (w) (A) Consolidated EBITDA for the four-Fiscal Quarter period then ending plus (B) net cash received from A Team and its Subsidiaries and utilized repay or prepay Indebtedness for the four Fiscal Quarter period then ending, minus (x) the sum of (A) Consolidated Capital Expenditures for such Fiscal Quarter multiplied by four (4), plus (B) the aggregate amount of federal, state, local and foreign income Taxes and all Permitted Tax Payments paid in cash during such Fiscal Quarter (net of cash refunds of such Taxes received during such Fiscal Quarter) multiplied by four (4); provided that in no event shall the amounts calculated under this clause (B) be less than zero, plus (C) the aggregate amount of Restricted Junior Payments paid in cash during such Fiscal Quarter multiplied by four (4) to

 

(ii) Consolidated Fixed Charges for such Fiscal Quarter multiplied by four (4),

 

(b) the second full Fiscal Quarter ending after the Closing Date of:

 

(i) (w) (A) Consolidated EBITDA for the four Fiscal Quarter period then ending plus (B) net cash received from A Team and its Subsidiaries and utilized repay or prepay Indebtedness for the four Fiscal Quarter period then ending, minus (x) the sum of (A) Consolidated Capital Expenditures for the two-Fiscal Quarter period ending on such date multiplied by two (2), plus (B) the aggregate amount of federal, state, local and foreign income Taxes and all Permitted Tax Payments paid in cash during the two-Fiscal Quarter period ending on such date (net of cash refunds of such Taxes received during such two-Fiscal Quarter period) multiplied by two (2); provided that in no event shall the amounts calculated under this clause (B) be less than zero, plus (C) the aggregate amount of Restricted Junior Payments paid in cash during such two-Fiscal Quarter period ending on such date multiplied by two (2) to

 

(ii) Consolidated Fixed Charges for such Fiscal Quarter multiplied by two (2),

 

(c) the third full Fiscal Quarter ending after the Closing Date of:

 

(i) (w) (A) Consolidated EBITDA for the four Fiscal Quarter period then ending plus (B) net cash received from A Team and its Subsidiaries and utilized repay or prepay Indebtedness for the four Fiscal Quarter period then ending, minus (x) the sum of (A) Consolidated Capital Expenditures for the three-Fiscal Quarter period ending on such date multiplied by four thirds (4/3), plus (B) the aggregate amount of federal, state, local and foreign income Taxes and Permitted Tax Payments paid in cash during the three-Fiscal Quarter period ending on such date (net of cash refunds of such Taxes received during such three-Fiscal Quarter period) multiplied by four thirds (4/3); provided that in no event shall the amounts calculated under this clause (B) be less than zero, plus (C) the aggregate amount of Restricted Junior Payments paid in cash during such three-Fiscal Quarter period ending on such date multiplied by four thirds (4/3) to

 

(ii) Consolidated Fixed Charges for such Fiscal Quarter multiplied by four thirds (4/3), and

 

- 20 -

 

 

(d) any other Fiscal Quarter of:

 

(i) (w) (A) Consolidated EBITDA for the four Fiscal Quarter period then ending plus (B) net cash received from A Team and its Subsidiaries and utilized repay or prepay Indebtedness for the four Fiscal Quarter period then ending, minus (x) the sum of (A) Consolidated Capital Expenditures for such four Fiscal Quarter period then ending, plus (B) the aggregate amount of federal, state, local and foreign income Taxes and Permitted Tax Payments paid in cash during the four Fiscal Quarter period then ending (net of cash refunds of such Taxes received during such four-Fiscal Quarter period); provided that in no event shall the amounts calculated under this clause (B) be less than zero, plus (C) the aggregate amount of Restricted Junior Payments paid in cash during such four-Fiscal Quarter period then ending to

 

(ii) Consolidated Fixed Charges for the four Fiscal Quarter period then ending.

 

Flood Hazard Property” means any Real Estate Asset subject to a mortgage in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and located in an area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as having special flood or mud slide hazards.

 

Flow of Funds Agreement” means that certain Letter of Direction, dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by each Loan Party and any other parties thereto, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, in connection with the disbursement of Loan proceeds in accordance with Section 2.05.

 

Franchise Agreement” means a franchising agreement between any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (excluding the Excluded Entities) thereof, as franchisor, and any other Person, as franchisee, pertaining to the establishment and operation of a business with operations comparable to the operations of the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities).

 

Franchise Disclosure Documents” means any uniform franchise offering circulars and franchise disclosure documents used by (and, to the extent required, filed by) any Loan Party or Subsidiary (excluding the Excluded Entities) to comply with any applicable law, rule, regulation or order of any Governmental Authority.

 

Franchise Laws” means all applicable laws, rules, regulations, orders, binding guidance or other requirements of the United States Federal Trade Commission or any other Governmental Authority relating to the relationship between franchisor and franchisees or to the offer, sale, termination, non-renewal or transfer of a franchise.

 

Funding Default” has the meaning specified in Section 2.21.

 

Funding Notice” means a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1.

 

GAAP” means, subject to the limitations on the application thereof set forth in Section 1.02, United States generally accepted accounting principles in effect as of the date of determination thereof.

 

GACP” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Global Parent” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Governmental Authority” means any federal, state, municipal, national, or other government, governmental department, commission, board, bureau, court, agency, or instrumentality or political subdivision thereof, or any entity or officer exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, or administrative functions of or pertaining to any government or any court, in each case whether associated with a state of the United States, the United States, or a foreign entity or government.

 

Governmental Authorization” means any permit, license, authorization, plan, directive, consent order, or consent decree of or from any Governmental Authority.

  

- 21 -

 

 

Grantor” has the meaning specified in the Security Agreement.

 

Guaranteed Obligations” has the meaning specified in Section 7.01.

 

Guarantor” means (a) each Borrower (other than with respect to its own Obligations), (b) Global Parent, (c) each Guarantor Subsidiary, and (d) each other Person which guarantees, pursuant to Article VII or otherwise, all or any part of the Obligations.

 

Guarantor Subsidiary” means each Subsidiary of Lead Borrower (other than the Excluded Entities and the Excluded Subsidiaries) that is a Guarantor.

 

Guaranty” means (a) the guaranty of each Guarantor set forth in Article VII, and (b) each other guaranty, in form and substance satisfactory to each Agent, made by any other Guarantor for the benefit of the Secured Parties guaranteeing all or part of the Obligations.

 

Hazardous Materials” means (a) substances that are defined or listed in, or otherwise classified pursuant to, any applicable laws or regulations as “hazardous substances,” “hazardous materials,” “hazardous wastes,” “toxic substances,” or any other formulation intended to define, list, or classify substances by reason of deleterious properties such as ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, or “EP toxicity,” (b) oil, petroleum, or petroleum derived substances, natural gas, natural gas liquids, synthetic gas, drilling fluids, produced waters, and other wastes associated with the exploration, development, or production of crude oil, natural gas, or geothermal resources, (c) any flammable substances or explosives or any radioactive materials, and (d) asbestos in any form or electrical equipment that contains any oil or dielectric fluid containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of 50 parts per million.

 

Highest Lawful Rate” means the maximum lawful interest rate, if any, that at any time or from time to time may be contracted for, charged, or received under the laws applicable to any Lender which are presently in effect or, to the extent allowed by law, under such applicable laws which may hereafter be in effect and which allow a higher maximum non-usurious interest rate than applicable laws now allow.

 

Historical Financial Statements” means (a) all financial statements required to be delivered on or after December 28, 2019 and prior to the Closing Date under the Sears Credit Agreement and (b) all financial statements required to be delivered on or after December 28, 2019 and prior to the Closing Date under the Buddy’s Credit Agreement, (c) the unaudited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, changes in equity, and cash flows of AFGI, in each case, for each fiscal quarter ending after December 31, 2019 and ended at least 45 days prior to the Closing Date; and (d) an unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet and income statement of the Loan Parties as of the date of the most recent consolidated balance sheet delivered pursuant to the preceding clause (c).

 

Increased Cost Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.22.

 

Indebtedness” means, as applied to any Person, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness for borrowed money, (b) that portion of obligations with respect to Capital Leases that is properly classified as a liability on a balance sheet in conformity with GAAP, (c) all obligations of such Person evidenced by notes, bonds, or similar instruments or upon which interest payments are customarily paid and all obligations in respect of notes payable and drafts accepted representing extensions of credit whether or not representing obligations for borrowed money, (d) any obligation owed for all or any part of the deferred purchase price of property or services, including any deferred payment obligations in connection with an acquisition to the extent such deferred payment obligations are fixed and non-contingent (excluding any such obligations incurred under ERISA and excluding trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business and repayable in accordance with customary trade terms), (e) all obligations created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to property acquired by such Person, (f) all indebtedness secured by any Lien on any property or asset owned or held by that Person regardless of whether the indebtedness secured thereby shall have been assumed by that Person or is non-recourse to the credit of that Person, (g) the face amount of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued, bankers’ acceptances facilities, surety bonds, and similar credit transactions issued for the account of that Person or as to which that Person is otherwise liable for reimbursement of drawings, (h) the direct or indirect guaranty, endorsement (otherwise than for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business), co-making, discounting with recourse, or sale with recourse by such Person of the obligation of another, (i) any obligation of such Person the primary purpose or intent of which is to provide assurance to an obligee that the obligation of the obligor thereof will be paid or discharged, or any agreement relating thereto will be complied with, or the holders thereof will be protected (in whole or in part) against loss in respect thereof, (j) any liability of such Person for an obligation of another through any agreement (contingent or otherwise) (i) to purchase, repurchase, or otherwise acquire such obligation or any security therefor, or to provide funds for the payment or discharge of such obligation (whether in the form of loans, advances, stock purchases, capital contributions, or otherwise) or (ii) to maintain the solvency or any balance sheet item, level of income, or financial condition of another if, in the case of any agreement described under subclauses (i) or (ii) of this clause (j), the primary purpose or intent thereof is as described in clause (i) above, (k) all obligations of such Person in respect of any exchange traded or over the counter derivative transaction, whether entered into for hedging or speculative purposes. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture in which such Person is a general partner or joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly non-recourse to such Person.

 

- 22 -

 

 

Indemnified Liabilities” means, collectively, any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages (including natural resource damages), penalties and claims (including Environmental Liabilities), and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs (including the costs of any investigation, study, sampling, testing, abatement, cleanup, removal, remediation, or other response action necessary to remove, remediate, clean up, or abate any Hazardous Materials), expenses, and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including the reasonable and documented fees and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket disbursements of counsel for Indemnitees in connection with any investigative, administrative, or judicial proceeding commenced or threatened in writing by any Person, whether or not any such Indemnitee shall be designated as a party or a potential party thereto, and any reasonable and documented fees or expenses incurred by Indemnitees in enforcing this indemnity (limited, in the case of legal expenses, to the reasonable, documented and invoiced fees and reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket disbursements of one primary counsel (to be retained by the Administrative Agent) to all Indemnitees, taken as a whole, and, if reasonably necessary, one local counsel in any relevant material jurisdiction (which may include a single firm of counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions) and, solely in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest where any Indemnitee affected by such conflict informs Lead Borrower of such conflict, in each case, of a single additional firm of counsel in each relevant material jurisdiction for all similarly situated affected Indemnitees)), whether direct, indirect, or consequential and whether based on any federal, state, or foreign laws, statutes, rules, or regulations (including securities and commercial laws, statutes, rules, or regulations and Environmental Laws), on common law or equitable cause or on contract or otherwise, that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against any such Indemnitee, in any manner relating to or arising out of (a) this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including Lenders’ agreement to make Credit Extensions or the use or intended use of the proceeds thereof, or any enforcement of any of the Loan Documents (including any sale of, collection from, or other realization upon any of the Collateral or the enforcement of the Guaranty)), (b) the statements contained in any commitment letter delivered by any Lender to Ultimate Parent with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or (c) any Environmental Liabilities or any Hazardous Materials relating to or arising from, directly or indirectly, any past or present activity, operation, land ownership, or practice of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Indemnified Taxes” has the meaning specified in Section 2.19(a).

 

Indemnitee” has the meaning specified in Section 10.03(a).

 

Indemnitee Agent Party” has the meaning specified in Section 9.06.

 

“Initial Perfection Certificate” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of Perfection Certificate.

   

Insolvency Proceeding” means any proceeding commenced by or against any Person under any provision of any Debtor Relief Law.

 

Installment” has the meaning specified in Section 2.11.

 

Installment Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.11.

 

Intellectual Property” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Security Agreement.

 

Intercompany Subordination Agreement” means that certain Intercompany Subordination Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, made by the Loan Parties in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in form and substance satisfactory to Collateral Agent.

 

Intercreditor Agreement” means the intercreditor agreement dated as of the date hereof among the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the ABL Agent and acknowledged by the Loan Parties, as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the provisions hereof and thereof.

 

Interest Payment Date” means with respect to (a) any Base Rate Loan, (i) the first day of each fiscal quarter, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and (ii) the final maturity date of such Loan, and (b) any LIBOR Rate Loan, (i) the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan, (ii) if earlier, three months after the commencement of such Interest Period and (iii) the final maturity date of such Loan.

 

Interest Period” means, in connection with a LIBOR Rate Loan, an interest period of one, two, three, or six months, as selected by Lead Borrower in the applicable Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice, (a) initially, commencing on the Closing Date or Conversion/Continuation Date thereof, as the case may be and (b) thereafter, commencing on the day on which the immediately preceding Interest Period expires; provided, that (i) if an Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding Business Day unless no further Business Day occurs in such month, in which case such Interest Period shall expire on the immediately preceding Business Day, (ii) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall, subject to clause (b)(iii) of this definition, end on the last Business Day of a calendar month, and (iii) no Interest Period with respect to any portion of any Term Loans shall extend beyond the Maturity Date.

 

Interest Rate Determination Date” means, with respect to any Interest Period, the date that is two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period.

 

Internal Revenue Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended to the date hereof and from time to time hereafter, and any successor statute.

 

Internally Generated Cash” shall mean any Cash or Cash Equivalents of any Loan Party that is not generated from an Asset Sale, a Casualty Event, an incurrence of Indebtedness, an issuance of Capital Stock or a capital contribution.

 

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

 

- 23 -

 

 

Investment” means (a) any direct or indirect purchase or other acquisition by the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) of, or of a beneficial interest in, any of the Securities or all or substantially all of the assets of any other Person (other than a Guarantor Subsidiary) (or of any division or business line of such other Person), (b) any direct or indirect redemption, retirement, purchase, or other acquisition for value by any Subsidiary of Global Parent (excluding the Excluded Entities) from any Person (other than a Loan Party), of any Capital Stock of such Person, (c) any direct or indirect loan, advance, or capital contributions by Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to any other Person (other than a Loan Party), including all indebtedness and accounts receivable from that other Person that are not current assets or did not arise from sales to that other Person in the ordinary course of business, and (d) any direct or indirect Guaranty of any obligations of any other Person (other than a Loan Party). The amount of any Investment shall be the original cost of such Investment plus the cost of all additions thereto, without any adjustments for increases or decreases in value, or write ups, write downs, or write offs with respect to such Investment.

 

Joinder” means a Joinder substantially in the form of Annex 1 to the Security Agreement delivered by a Loan Party pursuant to Section 5.10.

 

Joint Venture” means a joint venture, partnership, or other similar arrangement, whether in corporate, partnership, or other legal form; provided, that in no event shall any corporate Subsidiary of any Person be considered to be a Joint Venture to which such Person is a party.

 

Kayne” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Lead Borrower” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

 

Lender” means (i) each lender listed on the signature pages hereto as a Lender, and (ii) any other Person that becomes a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment Agreement other than any Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to any Assignment Agreement.

 

“Liberty Area Development Rights” means certain development rights allotted or sold, or able to be allotted or sold, to an area developer to market and sell territories within a specified geographic area to eligible franchisees.

 

Liberty Borrower” means Franchise Group Intermediate L 2, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Liberty Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of May 16, 2019, among Liberty Borrower, CIBC Bank USA, as administrative agent, the lenders party thereto and the other parties party thereto, as amended, modified, supplemented or refinanced from time to time, but only with other revolving Indebtedness which does not restrict Liberty Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries from being Loan Parties, is secured only by the receivables of Liberty Holdings and its Subsidiaries and the proceeds thereof and is not secured by any assets other than the such receivables, and permits the Obligations and the Liens granted to the Collateral Agent under the Loan Documents.

 

“Liberty Franchise Rights” mean the rights of a franchisee of any Liberty Party within any specified geographic area.

 

Liberty Holdings” means Franchise Group Intermediate L 1, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Liberty Intercreditor Agreement” means that certain Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2020, among CIBC Bank USA, as Senior Agent (as defined therein), the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent and the other parties party thereto, as amended, modified, supplemented from time to time.

 

- 24 -

 

 

“Liberty Joinder Date” means the date on which (x) the obligations set forth in Section 5.10(b) have been satisfied and (y) the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Lead Borrower dated as of the Liberty Joinder Date and addressed to the Agents and Lenders bringing down the representation in Section 4.21 hereof as of the Liberty Joinder Date including the Liberty Parties as Loan Parties.

 

Liberty Loan Documents” means the “Loan Documents” as defined in the Liberty Credit Agreement.

 

Liberty Parties” means Liberty Holdings and each of its Subsidiaries.

 

Liberty/Revolution Top Parent” means Franchise Group Intermediate L, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Liberty Security Agreements” means collectively, (i) that certain Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2020, by and among the Liberty Parties in favor of the Collateral Agent, as amended, modified, supplemented from time to time, which for the avoidance of doubt, as of the Second Amendment Effective Date was consolidated into the Security Agreement and (ii) each intellectual property security agreement pursuant to the Security Agreement or the security agreement referred to in clause (i) by the Liberty Parties in favor of the Collateral Agent.

 

Liberty Ticking Fee” means shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.10.

 

Liberty Trigger Date” means April 30, 2020.

 

LIBOR Rate” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of Adjusted LIBOR Rate.

 

LIBOR Rate Loan” means a Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate.

 

Licensed Trademarks” has the meaning specified in Section 4.26.

 

Lien” means (a) any lien, mortgage, pledge, assignment, hypothecation, deed of trust, security interest, charge, or encumbrance of any kind (including any agreement to give any of the foregoing, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, and any lease in the nature thereof) and any option, trust, or other preferential arrangement having the practical effect of any of the foregoing, and (b) in the case of Securities, any purchase option, call, or similar right of a third party with respect to such Securities.

 

Loan” means a Term Loan.

 

Loan Account” means an account maintained hereunder by Administrative Agent on its books of account at the Payment Office and with respect to Lead Borrower, in which it will be charged with all Loans made to, and all other Obligations incurred by, the Loan Parties.

 

Loan Document” means any of this Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement, if any, the Liberty Intercreditor Agreement, if any, the Collateral Documents, the Fee Letter, the Flow of Funds Agreement, any Guaranty, the Intercompany Subordination Agreement, each Term Note, the Perfection Certificate, any other fee letter executed and delivered by any Loan Party to any Secured Party and all other documents, instruments, certificates or agreements executed and delivered by a Loan Party for the benefit of Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender in connection herewith.

 

Loan Party” means each Borrower and each Guarantor, in each case, other than the Excluded Entities and the Excluded Subsidiaries.

 

“Local Deposit Account” means a Deposit Account maintained by a Liberty Party with respect to (and used only for) one or more store locations.

 

- 25 -

 

 

Make-Whole Premium” means with respect to a prepayment or repayment of the Loans in any principal amount on any date on or prior to the first anniversary of the Closing Date, the excess of (a) (i) the sum of such principal amount prepaid on such date plus 3.00% times such principal amount, plus (ii) the present value on such date of all required and unpaid interest payments that would be due on such principal amount through the first anniversary of the Closing Date accruing at a rate equal to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate for an Interest Period of three months in effect on the third Business Day prior to such prepayment or repayment plus the Applicable Margin for LIBOR Rate Loans in effect as of such date of prepayment or repayment computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such date plus 50 basis points, over (b) such principal amount.

 

Margin Stock” has the meaning specified in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as in effect from time to time.

 

Material Adverse Effect” means (i) after the Closing Date, a material adverse effect on and/or material adverse developments with respect to (a) the business operations, properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or liabilities of the Loan Parties taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, to perform their payment obligations under the applicable Loan Documents or (c) the rights and remedies, taken as a whole, of the Agents and the Lenders under the Loan Documents, except that any adverse effect, change, event, or development arising from or relating to or resulting from (1) general business, industry or economic conditions, or (2) local, regional, national or international political or social conditions, including the declaration of a national emergency, in each case with respect or relating to the epidemic, pandemic or disease relating to the COVID-19 Pandemic shall not be taken into account in determining whether a material and adverse effect has occurred under clauses (i)(a) or (b) above or (ii) on the Closing Date, a “Material Adverse Effect” as defined in the Acquisition Agreement.

 

Material Intellectual Property” means Intellectual Property that is owned by a Grantor and the loss of which would reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Material Real Estate Asset” means any fee owned Real Estate Asset of a Loan Party having a fair market value in excess of $1,000,000, as reasonably estimated by the Lead Borrower in good faith in consultation with Collateral Agent.

 

Maturity Date” means the earliest of (a) February 14, 2025, (b) the date that the Term Loan shall become due and payable in full hereunder, whether by acceleration or otherwise, and (c) the ABL Maturity Date.

 

Merger Sub” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

 

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investor Services, Inc.

 

Mortgage” means a mortgage, deed of trust, or other deed to secure debt, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent, made by a Loan Party in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, granting a Lien on any Real Property securing the Obligations and delivered to Collateral Agent.

 

Multiemployer Plan” means any Employee Benefit Plan which is a “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 3(37) or Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

 

Narrative Report” means, with respect to the financial statements for which such narrative report is required, (a) a narrative report describing the operations of the Loan Parties in the form prepared for presentation to senior management thereof, and (b) a financial report package including management’s discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations, in each case, for the applicable fiscal month, Fiscal Quarter or Fiscal Year and for the period from the beginning of the then current Fiscal Year to the end of such period to which such financial statements relate with comparison to and variances from the immediately preceding period and budget.

 

- 26 -

 

 

Net Proceeds” means (a) with respect to any Asset Sale, an amount equal to: (i) Cash payments received by the Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (for the avoidance of doubt, this includes the Excluded Entities) from such Asset Sale, minus (ii) any bona fide direct costs incurred in connection with such Asset Sale to the extent paid or payable to non-Affiliates, including (A) income or gains Taxes payable by the seller as a result of any gain recognized in connection with such Asset Sale during the Tax period the sale occurs, (B) payment of the outstanding principal amount of, premium or penalty and interest on, any Indebtedness (other than the Loans) that is secured by a Lien on the stock or assets in question and that is required to be repaid under the terms thereof as a result of such Asset Sale, and (C) a reasonable reserve for any indemnification payments (fixed or contingent) attributable to seller’s indemnities and representations and warranties to purchaser in respect of such Asset Sale undertaken by Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (for the avoidance of doubt, this includes the Excluded Entities) in connection with such Asset Sale; provided, that upon release of any such reserve, the amount released shall be considered Net Proceeds, and (b) with respect to any insurance, condemnation, taking, or other casualty proceeds, an amount equal to: (i) any Cash payments or proceeds received by Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (for the avoidance of doubt, this includes the Excluded Entities) (A) under any casualty, business interruption, or “key man” insurance policies in respect of any covered loss thereunder or (B) as a result of the condemnation or taking of any assets of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (for the avoidance of doubt, this includes the Excluded Entities) by any Person pursuant to the power of eminent domain, condemnation, or otherwise, or pursuant to a sale of any such assets to a purchaser with such power under threat of such a taking, minus (ii) (A) any actual and reasonable costs incurred by Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (for the avoidance of doubt, this includes the Excluded Entities) in connection with the adjustment or settlement of any claims of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (for the avoidance of doubt, this includes the Excluded Entities) in respect thereof, and (B) any bona fide direct costs incurred in connection with any sale of such assets as referred to in clause (b)(i)(B) of this definition to the extent paid or payable to non-Affiliates, including income Taxes payable as a result of any gain recognized in connection therewith (including, without limitation, Permitted Tax Payments).

 

Non-Consenting Lender” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.22).

 

Non-US Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.19(d)(ii).

 

Obligations” means all loans (including the Term Loans (inclusive of Protective Advances)), debts, principal, interest (including any interest that accrues after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding), liabilities, obligations (including indemnification obligations), fees (including the fees provided for in the Fee Letter or any other fee letter to which any of the Secured Parties are party), expenses (including any fees or expenses that accrue after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding), guaranties, and all covenants and duties of any other kind and description owing by any Loan Party arising out of, under, pursuant to, in connection with, or evidenced by this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and irrespective of whether for the payment of money, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, and including all interest not paid when due and all other expenses or other amounts that any Loan Party is required to pay or reimburse by the Loan Documents, by law, or otherwise in connection therewith. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Obligations of Borrowers under the Loan Documents include the obligation to pay (a) the principal of the Term Loans, (b) interest accrued on the Term Loans, (c) expenses, (d) the other fees payable under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and (e) indemnities and other amounts payable by any Loan Party under any Loan Document. Any reference in this Agreement or in the Loan Documents to the Obligations shall include all or any portion thereof and any extensions, modifications, renewals, or alterations thereof, both prior and subsequent to any Insolvency Proceeding.

 

OFAC” means The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

 

OFAC Sanctions Programs” means (a) the Requirements of Law and Executive Orders administered by OFAC, including but not limited to, Executive Order No. 13224, and (b) the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons administered by OFAC, in each case, as renewed, extended, amended, or replaced.

 

- 27 -

 

 

Organizational Documents” means (a) with respect to any corporation, its certificate or articles of incorporation or organization, as amended, and its by-laws, as amended, (b) with respect to any limited partnership, its certificate of limited partnership, as amended, and its partnership agreement, as amended, (c) with respect to any general partnership, its partnership agreement, as amended, and (d) with respect to any limited liability company, its articles of organization or certificate of formation, as amended, and its operating agreement or limited liability company agreement, as amended. In the event any term or condition of this Agreement or any other Loan Document requires any Organizational Document to be certified by a secretary of state or similar governmental official, the reference to any such “Organizational Document” shall only be to a document of a type customarily certified by such governmental official.

 

Other Connection Taxes” has the meaning specified in Section 2.19(a).

 

Other Taxes” has the meaning specified in Section 2.19(b).

 

Owned Trademarks” has the meaning specified in Section 4.26.

 

Parent Company” means each of Global Parent, Liberty/Revolution Top Parent, Vitamin Intermediate Parent and Vitamin Top Parent.

 

Participant Register” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(h)(ii).

 

PATRIOT Act” has the meaning specified in Section 4.32.

 

Payment Office” means Administrative Agent’s office as may be designated in writing from time to time by Administrative Agent to Lead Borrower.

 

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor thereto.

 

Pension Plan” means any Employee Benefit Plan, other than a Multiemployer Plan, which is subject to Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA.

 

Perfection Certificate” means a certificate, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent that provides information with respect to the assets of each Loan Party (the “Initial Perfection Certificate”), as modified by that certain Supplement to Perfection Certificate, dated as of the Second Amendment Effective Date, by the Loan Parties.

 

Permitted Acquisition” means the purchase or other acquisition, by merger, consolidation or otherwise, by the Lead Borrower or any Subsidiary of any Capital Stock in, or all or substantially all the assets of (or all or substantially all the assets constituting a business unit, division, product line or line of business of), any Person; provided that (a) in the case of any purchase or other acquisition of Capital Stock in a Person, (i) such Person, upon the consummation of such purchase or acquisition, will be a Subsidiary (including as a result of a merger or consolidation between any Subsidiary and such Person), or (ii) such Person is merged into or consolidated with a Subsidiary and such Subsidiary is the surviving entity of such merger or consolidation, (b) with respect to each such purchase or other acquisition, all actions required to be taken with respect to such newly created or acquired Subsidiary (including each subsidiary thereof) or assets in order to satisfy the requirements set forth in Section 5.10, Section 5.11 or Section 5.13, as applicable, (or arrangements for the taking of such actions after the consummation of the Permitted Acquisition shall have been made that are reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent) (unless such newly created or acquired Subsidiary is an Excluded Entity or is otherwise an Excluded Subsidiary), (c) after giving effect to any such purchase or other acquisition, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would immediately result therefrom, (d) such acquisition shall not be hostile and shall have been approved by the Board of Directors and/or the stockholders or other equityholders of such Person, as applicable, (e) the total consideration paid in connection with such purchase or acquisition shall not exceed $5,000,000 in any Fiscal Year, and (f) Borrowers have shall have provided each Agent with written notice of the proposed acquisition at least 3 Business Days prior to the anticipated closing date of the proposed acquisition and substantially contemporaneously with the closing of the acquisition shall have provided each Agent copies of the acquisition agreement and other material documents and deliverable relative to the proposed acquisition.

 

- 28 -

 

 

Permitted Discretion” means a good faith determination made by an Agent, exercising commercially reasonable business judgment.

 

Permitted Dividend Amount” means, in respect of any Subject Fiscal Quarter, $8,250,000.

 

Permitted Holders” means (a) Vintage Capital Management, LLC, (b) Brian Kahn, (c) Lauren Kahn, (d) Tributum, L.P., (e) Stefac LP, (f) Vintage Tributum, L.P., (g) Kahn Capital Management, LLC, (h) Vintage Vista GP, LLC, (i) Andrew Laurence, (j) B. Riley FBR, Inc., (k) Bryant R. Riley, (l) any direct or indirect current or former equityholders of Buddy’s Newco, LLC or Franchise Group New Holdco, LLC, (m) Samjor Family LP, (n) Vintage RTO, L.P. and (o) any Affiliates, general partners, limited partners, investment managers, investment advisors, investment funds or direct or indirect equity holders, successors or assigns of any of the foregoing.

 

Permitted Indebtedness” means:

 

(a) the Obligations,

 

(b) Indebtedness of any Guarantor Subsidiary to any Borrower or to any other Guarantor Subsidiary, or of any Borrower to any Guarantor Subsidiary, or of any Loan Party to any Subsidiary of Global Parent that is not a Loan Party; provided, that (i) all such Indebtedness shall be evidenced by promissory notes and all such notes shall be subject to a First Priority Lien pursuant to the Security Agreement, and (ii) all such Indebtedness shall be unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to the payment in full of the Obligations pursuant to the terms of the Intercompany Subordination Agreement,

 

(c) Indebtedness incurred by the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries arising from agreements providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase or acquisition price, deferred purchase price or similar obligations, or from guaranties or letters of credit, surety bonds, or performance bonds securing the performance of such Loan Party or any such Subsidiary pursuant to such agreements, in connection with Permitted Acquisitions, the Transactions or permitted dispositions of any business or assets of such Loan Party or such Subsidiary,

 

(d) Indebtedness which may be deemed to exist pursuant to any guaranties, performance, surety, statutory, appeal, or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business and Indebtedness constituting guaranties in the ordinary course of business of the obligations of suppliers, customers, franchisees, and licensees of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, Indebtedness consisting of take or pay obligations contained in supply agreements in the ordinary course of business), and including, without limitation, Indebtedness consisting of obligations contained in non-exclusive licenses of patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights granted by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and not interfering in any respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of such Loan Party or any such Subsidiary),

 

(e) Indebtedness in respect of Cash Management Services, netting services, automated clearinghouse arrangements, overdraft protections, and otherwise in connection with deposit accounts or from the honoring of a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business,

 

(f) Indebtedness described in Schedule 6.1, but not any extensions, renewals, or replacements of such Indebtedness except (i) renewals and extensions expressly provided for in the agreements evidencing any such Indebtedness as the same are in effect on the date of this Agreement (or, with respect to Indebtedness described in the supplement to Schedule 6.1 attached to the Second Amendment, the Second Amendment Effective Date), and (ii) refinancings and extensions of any such Indebtedness if the terms and conditions thereof are not less favorable to the obligor thereon or to Lenders than the Indebtedness being refinanced or extended (except that the interest rate on such Indebtedness shall be at the then prevailing market rate), and the average life to maturity thereof is greater than or equal to that of the Indebtedness being refinanced or extended; provided, that such Indebtedness permitted under the immediately preceding clause (i) or (ii) above shall not (A) include Indebtedness of an obligor that was not an obligor with respect to the Indebtedness being extended, renewed, or refinanced, (B) exceed in a principal amount the Indebtedness being renewed, extended, or refinanced (together with any premium, penalty, interest and any fees and expenses), or (C) be incurred, created, or assumed if any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom,

 

- 29 -

 

 

(g) Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness,

 

(h) Indebtedness owing to insurance carriers and incurred to finance insurance premiums of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business,

 

(i) guarantees by Global Parent and the Loan Parties of any indebtedness or other obligations of any Loan Party or Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Entity) permitted to be incurred hereunder,

 

(j) Indebtedness (1) incurred by Sears Top Parent or any of its Subsidiaries arising under the Workers Comp L/C so long as the face amount thereof does not exceed $5,565,000, together with any additional amounts (in an aggregate additional face amount not exceeding $5,565,000) temporarily outstanding for no longer than ten (10) Business Days (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may approve) during the replacement process of the Workers Comp L/C as permitted by the definition of Workers Comp L/C and (2) incurred by the Lead Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees, warehouse receipts, bankers’ acceptances or similar instruments issued or created in the ordinary course of business, including in respect of workers compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or other reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers compensation claims;

 

(k) the ABL Obligations so loanlong as they are subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and such ABL Obligations in aggregate amount do not exceed the Maximum ABL Principal Obligations (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) and any refinancing of the Indebtedness under the ABL Credit Agreement and the ABL Loan Documents and such ABL Obligations in aggregate amount not to exceed the Maximum ABL Principal Obligations,

 

(l) on and after the Liberty Joinder Date, Indebtedness of Liberty Holdings and its Subsidiaries under the Liberty Credit Agreement in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $100,000,000 (plus any premium, penalty, fees and expenses) and otherwise meeting the terms and conditions of the definition of “Liberty Credit Agreement”,[reserved],

 

(m) Indebtedness representing deferred compensation or stock-based compensation owed to employees, consultants or independent contractors of Global Parent or its Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;,

 

(n) all premiums (if any), interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges and additional or contingent interest on obligations described in clauses (a) through (m) above;,

 

(o) Indebtedness assumed after the Closing Date in connection with any (1) Permitted Acquisition; provided that such Indebtedness was not incurred in contemplation of such acquisition or such Person becoming a Loan Party or (2) any other Investment not prohibited by Section 6.07; provided that any Indebtedness assumed pursuant to this clause (o) (other than, to the extent constituting Indebtedness, motor vehicle leases) shall not exceed in an aggregate principal amount of $2,500,000 at any time outstanding,

 

(p) to the extent constituting Indebtedness, motor vehicle leases in the ordinary course of business, subject to Section 6.13,

 

- 30 -

 

 

(q) Indebtedness of any Borrower, Guarantor or any of their Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business pursuant to a Hedge Agreement; provided, that, (i) such arrangements are not for speculative purposes, and (ii) such Indebtedness shall be unsecured, except to the extent secured by a Permitted Lien, and

 

(pr) other Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $1,250,000 at any time outstanding.,

 

(s) Indebtedness not to exceed $1,000,000 owing to First Horizon Bank (formerly First Tennessee Bank) in connection with a credit card program provided by such lender to the Liberty Parties from time to time,

 

(t) Indebtedness of any Loan Party or any of their Subsidiaries incurred in connection with any non-payment of rent by such Loan Party or Subsidiary caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic; provided that the aggregate outstanding amount of such Indebtedness attributable to unpaid rent shall not exceed $7,700,000 at any time, and

 

(u) unsecured Indebtedness owing to area developers and/or franchisees incurred by the Liberty Parties solely for the purpose of repurchasing Liberty Area Development Rights and/or Liberty Franchise Rights as permitted under clauses (o) and (p) of the definition of “Permitted Investments”; provided that (i) such Indebtedness shall not bear interest, and (ii) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness shall not exceed $250,000 at any time.

 

Permitted Investments” means:

 

(a) Investments in Cash and Cash Equivalents,

 

(b) equity Investments owned as of the Closing Date in any Subsidiary of Global Parent and Investments made after the Closing Date in any wholly owned Guarantor Subsidiaries,

 

(c) Investments (i) in any Securities received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors, and (ii) deposits, prepayments, and other credits to suppliers made in the ordinary course of business consistent with the past practices of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries,

 

(d) to the extent constituting an Investment, (1) Permitted Indebtedness and (2) purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials or equipment or purchases, acquisitions, non-exclusive licenses or leases of other assets, Intellectual Property, or other rights, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

 

(e) Consolidated Capital Expenditures,

 

(f) the Acquisition and Permitted Acquisitions,

 

(g) Investments described in Schedule 6.7,

 

(h) Investments consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business,

 

(i) advances in the form of prepayment of expenses that are expected to be due and payable in connection with operations of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, so long as such expenses are being paid in accordance with customary trade terms of the applicable Person,

 

(j) the A Team Secured Note,

 

(k) Investments consisting of non-exclusive licenses of patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights granted by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and not interfering in any respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of such Loan Party or any such Subsidiary,

 

- 31 -

 

 

(l) promissory notes and other non-cash consideration received in connection with dispositions permitted by Section 6.09,

 

(m) advances of payroll payments to employees in the ordinary course of business, and

 

(n) other Investments not otherwise described above in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time $2,500,000 and at the time of making any such Investment no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would immediately result therefrom.,

 

(o) so long as (x) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall be caused thereby and (y) both prior and after giving effect to such repurchase, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is at least 0.25x greater than the then applicable level set forth in Section 6.08(a), repurchases of Liberty Area Development Rights; provided that (i) any such repurchase shall be made at a purchase price not to exceed four times the net revenue (i.e. the actual amount received by the area developer from franchise owners related to tax preparation royalties) for the applicable geographic area covered by such Liberty Area Development Rights for the most-recent trailing twelve-month period, (ii) the purchase price for any such repurchase will be paid only from available cash, Indebtedness incurred in accordance with clause (u) of the definition of “Permitted Indebtedness” and/or forgiveness of loans and other advances made by the Liberty Parties to the applicable area developer; and (iii) the aggregate purchase price for repurchases of Liberty Area Development Rights shall not exceed $250,000 during any Fiscal Year,

 

(p) so long as (x) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall be caused thereby and (y) both prior and after giving effect to such repurchase, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is at least 0.25x greater than the then applicable level set forth in Section 6.08(a), repurchases of Liberty Franchise Rights; provided that (i) any such repurchase shall be made at a purchase price not to exceed the net tax return preparation revenue for the applicable franchise included in such Liberty Franchise Rights for the most-recent trailing twelve-month period, (ii) the purchase price for any such repurchase will be paid only from available cash, Indebtedness incurred in accordance with clause (u) of the definition of “Permitted Indebtedness” and/or forgiveness of loans and other advances made by the Liberty Parties to the applicable franchisee, and (iii) the aggregate purchase price for repurchases of Liberty Franchise Rights shall not exceed $250,000 during any Fiscal Year, and

 

(q) loans and advances to franchisees made by the Liberty Parties in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice in connection with the sale of Liberty Franchise Rights; provided that (i) such loans and advances shall be evidenced by promissory notes and any such promissory notes with an individual value or more than $250,000 shall be pledged to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in accordance with the Loan Documents and (ii) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such loans and advances made in reliance on this clause (q) shall not exceed $5,000,000 at any time.

 

Permitted Liens” means:

 

(a) Liens in favor of Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties granted pursuant to any Loan Document,

 

(b) Liens for Taxes if obligations with respect to such Taxes are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted and reserves required by GAAP have been made,

 

(c) statutory Liens of landlords, banks (and rights of set off), carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, repairmen, workmen, and materialmen, and other Liens imposed by law (other than any such Lien imposed pursuant to Section 430(k) of the Internal Revenue Code or by Section 303(k) of ERISA), in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business for amounts not overdue by more than thirty (30) days or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted and reserves required by GAAP have been made,

 

- 32 -

 

 

(d) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, and other types of social security, or to secure appeal bonds or the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, trade contracts, performance and return of money bonds, and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money or other Indebtedness), so long as no foreclosure, sale, or similar proceedings have been commenced with respect to any portion of the Collateral on account thereof,

 

(e) easements, rights of way, restrictions, encroachments, and other minor defects or irregularities in title, in each case which do not and will not interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries,

 

(f) any interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under any lease of real estate permitted hereunder,

 

(g) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted hereunder,

 

(h) purported Liens evidenced by the filing of precautionary UCC financing statements relating solely to operating leases of personal property entered into in the ordinary course of business,

 

(i) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods,

 

(j) any zoning or similar law or right reserved to or vested in any governmental office or agency to control or regulate the use of any real property,

 

(k) non-exclusive licenses of patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights granted by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and not interfering in any respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of such Loan Party or any such Subsidiary,

 

(l) Liens in favor of banking or other financial institutions arising as a matter of law or relating exclusively to Cash Management Services,

 

(m) Liens described in Schedule 6.2,

 

(n) Liens securing Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness; provided, that any such Lien shall encumber only the asset subject to such Capital Lease or the asset acquired with the proceeds of such Indebtedness,

 

(o) cash collateral in an aggregate amount at any time not exceeding 105% multiplied the face amount of the Workers Comp L/C, together with any additional cash collateral (in an aggregate additional amount not exceeding 105% off the face amount of any replacement Workers Comp L/C) temporarily outstanding for no longer than ten (10) Business Days (or such later date as Administrative Agent may approve) during the replacement process of the Workers Comp L/C as permitted by the definition of Workers Comp L/C,

 

(p) Liens securing the ABL Obligations to the extent permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (j) of Permitted Indebtedness; provided that such Liens are at all times subject to the Intercreditor Agreement,

 

(q) on and after the Liberty Joinder Date, First Priority Liens on all working capital assets and proceeds thereof of Liberty Holdings and its Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (l) of Permitted Indebtedness and second priority Liens on substantially all other assets and proceeds thereof of Liberty Holdings and its Subsidiaries; provided that such Liens are at all times subject to an intercreditor agreement reasonably acceptable to each Agent,[reserved],

 

(r) Liens in favor of Credit Card Issuers and Credit Card Processors arising in the ordinary course of business securing the obligation to pay customary fees and expenses in connection with credit card arrangements,

 

- 33 -

 

 

(s) Liens in respect of any judgments that, individually or in the aggregate, would not constitute an Event of Default hereunder,

 

(t) possessory Liens in favor of brokers and dealers in connection with the acquisition or dispositions of Permitted Investments, provided that such liens (i) attach only to such Investments and (ii) secure only obligations incurred in the ordinary course and arising in connection with the acquisition or disposition of such Investments and not any obligation in connection with Margin Stock,

 

(u) any interest of, and Liens granted to, consignors in the ordinary course of business with respect to the consignment of goods to a Loan Party,

 

(v) Liens constituting premium rebates securing financing arrangements with respect to insurance premiums,

 

(w) Liens existing on property or other assets at the time of its acquisition or existing on the property or other assets of any Person at the time such Person becomes a Loan Party, in each case after the Closing Date, and any modifications, replacements, renewals or extensions thereof; provided that (A) any such Lien was not created in contemplation of such acquisition or such Person becoming a Loan Party, (B) any such Lien does not extend to or cover any other assets or property (other than the proceeds or products thereof and other than after-acquired property subject to a Lien securing Indebtedness and other obligations incurred prior to such time that require or include, pursuant to their terms at such time, a pledge of after-acquired property, it being understood that such requirement shall not be permitted to apply to any property to which such requirement would not have applied but for such acquisition) and (C) any such Lien secures Indebtedness and other obligations are permitted under clause (g), clause (o) or clause (p) of the “Permitted Indebtedness” definition;,

 

(x) Liens on motor vehicles securing Indebtedness permitted by clause (p) of the definition of “Permitted Indebtedness”; and,

 

(y) other Liens securing obligations in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $1,250,000 at any time outstanding., and

 

(z) Liens on real property owned by JTH Court Plaza, LLC located at 2387 Liberty Way, Virginia Beach, VA 23456, to secure the obligations of the Liberty Parties under the credit card program referenced in clause (s) of the definition of “Permitted Indebtedness”.

 

Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, (A) Indebtedness (other than the Obligations, but otherwise including Capital Leases and purchase money Indebtedness), incurred after the Closing Date and at the time of, or within 180 days after, the acquisition, purchase, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement of any fixed assets for the purpose of financing all or any part of the acquisition, purchase, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement cost thereof and (B) any refinancing of any Indebtedness set forth in the immediately preceding clause (A) (or successive refinancings thereof), in each case, in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time not in excess of $10,000,000.

 

Permitted Tax Payments” means distributions or other payments from Lead Borrower to Global Parent, which will in turn be distributed by Global Parent, in an amount equal to the amounts required under Section 4.01(b), 4.01(c) and 4.01(d) of the First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Global Parent, dated as of July 10, 2019, as in effect on the date hereof.

 

Person” means and includes natural persons, corporations, limited partnerships, general partnerships, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, joint stock companies, Joint Ventures, associations, companies, trusts, banks, trust companies, land trusts, business trusts, or other organizations, whether or not legal entities, and Governmental Authorities.

 

- 34 -

 

 

Phase I Report” means, with respect to any Real Property, a report that (a) conforms to the ASTM Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process, E 1527, (b) was conducted no more than six months prior to the date such report is required to be delivered hereunder, by one or more environmental consulting firms reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent, (c) includes an assessment of asbestos containing materials at such Real Property, and (d) is accompanied by an estimate of the reasonable worst case cost of investigating and remediating any Hazardous Materials activity identified in the Phase I Report as giving rise to an actual or potential material violation of any Environmental Law or as presenting a material risk of giving rise to a material Environmental Action.

 

Principal Office” means, the Administrative Agent’s “Principal Office” as set forth on Appendix B or such other office as such Person may from time to time designate in writing to Borrower and each Lender.

 

Pro Rata Share” means (a) with respect to all payments, computations, and other matters relating to the Term Loan of any Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the Term Loan Exposure of that Lender, by (ii) the aggregate Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders, and (b) for all other purposes with respect to each Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) an amount equal to the sum of the Term Loan Exposure of that Lender, by (ii) an amount equal to the sum of the aggregate Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders.

 

Projections” has the meaning specified in Section 4.08.

 

Protective Advances” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03.

 

Qualified Capital Stock” means and refers to any Capital Stock issued by Global Parent or Lead Borrower (and not by any other Person) that is not Disqualified Capital Stock.

 

Qualified Cash” means, as of any date of determination, the amount of unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents of the Loan Parties that is in Deposit Accounts or in Securities Accounts, or any combination thereof, which such Deposit Account or Securities Account is subject to a Control Agreement (subject to the timing requirements set forth in Section 6.17) and is maintained by a branch office of the bank or securities intermediary located within the United States.

 

Real Estate Asset” means, at any time of determination, any interest (fee, leasehold, or otherwise) then owned by any Loan Party in any real property.

 

Real Property” means any real property (including all buildings, fixtures, or other improvements located thereon) now, hereafter, or heretofore owned or leased by any Loan Party or any of their respective predecessors or Affiliates.

 

Refranchising Activity” means the sale of any retail locations owned or operated by a Loan Party to franchisee(s) to be owned and operated by such franchisee(s), with such franchisee(s) to provide royalties to a Loan Party in connection with the operation of such retail locations, which for the avoidance of doubt, if such Refranchising Activity results in proceeds to a Loan Party in excess of $500,000 per Fiscal Quarter shall constitute an extraordinary, non-recurring gain for purposes of calculating “Consolidated EBITDA.”

 

Register” has the meaning specified in Section 2.06(b).

 

Regulation D” means Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time.

 

Reinvestment Amounts” has the meaning specified in Section 2.13(a).

 

Related Fund” means, with respect to any Lender that is an investment fund, any other investment fund that invests in commercial loans and that is managed or advised by the same investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor.

 

- 35 -

 

 

Remedial Action” means all actions taken to (a) clean up, remove, remediate, contain, treat, monitor, assess, evaluate, or in any way address Hazardous Materials in the indoor or outdoor environment, (b) prevent or minimize a release or threatened release of Hazardous Materials so they do not migrate or endanger or threaten to endanger public health or welfare or the indoor or outdoor environment, (c) restore or reclaim natural resources or the environment, (d) perform any pre-remedial studies, investigations, or post-remedial operation and maintenance activities, or (e) conduct any other actions with respect to Hazardous Materials required by Environmental Laws.

 

Replacement Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.22.

 

Reports” has the meaning specified in Section 9.11(a).

 

Required Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, the Required Tranche A-1 Lenders and the Required Tranche A-2 Lenders.

 

Required Prepayment Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.14(b).

 

Required Tranche A-1 Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders whose Tranche A-1 Term Loan Exposures aggregate to more than 50% of the Tranche A-1 Term Loan Exposures of all of the Lenders.

 

Required Tranche A-2 Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders whose Tranche A-2 Term Loan Exposures aggregate to more than 50% of the Tranche A-2 Term Loan Exposures of all of the Lenders.

 

Requirements of Law” means, with respect to any Person, collectively, the common law and all federal, state, provincial, local, foreign, multinational or international laws, statutes, codes, treaties, standards, rules and regulations, guidelines, ordinances, orders, judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees (including administrative or judicial precedents or authorities) and the interpretation or administration thereof by, and other determinations, directives, requirements or requests of, any Governmental Authority, in each case that are applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

 

Restricted Junior Payment” means (a) any dividend or other distribution, direct or indirect, on account of any shares of any class of Capital Stock of Lead Borrower or Global Parent now or hereafter outstanding, except a dividend payable solely in shares of that class of Capital Stock to the holders of that class, (b) any redemption, retirement, sinking fund or similar payment, purchase, or other acquisition for value, direct or indirect, of any shares of any class of Capital Stock of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (for the avoidance of doubt, this includes the Excluded Entities), (c) any payment made to retire, or to obtain the surrender of, any outstanding warrants, options, or other rights to acquire shares of any class of Capital Stock of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (for the avoidance of doubt, this includes the Excluded Entities), (d) management or similar fees (and related expenses) payable to any Permitted Holder or any of its Affiliates or any other Affiliates of any Loan Party, and (e) any payment or prepayment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, or redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance (including in substance or legal defeasance), sinking fund, or similar payment with respect to, any subordinated Indebtedness (excluding, to the extent considered subordinated, the ABL Obligations), in each case, whether such dividend, distribution or other payment is made in cash or other assets.

 

Revolution Holdings” means Franchise Group Intermediate R, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of The McGraw Hill Corporation.

 

Sanctioned Entity” means (a) a country or a government of a country, (b) an agency of the government of a country, (c) an organization directly or indirectly controlled by a country or its government, or (d) a Person resident in or determined to be resident in a country, in each case of clauses (a) through (d) that is a target of Sanctions, including a target of any country sanctions program administered and enforced by OFAC.

 

- 36 -

 

 

Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person named on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons maintained by OFAC or any other Sanctions-related list maintained by any relevant Sanctions authority, (b) a Person or legal entity that is a target of Sanctions, (c) any Person operating, organized, or resident in a country that is a Sanctioned Entity, or (d) any Person directly or indirectly owned or controlled (individually or in the aggregate) by or acting on behalf of any such Person or Persons described in clauses (a) through (c) above.

 

Sanctions” means individually and collectively, respectively, any and all economic, trade, financial, or other sanctions laws, regulations, or embargoes imposed, administered, or enforced from time to time by: (a) the United States of America, including, without limitation, those administered by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State, (b) the United Nations Security Council, or (c) any other governmental authority in any jurisdiction in which any Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries is located or doing business.

 

Sears Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of October 23, 2019, among Sears Top Parent, certain of its subsidiaries as guarantors, the other parties party thereto and Guggenheim Credit Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as administrative agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Sears Top Parent” means Franchise Group Intermediate S, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

“Second Amendment” means that certain Limited Waiver, Joinder and Amendment Number Two to Credit Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2020 by and among Liberty Parties, Global Parent, Lead Borrower, each other Person identified as a “Borrower” on the signature pages thereof, Administrative Agent and the Lenders party thereto.

 

“Second Amendment Effective Date” means May 1, 2020.

 

Secured Parties” means the Agents and Lenders.

 

Securities” means any stock, shares, partnership interests, voting trust certificates, certificates of interest or participation in any profit sharing agreement or arrangement, options, warrants, bonds, debentures, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated, or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as “securities” or any certificates of interest, shares, or participations in temporary or interim certificates for the purchase or acquisition of, or any right to subscribe to, purchase, or acquire, any of the foregoing.

 

Securities Account” means a securities account (as defined in the UCC).

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

 

Security Agreement” means thethat certain Consolidated, Supplemented, Amended and Restated Security Agreement executed by the Loan Parties in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit G, as it may be amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Solvent” means, with respect to the Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis), that as of the date of determination, both (a)(i) the sum of the debt (including contingent liabilities) of Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) does not exceed the present fair saleable value of the present assets of the Loan Parties (on a consolidated basis), (ii) the capital of Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) is not unreasonably small in relation to its business as contemplated on the date of determination, and (iii) Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) have not incurred and do not intend to incur, or believe (nor should they reasonably believe) that they will incur, debts beyond their ability to pay such debts as they become due (whether at maturity or otherwise), and (b) Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) are “solvent” within the meaning given that term and similar terms under applicable laws relating to fraudulent transfers and conveyances. For purposes of this definition, the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability (irrespective of whether such contingent liabilities meet the criteria for accrual under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 5).

 

- 37 -

 

 

Specified Acquisition Agreement Representations” means such of the representations made by, or with respect to, AFGI in the Acquisition Agreement, but only to the extent that Ultimate Parent (or its applicable affiliate) has a right (taking into account any applicable cure provisions) not to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement or to terminate its (or its applicable affiliate’s) obligations under the Acquisition Agreement, in each case, as a result of a breach of such representations and warranties that are material to the interests of the Lenders.

 

Specified Event of Default” means an Event of Default described under Section 8.01(a), (c) (solely with respect to Section 5.01(a), (b), (c) and (d) and Section 6.08), (f) or (g); provided, that, solely for purposes of Section 9.05, Section 10.06, and the definition of “Eligible Assignee”, any Event of Default pursuant to Section 8.01(c) shall constitute a Specified Event of Default only if such Event of Default occurs in (x) two consecutive Fiscal Quarters or (y) two Fiscal Quarters in any four-Fiscal Quarter period. For the avoidance of doubt, the immediately preceding proviso shall not apply for purposes of determining whether default interest applies pursuant to Section 2.09.

 

Specified Holders” means (a) Samjor Family LP, and (b) Brian Kahn.

 

Specified Representations” means the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 4.01(a), 4.01(b) (solely with respect to power and authority to enter into the Loan Documents and to carry out the transactions contemplated thereby), 4.03, 4.04(f) (solely as it relates to the borrowing of the Term Loan, the guaranteeing of the Obligation under the Loan Documents, performance of the Loan Documents, and the granting of security interests in the Collateral), 4.06, 4.16 (as to clause (a) thereof, solely with respect to the Investment Company Act of 1940), 4.17, 4.21, 4.31, 4.32, 4.33, and 4.35.

 

Subject Fiscal Quarter” has the meaning specified in Section 6.05(c).

 

Subject Transaction” has the meaning specified in Section 6.08(e).

 

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of stock or other ownership interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Person or Persons (whether directors, managers, trustees, or other Persons performing similar functions) having the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; provided, that in determining the percentage of ownership interests of any Person controlled by another Person, no ownership interest in the nature of a “qualifying share” of the former Person shall be deemed to be outstanding.

 

Tax” means any present or future tax, levy, impost, duty, assessment, charge, fee, deduction, or withholding (including backup withholding) imposed, levied, collected, withheld, or assessed by any Governmental Authority and all interest, penalties and additions to tax with respect thereto.

 

Term Loan” means each Tranche A-1 Term Loan and each Tranche A-2 Term Loan made by the respective Lenders to Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(a).

 

- 38 -

 

 

Term Loan Commitment” means such Lender’s Tranche A-1 Term Commitments and Tranche A-2 Term Commitments, as applicable, in effect as of such time, and “Term Loan Commitments” means such Tranche A-1 Term Commitments and Tranche A-2 Term Commitments of all Lenders in the aggregate. The amount of each Lender’s Term Loan Commitment is set forth on Appendix A or in the applicable Assignment Agreement, subject to any adjustment or reduction pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof. As of the Closing Date, the aggregate amount of the Term Loan Commitments is $575,000,000.

 

Term Loan Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender, as of any date of determination, the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan of such Lender; provided, that at any time prior to the making of the Term Loan, the Term Loan Exposure of any Lender shall be equal to such Lender’s Term Loan Commitment.

 

Term Notes” means collectively each Tranche A-1 Term Note and each Tranche A-2 Term Note.

 

Terminated Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.22.

 

Third Party Franchisee Eligibility Requirements” means, collectively, each of the following:

 

(a) The applicable Loan Party has executed an agreement with the applicable Third Party Franchisee, to operate a franchise under one of the Brands as listed on Schedule 7.1 hereto, or any subsequent rebranding of such franchise, at a location owned or leased and operated by such Third Party Franchisee, substantially on the standard form agreements containing terms and conditions established by the Loan Parties from time to time and, with respect to any agreement executed or renewed or extended after the Maturity Date, to include (A) an acknowledgement from such Third Party Franchisee that the Loan Parties, or Collateral Agent, acting on behalf of the Loan Parties, are authorized to transfer proceeds of the Inventory consigned by such Loan Party to such Third Party Franchisee from the bank account maintained by such Third Party Franchisee to an account in the name of a Loan Party, and (B) an acknowledgement by the Third Party Franchisee that the applicable Loan Party has granted a Lien to Collateral Agent on the Inventory consigned by such Loan Party to the Third Party Franchisee and an agreement by the Third Party Franchisee to reasonably cooperate with the Collateral Agent in the event of the exercise by the Collateral Agent of its rights and remedies with respect to such Lien;

 

(b) The applicable Loan Party has provided Collateral Agent with evidence that such Loan Party has filed appropriate UCC financing statements against the applicable Third Party Franchisee evidencing the consignment arrangement between such Loan Party and the applicable Third Party Franchisee with respect to the Inventory consigned by the such Loan Party to the applicable Third Party Franchisee, and has taken all other action required under applicable Requirements of Law to obtain a valid, first priority perfected security interest in such Inventory (including, without limitation, providing notification to other secured parties of the applicable Third Party Franchisee as required by the UCC);

 

(c) If requested by Collateral Agent, the applicable Loan Party has provided the Agent with an assignment of the UCC financing statements set forth in clause (b) above;

 

(d) The applicable Loan Party has complied with all representations, warranties and covenants set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents relating to federal and state franchise and other regulatory Requirements of Law in connection with the operation of a franchise under one of the Brands as listed on Schedule 7.1 (or any subsequent rebranding of such franchises) by the applicable Third Party Franchisee; and

 

(e) The agreements between the applicable Loan Party and the applicable Third Party Franchisee provide that all amounts owed by such Third Party Franchisee to such Loan Party shall be swept at least daily into an account of a Loan Party which is subject to a Control Agreement.

 

For the purposes of paragraph (a) above, “reasonably cooperate with the Collateral Agent” means that the Third Party Franchisee will, at the Collateral Agent’s expense, (i) give the Collateral Agent and its representatives access during normal business hours to all Inventory consigned by the applicable Loan Party to the Third Party Franchisee, (ii) permit the Collateral Agent and its representatives to take possession and control of the Inventory consigned by the applicable Loan Party to the Third Party Franchisee, and to remove the Inventory from the premises of the Third Party Franchisee, (iii) to the extent not prohibited by applicable location occupancy agreements (such as leases), conduct “going out of business sales” and engage in similar activities with respect to the Inventory consigned by the applicable Loan Party to the Third Party Franchisee, and (iv) take all other commercially reasonable actions with respect to the Inventory consigned by the applicable Loan Party to the Third Party Franchisee that, upon Collateral Agent’s request, may be reasonably necessary to permit the Collateral Agent to exercise all of its rights and remedies with respect to the Lien on the Inventory consigned by such Loan Party to the Third Party Franchisee.

 

- 39 -

 

 

Third Party Franchisees” means, as of the Closing Date (or, with respect to the Liberty Parties, as of the Second Amendment Effective Date), the individuals and entities listed in Schedule 1.1 as “third party franchisees”, and thereafter, any additional individual or entity that meets the Third Party Franchisee Eligibility Requirements.

 

Total Leverage Ratio” means the ratio as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter or other date of determination of (a) Consolidated Total Debt as of such day, to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the four-Fiscal Quarter period ending on such date (or if such date of determination is not the last day of a Fiscal Quarter, for the four-Fiscal Quarter period ending as of the most recently concluded Fiscal Quarter).

 

Trade Announcements” has the meaning specified in Section 10.17.

 

Tranche A-1 Term Commitment” means, with respect to each Tranche A-1 Term Lender, the commitment of such Tranche A-1 Term Lender to make a Tranche A-1 Term Loan hereunder on the Closing Date, expressed as an amount representing the maximum principal amount of the Tranche A-1 Term Loans to be made by such Tranche A-1 Term Lender hereunder. The amount of each Lender’s Tranche A-1 Term Commitment is set forth on Appendix A or in the applicable Assignment Agreement, subject to any adjustment or reduction pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof. As of the Closing Date, the aggregate amount of the Tranche A-1 Term Commitments is $375,000,000.

 

Tranche A-1 Term Lender” means a Lender with an outstanding Tranche A-1 Term Commitment or an outstanding Tranche A-1 Term Loan.

 

Tranche A-1 Term Loan Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender, as of any date of determination, the outstanding principal amount of the Tranche A-1 Term Loan of such Lender; provided, that at any time prior to the making of the Tranche A-1 Term Loan, the Tranche A-1 Term Loan Exposure of any Lender shall be equal to such Lender’s Tranche A-1 Term Loan Commitment.

 

Tranche A-1 Term Loans” means the term loans made by the Lenders on the Closing Date pursuant to Section 2.01(a)(i).

 

Tranche A-1 Term Note” means a promissory note in the form of Exhibit J-1.

 

Tranche A-2 Term Commitment” means, with respect to each Tranche A-2 Term Lender, the commitment of such Tranche A-2 Term Lender to make a Tranche A-2 Term Loan hereunder on the Closing Date, expressed as an amount representing the maximum principal amount of the Tranche A-2 Term Loans to be made by such Tranche A-2 Term Lender hereunder. The amount of each Lender’s Tranche A-2 Term Commitment is set forth on Appendix A or in the applicable Assignment Agreement, subject to any adjustment or reduction pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof. As of the Closing Date, the aggregate amount of the Tranche A-2 Term Commitments is $200,000,000.

 

Tranche A-2 Term Lender” means a Lender with an outstanding Tranche A-2 Term Commitment or an outstanding Tranche A-2 Term Loan.

 

- 40 -

 

 

Tranche A-2 Term Loan Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender, as of any date of determination, the outstanding principal amount of the Tranche A-2 Term Loan of such Lender; provided, that at any time prior to the making of the Tranche A-2 Term Loan, the Tranche A-2 Term Loan Exposure of any Lender shall be equal to such Lender’s Tranche A-2 Term Loan Commitment.

 

Tranche A-2 Term Loans” means the term loans made by the Lenders on the Closing Date pursuant to Section 2.01(a)(ii).

 

Tranche A-2 Term Note” means a promissory note in the form of Exhibit J-2.

 

Transaction Costs” means the fees, costs, and expenses payable by the Loan Parties in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, the Acquisition Agreement, and the repayment of Existing Indebtedness.

 

Transactions” means the transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement, and the Loan Documents, including without limitation, (i) the consummation of the Acquisition, (ii) the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents, the creation of the Liens pursuant to the Collateral Documents and the initial borrowing of the Term Loan on the Closing Date, (iii) the repayment of Existing Indebtedness, and (iv) the payment of Transaction Costs.

 

Treasury Rate” shall mean a rate per annum (computed on the basis of actual days elapsed over a year of 365 days) determined by the Administrative Agent on the date three Business Days prior to the date of repayment, prepayment, refinancing or replacement of the principal amount of the Loan described in Section 2.12(b)(i), to be the yield expressed as a rate listed in The Wall Street Journal (or other information sources the Administrative Agent reasonably deems appropriate) for United States Treasury securities having a term to maturity closest to the then remaining term to the second anniversary of the Closing Date.

 

Type of Loan” means a Base Rate Loan or a LIBOR Rate Loan.

 

UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code (or any similar or equivalent legislation) as in effect in any applicable jurisdiction.

 

Ultimate Parent” means Franchise Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

Vitamin Holdings” means Valor Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

“Vitamin Intermediate Parent” means Franchise Group Newco V, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Vitamin Top Parent” means Franchise Group Intermediate V, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Waivable Mandatory Prepayment” has the meaning specified in Section 2.14(b).

 

Wholly Owned Subsidiary” shall mean, as to any person, (a) any corporation 100% of whose capital stock (other than directors’ qualifying shares or other nominal issuance in order to comply with local laws) is at the time owned by such person and/or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such person, and (b) any partnership, association, joint venture, limited liability company, or other entity in which such person and/or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such person have a 100% equity interest at such time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Liberty/Revolution Top Parent shall be deemed a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower so long as the only equity interests of Liberty/Revolution Top Parent that are not owned by the Borrower (or another Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower) are the Equity Grant.

 

Workers Comp L/C” means letter of credit number 68087802 issued on October 25, 2012 (as amended or replaced by a new or additional letter of credit from time to time) by Bank of America, N.A. for the benefit of ACE American Insurance Company.

 

- 41 -

 

 

Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, 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.

 

Section 1.02 Accounting and Other Terms.

 

(a) All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP; provided, that if Lead Borrower notifies Agents that Lead Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any Accounting Change occurring after the Closing Date or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if either Agent notifies Lead Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such Accounting Change or in the application thereof, then Agents and Lead Borrower agree that they will negotiate in good faith amendments to the provisions of this Agreement that are directly affected by such Accounting Change with the intent of having the respective positions of Lenders and Lead Borrower after such Accounting Change conform as nearly as possible to their respective positions immediately before such Accounting Change took effect and, until any such amendments have been agreed upon and agreed to by the Required Lenders, the provisions in this Agreement shall be calculated as if no such Accounting Change had occurred. When used herein, the term “financial statements” shall include the notes and schedules thereto. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, all financial statements delivered hereunder shall be prepared, and all financial covenants contained herein shall be calculated, without giving effect to any election under the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification Topic 825 (or any similar accounting principle) permitting a Person to value its financial liabilities or Indebtedness at the fair value thereof.

 

(b) Any terms used in this Agreement that are defined in the UCC shall be construed and defined as set forth in the UCC as in effect from time to time in the State of New York unless otherwise defined herein; provided, that to the extent that the UCC is used to define any term herein and such term is defined differently in different Articles of the UCC, the definition of such term contained in Article 9 of the UCC shall govern.

 

(c) All terms used in this Agreement which are defined in Article 8 or Article 9 of the UCC as in effect from time to time in the State of New York and which are not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings herein as set forth therein; provided, that terms used herein which are defined in the UCC as in effect in the State of New York on the date hereof shall continue to have the same meaning notwithstanding any replacement or amendment of such statute except as Collateral Agent may otherwise determine.

 

Section 1.03 Construction. Unless the context of this Agreement or any other Loan Document clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include the singular, references to the singular include the plural, the terms “includes” and “including” are not limiting, and the term “or” has, except where otherwise indicated, the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or.” The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and similar terms in this Agreement or any other Loan Document refer to this Agreement or such other Loan Document, as the case may be, as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement or such other Loan Document, as the case may be. Section, subsection, clause, schedule, and exhibit references herein are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. Any reference in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document to any agreement, instrument, or document shall include all alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements, thereto and thereof, as applicable (subject to any restrictions on such alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements set forth herein). 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. Any reference herein or in any other Loan Document to the satisfaction, repayment, or payment in full of the Obligations or Guaranteed Obligations shall mean (a) the payment or repayment in full in immediately available funds of (i) the principal amount of, and interest accrued and unpaid with respect to, all outstanding Loans, (ii) all costs, expenses, or indemnities payable pursuant to Section 10.02 or 10.03 of this Agreement that have accrued and are unpaid regardless of whether demand has been made therefor, and (iii) all fees or charges that have accrued hereunder or under any other Loan Document and are unpaid, (b) the receipt by Collateral Agent of cash collateral in order to secure any other contingent Obligations for which a claim or demand for payment has been made on or prior to such time or in respect of matters or circumstances known to an Agent or a Lender at such time that are reasonably expected to result in any loss, cost, damage, or expense (including attorneys’ fees and legal expenses), such cash collateral to be in such amount as Agents reasonably determine is appropriate to secure such contingent Obligations, (c) the payment or repayment in full in immediately available funds of all other outstanding Obligations (other than contingent reimbursement and indemnification obligations for which a claim has not been asserted), and (d) the termination of all of the Commitments of Lenders. Notwithstanding anything in the Agreement to the contrary, (y) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (z) all requests, rules, guidelines, or directives concerning capital adequacy 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 shall, in each case, be deemed to be enacted, adopted, issued, phased in, or effective after the date of this Agreement regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued, phased in, or effective.

 

- 42 -

 

 

Section 1.04 Time References. Unless the context of this Agreement or any other Loan Document clearly requires otherwise, all references to time of day refer to Eastern standard time or Eastern daylight saving time, as in effect in New York, New York on such day. For purposes of the computation of a period of time from a specified date to a later specified date, unless otherwise expressly provided, the word “from” means “from and including” and the words “to” and “until” each means “to and including;” provided, that with respect to computation of fees or interest payable to any Agent or any Lender, such period shall in any event consist of at least one full day.

 

Section 1.05 Effect of Benchmark Transition Event.

 

(a) Benchmark Replacement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, as applicable, Administrative Agent and Lead Borrower may amend this Agreement to replace the Adjusted LIBOR Rate with a Benchmark Replacement. Any such amendment with respect to a Benchmark Transition Event will become effective at 5:00 p.m. on the fifth (5th) Business Day after Administrative Agent has posted such proposed amendment to all Lenders and Lead Borrower so long as Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such amendment from Collateral Agent or Lenders comprising the Required Lenders. Any such amendment with respect to an Early Opt-in Election will become effective on the date that Collateral Agent and Lenders comprising the Required Lenders have delivered to Administrative Agent written notice that the Collateral Agent and such Required Lenders accept such amendment. No replacement of the Adjusted LIBOR Rate with a Benchmark Replacement pursuant to this Section 1.05 will occur prior to the applicable Benchmark Transition Start Date.

 

(b) Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. In connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, 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.

 

(c) Notices; Standards for Decisions and Determinations. Administrative Agent will promptly notify Lead Borrower and the Lenders of (i) any occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, as applicable, and its related Benchmark Replacement Date and Benchmark Transition Start Date, (ii) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, (iii) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes and (iv) the commencement or conclusion of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by Administrative Agent or Lenders pursuant to this Section titled “Effect of Benchmark Transition Event,” 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, 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 hereto, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section titled “Effect of Benchmark Transition Event.”

 

- 43 -

 

 

(d) Benchmark Unavailability Period. Upon Lead Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, Lead Borrower may revoke any request for a borrowing of LIBOR Rate Loans, conversion to or continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, Lead Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans. During any Benchmark Unavailability Period, the component of the Alternate Base Rate based upon the Adjusted LIBOR Rate will not be used in any determination of the Alternate Base Rate.

 

(e) Certain Defined Terms. As used in this Section titled “Effect of Benchmark Transition Event”:

 

(i) “Benchmark Replacement” means the sum of: (A) the alternate benchmark rate (which may include Term SOFR) that has been selected by Administrative Agent and Lead Borrower giving due consideration to (x) any selection or recommendation of a replacement rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (y) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a rate of interest as a replacement to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate for U.S. dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities and (B) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; provided that, if the Benchmark Replacement as so determined would be less than zero, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.

 

(ii) “Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of the Adjusted LIBOR Rate with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for each applicable Interest Period, 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 Administrative Agent and Lead Borrower giving due consideration to (A) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of the Adjusted LIBOR Rate with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body or (B) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of the Adjusted LIBOR Rate with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for U.S. dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time.

 

(iii) “Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Alternate Base Rate,” the definition of “Interest Period,” timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest and other administrative matters) that Administrative Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark Replacement and to permit the administration thereof by Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if any Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if any Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of the Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner of administration as Administrative Agent decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement).

 

(iv) “Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earlier to occur of the following events with respect to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate:

 

(A) in the case of clause (A) or (B) 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 the LIBOR Rate permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide the LIBOR Rate; or

 

- 44 -

 

 

(B) in the case of clause (C) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein.

 

(v) “Benchmark Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the LIBOR Rate:

 

(A) a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of the LIBOR Rate announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide the LIBOR Rate, permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the LIBOR Rate;

 

(B) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the LIBOR Rate, the U.S. Federal Reserve System, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for the LIBOR Rate, a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for the LIBOR Rate or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for the LIBOR Rate, which states that the administrator of the LIBOR Rate has ceased or will cease to provide the LIBOR Rate permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the LIBOR Rate; or

 

(C) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the LIBOR Rate announcing that the LIBOR Rate is no longer representative.

 

(vi) “Benchmark Transition Start Date” means (A) in the case of a Benchmark Transition Event, the earlier of (x) the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and (y) if such Benchmark Transition Event is a public statement or publication of information of a prospective event, the 90th day prior to the expected date of such event as of such public statement or publication of information (or if the expected date of such prospective event is fewer than 90 days after such statement or publication, the date of such statement or publication) and (B) in the case of an Early Opt-in Election, the date specified by Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, as applicable, by notice to Lead Borrower, Administrative Agent (in the case of such notice by the Required Lenders) and the Lenders.

 

(vii) “Benchmark Unavailability Period” means, if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate (or the LIBOR Rate component thereof) and solely to the extent that the Adjusted LIBOR Rate has not been replaced with a Benchmark Replacement, the period (A) beginning at the time that such Benchmark Replacement Date has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced the Adjusted LIBOR Rate for all purposes hereunder in accordance with the Section titled “Effect of Benchmark Transition Event” and (B) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced the Adjusted LIBOR Rate for all purposes hereunder pursuant to the Section titled “Effect of Benchmark Transition Event.”

 

(viii) “Early Opt-in Election” means the occurrence of:

 

(A) (x) a determination by Administrative Agent or (y) a notification by the Required Lenders to Administrative Agent (with a copy to Lead Borrower) that the Required Lenders have determined that U.S. dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities being executed at such time, or that include language similar to that contained in this Section titled “Effect of Benchmark Transition Event,” are being executed or amended, as applicable, to incorporate or adopt a new benchmark interest rate to replace the Adjusted LIBOR Rate, and

 

(B) (x) the election by Administrative Agent or (y) the election by the Required Lenders to declare that an Early Opt-in Election has occurred and the provision, as applicable, by Administrative Agent of written notice of such election to Lead Borrower and the Lenders or by the Required Lenders of written notice of such election to Administrative Agent.

 

- 45 -

 

 

(ix) “Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website” means the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source.

 

(x) “Relevant Governmental Body” means the Federal Reserve Board and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or any successor thereto.

 

(xi) “SOFR” with respect to any day means the secured overnight financing rate published for such day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as the administrator of the benchmark, (or a successor administrator) on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website.

 

(xii) “Term SOFR” means the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body.

 

(xiii) “Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the Benchmark Replacement excluding the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

 

Section 1.06 Fiscal Periods. Unless the context of this Agreement or any other Loan Document clearly requires otherwise, all references to a fiscal month, Fiscal Quarter or Fiscal Year ending on a certain date shall be deemed to refer to the fiscal month, Fiscal Quarter or Fiscal Year, respectively, ending on or closest to such date; provided that this Section 1.06 shall not apply to any references to fiscal months, fiscal quarters or fiscal years that are expressly stated to relate to any Person other than a Loan Party.

  

ARTICLE II

LOANS

  

Section 2.01 Term Loans.

 

(a) Loan Commitments.

 

(i) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Tranche A-1 Term Lender severally agrees to make, on the Closing Date, a Tranche A-1 Term Loan to Lead Borrower for the account of the Borrowers or to any other Borrower designated by the Lead Borrower in an amount equal to such Lender’s Tranche A-1 Term Commitment.

 

(ii) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Tranche A-2 Term Lender severally agrees to make, on the Closing Date, a Tranche A-2 Term Loan to Lead Borrower for the account of the Borrowers in an amount equal to such Lender’s Tranche A-2 Term Commitment.

 

Lead Borrower may only request one borrowing under the Term Loan Commitment which shall be on the Closing Date. Any amount borrowed under this Section 2.01(a) and subsequently repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. Subject to Section 2.11 and Section 2.12, all amounts owed hereunder with respect to the Term Loan shall be paid in full no later than the Maturity Date. Each Lender’s Term Loan Commitment shall terminate immediately and without further action on the Closing Date after giving effect to the funding of such Lender’s Term Loan Commitment on such date.

 

(b) Borrowing Mechanics for Term Loans.

 

(i) Lead Borrower shall deliver to Administrative Agent a fully executed Funding Notice no later than (A) if such Funding Notice requests a LIBOR Rate Loan, three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date or (B) if such Funding Notice requests a Base Rate Loan, two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, or, in each case, such later date as Administrative Agent may agree. Except as otherwise provided herein, a Funding Notice for a Term Loan that is a LIBOR Rate Loan shall be irrevocable on and after the related Interest Rate Determination Date, and Lead Borrower shall be bound to make a borrowing in accordance therewith. Promptly upon receipt by Administrative Agent of such Funding Notice, Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the proposed borrowing. Administrative Agent and Lenders (A) may act without liability upon the basis of written, facsimile, or telephonic notice believed by Administrative Agent in good faith to be from Lead Borrower (or from any Authorized Officer thereof designated in writing purportedly from Lead Borrower to Administrative Agent), (B) shall be entitled to rely conclusively on any Authorized Officer’s authority to request a Term Loan on behalf of Lead Borrower until Administrative Agent receives written notice to the contrary, and (C) shall have no duty to verify the authenticity of the signature appearing on any written Funding Notice.

 

- 46 -

 

 

(ii) Each Lender shall make its Term Loan available to Administrative Agent not later than noon (New York time) on the Closing Date, by wire transfer of same day funds in Dollars, at Administrative Agent’s Principal Office (as identified on Appendix B). Upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent specified herein, Administrative Agent shall make the proceeds of the Term Loans available to Lead Borrower by the close of business on the Closing Date by causing an amount of same day funds in Dollars equal to the proceeds of all such Loans received by Administrative Agent from Lenders to be credited (A) in the case of Loans made on the Closing Date, in accordance with the provisions of the Flow of Funds Agreement or (B) after the Closing Date, to the account of Lead Borrower at Administrative Agent’s Principal Office or to such other account as may be designated in writing to Administrative Agent by Lead Borrower.

 

Section 2.02 [Reserved].

 

Section 2.03 Protective Advances. Subject to the limitations set forth below, and whether or not an Event of Default or a Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Agent is authorized by the Loan Parties and Lenders, from time to time in such Agent’s sole discretion (but such Agent shall have absolutely no obligation to), to make disbursements or advances to the Loan Parties, which such Agent, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or desirable (a) to preserve or protect the Collateral, or any portion thereof, (b) to enhance the likelihood of, or maximize the amount of, repayment of the Loans and other Obligations, or (c) to pay any other amount chargeable to, or required to be paid by, the Loan Parties pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including, without limitation, payments of principal, interest, fees, and reimbursable expenses (any of such Loans are in this clause (c) referred to as “Protective Advances”). Protective Advances may be made even if the conditions precedent set forth in Article III have not been satisfied. The interest rate on all Protective Advances shall be at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin for the Tranche A-2 Term Loans. Protective Advances shall not exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate at any time without the prior written consent of Required Lenders. Each Protective Advance shall be secured by the Liens in favor of Collateral Agent in and to the Collateral and shall constitute Obligations hereunder. The Protective Advances shall constitute Obligations hereunder which may be charged to the Loan Account in accordance with Section 2.15(f). Borrower shall pay the unpaid principal amount and all unpaid and accrued interest of each Protective Advance on the earlier of the Maturity Date and the date that is three (3) Business Days following the date on which demand for payment is made by the applicable Agent. The applicable Agent shall notify each Lender and Lead Borrower in writing of each such Protective Advance, which notice shall include a description of the purpose of such Protective Advance. Without limitation to its obligations pursuant to Section 9.06, each Lender agrees that it shall make available to the applicable Agent, upon such Agent’s demand, in Dollars in immediately available funds, the amount equal to such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of each such Protective Advance. If such funds are not made available to the applicable Agent by such Lender, such Agent shall be entitled to recover such funds on demand from such Lender, together with interest thereon for each day from the date such payment was due until the date such amount is paid to the applicable Agent, at the Federal Funds Effective Rate for three (3) Business Days and thereafter at the Alternate Base Rate.

 

- 47 -

 

 

Section 2.04 Pro Rata Shares; Availability of Funds.

 

(a) Pro Rata Shares. All Loans shall be made by Lenders simultaneously and proportionately to their respective Pro Rata Shares, it being understood that no Lender shall be responsible for any default by any other Lender in such other Lender’s obligation to make a Loan requested hereunder, nor shall any Term Loan Commitment of any Lender be increased or decreased as a result of a default by any other Lender in such other Lender’s obligation to make a Loan requested hereunder.

 

(b) Availability of Funds. Unless Administrative Agent shall have been notified by any Lender prior to the Closing Date that such Lender does not intend to make available to Administrative Agent the amount of such Lender’s Loan requested on the Closing Date, Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such amount available to Administrative Agent on the Closing Date, and Administrative Agent may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, but shall not be obligated to, make available to Lead Borrower a corresponding amount on the Closing Date. If such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to Administrative Agent by such Lender, Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such corresponding amount on demand from such Lender together with interest thereon, for each day from the Closing Date until the date such amount is paid to Administrative Agent, at the customary rate set by Administrative Agent for the correction of errors among banks for three (3) Business Days and thereafter at the Alternate Base Rate. If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon Administrative Agent’s demand therefor, Administrative Agent shall promptly notify Lead Borrower, and Lead Borrower shall immediately pay such corresponding amount to Administrative Agent together with interest thereon, for each day from the Closing Date until the date such amount is paid to Administrative Agent, at the rate payable hereunder for Base Rate Loans for such Loans. Nothing in this Section 2.04(b) shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its Term Loan Commitments hereunder or to prejudice any rights that Borrower may have against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder.

 

Section 2.05 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Term Loans made on the Closing Date shall be applied by the Loan Parties (i) to consummate the Transactions (including, without limitation, to pay the Transaction Costs), (ii) to repay the Existing Indebtedness, and/or (iii) for general corporate purposes. No portion of the proceeds of any Credit Extension shall be used in any manner that causes or could reasonably be expected to cause such Credit Extension or the application of such proceeds to violate Regulation T, Regulation U, or Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other regulation thereof or to violate the Exchange Act.

 

Section 2.06 Evidence of Debt; Register; Lenders’ Books and Records; Term Notes.

 

(a) Lenders’ Evidence of Debt. Each Lender shall maintain on its internal records an account or accounts evidencing the Obligations of the Borrowers to such Lender, including the amounts of the Loans made by it and each repayment and prepayment in respect thereof. Any such recordation shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrowers, absent manifest error; provided, that the failure to make any such recordation, or any error in such recordation, shall not affect Borrowers’ Obligations in respect of any applicable Loans; provided further, that in the event of any inconsistency between the Register and any Lender’s records, the recordations in the Register shall govern.

 

- 48 -

 

 

(b) Register. Administrative Agent shall maintain at its Principal Office a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of Lenders and the principal amount of the Loans (and stated interest therein) of each Lender from time to time (the “Register”). The Register shall be available for inspection by Borrower at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. Administrative Agent shall record in the Register the Loans, and each repayment or prepayment in respect of the principal amount of the Loans, and any such recordation shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrowers and each Lender, absent manifest error; provided, that failure to make any such recordation, or any error in such recordation, shall not affect Borrowers’ Obligations in respect of any Loan. Each Borrower hereby designates the entity serving as Administrative Agent to serve as each Borrower’s non-fiduciary agent solely for purposes of maintaining the Register as provided in this Section 2.06, and Borrower hereby agrees that, to the extent such entity serves in such capacity, the entity serving as Administrative Agent and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates shall constitute “Indemnitees.”

 

(c) Term Notes. If so requested by any Lender by written notice to Lead Borrower (with a copy to Administrative Agent) at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, or at any time thereafter, each Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (and/or, if applicable and if so specified in such notice, to any Person who is an assignee of such Lender pursuant to Section 10.06) on the Closing Date or promptly thereafter (or, if such notice is delivered after the Closing Date, promptly after Lead Borrower’s receipt of such notice) a Tranche A-1 Term Note and/or a Tranche A-2 Term Note.

 

Section 2.07 Interest.

 

(a) Except as otherwise set forth herein, each Loan shall bear interest on the unpaid principal amount thereof from the date made through repayment (whether by acceleration or otherwise) thereof as follows:

 

(i) if a Base Rate Loan, at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin.

 

(ii) if a LIBOR Rate Loan, at the Adjusted LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable Margin.

 

(b) The basis for determining the rate of interest with respect to any Loan, and the Interest Period with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loan, shall be selected by Lead Borrower and notified to Administrative Agent and Lenders pursuant to the applicable Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice, as the case may be. If on any day a Loan is outstanding with respect to which a Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice has not been delivered to Administrative Agent in accordance with the terms hereof specifying the applicable basis for determining the rate of interest, then for that day such Loan shall be a Base Rate Loan.

 

(c) In connection with LIBOR Rate Loans there shall be no more than five Interest Periods outstanding at any time. In the event Lead Borrower fails to specify between a Base Rate Loan or a LIBOR Rate Loan in the applicable Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice, such Loan (if outstanding as a LIBOR Rate Loan) will be automatically converted into a Base Rate Loan on the last day of the then current Interest Period for such Loan (or if outstanding as a Base Rate Loan will remain as, or (if not then outstanding) will be made as, a Base Rate Loan). In the event Lead Borrower fails to specify an Interest Period for any LIBOR Rate Loan in the applicable Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice, Lead Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month. As soon as practicable after 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on each Interest Rate Determination Date, Administrative Agent shall determine (which determination shall, absent manifest error, be final, conclusive, and binding upon all parties) the interest rate that shall apply to the LIBOR Rate Loans for which an interest rate is then being determined for the applicable Interest Period and shall promptly give notice thereof to Lead Borrower and each Lender.

 

- 49 -

 

 

(d) Interest payable pursuant to Section 2.07(a) shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed, other than for Base Rate Loans which shall be calculated on the basis of a 365-day or 366-day year, as applicable, and actual days elapsed. In computing interest on any Loan, the date of the making of such Loan or the first day of an Interest Period applicable to such Loan or, with respect to a Base Rate Loan being converted from a LIBOR Rate Loan, the date of conversion of such LIBOR Rate Loan to such Base Rate Loan, as the case may be, shall be included, and the date of payment of such Loan or the expiration date of an Interest Period applicable to such Loan or, with respect to a Base Rate Loan being converted to a LIBOR Rate Loan, the date of conversion of such Base Rate Loan to such LIBOR Rate Loan, as the case may be, shall be excluded; provided, that if a Loan is repaid on the same day on which it is made, one day’s interest shall be paid on that Loan.

 

(e) Except as otherwise set forth herein, interest on each Loan shall be payable in cash and in arrears on and to (i) each Interest Payment Date applicable to that Loan, (ii) upon any prepayment of that Loan, whether voluntary or mandatory, to the extent accrued on the amount being prepaid, and (iii) at maturity, including final maturity.

 

(f) At any time that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, at the written election of any Agent or the Required Lenders, Lead Borrower no longer shall have the option to request that any portion of the Term Loan bear interest at a rate based upon the Adjusted LIBOR Rate.

 

Section 2.08 Conversion/Continuation.

 

(a) Subject to Section 2.17 and so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and then be continuing, Lead Borrower shall have the option:

 

(i) to convert at any time all or any part of any Term Loan equal to $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess of that amount from one Type of Loan to another Type of Loan; provided, that a LIBOR Rate Loan may only be converted on the expiration of the Interest Period applicable to such LIBOR Rate Loan unless the Loan Parties pay all amounts due under Section 2.17 in connection with any such conversion, or

 

(ii) upon the expiration of any Interest Period applicable to any LIBOR Rate Loan, to continue all or any portion of such Loan equal to $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess of that amount as a LIBOR Rate Loan.

 

(b) Lead Borrower shall deliver a Conversion/Continuation Notice to Administrative Agent no later than noon (New York time) at least two Business Days in advance of the proposed conversion date (in the case of a conversion to a Base Rate Loan) and at least three (3) Business Days in advance of the proposed conversion/continuation date (in the case of a conversion to, or a continuation of, a LIBOR Rate Loan). Except as otherwise provided herein, a Conversion/Continuation Notice for conversion to, or continuation of, any LIBOR Rate Loans (or telephonic notice in lieu thereof) shall be irrevocable on and after the related Interest Rate Determination Date, and Lead Borrower shall be bound to effect a conversion or continuation in accordance therewith.

 

- 50 -

 

 

Section 2.09 Default Interest. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the principal amount of all Loans outstanding and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any interest payments on the Loans or any fees or other amounts owed hereunder, shall thereafter bear interest (including any interest that accrues after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding), payable on demand at a rate that is 2.00% per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable hereunder with respect to the applicable Loans (or, in the case of any such fees and other amounts, at a rate which is 2.00% per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable hereunder for Base Rate Loans); provided, that in the case of LIBOR Rate Loans, upon the expiration of the Interest Period in effect at the time any such increase in interest rate is effective, such LIBOR Rate Loans shall thereupon become Base Rate Loans and shall thereafter bear interest payable upon demand at a rate which is 2.00% per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable hereunder for Base Rate Loans. Payment or acceptance of the increased rates of interest provided for in this Section 2.09 is not a permitted alternative to timely payment and shall not constitute a waiver of any Event of Default or otherwise prejudice or limit any rights or remedies of any Agent or any Lender.

 

Section 2.10 Fees.

 

(a) After the Liberty Trigger Date, if the Liberty Joinder Date has not occurred, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a ticking fee (the “Liberty Ticking Fee”) in dollars at a rate per annum equal to 100 basis points, increasing by 15 basis points every 15th day after the Closing Date, until the Liberty Joinder Date, of the aggregate principal amount of the Loans, payable monthly in arrears on the last Business Day of each fiscal month, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, calculated based upon the actual number of days elapsed over a 360-day year, accruing beginning on the Closing Date to but excluding the Liberty Joinder Date. The Liberty Ticking Fee shall be distributed each Lender in accordance with such Lender’s Pro Rata Share.

