Document:

Exhibit 10.6

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

$150,000,000

 

SECOND LIEN CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

among

 

ROUNDY’S SUPERMARKETS, INC.,
 as Borrower,

 

The Several Lenders
 from Time to Time Parties Hereto,

 

and

 

CREDIT SUISSE AG,
 as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent

 

Dated as of April 16, 2010

 

 

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC,
 as Sole Bookrunner and Sole Lead Arranger

 

and

 

MOELIS & COMPANY LLC,
 as Syndication Agent

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Page
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 1.
    	
DEFINITIONS
    	
2
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
1.1.
    	
Defined Terms
    	
2
    
	
1.2.
    	
Other Definitional Provisions
    	
25
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 2.
    	
AMOUNT AND TERMS OF TERM COMMITMENTS
    	
25
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
2.1.
    	
Loans
    	
25
    
	
2.2.
    	
Fees
    	
25
    
	
2.3.
    	
Repayment of Loans
    	
26
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 3.
    	
[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]
    	
26
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 4.
    	
GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO LOANS
    	
26
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
4.1.
    	
Optional Prepayments
    	
26
    
	
4.2.
    	
Mandatory Prepayments and Commitment Reductions
    	
27
    
	
4.3.
    	
Conversion and Continuation Options
    	
28
    
	
4.4.
    	
Limitations on Eurodollar Tranches
    	
28
    
	
4.5.
    	
Interest Rates and Payment Dates
    	
29
    
	
4.6.
    	
Computation of Interest and Fees
    	
29
    
	
4.7.
    	
Inability to Determine Interest Rate
    	
30
    
	
4.8.
    	
Pro Rata Treatment and Payments
    	
30
    
	
4.9.
    	
Requirements of Law
    	
32
    
	
4.10.
    	
Taxes
    	
33
    
	
4.11.
    	
Indemnity
    	
34
    
	
4.12.
    	
Change of Lending Office
    	
35
    
	
4.13.
    	
Replacement of Lenders
    	
35
    
	
4.14.
    	
Evidence of Debt
    	
36
    
	
4.15.
    	
Illegality
    	
36
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 5.
    	
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
    	
36
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
5.1.
    	
Financial Condition
    	
37
    
	
5.2.
    	
No Change
    	
37
    
	
5.3.
    	
Corporate Existence; Compliance with Law
    	
37
    
	
5.4.
    	
Corporate Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations
    	
38
    
	
5.5.
    	
No Legal Bar
    	
38
    
	
5.6.
    	
Litigation
    	
38
    
	
5.7.
    	
No Default
    	
39
    
	
5.8.
    	
Ownership of Property; Liens
    	
39
    

 

i

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Page
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
5.9.
    	
Intellectual Property
    	
39
    
	
5.10.
    	
Taxes
    	
39
    
	
5.11.
    	
Federal Regulations
    	
39
    
	
5.12.
    	
Labor Matters
    	
39
    
	
5.13.
    	
ERISA
    	
39
    
	
5.14.
    	
Investment Company Act; Other Regulations
    	
40
    
	
5.15.
    	
Subsidiaries
    	
40
    
	
5.16.
    	
Use of Proceeds
    	
40
    
	
5.17.
    	
Environmental Matters
    	
40
    
	
5.18.
    	
Accuracy of Information, etc.
    	
41
    
	
5.19.
    	
Security Documents
    	
42
    
	
5.20.
    	
Solvency
    	
43
    
	
5.21.
    	
Senior Indebtedness
    	
43
    
	
5.22.
    	
Regulation H
    	
43
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 6.
    	
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
    	
43
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
6.1.
    	
Conditions to the Borrowing
    	
43
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 7.
    	
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
    	
46
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
7.1.
    	
Financial Statements
    	
46
    
	
7.2.
    	
Certificates; Other Information
    	
47
    
	
7.3.
    	
Payment of Obligations
    	
48
    
	
7.4.
    	
Maintenance of Existence; Compliance
    	
48
    
	
7.5.
    	
Maintenance of Property; Insurance
    	
48
    
	
7.6.
    	
Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions
    	
49
    
	
7.7.
    	
Notices
    	
49
    
	
7.8.
    	
Environmental Laws
    	
50
    
	
7.9.
    	
Additional Collateral, etc.
    	
50
    
	
7.10.
    	
Further Assurances
    	
52
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 8.
    	
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
    	
53
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
8.1.
    	
Financial Condition Covenants
    	
53
    
	
8.2.
    	
Indebtedness
    	
53
    
	
8.3.
    	
Liens
    	
56
    
	
8.4.
    	
Fundamental Changes
    	
58
    
	
8.5.
    	
Disposition of Property
    	
58
    
	
8.6.
    	
Restricted Payments
    	
59
    
	
8.7.
    	
Capital Expenditures
    	
60
    
	
8.8.
    	
Investments
    	
61
    
	
8.9.
    	
Optional Payments and Modifications of Certain Debt   Instruments
    	
63
    
	
8.10.
    	
Transactions with Affiliates
    	
64
    
	
8.11.
    	
Sales and Leasebacks
    	
65
    
	
8.12.
    	
Changes in Fiscal Periods
    	
65
    
	
8.13.
    	
Negative Pledge Clauses
    	
65
    

 

ii

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Page
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
8.14.
    	
Clauses Restricting Subsidiary Distributions
    	
66
    
	
8.15.
    	
Lines of Business
    	
66
    
	
8.16.
    	
Amendments to the Nash Asset Purchase Agreement;   Modifications of First Lien Loan Documents
    	
66
    
	
8.17.
    	
Proceeds of the Loan
    	
66
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 9.
    	
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
    	
67
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 10.
    	
THE AGENTS
    	
70
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
10.1.
    	
Appointment
    	
70
    
	
10.2.
    	
Delegation of Duties
    	
71
    
	
10.3.
    	
Exculpatory Provisions
    	
71
    
	
10.4.
    	
Reliance by Agents
    	
71
    
	
10.5.
    	
Notice of Default
    	
72
    
	
10.6.
    	
Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders
    	
72
    
	
10.7.
    	
Indemnification
    	
72
    
	
10.8.
    	
Agent in Its Individual Capacity
    	
73
    
	
10.9.
    	
Successor Administrative Agent
    	
73
    
	
10.10.
    	
Agents Generally
    	
73
    
	
10.11.
    	
Lead Arranger; Syndication Agent
    	
74
    
	
10.12.
    	
Intercreditor Arrangements
    	
74
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 11.
    	
MISCELLANEOUS
    	
74
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
11.1.
    	
Amendments and Waivers
    	
74
    
	
11.2.
    	
Notices
    	
75
    
	
11.3.
    	
No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies
    	
76
    
	
11.4.
    	
Survival of Representations and Warranties
    	
76
    
	
11.5.
    	
Payment of Expenses and Taxes
    	
77
    
	
11.6.
    	
Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments
    	
78
    
	
11.7.
    	
Adjustments; Set-off
    	
82
    
	
11.8.
    	
Counterparts
    	
82
    
	
11.9.
    	
Severability
    	
83
    
	
11.10.
    	
Integration
    	
83
    
	
11.11.
    	
GOVERNING LAW
    	
83
    
	
11.12.
    	
Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers
    	
83
    
	
11.13.
    	
Acknowledgments
    	
84
    
	
11.14.
    	
Releases of Guarantees and Liens
    	
84
    
	
11.15.
    	
Confidentiality
    	
84
    
	
11.16.
    	
WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL
    	
85
    
	
11.17.
    	
[Intentionally Omitted]
    	
85
    
	
11.18.
    	
USA PATRIOT Act
    	
85
    

 

iii

 

SCHEDULES:

 

	
1.1B
    	
Existing   Surveys
    
	
1.1C
    	
Intentionally   Omitted
    
	
1.1D
    	
Mortgaged   Property
    
	
2.1
    	
Commitments   and Applicable Percentage
    
	
5.6
    	
Litigation
    
	
5.15
    	
Subsidiaries
    
	
5.19(a)
    	
UCC   Filing Jurisdictions
    
	
5.19(b)
    	
Mortgage   Filing Jurisdictions
    
	
8.2(d)
    	
Existing   Indebtedness
    
	
8.3(f)
    	
Existing   Liens
    
	
8.8
    	
Investments
    
	
8.10
    	
Affiliate   Contracts
    
	
8.13
    	
Negative   Pledge Agreements
    
	
8.14
    	
Restrictions   on Subsidiary Distributions
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
EXHIBITS:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
A
    	
Form of   Guarantee and Collateral Agreement
    
	
B
    	
Form of   Compliance Certificate
    
	
C
    	
Form of   Closing Certificate
    
	
D
    	
Form of   Mortgage
    
	
E
    	
Form of   Assignment and Assumption
    
	
F-1
    	
Form of   Legal Opinion of Kirkland & Ellis LLP
    
	
F-2
    	
Form of   Legal Opinion of Whyte Hirshboeck Dudek S.C.
    
	
G
    	
Form of   Exemption Certificate
    
	
H
    	
Form of   Loan Note
    

 

i

 

SECOND LIEN CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of April 16, 2010 (this “Agreement”), among ROUNDY’S SUPERMARKETS, INC., a Wisconsin corporation (the “Borrower”), the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to this Agreement (the “Lenders”), CREDIT SUISSE AG, acting through its Cayman Islands branch, as sole administrative agent and sole collateral agent for the Lenders (in such capacities, together with its successors in such capacities, the “Administrative Agent”), CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC, as sole bookrunner and sole lead arranger (in such capacities, the “Lead Arranger”), and MOELIS & COMPANY LLC, as syndication agent (in such capacity, the “Syndication Agent”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower, the several lenders from time to time parties thereto, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. (as successor in interest to Bear Stearns Corporate Lending Inc.), as administrative agent, and the other parties thereto have entered into the $875,000,000 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated November 3, 2005 (as amended, restated, supplemented, refinanced, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time, the “First Lien Credit Agreement”, the credit facilities under the First Lien Credit Agreement referred to herein as the “First Lien Facilities”);

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower (a) desires to obtain the Facility (as defined below) for purposes of paying a cash dividend to Roundy’s Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”), to permit Holdings to pay a one-time cash dividend to its shareholders (the dividend paid from the Borrower to Holdings and the dividend paid from Holdings to its shareholders are collectively referred to herein as the “Special Dividend”), to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions (defined below) and for general corporate purposes and (b) simultaneously with entering into this Agreement, will enter into an amendment to the First Lien Credit Agreement in order to, among other things, modify certain covenants in connection with the extension of credit to be provided pursuant to the Facility, and (c) will pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with the foregoing (the transactions described in this paragraph are collectively referred to as “Transactions”); and

 

WHEREAS, the provisions of this Agreement and the First Lien Credit Agreement are subject to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of April 16, 2010 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Intercreditor Agreement”) between the First Priority Representative (as defined therein) (the “First Lien Administrative Agent”), the Administrative Agent and the Loan Parties;

 

WHEREAS, the Lenders are willing to provide the Facility upon and subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS

 

1.1.                              Defined Terms.  As used in this Agreement, the terms listed in this Section 1.1 shall have the respective meanings set forth in this Section 1.1.

 

2

 

“Acquired Person”:  as to any Person, any other Person (i) all of the Capital Stock of which is owned by such Person and (ii) which is consolidated with such Person in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Acquisition”:  as to any Person, the acquisition by such Person of (a) Capital Stock of any other Person in related, complementary or ancillary line of business as such Person if, after giving effect to the acquisition of such Capital Stock, such other Person would be (i) an Acquired Person of such Person and (ii) a Subsidiary Guarantor, (b) all or substantially all of the assets of any other Person in related, complementary or ancillary line of business as such Person or (c) assets constituting one or more business units (which may include any individual store or groups of stores) of any other Person used in a related, complementary or ancillary line of business of such Person.  It is understood that the term “Acquisition” shall include the New Albertson’s Acquisition.

 

“Administrative Agent”:  as defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

“Affiliate”:  as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person.  For purposes of this definition, “control” of a Person means the power, directly or indirectly, either to (a) vote 10% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such Person or (b) direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether by contract or otherwise.

 

“Agents”: the collective reference to the Administrative Agent, the Lead Arranger and the Syndication Agent.

 

“Agreement”:  as defined in the preamble of this Agreement.

 

“Applicable Margin”: (a) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, 8.0% per annum and (b) in the case of Base Rate Loans, 7.0% per annum.

 

“Applicable Percentage”:  as to any Lender at any time, the percentage which the aggregate principal amount of such Lender’s Commitments or Loans, as applicable, then outstanding constitutes of the aggregate principal amount of the Commitments or Loans, as applicable, of all Lenders then outstanding.  The initial Applicable Percentage of each Lender is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 2.1 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable.

 

“Approved Fund”:  as defined in Section 11.6(b).

 

“Asset Sale”:  any Disposition of Property or series of related Dispositions of Property (excluding any such Disposition permitted by clause (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (g), (h), (i), (j) or (k) of Section 8.5) that yields gross proceeds to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (valued at the initial principal amount thereof, in the case of non-cash proceeds consisting of notes or other debt securities and valued at fair market value, in the case of other non-cash proceeds) in excess of $3,000,000.

 

“Assignee”:  as defined in Section 11.6(b).

 

3

 

“Assignment and Assumption”:  an Assignment and Assumption, substantially in the form of Exhibit E.

 

“Base Rate”:  for any day, a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 1⁄2 of 1% and (c) the Eurodollar Rate for a Eurodollar Loan with a one-month Interest Period commencing on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) plus 1.00%; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Eurodollar Rate for any day shall be based on the rate determined on such day at approximately 11 A.M. (London time) by reference to the British Bankers’ Association Interest Settlement Rates for deposits in dollars (as set forth by any service selected by the Administrative Agent that has been nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as an authorized vendor for the purpose of displaying such rates).  For purposes hereof:  “Prime Rate” shall mean the rate of interest per annum announced from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City (the Prime Rate not being intended to be the lowest rate of interest charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with extensions of credit to debtors).  Any change in the Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, Eurodollar Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be effective as of the opening of business on the effective day of such change in the Prime Rate, Eurodollar Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, respectively.

 

“Base Rate Loans”:  Loans the rate of interest applicable to which is based upon the Base Rate.

 

“Benefited Lender”:  as defined in Section 11.7(a).

 

“Board”:  the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States (or any successor).

 

“Borrower”:  as defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

“Borrowing”:  a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Loans of the same Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period, made by each of the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.1.

 

“Business”:  as defined in Section 5.17(b).

 

“Business Day”:  a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to close; provided, that with respect to notices and determinations in connection with, and payments of principal and interest on, Eurodollar Loans, such day is also a day for trading by and between banks in Dollar deposits in the interbank eurodollar market.

 

“Call Premium”: with respect to any prepayment of Loans pursuant to Section 4.1, (a) 2.0% of the aggregate principal amount of the Loans being prepaid for any such prepayment on or prior to the first anniversary of the Closing Date, (b) 1.0% of the aggregate principal amount of the Loans being prepaid for any such prepayment after the first anniversary of the Closing Date and on or prior to the second anniversary of the Closing Date and (c) 0% of

 

4

 

the aggregate principal amount of the Loans being prepaid for any such prepayment after the second anniversary of the Closing Date.

 

“Capital Expenditures”:  for any period, with respect to any Person, the aggregate of all expenditures by such Person and its Subsidiaries for the acquisition or leasing (pursuant to a capital lease) of fixed or capital assets or additions to equipment (including replacements, capitalized repairs and improvements during such period) that should be capitalized under GAAP on a consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries; but excluding any such expenditure:  (i) which is financed with the Net Cash Proceeds of a Recovery Event as permitted by Section 4.2(b), (ii) relating to the purchase price of an Acquisition or an Investment permitted under Section 8.8, (iii) made by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor as a tenant to finance leasehold improvements, to the extent such expenditures are reimbursed by the landlord, (iv) to effect any Sale and Leaseback Transactions permitted under Section 8.11, (v) that is financed with the proceeds of a Disposition permitted by Section 8.5(a) and 8.5(f), and (vi) which is financed with the Net Cash Proceeds of Excluded Sponsor Capital Stock.

 

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

 

“Capital Stock”:  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) and any and all warrants, rights or options to purchase any of the foregoing.

 

“Cash Equivalents”:  (a) U.S. Dollars, (b) securities issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States Government or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within twelve months from the date of acquisition, (c) certificates of deposit, time or demand deposits, eurodollar time deposits or overnight bank deposits having maturities of twelve months or less from the date of acquisition issued by any Lender or by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof having combined capital and surplus of not less than $500,000,000 and a Thomson Bank Watch Rating of at least B, (d) commercial paper of an issuer rated no lower than A-2 by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”) or P-2 by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), or carrying an equivalent rating by a nationally recognized rating agency, if both of the two named rating agencies cease publishing ratings of commercial paper issuers generally, and maturing within twelve months from the date of acquisition, (e) repurchase obligations of any Lender or of any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (c) of this definition or recognized securities dealer having combined capital and surplus of not less than $500,000,000, having a term of not more than seven days, with respect to securities satisfying the criteria in clauses (b) or (c) above, (f) securities with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States, by any political subdivision or taxing authority of any such state, commonwealth or territory or by any foreign government, the securities of

 

5

 

which state, commonwealth, territory, political subdivision, taxing authority or foreign government (as the case may be) having one of the two highest rating categories obtainable from either Moody’s or S&P, (g) securities with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit issued by any Lender or any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (c) of this definition, or (h) shares of money market mutual or similar funds which invest exclusively in assets satisfying the requirements of clauses (a) through (g) of this definition.

 

“CLO”:  as defined in Section 11.6(b).

 

“Closing Date”:  the date on which the conditions precedent set forth in Section 6.1 shall have been satisfied or waived (in accordance with Section 11.1), which date is April 16, 2010.

 

“Code”:  the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

“Collateral”:  all property of the Loan Parties, now owned or hereafter acquired, upon which a Lien is or is purported to be created by any Security Document.

 

“Commitment”:  as to each Lender, its obligation to make Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.1 in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.1 under the caption “Commitment” 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.

 

“Commonly Controlled Entity”:  an entity, whether or not incorporated, that is under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA or is part of a group that includes the Borrower and that is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

 

“Compliance Certificate”:  a certificate duly executed by a Responsible Officer substantially in the form of Exhibit B.

 

“Conduit Lender”:  any special purpose entity organized and administered by any Lender for the purpose of making Loans otherwise required to be made by such Lender and designated by such Lender in a written instrument, subject to the consent of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower; provided, that the designation by any Lender of a Conduit Lender shall not relieve the designating Lender of any of its obligations to fund a Loan under this Agreement if, for any reason, its Conduit Lender fails to fund any such Loan, and the designating Lender (and not the Conduit Lender) shall have the sole right and responsibility to deliver all consents and waivers required or requested under this Agreement with respect to its Conduit Lender; and provided, further, that no Conduit Lender shall (a) be entitled to receive any greater amount pursuant to Section 4.9, 4.10, 4.11 or 11.5 than the designating Lender would have been entitled to receive in respect of the extensions of credit made by such Conduit Lender or (b) be deemed to have any Commitment.

 

6

 

“Confidential Information Memorandum”: the Confidential Information Memorandum dated March 2010 and furnished to the Lenders.

 

“Consolidated Current Assets”:  at any date, all amounts (other than cash and Cash Equivalents) that would, in conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total current assets” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such date.

 

“Consolidated Current Liabilities”:  at any date, all amounts that would, in conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total current liabilities” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such date, but excluding (a) any Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (b) without duplication of clause (a) above, all Indebtedness consisting of Revolving Loans (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement) or Swingline Loans (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement) to the extent otherwise included therein.

 

“Consolidated EBITDA”:  for any period, Consolidated Net Income for such period plus, without duplication and to the extent reflected as a charge in the statement of such Consolidated Net Income for such period (except in the case of clause (j) below), the sum of (a) income tax expense (including, without duplication, franchise and foreign withholding taxes and any state single business unitary or similar tax), (b) interest expense, amortization or write-off of debt discount and debt issuance costs and commissions, discounts and other fees and charges associated with Indebtedness (including the First Lien Facilities and the Loans), (c) depreciation and amortization expense, (d) amortization of intangibles (including, but not limited to, goodwill impairment) and organization costs and any goodwill impairment loss recognized by FAS No. 142, (e) any extraordinary charges, expenses or losses determined in accordance with GAAP, (f) non-cash compensation expenses arising from the issuance of stock, options to purchase stock and stock appreciation rights to the management of Holdings (to the extent attributable to work performed on behalf of the Borrower), the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (g) any other non-cash charges, non-cash expenses or non-cash losses of Holdings (to the extent attributable to work performed on behalf of the Borrower), the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding any such charge, expense or loss incurred in the ordinary course of business that constitutes an accrual of or a reserve for cash charges for any future period, but including non-cash charges arising out of the restructuring, consolidation, severance or discontinuance of any portion of the operations, employees and/or management of Holdings (to the extent attributable to work performed on behalf of the Borrower), the Borrower and its Subsidiaries); provided, however, that cash payments made in such period or in any future period in respect of such non-cash charges, expenses or losses (excluding any such charge, expense or loss incurred in the ordinary course of business that constitutes an accrual of or a reserve for cash charges for any future period) shall be subtracted from Consolidated Net Income in calculating Consolidated EBITDA in the period when such payments are made, (h) costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions or the issuance, payment or exchange of the Notes, (i) reasonable costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with Dispositions made in reliance on Section 8.5(a) (but only to the extent it is a Disposition of “surplus” property) and Section 8.5(f), in each case, as permitted herein, (j) the cash proceeds of any business interruption insurance to the extent such proceeds are not included in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period, (k) one-time charges incurred in connection with the Shutdown not

 

7

 

to exceed $28,000,000 in the aggregate, (l) any costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation and execution of the Third Amendment (First Lien Credit Agreement) and (m) any costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation and execution of the Fourth Amendment (First Lien Credit Agreement) and the Loan Documents (including any original issue discount), and minus, to the extent included in the statement of such Consolidated Net Income for such period, the sum of (a) interest income, (b) any extraordinary income or gains determined in accordance with GAAP and (c) any other non-cash income (excluding any items that represent the reversal of any accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges in any prior period that are described in the parenthetical to clause (g) above), all as determined on a consolidated basis.  For the purposes of calculating Consolidated EBITDA for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters (each, a “Reference Period”) pursuant to any determination of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, (i) if at any time during such Reference Period the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall have made any Material Disposition, the Consolidated EBITDA for such Reference Period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if positive) attributable to the property that is the subject of such Material Disposition for such Reference Period or increased by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if negative) attributable thereto for such Reference Period, as determined in accordance with Regulation S-X (except as determined reasonably and in good faith by the chief financial officer of the Borrower and set forth in an officer’s certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for any adjustments which are not in compliance with Regulation S-X, which adjustments are acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its reasonable judgment) and (ii) if during such Reference Period the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall have made a Material Acquisition, Consolidated EBITDA for such Reference Period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Material Acquisition occurred on the first day of such Reference Period, as determined in accordance with Regulation S-X (except as determined reasonably and in good faith by the chief financial officer of the Borrower and set forth in an officer’s certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for any adjustments which are not in compliance with Regulation S-X, which adjustments are acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its reasonable judgment).  As used in this definition, “Material Acquisition” means any acquisition of property or series of related acquisitions of property that (a) constitutes assets comprising all or substantially all of an operating unit of a business or constitutes all or substantially all of the common stock of a Person and (b) involves the payment of consideration by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in excess of $2,000,000; and “Material Disposition” means any Disposition of property or series of related Dispositions of property that yields gross proceeds to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $2,000,000.

 

“Consolidated EBITDAR”:  for any period, the sum of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for such period, plus (b) Consolidated Lease Expense for such period.

 

“Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”:  for any period, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDAR for such period to (b) Consolidated Fixed Charges for such period.

 

“Consolidated Fixed Charges”:  for any period, the sum (without duplication) of (a) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period, (b) Consolidated Lease Expense for such period and (c) scheduled payments made during such period on account of principal of Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (including scheduled principal payments

 

8

 

in respect of the First Lien Loans but excluding the scheduled principal payment on the Non-Extended Term Loan Maturity Date (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement) in respect of the Non-Extended Term Loans (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement) under the First Lien Credit Agreement).

 

“Consolidated Interest Expense”:  for any period, total cash interest expense (including that attributable to Capital Lease Obligations) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period with respect to all outstanding Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing and net costs under Hedge Agreements in respect of interest rates to the extent such net costs are allocable to such period in accordance with GAAP, but excluding non-cash amortization of deferred financing costs incurred in connection with the Transactions and any future issuance of Indebtedness).

 

“Consolidated Lease Expense”:  for any period, the aggregate amount of fixed and contingent rentals payable by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period with respect to leases of real and personal property, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP minus the aggregate amount of rental income of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period with respect to leases of real and personal property, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, that payments in respect of Capital Lease Obligations shall not constitute Consolidated Lease Expense.

 

“Consolidated Leverage Ratio”:  as at the last day of any period, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Debt on such day to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for such period.

 

“Consolidated Net Income”:  for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, that there shall be excluded (a) the income (or deficit) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower or is merged into or consolidated with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) the income (or deficit) of any Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Borrower) in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has an ownership interest, except to the extent that any such income is actually received by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in the form of dividends or similar distributions and (c) the undistributed earnings of any Subsidiary of the Borrower to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary is not at the time permitted by the terms of any Contractual Obligation (other than under any First Lien Loan Document or Loan Document) or Requirement of Law applicable to such Subsidiary; provided, further, that to the extent any earnings of any Subsidiary are excluded from Consolidated Net Income for any period as a result of clause (c) and the applicable prohibition ceases to exist in any future period, such earnings shall be included in Consolidated Net Income for any such future period.

 

“Consolidated Total Debt”:  at any date, the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such date, to the extent the same should appear on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

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“Consolidated Working Capital”:  at any date, the excess of Consolidated Current Assets on such date over Consolidated Current Liabilities on such date.

 

“Continuing Directors”:  the directors of Holdings on the Closing Date and each other director, if, in each case, such other director’s nomination for election to the board of directors of Holdings is recommended by at least a majority of the then Continuing Directors who were members of such board of directors at the time of such nomination.

 

“Contractual Obligation”:  as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

 

“Control Investment Affiliate”:  as to any Person, any other Person that (a) directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person and (b) is organized by such Person primarily for the purpose of making equity or debt investments in one or more companies.  For purposes of this definition, “control” of a Person means the power, directly or indirectly, to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person whether by contract or otherwise.

 

“Declining Option”:  as defined in Section 4.1(a).

 

“Default”:  any of the events specified in Section 9, whether or not any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, has been satisfied.

 

“Derivatives Counterparty”:  as defined in Section 8.6.

 

“Disposition”:  with respect to any Property, any sale, lease, sale and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer or other disposition thereof.  The terms “Dispose” and “Disposed of” shall have correlative meanings.

 

“Dollars” and “$”:  dollars in lawful currency of the United States.

 

“Domestic Subsidiary”:  any Subsidiary of the Borrower organized under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States.

 

“ECF Percentage”:  (a) 50% with respect to each fiscal year of the Borrower to the extent that the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such fiscal year is greater than 3.0 to 1.0, (b) 25% with respect to each fiscal year of the Borrower to the extent that the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such fiscal year is equal to or less than 3.0 to 1.0 but greater than 2.0 to 1.0 or (c) 0% with respect to each fiscal year of the Borrower to the extent that the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such fiscal year is equal to or less than 2.0 to 1.0.

 

“Engagement Letter”: the Engagement Letter dated March 19, 2010, among the Borrower and the Lead Arranger.

 

“Environmental Laws”:  any and all foreign, federal, state, local or municipal laws, rules, orders, regulations, statutes, ordinances, codes, decrees, requirements of any

 

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Governmental Authority or other Requirements of Law (including common law) regulating, relating to or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning protection of human health or the environment, as now or may at any time hereafter be in effect.

 

“Equity Investors”:  the Sponsor and certain other investors and management of, and in, Holdings and the Borrower.

 

“ERISA”:  the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

 

“Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements”:  for any day as applied to a Eurodollar Loan, the aggregate (without duplication) of the maximum rates (expressed as a decimal fraction) of reserve requirements in effect on such day (including basic, supplemental, marginal and emergency reserves under any regulations of the Board or other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto) dealing with reserve requirements prescribed for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities” in Regulation D of the Board) maintained by a member bank of the Federal Reserve System.

 

“Eurodollar Base Rate”:  with respect to each day during each Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan, the rate per annum determined on the basis of the rate for deposits in Dollars for a period equal to such Interest Period commencing on the first day of such Interest Period by reference to the British Bankers’ Association Interest Settlement Rates for deposits in Dollars (as set forth by any service selected by the Administrative Agent that has been nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as an authorized vendor for the purpose of displaying such rates) as of 11:00 A.M., London time, two Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period.  In the event that such rate is not available, the “Eurodollar Base Rate” for the purposes of this definition shall be determined by reference to such other comparable publicly available service for displaying eurodollar rates as mutually agreed between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent or, in the absence of such availability, by reference to the rate at which the Administrative Agent is offered Dollar deposits at or about 11:00 A.M., London time, two Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period in the interbank eurodollar market where its eurodollar and foreign exchange operations are then being conducted for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period for the number of days comprised therein.

 

“Eurodollar Loans”:  Loans the rate of interest applicable to which is based upon the Eurodollar Rate.

 

“Eurodollar Rate”:  with respect to each day during each Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan, a rate per annum equal to the higher of (a) 2.0% and (b) a rate determined for such day in accordance with the following formula (rounded upward to the nearest 1/100th of 1%):

 

	
 
    	
Eurodollar Base Rate
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
1.00   - Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements
    	
 
    

 

“Eurodollar Tranche”:  the collective reference to Eurodollar Loans with current Interest Periods which begin on the same date and end on the same later date (whether or not such Loans shall originally have been made on the same day).

 

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“Event of Default”:  any of the events specified in Section 9; provided that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, has been satisfied.

