Document:

swmfirstamendmenttosecon

Execution Version DMSLIBRARY01\29683133.v7  FIRST AMENDMENT TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT    THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”), is made and entered into as of December 1, 2016, by and among SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation (“U.S. Borrower”), SWM HOLDCO 1, a Luxembourg private limited liability company (société à responsabilité limitée), having its registered office at 17, rue Edmond Reuter, L-5326 Contern, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, registered with the Luxembourg Register of Commerce and Companies (Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés, Luxembourg) under number B 182.478 and with a share capital of EUR 28,863,250 (“SWM HOLDCO 1”), SWM LUXEMBOURG, a Luxembourg limited liability company (société à responsabilité limitée), having its registered office at 17, rue Edmond Reuter, L-5326 Contern, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, registered with the Luxembourg Register of Commerce and Companies (Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés, Luxembourg) under number B 180.186 and with a share capital of EUR 10,691,750 (“SWM Luxembourg” and, together with U.S. Borrower and SWM HOLDCO 1, the “Borrowers” and, individually, each a “Borrower”), the Lenders (as defined below) party hereto and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (the “Administrative Agent”).  W I T N E S S E T H:  WHEREAS, the Borrowers, the several banks and other financial institutions from time to time party thereto (collectively, the “Lenders”), and the Administrative Agent are parties to that certain Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 28, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”; capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement), pursuant to which the Lenders have made certain financial accommodations available to the Borrowers;  WHEREAS, the Borrowers have requested that the Lenders and the Administrative Agent amend certain provisions of the Credit Agreement, and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Lenders are willing to do so; and WHEREAS, upon the terms and conditions set forth in that certain Equity Interest Purchase Agreement, to be executed on or about the date hereof, by and among the U.S. Borrower as the buyer (“Buyer”), Baldwin Enterprises, Inc., as the seller, Conwed Plastics LLC (the “Target”), and, solely for certain limited purposes set forth therein, Leucadia National Corporation, the Buyer has agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding equity interests of the Company and its Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Cosmo Acquisition”).  NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and receipt of all of which are acknowledged, the Borrowers, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent agree as follows:  

 

 2  1. Amendments.   (a)  Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the following definitions in the proper alphabetical order: “Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution. “Bail-In Legislation” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.  “EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.  “EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. “EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution. “EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.    “Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule. (b) Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by replacing the definition of Defaulting Lender in its entirety with the following definition: “Defaulting Lender” means any Lender that (a) has failed, within two Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans, (ii) fund any portion of its participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans or (iii) pay over to any Credit Party any other amount required to 

 

 3  be paid by it hereunder, unless, in the case of clause (i) above, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) has not been satisfied, (b) has notified any Credit Party or any Credit Party in writing, or has made a public statement to the effect, that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement indicates that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) to funding a loan under this Agreement cannot be satisfied) or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after request by a Credit Party, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations (and is financially able to meet such obligations) to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans under this Agreement, provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon such Credit Party’s receipt of such certification in form and substance satisfactory to it and the Administrative Agent, (d) has become the subject of a Bankruptcy Event or (e) has become subject to a Bail-In Action. (c) Upon consummation of the Cosmo Acquisition, Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is amended, effective as of the date of such consummation, by replacing the definition of Applicable Rate in its entirety with the following definition: “Applicable Rate” means, for any day, with respect to any ABR Loan, Eurodollar Loan or with respect to the commitment fees payable hereunder, as the case may be, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “Revolver Eurodollar Spread”, “Revolver ABR Spread”, “Term Loan A-1 Eurodollar Spread”, “Term Loan A-1 ABR Spread”, “Term Loan A-2 Eurodollar Spread”, “Term Loan A-2 ABR Spread” or “Commitment Fee Rate”, as the case may be, based upon the Borrowers’ Net Debt to EBITDA Ratio as of the most recent determination date: Level Net Debt to EBITDA Ratio  Revolver Eurodollar Spread  and Term Loans A-1 Eurodollar Spread   Revolver ABR Spread and Term Loan A- 1 ABR Spread Term Loan A-2 Eurodollar Spread  Term Loan A- 2 ABR Spread Commitment Fee Rate I Greater than or equal to 4.00 to 1.00 2.50% 1.50% 2.75% 1.75% 0.40% II Greater than or equal to 3.25 to 1.00 2.25% 1.25% 2.50% 1.50% 0.35% 