 

(a) [Reserved].

 

(b) Without duplication of any other fees set forth in this Section 2.10, the Borrowers agree to pay to Administrative Agent all fees payable by it in the Fee Letter in the amounts and at the times specified therein. The Fee Letter shall survive the termination of this Agreement until all Obligations are paid in full (other than contingent reimbursement and indemnification obligations for which a claim has not been asserted)

 

Section 2.11 Repayments of Loans and Commitment Reductions. The principal amounts of the Term Loans shall be repaid in equal quarterly installments (each, an “Installment”) on the last day of each Fiscal Quarter (each, an “Installment Date”), each in an amount equal to $6,250,000, commencing on June 30, 2020, with any outstanding principal amounts due and payable on the earlier of (a) the Maturity Date and (b) the date on which the Term Loans otherwise become due and payable in full pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) such Installments shall be reduced in connection with any voluntary or mandatory prepayments of the Term Loan in accordance with Sections 2.12 and 2.13, as applicable, and (ii) the Term Loans, together with all other amounts owed hereunder with respect thereto, shall, in any event, be paid in full no later than the Maturity Date. The full amount of each Installment shall be applied to the Tranche A-1 Term Loans until paid in full and thereafter to the Tranche A-2 Term Loans until paid in full.

 

Section 2.12 Voluntary Prepayments.

 

(a) Voluntary Prepayments.

 

(i) Any time and from time to time:

 

(A) with respect to Base Rate Loans, Borrower may prepay any such Loans on any Business Day in whole or in part, in an aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of that amount (or such lesser amount outstanding), and

 

- 51 -

 

 

(B) with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans, Borrower may prepay any such Loans on any Business Day in whole or in part (together with any amounts due pursuant to Section 2.17(c)) in an aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of that amount (or such lesser amount outstanding).

 

(ii) All such prepayments shall be made:

 

(A) upon not less than one Business Day’s prior written or telephonic notice in the case of Base Rate Loans, and

 

(B) upon not less than three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice in the case of LIBOR Rate Loans, in each case given to Administrative Agent by 10:00 a.m. (New York time) on the date required (and Administrative Agent will promptly transmit such notice for Term Loans to each Lender). Upon the giving of any such notice, unless such notice is expressly conditioned on the occurrence of another transaction, the principal amount of the Loans specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the prepayment date specified therein. Any such voluntary prepayment shall be applied as specified in Section 2.14(a).

 

(b) Call Protection.

 

(i) If all or any part of the principal balance of any Term Loan is paid on or prior to the third anniversary of the Closing Date for any reason (including, but not limited to, whether voluntary or mandatory (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, required amortization payments pursuant to Section 2.11 and mandatory prepayments required pursuant to Sections 2.13(e) and certain prepayments pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.13(g)), and whether before or after acceleration of the Obligations or the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding, but in any event (A) including any such prepayment in connection with (I) a Change of Control, (II) an acceleration of the Obligations as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, (III) foreclosure and sale of, or collection of, the Collateral, (IV) sale of the Collateral in any Insolvency Proceeding, (V) the restructure, reorganization, or compromise of the Obligations by the confirmation of a plan of reorganization or any other plan of compromise, restructure, or arrangement in any Insolvency Proceeding, or (VI) the termination of this Agreement for any reason, and (B) excluding any prepayment that is required to be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 2.11, 2.13(e) and certain prepayments pursuant to the provisions of 2.13(g) hereof), Borrowers shall pay to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of all Lenders entitled to a portion of such prepayment a premium as liquidated damages and compensation for the costs of being prepared to make funds available hereunder with respect to the Loans (the “Applicable Prepayment Premium”) equal to (1) with respect to prepayments made on or after the Closing Date but prior to the first anniversary of the Closing Date, the Make-Whole Premium or (2) thereafter, the amount of such prepayment multiplied by (x) two percent (2%), with respect to prepayments made after the first anniversary of the Closing Date but on or prior to the second anniversary of the Closing Date, (y) one percent (1%), with respect to prepayments made after the second anniversary of the Closing Date but on or prior to the third anniversary of the Closing Date, and (z) zero percent (0%), with respect to prepayments made after the third anniversary of the Closing Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, to the extent that any Non-Consenting Lender is replaced pursuant to Section 2.22 due to such Lender’s failure to approve a consent, waiver, or amendment, such Non-Consenting Lender, as the case maybe, shall be entitled to receive the Applicable Prepayment Premium in connection with such replacement or prepayment in the amount that would have been payable in respect of the Term Loans of such Non-Consenting Lender, as applicable, under this clause (b)(i) had such Term Loans been the subject of a voluntary prepayment at such time; provided, that after any such payment of the Applicable Prepayment Premium to such Non-Consenting Lender pursuant to this sentence, the Applicable Prepayment Premium with respect to that portion of the Term Loans shall be deemed fully satisfied, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this clause (b), the Borrower shall not be required to pay any additional premium on or after such date with respect to that portion of the Term Loans.

 

- 52 -

 

 

(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that if the Obligations are accelerated prior to the third anniversary of the Closing Date for any reason, including because of default, the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding or other proceeding pursuant to any applicable debtor relief laws, sale, disposition, or encumbrance (including that by operation of law or otherwise), the Applicable Prepayment Premium, determined as of the date of acceleration, will also be due and payable as though said Obligations were voluntarily prepaid as of such date and shall constitute part of the Obligations, in view of the impracticability and extreme difficulty of ascertaining actual damages and by mutual agreement of the parties as to a reasonable calculation of each Lender’s lost profits as a result thereof. The Applicable Prepayment Premium payable in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence shall be presumed to be the liquidated damages sustained by each Lender as the result of the early termination, and Borrowers agree that it is reasonable under the circumstances. The Applicable Prepayment Premium shall also be payable in the event the Obligations (and/or this Agreement or the Term Notes evidencing the Obligations) are satisfied or released by foreclosure (whether by power of judicial proceeding), deed in lieu of foreclosure, or by any other means. BORROWERS EXPRESSLY WAIVE THE PROVISIONS OF ANY PRESENT OR FUTURE STATUTE OR LAW THAT PROHIBITS OR MAY PROHIBIT THE COLLECTION OF THE FOREGOING APPLICABLE PREPAYMENT PREMIUM IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH ACCELERATION. The Borrower expressly agrees that: (A) the Applicable Prepayment Premium is reasonable and is the product of an arm’s length transaction between sophisticated business people, ably represented by counsel, (B) the Applicable Prepayment Premium shall be payable notwithstanding the then prevailing market rates at the time payment is made, (C) there has been a course of conduct between Lenders and Borrower giving specific consideration in this transaction for such agreement to pay the Applicable Prepayment Premium, and (D) Borrower shall be estopped hereafter from claiming differently than as agreed to in this paragraph. The Borrower expressly acknowledges that its agreement to pay the Applicable Prepayment Premium as herein described is a material inducement to the Lenders to provide the Commitments and make the Loans.

 

(iii) After the third anniversary of the Closing Date, no premiums shall be payable pursuant to this Section 2.12(b) in connection with any prepayments of the Term Loans other than LIBOR funding breakage costs as required under the terms of this Agreement.

 

Section 2.13 Mandatory Prepayments.

 

(a) Asset Sales. No later than the fifth Business Day following the date of receipt by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries of any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales (other than any Asset Sale of the type described in Section 6.09(a) through Section 6.09(d) or Section 6.09(f) through Section 6.09(o)), Lead Borrower shall prepay the Loans as set forth in Section 2.14(a) in an aggregate amount equal to such Net Proceeds; provided, that so long as (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing as of the date of such Asset Sale, (ii) Lead Borrower has delivered Administrative Agent prior written notice of Lead Borrower’s intention to apply such monies (the “Reinvestment Amounts”) to the costs of replacement of the properties or assets that are the subject of such sale or disposition or the cost of purchase or construction of other assets useful in the business of the Loan Parties or their Subsidiaries reinvested within twelve (12) months (or within eighteen (18) months following receipt thereof if a contractual commitment to reinvest is entered into within twelve (12) months following receipt thereof), following the date of such Asset Sale, (iii) the monies are held in a Deposit Account in which Collateral Agent has a perfected first-priority security interest, and (iv) the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries complete such replacement, purchase, or construction within 12 months after the initial receipt of such monies (or within eighteen (18) months following receipt thereof if a contractual commitment to reinvest is entered into within twelve (12) months following receipt thereof), the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries shall have the option to apply such monies, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,250,000 in any Fiscal Year, so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, to the costs of replacement of the assets that are the subject of such sale or disposition or the costs of purchase or construction of other assets useful in the business of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries unless and to the extent that such applicable period shall have expired without such replacement, purchase, or construction being made or completed, in which case, any amounts remaining in the cash collateral account shall be paid to Administrative Agent and applied in accordance with Section 2.14(a); provided further that, notwithstanding the foregoing proviso, all Net Proceeds from Refranchising Activity, any disposition of any of the Existing Businesses or a majority of the Capital Stock of any of the Existing Businesses or any store liquidation shall be applied in accordance with Section 2.14(a). Nothing contained in this Section 2.13(a) shall permit the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities) to sell or otherwise dispose of any assets other than in accordance with Section 6.09.

 

- 53 -

 

 

(b) Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds. No later than the fifth Business Day following the date of receipt by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or Collateral Agent as lender loss payee, of any Net Proceeds from insurance or any condemnation, taking, or other casualty, Lead Borrower shall prepay the Loans in an aggregate amount equal to such Net Proceeds; provided, that (i) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) Lead Borrower has delivered Administrative Agent prior written notice of Lead Borrower’s intention to apply the Reinvestment Amounts to the costs of replacement of the properties or assets that are the subject of such condemnation, taking, or other casualty or the cost of purchase or construction of other assets useful in the business of the Loan Parties or their Subsidiaries reinvested within twelve (12) months (or within 18 (eighteen) months following receipt thereof if a contractual commitment to reinvest is entered into within twelve (12) months following receipt thereof) following the date of the receipt of such Net Proceeds, (iii) the monies are held in a Deposit Account in which Collateral Agent has a perfected first-priority security interest, and (iv) the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries complete such replacement, purchase, or construction within twelve (12) months after the initial receipt of such monies (or within eighteen (18) months following receipt thereof if a contractual commitment to reinvest is entered into within twelve (12) months following receipt thereof), the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries shall have the option to apply such monies, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2,500,000 in any Fiscal Year, to the costs of replacement of the assets that are the subject of such condemnation, taking, or other casualty or the costs of purchase or construction of other assets useful in the business of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries unless and to the extent that such applicable period shall have expired without such replacement, purchase, or construction being made or completed, in which case, any amounts remaining in the cash collateral account shall be paid to Administrative Agent and applied in accordance with Section 2.14(a).

 

(c) Issuance of Equity Securities. On the date of receipt by any of the Loan Parties of Cash proceeds of Curative Equity, Lead Borrower shall prepay the Loans as set forth in Section 2.14(a) in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such proceeds, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and other reasonable costs and expenses associated therewith, in each case, paid to non-Affiliates, including reasonable legal fees and expenses.

 

(d) Issuance of Debt. On the date of receipt by any Loan Party of any Cash proceeds from the incurrence of any Indebtedness of any Loan Party (other than with respect to any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 6.01), Lead Borrower shall prepay the Loans as set forth in Section 2.14(a) in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such proceeds, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and other reasonable costs and expenses associated therewith, in each case, paid to non-Affiliates, including reasonable legal fees and expenses.

 

(e) Consolidated Excess Cash Flow. In the event that there shall be Consolidated Excess Cash Flow for any Fiscal Quarter (commencing with the first full Fiscal Quarter after the Closing Date), Borrower shall, no later than 60 days after the end of such Fiscal Quarter, prepay the Loans as set forth in Section 2.14(a) in an aggregate amount equal to the sum, if positive, of (A) fifty percent (50%) of Consolidated Excess Cash Flow for such Fiscal Quarter minus (B) the aggregate amount of all voluntary principal prepayments, to the extent actually made, of the Term Loan in accordance with this Agreement during such Fiscal Quarter (the sum of (A) and (B), the “ECF Payment Amount”).

 

(f) [Reserved].

 

- 54 -

 

 

(g) Extraordinary Receipts and Refranchising. On the date of receipt by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries of (i) any Extraordinary Receipts or (ii) any Net Proceeds attributable to any Refranchising Activity by a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, Lead Borrower shall prepay or cause to be prepaid Loans as set forth in Section 2.14(a) in the amount of such Extraordinary Receipts or Net Proceeds, as applicable; provided that, in the case of any Extraordinary Receipts not exceeding $1,250,000 in any Fiscal Year, if the Lead Borrower delivers to the Administrative Agent a certificate certifying that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of receipt of such Extraordinary Receipts, then no prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.13(g) shall be required in respect of such Extraordinary Receipts; provided further that up to $50,000,000 relating to Refranchising Activity under clause (ii) by any Loan Party and its Subsidiaries shall not be subject to the payment of call protection under Section 2.12(b).

 

(h) [Reserved].

 

(i) Excluded Entity Limitations. Mandatory prepayments from Excluded Entities’ Net Proceeds or Extraordinary Receipts shall not be required to the extent the loan documentation governing Indebtedness for borrowed money of such Excluded Entities restricts either the prepayment of the Obligations with such Net Proceeds or Extraordinary Receipts or the distribution or transfer of such Net Proceeds or Extraordinary Receipts to Loan Parties to enable the Loan Parties to prepay the Obligations, and any such restriction was not entered into in contemplation of the relevant transaction.

 

(j) Prepayment Certificate. Concurrently with any prepayment of the Loans pursuant to Sections 2.13(a) through 2.13(g), Lead Borrower shall deliver to Administrative Agent a certificate of an Authorized Officer demonstrating the calculation of the amount of the applicable net proceeds or Consolidated Excess Cash Flow and compensation owing to Lenders, if any, under Section 2.12(b). In the event that the actual amount received exceeded the amount set forth in such certificate, Lead Borrower shall promptly make an additional prepayment of the Loans, and Lead Borrower shall concurrently therewith deliver to Administrative Agent a certificate of an Authorized Officer demonstrating the derivation of such excess.

 

Section 2.14 Application of Prepayments/Reductions.

 

(a) Application of Prepayments of Term Loans. (i) Any prepayment of any Term Loan pursuant to Section 2.12 shall be applied (A) first, to the Tranche A-1 Term Loans until paid in full and (B) second, to the Tranche A-2 Term Loans until paid in full, in each case, as directed by the Lead Borrower (and absent such direction, in direct order of maturity thereof), and (ii) any mandatory prepayment of any Loan pursuant to Section 2.13 shall be applied (A) first, (x) with respect to mandatory prepayments made prior to the first anniversary of the Closing Date, to the Tranche A-1 Term Loans, ratably in inverse order of maturity thereof until paid in full and (y) with respect to mandatory prepayments made on or after the first anniversary of the Closing Date, to the Tranche A-1 Term Loans ratably in the inverse order of maturity thereof until paid in full and (B) second, to the Tranche A-2 Term Loans to the installments due thereunder (including at maturity) on pro rata basis until paid in full.

 

(b) Waivable Mandatory Prepayment. Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event the Loan Parties are required to make any mandatory prepayment (a “Waivable Mandatory Prepayment”) of the Term Loans, not less than three (3) Business Days prior to the date (the “Required Prepayment Date”) on which the Loan Parties are required to make such Waivable Mandatory Prepayment, Lead Borrower shall notify Administrative Agent of the amount of such prepayment, and Administrative Agent will promptly thereafter notify each Lender holding an outstanding Term Loan of the amount of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of such Waivable Mandatory Prepayment and such Lender’s option to refuse such amount. Each such Lender may exercise such option by giving written notice to Lead Borrower and Administrative Agent of its election to do so, or if it elects not to do so and other Lenders elect to exercise such option, if it elects to receive its pro rata share of the portion of such Waivable Mandatory Prepayment that such other Lenders have elected to refuse, in each case on or before the first Business Day prior to the Required Prepayment Date (it being understood that any Lender which does not notify Lead Borrower and Administrative Agent of its election to exercise such option on or before the first Business Day prior to the Required Prepayment Date shall be deemed to have elected, as of such date, not to exercise such option to refuse such Waivable Mandatory Prepayment and not to exercise the option to receive its pro rata share of the portion of such Waivable Mandatory Prepayment that other Lenders have elected to refuse, if any). On the Required Prepayment Date, Lead Borrower shall pay to Administrative Agent the amount of the Waivable Mandatory Prepayment, which amount shall be applied (i) in an amount equal to that portion of the Waivable Mandatory Prepayment payable to those Lenders that have elected not to exercise such option to refuse such Waivable Mandatory Prepayment, to prepay the Term Loans of such Lenders (which prepayment shall be applied to the scheduled Installments of principal of the Term Loan in accordance with Section 2.14(a)), (ii) to the extent of any excess, ratably to Lenders that have elected to receive the portion of such Waivable Mandatory Prepayment that such other Lenders have elected to refuse, until paid in full (which prepayment shall be applied to the scheduled Installments of principal of the Term Loan in accordance with Section 2.14(a)), and (iii) to the extent of any excess, to Lead Borrower for working capital and general corporate purposes.

 

- 55 -

 

 

(c) At any time an Application Event has occurred and is continuing, all payments shall be applied pursuant to Section 2.15(g). Nothing contained herein shall modify the provisions of Section 2.10(b) or Section 2.15(b) regarding the requirement that all prepayments be accompanied by accrued interest and fees on the principal amount being prepaid to the date of such prepayment, or any requirement otherwise contained herein to pay all other amounts as the same become due and payable.

 

Section 2.15 General Provisions Regarding Payments.

 

(a) All payments by a Borrower of principal, interest, fees, and other Obligations shall be made in Dollars in immediately available funds, without defense, recoupment, setoff, or counterclaim, free of any restriction or condition, and delivered to Administrative Agent, for the account of Lenders, not later than noon (New York time) to Administrative Agent’s Account; funds received by Administrative Agent after that time on such due date shall be deemed to have been paid by a Borrower on the next Business Day.

 

(b) All payments in respect of the principal amount of any Loan shall be accompanied by payment of accrued interest on the principal amount being repaid or prepaid and all other amounts payable with respect to the principal amount being repaid or prepaid.

 

(c) Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute to each Lender at such address as such Lender shall indicate in writing, such Lender’s applicable Pro Rata Share of all payments and prepayments of principal and interest due hereunder, together with all other amounts due with respect thereto, including, without limitation, all fees payable with respect thereto, to the extent received by Administrative Agent.

 

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions hereof, if any Conversion/Continuation Notice is withdrawn as to any Affected Lender or if any Affected Lender makes Base Rate Loans in lieu of its Pro Rata Share of any LIBOR Rate Loans, Administrative Agent shall give effect thereto in apportioning payments received thereafter.

 

(e) Subject to the provisos set forth in the definition of “Interest Period,” whenever any payment to be made hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day that is not a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall be included in the computation of the payment of interest hereunder.

 

(f) Administrative Agent shall deem any payment by or on behalf of a Borrower hereunder that is not made in same day funds prior to noon (New York time) to be a non-conforming payment. Any such payment shall not be deemed to have been received by Administrative Agent until the later of (i) the time such funds become available funds and (ii) the applicable next Business Day. Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice to Lead Borrower and each applicable Lender if any payment is non-conforming. Any non-conforming payment may constitute or become a Default or Event of Default in accordance with the terms of Section 8.01(a). Interest shall continue to accrue on any principal as to which a non-conforming payment is made until such funds become available funds (but in no event less than the period from the date of such payment to the next succeeding applicable Business Day) at the Default Rate determined pursuant to Section 2.09 from the date such amount was due and payable until the date such amount is paid in full.

 

- 56 -

 

 

(g) At any time an Application Event has occurred and is continuing, or the maturity of the Obligations shall have been accelerated pursuant to Section 8.01, all payments or proceeds received by any Agent hereunder or under any Collateral Document in respect of any of the Obligations, including, but not limited, to all proceeds received by any Agent in respect of any sale, any collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral, shall be applied in full or in part as follows:

 

(i) first, ratably to pay the Obligations in respect of any fees (other than the Applicable Prepayment Premium), expense reimbursements, indemnities, and other amounts then due and payable to the Agents until paid in full,

 

(ii) second, ratably to pay interest then due and payable in respect of Protective Advances until paid in full,

 

(iii) third, ratably to pay principal of Protective Advances then due and payable until paid in full,

 

(iv) fourth, ratably to pay the Obligations in respect of the Applicable Prepayment Premium then due and payable to Lenders with a Term Loan until paid in full, and

 

(v) fifth, to the ratable payment of all other Obligations then due and payable until paid in full.

 

(h) For purposes of Section 2.15(g) “paid in full” means payment in cash of all amounts owing under the Loan Documents according to the terms thereof, including loan fees, service fees, professional fees, interest (and specifically including any interest that accrues after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding), default interest, interest on interest, and expense reimbursements, regardless of whether the same would be or is allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding.

 

(i) In the event of a direct conflict between the priority provisions of Section 2.15(g) and other provisions contained in any other Loan Document, it is the intention of the parties hereto that both such priority provisions in such documents shall be read together and construed, to the fullest extent possible, to be in concert with each other. In the event of any actual, irreconcilable conflict that cannot be resolved as aforesaid, the terms and provisions of Section 2.15(g) shall control and govern.

 

Section 2.16 Ratable Sharing. Lenders hereby agree among themselves that, except as otherwise provided in the Collateral Documents with respect to amounts realized from the exercise of rights with respect to Liens on the Collateral, if any of them shall, whether by voluntary payment (other than a voluntary prepayment of Loans made and applied in accordance with the terms hereof), through the exercise of any right of set-off or banker’s lien, by counterclaim or cross action, or by the enforcement of any right under the Loan Documents or otherwise, or as adequate protection of a deposit treated as cash collateral under the Bankruptcy Code, receive payment or reduction of a proportion of the aggregate amount of principal, interest, fees, and other amounts then due and owing to such Lender hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (collectively, the “Aggregate Amounts Due” to such Lender) which is greater than the proportion received by any other Lender in respect of the Aggregate Amounts Due to such other Lender, then the Lender receiving such proportionately greater payment shall (a) notify Administrative Agent and each other Lender of the receipt of such payment and (b) apply a portion of such payment to purchase participations (which it shall be deemed to have purchased from each seller of a participation simultaneously upon the receipt by such seller of its portion of such payment) in the Aggregate Amounts Due to the other Lenders so that all such recoveries of Aggregate Amounts Due shall be shared by all Lenders in proportion to the Aggregate Amounts Due to them; provided, that if all or part of such proportionately greater payment received by such purchasing Lender is thereafter recovered from such Lender upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of Borrower or otherwise, those purchases shall be rescinded and the purchase prices paid for such participations shall be returned to such purchasing Lender ratably to the extent of such recovery, but without interest. Each Loan Party expressly consents to the foregoing arrangement and agrees that any holder of a participation so purchased may exercise any and all rights of banker’s lien, set-off, or counterclaim with respect to any and all monies owing by such Loan Party to that holder with respect thereto as fully as if that holder were owed the amount of the participation held by that holder.

 

- 57 -

 

 

Section 2.17 Making or Maintaining LIBOR Rate Loans.

 

(a) Inability to Determine Applicable Interest Rate. In the event that Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto), on any Interest Rate Determination Date with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loans, that by reason of circumstances affecting the London interbank market adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining the interest rate applicable to such LIBOR Rate Loans on the basis provided for in the definition of Adjusted LIBOR Rate, Administrative Agent shall on such date give notice to Lead Borrower and each Lender of such determination, whereupon (i) no Loans may be made as, or converted to, LIBOR Rate Loans until such time as Administrative Agent notifies Lead Borrower and Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, and (ii) any Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice given by Lead Borrower with respect to the Loans in respect of which such determination was made shall be deemed to be rescinded by Lead Borrower.

 

(b) Illegality or Impracticability of LIBOR Rate Loans. In the event that on any date any Lender shall have determined (which determination shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto but shall be made only after consultation with Lead Borrower and Administrative Agent) that the making, maintaining, or continuation of its LIBOR Rate Loans (i) has become unlawful as a result of compliance by such Lender in good faith with any law, treaty, governmental rule, regulation, guideline, or order (or would conflict with any such treaty, governmental rule, regulation, guideline, or order not having the force of law even though the failure to comply therewith would not be unlawful), or (ii) has become impracticable, as a result of contingencies occurring after the date hereof which materially and adversely affect the London interbank market or the position of such Lender in that market, then, and in any such event, such Lender shall be an “Affected Lender,” and it shall on that day give notice (by facsimile or by telephone confirmed in writing) to Lead Borrower and Administrative Agent of such determination (which notice Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each other Lender). Thereafter, (A) the obligation of the Affected Lender to make Loans as, or to convert Loans to, LIBOR Rate Loans shall be suspended until such notice shall be withdrawn by the Affected Lender, (B) to the extent such determination by the Affected Lender relates to a LIBOR Rate Loan then being requested by Lead Borrower pursuant to a Funding Notice or a Conversion/Continuation Notice, the Affected Lender shall make such Loan as (or continue such Loan as or convert such Loan to, as the case may be) a Base Rate Loan, (C) the Affected Lender’s obligation to maintain its outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans (the “Affected Loans”) shall be terminated at the earlier to occur of the expiration of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the Affected Loans or when required by law, and (D) the Affected Loans shall automatically convert into Base Rate Loans on the date of such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent a determination by an Affected Lender as described above relates to a LIBOR Rate Loan then being requested by Lead Borrower pursuant to a Funding Notice or a Conversion/Continuation Notice, Lead Borrower shall have the option, subject to the provisions of Section 2.17(c), to rescind such Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice as to all Lenders by giving notice to Administrative Agent of such rescission on the date on which the Affected Lender gives notice of its determination as described above (which notice of rescission Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each other Lender). Except as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, nothing in this Section 2.17(b) shall affect the obligation of any Lender other than an Affected Lender to make or maintain Loans as, or to convert Loans to, LIBOR Rate Loans in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

- 58 -

 

 

(c) Compensation for Breakage or Non-Commencement of Interest Periods. Lead Borrower shall compensate each Lender, upon written request by such Lender (which request shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis for requesting such amounts), for all reasonable losses, expenses, and liabilities (including any interest paid or calculated to be due and payable by such Lender to lenders of funds borrowed by it to make or carry its LIBOR Rate Loans and any loss, expense, or liability sustained by such Lender in connection with the liquidation or reemployment of such funds but excluding loss of anticipated profits) which such Lender may sustain: (i) if for any reason (other than a default by such Lender) a borrowing of any LIBOR Rate Loan does not occur on a date specified therefor in a Funding Notice or a telephonic request for borrowing, or a conversion to or continuation of any LIBOR Rate Loan does not occur on a date specified therefor in a Conversion/Continuation Notice or a telephonic request for conversion or continuation, (ii) if any prepayment or other principal payment of, or any conversion of, any of its LIBOR Rate Loans occurs on any day other than the last day of an Interest Period applicable to that Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise), or (iii) if any prepayment of any of its LIBOR Rate Loans is not made on any date specified in a notice of prepayment given by Lead Borrower.

 

(d) Booking of LIBOR Rate Loans. Any Lender may make, carry, or transfer LIBOR Rate Loans at, to, or for the account of any of its branch offices or the office of an Affiliate of such Lender.

 

(e) Assumptions Concerning Funding of LIBOR Rate Loans. Calculation of all amounts payable to a Lender under this Section 2.17 and under Section 2.18 shall be made as though such Lender had actually funded each of its relevant LIBOR Rate Loans through the purchase of a LIBOR deposit bearing interest at the rate obtained pursuant to clause (a)(i) of the definition of Adjusted LIBOR Rate in an amount equal to the amount of such LIBOR Rate Loan and having a maturity comparable to the relevant Interest Period and through the transfer of such LIBOR deposit from an offshore office of such Lender to a domestic office of such Lender in the United States of America; provided, that each Lender may fund each of its LIBOR Rate Loans in any manner it sees fit, and the foregoing assumptions shall be utilized only for the purposes of calculating amounts payable under this Section 2.17 and under Section 2.18.

 

Section 2.18 Increased Costs.

 

(a) Compensation For Increased Costs and Taxes. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.19 (which shall be controlling with respect to the matters covered thereby), in the event that any Lender shall determine (which determination shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto) that any law, treaty, or governmental rule, regulation, or order, or any change therein or in the interpretation, administration, or application thereof (including the introduction of any new law, treaty, or governmental rule, regulation, or order), or any determination of a court or Governmental Authority, in each case that becomes effective after the date hereof, or compliance by such Lender with any guideline, request, or directive issued or made after the date hereof by any central bank or other governmental or quasi-Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of law): (i) subjects such Lender (or its applicable lending office) to any additional Tax (other than Indemnified Tax or any Tax described under clauses (ii) through (iv) of Section 2.19(a)) with respect to this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or any of its obligations hereunder or thereunder or any payments to such Lender (or its applicable lending office) of principal, interest, fees or any other amounts payable hereunder, (ii) imposes, modifies, or holds applicable any reserve (including any marginal, emergency, supplemental, special, or other reserve), special deposit, compulsory loan, FDIC insurance, or similar requirement against assets held by, or deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of, or advances or loans by, or other credit extended by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any office of such Lender (other than any such reserve or other requirements with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans that are reflected in the definition of Adjusted LIBOR Rate), or (iii) imposes any other condition (other than with respect to a Tax matter) on or affecting such Lender (or its applicable lending office) or its obligations hereunder or the London interbank market; and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender of agreeing to make, making, or maintaining Loans hereunder or to reduce any amount received or receivable by such Lender (or its applicable lending office) with respect thereto; then, in any such case, Lead Borrower shall promptly pay to such Lender, upon receipt of the statement referred to in the next sentence, such additional amount or amounts (in the form of an increased rate of, or a different method of calculating, interest or otherwise as such Lender shall determine in its reasonable discretion) as may be necessary to compensate such Lender for any such increased cost or reduction in amounts received or receivable hereunder. Such Lender shall deliver to Lead Borrower (with a copy to Administrative Agent) a written statement, setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for calculating the additional amounts owed to such Lender under this Section 2.18(a), which statement shall be conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto absent manifest error.

 

- 59 -

 

 

Section 2.19 Taxes; Withholding, etc.

 

(a) Withholding of Taxes. All sums payable by any Loan Party hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall (except to the extent required by applicable law) be paid free and clear of, and without any deduction or withholding on account of, any Tax, other than (i) Taxes imposed on or measured by the recipient’s net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, imposed on the recipient, in each case, (A) as a result of such recipient being organized under the laws of, having its principal office in, or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office is located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof), or (B) as the result of any present or former connection between such recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections 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, or engaged in any other transaction pursuant to, or enforced any, Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document) (Taxes described in this clause (i)(B), “Other Connection Taxes”), (ii) in the case of a Lender, United States federal income withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (x) such Lender becomes a party hereto or acquires an interest in the Loan (other than pursuant to an assignment request by a Loan Party under Section 2.22), or (y) such Lender changes its lending office, except that this clause (ii) shall not apply to the extent that, pursuant to this Section 2.19, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (iii) Taxes attributable to such recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.19(d), and (iv) withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA (all such excluded Taxes, collectively or individually, “Excluded Taxes” and all such non-excluded Taxes, collectively or individually, “Indemnified Taxes”). If any Loan Party or any other Person is required by applicable law to make any deduction or withholding on account of any Indemnified Tax or Other Tax from any sum paid or payable by any Loan Party to any Agent or any Lender under any of the Loan Documents: (1) Lead Borrower shall notify Administrative Agent of any such requirement as soon as reasonably practicable after Lead Borrower becomes aware of it, (2) Lead Borrower shall timely pay any such Tax, (3) the sum payable by such Loan Party shall be increased to the extent necessary to ensure that, after the making of that deduction, withholding, or payment (including any deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section), such Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, receives on the due date an amount equal to what it would have received had no such deduction, withholding, or payment been required or made, and (4) within thirty days after paying any sum from which it is required by law to make any deduction or withholding, Lead Borrower shall deliver to Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by the applicable 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.

 

(b) Other Taxes. The Loan Parties shall pay to the relevant Governmental Authorities any present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other 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 2.22) (“Other Taxes”). Within thirty days after paying any such Other Taxes, each Loan Party shall deliver to 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.

 

- 60 -

 

 

(c) Tax Indemnification. The Loan Parties hereby jointly and severally indemnify and agree to hold each Agent and Lender harmless from and against all Indemnified Taxes and (without duplication) Other Taxes (including, without limitation, Indemnified Taxes and Other Taxes imposed on any amounts payable under this Section 2.19) payable or paid by such Person or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Person and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. Such indemnification shall be paid within ten (10) days from the date on which any Agent or Lender makes written demand therefor specifying in reasonable detail the nature and amount of such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower 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.

 

(d) Evidence of Exemption From or Reduction of U.S. Withholding Tax.

 

(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 a Loan Party and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by a Loan Party or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by a Loan Party 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 a Loan Party or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by a Loan Party or the Administrative Agent as will enable a Loan Party 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 paragraphs (ii), (iv) and (v) of this Section) 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) Each Lender that is not a United States Person (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code) for United States federal income Tax purposes (a “Non-US Lender”) shall deliver to Administrative Agent (for transmission to Borrower upon Borrower’s written request), on or prior to the Closing Date (in the case of each Lender listed on the signature pages hereof on the Closing Date) or on or prior to the date such Person becomes a Lender hereunder, and at such other times as may be necessary in the determination of Administrative Agent (in its reasonable exercise of its discretion) or upon the reasonable request of a Loan Party, (i) two original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY (with appropriate attachments), W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, or W-8ECI (or any successor forms), as applicable, properly completed and duly executed by such Lender to establish that such Lender is not subject to, or is subject to a reduced rate of, deduction or withholding of United States federal income Tax with respect to any payments to such Lender of principal, interest, fees, or other amounts payable under any of the Loan Documents, and (ii) if such Lender is claiming exemption from United States federal income Tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, a Certificate Regarding Non-Bank Status, properly completed and duly executed by such Lender. Each Lender required to deliver any forms or certificates with respect to United States federal income Tax withholding matters pursuant to this Section 2.19(d) hereby agrees, from time to time after the initial delivery by such Lender of such forms or certificates, whenever a lapse in time or change in circumstances renders such forms or certificates obsolete or inaccurate in any material respect, that such Lender shall deliver to Administrative Agent (for transmission to Borrower) two new original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY (with appropriate attachments thereto), W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, or W-8ECI, as applicable, and, if applicable, a Certificate Regarding Non-Bank Status (or any successor forms), as the case may be, properly completed and duly executed by such Lender, or promptly notify Administrative Agent and Borrower of its inability to deliver any such forms or certificates. Notwithstanding the above, a Non-US Lender shall not be required to deliver any form pursuant to this Section 2.19(d)(ii) that such Non-US Lender is not legally able to deliver.

 

- 61 -

 

 

(iii) Any Non-US Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or about the date on which such Non-US Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of a Loan Party 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 United States federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit a Loan Party or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.

 

(iv) If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to United States 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 Internal Revenue Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to Borrower and Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by a Loan Party or Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by a Loan Party or Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Loan Party and 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 Section 2.19(d)(iv), FATCA shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the above, a Lender shall not be required to deliver any form or other form of documentation pursuant to this Section 2.19(d)(iv) that such Non-US Lender is not legally able to deliver.

 

(v) Each Lender that is a United States Person (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code) for United States federal income Tax purposes shall deliver to Administrative Agent (for transmission to Borrower), on or prior to the Closing Date (in the case of each such Lender listed on the signature pages hereof on the Closing Date) or on or prior to the date such Person becomes a Lender hereunder, and at such other times as may be necessary in the determination of Administrative Agent (in its reasonable exercise of its discretion) or upon the reasonable request of a Loan Party, two original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 (or any successor forms) properly completed and duly executed by such Lender to establish that such Lender is not subject to United States backup withholding Taxes with respect to any payments to such Lender of principal, interest, fees, or other amounts payable under any of the Loan Documents.

 

(e) 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 2.19 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.19), 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 2.19 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 (e) (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 (e), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (e) 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 with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph 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.

 

- 62 -

 

 

(f) Survival. Each party’s obligations under this Section 2.19 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.

 

(g) For purposes of this Section 2.19, “applicable law” shall include FATCA.

 

Section 2.20 Obligation to Mitigate. Each Lender agrees that, as promptly as practicable after the officer of such Lender responsible for administering its Loans, as the case may be, becomes aware of the occurrence of an event or the existence of a condition that would cause such Lender to become an Affected Lender or that would entitle such Lender to receive payments under Section 2.17, 2.18, or 2.19, it will, to the extent not inconsistent with the internal policies of such Lender and any applicable legal or regulatory restrictions, use reasonable efforts to (a) make, issue, fund, or maintain its Credit Extensions, including any Affected Loans, through another office of such Lender or (b) take such other measures as such Lender may deem reasonable, if as a result thereof the circumstances which would cause such Lender to be an Affected Lender would cease to exist or the additional amounts which would otherwise be required to be paid to such Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, 2.18, or 2.19 would be materially reduced and if, as determined by such Lender in its sole discretion, the making, funding, or maintaining of such Loans through such other office or in accordance with such other measures, as the case may be, would not otherwise adversely affect such Loans or the interests of such Lender; provided, that such Lender will not be obligated to utilize such other office pursuant to this Section 2.20 unless Lead Borrower agrees to pay all incremental expenses incurred by such Lender as a result of utilizing such other office as described above. A certificate as to the amount of any such expenses payable by Lead Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.20 (setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for requesting such amount) submitted by such Lender to Lead Borrower (with a copy to Administrative Agent) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

Section 2.21 Defaulting Lenders. Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that any Lender violates any provision of Section 9.05(c), or, other than at the direction or request of any regulatory agency or authority, defaults (in each case, a “Defaulting Lender”) in its obligation to fund (a “Funding Default”) any Term Loan (in each case, a “Defaulted Loan”), then (a) during any Default Period with respect to such Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender shall be deemed not to be a “Lender” for purposes of voting on any matters (including the granting of any consents or waivers) with respect to any of the Loan Documents, and (b) to the extent permitted by applicable law, until such time as the Default Excess, if any, with respect to such Defaulting Lender shall have been reduced to zero, (i) any voluntary prepayment of the Term Loans shall, if Administrative Agent so directs at the time of making such voluntary prepayment, be applied to the Term Loans of other Lenders as if such Defaulting Lender had no Term Loans outstanding and the outstanding Term Loans of such Defaulting Lender were zero and (ii) any mandatory prepayment of the Term Loans shall, if Administrative Agent so directs at the time of making such mandatory prepayment, be applied to the Term Loans of other Lenders (but not to the Term Loans of such Defaulting Lender) as if such Defaulting Lender had funded all Defaulted Loans of such Defaulting Lender, it being understood and agreed that Borrower shall be entitled to retain any portion of any mandatory prepayment of the Term Loans that is not paid to such Defaulting Lender solely as a result of the operation of the provisions of this clause (b). No Term Loan Commitment of any Lender shall be increased or otherwise affected, and, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Section 2.21, performance by the Loan Parties of their obligations hereunder and the other Loan Documents shall not be excused or otherwise modified as a result of any Funding Default or the operation of this Section 2.21. The rights and remedies against a Defaulting Lender under this Section 2.21 are in addition to other rights and remedies which the Loan Parties may have against such Defaulting Lender with respect to any Funding Default and which Administrative Agent or any Lender may have against such Defaulting Lender with respect to any Funding Default or violation of Section 9.05(c).

 

- 63 -

 

 

Section 2.22 Removal or Replacement of a Lender. Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that: (a) (i) any Lender (an “Increased Cost Lender”) shall give notice to Lead Borrower that such Lender is an Affected Lender or that such Lender is entitled to receive payments under Section 2.18, 2.19, or 2.20, (ii) the circumstances which have caused such Lender to be an Affected Lender or which entitle such Lender to receive such payments shall remain in effect, and (iii) such Lender shall fail to withdraw such notice within five Business Days after Lead Borrower’s request for such withdrawal, (b) (i) any Lender shall become a Defaulting Lender, (ii) the Default Period for such Defaulting Lender shall remain in effect, and (iii) such Defaulting Lender shall fail to cure the default as a result of which it has become a Defaulting Lender within five Business Days after Lead Borrower’s request that it cure such default, or (c) in connection with any proposed amendment, modification, termination, waiver, or consent with respect to any of the provisions hereof as contemplated by Section 10.05(b), the consent of Administrative Agent and Required Lenders shall have been obtained but the consent of one or more of such other Lenders (each a “Non-Consenting Lender”) whose consent is required shall not have been obtained; then, with respect to each such Increased Cost Lender, Defaulting Lender, or Non-Consenting Lender (the “Terminated Lender”), (x) Administrative Agent may (except as to any Increased Cost Lender), by giving written notice to Lead Borrower and any Terminated Lender of its election to do so, and (y) the Lead Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent and any Terminated Lender, in the case of each of clauses (x) and (y), require such Terminated Lender (and such Terminated Lender hereby irrevocably agrees) to assign its outstanding Loans and Commitments, if any, in full to one or more Eligible Assignees (each a “Replacement Lender”) in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.06, and Terminated Lender shall pay any fees payable thereunder in connection with such assignment; provided, that (A) on the date of such assignment, the Replacement Lender shall pay to Terminated Lender an amount equal to the sum of (1) an amount equal to the principal of, and all accrued interest on, all outstanding Loans of the Terminated Lender, together with, in the case of a Non-Consenting Lender, the Applicable Prepayment Premium with respect thereto (as if such Loans had been prepaid to such Non-Consenting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12 hereof) and (2) an amount equal to all accrued, but theretofore unpaid fees owing to such Terminated Lender pursuant to Section 2.10, (B) on the date of such assignment, Lead Borrower shall pay any amounts payable to such Terminated Lender pursuant to Section 2.18 or 2.19, (C) in the event such Terminated Lender is a Non-Consenting Lender, each Replacement Lender shall consent, at the time of such assignment, to each matter in respect of which such Terminated Lender was a Non-Consenting Lender. Upon the prepayment of all amounts owing to any Terminated Lender and the termination of such Terminated Lender’s Commitments, if any, such Terminated Lender shall no longer constitute a “Lender” for purposes hereof; provided, that any rights of such Terminated Lender to indemnification hereunder shall survive as to such Terminated Lender, and (D) the Administrative Agent shall take all actions reasonably required to effect any assignment that the Lead Borrower may require pursuant to, and in compliance with, this Section 2.22.

 

Section 2.23 Joint and Several Liability.

 

(a) Each Borrower is accepting joint and several liability hereunder and under the other Loan Documents in consideration of the financial accommodations to be provided by Agents and Lenders under this Agreement, for the mutual benefit, directly and indirectly, of each Borrower and in consideration of the undertakings of the other Borrower to accept joint and several liability for the Obligations.

 

(b) Each Borrower, jointly and severally, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally accepts, not merely as a surety but also as a co-debtor, joint and several liability with the other Borrower, with respect to the payment and performance of all of the Obligations (including any Obligations arising under this Section 2.23), it being the intention of the parties hereto that all the Obligations shall be the joint and several obligations of each Borrower without preferences or distinction among them. Accordingly, each Borrower hereby waives any and all suretyship defenses that would otherwise be available to such Borrower under applicable law.

 

- 64 -

 

 

(c) If and to the extent that any Borrower shall fail to make any payment with respect to any of the Obligations as and when due, whether upon maturity, acceleration, or otherwise, or to perform any of the Obligations in accordance with the terms thereof, then in each such event the other Borrower will make such payment with respect to, or perform, such Obligations until such time as all of the Obligations are paid in full, and without the need for demand, protest, or any other notice or formality.

 

(d) The Obligations of each Borrower under the provisions of this Section 2.23 constitute the absolute and unconditional, full recourse Obligations of each Borrower enforceable against each Borrower to the full extent of its properties and assets, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the provisions of this Agreement (other than this Section 2.23(d)) or any other circumstances whatsoever.

 

(e) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, each Borrower hereby waives presentments, demands for performance, protests and notices, including notices of acceptance of its joint and several liability, notice of any portion of the Term Loans issued under or pursuant to this Agreement, notice of the occurrence of any Default, Event of Default, notices of nonperformance, notices of protest, notices of dishonor, notices of acceptance of this Agreement, notices of the existence, creation, or incurring of new or additional Obligations or other financial accommodations or of any demand for any payment under this Agreement, notice of any action at any time taken or omitted by Administrative Agent or Lenders under or in respect of any of the Obligations, any right to proceed against any other Borrower or any other Person, to proceed against or exhaust any security held from any other Borrower or any other Person, to protect, secure, perfect, or insure any security interest or Lien on any property subject thereto or exhaust any right to take any action against any other Borrower, any other Person, or any collateral, to pursue any other remedy in Administrative Agent or any Lender’s power whatsoever, any requirement of diligence or to mitigate damages and, generally, to the extent permitted by applicable law, all demands, notices and other formalities of every kind in connection with this Agreement (except as otherwise provided in this Agreement), any right to assert against Administrative Agent or any Lender, any defense (legal or equitable) (other than performance), set-off, counterclaim, or claim which each Borrower may now or at any time hereafter have against any other Borrower or any other party liable to Administrative Agent or any Lender, any defense (other than performance), set-off, counterclaim, or claim, of any kind or nature, arising directly or indirectly from the present or future lack of perfection, sufficiency, validity, or enforceability of the Obligations or any security therefor, and any right or defense arising by reason of any claim or defense based upon an election of remedies by Administrative Agent or any Lender including any defense based upon an impairment or elimination of such Borrower’s rights of subrogation, reimbursement, contribution, or indemnity of such Borrower against any other Borrower. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Borrower hereby assents to, and waives notice of, any extension or postponement of the time for the payment of any of the Obligations, the acceptance of any payment of any of the Obligations, the acceptance of any partial payment thereon, any waiver, consent or other action or acquiescence by Administrative Agent or Lenders at any time or times in respect of any default by any Borrower in the performance or satisfaction of any term, covenant, condition or provision of this Agreement, any and all other indulgences whatsoever by Administrative Agent or Lenders in respect of any of the Obligations, and the taking, addition, substitution or release, in whole or in part, at any time or times, of any security for any of the Obligations or the addition, substitution or release, in whole or in part, of any Borrower. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Borrower assents to any other action or delay in acting or failure to act on the part of Administrative Agent or any Lender with respect to the failure by any Borrower to comply with any of its respective Obligations, including any failure strictly or diligently to assert any right or to pursue any remedy or to comply fully with applicable laws or regulations thereunder, which might, but for the provisions of this Section 2.23 afford grounds for terminating, discharging or relieving any Borrower, in whole or in part, from any of its Obligations under this Section 2.23, it being the intention of each Borrower that, so long as any of the Obligations hereunder remain unsatisfied, the Obligations of each Borrower under this Section 2.23 shall not be discharged except by performance and then only to the extent of such performance. The Obligations of each Borrower under this Section 2.23 shall not be diminished or rendered unenforceable by any winding up, reorganization, arrangement, liquidation, reconstruction or similar proceeding with respect to any other Borrower, Administrative Agent or any Lender. Each Borrower waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting its liability hereunder or the enforcement hereof. Any payment by any Borrower or other circumstance which operates to toll any statute of limitations as to any Borrower shall operate to toll the statute of limitations as to each Borrower. Each Borrower waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of any Borrower or any other Person, other than payment of the Obligations to the extent of such payment, based on or arising out of the disability of any Borrower or any other Person, or the validity, legality, or unenforceability of the Obligations or any part thereof from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of any Borrower other than payment of the Obligations to the extent of such payment. Agent may, at the election of the Required Lenders, foreclose upon any Collateral held by Administrative Agent by one or more judicial or non-judicial sales or other dispositions, whether or not every aspect of any such sale is commercially reasonable or otherwise fails to comply with applicable law or may exercise any other right or remedy Administrative Agent or any Lender may have against any Borrower or any other Person, or any security, in each case, without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of any Borrower hereunder except to the extent the Obligations have been paid.

 

- 65 -

 

 

(f) Each Borrower represents and warrants to Administrative Agent and Lenders that such Borrower is currently informed of the financial condition of Borrower and of all other circumstances which a diligent inquiry would reveal and which bear upon the risk of nonpayment of the Obligations. Each Borrower further represents and warrants to Administrative Agent and Lenders that such Borrower has read and understands the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents. Each Borrower hereby covenants that such Borrower will continue to keep informed of Borrower’s financial condition and of all other circumstances which bear upon the risk of nonpayment or nonperformance of the Obligations.

 

(g) The provisions of this Section 2.23 are made for the benefit of Administrative Agent, each Lender, and their respective successors and assigns, and may be enforced by it or them from time to time against any or all Borrowers as often as occasion therefor may arise and without requirement on the part of Administrative Agent, any Lender, or any of their successors or assigns first to marshal any of its or their claims or to exercise any of its or their rights against any Borrower or to exhaust any remedies available to it or them against any Borrower or to resort to any other source or means of obtaining payment of any of the Obligations hereunder or to elect any other remedy. The provisions of this Section 2.23 shall remain in effect until all of the Obligations shall have been paid in full or otherwise fully satisfied. If at any time, any payment, or any part thereof, made in respect of any of the Obligations, is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by Administrative Agent or any Lender upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Borrower, or otherwise, the provisions of this Section 2.23 will forthwith be reinstated in effect, as though such payment had not been made.

 

- 66 -

 

 

(h) Each Borrower hereby agrees that it will not enforce any of its rights that arise from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of the provisions of this Section 2.23, including rights of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution or indemnification and any right to participate in any claim or remedy of Administrative Agent or any Lender against any Borrower, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity or under contract, statute or common law, including the right to take or receive from any Borrower, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or security solely on account of such claim, remedy or right, unless and until such time as all of the Obligations have been paid in full in cash. Any claim which any Borrower may have against any other Borrower with respect to any payments to Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder are hereby expressly made subordinate and junior in right of payment, without limitation as to any increases in the Obligations arising hereunder or thereunder, to the prior payment in full in cash of the Obligations and, in the event of any insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar proceeding under the laws of any jurisdiction relating to any Borrower, its debts or its assets, whether voluntary or involuntary, all such Obligations shall be paid in full in cash before any payment or distribution of any character, whether in cash, securities or other property, shall be made to any other Borrower therefor. If any amount shall be paid to any Borrower in violation of the immediately preceding sentence, such amount shall be held in trust for the benefit of Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and shall forthwith be paid to Administrative Agent to be credited and applied to the Obligations and all other amounts payable under this Agreement, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, or to be held as Collateral for any Obligations or other amounts payable under this Agreement thereafter arising. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, no Borrower may exercise any rights of subrogation, contribution, indemnity, reimbursement or other similar rights against, and may not proceed or seek recourse against or with respect to any property or asset of, any other Borrower (the “Foreclosed Borrower”), including after payment in full of the Obligations, if all or any portion of the Obligations have been satisfied in connection with an exercise of remedies in respect of the Capital Stock of such Foreclosed Borrower whether pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise.

 

(i) Each Borrower hereby acknowledges and affirms that it understands that to the extent the Obligations are secured by Real Property (as such term is defined in the Security Agreement) located in California, Borrower shall be liable for the full amount of the liability hereunder notwithstanding the foreclosure on such Real Property by trustee sale or any other reason impairing such Borrower’s right to proceed against any other Loan Party. In accordance with Section 2856 of the California Civil Code or any similar laws of any other applicable jurisdiction, each Borrower hereby waives until such time as the Obligations have been paid in full:

 

(i) all rights of subrogation, reimbursement, indemnification, and contribution and any other rights and defenses that are or may become available to Borrower by reason of Sections 2787 to 2855, inclusive, 2899, and 3433 of the California Civil Code or any similar laws of any other applicable jurisdiction;

 

(ii) all rights and defenses that Borrower may have because the Obligations are secured by Real Property (as such term is defined in the Security Agreement) located in California, meaning, among other things, that: (A) Administrative Agent and the Lenders may collect from Borrower without first foreclosing on any real or personal property collateral pledged by any Loan Party, and (B) if Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, forecloses on any Real Property (as such term is defined in the Security Agreement) pledged by any Loan Party, (1) the amount of the Obligations may be reduced only by the price for which that collateral is sold at the foreclosure sale, even if the collateral is worth more than the sale price, and (2) Administrative Agent and the Lenders may collect from the Loan Parties even if, by foreclosing on the Real Property (as such term is defined in the Security Agreement), Administrative Agent or the Lenders have destroyed or impaired any right Borrower may have to collect from any other Loan Party, it being understood that this is an unconditional and irrevocable waiver of any rights and defenses Borrower may have because the Obligations are secured by Real Property (including any rights or defenses based upon Sections 580a, 580d, or 726 of the California Code of Civil Procedure or any similar laws of any other applicable jurisdiction); and

 

(iii) all rights and defenses arising out of an election of remedies by Administrative Agent and the Lenders, even though that election of remedies, such as a nonjudicial foreclosure with respect to security for the Obligations, has destroyed Borrower’s rights of subrogation and reimbursement against any other Loan Party by the operation of Section 580d of the California Code of Civil Procedure or any similar laws of any other applicable jurisdiction or otherwise.

 

Section 2.24 Lead Borrower. Each Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints Lead Borrower as the borrowing agent and attorney-in-fact for each Borrower, which appointment shall remain in full force and effect unless and until Administrative Agent shall have received prior written notice signed by each Borrower that such appointment has been revoked and that another Borrower has been appointed Lead Borrower. Each Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes Lead Borrower (a) to provide Administrative Agent with all notices with respect to Term Loans obtained for the benefit of any Borrower and all other notices and instructions under this Agreement and (b) to take such action as Lead Borrower deems appropriate on its behalf to carry out the purposes of this Agreement. It is understood that the handling of the Term Loans and the Collateral of Loan Parties in a combined fashion, as more fully set forth herein, is done solely as an accommodation to the Borrowers in order to utilize the collective borrowing powers of the Borrowers in the most efficient and economical manner and at their request, and that Administrative Agent shall not incur any liability to any Borrower as a result hereof. Each Borrower expects to derive benefit, directly or indirectly, from the handling of Term Loans and the Collateral in a combined fashion since the successful operation of each Borrower is dependent on the continued successful performance of the integrated group.

 

- 67 -

 

 

ARTICLE III
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

Section 3.01 Closing Date. The obligation of each Lender to make a Credit Extension on the Closing Date is subject to the satisfaction, or waiver in accordance with Section 10.05, of the following conditions on or before the Closing Date:

 

(a) Loan Documents. Administrative Agent shall have received copies of each Loan Document executed by each applicable Loan Party.

 

(b) Organizational Documents; Incumbency. Administrative Agent shall have received (i) copies of each Organizational Document executed by each Loan Party, as applicable, and, to the extent applicable, certified as of a recent date by the appropriate governmental official, each dated the Closing Date or a recent date prior thereto, (ii) signature and incumbency certificates of the officers of such Person executing the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (iii) resolutions of the Board or similar governing body of each Loan Party, in each case, approving and authorizing the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party or by which it or its assets may be bound as of the Closing Date, certified as of the Closing Date by its secretary or an assistant secretary or other similar responsible officer as being in full force and effect without modification or amendment, and (iv) a good standing certificate from the applicable Governmental Authority of each Loan Party’s jurisdiction of incorporation, organization, or formation dated a recent date prior to the Closing Date.

 

(c) Consummation of the Acquisition. The Acquisition shall have been consummated substantially simultaneously with the initial Credit Extension hereunder in accordance with the terms of the Acquisition Agreement (and no provision of the Acquisition Agreement shall have been waived, amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified (including any consents thereunder) in a manner materially adverse to the Lenders without the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed, or conditioned)) (it being understood that (i) any increase in the consideration for the Acquisition shall not be deemed to be materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders so long as such increase in consideration (x) is pursuant to any purchase price or similar adjustment provisions set forth in the Acquisition Agreement as of the date hereof or (y) is not funded with additional indebtedness, (ii) any reduction in the purchase price consideration of 25% or less shall be deemed not to be adverse to the Lenders so long as such reduction (x) is pursuant to any purchase price or similar adjustment provisions set forth in the Acquisition Agreement as of the date hereof, (y) is allocated solely to reduce the Term Loan Commitments with (a) 75% of such reduction further allocated to reduce the Tranche A-1 Term Commitments and (b) 25% of such reduction further allocated to reduce the Tranche A-2 Term Commitments, (iii) any consent, waiver, amendment, supplement, or other modification in respect of the third party beneficiary rights applicable to the Administrative Agent, Financing Sources (as defined in the Acquisition Agreement) or the Lenders or in the governing law without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders shall be deemed to be materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders, and (iv) any consent, waiver, amendment, supplement, or other modification to the definition of “Material Adverse Effect” without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders shall be deemed to be materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders.

 

(d) Existing Indebtedness. On the Closing Date, substantially simultaneously with the initial Credit Extension hereunder, Global Parent and its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) shall have (i) repaid in full all Existing Indebtedness, (ii) terminated any commitments to lend or make other extensions of credit thereunder and (iii) delivered to Administrative Agent (or filed directly or indirectly) all documents or instruments necessary to (x) release all Liens in favor of the secured parties under the Existing Indebtedness on the assets and other property (including Capital Stock) of Global Parent and its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) and (y) terminate any guarantees in respect of such Existing Indebtedness.

 

(e) [Intentionally Omitted].

 

(f) [Intentionally Omitted].

 

- 68 -

 

 

(g) Personal Property Collateral. In order to create in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a valid, perfected First Priority security interest in personal property Collateral, Collateral Agent shall have received:

 

(i) evidence satisfactory to Collateral Agent of the compliance by each Loan Party of its obligations under the Security Agreement and the other Collateral Documents to which they are parties (including, without limitation, their obligations to authorize or execute, as the case may be, and deliver UCC financing statements, originals of securities, instruments and chattel paper, and any agreements governing deposit and/or securities accounts as provided therein), together with (A) appropriate financing statements on Form UCC-1 duly filed in such office or offices as may be necessary or, in the opinion of Collateral Agent, desirable to perfect the security interests purported to be created by each Security Agreement, and (B) evidence satisfactory to Collateral Agent of the filing of such UCC-1 financing statements,

 

(ii) original certificates (if any) with respect to all of the Capital Stock issued by any of the Loan Parties, together with undated powers executed in blank with respect thereto (provided, that any such certificates issued by any Person other than Borrower shall only be required to be delivered on the Closing Date to the extent timely received after using commercially reasonable efforts to obtain them), and

 

(iii) A completed Initial Perfection Certificate dated the Closing Date and executed by an Authorized Officer of each Loan Party, together with all attachments contemplated thereby.

 

(h) Opinions of Counsel. Lenders and their respective counsel shall have received executed copies of the favorable written opinions of counsel for Loan Parties, and as to such other matters as Administrative Agent may reasonably request, dated as of the Closing Date and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent (and such counsel is hereby instructed to deliver such opinions to Agents and Lenders).

 

(i) Fees and Expenses. All accrued costs, fees, and expenses (including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses and the fees and expenses of any other advisors) and other compensation due and payable to Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, and the Lenders and required by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, the Fee Letter, Section 2.10(a), and Section 10.02 hereof) to be paid on the Closing Date shall have been paid, in the case of expenses, to the extent a reasonably detailed invoice has been delivered to Lead Borrower at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date; provided, that the foregoing amounts may, at the Lead Borrower’s option, be offset against the proceeds of the Term Loans funded on the Closing Date.

 

(j) Solvency Certificate. On the Closing Date, Administrative Agent shall have received a solvency certificate of the chief operating officer or chief financial officer of the Lead Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2, dated as of the Closing Date and addressed to the Agents and Lenders.

 

(k) Closing Date Certificate. Lead Borrower shall have delivered to the Agents an executed Closing Date Certificate, together with all attachments thereto.

 

(l) No Material Adverse Effect. Since December 28, 2019, there shall not have occurred a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Acquisition Agreement).

 

(m) Bank Regulations. (a) Each Loan Party shall have provided to the Lenders no less than three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date the documentation and other information that are reasonably requested by the Lenders no later than 10 days prior to the Closing Date under the applicable “know-your-customer” rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the PATRIOT Act and (b) at least three days prior to the Closing Date, any Loan Party that qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation shall deliver a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to such Loan Party, which such Beneficial Ownership Certification shall be complete and accurate in all respects.

 

- 69 -

 

 

(n) Funding Notice. Administrative Agent shall have received a fully executed and delivered Funding Notice (which on the Closing Date shall be satisfied by the execution and delivery of the Flow of Funds Agreement).

 

(o) Specified Acquisition Agreement Representations and Specified Representations. As of the Closing Date, the Specified Acquisition Agreement Representations and the Specified Representations 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).

 

(p) ABL Credit Agreement. Administrative Agent shall have received a fully executed and effective ABL Credit Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each Agent with commitments thereunder of no more than $100,000,000.

 

(q) Intercreditor Agreement. Administrative Agent shall have received a fully executed and effective Intercreditor Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each Agent.

 

(r) Financial Statements; Projections. Lenders shall have received from Global Parent (i) Historical Financial Statements, (ii) pro forma consolidated balance sheets of the Loan Parties as at the Closing Date, and reflecting the consummation of the Transactions contemplated to occur on or prior to the Closing Date, which pro forma financial statements shall be in form and substance satisfactory to each Agent, and (iii) the Projections.

 

(s) Evidence of Insurance. Collateral Agent shall have received a certificate from Lead Borrower’s or Global Parent’s insurance broker or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to it that all insurance required to be maintained pursuant to Section 5.05 is in full force and effect, together with endorsements naming Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, as additional insured and lender loss payee thereunder to the extent required under Section 5.05, in each case, in form and substance satisfactory to Collateral Agent.

 

(t) Liberty Documents.

 

(i) Loan Documents. Administrative Agent shall have received copies of each Loan Document executed by each of the applicable Liberty Parties to which they are a party.

 

(ii) Organizational Documents; Incumbency. Administrative Agent shall have received (i) copies of each Organizational Document executed by each Liberty Party, as applicable, and, to the extent applicable, certified as of a recent date by the appropriate governmental official, each dated the Closing Date or a recent date prior thereto, (ii) signature and incumbency certificates of the officers of such Person executing the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (iii) resolutions of the Board or similar governing body of each Liberty Party, in each case, approving and authorizing the execution, delivery, and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party or by which it or its assets may be bound as of the Closing Date, certified as of the Closing Date by its secretary or an assistant secretary or other similar responsible officer as being in full force and effect without modification or amendment, and (iv) a good standing certificate from the applicable Governmental Authority of each Liberty Party’s jurisdiction of incorporation, organization, or formation dated a recent date prior to the Closing Date.

 

(iii) Personal Property Collateral. In order to create in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a valid, perfected second priority security interest in personal property Collateral, Collateral Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to Collateral Agent of the compliance by each Liberty Party of its obligations under the Liberty Security Agreement and the other Collateral Documents to which they are parties (including, without limitation, their obligations to authorize or execute, as the case may be, and deliver UCC financing statements, originals of securities, instruments and chattel paper, and any agreements governing deposit and/or securities accounts as provided therein), together with (A) appropriate financing statements on Form UCC-1 duly filed in such office or offices as may be necessary or, in the opinion of Collateral Agent, desirable to perfect the security interests purported to be created by each Security Agreement, and (B) evidence satisfactory to Collateral Agent of the filing of such UCC-1 financing statements.

 

- 70 -

 

 

(iv) Opinions of Counsel. Lenders and their respective counsel shall have received executed copies of the favorable written opinions of counsel for the Liberty Parties, and as to such other matters as Administrative Agent may reasonably request, dated as of the Closing Date and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent (and such counsel is hereby instructed to deliver such opinions to Agents and Lenders).

 

(v) Liberty Credit Agreement. Administrative Agent shall have received a fully executed and effective amendment to the Liberty Credit Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each Agent permitting the incurrence of the Liens on the Liberty Parties.

 

(vi) Liberty Intercreditor Agreement. Administrative Agent shall have received a fully executed and effective Liberty Intercreditor Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each Agent.

 

(vii) Liberty Credit Agreement Termination Notice. Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that a fully executed irrevocable notice of repayment of all “Obligations” under and defined in the Liberty Credit Agreement effective as of the Liberty Trigger Date.

 

(u) Closing Date Equity. Administrative Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that Ultimate Parent and/or the Permitted Holders shall have contributed (or caused to be contributed), directly or indirectly, cash equity contributions to Lead Borrower and its subsidiaries (in the form of (i) common equity or (ii) pay-in-kind preferred equity reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent) in an aggregate amount of equal to $7,500,000 (the “Closing Date Equity”), the proceeds of which may be used to pay the aggregate purchase price for the Acquisition (notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement) or for other general corporate purposes;

 

Each Lender, by delivering its signature page to this Agreement and funding a Loan on the Closing Date, shall be deemed to have acknowledged receipt of, and consented to and approved, each Loan Document and each other document required to be approved by any Agent, Required Lenders, or Lenders, as applicable, on the Closing Date.

 

- 71 -

 

 

ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

In order to induce Agents and Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make each Credit Extension to be made thereby, each Loan Party represents and warrants to each Agent and Lenders, on the Closing Date, that the following statements are true and correct:

 

Section 4.01 Organization; Requisite Power and Authority; Qualification. Each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) (a) is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization as identified in Schedule 4.1, (b) has all requisite power and authority to own and operate its properties, to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, to enter into the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to carry out the transactions contemplated thereby and, in the case of the Borrowers, to make the borrowings hereunder, and (c) is qualified to do business and in good standing in every jurisdiction where its assets are located and wherever necessary to carry out its business and operations, except, in the case of this clause (c), in jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.02    Capital Stock and Ownership. The Capital Stock of each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) has been duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.2, as of the date hereof, there is no existing option, warrant, call, right, commitment, or other agreement to which any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (excluding the Excluded Entities) is a party requiring, and there is no membership interest or other Capital Stock of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) outstanding which upon conversion or exchange would require, the issuance by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) of any additional membership interests or other Capital Stock of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) or other Securities convertible into, exchangeable for, or evidencing the right to subscribe for or purchase a membership interest or other Capital Stock of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities). Schedule 4.2 correctly sets forth the ownership interest of the Loan Parties and each of their respective Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) as of the Closing Date after giving effect to the TransactionsSecond Amendment Effective Date. As of the Closing Date, the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification is true and correct in all material respects.

 

Section 4.03 Due Authorization. The execution, delivery, and performance of the Loan Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of each Loan Party that is a party thereto.

 

Section 4.04 No Conflict. The execution, delivery, and performance by Loan Parties of the Loan Documents to which they are parties and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents do not and will not (a) violate any provision of any law or any governmental rule, or regulation applicable to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), or any order, judgment, or decree of any court or other agency of government binding on any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), (b) conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any Contractual Obligation of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities), (c) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) (other than any Liens created under any of the Loan Documents in favor of Collateral Agent, on behalf of Secured Parties), (d) result in any default, non-compliance, suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture, or non-renewal of any permit, license, authorization, or approval applicable to its operations or any of its properties, (e) require any approval of stockholders, members, or partners or any approval or consent of any Person under any Contractual Obligation of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), except for such approvals or consents which will be obtained on or before the Closing Date and disclosed in writing to Lenders, or (f) violate any provision of any of the Organizational Documents of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), except, in the case of the preceding clauses (a), (b), (d) and (e), for any violation, conflict, breach, default, creation, imposition, non-compliance, suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture, non- renewal, or requirement, in each case, that could not reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

- 72 -

 

 

Section 4.05 Governmental Consents. As of the Closing Date, except to the extent the failure to obtain or make the same could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, the execution, delivery, and performance by Loan Parties of the Loan Documents to which they are parties and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents do not and will not require any registration with, consent or approval of, or notice to, or other action to, with or by, any Governmental Authority except for filings and recordings (i) with respect to the Collateral to be made or otherwise delivered to Collateral Agent for filing and/or recordation or (ii) that have already been made or obtained.

 

Section 4.06 Binding Obligation. Each Loan Document has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is a party thereto and is the legally valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its respective terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability.

 

Section 4.07 Historical Financial Statements. The Historical Financial Statements were prepared in conformity with GAAP and fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position, on a consolidated basis, of the Persons described in such financial statements as at the respective dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows, on a consolidated basis, of Persons described therein for each of the periods then ended, subject, in the case of any such unaudited financial statements, to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments. As of the Closing Date, none of the Loan Parties has any unusual forward or long term commitment that is not reflected in the Historical Financial Statements or the notes thereto and which in any such case is material in relation to the business, operations, properties, assets, or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

Section 4.08 Projections. On and as of the Closing Date, the projections of the Loan Parties for the period of Fiscal Year 2021 through and including Fiscal Year 2024, including quarterly projections for each quarter not yet completed during the Fiscal Year in which the Closing Date takes place (the “Projections”), are based on good faith estimates and assumptions made by the management of Global Parent or the respective Loan Party; provided, that the Projections are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by the Projections may differ from such Projections and that the differences may be material; provided further, that as of the Closing Date, management of Global Parent or the respective Loan Party believed that the Projections were reasonable and attainable. Such Projections, as so updated, shall be believed by Global Parent or the respective Loan Party at the time furnished to be reasonable, shall have been prepared on a reasonable basis and in good faith by Global Parent or the respective Loan Party, and shall have been based on assumptions believed by Global Parent or the respective Loan Party to be reasonable at the time made, and Global Parent or the respective Loan Party shall not be aware of any facts or information that would lead it to believe that such projections, as so updated, are not attainable in any material respect.

 

Section 4.09 No Material Adverse Effect. Since the Closing Date, no event, circumstance, or change has occurred that has caused or evidences, either in any case or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.10 Adverse Proceedings, etc. There are no Adverse Proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, that (a) relate to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or (b) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) (y) is in violation of any applicable laws that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (z) is subject to, or in default with respect to, any final judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees, rules, or regulations of any court or any federal, state, municipal, or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency, or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

- 73 -

 

 

Section 4.11 Payment of Material Taxes. Except as otherwise permitted under Section 5.03, all income and other material Tax returns and reports of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) required to be filed by any of them have been timely filed, and all material Taxes shown as due and payable on such Tax returns have been paid when due and payable. Global Parent knows of no proposed Tax assessment against any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) with respect to a material amount of Tax which is not being actively contested by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary (excluding the Excluded Entities) in good faith and by appropriate proceedings; provided, that such reserves or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made or provided therefor.

 

Section 4.12 Properties.

 

(a) Title. Each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) has (i) good, marketable and legal title to (in the case of fee interests in real property), (ii) valid leasehold interests in (in the case of leasehold interests in real or personal property), and (iii) good and valid title to (in the case of all other personal property), all of its respective properties and assets reflected in the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01, in each case except for assets disposed of since the date of such financial statements in the ordinary course of business or as otherwise permitted under Section 6.09 and except where failure to have such good and legal title or valid leasehold interests could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect. All such properties and assets are in working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and except as permitted by this Agreement, all such properties and assets are free and clear of Liens.

 

(b) Real Estate. As of the ClosingSecond Amendment Effective Date, Schedule 4.12 contains a true, accurate, and complete list of all Material Real Estate Assets. Except as could not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, each lease or sublease to which any Loan Party is a party is in full force and effect, and Global Parent does not have knowledge of any default that has occurred and is continuing thereunder, and each such agreement constitutes the legally valid and binding obligation of each applicable Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles. Except as could not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, to the knowledge of each Loan Party, (i) no other party to any such agreement is in default of its obligations thereunder, (ii) no Loan Party (or any other party to any such agreement) has at any time delivered or received any notice of default which remains uncured under any such lease, and (iii) as of the Closing Date, no event has occurred which, with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both, would constitute a default under any such agreement.

 

Section 4.13 Environmental Matters. As of the Closing Date (or, with respect to the Liberty Parties, as of the Second Amendment Effective Date), except as set forth on Schedule 4.13, (a) to Global Parent’s knowledge, no Loan Party’s nor any of its Subsidiaries’ (excluding the Excluded Entities) properties or assets has ever been used by a Loan Party, its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) or by previous owners or operators in the disposal of, or to produce, store, handle, treat, release, or transport, any Hazardous Materials, where such disposal, production, storage, handling, treatment, release, or transport was in violation of any applicable Environmental Law, except such non-compliance that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (b) to Global Parent’s knowledge, no Loan Party’s nor any of its Subsidiaries’ (excluding the Excluded Entities) properties or assets has ever been designated or identified in any manner pursuant to any environmental protection statute as a Hazardous Materials disposal site, (c) no Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) has received notice that a Lien arising under any Environmental Law has attached to any revenues or to any Real Property owned or operated by a Loan Party, and (d) no Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) nor any of their respective facilities or operations is subject to any outstanding written order, consent decree, or settlement agreement with any Person relating to any Environmental Law or Environmental Liability that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

- 74 -

 

 

Section 4.14 [Reserved].

 

Section 4.15 [Reserved].

 

Section 4.16 Governmental Regulation.

 

(a) No Loan Party is subject to regulation under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, the Federal Power Act, or the Investment Company Act of 1940 or under any other federal or state statute or regulation which may limit its ability to incur Indebtedness or which may otherwise render all or any portion of the Obligations unenforceable.

 

(b) No Loan Party is a “registered investment company” or a company “controlled” by a “registered investment company” or a “principal underwriter” of a “registered investment company” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

Section 4.17 Margin Stock. No Loan Party is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock. No part of the proceeds of the Loans made to the Loan Parties will be used to purchase or carry any such Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any such Margin Stock or for any purpose that violates, or is inconsistent with, the provisions of Regulation T, U, or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

 

Section 4.18 Employee Matters. No Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) is engaged in any unfair labor practice that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There is (a) no unfair labor practice complaint pending against any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), or to the best knowledge of Global Parent and Lead Borrower, threatened against any of them before the National Labor Relations Board and no grievance or arbitration proceeding arising out of or under any collective bargaining agreement that is so pending against any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) or to the best knowledge of Global Parent and Lead Borrower, threatened against any of them, (b) no strike or work stoppage or other labor disputes in existence or, to the knowledge of Borrower, threatened, involving any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), and (c) to the best knowledge of Global Parent and Lead Borrower, no union representation question existing with respect to the employees of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) and, to the best knowledge of Global Parent and Lead Borrower, no union organization activity that is taking place, except (with respect to any matter specified in clause (a), (b), or (c) above, either individually or in the aggregate) such as is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.19 Employee Benefit Plans. Each Loan Party and each of its ERISA Affiliates are in compliance with all applicable provisions and requirements of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder with respect to each Employee Benefit Plan and have performed all their obligations under each Employee Benefit Plan except, in each case, where failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Employee Benefit Plan which is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service indicating that such Employee Benefit Plan is so qualified, and nothing has occurred subsequent to the issuance of such determination letter which would cause such Employee Benefit Plan to lose its qualified status. No liability to the PBGC (other than required premium payments), the Internal Revenue Service, any Employee Benefit Plan or any trust established under Title IV of ERISA has been or is expected to be incurred by any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates, except, in each case, for a liability or liabilities that could not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur. Except to the extent required under Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code or similar state laws, no Employee Benefit Plan provides health or welfare benefits (through the purchase of insurance or otherwise) for any retired or former employee of any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates. The present value of the aggregate benefit liabilities under each Pension Plan sponsored, maintained, or contributed to by any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates (determined as of the end of the most recent plan year on the basis of the actuarial assumptions specified for funding purposes in the most recent actuarial valuation for such Pension Plan), did not exceed the aggregate current value of the assets of such Pension Plan. As of the most recent valuation date for each Multiemployer Plan for which the actuarial report is available, the potential liability of any Loan Party and its ERISA Affiliates for a complete withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan (within the meaning of Section 4203 of ERISA), when aggregated with such potential liability for a complete withdrawal from all Multiemployer Plans, based on information available pursuant to Section 4221(e) of ERISA is zero. Each Loan Party and each of its ERISA Affiliates have complied with the requirements of Section 515 of ERISA with respect to each Multiemployer Plan and are not in “default” (as defined in Section 4219(c)(5) of ERISA) with respect to payments to a Multiemployer Plan.

 

Section 4.20 Certain Fees. No broker’s or finder’s fee or commission will be payable with respect hereto or any of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

- 75 -

 

 

Section 4.21 Solvency. The Loan Parties on a consolidated basis are Solvent and will be Solvent immediately after giving effect to this Agreement, the funding of the Term Loans hereunder, the consummation of the Acquisition, the incurrence of Indebtedness under the ABL Credit Agreement on the Closing Date, the payment of all fees and expenses to be paid by the Loan Parties in connection with any of the foregoing on the Closing Date, and the other transactions to be consummated in connection with the foregoing on the Closing Date.

 

Section 4.22 [Reserved].

 

Section 4.23 Compliance with Statutes, etc. Each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) is in compliance with (a) its Organizational Documents and (b) all applicable statutes, regulations, and orders of, and all applicable restrictions imposed by, all Governmental Authorities in respect of the conduct of its business and the ownership of its property (including compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws with respect to any Real Estate Asset or governing its business and the requirements of any permits issued under such Environmental Laws with respect to any such Real Estate Asset or the operations of each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities)), except such non-compliance that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.24 Intellectual Property. Each Loan Party owns, or holds licenses in, or otherwise has the right to use all Material Intellectual Property that is used in the conduct of its business as currently conducted. Attached hereto as Schedule 4.24 is a true, correct, and complete listing of all registered material trademarks, copyrights, and patents, and applications therefor, as to which any Loan Party is the owner; provided, that Lead Borrower may amend Schedule 4.24 to add additional intellectual property, or to remove intellectual property in the ordinary course, so long as such amendment occurs by written notice to Administrative Agent at the time that Lead Borrower provides its Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 5.01(d).

 

Section 4.25 Inventory and Equipment. The Inventory and Equipment (other than vehicles or Equipment out for repair and other than Inventory and Equipment with, in the aggregate, a de minimis value) of the Loan Parties are not stored with a bailee, warehouseman, or similar party (other than Third Party Franchisees) and are located only at, or are in-transit between or to, the locations identified on Schedule 4.25 (as such Schedule may be updated pursuant to Section 5.12).

 

Section 4.26 Trademarks and Key Trademark Licenses. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, constitute a Material Adverse Effect, each Loan Party has the licenses to use or otherwise has the right to use all trademarks owned by third parties that are necessary to the conduct of its business as currently conducted (including, without limitation, Material Intellectual Property) (“Licensed Trademarks”). All registered trademarks and trademark applications owned by or filed in the name of the Loan Parties (“Owned Trademarks”) are in good standing and in compliance with all formal legal requirements, and all filings, payments, and other actions required to be made or taken to maintain such Owned Trademarks in full force and effect have been made by the applicable deadline. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, constitute a Material Adverse Effect, the goodwill associated with all Owned Trademarks that are currently used in commerce have not been impaired. No proceeding (including any opposition or cancellation) is pending or, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, threatened that challenges the validity or enforceability of the Owned Trademarks. The Loan Parties are not parties to any co-existence agreement with respect to the Owned Trademarks. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, constitute a Material Adverse Effect, use of the Owned Trademarks or the Licensed Trademarks by the Loan Parties do not infringe any intellectual property rights of any third party.

 

- 76 -

 

 

Section 4.27    Insurance. Each Loan Party keeps its property adequately insured and maintains (a) insurance to such extent and against such risks, as is customary with companies in the same or similar businesses, (b) workmen’s compensation insurance in the amount required by applicable law, (c) public liability insurance, which shall include product liability insurance, in the amount customary with companies in the same or similar business against claims for personal injury or death on properties owned, occupied, or controlled by it, and (d) such other insurance as may be required by law. Schedule 4.27 sets forth a list of all property and liability insurance maintained by each Loan Party on the Closing Date (or, with respect to the Liberty Parties, on the Second Amendment Effective Date) (or attaches insurance certificates specifying such insurance).

 

Section 4.28    Franchise Agreements.

 

(a) Schedule 4.28 sets forth a complete and accurate list as of the Closing Date (or, with respect to the Liberty Parties, as of the Second Amendment Effective Date) of all Franchise Agreements to which any Loan Party or any of their Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) is a party.

 

(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.28, as of the Closing Date (or, with respect to the Liberty Parties, as of the Second Amendment Effective Date), to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, none of the Franchise Agreements contains any grant of exclusive rights to a territory designated therein which conflicts, or potentially conflicts, with any grant of exclusive rights to a territory granted under any other Franchise Agreement. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.28, as of the Closing Date (or, with respect to the Liberty Parties, as of the Second Amendment Effective Date), no current franchisee under a Franchise Agreement has given written notice to a Loan Party’s management during the six (6) month period before the Closing Date (or, with respect to the Liberty Parties, the six (6) month period before the Second Amendment Effective Date) of its intention to rescind or terminate (with or without cause) any Franchise Agreement.

 

(c) Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each Loan Party has prepared and maintained each of its Franchise Disclosure Documents, in an accurate and correct manner, (ii) each Loan Party has filed all required Franchise Disclosure Documents required by law in all states and jurisdictions requiring registration and approval prior to any offers or sales of franchises in such states, and (iii) each Loan Party has filed all material changes, amendments, renewals thereto on a timely and accurate basis as required under, and required by applicable Requirements of Law. Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each Loan Party’s Franchise Disclosure Documents were prepared in compliance with applicable Franchise Laws and disclosure guidelines, and there were no misrepresentations or omissions of information in any Franchise Disclosure Documents at the time such Loan Party was using such Franchise Disclosure Documents. Each Franchise Agreement complies, and the offer and sale of such Franchise Agreement complied, in each case at the time such offer and sale was made, with all Franchise Laws, except to the extent of any non-compliance therewith which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

- 77 -

 

 

Section 4.29 Permits, etc. Each Loan Party has, and is in material compliance with, all permits, licenses, authorizations, approvals, entitlements, and accreditations required for such Person lawfully to own, lease, manage, or operate, or to acquire, each business currently owned, leased, managed, or operated, or to be acquired, by such Person, which, if not obtained, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No condition exists or event has occurred which, in itself or with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would result in the suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture, or non-renewal of any such permit, license, authorization, approval, entitlement, or accreditation, and there is no claim that any thereof is not in full force and effect, except, to the extent any such condition, event, or claim could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.30    Cash Management. Schedule 4.30 sets forth a complete and accurate list as of the ClosingSecond Amendment Effective Date of all deposit, checking, and other bank accounts, all securities and other accounts maintained with any broker dealer, and all other similar accounts maintained by each Loan Party, together with a description thereof (i.e., the bank or broker dealer at which such deposit or other account is maintained and the account number and the purpose thereof). Schedule 6.17 sets forth a list describing all arrangements as of the Closing Date (or, with respect to the Liberty Parties, as of the Second Amendment Effective Date) to which any Loan Party is a party with respect to the processing and/or payment to such Loan Party of the proceeds of any credit card charges and debit card charges for sales made by such Loan Party.

 

Section 4.31 Security Interests. The Security Agreement creates in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a legal, valid, and enforceable security interest in the Collateral secured thereby. Upon the filing of the UCC-1 financing statements described in Section 3.01(g), and the recording of any applicable intellectual property security agreements as referred to in the Security Agreement in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, if and as applicable, and the entry into Control Agreements with respect to any Deposit Accounts, Securities Accounts and Commodities Accounts, such security interests in and Liens on the Collateral granted thereby (with respect to the types of Collateral that can be perfected by the filing of a financing statement or recordation of an intellectual property security agreement, and to the extent that any applicable Collateral can be perfected by the recordation of an intellectual property security agreement) shall be perfected, First Priority security interests, and no further recordings or filings are or will be required in connection with the creation, perfection, or enforcement of such security interests and Liens, other than (a) the filing of continuation statements in accordance with applicable law, (b) the recording of intellectual property security agreements pursuant to the Security Agreement in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, as applicable, with respect to after-acquired U.S. patent and trademark applications and registrations and U.S. copyrights (to the extent that any applicable Collateral can be perfected by filing and recording an intellectual property security agreement in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office); provided, that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall any Loan Party be required to take perfection steps with respect to any motor vehicle or any other collateral subject to a certificate of title or ownership.

 

Section 4.32 PATRIOT ACT. To the extent applicable, each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance, in all material respects, with the (a) Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, and each of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) and any other enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto, and (b) Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA Patriot Act of 2001, as amended) (the “PATRIOT Act”).

 

Section 4.33 OFAC/Sanctions. No Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any applicable Sanctions. No Loan Party, nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any director, officer, employee, agent, or Affiliate of such Loan Party or such Subsidiary (a) is a Sanctioned Person or a Sanctioned Entity, (b) has any assets located in Sanctioned Entities, or (c) derives revenues from investments in, or transactions with, Sanctioned Persons or Sanctioned Entities. Each of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, and each director, officer, employee, agent (when acting on behalf of a Loan Party or Subsidiary thereof, within the scope of the agent’s designated duties), and Affiliate of each such Loan Party and each such Subsidiary, is in compliance with the Anti-corruption Laws in all material respects. No proceeds of any Loan made hereunder will be used to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in, or make any payments to, a Sanctioned Person or a Sanctioned Entity, or otherwise be used in any manner that would result in a violation of any applicable Sanction by any Person (including any Lender or other individual or entity participating in any transaction).

 

Section 4.34 Disclosure. No representation or warranty of any Loan Party contained in any Loan Document or in any other documents, certificates, or written statements furnished to Lenders by or on behalf of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) for use in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, when taken as a whole, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact (known to Global Parent or Lead Borrower, in the case of any document not furnished by either of them) necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein not misleading in light of the circumstances in which the same were made. Any projections and pro forma financial information contained in such materials are based upon good faith estimates and assumptions believed by Global Parent and Lead Borrower to be reasonable at the time made, it being recognized by Lenders that such projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such projections may differ from the projected results and such difference may be material. There are no facts known (or which should upon the reasonable exercise of diligence be known) to Global Parent or Lead Borrower (other than matters of a general economic nature) that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and that have not been disclosed herein or in such other documents, certificates, and statements furnished to Lenders for use in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Section 4.35 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Term Loans made on the Closing Date shall be applied by the Borrowers as set forth in Section 2.05 hereof.

 

- 78 -

 


 

ARTICLE V
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

Each Loan Party covenants and agrees that so long as any Commitment is in effect and until payment in full of all Obligations, each Loan Party shall perform, and each Loan Party shall cause each of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to perform, all covenants in this Article V.