 

“Excess Cash Flow”:  for any fiscal year of the Borrower, the excess, if any, of (a) the sum, without duplication, of (i) Consolidated Net Income for such fiscal year, (ii) an amount equal to the amount of all non-cash charges (including depreciation and amortization) deducted in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income, (iii) decreases in Consolidated Working Capital for such fiscal year, (iv) the net increase during such fiscal year (if any) in long-term deferred tax accounts of the Borrower, (v) any cash received as a result of a net decrease in the outstanding amount of Investments in Investee Stores (as permitted pursuant to Section 8.8(j) during such fiscal year and (vi) an amount equal to the aggregate net non-cash loss on the Disposition of Property by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during such fiscal year (other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business), to the extent deducted in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income over (b) the sum, without duplication, of (i) an amount equal to the amount of all non-cash credits included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income, (ii) the aggregate amount actually paid by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in cash during such fiscal year on account of Capital Expenditures (excluding any such expenditures financed with the principal amount of term Indebtedness incurred to finance such expenditures (but including repayments of any such Indebtedness incurred during such period or any prior period) and any such expenditures financed with the proceeds of any Reinvestment Deferred Amount), (iii) all optional prepayments of Funded Debt (other than the Loans and Funded Debt described in clause (b)(ii) above) during such fiscal year, (iv) the aggregate amount of all regularly scheduled principal payments of Funded Debt (including the First Lien Loans) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries made during such fiscal year (other than in respect of any revolving credit facility to the extent there is not an equivalent permanent reduction in commitments thereunder), (v) increases in Consolidated Working Capital for such fiscal year, (vi) the net decrease during such fiscal year (if any) in long-term deferred tax accounts of the Borrower, (vii) an amount equal to the aggregate net non-cash (and, to the extent any cash gain results in a mandatory prepayment under Section 4.2(b) or Section 4.2(b) of the First Lien Credit Agreement or to the extent such cash gain arises out of a Disposition permitted under Section 8.5(f), 8.5(h) or 8.5(k), cash) gain on the Disposition of Property (which shall include any Recovery Event) by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during such fiscal year (other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business), to the extent included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income, (viii) the amount of non-cash charges added back in prior fiscal years for which Excess Cash Flow is calculated pursuant to this Agreement pursuant to clause (a)(ii) above to the extent any such charge results in a cash payment during such fiscal year, (ix) an amount equal to cash payments made by the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors in respect of (A) Pick ‘n Save Acquisitions, (B) the New Albertson’s Acquisition and (C) Acquisitions in reliance on Section 8.8(i)(A)(w) (in each instance, excluding payments financed with the principal amount of term Indebtedness incurred, and the proceeds from the issuance of Capital Stock issued, to finance such Pick ‘n Save Acquisitions, New Albertson’s Acquisition and Acquisitions in reliance on Section 8.8(i)(A)(w) (but including repayments of any such Indebtedness incurred during such period or any prior period) and any payments financed with the proceeds of any Reinvestment Deferred Amount), (x) payments to fund the underfunding liability of the defined pension plans of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (xi) any cash payments made during such period pursuant to Restricted Payments permitted under Sections 8.6(b) (excluding amounts expended in reliance on the final proviso thereof), (c) and (d) and Section 8.6(i) of the First Lien

 

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Credit Agreement (excluding, in the case of Section 8.6(i) of the First Lien Credit Agreement, amounts financed with the proceeds of revolving credit loans under the First Lien Credit Agreement), (xii) any cash payments of reasonable costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with any Acquisition (including the New Albertson’s Acquisition) or Pick ‘n Save Acquisition, (xiii) any cash payments of reasonable costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with Dispositions made in reliance on Section 8.5 (but only to the extent it is a Disposition of “surplus” property) and Section 8.5(f) in each case, as permitted herein, (xiv) any extraordinary cash charges, expenses and losses in accordance with GAAP, (xv) any cash payments in respect of a net increase in the outstanding amount of Investments in Investee Stores (as permitted pursuant to Section 8.8(j)) during such fiscal year, (xvi) any cash payments of costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions, (xvii) any cash payments of costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation and execution of the Third Amendment (First Lien Credit Agreement) and (xviii) any cash payments of costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation and execution of the Fourth Amendment (First Lien Credit Agreement) and the Loan Documents (including any original issue discount).

 

“Excess Cash Flow Application Date”:  as defined in Section 4.2(c).

 

“Exchange Act”:  as defined in Section 9(k).

 

“Excluded Acquisition Capital Stock”:  as defined in Section 8.8(i).

 

“Excluded Capital Stock”:  the collective reference, without duplication, to (a) Excluded Acquisition Capital Stock, (b) Capital Stock of the Borrower issued or sold to the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, any directors, managers, consultants, officers or employees of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (c) directors’ qualifying shares, (d) Capital Stock of the Borrower issued to directors, managers, consultants, officers or employees of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in connection with a substantially contemporaneous stock repurchase of Capital Stock from directors, managers, consultants, officers or employees of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, (e) Capital Stock issued to the holders of Indebtedness in satisfaction of such Indebtedness (other than the Loans) and (f) Capital Stock of the Borrower issued to Holdings or the Sponsor (“Excluded Sponsor Capital Stock”).

 

“Excluded Indebtedness”:  all Indebtedness permitted by Sections 8.2(a) through (p) and Section 8.2(r).

 

“Excluded Sponsor Capital Stock”:  as defined in the definition of “Excluded Capital Stock”.

 

“Existing Surveys”:  each of the surveys for the Mortgaged Property as listed on Schedule 1.1B.

 

“Facility”:  at any time, the aggregate Commitments or Loans, as applicable, of all Lenders at such time.

 

“Federal Funds Effective Rate”:  for any day, the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by

 

13

 

federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for the day of such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

 

“First Lien Administrative Agent”: as defined in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

“First Lien Credit Agreement”: as defined in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

“First Lien Facilities”: as defined in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

“First Lien Loans”:  the loans made under the First Lien Credit Agreement.

 

“First Lien Loan Documents”:  all documents that qualify as “First Priority Documents” under and as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

“First Lien Security Documents”:  all documents that qualify as “First Priority Security Documents” under and as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

“Foreign Subsidiary”:  any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

“Fourth Amendment (First Lien Credit Agreement)”: the Fourth Amendment to the First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of April 16, 2010.

 

“Funded Debt”:  as to any Person, all Indebtedness of such Person that matures more than one year from the date of its creation or matures within one year from such date but is renewable or extendible, at the option of such Person, to a date more than one year from such date or arises under a revolving credit or similar agreement that obligates the lender or lenders to extend credit during a period of more than one year from such date, including all current maturities and current sinking fund payments in respect of such Indebtedness whether or not required to be paid within one year from the date of its creation and, in the case of the Borrower, Indebtedness in respect of the Loans and the First Lien Loans.

 

“Funding Office”:  the office of the Administrative Agent specified in Section 11.2 or such other office as may be specified from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its funding office by written notice to the Borrower and the Lenders.

 

“GAAP”:  generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect from time to time.  In the event that any Accounting Change (as defined below) shall occur and such change results in a change in the method of calculation of financial covenants, standards or terms in this Agreement, then the Borrower and the Administrative Agent agree to enter into negotiations in order to amend such provisions of this Agreement so as to equitably reflect such Accounting Changes with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating the Borrower’s financial condition shall be the same after such Accounting Changes as if such Accounting Changes had not been made.  Until such time as such an amendment shall have been executed and delivered by the Borrower, Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, all financial covenants, standards and terms in this Agreement shall continue to be calculated or construed as if such Accounting Changes had not occurred.  “Accounting Changes” refers to

 

14

 

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, if applicable, the SEC.  Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to any election under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 159 (or any other financial accounting standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Borrower or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein.  Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, to the extent that the determination of any term of any accounting or financial nature used herein, or the computation of any amount or ratio referred to herein, is different than the corresponding determination or computation made under the First Lien Credit Agreement (if any), in each case solely as a result of such determination or computation being made under the First Lien Credit Agreement without giving effect to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 141R or ASC 805, then such determination or computation hereunder shall be made without giving effect to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 141R or ASC 805, as the case may be.

 

“Governmental Authority”:  any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, any securities exchange and any self-regulatory organization (including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners).

 

“Guarantee and Collateral Agreement”:  the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement to be executed and delivered by Holdings, the Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor, substantially in the form of Exhibit A.

 

“Guarantee Obligation”:  as to any Person (the “guaranteeing person”), any obligation of (a) the guaranteeing person or (b) another Person (including any bank under any letter of credit) to induce the creation of which the guaranteeing person has issued a reimbursement, counterindemnity or similar obligation, in either case guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any Indebtedness, leases, dividends or other obligations (the “primary obligations”) of any other third Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any obligation of the guaranteeing person, whether or not contingent, (i) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (ii) to advance or supply funds (1) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (2) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, (iii) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation or (iv) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the owner of any such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof; provided, however, that the term Guarantee Obligation shall not include endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business.  The amount of any Guarantee Obligation of any guaranteeing person shall be deemed to be the lower of (a) an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Guarantee Obligation is made and (b) the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument embodying such Guarantee Obligation, unless such

 

15

 

primary obligation and the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing person may be liable are not stated or determinable, in which case the amount of such Guarantee Obligation shall be such guaranteeing person’s maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the Borrower in good faith.

 

“Guarantors”:  the collective reference to Holdings and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

“Hedge Agreements”:  all interest rate swaps, caps or collar agreements or similar arrangements dealing with interest rates or currency exchange rates or the exchange of nominal interest obligations, either generally or under specific contingencies.

 

“Holdings”:  as defined in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

“Indebtedness”:  of any Person at any date, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person for the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than current trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of such Person’s business), (c) all obligations of such Person evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or other similar instruments, (d) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement 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), (e) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (f) all obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, as an account party or applicant under or in respect of acceptances, letters of credit, surety bonds or similar arrangements, (g) the liquidation value of all redeemable preferred Capital Stock of such Person (excluding preferred Capital Stock the redemption of which is prohibited until prior repayment in full of the Obligations), (h) all Guarantee Obligations of such Person in respect of obligations of the kind referred to in clauses (a) through (g) above, (i) all obligations of the kind referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above secured by (or for which the holder of such obligation has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property (including accounts and contract rights) owned by such Person, whether or not such Person has assumed or become liable for the payment of such obligation, and (j) for the purposes of Section 8.2 and Section 9(e) only, all obligations of such Person in respect of Hedge Agreements; provided, that the amount of Indebtedness for which recourse is limited to an identified asset or assets shall be equal to the lesser of:  (1) the limited amount of such obligation and (2) the fair market value of such asset or assets.  The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness expressly provide that such Person is not liable therefor.

 

“Indemnified Liabilities”: as defined in 11.5.

 

“Indemnitee”:  as defined in Section 11.5.

 

“Insolvency”:  with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the condition that such Plan is insolvent within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA.

 

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“Insolvent”:  pertaining to a condition of Insolvency.

 

“Intellectual Property”:  the collective reference to all rights, priorities and privileges relating to intellectual property, whether arising under United States, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise, including copyrights, copyright licenses, patents, patent licenses, trademarks, trademark licenses, technology, know-how and processes, and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement or other impairment thereof, including the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom.

 

“Intercreditor Agreement”:  as defined in the recitals of this Agreement.

 

“Interest Payment Date”:  (a) as to any Base Rate Loan, the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December to occur while such Loan is outstanding and the final maturity date of such Loan, (b) as to any Eurodollar Loan having an Interest Period of three months or less, the last day of such Interest Period, (c) as to any Eurodollar Loan having an Interest Period longer than three months, each day that is three months, or a whole multiple thereof, after the first day of such Interest Period and the last day of such Interest Period and (d) as to any Loan, the date of any repayment or prepayment made in respect thereof.

 

“Interest Period”:  as to any Eurodollar Loan, (a) initially, the period commencing on the borrowing or conversion date, as the case may be, with respect to such Eurodollar Loan and ending one, two, three or six or (with the consent of all Lenders) nine or twelve months thereafter, as selected by the Borrower in its notice of borrowing or notice of conversion, as the case may be, given with respect thereto; and (b) thereafter, each period commencing on the last day of the next preceding Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Loan and ending one, two, three or six or (with the consent of all Lenders) nine or twelve months thereafter, as selected by the Borrower by irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent not less than three Business Days prior to the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto; provided, that all of the foregoing provisions relating to Interest Periods are subject to the following:

 

(i)                                     if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to carry such Interest Period into another calendar month in which event such Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day;

 

(ii)                                  the Borrower may not select an Interest Period that would extend beyond the Scheduled Maturity Date; and

 

(iii)                               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 a calendar month.

 

“Investee Store”:  a Person in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has invested equity capital, to which it has made loans or for which it has guaranteed loans, in any such case in accordance with the business practice of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries of

 

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making equity investments in, making loans to or guaranteeing loans made to Persons in acquiring, remodeling, refurbishing, expanding or operating one or more retail grocery stores.

 

“Investments”:  as defined in Section 8.8.

 

“Lead Arranger”: as defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

“Lenders”:  as defined in the preamble hereto; provided, that unless the context otherwise requires, each reference herein to the Lenders shall be deemed to include any Conduit Lender.

 

“Lien”:  any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, collateral assignment, security deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge or other security interest or any preference, priority or other security agreement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any capital lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

 

“Loan”:  any loan made by any Lender pursuant to this Agreement.

 

“Loan Documents”:  this Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement, the Security Documents and the Loan Notes.

 

“Loan Notes”:  the collective reference to any promissory notes evidencing Loans.

 

“Loan Parties”:  Holdings, the Borrower and each Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a party to a Loan Document.

 

“Material Acquisition”:  as defined in the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA”.

 

“Material Adverse Effect”:  a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, property, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (b) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or the rights or remedies of the Agents or the Lenders hereunder or thereunder.

 

“Material Disposition”:  as defined in the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA”.

 

“Materials of Environmental Concern”:  any gasoline or petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum products or any hazardous or toxic substances, materials or wastes, defined or regulated as such in or under any Environmental Law, including asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls and urea-formaldehyde insulation.

 

“Maturity Date”: the earlier of (a) the sixth anniversary of the Closing Date (the “Scheduled Maturity Date”) and (b) the date of acceleration of the Loans pursuant to Section 9.

 

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“Mortgaged Properties”:  the real properties listed on Schedule 1.1D, as to which the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties shall be, or have been, granted a Lien pursuant to the Mortgages.

 

“Mortgages”:  each of the mortgages and deeds of trust made by any Loan Party in favor of, or for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit D (with such changes thereto as shall be advisable under the law of the jurisdiction in which such mortgage or deed of trust is to be recorded).

 

“Multiemployer Plan”:  a Plan that is a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

 

“Nash Asset Purchase Agreement”:  the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 24, 2005, between the Borrower and Nash Finch Company, a Delaware corporation, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with Section 8.16.

 

“Net Cash Proceeds”:  (a) in connection with any Asset Sale or any Recovery Event, the proceeds thereof in the form of cash and Cash Equivalents (including any such proceeds received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or purchase price adjustment receivable or by the Disposition of any non-cash consideration received in connection therewith or otherwise, but only as and when received) of such Asset Sale or Recovery Event, net of (i) attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees, investment banking fees, (ii) amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness (together with any interest thereon, premium or penalty and any other amount payable with respect thereto) secured by a Lien expressly permitted hereunder on any asset that is the subject of such Asset Sale or Recovery Event (other than any Lien pursuant to a Security Document), (iii) amounts provided as a reasonable reserve against any liabilities under any indemnification obligations or purchase price adjustments associated with any Asset Sale (such amounts to be included as Net Cash Proceeds when such reserves are no longer required) and (iv) other customary fees and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith and net of taxes paid or reasonably estimated to be payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements) and (b) in connection with any issuance or sale of Capital Stock or any incurrence of Indebtedness, the cash proceeds received from such issuance or incurrence, net of attorneys’ fees, investment banking fees, accountants’ fees, underwriting discounts and commissions and other customary fees and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith.

 

“New Albertson’s Acquisition”:  the acquisition by the Borrower or one of the Subsidiary Guarantors of the “Store Properties” (and certain related assets) as defined in and pursuant to that certain (a) Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2006, among New Albertson’s, Inc., a Delaware corporation, the Borrower, Mega Marts, LLC, a Wisconsin limited liability company, and the other parties thereto and (b) the Real Estate Sale Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2006, between New Albertson’s, Inc. and Jondex Corp., a Wisconsin corporation.

 

“Non-Excluded Taxes”:  as defined in 4.10(a).

 

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“Non-U.S. Lender”:  as defined in Section 4.10(d).

 

“Note Indenture”:  an indenture in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent entered into by the Borrower and certain of its Subsidiaries in connection with the issuance of any Notes after the date hereof, together with all instruments and other agreements entered into by the Borrower or such Subsidiaries in connection therewith, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with Section 8.9.

 

“Notes”:  any senior or subordinated, unsecured notes of the Borrower issued after the date hereof on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

“Obligations”:  the unpaid principal of and interest on (including interest accruing after the maturity of the Loans and interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) the Loans and all other obligations and liabilities of the Borrower to any Agent or to any Lender, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection with, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other document made, delivered or given in connection herewith or therewith, whether on account of principal, interest, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses (including all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to any Agent or to any Lender that are required to be paid by the Borrower pursuant hereto) or otherwise.

 

“Organization Documents” means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.

 

“Other Taxes”:  any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

“Optional Prepayment Notice”:  as defined in Section 4.1(a).

 

“Participant”:  as defined in Section 11.6(c).

 

“PATRIOT Act”:  as defined in Section 11.18.

 

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“PBGC”:  the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA (or any successor).

 

“Permitted Acquisition”:  as defined in Section 8.2(h).

 

“Permitted First Lien Indebtedness”: Indebtedness under the First Lien Loan Documents to the extent constituting “First Priority Obligations” under and as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

“Permitted Investors”:  the collective reference to the Sponsor and its Control Investment Affiliates.

 

“Person”:  an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, Governmental Authority or other entity of whatever nature.

 

“Pick ‘n Save Acquisition”:  an acquisition by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor of an existing or future licensed Pick ‘n Save retail store and related assets.

 

“Plan”:  at a particular time, any employee benefit plan that is covered by ERISA and in respect of which the Borrower or a Commonly Controlled Entity is (or, if such plan were terminated at such time, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

 

“Pledged Stock”:  as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

 

“Prepayment Amount”:  as defined in Section 4.1(a).

 

“Pro Forma Balance Sheet”:  as defined in Section 5.1(a).

 

“Projections”:  as defined in Section 7.2(c).

 

“Properties”:  as defined in Section 5.17(a).

 

“Property”:  any right or interest in or to property of any kind whatsoever, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, including, without limitation, Capital Stock.

 

“Recovery Event”:  any settlement of or payment in respect of any property or casualty insurance claim or any condemnation proceeding relating to any asset of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

“Reference Period”:  as defined in the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA”.

 

“Register”:  as defined in Section 11.6(b)(iv).

 

“Regulation U”:  Regulation U of the Board as in effect from time to time.

 

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“Reinvestment Deferred Amount”:  with respect to any Reinvestment Event, the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection therewith that are not applied to prepay the Loans pursuant to Section 4.2(b) as a result of the delivery of a Reinvestment Notice.

 

“Reinvestment Event”:  any Asset Sale or Recovery Event in respect of which the Borrower has delivered a Reinvestment Notice.

 

“Reinvestment Notice”:  a written notice executed by a Responsible Officer stating that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and that the Borrower (directly or indirectly through a Subsidiary) intends and expects to use all or a specified portion of the Net Cash Proceeds of an Asset Sale or Recovery Event to acquire or repair fixed or capital assets useful in its or one of its Subsidiary’s business or to finance an Acquisition.

 

“Reinvestment Prepayment Amount”:  with respect to any Reinvestment Event, the Reinvestment Deferred Amount relating thereto less any amount expended prior to the relevant Reinvestment Prepayment Date to acquire or repair fixed or capital assets useful in the Borrower’s or one of its Subsidiary’s business or to finance an Acquisition.

 

“Reinvestment Prepayment Date”:  with respect to any Reinvestment Event, the earlier of (a) the date occurring twelve months after receipt of a Reinvestment Deferred Amount with respect to such Reinvestment Event and (b) the date on which the Borrower shall have determined not to, or shall have otherwise ceased to, acquire or repair fixed or capital assets useful in the Borrower’s or one of its Subsidiary’s business or to finance an Acquisition with all or any portion of the relevant Reinvestment Deferred Amount.

 

“Reorganization”:  with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the condition that such plan is in reorganization within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA.

 

“Reportable Event”:  any of the events set forth in Section 4043(b) of ERISA, other than those events as to which the thirty day notice period is waived under subsections .27, .28, .29, .30, .31, .32, .34 or .35 of PBGC Reg. § 4043.

 

“Required Lenders”:  at any time, the holders of more than 50% of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans then outstanding.

 

“Requirement of Law”:  as to any Person, the certificate of incorporation and by-laws or other Organizational Documents of such Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

 

“Responsible Officer”:  as to any Person, the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer or treasurer of such Person, but in any event, with respect to financial matters, the chief financial officer or treasurer of such Person; provided that, for purposes of Section 1.2(e), Responsible Officer shall include any officer of such person with knowledge of or responsibility for compliance with the applicable provisions of the Loan Documents.

 

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“Restricted Payments”:  as defined in Section 8.6.

 

“Sale and Leaseback Transactions”:  as defined in Section 8.11.

 

“SEC”:  the Securities and Exchange Commission, any successor thereto and any analogous Governmental Authority.

 

“Second Amendment (First Lien Credit Agreement)”: the Second Amendment to the First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of January 29, 2007.

 

“Secured Parties”:  the collective reference to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent.

 

“Security Documents”:  the collective reference to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, the Mortgages and all other security documents hereafter delivered to the Administrative Agent granting a Lien on any property of any Person to secure the obligations and liabilities of any Loan Party under any Loan Document.

 

“Shutdown”:  the shut-down of operations and closing of three retail grocery stores.

 

“Single Employer Plan”:  any Plan that is covered by Title IV of ERISA, but that is not a Multiemployer Plan.

 

“Solvency Opinion”: as defined in Section 6.1(l).

 

“Solvent”:  when used with respect to any Person, means that, as of any date of determination, (a) the amount of the “present fair saleable value” of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, exceed the amount of all “liabilities of such Person, contingent or otherwise”, as of such date, as such quoted terms are determined in accordance with applicable federal and state laws governing determinations of the insolvency of debtors, (b) the present fair saleable value of the assets (as such term is defined in clause (a) above) of such Person will, as of such date, be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the liability of such Person on its debts as such debts become absolute and matured, (c) such Person will not have, as of such date, an unreasonably small amount of capital with which to conduct its business, and (d) such Person is, as of such date, able to pay its debts as they mature.  For purposes of this definition, (i) “debt” means liability on a “claim”, and (ii) “claim” means any (x) right to payment, whether or not such a right is reduced to judgment, liquidated, unliquidated, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured or unsecured or (y) right to an equitable remedy for breach of performance if such breach gives rise to a right to payment, whether or not such right to an equitable remedy is reduced to judgment, fixed, contingent, matured or unmatured, disputed, undisputed, secured or unsecured; provided, that in computing the amount of any contingent, unliquidated, unmatured or disputed claim at any time, it is intended that such claims will be computed at the amount which, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual, liquidated or matured claim.

 

“Special Dividend”:  as defined in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

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“Special Dividend Payment Date”: as defined in Section 8.6(g).

 

“Specified Change of Control”:  a “Change of Control” as defined in any Note Indenture.

 

“Sponsor”:  WSP, together with its affiliates and related partners and investors.

 

“Subsidiary”:  as to any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which shares of stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other ownership interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership or other entity are at the time owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person.  Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Agreement shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

 

“Subsidiary Guarantor”:  each Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower and each Person that shall, at any time, execute and deliver a Guarantee Obligation in respect of the Obligations.

 

“Syndication Agent”: as defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

“Third Amendment (First Lien Credit Agreement)”: the Third Amendment to the First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of October 30, 2009.

 

“Third Amendment (First Lien Credit Agreement) Effective Date”: October 30, 2009.

 

“Transactions”:  as defined in the recitals to this Agreement; provided that for purposes of the definitions of “Consolidated EBITDA” and “Excess Cash Flow”, “Transactions” shall have the meaning set forth in the First Lien Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof (after giving effect to the Fourth Amendment (First Lien Credit Agreement)).

 

“Transferee”:  any Assignee or Participant.

 

“Type”:  as to any Loan, its nature as a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Loan.

 

“United States”:  the United States of America.

 

“WSP”:  Willis Stein & Partners II, L.P., Willis Stein & Partners III, L.P., Willis Stein & Partners Dutch, L.P., Willis Stein & Partners Dutch III-A, L.P., Willis Stein & Partners III-B, L.P., Willis Stein & Partners III-C, L.P., and funds associated with any of the foregoing.

 

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1.2.                              Other Definitional Provisions.

 

(a)          Unless otherwise specified therein, all terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in the other Loan Documents or any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto.

 

(b)         As used herein and in the other Loan Documents, and any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, (i) accounting terms relating to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries not defined in Section 1.1 and accounting terms partly defined in Section 1.1, to the extent not defined, shall have the respective meanings given to them under GAAP, (ii) the words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”, (iii) the word “incur” shall be construed to mean incur, create, issue, assume, become liable in respect of or suffer to exist (and the words “incurred” and “incurrence” shall have correlative meanings), (iv) 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, Capital Stock, securities, revenues, accounts, leasehold interests and contract rights and (v) references to agreements or other Contractual Obligations shall, unless otherwise specified, be deemed to refer to such agreements or Contractual Obligations as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time (subject to any applicable restrictions hereunder).

 

(c)          The words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section, Schedule and Exhibit references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

 

(d)         The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

 

(e)          The word “knowledge” when used with respect to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be a reference to the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of the Borrower or any such Subsidiary, as the case may be.

 

SECTION 2.  AMOUNT AND TERMS OF TERM COMMITMENTS

 

2.1.                              Loans Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, each Lender severally agrees to make a single loan (in Dollars) to the Borrower on the Closing Date in an amount equal to its Commitment.  The Borrowing shall consist of Loans made simultaneously by the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments.  The full amount of the Facility must be drawn in a single drawing on the Closing Date.  The Loans may from time to time be Eurodollar Loans or Base Rate Loans, as determined by the Borrower and notified to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 4.3.  Amounts borrowed under this Section 2.1 and repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.  The Commitments shall be automatically and permanently reduced on the Closing Date (after giving effect to the Borrowing) to zero.

 

2.2.                              Fees.  The Borrower shall pay to the Agents for their own respective accounts such fees as shall have been separately agreed upon pursuant to the Engagement Letter.

 

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2.3.                              Repayment of Loans. The Borrower shall repay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of the Lenders, the aggregate principal amount of all Loans outstanding on the Maturity Date.

 

SECTION 3.  [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

 

SECTION 4.  GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO LOANS

 

4.1.                              Optional Prepayments.  (a)  The Borrower may at any time and from time to time prepay the Loans, in whole or in part, subject to the payment of the Call Premium (as provided in clause (b) below), upon irrevocable notice (the “Optional Prepayment Notice”) (except that any Optional Prepayment Notice may be revoked as expressly provided in the eighth sentence of this Section 4.1.(a)) delivered to the Administrative Agent (x) three Business Days prior thereto in the case of Eurodollar Loans and same day in the case of Base Rate Loans in the case of any Optional Prepayment Notice that does not include a Declining Option and (y) otherwise, at least five Business Days prior thereto (other than as hereinafter provided), in each case so long as such notice is received prior to 11:30 A.M., New York City time, which notice shall specify the date and amount of prepayment and whether the prepayment is of Eurodollar Loans or Base Rate Loans and whether the prepayment may be declined by the Lenders (a “Declining Option”); provided, that if a Eurodollar Loan is prepaid on any day other than the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, the Borrower shall also pay any amounts owing pursuant to Section 4.11.  Upon receipt of any Optional Prepayment Notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender thereof.  If any Optional Prepayment Notice is given, the amount specified in such Optional Prepayment Notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein, together with accrued interest to such date on the amount prepaid (the “Prepayment Amount”).  Upon receipt of any Optional Prepayment Notice that includes a Declining Option, any Lender may elect, by prompt notice to the Administrative Agent within three Business Days of receipt of the Optional Prepayment Notice, to decline all of its pro  rata share of the Prepayment Amount (any such declining Lenders, for purposes of this Section 4.1, the “Declining Lenders”).  The sum of the amount of the prepayment that is declined by Declining Lenders shall increase the amount paid to the Lenders who have accepted the prepayment pursuant to the Optional Prepayment Notice on a pro  rata basis (such Lenders, for purposes of this Section 4.1, the “Accepting Lenders”).  The amount of prepayment paid to the Lenders who have failed to respond to the Optional Prepayment Notice (such Lenders, for purposes of this Section 4.1, the “Non-Responding Lenders”) shall be equal to such Lender’s pro  rata share of the Prepayment Amount, calculated as if all Lenders were Accepting Lenders.  Any positive difference between the Prepayment Amount and the sum of the amount of the Loans held by the Accepting Lenders immediately prior to the prepayment and the amount of the prepayment made to the Non-Responding Lenders in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence shall be applied pro  rata to all outstanding Loans in accordance with Section 4.8 hereof, notwithstanding any Declining Lender’s decline of the prepayment in accordance with this sentence or any Non-Responding Lender’s failure to respond.  If Lenders holding more than 15% of the Loans are Accepting Lenders, then the Borrower may revoke the Optional Prepayment Notice in its sole and absolute discretion.  Partial prepayments of the Loans shall be in an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $250,000 in excess thereof.

 

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(b)         Each optional prepayment pursuant to this Section 4.1 on or prior to the second anniversary of the Closing Date shall be accompanied by a premium equal to the Call Premium.

 

(c)          In connection with any optional prepayments by the Borrower of the Loans pursuant to this Section 4.1, such prepayments shall be applied first to Base Rate Loans to the full extent thereof before application to Eurodollar Rate Loans, in each case in a manner that minimizes the amount of any payments required to be made by the Borrower pursuant to Section 4.11.

 

4.2.                              Mandatory Prepayments and Commitment Reductions.

 

(a)          Subject to clause (e) below, if, after the Closing Date, (i) any Capital Stock shall be issued by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Excluded Capital Stock), an amount equal to 50% of the Net Cash Proceeds of such issuance shall be applied on the date of such issuance toward the prepayment of the Loans as set forth in Section 4.8(b) or (ii) any Indebtedness shall be incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Excluded Indebtedness), an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds of such incurrence shall be applied on the date of such incurrence toward the prepayment of the Loans as set forth in Section 4.8(b).

 

(b)         Subject to clause (e) below, if on any date the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall receive Net Cash Proceeds from any Asset Sale which occurs after the Closing Date or from any Recovery Event which occurs after the Closing Date, then, unless a Reinvestment Notice shall be delivered in respect thereof, an amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds shall be applied within three Business Days after receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds toward the prepayment of the Loans as set forth in Section 4.8(b); provided, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds of Asset Sales which occur after the Closing Date, that may be excluded from the foregoing requirement pursuant to a Reinvestment Notice shall not exceed $30,000,000 in any fiscal year of the Borrower and (ii) on each Reinvestment Prepayment Date, an amount equal to the Reinvestment Prepayment Amount with respect to the relevant Reinvestment Event shall be applied toward the prepayment of the Loans as set forth in Section 4.8(b).

 

(c)          Subject to clause (e) below, if, for any full fiscal year of the Borrower commencing with the fiscal year ending on or about December 31, 2010, there shall be more than $5,000,000 of Excess Cash Flow, the Borrower shall, on the relevant Excess Cash Flow Application Date, apply toward the prepayment of the Loans, as set forth in Section 4.8(b), an amount equal to: (1) the ECF Percentage of such Excess Cash Flow minus (2) the aggregate amount of all optional prepayments of Loans during such fiscal year pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof and (3) all optional prepayments of First Lien Loans during such fiscal year (provided that, in the case of an optional prepayment of a revolving credit loan under the First Lien Credit Agreement, such optional prepayment resulted in a corresponding permanent reduction in the Revolving Commitments (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement) or such prepayment represented a prepayment of revolving credit loans under the First Lien Credit Agreement to finance Restricted Payments made pursuant to Section 8.6(i) of the First Lien Credit Agreement).  Each such prepayment shall be made on a date (an “Excess Cash Flow Application Date”) no

 

27

 

later than five Business Days after the earlier of (i) the date on which the financial statements of the Borrower referred to in Section 7.1(a), for the fiscal year with respect to which such prepayment is made, are required to be delivered to the Lenders and (ii) the date such financial statements are actually delivered.