 

 4  Level Net Debt to EBITDA Ratio  Revolver Eurodollar Spread  and Term Loans A-1 Eurodollar Spread   Revolver ABR Spread and Term Loan A- 1 ABR Spread Term Loan A-2 Eurodollar Spread  Term Loan A- 2 ABR Spread Commitment Fee Rate but less than  4.00 to 1.00 III Greater than or equal to 2.50 to 1.00 but less than 3.25 to 1.00 2.00% 1.00% 2.25% 1.25% 0.30% IV Greater than or equal to 1.75 to 1.00 but less than 2.50 to 1.00 1.75% 0.75% 2.00% 1.00% 0.25% V Greater than or equal to 1.00 to 1.00 but less than 1.75 to 1.00 1.50% 0.50% 1.75% 0.75% 0.20% VI Less than 1.00 to 1.00 1.25% 0.25% 1.50% 0.50% 0.15% For purposes of the foregoing, (a) the Applicable Rate shall be determined as of the end of each fiscal quarter of Parent based upon Parent’s annual or quarterly consolidated financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 and (b) each change in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Net Debt to EBITDA Ratio shall be effective during the period commencing on and including the date of delivery to the Administrative Agent of such consolidated financial statements indicating such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change; provided that, the Net Debt to EBITDA Ratio shall be deemed to be at Level I set forth above (A) at any time that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (B) if the Borrowers fail to deliver the annual or quarterly consolidated financial statements required to be delivered by them pursuant to Section 5.01, during the period from the expiration of the time for delivery thereof until such consolidated financial statements are delivered. 

 

 5  In the event that any financial statement or certification delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 is shown to be inaccurate (regardless of whether this Agreement or the Commitments are in effect when such inaccuracy is discovered), and such inaccuracy, if corrected, would have led to the application of a higher Applicable Rate for any period (an “Applicable Period”) than the Applicable Rate applied for such Applicable Period, (i) Parent shall immediately (a) deliver to the Administrative Agent a corrected compliance certificate for such Applicable Period and (b) determine the Applicable Rate for such Applicable Period based upon the corrected compliance certificate, and (ii) the applicable Borrower shall immediately pay to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders the accrued additional interest and other fees owing as a result of such increased Applicable Rate for such Applicable Period, which payment shall be promptly distributed by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders entitled thereto.  (d)  Section 1.04 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by replacing such Section in its entirety with the following: Section 1.04. Accounting Terms; GAAP.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that (a) if the Borrowers notify the Administrative Agent that Borrowers request an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the date hereof in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrowers that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith and (b) obligations relating to a lease that were (or would be) classified and accounted for by Parent and its Subsidiaries as an operating lease under GAAP as in effect on the Effective Date shall continue to be classified and accounted for as obligations relating to an operating lease and not as a capitalized lease notwithstanding any change in GAAP with respect to leases including, without limitation, pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification 840 or Accounting Standards Codification 842. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the calculation of liabilities shall not include any fair value adjustments to the carrying value of liabilities to record such liabilities at fair value pursuant to electing the fair value option election under FASB ASC 825-10- 25 (formerly known as FAS 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities) or other FASB standards allowing entities to elect fair value option for financial liabilities.  Accordingly, the amount of liabilities shall be the historical cost basis, which generally is the contractual amount owed adjusted for amortization or accretion of any premium or discount. (e)  Article II of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the following new Section 2.22: 

 