 

Section 5.01 Financial Statements and Other Reports. Unless otherwise provided below, Lead Borrower will deliver to each Agent:

 

(a) Monthly Reports. As soon as available, and in any event within 30 days after the end of each fiscal month (excluding the last fiscal month of each Fiscal Quarter) (or, with respect to any fiscal month reports required prior to the fiscal month ending September 2020, 45 days), (i) consolidated and consolidating balance sheet of Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal month and the related consolidated and consolidating statements of income, consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity, and consolidated and consolidating statements of cash flows of the Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal month and for the period from the beginning of the then current Fiscal Year to the end of such fiscal month, setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding periods of the previous Fiscal Year and the corresponding figures from the Financial Plan for the current Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail, together with a schedule of reconciliations for any reclassifications with respect to prior fiscal months or periods (and, in connection therewith, copies of any restated financial statements for any impacted fiscal month or period), (ii) a Financial Officer Certification with respect the foregoing, (iii) for each line of business, the information described on Schedule 5.1 hereto under the heading “Monthly Reporting”, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to each Agent, and (iv) a Narrative Report with respect the foregoing,

 

- 79 -

 

 

(b) Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as available, and in any event within 45 days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter of each Fiscal Year (including the fourth Fiscal Quarter), (i) a consolidated and consolidating balance sheet of the Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Quarter and the related consolidated and consolidating statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of the Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Quarter and for the period from the beginning of the then current Fiscal Year to the end of such Fiscal Quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding periods of the previous Fiscal Year and the corresponding figures from the Financial Plan for the current Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail; provided that any consolidating financials required by this clause (b)(i) shall be the consolidating financials prepared for each line of business (e.g. AF Holdings and its Subsidiaries, Buddy Top Parent and its Subsidiaries and Sears Top Parent and its Subsidiaries, Vitamin Top Parent and its Subsidiaries and Liberty Holdings and its Subsidiaries) and not consolidating financials for each Subsidiary on an entity by entity basis, (ii) a Financial Officer Certification with respect to the foregoing, (iii) the information described on Schedule 5.1 hereto under the heading “Quarterly Reporting”, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to each Agent, and (iv) a Narrative Report with respect the foregoing,

 

(c) Annual Financial Statements. As soon as available, and in any event within 120 days after the Fiscal Year 2019, the consolidated and consolidating financial statements of the Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year, prepared in conformity with GAAP and in form reasonably acceptable to each Agent, together with a Financial Officer Certification and a Narrative Report with respect thereto; provided that any consolidating financials required by this provision shall be the consolidating financials prepared for each line of business (e.g. AF Holdings and its Subsidiaries, Buddy Top Parent and its Subsidiaries and Sears Top Parent and its Subsidiaries, Vitamin Top Parent and its Subsidiaries and Liberty Holdings and its Subsidiaries) and not consolidating financials for each Subsidiary on an entity by entity basis, which such financial statements are prepared by an independent third party firm of recognized national standing who is acceptable to each Agent in its reasonable discretion. As soon as available, and in any event within 120 days after the end of each Fiscal Year commencing with Fiscal Year 2020, (i) the consolidated and consolidating balance sheet of the Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Year and the related consolidated and consolidating statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of the Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year, prepared in conformity with GAAP, setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the previous Fiscal Year and the corresponding figures from the Financial Plan for the Fiscal Year covered by such financial statements, in reasonable detail, together with a Financial Officer Certification and a Narrative Report with respect thereto; provided that any consolidating financials required by this clause (c)(i) shall be the consolidating financials prepared for each line of business (e.g. AF Holdings and its Subsidiaries, Buddy Top Parent and its Subsidiaries and Sears Top Parent and its Subsidiaries, Vitamin Top Parent and its Subsidiaries and Liberty Holdings and its Subsidiaries) and not consolidating financials for each Subsidiary on an entity by entity basis and (ii) with respect to such consolidated and consolidating financial statements a report thereon of BDO, Deloitte or other independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing selected by Global Parent, and reasonably satisfactory to each Agent (which report shall be unqualified as to going concern and contain no material qualifications as to scope of audit other than solely with respect to, or resulting solely from (x) an upcoming maturity date of the Term Loans occurring within one year from the time such opinion is delivered or (y) any potential inability to satisfy any covenant described in Section 6.08 on a future date or in a future period, and shall state that such consolidated and consolidating financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated and consolidating financial position of the Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior years (except as otherwise disclosed in such financial statements) and that the examination by such accountants in connection with such consolidated and consolidating financial statements has been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards); provided, that in lieu of providing the consolidated and consolidating annual audited financial statements of the Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries required by this clause (c) and the report thereon of the Lead Borrower’s independent certified public accountants (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, any of the other related materials required by this clause (c) (including, without limitation, the comparison to the corresponding figures for the previous Fiscal Year and the corresponding figures from the Financial Plan for the Fiscal Year, the Financial Officer Certification, or the Narrative Report)), the Lead Borrower may provide the consolidated and consolidating annual financial statements of Global Parent and its Subsidiaries, or of any direct parent of Global Parent and its Subsidiaries, so long as the Lead Borrower concurrently provides (A) each Agent with consolidating and consolidating information, which shall be audited, that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to Global Parent and its Subsidiaries or such direct parent of Global Parent and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Loans on a stand-alone basis, on the other hand, and (B) a report of the independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing selected by Global Parent or such direct parent of Global Parent, as applicable, and reasonably satisfactory to each Agent (which report shall be unqualified to the extent set forth in the preceding clause (ii)),

 

- 80 -

 

 

(d) Compliance Certificate. Together with each delivery of financial statements of the Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 5.01(b) or Section 5.01(c), a duly executed and completed Compliance Certificate,

 

(e) Statements of Reconciliation after Change in Accounting Principles. If, as a result of any change in accounting principles and policies from those used in the preparation of the Historical Financial Statements, the consolidated financial statements of the Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a), Section 5.01(b), or Section 5.01(c) will differ in any material respect from the consolidated financial statements that would have been delivered pursuant to such subdivisions had no such change in accounting principles and policies been made, then, together with the first delivery of such financial statements after such change, one or more statements of reconciliation for all such prior financial statements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent,

 

(f) Notice of Default. Promptly (but in any event within three (3) Business Days) upon any officer of Global Parent or Lead Borrower obtaining knowledge (i) of any condition or event that constitutes a Default or an Event of Default or that notice (from a Person other than the Administrative Agent) has been given to Global Parent or Lead Borrower with respect thereto, (ii) that any Person has given any notice to Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) or taken any other action with respect to any event or condition set forth in Section 8.01(b), or (iii) of the occurrence of any event or change that has caused or evidences, either in any case or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, a certificate of an Authorized Officer specifying the nature and period of existence of such condition, event, or change, or specifying the notice given and action taken by any such Person (if applicable) and the nature of such claimed Event of Default, Default, default, event or condition, and what action Lead Borrower has taken, is taking, and proposes to take with respect thereto, together with copies of any such notice or other document received by Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) related thereto,

 

(g) Notice of Litigation. Promptly (but in any event within three (3) Business Days) upon any senior officer of Global Parent or Lead Borrower obtaining knowledge of (i) the institution of, or non-frivolous threat (in writing) of, any Adverse Proceeding not previously disclosed in writing by Lead Borrower to Lenders, or (ii) any material development in any Adverse Proceeding that, in the case of either clause (i) or (ii) if adversely determined, could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or seeks to enjoin or otherwise prevent the consummation of, or to recover any damages or obtain relief as a result of, the transactions contemplated hereby, written notice thereof together with such other information as may be reasonably available to Global Parent or Lead Borrower to enable Lenders and their counsel to evaluate such matters,

 

- 81 -

 

 

(h) ERISA. (i) Promptly (but in any event within three (3) Business Days) upon becoming aware of the occurrence of or forthcoming occurrence of any ERISA Event, a written notice specifying the nature thereof, what action any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates has taken, is taking, or proposes to take with respect thereto and, when known, any action taken or threatened, in writing, by the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor, or the PBGC with respect thereto, and (ii) with reasonable promptness, copies of (A) each Schedule B (Actuarial Information) to the annual report (Form 5500 Series) filed by any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates with the Internal Revenue Service with respect to each Pension Plan, (B) all notices received by any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor concerning an ERISA Event, and (C) copies of such other documents or governmental reports or filings relating to any Employee Benefit Plan as any Agent shall reasonably request,

 

(i) Financial Plan. No sooner than thirty days after the start of each Fiscal Year (commencing with the first full Fiscal Year after the Closing Date), a consolidated and consolidating plan and financial forecast for such Fiscal Year and each Fiscal Year (or portion thereof) through the final maturity date of the Loans (a “Financial Plan”), including (i) a forecasted consolidated and consolidating balance sheet and forecasted consolidated and consolidating statements of income and cash flows of the Loan Parties for each such Fiscal Year, (ii) forecasted consolidated and consolidating statements of income and cash flows of the Loan Parties for each fiscal month of each such Fiscal Year, (iii) forecasted calculations of the ratios described in Section 6.08 for such Fiscal Year, (iv) forecasted calculations of Consolidated Liquidity for such Fiscal Year, together, in each case, with an explanation of the assumptions on which such forecasts are based all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each Agent, and (v) a forecast of Consolidated Fixed Charges, both in the aggregate and of each component item thereof,

 

(j) Insurance Report. Upon reasonable request of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, a report in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent outlining all material insurance coverage maintained as of the date of such report by any Loan Party,

 

(k) ABL Loan Documents and Reporting.

 

(i) Promptly, but in any event within three (3) Business Days (or one (1) Business Day with respect to notices pursuant to clause (y) hereof) after the furnishing, receipt or execution thereof, copies of (x) any amendment, waiver, consent or other written modification of the ABL Loan Documents (other than immaterial amendments to ABL Loan Documents other than the ABL Credit Agreement), (y) any written notice of default or any written notice related to the exercise of remedies under the ABL Loan Documents, and (z) any other material written notice, certificate or other written information or document provided to, or received from, the ABL Agent or the ABL Lenders; provided, that this clause (k) shall not apply to the Fee Letter (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement) or any other documents and information relating to fees under the ABL Loan Documents (and Lead Borrower may make redactions of such fees in its reasonable discretion),

 

(ii) Lead Borrower shall promptly furnish to each Agent each ABL Borrowing Base Certificate and supporting information in connection therewith and any other additional written reports related thereto that are delivered to the ABL Agent,

 

(l) Third Party Franchisees. Promptly upon any senior officer of Global Parent or Lead Borrower obtaining knowledge of any material breach or non-performance of, or any material default under, any agreements with any Third Party Franchisee that would materially and adversely impact the ability of Agents to realize upon the Collateral,

 

- 82 -

 

 

(m) Environmental Reports and Audits. Within ten (10) days following the receipt thereof, copies of all environmental audits and reports with respect to any environmental matter which have resulted in or are reasonably likely to result in an Environmental Action asserted against any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) or in any Environmental Liabilities of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) which, in either case, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect,

 

(n) Information Regarding Collateral. Lead Borrower will furnish to Collateral Agent prompt written notice of any change in any Loan Party’s (i) legal name, (ii) chief executive office, (iii) identity or corporate structure, or (iv) Federal Taxpayer Identification Number. Lead Borrower agrees not to effect or permit any change referred to in the preceding sentence unless all filings have been made under the UCC or otherwise that are required in order for Collateral Agent to continue at all times following such change to have a valid, legal, and perfected security interest in all the Collateral as contemplated by the Collateral Documents. Lead Borrower also agrees promptly to notify Collateral Agent if any material portion of the Collateral is damaged or destroyed,

 

(o) Annual Collateral Verification. Each year, at the time of delivery of annual financial statements with respect to the preceding Fiscal Year pursuant to Section 5.01(c), Lead Borrower shall deliver to Collateral Agent an officer’s certificate either confirming that there has been no change in such information since the date of the Perfection Certificate delivered on the ClosingSecond Amendment Effective Date or the date of the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to this Section 5.01 and/or identifying such changes,

 

(p) Tax Returns. As soon as practicable and in any event within fifteen (15) days following the filing thereof, copies of each United States federal income Tax return filed by or on behalf of any Loan Party, and

 

(q) Other Information.

 

(i) Promptly upon their becoming available, copies of

 

(A) all financial statements, reports, notices, and proxy statements sent or made available generally by Global Parent to its security holders acting in such capacity or by any Subsidiary of Global Parent (excluding the Excluded Entities) to its security holders other than Global Parent or another Subsidiary of Global Parent, and

 

(B) all regular and periodic reports and all registration statements and prospectuses, if any, filed by Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) with any securities exchange or with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any governmental or private regulatory authority;

 

(ii) promptly after submission to any Governmental Authority, solely to the extent not legally prohibited from disclosing such information, all documents and information furnished to such Governmental Authority in connection with any investigation of any Loan Party (other than a routine inquiry),

 

(iii) promptly upon receipt thereof, copies of all financial reports (including, without limitation, management letters) submitted to any Loan Party by its auditors in connection with any annual interim audit of the books thereof,

 

(iv) prompt notice of the acquisition by any Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) of any Margin Stock, together with a completed and executed Form U-1, together with such other information reasonably requested by Administrative Agent to enable any Lender to comply with any of the requirements under Regulations T, U, and X,

 

- 83 -

 

 

(v) promptly, but in any event within three (3) Business Days (or one (1) Business Day with respect to notices pursuant to clause (y) hereof) after the furnishing, receipt or execution thereof, copies of (x) any amendment, waiver, consent or other written modification of any Indebtedness of the Excluded Entities (other than immaterial amendments to such Indebtedness), (y) any notice of default or any notice related to the exercise of remedies under any Indebtedness of the Excluded Entities, and (z) any other material notice, certificate or other information or document provided to, or received from, the agent or lenders under such Indebtedness; provided, that this clause (q)(v) shall not apply to any documents and information relating to fees under such Indebtedness,

 

(vi) any change in the information provided in the Beneficial Ownership Certification that would result in a change to the list of beneficial owners identified in parts (c) or (d) of such certification, and

 

(vii) such other information and data with respect to Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) as from time to time may be reasonably requested by any Agent.

 

Section 5.02 Existence. Except as otherwise permitted under Section 6.09, each Loan Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities) to, at all times preserve and keep in full force and effect such Person’s valid existence and good standing in its jurisdiction of organization and, except as could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, good standing with respect to all other jurisdictions in which it is qualified to do business and any rights, Governmental Authorizations, franchises, permits, licenses, accreditations, authorizations, or other approvals material to their businesses or the conduct of their businesses.

 

Section 5.03 Payment of Taxes and Claims. Global Parent will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, timely file all income Tax returns and all other material Tax returns required to be filed by Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) and timely pay all income Taxes and all other material Taxes imposed upon it or any of its properties or assets, or in respect of any of its income or businesses; provided, that no such Tax need be paid if it is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted, so long as (a) adequate reserve or other appropriate provision, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP, shall have been made therefor and (b) in the case of a Tax which has or may become a Lien against any of the Collateral, such contest proceedings conclusively operate to stay imposition of any penalty, fine, or Lien resulting from the non-payment thereof. No Loan Party will, nor will any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, file or consent to the filing of any consolidated income Tax return with any Person (other than Ultimate Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities)).

 

Section 5.04 Maintenance of Properties. Each Loan Party will, and each Loan Party will cause each of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, except as could not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (a) maintain or cause to be maintained in reasonably good repair, working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear, casualty and condemnation excepted, all properties used or useful in the business of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) and from time to time will make or cause to be made all reasonably appropriate repairs, renewals, and replacements thereof and (b) comply at all times with the provisions of all material leases to which it is a party as lessee or under which it occupies property, so as to prevent any loss or forfeiture thereof or thereunder.

 

Section 5.05 Insurance.

 

(a) The Loan Parties will maintain or cause to be maintained, with financially sound and reputable insurers, (i) business interruption insurance reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent, and (ii) casualty insurance, such public liability insurance, third party property damage insurance, or such other insurance with respect to liabilities, losses, or damage in respect of the assets, properties, and businesses of the Loan Parties as may customarily be carried or maintained under similar circumstances by Persons of established reputation engaged in similar businesses, in each case in such amounts (giving effect to self-insurance), with such deductibles, covering such risks, and otherwise on such terms and conditions as shall be customary for such Persons. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Loan Parties will maintain or cause to be maintained (A) flood insurance with respect to each Flood Hazard Property that is located in a community that participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, in each case in compliance with any applicable regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and (B) replacement value casualty insurance on the Collateral under such policies of insurance, with such insurance companies, in such amounts, with such deductibles, and covering such risks as are at all times carried or maintained under similar circumstances by Persons of established reputation engaged in similar businesses. Each such policy of insurance shall (1) in the case of each liability insurance policy, name Collateral Agent, on behalf of Lenders, as an additional insured thereunder as its interests may appear, and (2) in the case of each casualty insurance policy covering Collateral, contain a lender loss payable clause or endorsement, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Collateral Agent, that names Collateral Agent, on behalf of Secured Parties, as the lender loss payee thereunder.

 

- 84 -

 

 

(b) The Loan Parties will deliver to each Agent copies of certificates of insurance upon reasonable request of such Agent. Each of the insurance policies required to be maintained under this Section 5.05 shall provide for at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to Collateral Agent of the cancellation or substantial modification thereof. Receipt of such notice shall entitle Collateral Agent (but Collateral Agent shall not be obligated) to renew any such policies, cause the coverages and amounts thereof to be maintained at levels required pursuant to this Section 5.05, or otherwise to obtain similar insurance in place of such policies, in each case at the expense of the Loan Parties.

 

Section 5.06 Inspections; Field Examinations and Appraisals. Each Loan Party will, and each Loan Party will cause each of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, (a) keep adequate books of record and account in which full, true, and correct entries are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities and (b) permit any representatives designated by Administrative Agent or any Lender (including employees of Administrative Agent or such Lender or any consultants, auditors, accountants, lawyers, and appraisers retained by Administrative Agent or such Lender) to visit and inspect any of the properties of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) (including Phase I Environmental Site Assessments), to conduct audits, valuations, appraisals, and/or field examinations of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to inspect, copy, and take extracts from its and their financial and accounting records, and to discuss its and their affairs, finances, and accounts with its and their officers and independent accountants and auditors, all upon reasonable notice and at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may reasonably be requested. The Loan Parties agree to pay (y) the field examiner’s and the appraiser’s reasonable and documented fees and out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with all such visits, audits, appraisals, inspections, valuations, and field examinations, and (z) the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs of all visits, audits, appraisals, inspections, valuations, and field examinations conducted by a third party on behalf of the Agents and Lenders. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.06, excluding any such visits, appraisals, field examinations, and inspections during the continuation of an Event of Default, (x) only Collateral Agent on behalf of the Lenders may exercise the rights of Administrative Agent and the Lenders under this Section 5.06 and, subject to clause (y) hereof, the Collateral Agent shall not exercise its rights under clause (b) hereof more often than two (2) times during any calendar year and only one (1) such time shall be at the Loan Parties’ expense and (y) Collateral Agent (or an appraiser or field examiner, in each case, selected by Collateral Agent in its Permitted Discretion) may conduct two (2) field examinations and two (2) appraisals of the Collateral, in each case, during any calendar year at the Loan Parties’ expense; provided, that when an Event of Default exists, any Agent or any Lender (or any of their respective representatives or independent contractors) may undertake any of the actions described in this Section 5.06 at the expense of the Loan Parties at any time during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice, without limitation as to frequency. The Loan Parties acknowledge that Collateral Agent or any Lender, after exercising its rights of inspection, may prepare and distribute to Lenders certain reports pertaining to the Loan Parties’ assets for internal use by Administrative Agent and Lenders.

 

- 85 -

 

 

Section 5.07 Lenders Meetings and Conference Calls.

 

(a) Global Parent and Lead Borrower will, upon the request of any Agent or Required Lenders, participate in a meeting of Agents and Lenders once during each Fiscal Year to be held at Lead Borrower’s corporate offices (or at such other location as may be agreed to by Lead Borrower and each Agent) at such time as may be agreed to by Lead Borrower and each Agent.

 

(b) Following the delivery of financial statements and other information required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(b) or Section 5.01(c), Global Parent shall, not later than 15 Business Days following the request of any Agent, cause its chief operating officer or chief financial officer to participate in a conference call with Agents and all Lenders who choose to participate in such conference call during which conference call the chief operating officer or chief financial officer shall review the financial condition of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) and such other matters as any Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.

 

Section 5.08 Compliance with Laws. Each Loan Party will comply, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to comply, with the requirements of all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and orders of any Governmental Authority, non-compliance with which could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, including, without limitation, Anti-corruption Laws, the PATRIOT Act, and OFAC Sanctions Programs.

 

Section 5.09 Environmental. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to,

 

(a) Keep any property either owned or operated by any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) free of any Environmental Liens or post bonds or other financial assurances sufficient to satisfy the obligations or liability evidenced by such Environmental Liens,

 

(b) Comply, in all material respects, with Environmental Laws and provide to Administrative Agent documentation of such compliance which Administrative Agent reasonably requests, except such non-compliance that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect,

 

(c) Promptly notify Administrative Agent of any release of which any Loan Party has knowledge of a Hazardous Material in any reportable quantity from or onto property owned or operated by any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and take any Remedial Actions required to abate said release or otherwise to come into compliance with applicable Environmental Law, and

 

(d) Promptly, but in any event within ten (10) Business Days of its receipt thereof, provide Administrative Agent with written notice of any of the following: (i) notice that an Environmental Lien has been filed against any of the real or personal property of a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), (ii) commencement of any Environmental Action or written notice that an Environmental Action will be filed against a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), in either case, that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and (iii) written notice of a violation, citation, or other administrative order from a Governmental Authority that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

- 86 -

 

 

Section 5.10 Subsidiaries.

 

(a) In the event that any Person becomes a Subsidiary of Global Parent after the Closing Date, Global Parent and the Lead Borrower shall (i) within 45 days (or 90 days with respect to any Subsidiary for which the execution of any mortgages relative to Real Property is required to comply with this Section 5.10 with respect to such Subsidiary) after the date when such Person becomes a Subsidiary (in each case, or such later date as may be agreed by both Agents in their sole discretion), cause such Subsidiary to become either a Guarantor Subsidiary hereunder by executing a joinder to this Agreement (provided that no Excluded Entity or Excluded Subsidiary shall be required to become a Guarantor Subsidiary hereunder for so long as such Subsidiary remains an Excluded Entity or Excluded Subsidiary) or become a Borrower hereunder by executing a Borrower Joinder Agreement (provided that no Excluded Entity or Excluded Subsidiary shall be required to become a Borrower hereunder for so long as such Subsidiary remains an Excluded Entity or Excluded Subsidiary) and (a) if such Subsidiary is incorporated or organized under the laws of the United States or any State thereof, cause such Subsidiary to be a “Grantor” under the Security Agreement by executing and delivering to Collateral Agent a Joinder (provided that no Excluded Entity or Excluded Subsidiary shall be required to become a Grantor under the Security Agreement for so long as such Subsidiary remains an Excluded Entity or Excluded Subsidiary) and (b) if such Subsidiary is incorporated or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States or any State thereof, (1) cause any Loan Party that directly owns the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary to grant to the Collateral Agent a legal, valid, enforceable perfected, First Priority security interest in such Capital Stock of such Subsidiary pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Agents and (2) cause such Subsidiary to grant to the Collateral Agent a legal, valid, enforceable perfected, First Priority security interest in all Collateral owned by it pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Agents (provided that no Excluded Entity or Excluded Subsidiary shall be required to grant such a security interest for so long as such Subsidiary remains an Excluded Entity or Excluded Subsidiary) and (ii) take all such actions and execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such documents, instruments, agreements, and certificates as are reasonably requested by an Agent in connection therewith; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the foregoing require (x) any Person to enter into any security agreement or pledge governed by the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States or any State thereof or (y) any filing or other action in any jurisdiction other than the United States or any State thereof in order to create or perfect a security interest, in the case of the foregoing clauses (x) and (y), unless (1) the total property and assets of the Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) incorporated or organized in such jurisdiction, determined in accordance with GAAP, exceeds 1% of the total property and assets of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP, as set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of Borrower most recently delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(b) or 5.01(c), as applicable or (2) the consolidated revenue of the Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) incorporated or organized in such jurisdiction exceeds 1% of the consolidated revenue of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP, as set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of Borrower most recently delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(b) or 5.01(c), as applicable (the foregoing clauses (1) and (2), the “Collateral Coverage Test”; the Collateral Coverage Test is deemed to be “satisfied” with respect to all subsidiaries organized or incorporated under the laws of any particular jurisdiction (other than the United States or any State thereof) if such Subsidiaries, collectively, do not satisfy clauses (1) and/or (2) of the definition of “Collateral Coverage Test”, and is otherwise deemed to be “not satisfied” with respect to such Subsidiaries). With respect to each such Subsidiary (excluding the Excluded Entities and Excluded Subsidiaries), Lead Borrower shall, within 45 days (or 90 days with respect to any Subsidiary (excluding the Excluded Entities and the Excluded Subsidiaries) for which the execution of any mortgages relative to Real Property is required to comply with this Section 5.10 with respect to such Subsidiary (excluding the Excluded Entities and the Excluded Subsidiaries)) after the date when such Person becomes a direct or indirect Subsidiary (excluding the Excluded Entities and the Excluded Subsidiaries) (in each case, or such later date as may be agreed by both Agents in their sole discretion), promptly send to each Agent written notice setting forth with respect to such Person (A) the date on which such Person became a direct or indirect Subsidiary of Lead Borrower (excluding the Excluded Entities and the Excluded Subsidiaries), and (B) all of the data required to be set forth in Schedules 4.1 and 4.2 for such Subsidiary (excluding the Excluded Entities and the Excluded Subsidiaries); provided, that such written notice shall be deemed to supplement Schedules 4.1 and 4.2 for all purposes hereof.

 

(b) No later than one Business Day (or 90 days with respect to any Subsidiary for which the execution of any mortgages relative to Real Property is required to comply with this Section 5.10 with respect to the mortgages relative to Real Property of such Subsidiary) after the Liberty Trigger Date (in each case, or such later date as may be agreed by both Agents in their sole discretion), cause Liberty Holdings and its Subsidiaries to become Borrowers by executing a Borrower Joinder Agreement (provided that no Excluded Subsidiary shall be required to become a Borrower hereunder for so long as such Subsidiary remains an Excluded Subsidiary) and (a) if such

 

Subsidiary is incorporated or organized under the laws of the United States or any State thereof, cause such Subsidiary to be a “Grantor” under the Security Agreement by executing and delivering to Collateral Agent a Joinder (provided that no Excluded Subsidiary shall be required to become a Grantor under the Security Agreement for so long as such Subsidiary remains an Excluded Subsidiary) and (b) if such Subsidiary is incorporated or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States or any State thereof, (1) cause any Loan Party that directly owns the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary to grant to the Collateral Agent a legal, valid, enforceable perfected, First Priority security interest in such Capital Stock of such Subsidiary pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Agents and (2) cause such Subsidiary to grant to the Collateral Agent a legal, valid, enforceable perfected, First Priority security interest in all Collateral owned by it pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Agents (provided that no Excluded Subsidiary shall be required to grant such a security interest for so long as such Subsidiary remains an Excluded Subsidiary) and (ii) take all such actions and execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such documents, instruments, agreements, and certificates as are reasonably requested by an Agent in connection therewith. With respect to each such Subsidiary, Lead Borrower shall, no later than one Business Day (or 90 days with respect to any Subsidiary for which the execution of any mortgages relative to Real Property is required to comply with this Section 5.10 with respect to the mortgages relative to Real Property of such Subsidiary) after the Liberty Trigger Date (in each case, or such later date as may be agreed by both Agents in their sole discretion) , promptly send to each Agent written notice setting forth with respect to such Person all of the data required to be set forth in Schedules 4.1 and 4.2 for such Subsidiary; provided, that such written notice shall be deemed to supplement Schedules 4.1 and 4.2 for all purposes hereof.

 

- 87 -

 

 

(b) [Reserved].

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein (including this Section 5.10) or in any other Loan Document, the Agents shall not accept delivery of any joinder to any Loan Document with respect to any Subsidiary of any Loan Party that is not a Loan Party, if such Subsidiary that qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation unless such Subsidiary has delivered a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to such Subsidiary and the Agents has completed its Patriot Act searches, OFAC/PEP searches and customary individual background checks for such Subsidiary, the results of which shall be satisfactory to the Agents.

 

Section 5.11 Material Real Estate Assets. In the event that any Loan Party acquires a Material Real Estate Asset located in the United States or a Real Estate Asset owned by any Loan Party and located in the United States becomes a Material Real Estate Asset and such interest has not otherwise been made subject to the Lien of the Collateral Documents in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, then such Loan Party, no later than 90 days after acquiring such Material Real Estate Asset, or no later than 90 days after such Real Estate Asset becomes a Material Real Estate Asset (in each case, or such later date as may be agreed by the Collateral Agent), shall take all such actions and execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, with respect to such Material Real Estate Asset, (i) a Mortgage, (ii) an opinion of counsel in the jurisdiction where such Material Real Estate Asset is located with respect to the enforceability of such Mortgage and such other reasonable and customary matters as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request, and (iii) a mortgagee policy of title insurance (or a marked up title insurance commitment having the effect of a mortgagee policy of title insurance) issued by a title company reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent, in an amount not less than the fair market value of such Material Real Estate Asset, insuring the Lien of such Mortgage as a valid First Priority security interest on such Material Real Estate Asset (the items set forth in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), collectively, the “Mortgage Deliverables”). In addition to the foregoing, Lead Borrower shall, at the request of Required Lenders, deliver, from time to time, to Collateral Agent such appraisals as are required by law or regulation of Real Estate Assets with respect to which Collateral Agent has been granted a Lien; provided, however, that in no event shall Lead Borrower be required to deliver an appraisal to Collateral Agent for a particular Material Real Estate Asset more than once in any given calendar year unless such appraisal is at Collateral Agent’s sole cost. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, in no event shall any Loan Party be required to deliver Mortgage Deliverables with respect to any Real Estate Asset that is not a Material Real Estate Asset.

 

- 88 -

 

 

Section 5.12 Location of Inventory and Equipment. Keep the Loan Parties’ Inventory and Equipment (other than vehicles and Equipment out for repair, and other than Inventory and Equipment with, in the aggregate, a de minimis value) only at the locations identified on Schedule 4.25; provided, that Lead Borrower may amend Schedule 4.25 so long as such amendment occurs by written notice to Collateral Agent not less than 10 days prior to the date on which such Inventory or Equipment is moved to such new location or such chief executive office is relocated and so long as such new location is within the United States; provided that, within 90 days of the Closing Date (or, as to any properties added to Schedule 4.25 after the Closing Date, within 90 days of the delivery of the amended Schedule 4.25 including such property) (or, in each case, such later date to which Collateral Agent may otherwise agree) Lead Borrower shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to provide to Collateral Agent a Collateral Access Agreement with respect to any such location identified on Schedule 4.25 that is not a fee owned Real Estate Asset if the aggregate fair market value of the Inventory and Equipment located on such premises exceeds $250,000; provided that, following the occurrence and during the continuance of a Default or an Event of Default, no Inventory or Equipment shall be moved to any location not identified on the most recently provided Schedule 4.25 unless such Collateral Access Agreement is provided prior thereto or Collateral Agent shall consent in writing to moving specified Inventory or Equipment to a particular location or locations identified on Section 4.25.

 

Section 5.13 Further Assurances. At any time or from time to time upon the request of any Agent, each Loan Party will, at its expense, promptly execute, acknowledge, and deliver such further documents and do such other acts and things as such Agent may reasonably request in order to effect fully the purposes of the Loan Documents, including providing Lenders with any information reasonably requested pursuant to Section 10.22. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, each Loan Party shall take such actions as any Agent may reasonably request from time to time to ensure that, subject in each case to Section 5.10, the Obligations are guaranteed by the Guarantors and are secured by substantially all of the assets of Loan Parties and all of the outstanding Capital Stock of Loan Parties (other than the Capital Stock of Global Parent and the Equity Grant).

 

- 89 -

 

 

Section 5.14 Corporate Separateness. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each of its direct and indirect Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) who is not a Loan Party to,

 

(a) individually or collectively maintain its own Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts, as applicable, and all other accounts, separate from those of any of their Affiliates (other than the Loan Parties) with commercial banking or financial institutions, and prevent such funds from being commingled with the funds of any of its Affiliates (other than the Loan Parties);

 

(b) to the extent that each Loan Party and each of its direct and indirect Subsidiaries who is not a Loan Party hereunder and any of their Affiliates (other than the Loan Parties) have offices in the same location, ensure that there shall be a fair and appropriate allocation of overhead costs among them, and each Loan Party and each of its direct and indirect Subsidiaries who is not a Loan Party hereunder shall bear its fair share of such expenses;

 

(c) to the extent that each Loan Party and each of its direct and indirect Subsidiaries who is not a Loan Party hereunder and any of their Affiliates (other than the Loan Parties) jointly have the benefit of amounts under any contracts, ensure that they contribute to such amounts on a fair and reasonable basis, based on each party’s use and expense;

 

(d) conduct its affairs in its own names and in accordance with its Organization Documents and observes all necessary, appropriate and customary corporate or equivalent formalities, including, but not limited to, holding all regular and special meetings necessary to authorize all its actions, keeping separate and materially accurate minutes of its meetings, passing all resolutions or consents necessary to authorize actions taken or to be taken, and maintaining, in all material respects, accurate and separate books, records and accounts, including, but not limited to, payroll and intercompany transaction accounts; and

 

(e) not assume, guarantee, indemnify or grant any Liens in respect of any of the liabilities or other obligations of any of its Affiliates (other than the Loan Parties).

 

Section 5.15 [Reserved].

 

Section 5.16 Post-Closing Matters. Borrowers shall, and shall cause each of the other Loan Parties to, satisfy the requirements set forth on Schedule 5.16 on or before the date specified for such requirement or such later date to be determined by both Agents in their sole discretion.

 

Section 5.17 Use of Proceeds. Borrowers shall apply the proceeds of the Term Loans as set forth in Section 2.05 hereof.

 

Section 5.18 Franchise Agreements. Each Loan Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, satisfy and perform in all material respects all obligations of each such Person under each Franchise Agreement, except such non-compliance that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

- 90 -

 

 

ARTICLE VI
NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

Each Loan Party covenants and agrees that, so long as any Commitment is in effect and until payment in full of all Obligations, such Loan Party shall perform, and such Loan Party shall cause each of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to perform, all covenants in this Article VI.

 

Section 6.01 Indebtedness. No Loan Party shall, nor shall any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume, or guarantee, or otherwise become or remain directly or indirectly liable with respect to any Indebtedness, except: Permitted Indebtedness; provided that prior to the ABL Bridge Replacement Credit Agreement Effective Date, the aggregate principal amount of the ABL Obligations permitted to be incurred under clause (k) of Permitted Indebtedness shall not exceed $100,000,000 and on and after the ABL Bridge Replacement Credit Agreement Effective Date, the aggregate principal amount of the ABL Obligations shall not exceed $165,000,000; provided further that ABL Excess Availability under such ABL Bridge Replacement Credit Agreement at all times until the Liberty JoinderSecond Amendment Effective Date shall be no less than $25,000,000.

 

Section 6.02 Liens. No Loan Party shall, nor shall any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume, or permit to exist any Lien on or with respect to any property or asset of any kind (including any document or instrument in respect of goods or accounts receivable) of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or any income or profits therefrom, or file or permit the filing of, or permit to remain in effect, any financing statement or other similar notice of any Lien with respect to any such property, asset, income, or profits under the UCC of any State or under any similar recording or notice statute, except Permitted Liens.

 

Section 6.03 [Reserved].

 

Section 6.04 No Further Negative Pledges. Except with respect to (a) specific property encumbered to secure payment of particular Indebtedness or to be sold pursuant to an executed agreement with respect to an Asset Sale permitted under Section 6.09, (b) restrictions by reason of customary provisions restricting assignments, subletting, or other transfers contained in leases, licenses, and similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business (provided that such restrictions are limited to the property or assets secured by such Liens or the property or assets subject to such leases, licenses, or similar agreements, as the case may be), (c) any covenants contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Documents, (d) any covenants contained in the ABL Credit Agreement or in any other ABL Loan Documents, and (e) restrictions imposed by law, no Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) shall enter into any agreement prohibiting the creation or assumption of any Lien upon any of its properties or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired.

 

- 91 -

 

 

Section 6.05 Restricted Junior Payments. No Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) through any manner or means or through any other Person to, directly or indirectly, declare, order, pay, make, or set apart, or agree to declare, order, pay, make, or set apart, any sum for any Restricted Junior Payment except:

 

(a) the making of (i) Permitted Tax Payments and (ii) to the extent constituting a Restricted Junior Payment, the payment of fees and expenses (or the distribution of amounts used to pay such fees and expenses) incurred by Ultimate Parent in connection with (x) corporate and public company overhead costs and expenses (including administrative, legal accounting, Tax reporting, insurance and other similar expenses payable to third parties) solely attributable to the operations of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) (in the good faith judgment of the Lead Borrower) that are incurred in the ordinary course of business in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000 in any Fiscal Year; and (y) substantially contemporaneously with the Closing Date, the Transactions;

 

(b) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall be caused thereby, Restricted Junior Payments made solely in Capital Stock of a Parent Company (other than Disqualified Capital Stock) shall be permitted so long as a Change of Control does not occur after giving effect to any such Restricted Junior Payments;

 

(c) Lead Borrower may make Restricted Junior Payments in cash to Global Parent in respect of any Fiscal Quarter (a “Subject Fiscal Quarter”) following the first full Fiscal Quarter ending after the Liberty JoinderSecond Amendment Effective Date, and concurrently therewith Global Parent (and any direct or indirect parent thereof) may make Restricted Junior Payments in cash to the direct or indirect holders of its Capital Stock, so long as (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would immediately result therefrom, (ii) the Total Leverage Ratio, calculated as of the last day of such Subject Fiscal Quarter pursuant to the Compliance Certificate delivered in respect of such Subject Fiscal Quarter pursuant to Section 5.01(d), after giving pro forma effect to such Restricted Junior Payment, does not exceed the level indicated in Section 6.08(b) for such Subject Fiscal Quarter, (iii) the Dividend Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, calculated for such Subject Fiscal Quarter pursuant to the Compliance Certificate delivered in respect of such Subject Fiscal Quarter pursuant to Section 5.01(d), after giving pro forma effect to such Restricted Junior Payment and any mandatory prepayments required to be paid under the Section 2.13(e), is not less than 1.25:1.00 for such Subject Fiscal Quarter, (iv) such Restricted Junior Payment in respect of such Subject Fiscal Quarter (A) is equal to an amount funded solely from the proceeds of Capital Stock of Ultimate Parent or (B) on or after January 1, 2021, is equal to an amount not to exceed the lesser of (x) 50% of Consolidated Excess Cash Flow of the Fiscal Quarter immediately preceding such Subject Fiscal Quarter and (y) the Permitted Dividend Amount, and, in each case, if made pursuant to this clause (iv)(B) shall be made concurrently with any mandatory prepayments required to be paid under the Section 2.13(e), and (v) on a pro forma basis, after giving effect to such Restricted Junior Payment, Consolidated Liquidity is $30,000,000 or more and (vi) the prior two consecutive Fiscal Quarters were not Cure Quarters;

 

- 92 -

 

 

(d) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall be caused thereby, the repayment or prepayment of all or any part of the principal on any Indebtedness owed by any Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to any of a Parent Company; provided, that any interest, fees and expenses thereon may accrue so long as such interest, fees and expenses are not paid in cash until payment in full of all Obligations;

 

(e) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall be caused thereby, the making of cash payments to Global Parent to redeem, retire, purchase or otherwise acquire the shares of Capital Stock of the Lead Borrower issued or sold to Global Parent in reliance on Section 6.19(b) and not constituting Curative Equity; provided, that cash payments made in reliance on this clause (e) shall not exceed, in the aggregate, the amounts paid to Lead Borrower by Global Parent in exchange for such shares of Capital Stock; and

 

(f) Restricted Junior Payments (x) made by Global Parent using the proceeds of any substantially concurrent cash capital contributions received by Global Parent from Ultimate Parent or (y) deemed made by Global Parent as a result of Restricted Junior Payments made by Ultimate Parent on behalf of Global Parent; provided that, in each case, any proceeds actually received in cash from Ultimate Parent for use pursuant to this clause (f) (1) shall not be considered Curative Equity and shall be disregarded for purposes of calculation any financial covenant and (2) amounts contributed in such Fiscal Quarter, amounts contributed in any prior Fiscal Quarter that have not been distributed as of such Fiscal Quarter and amounts distributed in such Fiscal Quarter must all be designated in the Compliance Certificate; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in no event shall any Loan Party make any Restricted Junior Payment that results in the transfer of ownership (directly or indirectly) of any Material Intellectual Property (except for non-exclusive licenses of patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights granted by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and not interfering in any respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of such Loan Party or any such Subsidiary) or any interest in any Franchise Agreement to any Person that is not a Loan Party.

 

Section 6.06 Restrictions on Subsidiary Distributions. Except as provided herein, no Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the ability of any Subsidiary of Lead Borrower to (a) pay dividends or make any other distributions on any of such Subsidiary’s Capital Stock owned by Lead Borrower or any other Subsidiary of Lead Borrower, (b) repay or prepay any Indebtedness owed by such Subsidiary to Lead Borrower or any other Subsidiary of Lead Borrower, (c) make loans or advances to Lead Borrower or any other Subsidiary of Lead Borrower, or (d) transfer any of its property or assets to Borrower or any other Subsidiary of Lead Borrower other than restrictions (i) in agreements evidencing Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness that impose restrictions on the property so acquired, (ii) by reason of customary provisions restricting assignments, subletting, or other transfers contained in leases, licenses, joint venture agreements, and similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business, (iii) that are or were created by virtue of any transfer of, agreement to transfer, or option or right with respect to any property, assets, or Capital Stock not otherwise prohibited under this Agreement, and (iv) that are in the ABL Credit Agreement and (v) that are imposed by law. No Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit its Subsidiaries to, enter into any Contractual Obligations which would prohibit a Subsidiary of Lead Borrower from being a Loan Party. Each reference in this Section 6.06 to a “Subsidiary” or “Subsidiaries” shall exclude the Excluded Entities.

 

Section 6.07 Investments. No Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, directly or indirectly, make or own any Investment in any Person, including, without limitation, any Joint Venture, except any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (excluding the Excluded Entities) thereof may make or own Permitted Investments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any Loan Party make any Investment (i) which results in or facilitates in any manner any Restricted Junior Payment not otherwise permitted under the terms of Section 6.05 or (ii) that results in the transfer of ownership (directly or indirectly) of any Material Intellectual Property (except for non-exclusive licenses of patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights granted by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and not interfering in any respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of such Loan Party or any such Subsidiary) or any interest in any Franchise Agreement to any Person that is not a Loan Party.

 

- 93 -

 

 

Section 6.08 Financial Covenants.

 

(a) Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. The Loan Parties shall not permit the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for any four-Fiscal Quarter period, beginning with the four-Fiscal Quarter period ending June 30, 2020, to be less than the correlative ratio indicated:

 

Fiscal Quarter Ending On   Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
June 30, 2020   1.25:1.00
September 30, 2020   1.25:1.00
December 31, 2020   1.25:1.00
March 30, 2021   1.25:1.00
June 30, 2021   1.25:1.00
September 30, 2021   1.25:1.00
December 31, 2021   1.30:1.00
March 30, 2022   1.35:1.00
June 30, 2022   1.40:1.00
September 30, 2022   1.40:1.00
December 31, 2022   1.45:1.00
March 30, 2023   1.50:1.00
June 30, 2023   1.55:1.00
September 30, 2023   1.55:1.00
December 31, 2023   1.60:1.00
March 30, 2024   1.65:1.00
June 30, 2024   1.70:1.00
September 30, 2024   1.70:1.00
December 31, 2024   1.75:1.00

 

- 94 -

 

 

(b) Total Leverage Ratio. The Loan Parties shall not permit the Total Leverage Ratio as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter, beginning with the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2020, to exceed the correlative ratio indicated:

     
Fiscal Quarter Ending On   Total Leverage Ratio
June 30, 2020   5.00:1.00
September 30, 2020   5.00:1.00
December 31, 2020   5.00:1.00
March 30, 2021   4.25:1.00
June 30, 2021   4.25:1.00
September 30, 2021   4.25:1.00
December 31, 2021   4.25:1.00
March 30, 2022   3.75:1.00
June 30, 2022   3.75:1.00
September 30, 2022   3.75:1.00
December 31, 2022   3.75:1.00
March 30, 2023   3.00:1.00
June 30, 2023   3.00:1.00
September 30, 2023   3.00:1.00
December 31, 2023   3.00:1.00
March 30, 2024   2.50:1.00
June 30, 2024   2.50:1.00
September 30, 2024   2.50:1.00
December 31, 2024   2.50:1.00

 

(c) [Reserved].

 

(d) Certain Calculations. With respect to any period during which an Asset Sale or a Permitted Acquisition by a Loan Party or any of their Subsidiaries (other than an Excluded Entity) has occurred (each, a “Subject Transaction”), for purposes of determining compliance with the financial covenants set forth in this Section 6.08, Consolidated EBITDA and the components of Consolidated Fixed Charges shall be calculated with respect to such period on a pro forma basis (including pro forma adjustments approved by each Agent in its sole discretion or otherwise permitted pursuant to the definition of Consolidated EBITDA) using the historical audited financial statements of any business so sold or to be sold, in an amount that is validated by a quality of earnings report that is reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent from an auditing firm that is acceptable to each Agent and based on the definition of Consolidated EBITDA set forth in this agreement or as otherwise permitted pursuant to the definition of Consolidated EBITDA. For the purposes of the foregoing, the consolidated financial statements of the Loan Parties shall be reformulated as if such Subject Transaction, and any Indebtedness incurred or repaid in connection therewith, had been consummated or incurred or repaid at the beginning of such period (and assuming that such Indebtedness bears interest during any portion of the applicable measurement period prior to the relevant acquisition at the weighted average of the interest rates applicable to outstanding Loans incurred during such period).

 

- 95 -

 

 

Section 6.09 Fundamental Changes; Disposition of Assets; Acquisitions. No Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation, or liquidate, wind up, or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or convey, sell, lease, or sub-lease (as lessor or sublessor), exchange, transfer, or otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or any part of its business, assets, or property of any kind whatsoever (whether by Division or otherwise), whether real, personal, or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or acquired by purchase or otherwise (other than purchases or other acquisitions of inventory, materials, and equipment and capital expenditures in the ordinary course of business) the business, property, or fixed assets of, or stock or other evidence of beneficial ownership of, any Person or any division or line of business or other business unit of any Person, except:

 

(a) any Subsidiary of Global Parent may be merged with or into Borrower or any Guarantor Subsidiary, or be liquidated, wound up, or dissolved so long as all the assets of such liquidating, wound up or dissolved entity are transferred to a Loan Party (other than Global Parent) that is not liquidating, winding up or dissolving, or all or any part of its business, property, or assets may be conveyed, sold, leased, transferred, or otherwise disposed of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, to Borrower or any Guarantor Subsidiary; provided, that in the case of such a merger, Borrower or such Guarantor Subsidiary, as applicable, shall be the continuing or surviving Person,

 

(b) sales or other dispositions of assets that do not constitute Asset Sales,

 

(c) dispositions of equipment and other property in the ordinary course of business that is worn (other than normal “wear and tear”), damaged, obsolete or, in the judgment of a Loan Party, no longer useful or necessary in its business or that of any Subsidiary,

 

(d) to the extent constituting an Asset Sale, (i) the incurrence of Permitted Liens, (ii) the making of Restricted Junior Payments permitted pursuant to Section 6.05 and sale and lease back transactions permitted by Section 6.11,

 

(e) Asset Sales; provided, that (A) (x) for Asset Sales not constituting Refranchising Activity, the consideration received for such assets shall be in an amount at least equal to the fair market value thereof (determined in good faith by Board of Lead Borrower or Global Parent (or similar governing body), which consideration is received in an arm’s length transaction from a Person other than an Affiliate of a Loan Party (provided that Asset Sales as permitted by Section 6.12(e) may be consummated with an Affiliate of a Loan Party) or (y) solely, to the extent such Asset Sale constitutes Refranchising Activity, the Net Proceeds (excluding any royalties paid to a Liberty Party in connection with the operation of a retail location) thereof shall not be less than five (5) times the net cash flow generated at the store(s) before allocating corporate overhead expenses for the four Fiscal Quarter period then ending, (B) no less than 75% thereof shall be paid in Cash, (C) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Asset Sale, the Loan Parties shall be in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.08(a) and (b) as of the last day of the most recent Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(b), (D) the Net Proceeds thereof shall be applied as required by Section 2.13(a) or 2.13(g), and (E) for Asset Sales (x) not constituting Refranchising Activity or (y) constituting sales of Real Property, the Net Proceeds thereof shall not exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate,

 

(f) the Lead Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof may make or own Permitted Investments,

 

(g) sales, transfers and other dispositions among the Loan Parties,

 

(h) sales, transfers, and other dispositions by any Subsidiary which is not a Loan Party to any Loan Party or any other Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party,

 

(i) dispositions of Cash or Cash Equivalents in the ordinary course of business;

 

- 96 -

 

 

(j) non-exclusive licenses of patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights granted by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and not interfering in any respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of such Loan Party or any such Subsidiary;

 

(k) the abandonment, cancellation, dedication to the public domain or allowance to lapse of intellectual property of any Loan Party that is no longer material to that Loan Party’s business in that Loan Party’s reasonable business judgment;

 

(l) dispositions of any assets (including Capital Stock) (A) acquired in connection with any Permitted Acquisition or other Investment not prohibited hereunder, which assets are not used or useful to the core or principal business of the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries or (B) made to obtain the approval of any applicable antitrust authority in connection with a Permitted Acquisition;

 

(m) to the extent constituting a disposition, the waiver of any payments due on or in respect of Indebtedness (other than payments due at the maturity thereof) owing to the Loan Parties by any other Persons;

 

(n) exclusive licenses granted to franchisees in the ordinary course and consistent with past practices; and

 

(o) consummate a Division as a Dividing Person without the prior written consent of either Agent; notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Borrower or Guarantor that is a limited liability company consummates a Division, each Division Successor shall be required to comply with the obligations set forth in Section 5.13 and the other further assurances obligations set forth in the Loan Documents and become a Borrower or Guarantor, as applicable, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.; and

 

(p) the sale by the Liberty Parties of Liberty Area Development Rights, Liberty Franchise Rights, and store locations (and customer lists and other assets related thereto), in each case in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in no event shall any Loan Party make any Asset Sale or other asset sale or disposition of assets that results in the transfer of ownership (directly or indirectly) of any Material Intellectual Property (except for non-exclusive licenses of patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights granted by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and not interfering in any respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of such Loan Party or any such Subsidiary) or any interest in any Franchise Agreement to any Person that is not a Loan Party.

 

Section 6.10 Disposal of Subsidiary Interests. Except for any sale of all of its interests in the Capital Stock of any of its Subsidiaries in compliance with the provisions of Section 6.09, no Loan Party shall, nor shall any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, (a) directly or indirectly sell, assign, pledge, or otherwise encumber or dispose of any Capital Stock of any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), except to qualify directors if required by applicable law or (b) permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) directly or indirectly to sell, assign, pledge, or otherwise encumber or dispose of any Capital Stock of any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), except (i) the Equity Grant, (ii) to another Loan Party (subject to the restrictions on such disposition otherwise imposed hereunder), or (iii) to qualify directors if required by applicable law.

 

Section 6.11 Sales and Lease Backs. No Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, directly or indirectly, become or remain liable as lessee or as a guarantor or other surety with respect to any lease of any property (whether real, personal, or mixed), whether now owned or hereafter acquired, which such Loan Party (a) has sold or transferred or is to sell or to transfer to any other Person (other than Lead Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Loan Party) or (b) intends to use for substantially the same purpose as any other property which has been or is to be sold or transferred by such Loan Party to any Person (other than Lead Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Loan Party) in connection with such lease.

 

 

- 97 -

 

 

Section 6.12 Transactions with Affiliates. No Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, directly or indirectly, enter into or permit to exist any transaction (including the purchase, sale, lease, or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with any holder of 5% or more of any class of Capital Stock of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or with any Affiliate of Global Parent or of any such holder; provided, that the foregoing restrictions shall not apply to any of the following:

 

(a) any transaction among the Loan Parties,

 

(b) compensation arrangements for officers and other employees of Global Parent and its Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business,

 

(c) the payment of Restricted Junior Payments permitted by Section 6.05,

 

(d) any Loan Party may purchase assets from Affiliates thereof in the ordinary course of business so long as (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, (ii) such purchase is consummated pursuant to an arm’s length transaction and (iii) such assets are purchased for fair market value,

 

(e) Asset Sales in the form of a sale of furniture and assignment of lease agreements to franchisees in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices, so long as (i) the sale thereof is approved by independent members of the Board that do not have any economic or voting interest in Lead Borrower (other than such position on the Board); (ii) concurrently with such sale, Administrative Agent shall receive a copy of an executed Franchise Agreement in which such franchisee agrees to pay for the right to use the brand name, products, suppliers, equipment, and systems of Lead Borrower; (iii) the Loan Parties shall be in pro forma compliance with the financial covenants in Section 6.08 for the immediately preceding four-Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been (or were required to be) delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(b), and (iv) in connection with the sale referenced in this clause (e), such sale meets the terms and conditions set forth in clause (e) of Section 6.09 and the Net Proceeds thereof shall be applied as required by Section 2.13(a),

 

(f) financial advisory services with Affiliates, including, Vintage Capital Management, LLC so long as such financial advisory services are at arm’s length provided at a customary fee consistent with industry standards not to exceed $1,000,000 per Fiscal Year, and

 

(g)    transactions described in Schedule 6.12;, and

 

(h)    issuance of the Equity Grant; provided, further, that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in no event shall any Loan Party enter into any transaction (including the purchase, sale, lease, or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with any holder of 5% or more of any class of Capital Stock of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or with any Affiliate of Global Parent or of any such holder, that results in the transfer of ownership (directly or indirectly) of any Material Intellectual Property (except for non-exclusive licenses of patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights granted by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and not interfering in any respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of such Loan Party or any such Subsidiary) or any interest in any Franchise Agreement to any Person that is not a Loan Party.

 

Section 6.13 Conduct of Business. From and after the Closing Date, no Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, engage in any business other than (a) the businesses engaged in by such Loan Party or its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) on the Closing Date and any other business reasonably related or complimentary thereto and (b) such other lines of business as may be consented to by the Required Lenders.

 

- 98 -

 

 

Section 6.14 Permitted Activities of Parent Companies. The Global Parent shall not (i) incur, directly or indirectly, any material Indebtedness for borrowed money other than the Obligations and intercompany Indebtedness or otherwise expressly permitted to be incurred by the Global Parent hereunder, (ii) create or suffer to exist any Lien upon any property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired by it other than (A) the Liens created under the Collateral Documents to which it is a party and (B) the Liens contemplated by clause (iii)(12) below, (iii) engage in any business or activity or own any assets other than (1) holding Capital Stock of its Subsidiaries and other investments contemplated by clause (iii)(12) below, (2) performing its obligations and activities incidental thereto under the Loan Documents, (3) making Restricted Junior Payments and Investments not prohibited hereunder, (4) carrying out activities incidental to maintenance of its corporate existence (including the ability to incur fees, costs and expenses relating to such maintenance) and the management of its Subsidiaries (including the ability to incur fees, costs and expenses relating to such management), (5) the performance of obligations under and compliance with its Organizational Documents, or other Requirement of Law, ordinance, regulation, rule, order, judgment, decree or permit, including as a result of or in connection with the activities of any of its Subsidiaries, (6) the making of any loan to any officers, directors, managers, members of management, consultants or independent contractors constituting (or that would constitute, to the extent Global Parent were subject to Section 6.07, an Investment permitted under Section 6.07), (7) participating in tax, accounting and other administrative matters related to any of its Subsidiaries, (8) the entry into, and exercise rights and performance of its obligations under and in connection with the Loan Documents and guarantees of other Indebtedness not prohibited from being incurred under this Agreement by any of its Subsidiaries, (9) holding of any cash and cash equivalents received from any of its Subsidiaries, (10) the payment of dividends or making of distributions, making of loans and contributions to the capital of its Subsidiaries and guaranteeing the obligations (other than Indebtedness) of its Subsidiaries, (11) incurring fees, costs and expenses relating to overhead and general operating expenses including professional fees for legal, tax and accounting issues and paying taxes, (12) activities incidental to the businesses or activities described in the foregoing clauses and (13) any other transactions in the ordinary course of business (including, without limitation, making Investments and forming or acquiring new Subsidiaries) as permitted by its Organizational Documents (other than become an operating company or engage in significant operating company activities), (iv) cease to exist, consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer, or lease all or substantially all its assets to, any Person or (v) fail to hold itself out to the public as a legal entity separate and distinct from all other Persons.

 

Section 6.15 Changes to Certain Agreements and Organizational Documents.

 

(a) No Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, agree to any material amendment, restatement, supplement, or other modification to, or waiver of, any of its material rights under the Acquisition Agreement after the Closing Date without in each case obtaining the prior written consent of Required Lenders to such amendment, restatement, supplement, or other modification or waiver.

 

(b) No Loan Party shall amend or permit any amendments to any Loan Party’s Organizational Documents if such amendment, termination, or waiver would be material and adverse to the Agents or Lenders.

 

(c) No Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, amend or otherwise change the terms of any Indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the Obligations, except as may be permitted pursuant to the applicable subordination and/or intercreditor arrangements, the terms and conditions of which are satisfactory to each Agent.

 

(d) No Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, agree to any amendment, restatement, supplement, or other modification to, or waiver of, under the Liberty Loan Documents after the Closing Date, in each case, that is materially adverse to the Lenders, without in each case obtaining the prior written consent of Required Lenders to such amendment, restatement, supplement, or other modification or waiver; provided that any changes to the “Maturity Date” and “Commitment” or the component definitions thereof shall be considered materially adverse.

 

- 99 -

 

 

Section 6.16 Accounting Methods. The Loan Parties will not and will not permit any of their Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to modify or change its fiscal year or its method of accounting (other than as may be required to conform to GAAP); provided that the Loan Parties may change their fiscal year following 30 days’ prior written notice to each Agent; provided further that, immediately following such notice, the Loan Parties will (i) provide such information as reasonably requested by any Agent or Required Lenders, including without limitation, a Financial Plan reflecting such new fiscal year, as applicable, and (ii) negotiate in good faith technical amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, as necessary, to reflect such new fiscal year.

 

Section 6.17 Cash Management.

 

(a) No Loan Party shall establish or maintain a Deposit Account or a Securities Account that is not subject to a Control Agreement; provided, that no Excluded Account shall be required to be subject to a Control Agreement; provided, further, that the Loan Parties shall have forty (40) days after the date hereof (other than the Sears Top Parent and Buddy’s Top Parent and their respective Subsidiaries, which will have twenty days after the date hereof) (or, in each case, with respect to Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts opened or acquired after the Closing Date, sixty (60) days after the date of such opening or acquisition) (or with respect to Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts owned by the Liberty Parties on the Second Amendment Effective Date, sixty (60) days after the Second Amendment Effective Date) (or, in each case, such later date to which Collateral Agent may otherwise agree) to cause a Deposit Account or Securities Account to become subject to a Control Agreement so long as no Cash or securities being held in a Deposit Account or Securities Account subject to a Control Agreement is transferred to any such new Deposit Account or Securities Account prior to such new Deposit Account or Securities Account becoming subject to a Control Agreement. The Loan Parties shall transfer no less frequently than daily (other than days that are not business days for the applicable bank) (or, solely with respect to AF Holdings and its Subsidiaries, weekly) to a Deposit Account subject to a Control Agreement all payments received from all Credit Card Issuers and Credit Card Processors (other than to the extent such payments are received directly into a Deposit Account subject to a Control Agreement).

 

(b) [Reserved].

 

(b) If at the close of any Business Day, the amount standing to the credit of any Local Deposit Account exceeds the product of $25,000 and the amount of store locations using such account as a Local Deposit Account (or, from January 1 through April 30 of any calendar year, the product of $100,000 and such number of store locations), then the related Liberty Party shall, not later than the following Business Day, cause the amount of such excess to be transferred to a Deposit Account that is subject to a Control Agreement. If the average daily amount standing to the credit of any Local Deposit Account exceeds 120% of the maximum amount permitted to be maintained in such account pursuant to the preceding sentence for any period of 10 consecutive days, the applicable Liberty Party will promptly so notify the Administrative Agent. Upon receipt of any such notice, the Administrative Agent may designate such Deposit Account as not constituting a Local Deposit Account, and the applicable Liberty Party will cause such Deposit Account to be subject to a Control Agreement within 90 days of receipt of such notice.

 

(c) Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, each Control Agreement shall provide that the applicable depositary bank or securities intermediary will comply with any instructions originated by the ABL Agent or the Collateral Agent directing the disposition of funds in the applicable deposit account or securities account without further consent by the Loan Party; provided that the Collateral Agent shall not issue such instructions except during the continuance of an Event of Default; provided, further, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Collateral Agent shall not issue such instructions under any Control Agreement in respect of a Deposit Account or Securities Account owned or maintained by Global Parent or Liberty/Revolution Top Parent except during the continuance of an Specified Event of Default; (provided that, unless Collateral Agent otherwise agrees, such Control Agreements shall provide that the Collateral Agent’s instructions shall automatically be deemed to have been issued upon an Event of Default under Sections 8.01(f) or (g)).

 

- 100 -

 

 

(d) To the extent not previously delivered prior to the Closing Date, deliver to Collateral Agent within twenty (20) calendar days after the Closing Date (or, with respect to the Liberty Parties, the Second Amendment Effective Date) (or such longer period as agreed to by Collateral Agent) copies of notifications in the form of Exhibit H hereto (each, a “Credit Card Notification”), or otherwise reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Collateral Agent which have been executed by the applicable Loan Parties and delivered to such Loan Party’s Credit Card Issuers and Credit Card Processors listed in Schedule 6.17 with respect to which the Loan Parties have established credit card processing arrangements; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any multi-party credit card processing arrangements or credit card processing arrangements entered into by any predecessors in interest to the Loan Parties, the Loan Parties shall be required to use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure the delivery of such Credit Card Notifications as promptly as reasonably practicable following the Closing Date.

 

(e) Upon entering into any agreements with any new Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor, the Loan Parties shall deliver to Collateral Agent a Credit Card Notification as set forth in Section 6.17(d) hereof.

 

(f) Collateral Agent agrees that (1) it shall not direct any Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor to transfer any proceeds pursuant to any Credit Card Notification unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (2) if any Loan Party shall so request, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Collateral Agent shall countersign any notification, request, order or direction from such Loan Party to any Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor directing payments from such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor to be made to a new or different Deposit Account, provided such Deposit Account is subject to a Control Agreement.

 

Section 6.18 Prepayments of Certain Indebtedness. No Loan Party shall, directly or indirectly, voluntarily purchase, redeem, defease or prepay any principal of, premium, interest or other amount payable in respect of any Indebtedness prior to its scheduled maturity, other than prepayments and repayments of Permitted Indebtedness.

 

Section 6.19 Issuance of Capital Stock. Except for (a) the issuance or sale of Qualified Capital Stock by Lead Borrower pursuant to an investment of Curative Equity, (b) the issuance or sale of Capital Stock of Global Parent or Lead Borrower, in exchange for cash payments by Global Parent to Lead Borrower, or (c) the issuance or sale of Capital Stock as otherwise expressly permitted under this Agreement, including, but not limited to, Section 6.07 and Section 6.10, Global Parent will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, issue or sell any of its Capital Stock (other than the issuance or sale of directors’ qualifying shares, issuances pursuant to any equity incentive plan or similar plan, orthe Equity Grant, and other nominal issuanceissuances in order to comply with local laws).

 

Section 6.20 Anti-Terrorism Laws. No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, directly or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, indirectly, to make any payments to a Sanctioned Entity or a Sanctioned Person, to finance any investments in a Sanctioned Entity or a Sanctioned Person, to fund any operations of a Sanctioned Entity or a Sanctioned Person, or in any other manner that would result in a violation of applicable Sanctions by any Person, and no part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, directly or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, indirectly, 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 the Anti-corruption Laws.

 

Section 6.21 Franchise Agreements. No Loan Party will maintain or distribute any Franchise Disclosure Documents, or enter into any Franchise Agreements, in violation of Section 4.28(c).

 

- 101 -

 

 

ARTICLE VII
GUARANTY

 

Section 7.01 Guaranty of the Obligations. Subject to the provisions of Section 7.02, Guarantors jointly and severally hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee for the ratable benefit of the Beneficiaries the due and punctual payment in full of all Obligations when the same shall become due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand, or otherwise (including amounts that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code) (collectively, the “Guaranteed Obligations”).

 

Section 7.02 Contribution by Guarantors. All Guarantors desire to allocate among themselves, in a fair and equitable manner, their obligations arising under the Guaranties. Accordingly, in the event any payment or distribution is made on any date by a Guarantor under any Guaranty such that its Aggregate Payments exceeds its Fair Share as of such date, such Guarantor shall be entitled to a contribution from each of the other Guarantors in an amount sufficient to cause each Guarantor’s Aggregate Payments to equal its Fair Share as of such date. “Fair Share” means, with respect to any Guarantor as of any date of determination, an amount equal to (a) the ratio of (i) the Fair Share Contribution Amount with respect to such Guarantor, to (ii) the aggregate of the Fair Share Contribution Amounts with respect to all Guarantors multiplied by, (b) the aggregate amount paid or distributed on or before such date by all Guarantors under all Guaranties in respect of the Obligations guaranteed. “Fair Share Contribution Amount” means, with respect to any Guarantor as of any date of determination, the maximum aggregate amount of the obligations of such Guarantor under the Guaranties that would not render its obligations under the Guaranties subject to avoidance as a fraudulent transfer or conveyance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or any comparable applicable provisions of state or foreign law; provided, that solely for purposes of calculating the Fair Share Contribution Amount with respect to any Guarantor for purposes of this Section 7.02, any assets or liabilities of such Guarantor arising by virtue of any rights to subrogation, reimbursement, or indemnification or any rights to or obligations of contribution under any Guaranty shall not be considered as assets or liabilities of such Guarantor. “Aggregate Payments” means, with respect to any Guarantor, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to (y) the aggregate amount of all payments and distributions made on or before such date by such Guarantor in respect of any Guaranties (including, without limitation, in respect of this Section 7.02), minus (z) the aggregate amount of all payments received on or before such date by such Guarantor from the other Guarantors as contributions under this Section 7.02. The amounts payable as contributions hereunder shall be determined as of the date on which the related payment or distribution is made by the applicable Guarantor. The allocation among Guarantors of their obligations as set forth in this Section 7.02 shall not be construed in any way to limit the liability of any Guarantor under any Guaranty. Each Guarantor is a third party beneficiary to the contribution agreement set forth in this Section 7.02.

 

Section 7.03 Payment by Guarantors. Subject to Section 7.02, Guarantors hereby jointly and severally agree, in furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any Beneficiary may have at law or in equity against any Guarantor by virtue hereof, that upon the failure of a Borrower to pay any of the Guaranteed Obligations when and as the same shall become due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand, or otherwise (including amounts that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code), Guarantors will upon demand pay, or cause to be paid, in Cash, to Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of Beneficiaries, an amount equal to the sum of the unpaid principal amount of all Guaranteed Obligations then due as aforesaid, accrued and unpaid interest on such Guaranteed Obligations (including interest which, but for such Borrower’s becoming the subject of a case under the Bankruptcy Code, would have accrued on such Guaranteed Obligations, whether or not a claim is allowed or allowable against such Borrower for such interest in the related bankruptcy case) and all other Guaranteed Obligations then owed to Beneficiaries as aforesaid.

 

- 102 -

 

 

Section 7.04 Liability of Guarantors Absolute. Each Guarantor agrees that its obligations hereunder are irrevocable, absolute, independent, and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance which constitutes a legal or equitable discharge of a guarantor or surety other than payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, each Guarantor agrees as follows:

 

(a) this Guaranty is a guaranty of payment when due and not of collectability. This Guaranty is a primary obligation of each Guarantor and not merely a contract of surety,

 

(b) any Agent may enforce this Guaranty upon the occurrence of an Event of Default notwithstanding the existence of any dispute between a Borrower and any Beneficiary with respect to the existence of such Event of Default,

 

(c) the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder are independent of the obligations of each Borrower and the obligations of any other guarantor (including any other Guarantor) of the obligations of such Borrower, and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against such Guarantor whether or not any action is brought against such Borrower or any of such other guarantors and whether or not such Borrower is joined in any such action or actions,

 

(d) payment by any Guarantor of a portion, but not all, of the Guaranteed Obligations shall in no way limit, affect, modify, or abridge any Guarantor’s liability for any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations which has not been paid. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if any Agent is awarded a judgment in any suit brought to enforce any Guarantor’s covenant to pay a portion of the Guaranteed Obligations, such judgment shall not be deemed to release such Guarantor from its covenant to pay the portion of the Guaranteed Obligations that is not the subject of such suit, and such judgment shall not, except to the extent satisfied by such Guarantor, limit, affect, modify, or abridge any other Guarantor’s liability hereunder in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations,

 

(e) any Beneficiary, upon such terms as it deems appropriate, without notice or demand and without affecting the validity or enforceability hereof or giving rise to any reduction, limitation, impairment, discharge, or termination of any Guarantor’s liability hereunder, from time to time may (i) renew, extend, accelerate, increase the rate of interest on, or otherwise change the time, place, manner, or terms of payment of the Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) settle, compromise, release, or discharge, or accept or refuse any offer of performance with respect to, or substitutions for, the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement relating thereto and/or subordinate the payment of the same to the payment of any other obligations, (iii) request and accept other guaranties of the Guaranteed Obligations and take and hold security for the payment hereof or the Guaranteed Obligations, (iv) release, surrender, exchange, substitute, compromise, settle, rescind, waive, alter, subordinate, or modify, with or without consideration, any security for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations, any other guaranties of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any other obligation of any Person (including any other Guarantor) with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations, (v) enforce and apply any security now or hereafter held by or for the benefit of such Beneficiary in respect hereof or the Guaranteed Obligations and direct the order or manner of sale thereof, or exercise any other right or remedy that such Beneficiary may have against any such security, in each case as such Beneficiary in its discretion may determine consistent herewith and any applicable security agreement, including foreclosure on any such security pursuant to one or more judicial or non-judicial sales, whether or not every aspect of any such sale is commercially reasonable, and even though such action operates to impair or extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of any Guarantor against a Borrower or any security for the Guaranteed Obligations, and (vi) exercise any other rights available to it under the Loan Documents, and

 

- 103 -

 

 

(f) this Guaranty and the obligations of Guarantors hereunder shall be valid and enforceable and shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment, discharge, or termination for any reason (other than payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations), including the occurrence of any of the following, whether or not any Guarantor shall have had notice or knowledge of any of them: (i) any failure or omission to assert or enforce or agreement or election not to assert or enforce, or the stay or enjoining, by order of court, by operation of law or otherwise, of the exercise or enforcement of, any claim or demand or any right, power, or remedy (whether arising under the Loan Documents, at law, in equity, or otherwise) with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement relating thereto, or with respect to any other guaranty of, or security for the payment of, the Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) any rescission, waiver, amendment, or modification of, or any consent to departure from, any of the terms or provisions (including provisions relating to Events of Default) hereof, any of the other Loan Documents or any agreement or instrument executed pursuant thereto, or of any other guaranty or security for the Guaranteed Obligations, in each case whether or not in accordance with the terms hereof or such Loan Document or any agreement relating to such other guaranty or security, (iii) the Guaranteed Obligations, or any agreement relating thereto, at any time being found to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable in any respect, (iv) the application of payments received from any source (other than payments received pursuant to the other Loan Documents or from the proceeds of any security for the Guaranteed Obligations, except to the extent such security also serves as collateral for Indebtedness other than the Guaranteed Obligations) to the payment of Indebtedness other than the Guaranteed Obligations, even though any Beneficiary might have elected to apply such payment to any part or all of the Guaranteed Obligations, (v) any Beneficiary’s consent to the change, reorganization, or termination of the corporate structure or existence of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries and to any corresponding restructuring of the Guaranteed Obligations, (vi) any failure to perfect or continue perfection of a security interest in any Collateral which secures any of the Guaranteed Obligations, (vii) any defenses, set-offs, or counterclaims which a Borrower may allege or assert against any Beneficiary in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations, including failure of consideration, breach of warranty, payment, statute of frauds, statute of limitations, accord and satisfaction, and usury, and (viii) any other act or thing or omission, or delay to do any other act or thing, which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Guarantor as an obligor in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations.

 

Section 7.05 Waivers by Guarantors. Each Guarantor hereby waives, for the benefit of Beneficiaries: (a) any right to require any Beneficiary, as a condition of payment or performance by such Guarantor, to (i) proceed against a Borrower, any other guarantor (including any other Guarantor) of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any other Person, (ii) proceed against or exhaust any security held from a Borrower, any such other guarantor, or any other Person, (iii) proceed against or have resort to any balance of any Deposit Account or credit on the books of any Beneficiary in favor of a Borrower or any other Person, or (iv) pursue any other remedy in the power of any Beneficiary whatsoever, (b) any defense arising by reason of the incapacity, lack of authority, or any disability or other defense of a Borrower or any other Guarantor including any defense based on or arising out of the lack of validity or the unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement or instrument relating thereto or by reason of the cessation of the liability of a Borrower or any other Guarantor from any cause other than payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations, (c) any defense based upon any statute or rule of law which provides that the obligation of a surety must be neither larger in amount nor in other respects more burdensome than that of the principal, (d) any defense based upon any Beneficiary’s errors or omissions in the administration of the Guaranteed Obligations, except behavior which amounts to bad faith, (e) (i) any principles or provisions of law, statutory or otherwise, which are or might be in conflict with the terms hereof and any legal or equitable discharge of such Guarantor’s obligations hereunder, (ii) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting such Guarantor’s liability hereunder or the enforcement hereof, (iii) any rights to setoffs, recoupments, and counterclaims, and (iv) promptness, diligence, and any requirement that any Beneficiary protect, secure, perfect, or insure any security interest or lien or any property subject thereto, (f) notices, demands, presentments, protests, notices of protest, notices of dishonor, and notices of any action or inaction, including acceptance hereof, notices of default hereunder, or any agreement or instrument related thereto, notices of any renewal, extension, or modification of the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement related thereto, notices of any extension of credit to a Borrower, and notices of any of the matters referred to in Section 7.04 and any right to consent to any thereof, and (g) any defenses or benefits that may be derived from or afforded by law which limit the liability of or exonerate guarantors or sureties or which may conflict with the terms hereof.

 

- 104 -

 

 

Section 7.06 Guarantors’ Rights of Subrogation, Contribution, etc. Until the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full, each Guarantor hereby waives any claim, right, or remedy, direct or indirect, that such Guarantor now has or may hereafter have against a Borrower or any other Guarantor or any of its assets in connection with this Guaranty or the performance by such Guarantor of its obligations hereunder, in each case whether such claim, right, or remedy arises in equity, under contract, by statute, under common law, or otherwise and including, without limitation, (a) any right of subrogation, reimbursement, or indemnification that such Guarantor now has or may hereafter have against such Borrower with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations, (b) any right to enforce, or to participate in, any claim, right, or remedy that any Beneficiary now has or may hereafter have against such Borrower, and (c) any benefit of, and any right to participate in, any collateral or security now or hereafter held by any Beneficiary. In addition, until the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full, each Guarantor shall withhold exercise of any right of contribution such Guarantor may have against any other guarantor (including any other Guarantor) of the Guaranteed Obligations, including, without limitation, any such right of contribution as contemplated by Section 7.02. Each Guarantor further agrees that, to the extent the waiver or agreement to withhold the exercise of its rights of subrogation, reimbursement, indemnification, and contribution as set forth herein is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be void or voidable for any reason, any rights of subrogation, reimbursement, or indemnification such Guarantor may have against such Borrower or against any collateral or security, and any rights of contribution such Guarantor may have against any such other guarantor, shall be junior and subordinate to any rights any Beneficiary may have against such Borrower, to all right, title, and interest any Beneficiary may have in any such collateral or security, and to any right any Beneficiary may have against such other guarantor. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of any such subrogation, reimbursement, indemnification, or contribution rights at any time when all Guaranteed Obligations shall not have been finally and indefeasibly paid in full, such amount shall be held in trust for Administrative Agent, on behalf of Beneficiaries, and shall forthwith be paid over to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of Beneficiaries, to be credited and applied against the Guaranteed Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

Section 7.07 Subordination of Other Obligations. Any Indebtedness of any Borrower or any Guarantor now or hereafter held by any Guarantor is hereby subordinated in right of payment to the Guaranteed Obligations, and any such indebtedness collected or received by such Guarantor after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing shall be held in trust for Administrative Agent, on behalf of Beneficiaries, and shall forthwith be paid over to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of Beneficiaries, to be credited and applied against the Guaranteed Obligations but without affecting, impairing, or limiting in any manner the liability of such Guarantor under any other provision hereof.

 

Section 7.08 Continuing Guaranty. This Guaranty is a continuing guaranty and shall remain in effect until all of the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full. Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any right to revoke this Guaranty as to future transactions giving rise to any Guaranteed Obligations.

 

Section 7.09 Authority of Guarantors or Borrower. It is not necessary for any Beneficiary to inquire into the capacity or powers of any Guarantor or any Borrower or the officers, directors, or any agents acting or purporting to act on behalf of any of them.

 

Section 7.10 Financial Condition of Borrower. Any Credit Extension may be made to a Borrower or continued from time to time without notice to or authorization from any Guarantor regardless of the financial or other condition of Borrower at the time of any such grant or continuation is entered into, as the case may be. No Beneficiary shall have any obligation to disclose or discuss with any Guarantor its assessment, or any Guarantor’s assessment, of the financial condition of any Borrower. Each Guarantor has adequate means to obtain information from Borrower on a continuing basis concerning the financial condition of such Borrower and its ability to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents, and each Guarantor assumes the responsibility for being and keeping informed of the financial condition of each Borrower and of all circumstances bearing upon the risk of non-payment of the Guaranteed Obligations. Each Guarantor hereby waives and relinquishes any duty on the part of any Beneficiary to disclose any matter, fact, or thing relating to the business, operations, or conditions of any Borrower now known or hereafter known by any Beneficiary.

 

- 105 -

 

 

Section 7.11 Bankruptcy, etc.

 

(a) So long as any Guaranteed Obligations remain outstanding, no Guarantor shall, without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent acting pursuant to the instructions of Required Lenders, commence or join with any other Person in commencing any bankruptcy, reorganization, or insolvency case or proceeding of or against a Borrower or any other Guarantor. The obligations of Guarantors hereunder shall not be reduced, limited, impaired, discharged, deferred, suspended, or terminated by any case or proceeding, voluntary or involuntary, involving the bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, reorganization, liquidation, or arrangement of a Borrower or any other Guarantor or by any defense which a Borrower or any other Guarantor may have by reason of the order, decree, or decision of any court or administrative body resulting from any such proceeding.

 

(b) Each Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that any interest on any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations which accrues after the commencement of any case or proceeding referred to in clause (a) above (or, if interest on any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations ceases to accrue by operation of law by reason of the commencement of such case or proceeding, such interest as would have accrued on such portion of the Guaranteed Obligations if such case or proceeding had not been commenced) shall be included in the Guaranteed Obligations because it is the intention of Guarantors and Beneficiaries that the Guaranteed Obligations which are guaranteed by Guarantors pursuant hereto should be determined without regard to any rule of law or order which may relieve any Borrower of any portion of such Guaranteed Obligations. Guarantors will permit any trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, debtor in possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, or similar person to pay Administrative Agent, or allow the claim of Administrative Agent in respect of, any such interest accruing after the date on which such case or proceeding is commenced.

 

(c) In the event that all or any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations are paid by a Borrower, the obligations of Guarantors hereunder shall continue and remain in full force and effect or be reinstated, as the case may be, in the event that all or any part of such payment(s) are rescinded or recovered directly or indirectly from any Beneficiary as a preference, fraudulent transfer, or otherwise, and any such payments which are so rescinded or recovered shall constitute Guaranteed Obligations for all purposes hereunder.

 

Section 7.12 Discharge of Guaranty upon Sale of Guarantor. If all of the Capital Stock of any Guarantor or any of its successors in interest hereunder shall be sold or otherwise disposed of (including by merger or consolidation) in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, the Guaranty of such Guarantor or such successor in interest, as the case may be, hereunder shall automatically be discharged and released without any further action by any Beneficiary or any other Person effective as of the time of such Asset Sale.

 

ARTICLE VIII
EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

Section 8.01 Events of Default. If any one or more of the following conditions or events shall occur:

 

(a) Failure to Make Payments When Due. Failure by the Loan Parties to pay (i) the principal of any Loan when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, or otherwise), (ii) when due any installment of principal of any Loan, by notice of voluntary prepayment, by mandatory prepayment, or otherwise, (iii) within three (3) Business Days after the date when due, any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount due hereunder, or

 

(b) Default in Other Agreements. (i) Failure of any Loan Party or any of its respective Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to pay when due any principal of or interest on or any other amount payable in respect of one or more items of Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness referred to in Section 8.01(a)) in an aggregate principal amount of $3,000,000 or more, in each case beyond the grace period, if any, provided therefor, or (ii) breach or default by any Loan Party with respect to any other material term of (A) one or more items of Indebtedness in the individual or aggregate principal amounts referred to in subclause (i) above or (B) any loan agreement, mortgage, indenture, or other agreement relating to such item(s) of Indebtedness, in each case beyond the grace period, if any, provided therefor, if the effect of such breach or default is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of that Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause, that Indebtedness to become or be declared due and payable (or subject to a compulsory repurchase or redeemable) or to require the prepayment, redemption, repurchase, or defeasance of, or to cause Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to make any offer to prepay, redeem, repurchase, or defease such Indebtedness, prior to its stated maturity or the stated maturity of any underlying obligation, as the case may be, or

 

(c) Breach of Certain Covenants. Failure of any Loan Party to perform or comply with any term or condition contained in Section 2.05, Section 5.01, Section 5.10(b), Section 5.16 or Article VI, or

 

- 106 -

 

 

(d) Breach of Representations, etc. Any representation, warranty, certification, or other statement made or deemed made by any Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), as the case may be, in any Loan Document or in any statement or certificate at any time given by any Loan Party, or any of their respective Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), as the case may be, in writing pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall be false in any material respect (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 the date made or deemed made, or

 

(e) Other Defaults Under Loan Documents. Any Loan Party shall default in the performance of, or compliance with, any term contained herein or any of the other Loan Documents, other than any such term referred to in any other Section of this Section 8.01, and such default shall not have been remedied or waived within 30 days after the earlier of (i) an officer of such Loan Party becoming aware of such default or (ii) receipt by the Lead Borrower of notice from any Agent or any Lender of such default, or

 

(f) Involuntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, etc. (i) A court of competent jurisdiction shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries in an involuntary case under the Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar law now or hereafter in effect, which decree or order is not stayed, or any other similar relief shall be granted under any applicable federal or state law, or (ii) an involuntary case shall be commenced against Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries under the Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar law now or hereafter in effect, or a decree or order of a court having jurisdiction in the premises for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, sequestrator, trustee, custodian, or other officer having similar powers over Global Parent by or any of its Subsidiaries, or over all or a substantial part of its property, shall have been entered, or there shall have occurred the involuntary appointment of an interim receiver, trustee, or other custodian of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries for all or a substantial part of its property, or a warrant of attachment, execution, or similar process shall have been issued against any substantial part of the property of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, and any such event described in this clause (ii) shall continue for 60 days without having been dismissed, bonded, or discharged, or

 

(g) Voluntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, etc. (i) Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries shall have an order for relief entered with respect to it or shall commence a voluntary case under the Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar law now or hereafter in effect, or shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case, or to the conversion of an involuntary case to a voluntary case, under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, trustee, or other custodian for all or a substantial part of its property, or Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries shall make any assignment for the benefit of creditors, or (ii) Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries shall be unable, or shall fail generally, or shall admit in writing its inability, to pay its debts as such debts become due, or the Board (or similar governing body) of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (or any committee thereof with authority therefor) shall adopt any resolution or otherwise authorize any action to approve any of the actions referred to herein or in Section 8.01(f), or

 

- 107 -

 

 

(h) Judgments and Attachments. Any money judgment, writ, or warrant of attachment or similar process involving in the aggregate at any time an amount in excess of $3,000,000 (in either case to the extent not adequately covered by any indemnity or by insurance as to which a solvent and unaffiliated insurance company has not denied coverage) shall be entered or filed against Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) or any of their respective assets and shall remain undischarged, unvacated, unbonded, or unstayed for a period of 60 days, or

 

(i) Dissolution. Any order, judgment, or decree shall be entered against any Loan Party, decreeing the dissolution or split up of such Loan Party, and such order shall remain undischarged or unstayed for a period in excess of 60 days, or

 

(j) Employee Benefit Plans. (i) There shall occur one or more ERISA Events which individually or in the aggregate that results in or might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect during the term hereof, or (ii) there exists any fact or circumstance that reasonably could be expected to result in the imposition of a Lien or security interest under Section 430(k) of the Internal Revenue Code or under Section 303(k) of ERISA, or

 

(k) Change of Control. A Change of Control shall occur, or

 

(l) Guaranties, Collateral Documents, and Other Loan Documents. At any time after the execution and delivery thereof, (i) the Guaranty hereunder for any reason, other than the satisfaction in full of all Obligations, shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms) or shall be declared to be null and void or any Guarantor shall repudiate its obligations thereunder, (ii) this Agreement, or any Collateral Documents representing a material portion of the Collateral Agent’s security interest securing the Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect (other than by reason of a release of Collateral in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof or the satisfaction in full of the Obligations in accordance with the terms hereof) or shall be declared null and void, or Collateral Agent shall not have or shall cease to have a valid and perfected Lien in any material portion of the Collateral purported to be covered by the Collateral Documents with the priority required by the relevant Collateral Document, in each case for any reason other than the failure of Collateral Agent or any Secured Party to take any action within its control, or (iii) any Loan Party, shall contest the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document in writing or deny in writing that it has any further liability, including with respect to future advances by Lenders, under any Loan Document to which it is a party, or

 

(m) Proceedings. The indictment of any Loan Party, any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), under any criminal statute or commencement of criminal or civil proceedings against any Loan Party, pursuant to which statute or proceedings the penalties or remedies sought or available include forfeiture to any Governmental Authority of any material portion of the property of such Person, or

 

(n) Cessation of Business. (i) Any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) is enjoined, restrained, or in any way prevented by the order of any court or any Governmental Authority (other than in connection with any COVID-19 “non-essential business” or similar shutdowns issued by any Governmental Authority) from conducting all or any material part of its business for more than 15 days, (ii) any other cessation of a substantial part of the business of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) for a period which materially and adversely affects Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), or (iii) any material damage to, or loss, theft, or destruction of, any Collateral, whether or not insured, or any strike, lockout, labor dispute, embargo, condemnation, act of God or public enemy, or other casualty which causes, for more than 15 consecutive days, the cessation or substantial curtailment of revenue producing activities at a Real Property that, in any case described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii), results in or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect during the term hereof; or

 

- 108 -

 

 

(o) Subordinated Indebtedness. (i) Any of the Obligations for any reason shall cease to be “Senior Indebtedness” or “Designated Senior Indebtedness” (or any comparable terms) under, and as defined in, the documents evidencing or governing any Indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the Obligations, (ii) any Indebtedness other than the Obligations shall constitute “Designated Senior Indebtedness” (or any comparable term) under, and as defined in, the documents evidencing or governing any Indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the Obligations, or (iii) the subordination provisions of the documents evidencing or governing any Indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the Obligations, 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 subordinated Indebtedness; THEN, (A) upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Section 8.01(f) or Section 8.01(g), automatically and (B) upon the occurrence of any other Event of Default, at the request of (or with the consent of) Required Lenders, upon notice to Borrower by Administrative Agent, (1) the Commitments, if any, of each Lender having such Commitments shall immediately terminate, (2) each of the following shall immediately become due and payable, in each case without presentment, demand, protest, or other requirements of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by each Loan Party, : (x) the unpaid principal amount of and accrued interest on the Loans, and (y) all other Obligations, and (3) Agents may enforce any and all Liens and security interests created pursuant to Collateral Documents and apply the proceeds thereof pursuant to Section 2.15(g).

 

Section 8.02 Curative Equity.

 

(a) Subject to the limitations set forth in clause (f) below, Lead Borrower may cure (and shall be deemed to have cured) an Event of Default arising out of a breach of the financial covenant set forth in Section 6.08(a) or Section 6.08(b) (each, a “Specified Financial Covenant”) if Lead Borrower receives the cash proceeds of an investment of Curative Equity within 10 Business Days after the date such breach occurred. Upon the receipt of Curative Equity pursuant to this Section 8.02 and inclusion of such Curative Equity in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to this Section 8.02, then no Event of Default solely with respect to determining compliance with the Specified Financial Covenant shall be deemed to have occurred.

 

(b) Lead Borrower shall promptly notify each Agent of its receipt of any proceeds of Curative Equity.

 

(c) Any investment of Curative Equity shall be in immediately available funds and, subject to the limitations set forth in clause (f) below, shall be in an amount equal to the amount required to cause Borrowers to be in compliance the Specified Financial Covenant as at such date.

 

(d) Contemporaneously with the receipt and application of Curative Equity, Lead Borrower shall tender an updated Compliance Certificate that shall (i) include evidence of its receipt of Curative Equity proceeds and (ii) set forth a calculation of the Consolidated EBITDA (including for such purposes the proceeds of such Curative Equity (broken out separately)), which shall confirm that on a pro forma basis after taking into account the receipt of the Curative Equity proceeds, Borrowers would have been in compliance with the Specified Financial Covenants as of such date.

 

(e) Upon delivery of an updated Compliance Certificate conforming to the requirements of this Section 8.02, any Event of Default that occurred and is continuing as a result of a breach of any of any Specified Financial Covenant shall be deemed cured with no further action required by the Required Lenders or any other Person. Prior to the date of the delivery of an updated Compliance Certificate conforming to the requirements of this Section, any Event of Default that has occurred as a result of a breach of the Specified Financial Covenant shall be deemed to be continuing. In the event Lead Borrower does not cure the Specified Financial Covenants as provided in this Section 8.02, the existing Event(s) of Default shall continue unless waived in writing by the Required Lenders in accordance herewith.

 

- 109 -

 

 

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Lead Borrower’s rights under this Section 8.02 may (i) be exercised not more than four times during the term of this Agreement, (ii) not be exercised more than twice during any four consecutive Fiscal Quarter period, (iii) may not be exercised in consecutive Fiscal Quarters and (iv) may not be exercised more than once during any Fiscal Quarter. All proceeds of Curative Equity shall be held in a deposit account subject to a Control Agreement until the last day of the Fiscal Quarter during which such Curative Equity was received (any such Fiscal Quarter, a “Cure Quarter”). Any amount of Curative Equity that is in excess of the amount sufficient to cause Borrower to be in compliance with the Specified Financial Covenant as at such date shall not constitute Curative Equity. Curative Equity shall be disregarded for purposes of determining Consolidated EBITDA for any pricing, financial covenant-based condition, any baskets with respect to the covenants contained in this Agreement, or for any other purposes under this Agreement, and there shall be no pro forma or other reduction in Indebtedness (via cash netting or otherwise) with the proceeds of any Curative Equity for purposes of determining compliance with the Specified Financial Covenant or for determining any financial covenant-based conditions, or baskets with respect to the covenants contained in this Agreement, in each case in the quarter in which such Curative Equity is used.

 

ARTICLE IX
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

 

Section 9.01 Appointment of Agents.

 

(a) GACP is hereby appointed Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and each Lender hereby authorizes GACP, in such capacity, to act as its agent in accordance with the terms hereof and the other Loan Documents, including, without limitation, to make loans and Protective Advances, for such Agent or on behalf of the applicable Lenders as provided in this Agreement or any other Loan Document and to perform, exercise, and enforce any and all other rights and remedies of Lenders with respect to the Loan Parties, the Obligations, or otherwise related to any of same to the extent reasonably incidental to the exercise by such Agent of the rights and remedies specifically authorized to be exercised by such Agent by the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Parties.

 

(b) Kayne is hereby appointed Collateral Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and each Lender hereby authorizes Kayne, in such capacity, to act as its agent in accordance with the terms hereof and the other Loan Documents, including, without limitation, to make loans and Protective Advances, for such Agent or on behalf of the applicable Lenders as provided in this Agreement or any other Loan Document and to perform, exercise, and enforce any and all other rights and remedies of Lenders with respect to the Loan Parties, the Obligations, or otherwise related to any of same to the extent reasonably incidental to the exercise by such Agent of the rights and remedies specifically authorized to be exercised by such Agent by the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Parties.

 

(c) Each Agent hereby agrees to act upon the express conditions contained herein and the other Loan Documents, as applicable. The provisions of this Article IX are solely for the benefit of Agents and Lenders, and neither any Loan Party nor any Affiliate thereof shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary of any of the provisions thereof. In performing its functions and duties hereunder, each Agent shall act solely as an agent of Lenders and does not assume, and shall not be deemed to have assumed, any obligation towards, or relationship of agency or trust with or for, any of the Loan Parties or their respective Affiliates.

- 110 -

 

 

Section 9.02 Powers and Duties. Each Lender irrevocably authorizes each Agent to take such action on such Lender’s behalf and to exercise such powers, rights, and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents as are specifically delegated or granted to such Agent by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such powers, rights, and remedies as are reasonably incidental thereto. Each Agent shall have only those duties and responsibilities that are expressly specified herein and the other Loan Documents. Each Agent may exercise such powers, rights, and remedies and perform such duties by or through its agents or employees. No Agent shall have, by reason hereof or any of the other Loan Documents, a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Lender; and nothing herein or in any of the other Loan Documents, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be so construed as to impose upon any Agent any obligations in respect hereof or any of the other Loan Documents except as expressly set forth herein or therein.

 

Section 9.03 General Immunity.