 

(d)         In connection with any mandatory prepayments by the Borrower of the Loans pursuant to this Section 4.2, such prepayments shall be applied first to Base Rate Loans to the full extent thereof before application to Eurodollar Rate Loans, in each case in a manner that minimizes the amount of any payments required to be made by the Borrower pursuant to Section 4.11.  Each prepayment of the Loans under this Section 4.2 shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the date of such prepayment on the amount prepaid.

 

(e)          Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, no mandatory prepayment of Loans under this Section 4.2 shall be required with respect to the Facility until the First Priority Obligations Payment Date (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement).

 

4.3.                              Conversion and Continuation Options.

 

(a)          The Borrower may elect from time to time to convert Eurodollar Loans to Base Rate Loans by giving the Administrative Agent at least one Business Days’ prior irrevocable notice of such election, provided, that any such conversion of Eurodollar Loans may only be made on the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto.  The Borrower may elect from time to time to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Loans by giving the Administrative Agent at least three Business Days’ prior irrevocable notice of such election (which notice shall specify the length of the initial Interest Period therefor), provided, that no Base Rate Loan may be converted into a Eurodollar Loan when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders have determined in its or their sole discretion not to permit such conversions.  Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender thereof.

 

(b)         Any Eurodollar Loan may be continued as such upon the expiration of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto by the Borrower giving irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the term “Interest Period” set forth in Section 1.1, of the length of the next Interest Period to be applicable to such Loans, provided, that no Eurodollar Loan may be continued as such when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent has or the Required Lenders have determined in its or their sole discretion not to permit such continuations, and provided, further, that if the Borrower shall fail to give any required notice as described above in this paragraph or if such continuation is not permitted pursuant to the preceding proviso such Loans shall be automatically converted to Base Rate Loans on the last day of such then expiring Interest Period.  Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender thereof.

 

4.4.                              Limitations on Eurodollar Tranches.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Borrowing, conversions and continuations of Eurodollar Loans hereunder and all selections of Interest Periods hereunder shall be in such amounts and be made pursuant to such elections so that, (a) after giving effect thereto, the aggregate principal amount

 

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of the Eurodollar Loans comprising each Eurodollar Tranche shall be equal to $2,500,000 or a whole multiple of $250,000 in excess thereof and (b) no more than five Eurodollar Tranches shall be outstanding at any one time.

 

4.5.                              Interest Rates and Payment Dates.

 

(a)          Each Eurodollar Loan shall bear interest for each day during each Interest Period with respect thereto at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate determined for such day plus the Applicable Margin.

 

(b)         Each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin.

 

(c)          (i) If all or a portion of the principal amount of any Loan shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise and after all applicable grace periods have elapsed), such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate that would otherwise be applicable thereto pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section plus 2% and (ii) if all or a portion of any interest payable on any Loan or any commitment fee or other amount payable hereunder shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise and after all applicable grace periods have elapsed), such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans plus 2%, in each case, with respect to clauses (i) and (ii) above, from the date of such non-payment until but excluding the date such overdue amount is paid in full, both before and after judgment.

 

(d)         Interest shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date, provided, that interest accruing pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable from time to time on demand.

 

4.6.                              Computation of Interest and Fees.

 

(a)          Interest and fees payable pursuant hereto shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual days elapsed, except that, with respect to Base Rate Loans the rate of interest on which is calculated on the basis of the Prime Rate, the interest thereon shall be calculated on the basis of a 365- (or 366-, as the case may be) day year for the actual days elapsed.  The Administrative Agent shall as soon as practicable notify the Borrower and the Lenders of each determination of a Eurodollar Rate.  Any change in the interest rate on a Loan resulting from a change in the Base Rate or the Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements shall become effective as of the opening of business on the day on which such change becomes effective.  The Administrative Agent shall as soon as practicable notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the effective date and the amount of each such change in interest rate.

 

(b)         Each determination of an interest rate by the Administrative Agent pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrower and the Lenders in the absence of manifest error.  The Administrative Agent shall, at the request of the Borrower, deliver to the Borrower a statement showing the quotations used by the Administrative Agent in determining any interest rate pursuant to Section 4.5(a).

 

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4.7.                              Inability to Determine Interest Rate.  If prior to the first day of any Interest Period:

 

(a)          the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower) that, by reason of circumstances affecting the relevant market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period, or

 

(b)         the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Required Lenders that the Eurodollar Rate determined or to be determined for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (as conclusively certified by such Lenders) of making or maintaining their affected Loans during such Interest Period,

 

the Administrative Agent shall give telecopy or telephonic notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter.  If such notice is given (x) any Eurodollar Loans requested to be made on the first day of such Interest Period shall be made as Base Rate Loans, (y) any Loans that were to have been converted on the first day of such Interest Period to Eurodollar Loans shall be continued as Base Rate Loans and (z) any outstanding Eurodollar Loans shall be converted, on the last day of the then-current Interest Period, to Base Rate Loans.  Until such notice has been withdrawn by the Administrative Agent, no further Eurodollar Loans shall be made or continued as such, nor shall the Borrower have the right to convert Loans to Eurodollar Loans.

 

4.8.                              Pro Rata Treatment and Payments.  (a)  The Borrowing by the Borrower from the Lenders hereunder shall be made pro rata according to the respective Applicable Percentages of the Lenders.

 

(b)         Each payment (including each prepayment) by the Borrower on account of principal of and interest on the Loans shall be made pro  rata according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the Loans then held by the Lenders; provided that the provisions of this Section 4.8(b) shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement.  Amounts repaid or prepaid on account of the Loans may not be reborrowed.

 

(c)          Whenever any payment received by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents is insufficient to pay in full all amounts due and payable to the Agents and the Lenders under or in respect of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents on any date, such payment shall be distributed by the Administrative Agent and applied by the Agents and the Lenders in the order of priority set forth in the last paragraph of Section 9.  If the Administrative Agent receives funds for application to the Obligations of the Loan Parties under or in respect of the Loan Documents under circumstances for which the Loan Documents do not specify the manner in which such funds are to be applied, the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, elect to distribute such funds to each of the Lenders in accordance with such Lender’s Applicable Percentage under the Facility of the sum of the outstanding amount of all Loans outstanding at such time in repayment or prepayment of such of the outstanding Loans or other Obligations then owing to such Lender.

 

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(d)         All payments (including prepayments) to be made by the Borrower hereunder, whether on account of principal, interest, fees or otherwise, shall be made without setoff or counterclaim and shall be made prior to 12:00 PM, New York City time, on the due date thereof to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Lenders, at the Funding Office, in Dollars and in immediately available funds.  The Administrative Agent shall distribute such payments to the Lenders promptly upon receipt in like funds as received.  Except as otherwise provided herein, if any payment hereunder (other than payments on the Eurodollar Loans) becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day.  If any payment on a Eurodollar Loan becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, the maturity thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to extend such payment into another calendar month, in which event such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day.  In the case of any extension of any payment of principal pursuant to the preceding two sentences, interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate during such extension.

 

(e)          Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified in writing by any Lender prior to the Borrowing that such Lender will not make the amount that would constitute its share of the Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender is making such amount available to the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount.  If such amount is not made available to the Administrative Agent by the required time on the Closing Date, such Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent, on demand, such amount with interest thereon at a rate equal to the greater of (i) the daily average Federal Funds Effective Rate and (ii) a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, for the period until such Lender makes such amount immediately available to the Administrative Agent.  A certificate of the Administrative Agent submitted to any Lender with respect to any amounts owing under this paragraph shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.  If such Lender’s share of the Borrowing is not made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender within three Business Days of the Closing Date, the Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover such amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum applicable to Base Rate Loans, on demand, from the Borrower.

 

(f)            Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified in writing by the Borrower prior to the date of any payment being made hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower is making such payment, and the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be required to, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Lenders their respective pro rata shares of a corresponding amount.  If such payment is not made to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower within three Business Days of such required date, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover, on demand, from each Lender to which any amount which was made available pursuant to the preceding sentence, such amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum equal to the daily average Federal Funds Effective Rate.  Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against the Borrower.

 

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4.9.                              Requirements of Law.

 

(a)                                  If the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof or compliance by any Lender with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any central bank or other Governmental Authority made subsequent to the date hereof:

 

(i)                                     shall subject any Lender to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement or any Eurodollar Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender in respect thereof (except for Non-Excluded Taxes covered by Section 4.10 and taxes imposed on or measured by the overall net income of such Lender by the jurisdiction in which such Lender has its principal office or the applicable lending office);

 

(ii)                                  shall impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan or similar requirement against assets held by, deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of, advances, loans or other extensions of credit by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any office of such Lender that is not otherwise included in the determination of the Eurodollar Rate hereunder; or

 

(iii)                               shall impose on such Lender any other condition;

 

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender, by an amount that such Lender deems to be material, of making, converting into, continuing or maintaining Eurodollar Loans, or to reduce any amount receivable by such Lender hereunder in respect thereof, then, in any such case, the Borrower shall within thirty days after receipt of written notice from such Lender (which shall include the certificate described in clause (c) below) pay such Lender, any additional amounts necessary to compensate such Lender for such increased cost or reduced amount receivable.  If any Lender becomes entitled to claim any additional amounts pursuant to this paragraph, it shall promptly notify the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of the event by reason of which it has become so entitled.

 

(b)         If any Lender shall have determined that the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law regarding capital adequacy or in the interpretation or application thereof or compliance by such Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority made subsequent to the date hereof has the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or such corporation’s capital as a consequence of its obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Lender or such corporation could have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such corporation’s policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by such Lender to be material, then from time to time, after submission by such Lender to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of a written request therefor (which shall include the certificate described in clause (c) below), the Borrower shall pay to such Lender within 30 days after receipt of such notice such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such reduction; provided, that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this paragraph for any amounts incurred more than four months prior to the date that

 

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such Lender notifies the Borrower of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor; and provided, further,  that if the circumstances giving rise to such claim have a retroactive effect, then such four-month period shall be extended to include the period of such retroactive effect.

 

(c)          A certificate as to any additional amounts payable pursuant to this Section submitted by any Lender to the Borrower with appropriate detail demonstrating how such amounts were derived (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.  The obligations of the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

 

4.10.                        Taxes.

 

(a)          All payments made by the Borrower under this Agreement shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, any present or future income, stamp or other taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings, now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by any Governmental Authority, excluding net income taxes and franchise taxes (imposed in lieu of net income taxes) imposed on any Agent or any Lender as a result of a present or former connection between such Agent or such Lender and the jurisdiction of the Governmental Authority imposing such tax or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein (other than any such connection arising solely from such Agent or such Lender having executed, delivered or performed its obligations or received a payment under, or enforced, this Agreement or any other Loan Document).  If any such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings (“Non-Excluded Taxes”) or Other Taxes are required to be withheld from any amounts payable to any Agent or any Lender hereunder, the amounts so payable to such Agent or such Lender shall be increased to the extent necessary to yield to such Agent or such Lender (after payment of all Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes) interest or any such other amounts payable hereunder at the rates or in the amounts specified in this Agreement, provided, however, that the Borrower shall not be required to increase any such amounts payable to any Lender with respect to any Non-Excluded Taxes (i) that are attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the requirements of paragraph (d) or (e) of this Section or (ii) that are United States withholding taxes imposed on amounts payable to such Lender at the time such Lender becomes a party to this Agreement, except to the extent that such Lender’s assignor (if any) was entitled, at the time of assignment, to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such Non-Excluded Taxes pursuant to this paragraph.

 

(b)         In addition, the Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

 

(c)          Whenever any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes are payable by the Borrower, as promptly as possible thereafter the Borrower shall send to the Administrative Agent for its own account or for the account of the relevant Agent or Lender, as the case may be, a certified copy of an original official receipt received by the Borrower showing payment thereof.  If the Borrower fails to pay any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes when due to the appropriate taxing authority or fails to remit to the Administrative Agent the required receipts or other required documentary evidence, the Borrower shall indemnify the Agents and the Lenders for

 

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any incremental taxes, interest or penalties that may become payable by any Agent or any Lender as a result of any such failure.

 

(d)         Each Lender (or Transferee) that is not a “U.S. Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code (a “Non-U.S. Lender”) shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender from which the related participation shall have been purchased) two copies of either U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or Form W-8ECI, or, in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code with respect to payments of “portfolio interest”, a statement substantially in the form of Exhibit G and a Form W-8BEN, or any subsequent versions thereof or successors thereto, properly completed and duly executed by such Non-U.S. Lender claiming complete exemption from, or a reduced rate of, U.S. federal withholding tax on all payments by the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  Such forms shall be delivered by each Non-U.S. Lender on or before the date it becomes a party to this Agreement (or, in the case of any Participant, on or before the date such Participant purchases the related participation).  In addition, each Non-U.S. Lender shall deliver such forms promptly upon the obsolescence or invalidity of any form previously delivered by such Non-U.S. Lender.  Each Non-U.S. Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower at any time it determines that it is no longer in a position to provide any previously delivered certificate to the Borrower (or any other form of certification adopted by the U.S. taxing authorities for such purpose).  Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph, a Non-U.S. Lender shall not be required to deliver any form pursuant to this paragraph that such Non-U.S. Lender is not legally able to deliver.

 

(e)          A Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of non-U.S. withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments under this Agreement shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate, provided, that such Lender is legally entitled to complete, execute and deliver such documentation and in such Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would not materially prejudice the legal position of such Lender.

 

(f)            The agreements in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

 

4.11.                        Indemnity.  The Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender and to hold each Lender harmless from any loss (other than loss of profits) or expense that such Lender may sustain or incur as a consequence of (a) default by the Borrower in making the Borrowing of, conversion into or continuation of Eurodollar Loans after the Borrower has given a notice requesting the same in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (b) default by the Borrower in making any prepayment of or conversion from Eurodollar Loans after the Borrower has given a notice thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or (c) the making by the Borrower of a prepayment of Eurodollar Loans on a day that is not the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto, provided that any Lender seeking indemnity pursuant to this

 

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Section 4.11 shall have provided notice to the Borrower of such loss or expense within four months of the conclusion of the events giving rise to such loss or expense.  Such indemnification may include an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the amount so prepaid, or not so borrowed, converted or continued, for the period from the date of such prepayment or of such failure to borrow, convert or continue to the last day of such Interest Period (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, the Interest Period that would have commenced on the date of such failure) in each case at the applicable rate of interest for such Loans provided for herein (excluding, however, the Applicable Margin included therein, if any) over (ii) the amount of interest (as reasonably determined by such Lender) that would have accrued to such Lender on such amount by placing such amount on deposit for a comparable period with leading banks in the interbank eurodollar market.  A certificate as to any amounts payable pursuant to this Section with appropriate detail demonstrating how such amounts were derived submitted to the Borrower by any Lender shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.  This covenant shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

 

4.12.                        Change of Lending Office.  Each Lender agrees that, upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 4.9, 4.10(a) or 4.15 with respect to such Lender, it will, if requested by the Borrower, use reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender) to or, if reasonably requested by the Borrower, to file any certificate or document to, designate another lending office for any Loans affected by such event, in each case with the object of avoiding the consequences of such event; provided, that such designation is made on terms that, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, cause such Lender and its lending office(s) to suffer no economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage, and provided, further, that nothing in this Section shall affect or postpone any of the obligations of any Borrower or the rights of any Lender pursuant to Section 4.9, 4.10(a) or 4.15.

 

4.13.                        Replacement of Lenders.  The Borrower shall be permitted to replace any Lender that (a) requests reimbursement for amounts owing pursuant to Section 4.9 or 4.10(a) or (b) in connection with any proposed amendment, modification, supplement or waiver with respect to any of the provisions of the Loan Documents as contemplated in Section 11.1 where such amendment, modification, supplement or waiver has been approved by the Required Lenders in accordance with such Section, fails to consent to any such proposed action, with a replacement financial institution; provided, that (i) such replacement does not conflict with any Requirement of Law, (ii) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such replacement, (iii) prior to any such replacement, such Lender shall have taken no action under Section 4.12 so as to eliminate the continued need for payment of amounts owing pursuant to Section 4.9 or 4.10(a), (iv) the replacement financial institution shall purchase, at par, all Loans and other amounts owing to such replaced Lender on or prior to the date of replacement, (v) the Borrower shall be liable to such replaced Lender under Section 4.11 if any Eurodollar Loan owing to such replaced Lender shall be purchased other than on the last day of the Interest Period relating thereto, (vi) the replacement financial institution, if not already a Lender, shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (vii) the replaced Lender shall be obligated to make such replacement in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.6 (provided that the Borrower shall be obligated to pay the registration and processing fee referred to therein), (viii) until such time as such replacement shall be consummated, the Borrower shall pay all additional amounts (if any) required pursuant to Section 4.9 or 4.10(a), as the case may be, and

 

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(ix) any such replacement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any rights that the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender shall have against the replaced Lender.

 

4.14.                        Evidence of Debt.

 

(a)          Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan of such Lender from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time under this Agreement.

 

(b)         The Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Borrower, shall maintain the Register pursuant to Section 11.6(b), and a subaccount therein for each Lender, in which shall be recorded (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder and any Loan Note evidencing such Loan, the Type of such Loan and each Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) both the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder from the Borrower and each Lender’s share thereof.

 

(c)          The entries made in the Register and the accounts of each Lender maintained pursuant to Section 4.14(a) shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations of the Borrower therein recorded; provided, however, that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain the Register or any such account, or any error therein, shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay (with applicable interest) the Loans made to the Borrower by such Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(d)         The Borrower agrees that, upon the request to the Administrative Agent by any Lender, the Borrower will execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note of the Borrower evidencing any Loans of such Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit H with appropriate insertions as to date and principal amount.

 

4.15.                        Illegality.  Notwithstanding any other provision herein, if the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof shall make it unlawful for any Lender to make or maintain Eurodollar Loans as contemplated by this Agreement, (a) the commitment of such Lender hereunder to make Eurodollar Loans, continue Eurodollar Loans as such and convert Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Loans shall forthwith be suspended until such time as it shall no longer be unlawful for such Lender to make or maintain Eurodollar Loans and (b) such Lender’s Loans then outstanding as Eurodollar Loans, if any, shall be converted automatically to Base Rate Loans on the respective last days of the then current Interest Periods with respect to such Loans or within such earlier period as required by law.  If any such conversion of a Eurodollar Loan occurs on a day which is not the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such amounts, if any, as may be required pursuant to Section 4.11.

 

SECTION 5.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

To induce the Agents and the Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make the Loans, the Borrower hereby represents and warrants to each Agent and each Lender that:

 

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5.1.          Financial Condition.

 

(a)   The unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at January 2, 2010 (including the notes thereto) (the “Pro Forma Balance Sheet”), copies of which have heretofore been furnished to each Lender, has been prepared giving effect (as if such events had occurred on such date) to (i) the payment of the Special Dividend, (ii) the Loans to be made on the Closing Date and the use of proceeds thereof and (iii) the payment of costs, premiums, fees and expenses in connection with the foregoing.  The Pro Forma Balance Sheet has been prepared in good faith by the Borrower based on the assumptions used to prepare the pro forma financial information in the Confidential Information Memorandum (which assumptions are believed by the Borrower on the delivery date to be reasonable), and presents fairly in all material respects on a pro forma basis the estimated financial position of Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at January 2, 2010, assuming that the events specified in the preceding sentence had actually occurred at such date.

 

(b)   The audited consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower as at January 2, 2010, and the related consolidated statements of earnings and of cash flows for the fiscal years ended on such dates, reported on by and accompanied by an unqualified report from Ernst & Young LLP, present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower as at such date, and the consolidated results of its operations and its consolidated cash flows for the respective fiscal years then ended.  All such financial statements, including the related schedules and notes thereto, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the periods involved (except as approved by the aforementioned firm of accountants and disclosed therein).  As of the Closing Date and, thereafter, through the date of the Borrower’s most recent quarterly or annual financial statement delivered pursuant to Section 7.1, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries do not have any material Guarantee Obligations, contingent liabilities and liabilities for taxes, or any long-term leases or unusual forward or long-term commitments, including any interest rate or foreign currency swap or exchange transaction or other obligation in respect of derivatives, that are not reflected in the most recent audited (including any notations thereto) financial statements referred to in this paragraph or delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 or reflected in the Borrower’s most recent quarterly financial statements (including any notations thereto) delivered pursuant to Section 7.1.  During the period from January 3, 2010 to and including the date hereof, there has been no Disposition by the Borrower of assets or property having a fair market value in the aggregate in excess of $20,000,000.

 

5.2.          No Change.  Since January 3, 2010, there has been no development or event that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.3.          Corporate Existence; Compliance with Law.  Each of Holdings, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has the organizational power and authority, and the legal right, to own and operate its material property, to lease the property it operates as lessee and to conduct the business in which it is currently engaged, (c) is duly qualified as a foreign corporation (or other entity) and in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified could not reasonably be expected to

 

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have a Material Adverse Effect and (d) is in compliance with all Requirements of Law except to the extent that the failure to comply therewith could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.4.          Corporate Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations.  Each Loan Party has the organizational power and authority, and the legal right, to make, deliver and perform the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of the Borrower, to obtain extensions of credit hereunder.  Each Loan Party has taken all necessary organizational action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of the Borrower, to authorize the extensions of credit on the terms and conditions of this Agreement and, in the case of the Borrower and Holdings, to pay the Special Dividend.  No consent or authorization of, filing with, notice to or other act by or in respect of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required to be obtained by a Loan Party in connection with the Transactions, the continuing operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and the extensions of credit hereunder or with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, except (i) consents, authorizations, filings and notices, which have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, (ii) the filings referred to in Section 5.19 and (iii) those consents, authorizations, filings and notices, the failure of which to make or obtain would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  Each Loan Document has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of each Loan Party party thereto.  This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document upon execution will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party party thereto, enforceable against each such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law).

 

5.5.          No Legal Bar.  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the Borrowing hereunder and the use of the proceeds thereof (including, without limitation, the payment of the Special Dividend), (i) will not violate any Requirement of Law or any Contractual Obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and (ii) will not result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of their respective properties or revenues pursuant to any Requirement of Law or any such Contractual Obligation (other than the Liens created by the Security Documents).  No Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation applicable to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.6.          Litigation.  Except as set forth on Schedule 5.6, no litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened by or against Holdings, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or against any of their respective properties or revenues (a) with respect to any of the Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or (b) if reasonably likely to be adversely determined or settled, and is adversely determined or settled, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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5.7.          No Default.  Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default under or with respect to any of its Contractual Obligations in any respect that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.8.          Ownership of Property; Liens.  Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has title in fee simple to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its real property, and good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its other material property used in its business as currently conducted, and none of such property is subject to any Lien except as permitted by Section 8.3.

 

5.9.          Intellectual Property.  Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (a) the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed to use, all Intellectual Property necessary for the conduct of its business as and where the same is currently conducted; (b) no material claim has been asserted and is pending by any Person challenging or questioning the use of any Intellectual Property or the validity or effectiveness of any Intellectual Property with respect to the conduct of its business as and where the same is currently conducted, nor does the Borrower know of any valid basis for any such claim and (c) the use of Intellectual Property by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries does not infringe on the rights of any Person in any material respect.

 

5.10.        Taxes.  Each of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has filed or caused to be filed all Federal, state and other material tax returns that are required to be filed and has paid all taxes shown to be due and payable on said returns or on any assessments made against it or any of its property and all other taxes, fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its property by any Governmental Authority (other than any the amount or validity of that (i) are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided on the books of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be or (ii) could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect).

 

5.11.        Federal Regulations.  No part of the proceeds of any Loans, and no other extensions of credit hereunder, will be used for “buying” or “carrying” any “margin stock” within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U as now and from time to time hereafter in effect.  If requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent a statement to the foregoing effect in conformity with the requirements of FR Form G-3 or FR Form U-1, as applicable, referred to in Regulation U.

 

5.12.        Labor Matters.  Except as, in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:  (a) there are no strikes or other labor disputes against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened; (b) hours worked by and payment made to employees of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable Requirement of Law dealing with such matters; and (c) all payments due from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries on account of employee health and welfare insurance have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary.

 

5.13.        ERISA.  Neither a Reportable Event (except for the dividend distribution by Holdings to its shareholders on November 3, 2005) nor an “accumulated funding deficiency”

 

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(within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) has occurred during the five-year period prior to the date on which this representation is made or deemed made with respect to any Plan, and each Plan has complied in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code.  No termination of a Single Employer Plan has occurred for which all liabilities thereunder have not been satisfied, and no Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan has arisen, during such five-year period.  The present value of all accrued benefits under each Single Employer Plan (based on those assumptions used to fund such Plans) did not, as of the last annual valuation date prior to the date on which this representation is made or deemed made, exceed the value of the assets of such Plan allocable to such accrued benefits by an amount which, when aggregated with such amount for all such underfunded Plans, could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  Neither the Borrower nor any Commonly Controlled Entity has had a complete or partial withdrawal from any Multiemployer Plan that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability under ERISA, and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, neither the Borrower nor any Commonly Controlled Entity would become subject to any liability under ERISA that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect if the Borrower or any such Commonly Controlled Entity were to withdraw completely from all Multiemployer Plans as of the valuation date most closely preceding the date on which this representation is made or deemed made.  No such Multiemployer Plan is in Reorganization or Insolvent.

 

5.14.        Investment Company Act; Other Regulations.  No Loan Party is an “investment company”, or a company “controlled” by an “investment company”, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.  No Loan Party is subject to regulation under any Requirement of Law (other than Regulation X of the Board) that limits its ability to incur Indebtedness.

 

5.15.        Subsidiaries.  Except as disclosed to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower in writing from time to time after the Closing Date, (a) Schedule 5.15 sets forth the name and jurisdiction of incorporation of each Subsidiary of the Borrower and, as to each such Subsidiary, the percentage of each class of Capital Stock owned by any Loan Party and (b) there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, rights or other agreements or commitments (other than stock options granted to employees or directors and directors’ qualifying shares) of any nature relating to any Capital Stock of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, except as created by the Loan Documents.

 

5.16.        Use of Proceeds.  The proceeds of the Loans shall be used (a) to pay the Special Dividend, (b) to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions and (c) for general corporate purposes, in each case not in contravention of any applicable Requirement of Law or any Loan Document.

 

5.17.        Environmental Matters.  Except as, in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:

 

(a)   the facilities and properties owned, leased or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (the “Properties”) do not contain, and have not previously contained, any Materials of Environmental Concern in amounts or concentrations or under

 

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circumstances that constitute or constituted a violation of, or could give rise to liability under, any Environmental Law;

 

(b)   neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has received or is aware of any notice of violation, alleged violation, non-compliance, liability or potential liability regarding environmental matters or compliance with Environmental Laws with regard to any of the Properties or the business operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (the “Business”), nor does the Borrower have knowledge or reason to believe that any such notice will be received or is being threatened;

 

(c)   Materials of Environmental Concern have not been transported or disposed of from the Properties in violation of, or in a manner or to a location that could give rise to liability under, any Environmental Law, nor have any Materials of Environmental Concern been generated, treated, stored or disposed of at, on or under any of the Properties in violation of, or in a manner that could give rise to liability under, any applicable Environmental Law;

 

(d)   no judicial proceeding or governmental or administrative action is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened, under any Environmental Law to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is or will be named as a party with respect to the Properties or the Business, nor are there any consent decrees or other decrees, consent orders, administrative orders or other orders, or other administrative or judicial requirements outstanding under any Environmental Law with respect to the Properties or the Business;

 

(e)   there has been no release or threat of release of Materials of Environmental Concern at or from the Properties, or arising from or related to the operations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with the Properties or otherwise in connection with the Business, in violation of or in amounts or in a manner that could give rise to liability under Environmental Laws;

 

(f)    the Properties and all operations at the Properties are in compliance, and have in the last five years been in compliance, with all applicable Environmental Laws, and there is no contamination at, under or about the Properties or violation of any Environmental Law with respect to the Properties or the Business; and

 

(g)   neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has assumed any liability of any other Person under Environmental Laws.

 

5.18.        Accuracy of Information, etc.  No statement or information contained in this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the Confidential Information Memorandum or any other document or certificate (excluding any projections, pro forma financial information or estimates) furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, or any of them, for use in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (as modified or supplemented by other information furnished, including information contained in the prospectus for the Notes), when taken as a whole, contained as of the date such information, document or certificate was so furnished (or, in

 

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the case of the Confidential Information Memorandum, as of the date of this Agreement), any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained herein or therein not materially misleading in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made.  The projections, pro forma financial information and estimates contained in the materials referenced above are based upon good faith estimates and assumptions believed by management of the Borrower to be reasonable at the time made, it being recognized by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that such financial information as it relates to future events is not to be viewed as fact and that actual results during the period or periods covered by such financial information may differ from the projected results set forth therein by a material amount.

 

5.19.        Security Documents.

 

(a)   The Guarantee and Collateral Agreement is effective to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the Collateral described therein and proceeds thereof, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditor’s rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether such enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).  In the case of the Pledged Stock described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, when certificates representing such Pledged Stock are delivered to the Administrative Agent together with the necessary endorsements, and in the case of the other Collateral described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement (to the extent that a security interest in such other Collateral can be perfected by filing), when financing statements and other filings specified on Schedule 5.19(a) in appropriate form are filed in the offices specified on Schedule 5.19(a) and all applicable fees have been paid, the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in such Collateral and the proceeds thereof, as security for the Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) (to the extent that a security interest in such other Collateral can be perfected by filing), in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person (except Liens permitted by Section 8.3).

 

(b)   Each of the Mortgages is effective to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and enforceable Lien on the Mortgaged Properties described therein and proceeds thereof, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditor’s rights generally and by general equitable principals (whether such enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity), and when the Mortgages are filed in the offices specified on Schedule 5.19(b) and all applicable fees have been paid, each such Mortgage shall constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in the Mortgaged Properties and the proceeds thereof, as security for the Obligations (as defined in the relevant Mortgage), in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person (except Liens permitted by Section 8.3).  Schedule 1.1D lists each parcel of real property in the United States owned in fee simple by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date.

 

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5.20.        Solvency.  The Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, immediately after giving effect to the Transactions (including the payment of the Special Dividend and the incurrence of all Indebtedness and obligations being incurred in connection herewith and therewith) will be and will continue to be, Solvent.

 

5.21.        Senior Indebtedness.  The Obligations constitute “Senior Debt” and, to the extent any Notes are issued after the date hereof, the Indebtedness hereunder will constitute “Designated Senior Debt” of the Borrower under each applicable Note Indenture.

 

5.22.        Regulation H.  No Mortgage encumbers improved real property that is located in an area that has been identified by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development as an area having special flood hazards and in which flood insurance has not been made available under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, except as identified on Schedule 1.1D.

 

SECTION 6.  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

6.1.          Conditions to the Borrowing.  The agreement of each Lender to make its Loan hereunder is subject to the satisfaction or waiver (in accordance with Section 11.1), prior to or concurrently with the making of such extension of credit on the Closing Date, of the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)           Credit Agreement; Guarantee and Collateral Agreement; Intercreditor Agreement.  The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) this Agreement, executed and delivered by each Agent, the Borrower and each Lender, (ii) the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, executed and delivered by Holdings, the Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor, (iii) the Intercreditor Agreement, executed and delivered by the Administrative Agent, the First Lien Administrative Agent and each Loan Party and (iv) a Loan Note or Loan Notes duly executed by the Borrower in favor of each Lender requesting same.

 

(b)           Pro Forma Balance Sheet and Income Statements; Financial Statements.  The Lenders shall have received each of the financial statements described in Section 5.1.