 6  Section 2.22. Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by: (a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and (b) the effects of any Bail-in Action on any such liability, including, if applicable: (i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability; (ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or (iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority. (f)  Section 5.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by replacing subsection (e) of such Section in its entirety with the following: (e) promptly upon receipt thereof, copies of any reports submitted by Parent’s accountants in connection with each annual, interim or special audit or review of any type of the financial statements or internal control systems of any such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries made by such accountants, including any comment letters submitted by such accountants to management of any Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with their services; provided, however, this clause (e) shall exclude any report related to any statutory, regulatory or similar audit that is not conducted in connection with the financial reporting required under Section 5.01(a) or (b); (g)  Section 5.05 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by replacing such Section in its entirety with the following: Section 5.05. Maintenance of Properties; Insurance.  Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to (a) keep and maintain all property 

 

 7  material to the conduct of the business of Parent and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and (b) maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations. All insurance policies required hereunder shall name the Administrative Agent as an additional insured or as loss payee, as applicable, and shall contain loss payable clauses or mortgagee clauses, through endorsements in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, which provide that: (i) all proceeds thereunder with respect to any Collateral shall be payable to the Lender; (ii) no such insurance shall be affected by any act or neglect of the insured or owner of the property described in such policy; and (iii) such policy and loss payable or mortgagee clauses may be canceled, amended, or terminated only upon at least thirty days prior written notice given to the Administrative Agent. Upon, the request of the Administrative Agent, the Borrowers will furnish to the Administrative Agent, information in reasonable detail as to the insurance so maintained.  If at any time any owned real property is pledged as Collateral hereunder, the Borrower shall and shall cause each appropriate Loan Party to (A) maintain, if available, fully paid flood hazard insurance on all real property that is located in a special flood hazard area and that constitutes Collateral, on such terms and in such amounts as required by The National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994, the Federal Flood Disaster Protection Act and rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (B) upon the request of the Administrative Agent, furnish to the Administrative Agent evidence of the renewal of all such policies prior to the expiration or lapse thereof, and (C) furnish to the Administrative Agent prompt written notice of any re-designation of any such improved real property pledged as Collateral into or out of a special flood hazard area. (h)  Section 5.09 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by replacing subsection (d) of such Section in its entirety with the following: (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any of the Collateral Documents or any of the Loan Documents, the Loan Parties shall not be required to take any action (other than the filing UCC financing statements) to perfect any Lien in (i) vehicles or any other assets subject to certificates of title; (ii) commercial tort claims of U.S. Loan Parties below a threshold of $10,000,000; (iii) letter of credit rights of U.S. Loan Parties below a threshold of $10,000,000; (iv) intercompany promissory notes; and (v) Excluded Accounts; provided, further, that the Foreign Borrowers shall not be required to grant or perfect any Lien on their assets other than pursuant to a pledge under New York law of the Equity Interests of the first tier Subsidiaries of the Foreign Borrowers; provided, however, that if at any time owned real property ceases to be an Excluded Asset and is pledged as Collateral hereunder (any such real property being referred to as the “Mortgaged Property”), (A) the Borrower shall provide at least forty-five (45) days' prior written notice of the pledge of Mortgaged Property, (B) the Borrower shall provide (1) standard flood hazard determination forms with respect to such Mortgaged Property and (2) if any such Mortgaged 

 