 

(a) No Responsibility for Certain Matters. No Agent shall be responsible to any Lender for the execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability, collectability, or sufficiency hereof or any other Loan Document or for any representations, warranties, recitals, or statements made herein or therein or made in any written or oral statements or in any financial or other statements, instruments, reports, or certificates or any other documents furnished or made by any Agent to Lenders or by or on behalf of any Loan Party, Global Parent, Liberty/Revolution Top Parent, Vitamin Top Parent or Vitamin Intermediate Parent to any Agent or any Lender in connection with the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby or for the financial condition or business affairs of any Loan Party or any other Person liable for the payment of any Obligations, nor shall any Agent be required to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, conditions, provisions, covenants, or agreements contained in any of the Loan Documents or as to the use of the proceeds of the Loans or as to the existence or possible existence of any Event of Default or Default or to make any disclosures with respect to the foregoing. Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, Administrative Agent shall not have any liability arising from confirmations of the amount of outstanding Loans.

 

(b) Exculpatory Provisions. No Agent nor any of its officers, partners, directors, employees, or agents shall be liable to Lenders for any action taken or omitted by any Agent under or in connection with any of the Loan Documents except to the extent caused by any Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable order. Each Agent shall be entitled to refrain from any act or the taking of any action (including the failure to take an action) in connection herewith or any of the other Loan Documents or from the exercise of any power, discretion, or authority vested in it hereunder or thereunder unless and until such Agent shall have received instructions in respect thereof from Required Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such instructions under Section 10.05) and, upon receipt of such instructions from Required Lenders (or such other Lenders, as the case may be), such Agent shall be entitled to act or (where so instructed) refrain from acting, or to exercise such power, discretion, or authority, in accordance with such instructions. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, (i) each Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any communication, instrument, or document believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person or Persons, and shall be entitled to rely and shall be protected in relying on opinions and judgments of attorneys (who may be attorneys for the Loan Parties), accountants, experts, and other professional advisors selected by it, and (ii) no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against any Agent as a result of such Agent acting or (where so instructed) refraining from acting hereunder or any of the other Loan Documents in accordance with the instructions of Required Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such instructions under Section 10.05).

 

(c) Notice of Default. Neither Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, except with respect to Events of Default in the payment of principal, interest, and fees required to be paid to Administrative Agent for the account of Lenders, unless such Agent shall have received written notice from a Lender or the Loan Party referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default.” Such Agent will notify Lenders of its receipt of any such notice. Collateral Agent shall take such action with respect to any such Default or Event of Default as may be directed by the Required Lenders in accordance with Article VIII; provided, that unless and until Collateral Agent has received any such direction, Collateral Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable or in the best interest of Lenders.

 

- 111 -

 

 

Section 9.04 Agents Entitled to Act as Lender. The agency hereby created shall in no way impair or affect any of the rights and powers of, or impose any duties or obligations upon, any Agent in its individual capacity as a Lender hereunder. With respect to its participation in the Loans, each Agent shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Lender and may exercise the same as if it were not performing the duties and functions delegated to it hereunder, and the term “Lender” shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include each Agent in its individual capacity. Any Agent or its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, or other business with Global Parent, Lead Borrower or any of their respective Affiliates as if it were not performing the duties specified herein and may accept fees and other consideration from any Loan Party for services in connection herewith and otherwise without having to account for the same to Lenders.

 

Section 9.05 Lenders’ Representations, Warranties and Acknowledgment.

 

(a) Each Lender represents and warrants that it has made its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of the Loan Parties in connection with the Credit Extensions hereunder and that it has made and shall continue to make its own appraisal of the creditworthiness of the Loan Parties. No Agent shall have any duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to make any such investigation or any such appraisal on behalf of Lenders or to provide any Lender with any credit or other information with respect thereto, whether coming into its possession before the making of the Loans or at any time or times thereafter, and no Agent shall have any responsibility with respect to the accuracy of, or the completeness of, any information provided to Lenders.

 

(b) Each Lender, by delivering its signature page to this Agreement or a Joinder and funding its Term Loan on the Closing Date, shall be deemed to have acknowledged receipt of, and consented to and approved, each Loan Document and each other document required to be approved by any Agent, Required Lenders, or Lenders, as applicable on the Closing Date.

 

(c) Each Lender (i) represents and warrants that, as of the Closing Date, neither such Lender nor its Affiliates or Related Funds owns or controls, or owns or controls any Person owning or controlling, any trade debt or Indebtedness of any Loan Party other than the Obligations or any Capital Stock of any Loan Party, and (ii) covenants and agrees that from and after the Closing Date neither such Lender nor its Affiliates and Related Funds shall purchase any trade debt or Indebtedness of any Loan Party other than the Obligations or Capital Stock described in subclause (i) above without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Specified Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrower.

 

Section 9.06 Right to Indemnity. EACH LENDER, IN PROPORTION TO ITS PRO RATA SHARE, SEVERALLY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY EACH AGENT, ITS AFFILIATES, AND ITS RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, PARTNERS, DIRECTORS, TRUSTEES, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS OF EACH AGENT (EACH, AN “INDEMNITEE AGENT PARTY”), TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH INDEMNITEE AGENT PARTY SHALL NOT HAVE BEEN REIMBURSED BY ANY LOAN PARTY, FOR AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, PENALTIES, ACTIONS, JUDGMENTS, SUITS, COSTS, EXPENSES (INCLUDING COUNSEL FEES AND DISBURSEMENTS), OR DISBURSEMENTS OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WHATSOEVER WHICH MAY BE IMPOSED ON, INCURRED BY, OR ASSERTED AGAINST SUCH INDEMNITEE AGENT PARTY IN EXERCISING ITS POWERS, RIGHTS, AND REMEDIES OR PERFORMING ITS DUTIES HEREUNDER OR UNDER THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR OTHERWISE IN ITS CAPACITY AS SUCH INDEMNITEE AGENT PARTY IN ANY WAY RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, IN ALL CASES, WHETHER OR NOT CAUSED BY OR ARISING, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OUT OF THE COMPARATIVE, CONTRIBUTORY, OR SOLE NEGLIGENCE OF SUCH INDEMNITEE AGENT PARTY; PROVIDED, THAT NO LENDER SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY PORTION OF SUCH LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, PENALTIES, ACTIONS, JUDGMENTS, SUITS, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DISBURSEMENTS RESULTING FROM SUCH INDEMNITEE AGENT PARTY’S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, AS DETERMINED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN A FINAL, NON-APPEALABLE ORDER. IF ANY INDEMNITY FURNISHED TO ANY INDEMNITEE AGENT PARTY FOR ANY PURPOSE SHALL, IN THE OPINION OF SUCH INDEMNITEE AGENT PARTY, BE INSUFFICIENT OR BECOME IMPAIRED, SUCH INDEMNITEE AGENT PARTY MAY CALL FOR ADDITIONAL INDEMNITY AND CEASE, OR NOT COMMENCE, TO DO THE ACTS INDEMNIFIED AGAINST UNTIL SUCH ADDITIONAL INDEMNITY IS FURNISHED; PROVIDED, THAT IN NO EVENT SHALL THIS SENTENCE REQUIRE ANY LENDER TO INDEMNIFY ANY INDEMNITEE AGENT PARTY AGAINST ANY LIABILITY, OBLIGATION, LOSS, DAMAGE, PENALTY, ACTION, JUDGMENT, SUIT, COST, EXPENSE, OR DISBURSEMENT IN EXCESS OF SUCH LENDER’S PRO RATA SHARE THEREOF; PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT THIS SENTENCE SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO REQUIRE ANY LENDER TO INDEMNIFY ANY INDEMNITEE AGENT PARTY AGAINST ANY LIABILITY, OBLIGATION, LOSS, DAMAGE, PENALTY, ACTION, JUDGMENT, SUIT, COST, EXPENSE, OR DISBURSEMENT DESCRIBED IN THE PROVISO IN THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING SENTENCE.

 

- 112 -

 

 

Section 9.07 Successor Agent.

 

(a) Any Agent may resign at any time by giving thirty days’ (or such shorter period as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) prior written notice thereof to Lenders, Lead Borrower, and the other Agent. Upon any such notice of resignation, Required Lenders shall have the right, with Lead Borrower’s consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) (other than during the existence of an Event of Default, provided that during the existence of an Event of Default, the Required Lenders shall give five (5) Business Days’ prior notice to Lead Borrower), to appoint a successor Agent that is not a Disqualified Institution. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Agent may, on behalf of Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above (including that such successor not be a Disqualified Institution), as applicable, from among Lenders. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, hereunder by a successor Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as the case may be, that successor Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent, and the retiring Agent shall promptly (i) transfer to such successor Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, all sums, Securities, and other items of Collateral held under the Collateral Documents, together with all records and other documents necessary or appropriate in connection with the performance of the duties of the successor Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, under the Loan Documents, and (ii) execute and deliver to such successor Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, such amendments to financing statements and take such other actions, as may be necessary or appropriate in connection with the assignment to such successor Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, of the security interests created under the Collateral Documents, whereupon such retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if no successor Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, has accepted an appointment by the retiring Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, within 30 days after the retiring Agent appoints such successor Agent, such retiring Agent’s resignation shall be deemed effective, and Lead Borrower shall appoint the successor Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, on behalf of the Lenders, without their further consent. After any retiring Agent’s resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, the provisions of this Article IX shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, hereunder.

 

(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Agent may assign their rights and duties as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, hereunder to an Affiliate without the prior written consent of, or prior written notice to, Lead Borrower or Lenders; provided, that Lead Borrower and Lenders may deem and treat such assigning Agent as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, for all purposes hereof, unless and until such assigning Agent provides written notice to Lead Borrower and Lenders of such assignment. Upon such assignment, such Affiliate shall succeed to and become vested with all rights, powers, privileges and duties as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, hereunder and under the other Loan Documents.

 

(c) Each Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by such Agent. Each Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through its respective Affiliates. The exculpatory, indemnification, and other provisions of Section 9.03, Section 9.06, and this Section 9.07 shall apply to any of the Affiliates of each Agent and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable. All of the rights, benefits, and privileges (including the exculpatory and indemnification provisions) of Section 9.03, Section 9.06, and this Section 9.07 shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Affiliates of any such sub-agent and shall apply to their respective activities as sub-agent as if such sub-agent and Affiliates were named herein. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, with respect to each sub-agent appointed by any Agent, (i) such sub-agent shall be a third party beneficiary under this Agreement with respect to all such rights, benefits, and privileges (including exculpatory and rights to indemnification) and shall have all of the rights, benefits, and privileges of a third party beneficiary, including an independent right of action to enforce such rights, benefits, and privileges (including exculpatory rights and rights to indemnification) directly, without the consent or joinder of any other Person, against any or all of the Loan Parties, (ii) such rights, benefits, and privileges (including exculpatory rights and rights to indemnification) shall not be modified or amended without the consent of such sub-agent, and (iii) such sub-agent shall only have obligations to Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, and not to any Loan Party, Lender, or any other Person and no Loan Party, Lender, or any other Person shall have the rights, directly or indirectly, as a third party beneficiary or otherwise, against such sub-agent.

 

Section 9.08 Collateral Documents and Guaranty.

 

(a) Agents Under Collateral Documents and Guaranty. Each Lender hereby further authorizes Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, on behalf of and for the benefit of Lenders, to be the agent for, and representative of, Lenders with respect to the Guaranty, the Collateral, and the Collateral Documents. Subject to Section 10.05, without further written consent or authorization from Lenders, Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, may execute any documents or instruments necessary to (i) release any Lien encumbering any item of Collateral that is the subject of a sale or other disposition of assets permitted hereby or to which Required Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such consent under Section 10.05) have otherwise consented, or (ii) release any Guarantor from the Guaranty pursuant to Section 7.12 or with respect to which Required Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such consent under Section 10.05) have otherwise consented.

 

(b) Right to Realize on Collateral and Enforce Guaranty. Anything contained in any of the Loan Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, each Borrower, Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, and each Lender hereby agree that (i) no Lender shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce the Guaranty, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights, and remedies hereunder may be exercised solely by Administrative Agent, on behalf of Lenders, in accordance with the terms hereof and all powers, rights, and remedies under the Collateral Documents may be exercised solely by Collateral Agent, and (ii) in the event of a foreclosure by Collateral Agent on any of the Collateral pursuant to a public or private sale or any sale of the Collateral in a case under the Bankruptcy Code, Collateral Agent or any Lender may be the purchaser of any or all of such Collateral at any such sale and Collateral Agent, as agent for, and representative of, Secured Parties (but not any Lender or Lenders in its or their respective individual capacities unless Required Lenders shall otherwise agree in writing) shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at any such public sale, to use and apply any of the Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any collateral payable by Collateral Agent at such sale.

 

- 113 -

 

 

Section 9.09 Agency for Perfection. Each Agent and each Lender hereby appoints each other Agent and each other Lender as agent and bailee for the purpose of perfecting the security interests in and liens upon the Collateral in assets which, in accordance with Article 9 of the UCC, can be perfected only by possession or control (or where the security interest of a secured party with possession or control has priority over the security interest of another secured party), and each Agent and each Lender hereby acknowledges that it holds possession of or otherwise controls any such Collateral for the benefit of the Agents and Lenders as secured party. Should Administrative Agent or any Lender obtain possession or control of any such Collateral, Administrative Agent or such Lender shall notify Collateral Agent thereof, and, promptly upon Collateral Agent’s request therefor shall deliver such Collateral to Collateral Agent or in accordance with Collateral Agent’s instructions. In addition, Collateral Agent shall also have the power and authority hereunder to appoint such other sub-agents as may be necessary or required under applicable state law or otherwise to perform its duties and enforce its rights with respect to the Collateral and under the Loan Documents. Each Loan Party by its execution and delivery of this Agreement hereby consents to the foregoing.

 

Section 9.10 [Reserved].

 

Section 9.11 Reports and Other Information; Confidentiality; Disclaimers. By becoming a party to this Agreement, each Lender and other Agent:

 

(a) is deemed to have requested that Administrative Agent furnish such Lender, promptly after it becomes available, a copy of each field audit or examination report with respect to the Loan Parties (each, a “Report” and, collectively, the “Reports”) prepared by or at the request of Administrative Agent, and Administrative Agent shall so furnish each Lender and Agent with such Reports,

 

(b) expressly agrees and acknowledges that no Agent does (i) make any representation or warranty as to the accuracy of any Report and (ii) shall not be liable for any information contained in any Report,

 

(c) expressly agrees and acknowledges that the Reports are not comprehensive audits or examinations, and that Administrative Agent or other party performing any audit or examination will inspect only specific information regarding the Loan Parties and will rely significantly upon the Loan Parties’ books and records, as well as on representations of such Person’s personnel,

 

(d) agrees to keep all Reports and other material, non-public information regarding Global Parent and its Subsidiaries and their operations, assets, and existing and contemplated business plans in a confidential manner in accordance with Section 10.17, and

 

(e) without limiting the generality of any other indemnification provision contained in this Agreement, agrees: (i) to hold Administrative Agent and any other Lender or Agent preparing a Report harmless from any action the indemnifying Lender or Agent may take or fail to take or any conclusion the indemnifying Lender or Agent may reach or draw from any Report in connection with any loans or other credit accommodations that the indemnifying Lender or Agent has made or may make to any Borrower, or the indemnifying Lender’s or Agent’s participation in, or the indemnifying Lender’s or Agent’s purchase of, a loan or loans of any Borrower, and (ii) to pay and protect, and indemnify, defend, and hold Administrative Agent, and any such other Lender or Agent preparing a Report, harmless from and against, the claims, actions, proceedings, damages, costs, expenses, and other amounts (including attorneys’ fees and costs) incurred by Administrative Agent and any such other Lender or Agent preparing a Report as the direct or indirect result of any third parties who might obtain all or part of any Report through the indemnifying Lender or Agent.

 

In addition to the foregoing: (x) any Lender or other Agent may from time to time request of Administrative Agent in writing that Administrative Agent provide to such Lender or other Agent a copy of any report or document provided by Global Parent or its Subsidiaries to Administrative Agent that has not been contemporaneously provided by Global Parent or such Subsidiary to such Lender or other Agent, and, upon receipt of such request, Administrative Agent promptly shall provide a copy of same to such Lender or other Agent to the extent that such Lender or other Agent is entitled to such report or document hereunder, (y) to the extent that Administrative Agent is entitled, under any provision of the Loan Documents, to request additional reports or information from Global Parent or its Subsidiaries, any Lender or other Agent may, from time to time, reasonably request Administrative Agent to exercise such right as specified in such Lender’s or other Agent’s notice to Administrative Agent, whereupon Administrative Agent may (and upon the request of the Required Lenders promptly shall) request of Global Parent or Lead Borrower the additional reports or information reasonably specified by such Lender or other Agent (or by Required Lenders), and, upon receipt thereof from Global Parent or Lead Borrower or such Subsidiary, Administrative Agent promptly shall provide a copy of same to such Lender or other Agent (or to Required Lenders), and (z) any time that Administrative Agent renders to Lead Borrower a statement regarding the Loan Account, Administrative Agent shall send a copy of such statement to each Lender.

 

- 114 -

 

 

ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 10.01 Notices.

 

(a) Notices Generally. Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, any notice or other communication herein required or permitted to be given to a Loan Party, Collateral Agent, or Administrative Agent shall be sent to such Person’s address as set forth on Appendix B or in the other relevant Loan Document, and in the case of any Lender, the address as indicated on Appendix B or otherwise indicated to Administrative Agent in writing. Each notice hereunder shall be in writing and may be personally served, or sent by facsimile or United States mail or courier service, and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered in person or by courier service and signed for against receipt thereof, upon receipt of facsimile, or three (3) Business Days after depositing it in the United States mail with postage prepaid and properly addressed; provided, that no notice to any Agent shall be effective until received by such Agent. Any Loan Party may change its address, facsimile number or email address for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Administrative Agent, and any Agent may change its address, facsimile number or email address for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Loan Parties and the other Agent (which notice to such other Agent shall not be required if both Agents are the same Person).

 

(b) Electronic Communications.

 

(i) Each of the Agents and each Loan Party may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided, that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications. Notices and other communications to Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Agents, provided, that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender pursuant to ARTICLE II if such Lender has notified the Agents that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication.

 

- 115 -

 

 

(ii) Unless Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (A) notices and other communications 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) and (B) notices or communications 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 (A), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided, that for both subclauses (A) and (B) above, if such notice, email, 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 for the recipient.

 

Section 10.02 Expenses. Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby shall be consummated, Lead Borrower agrees to pay (or cause to be paid) promptly (a) all of each Agent’s reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses of preparation of the Loan Documents and any consents, amendments, waivers, or other modifications thereto, (b) all the reasonable and documented fees and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses and disbursements of one primary counsel to Administrative Agent and one primary counsel to Collateral Agent, in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution, and administration of the Loan Documents and any consents, amendments, waivers, or other modifications thereto and any other documents or matters requested by Lead Borrower, (c) all the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses of creating and perfecting Liens in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, including filing and recording fees, expenses and Taxes, stamp or documentary Taxes (in each case, without duplication of any indemnification obligation under Section 2.19), search fees, title insurance premiums, and reasonable and documented fees and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, expenses, and disbursements of counsel to each Agent and of counsel providing any opinions that any Agent or Required Lenders may request in respect of the Collateral or the Liens created pursuant to the Collateral Documents, (d) all of each all the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including the reasonable and documented fees and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses and disbursements, of any appraisers, field examiners, asset-based lending service providers, consultants, advisors, and agents (whether internal or external) employed or retained by Collateral Agent and its counsel) in connection with the valuation of and the custody or preservation of any of the Collateral; provided that the such costs, expenses and fees shall be subject to the limitations set forth in Section 5.06, (e) all the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses of Agents and Lenders in connection with the attendance at any meetings in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including the meetings referred to in Section 5.07 and excluding, for avoidance of doubt, the inspections referred to in Section 5.06), (f) all other reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by each Agent in connection with the negotiation, preparation, and execution of the Loan Documents and any consents, amendments, waivers, or other modifications thereto and the transactions contemplated thereby (limited, in the case of any legal expenses, to the reasonable and documented fees and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket disbursements of one primary counsel to Administrative Agent and one primary counsel to Collateral Agent), and (g) after the occurrence of an Event of Default, all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses, including reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs of settlement, incurred by any Agent and Lenders in enforcing any Obligations of, or in collecting any payments due from, any Loan Party, hereunder or under the other Loan Documents by reason of such Event of Default (including in connection with the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon any of the Collateral or the enforcement of the Guaranty or in connection with any refinancing or restructuring of the credit arrangements provided hereunder in the nature of a “work out” or pursuant to any Insolvency Proceeding) (limited, in the case of legal expenses, to the reasonable and documented fees and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket disbursements of one primary counsel to Administrative Agent and one primary counsel to Collateral Agent); provided that, in any case in which the reimbursement of expenses for counsel is limited to one primary counsel, if reasonably necessary, Lead Borrower shall also promptly pay (or cause to be paid) reasonable and documented fees and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket disbursements of (x) one local counsel in any relevant jurisdiction (which may include a single firm of counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions) and, (y) in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest where any such Person affected by such conflict informs Borrower of such conflict, in each case, a single additional firm of counsel in each relevant jurisdiction for all similarly situated affected Persons).

 

- 116 -

 

 

Section 10.03 Indemnity.

 

(a) IN ADDITION TO THE PAYMENT OF EXPENSES PURSUANT TO SECTION 10.02, WHETHER OR NOT THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY SHALL BE CONSUMMATED, EACH LOAN PARTY AGREES TO DEFEND (SUBJECT TO INDEMNITEES’ SELECTION OF COUNSEL), INDEMNIFY, PAY, AND HOLD HARMLESS EACH AGENT AND LENDER, THEIR AFFILIATES, AND EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, PARTNERS, DIRECTORS, TRUSTEES, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS (EACH, AN “INDEMNITEE”), FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES, IN ALL CASES, WHETHER OR NOT CAUSED BY OR ARISING, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OUT OF THE COMPARATIVE, CONTRIBUTORY, OR SOLE NEGLIGENCE OF SUCH INDEMNITEE; PROVIDED, THAT NO LOAN PARTY SHALL HAVE ANY OBLIGATION TO ANY INDEMNITEE HEREUNDER WITH RESPECT TO ANY INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES (I) TO THE EXTENT SUCH INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES ARISE FROM THE BAD FAITH, GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, AS DETERMINED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN A FINAL, NON-APPEALABLE ORDER OR JUDGMENT, OF THAT INDEMNITEE OR ANY OF ITS OFFICERS, PARTNERS, DIRECTORS, TRUSTEES, EMPLOYEES, OR AGENTS OR (II) TO THE EXTENT SUCH INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES ARISE FROM A CLAIM, ACTION, LITIGATION, INVESTIGATION OR OTHER PROCEEDING THAT DOES NOT ARISE FROM ANY ACT OR OMISSION BY ANY LOAN PARTY OR ANY OFFICER, PARTNER, DIRECTOR, TRUSTEE, EMPLOYEE OR AGENT OF ANY LOAN PARTY AND THAT IS BROUGHT BY ANY INDEMNITEE AGAINST ANOTHER INDEMNITEE (AND EACH INDEMNITEE, BY ACCEPTING THE BENEFITS HEREOF, AGREES TO PROMPTLY REFUND OR RETURN ANY INDEMNITY RECEIVED HEREUNDER TO THE EXTENT IT IS LATER DETERMINED BY A FINAL, NON-APPEALABLE ORDER OR JUDGMENT OF A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION THAT SUCH INDEMNITEE IS NOT ENTITLED THERETO). TO THE EXTENT THAT THE UNDERTAKINGS TO DEFEND, INDEMNIFY, PAY, AND HOLD HARMLESS SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION 10.03 MAY BE UNENFORCEABLE IN WHOLE OR IN PART BECAUSE THEY ARE VIOLATIVE OF ANY LAW OR PUBLIC POLICY, THE APPLICABLE LOAN PARTY SHALL CONTRIBUTE THE MAXIMUM PORTION THAT IT IS PERMITTED TO PAY AND SATISFY UNDER APPLICABLE LAW TO THE PAYMENT AND SATISFACTION OF ALL INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES INCURRED BY INDEMNITEES OR ANY OF THEM.

 

(b) To the extent permitted by applicable law, no Loan Party shall assert, and each Loan Party hereby waives, any claim against Lenders, Agents, and their respective Affiliates, directors, employees, attorneys, or agents, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential, or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) (whether or not the claim therefor is based on contract, tort, or duty imposed by any applicable legal requirement) arising out of, in connection with, as a result of, or in any way related to, this Agreement or any Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby or referred to herein or therein, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof, or any act or omission or event occurring in connection therewith, and each Loan Party hereby waives, releases, and agrees not to sue upon any such claim or any such damages, whether or not accrued and whether or not known or suspected to exist in its favor.

 

Section 10.04 Setoff. In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, each Lender and its respective Affiliates are hereby authorized by each Loan Party at any time or from time to time, subject to the consent of each Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), without notice to any Loan Party or to any other Person (other than each Agent), any such notice being hereby expressly waived, to set off and to appropriate and to apply any and all deposits (general or special, including Indebtedness evidenced by certificates of deposit, whether matured or unmatured, but not including trust accounts (in whatever currency)) and any other Indebtedness at any time held or owing by such Lender and its respective Affiliates to or for the credit or the account of any Loan Party (in whatever currency) against and on account of the obligations and liabilities of any Loan Party to such Lender and its respective Affiliates hereunder, or with any other Loan Document, irrespective of whether or not (a) such Lender and its respective Affiliates shall have made any demand hereunder, (b) the principal of, or the interest on, the Loans or any other amounts due hereunder shall have become due and payable pursuant to Article II and although such obligations and liabilities, or any of them, may be contingent or unmatured, or (c) such obligation or liability is owed to a branch or office of such Lender different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligation or such Indebtedness.

 

- 117 -

 

 

Section 10.05 Amendments and Waivers.

 

(a) Required Lenders’ Consent. Subject to Sections 10.05(b) and 10.05(c), (i) no amendment, modification, termination, or waiver of any provision of the Loan Documents shall in any event be effective without the written concurrence of the Loan Parties party to such Loan Document, as the case may be, and (ii) no consent to any departure by any Loan Party from any provision of the Loan Documents, shall in any event be effective without the written concurrence of Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders.

 

(b) Affected Lenders’ Consent. Without the written consent of each Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender) that would be adversely affected thereby, no amendment, modification, termination, or consent shall be effective if the effect thereof would:

 

(i) increases in, or extensions of, the Term Loan Commitments of such Lender,

 

(ii) extend the scheduled final maturity of any Loan or any Term Note,

 

(iii) waive, reduce, or postpone any scheduled repayment (but not prepayment),

 

(iv) reduce the rate of interest on any Loan (other than any waiver of any increase in the interest rate applicable to any Loan pursuant to Section 2.09) or any fees or premiums payable hereunder or under the Fee Letter,

 

(v) extend the time for payment of any principal or interest on any loan or fees or premiums payable hereunder or under the Fee Letter,

 

(vi) reduce the principal amount of any Loan, or

 

(vii) amend, modify, terminate, or waive (A) any pro rata sharing, payment, or setoff provision of any Loan Document (including, without limitation, Section 2.16 of this Agreement) or (B) any other provision of a Loan Document (including, without limitation, Sections 2.11 and 2.14(a) of this Agreement), in each case, in a manner that would alter (or have the effect of altering) the pro rata allocation among the Lenders of any payments, disbursements, or setoffs,

 

(c) Other Consents. No amendment, modification, termination, or waiver of any provision of the Loan Documents, or consent to any departure by any Loan Party, therefrom, shall:

 

(i) amend, modify, terminate, or waive any provision of Section 10.05(b) or this Section 10.05(c) without the consent of each Lender,

 

(ii) amend the definition of “Required Lenders” or “Pro Rata Share” without the consent of each Lender,

 

- 118 -

 

 

(iii) release all or a material portion of the Guaranty or release (or subordination of the Collateral Agent’s liens on) all or a material portion of the Collateral, in each case, in any transaction or series of related transactions (other than in connection with permitted asset sales, permitted dispositions, permitted mergers, permitted liquidations or dissolutions or as otherwise permitted under the Loan Documents) without the consent of each Lender,

 

(iv) subordinate any of the Obligations, or any Liens on any portion of the Collateral created by this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than to the extent permitted by Section 6.02), without the consent of each Lender, or

 

(v) amend, modify, terminate, or waive any provision of Article IX as the same applies to any Agent, or any other provision hereof as the same applies to the rights or obligations of any Agent, in each case without the consent of such Agent.

 

(d) Technical Amendments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended solely with the consent of each Agent and Lead Borrower without the need to obtain the consent of any other Lender if such amendment is delivered in order to (i) correct or cure (A) ambiguities, errors, omissions, or defects or (B) incorrect cross-references or similar inaccuracies or (ii) effectuate administrative changes of a technical or immaterial nature.

 

(e) Execution of Amendments, etc. Administrative Agent may, but shall have no obligation to, with the concurrence of any Lender, execute amendments, modifications, waivers, or consents on behalf of such Lender. Any waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given. No notice to or demand on any Loan Party, in any case shall entitle any Loan Party, to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances. Any amendment, modification, termination, waiver, or consent effected in accordance with this Section 10.05 shall be binding upon each Lender at the time outstanding, each future Lender, and, if signed by a Loan Party, by such of such Loan Party thereto.

 

Section 10.06 Successors and Assigns; Participations.

 

(a) Generally. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and the successors and assigns of Lenders; provided, that any assignment that is not permitted pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be absolutely void ab initio. No rights or obligations of a Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document nor any interest therein may be assigned or delegated by any Loan Party without the prior written consent of all Lenders. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, Indemnitee Agent Parties under Section 9.06, Indemnitees under Section 10.03, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, Affiliates of Administrative Agent and each Lender) any legal or equitable right, remedy, or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(b) Register. Borrowers, Administrative Agent, and Lenders shall deem and treat the Persons listed as Lenders in the Register as the holders and owners of the corresponding Commitments and Loans listed therein for all purposes hereof, and no assignment or transfer of any such Commitment or Loan shall be effective, in each case, unless and until an Assignment Agreement effecting the assignment or transfer thereof shall have been delivered to and accepted by Administrative Agent and recorded in the Register as provided in Section 10.06(e). Prior to such recordation, all amounts owed with respect to the applicable Commitment or Loan shall be owed to the Lender listed in the Register as the owner thereof, and any request, authority, or consent of any Person who, at the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent, is listed in the Register as a Lender shall be conclusive and binding on any subsequent holder, assignee, or transferee of the corresponding Commitments or Loans.

 

- 119 -

 

 

 

(c) Right to Assign. Each Lender shall have the right at any time to sell, assign, or transfer all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement, including, without limitation, all or a portion of its Commitment or Loans owing to it or other Obligations (provided, that each such assignment shall be of a uniform, and not varying, percentage of all rights and obligations under and in respect of any Loan and any related Commitments):

 

(i) to any Person meeting the criteria of clause (a) of the definition of the term of “Eligible Assignee” upon the giving of notice to Lead Borrower and Administrative Agent, and

 

(ii) to any Person otherwise constituting an Eligible Assignee with the consent of Administrative Agent and Lead Borrower (such consent not be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided, that (A) no consent of Lead Borrower shall be required if a Specified Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (B) Lead Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received notice thereof, and (C) each such assignment pursuant to this Section 10.06(c)(ii) shall be in an aggregate amount of not less than $1,000,000 (or such lesser amount as may be agreed to by Lead Borrower and Administrative Agent or as shall constitute the aggregate amount of the Term Loan of the assigning Lender) with respect to the assignment of Term Loans.

 

(d) Mechanics. The assigning Lender and the assignee thereof shall (i) execute and deliver to Administrative Agent an Assignment Agreement, together with such forms or certificates with respect to United States federal income Tax withholding matters as the assignee under such Assignment Agreement may be required to deliver to Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.19(d), and (ii) pay to Administrative Agent a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (which fee shall not be applicable for transfers among existing Lenders and Lenders and their Affiliates and may be waived or reduced in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent); provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, such processing and recordation fee shall not constitute Indemnified Liabilities.

 

(e) Notice of Assignment. Upon its receipt and acceptance of a duly executed and completed Assignment Agreement and any forms or certificates required by this Agreement in connection therewith, Administrative Agent shall record the information contained in such Assignment Agreement in the Register, shall give prompt notice thereof to Lead Borrower, and shall maintain a copy of such Assignment Agreement.

 

(f) Representations and Warranties of Assignee. Each Lender, upon execution and delivery hereof or upon executing and delivering an Assignment Agreement, as the case may be, represents and warrants as of the Closing Date or as of the applicable Effective Date (as defined in the applicable Assignment Agreement) that (i) it is an Eligible Assignee, (ii) it has experience and expertise in the making of, or investing in, commitments or loans such as the applicable Commitments or Loans, as the case may be, (iii) it will make or invest in, as the case may be, its Commitments or Loans for its own account in the ordinary course of its business and without a view to distribution of such Commitments or Loans within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or other federal securities laws (it being understood that, subject to the provisions of this Section 10.06, the disposition of such Loans or any interests therein shall at all times remain within its exclusive control), and (iv) such Lender does not own or control, or own or control any Person owning or controlling, any trade debt or Indebtedness of any Loan Party other than the Obligations or any Capital Stock of any Loan Party (as to this clause (iv), unless such assignment was approved by Administrative Agent and, so long as no Specified Event of Default had occurred and was continuing, Borrower).

 

(g) Effect of Assignment. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 10.06, as of the later (i) of the “Effective Date” specified in the applicable Assignment Agreement or (ii) the date such assignment is recorded in the Register: (A) the assignee thereunder shall have the rights and obligations of a “Lender” hereunder to the extent such rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned to it pursuant to such Assignment Agreement and shall thereafter be a party hereto and a “Lender” for all purposes hereof, (B) the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned thereby pursuant to such Assignment Agreement, relinquish its rights (other than any rights which survive the termination hereof under Section 10.08) and be released from its obligations hereunder (and, in the case of an Assignment Agreement covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning Lender’s rights and obligations hereunder, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto; provided, that anything contained in any of the Loan Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, such assigning Lender shall continue to be entitled to the benefit of all indemnities hereunder as specified herein with respect to matters arising out of the prior involvement of such assigning Lender as a Lender hereunder), (C) the Commitments shall be modified to reflect the Commitment of such assignee and any Commitment of such assigning Lender, if any, and (D) if any such assignment occurs after the issuance of any Term Note hereunder, the assigning Lender shall, upon the effectiveness of such assignment or as promptly thereafter as practicable, surrender its applicable Term Notes to Administrative Agent for cancellation, and thereupon, Lead Borrower shall issue and deliver new Term Notes, if so requested by the assignee and/or assigning Lender, to such assignee and/or to such assigning Lender, with appropriate insertions, to reflect the new Commitments and/or outstanding Loans of the assignee and/or the assigning Lender and (E) the assignee thereunder shall be bound by the terms and conditions of each of the Intercreditor Agreement and the Liberty Intercreditor Agreement, if any.

 

- 120 -

 

 

(h) Participations.

 

(i) Each Lender shall have the right at any time to sell one or more participations to any Eligible Assignee in all or any part of its Commitments, Loans, or in any other Obligation; provided, that any sale of any participation made to any Person other than an Eligible Assignee shall be absolutely void ab initio. The holder of any such participation, other than an Affiliate of Lender granting such participation, shall not be entitled to require such Lender to take or omit to take any action hereunder except with respect to any amendment, modification, or waiver that would (A) extend the final scheduled maturity of any Loan or Term Note in which such participant is participating, reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest or fees thereon (except in connection with a waiver of applicability of any post default increase in interest rates) or reduce the principal amount thereof, or increase the amount of the participant’s participation over the amount thereof then in effect (it being understood that a waiver of any Default or Event of Default or of a mandatory reduction in the Commitment shall not constitute a change in the terms of such participation, and that an increase in any Commitment or Loan shall be permitted without the consent of any participant if the participant’s participation is not increased as a result thereof) or (B) release all or substantially all of the Collateral under the Collateral Documents or all or substantially all of the Guarantors from the Guaranty (in each case, except as expressly provided in the Loan Documents) supporting the Loans hereunder in which such participant is participating. Borrower agrees that each participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.17(c), 2.18, and 2.19 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 10.06(c); provided, that such participant complies with Section 2.19 as though it were a Lender (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.19(d) shall be delivered to the participating Lender). To the extent permitted by law, each participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.04 as though it were a Lender, provided such participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.16 as though it were a Lender.

 

(ii) In the event that any Lender sells participations in its Commitments, Loans, or in any other Obligation hereunder, such Lender shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of each Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name of all participants in the Commitments, Loans, or Obligations held by it and the principal amount (and stated interest thereon) of the portion of such Commitments, Loans, or Obligations which are the subject of the participation (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 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 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. A Commitment, Loan, or Obligation hereunder may be participated in whole or in part only by registration of such participation on the Participant Register (and each Term Note shall expressly so provide). For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining the Participant Register.

 

- 121 -

 

 

(i) Certain Other Assignments. In addition to any other assignment permitted pursuant to this Section 10.06, any Lender may assign, pledge, and/or grant a security interest in all or any portion of its Loans, the other Obligations owed by or to such Lender, and its Term Notes, if any, to secure obligations of such Lender or any of its Affiliates to any Person providing any loan, letter of credit, or other extension of credit or financial arrangement to or for the account of such Lender or any Agent or any of its Affiliates and any agent, trustee, or representative of such Person (without the consent of, notice to, or any other action by any other party hereto), including, without limitation, any Federal Reserve Bank as collateral security pursuant to Regulation A of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and any operating circular issued by such Federal Reserve Bank; provided, that no Lender or Agent, as between Borrower and such Lender or Agent, shall be relieved of any of its obligations hereunder as a result of any such assignment and pledge; provided further, that in no event shall such Person, agent, trustee, or representative of such Person or the applicable Federal Reserve Bank be considered to be a “Lender” or be entitled to require the assigning Lender or Agent to take or omit to take any action hereunder.

 

(j) Assignments to Global Parent or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates thereof. No assignment shall be made to Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or to any of their respective Affiliates (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Permitted Holder, Ultimate Parent, Liberty/Revolution Top Parent, Vitamin Top Parent or any of the Excluded Entities).

 

(k) Disqualified Institutions. So long as no Specified Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no assignment or participation shall be made to a Disqualified Institution without Borrower’s consent in writing (which consent may be withheld in its sole discretion) (with any assignment or participation in violation of the foregoing to be absolutely void ab initio), and upon an inquiry by any Lender to Administrative Agent as to whether a specific potential assignee or prospective participant is a Disqualified Institution, Administrative Agent shall be permitted to disclose the list of Disqualified Institutions to such inquiring Lenders; provided, that Administrative Agent shall not, in any event, be responsible for, nor have any liability in connection with, maintaining, updating, monitoring, or enforcing the list of Disqualified Institutions, nor for any assignment or participation to a Disqualified Institution to which Borrower has consented (including deemed consent), except to the extent determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable decision to have been caused by, or be the result, of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Administrative Agent.

 

Section 10.07 Independence of Covenants. All covenants hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a particular action or condition is not permitted by any of such covenants, the fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or would otherwise be within the limitations of, another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default if such action is taken or condition exists.

 

Section 10.08 Survival of Representations, Warranties, and Agreements. All representations, warranties, and agreements made herein shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and the making of any Credit Extension. Notwithstanding anything herein or implied by law to the contrary, the agreements of each Loan Party set forth in Sections 2.17(c), 2.18, 2.19, 10.02, 10.03, 10.04, and 10.10 and the agreements of Lenders set forth in Sections 2.16, 9.03(b), and 9.06 shall survive the payment of the Loans.

 

Section 10.09 No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative. No failure or delay on the part of any Agent or any Lender in the exercise of any power, right, or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall impair such power, right, or privilege or be construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right, or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right, or privilege. The rights, powers, and remedies given to each Agent and each Lender hereby are cumulative and shall be in addition to and independent of all rights, powers, and remedies existing by virtue of any statute or rule of law or in any of the other Loan Documents. Any forbearance or failure to exercise, and any delay in exercising, any right, power, or remedy hereunder shall not impair any such right, power, or remedy or be construed to be a waiver thereof, nor shall it preclude the further exercise of any such right, power, or remedy.

 

- 122 -

 

 

Section 10.10 Marshalling; Payments Set Aside. Neither any Agent nor any Lender shall be under any obligation to marshal any assets in favor of any Loan Party or any other Person or against or in payment of any or all of the Obligations. To the extent that any Loan Party makes a payment or payments to Administrative Agent or Lenders (or to Administrative Agent, on behalf of Lenders), or Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, or Lenders enforce any security interests or exercise their rights of setoff, and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement or setoff or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside, and/or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver, or any other party under any bankruptcy law, any other state or federal law, common law, or any equitable cause, then, to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied, and all Liens, rights, and remedies therefor or related thereto, be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment or payments had not been made or such enforcement or setoff had not occurred.

 

Section 10.11 Severability. In case any provision herein or obligation hereunder or any Term Note or other Loan Document shall be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Section 10.12 Obligations Several; Independent Nature of Lenders’ Rights. The obligations of Lenders hereunder are several, and no Lender shall be responsible for the obligations or Commitment of any other Lender hereunder. Nothing contained herein or in any other Loan Document, and no action taken by Lenders pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute Lenders as a partnership, an association, a joint venture, or any other kind of entity. The amounts payable at any time hereunder to each Lender shall be a separate and independent debt.

 

Section 10.13 Headings. Section headings herein are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part hereof for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

 

Section 10.14 APPLICABLE LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES (OTHER THAN SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW) THEREOF.

 

Section 10.15 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. (a) ALL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST ANY LOAN PARTY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING HERETO OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR ANY OF THE OBLIGATIONS, SHALL BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN THE STATE, COUNTY, AND CITY OF NEW YORK. BY EXECUTING AND DELIVERING THIS AGREEMENT, EACH LOAN PARTY, FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, IRREVOCABLY (I) ACCEPTS GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS, (II) WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, (III) AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, TO THE APPLICABLE LOAN PARTY AT ITS ADDRESS PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 10.01, WHICH IS SUFFICIENT TO CONFER PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER THE APPLICABLE LOAN PARTY IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND OTHERWISE CONSTITUTES EFFECTIVE AND BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT, AND (IV) AGREES THAT AGENTS AND LENDERS RETAIN THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST ANY LOAN PARTY IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

 

- 123 -

 

 

(a) EACH LOAN PARTY HEREBY AGREES THAT PROCESS MAY BE SERVED ON IT BY CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, TO THE ADDRESSES PERTAINING TO IT AS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 10.01. ANY AND ALL SERVICE OF PROCESS AND ANY OTHER NOTICE IN ANY SUCH ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE EFFECTIVE AGAINST ANY LOAN PARTY IF GIVEN BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, OR BY ANY OTHER MEANS OR MAIL WHICH REQUIRES A SIGNED RECEIPT, POSTAGE PREPAID, MAILED AS PROVIDED ABOVE.

 

Section 10.16 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY AGREES TO WAIVE ITS RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING HEREUNDER OR UNDER ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY DEALINGS BETWEEN THEM RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS LOAN TRANSACTION OR THE LENDER/BORROWER RELATIONSHIP THAT IS BEING ESTABLISHED. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS TRANSACTION, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT TO ENTER INTO A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP, THAT EACH HAS ALREADY RELIED ON THIS WAIVER IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT, AND THAT EACH WILL CONTINUE TO RELY ON THIS WAIVER IN ITS RELATED FUTURE DEALINGS. EACH PARTY HERETO FURTHER WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT IT HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL AND THAT IT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING (OTHER THAN BY A MUTUAL WRITTEN WAIVER SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO THIS SECTION 10.16 AND EXECUTED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO), AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS, OR MODIFICATIONS HERETO OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR TO ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS OR AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE LOANS MADE HEREUNDER. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.

 

Section 10.17 Confidentiality. Each Agent and Lender agrees to maintain the confidentiality of all non-public information regarding Ultimate Parent, Global Parent, the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries and their businesses identified as such by any Borrower or any of such Persons and obtained by such Lender from Ultimate Parent, Global Parent or any other Loan Party or their Subsidiaries pursuant to the requirements hereof in accordance with such Lender’s customary procedures for handling confidential information of such nature, it being understood and agreed by Borrower that, in any event, any Agent or Lender may make (a) disclosures of such information to Affiliates of such Agent or Lender and to their agents, advisors, directors, and shareholders (and to other persons authorized by a Lender or Agent to organize, present, or disseminate such information in connection with disclosures otherwise made in accordance with this Section 10.17) who are directly involved with Loan Documents and related transactions and for whom the applicable Agent or Lender shall be responsible for any breach of this Section by such Persons (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) disclosures of such information reasonably required by any bona fide or potential assignee, transferee, or participant in connection with the contemplated assignment, transfer, or participation by any such Lender of any Loans or any participations therein, (c) disclosure to any rating agency when required by it; provided, that prior to any disclosure, such rating agency shall undertake in writing to preserve the confidentiality of any confidential information relating to the Ultimate Parent, Global Parent or any other Loan Party and their Subsidiaries received by it from any of Agents or any Lender, (d) disclosure to any Lender’s financing sources; provided, that prior to any disclosure, such financing source is informed of the confidential nature of the information and instructed to keep such information confidential; provided, further, that the applicable Lender shall be responsible for any breach of this Section by such financing sources, (e) disclosures of such information to any investors and partners of any Lender; provided, that prior to any disclosure, such investor or partner is informed of the confidential nature of the information and instructed to keep such information confidential; provided, further, that the applicable Lender shall be responsible for any breach of this Section by such investors or partners, (f) disclosure required or requested in connection with any public filings, whether pursuant to any securities laws or regulations or rules promulgated therefor (including the Investment Company Act of 1940 or otherwise) or representative thereof or by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (and any successor thereto) or pursuant to legal or judicial process; provided, that unless specifically prohibited by applicable law or court order, each Agent and Lender shall make reasonable efforts to notify Borrower of any request by any Governmental Authority or representative thereof (other than any such request in connection with any examination of the financial condition or other routine examination of such Lender by such Governmental Authority) for disclosure of any such non-public information prior to disclosure of such information, (g) disclosures of such information to the extent any such information becomes publicly available other than by reason of disclosure by any Agents or Lenders, any Affiliates of the Agents or Lenders, or any officers, directors, agents, employees, attorneys, accountants, or advisors of any Agents or Lenders or of any Affiliates of any Agents or Lenders, in breach of this Agreement, or to the extent any such information is developed independently by any such Persons, (h) to the extent not known by us to consist of material non-public information, (i) for purposes of establishing a “due diligence” defense or to exercise rights or remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document, and (j) solely with and to the extent of the Borrower’s consent therefor, disclosures of any information to any Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, on or after the Closing Date, Administrative Agent may, at its own expense, issue news releases and publish “tombstone” advertisements and other announcements relating to this transaction in newspapers, trade journals, and other appropriate media (which may include use of logos of one or more of the Loan Parties) (collectively, “Trade Announcements”). No Loan Party shall issue any Trade Announcement except (y) disclosures required by applicable law, regulation, legal process, or the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or (z) with the prior approval of Administrative Agent.

 

- 124 -

 

 

Section 10.18 Usury Savings Clause. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the aggregate interest rate charged or agreed to be paid with respect to any of the Obligations, including all charges or fees in connection therewith deemed in the nature of interest under applicable law shall not exceed the Highest Lawful Rate. If the rate of interest (determined without regard to the preceding sentence) under this Agreement at any time exceeds the Highest Lawful Rate, the outstanding amount of the Loans made hereunder shall bear interest at the Highest Lawful Rate until the total amount of interest due hereunder equals the amount of interest which would have been due hereunder if the stated rates of interest set forth in this Agreement had at all times been in effect. In addition, if when the Loans made hereunder are repaid in full the total interest due hereunder (taking into account the increase provided for above) is less than the total amount of interest which would have been due hereunder if the stated rates of interest set forth in this Agreement had at all times been in effect, then to the extent permitted by law, Borrower shall pay to Administrative Agent an amount equal to the difference between the amount of interest paid and the amount of interest which would have been paid if the Highest Lawful Rate had at all times been in effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is the intention of Lenders and Borrower to conform strictly to any applicable usury laws. Accordingly, if any Lender contracts for, charges, or receives any consideration which constitutes interest in excess of the Highest Lawful Rate, then any such excess shall be cancelled automatically and, if previously paid, shall at such Lender’s option be applied to the outstanding amount of the Loans made hereunder or be refunded to Borrower. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Highest Lawful Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest, throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

 

Section 10.19 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic means shall be effective as delivery of an original counterpart of this Agreement.

 

- 125 -

 

 

Section 10.20 Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution of a counterpart hereof by each of the parties hereto and receipt by Borrower and each Agent of written or telephonic notification of such execution and authorization of delivery thereof.

 

Section 10.21 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA 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 EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of an EEA 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 EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA 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,

 

(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, 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 EEA Resolution Authority.

 

Section 10.22    PATRIOT Act Notice. Each Lender and Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Loan Parties that pursuant to the requirements of the PATRIOT Act, it may be required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of such Persons and other information that will allow such Lender or Agent, as applicable, to identify such Person in accordance with the PATRIOT Act.

 

Section 10.23    Consent to Intercreditor Agreement and Liberty Intercreditor Agreement. Each Lender, by its acceptance of the benefits of the Collateral Documents creating Liens to secure the Obligations:

 

(a) acknowledges that it has received a copy of the Intercreditor Agreement and the Liberty Intercreditor Agreement and is satisfied with the terms and provisions thereof;

 

(a) authorizes and instructs Collateral Agent to (i) enter into the Intercreditor Agreement and the Liberty Intercreditor Agreement, as Collateral Agent and on behalf of such Lender, (ii) to exercise all of Collateral Agent’s rights and to comply with all of its obligations under the Intercreditor Agreement and the Liberty Intercreditor Agreement and to take all other actions necessary to carry out the provisions and intent thereof and (iii) to take actions on its behalf in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the Liberty Intercreditor Agreement;

 

(b) agrees that it will be bound by and will take no actions contrary to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and the Liberty Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable, as if it was a signatory thereto;

 

- 126 -

 

 

(c) consents to the treatment of Liens provided for under the Intercreditor Agreement and the Liberty Intercreditor Agreement and in furtherance thereof authorizes the Collateral Agent to subordinate the liens on the Collateral securing the Obligations (other than liens on Term Priority Collateral (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement or the Liberty Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable)) in accordance with the terms set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement or the Liberty Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable;

 

(d) authorizes and directs Collateral Agent to execute and deliver, in each case on behalf of such Secured Party and without any further consent or authorization from such Lender, any amendments, supplements or other modifications of the Intercreditor Agreement or the Liberty Intercreditor Agreement that the Borrowers may from time to time request to give effect to any incurrence, amendment, or refinancing of any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (j) of Permitted Indebtedness; and

 

(e) agrees that no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against Collateral Agent as a result of any action taken by Collateral Agent pursuant to this Section 10.23 or in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement or the Liberty Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Section 10.24 Intercreditor Agreement and the Liberty Intercreditor Agreement GovernGoverns. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement and the Liberty Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable, in all respects and, in the event of any conflict between the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement or the Liberty Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable, and this Agreement, the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement or the Liberty Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable, shall govern. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the lien and security interest granted to the Collateral Agent or the ABL Agent, as applicable, pursuant to any Loan Document or ABL Loan Document, and the exercise of any right or remedy in respect of the Collateral by the Agent or the ABL Agent, as applicable hereunder, under any other Loan Document, or under the ABL Credit Agreement and any other agreement entered into in connection therewith are subject to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement or the Liberty Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable and in the event of any conflict between the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement or the Liberty Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the ABL Credit Agreement and any other agreement entered into in connection therewith, the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement or the Liberty Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable, shall govern and control with respect to the exercise of any such right or remedy or the Loan Parties’ covenants and obligations.

 

- 127 -

 

 

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

 

FRANCHISE GROUP NEW HOLDCO, LLC,
as Global Parent and as a Guarantor

 

By:                 
Name:      
Title:    
     
FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE HOLDCO, LLC,  
as Lead Borrower and as a Guarantor  
   
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
FRANCHISE GROUP MERGER SUB AF, INC.,  
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
   
By:                              
Name:    
Title:    
     
FRANCHISE GROUP NEWCO INTERMEDIATE AF, LLC,  
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
   
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
AMERICAN FREIGHT GROUP, INC.,  
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
   
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

 

 

 

 

AMERICAN FREIGHT HOLDINGS, INC.,  
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
     
By:                              
Name:      
Title:    
     
AMERICAN FREIGHT, INC.,  
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
AMERICAN FREIGHT MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC,  
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE B, LLC,  
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
BUDDY’S NEWCO, LLC,  
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
     
By:      
Name:    
Title:    

 

 

 

 

BUDDY’S FRANCHISING AND LICENSING LLC,
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
     
By:                         
Name:      
Title:    
     
FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE S, LLC,
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
FRANCHISE GROUP NEWCO S, LLC,  
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
BUDDY’S DISCOUNT OUTLET FRANCHISING, LLC,  
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
SEARS OUTLET STORES, L.L.C.,  
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

 

 

 

OUTLET MERCHANDISE, LLC,  
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
     
By:                        
Name:      
Title:    
     
LEASING OPERATIONS, LLC,  
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
   
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE L, LLC  
as Liberty/Revolution Top Parent and as a Guarantor  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE V, LLC,  
as Vitamin Top Parent and as a Guarantor  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
FRANCHISE GROUP NEWCO V, LLC,  
as Vitamin Intermediate Parent and as a Guarantor  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

 

 

 

GACP FINANCE CO., LLC,  
as Administrative Agent  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
KAYE SOLUTIONS FUND, L.P.,  
as Collateral Agent and as a Lender  
     
By:                             
Name:      
Title:    
     
GACP II, LP,  
as a Lender  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

 

 

 

APPENDIX A
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Term Loan Commitments

 

Lender Tranche A-1 Term
Commitment
Tranche A-2 Term
Commitment
Aggregate Term Loan
Commitments
Kayne Solutions Fund L.P. $ $125,000,000 $125,000,000
 KAFRG Investors, L.P. $ $75,000,000 $75,000,000
  $ $ $
  $ $ $
  $ $ $
  $ $ $
  $ $ $
  $ $ $
TOTAL $375,000,000 $200,000,000 $575,000,000

 

 

 

 

APPENDIX B
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Notice Addresses

 

If to any Loan Party:

 

FRANCHISE GROUP NEW HOLDCO, LLC
c/o Vintage Capital Management
4705 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Suite 206
Orlando, FL 32819
Attention: Brian Kahn
Facsimile: (208) 728-8007
Email: bkahn@vintcap.com

 

in each case, with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

FRANCHISE GROUP NEW HOLDCO, LLC
c/o Franchise Group, Inc.
1716 Corporate Landing Pkwy
Virginia Beach, VA 23454
Attention: Michael Piper, Chief Financial Officer
Email: Msp@libtax.com

 

WILLKIE FARR & GALLAGHER LLP
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10019
Attention: David Tarr, Esq.
Facsimile: (212) 728-9241
Email: dtarr@willkie.com

 

 

 

 

If to Administrative Agent or any Lender:

 

GACP FINANCE CO., LLC,
as Administrative Agent
 

Administrative Agent’s Principal Office:

 

GACP FINANCE CO., LLC

11100 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 800

Los Angeles, California 90025

Attn: Robert Louzan

Telephone No.: (203) 663-5101

Telecopy No.: (310) 966-1448

Email: rlouzan@gacapitalpartners.com


in each case, with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP

787 Seventh Avenue

New York, NY 10019

Attention: Leslie Plaskon

Telephone No.: (212) 839-5572

Telecopy No.: (212) 839-5599

Email: lplaskon@sidley.com

If to Collateral Agent:

KAYNE SOLUTIONS FUND, L.P.,
as Collateral Agent

 

Collateral Agent’s Principal Office:

 

KAYNE SOLUTIONS FUND, L.P.

1800 Avenue of the Stars, 3rd Floor

Los Angeles, CA 90067

Attention: Seth Zeleznik

Telephone No.: (424) 581-3809

Email: szeleznik@kaynecapital.com


in each case, with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

PAUL HASTINGS LLP
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166
Attention: Jennifer St. John Yount, Esq.
Email: jenniferyount@paulhastings.com

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.7

 

JOINDER AND AMENDMENT NUMBER THREE

 

TO ABL CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

THIS JOINDER AND AMENDMENT NUMBER THREE TO ABL CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Amendment No. 3”), dated as of May 1, 2020, is entered into by and among GACP FINANCE CO., LLC (“GACP”), in its capacity as administrative agent for each of the Lenders (in such capacity, “Agent”), FRANCHISE GROUP NEW HOLDCO, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Global Parent”), FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE HOLDCO, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Lead Borrower”), AMERICAN FREIGHT GROUP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“AFG”), certain other Subsidiaries of Lead Borrower party hereto as Borrowers (together with Lead Borrower and AFG, each individually and collectively, jointly and severally, “Borrower”), the other Loan Parties party hereto and the lenders identified on the signature pages hereof (such lenders, and the other lenders party to the below-defined Credit Agreement, together with their respective successors and permitted assigns, each individually, a “Lender”, and collectively, the “Lenders”), and in light of the following:

 

W I T N E S S E T H

 

WHEREAS, Global Parent, Borrower, Lenders, the other Loan Parties and Agent are parties to that certain ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2020 (as amended by that certain Amendment Number One to ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of March 13, 2020, and as further amended by that certain Limited Waiver and Amendment Number Two to ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2020, the “Existing Credit Agreement”, and the Existing Credit Agreement as amended by this Amendment No. 3, the “Credit Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, Borrower has requested that the Lenders and the Agent make certain amendments to the Existing Credit Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower is required to join the Persons listed on Schedule I attached hereto (such Persons, the “Liberty Tax Entities”) as parties to the Credit Agreement pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement (the “Joinder”);

 

WHEREAS, upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, Agent and Required Lenders have agreed to make certain amendments, including certain amendments to facilitate the Joinder, to the Existing Credit Agreement on the terms set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1.Defined Terms. All initially capitalized terms used herein (including the preamble and recitals hereof) without definition shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement.

 

2.Amendments to Credit Agreement. Subject to the satisfaction (or waiver in writing by the Required Lenders) of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 5 hereof, the Existing Credit Agreement shall be amended to reflect the changes which are attached as Annex A hereto, such that on the Amendment Effective Date (as defined below) the terms set forth in Annex A hereto which appear in bold and double underlined text (inserted text) shall be added to the Existing Credit Agreement and the terms appearing as text which is stricken (deleted text) shall be deleted from the Existing Credit Agreement, (b) Schedules 4.1, 4.2, 4.12, 4.24, 4.25 and 4.30 to the Existing Credit Agreement shall be amended and restated in their entirety as attached in Annex B hereto and (c) Schedules 1.1, 4.13, 4.27, 4.28, 6.1, 6.2, 6.7, 6.12, 6.17 and 7.1 to the Existing Credit Agreement shall be supplemented as attached in Annex C hereto.

 

 

 

3.[Reserved].

 

4.Joinder. The Liberty Tax Entities hereby acknowledge, agree and confirm that, by their execution of this Amendment No. 3, the Liberty Tax Entities will be deemed to be “Borrowers” for all purposes of the Credit Agreement and shall have all of the rights and obligations of a Borrower thereunder as if the Liberty Tax Entities had executed the Credit Agreement. The Liberty Tax Entities hereby ratify, as of the date hereof, and agree to be bound by, on and after the date hereof, all of the terms, provisions and conditions contained in the Credit Agreement applicable to a Borrower, including, without limitation, (a) all of the representations and warranties of the Borrowers set forth in Article IV of the Credit Agreement and (b) all of the covenants set forth in Article V and Article VI of the Credit Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing terms of this paragraph, as of the date hereof, the Liberty Tax Entities (i) are hereby made a party to the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents as Borrowers thereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as Borrowers and the Liberty Tax Entities hereby jointly and severally assume and agree to pay and perform all obligations of a Borrower under the Credit Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents, (ii) hereby jointly with all other Borrowers and Guarantors and severally agree to pay in full the Obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and (iii) hereby expressly assume all obligations and liabilities of a Borrower under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

5.Conditions Precedent to Amendment. The satisfaction (or waiver in writing by Agent and Required Lenders) of each of the following shall constitute conditions precedent to the effectiveness of this Amendment No. 3 (such date being the “Amendment Effective Date”):

 

(a) Agent shall have received this Amendment No. 3, duly executed by the parties hereto, and the same shall be in full force and effect.

 

(b) Agent shall have received a copy of that certain Limited Waiver, Joinder and Amendment Number Two to Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Borrowers, the other loan parties party thereto, the lenders party thereto and GACP, as administrative agent, and the same shall be in full force and effect.

 

(c) Agent shall have received the Amended and Restated ABL Security Agreement, by and among the Grantors (as defined therein) and Agent, dated as of the date hereof, duly executed by the parties thereto, and the same shall be in full force and effect.

 

(d) [reserved]

 

(e) After giving effect to this Amendment No. 3, with respect to Global Parent and its Subsidiaries, the representations and warranties contained herein, in the Credit Agreement, and in the other Loan Documents, in each case, shall be true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and 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 date hereof, to the same extent as though made on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically 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) on and as of such earlier date.

 

- 2 -

 

 

(f) No event has occurred and is continuing or would result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein that would constitute a Default or Event of Default.

 

(g) Agent shall have received (i) a certificate as to the good standing of each of the Liberty Tax Entities as of a recent date, from such Secretary of State or similar Governmental Authority; (ii) a certificate of the Secretary or other officer of each Liberty Tax Entity dated the Amendment Effective Date and certifying (A) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of the by-laws or operating (or limited liability company) agreement of such Liberty Tax Entity as in effect on the Amendment Effective Date and at all times since a date prior to the date of the resolutions described in clause (B) below, (B) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of such Liberty Tax Entity on the Amendment Effective Date, which authorize the execution, delivery and performance, as applicable, of the Loan Documents and the applicable amendments and joinders thereto, and, in the case of the Borrowers, the borrowings thereunder, and that such resolutions have not been modified, rescinded or amended and are in full force and effect, (C) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of the certificate or articles of incorporation or organization of each Liberty Tax Entity as in effect on the Amendment Effective Date and that such certificate or articles of incorporation have not been amended since the date of the last amendment thereto shown on the certificate of good standing furnished pursuant to clause (i) above, and (D) as to the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer executing any Loan Document or any other document delivered in connection herewith on behalf of such Liberty Tax Entity countersigned by another officer as to the incumbency and specimen signature of the Secretary or other officer executing the certificate pursuant to clause (ii) above.

 

(h) In order to create in favor of Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a valid, perfected security interest in personal property Collateral, Agent shall have received:

 

i. evidence satisfactory to the Agent of the compliance by each of the Liberty Tax Entities of its obligations under the Collateral Documents to which it is a party (including, without limitation, its obligations to authorize or execute, as the case may be, and deliver UCC financing statements, originals of securities, instruments and chattel paper, and any agreements governing deposit and/or securities accounts as provided therein), together with (A) appropriate financing statements on Form UCC 1 duly filed in such office or offices as may be necessary or, in the opinion of Agent, desirable to perfect the security interests purported to be created by each Collateral Document, and (B) evidence satisfactory to Agent of the filing of such UCC 1 financing statements,

 

ii. subject to Section 8(c) below, evidence satisfactory to the Agent that original certificates (if any) with respect to all of the Capital Stock issued by each of the Liberty Tax Entities, together with undated powers executed in blank with respect thereto (provided, that any such certificates issued by any Person other than the Liberty Tax Entities shall only be required to be delivered on the date hereof to the extent timely received after using commercially reasonable efforts to obtain them) have been delivered to Term Collateral Agent (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement), and

 

- 3 -

 

 

iii. a completed Perfection Certificate Supplement, dated the date hereof and executed by an Authorized Officer of each of the Borrowers, together with all attachments contemplated thereby.

 

(i) Lenders and their respective counsel shall have received executed copies of the favorable written opinions of counsel for the Loan Parties (other than for the Loan Parties organized under the laws of the state of Florida and the Loan Parties organized under the province of Ontario), as to such matters as Agent may reasonably request, dated as of the date hereof and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to Agent (and such counsel is hereby instructed to deliver such opinion to Lenders).

 

(j) On the Amendment Effective Date, Agent shall have received a solvency certificate of the chief executive officer, chief operating officer or chief financial officer of the Lead Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2 of the Credit Agreement, dated as of the Amendment Effective Date and addressed to the Agent and Lenders.

 

(k) Agent shall have received (i) copy of a duly executed payoff letter (“Payoff Letter”), in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, executed by CIBC Bank USA and acknowledged by Liberty Borrower and each other Liberty Tax Entity party thereto, together with (A) copies of UCC-3 termination statements or other appropriate termination statements, each in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, to be filed on or before the Amendment Effective Date and (B) any other releases, terminations or other documents reasonably required by Agent to evidence the payoff of Indebtedness owed by Liberty Borrower to CIBC Bank USA and (ii) evidence that Liberty Borrower’s obligations under the credit facility with CIBC Bank USA has been paid in full and all other Liens on assets of Liberty Borrower or any other Liberty Tax Entities party to such credit facility are or will be released and terminated in accordance with the Payoff Letter.

 

(l) Lead Borrower shall pay substantially concurrently with the closing of the transactions evidenced by this Amendment No. 3, all fees, costs, expenses and taxes then payable pursuant to the Credit Agreement and Section 7 of this Amendment No. 3.

 

6.Representations and Warranties. Each Loan Party (including the Liberty Tax Entities), jointly and severally, hereby:

 

(a) represents and warrants that, after giving effect to any updated schedules attached hereto, each of the representations and warranties made to Agent and Lenders under the Credit Agreement and all of the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof (after giving effect to this Amendment No. 3 and the other documents executed in connection with this Amendment No. 3) except to the extent that (i) such representations or warranties are qualified by a materiality standard, in which case they shall be true and correct in all respects, or(ii) such representations or warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date (or, if such representations or warranties are qualified by a materiality standard, in all respects as of such earlier date));

 

(b) in the case of the Loan Parties other than the Liberty Tax Entities, reaffirms all of the covenants contained in the Credit Agreement;

 

(c) represents and warrants that, after giving effect to updated Schedule 4.12 attached hereto, Schedule 4.12 contains a true, accurate, and complete list of all Material Real Estate Assets as of the date hereof and as of the Amendment Effective Date;

 

- 4 -

 

 

(d) represents and warrants that, after giving effect to this Amendment No. 3, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

(e) represents and warrants that the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of this Amendment No. 3 and the other documents, agreements and instruments executed by any Loan Party in connection herewith (collectively, together with this Amendment No. 3, the “Amendment Documents”) and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, are within such Loan Party’s powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary organizational action, and do not contravene (i) the Organizational Documents of such Loan Party or (ii) any law or any Contractual Obligation of any Loan Party, except, for purposes of this clause (ii), to the extent such contravention would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(f) represents and warrants that no authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority, any stockholders, members, partners or any other equityholders of any Loan Party, and any Person pursuant to any Contractual Obligation, is required for the due execution, delivery and performance by any Loan Party of any Amendment Document to which it is a party that has not already been obtained if the failure to obtain such authorization, approval or other action, or to provide such notice or make such filing, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(g) represents and warrants that each Amendment Document has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party party thereto; and

 

(h) represents and warrants that this Amendment No. 3 constitutes, and each other Amendment Document to be executed on the date hereof will constitute, upon execution, the legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party party thereto enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its respective terms, subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or moratorium or similar laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).

 

7.Payment of Costs and Fees. Lead Borrower shall pay to Agent and each Lender all expenses required to be paid pursuant to Section 10.02 of the Credit Agreement in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution and delivery of this Amendment No. 3 and any documents and instruments relating hereto.

 

8.Post-Closing Obligations.

 

(a) No later than 90 days after the Amendment Effective Date (or such later date to which the Agent may agree in its sole discretion), Liberty Tax Entities shall execute and deliver to Agent, with respect to any Material Real Estate Asset located in the United States, Mortgage Deliverables.

 

(b) As soon as practicable after the Amendment Effective Date, the Liberty Tax Entities formed under the laws of Virginia shall deliver to Agent the certified charter for such Loan Party.

 

(c) No later than 30 days after the Amendment Effective Date (or such later date to which the Agent may agree in its sole discretion), Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to the Agent that the Loan Parties have delivered to the Term Collateral Agent (i) the certificates representing the Pledged Interests (as defined in the Security Agreement) in Liberty Tax Holding Corporation and Liberty Tax Service Inc., together with undated powers (or other instruments of transfer acceptable to the Term Collateral Agent) endorsed in blank by the applicable Loan Party and (ii) all Pledged Notes (as defined in the Security Agreement) owned by the Liberty Tax Entities and required to be delivered to the Term Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 6(a) of the Term Security Agreement (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement), together with undated powers (or other relevant documents of transfer acceptable to the Term Collateral Agent) endorsed in blank by the applicable Liberty Tax Entity.

 

- 5 -

 

 

(d) No later than 45 days after the Amendment Effective Date (or such later date to which the Agent may agree in its sole discretion), the Loan Parties shall have delivered to the Agent (i) a security agreement, deed of hypothec, and/or such other agreements, instruments and documents as reasonably requested by the Agent, each in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent, executed and delivered by Liberty Tax Holding Corporation and Liberty Tax Service Inc. (the “Canadian Security Documents”), and (ii) (A) financing statements in form appropriate for filing under the Personal Property Security Act (Ontario) and the regulations promulgated thereunder as the Agent may deem desirable to perfect the security interests purported to be created by each Canadian Security Document, and (B) evidence satisfactory to the Agent of the filing of such financing statements.

 

(e) No later than 45 days after the Amendment Effective Date (or such later date to which the Agent may agree in its sole discretion), the Loan Parties shall have delivered to the Agent copies of duly executed terminations or releases, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, to evidence the termination and release of the SunTrust IP Filings.

 

(f) No later than 10 Business Days after the Amendment Effective Date (or such later date to which the Agent may agree in its sole discretion), the Loan Parties shall have delivered to the Agent insurance certificates to supplement Schedule 4.27 as required pursuant to Section 4.27 of the Credit Agreement.

 

9.APPLICABLE LAW; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL PROVISIONS. THIS AMENDMENT NO. 3 SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS REGARDING APPLICABLE LAW; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 10.14, 10.15 AND 10.16 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT, AND SUCH PROVISIONS ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE, MUTATIS MUTANDIS.

 

10.Amendments. This Amendment No. 3 cannot be altered, amended, changed or modified in any respect except in accordance with Section 10.05 of the Credit Agreement.

 

11. Counterpart Execution. This Amendment No. 3 may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Amendment. The words “execution,” signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in this Amendment No. 3 or in any other certificate, agreement or document related to this Amendment No. 3 or any other Loan Documents shall include images of manually executed signatures transmitted by facsimile or other electronic format (including, without limitation, “pdf”, “tif” or “jpg”) and other electronic signatures (including, without limitation, DocuSign).The use of electronic signatures and electronic records (including, without limitation, any contract or other record created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means) shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or use of a paper-based record-keeping system to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act and any other applicable law, including, without limitation, any state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or the Uniform Commercial Code.

 

- 6 -

 

 

12.Effect on Loan Documents.

 

(a) The Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, and each of the other Loan Documents shall be and remain in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms and hereby are ratified and confirmed in all respects. The execution, delivery, and performance of this Amendment No. 3 shall not operate, except as expressly set forth herein, as a modification or waiver of any right, power, or remedy of Agent or any Lender under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document. Except for the amendments to the Credit Agreement expressly set forth herein, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect. The waivers, consents and modifications set forth herein, if any, are limited to the specifics hereof (including facts or occurrences on which the same are based), shall not apply with respect to any facts or occurrences other than those on which the same are based, shall neither excuse any future non-compliance with the Loan Documents nor, except as expressly set forth in this Amendment No. 3, operate as a waiver of any Default or Event of Default, shall not operate as a consent to any further waiver, consent or amendment or other matter under the Loan Documents, and shall not be construed as an indication that any future waiver or amendment of covenants or any other provision of the Credit Agreement will be agreed to, it being understood that the granting or denying of any waiver or amendment which may hereafter be requested by Borrower remains in the sole and absolute discretion of Agent and Lenders. To the extent that any terms or provisions of this Amendment No. 3 conflict with those of the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents, the terms and provisions of this Amendment No. 3 shall control.

 

(b) Upon and after the effectiveness of this Amendment No. 3, each reference in the Credit Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “herein”, “hereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, and each reference in the other Loan Documents to “the Credit Agreement”, “thereunder”, “therein”, “thereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement as modified and amended hereby.

 

(c) To the extent that any of the terms and conditions in any of the Loan Documents shall contradict or be in conflict with any of the terms or conditions of the Credit Agreement, after giving effect to this Amendment No. 3, such terms and conditions are hereby deemed modified or amended accordingly to reflect the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement as modified or amended hereby.

 

(d) This Amendment No. 3 is a Loan Document.

 

(e) Unless the context of this Amendment No. 3 clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include the singular, references to the singular include the plural, the terms “includes” and “including” are not limiting, and the term “or” has, except where otherwise indicated, the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or”. The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and similar terms in this Amendment No. 3 refer to this Amendment No. 3 as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Amendment No. 3. Section, subsection, clause, schedule, and exhibit references herein are to this Amendment No. 3 unless otherwise specified. Any reference in this Amendment No. 3 to any agreement, instrument, or document shall include all alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements, thereto and thereof, as applicable (subject to any restrictions on such alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements set forth herein) Any reference herein to the Obligations shall (i) mean “Obligations” as defined in the Credit Agreement (including any expenses, fees or interest that accrue after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding) and (ii) include all or any portion thereof and any extensions, modifications, renewals, or alterations thereof, both prior and subsequent to any Insolvency Proceeding.

 

- 7 -

 

 

13.Entire Agreement. This Amendment No. 3, and the terms and provisions hereof, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire understanding and agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all prior or contemporaneous amendments or understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether express or implied, oral or written.

 

14.Integration. This Amendment No. 3, together with the other Loan Documents, incorporates all negotiations of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and is the final expression and agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

15.Reaffirmation of Obligations. Each Loan Party hereby (a) acknowledges and reaffirms its obligations owing to Agent and each Lender under each Loan Document to which it is a party (including, in respect of Global Parent, its Guaranty of the Obligations), and (b) agrees that each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party is and shall remain in full force and effect. Each Loan Party hereby (i) further ratifies and reaffirms the validity and enforceability of all of the Liens and security interests heretofore granted, pursuant to and in connection with the Security Agreement or any other Loan Document to Agent, on behalf and for the benefit of each Secured Party, as collateral security for the obligations under the Loan Documents in accordance with their respective terms, and (ii) acknowledges that all of such Liens and security interests, and all Collateral heretofore pledged as security for such obligations, continue to be and remain collateral for such obligations from and after the date hereof (including, without limitation, from after giving effect to this Amendment No. 3).

 

16.Severability. In case any provision in this Amendment No. 3 shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall be severable from the remainder of this Amendment No. 3 and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

- 8 -

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have entered into this Amendment No. 3 as of the date first above written.

 

FRANCHISE GROUP NEW HOLDCO, LLC,
as Global Parent
 
By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
 
FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE HOLDCO, LLC,
as Lead Borrower
 
By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
 
AMERICAN FREIGHT GROUP, LLC,
as a Borrower
 
By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
 
FRANCHISE GROUP NEWCO INTERMEDIATE AF, LLC,
as a Borrower
 
By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
 
AMERICAN FREIGHT HOLDINGS, LLC,
as a Borrower
 
By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

- 9 -

 

 

AMERICAN FREIGHT, LLC
as a Borrower
 
By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
 
AMERICAN FREIGHT MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC,
as a Borrower
 
By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
 
FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE B, LLC,
as a Borrower
 
By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
 
BUDDY’S NEWCO, LLC,
as a Borrower
 
By: /s/ Michael Bennett  
Name: Michael Bennett
Title: Chief Executive Officer
 
BUDDY’S FRANCHISING AND LICENSING LLC,
as a Borrower
 
By: /s/ Michael Bennett  
Name: Michael Bennett
Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

- 10 -

 

 

FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE S, LLC,
as a Borrower
 
By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
 
FRANCHISE GROUP NEWCO S, LLC,
as a Borrower
 
By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
 
AMERICAN FREIGHT OUTLET STORES, LLC,
as a Borrower
 
By: /s/ Will Powell  
Name: Will Powell
Title: President
 
OUTLET MERCHANDISE, LLC,
as a Borrower
 
By: /s/ Will Powell  
Name: Will Powell
Title: President
 
LEASING OPERATIONS, LLC,
as a Borrower
 
By: /s/ Will Powell  
Name: Will Powell
Title: President

 

- 11 -

 

 

AMERICAN FREIGHT DISCOUNT OUTLET FRANCHISING, LLC,
as a Borrower
 
By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
 
FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE V, LLC,
as a Guarantor
 
By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
 
FRANCHISE GROUP NEWCO V, LLC,
as a Guarantor
 
By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
 
FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE L, LLC,
as a Guarantor
 
By: /s/ Brian Kahn  
Name: Brian Kahn
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE L 1, LLC
 
By: /s/ Michael Piper  
Name: Michael Piper
Title: Chief Financial Officer
 
FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE L 2, LLC
 
By: /s/ Michael Piper  
Name: Michael Piper
Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

- 12 -

 

 

JTH TAX LLC
 
By: /s/ Michael Piper  
Name: Michael Piper
Title: Chief Financial Officer
 
SIEMPRETAX+ LLC
 
By: /s/ Michael Piper  
Name: Michael Piper
Title: Chief Financial Officer
 
LIBERTY CREDIT REPAIR, LLC
 
By: /s/ Michael Piper  
Name: Michael Piper
Title: Chief Financial Officer and Vice President
 
JTH FINANCIAL, LLC
 
By: /s/ Michael Piper  
Name: Michael Piper
Title: Chief Financial Officer
 
WEFILE LLC
 
By: /s/ Daniel Brashier  
Name: Daniel Brashier
Title: Treasurer
 
JTH PROPERTIES 1632, LLC
 
By: /s/ Michael Piper  
Name: Michael Piper
Title: Chief Financial Officer
 
LTS PROPERTIES, LLC
 
By: /s/ Michael Piper  
Name: Michael Piper
Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

- 13 -

 

 

LTS SOFTWARE LLC
 
By: /s/ Daniel Brashier  
Name: Daniel Brashier
Title: Treasurer
 
JTH TAX OFFICE PROPERTIES, LLC
 
By: /s/ Michael Piper  
Name: Michael Piper
Title: Chief Financial Officer
 
360 ACCOUNTING SOLUTIONS LLC
 
By: /s/ Michael Piper  
Name: Michael Piper
Title: Chief Financial Officer
 
JTH COURT PLAZA, LLC
 
By: /s/ Michael Piper  
Name: Michael Piper
Title: Chief Financial Officer
 
LIBERTY TAX HOLDING CORPORATION
 
By: /s/ Michael Piper  
Name: Michael Piper
Title: Chief Financial Officer
 
LIBERTY TAX SERVICE INC.
 
By: /s/ Michael Piper  
Name: Michael Piper
Title: Chief Financial Officer
 
GACP FINANCE CO., LLC,
as Administrative Agent
 
By: /s/ Robert Louzan  
Name: Robert Louzan
Title: President

 

- 14 -

 

 

GACP II, LP, as a Lender
 
By: /s/ Robert Louzan  
Name: Robert Louzan
Title: President

 

- 15 -

 

 

Schedule I

 

Liberty Tax Entities

 

Franchise Group Intermediate L 1, LLC

Franchise Group Intermediate L 2, LLC

SiempreTax+ LLC

JTH Tax LLC

Liberty Credit Repair, LLC

Wefile LLC

JTH Court Plaza, LLC

LTS Properties, LLC

LTS Software LLC

JTH Tax Office Properties, LLC

360 Accounting Solutions LLC

JTH Financial, LLC

JTH Properties 1632, LLC

Liberty Tax Holding Corporation

Liberty Tax Service Inc.

 

- 16 -

 

 

Annex A

 

 

 

Amended ABL Credit Agreement

 

 

 

[See attached.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 17 -

 

 

ANNEX BA

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

Conformed for Amendment No. 2Copy

 

 

Execution Version

 

 

Amendment Number One to ABL Credit Agreement dated as of March 13, 2020

Limited Waiver and Amendment Number Two to ABL Credit Agreement dated as of April 3, 2020

Joinder and Amendment Number Three to ABL Credit Agreement dated as of May 1, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABL CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

dated as of February 14, 2020

 

by and among

 

FRANCHISE GROUP NEW HOLDCO, LLC,

 

as Global Parent,

 

FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE HOLDCO, LLC,

 

as Lead Borrower,

 

certain Subsidiaries of Lead Borrower party hereto as Borrowers,

certain Subsidiaries of Lead Borrower party hereto as Guarantors,

the Lenders from time to time party hereto,

 

and

 

GACP FINANCE CO., LLC,

 

as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

         
        Page
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION   1
         
  Section 1.01 Definitions   1
  Section 1.02 Accounting and Other Terms   4249
  Section 1.03 Construction   4350
  Section 1.04 Time References   4450
  Section 1.05 Effect of Benchmark Transition Event   4450
  Section 1.06 Fiscal Periods   4754
       
ARTICLE II LOANS   4754
       
  Section 2.01 Term Loans   4754
  Section 2.02 [Reserved]   4755
  Section 2.03 Protective Advances   4855
  Section 2.04 Pro Rata Shares; Availability of Funds   4855
  Section 2.05 Use of Proceeds   4956
  Section 2.06 Evidence of Debt; Register; Lenders’ Books and Records; Term Notes   4956
  Section 2.07 Interest   4957
  Section 2.08 Conversion/Continuation   5058
  Section 2.09 Default Interest   5158
  Section 2.10 Fees   5259
  Section 2.11 Repayments of Loans and Commitment Reductions 53[Reserved]   60
  Section 2.12 Voluntary Prepayments   5360
  Section 2.13 Mandatory Prepayments   5460
  Section 2.14 Application of Prepayments/Reductions   5562
  Section 2.15 General Provisions Regarding Payments   5663
  Section 2.16 Ratable Sharing   5764
  Section 2.17 Making or Maintaining LIBOR Rate Loans   5865
  Section 2.18 Increased Costs   5966
  Section 2.19 Taxes; Withholding, etc   6067
  Section 2.20 Obligation to Mitigate   6370
  Section 2.21 Defaulting Lenders   6471
  Section 2.22 Removal or Replacement of a Lender   6471
  Section 2.23 Joint and Several Liability   72
  Section 2.24 Lead Borrower   76
       
ARTICLE III CONDITIONS PRECEDENT   6976
       
  Section 3.01 Closing Date   6976
       
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES   7179
       
  Section 4.01 Organization; Requisite Power and Authority; Qualification   7179
  Section 4.02 Capital Stock and Ownership   7280
  Section 4.03 Due Authorization   7280
  Section 4.04 No Conflict   7280

 

- i -

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

         
  Section 4.05 Governmental Consents   7280
  Section 4.06 Binding Obligation   7381
  Section 4.07 Historical Financial Statements   7381
  Section 4.08 Projections   7381
  Section 4.09 No Material Adverse Effect   7381
  Section 4.10 Adverse Proceedings, etc.   7381
  Section 4.11 Payment of Material Taxes   7482
  Section 4.12 Properties   7482
  Section 4.13 Environmental Matters   7482
  Section 4.14 Eligible Credit Card Receivables; Eligible Accounts; Eligible Rental Agreements   83
  Section 4.15 Eligible Inventory   83
  Section 4.144.16 Governmental Regulation   7583
  Section 4.154.17 Margin Stock   7584
  Section 4.164.18 Employee Matters   7584
  Section 4.174.19 Employee Benefit Plans   7684
  Section 4.184.20 Certain Fees   7685
  Section 4.194.21 Solvency   7685
  Section 4.20 Gift Cards, Points Programs, and Other Incentive Programs   77
  Section 4.22 [Reserved]   85
  Section 4.214.23 Compliance with Statutes, etc   7785
  Section 4.224.24 Intellectual Property   7785
  Section 4.234.25 Inventory and Equipment   7785
  Section 4.244.26 Trademarks and Key Trademark Licenses   7785
  Section 4.254.27 Insurance   7786
  Section 4.264.28 Franchise Agreements   7886
  Section 4.274.29 Permits, etc   7887
  Section 4.284.30 Cash Management   7887
  Section 4.294.31 Security Interests   7987
  Section 4.304.32 PATRIOT ACT   7987
  Section 4.314.33 OFAC/Sanctions   7988
  Section 4.324.34 Disclosure   7988
  Section 4.334.35 Use of Proceeds   8088
         
ARTICLE V AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS   8088
         
  Section 5.01 Financial Statements and Other Reports   8088
  Section 5.02 Existence   8595
  Section 5.03 Payment of Taxes and Claims   8595
  Section 5.04 Maintenance of Properties   8595
  Section 5.05 Insurance   8695
  Section 5.06 Inspections; Field Examinations and Appraisals   8696
  Section 5.07 Lenders Meetings and Conference Calls   8797
  Section 5.08 Compliance with Laws   8797
  Section 5.09 Environmental   8797

 

- ii -

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

         
  Section 5.10 Subsidiaries   8898
  Section 5.11 Additional Material Real Estate Assets   8999
  Section 5.12 Location of Inventory and Equipment   90100
  Section 5.13 Further Assurances   90100
  Section 5.14 [Reserved]Corporate Separateness   90100
  Section 5.15 [Reserved] Error! Bookmark not defined.   101
  Section 5.16 Post-Closing Matters   91101
  Section 5.17 Use of Proceeds   91101
  Section 5.18 Franchise Agreements   91101
  Section 5.19 Rental Agreements   101
         
ARTICLE VI NEGATIVE COVENANTS   91101
         
  Section 6.01 Indebtedness   91101
  Section 6.02 Liens   91101
  Section 6.03 Equitable Lien Error! Bookmark not defined.[Reserved]   102
  Section 6.04 No Further Negative Pledges   91102
  Section 6.05 Restricted Junior Payments   92102
  Section 6.06 Restrictions on Subsidiary Distributions   93103
  Section 6.07 Investments   93103
  Section 6.08 Financial Covenants   93104
  Section 6.09 Fundamental Changes; Disposition of Assets; Acquisitions   94104
  Section 6.10 Disposal of Subsidiary Interests   95106
  Section 6.11 Sales and Lease Backs   96106
  Section 6.12 Transactions with Affiliates   96106
  Section 6.13 Conduct of Business   97107
  Section 6.14 Permitted Activities of Holdings, Global Parent, Liberty Top Parent, and S/B Parent 97Parent Companies   107
  Section 6.15 Changes to Certain Agreements and Organizational Documents   97108
  Section 6.16 Accounting Methods   98108
  Section 6.17 Cash Management   98108
  Section 6.18 Prepayments of Certain Indebtedness   99110
  Section 6.19 Issuance of Capital Stock   99110
  Section 6.20 Anti-Terrorism Laws   99110
  Section 6.21 Franchise Agreements   99110
         
ARTICLE VII GUARANTY   99111
         
  Section 7.01 Guaranty of the Obligations   100111
  Section 7.02 Contribution by Guarantors   100111
  Section 7.03 Payment by Guarantors   100111
  Section 7.04 Liability of Guarantors Absolute   100112
  Section 7.05 Waivers by Guarantors   102113
  Section 7.06 Guarantors’ Rights of Subrogation, Contribution, etc   103114
  Section 7.07 Subordination of Other Obligations   103114
  Section 7.08 Continuing Guaranty   103115

 

- iii -

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

         
  Section 7.09 Authority of Guarantors or Borrower   103115
  Section 7.10 Financial Condition of Borrower   103115
  Section 7.11 Bankruptcy, etc   104115
  Section 7.12 Discharge of Guaranty upon Sale of Guarantor   104116
       
ARTICLE VIII EVENTS OF DEFAULT   105116
       
  Section 8.01 Events of Default   105116
         
ARTICLE IX ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT   107119
       
  Section 9.01 Appointment of Agents   108119
  Section 9.02 Powers and Duties   108120
  Section 9.03 General Immunity   108120
  Section 9.04 Agents Entitled to Act as Lender   109121
  Section 9.05 Lenders’ Representations, Warranties and Acknowledgment   110121
  Section 9.06 Right to Indemnity   110122
  Section 9.07 Successor Administrative Agent   111122
  Section 9.08 Collateral Documents and Guaranty   112124
  Section 9.09 Agency for Perfection   113124
  Section 9.10 [Reserved]   113124
  Section 9.11 Reports and Other Information; Confidentiality; Disclaimers   113125
         
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS   114126
         
  Section 10.01 Notices   114126
  Section 10.02 Expenses   115127
  Section 10.03 Indemnity   116127
  Section 10.04 Setoff   117128
  Section 10.05 Amendments and Waivers   117129
  Section 10.06 Successors and Assigns; Participations   118130
  Section 10.07 Independence of Covenants   122134
  Section 10.08 Survival of Representations, Warranties, and Agreements   122134
  Section 10.09 No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative   122134
  Section 10.10 Marshalling; Payments Set Aside   122134
  Section 10.11 Severability   123134
  Section 10.12 Obligations Several; Independent Nature of Lenders’ Rights   123134
  Section 10.13 Headings   123134
  Section 10.14 APPLICABLE LAW   123135
  Section 10.15 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION   123135
  Section 10.16 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL   123135
  Section 10.17 Confidentiality   124136
  Section 10.18 Usury Savings Clause   125137
  Section 10.19 Counterparts   125137
  Section 10.20 Effectiveness   126137
  Section 10.21 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions    126138

 

- iv -

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

         
  Section 10.22 PATRIOT Act Notice   126138
  Section 10.23 Consent to Intercreditor Agreement   138
  Section 10.24 Intercreditor Agreement Governs   139

 

- v -

 

 

APPENDICES: A Term Loan Commitments
  B Notice Addresses
   
SCHEDULES: 1.1 Third Party Franchisees 
  4.1 Jurisdiction of Organization
  4.2 Capital Stock and Ownership
  4.12 Material Real Estate Assets
  4.13 Environmental Matters
  4.24  Intellectual Property
  4.25  Inventory and Equipment
  4.27 Insurance
  4.28  Franchise Agreements
  4.30 Bank Accounts and Securities Accounts
  5.1 Performance Information
  5.16  Certain Post Closing Matters
  6.1  Certain Indebtedness
  6.2  Certain Liens
  6.7  Certain Investments
  6.12  Certain Affiliate Transactions
  6.17  Credit Card Issuers and Credit Card Processors
  7.1  List of BrandsNames
   
EXHIBITS: A-1  Funding Notice
  A-2  Conversion/Continuation Notice
  Initial Perfection Certificate
  C Compliance Certificate
  Assignment Agreement
  E-1 Certificate Regarding Non-Bank Status (For Non-US Lenders That Are Not Partnerships or Pass-Thru Entities For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
  E-2  Certificate Regarding Non-Bank Status (For Non-US Lenders That Are Partnerships or Pass-Thru Entities For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
  F-1  Closing Date Certificate
  F-2  Solvency Certificate
  Security Agreement
  Credit Card Notifications
  Borrowing Base Certificate
  Term Note
  Borrower Joinder Agreement

 

- vi -

 

 

ABL CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

This CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of February 14, 2020, by and among FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE HOLDCO, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Lead Borrower”), as a Borrower, FRANCHISE GROUP MERGER SUB AF, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), as a Borrower (which, on the Closing Date, shall be merged with and into AMERICAN FREIGHT GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (“AFGI”), with AFGI surviving such merger as a Borrower), certain other Subsidiaries of Lead Borrower from time to time party hereto as Borrowers, FRANCHISE GROUP NEW HOLDCO, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Global Parent”), as a Guarantor, certain Subsidiaries of Lead Borrower from time to time party hereto as Guarantors, the lenders identified on the signature pages hereof (each of such lenders, together with its successors and permitted assigns, is referred to hereinafter as a “Lender,” as that term is hereinafter further defined), GACP FINANCE CO., LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“GACP”), as administrative agent for each of the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, “Administrative Agent”), GACP, as collateral agent for each of the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, “Collateral Agent”), and GACP II, L.P., as sole lead arranger and sole book runner.