 

(c)           Approvals.  The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, certified by a Responsible Officer, (A) to the effect that no consent or authorization of, filing with, notice to or other act by or in respect of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required to be obtained by a Loan Party in connection with the Transactions (including the payment of the Special Dividend), the continuing operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and the Borrowing hereunder or with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, except (i) consents, authorizations, filings and notices, which have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and are attached to such certificate of such Responsible Officer as an exhibit, (ii) the filings referred to in Section 5.19 and (iii) those consents, authorizations, filings and notices, the failure of which to make or obtain would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (B) to the effect that no defaults or prepayment events shall occur, or Liens shall be created or

 

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required to be created under, any debt instruments or other agreements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as a result of the consummation of the Transactions.

 

(d)           Lien Searches.  The Administrative Agent shall have received the results of a recent lien and judgment search in each jurisdiction as may be required by the Administrative Agent, and such search shall reveal no liens on any of the assets of the Loan Parties except for Liens permitted by Section 8.3 or discharged on or prior to the Closing Date pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(e)           Fees.  The Lenders and the Agents shall have received all fees required to be paid, and all expenses payable hereunder for which invoices have been presented (including the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel), on or before the Closing Date.  All such amounts will be paid with proceeds of Loans made on the Closing Date and will be reflected in the funding instructions given by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent on or before the Closing Date.

 

(f)            Closing Certificates.  The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of each Loan Party, dated the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit C, with appropriate insertions and attachments, including the certificate of incorporation of each Loan Party that is a corporation certified by the relevant authority of the jurisdiction or organization of such Loan Party and a long form good standing certificate for each Loan Party from its jurisdiction or organization.

 

(g)           Legal Opinions.  Each of the Lenders shall have received the following executed legal opinions:

 

(i)            the legal opinion of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, counsel to the Borrower and their Subsidiaries, substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1;

 

(ii)           the legal opinion of Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C., local counsel of the Borrower and certain of its Subsidiaries, substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2; and

 

(iii)          the legal opinion of such special and local counsel as may be required by the Administrative Agent.

 

Each such legal opinion shall cover such other matters incident to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require.

 

(h)           Pledged Stock; Stock Powers; Pledged Notes.  The Administrative Agent shall have received, except to the extent delivered to and held by the First Lien Administrative Agent in accordance with the Intercreditor Agreement, (i) the certificates representing the shares of Capital Stock pledged pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, together with an undated stock power for each such certificate executed in blank by a duly authorized officer of the pledgor thereof and (ii) each promissory note (if any) pledged to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral

 

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Agreement endorsed (without recourse) in blank (or accompanied by an executed transfer form in blank) by the pledgor thereof.

 

(i)            Filings, Registrations and Recordings.  To the extent not previously delivered, each document (including any Uniform Commercial Code financing statement) required by the Security Documents or under law to be filed, registered or recorded in order to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a perfected Lien on the Collateral described therein, prior and superior in right to any other Person (other than with respect to Liens permitted by Section 8.3), shall be in proper form for filing, registration or recordation.

 

(j)            Insurance.  The Administrative Agent shall have received insurance certificates satisfying the requirements of Section 5.3(b) of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

 

(k)           PATRIOT Act, etc.  The Lenders shall have received at least five Business Days prior to the Closing Date all documentation and other information required by bank regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti- money laundering rules and regulations, including the PATRIOT Act.

 

(l)            Solvency Opinion.  The Administrative Agent shall have received a solvency opinion in form and substance, and from an independent investment bank or valuation firm reasonably acceptable to, the Administrative Agent to the effect that, Holdings and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Borrowing under the Facility and the payment of the Special Dividend, and the consummation of the other Transactions, are Solvent (the “Solvency Opinion”).

 

(m)          Amendment of First Lien Credit Agreement.  An amendment in respect to the First Lien Credit Agreement and the other First Lien Loan Documents, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, shall have become (or substantially simultaneously with the Borrowing under the Facility, will become) effective in accordance with its terms.

 

(n)           Representations and Warranties.  Each of the representations and warranties made by any Loan Party in or pursuant to the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of such date, except for representations and warranties expressly stated to relate to a specific earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date.

 

(o)           No Default.  No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, or would result from, the Borrowing under the Facility, the payment of the Special Dividend and the consummation of the other Transactions.

 

(p)           Borrowing Request.  The Administrative Agent shall have received a request for the Borrowing in accordance with the requirements hereof.

 

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(q)           Existing Surveys.  The Administrative Agent shall have received each of the Existing Surveys listed on Schedule 1.1B.

 

The Borrowing by the Borrower hereunder shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower as of the Closing Date that the conditions contained in this Section 6.1 have been satisfied.  Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 10.4, for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 6, 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 Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.

 

SECTION 7.  AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

The Borrower hereby agrees that, so long as the Commitments remain in effect, or any Loan or other amount (excluding contingent indemnification obligations) is owing to any Lender or Agent hereunder, the Borrower shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to:

 

7.1.          Financial Statements.  Furnish to the Administrative Agent for further delivery to each Lender:

 

(a)           as soon as available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a copy of the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such year and the related audited consolidated statements of earnings and of cash flows for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous year, reported on without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception, or qualification arising out of the scope of the audit (provided that a qualification or exception may be included in such audit report to the extent that such qualification or exception is made solely as a result of Permitted First Lien Indebtedness being reported as short term indebtedness in such financial statements), by Ernst & Young LLP or other independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing; and

 

(b)           as soon as available, but in any event not later than 45 days after the end of each of the first three quarterly periods of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter and the related unaudited consolidated statements of earnings and of cash flows for such quarter and the portion of the fiscal year through the end of such quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous year, certified by a Responsible Officer as being fairly stated in all material respects (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes).

 

All such financial statements shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the periods reflected therein and with prior periods (except as approved by such accountants or officer, as the case may be, and disclosed therein).

 

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7.2.          Certificates; Other Information.  Furnish to the Administrative Agent for further delivery to each Lender:

 

(a)           concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Section 7.1(a), a certificate of the independent certified public accountants reporting on such financial statements stating that, in making their audit examination, no Default or Event of Default has occurred with respect to the covenants contained in Section 8.1 and other accounting matters, except as specified in such certificate;

 

(b)           concurrently with the delivery of any financial statements pursuant to Sections 7.1(a) and (b), (i) a certificate of a Responsible Officer stating that such Responsible Officer has obtained no knowledge that any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing except as specified in such certificate and (ii) in the case of quarterly or annual financial statements, (x) a Compliance Certificate containing (A) all information and calculations necessary for determining compliance by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries with the provisions of this Agreement referred to therein as of the last day of the fiscal quarter or fiscal year of the Borrower, as the case may be and (B) if applicable, an update to Schedule 5.15 setting forth the name and jurisdiction of organization of each newly formed or acquired Subsidiary of the Borrower and, as to each such Subsidiary, the percentage of each class of Capital Stock owned by any Loan Party, and (y) to the extent not previously disclosed to the Administrative Agent, a listing of any Intellectual Property acquired by any Loan Party since the date of the most recent list delivered pursuant to this clause (y) (or, in the case of the first such list so delivered, since the Closing Date);

 

(c)           as soon as available, and in any event no later than 45 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a detailed consolidated budget for the following fiscal year (including a projected consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the following fiscal year, the related consolidated statements of projected cash flow, projected changes in financial position and projected income and a description of the material underlying assumptions applicable thereto), and, as soon as available, significant revisions, if any, of such budget and projections with respect to such fiscal year presented to the board of directors of the Borrower (collectively, the “Projections”), which Projections shall in each case be accompanied by a certificate of a Responsible Officer stating that such Projections are based on reasonable estimates, information and assumptions, believed by the Borrower to be reasonable at the time of delivery, it being recognized that such Projections are not to be viewed as fact and that actual results during the periods covered by such Projections may differ from the projected results set forth therein by a material amount;

 

(d)           concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 7.1(a) and (b), a narrative discussion and analysis (in a management discussion analysis format) of the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period and for the period from the beginning of the then current fiscal year to the end of such period, as compared to the comparable periods of the previous year; provided, that no such delivery shall be required so long as the Borrower delivers to the Administrative Agent and each Lender its periodic filing on Form 10-Q or

 

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Form 10-K, as the case may be, of the Securities Act of 1934 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to satisfy its requirement under Sections 7.1(a) and (b);

 

(e)           promptly upon the effectiveness thereof, copies of any amendment, supplement, waiver or other modification with respect to any First Lien Loan Document and, no later than five Business Days prior to the effectiveness thereof, copies of substantially final drafts of any proposed amendment, supplement, waiver or other modification with respect to any Note Indenture, any indenture or agreement relating to Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 8.2(h) or the Nash Asset Purchase Agreement;

 

(f)            no later that 10 Business Days prior to the effectiveness thereof, copies of substantially final drafts of (i) each proposed Note Indenture and (ii) each proposed indenture or agreement relating to any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 8.2(h), including all amendments, supplements or modifications thereof, and promptly after execution and delivery thereof, final copies of each such indenture or agreement;

 

(g)           within five days after the same are sent, copies of all financial statements and reports that the Borrower sends to the holders of any class of its debt securities or public equity securities and, within five days after the same are filed, copies of all financial statements and reports that the Borrower may make to, or file with, the SEC, in each case, to the extent not already required under other provisions hereof; and

 

(h)           promptly, such additional financial and other information as any Lender may from time to time reasonably request (through the Administrative Agent), including any information required under the Patriot Act.

 

7.3.          Payment of Obligations.  Pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy at or before maturity or before they become delinquent, as the case may be, all its material obligations (other than in respect of First Lien Indebtedness) of whatever nature, except (i) where the amount or validity thereof is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and reserves in conformity with GAAP with respect thereto have been provided on the books of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be or (ii) the failure to so pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

7.4.          Maintenance of Existence; Compliance.  (a)(i)  Preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its organization existence and (ii) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except, in each case, as otherwise permitted herein and except, in the case of clause (ii) above, to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (b) comply with all Contractual Obligations (other than in respect of First Lien Indebtedness) and Requirements of Law except to the extent that failure to comply therewith could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

7.5.          Maintenance of Property; Insurance.  Keep all material property useful and necessary, in such Person’s reasonable judgment, in such Person’s business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear and damage caused by casualty excepted and (b) maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies insurance on all its

 

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property in at least such amounts and against at least such risks (but including in any event public liability, product liability and business interruption) as are usually insured against in the same general area by companies engaged in the same or a similar business.

 

7.6.          Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions.  (a)  Keep proper books of records and account in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP and all Requirements of Law shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities and (b) permit representatives of any Lender (coordinated through the Administrative Agent) to visit and inspect any of its properties and examine and make abstracts from any of its books and records (other than materials protected by attorney-client privilege) during regular business hours and upon reasonable prior notice by the Administrative Agent and to discuss the business, operations, properties and financial and other condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries with officers and employees of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and with its independent certified public accountants, so long as the Borrower is afforded an opportunity to be present at any such discussion with such accountants.  It is understood that, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, such visits, inspections and examinations by the Lenders shall be at the expense of the Borrower no more than one time annually.

 

7.7.          Notices.  Promptly give notice to the Administrative Agent and each Lender of:

 

(a)           the occurrence of (i) any Default or Event of Default hereunder and (ii) of any Event of Default (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement) under the First Lien Credit Agreement;

 

(b)           any litigation, investigation or proceeding that may exist at any time between the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and any Governmental Authority which could reasonably be expected to be adversely determined or settled and, if adversely determined or settled, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(c)           any litigation or proceeding affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which could reasonably be expected to be adversely determined or settled (i) in which the amount involved is $10,000,000 or more and not covered by insurance or (ii) in which injunctive or similar relief is sought;

 

(d)           any litigation or proceeding affecting Holdings, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which relates to any Loan Document;

 

(e)           the following events, as soon as possible and in any event within 30 days after the Borrower knows or has reason to know thereof:  (i) the occurrence of any Reportable Event with respect to any Single Employer Plan, a failure to make any required contribution to a Single Employer Plan or a Multiemployer Plan, the creation of any Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Single Employer Plan or any withdrawal from, or the termination, Reorganization or Insolvency of, any Multiemployer Plan or (ii) the institution of proceedings or the taking of any other action by the PBGC or the Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity or any Multiemployer Plan with respect to the

 

49

 

withdrawal from, or the termination, Reorganization or Insolvency of, any Single Employer Plan or Multiemployer Plan; and

 

(f)            any development or event that has had a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Each notice pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action Holdings, the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

7.8.          Environmental Laws.  (a)  Comply in all material respects with, and ensure compliance in all material respects by all tenants and subtenants, if any, with, all applicable Environmental Laws, and obtain and comply in all material respects with and maintain, and ensure that all tenants and subtenants obtain and comply in all material respects with and maintain, any and all licenses, approvals, notifications, registrations or permits required by applicable Environmental Laws.

 

(b)   Conduct and complete all investigations, studies, sampling and testing, and all remedial, removal and other actions required under Environmental Laws and promptly comply in all material respects with all lawful orders and directives of all Governmental Authorities regarding Environmental Laws.

 

7.9.          Additional Collateral, etc.  (a)  With respect to any property acquired after the Closing Date by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than (w) any property described in paragraph (b), (c) or (d) below, (x) any property subject to a Lien expressly permitted by Section 8.3(g), (y) property acquired by any Foreign Subsidiary and (z) any property of the type excluded from the Security Documents) as to which the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, does not have a perfected Lien, promptly, (i) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent such amendments to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or such other documents as the Administrative Agent deems necessary or advisable to grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in such property and (ii) take all actions necessary or advisable to grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a perfected second priority security interest in such property (subject only to Liens permitted under Section 8.3), including the filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements in such jurisdictions as may be required by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or by law.

 

(b)   With respect to any fee interest in any real property having a value (together with improvements thereof) of at least $2,000,000 acquired after the Closing Date by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than (x) any such real property subject to a Lien expressly permitted by Section 8.3(g) and (y) real property acquired by any Foreign Subsidiary), promptly, (i) execute and deliver a second priority Mortgage (subject only to Liens permitted under Section 8.3), in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, covering such real property, (ii) if requested by the Administrative Agent, provide the Secured Parties with (x) title and extended coverage insurance covering such real property in an amount at least equal to the purchase price of such real property (or such other amount as shall be reasonably specified by the Administrative Agent) as well as a current ALTA survey thereof, together with a surveyor’s certificate and (y) any consents or estoppels reasonably deemed

 

50

 

necessary or advisable by the Administrative Agent in connection with such mortgage or deed of trust, each of the foregoing in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (iii) 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.

 

(c)   With respect to any new Subsidiary (other than a Foreign Subsidiary) created or acquired after the Closing Date by the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries (which, for the purposes of this paragraph (c), shall include any existing Subsidiary that ceases to be a Foreign Subsidiary), promptly, (i) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent such amendments to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement as the Administrative Agent deems necessary or advisable to grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a perfected second priority security interest (subject only to Liens permitted under Section 8.3) in the Capital Stock of such new Subsidiary that is owned by Holdings, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) deliver to the Administrative Agent the certificates, if any, representing such Capital Stock, together with undated stock powers, in blank, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be (except to the extent that same is delivered to and held by the First Lien Administrative Agent in accordance with the Intercreditor Agreement), (iii) cause such new Subsidiary (A) to become a party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, (B) to take such actions necessary or advisable to grant to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a perfected second priority security interest (subject only to Liens permitted under Section 8.3) in the Collateral described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement with respect to such new Subsidiary, including the filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements in such jurisdictions as may be required by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or by law or as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and (C) to deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of such Subsidiary, substantially in the form of Exhibit C, with appropriate insertions and attachments, and (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.

 

(d)   With respect to any new “first-tier” Foreign Subsidiary created or acquired after the Closing Date by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, promptly, (i) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent such amendments to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement as the Administrative Agent deems necessary or advisable to grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a perfected second priority security interest (subject only to Liens permitted under Section 8.3) in the Capital Stock of such new Subsidiary that is owned by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (provided that in no event shall more than 65% of the total outstanding Capital Stock of any such new Subsidiary be required to be so pledged), (ii) deliver to the Administrative Agent the certificates, if any, representing such Capital Stock, together with undated stock powers, in blank, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be (except to the extent that same is delivered to and held by the First Lien Administrative Agent in accordance with the Intercreditor Agreement), and take such other action as may be necessary or, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, desirable to perfect the Administrative Agent’s security interest therein, and (iii) if requested by the Administrative Agent, deliver to the Administrative Agent legal opinions relating to the matters described above, which opinions

 

51

 

shall be in form and substance, and from counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

7.10.        Further Assurances.  From time to time execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, such additional instruments, certificates or documents, and take all such actions, as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request for the purposes of implementing or effectuating the provisions of the Security Documents, or of more fully perfecting or renewing the rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to the Collateral (or with respect to any additions thereto or replacements or proceeds thereof or with respect to any other property or assets hereafter acquired by any Loan Party which may be deemed to be part of the Collateral) pursuant hereto or thereto.  Upon the exercise by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of any power, right, privilege or remedy pursuant to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents which requires any consent, approval, recording qualification or authorization of any Governmental Authority, the Borrower will execute and deliver, or will cause the execution and delivery of, all applications, certifications, instruments and other documents and papers that the Administrative Agent or such Lenders may be required to obtain from any Loan Party for such governmental consent, approval, recording, qualification or authorization.

 

7.11         Mortgages, etc.   Within 90 days after the Closing Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may specify in its sole discretion), execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, to the Administrative Agent, Mortgages, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel, covering the Mortgaged Properties listed on Schedule 1.1D hereto, duly executed by the appropriate Loan Party, together with:

 

(a)           evidence that the Mortgages have been duly recorded in all filing or recording offices that the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or desirable in order to create a valid second (subject only to Liens permitted under Section 8.3) and subsisting Lien on the property described therein in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties and that all filing and recording taxes and fees have been paid;

 

(b)           fully paid American Land Title Association Lender’s Extended Coverage title insurance policies (or the most similar form available in the jurisdiction in which such real property is located and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) (or counter-signed markups or pro formas of the same) (the “Mortgage Policies”) in form and substance, with endorsements and in amounts reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (including, without limitation, the omission by the title company of the standard exceptions for matters relating to surveys), issued by title insurers acceptable to the Administrative Agent, insuring the Mortgages to be valid second and subsisting Liens on the property described therein, free and clear of all defects (including, but not limited to, mechanics’ and materialmen’s Liens) and encumbrances, excepting only Liens permitted under Section 8.3, and providing for such other affirmative insurance (including endorsements for mechanics’ and materialmen’s Liens) as the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or desirable;

 

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(c)           evidence of the insurance required by the terms of this Agreement with respect to the properties covered by the Mortgages;

 

(d)           favorable opinions of local counsel to the Loan Parties in states in which the Mortgaged Properties are located and the Loan Parties are organized, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (including that the relevant mortgagor is validly existing and in good standing, corporate power, due authorization, execution and delivery, no conflicts and no consents); and

 

(e)           such other consents, agreements and confirmations of lessors and third parties as the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or desirable, and evidence that all other actions reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent that are necessary in order to create valid second (subject only to Liens permitted under Section 8.3) and subsisting Liens on the property described in the Mortgages has been taken.

 

SECTION 8.   NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

The Borrower hereby agrees that, so long as the Commitments remain in effect, or any Loan or other amount is owing (excluding contingent indemnification obligations) to any Lender or Agent hereunder, the Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

 

8.1.          Financial Condition Covenants.

 

(a)   Consolidated Leverage Ratio.  Permit the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as at the last day of any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower ending with any fiscal quarter set forth below to exceed the ratio set forth below opposite such fiscal quarter:

 

	
Fiscal Quarter
    	
 
    	
Consolidated
    
	
Ending On or About
    	
 
    	
Leverage Ratio
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
June 30,   2010
    	
 
    	
5.25   to 1.00
    
	
September 30,   2010
    	
 
    	
5.25   to 1.00
    
	
December 31,   2010
    	
 
    	
5.00   to 1.00
    
	
March 31,   2011
    	
 
    	
5.00   to 1.00
    
	
June 30,   2011
    	
 
    	
5.00   to 1.00
    
	
September 30,   2011
    	
 
    	
4.75   to 1.00
    
	
December 31,   2011
    	
 
    	
4.75   to 1.00
    
	
March 31, 2012 and thereafter
    	
 
    	
4.50   to 1.00
    

 

(b)   Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.  Permit the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower ending with any fiscal quarter set forth below to be less than 1.60 to 1.00.

 

8.2.          Indebtedness.  Create, issue, incur, assume, become liable in respect of or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

 

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(a)           Indebtedness of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document;

 

(b)           Indebtedness (i) of the Borrower to any Subsidiary, (ii) of any Subsidiary Guarantor to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary, (iii) of any Foreign Subsidiary to any Foreign Subsidiary and (iv) subject to Section 8.8(h), of any Foreign Subsidiary to the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(c)           Guarantee Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of (i) obligations of the Borrower, any Subsidiary Guarantor and, subject to Section 8.8(h), of any Foreign Subsidiary or (ii) Indebtedness of any Investee Store permitted by clause (i) of Section 8.8;

 

(d)           Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 8.2(d) and any refinancings, refundings, renewals or extensions thereof (without increasing, or shortening the maturity of, the principal amount thereof);

 

(e)           Indebtedness (including, without limitation, Capital Lease Obligations) secured by Liens permitted by Section 8.3(g) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $40,000,000 at any one time outstanding;

 

(f)            [Intentionally Omitted];

 

(g)           Hedge Agreements in respect of Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereby that bears interest at a floating rate, so long as such agreements are not entered into for speculative purposes;

 

(h)           Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower to finance any Acquisition permitted under Section 8.8(i) (a “Permitted Acquisition”) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $200,000,000 at any time outstanding; provided, that such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Loans on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

 

(i)            (x) Indebtedness of a Person which becomes a Subsidiary after the Closing Date pursuant to an Acquisition or a Pick ‘n Save Acquisition, as the case may be, permitted under Section 8.8(i) and (y) Indebtedness of a Person otherwise assumed in connection with an Acquisition or a Pick ‘n Save Acquisition, as the case may be, or an asset acquired after the Closing Date; provided, that (A) any such Indebtedness was not incurred or created in connection with or in anticipation of the relevant Acquisition or a Pick ‘n Save Acquisition, as the case may be, and (B) no Default or Event of Default would result therefrom; provided, further, that the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness incurred or assumed pursuant to this clause (i) shall not exceed $30,000,000 at any one time outstanding;

 

(j)            Indebtedness resulting from the issuance of performance, surety, statutory or appeal bonds in the ordinary course of business; provided, that no such bond or similar obligation is provided to secure the repayment of other Indebtedness;

 

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(k)           Indebtedness of the Borrower consisting of (x) repurchase obligations with respect to Capital Stock of Holdings issued to directors, consultants, managers, officers and employees of Holdings and its Subsidiaries arising upon the death, disability or termination of employment of such director, consultant, manager, officer or employee to the extent such repurchase is permitted under Section 8.6 and (y) promissory notes issued by the Borrower to directors, consultants, managers, officers and employees (or their spouses or estates) of Holdings and its Subsidiaries to purchase or redeem Capital Stock of Holdings issued to such director, consultant, manager, officer or employee to the extent such purchase or redemption is permitted under Section 8.6;

 

(l)            Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries resulting from agreements providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations in connection with dispositions of any business, assets or Subsidiary of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries permitted under Section 8.5;

 

(m)          Indebtedness in the form of obligations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under indemnification, incentive, non-compete, deferred compensation, or other similar arrangements in connection with an Acquisition or an Investment permitted under Section 8.8;

 

(n)           Indebtedness of Holdings to the Borrower incurred in lieu of the Borrower making a Restricted Payment pursuant to Section 8.6(b) or (c), in an aggregate amount not to exceed the amount of cash dividends that the Borrower would be permitted to make pursuant to Sections 8.6(b) and (c) if no such Indebtedness was incurred;

 

(o)           additional Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $65,000,000 at any one time outstanding;

 

(p)           Indebtedness of the Borrower that is incurred to finance an Acquisition or a Pick ‘n Save Acquisition and that is owed to the seller pursuant to such Acquisition or Pick ‘n Save Acquisition, as the case may be; provided, that (A) such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Loans on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (B) no portion of the principal of such Indebtedness shall be due and payable prior to six months after the Scheduled Maturity Date, (C) the interest rate of such Indebtedness shall not exceed prevailing market interest rates as reasonably determined by the chief financial officer of the Borrower and (D) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this Section 8.2(p) shall not exceed $20,000,000 at any one time outstanding;

 

(q)   (i) Indebtedness of the Borrower in respect of any unsecured Notes and (ii) Guarantee Obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of such Indebtedness, provided, that the Net Cash Proceeds of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this Section 8.2(q) shall be applied toward the prepayment of the Loans as set forth in Section 4.2(a); and provided, further, that no Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this Section 8.2(q) shall have a maturity date that is earlier than, or be subject to any mandatory prepayment, amortization, sinking fund or other similar obligation (other than customary provisions for similar securities at such time, including upon a change of

 

55

 

control or asset sale) prior to, the date that is six months after the Scheduled Maturity Date; and

 

(r)    (i) Permitted First Lien Indebtedness and (ii) Guarantee Obligations of any Loan Party in respect of any Permitted First Lien Indebtedness.

 

8.3.          Liens.  Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except for:

 

(a)           Liens for taxes assessments, charges or other governmental levies not yet due and payable or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, provided, that adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, in conformity with GAAP;

 

(b)           landlord’s, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business that are not overdue for a period of more than 30 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

 

(c)           pledges or deposits in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation and pledges securing liability to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements in respect of deductibles; provided, that the aggregate amount of any such pledges or deposits shall not exceed $10,000,000;

 

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

 

(e)           (i) easements, rights-of-way, conditions, restrictions and other similar encumbrances (which, for the avoidance of doubt, includes covenants running with the land), that, in the aggregate, are not substantial in amount and that do not in any case materially detract from the value of the Property subject thereto or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) land use, building codes and similar laws and (iii) any other exception listed on the Mortgage Policies or disclosed on the Existing Surveys

 

(f)            Liens in existence on the date hereof listed on Schedule 8.3(f), securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 8.2(d); provided, that no such Lien is spread to cover any additional property after the Closing Date and that the amount of Indebtedness secured thereby is not increased;

 

(g)           Liens securing Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Subsidiary incurred pursuant to Section 8.2(e) to finance the acquisition, construction, repair or improvement of real property, fixed or capital assets; provided, that (i) such Liens shall be created within 180 days of the acquisition of such fixed or capital assets, (ii) such

 

56

 

Liens do not at any time encumber any Property other than the Property financed by such Indebtedness and (iii) the amount of Indebtedness secured thereby is not increased;

 

(h)           Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents;

 

(i)            any interest or title of a lessor, sublessor, licensor or licensee under any lease or license entered into by the Borrower or any other Subsidiary in the ordinary course of its business and covering only the assets so leased;

 

(j)            Liens not otherwise permitted by this Section so long as neither (i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the obligations secured thereby exceeds (as to the Borrower and all Subsidiaries) $36,000,000 at any one time nor (ii) the aggregate fair market value (determined as of the date such Lien is incurred) of the assets subject thereto exceeds (as to the Borrower and all Subsidiaries) $42,000,000;

 

(k)           Liens on any assets acquired after the Closing Date securing Indebtedness permitted under Section  8.2(i); provided, that (x) such Liens were not incurred or created in connection with or in anticipation of the acquisition thereof, (y) such Liens do not cover or encumber any assets of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries (other than the assets being acquired) and are not amended to cover any such assets and (z) the amount of Indebtedness or other obligations secured thereby are not increased;

 

(l)            Liens arising out of judgments or awards in respect of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries not constituting an Event of Default under Section 9(h) so long as (i) such Lien is released within 60 days after entry thereof or (ii) the relevant judgment creditor has not commenced action to attach or foreclose on property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(m)          contractual or statutory Liens of suppliers on goods provided by the relevant suppliers imposed by law or pursuant to customary reservations or retentions of title arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

(n)           rights of setoff of a customary nature or bankers’ liens upon deposits of cash in favor of banks or other depository institutions incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(o)           Liens arising from precautionary Uniform Commercial Code financing statements regarding operating leases or consignments entered into in the ordinary course of business by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

 

(p)           Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto;

 

(q)           Liens securing reimbursement obligations in respect of commercial letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances related to drawings thereunder; provided, that such Liens attach only to the documents, the goods covered thereby and the proceeds thereof; and

 

57

 

(r)            Liens securing Permitted First Lien Indebtedness and any Guarantee Obligations in respect thereof, in all cases subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

8.4.          Fundamental Changes.  Enter into any merger, consolidation or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or Dispose of, all or substantially all of its property or business, except that:

 

(a)           any Subsidiary of the Borrower may be merged or consolidated with or into the Borrower (provided that the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving corporation) or with or into any Subsidiary Guarantor (provided that the Subsidiary Guarantor shall be the continuing or surviving corporation) or, subject to Section 8.8(h), with or into any Foreign Subsidiary;

 

(b)           any Subsidiary of the Borrower may Dispose of any or all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor or, subject to Section 8.8(h), any Foreign Subsidiary; and

 

(c)           (i) any Disposition of or by a Subsidiary permitted under Section 8.5(f) or (ii) any merger, consolidation or amalgamation to effect any Investment permitted under Section 8.8(i).

 

8.5.          Disposition of Property.  Dispose of any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or, in the case of any Subsidiary, issue or sell any shares of such Subsidiary’s Capital Stock to any Person, except:

 

(a)           the Disposition of damaged, obsolete, worn out or surplus property in the ordinary course of business;

 

(b)           the Disposition of inventory and equipment held for sale in the ordinary course of business;

 

(c)           Dispositions permitted by Section 8.4(b);

 

(d)           the sale or issuance of any Subsidiary’s Capital Stock to any Loan Party;

 

(e)           leases, subleases and licenses of customer-operated stores in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

(f)            the Disposition, after the Closing Date, of other property having a fair market value not to exceed $50,000,000 in the aggregate for any fiscal year of the Borrower, provided that at least 75% of the consideration therefor shall consist of cash or cash equivalents;

 

(g)           the sale of Investments permitted pursuant to Section 8.8(b) and Dispositions to effect Investments permitted pursuant to Section 8.8(g);

 

58

 

(h)           any Recovery Event; provided, that the requirements of Section 4.2(b) are complied with in connection therewith;

 

(i)            sales or discounts of receivables in the ordinary course of business in connection with the compromise or collection thereof;

 

(j)            cancellation of any Indebtedness constituting an Investment in a Loan Party permitted pursuant to Section 8.8 if Capital Stock of such Loan Party is issued in substitution therefor or repayment thereof; and

 

(k)           Sale and Leaseback Transactions of the “Store Properties” acquired by the Borrower or one of the Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant the New Albertson’s Acquisition and listed on Schedule I to the Second Amendment (First Lien Credit Agreement); provided that the fair market value of all such Property Disposed of pursuant to this Section 8.5(k) shall not exceed $25,000,000 in the aggregate.