 8  Property is located in a special flood hazard area, (x) notices to (and confirmations of receipt by) the Borrower as to the existence of  a special flood hazard and, if applicable, the unavailability of flood hazard insurance under the National Flood Insurance Program and (y) evidence of applicable flood insurance, if available, in each case in such form, on such terms and in such amounts as required by The National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994, the Federal Flood Disaster Protection Act and rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and (C) the Administrative Agent shall not enter into, accept or record any mortgage in respect of such Mortgaged Property until the Administrative Agent shall have received written confirmation from each Lender that flood insurance compliance has been completed by such Lender with respect to such Mortgaged Property (such written confirmation not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).  Any increase, extension or renewal of this Agreement which is secured by owned real property shall be subject to flood insurance  due diligence and flood insurance compliance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent or any Arranger. (i)  Section 6.06 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by replacing subsection (a) of such Section in its entirety with the following: (a) The Borrowers will not, nor will they permit any of their Subsidiaries to, declare, pay or make, or agree to declare, pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except (i) each Borrower may declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional shares of its common stock, (ii) Subsidiaries may declare and make Restricted Payments (A) ratably with respect to their Equity Interests and/or (B) to Parent or any wholly-owned Subsidiary of Parent, (iii) the Borrowers may make Restricted Payments pursuant to and in accordance with equity incentive plans or other benefit plans for management or employees of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, and (iv) Parent may declare and pay cash dividends with respect to its Equity Interests, so long as prior to and after giving effect to any dividend, Parent on a consolidated basis shall have a Net Debt to EBITDA Ratio (after giving effect to any such dividend, calculated on a pro forma basis in a manner satisfactory to Administrative Agent) of not greater than the then applicable covenant level as set forth in Section 6.10(b) minus 0.25, calculated for the four (4) fiscal quarter period ending on the last day of the most recently ended quarter for which financial statements of Parent have been delivered to Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b).  (j)  Upon consummation of the Cosmo Acquisition, Section 6.10 of the Credit Agreement is amended, effective as of the date of such consummation, by replacing subsection (b) of such Section in its entirety with the following: (b) Maximum Net Debt to EBITDA Ratio.  Borrowers shall not permit the Net Debt to EBITDA Ratio to be greater than (i) as of the last day of any four fiscal quarter period ending on or prior to December 31, 2017, 4.25 to 1.00, (ii) as of the last day of the four fiscal quarter period ending on March 31, 2018, 4.00 to 1.00, (iii) as of the last day of the four fiscal quarter period ending on June 30, 

 

 9  2018, 3.75 to 1.00, (iv) as of the last day of the four fiscal quarter periods ending on September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2018, 3.50 to 1.00, and (v) as of the last day of any four fiscal quarter period ending thereafter, 3.00 to 1.00; provided, however, that upon any Borrower’s incurrence of unsecured senior Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(f) hereof in an aggregate amount greater than $250,000,000, commencing with the fiscal quarter during which such Indebtedness was incurred, the Borrowers shall not permit the Net Debt to EBITDA Ratio to be greater than (i) as of the last day of any four fiscal quarter period ending on or prior to December 31, 2017, 4.25 to 1.00 and (ii) as of the last day of any four fiscal quarter period ending thereafter, 4.00 to 1.00; provided, further, that during any Material Acquisition Period the Borrowers shall not permit the Net Debt to EBITDA Ratio to be greater than the then applicable level plus 0.50.  (k)  Upon consummation of the Cosmo Acquisition, Section 6.10 of the Credit Agreement is further amended, effective as of the date of such consummation, by replacing the last paragraph of such Section in its entirety with the following: Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, solely for purposes of this Section 6.10, in no event shall (i) any Material Acquisition Period commence until July 1, 2019 and (ii) there be more than one Material Acquisition Period during any six fiscal quarter period.  (l)  Section 6.13 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by replacing such Section in its entirety with the following: Section 6.13. Use of Proceeds. No Borrower will request any Borrowing or Letter of Credit, and each Borrower shall not use, and shall procure that its Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Borrowing or Letter of Credit (A) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti- Corruption Laws, (B) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country to the extent such activities, businesses or transaction would be prohibited by Sanctions if conducted by a corporation incorporated in the United States or in a European Union member state, or (C) in any manner that would result in the violation of  any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.  2. Conditions to Effectiveness of this Amendment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Amendment and without affecting in any manner the rights of the Lenders hereunder, it is understood and agreed that this Amendment shall not become effective, and the Borrowers shall have no rights under this Amendment, until satisfaction of the following conditions (the “First Amendment Effective Date”):  (a) the Administrative Agent shall have received (i) an amendment fee in the amount of 0.05% of the Commitments, to be applied ratably among the Lenders (including JPMorgan 

 