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, capitalized terms used in these recitals shall have the respective meanings set forth for such terms in Section 1.01 hereof;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 28, 2019 (as amended from time to time in accordance therewith, the “Acquisition Agreement”), by and among AFGI, Franchise Group Newco Intermediate AF, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“AF Holdings”), Merger Sub and The Jordan Company, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, as Representative, Merger Sub will merge with and into AFGI (the “Acquisition”), with AFGI surviving the Acquisition as an indirect Subsidiary of Lead Borrower;

 

WHEREAS, Lenders have agreed to extend an asset based term loan credit facility to Borrowers in an aggregate principal amount of $100,000,000, the proceeds of which will be used as described in Section 2.05.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

Section 1.01 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following definitions:

 

A Team” means A Team Sales, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

A Team Secured Note” means that certain Secured Promissory Note, dated October 23, 2019, between A Team and Franchise Group Newco S, LLC, as may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

- 1 -

 

 

Accounts” means all “accounts” (as defined in the UCC) of the Loan Parties (or, if referring to another Person, of such Person), including, without limitation, accounts, accounts receivable, monies due or to become due, and obligations in any form (whether arising in connection with contracts, contract rights, instruments, general intangibles, or chattel paper), in each case whether arising out of goods sold or services rendered or from any other transaction and whether or not earned by performance, now or hereafter in existence, and all documents of title or other documents representing any of the foregoing, and all collateral security and guaranties of any kind, now or hereafter in existence, given by any Person with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

Account Debtor” means any Person who is obligated on an Account, chattel paper, or a general intangible.

 

Accounting Changes” means changes in accounting principles required by the promulgation of any rule, regulation, pronouncement, or opinion by the Financial Accounting Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (or any successor thereto or any agency with similar functions).

 

Acquisition” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

Acquisition Agreement” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

Adjusted LIBOR Rate” means for any Interest Rate Determination Date with respect to an Interest Period for a LIBOR Rate Loan, the greater of (a) the rate per annum obtained by dividing (and rounding upward to the next whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) (i) (A) the rate per annum (rounded to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) equal to the rate determined by Administrative Agent to be the offered rate appearing on Bloomberg L.P.’s service for ICE LIBO USD (for delivery on the first day of such period) with a term equivalent to such period in Dollars, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) on such Interest Rate Determination Date or (B) in the event the rate referenced in the preceding clause (a) does not appear on such page or service or if such page or service shall cease to be available, the rate per annum (rounded to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) equal to the rate determined by Administrative Agent to be the offered rate on such other page or other service which displays ICE LIBO USD (for delivery on the first day of such period) with a term equivalent to such period in Dollars, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) on such Interest Rate Determination Date (the rate described in this clause (a)(i), the “LIBOR Rate”), by (ii) an amount equal to (A) one, minus (B) the Applicable Reserve Requirement, and (b) 1.50% per annum.

 

Administrative Agent” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

 

Administrative Agent’s Account” means an account at a bank designated by Administrative Agent from time to time as the account into which the Loan Parties shall make all payments to Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

Adverse Proceeding” means any action, suit, proceeding (whether administrative, judicial, or otherwise), governmental investigation, or arbitration (whether or not purportedly on behalf of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities)) at law or in equity, or before or by any Governmental Authority, domestic or foreign (including any Environmental Actions) or other regulatory body or any mediator or arbitrator, whether pending or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened in writing against or affecting any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) or any property of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities).

 

- 2 -

 

 

AF Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2014, among American Freight, Inc., American Freight Holdings, Inc., the lenders named therein and KeyBank National Association, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the other Persons party thereto, as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

AF Holdings” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

Affected Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(b).

 

Affected Loans” has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(b).

 

Affiliate” means, as applied to any Person, any other Person who controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, of the power to direct the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of Capital Stock, by contract, or otherwise; provided, that for purposes of Section 6.12 of this Agreement: (a) any Person which owns directly or indirectly 30% or more of the Capital Stock having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other members of the governing body of a Person or 30% or more of the partnership or other ownership interests of a Person (other than as a limited partner of such Person) shall be deemed an Affiliate of such Person, (b) each director (or comparable manager) of a Person shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of such Person, (c) each partnership in which a Person is a general partner shall be deemed an Affiliate of such Person and (d) each Permitted Holder and each of its employees, directors, officers and other Affiliates shall be deemed an Affiliate of the Loan Parties. Without limiting the foregoing, Ultimate Parent and any Subsidiary of Ultimate Parent that is not a Loan Party shall be considered Affiliates of the Loan Parties for purposes of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall GACP or any parent company thereof be considered an “Affiliate” of any Loan Party.

 

AFGI” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

 

Agent” means each of Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent (for the avoidance of doubt, neither of the GACP Facility Agents are an “Agent” hereunder).

 

Aggregate Amounts Due” has the meaning specified in Section 2.16.

 

Aggregate Payments” has the meaning specified in Section 7.02.

 

Agreement” means this Credit Agreement and any annexes, exhibits, and schedules attached hereto as it may be amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Alternate Base Rate” shall mean, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the per annum rate publicly quoted from time to time by The Wall Street Journal as the “Prime Rate” in the United States (or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases quoting a prime rate of the type described, either (i) the per annum rate quoted as the base rate on such corporate loans in a different national publication as reasonably selected by Administrative Agent or (ii) the highest per annum rate of interest published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve statistical release H.15 (519) entitled “Selected Interest Rates” as the bank prime loan rate or its equivalent), (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate (but not less than zero) in effect on such day, plus 1/2 of 1.00%, (c) the Adjusted LIBOR Rate (taking into account the 1.50% floor therein) for a one month Interest Period on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day), plus 1.00%, and (d) 2.50%. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in such “Prime Rate”, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBOR Rate shall be effective on the effective date of such change in the “Prime Rate”, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBOR Rate, as the case may be.

 

- 3 -

 

 

Amendment No. 2” means the Limited Waiver and Amendment Number Two to ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2020, by and among the Borrowers, the Agent and the lenders party thereto.”

 

Amendment No. 2 Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in the first sentence of Section 4 of Amendment No. 2.

 

Anti-corruption Laws” means the FCPA, and all other applicable laws concerning or relating to bribery, money laundering or corruption.

 

Applicable Margin” means (a) with respect to Term Loans that are LIBOR Rate Loans, 7.50%, and (b) with respect to Term Loans that are Base Rate Loans, 6.50%.

 

Applicable Reserve Requirement” means, at any time, for any LIBOR Rate Loan, the maximum rate, expressed as a decimal, at which reserves (including, without limitation, any basic marginal, special, supplemental, emergency, or other reserves) are required to be maintained with respect thereto against “Eurocurrency liabilities” (as such term is defined in Regulation D) under regulations issued from time to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or other applicable banking regulator. Without limiting the effect of the foregoing, the Applicable Reserve Requirement shall reflect any other reserves required to be maintained by such member banks with respect to (a) any category of liabilities which includes deposits by reference to which the applicable Adjusted LIBOR Rate or any other interest rate of a Loan is to be determined or (b) any category of extensions of credit or other assets which include LIBOR Rate Loans. A LIBOR Rate Loan shall be deemed to constitute Eurocurrency liabilities and as such shall be deemed subject to reserve requirements without benefits of credit for proration, exceptions, or offsets that may be available from time to time to the applicable Lender. The rate of interest on LIBOR Rate Loans shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in the Applicable Reserve Requirement.

 

Application Event” means the (a) occurrence of an Event of Default and (b) the election by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders during the continuance of such Event of Default to require that payments and proceeds of Collateral be applied pursuant to Section 2.15(g).

 

Asset Sale” means a sale, lease, or sub lease (as lessor or sublessor), sale and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer, license, or other disposition to (other than to or with a Loan Party), or any exchange of property with, any Person, in one transaction or a series of transactions, of all or any part of any Loan Party’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ businesses, assets, or properties of any kind, whether real, personal, or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, including, without limitation, the Capital Stock of any Loan Party (other than Global Parent to the extent the issuance of such Capital Stock does not result in a Change of Control), other than inventory (or other assets) sold, licensed in the ordinary course of business, or leased in the ordinary course of business. For purposes of clarification, “Asset Sale” shall include (a) the sale or other disposition for value of any contracts, (b) any sale of merchant accounts (or any rights thereto, including, without limitation, any rights to any residual payment stream with respect thereto) by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries and (c) licenses of patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights granted by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Assignment Agreement” means an Assignment and Assumption Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit D, with such amendments or modifications as may be approved by Administrative Agent.

 

- 4 -

 

 

Authorized Officer” means, as applied to any Person, any individual holding the position of chairman of the board (if an officer), chief executive officer, chief operating officer, secretary, president, or one of its vice presidents (or the equivalent thereof), and such Person’s chief financial officer or treasurer.

 

B. Riley” means the parent company of GACP.

 

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

 

Bail-In Legislation” means, 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 for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

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

 

Base Rate Loan” means a Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

 

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

 

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

 

Beneficiary” means each Agent and each Lender.

 

BK Permitted Holders” means (a) Samjor Family LP, and (b) Brian Kahn.

 

Board” means (a) with respect to any corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board, (b) with respect to a partnership, the board of directors of the general partner of the partnership, (c) with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee or board of directors of such company or the sole member or the managing member thereof, and (d) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.

 

Borrower Joinder Agreement” shall mean a joinder agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit K hereto and otherwise in form and substance acceptable to Agent.

 

Borrowers” shall mean, collectively, the following: (a) Lead Borrower, (b) each of the other Persons identified on the signature pages hereof as a “Borrower” and (c) any other Person that at any time after the Closing Date becomes a Borrower pursuant to the terms hereof, including, without limitation, Section 5.10(a) hereof and by execution of a Borrower Joinder Agreement; each sometimes being referred to herein individually as a “Borrower”.

 

Borrowing Base” means, as of any date of determination, the result of:

 

(a) (a) 85% multiplied by the face amount of Eligible Credit Card Receivables, plus

 

(b) (b) 85% multiplied by the face amount of Eligible Accounts, plus

 

- 5 -

 

 

(c) (c) 90% of the Net Orderly Liquidation Value of Eligible Inventory (such determination may be made as to different categories of Eligible Inventory based upon the net recovery percentage applicable to such categories) at such time; plus

 

(d) (d) 65% of the Net Orderly Liquidation Value of the “Remaining Contractual Revenue” corresponding to Eligible Rental Agreements that are “Active Lease Contracts” (as described in the most recent Eligible Rental Agreement Portfolio received by the Administrative Agent); minus

 

(e) (e) Reserves implemented by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion; provided, (i) until the delivery of copies of field examinations and appraisals (which for the avoidance of doubt, as to (x) such field examinations and appraisals delivered on or prior to the Second Amendment No. 2 Effective Date and (y) any updates which have already been commissioned prior to the Second Amendment No. 2 Effective Date to the field examinations and appraisals previously delivered to the Administrative Agent covering Sears Top Parent or its Subsidiaries, in each case, may be addressed to parties other than the Administrative Agent but as to any such field examinations and appraisals delivered after the Second Amendment No. 2 Effective Date pursuant to Section 5.06 or otherwise, must be addressed to the Administrative Agent) in respect of the Eligible Credit Card Receivables, Eligible Accounts, Eligible Inventory and Eligible Rental Agreements of the Loan Parties, in each case, in form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and, subject to the proviso to the definition of “Net Orderly Liquidation Value”, prepared by Persons reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (the “Initial Field Examinations and Appraisals”), the Borrowing Base shall be deemed to be $100,000,000; provided that if the Initial Field Examinations and Appraisals are not delivered to the Administrative Agent on or prior to May 1, 2020 (or such later date as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent) then, from and after such date, the Borrowing Base shall be deemed to be $0 and (ii) following the delivery to the Administrative Agent of the Initial Field Examinations and Appraisals and upon not less than three (3) days notice, the Administrative Agent may (in its Permitted Discretion and without limitation of the Administrative Agent’s rights pursuant to the definition of Reserves or any other provision of this Agreement) adjust standards of eligibility, advance rates and Reserve criteria for Eligible Credit Card Receivables, Eligible Accounts, Eligible Inventory, Eligible Rental Agreements in light of such Initial Field Examinations and Appraisals; provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to provided notice with respect to changes to Reserves based on mathematical calculations.

 

Borrowing Base Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit I hereto (with such changes therein as may be required by the Administrative Agent to reflect the components of and reserves against the Borrowing Base as provided for hereunder from time to time), executed and certified as accurate and complete by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower.

 

Borrowing Base Ratio” means, as of the end of any fiscal month (or week if weekly) the ratio of (x) the Borrowing Base as at the end of such fiscal month (or week if weekly) (calculated pursuant to the Borrowing Base Certificate delivered as of the last day of such fiscal month (or as of the last day of such week if weekly) pursuant to Section 5.01(k)) to (y) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Term Loans as at the end of such fiscal month (or week if weekly).

 

Buddy Top Parent” means Franchise Group Intermediate B, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

- 6 -

 

 

Buddy’s Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of July 10, 2019, among Buddy Top Parent, its direct and indirect subsidiaries as borrowers, the other parties party thereto and Kayne Solutions Fund, L.P., as administrative agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Business Day” means (a) any day excluding Saturday, Sunday, and any day which is a legal holiday under the laws of the State of New York or is a day on which banking institutions located in such state are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close and (b) with respect to all notices, determinations, fundings, and payments in connection with the Adjusted LIBOR Rate or any LIBOR Rate Loans, the term “Business Day” shall mean any day which is a Business Day described in clause (a) and which is also a day for trading by and between banks in Dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

 

Capital Lease” means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any property (whether real, personal, or mixed) by that Person (a) as lessee that, in conformity with GAAP as in effect on the date hereof, is or should be accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of that Person or (b) as lessee which is a transaction of a type commonly known as a “synthetic lease” (i.e., a transaction that is treated as an operating lease for accounting purposes but with respect to which payments of rent are intended to be treated as payments of principal and interest on a loan for Federal income Tax purposes).

 

Capital Stock” means any and all shares, interests, participations, or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation, any and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person (other than a corporation), including, without limitation, partnership interests and membership interests, and any and all warrants, rights, or options to purchase, or other arrangements or rights to acquire any of the foregoing.

 

Cash” means money, currency, or a credit balance in any demand or Deposit Account.

 

Cash Equivalents” means, as at any date of determination, (a) marketable securities (i) issued or directly and unconditionally guaranteed as to interest and principal by the United States Government or (ii) issued by any agency of the United States, the obligations of which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within one year after such date, (b) marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof, in each case maturing within one year after such date and having, at the time of the acquisition thereof, a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody’s, (c) commercial paper maturing no more than one year from the date of creation thereof and having, at the time of the acquisition thereof, a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody’s, (d) certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances maturing within one year after such date and issued or accepted by any Lender or by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia that (i) is at least “adequately capitalized” (as defined in the regulations of its primary Federal banking regulator) and (ii) has Tier 1 capital (as defined in such regulations) of not less than $100,000,000, and (e) shares of any money market mutual fund that (i) has substantially all of its assets invested continuously in the types of investments referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above, (ii) has net assets of not less than $250,000,000, and (iii) has the highest rating obtainable from either S&P or Moody’s.

 

Cash Management Services” means any cash management or related services including treasury, depository, return items, overdraft, controlled disbursement, merchant store value cards, e-payables services, electronic funds transfer, interstate depository network, automatic clearing house transfer (including the Automated Clearing House processing of electronic funds transfers through the direct Federal Reserve Fedline system) and other customary cash management arrangements.

 

Certificate Regarding Non-Bank Status” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit E.

 

- 7 -

 

 

Change of Control” means that:

 

(a) after the Closing Date, any Person or two or more Persons acting in concert (other than Permitted Holders or Ultimate Parent, any subsidiary of Ultimate Parent or any successor entity thereto) shall have acquired beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, of Capital Stock of Global Parent (or other securities convertible into such Capital Stock) representing 35% or more of the combined voting power of all Capital Stock of Global Parent,

 

(b) during any period of 24 consecutive months commencing on or after the Closing Date, the occurrence of a change in the composition of the Board of Directors of Ultimate Parent such that a majority of the members of such Board of Directors are not Continuing Directors,

 

(c) after the Closing Date, Global Parent fails to own and control, directly or indirectly, 100% of the Capital Stock (other than directors’ qualifying shares, issuances pursuant to any equity incentive plan or similar plan, the Equity Grant, or other nominal issuance in order to comply with local laws) of each other Loan Party (other than as permitted by Section 6.10 or Section 6.19),

 

(d) after the Closing Date, the BK Permitted Holders fail to own and control, directly or indirectly, Capital Stock in Global Parent or Ultimate Parent, as applicable, in an aggregate amount equal to 80% or greater than the aggregate amount of Capital Stock of Global Parent and Ultimate Parent, as applicable, that is owned and controlled directly by the BK Permitted Holders immediately following the Closing Date (in each case, on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all Capital Stock of Global Parent and Ultimate Parent that the BK Permitted Holders may have the right to acquire pursuant to any option right); provided, that any exchange of Capital Stock of Global Parent held by the BK Holders for Capital Stock of Ultimate Parent effectuated by the BK Holders, Ultimate Parent or Global Parent after the Closing Date shall be disregarded for purposes of this clause (d), or

 

(e) the occurrence of a Change of Management after the Closing Date.

 

Change of Management” means that Brian Kahn’s direct or indirect management responsibilities of Lead Borrower are materially diminished from those held by him as of the Closing Date, in each case, other than as a result of (a) death or (b) physical or mental incapacity.

 

Closing Date” means the date on which the initial Term Loans are made.

 

Closing Date Certificate” means a Closing Date Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1.

 

Collateral” means, collectively, all of the real, personal, and mixed property (including Capital Stock) and all interests therein and proceeds thereof now owned or hereafter acquired by any Person upon which a Lien is granted or purported to be granted by such Person pursuant to the Collateral Documents as security for the Obligations.

 

Collateral Access Agreement” means a collateral access agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent.

 

Collateral Agent” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

 

- 8 -

 

 

Collateral Coverage Test” has the meaning specified in Section 5.10.

 

Collateral Documents” means the Security Agreement, the Credit Card Notifications, the Mortgages, if any, the Collateral Access Agreements, if any, any Control Agreement, and all other instruments, documents, and agreements delivered by any Loan Party pursuant to this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents in order to grant to Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a Lien on any real, personal, or mixed property of such Loan Party as security for the Obligations, in each case, as such Collateral Documents may be amended or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Commitment” means any Term Loan Commitment.

 

Compliance Certificate” means a Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C.

 

Consolidated Capital Expenditures” means, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures of Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities) during such period determined on a consolidated basis that, in accordance with GAAP, are or should be included in “purchase of property and equipment or which should otherwise be capitalized” or similar items reflected in the consolidated statement of cash flows of the Loan Parties.

 

Consolidated Liquidity” means, for any period, an amount determined on a consolidated basis, equal to the aggregate sum of Qualified Cash of Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities).

 

Continuing Director” means (1) any member of the Board of Directors of Ultimate Parent who was a director (or comparable manager) of Ultimate Parent on the Closing Date and (2) any individual who becomes a member of the Board of Directors of Ultimate Parent after the Closing Date if such individual was approved, appointed, or nominated for election to the Board of Directors of Ultimate Parent by either a majority of the Permitted Holders or a majority of the Continuing Directors.

 

Contractual Obligation” means, as applied to any Person, any provision of any Security issued by that Person or of any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, contract, undertaking, agreement, or other instrument to which that Person is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound or to which it or any of its properties is subject.

 

Control Agreement” means a control agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent, executed and delivered by Collateral Agent, the GACP Facility Agent (if party thereto), the applicable securities intermediary (with respect to a Securities Account) or bank (with respect to a Deposit Account) and any of the Loan Parties.

 

Conversion/Continuation Date” means the effective date of a continuation or conversion, as the case may be, as set forth in the applicable Conversion/Continuation Notice.

 

Conversion/Continuation Notice” means a Conversion/Continuation Notice substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2.

 

“COVID-19 Pandemic” means the global spread of the coronavirus illness, which was declared to be a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020.

 

- 9 -

 

 

Credit Card Issuer” shall mean any Person (other than a Loan Party) who issues or whose members issue credit cards, including, without limitation, MasterCard or VISA bank credit or debit cards or other bank credit or debit cards issued through MasterCard International, Inc., Visa, U.S.A., Inc. or Visa International and American Express, Discover, Diners Club, Carte Blanche and other non-bank credit or debit cards, including, without limitation, credit or debit cards issued by or through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., and Novus Services, Inc. and other issuers approved by Administrative Agent.

 

Credit Card Notification” has the meaning provided in Section 6.17(d).

 

Credit Card Processor” shall mean any servicing or processing agent or any factor or financial intermediary who facilitates, services, processes or manages the credit authorization, billing transfer and/or payment procedures with respect to any Loan Party’s sales transactions involving credit card or debit card purchases by customers using credit cards or debit cards issued by any Credit Card Issuer.

 

Credit Card Receivables” means each “Account” or “payment intangible” (each as defined in the UCC) together with all income, payments and proceeds thereof, owed by a Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor to a Loan Party resulting from charges by a customer of a Loan Party on credit or debit cards issued by such Credit Card Issuer in connection with the sale of goods by a Loan Party, or services performed by a Loan Party, in each case in the ordinary course of its business.

 

Credit Extension” means the making of a Loan.

 

Debtor Relief Law” means the Bankruptcy Code and any other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief law of the United States or other applicable jurisdiction from time to time in effect.

 

Default” means a condition or event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

Default Excess” means, with respect to any Defaulting Lender, the excess, if any, of such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Loans of all Lenders (calculated as if all Defaulting Lenders (other than such Defaulting Lender) had funded all of their respective Defaulted Loans) over the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Loans of such Defaulting Lender.

 

Default Period” means, with respect to any Defaulting Lender, the period commencing on the date of the applicable Funding Default, or violation of Section 9.05(c), and ending on the earliest of the following dates: (a) the date on which all Commitments are cancelled or terminated, and/or the Obligations are declared or become immediately due and payable, (b) the date on which (i) the Default Excess with respect to such Defaulting Lender shall have been reduced to zero (whether by the funding by such Defaulting Lender of any Defaulted Loans of such Defaulting Lender or by the non pro rata application of any voluntary or mandatory prepayments of the Loans in accordance with the terms of Section 2.13 or by a combination thereof), and (ii) such Defaulting Lender shall have delivered to Lead Borrower and Administrative Agent a written reaffirmation of its intention to honor its obligations hereunder with respect to its Commitments, (c) with respect to a Funding Default, the date on which Lead Borrower, Administrative Agent, and Required Lenders waive all Funding Defaults of such Defaulting Lender in writing, and (d) with respect to violation of Section 9.05(c), the date on which Administrative Agent shall have waived all violations of Section 9.05(c) by such Defaulting Lender in writing.

 

Default Rate” means any interest payable pursuant to Section 2.09.

 

- 10 -

 

 

Defaulted Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.21.

 

Defaulting Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.21.

 

Deposit Account” means a demand, time, savings, passbook, or like account with a bank, savings and loan association, credit union, or like organization, other than an account evidenced by a negotiable certificate of deposit.

 

Disqualified Capital Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security or other Capital Stock into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Qualified Capital Stock), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (except as a result of a change of control or asset sale so long as any rights of the holders thereof upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale event shall be subject to the prior repayment in full of the Loans and all other Obligations that are accrued and payable and the termination of the Commitments), (b) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely for Qualified Capital Stock), in whole or in part, (c) provides for the scheduled payments of dividends in cash, or (d) is or becomes convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness or any other Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Capital Stock, in each case, prior to the date that is 180 days after the Maturity Date. Any Capital Stock in any Person that is issued to any director, officer, or other employee shall not constitute a Disqualified Capital Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by such Person or any of its subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s termination, death, or disability.

 

Disqualified Institutions” means (a) any person that has been separately identified in writing by Ultimate Parent to Administrative Agent on or prior to the Closing Date, (b) those persons who are competitors of Ultimate Parent and its and their subsidiaries that are separately identified in writing by Ultimate Parent, Global Parent or the Lead Borrower to Administrative Agent from time to time, and (c) in the case of each of clauses (a) and (b), any of their respective Affiliates (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include any bona fide debt investment funds that are Affiliates of the persons referenced in clause (b) above, unless separately identified by Ultimate Parent, Global Parent or the Lead Borrower pursuant to clause (a) above) that are either (i) identified in writing by Ultimate Parent, Global Parent or the Lead Borrower from time to time or (ii) readily identifiable on the basis of such Affiliate’s name; provided that no updates to the list of Disqualified Institutions shall be deemed to retroactively disqualify any parties that have previously acquired an assignment or participation interest in respect of the Loans from continuing to hold or vote such previously acquired assignments and participations on the terms set forth herein for Lenders that are not Disqualified Institutions (it being understood and agreed that such prohibitions with respect to Disqualified Institutions shall apply to any potential future assignments or participations to any such parties).

 

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.

 

- 11 -

 

 

Dollars” and the sign “$” mean the lawful money of the United States of America.

 

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.

 

Eligible Accounts” means those Accounts created by a Loan Party in the ordinary course of its business, that arise out of such Borrower’s sale of goods or rendition of services, that comply with each of the representations and warranties respecting Eligible Accounts made in the Loan Documents, and that are not excluded as ineligible by virtue of one or more of the excluding criteria set forth below; provided, that such criteria may be revised from time to time by the Administrative Agent in the Administrative Agent’s Permitted Discretion to address the results of any information with respect to the Loan Parties’ business or assets of which the Administrative Agent becomes aware after the Closing Date, including any field examination performed by (or on behalf of) the Administrative Agent from time to time after the Closing Date. In determining the amount to be included, Eligible Accounts shall be calculated net of customer deposits, unapplied cash, taxes, finance charges, service charges, discounts, credits, allowances, and rebates. Eligible Accounts shall not include the following:

 

(a) Accounts that the Account Debtor has failed to pay within 90 days of original invoice date or 60 days of due date,

 

(b) Accounts owed by an Account Debtor (or its Affiliates) where 50% or more of all Accounts owed by that Account Debtor (or its Affiliates) are deemed ineligible under clause (a) above,

 

(c) Accounts with selling terms of more than 90 days,

 

(d) Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is an Affiliate of Loan Party or an employee or agent of any Loan Party or any Affiliate of any Loan Party,

 

(e) Accounts (i) arising in a transaction wherein goods are placed on consignment or are sold pursuant to a guaranteed sale, a sale or return, a sale on approval, a bill and hold, or any other terms by reason of which the payment by the Account Debtor may be conditional, or (ii) with respect to which the payment terms are “C.O.D.”, cash on delivery or other similar terms,

 

(f) Accounts that are not payable in Dollars,

 

- 12 -

 

 

(g) Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor either (i) does not maintain its chief executive office in the United States or Canada, or (ii) is not organized under the laws of the United States or Canada or any state or province thereof, or (iii) is the government of any foreign country or sovereign state, or of any state, province, municipality, or other political subdivision thereof, or of any department, agency, public corporation, or other instrumentality thereof, unless (A) the Account is supported by an irrevocable letter of credit reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (as to form, substance, and issuer or domestic confirming bank) that has been delivered to the Administrative Agent and, if requested by the Administrative Agent, is directly drawable by the Administrative Agent, or (B) the Account is covered by credit insurance in form, substance, and amount, and by an insurer, reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent,

 

(h) Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is either (i) the United States or any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States (exclusive, however, of Accounts with respect to which the Loan Parties have complied, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent, with the Assignment of Claims Act, 31 USC §3727), or (ii) any state of the United States or any other Governmental Authority,

 

(i) Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is a creditor of a Loan Party, has or has asserted a right of recoupment or setoff, or has disputed its obligation to pay all or any portion of the Account, to the extent of such claim, right of recoupment or setoff, or dispute,

 

(j) Accounts with respect to an Account Debtor whose Eligible Accounts owing to the Loan Parties exceed 10% (such percentage, as applied to a particular Account Debtor, being subject to reduction by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion if the creditworthiness of such Account Debtor deteriorates) of all Eligible Accounts, to the extent of the obligations owing by such Account Debtor in excess of such percentage; provided, that in each case, the amount of Eligible Accounts that are excluded because they exceed the foregoing percentage shall be determined by the Administrative Agent based on all of the otherwise Eligible Accounts prior to giving effect to any eliminations based upon the foregoing concentration limit,

 

(k) Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is subject to an Insolvency Proceeding, is not Solvent, has gone out of business, or as to which any Borrower has received notice of an imminent Insolvency Proceeding or a material impairment of the financial condition of such Account Debtor,

 

(l) [Reserved],

 

(m) Accounts that are not subject to a valid and perfected first priority Lien in favor of the Agent or the GACP Facility Agent, as applicable,

 

(n) Accounts with respect to which (i) the goods giving rise to such Account have not been shipped and billed to the Account Debtor, or (ii) the services giving rise to such Account have not been performed and billed to the Account Debtor,

 

(o) Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is a Sanctioned Person or Sanctioned Entity,

 

- 13 -

 

 

(p) Accounts (i) that represent the right to receive progress payments or other advance billings that are due prior to the completion of performance by the applicable Borrower of the subject contract for goods or services, or (ii) that represent credit card sales,

 

(q) Accounts acquired through an acquisition (including, without limitation, acquisitions effected by mergers or consolidations) of all of or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of any Person, or of any division or line of business or other business unit of any Person, unless and until the Administrative Agent has completed or received (A) a field examination of such Accounts from appraisers reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent and establishes Reserves (if applicable) therefor, and (B) such other due diligence as Administrative Agent may reasonably require, all of the results of the foregoing to be reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent, or

 

(r) Accounts which does not meet such other reasonable eligibility criteria for Accounts as Administrative Agent may determine in its Permitted Discretion.

 

Eligible Assignee” means (a) any Lender, any Affiliate of any Lender, and any Related Fund (any two or more Related Funds being treated as a single Eligible Assignee for all purposes hereof), and (b) any commercial bank, insurance company, investment or mutual fund, or other entity that is an “accredited investor” (as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act) and which extends credit or buys loans as one of its businesses, and (c) any other Person (other than a natural Person) approved by Lead Borrower (so long as no Specified Event of Default has occurred and is continuing) and Administrative Agent (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided, that (i) no approval of Lead Borrower shall be required during the continuance of a Specified Event of Default, (ii) no approval of Lead Borrower shall be required for Disqualified Institutions during the continuance of a Specified Event of Default, and (iii) to the extent the consent of Lead Borrower is required for any assignment, such consent shall be deemed to have been given if Lead Borrower has not responded within ten (10) Business Days of a written request for such consent; provided further, that (x) neither (A) Lead Borrower nor any Affiliate of Lead Borrower nor (B) the Permitted Holders nor any Affiliate of the Permitted Holders shall, in any event, be an Eligible Assignee, (y) no Person owning or controlling any trade debt or Indebtedness of any Loan Party (other than the Obligations) or any Capital Stock of any Loan Party shall, in any event, be an Eligible Assignee, and (z) B. Riley shall not, in any event, be an Eligible Assignee.

 

- 14 -

 

 

Eligible Credit Card Receivables” means at the time of any determination thereof, each Credit Card Receivable that satisfies the following criteria at the time of creation and continues to meet the same at the time of such determination: such Credit Card Receivable (i) has been earned by performance and represents the bona fide amounts due to a Loan Party from a Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor, and in each case is originated in the ordinary course of business of such Loan Party, and (ii) in each case is not ineligible for inclusion in the calculation of the Borrowing Base pursuant to any of clauses (a) through (i) below. Without limiting the foregoing, to qualify as an Eligible Credit Card Receivable, a Credit Card Receivable shall indicate no Person other than a Loan Party as payee or remittance party. In determining the amount to be so included, the face amount of a Credit Card Receivable shall be reduced by, without duplication, to the extent not reflected in such face amount, (i) the amount of all accrued and actual discounts, claims, credits or credits pending, promotional program allowances, price adjustments, finance charges or other allowances and (ii) the aggregate amount of all cash received in respect of such Credit Card Receivable but not yet applied by the Loan Parties to reduce the amount of such Credit Card Receivable. Except as otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent, any Credit Card Receivable included within any of the following categories shall not constitute an Eligible Credit Card Receivable:

 

(a) (a) Credit Card Receivables which do not constitute an “Account” or “payment intangible” (each as defined in the UCC);

 

(b) (b)  Credit Card Receivables that have been outstanding for more than ten (10) Business Days from the date of sale;

 

(c) (c)  Credit Card Receivables (i) that are not subject to a perfected first priority security interest in favor of the Collateral Agent (subject to Permitted Liens having priority over the Lien of the Agent by operation of applicable Requirements of Law), or (ii) with respect to which a Loan Party does not have good and valid title thereto, free and clear of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens);

 

(d) (d)  Credit Card Receivables which are disputed or with respect to which a claim, counterclaim, offset or chargeback has been asserted by the applicable credit card processor (to the extent of such dispute, claim, counterclaim, offset or chargeback);

 

(e) (e)  Credit Card Receivables as to which a Credit Card Issuer or a Credit Card Processor has the right under certain circumstances to require a Loan Party to repurchase the entire portfolio of Credit Card Receivables from such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor;

 

(f) (f) Credit Card Receivables due from a Credit Card Issuer or a Credit Card Processor of the applicable credit card which is the subject of any Insolvency Proceeding;

 

(g) (g)  Credit Card Receivables which are not a valid, legally enforceable obligation of the applicable Credit Card Issuer or a Credit Card Processor with respect thereto;

 

(h) (h)  Credit Card Receivables which do not conform to all representations, warranties or other provisions in the Loan Documents relating to Credit Card Receivables; or

 

- 15 -

 

 

(i) (i)  Credit Card Receivables which Administrative Agent determines in its Permitted Discretion to be uncertain of collection or which do not meet such other reasonable eligibility criteria for Credit Card Receivables as Administrative Agent may determine in its Permitted Discretion.

 

Eligible Inventory” means, as of the date of determination thereof, items of Inventory of a Loan Party that are finished goods, merchantable and readily saleable to the public in the ordinary course of the Loan Parties’ business, in each case that, except as otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent, (A) complies with each of the representations and warranties respecting Inventory made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents, and (B) is not excluded as ineligible by virtue of one or more of the criteria set forth below. Except as otherwise agreed by Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, the following items of Inventory shall not be included in Eligible Inventory:

 

(a) (a) Inventory (i) that is not subject to a perfected first priority security interest in favor of Collateral Agent (subject to Permitted Liens having priority over the Lien of Collateral Agent by operation of applicable Requirements of Law), or (ii) with respect to which a Loan Party does not have good and valid title thereto, free and clear of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens);

 

(b) (b) Inventory that is leased or consigned from a vendor to a Loan Party;

 

(c) (c) Inventory that is consigned by a Loan Party to a Person which is not a Loan Party other than Inventory that is consigned to Third Party Franchisees for which the Loan Parties have met the Third Party Franchisee Eligibility Requirements;

 

(d) (d) Inventory that is not located in the United States of America (excluding territories or possessions of the United States) or Puerto Rico at a location that is owned or leased by a Loan Party, except (i) Inventory in transit between such owned or leased locations, (ii) Inventory at locations owned or leased by Third Party Franchisees for which the Loan Parties have met the Third Party Franchisee Eligibility Requirements, and (iii) to the extent permitted by clause (e), Inventory located in a distribution or warehouse center;

 

(e) (e)   (i) Inventory that is located in a distribution center leased by a Loan Party unless the applicable lessor has delivered to Collateral Agent a Collateral Access Agreement; provided, that if such a Collateral Access Agreement is not obtained within thirty (30) days following such time as the applicable Loan Party has entered into such arrangement with such applicable lessor (or such later date as Administrative Agent may agree in its Permitted Discretion), Inventory at such locations shall constitute Eligible Inventory as long as Administrative Agent has established a Reserve in such amount as Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion deemed appropriate or (ii) Inventory that is located in a distribution or warehouse center unless the applicable owner or lessee of such distribution or warehouse center has delivered to Collateral Agent a Collateral Access Agreement; provided, that if such a Collateral Access Agreement is not obtained within thirty (30) days following such time as the applicable Loan Party has entered into such arrangement with such applicable distribution or warehouse center owner or lessee (or such later date as Administrative Agent may agree in its Permitted Discretion), Inventory at such locations shall constitute Eligible Inventory as long as Administrative Agent has established a Reserve in such amount as Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion deemed appropriate;

 

- 16 -

 

 

(f) (f)  Other than Inventory customarily sold at outlet locations in the ordinary course of business or otherwise in a manner consistent with past practice, Inventory that is comprised of goods which (i) are damaged, defective, “seconds,” or otherwise unmerchantable, (ii) are to be returned to the vendor, (iii) are obsolete, or custom items, work-in-process, raw materials, or that constitute samples, spare parts, promotional, marketing, labels, bags and other packaging and shipping materials or supplies used or consumed in a Loan Party’s business, (iv) which have been packed away and stored for more than 12 months, (v) are not in material compliance with all standards imposed by any Governmental Authority having regulatory authority over such Inventory, its use or sale, or (vi) are bill and hold goods;

 

(g) (g)  Inventory that is not insured in compliance with the provisions of Section 4.27 hereof;

 

(h) (h)  Inventory that has been sold but not yet delivered or as to which a Loan Party has accepted a deposit from a third party;

 

(i) (i)  Inventory that exhibits, includes or is identified by any trademark, tradename or other Intellectual Property right which trademark, tradename or other Intellectual Property right (i) is subject to a restriction that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect Agents’ ability to liquidate such Inventory or (ii) the relevant Loan Party does not have the right to use in connection with the sale of such Inventory, either through direct ownership or through a written license or sublicense;

 

(j) (j)  Inventory acquired through an acquisition (including, without limitation, acquisitions effected by mergers or consolidations) of all of or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of any Person, or of any division or line of business or other business unit of any Person, unless and until Agent has completed or received (A) an appraisal of such Inventory from appraisers reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent and establishes Reserves (if applicable) therefor, and (B) such other due diligence as Administrative Agent may reasonably require, all of the results of the foregoing to be reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent; provided that such Inventory shall be deemed to constitute Eligible Inventory for a period of 45 days after the date of its acquisition notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent has not completed such due diligence as long as such Inventory is of the same kind and quality as other of the Loan Parties’ Inventory and would otherwise constitute Eligible Inventory;

 

(k) (k)  Inventory (other than Inventory acquired in an acquisition which is governed by clause (j) above) which is not of the type usually sold in the ordinary course of any Loan Party’s business, unless and until Administrative Agent agrees in its Permitted Discretion that such Inventory shall be deemed Eligible Inventory; or

 

(l) (l)  Inventory which does not meet such other reasonable eligibility criteria for Inventory as Administrative Agent may determine in its Permitted Discretion.

 

- 17 -

 

 

Eligible Rental Agreement Portfolio” means, at any time, the Eligible Rental Agreements of the Loan Parties.

 

Eligible Rental Agreements” means, as of the date of determination thereof, rental agreements entered into by Buddy Top Parent or any of its Subsidiaries that are Loan Parties with a customer of such Loan Party that, in each case except as otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent, (A) complies with each of the representations and warranties respecting Rental Agreements made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents, and (B) is not excluded as ineligible by virtue of one or more of the criteria set forth below; provided, that such criteria may be revised from time to time by the Administrative Agent in the Administrative Agent’s Permitted Discretion to address the results of any information with respect to the Loan Parties’ business or assets of which the Administrative Agent becomes aware after the Closing Date, including any appraisal performed by (or on behalf of) the Administrative Agent from time to time after the Closing Date. Without limiting the Administrative Agent’s Permitted Discretion provided herein Eligible Rental Agreements shall not include any rental agreement:

 

(a) (a) which is not subject to a first priority (subject to Permitted Liens) perfected security interest in favor of the Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties·

 

(b) (b) which is subject to any Lien other than a Lien in favor of the Agent and a Permitted Lien;

 

(c) (c) with respect to which the remaining value of the inventory in respect thereof has been written off the books of the Borrower or other applicable Loan Party or otherwise designated as uncollectible;

 

(d) (d) with respect to which any representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or in the Security Agreement is not true in any material respect;

 

(e) (e) which does not arise from the rent of goods in the ordinary course of business;

 

(f) (f) for which the goods subject to such rental agreement have not been shipped to the applicable counterparty;

 

(g) (g) with respect to which the amounts due under such rental agreement remain unpaid after the original due date for a period to be determined by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion based on the most recently delivered Borrowing Base Certificate or the most recent Eligible Rental Agreement Portfolio appraisal received by the Administrative Agent;

 

(h) (h) with respect to which the counterparty thereof has (i) applied for, suffered, or consented to the appointment of any receiver, custodian, trustee, or liquidator of its assets, (ii) had possession of all or a material part of its property taken by any receiver, custodian, trustee or liquidator, (iii) filed, or had filed against it, any request or petition for liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of debts, adjudication as bankrupt, winding-up, or voluntary or involuntary case under any state or federal bankruptcy laws (other than post-petition accounts payable of an Account Debtor that is a debtor-in-possession under the Bankruptcy Code and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent), (iv) admitted in writing its inability, or is generally unable to, pay its debts as they become due, (v) become insolvent, or (vi) ceased operation of its business;

 

- 18 -

 

 

(i) (i) with respect to which rental payments are owed in any currency other than Dollars;

 

(j) (j) which is not governed by the law of the United States, any state thereof or Puerto Rico;

 

(k) (k) which is not generated at a store located in the United States or Puerto Rico;

 

(l)  (l) with respect to which the counterparty thereof is an Affiliate of any Loan Party or any employee, officer or director of any Loan Party·

 

(m) (m) with respect to which the counterparty thereof is a Person to which any Loan Party is indebted, but only to the extent of such indebtedness;

 

(n) (n) with respect to which the payments thereunder are subject to any asserted counterclaim, deduction, defense, setoff or dispute but only to the extent of any such asserted counterclaim, deduction, defense, setoff or dispute;

 

(o) (o) with respect to which the Borrower or the applicable Loan Party has made any agreement with the counterparty thereof for any reduction in any rental payments or other amounts due thereunder, other than discounts and adjustments given in the ordinary course of business that are consistent with the treatment provided for in the most recently delivered Borrowing Base Certificate or the most recent Eligible Rental Agreement Portfolio appraisal received by the Administrative Agent;

 

(p) (p) which does not comply in all material respects with the requirements of all applicable laws and regulations, whether federal, state or local;

 

(q) (q) which is for goods that have been rented pursuant to the terms of a written contract or other written agreement that indicates or purports that any Person other than a Loan Party has or has had an ownership interest in such goods, or which indicates any party other than a Loan Party as payee or remittance party; or

 

(r) (r) with respect to which the Administrative Agent determines in its Permitted Discretion (following (to the extent practicable) reasonable prior notice to, and consultation with, the Borrower) the rental payments or other payments thereunder may not be paid by reason of the counterparty's inability to pay or which the Administrative Agent otherwise determines is unacceptable in its Permitted Discretion.

 

Employee Benefit Plan” means any “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA which is or was sponsored, maintained, or contributed to, or required to be contributed, by any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates.

 

- 19 -

 

 

Environmental Action” means any written complaint, summons, citation, notice, directive, order, claim, litigation, investigation, judicial or administrative proceeding, judgment, letter, or other written communication from any Governmental Authority or any third party involving violations of Environmental Laws or releases of Hazardous Materials (a) from any assets, properties, or businesses any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), or any of their respective predecessors in interest, (b) from adjoining properties or businesses, or (c) from or onto any facilities which received Hazardous Materials generated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), or any of their respective predecessors in interest.

 

Environmental Law” means any applicable federal, state, provincial, foreign or local statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, binding and enforceable guideline, binding and enforceable written policy, or rule of common law now or hereafter in effect and in each case as amended, or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent decree, or judgment, in each case, to the extent binding on any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), relating to protection of the environment, protection of employee health (from exposure to Hazardous Materials), or Hazardous Materials, in each case as amended from time to time.

 

Environmental Liabilities” means all liabilities, monetary obligations, losses, damages, costs, and expenses (including all reasonable fees, disbursements, and expenses of counsel, experts, or consultants, and costs of investigation and feasibility studies), fines, penalties, sanctions, and interest incurred as a result of any claim or demand, or Remedial Action required, by any Governmental Authority or any third party, and which relate to any Environmental Action.

 

Environmental Lien” means any Lien in favor of any Governmental Authority for Environmental Liabilities.

 

Equipment” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Security Agreement.

 

“Equity Grant” means Capital Stock issued within 365 days of the Third Amendment Effective Date by Liberty/Revolution Top Parent to Brent Turner; provided that no more than 5% of the Capital Stock issued by Liberty/Revolution Top Parent as of the Third Amendment Effective Date may be so issued.

 

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.

 

ERISA Affiliate” means, as applied to any Person, (a) any corporation which is a member of a controlled group of corporations within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person is a member, (b) any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is a member of a group of trades or businesses under common control within the meaning of Section 414(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person is a member, and (c) any member of an affiliated service group within the meaning of Section 414(m) or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person, any corporation described in clause (a) above, or any trade or business described in clause (b) above is a member. Any former ERISA Affiliate of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) shall continue to be considered an ERISA Affiliate of Global Parent or any such Subsidiary (excluding the Excluded Entities) within the meaning of this definition with respect to the period such entity was an ERISA Affiliate of Global Parent or such Subsidiary and with respect to liabilities arising after such period for which Global Parent or such Subsidiary could be liable under the Internal Revenue Code or ERISA.

 

- 20 -

 

 

ERISA Event” means: (a) a “reportable event” within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued thereunder with respect to any Pension Plan (excluding those for which the provision for thirty day notice to the PBGC has been waived by regulation); (b)the failure to meet the minimum funding standard of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan (whether or not waived in accordance with Section 412(d) of the Internal Revenue Code), the failure to make by its due date a required installment under Section 412(m) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to any Pension Plan, or the failure to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan; (c) the provision by the administrator of any Pension Plan pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) of ERISA of a notice of intent to terminate such plan in a distress termination described in Section 4041(c) of ERISA; (d) the withdrawal by Global Parent, any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates from any Pension Plan with two or more contributing sponsors or the termination of any such Pension Plan resulting in liability to Global Parent, any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), or any of their respective Affiliates pursuant to Section 4063 or 4064 of ERISA; (e) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate any Pension Plan or the occurrence of any event or condition which might constitute grounds under ERISA for the termination of or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (f) the imposition of liability on Global Parent, any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates pursuant to Section 4062(e) or 4069 of ERISA or by reason of the application of Section 4212(c) of ERISA; (g) the withdrawal of Global Parent, any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates in a complete or partial withdrawal (within the meaning of Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA) from any Multiemployer Plan if there is any potential liability therefor, or the receipt by Global Parent, any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of notice from any Multiemployer Plan (1) imposing withdrawal liability, (2) that such Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or insolvency pursuant to Section 4241 or 4245 of ERISA, (3) that such Multiemployer Plan is in “endangered” or “critical” status (within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA), or (4) that such Multiemployer Plan intends to terminate or has terminated under Section 4041A or 4042 of ERISA; (h) the occurrence of an act or omission which could give rise to the imposition on Global Parent, any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of fines, penalties, Taxes, or related charges under Chapter 43 of the Internal Revenue Code or under Section 409, Section 502(c), (i), or (l), or Section 4071 of ERISA in respect of any Employee Benefit Plan; (i) the assertion of a material claim (other than routine claims for benefits) against any Employee Benefit Plan other than a Multiemployer Plan or the assets thereof, or against Global Parent, any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates in connection with any Employee Benefit Plan; (j) receipt from the Internal Revenue Service of notice of the failure of any Pension Plan (or any other Employee Benefit Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code) to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code or the failure of any trust forming part of any Pension Plan to qualify for exemption from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, (k) the imposition of a Lien pursuant to Section 430(k) of the Internal Revenue Code or pursuant to Section 303(k) of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan, (l) the existence with respect to any funded Employee Benefit Plan sponsored by Global Parent, any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of a non-exempt “Prohibited Transaction” (within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975(c) of the Code), (m) 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 Pension Plan, (n) a determination that any Pension Plan is in “at risk” status (within the meaning of Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA).

 

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” means each of the conditions or events set forth in Section 8.01.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

 

- 21 -

 

 

Excluded Accounts” means Deposit Accounts, Securities Accounts and Commodity Accounts (1) specially and exclusively used for payroll, payroll Taxes, accrued and unpaid employee compensation payments and other employee wage and benefit payments to or for any Grantor’s employees and (including salaries, wages, benefits and expense reimbursements, 401(k) and other retirement plans and employee benefits, including rabbi trusts for deferred compensation and health care benefits), (2) that are zero balance accounts or other accounts (including, for the avoidance of doubt, local operating accounts of individual retail locations) that automatically sweep balances on an at least daily basis (other than days that are not business days for the applicable bank) (or, solely with respect to AF Holdings and its Subsidiaries, weekly) to a concentration account that is subject to a Control Agreement (subject to the timing requirements set forth in Section 6.17), (3) that (x) individually have a daily balance of not more than $100,000 and (y) together with all other Deposit Accounts, Securities Accounts and Commodity Accounts constituting Excluded Accounts under this clause (3), have a daily balance of not more than $2,500,000 in the aggregate for all such Deposit Accounts, Securities Accounts or Commodity Accounts and (4) consisting solely of Cash or Cash Equivalents securing Permitted Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) to the extent such security constitutes Permitted Liens (including, for avoidance of doubt, any account used solely in connection with cash collateralizing the Workers Comp L/C to the extent not in violation of clause (o) of the definition of “Permitted Liens”), and (5) used solely for withholding and trust accounts, escrow and any other fiduciary accounts, and (6) subject to compliance with Section 6.17(b), Local Deposit Accounts.

 

Excluded Entities” means (a) Revolution Holdings and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, and (b) Vitamin Holdings and its direct and indirect subsidiaries and (c) Liberty Holdings and its direct and indirect subsidiaries; provided that (x) with respect to clausesclause (b) and (c), to the extent not prohibited by law, regulation or the terms of such Person’s third party Indebtedness, each such Person and its respective direct and indirect subsidiaries shall immediately, and without further action by any Person, no longer constitute “Excluded Entities”.

 

Excluded Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary (a) that is prohibited, but only so long as such Subsidiary would be prohibited, by applicable law, rule, or regulation from providing a guaranty of the Obligations or granting a Lien on its assets to secure the Obligations or that would require governmental (including regulatory) consent, approval, license or authorization to provide such a guaranty or grant such a Lien, unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received (it being understood that the Loan Parties shall not be obligated to seek any such consent, approval, license or authorization); provided that the exclusion in this clause (a) shall in no way be construed to (A) apply to the extent that any described prohibition is ineffective under Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408, or 9-409 of the Code or other applicable law, or (B) limit, impair, or otherwise affect any of the Collateral Agent’s continuing security interests in and liens upon any rights or interests of any Loan Party in or to (1) monies due or to become due under or in connection with the Capital Stock of such Excluded Subsidiary, or (2) any proceeds from the sale, license, lease, or other dispositions of the Capital Stock of such Excluded Subsidiary; (b) to the extent the Agents and the Borrower mutually determine that the cost and/or burden of obtaining a guaranty of the Obligations and/or a grant of a Lien on its assets to secure the Obligations by such Subsidiary outweighs the benefit to the Lenders, (c) that is, or if it were a Loan Party, would be, an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, (d) that is a not-for-profit entity with a charitable purpose, or (e) the Excluded Entities, and (f) that is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of an entity described in clause (a), (b), (c) or (d) above. For the avoidance of doubt, none of thethe only Excluded Subsidiaries that are Loan Parties as of the ClosingThird Amendment Effective Date shall be anare the Excluded Subsidiary as of the Closing DateEntities.

 

Excluded Taxes” has the meaning specified in Section 2.19(a).

 

- 22 -

 

 

Existing Businesses” means each of the businesses owned or operated, directly or indirectly, as of the Closing Date by Global Parent and its Subsidiaries.

 

Existing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness and other obligations outstanding under each of (i) the Buddy’s Credit Agreement, (ii) the Sears Credit Agreement and (iii) the AF Credit Agreement.

 

Exit Fee” has the meaning specified in Section 2.10.

 

Exit Fee Percentage” means (i) at any time prior to the Stated Maturity Date, 0% and (ii) on and after the Stated Maturity Date, 2.00%.

 

Extraordinary Receipts” means any cash received by Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (for the avoidance of doubt, this includes the Excluded Entities) not in the ordinary course of business (and not consisting of proceeds described in Section 2.13(a) or (b) hereof), including, without limitation, (a) foreign, United States, state, or local Tax refunds, (b) pension plan reversions, (c) judgments, proceeds of settlements, or other consideration of any kind in connection with any cause of action, (d) [reserved], (e) indemnity payments, and (f) any purchase price adjustment received in connection with any purchase agreement, excluding for the avoidance of doubt proceeds from (i) the issuance of Capital Stock of Global Parent or the issuance of Capital Stock of any of its Subsidiaries (so long as such issuance is to its direct parent company that owns 100% of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary prior to such issuance) and (ii) the issuance of Indebtedness (it being understood and agreed that the issuance of Indebtedness not permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 6.01 shall remain subject to Section 2.13(d)).

 

Fair Share” has the meaning specified in Section 7.02.

 

Fair Share Contribution Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 7.02.

 

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue Code, in effect 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, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue 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 Internal Revenue Code.

 

Federal Funds Effective Rate” means for any day, the rate per annum (expressed, as a decimal, rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher 1/100 of 1%) equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided, that if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

Fee Letter” means the fee letter, dated as of the Closing Date, by and between Ultimate Parent and GACP, as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, restated or replaced.

 

- 23 -

 

 

Financial Officer Certification” means, with respect to the financial statements for which such certification is required, the certification of the chief operating officer, chief financial officer, chief executive officer or other officer with similar responsibilities of the Lead Borrower that such financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Loan Parties (or Global Parent and its Subsidiaries, or Ultimate Parent and its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, in each case subject to Section 5.14) as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated, subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments.

 

Financial Plan” has the meaning specified in Section 5.01(i).

 

First Priority” means, with respect to any Lien purported to be created in any Collateral pursuant to any Collateral Document, that such Lien is the only Lien to which such Collateral is subject, other than any Permitted Lien.

 

Fiscal Quarter” means a fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year, which quarters shall generally end on (a) with respect to the first fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year, the Saturday of the thirteenth week of such Fiscal Year, (b) with respect to the second fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year, the Saturday of the twenty-sixth week of such Fiscal Year, (c) with respect to the third fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year, the Saturday of the thirty-ninth week of such Fiscal Year, and (d) with respect to the last fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year, the last day of such Fiscal Year, as such Fiscal Quarters may be amended in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.16 hereof.

 

Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Lead Borrower ending on the Saturday closest to December 31 of each calendar year (or such other date as may be permitted by Section 6.16).

 

Flood Hazard Property” means any Real Estate Asset subject to a mortgage in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and located in an area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as having special flood or mud slide hazards.

 

Flow of Funds Agreement” means that certain Letter of Direction, dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by each Loan Party and any other parties thereto, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, in connection with the disbursement of Loan proceeds in accordance with Section 2.05.

 

Franchise Agreement” means a franchising agreement between any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (excluding the Excluded Entities) thereof, as franchisor, and any other Person, as franchisee, pertaining to the establishment and operation of a business with operations comparable to the operations of the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities).

 

Franchise Disclosure Documents” means any uniform franchise offering circulars and franchise disclosure documents used by (and, to the extent required, filed by) any Loan Party or Subsidiary (excluding the Excluded Entities) to comply with any applicable law, rule, regulation or order of any Governmental Authority.

 

Franchise Laws” means all applicable laws, rules, regulations, orders, binding guidance or other requirements of the United States Federal Trade Commission or any other Governmental Authority relating to the relationship between franchisor and franchisees or to the offer, sale, termination, non-renewal or transfer of a franchise.

 

Funding Default” has the meaning specified in Section 2.21.

 

- 24 -

 

 

Funding Notice” means a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1.

 

GAAP” means, subject to the limitations on the application thereof set forth in Section 1.02, United States generally accepted accounting principles in effect as of the date of determination thereof.

 

GACP” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

GACP Credit Agreement” means the Credit Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2020, by and among the Loan Parties, the GACP Facility Lenders and the GACP Facility Agent, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time; provided that any such amendment, restatement, supplement or modification shall be subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

GACP Facility Agents” means (1) GACP Finance Co., LLC, in its capacity as administrative agent on behalf of lenders under the GACP Credit Agreement and (2) Kayne Solutions Fund, L.P., in its capacity as collateral agent on behalf of lenders under the GACP Credit Agreement.

 

GACP Facility Lenders” means the “Lenders” under the GACP Credit Agreement.

 

GACP Facility Loan Documents” means the “Loan Documents” as defined in the GACP Credit Agreement.

 

GACP Facility Obligations” means all Indebtedness and other Obligations (as defined in the GACP Credit Agreement) of the Loan Parties incurred or owing under the GACP Facility Loan Documents, including all obligations in respect of the payment of principal, interest, fees, prepayment premiums and indemnification obligations, and any refinancing of such Indebtedness permitted under this Agreement and under the Intercreditor Agreement; provided that all GACP Facility Obligations are subject to the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Global Parent” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Governmental Authority” means any federal, state, municipal, national, or other government, governmental department, commission, board, bureau, court, agency, or instrumentality or political subdivision thereof, or any entity or officer exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, or administrative functions of or pertaining to any government or any court, in each case whether associated with a state of the United States, the United States, or a foreign entity or government.

 

Governmental Authorization” means any permit, license, authorization, plan, directive, consent order, or consent decree of or from any Governmental Authority.

 

Grantor” has the meaning specified in the Security Agreement.

 

Guaranteed Obligations” has the meaning specified in Section 7.01.

 

Guarantor” means (a) each Borrower (other than with respect to its own Obligations), (b) Global Parent, (c) each Guarantor Subsidiary, and (d) each other Person which guarantees, pursuant to Article VII or otherwise, all or any part of the Obligations.

 

Guarantor Subsidiary” means each Subsidiary of Lead Borrower (other than the Excluded Entities and the Excluded Subsidiaries) that is a Guarantor.

 

- 25 -

 

 

Guaranty” means (a) the guaranty of each Guarantor set forth in Article VII, and (b) each other guaranty, in form and substance satisfactory to each Agent, made by any other Guarantor for the benefit of the Secured Parties guaranteeing all or part of the Obligations.

 

Hazardous Materials” means (a) substances that are defined or listed in, or otherwise classified pursuant to, any applicable laws or regulations as “hazardous substances,” “hazardous materials,” “hazardous wastes,” “toxic substances,” or any other formulation intended to define, list, or classify substances by reason of deleterious properties such as ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, or “EP toxicity,” (b) oil, petroleum, or petroleum derived substances, natural gas, natural gas liquids, synthetic gas, drilling fluids, produced waters, and other wastes associated with the exploration, development, or production of crude oil, natural gas, or geothermal resources, (c) any flammable substances or explosives or any radioactive materials, and (d) asbestos in any form or electrical equipment that contains any oil or dielectric fluid containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of 50 parts per million.

 

Highest Lawful Rate” means the maximum lawful interest rate, if any, that at any time or from time to time may be contracted for, charged, or received under the laws applicable to any Lender which are presently in effect or, to the extent allowed by law, under such applicable laws which may hereafter be in effect and which allow a higher maximum non-usurious interest rate than applicable laws now allow.

 

Historical Financial Statements” means (a) all financial statements required to be delivered on or after December 28, 2019 and prior to the Closing Date under the Sears Credit Agreement and (b) all financial statements required to be delivered on or after December 28, 2019 and prior to the Closing Date under the Buddy’s Credit Agreement, (c) the unaudited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, changes in equity, and cash flows of AFGI, in each case, for each fiscal quarter ending after December 31, 2019 and ended at least 45 days prior to the Closing Date; and (d) an unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet and income statement of the Loan Parties as of the date of the most recent consolidated balance sheet delivered pursuant to the preceding clause (c).

 

Increased Cost Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.22.

 

Indebtedness” means, as applied to any Person, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness for borrowed money, (b) that portion of obligations with respect to Capital Leases that is properly classified as a liability on a balance sheet in conformity with GAAP, (c) all obligations of such Person evidenced by notes, bonds, or similar instruments or upon which interest payments are customarily paid and all obligations in respect of notes payable and drafts accepted representing extensions of credit whether or not representing obligations for borrowed money, (d) any obligation owed for all or any part of the deferred purchase price of property or services, including any deferred payment obligations in connection with an acquisition to the extent such deferred payment obligations are fixed and non-contingent (excluding any such obligations incurred under ERISA and excluding trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business and repayable in accordance with customary trade terms), (e) all obligations created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to property acquired by such Person, (f) all indebtedness secured by any Lien on any property or asset owned or held by that Person regardless of whether the indebtedness secured thereby shall have been assumed by that Person or is non-recourse to the credit of that Person, (g) the face amount of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued, bankers’ acceptances facilities, surety bonds, and similar credit transactions issued for the account of that Person or as to which that Person is otherwise liable for reimbursement of drawings, (h) the direct or indirect guaranty, endorsement (otherwise than for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business), co-making, discounting with recourse, or sale with recourse by such Person of the obligation of another, (i) any obligation of such Person the primary purpose or intent of which is to provide assurance to an obligee that the obligation of the obligor thereof will be paid or discharged, or any agreement relating thereto will be complied with, or the holders thereof will be protected (in whole or in part) against loss in respect thereof, (j) any liability of such Person for an obligation of another through any agreement (contingent or otherwise) (i) to purchase, repurchase, or otherwise acquire such obligation or any security therefor, or to provide funds for the payment or discharge of such obligation (whether in the form of loans, advances, stock purchases, capital contributions, or otherwise) or (ii) to maintain the solvency or any balance sheet item, level of income, or financial condition of another if, in the case of any agreement described under subclauses (i) or (ii) of this clause (j), the primary purpose or intent thereof is as described in clause (i) above, (k) all obligations of such Person in respect of any exchange traded or over the counter derivative transaction, whether entered into for hedging or speculative purposes. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture in which such Person is a general partner or joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly non-recourse to such Person.

 

- 26 -

 

 

Indemnified Liabilities” means, collectively, any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages (including natural resource damages), penalties and claims (including Environmental Liabilities), and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs (including the costs of any investigation, study, sampling, testing, abatement, cleanup, removal, remediation, or other response action necessary to remove, remediate, clean up, or abate any Hazardous Materials), expenses, and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including the reasonable and documented fees and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket disbursements of counsel for Indemnitees in connection with any investigative, administrative, or judicial proceeding commenced or threatened in writing by any Person, whether or not any such Indemnitee shall be designated as a party or a potential party thereto, and any reasonable and documented fees or expenses incurred by Indemnitees in enforcing this indemnity (limited, in the case of legal expenses, to the reasonable, documented and invoiced fees and reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket disbursements of one primary counsel (to be retained by the Administrative Agent) to all Indemnitees, taken as a whole, and, if reasonably necessary, one local counsel in any relevant material jurisdiction (which may include a single firm of counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions) and, solely in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest where any Indemnitee affected by such conflict informs Lead Borrower of such conflict, in each case, of a single additional firm of counsel in each relevant material jurisdiction for all similarly situated affected Indemnitees)), whether direct, indirect, or consequential and whether based on any federal, state, or foreign laws, statutes, rules, or regulations (including securities and commercial laws, statutes, rules, or regulations and Environmental Laws), on common law or equitable cause or on contract or otherwise, that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against any such Indemnitee, in any manner relating to or arising out of (a) this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including Lenders’ agreement to make Credit Extensions or the use or intended use of the proceeds thereof, or any enforcement of any of the Loan Documents (including any sale of, collection from, or other realization upon any of the Collateral or the enforcement of the Guaranty), (b) the statements contained in any commitment letter delivered by any Lender to Ultimate Parent with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or (c) any Environmental Liabilities or any Hazardous Materials relating to or arising from, directly or indirectly, any past or present activity, operation, land ownership, or practice of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Indemnified Taxes” has the meaning specified in Section 2.19(a).

 

Indemnitee” has the meaning specified in Section 10.03(a).

 

Indemnitee Agent Party” has the meaning specified in Section 9.06.

 

- 27 -

 

 

“Initial Perfection Certificate” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of Perfection Certificate.

 

Insolvency Proceeding” means any proceeding commenced by or against any Person under any provision of any Debtor Relief Law.

 

Intellectual Property” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Security Agreement.

 

Intercompany Subordination Agreement” means that certain Intercompany Subordination Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, made by the Loan Parties in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in form and substance satisfactory to Collateral Agent.

 

Intercreditor Agreement” means the intercreditor agreement dated as of the date hereof among the Agent and the GACP Facility Agents, as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the provisions hereof and thereof.

 

Interest Payment Date” means with respect to (a) any Base Rate Loan, (i) the first day of each fiscal quarter, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and (ii) the final maturity date of such Loan, and (b) any LIBOR Rate Loan, (i) the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan, (ii) if earlier, three months after the commencement of such Interest Period and (iii) the final maturity date of such Loan.

 

Interest Period” means, in connection with a LIBOR Rate Loan, an interest period of one, two, three, or six months, as selected by Lead Borrower in the applicable Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice, (a) initially, commencing on the Closing Date or Conversion/Continuation Date thereof, as the case may be and (b) thereafter, commencing on the day on which the immediately preceding Interest Period expires; provided, that (i) if an Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding Business Day unless no further Business Day occurs in such month, in which case such Interest Period shall expire on the immediately preceding Business Day, (ii) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall, subject to clause (b)(iii) of this definition, end on the last Business Day of a calendar month, and (iii) no Interest Period with respect to any portion of any Term Loans shall extend beyond the Maturity Date.

 

Interest Rate Determination Date” means, with respect to any Interest Period, the date that is two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period.

 

Internal Revenue Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended to the date hereof and from time to time hereafter, and any successor statute.

 

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

 

Investment” means (a) any direct or indirect purchase or other acquisition by the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) of, or of a beneficial interest in, any of the Securities or all or substantially all of the assets of any other Person (other than a Guarantor Subsidiary) (or of any division or business line of such other Person), (b) any direct or indirect redemption, retirement, purchase, or other acquisition for value by any Subsidiary of Global Parent (excluding the Excluded Entities) from any Person (other than a Loan Party), of any Capital Stock of such Person, (c) any direct or indirect loan, advance, or capital contributions by Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to any other Person (other than a Loan Party), including all indebtedness and accounts receivable from that other Person that are not current assets or did not arise from sales to that other Person in the ordinary course of business, and (d) any direct or indirect Guaranty of any obligations of any other Person (other than a Loan Party). The amount of any Investment shall be the original cost of such Investment plus the cost of all additions thereto, without any adjustments for increases or decreases in value, or write ups, write downs, or write offs with respect to such Investment.

 

- 28 -

 

 

Joinder” means a Joinder substantially in the form of Annex 1 to the Security Agreement delivered by a Loan Party pursuant to Section 5.10.

 

Joint Venture” means a joint venture, partnership, or other similar arrangement, whether in corporate, partnership, or other legal form; provided, that in no event shall any corporate Subsidiary of any Person be considered to be a Joint Venture to which such Person is a party.

 

Lead Borrower” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

 

Lender” means (i) each lender listed on the signature pages hereto as a Lender, and (ii) any other Person that becomes a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment Agreement other than any Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to any Assignment Agreement.

 

“Liberty Area Development Rights” means certain development rights allotted or sold, or able to be allotted or sold, to an area developer to market and sell territories within a specified geographic area to eligible franchisees.

 

“Liberty Franchise Rights” means the rights of a franchisee of any Liberty Party within any specified geographic area.

 

Liberty Holdings” means Franchise Group Intermediate L 1, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

“Liberty Parties” means Liberty Holdings and each of its Subsidiaries.

 

Liberty/Revolution Top Parent” means Franchise Group Intermediate L, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

LIBOR Rate” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of Adjusted LIBOR Rate.

 

LIBOR Rate Loan” means a Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate.

 

Licensed Trademarks” has the meaning specified in Section 4.26.

 

Lien” means (a) any lien, mortgage, pledge, assignment, hypothecation, deed of trust, security interest, charge, or encumbrance of any kind (including any agreement to give any of the foregoing, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, and any lease in the nature thereof) and any option, trust, or other preferential arrangement having the practical effect of any of the foregoing, and (b) in the case of Securities, any purchase option, call, or similar right of a third party with respect to such Securities.

 

Loan” means a Term Loan.

 

- 29 -

 

 

Loan Account” means an account maintained hereunder by Administrative Agent on its books of account at the Payment Office and with respect to Lead Borrower, in which it will be charged with all Loans made to, and all other Obligations incurred by, the Loan Parties.

 

Loan Document” means any of this Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement, the Collateral Documents, the Fee Letter, the Flow of Funds Agreement, any Guaranty, the Intercompany Subordination Agreement, each Term Note, the Perfection Certificate, any other fee letter executed and delivered by any Loan Party to any Secured Party and all other documents, instruments, certificates or agreements executed and delivered by a Loan Party for the benefit of Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender in connection herewith.

 

Loan Party” means each Borrower and each Guarantor, in each case, other than the Excluded Entities and the Excluded Subsidiaries.

 

“Local Deposit Account” means a Deposit Account maintained by a Liberty Party with respect to (and used only for) one or more store locations.

 

Margin Stock” has the meaning specified in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as in effect from time to time.

 

Material Adverse Effect” means (i) after the Closing Date, a material adverse effect on and/or material adverse developments with respect to (a) the business operations, properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or liabilities of the Loan Parties taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, to perform their payment obligations under the applicable Loan Documents or (c) the rights and remedies, taken as a whole, of the Agents and the Lenders under the Loan Documents, except that any adverse effect, change, event, or development arising from or relating to or resulting from (1) general business, industry or economic conditions, or (2) local, regional, national or international political or social conditions, including the declaration of a national emergency, in each case with respect or relating to the epidemic, pandemic or disease relating to the COVID-19 virus outbreakPandemic shall not be taken into account in determining whether a material and adverse effect has occurred under clauses (i)(a) or (b) above or (ii) on the Closing Date, a “Material Adverse Effect” as defined in the Acquisition Agreement.

 

Material Intellectual Property” means Intellectual Property that is owned by a Grantor and the loss of which would reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Material Real Estate Asset” means any fee owned Real Estate Asset of a Loan Party having a fair market value in excess of $1,000,000, as reasonably estimated by the Lead Borrower in good faith in consultation with Collateral Agent.

 

Maturity Date” means the earliest of (a) September 30, 2020 (the “Stated Maturity Date”) and (b) the date that the Term Loan shall become due and payable in full hereunder, whether by acceleration or otherwise.

 

Merger Sub” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

 

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investor Services, Inc.

 

- 30 -

 

 

Mortgage” means a mortgage, deed of trust, or other deed to secure debt, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent, made by a Loan Party in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, granting a Lien on any Real Property securing the Obligations and delivered to Collateral Agent.

 

Multiemployer Plan” means any Employee Benefit Plan which is a “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 3(37) or Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

 

Narrative Report” means, with respect to the financial statements for which such narrative report is required, (a) a narrative report describing the operations of the Loan Parties in the form prepared for presentation to senior management thereof, and (b) a financial report package including management’s discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations, in each case, for the applicable fiscal month, Fiscal Quarter or Fiscal Year and for the period from the beginning of the then current Fiscal Year to the end of such period to which such financial statements relate with comparison to and variances from the immediately preceding period and budget.

 

Net Orderly Liquidation Value” means, as of any date of determination, (a) with respect to Eligible Inventory, the percentage of the book value of such Inventory that is estimated to be recoverable in an orderly liquidation of such Inventory net of all associated costs and expenses of such liquidation, such percentage to be determined as to each category of Inventory and as specified in the most recent appraisal of Inventory delivered pursuant to Section 5.06; provided that the Net Orderly Liquidation Value shall be calculated with respect to Eligible Inventory by (x) any one of the following that is mutually agreeable to Administrative Agent and Borrower: Gordon Brothers, Great America, or Hilco or (y) any other appraiser selected by Administrative Agent and reasonably acceptable to Borrower or (b) with respect to Eligible Rental Agreements of any Person, the net orderly liquidation value expected to be realized at an orderly, negotiated sale held within a reasonable time period from the most recent Eligible Rental Agreement Portfolio appraisal received by the Administrative Agent or Borrowing Base Certificate.

 

Net Proceeds” means (a) with respect to any Asset Sale, an amount equal to: (i) Cash payments received by the Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (for the avoidance of doubt, this includes the Excluded Entities) from such Asset Sale, minus (ii) any bona fide direct costs incurred in connection with such Asset Sale to the extent paid or payable to non-Affiliates, including (A) income or gains Taxes payable by the seller as a result of any gain recognized in connection with such Asset Sale during the Tax period the sale occurs, (B) payment of the outstanding principal amount of, premium or penalty and interest on, any Indebtedness (other than the Loans) that is secured by a Lien on the stock or assets in question and that is required to be repaid under the terms thereof as a result of such Asset Sale, and (C) a reasonable reserve for any indemnification payments (fixed or contingent) attributable to seller’s indemnities and representations and warranties to purchaser in respect of such Asset Sale undertaken by Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (for the avoidance of doubt, this includes the Excluded Entities) in connection with such Asset Sale; provided, that upon release of any such reserve, the amount released shall be considered Net Proceeds, and (b) with respect to any insurance, condemnation, taking, or other casualty proceeds, an amount equal to: (i) any Cash payments or proceeds received by Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (for the avoidance of doubt, this includes the Excluded Entities) (A) under any casualty, business interruption, or “key man” insurance policies in respect of any covered loss thereunder or (B) as a result of the condemnation or taking of any assets of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (for the avoidance of doubt, this includes the Excluded Entities) by any Person pursuant to the power of eminent domain, condemnation, or otherwise, or pursuant to a sale of any such assets to a purchaser with such power under threat of such a taking, minus (ii) (A) any actual and reasonable costs incurred by Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (for the avoidance of doubt, this includes the Excluded Entities) in connection with the adjustment or settlement of any claims of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (for the avoidance of doubt, this includes the Excluded Entities) in respect thereof, and (B) any bona fide direct costs incurred in connection with any sale of such assets as referred to in clause (b)(i)(B) of this definition to the extent paid or payable to non-Affiliates, including income Taxes payable as a result of any gain recognized in connection therewith (including, without limitation, Permitted Tax Payments).

 

- 31 -

 

 

Non-Consenting Lender” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.22).

 

Non-US Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.19(d)(ii).

 

Obligations” means all loans (including the Term Loans (inclusive of Protective Advances)), debts, principal, interest (including any interest that accrues after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding), the Exit Fee, liabilities, obligations (including indemnification obligations), fees (including the fees provided for in the Fee Letter or any other fee letter to which any of the Secured Parties are party), expenses (including any fees or expenses that accrue after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding), guaranties, and all covenants and duties of any other kind and description owing by any Loan Party arising out of, under, pursuant to, in connection with, or evidenced by this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and irrespective of whether for the payment of money, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, and including all interest not paid when due and all other expenses or other amounts that any Loan Party is required to pay or reimburse by the Loan Documents, by law, or otherwise in connection therewith. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Obligations of Borrowers under the Loan Documents include the obligation to pay (a) the principal of the Term Loans, (b) interest accrued on the Term Loans, (c) expenses, (d) the Exit Fee, and the other fees payable under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and (e) indemnities and other amounts payable by any Loan Party under any Loan Document. Any reference in this Agreement or in the Loan Documents to the Obligations shall include all or any portion thereof and any extensions, modifications, renewals, or alterations thereof, both prior and subsequent to any Insolvency Proceeding.

 

OFAC” means The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

 

OFAC Sanctions Programs” means (a) the Requirements of Law and Executive Orders administered by OFAC, including but not limited to, Executive Order No. 13224, and (b) the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons administered by OFAC, in each case, as renewed, extended, amended, or replaced.

 

Organizational Documents” means (a) with respect to any corporation, its certificate or articles of incorporation or organization, as amended, and its by-laws, as amended, (b) with respect to any limited partnership, its certificate of limited partnership, as amended, and its partnership agreement, as amended, (c) with respect to any general partnership, its partnership agreement, as amended, and (d) with respect to any limited liability company, its articles of organization or certificate of formation, as amended, and its operating agreement or limited liability company agreement, as amended. In the event any term or condition of this Agreement or any other Loan Document requires any Organizational Document to be certified by a secretary of state or similar governmental official, the reference to any such “Organizational Document” shall only be to a document of a type customarily certified by such governmental official.

 

Other Connection Taxes” has the meaning specified in Section 2.19(a).

 

Other Taxes” has the meaning specified in Section 2.19(b).

 

- 32 -

 

 

Owned Trademarks” has the meaning specified in Section 4.26.

 

Parent Company” means each of Global Parent, Liberty/Revolution Top Parent, Vitamin Intermediate Parent and Vitamin Top Parent.

 

Participant Register” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(h)(ii).

 

PATRIOT Act” has the meaning specified in Section 4.32.

 

Payment Office” means Administrative Agent’s office as may be designated in writing from time to time by Administrative Agent to Lead Borrower.

 

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor thereto.

 

Pension Plan” means any Employee Benefit Plan, other than a Multiemployer Plan, which is subject to Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA.

 

Perfection Certificate” means a certificate, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent that provides information with respect to the assets of each Loan Party (the “Initial Perfection Certificate”), as modified by that certain Supplement to Perfection Certificate, dated as of the Third Amendment Effective Date, by the Loan Parties.

 

Permitted Acquisition” means the purchase or other acquisition, by merger, consolidation or otherwise, by the Lead Borrower or any Subsidiary of any Capital Stock in, or all or substantially all the assets of (or all or substantially all the assets constituting a business unit, division, product line or line of business of), any Person; provided that (a) in the case of any purchase or other acquisition of Capital Stock in a Person, (i) such Person, upon the consummation of such purchase or acquisition, will be a Subsidiary (including as a result of a merger or consolidation between any Subsidiary and such Person), or (ii) such Person is merged into or consolidated with a Subsidiary and such Subsidiary is the surviving entity of such merger or consolidation, (b) with respect to each such purchase or other acquisition, all actions required to be taken with respect to such newly created or acquired Subsidiary (including each subsidiary thereof) or assets in order to satisfy the requirements set forth in Section 5.10, Section 5.11 or Section 5.13, as applicable, (or arrangements for the taking of such actions after the consummation of the Permitted Acquisition shall have been made that are reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent) (unless such newly created or acquired Subsidiary is an Excluded Entity or is otherwise an Excluded Subsidiary), (c) after giving effect to any such purchase or other acquisition, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would immediately result therefrom, (d) such acquisition shall not be hostile and shall have been approved by the Board of Directors and/or the stockholders or other equityholders of such Person, as applicable, (e) the total consideration paid in connection with such purchase or acquisition shall not exceed $1,000,000 in any Fiscal Year, and (f) Borrowers have shall have provided each Agent with written notice of the proposed acquisition at least 3 Business Days prior to the anticipated closing date of the proposed acquisition and substantially contemporaneously with the closing of the acquisition shall have provided each Agent copies of the acquisition agreement and other material documents and deliverable relative to the proposed acquisition.

 

Permitted Discretion” means a good faith determination made by an Agent, exercising commercially reasonable business judgment from the perspective of a secured asset-based lender.

 

- 33 -

 

 

Permitted Holders” means (a) Vintage Capital Management, LLC, (b) Brian Kahn, (c) Lauren Kahn, (d) Tributum, L.P., (e) Stefac LP, (f) Vintage Tributum, L.P., (g) Kahn Capital Management, LLC, (h) Vintage Vista GP, LLC, (i) Andrew Laurence, (j) B. Riley FBR, Inc., (k) Bryant R. Riley, (l) any direct or indirect current or former equityholders of Buddy’s Newco, LLC or Franchise Group New Holdco, LLC, (m) Samjor Family LP, (n) Vintage RTO, L.P. and (o) any Affiliates, general partners, limited partners, investment managers, investment advisors, investment funds or direct or indirect equity holders, successors or assigns of any of the foregoing.

 

Permitted Indebtedness” means:

 

(a) (a) the Obligations,

 

(b) (b) Indebtedness of any Guarantor Subsidiary to any Borrower or to any other Guarantor Subsidiary, or of any Borrower to any Guarantor Subsidiary, or of any Loan Party to any Subsidiary of Global Parent that is not a Loan Party; provided, that (i) all such Indebtedness shall be evidenced by promissory notes and all such notes shall be subject to a First Priority Lien pursuant to the Security Agreement, and (ii) all such Indebtedness shall be unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to the payment in full of the Obligations pursuant to the terms of the Intercompany Subordination Agreement,

 

(c) (c) Indebtedness incurred by the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries arising from agreements providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase or acquisition price, deferred purchase price or similar obligations, or from guaranties or letters of credit, surety bonds, or performance bonds securing the performance of such Loan Party or any such Subsidiary pursuant to such agreements, in connection with Permitted Acquisitions, the Transactions or permitted dispositions of any business or assets of such Loan Party or such Subsidiary,

 

(d) (d) Indebtedness which may be deemed to exist pursuant to any guaranties, performance, surety, statutory, appeal, or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business and Indebtedness constituting guaranties in the ordinary course of business of the obligations of suppliers, customers, franchisees, and licensees of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, Indebtedness consisting of take or pay obligations contained in supply agreements in the ordinary course of business), and including, without limitation, Indebtedness consisting of obligations contained in non-exclusive licenses of patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights granted by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and not interfering in any respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of such Loan Party or any such Subsidiary),

 

(e) (e) Indebtedness in respect of Cash Management Services, netting services, automated clearinghouse arrangements, overdraft protections, and otherwise in connection with deposit accounts or from the honoring of a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business,

 

- 34 -

 

 

(f) (f) Indebtedness described in Schedule 6.1, but not any extensions, renewals, or replacements of such Indebtedness except (i) renewals and extensions expressly provided for in the agreements evidencing any such Indebtedness as the same are in effect on the date of this Agreement (or, with respect to Indebtedness described in the supplement to Schedule 6.1 attached to the Third Amendment, the Third Amendment Effective Date), and (ii) refinancings and extensions of any such Indebtedness if the terms and conditions thereof are not less favorable to the obligor thereon or to Lenders than the Indebtedness being refinanced or extended (except that the interest rate on such Indebtedness shall be at the then prevailing market rate), and the average life to maturity thereof is greater than or equal to that of the Indebtedness being refinanced or extended; provided, that such Indebtedness permitted under the immediately preceding clause (i) or (ii) above shall not (A) include Indebtedness of an obligor that was not an obligor with respect to the Indebtedness being extended, renewed, or refinanced, (B) exceed in a principal amount the Indebtedness being renewed, extended, or refinanced (together with any premium, penalty, interest and any fees and expenses), or (C) be incurred, created, or assumed if any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom,

 

(g) (g) Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness,

 

(h) (h) Indebtedness owing to insurance carriers and incurred to finance insurance premiums of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business,

 

(i) (i) guarantees by Global Parent and the Loan Parties of any indebtedness or other obligations of any Loan Party or Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Entity) permitted to be incurred hereunder,

 

(j) (j)  Indebtedness (1) incurred by Sears Top Parent or any of its Subsidiaries arising under the Workers Comp L/C so long as the face amount thereof does not exceed $5,565,000, together with any additional amounts (in an aggregate additional face amount not exceeding $5,565,000) temporarily outstanding for no longer than ten (10) Business Days (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may approve) during the replacement process of the Workers Comp L/C as permitted by the definition of Workers Comp L/C and (2) incurred by the Lead Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees, warehouse receipts, bankers’ acceptances or similar instruments issued or created in the ordinary course of business, including in respect of workers compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or other reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers compensation claims;

 

(k) (k) Indebtedness under the GACP Credit Agreement and the GACP Facility Loan Documents so long as it remains subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and such GACP Facility Obligations in aggregate amount do not exceed the Maximum Term Principal Obligations (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement),

 

(l) (l)  [Reserved],

 

(m) (m) Indebtedness representing deferred compensation or stock-based compensation owed to employees, consultants or independent contractors of Global Parent or its Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;,

 

- 35 -

 

 

(n) (n) all premiums (if any), interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges and additional or contingent interest on obligations described in clauses (a) through (m) above;,

 

(o) (o) Indebtedness assumed after the Closing Date in connection with any (1) Permitted Acquisition; provided that such Indebtedness was not incurred in contemplation of such acquisition or such Person becoming a Loan Party or (2) any other Investment not prohibited by Section 6.07; provided that any Indebtedness assumed pursuant to this clause (o) (other than, to the extent constituting Indebtedness, motor vehicle leases) shall not exceed in an aggregate principal amount of $2,500,000 at any time outstanding,

 

(p) (p)  to the extent constituting Indebtedness, motor vehicle leases in the ordinary course of business, subject to Section 6.13,

 

(q) (q)  Indebtedness of any Borrower, Guarantor or any of their Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business pursuant to a Hedge Agreement; provided, that, (i) such arrangements are not for speculative purposes, and (ii) such Indebtedness shall be unsecured, except to the extent secured by a Permitted Lien, and

 

(r) (p) other Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $1,250,000 at any time outstanding.,

 

(s) Indebtedness not to exceed $1,000,000 owing to First Horizon Bank (formerly First Tennessee Bank) in connection with a credit card program provided by such lender to the Liberty Parties from time to time,

 

(t) Indebtedness of any Loan Party or any of their Subsidiaries incurred in connection with any non-payment of rent by such Loan Party or Subsidiary caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic; provided that the aggregate outstanding amount of such Indebtedness attributable to unpaid rent shall not exceed $7,700,000 at any time, and

 

(u) unsecured Indebtedness owing to area developers and/or franchisees incurred by the Liberty Parties solely for the purpose of repurchasing Liberty Area Development Rights and/or Liberty Franchise Rights as permitted under clauses (o) and (p) of the definition of “Permitted Investments”; provided that (i) such Indebtedness shall not bear interest, and (ii) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness shall not exceed $250,000 at any time.

 

Permitted Investments” means:

 

(a) (a) Investments in Cash and Cash Equivalents,

 

(b) (b) equity Investments owned as of the Closing Date in any Subsidiary of Global Parent and Investments made after the Closing Date in any wholly owned Guarantor Subsidiaries,

 

- 36 -

 

 

(c) (c) Investments (i) in any Securities received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors, and (ii) deposits, prepayments, and other credits to suppliers made in the ordinary course of business consistent with the past practices of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries,

 

(d) (d) to the extent constituting an Investment, (1) Permitted Indebtedness and (2) purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials or equipment or purchases, acquisitions, non-exclusive licenses or leases of other assets, Intellectual Property, or other rights, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

 

(e) (e) Consolidated Capital Expenditures,

 

(f) (f) the Acquisition and Permitted Acquisitions,

 

(g) (g) Investments described in Schedule 6.7,

 

(h) (h) Investments consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business,

 

(i) (i) advances in the form of prepayment of expenses that are expected to be due and payable in connection with operations of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, so long as such expenses are being paid in accordance with customary trade terms of the applicable Person,

 

(j) (j) the A Team Secured Note,

 

(k) (k) Investments consisting of non-exclusive licenses of patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights granted by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and not interfering in any respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of such Loan Party or any such Subsidiary,

 

(l) (l) promissory notes and other non-cash consideration received in connection with dispositions permitted by Section 6.09,

 

(m) (m)  advances of payroll payments to employees in the ordinary course of business, and

 

(n) (n) other Investments not otherwise described above in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time $2,500,000 and at the time of making any such Investment no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would immediately result therefrom.,

 

(o) so long as (x) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall be caused thereby and (y) both prior and after giving effect to such repurchase, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the GACP Credit Agreement) is at least 0.25x greater than the then applicable level set forth in Section 6.08(a) of the GACP Credit Agreement, repurchases of Liberty Area Development Rights; provided that (i) any such repurchase shall be made at a purchase price not to exceed four times the net revenue (i.e. the actual amount received by the area developer from franchise owners related to tax preparation royalties) for the applicable geographic area covered by such Liberty Area Development Rights for the most-recent trailing twelve-month period, (ii) the purchase price for any such repurchase will be paid only from available cash, Indebtedness incurred in accordance with clause (u) of the definition of “Permitted Indebtedness” and/or forgiveness of loans and other advances made by the Liberty Parties to the applicable area developer, and (iii) the aggregate purchase price for repurchases of Liberty Area Development Rights shall not exceed $250,000 during any Fiscal Year,

 

- 37 -

 

 

(p) so long as (x) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall be caused thereby and (y) both prior and after giving effect to such repurchase, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the GACP Credit Agreement) is at least 0.25x greater than the then applicable level set forth in Section 6.08(a) of the GACP Credit Agreement, repurchases of Liberty Franchise Rights; provided that (i) any such repurchase shall be made at a purchase price not to exceed the net tax return preparation revenue for the applicable franchise included in such Liberty Franchise Rights for the most-recent trailing twelve-month period, (ii) the purchase price for any such repurchase will be paid only from available cash, Indebtedness incurred in accordance with clause (u) of the definition of “Permitted Indebtedness” and/or forgiveness of loans and other advances made by the Liberty Parties to the applicable franchisee, and (iii) the aggregate purchase price for repurchases of Liberty Franchise Rights shall not exceed $250,000 during any Fiscal Year, and

 

(q) loans and advances to franchisees made by the Liberty Parties in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice in connection with the sale of Liberty Franchise Rights; provided that (i) such loans and advances shall be evidenced by promissory notes and any such promissory notes with an individual value or more than $250,000 shall be pledged to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in accordance with the Loan Documents and (ii) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such loans and advances made in reliance on this clause (q) shall not exceed $5,000,000 at any time.