 

8.6.          Restricted Payments.  Declare or pay any dividend (other than dividends payable solely in common stock of the Person making such dividend) on, or make any payment on account of, or set apart assets for a sinking or other analogous fund for, the purchase, redemption, defeasance, retirement or other acquisition of, any Capital Stock of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, whether now or hereafter outstanding, or make any other distribution in respect thereof, either directly or indirectly, whether in cash or property or in obligations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or enter into any derivatives or other transaction with any financial institution, commodities or stock exchange or clearinghouse (a “Derivatives Counterparty”) obligating the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to make payments to such Derivatives Counterparty as a result of any change in market value of any such Capital Stock (collectively, “Restricted Payments”), except that:

 

(a)           any Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(b)           so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, the Borrower may pay dividends to Holdings to permit Holdings to purchase Holdings’ Capital Stock or Capital Stock options from present or former officers, directors, consultants, managers or employees or their respective estates, spouses or family members of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary upon the death, disability or termination of employment of such officer, directors, consultants, managers or employee, or to make payments with respect to Indebtedness issued to repurchase such Capital Stock or Capital Stock options; provided, that the aggregate amount of payments (including, without limitation, payments in respect of Indebtedness permitted under Section 8.2(k)) under this subsection shall not exceed $5,000,000 in any twelve-month period (provided, that, in the case of the 2010 calendar year, such amount shall not exceed $5,000,000 plus the maximum amount permitted to be carried over to the 2010 calendar year pursuant to the second proviso to Section 8.6(b) of the First Lien Credit Agreement (as in effect as of the date hereof)); provided, further, that (i) the Borrower, without duplication, may carry forward and make in a subsequent calendar year, in addition to the amounts permitted for such calendar

 

59

 

year, the amount of such purchases, redemptions or other acquisitions or retirements for value permitted to have been made but not made in any preceding calendar year up to a maximum of $10,000,000, in any calendar year pursuant to this clause (b) and (ii) that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries after the Closing Date less any amount previously applied to the payment of Restricted Payments pursuant to this clause (b); provided, further, that regardless of whether a Default or an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Borrower, without duplication, may use the Net Cash Proceeds received from the issuance of Excluded Sponsor Capital Stock to finance such purchases;

 

(c)           the Borrower may pay dividends to Holdings to permit Holdings to (i) pay corporate overhead expenses attributable to the business of the Borrower and incurred in the ordinary course of business (including without limitation, directors’ and shareholders’ fees and expenses) not to exceed $2,500,000 in any fiscal year plus any bona fide indemnification claims made by directors or officers of Holdings that are not covered by insurance and that are attributable to the business of the Borrower and (ii) pay any taxes that are due and payable by Holdings (to the extent attributable to the business of the Borrower) and the Borrower as part of a consolidated group;

 

(d)           repurchases of Capital Stock of the Borrower deemed to occur upon the cashless exercise of stock options and warrants;

 

(e)           the Borrower may pay dividends to Holdings to permit Holdings to repurchase Capital Stock of Holdings pursuant to equity agreements with customers of the Borrower; provided, that the aggregate amount of all such repurchases under this Section 8.6(e) shall not exceed $2,500,000;

 

(f)            the Borrower may make payments pursuant to Section 8.10(a); and

 

(g)           on or after the Closing Date, the Borrower may pay the Special Dividend in an amount not to exceed $150,000,000 (the date of payment of the Special Dividend, the “Special Dividend Payment Date”); provided that, if the Special Dividend Payment Date occurs after the Closing Date, (i) the Administrative Agent shall have received an updated Solvency Opinion, dated as of the Special Dividend Payment Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (ii) prior to and after giving effect to the payment of the Special Dividend, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, or would result from the payment of the Special Dividend, (iii) the payment of the Special Dividend by the Borrower and by Holdings shall have been made in material compliance with all applicable Requirements of Law and (iv) the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying compliance with the foregoing clauses (ii) and (iii).

 

8.7.          Capital Expenditures.  Make any Capital Expenditure, except (a) Capital Expenditures of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries not exceeding during any of the fiscal years of the Borrower set forth below, the amount set forth opposite such fiscal year below:

 

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Fiscal Year
    	
 
    	
Amount
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
2010 and each fiscal year thereafter
    	
 
    	
$
    	
135,000,000
    	
 
    
					

 

provided, that (i) up to $35,000,000 of any such amount referred to above, if not so expended in the fiscal year for which it is permitted, may be carried over for expenditure in the next succeeding fiscal year and (ii) Capital Expenditures made pursuant to this clause (a) during any fiscal year shall be deemed made, first, in respect of amounts carried over from the prior fiscal year pursuant to subclause (i) above and, second, in respect of amounts permitted for such fiscal year as provided above, (b) Capital Expenditures made with the proceeds of any Reinvestment Deferred Amount, (c) Capital Expenditures attributable to all or a portion of the cost of Acquisitions permitted under Section 8.8 and (d) Capital Expenditures attributable to any portion of the Excess Cash Flow of the Borrower for fiscal years completed since the Closing Date which was not required to be applied toward the prepayment of the Loans or the First Lien Term Loans and not used to finance Acquisitions as set forth in Section 8.8(i).

 

8.8.          Investments.  Make any advance, loan, extension of credit (by way of guaranty or otherwise) or capital contribution to, or purchase any Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures or other debt securities of, or any assets constituting a business unit of, any Person (all of the foregoing, “Investments”), except:

 

(a)           extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of business;

 

(b)           investments in Cash Equivalents;

 

(c)           Guarantee Obligations permitted by Section 8.2;

 

(d)           loans and advances to employees of Holdings (to the extent attributable to the business of the Borrower), the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower in the ordinary course of business (including for travel, entertainment and relocation expenses and for purchases of Capital Stock of Holdings) in an aggregate amount for the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower not to exceed $7,500,000 at any one time outstanding;

 

(e)           [Intentionally omitted];

 

(f)            Investments in fixed or capital assets useful in the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with the proceeds of any Reinvestment Deferred Amount;

 

(g)           intercompany Investments by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the Borrower or any Person that, prior to such Investment, is a Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(h)           intercompany Investments by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries made in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice in a Foreign Subsidiary which are made for the purpose of funding the insurance requirements of Holdings (to the extent attributable to the business of the Borrower), the Borrower and its Subsidiaries having an aggregate fair market value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when

 

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taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (h) that are at that time outstanding not to exceed 0.65% of the Borrower’s net sales and service fees for the Borrower’s most recently ended four full quarters for which financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such Investment is made;

 

(i)    Acquisitions or Pick ‘n Save Acquisitions by the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors; provided, that (A) in connection with any Acquisition, other than the New Albertson’s Acquisition, the aggregate consideration (excluding consideration in the form of Capital Stock of Holdings, but including Indebtedness permitted under Section 8.2(i) and 8.2(p) incurred in connection with Acquisitions) for all such Acquisitions after the Closing Date shall not exceed the sum of (w) $200,000,000, (x) any portion of the Excess Cash Flow of the Borrower for each full fiscal year completed since the Closing Date beginning with the first full fiscal year to occur after the Closing Date which was not required to be applied toward the prepayment of the Loans pursuant to Section 4.2(c) or the First Lien Term Loans pursuant to Section 4.2(c) of the First Lien Credit Agreement and not used to finance Capital Expenditures as set forth in Section 8.7, (y) Net Cash Proceeds received by the Borrower from the issuance of Capital Stock of Holdings to the Sponsor which are used for the purchase of the Capital Stock of the Borrower by Holdings; provided, that such proceeds are immediately utilized for such Acquisition (“Excluded Acquisition Capital Stock”) and (z) any Reinvestment Deferred Amount, (B) in connection with any Acquisition or Pick ‘n Save Acquisition, after giving effect to the consummation of such Acquisition or Pick ‘n Save Acquisition, including the incurrence of any Indebtedness associated therewith, each of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio of the Borrower for a period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the fiscal quarter in which such Acquisition or Pick ‘n Save Acquisition is consummated (and calculated giving pro forma effect to such Acquisition or Pick ‘n Save Acquisition and such incurrence of Indebtedness as if they had occurred on the first day of the four quarter period in respect of which such Consolidated Leverage Ratio is calculated) shall not exceed the applicable ratio required for such period pursuant to Section 8.1 and the Borrower would have been in compliance with the covenants set forth in Section 8.1 on such date, (C) not later than five Business Days prior to the consummation of any such Acquisition or Pick ‘n Save Acquisition, the Administrative Agent shall have received and be satisfied with (i) a certificate of a Responsible Officer setting forth the calculations required to determine compliance with clauses (A) and (B) above and certifying that the conditions set forth in this Section 8.8(i) have been satisfied, (ii) to the extent available, financial statements relating to such Person or Persons that is the subject of such Acquisition or Pick ‘n Save Acquisition for the most recently ended fiscal year and (iii) such other available financial information relating to the Acquisition or Pick ‘n Save Acquisition as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, (D) the Acquisition or Pick ‘n Save Acquisition is consummated on a friendly basis and (E) after giving effect to such Acquisition or Pick ‘n Save Acquisition, no Event of Default shall have then occurred and be continuing;

 

(j)            Investments by the Borrower or the Subsidiary Guarantors in Investee Stores either in the form of equity, loans or other extensions of credit having an aggregate fair market value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other

 

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Investments made pursuant to this clause (j) and the aggregate amount of Indebtedness outstanding under Section 8.2(c)(ii) that are at that time outstanding not to exceed $30,000,000;

 

(k)           Investments by the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries existing on the Closing Date and listed on Schedule 8.8;

 

(l)            Investments by any Foreign Subsidiary in Holdings, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(m)          Investments received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of, or in good faith settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with, customers and suppliers;

 

(n)           Investments by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the form of Hedge Agreements that are permitted herein or not speculative in nature and in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice;

 

(o)           the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may receive and own securities and other investments acquired pursuant to transactions permitted by Section 8.5(f);

 

(p)           the Borrower may make a loan to Holdings that could otherwise be made as a distribution permitted under Section 8.6 (and the amount of such Loan shall for all purposes be treated as a distribution);

 

(q)           Investments consisting of endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business;

 

(r)            Acquisitions by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor or Investments by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor in joint ventures, in each case financed with the proceeds of Excluded Sponsor Capital Stock; and

 

(s)           in addition to other Investments otherwise permitted by this Section 8.8, other Investments by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount (valued at cost) not to exceed $65,000,000 during the term of this Agreement.

 

8.9.          Optional Payments and Modifications of Certain Debt Instruments.  (a)  Make or offer to make any optional or voluntary payment, prepayment, repurchase or redemption of or otherwise optionally or voluntarily defease or segregate funds with respect to any Notes or any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 8.2(h) or Section 8.2(p) (other than an exchange of Capital Stock of Holdings to the holders of the Notes or the holders of any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 8.2(h) or Section 8.2(p) for the cancellation of all or any portion of the Notes or any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 8.2(h) or Section 8.2(p), as applicable), or enter into any derivative or other transaction with any Derivatives Counterparty obligating the Borrower or any Subsidiary to make payments to such Derivatives Counterparty as a result of any change in market value of the Notes, (b) amend, modify, waive or otherwise change, or consent or agree to any amendment, modification, waiver or other change to, any of the terms of any of the Notes or any of the terms of any Indebtedness incurred pursuant

 

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to Section 8.2(h) or Section 8.2(p) (other than any such amendment, modification, waiver or other change that (i) would extend the maturity or reduce the amount of any payment of principal thereof or reduce the rate or extend any date for payment of interest thereon, (ii) does not involve the payment of a consent fee and (iii) would not reasonably be expected to materially increase the obligations of the obligor or confer additional material rights on the holder of such Notes or on the holders of such Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 8.2(h) or Section 8.2(p), as applicable, in a manner reasonably expected to be materially adverse to the interests of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders) or (c) amend, modify, waive or otherwise change, or consent or agree to any amendment, modification, waiver or other change to, the terms of any preferred equity in a manner that would (i) set the scheduled redemption date prior to the date that is six months after the Scheduled Maturity Date or (ii) allow the holders of such preferred equity to redeem, at their option, prior to the date that is six months after the Scheduled Maturity Date or (d) designate any Indebtedness (other than obligations of the Loan Parties pursuant to the Loan Documents and the First Lien Loan Documents) as “Designated Senior Debt” for the purposes of any Note Indenture.

 

8.10.        Transactions with Affiliates.  Enter into any transaction, including any purchase, sale, lease or exchange of property, the rendering of any service or the payment of any management, advisory or similar fees, with any Affiliate (other than Holdings (to the extent attributable to work performed on the Borrower’s behalf), the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) unless such transaction is (i) otherwise permitted under this Agreement, or (ii) upon fair and reasonable terms not materially less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, than it would obtain in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may:

 

(a)           make payments of reasonable professional fees to WSP or any of its Affiliates in connection with work performed on the Borrower’s behalf and that are approved by the board of directors of the Borrower in good faith not to exceed $1,200,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year, plus out-of-pocket expenses and customary indemnification to the Sponsor in connection with work performed on the Borrower’s behalf;

 

(b)           make payments in connection with any Note Indenture, to the extent not prohibited by Section 8.9, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including the payment of costs, fees and expenses in connection therewith);

 

(c)           pay customary fees to, and the out-of-pocket expenses of, the board of directors of Holdings (to the extent attributable to the business of the Borrower), the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and customary indemnities for the benefit of the members of such board of directors and the officers of Holdings (to the extent attributable to the business of the Borrower), the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

 

(d)           make payments permitted pursuant to Section 8.6;

 

(e)           enter into (i) transactions with customers in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice as of the date hereof and (ii) transactions

 

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pursuant to any other contract or agreement in effect on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 8.10; and

 

(f)            pay customary compensation to officers, directors, consultants, managers and employees of Holdings, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

8.11.        Sales and Leasebacks.  Enter into any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of real or personal property that has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Borrower or such Subsidiary to such Person or to any other Person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such Person on the security of such property or rental obligations of the Borrower or such Subsidiary (“Sale and Leaseback Transactions”) unless (i) the sale of such property is permitted by Section 8.5(f) or Section 8.5(k) and (ii) any Capital Lease Obligations and Liens arising in connection therewith are permitted by Section 8.2 and 8.3.

 

8.12.        Changes in Fiscal Periods.  Change the fiscal year of the Borrower from the 52 or 53 week period ending on the Saturday nearest December 31 or change the Borrower’s method of determining fiscal quarters.

 

8.13.        Negative Pledge Clauses.  Enter into or suffer to exist or become effective any agreement that prohibits or limits the ability of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than:

 

(a)           this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

 

(b)           any agreements governing any purchase money Liens, Capital Lease Obligations or Sale and Leaseback Transactions otherwise permitted hereby (in which case, any prohibition or limitation shall only be effective against the assets financed thereby);

 

(c)           any Note Indenture;

 

(d)           imposed by law;

 

(e)           contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary permitted hereunder pending such sale (in which case any such prohibition or limitation shall apply only to the assets of such Subsidiary);

 

(f)            contained in licenses or leases entered into in the ordinary course of business (in which case any such prohibition or limitation shall only apply to rights under such license or lease);

 

(g)           contained in agreements for or instruments evidencing Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and listed on Schedule 8.13;

 

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(h)           contained in agreements or instruments assumed or acquired in connection with an Acquisition (in which case any such prohibition or limitation shall only apply to the assets acquired in such Acquisition);

 

(i)            contained in agreements for or instruments evidencing Indebtedness permitted to be secured under Section 8.3(j) (in which case any such prohibition or limitation shall only apply to the assets subject to the applicable permitted Lien); and

 

(j)            any First Lien Loan Document.

 

8.14.        Clauses Restricting Subsidiary Distributions.  Enter into or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Subsidiary of the Borrower to (a) make Restricted Payments in respect of any Capital Stock of such Subsidiary held by, or pay any Indebtedness owed to, the Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower, (b) make loans or advances to, or other Investments in, the Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower or (c) transfer any of its assets to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower, except for such encumbrances or restrictions set forth on Schedule 8.14 or existing under or by reason of (i) any restrictions existing under (A) the Loan Documents or (B) the First Lien Loan Documents, (ii) any restrictions with respect to a Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into in connection with the Disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of such Subsidiary, (iii) applicable law, (iv) any Note Indenture, (v) customary provisions restricting the assignment of rights under contracts, (vi) customary non-assignment provisions in leases entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices, (vii) purchase money obligations for Property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the nature described in clause (c) above on the Property so acquired, (viii) any agreement for the sale of a Subsidiary that restricts distributions by that Subsidiary pending its sale, (ix) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered in the ordinary course of business and (x) restrictions on rights to dispose of assets subject to Liens permitted under Section 8.3(e), 8.3(f), 8.3(g), 8.3(h), 8.3(i), 8.3(j), 8.3(k), 8.3(p) or 8.3(q).

 

8.15.        Lines of Business.  Enter into any business, either directly or through any Subsidiary, except for those businesses in which the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are engaged on the date of this Agreement or that are reasonably related, ancillary or complementary thereto.

 

8.16.        Amendments to the Nash Asset Purchase Agreement; Modifications of First Lien Loan Documents.  (a) amend, supplement or otherwise modify the terms and conditions of the Nash Asset Purchase Agreement, except for any such amendment, supplement or modification that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (b) amend, supplement or otherwise modify in any manner any of the terms or provisions contained in, or applicable to, any First Lien Loan Documents, to the extent any such amendment, modification or change is not permitted under the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

8.17.        Proceeds of the Loan.  If the Special Dividend Payment Date occurs after the Closing Date, at any time prior to the payment of the Special Dividend, permit any portion of the proceeds of the Loans to be deposited to any account other than one or more deposit accounts maintained with the Administrative Agent or the First Lien Administrative Agent.

 

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SECTION 9.   EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

If any of the following events shall occur and be continuing:

 

(a)           the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan when due in accordance with the terms hereof; or the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan, or any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document, within five days after any such interest or other amount becomes due in accordance with the terms hereof; or

 

(b)           any representation or warranty made or deemed made by any Loan Party herein or in any other Loan Document or that is contained in any certificate, document or financial or other statement furnished by it at any time under or in connection with this Agreement or any such other Loan Document shall prove to have been inaccurate in any material respect on or as of the date made or deemed made; or

 

(c)           (i)  any Loan Party shall default in the observance or performance of any agreement contained in clause (i) or (ii) of Section 7.4(a) (with respect to the Borrower only), Section 7.7(a) or Section 8 of this Agreement or Sections 5.5 and 5.7 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or (ii) a “Designated Event of Default” under and as defined in any Mortgage shall have occurred and be continuing; or

 

(d)           any Loan Party shall default in the observance or performance of any other agreement contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than as provided in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Section), and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after notice to the Borrower from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders; or

 

(e)           (i) any First Lien Indebtedness shall be declared to be due and payable (or automatically become due and payable) prior to the stated maturity of such First Lien Indebtedness pursuant to Section 9 of the First Lien Credit Agreement or otherwise, or (ii) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries: (A) shall default in making any payment of any principal of any Indebtedness (including any Guarantee Obligation, but excluding the Loans and Indebtedness under the First Lien Loan Documents) on the scheduled or original due date with respect thereto, after all applicable grace periods; (B) default in making any payment of any interest on any such Indebtedness beyond the period of grace, if any, provided in the instrument or agreement under which such Indebtedness was created; or (C) default in the observance or performance of any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which default or other event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or beneficiary of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or beneficiary) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity or to become subject to a mandatory offer to purchase by the obligor thereunder or (in the case of any such Indebtedness constituting a Guarantee

 

67

 

Obligation) to become payable; provided, that a default, event or condition described in clause (ii) of this paragraph (e) shall not at any time constitute an Event of Default unless, at such time, one or more defaults, events or conditions of the type described in clause (ii) of this paragraph (e) shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to Indebtedness the outstanding principal amount of which exceeds in the aggregate $35,000,000; or

 

(f)            (i) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall commence any case, proceeding or other action (A) under any existing or future law of any jurisdiction, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or relief of debtors, seeking to have an order for relief entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or other relief with respect to it or its debts, or (B) seeking appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator or other similar official for it or for all or any substantial part of its assets, or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or (ii) there shall be commenced against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries any case, proceeding or other action of a nature referred to in clause (i) above that (A) results in the entry of an order for relief or any such adjudication or appointment or (B) remains undismissed, undischarged or unbonded for a period of 60 days; or (iii) there shall be commenced against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries any case, proceeding or other action seeking issuance of a warrant of attachment, execution, distraint or similar process against all or any substantial part of its assets that results in the entry of an order for any such relief that shall not have been vacated, discharged, or stayed or bonded pending appeal within 60 days from the entry thereof; or (iv) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall take any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the acts set forth in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) above; or (v) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall generally not, or shall be unable to, or shall admit in writing its inability to, pay its debts as they become due; or

 

(g)           (i) any Person shall engage in any “prohibited transaction” (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) involving any Plan, (ii) any “accumulated funding deficiency” (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived, shall exist with respect to any Plan or any Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan shall arise on the assets of the Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity, (iii) a Reportable Event shall occur with respect to, or proceedings shall commence to have a trustee appointed, or a trustee shall be appointed, to administer or to terminate, any Single Employer Plan, which Reportable Event or commencement of proceedings or appointment of a trustee is, in the reasonable opinion of the Required Lenders, likely to result in the termination of such Plan for purposes of Title IV of ERISA, (iv) any Single Employer Plan shall terminate for purposes of Title IV of ERISA, (v) the Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity shall, or in the reasonable opinion of the Required Lenders is likely to, incur any liability in connection with a withdrawal from, or the Insolvency or Reorganization of, a Multiemployer Plan or (vi) any other event or condition shall occur or exist with respect to a Plan; and in each case in clauses (i) through (vi) above, such event or condition, together with all other such events or conditions, if any, could, in the sole judgment of the Required Lenders, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

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(h)           one or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries involving in the aggregate a liability (not paid or fully covered by insurance as to which the relevant insurance company has acknowledged coverage) of $35,000,000; or more, and all such judgments or decrees shall not have been vacated, discharged, stayed or bonded pending appeal within 45 days from the entry thereof; or

 

(i)            any of the Security Documents shall cease, for any reason, to be in full force and effect, or any Loan Party or any Affiliate of any Loan Party shall so assert, or any Lien created by any of the Security Documents shall cease to be enforceable and of the same effect and priority purported to be created thereby; or

 

(j)            the guarantee contained in Section 2 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, or the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, shall cease, for any reason, to be in full force and effect, or any Loan Party or any Affiliate of any Loan Party shall so assert; or

 

(k)           (i) the Permitted Investors shall cease to have the power to vote or direct the voting of securities having a majority of the ordinary voting power for the election of directors of Holdings (determined on a fully diluted basis); (ii) prior to the effectiveness of an initial registered public offering of the Capital Stock of Holdings, WSP and its Control Investment Affiliates collectively cease to own and control, of record and beneficially, (and have the exclusive power to vote with respect thereto) directly or indirectly at least 51% of the aggregate voting power of the outstanding Capital Stock of Holdings free and clear of all Liens (except Liens created by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) and in any event sufficient to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of Holdings; (iii) after the effectiveness of an initial registered public offering of the Capital Stock of Holdings, any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), excluding the Permitted Investors, shall become, or obtain rights (whether by means or warrants, options or otherwise) to become, the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than (x) 30% of the outstanding Capital Stock of Holdings or (y) a greater percentage of the outstanding Capital Stock of Holdings than the percentage of such Capital Stock then owned collectively by WSP and its Control Investment Affiliates, in each case measured by voting power rather than number of shares; (iv) the board of directors of Holdings shall cease to consist of a majority of Continuing Directors; (v) Holdings shall cease to own and control, of record and beneficially, directly, 100% of each class of outstanding Capital Stock of the Borrower free and clear of all Liens (except Liens created by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement); or (vi) a Specified Change of Control shall occur; or

 

(l)            any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 8.2(h) shall cease, for any reason, to be validly subordinated to the Obligations or the obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, as the case may be, as provided in the applicable agreement or indenture governing such Indebtedness, or any Loan Party, any Affiliate of any Loan Party, the trustee or agent in respect of such

 

69

 

Indebtedness, or the holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness, shall so assert;

 

then, and in any such event, (A) if such event is an Event of Default specified in clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (f) above with respect to the Borrower, automatically the Commitments shall immediately terminate and the Loans hereunder (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall immediately become due and payable, and (B) if such event is any other Event of Default, with the consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower, declare the Loans hereunder (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to be due and payable forthwith, whereupon the same shall immediately become due and payable.  Except as expressly provided above in this Section, presentment, demand, protest and all other notices of any kind are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower.

 

Subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, after the exercise of remedies provided for in the Loan Documents (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable as set forth in this Section 9), any amounts received on account of the Obligations shall be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order: (i) first, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (other than principal and interest but including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent and amounts payable under Section 4) payable to the Agents in their capacities as such ratably among them in proportion to the amounts described in this clause first payable to them; (ii) second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal and interest) payable to the Lenders under Section 11.4 (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders), ratably among them in proportion to the amounts described in this clause second payable to them; (iii) third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans and other Obligations, ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause third payable to them; (iv) fourth, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans, ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause fourth held by them; (v) fifth, to the payment of all other Obligations of the Loan Parties owing under or in respect of the Loan Documents that are then due and payable to the Agents and the other Secured Parties on such date, ratably based upon the respective aggregate amounts of all such Obligations owing to the Agents and the other Secured Parties on such date; and (vi) last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been paid in full (excluding, for this purpose, any contingent indemnification obligations), to the Borrower or as otherwise required by law.

 

SECTION 10.    THE AGENTS

 

10.1.        Appointment.  Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Administrative Agent as the agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including to act on its behalf as collateral agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents for the benefit of the Secured Parties), and each such Lender irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such

 

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duties as are expressly delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.   Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall have no duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent.

 

10.2.        Delegation of Duties.  Each Agent may execute any of its duties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by or through agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties.  No Agent shall be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.

 

10.3.        Exculpatory Provisions.  Neither any Agent, nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates, shall be (i) liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except to the extent that any of the foregoing are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from its or such Person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct) or (ii) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Loan Party or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Agents under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for any failure of any Loan Party a party thereto to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder.  The Agents shall not be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of any Loan Party.

 

10.4.        Reliance by Agents.  Each Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any instrument, writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telecopy, telex or teletype message, statement, order or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by such Agent.  The Administrative Agent may deem and treat the payee of any Loan Note as the owner thereof for all purposes unless a written notice of assignment, negotiation or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the Administrative Agent.  Each Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders) as it deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.  The Agents shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in accordance with a request of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders), and

 

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such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders and all future holders of the Loans.

 

10.5.        Notice of Default.  No Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default hereunder unless such Agent has received written notice from a Lender, the Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default”.  In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly give notice thereof to the Lenders.  The Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders or any other instructing group of Lenders specified by this Agreement); provided, that unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative 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 in the best interests of the Lenders.

 

10.6.        Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders.  Each Lender expressly acknowledges that neither the Agents, nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates, have made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by any Agent hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of a Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by any Agent to any Lender.  Each Lender represents to the Agents that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates and made its own decision to make its Loans hereunder and enter into this Agreement.  Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates.  Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, operations, property, condition (financial or otherwise), prospects or creditworthiness of any Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party that may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates.

 

10.7.        Indemnification.  The Lenders agree to indemnify each Agent in its capacity as such (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), ratably according to their respective Applicable Percentages in effect on the date on which indemnification is sought under this Section (or, if indemnification is sought after the date upon which the Commitments shall have terminated and the Loans shall have been paid in full, ratably in accordance with such Applicable Percentages immediately prior to such date), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties,

 

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actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time (whether before or after the payment of the Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent in any way relating to or arising out of, the Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by such Agent under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided, that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements that are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.  The agreements in this Section shall survive the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

 

10.8.        Agent in Its Individual Capacity.  Each Agent and its affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from and generally engage in any kind of business with any Loan Party as though such Agent were not an Agent.  With respect to its Loans made or renewed by it, each Agent shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as any Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and the terms “Lender” and “Lenders” shall include each Agent in its individual capacity.

 

10.9.        Successor Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent may resign as Administrative Agent upon 10 days’ notice to the Lenders and the Borrower.  If the Administrative Agent shall resign as Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, then the Required Lenders shall appoint from among the Lenders a successor agent for the Lenders, which successor agent shall (unless an Event of Default under Section 9(a) or Section 9(f) with respect to the Borrower shall have occurred and be continuing) be subject to approval by the Borrower (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), whereupon such successor agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of the Administrative Agent, and the term “Administrative Agent” shall mean such successor agent effective upon such appointment and approval, and the former Administrative Agent’s rights, powers and duties as Administrative Agent shall be terminated, without any other or further act or deed on the part of such former Administrative Agent or any of the parties to this Agreement or any holders of the Loans.  If no successor agent has accepted appointment as Administrative Agent by the date that is ten days following a retiring Administrative Agent’s notice of resignation, the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective and the Lenders shall assume and perform all of the duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders and, if applicable, the Borrower appoint a successor agent as provided for above.  The Syndication Agent may, at any time, by notice to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, resign as Syndication Agent hereunder, whereupon the duties, rights, obligations and responsibilities of the Syndication Agent hereunder shall automatically be assumed by, and inure to the benefit of, the Administrative Agent, without any further act by the Syndication Agent, the Administrative Agent or any Lender.  After any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Section 10 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

10.10.      Agents Generally.  Except as expressly set forth herein, no Agent shall have any duties or responsibilities hereunder in its capacity as such.

 

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10.11.      Lead Arranger; Syndication Agent.  The Lead Arranger, in its capacity as such, shall have no duties or responsibilities, and shall incur no liability, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  The Syndication Agent, in its capacity as such, shall have no duties or responsibilities, and shall incur no liability, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

10.12.      Intercreditor Arrangements.  With respect to the incurrence or issuance by the Loan Parties of any Permitted First Lien Indebtedness, each of the Lenders hereby authorizes and directs the Administrative Agent to enter into one or more Intercreditor Agreements (or replacement agreements) on behalf of such Lender and agrees that the Administrative Agent in its various capacities thereunder may take such actions on its behalf as is contemplated by the terms of any such Intercreditor Agreements (or replacement agreements).  With respect to any Intercreditor Agreement (or replacement agreement) executed and delivered by the Administrative Agent in accordance with this Agreement, each Lender hereunder (a) consents to any subordination of Liens provided for in such Intercreditor Agreement (or replacement agreement), (b) agrees that it will be bound by and will take no actions contrary to the provisions of such Intercreditor Agreement (or replacement agreement), (c) authorizes and instructs the Administrative Agent to enter into such Intercreditor Agreement (or replacement agreement) as agent and on behalf of such Lender and (d) agrees that the Administrative Agent may take such actions on behalf of such Lender as is contemplated by the terms of such Intercreditor Agreement (or replacement agreement).

 

SECTION 11.  MISCELLANEOUS

 

11.1.        Amendments and Waivers.  Neither this Agreement, any other Loan Document, nor any terms hereof or thereof may be amended, supplemented or modified except in accordance with the provisions of this Section 11.1.  The Required Lenders and each Loan Party party to the relevant Loan Document may, or, with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and each Loan Party party to the relevant Loan Document may, from time to time, (a) enter into written amendments, supplements or modifications hereto and to the other Loan Documents for the purpose of adding any provisions to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or changing in any manner the rights of the Lenders or of the Loan Parties hereunder or thereunder or (b) waive, on such terms and conditions as the Required Lenders or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, may specify in such instrument, any of the requirements of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any Default or Event of Default and its consequences; provided, however, that no such waiver and no such amendment, supplement or modification shall (i) forgive the principal amount or extend the final scheduled date of maturity of any Loan owing to such Lender, extend the scheduled date of any amortization payment in respect of any Loan owing to such Lender, reduce the stated rate of any interest or fee payable to such Lender hereunder (except that any amendment or modification of defined terms used in the financial covenants in this Agreement shall not constitute a reduction in the rate of interest or fees for purposes of this clause (i)) or extend the scheduled date of any payment thereof, or increase the amount of such Lender’s Commitment (it being understood that waivers or modifications of conditions precedent, covenants, Defaults or Events of Default or of mandatory reduction of Commitments shall not constitute an increase of Commitment of any Lender and that an increase in the available portion of any Commitment of any Lender shall not constitute an increase in the Commitment of any Lender), or amend, modify or waive Section

 

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4.8(a) or (b), in each case without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby; (ii) eliminate or reduce the voting rights of any Lender under this Section 11.1 without the written consent of such Lender; (iii) reduce any percentage specified in the definition of Required Lenders, consent to the assignment or transfer by the Borrower of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, release all or substantially all of the Collateral or release all or substantially all of the Guarantors from their obligations under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, in each case without the written consent of all Lenders unless otherwise permitted herein or in any other Loan Document; or (iv) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 10 without the written consent of each Agent adversely affected thereby.  Any such waiver and any such amendment, supplement or modification shall apply equally to each of the Lenders and shall be binding upon the Loan Parties, the Lenders, the Agents and all future holders of the Loans.  In the case of any waiver, the Loan Parties, the Lenders and the Agents shall be restored to their former position and rights hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and any Default or Event of Default waived shall be deemed to be cured and not continuing; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default, or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

Subject to the restrictions set forth in the proviso to the foregoing paragraph, but notwithstanding anything else to the contrary contained in this Section 11.1, if the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall have jointly identified an obvious error or any 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 Borrower 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 (5) Business Days following receipt of notice thereof.

 

11.2.        Notices.  All notices, requests and demands to or upon the respective parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing (including by telecopy), and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, shall be deemed to have been duly given or made when delivered, or three Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, or, in the case of telecopy notice, when received, addressed as follows in the case of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and as set forth in an administrative questionnaire delivered to the Administrative Agent in the case of the Lenders, or to such other address as may be hereafter notified by the respective parties hereto:

 

	
The   Borrower:
    	
875   E. Wisconsin Avenue
    
	
 
    	
Milwaukee,   WI 53202
    
	
 
    	
Attention:   Edward G. Kitz
    
	
 
    	
Telecopy:   (414) 231-7979
    
	
 
    	
Telephone:   (414) 231-5901
    
	
 
    	
Email:   ed.kitz@roundys.com
    

 

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With   a copy to:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
WSP:
    	
One   North Wacker Drive
    
	
 
    	
Suite 4800
    
	
 
    	
Chicago, IL   60606
    
	
 
    	
Attention:   Jeffrey Beyer
    
	
 
    	
Telecopy:   (312) 422-2424
    
	
 
    	
Telephone:   (312) 422-5284
    
	
 
    	
Email:   jbeyer@willisstein.com
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Kirkland &   Ellis LLP:
    	
300   N. LaSalle
    
	
 
    	
Chicago, IL   60654
    
	
 
    	
Attention:   Christopher Butler, P.C.
    
	
 
    	
Telecopy:   (312) 862-2200
    
	
 
    	
Telephone:   (312) 862-2000
    
	
 
    	
Email:   Christopher.Butler@kirkland.com
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
The   Administrative Agent:
    	
Credit   Suisse AG
    
	
 
    	
11   Madison Avenue
    
	
 
    	
OMA-2
    
	
 
    	
New   York, NY 10010
    
	
 
    	
Attention:   Loan Operations-Agency Manager
    
	
 
    	
Telecopy:   212-322-2291
    
	
 
    	
Telephone:   919-994-6369
    
	
 
    	
Email:   agency.loanops@credit-suisse.com
    

 

provided, that any notice, request or demand to or upon any Agent or the Lenders shall not be effective until received.

 

Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent or the Borrower 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.

 

11.3.        No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.  No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of any Agent or any Lender, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under the other Loan Documents 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 are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

 

11.4.        Survival of Representations and Warranties.  All representations and warranties made hereunder, in the other Loan Documents and in any document, certificate or

 

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statement delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Loans and other extensions of credit hereunder.

 

11.5.       Payment of Expenses and Taxes.  The Borrower agrees (a) to pay or reimburse each Agent for all its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the development, preparation and execution of any Loan Document, and any amendment, supplement or modification to, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any other documents prepared in connection herewith or therewith, and the consummation and administration of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the administration of the Facility), including the reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel to the Agents, due diligence expenses and filing and recording fees and expenses, with statements with respect to the foregoing to be submitted to the Borrower prior to the Closing Date (in the case of amounts to be paid on the Closing Date) and from time to time thereafter on a quarterly basis or such other periodic basis as the Administrative Agent shall deem appropriate, (b) to pay or reimburse each Lender and each Agent for all its reasonable and documented, out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any rights under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other documents, including the fees and disbursements of one lead counsel to the Agents  and the Lenders (unless there is an actual or perceived conflict of interest in which case each Agent or Lender affected thereby may retain its own counsel) (c) to pay, indemnify, and hold each Lender and each Agent harmless from, any and all recording and filing fees and any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any delay in paying, stamp, excise and other taxes, if any, that may be payable or determined to be payable in connection with the execution and delivery of, or consummation or administration of any of the transactions contemplated by, or any amendment, supplement or modification of, or any waiver or consent under or in respect of, this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other documents, and (d) to pay, indemnify, and hold each Lender and each Agent and their respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates, agents, advisors, members, controlling persons and trustees (each, an “Indemnitee”) harmless from and against any and all other liabilities, obligations, actual losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to any claims, litigation or proceedings brought by a third party in connection with the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other documents or otherwise relating to the Transactions (regardless of whether such Indemnitee is a party thereto and regardless of whether such matter is initiated by a third party or by Holdings or the Borrower or any of their respective affiliates), including any of the foregoing relating to the use of proceeds of the Loans or the violation of, noncompliance with or liability under, any Environmental Law applicable to the operations of the Borrower any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Properties and the reasonable fees and expenses of one lead counsel to the Agents and the Lenders (unless there is an actual or perceived conflict of interest in which case each Agent or Lender affected thereby may retain its own counsel), plus special counsel to the Agents and the Lenders and a single local counsel to the Agents and the Lenders in each relevant jurisdiction (unless there is an actual or perceived conflict of interest in which case each Agent or Lender affected thereby may retain its own local counsel) (all the foregoing in this clause (d), collectively, the “Indemnified Liabilities”), provided, that the Borrower shall have no obligation hereunder to any Indemnitee with respect to Indemnified Liabilities to the extent such Indemnified Liabilities to result from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or disputes among the Agents and/or any

 

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Lenders (provided that each Agent shall remain indemnified acting in such capacities to the extent otherwise indemnified hereunder).  Without limiting the foregoing, and to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower agrees not to assert and to cause its Subsidiaries not to assert, and hereby waives and agrees to cause its Subsidiaries to waive, all rights for contribution or any other rights of recovery with respect to all claims, demands, penalties, fines, liabilities, settlements, damages, costs and expenses of whatever kind or nature, under or related to Environmental Laws, that any of them might have by statute or otherwise against any Indemnitee.  All amounts due under this Section 11.5 shall be payable not later than 30 days after written demand is submitted to the Borrower therefor.  Statements payable by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 11.5, at the address of the Borrower set forth in Section 11.2, or to such other Person or address as may be hereafter designated by the Borrower in a written notice to the Administrative Agent.  The agreements in this Section 11.5 shall survive repayment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

 

11.6.       Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments.

 

(a)   The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section.

 

(b)   (i)  Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more assignees (each, an “Assignee”) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) of:

 

(A)          the Borrower, provided, that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for (x) an assignment to a Lender, an affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund (as defined below) or, if an Event of Default under Section 9(a) or Section 9(f) has occurred and is continuing, any other Person, (y) any assignment by the Administrative Agent (or its affiliates) or (z) an assignment to any Person identified to (and approved by) the Borrower during the primary syndication of the Facility; provided, further, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower’s consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment to a company which is engaged in a business that is substantially similar to the Borrower or is a competitor of the Borrower; and

 

(B)          the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for (x) an assignment to an Assignee that is a Lender immediately prior to giving effect to such assignment or (y) any assignment by the Administrative Agent (or its affiliates).

 

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(ii)           Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

 

(A)          except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitments or Loans under the Facility, the amount of the Commitments or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $1,000,000 unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided, that (1) no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (2) such amounts shall be aggregated in respect of each Lender and its affiliates or Approved Funds, if any;

 

(B)          the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (which may be waived in the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion);

 

(C)          the Assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower an administrative questionnaire and all requisite tax forms under Section 4.10; and

 

(D)          in the case of an assignment to a related CLO (as defined below), the assigning Lender shall retain the sole right to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, provided, that the Assignment and Assumption between such Lender and such CLO may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of such CLO, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver that (1) requires the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby pursuant to the proviso to the second sentence of Section 11.1 and (2) directly affects such CLO.

 

For the purposes of this Section 11.6, the terms “Approved Fund” and “CLO” have the following meanings:

 

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

 

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

 

(iii)          Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) below, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment

 

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and Assumption the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 4.9, 4.10, 4.11 and 11.5).  Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 11.6 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.

 

(iv)          The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at its address referred to in Section 11.2 a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register (the “Register”) for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and the principal amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time.  The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, in the absence of manifest error, and the Borrower, each other Loan Party, 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 for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.  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.

 

(v)           Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an Assignee, the Assignee’s completed administrative questionnaire (unless the Assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), any applicable tax forms, the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, together with any tax forms required herein, the Administrative Agent (i) promptly shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and (ii) record the information contained therein in the Register on the effective date determined pursuant thereto.  No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

 

(c)   (i) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans owing to it); provided, that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement.  Any agreement 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 may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to

 

80

 

any amendment, modification or waiver that (1) requires the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby pursuant to the proviso to the second sentence of Section 11.1 and (2) directly affects such Participant.  Subject to paragraph (c)(ii) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 4.9, 4.10, and 4.11 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section.  To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 11.7(b) as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant shall be subject to Section 11.7(a) as though it were a Lender.

 

(ii)           A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 4.9 or 4.10 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent.  Any Participant that is a Non-U.S. Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 4.10 unless such Participant complies with Section 4.10(d).

 

(d)   Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided, that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or Assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

 

(e)   The Borrower, upon receipt of written notice from any Lender, agrees to issue Loan Notes to any Lender requiring Loan Notes to facilitate transactions of the type described in paragraph (d) above.

 

(f)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Conduit Lender may assign any or all of the Loans it may have funded hereunder to its designating Lender without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent and without regard to the limitations set forth in Section 11.6(b).  Each of the Borrower, each Lender and the Administrative Agent hereby confirms that it will not institute against a Conduit Lender or join any other Person in instituting against a Conduit Lender any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceeding under any state bankruptcy or similar law, for one year and one day after the payment in full of the latest maturing commercial paper note issued by such Conduit Lender; provided, however, that each Lender designating any Conduit Lender hereby agrees to indemnify, save and hold harmless each other party hereto for any loss, cost, damage or expense arising out of its inability to institute such a proceeding against such Conduit Lender during such period of forbearance.

 

(g)   Each Assignee shall represent and warrant in the applicable Assignment and Assumption that such Assignee (i) is not a company which is engaged in a business that is substantially similar to the Borrower and (ii) is not a competitor of the Borrower.  The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely on such representations without independent verification thereof, shall have no obligation or responsibility to confirm or consult with the Borrower regarding whether any prospective Assignee is a company which is engaged in a business that is substantially similar to the Borrower or is a competitor of the Borrower and shall

 

81

 

be permitted to accept and record any assignment of a Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement pursuant to this Section 11.6 in reliance upon such representations.  Without limitation to the provisions of Section 10, the Administrative Agent shall have no liability in any manner whatsoever to the Borrower, any other Loan Party, any Lender or any other Person, relating to or arising out of any dispute among the Borrower, any Lender, any Assignee or any other Person with respect to whether any Person is or is not a company which is engaged in a business that is substantially similar to the Borrower or whether any Person is or is not a competitor of the Borrower.

 

11.7.       Adjustments; Set-off.

 

(a)   Except to the extent that this Agreement expressly provides for payments to be allocated to a particular Lender or to the Lenders, if any Lender (a “Benefited Lender”) shall at any time receive any payment of all or part of the Obligations owing to it, or receive any collateral in respect thereof (whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by set-off, pursuant to events or proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 9(f), or otherwise), in a greater proportion than any such payment to or collateral received by any other Lender, if any, in respect of the Obligations owing to such other Lender, such Benefited Lender shall purchase for cash from the other Lenders a participating interest in such portion of the Obligations owing to each such other Lender, or shall provide such other Lenders with the benefits of any such collateral, as shall be necessary to cause such Benefited Lender to share the excess payment or benefits of such collateral ratably with each of the Lenders; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess payment or benefits is thereafter recovered from such Benefited Lender, such purchase shall be rescinded, and the purchase price and benefits returned, to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.

 

(b)   Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default under Section 9(a), in addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders provided by law, each Lender shall have the right, without prior notice to the Borrower, any such notice being expressly waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law, upon any amount to the extent due and payable by the Borrower hereunder (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), to set off and appropriate and apply against such amount any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, other than payroll or trust accounts), in any currency, and any other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured, at any time held or owing by such Lender or any branch or agency thereof to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower, as the case may be.  Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent after any such setoff and application made by such Lender, provided, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

 

11.8.       Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.  Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.  A set of the copies of this Agreement signed by all the parties shall be lodged with the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

82

 

11.9.       Severability.  Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

11.10.     Integration.  This Agreement and the other Loan Documents represent the entire agreement of the Borrower, the Agents and the Lenders with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by any Agent or any Lender relative to subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Loan Documents.

 

11.11.     GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

11.12.     Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers.  The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:

 

(a)   submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the non-exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York, the courts of the United States for the Southern District of New York, and appellate courts from any thereof;

 

(b)   consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

 

(c)   agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to the Borrower at its address set forth in Section 11.2 or at such other address of which the Administrative Agent shall have been notified pursuant thereto;

 

(d)   agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction; and

 

(e)   waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.

 

83

 

11.13.     Acknowledgments.  The Borrower hereby acknowledges that:

 

(a)   it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

 

(b)   no Agent, nor any Lender, has any fiduciary relationship with or duty to the Borrower arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and the relationship between the Agents and Lenders, on one hand, and the Borrower, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor; and

 

(c)   no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Lenders or among the Borrower and the Lenders.

 

11.14.     Releases of Guarantees and Liens.

 

(a)   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the Administrative Agent is hereby irrevocably authorized by each Secured Party (without requirement of notice to or consent of any Secured Party except as expressly required by Section 11.1) to take any action requested by the Borrower having the effect of releasing any Collateral or guarantee obligations (i) to the extent necessary to permit consummation of any transaction not prohibited by any Loan Document or that has been consented to in accordance with Section 11.1, (ii) under the circumstances described in paragraph (b) below or (iii) as required by the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(b)   At such time as the Loans and the other obligations under the Loan Documents (other than contingent indemnification obligations) shall have been paid in full and the Commitments have been terminated, the Collateral shall be released from the Liens created by the Security Documents, and the Security Documents and all obligations (other than those expressly stated to survive such termination) of the Administrative Agent and each Loan Party under the Security Documents shall promptly terminate, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any Person.

 

11.15.     Confidentiality.  Each Agent and each Lender agrees to keep confidential all non-public information provided to it by or on behalf of the Sponsor or Equity Investor or any Loan Party or any of their Subsidiaries or any of such Person’s attorneys, agents or accountants pursuant to this Agreement; provided, that nothing herein shall prevent the Agent or any Lender from disclosing any such information (a) to any Agent, any other Lender, any affiliate of any Agent or Lender or any Approved Fund that are made aware of the provisions of this Section prior to disclosure, (b) to any pledgee referred to in Section 11.6(d) or any actual or prospective Transferee or Hedge Agreement counterparty or any “Other Professional Advisor” referred to in clause (c) below, in each case, that agrees to comply with the provisions of this Section prior to disclosure, (c) to its employees, directors, agents, attorneys, accountants and other professional advisors or those of any of its affiliates that are made aware of provisions of this Section prior to disclosure (with such Agent or Lender to be responsible for any breach of this Section by such Persons), (d) upon the request or demand of any Governmental Authority, (e) in response to any

 

84

 

order of any court or other Governmental Authority or as may otherwise be required pursuant to any Requirement of Law, (f) if requested or required to do so in connection with any litigation or similar proceeding, (g) that has been publicly disclosed, (h) to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any similar organization or any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about a Lender’s investment portfolio in connection with ratings issued with respect to such Lender, or (i) in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or under any other Loan Document.

 

11.16.     WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL.  THE BORROWER, THE AGENTS AND THE LENDERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

 

11.17.     [Intentionally Omitted].

 

11.18.     USA PATRIOT Act.  Each Agent and each 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”), and the Agents’ and Lenders’ policies and practices, it may be required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name, address and tax identification number of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Agent or Lender to identify the Borrower in accordance with the PATRIOT Act.  This notice is given in accordance with the requirements of the PATRIOT Act and is effective as to each Agent and each Lender (to the extent applicable).

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their respective proper and duly authorized officers of the day and year first above written

 

 

	
 
    	
ROUNDY’S   SUPERMARKETS, INC.,
    
	
 
    	
as   Borrower
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Darren W. Karst
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:   Darren W. Karst
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief   Financial Officer
    

 

Signature Page to Second Lien Credit Agreement

 

 

	
 
    	
CREDIT   SUISSE AG, Cayman Islands
   Branch, as Administrative Agent
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Shaheen Malik
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:   Shaheen Malik
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:   Vice President
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Ilya Ivashkov
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:   Ilya Ivashkov
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:   Associate
    

 

Signature Page to Second Lien Credit Agreement

 

 

	
 
    	
MOELIS &   COMPANY LLC,
    
	
 
    	
as   Syndication Agent
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Dominick Petrosino
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:   Dominick Petrosino
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    

 

Signature Page to Second Lien Credit AgreementExhibit 10.7

 

ROUNDY’S ACQUISITION CORP.

 

INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

DATED AS OF JUNE 6, 2002

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
PAGE
    
	
SECTION 1.
    	
COVENANTS, REPRESENTATIONS AND   WARRANTIES
    	
1
    
	
SECTION 2.
    	
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF   STOCKHOLDER SHARES
    	
2
    
	
 
    	
2A.
    	
Restrictions on Transfer
    	
2
    
	
 
    	
2B.
    	
First Refusal Right
    	
2
    
	
 
    	
2C.
    	
Participation Rights
    	
3
    
	
 
    	
2D.
    	
Permitted Transfers
    	
5
    
	
 
    	
2E.
    	
Termination of Restrictions
    	
6
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 3.
    	
SALE OF THE COMPANY
    	
6
    
	
 
    	
3A.
    	
Approved Sale
    	
6
    
	
 
    	
3B.
    	
Required Actions
    	
7
    
	
 
    	
3C.
    	
Conditions to Stockholders’   Obligations
    	
7
    
	
 
    	
3D.
    	
Rule 506 Transaction
    	
7
    
	
 
    	
3E.
    	
Expenses of Approved Sale
    	
8
    
	
 
    	
3F.
    	
Termination
    	
8
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 4.
    	
LIMITED PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS
    	
8
    
	
 
    	
4A.
    	
Offering
    	
8
    
	
 
    	
4B.
    	
Election Notice
    	
9
    
	
 
    	
4C.
    	
Expiration of Offering Period
    	
9
    
	
 
    	
4D.
    	
New Securities
    	
9
    
	
 
    	
4E.
    	
Termination
    	
10
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 5.
    	
PUBLIC OFFERING
    	
10
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 6.
    	
LEGEND
    	
10
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 7.
    	
TRANSFER
    	
11
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 8.
    	
BOARD OF DIRECTORS; VOTING
    	
11
    
	
 
    	
8A.
    	
Composition of the Board
    	
11
    
	
 
    	
8B.
    	
Board Meeting Expenses
    	
12
    
	
 
    	
8C.
    	
Other Voting Matters
    	
12
    
	
 
    	
8D.
    	
Irrevocable Proxy
    	
12
    
	
 
    	
8E.
    	
Termination
    	
13
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 9.
    	
DEMAND REGISTRATIONS
    	
13
    
	
 
    	
9A.
    	
Requests for Registration
    	
13
    
	
 
    	
9B.
    	
Long-Form Registrations
    	
13
    
	
 
    	
9C.
    	
Short-Form Registrations
    	
13
    
	
 
    	
9D.
    	
Priority on Demand Registrations
    	
13
    
	
 
    	
9E.
    	
Restrictions on Demand Registrations
    	
14
    
	
 
    	
9F.
    	
Selection of Underwriters
    	
14
    
	
 
    	
9G.
    	
Other Registration Rights
    	
14
    
	
 
    	
9H.
    	
Demand Registration Expenses
    	
14
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 10.
    	
PIGGYBACK REGISTRATIONS
    	
14
    

 

 

	
 
    	
10A.
    	
Right to Piggyback
    	
14
    
	
 
    	
10B.
    	
Piggyback Expenses
    	
15
    
	
 
    	
10C.
    	
Priority on Primary Registrations
    	
15
    
	
 
    	
10D.
    	
Other Registrations
    	
15
    
	
 
    	
10E.
    	
Postponement or Withdrawal
    	
15
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 11.
    	
HOLDBACK AGREEMENTS
    	
15
    
	
 
    	
11A.
    	
Agreement of Holders of Registrable   Securities
    	
15
    
	
 
    	
11B.
    	
Company Agreement
    	
16
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 12.
    	
REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
    	
16
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 13.
    	
REGISTRATION EXPENSES
    	
18
    
	
 
    	
13A.
    	
Company Expenses
    	
18
    
	
 
    	
13B.
    	
Reimbursement
    	
19
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 14.
    	
INDEMNIFICATION
    	
19
    
	
 
    	
14A.
    	
Indemnification Obligation of the   Company
    	
19
    
	
 
    	
14B.
    	
Indemnification of the Company
    	
19
    
	
 
    	
14C.
    	
Indemnification Procedures
    	
20
    
	
 
    	
14D.
    	
Other Indemnification Provisions
    	
20
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 15.
    	
PARTICIPATION IN UNDERWRITTEN   REGISTRATIONS
    	
20
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 16.
    	
DEFINITIONS
    	
21
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 17.
    	
MISCELLANEOUS
    	
25
    
	
 
    	
17A.
    	
Amendment and Waiver
    	
25
    
	
 
    	
17B.
    	
Severability
    	
26
    
	
 
    	
17C.
    	
Entire Agreement
    	
26
    
	
 
    	
17D.
    	
No Inconsistent Agreements
    	
26
    
	
 
    	
17E.
    	
Adjustments Affecting Registrable   Securities
    	
26
    
	
 
    	
17F.
    	
Successors and Assigns
    	
26
    
	
 
    	
17G.
    	
Counterparts
    	
26
    
	
 
    	
17H.
    	
Remedies
    	
26
    
	
 
    	
17I.
    	
Notices
    	
27
    
	
 
    	
17J.
    	
Governing Law
    	
28
    
	
 
    	
17K.
    	
Descriptive Headings
    	
28
    

 

2

 

INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

THIS INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of June 6, 2002, by and among (i) Roundy’s Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), (ii) Willis Stein & Partners III, L.P., Willis Stein & Partners III-C, L.P., Willis Stein & Partners Dutch III-A, L.P., and Willis Stein & Partners Dutch III-B, L.P., each a Delaware limited partnership and Roundy’s Acquisition LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (collectively, “WS”), (iii) each of the Persons listed on the attached “Schedule of Coinvestors,” as supplemented from time to time by notice from WS to the Company (collectively, the “Coinvestors”), (iv) Robert A. Mariano and Darren W. Karst (each, an “Executive” and collectively, the “Executives”), and (v) each of the other Persons who hereafter agree to become party to and bound by this Agreement by signing a copy of the Form of Transfer Notice and Joinder Agreement (the “Joinder Agreement”), a copy of which is attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A. WS and each of the Coinvestors are referred to herein collectively as the “Investors” and individually as an “Investor”. The Investors and the Executives are referred to herein collectively as the “Stockholders” and individually as a “Stockholder.” Each capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein is defined in Section 16 hereof.

 

The Company and the Stockholders are parties to Securities Purchase Agreements dated as of the date hereof (as amended from time to time, the “Securities Purchase Agreements”) pursuant to which the Stockholders are purchasing from the Company, on the date hereof, shares of the Company’s Preferred Stock and Common Stock.

 

The Company and the Executives are parties to Executive Agreements dated as of June 5, 2002 (as amended from time to time, the “Executive Agreements”) pursuant to which the Company is issuing to the Executives, on the date hereof, shares of the Company’s Common Stock.

 

The Company and the Stockholders desire to enter into this Agreement for purposes, among others, of (i) establishing the composition of the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”), (ii) restricting the sale, assignment, transfer, encumbrance or other disposition of the Stockholder Shares, (iii) establishing certain registration rights, and (iv) providing for certain rights and obligations relating to the Stockholder Shares.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1. COVENANTS, REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

Each Stockholder covenants, represents and warrants that, (i) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Stockholder and constitutes the valid and binding obligation of such Stockholder, enforceable in accordance with its terms, (ii) such Stockholder is the record and beneficial owner of the shares of Company capital stock issued to such Stockholder in the transactions contemplated by the Securities Purchase Agreements or the Executive Agreements, as applicable, free and clear of all liens, charges and other encumbrances, and (iii) such Stockholder has not granted and is not a party to any proxy, voting trust or voting agreement or any agreement which is inconsistent with, conflicts with

 

3

 

or violates any provision of this Agreement. No holder of Stockholder Shares shall grant any proxy or become party to any voting trust, voting agreement or any agreement which is inconsistent with, conflicts with or violates any provision of this Agreement.

 

PROVISIONS RELATING TO TRANSFER; SALE OF THE COMPANY;

PUBLIC OFFERING; PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS

 

SECTION 2. RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF STOCKHOLDER SHARES

 

2A. Restrictions on Transfer. Each holder of Stockholder Shares (other than WS (subject to Section 2C)) is, pursuant to this Agreement, obligated not to sell, transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise directly or indirectly dispose of (whether with or without consideration and whether voluntarily or involuntarily or by operation of law) (a “Transfer”) any interest in any of its Stockholder Shares (other than shares acquired in the public open market in a transaction effected on a national securities exchange or through the NASDAQ System or the over-the-counter market), except (i) pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Section 2B, Section 2C, or Section 3, (ii) pursuant to an Exempt Transfer (as defined in Section 2D), or (iii) redemptions of Preferred Stock in accordance with the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation; provided that in no event shall any Transfer of Stockholder Shares pursuant to this Section 2 (except a Transfer by WS subject to Section 2C) be made for any consideration other than cash payable upon consummation of such Transfer or in installments over time.

 

2B. FIRST REFUSAL RIGHT

 

(i) Subject to Section 2D, at least thirty (30) days prior to any Transfer of any Stockholder Shares by a Stockholder (other than (a) any Transfer of any Stockholder Shares by WS, (b) a Transfer by a Stockholder other than WS pursuant to the exercise of its rights under Section 2C below or (c) redemptions of Preferred Stock in accordance with the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation) (a “Transferring Stockholder”), such Transferring Stockholder shall deliver a written notice (the “Sale Notice”) to the Company and the other holders of Stockholder Shares. The Sale Notice shall disclose in reasonable detail the proposed number of each class of Stockholder Shares to be transferred (the “Transfer Shares”), the proposed terms and conditions of the Transfer, including the proposed price per share for each class of Stockholder Shares to be transferred, and the identity of the prospective transferee(s). No such Transfer shall be consummated unless such prospective transferee(s) is reasonably acceptable to the Majority WS Holder, and no such Transfer shall be consummated prior to the earlier to occur of (a) the date on which the parties to the Transfer have been finally determined pursuant to this Section 2B and (b) the date of expiration of the 30-day period (the “Election Period”) following the delivery to the Company and the other Stockholders of the Sale Notice applicable to such Transfer.

 

(ii) The Company may elect to purchase all or any portion of the Transfer Shares at the same price and on the same terms specified in the Sale Notice by delivering written notice of such election to the Transferring Stockholder and the other holders of Stockholder Shares as soon as practical but in any event within ten (10) days after the delivery of the Sale Notice. If for any reason the Company does not elect within such ten-day period to purchase all or any portion of such Transfer Shares, then unless the Majority WS Holder directs otherwise by written notice to the Company, the other holders of Stockholder Shares may elect to purchase, at the same price and on the same terms and conditions specified in the Sale Notice,

 

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all, but not less than all, of such Transfer Shares which the Company has not elected to purchase (the “Available Shares”) by delivering written notice of such election to the Transferring Stockholder and the Company as soon as practical but in any event within twenty (20) days after delivery of the Sale Notice. If the aggregate number of shares which other holders of Stockholder Shares so elect to purchase exceeds the number of Available Shares, the Available Shares will be allocated among such electing holders pro rata according to the number of Stockholder Shares on a Fully Diluted Basis owned by such electing holders. If the Company or the other holders of Stockholder Shares have elected to purchase any Transfer Shares pursuant to this Section 2B, such Transfer(s) shall be consummated as soon as practical after the delivery of the election notice(s) to the Transferring Stockholder, but in any event within fifteen (15) days after the expiration of the Election Period. If the Company and the other holders of Stockholder Shares, collectively, do not elect to purchase all of the Transfer Shares, the Transferring Stockholder may, during the 90-day period following the expiration of the Election Period (but not at any time thereafter), transfer pursuant to this Section 2B to the transferee(s) identified in the Sale Notice all, but not less than all, of the Transfer Shares for a cash purchase price no less than the price specified in the Sale Notice and on other terms no more favorable to the transferee(s) thereof than specified in the Sale Notice. Any Transfer Shares not transferred within such 90-day period shall be subject to the provisions of this Section in connection with any subsequent Transfer or proposed Transfer.

 

(iii) For purposes of this Section 2B, Executive Stock or Common Stock issuable upon exercise of employee stock options which have not vested and become exercisable shall be deemed not to be Stockholder Shares

 

2C. PARTICIPATION RIGHTS

 

(i) Subject to Section 2D, at least twenty (20) days prior to any Transfer or any series of Transfers by WS (other than Transfers by Roundy’s Acquisition LLC prior to the first anniversary of the date hereof) of Stockholder Shares which, together with any Stockholder Shares previously Transferred by WS (other than Roundy’s Acquisition LLC) represent more than an aggregate of 15% of any class of Stockholder Shares calculated on a Fully Diluted Basis (other than (i) a Transfer pursuant to Section 3 or (ii) redemptions of Preferred Stock in accordance with the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation; provided that any such redemptions of Preferred Stock shall be made ratably among the holders of the Preferred Stock based upon the aggregate Liquidation Value of such shares held by each such holder), WS shall deliver a written notice (the “Tag-Along Sale Notice”) to the Company and each other holder of Stockholder Shares stating the number of shares of each class of Stockholder Shares that WS proposes to Transfer (the “Tag-Along Shares”) and describing in reasonable detail the proposed price per share and other material terms and conditions of the proposed Transfer. Each other Stockholder who holds shares of a class of Stockholder Shares included in the Tag-Along Shares may elect to become a “Participating Stockholder” with respect to such proposed Transfer of Tag-Along Shares by delivering to WS and the Company within fifteen (15) days after delivery of the Tag-Along Sale Notice a written notice stating that such Stockholder has elected to be a Participating Stockholder in respect of such Transfer, the number of shares held by such Stockholder of each class of Stockholder Shares included in the Tag-Along Shares and the number of shares of each such class which such Stockholder proposes to sell in such Transfer. WS and each Participating Stockholder who holds shares of a class of Tag-Along Shares shall be entitled to sell in the contemplated Transfer, at the same price and on the same terms, a number of Tag-Along Shares of such class equal to the

 

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product of (A) the quotient determined by dividing the number of Stockholder Shares of such class held by such Person, by the number of Stockholder Shares of such class held by WS and all Participating Stockholders, collectively, and (B) the aggregate number of Tag-Along Shares of such class to be sold in the contemplated Transfer; provided that if the Tag-Along Shares include both shares of Common Stock and shares of Preferred Stock, each Participating Stockholder shall be entitled, and at the election of WS shall be required, to include shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock in the same proportion as the proportion in which WS includes shares of Common Stock and shares of Preferred Stock in such Transfer.