 

Permitted Liens” means:

 

(a) (a) Liens in favor of Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties granted pursuant to any Loan Document,

 

(b) (b) Liens for Taxes if obligations with respect to such Taxes are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted and reserves required by GAAP have been made,

 

(c) (c) statutory Liens of landlords, banks (and rights of set off), carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, repairmen, workmen, and materialmen, and other Liens imposed by law (other than any such Lien imposed pursuant to Section 430(k) of the Internal Revenue Code or by Section 303(k) of ERISA), in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business for amounts not overdue by more than thirty (30) days or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted and reserves required by GAAP have been made,

 

- 38 -

 

 

(d) (d) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, and other types of social security, or to secure appeal bonds or the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, trade contracts, performance and return of money bonds, and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money or other Indebtedness), so long as no foreclosure, sale, or similar proceedings have been commenced with respect to any portion of the Collateral on account thereof,

 

(e) (e) easements, rights of way, restrictions, encroachments, and other minor defects or irregularities in title, in each case which do not and will not interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries,

 

(f) (f) any interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under any lease of real estate permitted hereunder,

 

(g) (g) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted hereunder,

 

(h) (h) purported Liens evidenced by the filing of precautionary UCC financing statements relating solely to operating leases of personal property entered into in the ordinary course of business,

 

(i) (i) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods,

 

(j) (j) any zoning or similar law or right reserved to or vested in any governmental office or agency to control or regulate the use of any real property,

 

(k) (k) non-exclusive licenses of patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights granted by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and not interfering in any respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of such Loan Party or any such Subsidiary,

 

(l) (l) Liens in favor of banking or other financial institutions arising as a matter of law or relating exclusively to Cash Management Services,

 

(m) (m) Liens described in Schedule 6.2,

 

(n) (n) Liens securing Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness; provided, that any such Lien shall encumber only the asset subject to such Capital Lease or the asset acquired with the proceeds of such Indebtedness,

 

- 39 -

 

 

(o) (o) cash collateral in an aggregate amount at any time not exceeding 105% multiplied the face amount of the Workers Comp L/C, together with any additional cash collateral (in an aggregate additional amount not exceeding 105% off the face amount of any replacement Workers Comp L/C) temporarily outstanding for no longer than ten (10) Business Days (or such later date as Administrative Agent may approve) during the replacement process of the Workers Comp L/C as permitted by the definition of Workers Comp L/C,

 

(p) (p) Liens securing the GACP Facility Obligations to the extent permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (k) of Permitted Indebtedness; provided that such Liens are at all times subject to the Intercreditor Agreement,

 

(q) (q) [Reserved],

 

(r) (r) Liens in favor of Credit Card Issuers and Credit Card Processors arising in the ordinary course of business securing the obligation to pay customary fees and expenses in connection with credit card arrangements,

 

(s) (s) Liens in respect of any judgments that, individually or in the aggregate, would not constitute an Event of Default hereunder,

 

(t) (t) possessory Liens in favor of brokers and dealers in connection with the acquisition or dispositions of Permitted Investments, provided that such liens (i) attach only to such Investments and (ii) secure only obligations incurred in the ordinary course and arising in connection with the acquisition or disposition of such Investments and not any obligation in connection with Margin Stock,

 

(u) (u) any interest of, and Liens granted to, consignors in the ordinary course of business with respect to the consignment of goods to a Loan Party,

 

(v) (v) Liens constituting premium rebates securing financing arrangements with respect to insurance premiums,

 

(w) (w) Liens existing on property or other assets at the time of its acquisition or existing on the property or other assets of any Person at the time such Person becomes a Loan Party, in each case after the Closing Date, and any modifications, replacements, renewals or extensions thereof; provided that (A) any such Lien was not created in contemplation of such acquisition or such Person becoming a Loan Party, (B) any such Lien does not extend to or cover any other assets or property (other than the proceeds or products thereof and other than after-acquired property subject to a Lien securing Indebtedness and other obligations incurred prior to such time that require or include, pursuant to their terms at such time, a pledge of after-acquired property, it being understood that such requirement shall not be permitted to apply to any property to which such requirement would not have applied but for such acquisition) and (C) any such Lien secures Indebtedness and other obligations are permitted under clause (g), clause (o) or clause (p) of the “Permitted Indebtedness” definition;,

 

- 40 -

 

 

(x) (x) Liens on motor vehicles securing Indebtedness permitted by clause (p) of the definition of “Permitted Indebtedness”; and,

 

(y) (y) other Liens securing obligations in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $1,250,000 at any time outstanding., and

 

(z) Liens on real property owned by JTH Court Plaza, LLC located at 2387 Liberty Way, Virginia Beach, VA 23456, to secure the obligations of the Liberty Parties under the credit card program referenced in clause (s) of the definition of “Permitted Indebtedness”.

 

Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, (A) Indebtedness (other than the Obligations, but otherwise including Capital Leases and purchase money Indebtedness), incurred after the Closing Date and at the time of, or within 180 days after, the acquisition, purchase, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement of any fixed assets for the purpose of financing all or any part of the acquisition, purchase, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement cost thereof and (B) any refinancing of any Indebtedness set forth in the immediately preceding clause (A) (or successive refinancings thereof), in each case, in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time not in excess of $10,000,000.

 

Permitted Tax Payments” means distributions or other payments from Lead Borrower to Global Parent, which will in turn be distributed by Global Parent, in an amount equal to the amounts required under Sections 4.01(b), 4.01(c) and 4.01(d) of the First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Global Parent, dated as of July 10, 2019, as in effect on the date hereof.

 

Person” means and includes natural persons, corporations, limited partnerships, general partnerships, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, joint stock companies, Joint Ventures, associations, companies, trusts, banks, trust companies, land trusts, business trusts, or other organizations, whether or not legal entities, and Governmental Authorities.

 

Phase I Report” means, with respect to any Real Property, a report that (a) conforms to the ASTM Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process, E 1527, (b) was conducted no more than six months prior to the date such report is required to be delivered hereunder, by one or more environmental consulting firms reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent, (c) includes an assessment of asbestos containing materials at such Real Property, and (d) is accompanied by an estimate of the reasonable worst case cost of investigating and remediating any Hazardous Materials activity identified in the Phase I Report as giving rise to an actual or potential material violation of any Environmental Law or as presenting a material risk of giving rise to a material Environmental Action.

 

Principal Office” means, the Administrative Agent’s “Principal Office” as set forth on Appendix B or such other office as such Person may from time to time designate in writing to Borrower and each Lender.

 

Pro Rata Share” means (a) with respect to all payments, computations, and other matters relating to the Term Loan of any Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the Term Loan Exposure of that Lender, by (ii) the aggregate Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders, and (b) for all other purposes with respect to each Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) an amount equal to the sum of the Term Loan Exposure of that Lender, by (ii) an amount equal to the sum of the aggregate Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders.

 

Projections” has the meaning specified in Section 4.08.

 

- 41 -

 

 

Protective Advances” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03.

 

Qualified Capital Stock” means and refers to any Capital Stock issued by Global Parent or Lead Borrower (and not by any other Person) that is not Disqualified Capital Stock.

 

Qualified Cash” means, as of any date of determination, the amount of unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents of the Loan Parties that is in Deposit Accounts or in Securities Accounts, or any combination thereof, which such Deposit Account or Securities Account is subject to a Control Agreement (subject to the timing requirements set forth in Section 6.17) and is maintained by a branch office of the bank or securities intermediary located within the United States.

 

Real Estate Asset” means, at any time of determination, any interest (fee, leasehold, or otherwise) then owned by any Loan Party in any real property.

 

Real Property” means any real property (including all buildings, fixtures, or other improvements located thereon) now, hereafter, or heretofore owned or leased by any Loan Party or any of their respective predecessors or Affiliates.

 

Refranchising Activity” means the sale of any retail locations owned or operated by a Loan Party to franchisee(s) to be owned and operated by such franchisee(s), with such franchisee(s) to provide royalties to a Loan Party in connection with the operation of such retail locations.

 

Register” has the meaning specified in Section 2.06(b).

 

Regulation D” means Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time.

 

Reinvestment Amounts” has the meaning specified in Section 2.13(a).

 

Related Fund” means, with respect to any Lender that is an investment fund, any other investment fund that invests in commercial loans and that is managed or advised by the same investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor.

 

Remedial Action” means all actions taken to (a) clean up, remove, remediate, contain, treat, monitor, assess, evaluate, or in any way address Hazardous Materials in the indoor or outdoor environment, (b) prevent or minimize a release or threatened release of Hazardous Materials so they do not migrate or endanger or threaten to endanger public health or welfare or the indoor or outdoor environment, (c) restore or reclaim natural resources or the environment, (d) perform any pre-remedial studies, investigations, or post-remedial operation and maintenance activities, or (e) conduct any other actions with respect to Hazardous Materials required by Environmental Laws.

 

Rental Agreements” means each rental agreements entered into by a Loan Party with a customer of such Loan Party

 

Replacement Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.22.

 

Reports” has the meaning specified in Section 9.11(a).

 

Required Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders whose Pro Rata Shares aggregate to at least 50.1%.

 

- 42 -

 

 

Requirements of Law” means, with respect to any Person, collectively, the common law and all federal, state, provincial, local, foreign, multinational or international laws, statutes, codes, treaties, standards, rules and regulations, guidelines, ordinances, orders, judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees (including administrative or judicial precedents or authorities) and the interpretation or administration thereof by, and other determinations, directives, requirements or requests of, any Governmental Authority, in each case that are 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, (1) without duplication of any other Reserves or items that are otherwise addressed or excluded through eligibility criteria or the definition of “Borrowing Base” or “Net Orderly Liquidation Value”, such reserves as Administrative Agent from time to time determines in its Permitted Discretion as being appropriate (a) to reflect the impediments to Agents’ ability to realize upon the Collateral, (b) to reflect claims and liabilities that Administrative Agent determines will need to be satisfied in connection with the realization upon the Collateral, (c) to reflect criteria, events, conditions, contingencies or risks which adversely affect any component of the Borrowing Base, or (d) to reflect that a Default or an Event of Default then exists; provided that, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, such Reserves may include, in Administrative Agent’s Permitted Discretion, (but are not limited to) reserves based on: (i) rent; (ii) customs duties, and other costs to release Inventory which is being imported into the United States; (iii) outstanding Taxes and other governmental charges, including, without limitation, ad valorem, real estate, personal property, sales, claims of the PBGC and other Taxes which may have priority over the interests of Agents in the Collateral; (iv) the aggregate remaining value at such time of outstanding merchandise credits of the Loan Parties, (v) deposits made by customers with respect to the purchase of goods or the performance of services and layaway obligations of the Loan Parties, (vi) reserves for reasonably anticipated changes in the Net Orderly Liquidation Value of Eligible Inventory and Eligible Rental Agreements between appraisals, (vii) warehousemen’s or bailee’s charges and other Permitted Liens which may have priority over the interests of Agents in the Collateral, (viii) commissions and other amounts due to Third Party Franchisees, (ix) rebates, discounts, warranty claims and returns, and (x) reserves as Administrative Agent from time to time determines in its Permitted Discretion as being appropriate to reflect the reasonably anticipated liabilities and obligations of the Loan Parties with respect to Cash Management Services then provided or outstanding, and (2) such reserves as may be established from time to time by Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion, without duplication of any other Reserves or items that are otherwise addressed or excluded through eligibility criteria or the definition of “Borrowing Base” or “Net Orderly Liquidation Value”, with respect to the determination of the (a) saleability, at retail, of the Eligible Inventory, which reflect such other factors as affect the market value of the Eligible Inventory or which reflect claims and liabilities that Administrative Agent determines will need to be satisfied in connection with the realization upon the Inventory and (b) collectibility, of the Eligible Rental Agreements, which reflect claims and liabilities that Administrative Agent determines will need to be satisfied in connection with the realization upon the Eligible Rental Agreements; provided that, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, such Reserves under this clause (2) may, in Administrative Agent’s Permitted Discretion, include (but are not limited to) reserves based on: (I) obsolescence; (II) seasonality; (III) Inventory which has been lost, misplaced, stolen, or is otherwise unaccounted for; (IV) Imbalance; (V) change in Inventory character; (VI) change in Inventory composition; (VII) change in Inventory mix; (VIII) mark-downs (both permanent and point of sale); (IX) retail mark-ons and mark-ups inconsistent with prior period practice and performance, industry standards, current business plans or advertising calendar and planned advertising events and (X) discounts, reductions and other adjustments of amounts due under Rental Agreements consistent with the treatment provided for in the most recently delivered Borrowing Base Certificate or the most recent Rental Agreement Portfolio appraisal received by the Administrative Agent.

 

- 43 -

 

 

Restricted Junior Payment” means (a) any dividend or other distribution, direct or indirect, on account of any shares of any class of Capital Stock of Lead Borrower or Global Parent now or hereafter outstanding, except a dividend payable solely in shares of that class of Capital Stock to the holders of that class, (b) any redemption, retirement, sinking fund or similar payment, purchase, or other acquisition for value, direct or indirect, of any shares of any class of Capital Stock of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (for the avoidance of doubt, this includes the Excluded Entities), (c) any payment made to retire, or to obtain the surrender of, any outstanding warrants, options, or other rights to acquire shares of any class of Capital Stock of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (for the avoidance of doubt, this includes the Excluded Entities), (d) management or similar fees (and related expenses) payable to any Permitted Holder or any of its Affiliates or any other Affiliates of any Loan Party, and (e) any payment or prepayment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, or redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance (including in substance or legal defeasance), sinking fund, or similar payment with respect to, any subordinated Indebtedness (excluding, to the extent considered subordinated, the GACP Facility Obligations), in each case, whether such dividend, distribution or other payment is made in cash or other assets.

 

Revolution Holdings” means Franchise Group Intermediate R, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of The McGraw Hill Corporation.

 

Sanctioned Entity” means (a) a country or a government of a country, (b) an agency of the government of a country, (c) an organization directly or indirectly controlled by a country or its government, or (d) a Person resident in or determined to be resident in a country, in each case of clauses (a) through (d) that is a target of Sanctions, including a target of any country sanctions program administered and enforced by OFAC.

 

Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person named on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons maintained by OFAC or any other Sanctions-related list maintained by any relevant Sanctions authority, (b) a Person or legal entity that is a target of Sanctions, (c) any Person operating, organized, or resident in a country that is a Sanctioned Entity, or (d) any Person directly or indirectly owned or controlled (individually or in the aggregate) by or acting on behalf of any such Person or Persons described in clauses (a) through (c) above.

 

Sanctions” means individually and collectively, respectively, any and all economic, trade, financial, or other sanctions laws, regulations, or embargoes imposed, administered, or enforced from time to time by: (a) the United States of America, including, without limitation, those administered by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State, (b) the United Nations Security Council, or (c) any other governmental authority in any jurisdiction in which any Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries is located or doing business.

 

Sears Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of October 23, 2019, among Sears Top Parent, certain of its subsidiaries as guarantors, the other parties party thereto and Guggenheim Credit Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as administrative agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Sears Top Parent” means Franchise Group Intermediate S, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Secured Parties” means the Agents and Lenders.

 

- 44 -

 

 

Securities” means any stock, shares, partnership interests, voting trust certificates, certificates of interest or participation in any profit sharing agreement or arrangement, options, warrants, bonds, debentures, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated, or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as “securities” or any certificates of interest, shares, or participations in temporary or interim certificates for the purchase or acquisition of, or any right to subscribe to, purchase, or acquire, any of the foregoing.

 

Securities Account” means a securities account (as defined in the UCC).

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

 

Security Agreement” means thethat certain Amended and Restated ABL Security Agreement executed by the Loan Parties in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit G, as it may be amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Solvent” means, with respect to the Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis), that as of the date of determination, both (a)(i) the sum of the debt (including contingent liabilities) of Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) does not exceed the present fair saleable value of the present assets of the Loan Parties (on a consolidated basis), (ii) the capital of Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) is not unreasonably small in relation to its business as contemplated on the date of determination, and (iii) Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) have not incurred and do not intend to incur, or believe (nor should they reasonably believe) that they will incur, debts beyond their ability to pay such debts as they become due (whether at maturity or otherwise), and (b) Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) are “solvent” within the meaning given that term and similar terms under applicable laws relating to fraudulent transfers and conveyances. For purposes of this definition, the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability (irrespective of whether such contingent liabilities meet the criteria for accrual under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 5).

 

Specified Acquisition Agreement Representations” means such of the representations made by, or with respect to, AFGI in the Acquisition Agreement, but only to the extent that Ultimate Parent (or its applicable affiliate) has a right (taking into account any applicable cure provisions) not to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement or to terminate its (or its applicable affiliate’s) obligations under the Acquisition Agreement, in each case, as a result of a breach of such representations and warranties that are material to the interests of the Lenders.

 

Specified Event of Default” means an Event of Default described under Section 8.01(a), (c) (solely with respect to Section 5.01(a), (b), (c) and (d) and Section 6.08), (f) or (g); provided, that, solely for purposes of Section 9.05, Section 10.06, and the definition of “Eligible Assignee”, any Event of Default pursuant to Section 8.01(c) shall constitute a Specified Event of Default only if such Event of Default occurs in (x) two consecutive Fiscal Quarters or (y) two Fiscal Quarters in any four-Fiscal Quarter period. For the avoidance of doubt, the immediately preceding proviso shall not apply for purposes of determining whether default interest applies pursuant to Section 2.09.

 

- 45 -

 

 

Specified Representations” means the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 4.01(a), 4.01(b) (solely with respect to power and authority to enter into the Loan Documents and to carry out the transactions contemplated thereby), 4.03, 4.04(f) (solely as it relates to the borrowing of the Term Loan, the guaranteeing of the Obligation under the Loan Documents, performance of the Loan Documents, and the granting of security interests in the Collateral), 4.06, 4.16 (as to clause (a) thereof, solely with respect to the Investment Company Act of 1940), 4.17, 4.21, 4.31, 4.32, 4.33, and 4.35.

 

Stated Maturity Date” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Maturity Date”.

 

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of stock or other ownership interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Person or Persons (whether directors, managers, trustees, or other Persons performing similar functions) having the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; provided, that in determining the percentage of ownership interests of any Person controlled by another Person, no ownership interest in the nature of a “qualifying share” of the former Person shall be deemed to be outstanding.

 

Tax” means any present or future tax, levy, impost, duty, assessment, charge, fee, deduction, or withholding (including backup withholding) imposed, levied, collected, withheld, or assessed by any Governmental Authority and all interest, penalties and additions to tax with respect thereto.

 

Term Loan” means a Term Loan made by a Lender to Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(a).

 

Term Loan Commitment” means the Commitment of a Lender to make or otherwise fund a Term Loan, and “Term Loan Commitments” means such commitments of all Lenders in the aggregate. The amount of each Lender’s Term Loan Commitment is set forth on Appendix A or in the applicable Assignment Agreement, subject to any adjustment or reduction pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof. As of the Closing Date, the aggregate amount of the Term Loan Commitments is $100,000,000.

 

Term Loan Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender, as of any date of determination, the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan of such Lender; provided, that at any time prior to the making of the Term Loan, the Term Loan Exposure of any Lender shall be equal to such Lender’s Term Loan Commitment.

 

Term Notes” means a promissory note in the form of Exhibit J.

 

Terminated Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.22.

 

“Third Amendment” means that certain Joinder and Amendment Number Three to ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2020 by and among Liberty Parties, Global Parent, Lead Borrower, each other Person identified as a “Borrower” on the signature pages thereof, Administrative Agent and the Lenders party thereto.

 

“Third Amendment Effective Date” means May 1, 2020.

 

- 46 -

 

 

Third Party Franchisee Eligibility Requirements” means, collectively, each of the following:

 

(a) (a)  The applicable Loan Party has executed an agreement with the applicable Third Party Franchisee,  to operate a franchise under one of the Brands as listed on Schedule 7.1 hereto, or any subsequent rebranding of such franchise, at a location owned or leased and operated by such Third Party Franchisee, substantially on the standard form agreements containing terms and conditions established by the Loan Parties from time to time and, with respect to any agreement executed or renewed or extended after the Maturity Date, to include (A) an acknowledgement from such Third Party Franchisee that the Loan Parties, or Collateral Agent, acting on behalf of the Loan Parties, are authorized to transfer proceeds of the Inventory consigned by such Loan Party to such Third Party Franchisee from the bank account maintained by such Third Party Franchisee to an account in the name of a Loan Party, and (B) an acknowledgement by the Third Party Franchisee that the applicable Loan Party has granted a Lien to Collateral Agent on the Inventory consigned by such Loan Party to the Third Party Franchisee and an agreement by the Third Party Franchisee to reasonably cooperate with the Collateral Agent in the event of the exercise by the Collateral Agent of its rights and remedies with respect to such Lien;

 

(b) (b) The applicable Loan Party has provided Collateral Agent with evidence that such Loan Party has filed appropriate UCC financing statements against the applicable Third Party Franchisee evidencing the consignment arrangement between such Loan Party and the applicable Third Party Franchisee with respect to the Inventory consigned by the such Loan Party to the applicable Third Party Franchisee, and has taken all other action required under applicable Requirements of Law to obtain a valid, first priority perfected security interest in such Inventory (including, without limitation, providing notification to other secured parties of the applicable Third Party Franchisee as required by the UCC);

 

(c) (c) If requested by the Collateral Agent, the applicable Loan Party has provided the Collateral Agent with an assignment of the UCC financing statements set forth in clause (b) above;

 

(d) (d) The applicable Loan Party has complied with all representations, warranties and covenants set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents relating to federal and state franchise and other regulatory Requirements of Law in connection with the operation of the a franchise under one of the Brands as listed on Schedule 7.1 (or any subsequent rebranding of such franchises) by the applicable Third Party Franchisee; and

 

(e) (e) The agreements between the applicable Loan Party and the applicable Third Party Franchisee provide that all amounts owed by such Third Party Franchisee to such Loan Party shall be swept at least daily into an account of a Loan Party which is subject to a Control Agreement.

 

For the purposes of paragraph (a) above, “reasonably cooperate with the Collateral Agent” means that the Third Party Franchisee will, at the Collateral Agent’s expense, (i) give the Collateral Agent and its representatives access during normal business hours to all Inventory consigned by the applicable Loan Party to the Third Party Franchisee, (ii) permit the Collateral Agent and its representatives to take possession and control of the Inventory consigned by the applicable Loan Party to the Third Party Franchisee, and to remove the Inventory from the premises of the Third Party Franchisee, (iii) to the extent not prohibited by applicable location occupancy agreements (such as leases), conduct “going out of business sales” and engage in similar activities with respect to the Inventory consigned by the applicable Loan Party to the Third Party Franchisee, and (iv) take all other commercially reasonable actions with respect to the Inventory consigned by the applicable Loan Party to the Third Party Franchisee that, upon Collateral Agent’s request, may be reasonably necessary to permit Collateral Agent to exercise all of its rights and remedies with respect to the Lien on the Inventory consigned by such Loan Party to the Third Party Franchisee.

 

- 47 -

 

 

Third Party Franchisees” means, as of the Closing Date (or, with respect to the Liberty Parties, as of the Third Amendment Effective Date), the individuals and entities listed in Schedule 1.1 as “third party franchisees”, and thereafter, any additional individual or entity that meets the Third Party Franchisee Eligibility Requirements.

 

Trade Announcements” has the meaning specified in Section 10.17.

 

Transaction Costs” means the fees, costs, and expenses payable by the Loan Parties in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, the Acquisition Agreement, and the repayment of Existing Indebtedness.

 

Transactions” means the transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement, and the Loan Documents, including without limitation, (i) the consummation of the Acquisition, (ii) the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents, the creation of the Liens pursuant to the Collateral Documents and the initial borrowing of the Term Loan on the Closing Date, (iii) the repayment of Existing Indebtedness, and (iv) the payment of Transaction Costs.

 

Type of Loan” means a Base Rate Loan or a LIBOR Rate Loan.

 

UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code (or any similar or equivalent legislation) as in effect in any applicable jurisdiction.

 

Ultimate Parent” means Franchise Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

Vitamin Holdings” means Valor Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

“Vitamin Intermediate Parent” means Franchise Group Newco V, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Vitamin Top Parent” means Franchise Group Intermediate V, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Wholly Owned Subsidiary” shall mean, as to any person, (a) any corporation 100% of whose capital stock (other than directors’ qualifying shares or other nominal issuance in order to comply with local laws) is at the time owned by such person and/or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such person, and (b) any partnership, association, joint venture, limited liability company, or other entity in which such person and/or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such person have a 100% equity interest at such time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Liberty/Revolution Top Parent shall be deemed a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower so long as the only equity interests of Liberty/Revolution Top Parent that are not owned by the Borrower (or another Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower) are the Equity Grant.

 

- 48 -

 

 

Workers Comp L/C” means letter of credit number 68087802 issued on October 25, 2012 (as amended or replaced by a new or additional letter of credit from time to time) by Bank of America, N.A. for the benefit of ACE American Insurance Company.

 

Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, 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.

 

Section 1.02 Accounting and Other Terms.

 

(a) All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP; provided, that if Lead Borrower notifies Administrative Agent that Lead Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any Accounting Change occurring after the Closing Date or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if Administrative Agent notifies Lead Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such Accounting Change or in the application thereof, then Administrative Agent and Lead Borrower agree that they will negotiate in good faith amendments to the provisions of this Agreement that are directly affected by such Accounting Change with the intent of having the respective positions of Lenders and Lead Borrower after such Accounting Change conform as nearly as possible to their respective positions immediately before such Accounting Change took effect and, until any such amendments have been agreed upon and agreed to by the Required Lenders, the provisions in this Agreement shall be calculated as if no such Accounting Change had occurred. When used herein, the term “financial statements” shall include the notes and schedules thereto. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, all financial statements delivered hereunder shall be prepared, and all financial covenants contained herein shall be calculated, without giving effect to any election under the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification Topic 825 (or any similar accounting principle) permitting a Person to value its financial liabilities or Indebtedness at the fair value thereof.

 

(b) Any terms used in this Agreement that are defined in the UCC shall be construed and defined as set forth in the UCC as in effect from time to time in the State of New York unless otherwise defined herein; provided, that to the extent that the UCC is used to define any term herein and such term is defined differently in different Articles of the UCC, the definition of such term contained in Article 9 of the UCC shall govern.

 

(c) All terms used in this Agreement which are defined in Article 8 or Article 9 of the UCC as in effect from time to time in the State of New York and which are not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings herein as set forth therein; provided, that terms used herein which are defined in the UCC as in effect in the State of New York on the date hereof shall continue to have the same meaning notwithstanding any replacement or amendment of such statute except as Collateral Agent may otherwise determine.

 

- 49 -

 

 

Section 1.03 Construction. Unless the context of this Agreement or any other Loan Document clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include the singular, references to the singular include the plural, the terms “includes” and “including” are not limiting, and the term “or” has, except where otherwise indicated, the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or.” The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and similar terms in this Agreement or any other Loan Document refer to this Agreement or such other Loan Document, as the case may be, as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement or such other Loan Document, as the case may be. Section, subsection, clause, schedule, and exhibit references herein are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. Any reference in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document to any agreement, instrument, or document shall include all alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements, thereto and thereof, as applicable (subject to any restrictions on such alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements set forth herein). 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. Any reference herein or in any other Loan Document to the satisfaction, repayment, or payment in full of the Obligations or Guaranteed Obligations shall mean (a) the payment or repayment in full in immediately available funds of (i) the principal amount of, and interest accrued and unpaid with respect to, all outstanding Loans, together with the payment of the Exit Fee, (ii) all costs, expenses, or indemnities payable pursuant to Section 10.02 or 10.03 of this Agreement that have accrued and are unpaid regardless of whether demand has been made therefor, and (iii) all fees or charges that have accrued hereunder or under any other Loan Document and are unpaid, (b) the receipt by Collateral Agent of cash collateral in order to secure any other contingent Obligations for which a claim or demand for payment has been made on or prior to such time or in respect of matters or circumstances known to an Agent or a Lender at such time that are reasonably expected to result in any loss, cost, damage, or expense (including attorneys’ fees and legal expenses), such cash collateral to be in such amount as Agents reasonably determine is appropriate to secure such contingent Obligations, (c) the payment or repayment in full in immediately available funds of all other outstanding Obligations (other than contingent reimbursement and indemnification obligations for which a claim has not been asserted), and (d) the termination of all of the Commitments of Lenders. Notwithstanding anything in the Agreement to the contrary, (y) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (z) all requests, rules, guidelines, or directives concerning capital adequacy 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 shall, in each case, be deemed to be enacted, adopted, issued, phased in, or effective after the date of this Agreement regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued, phased in, or effective.

 

Section 1.04 Time References. Unless the context of this Agreement or any other Loan Document clearly requires otherwise, all references to time of day refer to Eastern standard time or Eastern daylight saving time, as in effect in New York, New York on such day. For purposes of the computation of a period of time from a specified date to a later specified date, unless otherwise expressly provided, the word “from” means “from and including” and the words “to” and “until” each means “to and including;” provided, that with respect to computation of fees or interest payable to any Agent or any Lender, such period shall in any event consist of at least one full day.

 

Section 1.05 Effect of Benchmark Transition Event.

 

(a) Benchmark Replacement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, as applicable, Administrative Agent and Lead Borrower may amend this Agreement to replace the Adjusted LIBOR Rate with a Benchmark Replacement. Any such amendment with respect to a Benchmark Transition Event will become effective at 5:00 p.m. on the fifth (5th) Business Day after Administrative Agent has posted such proposed amendment to all Lenders and Lead Borrower so long as Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such amendment from Collateral Agent or Lenders comprising the Required Lenders. Any such amendment with respect to an Early Opt-in Election will become effective on the date that the Lenders comprising the Required Lenders have delivered to Administrative Agent written notice that such Required Lenders accept such amendment. No replacement of the Adjusted LIBOR Rate with a Benchmark Replacement pursuant to this Section 1.05 will occur prior to the applicable Benchmark Transition Start Date.

 

- 50 -

 

 

(b) Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. In connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, 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.

 

(c) Notices; Standards for Decisions and Determinations. Administrative Agent will promptly notify Lead Borrower and the Lenders of (i) any occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, as applicable, and its related Benchmark Replacement Date and Benchmark Transition Start Date, (ii) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, (iii) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes and (iv) the commencement or conclusion of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by Administrative Agent or Lenders pursuant to this Section 1.05, 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, 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 hereto, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 1.05.

 

(d) Benchmark Unavailability Period. Upon Lead Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, Lead Borrower may revoke any request for a borrowing of LIBOR Rate Loans, conversion to or continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, Lead Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans. During any Benchmark Unavailability Period, the component of the Alternate Base Rate based upon the Adjusted LIBOR Rate will not be used in any determination of the Alternate Base Rate.

 

(e) Certain Defined Terms. As used in this Section 1.05:

 

(i) Benchmark Replacement” means the sum of: (A) the alternate benchmark rate (which may include Term SOFR) that has been selected by Administrative Agent and Lead Borrower giving due consideration to (x) any selection or recommendation of a replacement rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (y) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a rate of interest as a replacement to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate for U.S. dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities and (B) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; provided that, if the Benchmark Replacement as so determined would be less than zero, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.

 

(ii) Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of the Adjusted LIBOR Rate with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for each applicable Interest Period, 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 Administrative Agent and Lead Borrower giving due consideration to (A) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of the Adjusted LIBOR Rate with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body or (B) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of the Adjusted LIBOR Rate with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for U.S. dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time.

 

- 51 -

 

 

(iii) Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Alternate Base Rate,” the definition of “Interest Period,” timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest and other administrative matters) that Administrative Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark Replacement and to permit the administration thereof by Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if any Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if any Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of the Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner of administration as Administrative Agent decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement).

 

(iv) Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earlier to occur of the following events with respect to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate:

 

(A) in the case of clause (A) or (B) 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 the LIBOR Rate permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide the LIBOR Rate; or

 

(B) in the case of clause (C) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein.

 

(v) Benchmark Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the LIBOR Rate:

 

(A) a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of the LIBOR Rate announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide the LIBOR Rate, permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the LIBOR Rate;

 

(B) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the LIBOR Rate, the U.S. Federal Reserve System, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for the LIBOR Rate, a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for the LIBOR Rate or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for the LIBOR Rate, which states that the administrator of the LIBOR Rate has ceased or will cease to provide the LIBOR Rate permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the LIBOR Rate; or

 

(C) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the LIBOR Rate announcing that the LIBOR Rate is no longer representative.

 

(vi) Benchmark Transition Start Date” means (A) in the case of a Benchmark Transition Event, the earlier of (x) the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and (y) if such Benchmark Transition Event is a public statement or publication of information of a prospective event, the 90th day prior to the expected date of such event as of such public statement or publication of information (or if the expected date of such prospective event is fewer than 90 days after such statement or publication, the date of such statement or publication) and (B) in the case of an Early Opt-in Election, the date specified by Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, as applicable, by notice to Lead Borrower, Administrative Agent (in the case of such notice by the Required Lenders) and the Lenders.

 

- 52 -

 

 

(vii) Benchmark Unavailability Period” means, if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate (or the LIBOR Rate component thereof) and solely to the extent that the Adjusted LIBOR Rate has not been replaced with a Benchmark Replacement, the period (A) beginning at the time that such Benchmark Replacement Date has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced the Adjusted LIBOR Rate for all purposes hereunder in accordance with Section 1.05 and (B) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced the Adjusted LIBOR Rate for all purposes hereunder pursuant to Section 1.05.

 

(viii) Early Opt-in Election” means the occurrence of:

 

(A) (x) a determination by Administrative Agent or (y) a notification by the Required Lenders to Administrative Agent (with a copy to Lead Borrower) that the Required Lenders have determined that U.S. dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities being executed at such time, or that include language similar to that contained in this Section 1.05 are being executed or amended, as applicable, to incorporate or adopt a new benchmark interest rate to replace the Adjusted LIBOR Rate, and

 

(B) (x) the election by Administrative Agent or (y) the election by the Required Lenders to declare that an Early Opt-in Election has occurred and the provision, as applicable, by Administrative Agent of written notice of such election to Lead Borrower and the Lenders or by the Required Lenders of written notice of such election to Administrative Agent.

 

(ix) Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website” means the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source.

 

(x) Relevant Governmental Body” means the Federal Reserve Board and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or any successor thereto.

 

(xi) SOFR” with respect to any day means the secured overnight financing rate published for such day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as the administrator of the benchmark, (or a successor administrator) on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website.

 

(xii) Term SOFR” means the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body.

 

(xiii) Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the Benchmark Replacement excluding the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

 

- 53 -

 

 

Section 1.06 Fiscal Periods. Unless the context of this Agreement or any other Loan Document clearly requires otherwise, all references to a fiscal month, Fiscal Quarter or Fiscal Year ending on a certain date shall be deemed to refer to the fiscal month, Fiscal Quarter or Fiscal Year, respectively, ending on or closest to such date; provided that this Section 1.06 shall not apply to any references to fiscal months, fiscal quarters or fiscal years that are expressly stated to relate to any Person other than a Loan Party.

 

ARTICLE II

LOANS

 

Section 2.01 Term Loans.

 

(a) Loan Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Lender severally agrees to make, on the Closing Date, a Term Loan to Lead Borrower for the account of the Borrowers or to any other Borrower designated by the Lead Borrower in an amount equal to such Lender’s Term Loan Commitment.

 

Lead Borrower may only request one borrowing under the Term Loan Commitment which shall be on the Closing Date. Any amount borrowed under this Section 2.01(a) and subsequently repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. Subject to Section 2.12, all amounts owed hereunder with respect to the Term Loan shall be paid in full no later than the Maturity Date. Each Lender’s Term Loan Commitment shall terminate immediately and without further action on the Closing Date after giving effect to the funding of such Lender’s Term Loan Commitment on such date.

 

(b) Borrowing Mechanics for Term Loans.

 

(i) Lead Borrower shall deliver to Administrative Agent a fully executed Funding Notice no later than (A) if such Funding Notice requests a LIBOR Rate Loan, three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date or (B) if such Funding Notice requests a Base Rate Loan, two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, or, in each case, such later date as Administrative Agent may agree. Except as otherwise provided herein, a Funding Notice for a Term Loan that is a LIBOR Rate Loan shall be irrevocable on and after the related Interest Rate Determination Date, and Lead Borrower shall be bound to make a borrowing in accordance therewith. Promptly upon receipt by Administrative Agent of such Funding Notice, Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the proposed borrowing. Administrative Agent and Lenders (A) may act without liability upon the basis of written, facsimile, or telephonic notice believed by Administrative Agent in good faith to be from Lead Borrower (or from any Authorized Officer thereof designated in writing purportedly from Lead Borrower to Administrative Agent), (B) shall be entitled to rely conclusively on any Authorized Officer’s authority to request a Term Loan on behalf of Lead Borrower until Administrative Agent receives written notice to the contrary, and (C) shall have no duty to verify the authenticity of the signature appearing on any written Funding Notice.

 

(ii) Each Lender shall make its Term Loan available to Administrative Agent not later than noon (New York time) on the Closing Date, by wire transfer of same day funds in Dollars, at Administrative Agent’s Principal Office (as identified on Appendix B). Upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent specified herein, Administrative Agent shall make the proceeds of the Term Loans available to Lead Borrower by the close of business on the Closing Date by causing an amount of same day funds in Dollars equal to the proceeds of all such Loans received by Administrative Agent from Lenders to be credited (A) in the case of Loans made on the Closing Date, in accordance with the provisions of the Flow of Funds Agreement or (B) after the Closing Date, to the account of Lead Borrower at Administrative Agent’s Principal Office or to such other account as may be designated in writing to Administrative Agent by Lead Borrower.

 

- 54 -

 

 

Section 2.02 [Reserved].

 

Section 2.03 Protective Advances. Subject to the limitations set forth below, and whether or not an Event of Default or a Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Agent is authorized by the Loan Parties and Lenders, from time to time in such Agent’s sole discretion (but such Agent shall have absolutely no obligation to), to make disbursements or advances to the Loan Parties, which such Agent, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or desirable (a) to preserve or protect the Collateral, or any portion thereof, (b) to enhance the likelihood of, or maximize the amount of, repayment of the Loans and other Obligations, or (c) to pay any other amount chargeable to, or required to be paid by, the Loan Parties pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including, without limitation, payments of principal, interest, fees, and reimbursable expenses (any of such Loans are in this clause (c) referred to as “Protective Advances”). Protective Advances may be made even if the conditions precedent set forth in Article III have not been satisfied. The interest rate on all Protective Advances shall be at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin. Protective Advances shall not exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate at any time without the prior written consent of Required Lenders. Each Protective Advance shall be secured by the Liens in favor of Collateral Agent in and to the Collateral and shall constitute Obligations hereunder. The Protective Advances shall constitute Obligations hereunder which may be charged to the Loan Account in accordance with Section 2.15(f). Borrower shall pay the unpaid principal amount and all unpaid and accrued interest of each Protective Advance on the earlier of the Maturity Date and the date that is three (3) Business Days following the date on which demand for payment is made by the applicable Agent. The applicable Agent shall notify each Lender and Lead Borrower in writing of each such Protective Advance, which notice shall include a description of the purpose of such Protective Advance. Without limitation to its obligations pursuant to Section 9.06, each Lender agrees that it shall make available to the applicable Agent, upon such Agent’s demand, in Dollars in immediately available funds, the amount equal to such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of each such Protective Advance. If such funds are not made available to the applicable Agent by such Lender, such Agent shall be entitled to recover such funds on demand from such Lender, together with interest thereon for each day from the date such payment was due until the date such amount is paid to the applicable Agent, at the Federal Funds Effective Rate for three (3) Business Days and thereafter at the Alternate Base Rate.

 

Section 2.04 Pro Rata Shares; Availability of Funds.

 

(a) Pro Rata Shares. All Loans shall be made by Lenders simultaneously and proportionately to their respective Pro Rata Shares, it being understood that no Lender shall be responsible for any default by any other Lender in such other Lender’s obligation to make a Loan requested hereunder, nor shall any Term Loan Commitment of any Lender be increased or decreased as a result of a default by any other Lender in such other Lender’s obligation to make a Loan requested hereunder.

 

(b) Availability of Funds. Unless Administrative Agent shall have been notified by any Lender prior to the Closing Date that such Lender does not intend to make available to Administrative Agent the amount of such Lender’s Loan requested on the Closing Date, Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such amount available to Administrative Agent on the Closing Date, and Administrative Agent may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, but shall not be obligated to, make available to Lead Borrower a corresponding amount on the Closing Date. If such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to Administrative Agent by such Lender, Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such corresponding amount on demand from such Lender together with interest thereon, for each day from the Closing Date until the date such amount is paid to Administrative Agent, at the customary rate set by Administrative Agent for the correction of errors among banks for three (3) Business Days and thereafter at the Alternate Base Rate. If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon Administrative Agent’s demand therefor, Administrative Agent shall promptly notify Lead Borrower, and Lead Borrower shall immediately pay such corresponding amount to Administrative Agent together with interest thereon, for each day from the Closing Date until the date such amount is paid to Administrative Agent, at the rate payable hereunder for Base Rate Loans for such Loans. Nothing in this Section 2.04(b) shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its Term Loan Commitments hereunder or to prejudice any rights that Borrower may have against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder.

 

- 55 -

 

 

Section 2.05 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Term Loans made on the Closing Date shall be applied by the Loan Parties (i) to consummate the Transactions (including, without limitation, to pay the Transaction Costs), (ii) to repay the Existing Indebtedness, and/or (iii) for general corporate purposes. No portion of the proceeds of any Credit Extension shall be used in any manner that causes or could reasonably be expected to cause such Credit Extension or the application of such proceeds to violate Regulation T, Regulation U, or Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other regulation thereof or to violate the Exchange Act.

 

Section 2.06 Evidence of Debt; Register; Lenders’ Books and Records; Term Notes.

 

(a) Lenders’ Evidence of Debt. Each Lender shall maintain on its internal records an account or accounts evidencing the Obligations of the Borrowers to such Lender, including the amounts of the Loans made by it and each repayment and prepayment in respect thereof. Any such recordation shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrowers, absent manifest error; provided, that the failure to make any such recordation, or any error in such recordation, shall not affect Borrowers’ Obligations in respect of any applicable Loans; provided further, that in the event of any inconsistency between the Register and any Lender’s records, the recordations in the Register shall govern.

 

(b) Register. Administrative Agent shall maintain at its Principal Office a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of Lenders and the principal amount of the Loans (and stated interest therein) of each Lender from time to time (the “Register”). The Register shall be available for inspection by Borrower at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. Administrative Agent shall record in the Register the Loans, and each repayment or prepayment in respect of the principal amount of the Loans, and any such recordation shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrowers and each Lender, absent manifest error; provided, that failure to make any such recordation, or any error in such recordation, shall not affect Borrowers’ Obligations in respect of any Loan. Each Borrower hereby designates the entity serving as Administrative Agent to serve as each Borrower’s non-fiduciary agent solely for purposes of maintaining the Register as provided in this Section 2.06, and Borrower hereby agrees that, to the extent such entity serves in such capacity, the entity serving as Administrative Agent and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates shall constitute “Indemnitees.”

 

(c) Term Notes. If so requested by any Lender by written notice to Lead Borrower (with a copy to Administrative Agent) at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, or at any time thereafter, each Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (and/or, if applicable and if so specified in such notice, to any Person who is an assignee of such Lender pursuant to Section 10.06) on the Closing Date or promptly thereafter (or, if such notice is delivered after the Closing Date, promptly after Lead Borrower’s receipt of such notice) a Term Note.

 

- 56 -

 

 

Section 2.07 Interest.

 

(a) Except as otherwise set forth herein, each Loan shall bear interest on the unpaid principal amount thereof from the date made through repayment (whether by acceleration or otherwise) thereof as follows:

 

(i) if a Base Rate Loan, at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin.

 

(ii) if a LIBOR Rate Loan, at the Adjusted LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable Margin.

 

(b) The basis for determining the rate of interest with respect to any Loan, and the Interest Period with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loan, shall be selected by Lead Borrower and notified to Administrative Agent and Lenders pursuant to the applicable Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice, as the case may be. If on any day a Loan is outstanding with respect to which a Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice has not been delivered to Administrative Agent in accordance with the terms hereof specifying the applicable basis for determining the rate of interest, then for that day such Loan shall be a Base Rate Loan.

 

(c) In connection with LIBOR Rate Loans there shall be no more than five Interest Periods outstanding at any time. In the event Lead Borrower fails to specify between a Base Rate Loan or a LIBOR Rate Loan in the applicable Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice, such Loan (if outstanding as a LIBOR Rate Loan) will be automatically converted into a Base Rate Loan on the last day of the then current Interest Period for such Loan (or if outstanding as a Base Rate Loan will remain as, or (if not then outstanding) will be made as, a Base Rate Loan). In the event Lead Borrower fails to specify an Interest Period for any LIBOR Rate Loan in the applicable Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice, Lead Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month. As soon as practicable after 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on each Interest Rate Determination Date, Administrative Agent shall determine (which determination shall, absent manifest error, be final, conclusive, and binding upon all parties) the interest rate that shall apply to the LIBOR Rate Loans for which an interest rate is then being determined for the applicable Interest Period and shall promptly give notice thereof to Lead Borrower and each Lender.

 

(d) Interest payable pursuant to Section 2.07(a) shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed, other than for Base Rate Loans which shall be calculated on the basis of a 365-day or 366-day year, as applicable, and actual days elapsed. In computing interest on any Loan, the date of the making of such Loan or the first day of an Interest Period applicable to such Loan or, with respect to a Base Rate Loan being converted from a LIBOR Rate Loan, the date of conversion of such LIBOR Rate Loan to such Base Rate Loan, as the case may be, shall be included, and the date of payment of such Loan or the expiration date of an Interest Period applicable to such Loan or, with respect to a Base Rate Loan being converted to a LIBOR Rate Loan, the date of conversion of such Base Rate Loan to such LIBOR Rate Loan, as the case may be, shall be excluded; provided, that if a Loan is repaid on the same day on which it is made, one day’s interest shall be paid on that Loan.

 

(e) Except as otherwise set forth herein, interest on each Loan shall be payable in cash and in arrears on and to (i) each Interest Payment Date applicable to that Loan, (ii) upon any prepayment of that Loan, whether voluntary or mandatory, to the extent accrued on the amount being prepaid, and (iii) at maturity, including final maturity.

 

- 57 -

 

 

(f) At any time that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, at the written election of any Agent or the Required Lenders, Lead Borrower no longer shall have the option to request that any portion of the Term Loan bear interest at a rate based upon the Adjusted LIBOR Rate.

 

Section 2.08 Conversion/Continuation.

 

(a) Subject to Section 2.17 and so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and then be continuing, Lead Borrower shall have the option:

 

(i) to convert at any time all or any part of any Term Loan equal to $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess of that amount from one Type of Loan to another Type of Loan; provided, that a LIBOR Rate Loan may only be converted on the expiration of the Interest Period applicable to such LIBOR Rate Loan unless the Loan Parties pay all amounts due under Section 2.17 in connection with any such conversion, or

 

(ii) upon the expiration of any Interest Period applicable to any LIBOR Rate Loan, to continue all or any portion of such Loan equal to $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess of that amount as a LIBOR Rate Loan.

 

(b) Lead Borrower shall deliver a Conversion/Continuation Notice to Administrative Agent no later than noon (New York time) at least two Business Days in advance of the proposed conversion date (in the case of a conversion to a Base Rate Loan) and at least three (3) Business Days in advance of the proposed conversion/continuation date (in the case of a conversion to, or a continuation of, a LIBOR Rate Loan). Except as otherwise provided herein, a Conversion/Continuation Notice for conversion to, or continuation of, any LIBOR Rate Loans (or telephonic notice in lieu thereof) shall be irrevocable on and after the related Interest Rate Determination Date, and Lead Borrower shall be bound to effect a conversion or continuation in accordance therewith.

 

Section 2.09 Default Interest. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the principal amount of all Loans outstanding and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any interest payments on the Loans or any fees or other amounts owed hereunder, shall thereafter bear interest (including any interest that accrues after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding), payable on demand at a rate that is 2.00% per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable hereunder with respect to the applicable Loans (or, in the case of any such fees and other amounts, at a rate which is 2.00% per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable hereunder for Base Rate Loans); provided, that in the case of LIBOR Rate Loans, upon the expiration of the Interest Period in effect at the time any such increase in interest rate is effective, such LIBOR Rate Loans shall thereupon become Base Rate Loans and shall thereafter bear interest payable upon demand at a rate which is 2.00% per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable hereunder for Base Rate Loans. Payment or acceptance of the increased rates of interest provided for in this Section 2.09 is not a permitted alternative to timely payment and shall not constitute a waiver of any Event of Default or otherwise prejudice or limit any rights or remedies of any Agent or any Lender.

 

- 58 -

 

 

Section 2.10 Fees.

 

(a) Fee Letter. Without duplication of any other fees set forth in this Section 2.10, the Borrowers agree to pay to Administrative Agent, for the respective accounts of those Persons entitled thereto under the Fee Letter, all fees payable by it in the Fee Letter in the amounts and at the times specified therein. The Fee Letter shall survive the termination of this Agreement until all Obligations are paid in full (other than contingent reimbursement and indemnification obligations for which a claim has not been asserted)

 

(b) Exit Fees. (i) If all or any part of the principal balance of any Loan is paid in whole or in part for any reason on or after the Stated Maturity Date (whether voluntary or mandatory, and whether before or after acceleration of the Obligations or the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding, but in any event including any such prepayment in connection with (I) a Change of Control, (II) an acceleration of the Obligations as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, (III) foreclosure and sale of, or collection of, the Collateral, (IV) sale of the Collateral in any Insolvency Proceeding, (V) the restructure, reorganization, or compromise of the Obligations by the confirmation of a plan of reorganization or any other plan of compromise, restructure, or arrangement in any Insolvency Proceeding, or (VI) the termination of this Agreement for any reason), Borrowers shall pay to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of all Lenders entitled to a portion of such prepayment or repayment, as liquidated damages and compensation for the costs of being prepared to make funds available hereunder with respect to the Loans, an exit fee (the “Exit Fee”) equal to the amount of such prepayment or repayment multiplied by the applicable Exit Fee Percentage as of the date of such prepayment or repayment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, to the extent that any Non-Consenting Lender is replaced pursuant to Section 2.22 on or after the Stated Maturity Date due to such Lender’s failure to approve a consent, waiver, or amendment, such Non-Consenting Lender shall be entitled to receive the Exit Fee in connection with such replacement in the amount that would have been payable in respect of the Term Loans of such Non-Consenting Lender under this clause (b)(i) had such Term Loans been the subject of a voluntary prepayment at such time; provided, that after any such payment of the Exit Fee to such Non-Consenting Lender pursuant to this sentence, the Exit Fee with respect to that portion of the Term Loans shall be deemed fully satisfied, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this clause (b), the Borrowers shall not be required to pay any additional Exit Fee on or after such date with respect to that portion of the Term Loans.

 

(c) (ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that if the Obligations are accelerated on or after the Stated Maturity Date for any reason, including because of default, the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding or other proceeding pursuant to any applicable debtor relief laws, sale, disposition, or encumbrance (including that by operation of law or otherwise), the Exit Fee, determined as of the date of acceleration, will also be due and payable as though said Obligations were voluntarily prepaid as of such date and shall constitute part of the Obligations, in view of the impracticability and extreme difficulty of ascertaining actual damages and by mutual agreement of the parties as to a reasonable calculation of each Lender’s lost profits as a result thereof. The Exit Fee payable in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence shall be presumed to be the liquidated damages sustained by each Lender as the result of the early termination, and Borrowers agree that it is reasonable under the circumstances. The Exit Fee shall also be payable in the event the Obligations (and/or this Agreement or the Notes evidencing the Obligations) are satisfied or released on or after the Stated Maturity Date by foreclosure (whether by power of judicial proceeding), deed in lieu of foreclosure, or by any other means. BORROWERS EXPRESSLY WAIVE THE PROVISIONS OF ANY PRESENT OR FUTURE STATUTE OR LAW THAT PROHIBITS OR MAY PROHIBIT THE COLLECTION OF THE FOREGOING EXIT FEE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH ACCELERATION. The Borrowers expressly agree that: (A) the Exit Fee is reasonable and is the product of an arm’s length transaction between sophisticated business people, ably represented by counsel, (B) the Exit Fee shall be payable notwithstanding the then prevailing market rates at the time payment is made, (C) there has been a course of conduct between Lenders and Borrowers giving specific consideration in this transaction for such agreement to pay the Exit Fee, and (D) Borrowers shall be estopped hereafter from claiming differently than as agreed to in this paragraph. The Borrowers expressly acknowledges that its agreement to pay the Exit Fee as herein described is a material inducement to the Lenders to provide the Commitments and make the Loans.

 

- 59 -

 

 

Section 2.11 [Reserved].

 

Section 2.12 Voluntary Prepayments.

 

(a) Voluntary Prepayments.

 

(i) Any time and from time to time after the Closing Date:

 

(A) with respect to Base Rate Loans, Borrower may prepay any such Loans on any Business Day in whole or in part, in an aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of that amount (or such lesser amount outstanding), and

 

(B) with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans, Borrower may prepay any such Loans on any Business Day in whole or in part (together with any amounts due pursuant to Section 2.17(c)) in an aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of that amount (or such lesser amount outstanding).

 

(ii) All such prepayments shall be made:

 

(A) upon not less than one Business Day’s prior written or telephonic notice in the case of Base Rate Loans, and

 

(B) upon not less than three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice in the case of LIBOR Rate Loans, in each case given to Administrative Agent by 10:00 a.m. (New York time) on the date required (and Administrative Agent will promptly transmit such notice for Term Loans to each Lender). Upon the giving of any such notice, unless such notice is expressly conditioned on the occurrence of another transaction, the principal amount of the Loans specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the prepayment date specified therein. Any such voluntary prepayment shall be applied as specified in Section 2.14(a).

 

Section 2.13 Mandatory Prepayments.

 

(a) Asset Sales. No later than the fifth Business Day following the date of receipt by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries of any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales (other than any Asset Sale of the type described in Section 6.09(a) through Section 6.09(d) or Section 6.09(f) through Section 6.09(n)), Lead Borrower shall prepay the Loans as set forth in Section 2.14(a) in an aggregate amount equal to such Net Proceeds; provided, that, so long as (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing as of the date of such Asset Sale, (ii) Lead Borrower has delivered Administrative Agent prior written notice of Lead Borrower’s intention to apply such monies (the “Reinvestment Amounts”) to the costs of replacement of the properties or assets that are the subject of such sale or disposition or the cost of purchase or construction of other assets useful in the business of the Loan Parties or their Subsidiaries reinvested within twelve (12) months (or within eighteen (18) months following receipt thereof if a contractual commitment to reinvest is entered into within twelve (12) months following receipt thereof), following the date of such Asset Sale, (iii) the monies are held in a Deposit Account in which Collateral Agent has a perfected first-priority security interest, and (iv) the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries complete such replacement, purchase, or construction within 12 months after the initial receipt of such monies (or within eighteen (18) months following receipt thereof if a contractual commitment to reinvest is entered into within twelve (12) months following receipt thereof), the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries shall have the option to apply such monies, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,250,000 in any Fiscal Year, so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, to the costs of replacement of the assets that are the subject of such sale or disposition or the costs of purchase or construction of other assets useful in the business of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries unless and to the extent that such applicable period shall have expired without such replacement, purchase, or construction being made or completed, in which case, any amounts remaining in the cash collateral account shall be paid to Administrative Agent and applied in accordance with Section 2.14(a); provided further that, notwithstanding the foregoing proviso all Net Proceeds from Refranchising Activity, any disposition of any of the Existing Businesses or a majority of the Capital Stock of any of the Existing Businesses or any store liquidation shall be applied in accordance with Section 2.14(a). Nothing contained in this Section 2.13(a) shall permit the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities) to sell or otherwise dispose of any assets other than in accordance with Section 6.09.

 

- 60 -

 

 

(b) Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds. No later than the fifth Business Day following the date of receipt by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or Collateral Agent as lender loss payee, of any Net Proceeds from insurance or any condemnation, taking, or other casualty, Lead Borrower shall prepay the Loans in an aggregate amount equal to such Net Proceeds; provided, that (i) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) Lead Borrower has delivered Administrative Agent prior written notice of Lead Borrower’s intention to apply the Reinvestment Amounts to the costs of replacement of the properties or assets that are the subject of such condemnation, taking, or other casualty or the cost of purchase or construction of other assets useful in the business of the Loan Parties or their Subsidiaries reinvested within twelve (12) months (or within 18 (eighteen) months following receipt thereof if a contractual commitment to reinvest is entered into within twelve (12) months following receipt thereof) following the date of the receipt of such Net Proceeds, (iii) the monies are held in a Deposit Account in which Collateral Agent has a perfected first-priority security interest, and (iv) the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries complete such replacement, purchase, or construction within twelve (12) months after the initial receipt of such monies (or within eighteen (18) months following receipt thereof if a contractual commitment to reinvest is entered into within twelve (12) months following receipt thereof), the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries shall have the option to apply such monies, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2,500,000 in any Fiscal Year, to the costs of replacement of the assets that are the subject of such condemnation, taking, or other casualty or the costs of purchase or construction of other assets useful in the business of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries unless and to the extent that such applicable period shall have expired without such replacement, purchase, or construction being made or completed, in which case, any amounts remaining in the cash collateral account shall be paid to Administrative Agent and applied in accordance with Section 2.14(a).

 

(c) [Reserved].

 

(d) Issuance of Debt. On the date of receipt by any Loan Party of any Cash proceeds from the incurrence of any Indebtedness of any Loan Party (other than with respect to any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 6.01), Lead Borrower shall prepay the Loans as set forth in Section 2.14(a) in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such proceeds, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and other reasonable costs and expenses associated therewith, in each case, paid to non-Affiliates, including reasonable legal fees and expenses.

 

- 61 -

 

 

(e) [Reserved].

 

(f) [Reserved].

 

(g) Extraordinary Receipts and Refranchising. On the date of receipt by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries of (i)  any Extraordinary Receipts or (ii) any Net Proceeds attributable to any Refranchising Activity by a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, Lead Borrower shall prepay or cause to be prepaid Loans as set forth in Section 2.14(a) in the amount of such Extraordinary Receipts or Net Proceeds, as applicable.

 

(h) Borrowing Base Ratio. No later than the second Business Day following each date upon which a Borrowing Base Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(k) after the Closing Date, Borrower shall prepay Loans as set forth in Section 2.14(a) in an aggregate amount sufficient to cause the Borrowing Base Ratio, as of the last day of such fiscal month (or such week, if weekly), on a pro forma basis giving effect to such prepayment, to be no less than 100%.

 

(i) [Reserved].

 

(j) Excluded Entity Limitations. Mandatory prepayments from Excluded Entities’ Net Proceeds or Extraordinary Receipts shall not be required to the extent the loan documentation governing Indebtedness for borrowed money of such Excluded Entities restricts either the prepayment of the Obligations with such Net Proceeds or Extraordinary Receipts or the distribution or transfer of such Net Proceeds or Extraordinary Receipts to Loan Parties to enable the Loan Parties to prepay the Obligations, and any such restriction was not entered into in contemplation of the relevant transaction.

 

(k) Prepayment Certificate. Concurrently with any prepayment of the Loans pursuant to Sections 2.13(a) through 2.13(g), Lead Borrower shall deliver to Administrative Agent a certificate of an Authorized Officer demonstrating the calculation of the amount of the applicable net proceeds and compensation owing to Lenders, if any, under Section 2.12(b). In the event that the actual amount received exceeded the amount set forth in such certificate, Lead Borrower shall promptly make an additional prepayment of the Loans, and Lead Borrower shall concurrently therewith deliver to Administrative Agent a certificate of an Authorized Officer demonstrating the derivation of such excess.

 

Section 2.14 Application of Prepayments/Reductions.

 

(a) Application of Prepayments of Term Loans. (i) Any prepayment of any Term Loan pursuant to Section 2.12 shall be applied as directed by the Lead Borrower (and absent such direction, in inverse order of maturity thereof), and (ii) any mandatory prepayment of any Loan pursuant to Section 2.13 shall be applied to reduce the then remaining installments of the Term Loans (including the installment thereof due on the Maturity Date) pro rata based upon the respective then remaining principal amounts thereof, in each case, until paid in full.

 

(b) [Reserved].

 

(c) At any time an Application Event has occurred and is continuing, all payments shall be applied pursuant to Section 2.15(g). Nothing contained herein shall modify the provisions of Section 2.10(b) or Section 2.15(b) regarding the requirement that all prepayments be accompanied by accrued interest and fees on the principal amount being prepaid to the date of such prepayment, or any requirement otherwise contained herein to pay all other amounts as the same become due and payable.

 

- 62 -

 

 

Section 2.15 General Provisions Regarding Payments.

 

(a) All payments by a Borrower of principal, interest, fees, and other Obligations shall be made in Dollars in immediately available funds, without defense, recoupment, setoff, or counterclaim, free of any restriction or condition, and delivered to Administrative Agent, for the account of Lenders, not later than noon (New York time) to Administrative Agent’s Account; funds received by Administrative Agent after that time on such due date shall be deemed to have been paid by a Borrower on the next Business Day.

 

(b) All payments in respect of the principal amount of any Loan shall be accompanied by payment of accrued interest on the principal amount being repaid or prepaid, the Exit Fee, and all other amounts payable with respect to the principal amount being repaid or prepaid.

 

(c) Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute to each Lender at such address as such Lender shall indicate in writing, such Lender’s applicable Pro Rata Share of all payments and prepayments of principal and interest due hereunder, together with all other amounts due with respect thereto, including, without limitation, all fees payable with respect thereto, to the extent received by Administrative Agent.

 

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions hereof, if any Conversion/Continuation Notice is withdrawn as to any Affected Lender or if any Affected Lender makes Base Rate Loans in lieu of its Pro Rata Share of any LIBOR Rate Loans, Administrative Agent shall give effect thereto in apportioning payments received thereafter.

 

(e) Subject to the provisos set forth in the definition of “Interest Period,” whenever any payment to be made hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day that is not a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall be included in the computation of the payment of interest hereunder.

 

(f) Administrative Agent shall deem any payment by or on behalf of a Borrower hereunder that is not made in same day funds prior to noon (New York time) to be a non-conforming payment. Any such payment shall not be deemed to have been received by Administrative Agent until the later of (i) the time such funds become available funds and (ii) the applicable next Business Day. Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice to Lead Borrower and each applicable Lender if any payment is non-conforming. Any non-conforming payment may constitute or become a Default or Event of Default in accordance with the terms of Section 8.01(a). Interest shall continue to accrue on any principal as to which a non-conforming payment is made until such funds become available funds (but in no event less than the period from the date of such payment to the next succeeding applicable Business Day) at the Default Rate determined pursuant to Section 2.09 from the date such amount was due and payable until the date such amount is paid in full.

 

(g) At any time an Application Event has occurred and is continuing, or the maturity of the Obligations shall have been accelerated pursuant to Section 8.01, all payments or proceeds received by any Agent hereunder or under any Collateral Document in respect of any of the Obligations, including, but not limited, to all proceeds received by any Agent in respect of any sale, any collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral, shall be applied in full or in part as follows:

 

(i) first, ratably to pay the Obligations in respect of any fees (other than the Exit Fee), expense reimbursements, indemnities, and other amounts then due and payable to the Agents until paid in full,

 

- 63 -

 

 

(ii) second, ratably to pay interest then due and payable in respect of Protective Advances until paid in full,

 

(iii) third, ratably to pay principal of Protective Advances then due and payable until paid in full,

 

(iv) fourth, ratably to pay the Obligations in respect of the Exit Fee then due and payable to Lenders with a Term Loan until paid in full, and

 

(v) fifth, to the ratable payment of all other Obligations then due and payable until paid in full.

 

(h) For purposes of Section 2.15(g) “paid in full” means payment in cash of all amounts owing under the Loan Documents according to the terms thereof, including loan fees, service fees, professional fees, interest (and specifically including any interest that accrues after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding), default interest, interest on interest, and expense reimbursements, regardless of whether the same would be or is allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding.

 

(i) In the event of a direct conflict between the priority provisions of Section 2.15(g) and other provisions contained in any other Loan Document, it is the intention of the parties hereto that both such priority provisions in such documents shall be read together and construed, to the fullest extent possible, to be in concert with each other. In the event of any actual, irreconcilable conflict that cannot be resolved as aforesaid, the terms and provisions of Section 2.15(g) shall control and govern.

 

Section 2.16 Ratable Sharing. Lenders hereby agree among themselves that, except as otherwise provided in the Collateral Documents with respect to amounts realized from the exercise of rights with respect to Liens on the Collateral, if any of them shall, whether by voluntary payment (other than a voluntary prepayment of Loans made and applied in accordance with the terms hereof), through the exercise of any right of set-off or banker’s lien, by counterclaim or cross action, or by the enforcement of any right under the Loan Documents or otherwise, or as adequate protection of a deposit treated as cash collateral under the Bankruptcy Code, receive payment or reduction of a proportion of the aggregate amount of principal, interest, fees, and other amounts then due and owing to such Lender hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (collectively, the “Aggregate Amounts Due” to such Lender) which is greater than the proportion received by any other Lender in respect of the Aggregate Amounts Due to such other Lender, then the Lender receiving such proportionately greater payment shall (a) notify Administrative Agent and each other Lender of the receipt of such payment and (b) apply a portion of such payment to purchase participations (which it shall be deemed to have purchased from each seller of a participation simultaneously upon the receipt by such seller of its portion of such payment) in the Aggregate Amounts Due to the other Lenders so that all such recoveries of Aggregate Amounts Due shall be shared by all Lenders in proportion to the Aggregate Amounts Due to them; provided, that if all or part of such proportionately greater payment received by such purchasing Lender is thereafter recovered from such Lender upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of Borrower or otherwise, those purchases shall be rescinded and the purchase prices paid for such participations shall be returned to such purchasing Lender ratably to the extent of such recovery, but without interest. Each Loan Party expressly consents to the foregoing arrangement and agrees that any holder of a participation so purchased may exercise any and all rights of banker’s lien, set-off, or counterclaim with respect to any and all monies owing by such Loan Party to that holder with respect thereto as fully as if that holder were owed the amount of the participation held by that holder.

 

- 64 -

 

 

Section 2.17 Making or Maintaining LIBOR Rate Loans.

 

(a) Inability to Determine Applicable Interest Rate. In the event that Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto), on any Interest Rate Determination Date with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loans, that by reason of circumstances affecting the London interbank market adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining the interest rate applicable to such LIBOR Rate Loans on the basis provided for in the definition of Adjusted LIBOR Rate, Administrative Agent shall on such date give notice to Lead Borrower and each Lender of such determination, whereupon (i) no Loans may be made as, or converted to, LIBOR Rate Loans until such time as Administrative Agent notifies Lead Borrower and Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, and (ii) any Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice given by Lead Borrower with respect to the Loans in respect of which such determination was made shall be deemed to be rescinded by Lead Borrower.

 

(b) Illegality or Impracticability of LIBOR Rate Loans. In the event that on any date any Lender shall have determined (which determination shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto but shall be made only after consultation with Lead Borrower and Administrative Agent) that the making, maintaining, or continuation of its LIBOR Rate Loans (i) has become unlawful as a result of compliance by such Lender in good faith with any law, treaty, governmental rule, regulation, guideline, or order (or would conflict with any such treaty, governmental rule, regulation, guideline, or order not having the force of law even though the failure to comply therewith would not be unlawful), or (ii) has become impracticable, as a result of contingencies occurring after the date hereof which materially and adversely affect the London interbank market or the position of such Lender in that market, then, and in any such event, such Lender shall be an “Affected Lender,” and it shall on that day give notice (by facsimile or by telephone confirmed in writing) to Lead Borrower and Administrative Agent of such determination (which notice Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each other Lender). Thereafter, (A) the obligation of the Affected Lender to make Loans as, or to convert Loans to, LIBOR Rate Loans shall be suspended until such notice shall be withdrawn by the Affected Lender, (B) to the extent such determination by the Affected Lender relates to a LIBOR Rate Loan then being requested by Lead Borrower pursuant to a Funding Notice or a Conversion/Continuation Notice, the Affected Lender shall make such Loan as (or continue such Loan as or convert such Loan to, as the case may be) a Base Rate Loan, (C) the Affected Lender’s obligation to maintain its outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans (the “Affected Loans”) shall be terminated at the earlier to occur of the expiration of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the Affected Loans or when required by law, and (D) the Affected Loans shall automatically convert into Base Rate Loans on the date of such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent a determination by an Affected Lender as described above relates to a LIBOR Rate Loan then being requested by Lead Borrower pursuant to a Funding Notice or a Conversion/Continuation Notice, Lead Borrower shall have the option, subject to the provisions of Section 2.17(c), to rescind such Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice as to all Lenders by giving notice to Administrative Agent of such rescission on the date on which the Affected Lender gives notice of its determination as described above (which notice of rescission Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each other Lender). Except as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, nothing in this Section 2.17(b) shall affect the obligation of any Lender other than an Affected Lender to make or maintain Loans as, or to convert Loans to, LIBOR Rate Loans in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

(c) Compensation for Breakage or Non-Commencement of Interest Periods. Lead Borrower shall compensate each Lender, upon written request by such Lender (which request shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis for requesting such amounts), for all reasonable losses, expenses, and liabilities (including any interest paid or calculated to be due and payable by such Lender to lenders of funds borrowed by it to make or carry its LIBOR Rate Loans and any loss, expense, or liability sustained by such Lender in connection with the liquidation or reemployment of such funds but excluding loss of anticipated profits) which such Lender may sustain: (i) if for any reason (other than a default by such Lender) a borrowing of any LIBOR Rate Loan does not occur on a date specified therefor in a Funding Notice or a telephonic request for borrowing, or a conversion to or continuation of any LIBOR Rate Loan does not occur on a date specified therefor in a Conversion/Continuation Notice or a telephonic request for conversion or continuation, (ii) if any prepayment or other principal payment of, or any conversion of, any of its LIBOR Rate Loans occurs on any day other than the last day of an Interest Period applicable to that Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise), or (iii) if any prepayment of any of its LIBOR Rate Loans is not made on any date specified in a notice of prepayment given by Lead Borrower.

 

- 65 -

 

 

(d) Booking of LIBOR Rate Loans. Any Lender may make, carry, or transfer LIBOR Rate Loans at, to, or for the account of any of its branch offices or the office of an Affiliate of such Lender.

 

(e) Assumptions Concerning Funding of LIBOR Rate Loans. Calculation of all amounts payable to a Lender under this Section 2.17 and under Section 2.18 shall be made as though such Lender had actually funded each of its relevant LIBOR Rate Loans through the purchase of a LIBOR deposit bearing interest at the rate obtained pursuant to clause (a)(i) of the definition of Adjusted LIBOR Rate in an amount equal to the amount of such LIBOR Rate Loan and having a maturity comparable to the relevant Interest Period and through the transfer of such LIBOR deposit from an offshore office of such Lender to a domestic office of such Lender in the United States of America; provided, that each Lender may fund each of its LIBOR Rate Loans in any manner it sees fit, and the foregoing assumptions shall be utilized only for the purposes of calculating amounts payable under this Section 2.17 and under Section 2.18.

 

Section 2.18 Increased Costs.

 

(a) Compensation For Increased Costs and Taxes. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.19 (which shall be controlling with respect to the matters covered thereby), in the event that any Lender shall determine (which determination shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto) that any law, treaty, or governmental rule, regulation, or order, or any change therein or in the interpretation, administration, or application thereof (including the introduction of any new law, treaty, or governmental rule, regulation, or order), or any determination of a court or Governmental Authority, in each case that becomes effective after the date hereof, or compliance by such Lender with any guideline, request, or directive issued or made after the date hereof by any central bank or other governmental or quasi-Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of law): (i) subjects such Lender (or its applicable lending office) to any additional Tax (other than Indemnified Tax or any Tax described under clauses (ii) through (iv) of Section 2.19(a)) with respect to this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or any of its obligations hereunder or thereunder or any payments to such Lender (or its applicable lending office) of principal, interest, fees or any other amounts payable hereunder, (ii) imposes, modifies, or holds applicable any reserve (including any marginal, emergency, supplemental, special, or other reserve), special deposit, compulsory loan, FDIC insurance, or similar requirement against assets held by, or deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of, or advances or loans by, or other credit extended by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any office of such Lender (other than any such reserve or other requirements with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans that are reflected in the definition of Adjusted LIBOR Rate), or (iii) imposes any other condition (other than with respect to a Tax matter) on or affecting such Lender (or its applicable lending office) or its obligations hereunder or the London interbank market; and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender of agreeing to make, making, or maintaining Loans hereunder or to reduce any amount received or receivable by such Lender (or its applicable lending office) with respect thereto; then, in any such case, Lead Borrower shall promptly pay to such Lender, upon receipt of the statement referred to in the next sentence, such additional amount or amounts (in the form of an increased rate of, or a different method of calculating, interest or otherwise as such Lender shall determine in its reasonable discretion) as may be necessary to compensate such Lender for any such increased cost or reduction in amounts received or receivable hereunder. Such Lender shall deliver to Lead Borrower (with a copy to Administrative Agent) a written statement, setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for calculating the additional amounts owed to such Lender under this Section 2.18(a), which statement shall be conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto absent manifest error.

 

- 66 -

 

 

Section 2.19 Taxes; Withholding, etc.

 

(a) Withholding of Taxes. All sums payable by any Loan Party hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall (except to the extent required by applicable law) be paid free and clear of, and without any deduction or withholding on account of, any Tax, other than (i) Taxes imposed on or measured by the recipient’s net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, imposed on the recipient, in each case, (A) as a result of such recipient being organized under the laws of, having its principal office in, or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office is located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof), or (B) as the result of any present or former connection between such recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections 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, or engaged in any other transaction pursuant to, or enforced any, Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document) (Taxes described in this clause (i)(B), “Other Connection Taxes”), (ii) in the case of a Lender, United States federal income withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (x) such Lender becomes a party hereto or acquires an interest in the Loan (other than pursuant to an assignment request by a Loan Party under Section 2.22), or (y) such Lender changes its lending office, except that this clause (ii) shall not apply to the extent that, pursuant to this Section 2.19, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (iii) Taxes attributable to such recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.19(d), and (iv) withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA (all such excluded Taxes, collectively or individually, “Excluded Taxes” and all such non-excluded Taxes, collectively or individually, “Indemnified Taxes”). If any Loan Party or any other Person is required by applicable law to make any deduction or withholding on account of any Indemnified Tax or Other Tax from any sum paid or payable by any Loan Party to any Agent or any Lender under any of the Loan Documents: (1) Lead Borrower shall notify Administrative Agent of any such requirement as soon as reasonably practicable after Lead Borrower becomes aware of it, (2) Lead Borrower shall timely pay any such Tax, (3) the sum payable by such Loan Party shall be increased to the extent necessary to ensure that, after the making of that deduction, withholding, or payment (including any deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section), such Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, receives on the due date an amount equal to what it would have received had no such deduction, withholding, or payment been required or made, and (4) within thirty days after paying any sum from which it is required by law to make any deduction or withholding, Lead Borrower shall deliver to Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by the applicable 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.

 

(b) Other Taxes. The Loan Parties shall pay to the relevant Governmental Authorities any present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other 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 2.22) (“Other Taxes”). Within thirty days after paying any such Other Taxes, each Loan Party shall deliver to 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.

 

- 67 -

 

 

(c) Tax Indemnification. The Loan Parties hereby jointly and severally indemnify and agree to hold each Agent and Lender harmless from and against all Indemnified Taxes and (without duplication) Other Taxes (including, without limitation, Indemnified Taxes and Other Taxes imposed on any amounts payable under this Section 2.19) payable or paid by such Person or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Person and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. Such indemnification shall be paid within ten (10) days from the date on which any Agent or Lender makes written demand therefor specifying in reasonable detail the nature and amount of such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower 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.

 

(d) Evidence of Exemption From or Reduction of U.S. Withholding Tax.

 

(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 a Loan Party and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by a Loan Party or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by a Loan Party 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 a Loan Party or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by a Loan Party or the Administrative Agent as will enable a Loan Party 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 paragraphs (ii), (iv) and (v) of this Section) 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) Each Lender that is not a United States Person (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code) for United States federal income Tax purposes (a “Non-US Lender”) shall deliver to Administrative Agent (for transmission to Borrower upon Borrower’s written request), on or prior to the Closing Date (in the case of each Lender listed on the signature pages hereof on the Closing Date) or on or prior to the date such Person becomes a Lender hereunder, and at such other times as may be necessary in the determination of Administrative Agent (in its reasonable exercise of its discretion) or upon the reasonable request of a Loan Party, (i) two original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY (with appropriate attachments), W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, or W-8ECI (or any successor forms), as applicable, properly completed and duly executed by such Lender to establish that such Lender is not subject to, or is subject to a reduced rate of, deduction or withholding of United States federal income Tax with respect to any payments to such Lender of principal, interest, fees, or other amounts payable under any of the Loan Documents, and (ii) if such Lender is claiming exemption from United States federal income Tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, a Certificate Regarding Non-Bank Status, properly completed and duly executed by such Lender. Each Lender required to deliver any forms or certificates with respect to United States federal income Tax withholding matters pursuant to this Section 2.19(d) hereby agrees, from time to time after the initial delivery by such Lender of such forms or certificates, whenever a lapse in time or change in circumstances renders such forms or certificates obsolete or inaccurate in any material respect, that such Lender shall deliver to Administrative Agent (for transmission to Borrower) two new original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY (with appropriate attachments thereto), W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, or W-8ECI, as applicable, and, if applicable, a Certificate Regarding Non-Bank Status (or any successor forms), as the case may be, properly completed and duly executed by such Lender, or promptly notify Administrative Agent and Borrower of its inability to deliver any such forms or certificates. Notwithstanding the above, a Non-US Lender shall not be required to deliver any form pursuant to this Section 2.19(d)(ii) that such Non-US Lender is not legally able to deliver.

 

- 68 -

 

 

(iii) Any Non-US Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or about the date on which such Non-US Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of a Loan Party 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 United States federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit a Loan Party or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.

 

(iv) If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to United States 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 Internal Revenue Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to Borrower and Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by a Loan Party or Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by a Loan Party or Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Loan Party and 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 Section 2.19(d)(iv), FATCA shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the above, a Lender shall not be required to deliver any form or other form of documentation pursuant to this Section 2.19(d)(iv) that such Non-US Lender is not legally able to deliver.

 

(v) Each Lender that is a United States Person (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code) for United States federal income Tax purposes shall deliver to Administrative Agent (for transmission to Borrower), on or prior to the Closing Date (in the case of each such Lender listed on the signature pages hereof on the Closing Date) or on or prior to the date such Person becomes a Lender hereunder, and at such other times as may be necessary in the determination of Administrative Agent (in its reasonable exercise of its discretion) or upon the reasonable request of a Loan Party, two original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 (or any successor forms) properly completed and duly executed by such Lender to establish that such Lender is not subject to United States backup withholding Taxes with respect to any payments to such Lender of principal, interest, fees, or other amounts payable under any of the Loan Documents.

 

- 69 -

 

 

(e) 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 2.19 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.19), 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 2.19 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 (e) (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 (e), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (e) 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 with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph 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.

 

(f) Survival. Each party’s obligations under this Section 2.19 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.

 

(g) For purposes of this Section 2.19, “applicable law” shall include FATCA.

 

Section 2.20 Obligation to Mitigate. Each Lender agrees that, as promptly as practicable after the officer of such Lender responsible for administering its Loans, as the case may be, becomes aware of the occurrence of an event or the existence of a condition that would cause such Lender to become an Affected Lender or that would entitle such Lender to receive payments under Section 2.17, 2.18, or 2.19, it will, to the extent not inconsistent with the internal policies of such Lender and any applicable legal or regulatory restrictions, use reasonable efforts to (a) make, issue, fund, or maintain its Credit Extensions, including any Affected Loans, through another office of such Lender or (b) take such other measures as such Lender may deem reasonable, if as a result thereof the circumstances which would cause such Lender to be an Affected Lender would cease to exist or the additional amounts which would otherwise be required to be paid to such Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, 2.18, or 2.19 would be materially reduced and if, as determined by such Lender in its sole discretion, the making, funding, or maintaining of such Loans through such other office or in accordance with such other measures, as the case may be, would not otherwise adversely affect such Loans or the interests of such Lender; provided, that such Lender will not be obligated to utilize such other office pursuant to this Section 2.20 unless Lead Borrower agrees to pay all incremental expenses incurred by such Lender as a result of utilizing such other office as described above. A certificate as to the amount of any such expenses payable by Lead Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.20 (setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for requesting such amount) submitted by such Lender to Lead Borrower (with a copy to Administrative Agent) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

- 70 -

 

 

Section 2.21 Defaulting Lenders. Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that any Lender violates any provision of Section 9.05(c), or, other than at the direction or request of any regulatory agency or authority, defaults (in each case, a “Defaulting Lender”) in its obligation to fund (a “Funding Default”) any Term Loan (in each case, a “Defaulted Loan”), then (a) during any Default Period with respect to such Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender shall be deemed not to be a “Lender” for purposes of voting on any matters (including the granting of any consents or waivers) with respect to any of the Loan Documents, and (b) to the extent permitted by applicable law, until such time as the Default Excess, if any, with respect to such Defaulting Lender shall have been reduced to zero, (i) any voluntary prepayment of the Term Loans shall, if Administrative Agent so directs at the time of making such voluntary prepayment, be applied to the Term Loans of other Lenders as if such Defaulting Lender had no Term Loans outstanding and the outstanding Term Loans of such Defaulting Lender were zero and (ii) any mandatory prepayment of the Term Loans shall, if Administrative Agent so directs at the time of making such mandatory prepayment, be applied to the Term Loans of other Lenders (but not to the Term Loans of such Defaulting Lender) as if such Defaulting Lender had funded all Defaulted Loans of such Defaulting Lender, it being understood and agreed that Borrower shall be entitled to retain any portion of any mandatory prepayment of the Term Loans that is not paid to such Defaulting Lender solely as a result of the operation of the provisions of this clause (b). No Term Loan Commitment of any Lender shall be increased or otherwise affected, and, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Section 2.21, performance by the Loan Parties of their obligations hereunder and the other Loan Documents shall not be excused or otherwise modified as a result of any Funding Default or the operation of this Section 2.21. The rights and remedies against a Defaulting Lender under this Section 2.21 are in addition to other rights and remedies which the Loan Parties may have against such Defaulting Lender with respect to any Funding Default and which Administrative Agent or any Lender may have against such Defaulting Lender with respect to any Funding Default or violation of Section 9.05(c).

 

Section 2.22 Removal or Replacement of a Lender. Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that: (a) (i) any Lender (an “Increased Cost Lender”) shall give notice to Lead Borrower that such Lender is an Affected Lender or that such Lender is entitled to receive payments under Section 2.18, 2.19, or 2.20, (ii) the circumstances which have caused such Lender to be an Affected Lender or which entitle such Lender to receive such payments shall remain in effect, and (iii) such Lender shall fail to withdraw such notice within five Business Days after Lead Borrower’s request for such withdrawal, (b) (i) any Lender shall become a Defaulting Lender, (ii) the Default Period for such Defaulting Lender shall remain in effect, and (iii) such Defaulting Lender shall fail to cure the default as a result of which it has become a Defaulting Lender within five Business Days after Lead Borrower’s request that it cure such default, or (c) in connection with any proposed amendment, modification, termination, waiver, or consent with respect to any of the provisions hereof as contemplated by Section 10.05(b), the consent of Administrative Agent and Required Lenders shall have been obtained but the consent of one or more of such other Lenders (each a “Non-Consenting Lender”) whose consent is required shall not have been obtained; then, with respect to each such Increased Cost Lender, Defaulting Lender, or Non-Consenting Lender (the “Terminated Lender”), (x) Administrative Agent may (except as to any Increased Cost Lender), by giving written notice to Lead Borrower and any Terminated Lender of its election to do so, and (y) the Lead Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent and any Terminated Lender, in the case of each of clauses (x) and (y), require such Terminated Lender (and such Terminated Lender hereby irrevocably agrees) to assign its outstanding Loans and Commitments, if any, in full to one or more Eligible Assignees (each a “Replacement Lender”) in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.06, and Terminated Lender shall pay any fees payable thereunder in connection with such assignment; provided, that (A) on the date of such assignment, the Replacement Lender shall pay to Terminated Lender an amount equal to the sum of (1) an amount equal to the principal of, and all accrued interest on, all outstanding Loans of the Terminated Lender, together with, in the case of a Non-Consenting Lender, the Exit Fee with respect thereto (as if such Loans had been prepaid to such Non-Consenting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12 hereof) and (2) an amount equal to all accrued, but theretofore unpaid fees owing to such Terminated Lender pursuant to Section 2.10, (B) on the date of such assignment, Lead Borrower shall pay any amounts payable to such Terminated Lender pursuant to Section 2.18 or 2.19, (C) in the event such Terminated Lender is a Non-Consenting Lender, each Replacement Lender shall consent, at the time of such assignment, to each matter in respect of which such Terminated Lender was a Non-Consenting Lender. Upon the prepayment of all amounts owing to any Terminated Lender and the termination of such Terminated Lender’s Commitments, if any, such Terminated Lender shall no longer constitute a “Lender” for purposes hereof; provided, that any rights of such Terminated Lender to indemnification hereunder shall survive as to such Terminated Lender, and (D) the Administrative Agent shall take all actions reasonably required to effect any assignment that the Lead Borrower may require pursuant to, and in compliance with, this Section 2.22.

 

- 71 -

 

 

Section 2.23 Joint and Several Liability.

 

(a) Each Borrower is accepting joint and several liability hereunder and under the other Loan Documents in consideration of the financial accommodations to be provided by Agents and Lenders under this Agreement, for the mutual benefit, directly and indirectly, of each Borrower and in consideration of the undertakings of the other Borrower to accept joint and several liability for the Obligations.

 

(b) Each Borrower, jointly and severally, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally accepts, not merely as a surety but also as a co-debtor, joint and several liability with the other Borrower, with respect to the payment and performance of all of the Obligations (including any Obligations arising under this Section 2.23), it being the intention of the parties hereto that all the Obligations shall be the joint and several obligations of each Borrower without preferences or distinction among them. Accordingly, each Borrower hereby waives any and all suretyship defenses that would otherwise be available to such Borrower under applicable law.

 

(c) If and to the extent that any Borrower shall fail to make any payment with respect to any of the Obligations as and when due, whether upon maturity, acceleration, or otherwise, or to perform any of the Obligations in accordance with the terms thereof, then in each such event the other Borrower will make such payment with respect to, or perform, such Obligations until such time as all of the Obligations are paid in full, and without the need for demand, protest, or any other notice or formality.

 

(d) The Obligations of each Borrower under the provisions of this Section 2.23 constitute the absolute and unconditional, full recourse Obligations of each Borrower enforceable against each Borrower to the full extent of its properties and assets, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the provisions of this Agreement (other than this Section 2.23(d)) or any other circumstances whatsoever.

 

- 72 -

 

 

(e) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, each Borrower hereby waives presentments, demands for performance, protests and notices, including notices of acceptance of its joint and several liability, notice of any portion of the Term Loans issued under or pursuant to this Agreement, notice of the occurrence of any Default, Event of Default, notices of nonperformance, notices of protest, notices of dishonor, notices of acceptance of this Agreement, notices of the existence, creation, or incurring of new or additional Obligations or other financial accommodations or of any demand for any payment under this Agreement, notice of any action at any time taken or omitted by Administrative Agent or Lenders under or in respect of any of the Obligations, any right to proceed against any other Borrower or any other Person, to proceed against or exhaust any security held from any other Borrower or any other Person, to protect, secure, perfect, or insure any security interest or Lien on any property subject thereto or exhaust any right to take any action against any other Borrower, any other Person, or any collateral, to pursue any other remedy in Administrative Agent or any Lender’s power whatsoever, any requirement of diligence or to mitigate damages and, generally, to the extent permitted by applicable law, all demands, notices and other formalities of every kind in connection with this Agreement (except as otherwise provided in this Agreement), any right to assert against Administrative Agent or any Lender, any defense (legal or equitable) (other than performance), set-off, counterclaim, or claim which each Borrower may now or at any time hereafter have against any other Borrower or any other party liable to Administrative Agent or any Lender, any defense (other than performance), set-off, counterclaim, or claim, of any kind or nature, arising directly or indirectly from the present or future lack of perfection, sufficiency, validity, or enforceability of the Obligations or any security therefor, and any right or defense arising by reason of any claim or defense based upon an election of remedies by Administrative Agent or any Lender including any defense based upon an impairment or elimination of such Borrower’s rights of subrogation, reimbursement, contribution, or indemnity of such Borrower against any other Borrower. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Borrower hereby assents to, and waives notice of, any extension or postponement of the time for the payment of any of the Obligations, the acceptance of any payment of any of the Obligations, the acceptance of any partial payment thereon, any waiver, consent or other action or acquiescence by Administrative Agent or Lenders at any time or times in respect of any default by any Borrower in the performance or satisfaction of any term, covenant, condition or provision of this Agreement, any and all other indulgences whatsoever by Administrative Agent or Lenders in respect of any of the Obligations, and the taking, addition, substitution or release, in whole or in part, at any time or times, of any security for any of the Obligations or the addition, substitution or release, in whole or in part, of any Borrower. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Borrower assents to any other action or delay in acting or failure to act on the part of Administrative Agent or any Lender with respect to the failure by any Borrower to comply with any of its respective Obligations, including any failure strictly or diligently to assert any right or to pursue any remedy or to comply fully with applicable laws or regulations thereunder, which might, but for the provisions of this Section 2.23 afford grounds for terminating, discharging or relieving any Borrower, in whole or in part, from any of its Obligations under this Section 2.23, it being the intention of each Borrower that, so long as any of the Obligations hereunder remain unsatisfied, the Obligations of each Borrower under this Section 2.23 shall not be discharged except by performance and then only to the extent of such performance. The Obligations of each Borrower under this Section 2.23 shall not be diminished or rendered unenforceable by any winding up, reorganization, arrangement, liquidation, reconstruction or similar proceeding with respect to any other Borrower, Administrative Agent or any Lender. Each Borrower waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting its liability hereunder or the enforcement hereof. Any payment by any Borrower or other circumstance which operates to toll any statute of limitations as to any Borrower shall operate to toll the statute of limitations as to each Borrower. Each Borrower waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of any Borrower or any other Person, other than payment of the Obligations to the extent of such payment, based on or arising out of the disability of any Borrower or any other Person, or the validity, legality, or unenforceability of the Obligations or any part thereof from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of any Borrower other than payment of the Obligations to the extent of such payment. Agent may, at the election of the Required Lenders, foreclose upon any Collateral held by Administrative Agent by one or more judicial or non-judicial sales or other dispositions, whether or not every aspect of any such sale is commercially reasonable or otherwise fails to comply with applicable law or may exercise any other right or remedy Administrative Agent or any Lender may have against any Borrower or any other Person, or any security, in each case, without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of any Borrower hereunder except to the extent the Obligations have been paid.