 

For example, if the Tag-Along Notice contemplated a sale by WS of 100,000 shares of Common Stock constituting Stockholder Shares (representing more than 15% of the shares of Common Stock constituting Stockholder Share), and if WS at such time owns 30% of all shares of Common Stock constituting Stockholder Shares and a Participating Stockholder owns 20% of all shares of Common Stock constituting Stockholder Shares, WS would be entitled to sell 60,000 shares (30% / 50% x 100,000 shares) and the Participating Investor would be entitled to sell 40,000 shares (20% / 50% x 100,000 shares).

 

(ii) For purposes of this Section 2C:

 

(a) Executive Stock or Common Stock issuable upon exercise of employee stock options which have not vested and become exercisable shall be deemed not to be Stockholder Shares; and

 

(b) in any Transfer which includes shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock, the price of each share of Preferred Stock shall not be less than the sum of the Liquidation Value of such share of Preferred Stock at such time and the price per share of Common Stock in such Transfer.

 

(iii) WS will use reasonable efforts to obtain the agreement of the prospective transferee(s) to the participation of the Participating Stockholders in any contemplated Transfer, and shall not consummate any such Transfer unless each Participating Stockholder is permitted to sell Stockholder Shares which such Participating Stockholder is entitled to sell hereunder (“Participating Shares”) in such Transfer in the amount and on the terms set forth in this Section 2C (provided that if the prospective transferee declines to allow the participation of any Participating Stockholder, as an alternative WS may consummate the proposed Transfer so long as contemporaneously therewith WS offers to purchase, and assuming the prompt acceptance by such Participating Stockholder of such offer, WS purchases, the Participating Shares from such Participating Stockholder at the price and on the other economic terms on which such Participating Stockholder would otherwise have been entitled pursuant to this Section 2C to sell such Participating Shares in such Transfer). Each Participating Stockholder transferring Participating Shares pursuant to this Section 2C shall (x) pay the expenses incurred by such Participating Stockholder in connection with the Transfer as well as its Allocable Share of the expenses incurred by WS in connection with such transfer, and (y) be obligated to join in any indemnification or other obligations that WS agrees to provide in connection with such transfer (except that, while each Participating Stockholder shall be obligated to make representations and warranties as to such Stockholder’s title to and ownership of Stockholder Shares, authorization, execution and delivery of relevant documents by such Stockholder, enforceability of relevant agreements against such Stockholder and other matters relating to such Stockholder, to enter into covenants in respect

 

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of the proposed Transfer of such Stockholder’s Participating Shares and to enter into indemnification obligations with respect to the foregoing, in each case to the extent that WS is similarly obligated in connection with its proposed Transfer of Stockholder Shares, no Stockholder shall be obligated to enter into indemnification obligations with respect to any of the foregoing to the extent relating to any representation or warranty by any other Stockholder in respect of such other Stockholder or such other Stockholder’s Stockholder Shares, or with respect to performance by any other Stockholder of any covenant). For purposes of the foregoing, a Participating Stockholder’s “Allocable Share” of expenses means that portion of such expenses which would be borne by such Participating Stockholder if the total amount of such expenses were allocated to WS and the Participating Stockholders (a) first, in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock on a Fully Diluted Basis included by such Stockholder in such Transfer, up to an amount per share equal to the price per share of Common Stock received by such Stockholder in such Transfer, and (b) second, in proportion to the proceeds received by such Stockholder in respect of the Liquidation Value of shares of Preferred Stock sold in such Transfer.

 

2D. PERMITTED TRANSFERS. The restrictions set forth in this Section 2 shall not apply to any Transfer by a Stockholder with respect to any of the following transfers:

 

(i) subject to the paragraphs below, any Transfer of Stockholder Shares by a Stockholder who is not an individual to such Stockholder’s Affiliates;

 

(ii) in the case of WS, any Transfer which constitutes an in-kind distribution to its partners (or, in connection with or following any such distribution, an in-kind distribution by the general partner of WS to its partners);

 

(iii) any Transfer by Roundy’s Acquisition, LLC consummated prior to the first anniversary of the date hereof;

 

(iv) subject to the paragraphs below, in the case of a Stockholder who is an individual, (A) a Transfer of Stockholder Shares pursuant to the applicable laws of descent and distribution or (B) among such Stockholder’s Family Group;

 

(v) an Approved Sale;

 

(vi) any Transfer (including any pledge) of Executive Stock by any Executive to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

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(vii) any Transfer of Executive Stock to WS pursuant to any Executive Agreement;

 

(viii) any Transfer pursuant to a Public Sale; and

 

(ix) subject to the paragraphs below, any Transfer made with the prior written consent of the Majority WS Holder, (A) if such Stockholder is a corporation, to a successor corporation or other successor entity as a result of a merger or consolidation with, or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of, such Stockholder, and (B) if such Stockholder is a general or limited partnership, upon and pursuant to the liquidation and dissolution of such partnership.

 

A transferee of Stockholder Shares pursuant to a Transfer described in any of clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (vi), (vii) and (ix) foregoing may be referred to herein as a “Permitted Transferee”. Not less than twenty (20) days prior to any Transfer of Stockholder Shares pursuant to the clause (i), (ii), (iv)(B) or (ix) foregoing, the proposed transferor and transferee will deliver a written notice to the Company, which notice will disclose in reasonable detail the nature of the proposed Transfer and the identity of the proposed transferee. No Transfer may be made pursuant to clause 
 (i) above, or to an entity pursuant to clause (iv)(B) above, of this Section 2D unless such transferee shall have been approved in writing in advance by the Majority WS Holder, which approval the Majority WS Holder shall not withhold unreasonably. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the restrictions contained in this Agreement shall continue to be applicable to the Stockholder Shares following any Transfer to a Permitted Transferee, and no Transfer to a Permitted Transferee may be consummated unless prior thereto the transferor thereof shall have complied with Section 7 below. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Stockholder shall avoid the provisions of this Agreement by making one or more transfers to one or more Permitted Transferees and then disposing of all or any portion of such party’s interest in any such Permitted Transferee, and any Transfer or attempted Transfer in violation of this covenant shall be void and otherwise subject to Section 7 below. Any Transfer permitted pursuant to this Section 2D is referred to herein as an “Exempt Transfer”

 

2E. TERMINATION OF RESTRICTIONS.

 

The restrictions set forth in this Section 2 shall continue with respect to each Stockholder Share until the earlier of (i) the date on which such Stockholder Share has been transferred in a Public Sale and (ii) the consummation of an Approved Sale. The restrictions set forth in this Section 2 shall also terminate with respect to the shares of Preferred Stock if the Company completes an IPO (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation) and such shares of Preferred Stock are not redeemed or converted into shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 5H(iv) of the Certificate of Incorporation (as may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time).

 

SECTION 3. SALE OF THE COMPANY

 

3A. APPROVED SALE. If the Majority WS Holder approves a Sale of the Company (an “Approved Sale”), each holder of Stockholder Shares will vote for, consent to and will not object or otherwise impede consummation of the Approved Sale.

 

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3B. REQUIRED ACTIONS. If the Approved Sale is structured as (i) a merger or consolidation, each holder of Stockholder Shares shall vote its Stockholder Shares to approve such merger or consolidation, whether by written consent or at a stockholders meeting (as requested by the Majority WS Holder), and waive all dissenter’s rights, appraisal rights and similar rights in connection with such merger or consolidation, (ii) a sale of stock, each holder of Stockholder Shares shall agree to sell, and shall sell, all of its Stockholder Shares and rights to acquire Stockholder Shares on the terms and conditions so approved, or (iii) a sale of assets, each holder of Stockholder Shares shall vote its Stockholder Shares to approve such sale and any subsequent liquidation of the Company or other distribution of the proceeds therefrom, whether by written consent or at a stockholders meeting (as requested by the Majority WS Holder). In furtherance of the foregoing, (a) each holder of Stockholder Shares will take, with respect to such holder’s Stockholder Shares, all necessary or desirable actions reasonably requested by the holders of a majority of the WS Shares in connection with the consummation of the Approved Sale of the Company and (b) each holder of Stockholder Shares will make the same representations, warranties, indemnities and agreements as each other holder (subject to Sections 3C(ii) below), including without limitation, voting to approve such transaction and executing the applicable purchase agreement, except that (1) each holder of Stockholder Shares may be obligated to make representations and warranties as to such Stockholder’s title to and ownership of Stockholder Shares, authorization, execution and delivery of relevant documents by such Stockholder, enforceability of relevant agreements against such Stockholder and other matters relating to such Stockholder, to enter into covenants in respect of a Transfer of such Stockholder’s Stockholder Shares in connection with such Approved Sale and to enter into indemnification obligations with respect to the foregoing, in each case to the extent that each other Stockholder is similarly obligated, but no Stockholder shall be obligated to enter into indemnification obligations with respect to any of the foregoing in respect of any other Stockholder (other than a Related Stockholder to such Stockholder) or such other Stockholder’s Stockholder Shares and (2) in no event shall any Stockholder be liable in respect of any indemnity obligations pursuant to any Approved Sale in an aggregate amount in excess of the total consideration payable to such Stockholder in such Approved Sale.

 

3C. CONDITIONS TO STOCKHOLDERS’ OBLIGATIONS. The obligations of the holders of Stockholder Shares with respect to an Approved Sale are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions: (i) upon the consummation of the Approved Sale, each holder of Stockholder Shares will receive the same form of consideration and the same portion of the aggregate consideration that such holders of Stockholder Shares would have received if such aggregate consideration had been distributed by the Company in complete liquidation pursuant to the rights and preferences set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation as in effect immediately prior to such Approved Sale; (ii) if any holders of a class of Stockholder Shares are given an option as to the form and amount of consideration to be received, each holder of such class of Stockholder Shares will be given the same option; and (iii) each holder of then currently exercisable rights to acquire shares of a class of Stockholder Shares will be given an opportunity to exercise such rights prior to the consummation of the Approved Sale and participate in such sale as holders of such class of Stockholder Shares.

 

3D. RULE 506 TRANSACTION. If the Company or the holders of the Company’s securities enter into any negotiation or transaction for which Rule 506 (or any similar rule then in effect) promulgated by the Securities Exchange Commission may be available with respect to such negotiation or transaction (including a merger, consolidation or other reorganization), the holders of Stockholder Shares will, at the request of the Company, appoint a purchaser

 

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representative (as such term is defined in Rule 501) reasonably acceptable to the Company. If any holder of Stockholder Shares appoints a purchaser representative designated by the Company, the Company will pay the fees of such purchaser representative, but if any holder of Stockholder Shares declines to appoint the purchaser representative designated by the Company such holder will appoint another purchaser representative, and such holder will be responsible for the fees of the purchaser representative so appointed.

 

3E. EXPENSES OF APPROVED SALE. Holders of Stockholder Shares will bear their pro rata share (as if such expenses reduced the aggregate proceeds available for distribution as contemplated by Section 3C(i) above) of the costs of any sale of Stockholder Shares pursuant to an Approved Sale to the extent such costs are incurred for the benefit of all holders of Stockholder Shares and are not otherwise paid by the Company or the acquiring party. For purposes of this Section 3E, costs incurred in exercising reasonable efforts to take all necessary actions in connection with the consummation of an Approved Sale in accordance with Section 3A shall be deemed to be for the benefit of all holders of Stockholder Shares, except that costs incurred by any holder of Stockholder Shares in connection with the Transfer of its own shares or otherwise on its own behalf will not be considered costs of the transaction hereunder and will be the responsibility of such holder.

 

3F. TERMINATION. The rights and obligations under this Section 3 shall terminate upon the second anniversary of the consummation of a Public Offering.

 

SECTION 4. LIMITED PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS

 

4A. OFFERING.

 

If the Company issues or sells or authorizes the issuance or sale of any New Securities (as defined below), the Company shall offer to each Stockholder a portion of such New Securities (and if more than one class of securities is included in the New Securities, then a portion of the amount of each such class of securities included in the New Securities) equal to the quotient determined by dividing (A) the number of shares of Common Stock on a Fully Diluted Basis held by such Stockholder, by (B) the aggregate amount of shares of Common Stock on a Fully Diluted Basis, in each case determined before giving effect to the issuance of New Securities. Each such Stockholder shall be entitled to purchase such New Securities at the most favorable price and on the most favorable economic terms as such New Securities are offered and sold; provided that if a Person participating in such purchase of New Securities is required in connection therewith also to purchase other securities of the Company, each Stockholder exercising its rights pursuant to this Section shall also be required to purchase such other securities on the same economic terms and conditions as those on which the offeree or purchaser of the New Securities is or was required to purchase such other securities (e.g., such holder shall be required to purchase the same types and classes of other securities, in the same proportions relative to their purchases of New Securities and at the same unit prices). For example, if the Company offers to sell shares of Common Stock and requires that, as part of such purchase, the offeree of such Common Stock must also purchase shares of Company preferred stock, each Stockholder exercising rights to purchase shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Section 4A would be obligated also to purchase the corresponding proportionate amount of Company preferred stock at the same price per share reflected in the Company’s offer. Each Stockholder participating in such purchase shall also be obligated to execute agreements in the form presented to such holder by the Company, so long as such agreements (including any representations or warranties

 

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contained therein) are substantially similar to those to be or previously executed by other purchasers of New Securities (without taking into consideration any rights which do not entitle such other purchaser(s) to a higher economic return on the New Securities than the economic return to which the Stockholders exercising rights pursuant to this Section 4A and thereby participating in such transaction will be entitled with respect to New Securities). The purchase price for all New Securities offered to each Stockholder shall be payable in cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by the Company.

 

4B. ELECTION NOTICE. In order to exercise its purchase rights hereunder, each Stockholder must deliver a written notice (an “Election Notice”) to the Company during the fifteen (15) day period (the “Offering Period”) following such holder’s receipt of an Issuance Notice from the Company. Any such election by a Stockholder shall be irrevocable by such Stockholder during the sixty (60) day period following expiration of the Offering Period, but shall automatically expire at such time if the Company for any reason has failed to consummate an issuance and sale of New Securities prior thereto. For purposes hereof, an “Election Notice” from a Stockholder is a notice stating that such Person has elected to purchase New Securities pursuant to this Section 4B, including the amount of New Securities which such Stockholder has elected to purchase. For purposes hereof, an “Offering Notice” is a written notice describing in reasonable detail the type, class and number of New Securities, the purchase price thereof, the payment terms and such holder’s percentage allotment.

 

4C. EXPIRATION OF OFFERING PERIOD. To the extent that the Stockholders have not elected to purchase all of the New Securities being offered, the Company may, within 90 days following the issuance of the Issuance Notice, sell such New Securities on terms and conditions no more favorable to the offeree of such New Securities than those offered to the Stockholders pursuant to Section 4A. Any New Securities offered or sold by the Company after such 90-day period must be reoffered to each holder of Investor Shares pursuant to the terms of this Section 4.

 

4D. NEW SECURITIES. For purposes hereof, “New Securities” means any equity securities of the Company, or any securities containing options or rights to acquire Company equity securities, other than (i) any securities which are designated by the Majority WS Holder as not “New Securities”, so long as none of such securities are issued to the Majority WS Holder or any Affiliate of any of such holders, (ii) securities issued as a dividend on the then outstanding Common Stock, (iii) securities issued pursuant to exercise, conversion or exchange of securities or rights outstanding on the date hereof or previously issued by the Company subject to this Section 4 (including pursuant to an exclusion from the definition of “New Securities” in any of clauses (i) through (viii) of this definition of “New Securities”), (iv) securities issued as consideration for the acquisition of or investment in another company or business (whether through a purchase of securities, a merger, consolidation, purchase of assets or otherwise), (v) securities issued in a Public Offering, (vi) issuances of Common Stock or options to acquire Common Stock to employees, directors and consultants of the Company or its Subsidiaries on terms approved by the Board, (vii) securities issued as additional yield or return in respect of institutional indebtedness for borrowed money, or (viii) issuances of Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company upon conversion or exchange of any Preferred Stock or of any securities issued directly or indirectly upon conversion or exchange thereof, in each case in accordance with the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation.

 

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4E. Termination. The rights under this Section 4 shall terminate upon the first to occur of (i) the consummation of a Public Offering, and (ii) the consummation of a Sale of the Company.

 

SECTION 5. PUBLIC OFFERING

 

In the event that the Board and the Majority WS Holder approve an initial Public Offering, the holders of Stockholder Shares will use reasonable efforts to take, with respect to their Stockholder Shares, all necessary or desirable actions in connection with the consummation of such Public Offering. In the event that such Public Offering is an underwritten offering and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the existing capital structure of the Company will adversely affect the marketability of the offering, each holder of Stockholder Shares will consent to and vote for a recapitalization, reorganization and/or exchange of the Stockholder Shares into securities that the managing underwriters, the Board and the Majority WS Holder find acceptable and will take all other necessary or desirable actions in connection with the consummation of the recapitalization, reorganization and/or exchange; provided that the resulting securities reflect and are consistent with the rights and preferences among the outstanding classes of securities set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation as in effect immediately prior to such recapitalization, reorganization or exchange; and provided further that all holders of Stockholder Shares are treated similarly in proportion to their holdings.

 

SECTION 6. LEGEND

 

Each certificate evidencing Stockholder Shares and each certificate issued in exchange for or upon the transfer of any Stockholder Shares (if such shares remain Stockholder Shares as defined herein after such Transfer) shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS PURSUANT TO AN INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT DATED AS OF JUNE 6, 2002, AMONG THE ISSUER OF SUCH SECURITIES (THE “COMPANY”) AND CERTAIN OF THE COMPANY’S STOCKHOLDERS. A COPY OF SUCH INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE BY THE COMPANY TO THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE COMPANY’S CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.”

 

The legend set forth above shall be promptly removed from the certificates evidencing any shares which cease to be Stockholder Shares.

 

SECTION 7. TRANSFER

 

Prior to consummating, or committing to consummate, any Transfer of any Stockholder Shares (other than pursuant to a Public Sale or an Approved Sale) to any Person, the holder(s) of Stockholder Shares seeking to Transfer such Stockholder Shares shall cause the prospective transferee thereof to execute and deliver to the Company and the Majority WS Holder a Transfer Notice and Joinder Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A pursuant to which such transferee shall agree to be bound by the obligations of such transferor pursuant to this Agreement affecting the Stockholder Shares so Transferred. Any Transfer or attempted Transfer of any Stockholder Shares in violation of the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement shall be void, and the Company shall not record such

 

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Transfer on its books or treat any purported transferee of such Stockholder Shares as the owner of such shares for any purpose.

 

SECTION 8. BOARD OF DIRECTORS; VOTING

 

8A. COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD. From and after the effectiveness of this Agreement and until the provisions of this Section 8 cease to be effective, each Stockholder shall vote all of his, her or its Stockholder Shares and any other voting securities of the Company over which such Stockholder has voting control (whether at a stockholders’ meeting which has been duly called, or if so requested by the Majority WS Holder, by written consent) and shall take all other necessary or desirable actions within his, her or its control (whether in the capacity as a stockholder, director, member of a board committee or officer of the Company or otherwise, and including, without limitation, attendance at meetings in person or by proxy for purposes of obtaining a quorum and execution of written consents in lieu of meetings), and the Company shall take all necessary and desirable actions within its control (including, without limitation, calling special board and stockholder meetings), so that:

 

(i) the authorized number of directors on the Company’s Board shall be established at three directors or such greater number of directors as the Majority WS Holders may specify from time to time by written notice to the Company (in which case the Majority WS Holder shall be entitled to designate such additional representatives);

 

(ii) the following persons shall be elected to the Board:

 

(a) the Company’s chief executive officer, who initially shall be Robert Mariano (the “CEO Director”); and

 

(b) two persons designated by the Majority WS Holder (collectively, the “WS Directors”, and each individually, a “WS Director”), who initially shall include Avy H. Stein and Mark P. Michaels.

 

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(iii) the CEO Director ceases to be an employee of the Company and its Subsidiaries, such person shall be removed as a director of the Company and any of its Subsidiaries immediately upon termination of such person’s employment;

 

(iv) a WS Director shall be removed from the Board only upon the written request of the Majority WS Holder;

 

(v) any vacancy on the Board or the board of directors of any Subsidiary (a “Sub Board”) shall be filled by the WS Majority Holder; and

 

(vi) to the extent that any Executive Committee of the Board is created, the CEO Director shall serve on such Executive Committee so long as he is an employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

8B. BOARD MEETING EXPENSES. The Company shall pay all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by each director in connection with attending regular and special meetings of the Board, any Sub Board and any committee thereof.

 

8C. OTHER VOTING MATTERS. Each Stockholder hereby agrees that such Stockholder will vote, or cause to be voted, all voting Stockholder Shares over which such Stockholder has the power to vote or direct the voting, either in person or by proxy, whether at a stockholders meeting, or by written consent, in the manner in which the Majority WS Holder directs in connection with (i) approval of any amendment or amendments to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws, (ii) any merger, combination or consolidation of the Company with any Independent Third Party, (iii) the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis to an Independent Third Party, or (iv) the reorganization, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of any of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that no such action shall (a) contravene the terms of this Agreement, or (b) have an adverse effect on the rights or interests of any Stockholder in respect of any of its Stockholder Shares that would be borne disproportionately by such Stockholder relative to the effect of such action on the rights or interests of other Stockholders in respect of holdings of Stockholder Shares of the same class, unless approved by holders of a majority of the Stockholder Shares so adversely affected.

 

8D. IRREVOCABLE PROXY. In order to secure the obligations of each Stockholder who now or hereafter holds any voting securities to vote such Person’s Stockholder Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 and this Section 8, each Stockholder hereby appoints Willis Stein & Partners Management III, L.L.C. as his or its true and lawful proxy and attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, to vote all of his or its Stockholder Shares (i) for an Approved Sale and all such other matters as expressly provided for in Section 3A and Section 3B, (ii) for the election and/or removal of directors and all such other matters as expressly provided for in Section 8A and (iii) otherwise as determined by the Majority WS Holder in accordance with Section 8C. Willis Stein & Partners Management III, L.L.C. may exercise the irrevocable proxy granted to it hereunder by any Stockholder at any time any such Stockholder fails to comply with the provisions of this Agreement. The proxies and powers granted by each such Stockholder pursuant to this Section 8D are coupled with an interest and are given to secure the performance of such Stockholder’s obligations to the Majority WS Holder under this Agreement. Such proxies and powers shall be irrevocable until termination of this Section 8 and shall survive the death, incompetency, disability,

 

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bankruptcy or dissolution of each Stockholder and the subsequent holders of his or its Stockholder Shares. No Stockholder shall grant any proxy or become party to any voting trust or other agreement which is inconsistent with, conflicts with or violates any provision of this Agreement.

 

8E. TERMINATION. The rights and obligations of each Stockholder, and of the Majority WS Holder, under this Section 8 shall terminate upon the first anniversary of the consummation of a Public Offering.

 

PROVISIONS RELATING TO REGISTRATION OF STOCKHOLDER SHARES

 

SECTION 9. DEMAND REGISTRATIONS

 

9A. REQUESTS FOR REGISTRATION. At any time the holders of a majority of the WS Registrable Securities may request registration under the Securities Act (a “Demand Registration”) of all or any portion of its Registrable Securities on Form S-1 or any similar long-form registration (“Long-Form Registrations”) or, if available, on Form S-2 or S-3 or any similar short-form registration (“Short-Form Registrations”). Each request for a Demand Registration shall specify the approximate number of Registrable Securities requested to be registered and the anticipated per share price range for such offering. Within ten (10) days after receipt of any such request, the Company will give written notice of such requested registration to all other holders of Registrable Securities and, subject to Section 9D below, will include in such registration all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within fifteen (15) days after the receipt of the Company’s notice.

 

9B. LONG-FORM REGISTRATIONS. The holders of a majority of the WS Registrable Securities will be entitled to request an unlimited number of Long-Form Registrations in which the Company will pay all Registration Expenses.

 

9C. SHORT-FORM REGISTRATIONS. In addition to the Long-Form Registrations provided pursuant to Section 9B, the holders of a majority of the WS Registrable Securities will be entitled to request unlimited Short-Form Registrations in which the Company will pay all Registration Expenses, subject to Section 9E below. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Demand Registrations will be Short-Form Registrations whenever the Company is permitted to use any applicable short form. After the Company has become subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to make Short-Form Registrations available for the sale of Registrable Securities.

 

9D. PRIORITY ON DEMAND REGISTRATIONS. The Company will not include in any Demand Registration any securities which are not Registrable Securities without the prior written consent of the holders of a majority of the WS Registrable Securities. If a Demand Registration is an underwritten offering and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of Registrable Securities and, if permitted hereunder, other securities requested to be included in such offering exceeds the number of Registrable Securities and other securities, if any, which can be sold in an orderly manner in such offering within a price range reasonably acceptable to the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities initially requesting registration(such number which can be so sold, the “Optimal Amount”), the Company will not include in such registration securities in an

 

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amount in excess of the Optimal Amount. Further, subject to the foregoing, the Company shall include in such registration (i) first, the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included therein, up to the Optimal Amount, pro rata among the respective holders thereof on the basis of the amount of Registrable Securities owned by each such holder, and

 

(ii) second, if all Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by the holders thereof have been so included, such other securities in an amount such that the aggregate amount of securities included in such registration is less than or equal to the Optimal Amount.

 

9E. RESTRICTIONS ON DEMAND REGISTRATIONS. The Company will not be obligated to effect any Demand Registration within six (6) months after the effective date of a previous Demand Registration. The Company may postpone for up to six (6) months the filing or the effectiveness of a registration statement for a Demand Registration if the Company’s board of directors determines that such Demand Registration would reasonably be expected to have an adverse effect on any proposal or plan by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to engage in any acquisition of assets (other than in the ordinary course of business) or any merger, consolidation, tender offer or similar transaction; provided that, in such event, the holders of Registrable Securities initially requesting such Demand Registration will be entitled to withdraw such request.

 

9F. SELECTION OF UNDERWRITERS. The holders of a majority of the WS Registrable Securities will have the right to select the investment banker(s) and manager(s) to administer the offering, subject to the Company’s approval which will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

9G. OTHER REGISTRATION RIGHTS. Except as provided in this Agreement, the Company will not grant to any Person the right to request the Company to register any equity securities of the Company, or any securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for such securities, without the prior written consent of the holders of a majority of the WS Registrable Securities.

 

9H. DEMAND REGISTRATION EXPENSES. The Registration Expenses in connection with any Demand Registration will be paid by the Company, including the reimbursement of the holders of Registrable Securities included in such registration for the reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel chosen by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such registration.

 

SECTION 10. PIGGYBACK REGISTRATIONS

 

10A. RIGHT TO PIGGYBACK. Whenever the Company proposes to register any of its securities under the Securities Act (other than (i) in connection with the Company’s initial public offering of Common Stock, (ii) pursuant to a Demand Registration (but subject to the rights of holders of Registrable Securities to participate in Demand Registrations pursuant to Section 9) or (iii) pursuant to a registration on Form S-4 or S-8 or any successor or similar forms) and the registration form to be used may be used for the registration of Registrable Securities (a “Piggyback Registration”), the Company will give prompt written notice to all holders of Registrable Securities of its intention to effect such a registration and will use its reasonable best efforts to include in such registration all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within fifteen (15) days after the receipt of the Company’s notice.

 

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10B. PIGGYBACK EXPENSES. The Registration Expenses of the holders of Registrable Securities will be paid by the Company in all Piggyback Registrations.

 

10C. PRIORITY ON PRIMARY REGISTRATIONS. If a Piggyback Registration is an underwritten primary registration on behalf of the Company, and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the number of securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering in an orderly manner within a price range acceptable to the Company(such number which can be so sold, the “Piggyback Primary Optimal Amount”), the Company will include in such registration (i) first, the securities the Company proposes to sell, (ii) second, the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration, pro rata among the holders of such Registrable Securities on the basis of the number of shares owned by each such holder, up to the amount of Registrable Securities which, when combined with the securities included in clause (i) foregoing, is equal to the Piggyback Primary Optimal Amount and (iii) third, if the aggregate amount of securities included in such registration pursuant to clause (i) or clause (ii) foregoing or this clause (iii) is less than the Piggyback Primary Optimal Amount, other securities requested to be included in such registration.

 

10D. OTHER REGISTRATIONS. If the Company has previously filed a registration statement with respect to Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 9 or pursuant to this Section 10, and if such previous registration has not been withdrawn or abandoned, the Company will not file or cause to be effected any other registration of any of its equity securities or securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for its equity securities under the Securities Act (except on Form S-4 or S-8 or any successor form), whether on its own behalf or at the request of any holder or holders of such securities, until a period of at least six (6) months has elapsed from the effective date of such previous registration.

 

10E. POSTPONEMENT OR WITHDRAWAL. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may postpone or withdraw any registration statement referred to in this Section 10 without incurring any liability to holders of Registrable Securities.

 

SECTION 11. HOLDBACK AGREEMENTS

 

11A. AGREEMENT OF HOLDERS OF REGISTRABLE SECURITIES. Each holder of Registrable Securities will not effect any public sale or distribution (including sales pursuant to Rule 144) of equity securities of the Company, or any securities, options or rights convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, during the seven (7) days prior to and the 180-day period beginning on the effective date of any underwritten Demand Registration or any underwritten Piggyback Registration (except as part of such underwritten registration), unless the underwriters managing the registered public offering otherwise agree.

 

11B. COMPANY AGREEMENT. The Company will (i) not effect any public sale or distribution of its equity securities, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, during the seven days prior to and during the 180-day period beginning on the effective date of any underwritten Demand Registration or any underwritten Piggyback Registration (except as part of such underwritten registration or pursuant to registrations on Form S-4 or S-8 or any successor form), unless the underwriters managing the registered public offering otherwise agree, and (ii) cause each holder of shares of Common Stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of Common Stock, purchased from the Company at any time after the date of this Agreement

 

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(other than in a registered public offering) to agree not to effect any public sale or distribution (including sales pursuant to Rule 144) of any such securities during such period (except as part of such underwritten registration, if otherwise permitted), unless the underwriters managing the registered public offering otherwise agree.