 

- 73 -

 

 

(f) Each Borrower represents and warrants to Administrative Agent and Lenders that such Borrower is currently informed of the financial condition of Borrower and of all other circumstances which a diligent inquiry would reveal and which bear upon the risk of nonpayment of the Obligations. Each Borrower further represents and warrants to Administrative Agent and Lenders that such Borrower has read and understands the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents. Each Borrower hereby covenants that such Borrower will continue to keep informed of Borrower’s financial condition and of all other circumstances which bear upon the risk of nonpayment or nonperformance of the Obligations.

 

(g) The provisions of this Section 2.23 are made for the benefit of Administrative Agent, each Lender, and their respective successors and assigns, and may be enforced by it or them from time to time against any or all Borrowers as often as occasion therefor may arise and without requirement on the part of Administrative Agent, any Lender, or any of their successors or assigns first to marshal any of its or their claims or to exercise any of its or their rights against any Borrower or to exhaust any remedies available to it or them against any Borrower or to resort to any other source or means of obtaining payment of any of the Obligations hereunder or to elect any other remedy. The provisions of this Section 2.23 shall remain in effect until all of the Obligations shall have been paid in full or otherwise fully satisfied. If at any time, any payment, or any part thereof, made in respect of any of the Obligations, is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by Administrative Agent or any Lender upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Borrower, or otherwise, the provisions of this Section 2.23 will forthwith be reinstated in effect, as though such payment had not been made.

 

- 74 -

 

 

(h) Each Borrower hereby agrees that it will not enforce any of its rights that arise from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of the provisions of this Section 2.23, including rights of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution or indemnification and any right to participate in any claim or remedy of Administrative Agent or any Lender against any Borrower, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity or under contract, statute or common law, including the right to take or receive from any Borrower, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or security solely on account of such claim, remedy or right, unless and until such time as all of the Obligations have been paid in full in cash. Any claim which any Borrower may have against any other Borrower with respect to any payments to Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder are hereby expressly made subordinate and junior in right of payment, without limitation as to any increases in the Obligations arising hereunder or thereunder, to the prior payment in full in cash of the Obligations and, in the event of any insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar proceeding under the laws of any jurisdiction relating to any Borrower, its debts or its assets, whether voluntary or involuntary, all such Obligations shall be paid in full in cash before any payment or distribution of any character, whether in cash, securities or other property, shall be made to any other Borrower therefor. If any amount shall be paid to any Borrower in violation of the immediately preceding sentence, such amount shall be held in trust for the benefit of Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and shall forthwith be paid to Administrative Agent to be credited and applied to the Obligations and all other amounts payable under this Agreement, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, or to be held as Collateral for any Obligations or other amounts payable under this Agreement thereafter arising. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, no Borrower may exercise any rights of subrogation, contribution, indemnity, reimbursement or other similar rights against, and may not proceed or seek recourse against or with respect to any property or asset of, any other Borrower (the “Foreclosed Borrower”), including after payment in full of the Obligations, if all or any portion of the Obligations have been satisfied in connection with an exercise of remedies in respect of the Capital Stock of such Foreclosed Borrower whether pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise.

 

(i) Each Borrower hereby acknowledges and affirms that it understands that to the extent the Obligations are secured by Real Property (as such term is defined in the Security Agreement) located in California, Borrower shall be liable for the full amount of the liability hereunder notwithstanding the foreclosure on such Real Property by trustee sale or any other reason impairing such Borrower’s right to proceed against any other Loan Party. In accordance with Section 2856 of the California Civil Code or any similar laws of any other applicable jurisdiction, each Borrower hereby waives until such time as the Obligations have been paid in full:

 

(i) all rights of subrogation, reimbursement, indemnification, and contribution and any other rights and defenses that are or may become available to Borrower by reason of Sections 2787 to 2855, inclusive, 2899, and 3433 of the California Civil Code or any similar laws of any other applicable jurisdiction;

 

- 75 -

 

 

(ii) all rights and defenses that Borrower may have because the Obligations are secured by Real Property (as such term is defined in the Security Agreement) located in California, meaning, among other things, that: (A) Administrative Agent and the Lenders may collect from Borrower without first foreclosing on any real or personal property collateral pledged by any Loan Party, and (B) if Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, forecloses on any Real Property (as such term is defined in the Security Agreement) pledged by any Loan Party, (1) the amount of the Obligations may be reduced only by the price for which that collateral is sold at the foreclosure sale, even if the collateral is worth more than the sale price, and (2) Administrative Agent and the Lenders may collect from the Loan Parties even if, by foreclosing on the Real Property (as such term is defined in the Security Agreement), Administrative Agent or the Lenders have destroyed or impaired any right Borrower may have to collect from any other Loan Party, it being understood that this is an unconditional and irrevocable waiver of any rights and defenses Borrower may have because the Obligations are secured by Real Property (including any rights or defenses based upon Sections 580a, 580d, or 726 of the California Code of Civil Procedure or any similar laws of any other applicable jurisdiction); and

 

(iii) all rights and defenses arising out of an election of remedies by Administrative Agent and the Lenders, even though that election of remedies, such as a nonjudicial foreclosure with respect to security for the Obligations, has destroyed Borrower’s rights of subrogation and reimbursement against any other Loan Party by the operation of Section 580d of the California Code of Civil Procedure or any similar laws of any other applicable jurisdiction or otherwise.

 

Section 2.24 Lead Borrower. Each Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints Lead Borrower as the borrowing agent and attorney-in-fact for each Borrower, which appointment shall remain in full force and effect unless and until Administrative Agent shall have received prior written notice signed by each Borrower that such appointment has been revoked and that another Borrower has been appointed Lead Borrower. Each Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes Lead Borrower (a) to provide Administrative Agent with all notices with respect to Term Loans obtained for the benefit of any Borrower and all other notices and instructions under this Agreement and (b) to take such action as Lead Borrower deems appropriate on its behalf to carry out the purposes of this Agreement. It is understood that the handling of the Term Loans and the Collateral of Loan Parties in a combined fashion, as more fully set forth herein, is done solely as an accommodation to the Borrowers in order to utilize the collective borrowing powers of the Borrowers in the most efficient and economical manner and at their request, and that Administrative Agent shall not incur any liability to any Borrower as a result hereof. Each Borrower expects to derive benefit, directly or indirectly, from the handling of Term Loans and the Collateral in a combined fashion since the successful operation of each Borrower is dependent on the continued successful performance of the integrated group.

 

ARTICLE III
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

Section 3.01 Closing Date. The obligation of each Lender to make a Credit Extension on the Closing Date is subject to the satisfaction, or waiver in accordance with Section 10.05, of the following conditions on or before the Closing Date:  

 

(a) Loan Documents. Administrative Agent shall have received copies of each Loan Document executed by each applicable Loan Party.

 

- 76 -

 

 

(b) Organizational Documents; Incumbency. Administrative Agent shall have received (i) copies of each Organizational Document executed by each Loan Party, as applicable, and, to the extent applicable, certified as of a recent date by the appropriate governmental official, each dated the Closing Date or a recent date prior thereto, (ii) signature and incumbency certificates of the officers of such Person executing the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (iii) resolutions of the Board or similar governing body of each Loan Party, in each case, approving and authorizing the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party or by which it or its assets may be bound as of the Closing Date, certified as of the Closing Date by its secretary or an assistant secretary or other similar responsible officer as being in full force and effect without modification or amendment, and (iv) a good standing certificate from the applicable Governmental Authority of each Loan Party’s jurisdiction of incorporation, organization, or formation dated a recent date prior to the Closing Date.

 

(c) Consummation of the Acquisition. The Acquisition shall have been consummated substantially simultaneously with the initial Credit Extension hereunder in accordance with the terms of the Acquisition Agreement (and no provision of the Acquisition Agreement shall have been waived, amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified (including any consents thereunder) in a manner materially adverse to the Lenders without the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed, or conditioned)).

 

(d) Existing Indebtedness. On the Closing Date, substantially simultaneously with the initial Credit Extension hereunder, Global Parent and its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) shall have (i) repaid in full all Existing Indebtedness, (ii) terminated any commitments to lend or make other extensions of credit thereunder and (iii) delivered to Administrative Agent (or filed directly or indirectly) all documents or instruments necessary to (x) release all Liens in favor of the secured parties under the Existing Indebtedness on the assets and other property (including Capital Stock) of Global Parent and its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) and (y) terminate any guarantees in respect of such Existing Indebtedness.

 

(e) [Intentionally Omitted].

 

(f) [Intentionally Omitted].

 

(g) Personal Property Collateral. In order to create in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a valid, perfected First Priority security interest in personal property Collateral, Collateral Agent shall have received:

 

(i) evidence satisfactory to Collateral Agent of the compliance by each Loan Party of its obligations under the Security Agreement and the other Collateral Documents to which they are parties (including, without limitation, their obligations to authorize or execute, as the case may be, and deliver UCC financing statements, originals of securities, instruments and chattel paper, and any agreements governing deposit and/or securities accounts as provided therein), together with (A) appropriate financing statements on Form UCC-1 duly filed in such office or offices as may be necessary or, in the opinion of Collateral Agent, desirable to perfect the security interests purported to be created by each Security Agreement, and (B) evidence satisfactory to Collateral Agent of the filing of such UCC-1 financing statements,

 

(ii) original certificates (if any) with respect to all of the Capital Stock issued by any of the Loan Parties, together with undated powers executed in blank with respect thereto (provided, that any such certificates issued by any Person other than Borrower shall only be required to be delivered on the Closing Date to the extent timely received after using commercially reasonable efforts to obtain them), and

 

- 77 -

 

 

(iii) A completed Initial Perfection Certificate dated the Closing Date and executed by an Authorized Officer of each Loan Party, together with all attachments contemplated thereby.

 

(h) Opinions of Counsel. Lenders and their respective counsel shall have received executed copies of the favorable written opinions of counsel for Loan Parties, and as to such other matters as Administrative Agent may reasonably request, dated as of the Closing Date and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent (and such counsel is hereby instructed to deliver such opinions to Agents and Lenders).

 

(i) Fees and Expenses. All accrued costs, fees, and expenses (including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses and the fees and expenses of any other advisors) and other compensation due and payable to Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, and the Lenders and required by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, the Fee Letter, Section 2.10(a), and Section 10.02 hereof) to be paid on the Closing Date shall have been paid, in the case of expenses, to the extent a reasonably detailed invoice has been delivered to Lead Borrower.

 

(j) Solvency Certificate. On the Closing Date, Administrative Agent shall have received a solvency certificate of the chief operating officer or chief financial officer of the Lead Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2, dated as of the Closing Date and addressed to the Agents and Lenders.

 

(k) Closing Date Certificate. Lead Borrower shall have delivered to the Agents an executed Closing Date Certificate, together with all attachments thereto.

 

(l) No Material Adverse Effect. Since December 28, 2019, there shall not have occurred a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Acquisition Agreement).

 

(m) Bank Regulations. (a) Each Loan Party shall have provided to the Lenders no less than three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date the documentation and other information that are reasonably requested by the Lenders no later than 10 days prior to the Closing Date under the applicable “know-your-customer” rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the PATRIOT Act and (b) at least three days prior to the Closing Date, any Loan Party that qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation shall deliver a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to such Loan Party, which such Beneficial Ownership Certification shall be complete and accurate in all respects.

 

(n) Funding Notice. Administrative Agent shall have received a fully executed and delivered Funding Notice (which on the Closing Date shall be satisfied by the execution and delivery of the Flow of Funds Agreement).

 

(o) Specified Acquisition Agreement Representations and Specified Representations. As of the Closing Date, the Specified Acquisition Agreement Representations and the Specified Representations 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).

 

(p) GACP Credit Agreement. Administrative Agent shall have received a fully executed and effective GACP Credit Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent with aggregate “Term Loan Commitments” thereunder of at least $575,000,000.

 

- 78 -

 

 

(q) Intercreditor Agreement. Administrative Agent shall have received a fully executed and effective Intercreditor Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

 

(r) Financial Statements; Projections. Lenders shall have received from Global Parent (i) Historical Financial Statements, (ii) pro forma consolidated balance sheets of the Loan Parties as at the Closing Date, and reflecting the consummation of the Transactions contemplated to occur on or prior to the Closing Date, which pro forma financial statements shall be in form and substance satisfactory to each Agent, and (iii) the Projections.

 

(s) Evidence of Insurance. Collateral Agent shall have received a certificate from Lead Borrower’s or Global Parent’s insurance broker or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to it that all insurance required to be maintained pursuant to Section 5.05 is in full force and effect, together with endorsements naming Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, as additional insured and lender loss payee thereunder to the extent required under Section 5.05, in each case, in form and substance satisfactory to Collateral Agent.

 

(t) Closing Date Equity.  Administrative Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that Ultimate Parent and/or the Permitted Holders shall have contributed (or caused to be contributed), directly or indirectly, cash equity contributions to Lead Borrower and its subsidiaries (in the form of (i) common equity or (ii) pay-in-kind preferred equity reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent) in an aggregate amount of equal to $7,500,000 (the “Closing Date Equity”), the proceeds of which may be used to pay the aggregate purchase price for the Acquisition (notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement) or for other general corporate purposes;

 

Each Lender, by delivering its signature page to this Agreement and funding a Loan on the Closing Date, shall be deemed to have acknowledged receipt of, and consented to and approved, each Loan Document and each other document required to be approved by any Agent, Required Lenders, or Lenders, as applicable, on the Closing Date.

 

ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

In order to induce Agents and Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make each Credit Extension to be made thereby, each Loan Party represents and warrants to each Agent and Lenders, on the Closing Date, that the following statements are true and correct:

 

Section 4.01 Organization; Requisite Power and Authority; Qualification. Each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) (a) is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization as identified in Schedule 4.1, (b) has all requisite power and authority to own and operate its properties, to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, to enter into the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to carry out the transactions contemplated thereby and, in the case of the Borrowers, to make the borrowings hereunder, and (c) is qualified to do business and in good standing in every jurisdiction where its assets are located and wherever necessary to carry out its business and operations, except, in the case of this clause (c), in jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

- 79 -

 

 

Section 4.02 Capital Stock and Ownership. The Capital Stock of each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) has been duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.2, as of the date hereof, there is no existing option, warrant, call, right, commitment, or other agreement to which any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (excluding the Excluded Entities) is a party requiring, and there is no membership interest or other Capital Stock of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) outstanding which upon conversion or exchange would require, the issuance by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) of any additional membership interests or other Capital Stock of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) or other Securities convertible into, exchangeable for, or evidencing the right to subscribe for or purchase a membership interest or other Capital Stock of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities). Schedule 4.2 correctly sets forth the ownership interest of the Loan Parties and each of their respective Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) as of the ClosingThird Amendment Effective Date after giving effect to the Transactions. As of the Closing Date, the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification is true and correct in all material respects.

 

Section 4.03 Due Authorization. The execution, delivery, and performance of the Loan Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of each Loan Party that is a party thereto.

 

Section 4.04 No Conflict. The execution, delivery, and performance by Loan Parties of the Loan Documents to which they are parties and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents do not and will not (a) violate any provision of any law or any governmental rule, or regulation applicable to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), or any order, judgment, or decree of any court or other agency of government binding on any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), (b) conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any Contractual Obligation of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities), (c) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) (other than any Liens created under any of the Loan Documents in favor of Collateral Agent, on behalf of Secured Parties), (d) result in any default, non-compliance, suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture, or non-renewal of any permit, license, authorization, or approval applicable to its operations or any of its properties, (e) require any approval of stockholders, members, or partners or any approval or consent of any Person under any Contractual Obligation of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), except for such approvals or consents which will be obtained on or before the Closing Date and disclosed in writing to Lenders, or (f) violate any provision of any of the Organizational Documents of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), except, in the case of the preceding clauses (a), (b), (d) and (e), for any violation, conflict, breach, default, creation, imposition, non-compliance, suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture, non-renewal, or requirement, in each case, that could not reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.05 Governmental Consents. As of the Closing Date, except to the extent the failure to obtain or make the same could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, the execution, delivery, and performance by Loan Parties of the Loan Documents to which they are parties and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents do not and will not require any registration with, consent or approval of, or notice to, or other action to, with or by, any Governmental Authority except for filings and recordings (i) with respect to the Collateral to be made or otherwise delivered to Collateral Agent for filing and/or recordation or (ii) that have already been made or obtained.

 

- 80 -

 

 

Section 4.06 Binding Obligation. Each Loan Document has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is a party thereto and is the legally valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its respective terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability.

 

Section 4.07 Historical Financial Statements. The Historical Financial Statements were prepared in conformity with GAAP and fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position, on a consolidated basis, of the Persons described in such financial statements as at the respective dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows, on a consolidated basis, of Persons described therein for each of the periods then ended, subject, in the case of any such unaudited financial statements, to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments.  As of the Closing Date, none of the Loan Parties has any unusual forward or long term commitment that is not reflected in the Historical Financial Statements or the notes thereto and which in any such case is material in relation to the business, operations, properties, assets, or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

Section 4.08 Projections. On and as of the Closing Date, the projections of the Loan Parties for the period of Fiscal Year 2021 through and including Fiscal Year 2024, including quarterly projections for each quarter not yet completed during the Fiscal Year in which the Closing Date takes place (the “Projections”), are based on good faith estimates and assumptions made by the management of Global Parent or the respective Loan Party; provided, that the Projections are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by the Projections may differ from such Projections and that the differences may be material; provided further, that as of the Closing Date, management of Global Parent or the respective Loan Party believed that the Projections were reasonable and attainable. Such Projections, as so updated, shall be believed by Global Parent or the respective Loan Party at the time furnished to be reasonable, shall have been prepared on a reasonable basis and in good faith by Global Parent or the respective Loan Party, and shall have been based on assumptions believed by Global Parent or the respective Loan Party to be reasonable at the time made, and Global Parent or the respective Loan Party shall not be aware of any facts or information that would lead it to believe that such projections, as so updated, are not attainable in any material respect.

 

Section 4.09 No Material Adverse Effect. Since the Closing Date, no event, circumstance, or change has occurred that has caused or evidences, either in any case or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.10 Adverse Proceedings, etc. There are no Adverse Proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, that (a) relate to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or (b) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) (y) is in violation of any applicable laws that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (z) is subject to, or in default with respect to, any final judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees, rules, or regulations of any court or any federal, state, municipal, or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency, or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

- 81 -

 

 

Section 4.11 Payment of Material Taxes. Except as otherwise permitted under Section 5.03, all income and other material Tax returns and reports of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) required to be filed by any of them have been timely filed, and all material Taxes shown as due and payable on such Tax returns have been paid when due and payable. Global Parent knows of no proposed Tax assessment against any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) with respect to a material amount of Tax which is not being actively contested by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary (excluding the Excluded Entities) in good faith and by appropriate proceedings; provided, that such reserves or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made or provided therefor.

 

Section 4.12 Properties.

 

(a) Title. Each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) has (i) good, marketable and legal title to (in the case of fee interests in real property), (ii) valid leasehold interests in (in the case of leasehold interests in real or personal property), and (iii) good and valid title to (in the case of all other personal property), all of its respective properties and assets reflected in the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01, in each case except for assets disposed of since the date of such financial statements in the ordinary course of business or as otherwise permitted under Section 6.09 and except where failure to have such good and legal title or valid leasehold interests could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect. All such properties and assets are in working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and except as permitted by this Agreement, all such properties and assets are free and clear of Liens.

 

(b) Real Estate. As of the ClosingThird Amendment Effective Date, Schedule 4.12 contains a true, accurate, and complete list of all Material Real Estate Assets. Except as could not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, each lease or sublease to which any Loan Party is a party is in full force and effect, and Global Parent does not have knowledge of any default that has occurred and is continuing thereunder, and each such agreement constitutes the legally valid and binding obligation of each applicable Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles. Except as could not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, to the knowledge of each Loan Party, (i) no other party to any such agreement is in default of its obligations thereunder, (ii) no Loan Party (or any other party to any such agreement) has at any time delivered or received any notice of default which remains uncured under any such lease, and (iii) as of the Closing Date, no event has occurred which, with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both, would constitute a default under any such agreement.

 

Section 4.13 Environmental Matters. As of the Closing Date (or, with respect to the Liberty Parties, as of the Third Amendment Effective Date), except as set forth on Schedule 4.13, (a) to Global Parent’s knowledge, no Loan Party’s nor any of its Subsidiaries’ (excluding the Excluded Entities) properties or assets has ever been used by a Loan Party, its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) or by previous owners or operators in the disposal of, or to produce, store, handle, treat, release, or transport, any Hazardous Materials, where such disposal, production, storage, handling, treatment, release, or transport was in violation of any applicable Environmental Law, except such non-compliance that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (b) to Global Parent’s knowledge, no Loan Party’s nor any of its Subsidiaries’ (excluding the Excluded Entities) properties or assets has ever been designated or identified in any manner pursuant to any environmental protection statute as a Hazardous Materials disposal site, (c) no Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) has received notice that a Lien arising under any Environmental Law has attached to any revenues or to any Real Property owned or operated by a Loan Party, and (d) no Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) nor any of their respective facilities or operations is subject to any outstanding written order, consent decree, or settlement agreement with any Person relating to any Environmental Law or Environmental Liability that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

- 82 -

 

 

Section 4.14 Eligible Credit Card Receivables; Eligible Accounts; Eligible Rental Agreements.

 

(a) As to each Account that is identified by Borrower as an Eligible Credit Card Receivable in a Borrowing Base Certificate submitted to Administrative Agent, such Account is (a) a bona fide existing payment obligation of the applicable Account Debtor created by the sale and delivery of Inventory or the rendition of services to such Account Debtor in the ordinary course of business of Borrower and the Guarantor Subsidiaries, (b) owed to Borrower or a Guarantor Subsidiary without any known defenses, disputes, offsets, counterclaims, or rights of return or cancellation, and (c) not excluded as ineligible by virtue of one or more of the excluding criteria (other than any Agent-discretionary criteria) set forth in the definition of Eligible Credit Card Receivables.

 

(b) As to each Account that is identified by Borrowers as an Eligible Account in a Borrowing Base Certificate submitted to Agent, such Account is (a) a bona fide existing payment obligation of the applicable Account Debtor created by the sale and delivery of Inventory or the rendition of services to such Account Debtor in the ordinary course of a Borrower’s business, (b) owed to a Borrower without any known defenses, disputes, offsets, counterclaims, or rights of return or cancellation, and (c) not excluded as ineligible by virtue of one or more of the excluding criteria (other than any Agent-discretionary criteria) set forth in the definition of Eligible Accounts.

 

(c) As to each Rental Agreement that is identified by Borrowers as an Eligible Rental Agreement in a Borrowing Base Certificate submitted to Agent, such Rental Agreement is (a) a bona fide existing contractual agreement between Buddy Top Parent or its Subsidiaries that are Loan Parties on the one hand, and a third party customer, on the other hand, in the ordinary course of such Loan Party’s business, and (c) not excluded as ineligible by virtue of one or more of the excluding criteria (other than any Agent-discretionary criteria) set forth in the definition of Eligible Rental Agreements.

 

Section 4.15 Eligible Inventory. As to each item of Inventory that is identified by Borrower as Eligible Inventory in a Borrowing Base Certificate submitted to Administrative Agent, such Inventory is (a) of good and merchantable quality, free from known defects, and (b) not excluded as ineligible by virtue of one or more of the excluding criteria (other than any Agent-discretionary criteria) set forth in the definition of Eligible Inventory

 

Section 4.16 Governmental Regulation.

 

(a) No Loan Party is subject to regulation under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, the Federal Power Act, or the Investment Company Act of 1940 or under any other federal or state statute or regulation which may limit its ability to incur Indebtedness or which may otherwise render all or any portion of the Obligations unenforceable.

 

(b) No Loan Party is a “registered investment company” or a company “controlled” by a “registered investment company” or a “principal underwriter” of a “registered investment company” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

- 83 -

 

 

Section 4.17 Margin Stock. No Loan Party is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock. No part of the proceeds of the Loans made to the Loan Parties will be used to purchase or carry any such Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any such Margin Stock or for any purpose that violates, or is inconsistent with, the provisions of Regulation T, U, or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

 

Section 4.18 Employee Matters. No Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) is engaged in any unfair labor practice that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There is (a) no unfair labor practice complaint pending against any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), or to the best knowledge of Global Parent and Lead Borrower, threatened against any of them before the National Labor Relations Board and no grievance or arbitration proceeding arising out of or under any collective bargaining agreement that is so pending against any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) or to the best knowledge of Global Parent and Lead Borrower, threatened against any of them, (b) no strike or work stoppage or other labor disputes in existence or, to the knowledge of Borrower, threatened, involving any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), and (c) to the best knowledge of Global Parent and Lead Borrower, no union representation question existing with respect to the employees of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) and, to the best knowledge of Global Parent and Lead Borrower, no union organization activity that is taking place, except (with respect to any matter specified in clause (a), (b), or (c) above, either individually or in the aggregate) such as is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.19 Employee Benefit Plans. Each Loan Party and each of its ERISA Affiliates are in compliance with all applicable provisions and requirements of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder with respect to each Employee Benefit Plan and have performed all their obligations under each Employee Benefit Plan except, in each case, where failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Employee Benefit Plan which is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service indicating that such Employee Benefit Plan is so qualified, and nothing has occurred subsequent to the issuance of such determination letter which would cause such Employee Benefit Plan to lose its qualified status. No liability to the PBGC (other than required premium payments), the Internal Revenue Service, any Employee Benefit Plan or any trust established under Title IV of ERISA has been or is expected to be incurred by any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates, except, in each case, for a liability or liabilities that could not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur. Except to the extent required under Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code or similar state laws, no Employee Benefit Plan provides health or welfare benefits (through the purchase of insurance or otherwise) for any retired or former employee of any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates. The present value of the aggregate benefit liabilities under each Pension Plan sponsored, maintained, or contributed to by any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates (determined as of the end of the most recent plan year on the basis of the actuarial assumptions specified for funding purposes in the most recent actuarial valuation for such Pension Plan), did not exceed the aggregate current value of the assets of such Pension Plan. As of the most recent valuation date for each Multiemployer Plan for which the actuarial report is available, the potential liability of any Loan Party and its ERISA Affiliates for a complete withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan (within the meaning of Section 4203 of ERISA), when aggregated with such potential liability for a complete withdrawal from all Multiemployer Plans, based on information available pursuant to Section 4221(e) of ERISA is zero. Each Loan Party and each of its ERISA Affiliates have complied with the requirements of Section 515 of ERISA with respect to each Multiemployer Plan and are not in “default” (as defined in Section 4219(c)(5) of ERISA) with respect to payments to a Multiemployer Plan.

 

- 84 -

 

 

Section 4.20 Certain Fees. No broker’s or finder’s fee or commission will be payable with respect hereto or any of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Section 4.21 Solvency. The Loan Parties on a consolidated basis are Solvent and will be Solvent immediately after giving effect to this Agreement, the funding of the Term Loans hereunder, the consummation of the Acquisition, the incurrence of Indebtedness under the GACP Credit Agreement on the Closing Date, the payment of all fees and expenses to be paid by the Loan Parties in connection with any of the foregoing on the Closing Date, and the other transactions to be consummated in connection with the foregoing on the Closing Date.

 

Section 4.22 [Reserved].

 

Section 4.23 Compliance with Statutes, etc. Each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) is in compliance with (a) its Organizational Documents and (b) all applicable statutes, regulations, and orders of, and all applicable restrictions imposed by, all Governmental Authorities in respect of the conduct of its business and the ownership of its property (including compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws with respect to any Real Estate Asset or governing its business and the requirements of any permits issued under such Environmental Laws with respect to any such Real Estate Asset or the operations of each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities)), except such non-compliance that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.24 Intellectual Property. Each Loan Party owns, or holds licenses in, or otherwise has the right to use all Material Intellectual Property that is used in the conduct of its business as currently conducted. Attached hereto as Schedule 4.24 is a true, correct, and complete listing of all registered material trademarks, copyrights, and patents, and applications therefor, as to which any Loan Party is the owner; provided, that Lead Borrower may amend Schedule 4.24 to add additional intellectual property, or to remove intellectual property in the ordinary course, so long as such amendment occurs by written notice to Administrative Agent at the time that Lead Borrower provides its Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 5.01(d).

 

Section 4.25 Inventory and Equipment. The Inventory and Equipment (other than vehicles or Equipment out for repair and other than Inventory and Equipment with, in the aggregate, a de minimis value) of the Loan Parties are not stored with a bailee, warehouseman, or similar party (other than Third Party Franchisees) and are located only at, or are in-transit between or to, the locations identified on Schedule 4.25 (as such Schedule may be updated pursuant to Section 5.12).

 

Section 4.26 Trademarks and Key Trademark Licenses. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, constitute a Material Adverse Effect, each Loan Party has the licenses to use or otherwise has the right to use all trademarks owned by third parties that are necessary to the conduct of its business as currently conducted (including, without limitation, Material Intellectual Property) (“Licensed Trademarks”). All registered trademarks and trademark applications owned by or filed in the name of the Loan Parties (“Owned Trademarks”) are in good standing and in compliance with all formal legal requirements, and all filings, payments, and other actions required to be made or taken to maintain such Owned Trademarks in full force and effect have been made by the applicable deadline. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, constitute a Material Adverse Effect, the goodwill associated with all Owned Trademarks that are currently used in commerce have not been impaired. No proceeding (including any opposition or cancellation) is pending or, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, threatened that challenges the validity or enforceability of the Owned Trademarks. The Loan Parties are not parties to any co-existence agreement with respect to the Owned Trademarks. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, constitute a Material Adverse Effect, use of the Owned Trademarks or the Licensed Trademarks by the Loan Parties do not infringe any intellectual property rights of any third party.

 

- 85 -

 

 

Section 4.27 Insurance. Each Loan Party keeps its property adequately insured and maintains (a) insurance to such extent and against such risks, as is customary with companies in the same or similar businesses, (b) workmen’s compensation insurance in the amount required by applicable law, (c) public liability insurance, which shall include product liability insurance, in the amount customary with companies in the same or similar business against claims for personal injury or death on properties owned, occupied, or controlled by it, and (d) such other insurance as may be required by law. Schedule 4.27 sets forth a list of all property and liability insurance maintained by each Loan Party on the Closing Date (or, with respect to the Liberty Parties, on the Third Amendment Effective Date) (or attaches insurance certificates specifying such insurance).

 

Section 4.28 Franchise Agreements.

 

(a) Schedule 4.28 sets forth a complete and accurate list as of the Closing Date (or, with respect to the Liberty Parties, as of the Third Amendment Effective Date) of all Franchise Agreements to which any Loan Party or any of their Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) is a party.

 

(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.28, as of the Closing Date (or, with respect to the Liberty Parties, as of the Third Amendment Effective Date), to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, none of the Franchise Agreements contains any grant of exclusive rights to a territory designated therein which conflicts, or potentially conflicts, with any grant of exclusive rights to a territory granted under any other Franchise Agreement. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.28, as of the Closing Date (or, with respect to the Liberty Parties, as of the Third Amendment Effective Date), no current franchisee under a Franchise Agreement has given written notice to a Loan Party’s management during the six (6) month period before the Closing Date (or, with respect to the Liberty Parties, the six (6) month period before the Third Amendment Effective Date) of its intention to rescind or terminate (with or without cause) any Franchise Agreement.

 

(c) Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each Loan Party has prepared and maintained each of its Franchise Disclosure Documents, in an accurate and correct manner, (ii) each Loan Party has filed all required Franchise Disclosure Documents required by law in all states and jurisdictions requiring registration and approval prior to any offers or sales of franchises in such states, and (iii) each Loan Party has filed all material changes, amendments, renewals thereto on a timely and accurate basis as required under, and required by applicable Requirements of Law. Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each Loan Party’s Franchise Disclosure Documents were prepared in compliance with applicable Franchise Laws and disclosure guidelines, and there were no misrepresentations or omissions of information in any Franchise Disclosure Documents at the time such Loan Party was using such Franchise Disclosure Documents. Each Franchise Agreement complies, and the offer and sale of such Franchise Agreement complied, in each case at the time such offer and sale was made, with all Franchise Laws, except to the extent of any non-compliance therewith which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

- 86 -

 

 

Section 4.29 Permits, etc. Each Loan Party has, and is in material compliance with, all permits, licenses, authorizations, approvals, entitlements, and accreditations required for such Person lawfully to own, lease, manage, or operate, or to acquire, each business currently owned, leased, managed, or operated, or to be acquired, by such Person, which, if not obtained, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No condition exists or event has occurred which, in itself or with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would result in the suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture, or non-renewal of any such permit, license, authorization, approval, entitlement, or accreditation, and there is no claim that any thereof is not in full force and effect, except, to the extent any such condition, event, or claim could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.30 Cash Management. Schedule 4.30 sets forth a complete and accurate list as of the ClosingThird Amendment Effective Date of all deposit, checking, and other bank accounts, all securities and other accounts maintained with any broker dealer, and all other similar accounts maintained by each Loan Party, together with a description thereof (i.e., the bank or broker dealer at which such deposit or other account is maintained and the account number and the purpose thereof). Schedule 6.17 sets forth a list describing all arrangements as of the Closing Date (or, with respect to the Liberty Parties, as of the Third Amendment Effective Date) to which any Loan Party is a party with respect to the processing and/or payment to such Loan Party of the proceeds of any credit card charges and debit card charges for sales made by such Loan Party.

 

Section 4.31 Security Interests. The Security Agreement creates in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a legal, valid, and enforceable security interest in the Collateral secured thereby. Upon the filing of the UCC-1 financing statements described in Section 3.01(g), and the recording of any applicable intellectual property security agreements as referred to in the Security Agreement in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, if and as applicable, and the entry into Control Agreements with respect to any Deposit Accounts, Securities Accounts and Commodities Accounts, such security interests in and Liens on the Collateral granted thereby (with respect to the types of Collateral that can be perfected by the filing of a financing statement or recordation of an intellectual property security agreement, and to the extent that any applicable Collateral can be perfected by the recordation of an intellectual property security agreement) shall be perfected, First Priority security interests, and no further recordings or filings are or will be required in connection with the creation, perfection, or enforcement of such security interests and Liens, other than (a) the filing of continuation statements in accordance with applicable law, (b) the recording of intellectual property security agreements pursuant to the Security Agreement in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, as applicable, with respect to after-acquired U.S. patent and trademark applications and registrations and U.S. copyrights (to the extent that any applicable Collateral can be perfected by filing and recording an intellectual property security agreement in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office); provided, that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall any Loan Party be required to take perfection steps with respect to any motor vehicle or any other collateral subject to a certificate of title or ownership.

 

Section 4.32 PATRIOT ACT. To the extent applicable, each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance, in all material respects, with the (a) Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, and each of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) and any other enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto, and (b) Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA Patriot Act of 2001, as amended) (the “PATRIOT Act”).

 

- 87 -

 

 

Section 4.33 OFAC/Sanctions. No Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any applicable Sanctions. No Loan Party, nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any director, officer, employee, agent, or Affiliate of such Loan Party or such Subsidiary (a) is a Sanctioned Person or a Sanctioned Entity, (b) has any assets located in Sanctioned Entities, or (c) derives revenues from investments in, or transactions with, Sanctioned Persons or Sanctioned Entities. Each of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, and each director, officer, employee, agent (when acting on behalf of a Loan Party or Subsidiary thereof, within the scope of the agent’s designated duties), and Affiliate of each such Loan Party and each such Subsidiary, is in compliance with the Anti-corruption Laws in all material respects. No proceeds of any Loan made hereunder will be used to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in, or make any payments to, a Sanctioned Person or a Sanctioned Entity, or otherwise be used in any manner that would result in a violation of any applicable Sanction by any Person (including any Lender or other individual or entity participating in any transaction).

 

Section 4.34 Disclosure. No representation or warranty of any Loan Party contained in any Loan Document or in any other documents, certificates, or written statements furnished to Lenders by or on behalf of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) for use in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, when taken as a whole, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact (known to Global Parent or Lead Borrower, in the case of any document not furnished by either of them) necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein not misleading in light of the circumstances in which the same were made. Any projections and pro forma financial information contained in such materials are based upon good faith estimates and assumptions believed by Global Parent and Lead Borrower to be reasonable at the time made, it being recognized by Lenders that such projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such projections may differ from the projected results and such difference may be material. There are no facts known (or which should upon the reasonable exercise of diligence be known) to Global Parent or Lead Borrower (other than matters of a general economic nature) that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and that have not been disclosed herein or in such other documents, certificates, and statements furnished to Lenders for use in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Section 4.35 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Term Loans made on the Closing Date shall be applied by the Borrowers as set forth in Section 2.05 hereof.

 

ARTICLE V
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

Each Loan Party covenants and agrees that so long as any Commitment is in effect and until payment in full of all Obligations, each Loan Party shall perform, and each Loan Party shall cause each of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to perform, all covenants in this Article V.

 

Section 5.01 Financial Statements and Other Reports. Unless otherwise provided below, Lead Borrower will deliver to each Agent:

 

(a) Monthly Reports.  As soon as available, and in any event within 30 days after the end of each fiscal month (excluding the last fiscal month of each Fiscal Quarter) (or, with respect to any fiscal month reports required prior to the fiscal month ending September 2020, 45 days), (i) consolidated and consolidating balance sheet of Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal month and the related consolidated and consolidating statements of income, consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity, and consolidated and consolidating statements of cash flows of the Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal month and for the period from the beginning of the then current Fiscal Year to the end of such fiscal month, setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding periods of the previous Fiscal Year and the corresponding figures from the Financial Plan for the current Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail, together with a schedule of reconciliations for any reclassifications with respect to prior fiscal months or periods (and, in connection therewith, copies of any restated financial statements for any impacted fiscal month or period); provided that any consolidating financials required by this clause (a)(i) shall be the consolidating financials prepared for each line of business (e.g. AF Holdings and its Subsidiaries, Buddy Top Parent and its Subsidiaries and Sears Top Parent and its Subsidiaries) and not consolidating financials for each Subsidiary on an entity by entity basis, (ii) a Financial Officer Certification with respect the foregoing, (iii) for each line of business, the information described on Schedule 5.1 hereto under the heading “Monthly Reporting”, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to each Agent, and (iv) a Narrative Report with respect the foregoing,

 

- 88 -

 

 

(b) Quarterly Financial Statements.  As soon as available, and in any event within 45 days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter of each Fiscal Year (including the fourth Fiscal Quarter), (i) a consolidated and consolidating balance sheet of the Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Quarter and the related consolidated and consolidating statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of the Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Quarter and for the period from the beginning of the then current Fiscal Year to the end of such Fiscal Quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding periods of the previous Fiscal Year and the corresponding figures from the Financial Plan for the current Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail; provided that any consolidating financials required by this clause (b)(i) shall be the consolidating financials prepared for each line of business (e.g. AF Holdings and its Subsidiaries, Buddy Top Parent and its Subsidiaries and Sears Top Parent and its Subsidiaries, Vitamin Top Parent and its Subsidiaries and Liberty Holdings and its Subsidiaries) and not consolidating financials for each Subsidiary on an entity by entity basis, (ii) a Financial Officer Certification with respect to the foregoing, (iii) the information described on Schedule 5.1 hereto under the heading “Quarterly Reporting”, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to each Agent, and (iv) a Narrative Report with respect the foregoing,

 

(c) Annual Financial Statements.  As soon as available, and in any event within 120 days after the Fiscal Year 2019, the consolidated and consolidating financial statements of the Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year, prepared in conformity with GAAP and in form reasonably acceptable to each Agent, together with a Financial Officer Certification and a Narrative Report with respect thereto; provided that any consolidating financials required by this provision shall be the consolidating financials prepared for each line of business (e.g. AF Holdings and its Subsidiaries, Buddy Top Parent and its Subsidiaries and Sears Top Parent and its Subsidiaries, Vitamin Top Parent and its Subsidiaries and Liberty Holdings and its Subsidiaries) and not consolidating financials for each Subsidiary on an entity by entity basis, which such financial statements are prepared by an independent third party firm of recognized national standing who is acceptable to each Agent in its reasonable discretion.  As soon as available, and in any event within 120 days after the end of each Fiscal Year commencing with Fiscal Year 2020, (i) the consolidated and consolidating balance sheet of the Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Year and the related consolidated and consolidating statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of the Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year, prepared in conformity with GAAP, setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the previous Fiscal Year and the corresponding figures from the Financial Plan for the Fiscal Year covered by such financial statements, in reasonable detail, together with a Financial Officer Certification and a Narrative Report with respect thereto; provided that any consolidating financials required by this clause (c)(i) shall be the consolidating financials prepared for each line of business (e.g. AF Holdings and its Subsidiaries, Buddy Top Parent and its Subsidiaries and Sears Top Parent and its Subsidiaries, Vitamin Top Parent and its Subsidiaries and Liberty Holdings and its Subsidiaries) and not consolidating financials for each Subsidiary on an entity by entity basis and (ii) with respect to such consolidated and consolidating financial statements a report thereon of BDO, Deloitte or other independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing selected by Global Parent, and reasonably satisfactory to each Agent (which report shall be unqualified as to going concern and contain no material qualifications as to scope of audit other than solely with respect to, or resulting solely from (x) an upcoming maturity date of the Term Loans occurring within one year from the time such opinion is delivered or (y) any potential inability to satisfy any covenant described in Section 6.08 on a future date or in a future period, and shall state that such consolidated and consolidating financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated and consolidating financial position of the Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior years (except as otherwise disclosed in such financial statements) and that the examination by such accountants in connection with such consolidated and consolidating financial statements has been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards); provided, that in lieu of providing the consolidated and consolidating annual audited financial statements of the Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries required by this clause (c) and the report thereon of the Lead Borrower’s independent certified public accountants (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, any of the other related materials required by this clause (c) (including, without limitation, the comparison to the corresponding figures for the previous Fiscal Year and the corresponding figures from the Financial Plan for the Fiscal Year, the Financial Officer Certification, or the Narrative Report)), the Lead Borrower may provide the consolidated and consolidating annual financial statements of Global Parent and its Subsidiaries, or of any direct parent of Global Parent and its Subsidiaries, so long as the Lead Borrower concurrently provides (A) each Agent with consolidating and consolidating information, which shall be audited, that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to Global Parent and its Subsidiaries or such direct parent of Global Parent and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Loans on a stand-alone basis, on the other hand, and (B) a report of the independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing selected by Global Parent or such direct parent of Global Parent, as applicable, and reasonably satisfactory to each Agent (which report shall be unqualified to the extent set forth in the preceding clause (ii)),

 

- 89 -

 

 

(d)  Compliance Certificate. Together with each delivery of financial statements of the Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 5.01(b) or Section 5.01(c), a duly executed and completed Compliance Certificate,

 

(e) Statements of Reconciliation after Change in Accounting Principles. If, as a result of any change in accounting principles and policies from those used in the preparation of the Historical Financial Statements, the consolidated financial statements of the Global Parent, the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a), Section 5.01(b), or Section 5.01(c) will differ in any material respect from the consolidated financial statements that would have been delivered pursuant to such subdivisions had no such change in accounting principles and policies been made, then, together with the first delivery of such financial statements after such change, one or more statements of reconciliation for all such prior financial statements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent,

 

(f) Notice of Default. Promptly (but in any event within three (3) Business Days) upon any officer of Global Parent or Lead Borrower obtaining knowledge (i) of any condition or event that constitutes a Default or an Event of Default or that notice (from a Person other than the Administrative Agent) has been given to Global Parent or Lead Borrower with respect thereto, (ii) that any Person has given any notice to Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) or taken any other action with respect to any event or condition set forth in Section 8.01(b), or (iii) of the occurrence of any event or change that has caused or evidences, either in any case or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, a certificate of an Authorized Officer specifying the nature and period of existence of such condition, event, or change, or specifying the notice given and action taken by any such Person (if applicable) and the nature of such claimed Event of Default, Default, default, event or condition, and what action Lead Borrower has taken, is taking, and proposes to take with respect thereto, together with copies of any such notice or other document received by Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) related thereto,

 

- 90 -

 

 

(g) Notice of Litigation. Promptly (but in any event within three (3) Business Days) upon any senior officer of Global Parent or Lead Borrower obtaining knowledge of (i) the institution of, or non-frivolous threat (in writing) of, any Adverse Proceeding not previously disclosed in writing by Lead Borrower to Lenders, or (ii) any material development in any Adverse Proceeding that, in the case of either clause (i) or (ii) if adversely determined, could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or seeks to enjoin or otherwise prevent the consummation of, or to recover any damages or obtain relief as a result of, the transactions contemplated hereby, written notice thereof together with such other information as may be reasonably available to Global Parent or Lead Borrower to enable Lenders and their counsel to evaluate such matters,

 

(h) ERISA. (i) Promptly (but in any event within three (3) Business Days) upon becoming aware of the occurrence of or forthcoming occurrence of any ERISA Event, a written notice specifying the nature thereof, what action any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates has taken, is taking, or proposes to take with respect thereto and, when known, any action taken or threatened, in writing, by the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor, or the PBGC with respect thereto, and (ii) with reasonable promptness, copies of (A) each Schedule B (Actuarial Information) to the annual report (Form 5500 Series) filed by any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates with the Internal Revenue Service with respect to each Pension Plan, (B) all notices received by any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor concerning an ERISA Event, and (C) copies of such other documents or governmental reports or filings relating to any Employee Benefit Plan as any Agent shall reasonably request,

 

(i) Financial Plan. No sooner than thirty days after the start of each Fiscal Year (commencing with the first full Fiscal Year after the Closing Date), a consolidated and consolidating plan and financial forecast for such Fiscal Year and each Fiscal Year (or portion thereof) through the final maturity date of the Loans (a “Financial Plan”), including (i) a forecasted consolidated and consolidating balance sheet and forecasted consolidated and consolidating statements of income and cash flows of the Loan Parties for each such Fiscal Year, (ii) forecasted consolidated and consolidating statements of income and cash flows of the Loan Parties for each fiscal month of each such Fiscal Year, (iii) forecasted calculations of the ratios described in Section 6.08 for such Fiscal Year and (iv) forecasted calculations of Consolidated Liquidity for such Fiscal Year, together, in each case, with an explanation of the assumptions on which such forecasts are based all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each Agent,

 

(j) Insurance Report. Upon reasonable request of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, a report in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent outlining all material insurance coverage maintained as of the date of such report by any Loan Party,

 

- 91 -

 

 

(k) Borrowing Base Certificates, Collateral Reporting and GACP Facility.

 

(i) (a) If Consolidated Liquidity greater than or equal to $40,000,000, then on or prior to the fifteenth (15th) Business Day of each fiscal month, a completed Borrowing Base Certificate as of the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal month or (b) if the Consolidated Liquidity is less than $40,000,000, then on or prior to Tuesday each week (or the next succeeding Business Day if Tuesday is not a Business Day), a completed Borrowing Base Certificate covering the immediately preceding week (Sunday through Saturday). Each Borrowing Base Certificate shall include: (i) a summary source document of stock ledger, (ii) a summary source document of inventory ineligibles, (iii) a summary source document showing Eligible Credit Card Receivables, Eligible Accounts and Eligible Rental Agreements, including in the case of Eligible Rental Agreements, a summary of the remaining contractual revenue of active contracts (with a break-down by new contracts and contracts that are active and existed prior to the period) as well as a summary of the contractual revenue collected in the covered period), (iv) a summary source document showing ineligible Credit Card Receivables, Accounts and Rental Agreements, (v) the calculation of the Borrowing Base Ratio on and as of the end of such fiscal month (or week, as applicable) and (vi) if such Borrowing Base Certificate covers a fiscal month (or such Borrowing Base covers the last week of any fiscal month (if weekly)), the Borrowing Base Certificate shall also include (x) a monthly store rent summary in respect of Washington, Virginia and Pennsylvania, (y) a report identifying customer deposits, and (z) a report with franchisee commission payable accruals.

 

(ii) Promptly, but in any event within three (3) Business Days (or one (1) Business Day with respect to notices pursuant to clause (y) hereof) after the furnishing, receipt or execution thereof, copies of (x) any amendment, waiver, consent or other written modification of the GACP Facility Loan Documents (other than immaterial amendments to GACP Facility Loan Documents other than the GACP Credit Agreement), (y) any written notice of default or any written notice related to the exercise of remedies under the GACP Facility Loan Documents, and (z) any other material written notice, certificate or other written information or document provided to, or received from, the GACP Facility Agent or the GACP Facility Lenders; provided, that this clause (ii) shall not apply to the Fee Letter (as defined in the GACP Credit Agreement) or any other documents and information relating to fees under the GACP Facility Loan Documents (and Lead Borrower may make redactions of such fees in its reasonable discretion),

 

(l) Third Party Franchisees. Promptly upon any senior officer of Global Parent or Lead Borrower obtaining knowledge of any material breach or non-performance of, or any material default under, any agreements with any Third Party Franchisee that would materially and adversely impact the ability of Agents to realize upon the Collateral,

 

(m) Environmental Reports and Audits. Within ten (10) days following the receipt thereof, copies of all environmental audits and reports with respect to any environmental matter which have resulted in or are reasonably likely to result in an Environmental Action asserted against any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) or in any Environmental Liabilities of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) which, in either case, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect,

 

(n) Information Regarding Collateral. Lead Borrower will furnish to Collateral Agent prompt written notice of any change in any Loan Party’s (i) legal name, (ii) chief executive office, (iii) identity or corporate structure, or (iv) Federal Taxpayer Identification Number. Lead Borrower agrees not to effect or permit any change referred to in the preceding sentence unless all filings have been made under the UCC or otherwise that are required in order for Collateral Agent to continue at all times following such change to have a valid, legal, and perfected security interest in all the Collateral as contemplated by the Collateral Documents. Lead Borrower also agrees promptly to notify Collateral Agent if any material portion of the Collateral is damaged or destroyed,

 

- 92 -

 

 

(o) Annual Collateral Verification. Each year, at the time of delivery of annual financial statements with respect to the preceding Fiscal Year pursuant to Section 5.01(c), Lead Borrower shall deliver to Collateral Agent an officer’s certificate either confirming that there has been no change in such information since the date of the Perfection Certificate delivered on the ClosingThird Amendment Effective Date or the date of the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to this Section 5.01 and/or identifying such changes,

 

(p) Tax Returns. As soon as practicable and in any event within fifteen (15) days following the filing thereof, copies of each United States federal income Tax return filed by or on behalf of any Loan Party, and

 

(q) Other Information.

 

(i) (i)  Promptly upon their becoming available, copies of

 

(A) all financial statements, reports, notices, and proxy statements sent or made available generally by Global Parent to its security holders acting in such capacity or by any Subsidiary of Global Parent (excluding the Excluded Entities) to its security holders other than Global Parent or another Subsidiary of Global Parent, and

 

- 93 -

 

 

(B) all regular and periodic reports and all registration statements and prospectuses, if any, filed by Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) with any securities exchange or with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any governmental or private regulatory authority;

 

(ii) promptly after submission to any Governmental Authority, solely to the extent not legally prohibited from disclosing such information, all documents and information furnished to such Governmental Authority in connection with any investigation of any Loan Party (other than a routine inquiry),

 

(iii) promptly upon receipt thereof, copies of all financial reports (including, without limitation, management letters) submitted to any Loan Party by its auditors in connection with any annual interim audit of the books thereof,

 

(iv) prompt notice of the acquisition by any Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) of any Margin Stock, together with a completed and executed Form U-1, together with such other information reasonably requested by Administrative Agent to enable any Lender to comply with any of the requirements under Regulations T, U, and X,

 

(v) promptly, but in any event within three (3) Business Days (or one (1) Business Day with respect to notices pursuant to clause (y) hereof) after the furnishing, receipt or execution thereof, copies of (x) any amendment, waiver, consent or other written modification of any Indebtedness of the Excluded Entities (other than immaterial amendments to such Indebtedness), (y) any notice of default or any notice related to the exercise of remedies under any Indebtedness of the Excluded Entities, and (z) any other material notice, certificate or other information or document provided to, or received from, the agent or lenders under such Indebtedness; provided, that this clause (q)(v) shall not apply to any documents and information relating to fees under such Indebtedness,

 

(vi) any change in the information provided in the Beneficial Ownership Certification that would result in a change to the list of beneficial owners identified in parts (c) or (d) of such certification, and

 

- 94 -

 

 

(vii) such other information and data with respect to Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) as from time to time may be reasonably requested by any Agent.

 

Section 5.02 Existence. Except as otherwise permitted under Section 6.09, each Loan Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Entities) to, at all times preserve and keep in full force and effect such Person’s valid existence and good standing in its jurisdiction of organization and, except as could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, good standing with respect to all other jurisdictions in which it is qualified to do business and any rights, Governmental Authorizations, franchises, permits, licenses, accreditations, authorizations, or other approvals material to their businesses or the conduct of their businesses.

 

Section 5.03 Payment of Taxes and Claims. Global Parent will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, timely file all income Tax returns and all other material Tax returns required to be filed by Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) and timely pay all income Taxes and all other material Taxes imposed upon it or any of its properties or assets, or in respect of any of its income or businesses; provided, that no such Tax need be paid if it is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted, so long as (a) adequate reserve or other appropriate provision, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP, shall have been made therefor and (b) in the case of a Tax which has or may become a Lien against any of the Collateral, such contest proceedings conclusively operate to stay imposition of any penalty, fine, or Lien resulting from the non-payment thereof. No Loan Party will, nor will any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, file or consent to the filing of any consolidated income Tax return with any Person (other than Ultimate Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities)).

 

Section 5.04 Maintenance of Properties. Each Loan Party will, and each Loan Party will cause each of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, except as could not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (a) maintain or cause to be maintained in reasonably good repair, working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear, casualty and condemnation excepted, all properties used or useful in the business of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) and from time to time will make or cause to be made all reasonably appropriate repairs, renewals, and replacements thereof and (b) comply at all times with the provisions of all material leases to which it is a party as lessee or under which it occupies property, so as to prevent any loss or forfeiture thereof or thereunder.

 

Section 5.05 Insurance.

 

(a) The Loan Parties will maintain or cause to be maintained, with financially sound and reputable insurers, (i) business interruption insurance reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent, and (ii) casualty insurance, such public liability insurance, third party property damage insurance, or such other insurance with respect to liabilities, losses, or damage in respect of the assets, properties, and businesses of the Loan Parties as may customarily be carried or maintained under similar circumstances by Persons of established reputation engaged in similar businesses, in each case in such amounts (giving effect to self-insurance), with such deductibles, covering such risks, and otherwise on such terms and conditions as shall be customary for such Persons. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Loan Parties will maintain or cause to be maintained (A) flood insurance with respect to each Flood Hazard Property that is located in a community that participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, in each case in compliance with any applicable regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and (B) replacement value casualty insurance on the Collateral under such policies of insurance, with such insurance companies, in such amounts, with such deductibles, and covering such risks as are at all times carried or maintained under similar circumstances by Persons of established reputation engaged in similar businesses. Each such policy of insurance shall (1) in the case of each liability insurance policy, name Collateral Agent, on behalf of Lenders, as an additional insured thereunder as its interests may appear, and (2) in the case of each casualty insurance policy covering Collateral, contain a lender loss payable clause or endorsement, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Collateral Agent, that names Collateral Agent, on behalf of Secured Parties, as the lender loss payee thereunder.

 

- 95 -

 

 

(b) The Loan Parties will deliver to each Agent copies of certificates of insurance upon reasonable request of such Agent. Each of the insurance policies required to be maintained under this Section 5.05 shall provide for at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to Collateral Agent of the cancellation or substantial modification thereof. Receipt of such notice shall entitle Collateral Agent (but Collateral Agent shall not be obligated) to renew any such policies, cause the coverages and amounts thereof to be maintained at levels required pursuant to this Section 5.05, or otherwise to obtain similar insurance in place of such policies, in each case at the expense of the Loan Parties.

 

Section 5.06 Inspections; Field Examinations and Appraisals. Each Loan Party will, and each Loan Party will cause each of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, (a) keep adequate books of record and account in which full, true, and correct entries are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities and (b) permit any representatives designated by Administrative Agent or any Lender (including employees of Administrative Agent or such Lender or any consultants, auditors, accountants, lawyers, and appraisers retained by Administrative Agent or such Lender) to visit and inspect any of the properties of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) (including Phase I Environmental Site Assessments), to conduct audits, valuations, appraisals, and/or field examinations of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to inspect, copy, and take extracts from its and their financial and accounting records, and to discuss its and their affairs, finances, and accounts with its and their officers and independent accountants and auditors, all upon reasonable notice and at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may reasonably be requested. The Loan Parties agree to pay (y) the field examiner’s and the appraiser’s reasonable and documented fees and out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with all such visits, audits, appraisals, inspections, valuations, and field examinations, and (z) the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs of all visits, audits, appraisals, inspections, valuations, and field examinations conducted by a third party on behalf of the Agents and Lenders. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.06, excluding any such visits, appraisals, field examinations, and inspections during the continuation of an Event of Default, (x) only Collateral Agent on behalf of the Lenders may exercise the rights of Administrative Agent and the Lenders under this Section 5.06 and, subject to clause (y) hereof, the Collateral Agent shall not exercise its rights under clause (b) hereof more often than two (2) times (per Loan Party and per type of Collateral)1 during any calendar year and only one (1) such time shall be at the Loan Parties’ expense and (y) Collateral Agent (or an appraiser or field examiner, in each case, selected by Collateral Agent in its Permitted Discretion) may conduct two (2) field examinations and two (2) appraisals of the Collateral (per Loan Party and per type of Collateral), in each case, during any calendar year at the Loan Parties’ expense; provided, that (a) when an Event of Default exists or (b) if Consolidated Liquidity is less than $40,000,000, any Agent or any Lender (or any of their respective representatives or independent contractors) may undertake any of the actions described in this Section 5.06 at the expense of the Loan Parties at any time during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice, without limitation as to frequency; provided further, and notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent may request one additional desktop appraisal from Vion or another appraiser acceptable to Administrative Agent of the Eligible Rental Agreements each fiscal quarter. The Loan Parties acknowledge that Collateral Agent or any Lender, after exercising its rights of inspection, may prepare and distribute to Lenders certain reports pertaining to the Loan Parties’ assets for internal use by Administrative Agent and Lenders. For purposes of clarity, as of the Second Amendment No. 2 Effective Date, the Agent has not exercised its rights to field exams and appraisals under this Section 5.06.

 

- 96 -

 

 

Section 5.07 Lenders Meetings and Conference Calls.

 

(a) Global Parent and Lead Borrower will, upon the request of any Agent or Required Lenders, participate in a meeting of Agents and Lenders once during each Fiscal Year to be held at Lead Borrower’s corporate offices (or at such other location as may be agreed to by Lead Borrower and each Agent) at such time as may be agreed to by Lead Borrower and each Agent.

 

(b) Following the delivery of financial statements and other information required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(b) or Section 5.01(c), Global Parent shall, not later than 15 Business Days following the request of any Agent, cause its chief operating officer or chief financial officer to participate in a conference call with Agents and all Lenders who choose to participate in such conference call during which conference call the chief operating officer or chief financial officer shall review the financial condition of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) and such other matters as any Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.

 

Section 5.08 Compliance with Laws. Each Loan Party will comply, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to comply, with the requirements of all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and orders of any Governmental Authority, non-compliance with which could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, including, without limitation, Anti-corruption Laws, the PATRIOT Act, and OFAC Sanctions Programs.

 

Section 5.09 Environmental. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to,

 

(a) Keep any property either owned or operated by any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) free of any Environmental Liens or post bonds or other financial assurances sufficient to satisfy the obligations or liability evidenced by such Environmental Liens,

 

(b) Comply, in all material respects, with Environmental Laws and provide to Administrative Agent documentation of such compliance which Administrative Agent reasonably requests, except such non-compliance that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect,

 

(c) Promptly notify Administrative Agent of any release of which any Loan Party has knowledge of a Hazardous Material in any reportable quantity from or onto property owned or operated by any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and take any Remedial Actions required to abate said release or otherwise to come into compliance with applicable Environmental Law, and

 

(d) Promptly, but in any event within ten (10) Business Days of its receipt thereof, provide Administrative Agent with written notice of any of the following: (i) notice that an Environmental Lien has been filed against any of the real or personal property of a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), (ii) commencement of any Environmental Action or written notice that an Environmental Action will be filed against a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), in either case, that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and (iii) written notice of a violation, citation, or other administrative order from a Governmental Authority that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

- 97 -

 

 

Section 5.10 Subsidiaries.

 

(a) In the event that any Person becomes a Subsidiary of Global Parent after the Closing Date, Global Parent and the Lead Borrower shall (i) within 45 days (or 90 days with respect to any Subsidiary for which the execution of any mortgages relative to Real Property is required to comply with this Section 5.10 with respect to such Subsidiary) after the date when such Person becomes a Subsidiary (in each case, or such later date as may be agreed by Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), cause such Subsidiary to become either a Guarantor Subsidiary hereunder by executing a joinder to this Agreement (provided that no Excluded Entity or Excluded Subsidiary shall be required to become a Guarantor Subsidiary hereunder for so long as such Subsidiary remains an Excluded Entity or Excluded Subsidiary) or become a Borrower hereunder by executing a Borrower Joinder Agreement (provided that no Excluded Entity or Excluded Subsidiary shall be required to become a Borrower hereunder for so long as such Subsidiary remains an Excluded Entity or Excluded Subsidiary) and (a) if such Subsidiary is incorporated or organized under the laws of the United States or any State thereof, cause such Subsidiary to be a “Grantor” under the Security Agreement by executing and delivering to Collateral Agent a Joinder (provided that no Excluded Entity or Excluded Subsidiary shall be required to become a Grantor under the Security Agreement for so long as such Subsidiary remains an Excluded Entity or Excluded Subsidiary) and (b) if such Subsidiary is incorporated or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States or any State thereof, (1) cause any Loan Party that directly owns the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary to grant to the Collateral Agent a legal, valid, enforceable perfected, First Priority security interest in such Capital Stock of such Subsidiary pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Agents and (2) cause such Subsidiary to grant to the Collateral Agent a legal, valid, enforceable perfected, First Priority security interest in all Collateral owned by it pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Agents (provided that no Excluded Entity or Excluded Subsidiary shall be required to grant such a security interest for so long as such Subsidiary remains an Excluded Entity or Excluded Subsidiary) and (ii) take all such actions and execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such documents, instruments, agreements, and certificates as are reasonably requested by an Agent in connection therewith; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the foregoing require (x) any Person to enter into any security agreement or pledge governed by the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States or any State thereof or (y) any filing or other action in any jurisdiction other than the United States or any State thereof in order to create or perfect a security interest, in the case of the foregoing clauses (x) and (y), unless (1) the total property and assets of the Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) incorporated or organized in such jurisdiction, determined in accordance with GAAP, exceeds 1% of the total property and assets of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP, as set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of Borrower most recently delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(b) or 5.01(c), as applicable or (2) the consolidated revenue of the Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) incorporated or organized in such jurisdiction exceeds 1% of the consolidated revenue of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP, as set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of Borrower most recently delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(b) or 5.01(c), as applicable (the foregoing clauses (1) and (2), the “Collateral Coverage Test”; the Collateral Coverage Test is deemed to be “satisfied” with respect to all subsidiaries organized or incorporated under the laws of any particular jurisdiction (other than the United States or any State thereof) if such Subsidiaries, collectively, do not satisfy clauses (1) and/or (2) of the definition of “Collateral Coverage Test”, and is otherwise deemed to be “not satisfied” with respect to such Subsidiaries). With respect to each such Subsidiary (excluding the Excluded Entities and Excluded Subsidiaries), Lead Borrower shall, within 45 days (or 90 days with respect to any Subsidiary (excluding the Excluded Entities and the Excluded Subsidiaries) for which the execution of any mortgages relative to Real Property is required to comply with this Section 5.10 with respect to such Subsidiary (excluding the Excluded Entities and the Excluded Subsidiaries)) after the date when such Person becomes a direct or indirect Subsidiary (excluding the Excluded Entities and the Excluded Subsidiaries) (in each case, or such later date as may be agreed by Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), promptly send to each Agent written notice setting forth with respect to such Person (A) the date on which such Person became a direct or indirect Subsidiary of Lead Borrower (excluding the Excluded Entities and the Excluded Subsidiaries), and (B) all of the data required to be set forth in Schedules 4.1 and 4.2 for such Subsidiary (excluding the Excluded Entities and the Excluded Subsidiaries); provided, that such written notice shall be deemed to supplement Schedules 4.1 and 4.2 for all purposes hereof.

 

- 98 -

 

 

(b) [Reserved].

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein (including this Section 5.10) or in any other Loan Document, the Administrative Agent shall not accept delivery of any joinder to any Loan Document with respect to any Subsidiary of any Loan Party that is not a Loan Party, if such Subsidiary that qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation unless such Subsidiary has delivered a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to such Subsidiary and the Administrative Agent has completed its Patriot Act searches, OFAC/PEP searches and customary individual background checks for such Subsidiary, the results of which shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

Section 5.11 Material Real Estate Assets. In the event that any Loan Party acquires a Material Real Estate Asset located in the United States or a Real Estate Asset owned by any Loan Party and located in the United States becomes a Material Real Estate Asset and such interest has not otherwise been made subject to the Lien of the Collateral Documents in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, then such Loan Party, no later than 90 days after acquiring such Material Real Estate Asset, or no later than 90 days after such Real Estate Asset becomes a Material Real Estate Asset (in each case, or such later date as may be agreed by the Collateral Agent), shall take all such actions and execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, with respect to such Material Real Estate Asset, (i) a Mortgage, (ii) an opinion of counsel in the jurisdiction where such Material Real Estate Asset is located with respect to the enforceability of such Mortgage and such other reasonable and customary matters as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request, and (iii) a mortgagee policy of title insurance (or a marked up title insurance commitment having the effect of a mortgagee policy of title insurance) issued by a title company reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent, in an amount not less than the fair market value of such Material Real Estate Asset, insuring the Lien of such Mortgage as a valid First Priority security interest on such Material Real Estate Asset (the items set forth in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), collectively, the “Mortgage Deliverables”). In addition to the foregoing, Lead Borrower shall, at the request of Required Lenders, deliver, from time to time, to Collateral Agent such appraisals as are required by law or regulation of Real Estate Assets with respect to which Collateral Agent has been granted a Lien; provided, however, that in no event shall Lead Borrower be required to deliver an appraisal to Collateral Agent for a particular Material Real Estate Asset more than once in any given calendar year unless such appraisal is at Collateral Agent’s sole cost. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, in no event shall any Loan Party be required to deliver Mortgage Deliverables with respect to any Real Estate Asset that is not a Material Real Estate Asset.

 

- 99 -

 

 

Section 5.12 Location of Inventory and Equipment. Keep the Loan Parties’ Inventory and Equipment (other than vehicles and Equipment out for repair, and other than Inventory and Equipment with, in the aggregate, a de minimis value) only at the locations identified on Schedule 4.25; provided, that Lead Borrower may amend Schedule 4.25 so long as such amendment occurs by written notice to Collateral Agent not less than 10 days prior to the date on which such Inventory or Equipment is moved to such new location or such chief executive office is relocated and so long as such new location is within the United States; provided that, within 90 days of the Closing Date (or, as to any properties added to Schedule 4.25 after the Closing Date, within 90 days of the delivery of the amended Schedule 4.25 including such property) (or, in each case, such later date to which Collateral Agent may otherwise agree) Lead Borrower shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to provide to Collateral Agent a Collateral Access Agreement with respect to any such location identified on Schedule 4.25 that is not a fee owned Real Estate Asset if the aggregate fair market value of the Inventory and Equipment located on such premises exceeds $250,000; provided that, following the occurrence and during the continuance of a Default or an Event of Default, no Inventory or Equipment shall be moved to any location not identified on the most recently provided Schedule 4.25 unless such Collateral Access Agreement is provided prior thereto or Collateral Agent shall consent in writing to moving specified Inventory or Equipment to a particular location or locations identified on Section 4.25.

 

Section 5.13 Further Assurances. At any time or from time to time upon the request of any Agent, each Loan Party will, at its expense, promptly execute, acknowledge, and deliver such further documents and do such other acts and things as such Agent may reasonably request in order to effect fully the purposes of the Loan Documents, including providing Lenders with any information reasonably requested pursuant to Section 10.22. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, each Loan Party shall take such actions as any Agent may reasonably request from time to time to ensure that, subject in each case to Section 5.10, the Obligations are guaranteed by the Guarantors and are secured by substantially all of the assets of Loan Parties and all of the outstanding Capital Stock of Loan Parties (other than the Capital Stock of Global Parent and the Equity Grant).

 

Section 5.14 Corporate Separateness. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each of its direct and indirect Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) who is not a Loan Party to,

 

(a) individually or collectively maintain its own Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts, as applicable, and all other accounts, separate from those of any of their Affiliates (other than the Loan Parties) with commercial banking or financial institutions, and prevent such funds from being commingled with the funds of any of its Affiliates (other than the Loan Parties);

 

(b) to the extent that each Loan Party and each of its direct and indirect Subsidiaries who is not a Loan Party hereunder and any of their Affiliates (other than the Loan Parties) have offices in the same location, ensure that there shall be a fair and appropriate allocation of overhead costs among them, and each Loan Party and each of its direct and indirect Subsidiaries who is not a Loan Party hereunder shall bear its fair share of such expenses;

 

(c) to the extent that each Loan Party and each of its direct and indirect Subsidiaries who is not a Loan Party hereunder and any of their Affiliates (other than the Loan Parties) jointly have the benefit of amounts under any contracts, ensure that they contribute to such amounts on a fair and reasonable basis, based on each party’s use and expense;

 

(d) conduct its affairs in its own names and in accordance with its Organization Documents and observes all necessary, appropriate and customary corporate or equivalent formalities, including, but not limited to, holding all regular and special meetings necessary to authorize all its actions, keeping separate and materially accurate minutes of its meetings, passing all resolutions or consents necessary to authorize actions taken or to be taken, and maintaining, in all material respects, accurate and separate books, records and accounts, including, but not limited to, payroll and intercompany transaction accounts; and

 

(e) not assume, guarantee, indemnify or grant any Liens in respect of any of the liabilities or other obligations of any of its Affiliates (other than the Loan Parties).

 

- 100 -

 

 

Section 5.15 [Reserved].

 

Section 5.16 Post-Closing Matters. Borrowers shall, and shall cause each of the other Loan Parties to, satisfy the requirements set forth on Schedule 5.16 on or before the date specified for such requirement or such later date to be determined by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.

 

Section 5.17 Use of Proceeds. Borrowers shall apply the proceeds of the Term Loans as set forth in Section 2.05 hereof.

 

Section 5.18 Franchise Agreements. Each Loan Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, satisfy and perform in all material respects all obligations of each such Person under each Franchise Agreement, except such non-compliance that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 5.19 Rental Agreements.

 

(a) All Rental Agreements shall be held by the Loan Parties at one or more locations as directed by the Lead Borrower and (ii) the Loan Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain customary measures consistent with past practice with respect to access to, and security of such Rental Agreements.

 

(b) The Loan Parties shall ensure that all Rental Agreements entered into following the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date bear the following legend: “This writing and the obligations evidenced hereby are subject to the security interest of GACP FINANCE CO., LLC, as Administrative Agent.”

 

ARTICLE VI
NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

Each Loan Party covenants and agrees that, so long as any Commitment is in effect and until payment in full of all Obligations, such Loan Party shall perform, and such Loan Party shall cause each of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to perform, all covenants in this Article VI.

 

Section 6.01 Indebtedness. No Loan Party shall, nor shall any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume, or guarantee, or otherwise become or remain directly or indirectly liable with respect to any Indebtedness, except Permitted Indebtedness.

 

Section 6.02 Liens. No Loan Party shall, nor shall any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume, or permit to exist any Lien on or with respect to any property or asset of any kind (including any document or instrument in respect of goods or accounts receivable) of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or any income or profits therefrom, or file or permit the filing of, or permit to remain in effect, any financing statement or other similar notice of any Lien with respect to any such property, asset, income, or profits under the UCC of any State or under any similar recording or notice statute, except Permitted Liens.

 

- 101 -

 

 

Section 6.03 [Reserved].

 

Section 6.04 No Further Negative Pledges. Except with respect to (a) specific property encumbered to secure payment of particular Indebtedness or to be sold pursuant to an executed agreement with respect to an Asset Sale permitted under Section 6.09, (b) restrictions by reason of customary provisions restricting assignments, subletting, or other transfers contained in leases, licenses, and similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business (provided that such restrictions are limited to the property or assets secured by such Liens or the property or assets subject to such leases, licenses, or similar agreements, as the case may be), (c) any covenants contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Documents, and (d) any covenants contained in the GACP Credit Agreement or in any other GACP Facility Loan Documents and (e) restrictions imposed by law, no Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) shall enter into any agreement prohibiting the creation or assumption of any Lien upon any of its properties or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired.

 

Section 6.05 Restricted Junior Payments. No Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) through any manner or means or through any other Person to, directly or indirectly, declare, order, pay, make, or set apart, or agree to declare, order, pay, make, or set apart, any sum for any Restricted Junior Payment except:

 

(a) the making of (i) Permitted Tax Payments and (ii) to the extent constituting a Restricted Junior Payment, the payment of fees and expenses (or the distribution of amounts used to pay such fees and expenses) incurred by Ultimate Parent in connection with (x) corporate and public company overhead costs and expenses (including administrative, legal accounting, Tax reporting, insurance and other similar expenses payable to third parties) solely attributable to the operations of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) (in the good faith judgment of the Lead Borrower) that are incurred in the ordinary course of business in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000 in any Fiscal Year; and (y) substantially contemporaneously with the Closing Date, the Transactions;

 

(b) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall be caused thereby, Restricted Junior Payments made solely in Capital Stock of a Parent Company (other than Disqualified Capital Stock) shall be permitted so long as a Change of Control does not occur after giving effect to any such Restricted Junior Payments;

 

(c) [reserved];

 

(d) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall be caused thereby, the repayment or prepayment of all or any part of the principal on any Indebtedness owed by any Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to any of a Parent Company; provided, that any interest, fees and expenses thereon may accrue so long as such interest, fees and expenses are not paid in cash until payment in full of all Obligations;

 

(e) so long as (x) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall be caused thereby and (y) Consolidated Liquidity is not less than $40,000,000 both before and on a pro forma basis after the making of such payments, the making of cash payments to Global Parent to redeem, retire, purchase or otherwise acquire the shares of Capital Stock of the Lead Borrower issued or sold to Global Parent in reliance on Section 6.19(b); provided, that cash payments made in reliance on this clause (e) shall not exceed, in the aggregate, the amounts paid to Lead Borrower by Global Parent in exchange for such shares of Capital Stock; and

 

- 102 -

 

 

(f) Restricted Junior Payments (x) made by Global Parent using the proceeds of any substantially concurrent cash capital contributions received by Global Parent from Ultimate Parent or (y) deemed made by Global Parent as a result of Restricted Junior Payments made by Ultimate Parent on behalf of Global Parent; provided that (1) with respect to any such Restricted Junior Payment announced on or after the Second Amendment No. 2 Effective Date, Consolidated Liquidity is not less than $40,000,000 both before and on a pro forma basis after the making of such payments (calculated as of the date of any public announcement of any such payments) and (2) any proceeds actually received in cash from Ultimate Parent for use pursuant to this clause (f) (i)shall be disregarded for purposes of calculation any financial covenant and (ii) amounts contributed in such Fiscal Quarter, amounts contributed in any prior Fiscal Quarter that have not been distributed as of such Fiscal Quarter and amounts distributed in such Fiscal Quarter must all be designated in the Compliance Certificate; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in no event shall any Loan Party make any Restricted Junior Payment that results in the transfer of ownership (directly or indirectly) of any Material Intellectual Property (except for non-exclusive licenses of patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights granted by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and not interfering in any respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of such Loan Party or any such Subsidiary) or any interest in any Franchise Agreement to any Person that is not a Loan Party.

 

Section 6.06 Restrictions on Subsidiary Distributions. Except as provided herein, no Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the ability of any Subsidiary of Lead Borrower to (a) pay dividends or make any other distributions on any of such Subsidiary’s Capital Stock owned by Lead Borrower or any other Subsidiary of Lead Borrower, (b) repay or prepay any Indebtedness owed by such Subsidiary to Lead Borrower or any other Subsidiary of Lead Borrower, (c) make loans or advances to Lead Borrower or any other Subsidiary of Lead Borrower, or (d) transfer any of its property or assets to Borrower or any other Subsidiary of Lead Borrower other than restrictions (i) in agreements evidencing Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness that impose restrictions on the property so acquired, (ii) by reason of customary provisions restricting assignments, subletting, or other transfers contained in leases, licenses, joint venture agreements, and similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business, (iii) that are or were created by virtue of any transfer of, agreement to transfer, or option or right with respect to any property, assets, or Capital Stock not otherwise prohibited under this Agreement, and (iv) that are in the GACP Credit Agreement and (v) that are imposed by law. No Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit its Subsidiaries to, enter into any Contractual Obligations which would prohibit a Subsidiary of Lead Borrower from being a Loan Party. Each reference in this Section 6.06 to a “Subsidiary” or “Subsidiaries” shall exclude the Excluded Entities.

 

Section 6.07 Investments. No Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, directly or indirectly, make or own any Investment in any Person, including, without limitation, any Joint Venture, except any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (excluding the Excluded Entities) thereof may make or own Permitted Investments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any Loan Party make any Investment (i) which results in or facilitates in any manner any Restricted Junior Payment not otherwise permitted under the terms of Section 6.05 or (ii) that results in the transfer of ownership (directly or indirectly) of any Material Intellectual Property (except for non-exclusive licenses of patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights granted by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and not interfering in any respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of such Loan Party or any such Subsidiary) or any interest in any Franchise Agreement to any Person that is not a Loan Party.

 

- 103 -

 

 

Section 6.08 Financial Covenants.  

 

(a) Minimum Consolidated Liquidity. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall not permit Consolidated Liquidity to be less than $25,000,000.

 

(b) Borrowing Base. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall not permit the Borrowing Base Ratio as of the last day of any fiscal month (or week, if Consolidated Liquidity is less than $40,000,000) to be less than 100%.

 

Section 6.09 Fundamental Changes; Disposition of Assets; Acquisitions. No Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation, or liquidate, wind up, or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or convey, sell, lease, or sub-lease (as lessor or sublessor), exchange, transfer, or otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or any part of its business, assets, or property of any kind whatsoever (whether by Division or otherwise), whether real, personal, or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or acquired by purchase or otherwise (other than purchases or other acquisitions of inventory, materials, and equipment and capital expenditures in the ordinary course of business) the business, property, or fixed assets of, or stock or other evidence of beneficial ownership of, any Person or any division or line of business or other business unit of any Person, except:

 

(a) any Subsidiary of Global Parent may be merged with or into Borrower or any Guarantor Subsidiary, or be liquidated, wound up, or dissolved so long as all the assets of such liquidating, wound up or dissolved entity are transferred to a Loan Party (other than Global Parent) that is not liquidating, winding up or dissolving, or all or any part of its business, property, or assets may be conveyed, sold, leased, transferred, or otherwise disposed of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, to Borrower or any Guarantor Subsidiary; provided, that in the case of such a merger, Borrower or such Guarantor Subsidiary, as applicable, shall be the continuing or surviving Person,

 

(b) sales or other dispositions of assets that do not constitute Asset Sales,

 

(c) dispositions of equipment and other property in the ordinary course of business that is worn (other than normal “wear and tear”), damaged, obsolete or, in the judgment of a Loan Party, no longer useful or necessary in its business or that of any Subsidiary,

 

(d) to the extent constituting an Asset Sale, (i) the incurrence of Permitted Liens, (ii) the making of Restricted Junior Payments permitted pursuant to Section 6.05 and sale and lease back transactions permitted by Section 6.11,

 

(e) Asset Sales (other than bulk sales of ABL Priority Collateral (as such term is defined in the Intercreditor Agreement)); provided, that (A) (x) for Asset Sales not constituting Refranchising Activity, the consideration received for such assets shall be in an amount at least equal to the fair market value thereof (determined in good faith by Board of Lead Borrower or Global Parent (or similar governing body), which consideration is received in an arm’s length transaction from a Person other than an Affiliate of a Loan Party (provided that Asset Sales as permitted by Section 6.12(e) may be consummated with an Affiliate of a Loan Party) or (y) solely, to the extent such Asset Sale constitutes Refranchising Activity, the Net Proceeds (excluding any royalties paid to a Liberty Party in connection with the operation of a retail location) thereof shall not be less than five (5) times the net cash flow generated at the store(s) before allocating corporate overhead expenses for the four Fiscal Quarter period thethen ending, (B) no less than 75% thereof shall be paid in Cash, (C) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Asset Sale, the Loan Parties shall be in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.08(a) and (b) as of the last day of the most recent Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(b), (D) the Net Proceeds thereof shall be applied as required by Section 2.13(a) or 2.13(g), and (E) for Asset Sales (x) not constituting Refranchising Activity or (y) constituting sales of Real Property, the Net Proceeds thereof shall not exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate,

 

- 104 -

 

 

(f) the Lead Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof may make or own Permitted Investments,

 

(g) sales, transfers and other dispositions among the Loan Parties,

 

(h) sales, transfers, and other dispositions by any Subsidiary which is not a Loan Party to any Loan Party or any other Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party,

 

(i) dispositions of Cash or Cash Equivalents in the ordinary course of business;

 

(j) non-exclusive licenses of patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights granted by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and not interfering in any respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of such Loan Party or any such Subsidiary;

 

(k) the abandonment, cancellation, dedication to the public domain or allowance to lapse of intellectual property of any Loan Party that is no longer material to that Loan Party’s business in that Loan Party’s reasonable business judgment;

 

(l) dispositions of any assets (including Capital Stock) (A) acquired in connection with any Permitted Acquisition or other Investment not prohibited hereunder, which assets are not used or useful to the core or principal business of the Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries or (B) made to obtain the approval of any applicable antitrust authority in connection with a Permitted Acquisition;

 

(m) to the extent constituting a disposition, the waiver of any payments due on or in respect of Indebtedness (other than payments due at the maturity thereof) owing to the Loan Parties by any other Persons;

 

(n) exclusive licenses granted to franchisees in the ordinary course and consistent with past practices; and

 

(o) consummate a Division as a Dividing Person without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent; notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Borrower or Guarantor that is a limited liability company consummates a Division, each Division Successor shall be required to comply with the obligations set forth in Section 5.13 and the other further assurances obligations set forth in the Loan Documents and become a Borrower or Guarantor, as applicable, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.; and

 

(p) the sale by the Liberty Parties of Liberty Area Development Rights, Liberty Franchise Rights, and store locations (and customer lists and other assets related thereto), in each case in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in no event shall any Loan Party make any Asset Sale or other asset sale or disposition of assets that results in the transfer of ownership (directly or indirectly) of any Material Intellectual Property (except for non-exclusive licenses of patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights granted by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and not interfering in any respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of such Loan Party or any such Subsidiary) or any interest in any Franchise Agreement to any Person that is not a Loan Party.

 

- 105 -

 

 

Section 6.10 Disposal of Subsidiary Interests. Except for any sale of all of its interests in the Capital Stock of any of its Subsidiaries in compliance with the provisions of Section 6.09, no Loan Party shall, nor shall any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, (a) directly or indirectly sell, assign, pledge, or otherwise encumber or dispose of any Capital Stock of any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), except to qualify directors if required by applicable law or (b) permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) directly or indirectly to sell, assign, pledge, or otherwise encumber or dispose of any Capital Stock of any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), except (i) the Equity Grant, (ii) to another Loan Party (subject to the restrictions on such disposition otherwise imposed hereunder), or (iii) to qualify directors if required by applicable law.

 

Section 6.11 Sales and Lease Backs. No Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, directly or indirectly, become or remain liable as lessee or as a guarantor or other surety with respect to any lease of any property (whether real, personal, or mixed), whether now owned or hereafter acquired, which such Loan Party (a) has sold or transferred or is to sell or to transfer to any other Person (other than Lead Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Loan Party) or (b) intends to use for substantially the same purpose as any other property which has been or is to be sold or transferred by such Loan Party to any Person (other than Lead Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Loan Party) in connection with such lease.

 

Section 6.12 Transactions with Affiliates. No Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, directly or indirectly, enter into or permit to exist any transaction (including the purchase, sale, lease, or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with any holder of 5% or more of any class of Capital Stock of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or with any Affiliate of Global Parent or of any such holder; provided, that the foregoing restrictions shall not apply to any of the following:

 

(a) any transaction among the Loan Parties,

 

(b) compensation arrangements for officers and other employees of Global Parent and its Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business,

 

(c) the payment of Restricted Junior Payments permitted by Section 6.05,

 

(d) any Loan Party may purchase assets from Affiliates thereof in the ordinary course of business so long as (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, (ii) such purchase is consummated pursuant to an arm’s length transaction and (iii) such assets are purchased for fair market value,

 

(e) Asset Sales in the form of a sale of furniture and assignment of lease agreements to franchisees in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices, so long as (i) the sale thereof is approved by independent members of the Board that do not have any economic or voting interest in Lead Borrower (other than such position on the Board); (ii) concurrently with such sale, Administrative Agent shall receive a copy of an executed Franchise Agreement in which such franchisee agrees to pay for the right to use the brand name, products, suppliers, equipment, and systems of Lead Borrower; (iii) the Loan Parties shall be in pro forma compliance with the financial covenants in Section 6.08 for the immediately preceding four-Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been (or were required to be) delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(b), and (iv) in connection with the sale referenced in this clause (e), such sale meets the terms and conditions set forth in clause (e) of Section 6.09 and the Net Proceeds thereof shall be applied as required by Section 2.13(a),

 

- 106 -

 

 

(f) financial advisory services with Affiliates, including, Vintage Capital Management, LLC so long as such financial advisory services are at arm’s length provided at a customary fee consistent with industry standards not to exceed $1,000,000 per Fiscal Year, and

 

(g) transactions described in Schedule 6.12;, and

 

(h) issuance of the Equity Grant; provided, further, that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in no event shall any Loan Party enter into any transaction (including the purchase, sale, lease, or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with any holder of 5% or more of any class of Capital Stock of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or with any Affiliate of Global Parent or of any such holder, that results in the transfer of ownership (directly or indirectly) of any Material Intellectual Property (except for non-exclusive licenses of patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights granted by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and not interfering in any respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of such Loan Party or any such Subsidiary) or any interest in any Franchise Agreement to any Person that is not a Loan Party.

 

Section 6.13 Conduct of Business. From and after the Closing Date, no Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, engage in any business other than (a) the businesses engaged in by such Loan Party or its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) on the Closing Date and any other business reasonably related or complimentary thereto and (b) such other lines of business as may be consented to by the Required Lenders.

 

Section 6.14 Permitted Activities of Parent Companies. The Global Parent shall not (i) incur, directly or indirectly, any material Indebtedness for borrowed money other than the Obligations and intercompany Indebtedness or otherwise expressly permitted to be incurred by the Global Parent hereunder, (ii) create or suffer to exist any Lien upon any property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired by it other than (A) the Liens created under the Collateral Documents to which it is a party and (B) the Liens contemplated by clause (iii)(12) below, (iii) engage in any business or activity or own any assets other than (1) holding Capital Stock of its Subsidiaries and other investments contemplated by clause (iii)(12) below, (2) performing its obligations and activities incidental thereto under the Loan Documents, (3) making Restricted Junior Payments and Investments not prohibited hereunder, (4) carrying out activities incidental to maintenance of its corporate existence (including the ability to incur fees, costs and expenses relating to such maintenance) and the management of its Subsidiaries (including the ability to incur fees, costs and expenses relating to such management), (5) the performance of obligations under and compliance with its Organizational Documents, or other Requirement of Law, ordinance, regulation, rule, order, judgment, decree or permit, including as a result of or in connection with the activities of any of its Subsidiaries, (6) the making of any loan to any officers, directors, managers, members of management, consultants or independent contractors constituting (or that would constitute, to the extent Global Parent were subject to Section 6.07, an Investment permitted under Section 6.07), (7) participating in tax, accounting and other administrative matters related to any of its Subsidiaries, (8) the entry into, and exercise rights and performance of its obligations under and in connection with the Loan Documents and guarantees of other Indebtedness not prohibited from being incurred under this Agreement by any of its Subsidiaries, (9) holding of any cash and cash equivalents received from any of its Subsidiaries, (10) the payment of dividends or making of distributions, making of loans and contributions to the capital of its Subsidiaries and guaranteeing the obligations (other than Indebtedness) of its Subsidiaries, (11) incurring fees, costs and expenses relating to overhead and general operating expenses including professional fees for legal, tax and accounting issues and paying taxes, (12) activities incidental to the businesses or activities described in the foregoing clauses and (13) any other transactions in the ordinary course of business (including, without limitation, making Investments and forming or acquiring new Subsidiaries) as permitted by its Organizational Documents (other than become an operating company or engage in significant operating company activities), (iv) cease to exist, consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer, or lease all or substantially all its assets to, any Person or (v) fail to hold itself out to the public as a legal entity separate and distinct from all other Persons.

 

- 107 -

 

 

Section 6.15 Changes to Certain Agreements and Organizational Documents.

 

(a) No Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, agree to any material amendment, restatement, supplement, or other modification to, or waiver of, any of its material rights under the Acquisition Agreement after the Closing Date without in each case obtaining the prior written consent of Required Lenders to such amendment, restatement, supplement, or other modification or waiver.

 

(b) No Loan Party shall amend or permit any amendments to any Loan Party’s Organizational Documents if such amendment, termination, or waiver would be material and adverse to the Agents or Lenders.

 

(c) No Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, amend or otherwise change the terms of any Indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the Obligations, except as may be permitted pursuant to the applicable subordination and/or intercreditor arrangements, the terms and conditions of which are satisfactory to each Agent.

 

Section 6.16 Accounting Methods. The Loan Parties will not and will not permit any of their Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to modify or change its fiscal year or its method of accounting (other than as may be required to conform to GAAP); provided that the Loan Parties may change their fiscal year following 30 days’ prior written notice to each Agent; provided further that, immediately following such notice, the Loan Parties will (i) provide such information as reasonably requested by any Agent or Required Lenders, including without limitation, a Financial Plan reflecting such new fiscal year, as applicable, and (ii) negotiate in good faith technical amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, as necessary, to reflect such new fiscal year.

 

Section 6.17 Cash Management.

 

(a) No Loan Party shall establish or maintain a Deposit Account or a Securities Account that is not subject to a Control Agreement; provided, that no Excluded Account shall be required to be subject to a Control Agreement; provided, further, that, the Loan Parties shall have fifteen (15) days after the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date (or, in each case, with respect to Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts opened or acquired after the Closing Date, sixty (60) days after the date of such opening or acquisition) (or with respect to Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts owned by the Liberty Parties on the Third Amendment Effective Date, sixty (60) days after the Third Amendment Effective Date) (or, in each case, such later date to which Collateral Agent may otherwise agree) to cause a Deposit Account or Securities Account to become subject to a Control Agreement so long as no Cash or securities being held in a Deposit Account or Securities Account subject to a Control Agreement is transferred to any such new Deposit Account or Securities Account prior to such new Deposit Account or Securities Account becoming subject to a Control Agreement. The Loan Parties shall transfer no less frequently than daily (other than days that are not Business Days for the applicable bank) (or, solely with respect to AF Holdings and its Subsidiaries, weekly) to a Deposit Account subject to a Control Agreement all payments received from all Credit Card Issuers and Credit Card Processors (other than to the extent such payments are received directly into a Deposit Account subject to a Control Agreement). After the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date, the Loan Parties shall not have more than $2,500,000 in the aggregate in Deposit Accounts that are not subject to a Control Agreement (other than Excluded Accounts).

 

- 108 -

 

 

(b) [Reserved].

 

(b) If at the close of any Business Day, the amount standing to the credit of any Local Deposit Account exceeds the product of $25,000 and the amount of store locations using such account as a Local Deposit Account (or, from January 1 through April 30 of any calendar year, the product of $100,000 and such number of store locations), then the related Liberty Party shall, not later than the following Business Day, cause the amount of such excess to be transferred to a Deposit Account that is subject to a Control Agreement. If the average daily amount standing to the credit of any Local Deposit Account exceeds 120% of the maximum amount permitted to be maintained in such account pursuant to the preceding sentence for any period of 10 consecutive days, the applicable Liberty Party will promptly so notify the Administrative Agent. Upon receipt of any such notice, the Administrative Agent may designate such Deposit Account as not constituting a Local Deposit Account, and the applicable Liberty Party will cause such Deposit Account to be subject to a Control Agreement within 90 days of receipt of such notice.

 

(c) Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, each Control Agreement shall provide that the applicable depositary bank or securities intermediary will comply with any instructions originated by the applicable GACP Facility Agent or the Collateral Agent directing the disposition of funds in the applicable deposit account or securities account without further consent by the Loan Party; provided that the Collateral Agent shall not issue such instructions except during the continuance of an Event of Default; provided, further, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Collateral Agent shall not issue such instructions under any Control Agreement in respect of a Deposit Account or Securities Account owned or maintained by Global Parent or Liberty/Revolution Top Parent except during the continuance of an Specified Event of Default; (provided that, unless Collateral Agent otherwise agrees, such Control Agreements shall provide that the Collateral Agent’s instructions shall automatically be deemed to have been issued upon an Event of Default under Sections 8.01(f) or (g)).

 

(d) To the extent not previously delivered prior to the Closing Date, deliver to Collateral Agent within twenty (20) calendar days after the Closing Date (or, with respect to the Liberty Parties, the Third Amendment Effective Date) (or such longer period as agreed to by Collateral Agent) copies of notifications in the form of Exhibit I hereto (each, a “Credit Card Notification”), or otherwise reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Collateral Agent which have been executed by the applicable Loan Parties and delivered to such Loan Party’s Credit Card Issuers and Credit Card Processors listed in Schedule 6.17 with respect to which the Loan Parties have established credit card processing arrangements; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any multi-party credit card processing arrangements or credit card processing arrangements entered into by any predecessors in interest to the Loan Parties, the Loan Parties shall be required to use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure the delivery of such Credit Card Notifications as promptly as reasonably practicable following the Closing Date.

 

- 109 -

 

 

(e) Upon entering into any agreements with any new Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor, the Loan Parties shall deliver to Collateral Agent a Credit Card Notification as set forth in Section 6.17(d) hereof.

 

(f) Collateral Agent agrees that (1) it shall not direct any Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor to transfer any proceeds pursuant to any Credit Card Notification unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (2) if any Loan Party shall so request, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Collateral Agent shall countersign any notification, request, order or direction from such Loan Party to any Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor directing payments from such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor to be made to a new or different Deposit Account, provided such Deposit Account is subject to a Control Agreement.

 

Section 6.18 Prepayments of Certain Indebtedness. No Loan Party shall, directly or indirectly, voluntarily purchase, redeem, defease or prepay any principal of, premium, interest or other amount payable in respect of any Indebtedness prior to its scheduled maturity, other than prepayments and repayments of Permitted Indebtedness.

 

Section 6.19 Issuance of Capital Stock. Except for (a) the issuance or sale of Capital Stock of Global Parent or Lead Borrower, in exchange for cash payments by Global Parent to Lead Borrower, or (b) the issuance or sale of Capital Stock as otherwise expressly permitted under this Agreement, including, but not limited to, Section 6.07 and Section 6.10, Global Parent will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to, issue or sell any of its Capital Stock (other than the issuance or sale of directors’ qualifying shares, issuances pursuant to any equity incentive plan or similar plan, orthe Equity Grant, and other nominal issuanceissuances in order to comply with local laws).

 

Section 6.20 Anti-Terrorism Laws. No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, directly or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, indirectly, to make any payments to a Sanctioned Entity or a Sanctioned Person, to finance any investments in a Sanctioned Entity or a Sanctioned Person, to fund any operations of a Sanctioned Entity or a Sanctioned Person, or in any other manner that would result in a violation of applicable Sanctions by any Person, and no part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, directly or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, indirectly, 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 the Anti-corruption Laws.

 

Section 6.21 Franchise Agreements. No Loan Party will maintain or distribute any Franchise Disclosure Documents, or enter into any Franchise Agreements, in violation of Section 4.28(c).

 

- 110 -

 

 

ARTICLE VII
GUARANTY

 

Section 7.01 Guaranty of the Obligations. Subject to the provisions of Section 7.02, Guarantors jointly and severally hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee for the ratable benefit of the Beneficiaries the due and punctual payment in full of all Obligations when the same shall become due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand, or otherwise (including amounts that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code) (collectively, the “Guaranteed Obligations”).

 

Section 7.02 Contribution by Guarantors. All Guarantors desire to allocate among themselves, in a fair and equitable manner, their obligations arising under the Guaranties. Accordingly, in the event any payment or distribution is made on any date by a Guarantor under any Guaranty such that its Aggregate Payments exceeds its Fair Share as of such date, such Guarantor shall be entitled to a contribution from each of the other Guarantors in an amount sufficient to cause each Guarantor’s Aggregate Payments to equal its Fair Share as of such date. “Fair Share” means, with respect to any Guarantor as of any date of determination, an amount equal to (a) the ratio of (i) the Fair Share Contribution Amount with respect to such Guarantor, to (ii) the aggregate of the Fair Share Contribution Amounts with respect to all Guarantors multiplied by, (b) the aggregate amount paid or distributed on or before such date by all Guarantors under all Guaranties in respect of the Obligations guaranteed. “Fair Share Contribution Amount” means, with respect to any Guarantor as of any date of determination, the maximum aggregate amount of the obligations of such Guarantor under the Guaranties that would not render its obligations under the Guaranties subject to avoidance as a fraudulent transfer or conveyance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or any comparable applicable provisions of state or foreign law; provided, that solely for purposes of calculating the Fair Share Contribution Amount with respect to any Guarantor for purposes of this Section 7.02, any assets or liabilities of such Guarantor arising by virtue of any rights to subrogation, reimbursement, or indemnification or any rights to or obligations of contribution under any Guaranty shall not be considered as assets or liabilities of such Guarantor. “Aggregate Payments” means, with respect to any Guarantor, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to (y) the aggregate amount of all payments and distributions made on or before such date by such Guarantor in respect of any Guaranties (including, without limitation, in respect of this Section 7.02), minus (z) the aggregate amount of all payments received on or before such date by such Guarantor from the other Guarantors as contributions under this Section 7.02. The amounts payable as contributions hereunder shall be determined as of the date on which the related payment or distribution is made by the applicable Guarantor. The allocation among Guarantors of their obligations as set forth in this Section 7.02 shall not be construed in any way to limit the liability of any Guarantor under any Guaranty. Each Guarantor is a third party beneficiary to the contribution agreement set forth in this Section 7.02.

 

Section 7.03 Payment by Guarantors. Subject to Section 7.02, Guarantors hereby jointly and severally agree, in furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any Beneficiary may have at law or in equity against any Guarantor by virtue hereof, that upon the failure of a Borrower to pay any of the Guaranteed Obligations when and as the same shall become due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand, or otherwise (including amounts that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code), Guarantors will upon demand pay, or cause to be paid, in Cash, to Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of Beneficiaries, an amount equal to the sum of the unpaid principal amount of all Guaranteed Obligations then due as aforesaid, accrued and unpaid interest on such Guaranteed Obligations (including interest which, but for such Borrower’s becoming the subject of a case under the Bankruptcy Code, would have accrued on such Guaranteed Obligations, whether or not a claim is allowed or allowable against such Borrower for such interest in the related bankruptcy case) and all other Guaranteed Obligations then owed to Beneficiaries as aforesaid.

 

- 111 -

 

 

Section 7.04 Liability of Guarantors Absolute. Each Guarantor agrees that its obligations hereunder are irrevocable, absolute, independent, and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance which constitutes a legal or equitable discharge of a guarantor or surety other than payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, each Guarantor agrees as follows:

 

(a) this Guaranty is a guaranty of payment when due and not of collectability. This Guaranty is a primary obligation of each Guarantor and not merely a contract of surety,

 

(b) any Agent may enforce this Guaranty upon the occurrence of an Event of Default notwithstanding the existence of any dispute between a Borrower and any Beneficiary with respect to the existence of such Event of Default,

 

(c) the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder are independent of the obligations of each Borrower and the obligations of any other guarantor (including any other Guarantor) of the obligations of such Borrower, and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against such Guarantor whether or not any action is brought against such Borrower or any of such other guarantors and whether or not such Borrower is joined in any such action or actions,

 

(d) payment by any Guarantor of a portion, but not all, of the Guaranteed Obligations shall in no way limit, affect, modify, or abridge any Guarantor’s liability for any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations which has not been paid. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if any Agent is awarded a judgment in any suit brought to enforce any Guarantor’s covenant to pay a portion of the Guaranteed Obligations, such judgment shall not be deemed to release such Guarantor from its covenant to pay the portion of the Guaranteed Obligations that is not the subject of such suit, and such judgment shall not, except to the extent satisfied by such Guarantor, limit, affect, modify, or abridge any other Guarantor’s liability hereunder in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations,

 

(e) any Beneficiary, upon such terms as it deems appropriate, without notice or demand and without affecting the validity or enforceability hereof or giving rise to any reduction, limitation, impairment, discharge, or termination of any Guarantor’s liability hereunder, from time to time may (i) renew, extend, accelerate, increase the rate of interest on, or otherwise change the time, place, manner, or terms of payment of the Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) settle, compromise, release, or discharge, or accept or refuse any offer of performance with respect to, or substitutions for, the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement relating thereto and/or subordinate the payment of the same to the payment of any other obligations, (iii) request and accept other guaranties of the Guaranteed Obligations and take and hold security for the payment hereof or the Guaranteed Obligations, (iv) release, surrender, exchange, substitute, compromise, settle, rescind, waive, alter, subordinate, or modify, with or without consideration, any security for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations, any other guaranties of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any other obligation of any Person (including any other Guarantor) with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations, (v) enforce and apply any security now or hereafter held by or for the benefit of such Beneficiary in respect hereof or the Guaranteed Obligations and direct the order or manner of sale thereof, or exercise any other right or remedy that such Beneficiary may have against any such security, in each case as such Beneficiary in its discretion may determine consistent herewith and any applicable security agreement, including foreclosure on any such security pursuant to one or more judicial or non-judicial sales, whether or not every aspect of any such sale is commercially reasonable, and even though such action operates to impair or extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of any Guarantor against a Borrower or any security for the Guaranteed Obligations, and (vi) exercise any other rights available to it under the Loan Documents, and

 

- 112 -

 

 

(f) this Guaranty and the obligations of Guarantors hereunder shall be valid and enforceable and shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment, discharge, or termination for any reason (other than payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations), including the occurrence of any of the following, whether or not any Guarantor shall have had notice or knowledge of any of them: (i) any failure or omission to assert or enforce or agreement or election not to assert or enforce, or the stay or enjoining, by order of court, by operation of law or otherwise, of the exercise or enforcement of, any claim or demand or any right, power, or remedy (whether arising under the Loan Documents, at law, in equity, or otherwise) with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement relating thereto, or with respect to any other guaranty of, or security for the payment of, the Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) any rescission, waiver, amendment, or modification of, or any consent to departure from, any of the terms or provisions (including provisions relating to Events of Default) hereof, any of the other Loan Documents or any agreement or instrument executed pursuant thereto, or of any other guaranty or security for the Guaranteed Obligations, in each case whether or not in accordance with the terms hereof or such Loan Document or any agreement relating to such other guaranty or security, (iii) the Guaranteed Obligations, or any agreement relating thereto, at any time being found to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable in any respect, (iv) the application of payments received from any source (other than payments received pursuant to the other Loan Documents or from the proceeds of any security for the Guaranteed Obligations, except to the extent such security also serves as collateral for Indebtedness other than the Guaranteed Obligations) to the payment of Indebtedness other than the Guaranteed Obligations, even though any Beneficiary might have elected to apply such payment to any part or all of the Guaranteed Obligations, (v) any Beneficiary’s consent to the change, reorganization, or termination of the corporate structure or existence of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries and to any corresponding restructuring of the Guaranteed Obligations, (vi) any failure to perfect or continue perfection of a security interest in any Collateral which secures any of the Guaranteed Obligations, (vii) any defenses, set-offs, or counterclaims which a Borrower may allege or assert against any Beneficiary in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations, including failure of consideration, breach of warranty, payment, statute of frauds, statute of limitations, accord and satisfaction, and usury, and (viii) any other act or thing or omission, or delay to do any other act or thing, which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Guarantor as an obligor in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations.

 

Section 7.05 Waivers by Guarantors. Each Guarantor hereby waives, for the benefit of Beneficiaries: (a) any right to require any Beneficiary, as a condition of payment or performance by such Guarantor, to (i) proceed against a Borrower, any other guarantor (including any other Guarantor) of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any other Person, (ii) proceed against or exhaust any security held from a Borrower, any such other guarantor, or any other Person, (iii) proceed against or have resort to any balance of any Deposit Account or credit on the books of any Beneficiary in favor of a Borrower or any other Person, or (iv) pursue any other remedy in the power of any Beneficiary whatsoever, (b) any defense arising by reason of the incapacity, lack of authority, or any disability or other defense of a Borrower or any other Guarantor including any defense based on or arising out of the lack of validity or the unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement or instrument relating thereto or by reason of the cessation of the liability of a Borrower or any other Guarantor from any cause other than payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations, (c) any defense based upon any statute or rule of law which provides that the obligation of a surety must be neither larger in amount nor in other respects more burdensome than that of the principal, (d) any defense based upon any Beneficiary’s errors or omissions in the administration of the Guaranteed Obligations, except behavior which amounts to bad faith, (e) (i) any principles or provisions of law, statutory or otherwise, which are or might be in conflict with the terms hereof and any legal or equitable discharge of such Guarantor’s obligations hereunder, (ii) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting such Guarantor’s liability hereunder or the enforcement hereof, (iii) any rights to setoffs, recoupments, and counterclaims, and (iv) promptness, diligence, and any requirement that any Beneficiary protect, secure, perfect, or insure any security interest or lien or any property subject thereto, (f) notices, demands, presentments, protests, notices of protest, notices of dishonor, and notices of any action or inaction, including acceptance hereof, notices of default hereunder, or any agreement or instrument related thereto, notices of any renewal, extension, or modification of the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement related thereto, notices of any extension of credit to a Borrower, and notices of any of the matters referred to in Section 7.04 and any right to consent to any thereof, and (g) any defenses or benefits that may be derived from or afforded by law which limit the liability of or exonerate guarantors or sureties or which may conflict with the terms hereof.

 

- 113 -

 

 

Section 7.06 Guarantors’ Rights of Subrogation, Contribution, etc. Until the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full, each Guarantor hereby waives any claim, right, or remedy, direct or indirect, that such Guarantor now has or may hereafter have against a Borrower or any other Guarantor or any of its assets in connection with this Guaranty or the performance by such Guarantor of its obligations hereunder, in each case whether such claim, right, or remedy arises in equity, under contract, by statute, under common law, or otherwise and including, without limitation, (a) any right of subrogation, reimbursement, or indemnification that such Guarantor now has or may hereafter have against such Borrower with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations, (b) any right to enforce, or to participate in, any claim, right, or remedy that any Beneficiary now has or may hereafter have against such Borrower, and (c) any benefit of, and any right to participate in, any collateral or security now or hereafter held by any Beneficiary. In addition, until the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full, each Guarantor shall withhold exercise of any right of contribution such Guarantor may have against any other guarantor (including any other Guarantor) of the Guaranteed Obligations, including, without limitation, any such right of contribution as contemplated by Section 7.02. Each Guarantor further agrees that, to the extent the waiver or agreement to withhold the exercise of its rights of subrogation, reimbursement, indemnification, and contribution as set forth herein is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be void or voidable for any reason, any rights of subrogation, reimbursement, or indemnification such Guarantor may have against such Borrower or against any collateral or security, and any rights of contribution such Guarantor may have against any such other guarantor, shall be junior and subordinate to any rights any Beneficiary may have against such Borrower, to all right, title, and interest any Beneficiary may have in any such collateral or security, and to any right any Beneficiary may have against such other guarantor. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of any such subrogation, reimbursement, indemnification, or contribution rights at any time when all Guaranteed Obligations shall not have been finally and indefeasibly paid in full, such amount shall be held in trust for Administrative Agent, on behalf of Beneficiaries, and shall forthwith be paid over to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of Beneficiaries, to be credited and applied against the Guaranteed Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

Section 7.07 Subordination of Other Obligations. Any Indebtedness of any Borrower or any Guarantor now or hereafter held by any Guarantor is hereby subordinated in right of payment to the Guaranteed Obligations, and any such indebtedness collected or received by such Guarantor after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing shall be held in trust for Administrative Agent, on behalf of Beneficiaries, and shall forthwith be paid over to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of Beneficiaries, to be credited and applied against the Guaranteed Obligations but without affecting, impairing, or limiting in any manner the liability of such Guarantor under any other provision hereof.

 

- 114 -

 

 

Section 7.08 Continuing Guaranty. This Guaranty is a continuing guaranty and shall remain in effect until all of the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full. Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any right to revoke this Guaranty as to future transactions giving rise to any Guaranteed Obligations.

 

Section 7.09 Authority of Guarantors or Borrower. It is not necessary for any Beneficiary to inquire into the capacity or powers of any Guarantor or any Borrower or the officers, directors, or any agents acting or purporting to act on behalf of any of them.

 

Section 7.10 Financial Condition of Borrower. Any Credit Extension may be made to a Borrower or continued from time to time without notice to or authorization from any Guarantor regardless of the financial or other condition of Borrower at the time of any such grant or continuation is entered into, as the case may be. No Beneficiary shall have any obligation to disclose or discuss with any Guarantor its assessment, or any Guarantor’s assessment, of the financial condition of any Borrower. Each Guarantor has adequate means to obtain information from Borrower on a continuing basis concerning the financial condition of such Borrower and its ability to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents, and each Guarantor assumes the responsibility for being and keeping informed of the financial condition of each Borrower and of all circumstances bearing upon the risk of non-payment of the Guaranteed Obligations. Each Guarantor hereby waives and relinquishes any duty on the part of any Beneficiary to disclose any matter, fact, or thing relating to the business, operations, or conditions of any Borrower now known or hereafter known by any Beneficiary.

 

Section 7.11 Bankruptcy, etc.

 

(a) So long as any Guaranteed Obligations remain outstanding, no Guarantor shall, without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent acting pursuant to the instructions of Required Lenders, commence or join with any other Person in commencing any bankruptcy, reorganization, or insolvency case or proceeding of or against a Borrower or any other Guarantor. The obligations of Guarantors hereunder shall not be reduced, limited, impaired, discharged, deferred, suspended, or terminated by any case or proceeding, voluntary or involuntary, involving the bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, reorganization, liquidation, or arrangement of a Borrower or any other Guarantor or by any defense which a Borrower or any other Guarantor may have by reason of the order, decree, or decision of any court or administrative body resulting from any such proceeding.

 

(b) Each Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that any interest on any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations which accrues after the commencement of any case or proceeding referred to in clause (a) above (or, if interest on any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations ceases to accrue by operation of law by reason of the commencement of such case or proceeding, such interest as would have accrued on such portion of the Guaranteed Obligations if such case or proceeding had not been commenced) shall be included in the Guaranteed Obligations because it is the intention of Guarantors and Beneficiaries that the Guaranteed Obligations which are guaranteed by Guarantors pursuant hereto should be determined without regard to any rule of law or order which may relieve any Borrower of any portion of such Guaranteed Obligations. Guarantors will permit any trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, debtor in possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, or similar person to pay Administrative Agent, or allow the claim of Administrative Agent in respect of, any such interest accruing after the date on which such case or proceeding is commenced.

 

- 115 -

 

 

(c) In the event that all or any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations are paid by a Borrower, the obligations of Guarantors hereunder shall continue and remain in full force and effect or be reinstated, as the case may be, in the event that all or any part of such payment(s) are rescinded or recovered directly or indirectly from any Beneficiary as a preference, fraudulent transfer, or otherwise, and any such payments which are so rescinded or recovered shall constitute Guaranteed Obligations for all purposes hereunder.

 

Section 7.12 Discharge of Guaranty upon Sale of Guarantor. If all of the Capital Stock of any Guarantor or any of its successors in interest hereunder shall be sold or otherwise disposed of (including by merger or consolidation) in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, the Guaranty of such Guarantor or such successor in interest, as the case may be, hereunder shall automatically be discharged and released without any further action by any Beneficiary or any other Person effective as of the time of such Asset Sale.

 

ARTICLE VIII
EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

Section 8.01 Events of Default. If any one or more of the following conditions or events shall occur:

 

(a) Failure to Make Payments When Due. Failure by the Loan Parties to pay (i) the principal of any Loan when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, or otherwise), (ii) when due any installment of principal of any Loan, by notice of voluntary prepayment, by mandatory prepayment, or otherwise, (iii) within three (3) Business Days after the date when due, any interest on any Loan or any fee (including the Exit Fee) or any other amount due hereunder, or

 

(b) Default in Other Agreements. (i) Failure of any Loan Party or any of its respective Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to pay when due any principal of or interest on or any other amount payable in respect of one or more items of Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness referred to in Section 8.01(a)) in an aggregate principal amount of $3,000,000 or more, in each case beyond the grace period, if any, provided therefor, or (ii) breach or default by any Loan Party with respect to any other material term of (A) one or more items of Indebtedness in the individual or aggregate principal amounts referred to in subclause (i) above or (B) any loan agreement, mortgage, indenture, or other agreement relating to such item(s) of Indebtedness, in each case beyond the grace period, if any, provided therefor, if the effect of such breach or default is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of that Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause, that Indebtedness to become or be declared due and payable (or subject to a compulsory repurchase or redeemable) or to require the prepayment, redemption, repurchase, or defeasance of, or to cause Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) to make any offer to prepay, redeem, repurchase, or defease such Indebtedness, prior to its stated maturity or the stated maturity of any underlying obligation, as the case may be, or

 

(c) Breach of Certain Covenants. Failure of any Loan Party to perform or comply with any term or condition contained in Section 2.05, Section 5.01, Section 5.16 or Article VI, or

 

(d) Breach of Representations, etc. Any representation, warranty, certification, or other statement made or deemed made by any Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), as the case may be, in any Loan Document or in any statement or certificate at any time given by any Loan Party, or any of their respective Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), as the case may be, in writing pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall be false in any material respect (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 the date made or deemed made, or

 

- 116 -

 

 

(e) Other Defaults Under Loan Documents. Any Loan Party shall default in the performance of, or compliance with, any term contained herein or any of the other Loan Documents, other than any such term referred to in any other Section of this Section 8.01, and such default shall not have been remedied or waived within 30 days after the earlier of (i) an officer of such Loan Party becoming aware of such default or (ii) receipt by the Lead Borrower of notice from any Agent or any Lender of such default, or

 

(f) Involuntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, etc. (i) A court of competent jurisdiction shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries in an involuntary case under the Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar law now or hereafter in effect, which decree or order is not stayed, or any other similar relief shall be granted under any applicable federal or state law, or (ii) an involuntary case shall be commenced against Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries under the Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar law now or hereafter in effect, or a decree or order of a court having jurisdiction in the premises for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, sequestrator, trustee, custodian, or other officer having similar powers over Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or over all or a substantial part of its property, shall have been entered, or there shall have occurred the involuntary appointment of an interim receiver, trustee, or other custodian of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries for all or a substantial part of its property, or a warrant of attachment, execution, or similar process shall have been issued against any substantial part of the property of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, and any such event described in this clause (ii) shall continue for 60 days without having been dismissed, bonded, or discharged, or

 

(g) Voluntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, etc. (i) Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries shall have an order for relief entered with respect to it or shall commence a voluntary case under the Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar law now or hereafter in effect, or shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case, or to the conversion of an involuntary case to a voluntary case, under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, trustee, or other custodian for all or a substantial part of its property, or Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries shall make any assignment for the benefit of creditors, or (ii) Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries shall be unable, or shall fail generally, or shall admit in writing its inability, to pay its debts as such debts become due, or the Board (or similar governing body) of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (or any committee thereof with authority therefor) shall adopt any resolution or otherwise authorize any action to approve any of the actions referred to herein or in Section 8.01(f), or

 

(h) Judgments and Attachments. Any money judgment, writ, or warrant of attachment or similar process involving in the aggregate at any time an amount in excess of $3,000,000 (in either case to the extent not adequately covered by any indemnity or by insurance as to which a solvent and unaffiliated insurance company has not denied coverage) shall be entered or filed against Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) or any of their respective assets and shall remain undischarged, unvacated, unbonded, or unstayed for a period of 60 days, or

 

(i) Dissolution. Any order, judgment, or decree shall be entered against any Loan Party, decreeing the dissolution or split up of such Loan Party, and such order shall remain undischarged or unstayed for a period in excess of 60 days, or

 

- 117 -

 

 

(j) Employee Benefit Plans. (i) There shall occur one or more ERISA Events which individually or in the aggregate that results in or might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect during the term hereof, or (ii) there exists any fact or circumstance that reasonably could be expected to result in the imposition of a Lien or security interest under Section 430(k) of the Internal Revenue Code or under Section 303(k) of ERISA, or

 

(k) Change of Control. A Change of Control shall occur, or

 

(l) Guaranties, Collateral Documents, and Other Loan Documents. At any time after the execution and delivery thereof, (i) the Guaranty hereunder for any reason, other than the satisfaction in full of all Obligations, shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms) or shall be declared to be null and void or any Guarantor shall repudiate its obligations thereunder, (ii) this Agreement, or any Collateral Documents representing a material portion of the Collateral Agent’s security interest securing the Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect (other than by reason of a release of Collateral in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof or the satisfaction in full of the Obligations in accordance with the terms hereof) or shall be declared null and void, or Collateral Agent shall not have or shall cease to have a valid and perfected Lien in any material portion of the Collateral purported to be covered by the Collateral Documents with the priority required by the relevant Collateral Document, in each case for any reason other than the failure of Collateral Agent or any Secured Party to take any action within its control, or (iii)  any Loan Party, shall contest the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document in writing or deny in writing that it has any further liability, including with respect to future advances by Lenders, under any Loan Document to which it is a party, or

 

(m) Proceedings. The indictment of any Loan Party, any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), under any criminal statute or commencement of criminal or civil proceedings against any Loan Party, pursuant to which statute or proceedings the penalties or remedies sought or available include forfeiture to any Governmental Authority of any material portion of the property of such Person, or

 

(n) Cessation of Business. (i) Any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) is enjoined, restrained, or in any way prevented by the order of any court or any Governmental Authority (other than in connection with any COVID-19 “non-essential business” or similar shutdowns issued by any Governmental Authority) from conducting all or any material part of its business for more than 15 days, (ii) any other cessation of a substantial part of the business of Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities) for a period which materially and adversely affects Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded Entities), or (iii) any material damage to, or loss, theft, or destruction of, any Collateral, whether or not insured, or any strike, lockout, labor dispute, embargo, condemnation, act of God or public enemy, or other casualty which causes, for more than 15 consecutive days, the cessation or substantial curtailment of revenue producing activities at a Real Property that, in any case described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii), results in or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect during the term hereof;

 

(o) Subordinated Indebtedness. (i) Any of the Obligations for any reason shall cease to be “Senior Indebtedness” or “Designated Senior Indebtedness” (or any comparable terms) under, and as defined in, the documents evidencing or governing any Indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the Obligations, (ii) any Indebtedness other than the Obligations shall constitute “Designated Senior Indebtedness” (or any comparable term) under, and as defined in, the documents evidencing or governing any Indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the Obligations, or (iii) the subordination provisions of the documents evidencing or governing any Indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the Obligations, 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 subordinated Indebtedness; or THEN, (A) upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Section 8.01(f) or Section 8.01(g), automatically and (B) upon the occurrence of any other Event of Default, at the request of (or with the consent of) Required Lenders, upon notice to Borrower by Administrative Agent, (1) the Commitments, if any, of each Lender having such Commitments shall immediately terminate, (2) each of the following shall immediately become due and payable, in each case without presentment, demand, protest, or other requirements of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by each Loan Party, : (x) the unpaid principal amount of and accrued interest on the Loans, and (y) all other Obligations, and (3) Agents may enforce any and all Liens and security interests created pursuant to Collateral Documents and apply the proceeds thereof pursuant to Section 2.15(g).

 

- 118 -

 

 

ARTICLE IX
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

 

Section 9.01 Appointment of Agents.

 

(a) GACP is hereby appointed Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and each Lender hereby authorizes GACP, in such capacity, to act as its agent in accordance with the terms hereof and the other Loan Documents, including, without limitation, to make loans and Protective Advances, for such Agent or on behalf of the applicable Lenders as provided in this Agreement or any other Loan Document and to perform, exercise, and enforce any and all other rights and remedies of Lenders with respect to the Loan Parties, the Obligations, or otherwise related to any of same to the extent reasonably incidental to the exercise by such Agent of the rights and remedies specifically authorized to be exercised by such Agent by the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Parties.

 

(b) GACP is hereby appointed Collateral Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and each Lender hereby authorizes GACP, in such capacity, to act as its agent in accordance with the terms hereof and the other Loan Documents, including, without limitation, to make loans and Protective Advances, for such Agent or on behalf of the applicable Lenders as provided in this Agreement or any other Loan Document and to perform, exercise, and enforce any and all other rights and remedies of Lenders with respect to the Loan Parties, the Obligations, or otherwise related to any of same to the extent reasonably incidental to the exercise by such Agent of the rights and remedies specifically authorized to be exercised by such Agent by the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Parties.

 

(c) Each Agent hereby agrees to act upon the express conditions contained herein and the other Loan Documents, as applicable. The provisions of this Article IX are solely for the benefit of Agents and Lenders, and neither any Loan Party nor any Affiliate thereof shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary of any of the provisions thereof. In performing its functions and duties hereunder, each Agent shall act solely as an agent of Lenders and does not assume, and shall not be deemed to have assumed, any obligation towards, or relationship of agency or trust with or for, any of the Loan Parties or their respective Affiliates.

 

- 119 -

 

 

Section 9.02 Powers and Duties. Each Lender irrevocably authorizes each Agent to take such action on such Lender’s behalf and to exercise such powers, rights, and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents as are specifically delegated or granted to such Agent by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such powers, rights, and remedies as are reasonably incidental thereto. Each Agent shall have only those duties and responsibilities that are expressly specified herein and the other Loan Documents. Each Agent may exercise such powers, rights, and remedies and perform such duties by or through its agents or employees. No Agent shall have, by reason hereof or any of the other Loan Documents, a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Lender; and nothing herein or in any of the other Loan Documents, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be so construed as to impose upon any Agent any obligations in respect hereof or any of the other Loan Documents except as expressly set forth herein or therein.

 

Section 9.03 General Immunity.

 

(a) No Responsibility for Certain Matters. No Agent shall be responsible to any Lender for the execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability, collectability, or sufficiency hereof or any other Loan Document or for any representations, warranties, recitals, or statements made herein or therein or made in any written or oral statements or in any financial or other statements, instruments, reports, or certificates or any other documents furnished or made by any Agent to Lenders or by or on behalf of any Loan Party, Global Parent, Liberty/Revolution Top Parent, Vitamin Top Parent or Vitamin Intermediate Parent to any Agent or any Lender in connection with the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby or for the financial condition or business affairs of any Loan Party or any other Person liable for the payment of any Obligations, nor shall any Agent be required to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, conditions, provisions, covenants, or agreements contained in any of the Loan Documents or as to the use of the proceeds of the Loans or as to the existence or possible existence of any Event of Default or Default or to make any disclosures with respect to the foregoing. Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, Administrative Agent shall not have any liability arising from confirmations of the amount of outstanding Loans.

 

(b) Exculpatory Provisions. No Agent nor any of its officers, partners, directors, employees, or agents shall be liable to Lenders for any action taken or omitted by any Agent under or in connection with any of the Loan Documents except to the extent caused by any Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable order. Each Agent shall be entitled to refrain from any act or the taking of any action (including the failure to take an action) in connection herewith or any of the other Loan Documents or from the exercise of any power, discretion, or authority vested in it hereunder or thereunder unless and until such Agent shall have received instructions in respect thereof from Required Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such instructions under Section 10.05) and, upon receipt of such instructions from Required Lenders (or such other Lenders, as the case may be), such Agent shall be entitled to act or (where so instructed) refrain from acting, or to exercise such power, discretion, or authority, in accordance with such instructions. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, (i) each Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any communication, instrument, or document believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person or Persons, and shall be entitled to rely and shall be protected in relying on opinions and judgments of attorneys (who may be attorneys for the Loan Parties), accountants, experts, and other professional advisors selected by it, and (ii) no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against any Agent as a result of such Agent acting or (where so instructed) refraining from acting hereunder or any of the other Loan Documents in accordance with the instructions of Required Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such instructions under Section 10.05).

 

- 120 -

 

 

(c) Notice of Default. Neither Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, except with respect to Events of Default in the payment of principal, interest, and fees required to be paid to Administrative Agent for the account of Lenders, unless such Agent shall have received written notice from a Lender or the Loan Party referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default.” Such Agent will notify Lenders of its receipt of any such notice. Collateral Agent shall take such action with respect to any such Default or Event of Default as may be directed by the Required Lenders in accordance with Article VIII; provided, that unless and until Collateral Agent has received any such direction, Collateral Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable or in the best interest of Lenders.

 

Section 9.04 Agents Entitled to Act as Lender. The agency hereby created shall in no way impair or affect any of the rights and powers of, or impose any duties or obligations upon, any Agent in its individual capacity as a Lender hereunder. With respect to its participation in the Loans, each Agent shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Lender and may exercise the same as if it were not performing the duties and functions delegated to it hereunder, and the term “Lender” shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include each Agent in its individual capacity. Any Agent or its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, or other business with Global Parent, Lead Borrower or any of their respective Affiliates as if it were not performing the duties specified herein and may accept fees and other consideration from any Loan Party for services in connection herewith and otherwise without having to account for the same to Lenders.

 

Section 9.05 Lenders’ Representations, Warranties and Acknowledgment.

 

(a) Each Lender represents and warrants that it has made its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of the Loan Parties in connection with the Credit Extensions hereunder and that it has made and shall continue to make its own appraisal of the creditworthiness of the Loan Parties. No Agent shall have any duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to make any such investigation or any such appraisal on behalf of Lenders or to provide any Lender with any credit or other information with respect thereto, whether coming into its possession before the making of the Loans or at any time or times thereafter, and no Agent shall have any responsibility with respect to the accuracy of, or the completeness of, any information provided to Lenders.

 

(b) Each Lender, by delivering its signature page to this Agreement or a Joinder and funding its Term Loan on the Closing Date, shall be deemed to have acknowledged receipt of, and consented to and approved, each Loan Document and each other document required to be approved by any Agent, Required Lenders, or Lenders, as applicable on the Closing Date.

 

(c) Each Lender (i) represents and warrants that, as of the Closing Date, neither such Lender nor its Affiliates or Related Funds owns or controls, or owns or controls any Person owning or controlling, any trade debt or Indebtedness of any Loan Party other than the Obligations or any Capital Stock of any Loan Party, and (ii) covenants and agrees that from and after the Closing Date neither such Lender nor its Affiliates and Related Funds shall purchase any trade debt or Indebtedness of any Loan Party other than the Obligations or Capital Stock described in subclause (i) above without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Specified Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrower.

 

- 121 -

 

 

Section 9.06 Right to Indemnity. EACH LENDER, IN PROPORTION TO ITS PRO RATA SHARE, SEVERALLY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY EACH AGENT, ITS AFFILIATES, AND ITS RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, PARTNERS, DIRECTORS, TRUSTEES, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS OF EACH AGENT (EACH, AN “INDEMNITEE AGENT PARTY”), TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH INDEMNITEE AGENT PARTY SHALL NOT HAVE BEEN REIMBURSED BY ANY LOAN PARTY, FOR AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, PENALTIES, ACTIONS, JUDGMENTS, SUITS, COSTS, EXPENSES (INCLUDING COUNSEL FEES AND DISBURSEMENTS), OR DISBURSEMENTS OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WHATSOEVER WHICH MAY BE IMPOSED ON, INCURRED BY, OR ASSERTED AGAINST SUCH INDEMNITEE AGENT PARTY IN EXERCISING ITS POWERS, RIGHTS, AND REMEDIES OR PERFORMING ITS DUTIES HEREUNDER OR UNDER THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR OTHERWISE IN ITS CAPACITY AS SUCH INDEMNITEE AGENT PARTY IN ANY WAY RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, IN ALL CASES, WHETHER OR NOT CAUSED BY OR ARISING, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OUT OF THE COMPARATIVE, CONTRIBUTORY, OR SOLE NEGLIGENCE OF SUCH INDEMNITEE AGENT PARTY; PROVIDED, THAT NO LENDER SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY PORTION OF SUCH LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, PENALTIES, ACTIONS, JUDGMENTS, SUITS, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DISBURSEMENTS RESULTING FROM SUCH INDEMNITEE AGENT PARTY’S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, AS DETERMINED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN A FINAL, NON-APPEALABLE ORDER. IF ANY INDEMNITY FURNISHED TO ANY INDEMNITEE AGENT PARTY FOR ANY PURPOSE SHALL, IN THE OPINION OF SUCH INDEMNITEE AGENT PARTY, BE INSUFFICIENT OR BECOME IMPAIRED, SUCH INDEMNITEE AGENT PARTY MAY CALL FOR ADDITIONAL INDEMNITY AND CEASE, OR NOT COMMENCE, TO DO THE ACTS INDEMNIFIED AGAINST UNTIL SUCH ADDITIONAL INDEMNITY IS FURNISHED; PROVIDED, THAT IN NO EVENT SHALL THIS SENTENCE REQUIRE ANY LENDER TO INDEMNIFY ANY INDEMNITEE AGENT PARTY AGAINST ANY LIABILITY, OBLIGATION, LOSS, DAMAGE, PENALTY, ACTION, JUDGMENT, SUIT, COST, EXPENSE, OR DISBURSEMENT IN EXCESS OF SUCH LENDER’S PRO RATA SHARE THEREOF; PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT THIS SENTENCE SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO REQUIRE ANY LENDER TO INDEMNIFY ANY INDEMNITEE AGENT PARTY AGAINST ANY LIABILITY, OBLIGATION, LOSS, DAMAGE, PENALTY, ACTION, JUDGMENT, SUIT, COST, EXPENSE, OR DISBURSEMENT DESCRIBED IN THE PROVISO IN THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING SENTENCE.

 

Section 9.07 Successor Agent.

 

(a) Any Agent may resign at any time by giving thirty days’ (or such shorter period as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) prior written notice thereof to Lenders, Lead Borrower, and the other Agent. Upon any such notice of resignation, Required Lenders shall have the right, with Lead Borrower’s consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) (other than during the existence of an Event of Default, provided that during the existence of an Event of Default, the Required Lenders shall give five (5) Business Days’ prior notice to Lead Borrower), to appoint a successor Agent that is not a Disqualified Institution. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Agent may, on behalf of Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above (including that such successor not be a Disqualified Institution), as applicable, from among Lenders. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, hereunder by a successor Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as the case may be, that successor Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent, and the retiring Agent shall promptly (i) transfer to such successor Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, all sums, Securities, and other items of Collateral held under the Collateral Documents, together with all records and other documents necessary or appropriate in connection with the performance of the duties of the successor Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, under the Loan Documents, and (ii) execute and deliver to such successor Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, such amendments to financing statements and take such other actions, as may be necessary or appropriate in connection with the assignment to such successor Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, of the security interests created under the Collateral Documents, whereupon such retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if no successor Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, has accepted an appointment by the retiring Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, within 30 days after the retiring Agent appoints such successor Agent, such retiring Agent’s resignation shall be deemed effective, and Lead Borrower shall appoint the successor Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, on behalf of the Lenders, without their further consent. After any retiring Agent’s resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, the provisions of this Article IX shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, hereunder.

 

- 122 -

 

 

(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Agent may assign their rights and duties as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, hereunder to an Affiliate without the prior written consent of, or prior written notice to, Lead Borrower or Lenders; provided, that Lead Borrower and Lenders may deem and treat such assigning Agent as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, for all purposes hereof, unless and until such assigning Agent provides written notice to Lead Borrower and Lenders of such assignment. Upon such assignment, such Affiliate shall succeed to and become vested with all rights, powers, privileges and duties as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, hereunder and under the other Loan Documents.

 

(c) Each Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by such Agent. Each Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through its respective Affiliates. The exculpatory, indemnification, and other provisions of Section 9.03, Section 9.06, and this Section 9.07 shall apply to any of the Affiliates of each Agent and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable. All of the rights, benefits, and privileges (including the exculpatory and indemnification provisions) of Section 9.03, Section 9.06, and this Section 9.07 shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Affiliates of any such sub-agent and shall apply to their respective activities as sub-agent as if such sub-agent and Affiliates were named herein. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, with respect to each sub-agent appointed by any Agent, (i) such sub-agent shall be a third party beneficiary under this Agreement with respect to all such rights, benefits, and privileges (including exculpatory and rights to indemnification) and shall have all of the rights, benefits, and privileges of a third party beneficiary, including an independent right of action to enforce such rights, benefits, and privileges (including exculpatory rights and rights to indemnification) directly, without the consent or joinder of any other Person, against any or all of the Loan Parties, (ii) such rights, benefits, and privileges (including exculpatory rights and rights to indemnification) shall not be modified or amended without the consent of such sub-agent, and (iii) such sub-agent shall only have obligations to Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, and not to any Loan Party, Lender, or any other Person and no Loan Party, Lender, or any other Person shall have the rights, directly or indirectly, as a third party beneficiary or otherwise, against such sub-agent.

 

- 123 -

 

 

Section 9.08 Collateral Documents and Guaranty.

 

(a) Agents Under Collateral Documents and Guaranty. Each Lender hereby further authorizes Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, on behalf of and for the benefit of Lenders, to be the agent for, and representative of, Lenders with respect to the Guaranty, the Collateral, and the Collateral Documents. Subject to Section 10.05, without further written consent or authorization from Lenders, Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, may execute any documents or instruments necessary to (i) release any Lien encumbering any item of Collateral that is the subject of a sale or other disposition of assets permitted hereby or to which Required Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such consent under Section 10.05) have otherwise consented, or (ii) release any Guarantor from the Guaranty pursuant to Section 7.12 or with respect to which Required Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such consent under Section 10.05) have otherwise consented.

 

(b) Right to Realize on Collateral and Enforce Guaranty. Anything contained in any of the Loan Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, each Borrower, Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, and each Lender hereby agree that (i) no Lender shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce the Guaranty, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights, and remedies hereunder may be exercised solely by Administrative Agent, on behalf of Lenders, in accordance with the terms hereof and all powers, rights, and remedies under the Collateral Documents may be exercised solely by Collateral Agent, and (ii) in the event of a foreclosure by Collateral Agent on any of the Collateral pursuant to a public or private sale or any sale of the Collateral in a case under the Bankruptcy Code, Collateral Agent or any Lender may be the purchaser of any or all of such Collateral at any such sale and Collateral Agent, as agent for, and representative of, Secured Parties (but not any Lender or Lenders in its or their respective individual capacities unless Required Lenders shall otherwise agree in writing) shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at any such public sale, to use and apply any of the Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any collateral payable by Collateral Agent at such sale.

 

Section 9.09 Agency for Perfection. Each Agent and each Lender hereby appoints each other Agent and each other Lender as agent and bailee for the purpose of perfecting the security interests in and liens upon the Collateral in assets which, in accordance with Article 9 of the UCC, can be perfected only by possession or control (or where the security interest of a secured party with possession or control has priority over the security interest of another secured party), and each Agent and each Lender hereby acknowledges that it holds possession of or otherwise controls any such Collateral for the benefit of the Agents and Lenders as secured party. Should Administrative Agent or any Lender obtain possession or control of any such Collateral, Administrative Agent or such Lender shall notify Collateral Agent thereof, and, promptly upon Collateral Agent’s request therefor shall deliver such Collateral to Collateral Agent or in accordance with Collateral Agent’s instructions. In addition, Collateral Agent shall also have the power and authority hereunder to appoint such other sub-agents as may be necessary or required under applicable state law or otherwise to perform its duties and enforce its rights with respect to the Collateral and under the Loan Documents. Each Loan Party by its execution and delivery of this Agreement hereby consents to the foregoing.

 

Section 9.10 [Reserved].

 

- 124 -

 

 

Section 9.11 Reports and Other Information; Confidentiality; Disclaimers. By becoming a party to this Agreement, each Lender and other Agent:

 

(a) is deemed to have requested that Administrative Agent furnish such Lender, promptly after it becomes available, a copy of each field audit or examination report with respect to the Loan Parties (each, a “Report” and, collectively, the “Reports”) prepared by or at the request of Administrative Agent, and Administrative Agent shall so furnish each Lender and Agent with such Reports,

 

(b) expressly agrees and acknowledges that no Agent does (i) make any representation or warranty as to the accuracy of any Report and (ii) shall not be liable for any information contained in any Report,

 

(c) expressly agrees and acknowledges that the Reports are not comprehensive audits or examinations, and that Administrative Agent or other party performing any audit or examination will inspect only specific information regarding the Loan Parties and will rely significantly upon the Loan Parties’ books and records, as well as on representations of such Person’s personnel,

 

(d) agrees to keep all Reports and other material, non-public information regarding Global Parent and its Subsidiaries and their operations, assets, and existing and contemplated business plans in a confidential manner in accordance with Section 10.17, and

 

(e) without limiting the generality of any other indemnification provision contained in this Agreement, agrees: (i) to hold Administrative Agent and any other Lender or Agent preparing a Report harmless from any action the indemnifying Lender or Agent may take or fail to take or any conclusion the indemnifying Lender or Agent may reach or draw from any Report in connection with any loans or other credit accommodations that the indemnifying Lender or Agent has made or may make to any Borrower, or the indemnifying Lender’s or Agent’s participation in, or the indemnifying Lender’s or Agent’s purchase of, a loan or loans of any Borrower, and (ii) to pay and protect, and indemnify, defend, and hold Administrative Agent, and any such other Lender or Agent preparing a Report, harmless from and against, the claims, actions, proceedings, damages, costs, expenses, and other amounts (including attorneys’ fees and costs) incurred by Administrative Agent and any such other Lender or Agent preparing a Report as the direct or indirect result of any third parties who might obtain all or part of any Report through the indemnifying Lender or Agent.

 

In addition to the foregoing: (x) any Lender or other Agent may from time to time request of Administrative Agent in writing that Administrative Agent provide to such Lender or other Agent a copy of any report or document provided by Global Parent or its Subsidiaries to Administrative Agent that has not been contemporaneously provided by Global Parent or such Subsidiary to such Lender or other Agent, and, upon receipt of such request, Administrative Agent promptly shall provide a copy of same to such Lender or other Agent to the extent that such Lender or other Agent is entitled to such report or document hereunder, (y) to the extent that Administrative Agent is entitled, under any provision of the Loan Documents, to request additional reports or information from Global Parent or its Subsidiaries, any Lender or other Agent may, from time to time, reasonably request Administrative Agent to exercise such right as specified in such Lender’s or other Agent’s notice to Administrative Agent, whereupon Administrative Agent may (and upon the request of the Required Lenders promptly shall) request of Global Parent or Lead Borrower the additional reports or information reasonably specified by such Lender or other Agent (or by Required Lenders), and, upon receipt thereof from Global Parent or Lead Borrower or such Subsidiary, Administrative Agent promptly shall provide a copy of same to such Lender or other Agent (or to Required Lenders), and (z) any time that Administrative Agent renders to Lead Borrower a statement regarding the Loan Account, Administrative Agent shall send a copy of such statement to each Lender.

 

- 125 -

 

 

ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 10.01 Notices.

 

(a) Notices Generally. Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, any notice or other communication herein required or permitted to be given to a Loan Party, Collateral Agent, or Administrative Agent shall be sent to such Person’s address as set forth on Appendix B or in the other relevant Loan Document, and in the case of any Lender, the address as indicated on Appendix B or otherwise indicated to Administrative Agent in writing. Each notice hereunder shall be in writing and may be personally served, or sent by facsimile or United States mail or courier service, and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered in person or by courier service and signed for against receipt thereof, upon receipt of facsimile, or three (3) Business Days after depositing it in the United States mail with postage prepaid and properly addressed; provided, that no notice to any Agent shall be effective until received by such Agent. Any Loan Party may change its address, facsimile number or email address for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Administrative Agent, and any Agent may change its address, facsimile number or email address for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Loan Parties and the other Agent (which notice to such other Agent shall not be required if both Agents are the same Person).

 

(b) Electronic Communications.

 

(i) Each of the Agents and each Loan Party may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided, that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications. Notices and other communications to Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Agents, provided, that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender pursuant to ARTICLE II if such Lender has notified the Agents that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication.

 

(ii) Unless Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (A) notices and other communications 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) and (B) notices or communications 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 (A), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided, that for both subclauses (A) and (B) above, if such notice, email, 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 for the recipient.

 

- 126 -

 

 

Section 10.02 Expenses. Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby shall be consummated, Lead Borrower agrees to pay (or cause to be paid) promptly (a) all of each Agent’s reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses of preparation of the Loan Documents and any consents, amendments, waivers, or other modifications thereto, (b) all the reasonable and documented fees and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses and disbursements of one primary counsel to Administrative Agent and one primary counsel to Collateral Agent, in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution, and administration of the Loan Documents and any consents, amendments, waivers, or other modifications thereto and any other documents or matters requested by Lead Borrower, (c) all the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses of creating and perfecting Liens in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, including filing and recording fees, expenses and Taxes, stamp or documentary Taxes (in each case, without duplication of any indemnification obligation under Section 2.19), search fees, title insurance premiums, and reasonable and documented fees and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, expenses, and disbursements of counsel to each Agent and of counsel providing any opinions that any Agent or Required Lenders may request in respect of the Collateral or the Liens created pursuant to the Collateral Documents, (d) all of each all the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including the reasonable and documented fees and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses and disbursements, of any appraisers, field examiners, asset-based lending service providers, consultants, advisors, and agents (whether internal or external) employed or retained by Collateral Agent and its counsel) in connection with the valuation of and the custody or preservation of any of the Collateral; provided that the such costs, expenses and fees shall be subject to the limitations set forth in Section 5.06, (e) all the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses of Agents and Lenders in connection with the attendance at any meetings in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including the meetings referred to in Section 5.07 and excluding, for avoidance of doubt, the inspections referred to in Section 5.06), (f) all other reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by each Agent in connection with the negotiation, preparation, and execution of the Loan Documents and any consents, amendments, waivers, or other modifications thereto and the transactions contemplated thereby (limited, in the case of any legal expenses, to the reasonable and documented fees and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket disbursements of one primary counsel to Administrative Agent and one primary counsel to Collateral Agent), and (g) after the occurrence of an Event of Default, all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses, including reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs of settlement, incurred by any Agent and Lenders in enforcing any Obligations of, or in collecting any payments due from, any Loan Party,  hereunder or under the other Loan Documents by reason of such Event of Default (including in connection with the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon any of the Collateral or the enforcement of the Guaranty or in connection with any refinancing or restructuring of the credit arrangements provided hereunder in the nature of a “work out” or pursuant to any Insolvency Proceeding) (limited, in the case of legal expenses, to the reasonable and documented fees and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket disbursements of one primary counsel to Administrative Agent and one primary counsel to Collateral Agent); provided that, in any case in which the reimbursement of expenses for counsel is limited to one primary counsel, if reasonably necessary, Lead Borrower shall also promptly pay (or cause to be paid) reasonable and documented fees and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket disbursements of (x) one local counsel in any relevant jurisdiction (which may include a single firm of counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions) and, (y) in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest where any such Person affected by such conflict informs Borrower of such conflict, in each case, a single additional firm of counsel in each relevant jurisdiction for all similarly situated affected Persons).

 

Section 10.03 Indemnity.

 

(a) IN ADDITION TO THE PAYMENT OF EXPENSES PURSUANT TO SECTION 10.02, WHETHER OR NOT THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY SHALL BE CONSUMMATED, EACH LOAN PARTY AGREES TO DEFEND (SUBJECT TO INDEMNITEES’ SELECTION OF COUNSEL), INDEMNIFY, PAY, AND HOLD HARMLESS EACH AGENT AND LENDER, THEIR AFFILIATES, AND EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, PARTNERS, DIRECTORS, TRUSTEES, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS (EACH, AN “INDEMNITEE”), FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES, IN ALL CASES, WHETHER OR NOT CAUSED BY OR ARISING, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OUT OF THE COMPARATIVE, CONTRIBUTORY, OR SOLE NEGLIGENCE OF SUCH INDEMNITEE; PROVIDED, THAT NO LOAN PARTY SHALL HAVE ANY OBLIGATION TO ANY INDEMNITEE HEREUNDER WITH RESPECT TO ANY INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES (I) TO THE EXTENT SUCH INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES ARISE FROM THE BAD FAITH, GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, AS DETERMINED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN A FINAL, NON-APPEALABLE ORDER OR JUDGMENT, OF THAT INDEMNITEE OR ANY OF ITS OFFICERS, PARTNERS, DIRECTORS, TRUSTEES, EMPLOYEES, OR AGENTS OR (II) TO THE EXTENT SUCH INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES ARISE FROM A CLAIM, ACTION, LITIGATION, INVESTIGATION OR OTHER PROCEEDING THAT DOES NOT ARISE FROM ANY ACT OR OMISSION BY ANY LOAN PARTY OR ANY OFFICER, PARTNER, DIRECTOR, TRUSTEE, EMPLOYEE OR AGENT OF ANY LOAN PARTY AND THAT IS BROUGHT BY ANY INDEMNITEE AGAINST ANOTHER INDEMNITEE (AND EACH INDEMNITEE, BY ACCEPTING THE BENEFITS HEREOF, AGREES TO PROMPTLY REFUND OR RETURN ANY INDEMNITY RECEIVED HEREUNDER TO THE EXTENT IT IS LATER DETERMINED BY A FINAL, NON-APPEALABLE ORDER OR JUDGMENT OF A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION THAT SUCH INDEMNITEE IS NOT ENTITLED THERETO). TO THE EXTENT THAT THE UNDERTAKINGS TO DEFEND, INDEMNIFY, PAY, AND HOLD HARMLESS SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION 10.03 MAY BE UNENFORCEABLE IN WHOLE OR IN PART BECAUSE THEY ARE VIOLATIVE OF ANY LAW OR PUBLIC POLICY, THE APPLICABLE LOAN PARTY SHALL CONTRIBUTE THE MAXIMUM PORTION THAT IT IS PERMITTED TO PAY AND SATISFY UNDER APPLICABLE LAW TO THE PAYMENT AND SATISFACTION OF ALL INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES INCURRED BY INDEMNITEES OR ANY OF THEM.

 

- 127 -

 

 

(b) To the extent permitted by applicable law, no Loan Party shall assert, and each Loan Party hereby waives, any claim against Lenders, Agents, and their respective Affiliates, directors, employees, attorneys, or agents, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential, or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) (whether or not the claim therefor is based on contract, tort, or duty imposed by any applicable legal requirement) arising out of, in connection with, as a result of, or in any way related to, this Agreement or any Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby or referred to herein or therein, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof, or any act or omission or event occurring in connection therewith, and each Loan Party hereby waives, releases, and agrees not to sue upon any such claim or any such damages, whether or not accrued and whether or not known or suspected to exist in its favor.

 

Section 10.04 Setoff. In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, each Lender and its respective Affiliates are hereby authorized by each Loan Party at any time or from time to time, subject to the consent of each Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), without notice to any Loan Party or to any other Person (other than each Agent), any such notice being hereby expressly waived, to set off and to appropriate and to apply any and all deposits (general or special, including Indebtedness evidenced by certificates of deposit, whether matured or unmatured, but not including trust accounts (in whatever currency)) and any other Indebtedness at any time held or owing by such Lender and its respective Affiliates to or for the credit or the account of any Loan Party (in whatever currency) against and on account of the obligations and liabilities of any Loan Party to such Lender and its respective Affiliates hereunder, or with any other Loan Document, irrespective of whether or not (a) such Lender and its respective Affiliates shall have made any demand hereunder, (b) the principal of, or the interest on, the Loans or any other amounts due hereunder shall have become due and payable pursuant to Article II and although such obligations and liabilities, or any of them, may be contingent or unmatured, or (c) such obligation or liability is owed to a branch or office of such Lender different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligation or such Indebtedness.

 

- 128 -

 

 

Section 10.05 Amendments and Waivers.

 

(a) Required Lenders’ Consent. Subject to Sections 10.05(b) and 10.05(c), (i) no amendment, modification, termination, or waiver of any provision of the Loan Documents shall in any event be effective without the written concurrence of the Loan Parties party to such Loan Document, as the case may be, and (ii) no consent to any departure by any Loan Party from any provision of the Loan Documents, shall in any event be effective without the written concurrence of Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders.

 

(b) Affected Lenders’ Consent. Without the written consent of each Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender) that would be adversely affected thereby, no amendment, modification, termination, or consent shall be effective if the effect thereof would:

 

(i) increases in, or extensions of, the Term Loan Commitments of such Lender,

 

(ii) extend the scheduled final maturity of any Loan or any Term Note,

 

(iii) waive, reduce, or postpone any scheduled repayment (but not prepayment),

 

(iv) reduce the rate of interest on any Loan (other than any waiver of any increase in the interest rate applicable to any Loan pursuant to Section 2.09) or any fees or premiums payable hereunder or under the Fee Letter,

 

(v) extend the time for payment of any principal or interest on any loan or fees or premiums payable hereunder or under the Fee Letter,

 

(vi) reduce the principal amount of any Loan, or

 

(vii) amend, modify, terminate, or waive (A) any pro rata sharing, payment, or setoff provision of any Loan Document (including, without limitation, Section 2.16 of this Agreement) or (B) any other provision of a Loan Document (including, without limitation, Section 2.14(a) of this Agreement), in each case, in a manner that would alter (or have the effect of altering) the pro rata allocation among the Lenders of any payments, disbursements, or setoffs,

 

(c) Other Consents. No amendment, modification, termination, or waiver of any provision of the Loan Documents, or consent to any departure by any Loan Party, therefrom, shall:

 

(i) amend, modify, terminate, or waive any provision of Section 10.05(b) or this Section 10.05(c) without the consent of each Lender,

 

(ii) amend the definition of “Required Lenders” or “Pro Rata Share” without the consent of each Lender,

 

(iii) release all or a material portion of the Guaranty or release (or subordination of the Collateral Agent’s liens on) all or a material portion of the Collateral, in each case, in any transaction or series of related transactions (other than in connection with permitted asset sales, permitted dispositions, permitted mergers, permitted liquidations or dissolutions or as otherwise permitted under the Loan Documents) without the consent of each Lender,

 

- 129 -

 

 

(iv) subordinate any of the Obligations, or any Liens on any portion of the Collateral created by this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than to the extent permitted by Section 6.02), without the consent of each Lender, or

 

(v) amend, modify, terminate, or waive any provision of Article IX as the same applies to any Agent, or any other provision hereof as the same applies to the rights or obligations of any Agent, in each case without the consent of such Agent.

 

(d) Technical Amendments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended solely with the consent of each Agent and Lead Borrower without the need to obtain the consent of any other Lender if such amendment is delivered in order to (i) correct or cure (A) ambiguities, errors, omissions, or defects or (B) incorrect cross-references or similar inaccuracies or (ii) effectuate administrative changes of a technical or immaterial nature.

 

(e) Execution of Amendments, etc. Administrative Agent may, but shall have no obligation to, with the concurrence of any Lender, execute amendments, modifications, waivers, or consents on behalf of such Lender. Any waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given. No notice to or demand on any Loan Party, in any case shall entitle any Loan Party, to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances. Any amendment, modification, termination, waiver, or consent effected in accordance with this Section 10.05 shall be binding upon each Lender at the time outstanding, each future Lender, and, if signed by a Loan Party, by such of such Loan Party thereto.

 

Section 10.06 Successors and Assigns; Participations.

 

(a) Generally. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and the successors and assigns of Lenders; provided, that any assignment that is not permitted pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be absolutely void ab initio. No rights or obligations of a Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document nor any interest therein may be assigned or delegated by any Loan Party without the prior written consent of all Lenders. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, Indemnitee Agent Parties under Section 9.06, Indemnitees under Section 10.03, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, Affiliates of Administrative Agent and each Lender) any legal or equitable right, remedy, or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(b) Register. Borrowers, Administrative Agent, and Lenders shall deem and treat the Persons listed as Lenders in the Register as the holders and owners of the corresponding Commitments and Loans listed therein for all purposes hereof, and no assignment or transfer of any such Commitment or Loan shall be effective, in each case, unless and until an Assignment Agreement effecting the assignment or transfer thereof shall have been delivered to and accepted by Administrative Agent and recorded in the Register as provided in Section 10.06(e). Prior to such recordation, all amounts owed with respect to the applicable Commitment or Loan shall be owed to the Lender listed in the Register as the owner thereof, and any request, authority, or consent of any Person who, at the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent, is listed in the Register as a Lender shall be conclusive and binding on any subsequent holder, assignee, or transferee of the corresponding Commitments or Loans.

 

- 130 -

 

 

(c) Right to Assign. Each Lender shall have the right at any time to sell, assign, or transfer all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement, including, without limitation, all or a portion of its Commitment or Loans owing to it or other Obligations (provided, that each such assignment shall be of a uniform, and not varying, percentage of all rights and obligations under and in respect of any Loan and any related Commitments):

 

(i) to any Person meeting the criteria of clause (a) of the definition of the term of “Eligible Assignee” upon the giving of notice to Lead Borrower and Administrative Agent, and

 

(ii) to any Person otherwise constituting an Eligible Assignee with the consent of Administrative Agent and Lead Borrower (such consent not be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided, that (A) no consent of Lead Borrower shall be required if a Specified Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (B) Lead Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received notice thereof, and (C) each such assignment pursuant to this Section 10.06(c)(ii) shall be in an aggregate amount of not less than $1,000,000 (or such lesser amount as may be agreed to by Lead Borrower and Administrative Agent or as shall constitute the aggregate amount of the Term Loan of the assigning Lender) with respect to the assignment of Term Loans.

 

(d) Mechanics. The assigning Lender and the assignee thereof shall (i) execute and deliver to Administrative Agent an Assignment Agreement, together with such forms or certificates with respect to United States federal income Tax withholding matters as the assignee under such Assignment Agreement may be required to deliver to Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.19(d), and (ii) pay to Administrative Agent a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (which fee shall not be applicable for transfers among existing Lenders and Lenders and their Affiliates and may be waived or reduced in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent); provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, such processing and recordation fee shall not constitute Indemnified Liabilities.

 

(e) Notice of Assignment. Upon its receipt and acceptance of a duly executed and completed Assignment Agreement and any forms or certificates required by this Agreement in connection therewith, Administrative Agent shall record the information contained in such Assignment Agreement in the Register, shall give prompt notice thereof to Lead Borrower, and shall maintain a copy of such Assignment Agreement.

 

(f) Representations and Warranties of Assignee. Each Lender, upon execution and delivery hereof or upon executing and delivering an Assignment Agreement, as the case may be, represents and warrants as of the Closing Date or as of the applicable Effective Date (as defined in the applicable Assignment Agreement) that (i) it is an Eligible Assignee, (ii) it has experience and expertise in the making of, or investing in, commitments or loans such as the applicable Commitments or Loans, as the case may be, (iii) it will make or invest in, as the case may be, its Commitments or Loans for its own account in the ordinary course of its business and without a view to distribution of such Commitments or Loans within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or other federal securities laws (it being understood that, subject to the provisions of this Section 10.06, the disposition of such Loans or any interests therein shall at all times remain within its exclusive control), and (iv) such Lender does not own or control, or own or control any Person owning or controlling, any trade debt or Indebtedness of any Loan Party other than the Obligations or any Capital Stock of any Loan Party (as to this clause (iv), unless such assignment was approved by Administrative Agent and, so long as no Specified Event of Default had occurred and was continuing, Borrower).

 

- 131 -

 

 

(g) Effect of Assignment. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 10.06, as of the later (i) of the “Effective Date” specified in the applicable Assignment Agreement or (ii) the date such assignment is recorded in the Register: (A) the assignee thereunder shall have the rights and obligations of a “Lender” hereunder to the extent such rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned to it pursuant to such Assignment Agreement and shall thereafter be a party hereto and a “Lender” for all purposes hereof, (B) the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned thereby pursuant to such Assignment Agreement, relinquish its rights (other than any rights which survive the termination hereof under Section 10.08) and be released from its obligations hereunder (and, in the case of an Assignment Agreement covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning Lender’s rights and obligations hereunder, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto; provided, that anything contained in any of the Loan Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, such assigning Lender shall continue to be entitled to the benefit of all indemnities hereunder as specified herein with respect to matters arising out of the prior involvement of such assigning Lender as a Lender hereunder), (C) the Commitments shall be modified to reflect the Commitment of such assignee and any Commitment of such assigning Lender, if any, and (D) if any such assignment occurs after the issuance of any Term Note hereunder, the assigning Lender shall, upon the effectiveness of such assignment or as promptly thereafter as practicable, surrender its applicable Term Notes to Administrative Agent for cancellation, and thereupon, Lead Borrower shall issue and deliver new Term Notes, if so requested by the assignee and/or assigning Lender, to such assignee and/or to such assigning Lender, with appropriate insertions, to reflect the new Commitments and/or outstanding Loans of the assignee and/or the assigning Lender and (E) the assignee thereunder shall be bound by the terms and conditions of the Intercreditor Agreement, if any.

 

(h) Participations.

 

(i) Each Lender shall have the right at any time to sell one or more participations to any Eligible Assignee in all or any part of its Commitments, Loans, or in any other Obligation; provided, that any sale of any participation made to any Person other than an Eligible Assignee shall be absolutely void ab initio. The holder of any such participation, other than an Affiliate of Lender granting such participation, shall not be entitled to require such Lender to take or omit to take any action hereunder except with respect to any amendment, modification, or waiver that would (A) extend the final scheduled maturity of any Loan or Term Note in which such participant is participating, reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest or fees thereon (except in connection with a waiver of applicability of any post default increase in interest rates) or reduce the principal amount thereof, or increase the amount of the participant’s participation over the amount thereof then in effect (it being understood that a waiver of any Default or Event of Default or of a mandatory reduction in the Commitment shall not constitute a change in the terms of such participation, and that an increase in any Commitment or Loan shall be permitted without the consent of any participant if the participant’s participation is not increased as a result thereof) or (B) release all or substantially all of the Collateral under the Collateral Documents or all or substantially all of the Guarantors from the Guaranty (in each case, except as expressly provided in the Loan Documents) supporting the Loans hereunder in which such participant is participating. Borrower agrees that each participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.17(c), 2.18, and 2.19 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 10.06(c); provided, that such participant complies with Section 2.19 as though it were a Lender (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.19(d) shall be delivered to the participating Lender). To the extent permitted by law, each participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.04 as though it were a Lender, provided such participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.16 as though it were a Lender.

 

- 132 -

 

 

(ii) In the event that any Lender sells participations in its Commitments, Loans, or in any other Obligation hereunder, such Lender shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of each Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name of all participants in the Commitments, Loans, or Obligations held by it and the principal amount (and stated interest thereon) of the portion of such Commitments, Loans, or Obligations which are the subject of the participation (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 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 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. A Commitment, Loan, or Obligation hereunder may be participated in whole or in part only by registration of such participation on the Participant Register (and each Term Note shall expressly so provide). For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining the Participant Register.

 

(i) Certain Other Assignments. In addition to any other assignment permitted pursuant to this Section 10.06, any Lender may assign, pledge, and/or grant a security interest in all or any portion of its Loans, the other Obligations owed by or to such Lender, and its Term Notes, if any, to secure obligations of such Lender or any of its Affiliates to any Person providing any loan, letter of credit, or other extension of credit or financial arrangement to or for the account of such Lender or any Agent or any of its Affiliates and any agent, trustee, or representative of such Person (without the consent of, notice to, or any other action by any other party hereto), including, without limitation, any Federal Reserve Bank as collateral security pursuant to Regulation A of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and any operating circular issued by such Federal Reserve Bank; provided, that no Lender or Agent, as between Borrower and such Lender or Agent, shall be relieved of any of its obligations hereunder as a result of any such assignment and pledge; provided further, that in no event shall such Person, agent, trustee, or representative of such Person or the applicable Federal Reserve Bank be considered to be a “Lender” or be entitled to require the assigning Lender or Agent to take or omit to take any action hereunder.

 

(j) Assignments to Global Parent or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates thereof. No assignment shall be made to Global Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or to any of their respective Affiliates (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Permitted Holder, Ultimate Parent, Liberty/Revolution Top Parent, Vitamin Top Parent or any of the Excluded Entities).

 

(k) Disqualified Institutions. So long as no Specified Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no assignment or participation shall be made to a Disqualified Institution without Borrower’s consent in writing (which consent may be withheld in its sole discretion) (with any assignment or participation in violation of the foregoing to be absolutely void ab initio), and upon an inquiry by any Lender to Administrative Agent as to whether a specific potential assignee or prospective participant is a Disqualified Institution, Administrative Agent shall be permitted to disclose the list of Disqualified Institutions to such inquiring Lenders; provided, that Administrative Agent shall not, in any event, be responsible for, nor have any liability in connection with, maintaining, updating, monitoring, or enforcing the list of Disqualified Institutions, nor for any assignment or participation to a Disqualified Institution to which Borrower has consented (including deemed consent), except to the extent determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable decision to have been caused by, or be the result, of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Administrative Agent.

 

- 133 -

 

 

Section 10.07 Independence of Covenants. All covenants hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a particular action or condition is not permitted by any of such covenants, the fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or would otherwise be within the limitations of, another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default if such action is taken or condition exists.

 

Section 10.08 Survival of Representations, Warranties, and Agreements. All representations, warranties, and agreements made herein shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and the making of any Credit Extension. Notwithstanding anything herein or implied by law to the contrary, the agreements of each Loan Party set forth in Sections 2.17(c), 2.18, 2.19, 10.02, 10.03, 10.04, and 10.10 and the agreements of Lenders set forth in Sections 2.16, 9.03(b), and 9.06 shall survive the payment of the Loans.

 

Section 10.09 No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative. No failure or delay on the part of any Agent or any Lender in the exercise of any power, right, or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall impair such power, right, or privilege or be construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right, or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right, or privilege. The rights, powers, and remedies given to each Agent and each Lender hereby are cumulative and shall be in addition to and independent of all rights, powers, and remedies existing by virtue of any statute or rule of law or in any of the other Loan Documents. Any forbearance or failure to exercise, and any delay in exercising, any right, power, or remedy hereunder shall not impair any such right, power, or remedy or be construed to be a waiver thereof, nor shall it preclude the further exercise of any such right, power, or remedy.

 

Section 10.10 Marshalling; Payments Set Aside. Neither any Agent nor any Lender shall be under any obligation to marshal any assets in favor of any Loan Party or any other Person or against or in payment of any or all of the Obligations. To the extent that any Loan Party makes a payment or payments to Administrative Agent or Lenders (or to Administrative Agent, on behalf of Lenders), or Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, or Lenders enforce any security interests or exercise their rights of setoff, and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement or setoff or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside, and/or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver, or any other party under any bankruptcy law, any other state or federal law, common law, or any equitable cause, then, to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied, and all Liens, rights, and remedies therefor or related thereto, be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment or payments had not been made or such enforcement or setoff had not occurred.

 

Section 10.11 Severability. In case any provision herein or obligation hereunder or any Term Note or other Loan Document shall be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Section 10.12 Obligations Several; Independent Nature of Lenders’ Rights. The obligations of Lenders hereunder are several, and no Lender shall be responsible for the obligations or Commitment of any other Lender hereunder. Nothing contained herein or in any other Loan Document, and no action taken by Lenders pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute Lenders as a partnership, an association, a joint venture, or any other kind of entity. The amounts payable at any time hereunder to each Lender shall be a separate and independent debt.

 

Section 10.13 Headings. Section headings herein are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part hereof for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

 

- 134 -

 

 

Section 10.14 APPLICABLE LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES (OTHER THAN SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW) THEREOF.

 

Section 10.15 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. (a) ALL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST ANY LOAN PARTY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING HERETO OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR ANY OF THE OBLIGATIONS, SHALL BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN THE STATE, COUNTY, AND CITY OF NEW YORK. BY EXECUTING AND DELIVERING THIS AGREEMENT, EACH LOAN PARTY, FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, IRREVOCABLY (I) ACCEPTS GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS, (II) WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, (III) AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, TO THE APPLICABLE LOAN PARTY AT ITS ADDRESS PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 10.01, WHICH IS SUFFICIENT TO CONFER PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER THE APPLICABLE LOAN PARTY IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND OTHERWISE CONSTITUTES EFFECTIVE AND BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT, AND (IV) AGREES THAT AGENTS AND LENDERS RETAIN THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST ANY LOAN PARTY IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

 

(a) EACH LOAN PARTY HEREBY AGREES THAT PROCESS MAY BE SERVED ON IT BY CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, TO THE ADDRESSES PERTAINING TO IT AS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 10.01. ANY AND ALL SERVICE OF PROCESS AND ANY OTHER NOTICE IN ANY SUCH ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE EFFECTIVE AGAINST ANY LOAN PARTY IF GIVEN BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, OR BY ANY OTHER MEANS OR MAIL WHICH REQUIRES A SIGNED RECEIPT, POSTAGE PREPAID, MAILED AS PROVIDED ABOVE.

 

Section 10.16 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY AGREES TO WAIVE ITS RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING HEREUNDER OR UNDER ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY DEALINGS BETWEEN THEM RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS LOAN TRANSACTION OR THE LENDER/BORROWER RELATIONSHIP THAT IS BEING ESTABLISHED. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS TRANSACTION, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT TO ENTER INTO A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP, THAT EACH HAS ALREADY RELIED ON THIS WAIVER IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT, AND THAT EACH WILL CONTINUE TO RELY ON THIS WAIVER IN ITS RELATED FUTURE DEALINGS. EACH PARTY HERETO FURTHER WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT IT HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL AND THAT IT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING (OTHER THAN BY A MUTUAL WRITTEN WAIVER SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO THIS SECTION 10.16 AND EXECUTED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO), AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS, OR MODIFICATIONS HERETO OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR TO ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS OR AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE LOANS MADE HEREUNDER. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.

 

- 135 -

 

 

Section 10.17 Confidentiality. Each Agent and Lender agrees to maintain the confidentiality of all non-public information regarding Ultimate Parent, Global Parent, the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries and their businesses identified as such by any Borrower or any of such Persons and obtained by such Lender from Ultimate Parent, Global Parent or any other Loan Party or their Subsidiaries pursuant to the requirements hereof in accordance with such Lender’s customary procedures for handling confidential information of such nature, it being understood and agreed by Borrower that, in any event, any Agent or Lender may make (a) disclosures of such information to Affiliates of such Agent or Lender and to their agents, advisors, directors, and shareholders (and to other persons authorized by a Lender or Agent to organize, present, or disseminate such information in connection with disclosures otherwise made in accordance with this Section 10.17) who are directly involved with Loan Documents and related transactions and for whom the applicable Agent or Lender shall be responsible for any breach of this Section by such Persons (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) disclosures of such information reasonably required by any bona fide or potential assignee, transferee, or participant in connection with the contemplated assignment, transfer, or participation by any such Lender of any Loans or any participations therein, (c) disclosure to any rating agency when required by it; provided, that prior to any disclosure, such rating agency shall undertake in writing to preserve the confidentiality of any confidential information relating to the Ultimate Parent, Global Parent or any other Loan Party and their Subsidiaries received by it from any of Agents or any Lender, (d) disclosure to any Lender’s financing sources; provided, that prior to any disclosure, such financing source is informed of the confidential nature of the information and instructed to keep such information confidential; provided, further, that the applicable Lender shall be responsible for any breach of this Section by such financing sources, (e) disclosures of such information to any investors and partners of any Lender; provided, that prior to any disclosure, such investor or partner is informed of the confidential nature of the information and instructed to keep such information confidential; provided, further, that the applicable Lender shall be responsible for any breach of this Section by such investors or partners, (f) disclosure required or requested in connection with any public filings, whether pursuant to any securities laws or regulations or rules promulgated therefor (including the Investment Company Act of 1940 or otherwise) or representative thereof or by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (and any successor thereto) or pursuant to legal or judicial process; provided, that unless specifically prohibited by applicable law or court order, each Agent and Lender shall make reasonable efforts to notify Borrower of any request by any Governmental Authority or representative thereof (other than any such request in connection with any examination of the financial condition or other routine examination of such Lender by such Governmental Authority) for disclosure of any such non-public information prior to disclosure of such information, (g) disclosures of such information to the extent any such information becomes publicly available other than by reason of disclosure by any Agents or Lenders, any Affiliates of the Agents or Lenders, or any officers, directors, agents, employees, attorneys, accountants, or advisors of any Agents or Lenders or of any Affiliates of any Agents or Lenders, in breach of this Agreement, or to the extent any such information is developed independently by any such Persons, (h) to the extent not known by us to consist of material non-public information, (i) for purposes of establishing a “due diligence” defense or to exercise rights or remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document, and (j) solely with and to the extent of the Borrower’s consent therefor, disclosures of any information to any Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, on or after the Closing Date, Administrative Agent may, at its own expense, issue news releases and publish “tombstone” advertisements and other announcements relating to this transaction in newspapers, trade journals, and other appropriate media (which may include use of logos of one or more of the Loan Parties) (collectively, “Trade Announcements”). No Loan Party shall issue any Trade Announcement except (y) disclosures required by applicable law, regulation, legal process, or the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or (z) with the prior approval of Administrative Agent.

 

- 136 -

 

 

Section 10.18 Usury Savings Clause. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the aggregate interest rate charged or agreed to be paid with respect to any of the Obligations, including all charges or fees in connection therewith deemed in the nature of interest under applicable law shall not exceed the Highest Lawful Rate. If the rate of interest (determined without regard to the preceding sentence) under this Agreement at any time exceeds the Highest Lawful Rate, the outstanding amount of the Loans made hereunder shall bear interest at the Highest Lawful Rate until the total amount of interest due hereunder equals the amount of interest which would have been due hereunder if the stated rates of interest set forth in this Agreement had at all times been in effect. In addition, if when the Loans made hereunder are repaid in full the total interest due hereunder (taking into account the increase provided for above) is less than the total amount of interest which would have been due hereunder if the stated rates of interest set forth in this Agreement had at all times been in effect, then to the extent permitted by law, Borrower shall pay to Administrative Agent an amount equal to the difference between the amount of interest paid and the amount of interest which would have been paid if the Highest Lawful Rate had at all times been in effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is the intention of Lenders and Borrower to conform strictly to any applicable usury laws. Accordingly, if any Lender contracts for, charges, or receives any consideration which constitutes interest in excess of the Highest Lawful Rate, then any such excess shall be cancelled automatically and, if previously paid, shall at such Lender’s option be applied to the outstanding amount of the Loans made hereunder or be refunded to Borrower. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Highest Lawful Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest, throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

 

Section 10.19 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic means shall be effective as delivery of an original counterpart of this Agreement.

 

Section 10.20 Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution of a counterpart hereof by each of the parties hereto and receipt by Borrower and each Agent of written or telephonic notification of such execution and authorization of delivery thereof.

 

- 137 -

 

 

Section 10.21 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA 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 EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of an EEA 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 EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA 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,

 

(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, 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 EEA Resolution Authority.

 

Section 10.22 PATRIOT Act Notice. Each Lender and Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Loan Parties that pursuant to the requirements of the PATRIOT Act, it may be required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each Loan Party , which information includes the name and address of such Persons and other information that will allow such Lender or Agent, as applicable, to identify such Person in accordance with the PATRIOT Act.

 

Section 10.23 Consent to Intercreditor Agreement. Each Lender, by its acceptance of the benefits of the Collateral Documents creating Liens to secure the Obligations:

 

(a) acknowledges that it has received a copy of the Intercreditor Agreement and is satisfied with the terms and provisions thereof;

 

(b) (a) authorizes and instructs Collateral Agent to (i) enter into the Intercreditor Agreement, as Collateral Agent and on behalf of such Lender, (ii) to exercise all of Collateral Agent’s rights and to comply with all of its obligations under the Intercreditor Agreement and to take all other actions necessary to carry out the provisions and intent thereof and (iii) to take actions on its behalf in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement;

 

(c) (b) agrees that it will be bound by and will take no actions contrary to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement as if it was a signatory thereto;

 

- 138 -

 

 

(d) (c) consents to the treatment of Liens provided for under the Intercreditor Agreement and in furtherance thereof authorizes the Collateral Agent to subordinate the liens on the Collateral securing the Obligations (other than liens on Term Priority Collateral (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement)) in accordance with the terms set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement;

 

(e) (d) authorizes and directs Collateral Agent to execute and deliver, in each case on behalf of such Secured Party and without any further consent or authorization from such Lender, any amendments, supplements or other modifications of the Intercreditor Agreement that the Borrowers may from time to time request to give effect to any incurrence, amendment, or refinancing of any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (j) of Permitted Indebtedness; and

 

(f) (e) agrees that no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against Collateral Agent as a result of any action taken by Collateral Agent pursuant to this Section 10.23 or in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Section 10.24 Intercreditor Agreement Governs. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement in all respects and, in the event of any conflict between the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and this Agreement, the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement shall govern. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the lien and security interest granted to the Collateral Agent or any GACP Facility Agent, as applicable, pursuant to any Loan Document or GACP Facility Loan Document, and the exercise of any right or remedy in respect of the Collateral by the Agent or any GACP Facility Agent, as applicable hereunder, under any other Loan Document, or under the GACP Credit Agreement and any other agreement entered into in connection therewith are subject to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and in the event of any conflict between the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the GACP Credit Agreement and any other agreement entered into in connection therewith, the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement shall govern and control with respect to the exercise of any such right or remedy or the Loan Parties’ covenants and obligations.

 

- 139 -

 

 

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

 

FRANCHISE GROUP NEW HOLDCO, LLC,  
as Global Parent and as a Guarantor  
     
By:                              
Name:    
Title:    
     
FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE HOLDCO, LLC,  
as Lead Borrower and as a Guarantor  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
FRANCHISE GROUP MERGER SUB AF, INC.,  
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
FRANCHISE GROUP NEWCO INTERMEDIATE AF, LLC,
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
AMERICAN FREIGHT GROUP, INC.,  
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
     
By:    
Name:     
Title:    

 

 

 

 

AMERICAN FREIGHT HOLDINGS, INC.,  
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
     
By:                         
Name:    
Title:    
     
AMERICAN FREIGHT, INC.,  
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
AMERICAN FREIGHT MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC,
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE B, LLC,  
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
BUDDY’S NEWCO, LLC,  
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
     
By:    
Name:     
Title:    

 

 

 

BUDDY’S FRANCHISING AND LICENSING LLC,  
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
     
By:                        
Name:    
Title:    
     
FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE S, LLC,  
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
FRANCHISE GROUP NEWCO S, LLC,  
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
BUDDY’S DISCOUNT OUTLET FRANCHISING, LLC,
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
SEARS OUTLET STORES, L.L.C.,  
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
OUTLET MERCHANDISE, LLC,  
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
     
By:    
Name:     
Title:    

 

 

 

LEASING OPERATIONS, LLC,  
as a Borrower and as a Guarantor  
     
By:                      
Name:    
Title:    
     
FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE L, LLC  
as Liberty/Revolution Top Parent and as a Guarantor
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
FRANCHISE GROUP INTERMEDIATE V, LLC,  
as Vitamin Top Parent and as a Guarantor  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
FRANCHISE GROUP NEWCO V, LLC,  
as Vitamin Intermediate Parent and as a Guarantor  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
GACP FINANCE CO., LLC,  
as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent  
     
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
     
GACP II, LP,  
as a Lender  
     
By:    
Name:     
Title:    

 

 

 

APPENDIX A
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Term Loan Commitments

 

Lender   Aggregate Term Loan Commitments  
GACP II, LP   $ 100,000,000  
TOTAL   $ 100,000,000  

 

 

 

 

APPENDIX B
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Notice Addresses

 

If to any Loan Party:

 

FRANCHISE GROUP NEW HOLDCO, LLC
c/o Vintage Capital Management
4705 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Suite 206
Orlando, FL 32819
Attention: Brian Kahn
Facsimile: (208) 728-8007
Email: bkahn@vintcap.com

 

in each case, with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

FRANCHISE GROUP NEW HOLDCO, LLC
c/o Franchise Group, Inc.
1716 Corporate Landing Pkwy
Virginia Beach, VA 23454
Attention: Michael Piper, Chief Financial Officer
Email: Msp@libtax.com

 

WILLKIE FARR & GALLAGHER LLP
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10019
Attention: David Tarr, Esq.
Facsimile: (212) 728-9241
Email: dtarr@willkie.com

 

 

 

If to Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent or any Lender:

 

c/o GACP FINANCE CO., LLC, as Administrative Agent

 

Administrative Agent’s and Collateral Agent’s Principal Office:

GACP FINANCE CO., LLC

11100 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 800

Los Angeles, California 90025

Attn: Robert Louzan 

Telephone No.: (203) 663-5101 

Telecopy No.: (310) 966-1448 

Email: rlouzan@gacapitalpartners.com

 


in each case, with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to: 

SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP 

787 Seventh Avenue 

New York, NY 10019 

Attention: Leslie Plaskon 

Telephone No.: (212) 839-5572 

Telecopy No.: (212) 839-5599 

Email: lplaskon@sidley.com

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION OF CO-CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Bryant R. Riley, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of B. Riley Financial, Inc.;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing equivalent functions):

 

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: July 31, 2020

 

  /s/ BRYANT R. RILEY
 

Bryant R. Riley

Co-Chief Executive Officer

Chairman of the Board

(Principal Executive Officer)

  

Exhibit 31.2

 

CERTIFICATION OF CO-CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Thomas J. Kelleher, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of B. Riley Financial, Inc.;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing equivalent functions):

 

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: July 31, 2020

 

  /s/ THOMAS J. KELLEHER
 

Thomas J. Kelleher

Co-Chief Executive Officer

(Director)

Exhibit 31.3

 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Phillip J. Ahn, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of B. Riley Financial, Inc.;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing equivalent functions):

 

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: July 31, 2020

 

/s/ PHILLIP J. AHN

  Phillip J. Ahn
  Chief Financial Officer and
Chief Operating Officer
  (Principal Financial Officer)

 

Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of B. Riley Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Bryant R. Riley, Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

/s/ BRYANT R. RILEY

 
Bryant R. Riley  

Co-Chief Executive Officer

Chairman of the Board

 
   
July 31, 2020  

 

Exhibit 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of B. Riley Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Thomas J. Kelleher, Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. 

 

/s/ THOMAS J. KELLEHER

 
Thomas J. Kelleher  
Co-Chief Executive Officer  

Director 

 
   
July 31, 2020  

 

Exhibit 32.3

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of B. Riley Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Phillip J. Ahn, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

  

/s/ PHILLIP J. AHN

 
Phillip J. Ahn  
Chief Financial Officer and
Chief Operating Officer
 
   
July 31, 2020