 

SECTION 12. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES

 

Whenever the holders of Registrable Securities have requested that any Registrable Securities be registered pursuant to this Agreement, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration and the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company will as expeditiously as reasonably possible:

 

(i) prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and thereafter use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective (provided that before filing a registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Company will furnish to the counsel selected by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities initiating such registration statement copies of all such documents proposed to be filed, which documents will be subject to review of such counsel);

 

(ii) notify each holder of Registrable Securities of the effectiveness of each Registration Statement filed hereunder and prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration statement effective for a period of either (i) not less than six (6) months (subject to extension pursuant to Section 15) or, if such registration statement relates to an underwritten offering, such longer period as in the opinion of counsel for the underwriters a prospectus is required by law to be delivered in connection with sales of Registrable Securities by an underwriter or dealer or (ii) such shorter period as will terminate when all of the securities covered by such registration statement have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or sellers thereof set forth in such registration statement (but in any event not before the expiration of any longer period required under the Securities Act), and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement until such time as all of such securities have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or sellers thereof set forth in such registration statement; provided that the Company shall not be obligated to maintain the effectiveness of any registration statement for a period of more than twenty-four (24) months from the date on which the such registration statement initially becomes effective;

 

(iii) furnish to each seller of Registrable Securities such number of copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto, the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus) and such other documents as such seller may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller;

 

(iv) use its best efforts to register or qualify such Registrable Securities under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any seller reasonably requests and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such seller to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities owned

 

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by such seller (provided that the Company will not be required to (i) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this subparagraph, (ii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or (iii) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction);

 

(v) notify each seller of such Registrable Securities, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, upon discovery that, or upon the discovery of the happening of any event as a result of which, the prospectus included in such registration statement contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits any fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, and, at the request of any such seller, the Company will prepare and furnish to such seller a reasonable number of copies of a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances under which they were made;

 

(vi) cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange or market on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed;

 

(vii) provide a transfer agent and registrar for all such Registrable Securities not later than the effective date of such registration statement;

 

(viii) enter into such customary agreements (including underwriting agreements in customary form) as may be requested by the underwriters and take all such other actions as the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold or the underwriters, if any, reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities (including, without limitation, effecting a stock split or a combination of shares);

 

(ix) make available for inspection by any seller of Registrable Securities, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such seller or underwriter, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company, and cause the Company’s officers, directors, employees and independent accountants to supply all information reasonably requested by any such seller, underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with such registration statement;

 

(x) otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the registration statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder;

 

(xi) in the event of the issuance of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement, or of any order suspending or preventing the use of any related prospectus or suspending the qualification of any Securities included in such registration statement for sale in any jurisdiction, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts promptly to obtain the withdrawal of such order;

 

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(xii) obtain one or more comfort letters, dated the effective date of such registration statement (and, if such registration includes an underwritten public offering, dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement), signed by the Company’s independent public accountants in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by comfort letters as the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold reasonably request (provided that such Registrable Securities constitute at least 10% of the securities covered by such registration statement); and

 

(xiii) as required by the Securities Act or by an underwriter, provide a legal opinion of the Company’s outside counsel, dated the effective date of such registration statement (and, if such registration includes an underwritten public offering, dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement), with respect to the registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto, the prospectus included therein (including the preliminary prospectus) and such other documents relating thereto in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by legal opinions of such nature.

 

The Company may require each seller of Registrable Securities as to which any registration is being effected to furnish the Company such information relating to the Registrable Securities held by such seller and the intended method of distribution of such securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing.

 

SECTION 13. REGISTRATION EXPENSES

 

13A. COMPANY EXPENSES. All expenses incident to the Company’s performance of or compliance with this Agreement, including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees, fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws, printing expenses, messenger and delivery expenses, and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and all independent certified public accountants, underwriters (excluding discounts and commissions) and other Persons retained by the Company (all such expenses being herein called “Registration Expenses”), will be borne as provided in this Agreement, except that the Company will, in any event, pay its internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit or quarterly review, the expense of any liability insurance and the expenses and fees for listing the securities to be registered on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed or on the NASD automated quotation system.

 

13B. REIMBURSEMENT. In connection with each Demand Registration and each Piggyback Registration, the Company will reimburse the holders of Registrable Securities covered by such registration for the reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel chosen by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such registration. In connection with each Demand Registration and each Piggyback Registration, the Company shall reimburse the holders of Registrable Securities included in such registration for the reasonable fees and disbursements of each additional counsel retained by any holder of Registrable Securities for the purpose of rendering any legal opinion required by the Company or the managing underwriter(s) to be rendered on behalf of such holder in connection with any underwritten Demand Registration or Piggyback Registration.

 

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SECTION 14. INDEMNIFICATION

 

14A. INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATION OF THE COMPANY. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, to the extent permitted by law, each holder of Registrable Securities, its officers and directors and each Person who controls such holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses caused by (i) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or, (ii) any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except in so far as the same are caused by or contained in any information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of such holder expressly for use therein or by such holder’s failure to deliver a copy of the registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto after the Company has furnished such holder with a sufficient number of copies of the same. In connection with an underwritten offering, the Company will indemnify such underwriters, their officers and directors and each Person who controls such underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the holders of Registrable Securities.

 

14B. INDEMNIFICATION OF THE COMPANY. In connection with any registration statement in which a holder of Registrable Securities is participating, each such holder will furnish to the Company in writing such information and affidavits relating to such holder’s Registrable Securities as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such registration statement or prospectus and, to the extent permitted by law, will indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors and officers and each other Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses caused by (i) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in the registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or (ii) any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by or on behalf of such holder; provided that the obligation to indemnify will be individual to each holder and will be limited to the net amount of proceeds received by such holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement.

 

14C. INDEMNIFICATION PROCEDURES. Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder will (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any Person’s right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure has not adversely affected the indemnifying party) and (ii) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party will not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent will not be unreasonably withheld). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim will not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim.

 

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14D. OTHER INDEMNIFICATION PROVISIONS. The indemnification provided for under this Agreement will remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling Person of such indemnified party and will survive the transfer of securities. The Company and any other indemnifying party with respect to the matters set forth in Sections 9 through 14 of this Agreement also agree to make such provisions, as are reasonably requested by any indemnified party, for contribution to such party in the event the Company’s indemnification is unavailable for any reason.

 

SECTION 15. PARTICIPATION IN UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATIONS

 

No Person may participate in any registration hereunder which is underwritten unless such Person (i) agrees to sell such Person’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Person or Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements (including, without limitation, pursuant to the terms of any over-allotment or “green shoe” option requested by the managing underwriter(s), provided that no holder of Registrable Securities will be required to sell more than the number of Registrable Securities that such holder has requested the Company to include in any registration) and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements. Each Person that is participating in any registration hereunder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 12(v) above, such Person will forthwith discontinue the disposition of its Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement until such Person’s receipt of the copies of a supplemented or amended prospectus as contemplated by such Section 12(v). In the event the Company shall give any such notice, the applicable time period mentioned in Section 12(ii) during which a Registration Statement is to remain effective shall be extended by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to this Section 15 to and including the date when each seller of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement shall have received the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 12(v).

 

SECTION 16. DEFINITIONS

 

“Affiliate” of a Stockholder means any other Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Stockholder and, in the case of a Stockholder which is a partnership, any partner of the Stockholder (provided that the Company shall not be deemed to be an Affiliate of any Stockholder, nor shall any other Person be deemed to be an Affiliate of a Stockholder solely by reason of such Stockholder’s control of the Company).

 

“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

“Approved Sale” has the meaning set forth in Section 3A.

 

“Available Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 2B.

 

“CEO Director” has the meaning set forth in Section 8A.

 

“Certificate of Incorporation” means the Company’s certificate of incorporation in effect at the time as of which any determination is being made.

 

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“Closing” has the meaning set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreements.

 

“Coinvestors” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

“Common Stock” means the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share.

 

“Company” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

“Demand Registration” has the meaning set forth in Section 9A.

 

“Election Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 4A.

 

“Election Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2B.

 

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“Executives” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

“Executive Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

“Executive Stock” means (i) the Common Stock issued to the Executives pursuant to the Executive Agreement, and (ii) any equity securities issued or issuable directly or indirectly with respect to the Common Stock referred to in clause (i) above by way of stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, consolidation, exchange or other reorganization.

 

“Exempt Transfer” has the meaning set forth in Section 2D.

 

“Family Group” with respect to any Stockholder, means such Stockholder’s spouse, siblings and descendants (whether or not adopted) and any trust, family limited partnership or limited liability company that is and remains solely for the benefit of such Stockholder and/or such Stockholder’s spouse, siblings and/or descendants.

 

“Fully Diluted Basis” means, in respect of any class of Company capital stock at any time, (i) all shares of such class of stock outstanding at such time plus (ii) all shares of such class of stock which are issuable directly or indirectly upon conversion of all then outstanding convertible securities or upon the exercise or exchange of all outstanding options, warrants or other rights which are convertible into or exchangeable for Company securities or other rights, whether or not such convertible securities, options, warrants or other rights are then convertible, exercisable or exchangeable; provided that Common Stock on a Fully Diluted Basis shall mean the shares determined in accordance with the foregoing plus the shares of Preferred Stock on a Fully Diluted Basis.

 

“Independent Third Party” means any Person who, immediately prior to the contemplated transaction, does not own in excess of 5% of the Company’s Common Stock on a Fully Diluted Basis (a “5% Owner”), who is not controlling, controlled by or under common control with any such 5% Owner and who is not the spouse or descendent (by birth or adoption) of any such 5% Owner or a trust for the benefit of such 5% Owner and/or such other Persons.

 

“Investor” or “Investors” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

“Investor Shares” means any Stockholder Shares held by the Investors or their direct or indirect transferees.

 

“Issuance Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 4A.

 

“Liquidation Value” with respect to any share of Preferred Stock at any time means $29,100, as appropriately adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, combinations of shares and similar transactions, plus the aggregate amount of dividends which as of such time have accrued on such share and remain unpaid.

 

“Long-Form Registrations” has the meaning set forth in Section 9A.

 

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“Majority WS Holder” at any time means the holder of a majority of the WS Shares at such time, determined on a Fully Diluted Basis; provided if at such time no single person holds a majority of the WS Shares, then “Majority WS Holder” means any two or more Persons who then collectively hold a majority of the WS Shares.

 

“New Securities” has the meaning set forth in Section 4C.

 

“Other Registrable Securities” means (i) any shares of Common Stock issued to or otherwise acquired by Stockholders (other than WS) and any shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of any shares of Preferred Stock issued to Stockholders (other than WS), and (ii) any equity securities issued or issuable directly or indirectly with respect to the securities referred to in clause (i) by way of stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization. As to any particular shares constituting Other Registrable Securities, such shares will cease to be Other Registrable Securities when they have been (x) effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with the registration statement covering them, or (y) sold to the public through a broker dealer or market maker pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in force) under the Securities Act. For purposes of this Agreement, a Person will be deemed to be a holder of Other Registrable Securities whenever such Person has the right to acquire directly or indirectly such Other Registrable Securities (upon conversion or exercise in connection with a transfer of securities or otherwise, but disregarding any restrictions or limitations upon the exercise of such right), whether or not such acquisition has actually been effected.

 

“Participating Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 2C.

 

“Participating Stockholders” has the meaning set forth in Section 2C.

 

“Permitted Transferees” has the meaning set forth in Section 2D.

 

“Person” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

“Piggyback Registration” has the meaning set forth in Section 10A.

 

“Preferred Stock” means the Company’s Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share.

 

“Public Offering” means a public offering and sale of Stockholder Shares pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act.

 

“Public Sale” means any sale of Stockholder Shares to the public pursuant to an offering registered under the Securities Act or to the public through a broker, dealer or market maker pursuant to the provisions of Rule 144 adopted under the Securities Act.

 

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“Registrable Securities” means, collectively, the WS Registrable Securities and the Other Registrable Securities. For purposes of this Agreement, a Person will be deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities whenever such Person has the right to acquire directly or indirectly such Registrable Securities (upon conversion or exercise in connection with a transfer of securities or otherwise, but disregarding any restrictions or limitations upon the exercise of such right), whether or not such acquisition has actually been effected.

 

“Registration Expenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 13A.

 

“Related Stockholder” has the meaning set forth in Section 3B.

 

“Sale Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2B.

 

“Sale of the Company” means the sale of the Company to an Independent Third Party or group of Independent Third Parties pursuant to which such party or parties acquire (i) capital stock of the Company possessing the voting power to elect a majority of the Board (whether by merger, consolidation or sale or transfer of the Company’s capital stock) or (ii) all or substantially all of the Company’s assets determined on a consolidated basis.

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any similar federal law then in force.

 

“Securities and Exchange Commission” includes any governmental body or agency succeeding to the functions thereof.

 

“Securities Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar federal law then in force.

 

“Short-Form Registrations” has the meaning set forth in Section 9A.

 

“Share Exchange Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

“Stockholder Shares” means (i) any Common Stock or Preferred Stock held by any Stockholder as of the Closing or at any time thereafter, and (ii) any capital stock or other equity securities issued or issuable directly or indirectly with respect to the securities referred to in clause (i) above by way of dividend or split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization. As to any particular shares constituting Stockholder Shares, such shares shall cease to be Stockholder Shares when they have been (x) effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with the registration statement covering them or (y) sold to the public through a broker, dealer or market maker pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in force) under the Securities Act.

 

“Stockholder” or “Stockholders” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

“Tag-along Sale Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2C.

 

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“Tag-Along Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 2C.

 

“Transfer” has the meaning set forth in Section 2A.

 

“Transfer Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 2B.

 

“Transferring Stockholder” has the meaning set forth in Section 2B.

 

“WS Director” has the meaning set forth in Section 8A.

 

“WS Registrable Securities” means (i) any shares of Common Stock issued to WS pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, (ii) any shares of Common Stock otherwise acquired by WS, (iii) any shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon conversion of other WS Shares, and (iv) any equity securities issued or issuable directly or indirectly with respect to the securities referred to in any of clauses (i) through (iii) above by way of stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization. As to any particular shares constituting WS Registrable Securities, such shares will cease to be WS Registrable Securities when they have been (x) effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with the registration statement covering them, or (y) sold to the public through a broker dealer or market maker pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in force) under the Securities Act. For purposes of this Agreement, a Person will be deemed to be a holder of WS Registrable Securities whenever such Person has the right to acquire directly or indirectly such WS Registrable Securities (upon conversion or exercise in connection with a transfer of securities or otherwise, but disregarding any restrictions or limitations upon the exercise of such right), whether or not such acquisition has actually been effected.

 

“WS” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

“WS Shares” means (i) any Stockholder Shares acquired by WS pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, (ii) any Stockholder Shares otherwise held from time to time by WS and (iii) any securities issued or issuable directly or indirectly with respect to the Stockholder Shares referred to in clause (i) or (ii) by way of dividend or split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization, provided that WS Shares shall continue to be WS Shares only so long as such shares are owned by WS or any Affiliate of WS.

 

Unless otherwise stated, other capitalized terms contained herein have the meanings set forth in the Share Exchange Agreement.

 

SECTION 17. MISCELLANEOUS

 

17A. AMENDMENT AND WAIVER. Except as otherwise provided herein, no modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective against the Company or the Stockholders unless such modification, amendment or waiver is approved in writing by the Company and the Majority WS Holder; provided that in the event that such amendment or waiver by its terms treats any holder or group of holders of the same class of Stockholder Shares adversely relative to other holders of such class of Stockholder Shares (which shall include, without limitation, the elimination of a right granted to one or more holders of a class of Stockholder Shares which right was not granted to all holders of such

 

27

 

class under this Agreement), then such amendment or waiver will require the consent of a majority of Stockholder Shares of such class held by such holder or group of holders of Stockholder Shares so adversely treated.

 

17B. SEVERABILITY. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or the effectiveness or validity of any provision in any other jurisdiction, and this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

 

17C. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, this document, the Securities Purchase Agreements and the documents referenced therein embody the complete agreement and understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede and preempt any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

 

17D. NO INCONSISTENT AGREEMENTS. The Company will not hereafter enter into any agreement with respect to its securities which is inconsistent with or violates the rights granted to the holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement.

 

17E. ADJUSTMENTS AFFECTING REGISTRABLE SECURITIES. The Company will not take any action, or permit any change to occur, with respect to its securities which would materially and adversely affect the ability of the holders of Registrable Securities to include such Registrable Securities in a registration undertaken pursuant to this Agreement or which would adversely affect the marketability of such Registrable Securities in any such registration (including, without limitation, effecting a stock split or a combination of shares).

 

17F. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Company and its successors and assigns and the Stockholders and any subsequent holders of Stockholder Shares or Executive Stock and the respective successors and assigns of each of them, so long as they hold Stockholder Shares or Executive Stock.

 

17G. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts each of which shall be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

17H. REMEDIES. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money damages may not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of this Agreement and that the Company and any Stockholder shall have the right to injunctive relief, in addition to all of its rights and remedies at law or in equity, to enforce the provisions of this Agreement. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to confer upon any Person who is not a signatory hereto any rights or benefits, as a third party beneficiary or otherwise.

 

17I. NOTICES. Any notice provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be either personally delivered, or received by certified mail, return receipt requested, or sent by

 

28

 

reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) to the Company at the address set forth below and to any other recipient at the address indicated in the Securities Purchase Agreement and to any subsequent holder of Stockholder Shares or Executive Stock at such address as indicated by the Company’s records or at such address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Notices will be deemed to have been given hereunder (i) when delivered personally to the recipient, (ii) one (1) business day after being sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid), (iii) upon machine-generated acknowledgment of receipt after transmittal by facsimile if so acknowledged to have been received before 5:00 p.m. on a business day at the location of receipt and otherwise on the next following business day, provided that such notice, demand or other communication is also deposited within 24 hours thereafter with a reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) for delivery to the same Person, or (iv) five (5) days after being mailed to the recipient by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid. The Company’s address is:

 

Roundy’s Acquisition Corp.
 One North Wacker, Ste. 4800 
 Chicago, IL 60606 
 Fax: (312) 422-2424 
 Attention: Mark P. Michaels

 

with a copy to 
 (which shall not constitute notice to the Company)

 

Willis Stein & Partners III, L.P. 
 One North Wacker, Ste. 4800 
 Chicago, IL 60606 
 Fax: (312) 422-2424 
 Attn: Mark P. Michaels

 

and

 

Kirkland & Ellis 
 200 East Randolph Drive 
 Chicago, IL 60601 
 Fax: (312) 861-2000 
 Attn: John A. Weissenbach, Esq. 
 David H.C. Lee, Esq.

 

29

 

17J. Governing Law. THE CORPORATE LAW OF DELAWARE WILL GOVERN ALL ISSUES CONCERNING THE RELATIVE RIGHTS OF THE COMPANY AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS. ALL OTHER ISSUES CONCERNING THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISION OR RULE (WHETHER OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

 

17K. Descriptive Headings. The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement.

 

* * * * *

 

30

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Investor Rights Agreement on the day and year first above written.

 

THE COMPANY:

 

ROUNDY’S ACQUISITION CORP.

 

 

	
 
    	
By:
    	
/S/ MARK P. MICHAELS
    
	
 
    	
Its:
    	
Vice   President & Secretary
    

 

WS:

 

WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS III, L.P. 
  WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS III-C, L.P. 
 WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS DUTCH III-A, L.P. 
 WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS DUTCH III-B, L.P.

 

By: Willis Stein & Partners Management III, L.P. 
 Its: General Partner

 

By: Willis Stein & Partners Management III, L.L.C. 
 Its: General Partner

 

	
 
    	
By:
    	
/S/ MARK P. MICHAELS
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Mark P. Michaels
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Managing Director
    

 

 

[END OF SIGNATURE PAGE TO THE INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT. COUNTERPART SIGNATURE PAGES FOR THE OTHER STOCKHOLDERS TO BE ATTACHED SEPARATELY PURSUANT TO SECTION 17G.]

 

 

ROUNDY’S ACQUISITION LLC

 

 

	
 
    	
By:
    	
/S/ MARK P. MICHAELS
    
	
 
    	
Its:
    	
Vice President & Secretary
    

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO THE INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

31

 

Stichting Pensioenfonds ABP

 

By: NIB CAPITAL PRIVATE EQUITY, N.V.

 

By: NIB CAPITAL PRIVATE EQUITY, INC.

 

	
 
    	
/s/ Iain Leigh
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Its: Managing   Partner
    

 

 

Stichting Pensioenfonds voor de Gezondheid, Geestelijke en Maatschappelijke Belangen

 

By: NIB CAPITAL PRIVATE EQUITY, N.V.

 

By: NIB CAPITAL PRIVATE EQUITY, INC.

 

	
 
    	
/s/ Iain Leigh
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Its: Managing   Partner
    

 

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO THE INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

32

 

THE NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE 
 INSURANCE COMPANY

 

	
 
    	
By:
    	
/S/ J. Lueken
    
	
 
    	
Its: Authorized   Representative
    

 

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO THE INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

33

 

NORWEST EQUITY PARTNERS VII, LP 
 By: Itasca LBO Partners VII, LLP, 
 its General Partner

 

	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Signature   illegible
    
	
 
    	
Its: Partner
    

 

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO THE INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

34

 

RANDOLPH STREET PARTNERS IV

 

	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ John A.   Weissenbach
    
	
 
    	
Its: Partner
    

 

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO THE INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

35

 

	
/S/ ROBERT A.   MARIANO
    	
 
    
	
ROBERT A. MARIANO
    

 

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO THE INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

36

 

	
/s/ DARREN W. KARST
    	
 
    
	
DARREN W.   KARST
    	
 
    

 

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO THE INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

37

 

SCHEDULE OF COINVESTORS

 

STOCKHOLDER SHARES

 

	
COINVESTORS
    	
 
    	
COMMON STOCK
    	
 
    	
PREFERRED STOCK
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
NIB Capital   Private Equity, Inc.
    	
 
    	
8,000
    	
 
    	
1,000
    	
 
    
	
The   Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company
    	
 
    	
5,333.33
    	
 
    	
666.67
    	
 
    
	
Norwest   Equity Partners
    	
 
    	
5,333.33
    	
 
    	
666.67
    	
 
    
	
Randolph   Street Partners IV
    	
 
    	
280
    	
 
    	
35
    	
 
    

 

38

 

SCHEDULE OF WS INVESTORS

 

STOCKHOLDER SHARES

 

	
INVESTORS
    	
 
    	
COMMON STOCK
    	
 
    	
PREFERRED STOCK
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Willis   Stein & Partners III, L.P.
    	
 
    	
56,132.96
    	
 
    	
7,016.62
    	
 
    
	
Willis   Stein & Partners III-C, L.P.
    	
 
    	
486.76
    	
 
    	
60.85
    	
 
    
	
Willis   Stein & Partners Dutch III-A, L.P.
    	
 
    	
1,690.14
    	
 
    	
211.27
    	
 
    
	
Willis   Stein & Partners Dutch III-B, L.P.
    	
 
    	
1,690.14
    	
 
    	
211.27
    	
 
    
	
Roundy’s   Acquisition LLC
    	
 
    	
4,546.67
    	
 
    	
568.33
    	
 
    

 

39

 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF TRANSFER NOTICE AND JOINDER AGREEMENT

 

This notice is being delivered to Roundy’s Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), pursuant to Section 6(e) of the Investors Rights Agreement, dated as of June     , 2002 (as amended from time to time, the “Investor Rights Agreement”), among the Company, Willis Stein & Partners III, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and certain other stockholders of the Company who are from time to time party thereto. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Investor Rights Agreement.

 

The undersigned hereby notifies the Company that [NAME OF STOCKHOLDER] has transferred to the undersigned            Stockholder Shares (           shares of Common Stock and            shares of Preferred Stock). In connection with such transfer, the undersigned hereby becomes a party to the Investor Rights Agreement and agrees to be bound by the provisions of the Investor Rights Agreement affecting such Stockholder Shares.

 

Any notice provided for in the Investor Rights Agreement should be delivered to the undersigned at the address set forth below:

 

 

 

Telephone:

 

Facsimile:

 

Dated:

 

 

[Transferee]

 

40

 

EXHIBIT 10.32

 

FIRST AMENDMENT TO INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”) is entered into as of October 28, 2002, by and among (i) Roundy’s Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and (ii) Willis Stein & Partners III, L.P., (“WS”), for the purpose of amending the Investor Rights Agreement between the Company, WS and certain other parties dated June 6, 2002 (the “Agreement”). Each capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein is used with the meaning given it in the Agreement.

 

The Agreement provides that it may be amended with the consent and approval of the Company and the Majority WS Holder. WS is the Majority WS Holder, as that term is defined in the Agreement.

 

The undersigned parties wish to amend the Agreement in certain respects to accommodate its application to additional shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock that may be issued by the Company after the date of the Agreement to persons who are not parties to the Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Amendment hereby agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1: AMENDMENTS TO THE AGREEMENT

 

The Agreement is hereby amended in the following respects:

 

1A. EXECUTIVE STOCK. The definition of “Executive Stock” in Section 16 of the Agreement is amended by striking clause (i) thereof (“the Common Stock issued to the Executive pursuant to the Executive Agreement”) and replacing said clause (i) with the following:

 

“(i) shares of Common Stock issued to an officer, employee and/or director of the Company and/or Roundy’s, Inc. which, pursuant to the agreement under which they are issued, are “unvested” (as defined in such agreement), and . . .”

 

1B. STOCKHOLDER. The definition of “Stockholder” and “Stockholders” in Section 16 of the Agreement is amended to read, in its entirety, as follows:

 

“ `Stockholder’ or `Stockholders’ means those Persons defined as such in the Preamble, as well as any other Person who acquires shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock after the date of the Agreement and signs a Joinder Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto, agreeing to become a party to the Agreement as a `Stockholder’.”

 

41

 

1C. FULLY DILUTED. The definition of “Fully Diluted Basis” in Section 16 of the Agreement is amended by striking clause (i) thereof (“all shares of such class of stock outstanding at such time plus “) and replacing said clause (i) with the following:

 

“all shares of such class of stock outstanding at such time (including, without limitation, shares which, pursuant to the agreement under which they are issued, are “unvested” (as defined in such agreement)), plus”

 

SECTION 2: MISCELLANEOUS

 

2A. EFFECTIVE DATE; AGREEMENT TO REMAIN IN EFFECT. This Amendment shall be effective as of the date it is executed by the Company and WS. Subject only to the amendments expressly provided herein, the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with its original terms.

 

2B. BINDING EFFECT. This Amendment shall bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Company and its successors and assigns, the Stockholders who were parties to the Agreement prior to this Amendment, and any subsequent Stockholders or holders of Stockholder Shares or Executive Stock and the respective successors and assigns of each of them, so long as they hold Stockholder Shares or Executive Stock.

 

2C. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts each of which shall be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this First Amendment to Investor Rights Agreement on the day and year first above written.

 

	
THE COMPANY:
    	
 
    	
WS:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ROUNDY’S ACQUISITION CORP.
    	
 
    	
WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS III,   L.P.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS   III-C, L.P.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS DUTCH   III-A, L.P.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
WILLIS STEIN & PARTNERS DUTCH   III-B, L.P.
    
	
By:
    	
/s/ John R. Willis
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Its:
    	
VP & Secretary
    	
 
    	
By: Willis Stein & Partners   Management III, L.P.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Its: General Partner
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
By: Willis Stein & Partners   Management III, L.L.C.
    

 

Its: General Partner

 

	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Avy H. Stein
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Avy H. Stein
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Manager
    

 

42

 

FORM OF TRANSFER NOTICE AND JOINDER AGREEMENT

 

[STOCK ISSUED BY THE COMPANY]

 

This notice is being delivered to Roundy’s Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), pursuant to the Investors Rights Agreement, dated as of June 6, 2002 and amended by the First Amendment thereto dated as of October 28, 2002 (as amended from time to time, the “Investor Rights Agreement”), among the Company, Willis Stein & Partners III, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and certain other stockholders of the Company who are from time to time party thereto. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Investor Rights Agreement.

 

The undersigned hereby notifies the Company that                      has acquired                Stockholder Shares (all of which are Common Stock). In connection with such transfer, the undersigned hereby becomes a party to the Investor Rights Agreement as a “Stockholder” thereunder, and agrees to be bound by the provisions of the Investor Rights Agreement affecting such Stockholder Shares.

 

Any notice provided for in the Investor Rights Agreement should be delivered to the undersigned at the address set forth below:

 

 

 

 

Telephone:

 

Dated:

 

 

[name]

 

43

 

EXHIBIT 21.1

 

ROUNDY’S, INC.

Subsidiaries

 

Roundy’s, Inc. has eleven wholly-owned first-tier subsidiaries, each a Wisconsin corporation (except as otherwise noted) doing business under their corporate names. These subsidiaries are:

 

	
Badger Assurance, Ltd. (1) 
    	
Mega Marts, Inc.
    
	
Holt Public Storage, Inc.
    	
Midland Grocery of Michigan, Inc.(5)
    
	
I.T.A., Inc.
    	
Ropak, Inc.
    
	
Jondex Corp.
    	
Scot Lad Foods, Inc.
    
	
Kee Trans, Inc.
    	
The Copps Corporation
    
	
 
    	
Ultra Mart Foods, Inc.
    

 

Four Wisconsin corporations doing business under their corporate names are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Ropak, Inc. These corporations are:

 

Insurance Planners, Inc. Rindt Enterprises, Inc. Pick `n Save Warehouse Foods, Inc. Shop-Rite, Inc.

 

Three corporations doing business under their corporate names are wholly- owned subsidiaries of Scot Lad Foods, Inc. These corporations are:

 

Spring Lake Merchandise, Inc.(3) Cardinal Foods, Inc.(4) Scot Lad-Lima, Inc.(3)

 

One corporation doing business under its corporate name is a subsidiary of Ultra Mart Foods, Inc. The corporation is:

 

Everix Bakery, LLC (7)

 

Two corporations doing business under their corporate names are subsidiaries of Shop-Rite, Inc. These corporations are:

 

The Midland Grocery Company(3)(6) Village Market, LLC (2)

 

One corporation doing business under its corporate name is a 50% owned subsidiary of Jondex Corp. The corporation is:

 

Clintonville Land Co., LLC (7)

 

(1) A Bermuda corporation. 

(2) An Indiana limited liability company. 

(3) An Ohio corporation. 

(4) A Delaware corporation. 

(5) A Michigan corporation. 

 

44

 

(6) Partially owned by Cardinal Foods, Inc. 

(7) A Wisconsin limited liability company.

 

45

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

CERTIFICATION OF PERIODIC FINANCIAL REPORT 

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

 

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Robert A. Mariano, Chief Executive Officer of Roundy’s, Inc. (the “Company”), certify pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that, to my knowledge:

 

(1) The Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the annual period ended December 28, 2002 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements 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 result of operations of the Company.

 

	
Dated:   March 27, 2003
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
/s/ROBERT A. MARIANO
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Chief Executive   Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Principal Executive   Officer
    

 

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Roundy’s, Inc. and will be retained by Roundy’s Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

46

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

CERTIFICATION OF PERIODIC FINANCIAL REPORT

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

 

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Darren W. Karst, Chief Financial Officer of Roundy’s, Inc. (the “Company”), certify pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that, to my knowledge:

 

(1) The Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the annual period ended December 28, 2002 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements 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 result of operations of the Company.

 

	
Dated:   March 27, 2003
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
/S/DARREN W. KARST
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Executive Vice   President
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
and Chief Financial   Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Principal Financial   Officer
    

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Roundy’s, Inc. and will be retained by Roundy’s Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

47

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