 10  Chase Bank, N.A.) executing this Amendment on or before the effective date hereof in accordance with their respective Commitments, (ii) such other fees as the Borrowers have previously agreed to pay the Administrative Agent or any of its affiliates in connection with this Amendment, (iii) reimbursement or payment of its costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Amendment or the Credit Agreement (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of King & Spalding LLP, counsel to the Administrative Agent), which have been invoiced to the U.S. Borrower at least five (5) Business Days prior to the First Amendment Effective Date, and (iv) executed counterparts to this Amendment from each of the Borrowers, each of the Loan Guarantors and the Required Lenders.  3. Representations and Warranties.  To induce the Lenders and the Administrative Agent to enter into this Amendment, each Loan Party hereby represents and warrants to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent:   (a) Each Borrower and each of its respective Subsidiaries (i) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing as a corporation, partnership or limited liability company under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii) has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted, and (iii) is duly qualified to do business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except where a failure to be so qualified would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;  (b)    The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party are within such Loan Party’s organizational powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary organizational, and if required, shareholder, partner or member, action;   (c) The execution, delivery and performance by each Borrower of this Agreement, and by each Loan Party of the other Loan Documents to which it is a party (i) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any action by, any Governmental Authority, except those as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, (ii) will not violate any applicable law or regulation or the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or any order of any Governmental Authority, (iii) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, material agreement or other material instrument binding on the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any of its assets or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and (iv) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries other than the Liens (if any) created pursuant to the Collateral Documents;  (d) This Amendment has been duly executed and delivered for the benefit of or on behalf of each Loan Party and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its terms except as the enforceability hereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies in general; and   (e) After giving effect to this Amendment, the representations and warranties contained in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all 

 

 11  material respects, and no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as of the date hereof.  4. Reaffirmations and Acknowledgments.     (a) Reaffirmation of Loan Guaranty.  Each Loan Guarantor consents to the execution and delivery by each Borrower of this Amendment and jointly and severally ratify and confirm the terms of the Loan Guaranty with respect to the indebtedness now or hereafter outstanding under the Credit Agreement as amended hereby and all promissory notes issued thereunder. Each Loan Guarantor acknowledges that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other document evidencing any indebtedness of the Borrower to the Lenders or any other obligation of the Borrower, or any actions now or hereafter taken by the Lenders with respect to any obligation of the Borrower, the Loan Guaranty (i) is and shall continue to be a primary obligation of the Loan Guarantors, (ii) is and shall continue to be an absolute, unconditional, joint and several, continuing and irrevocable guaranty of payment, and (iii) is and shall continue to be in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.  Nothing contained herein to the contrary shall release, discharge, modify, change or affect the original liability of the Loan Guarantors under the Loan Guaranty.     (b) Acknowledgment of Perfection of Security Interest. Each Loan Party hereby acknowledges that, as of the date hereof, the security interests and liens granted to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are in full force and effect, are properly perfected and are enforceable in accordance with and to the extent required by the terms of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  5. Effect of Amendment.  Except as set forth expressly herein, all terms of the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, and the other Loan Documents shall be and remain in full force and effect and shall constitute the legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Borrowers to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent.  The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment shall not, except as expressly provided herein, operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of the Lenders under the Credit Agreement, nor constitute a waiver of any provision of the Credit Agreement.  This Amendment shall constitute a Loan Document for all purposes of the Credit Agreement.  6. Governing Law.   This Amendment shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York and all applicable federal laws of the United States of America.  7. No Novation.  This Amendment is not intended by the parties to be, and shall not be construed to be, a novation of the Credit Agreement or an accord and satisfaction in regard thereto.  8. Costs and Expenses.  The Borrowers, jointly and severally, agree to pay on demand all costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of this Amendment, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and 

 

 12  out-of-pocket expenses of outside counsel for the Administrative Agent with respect thereto; provided that the fees and out-of-pocket expenses of such outside counsel shall not exceed $20,000.  9. Counterparts.  This Amendment may be executed by one or more of the parties hereto in any number of separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which, taken together, shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Amendment by facsimile transmission or by electronic mail in pdf form shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.  10. Binding Nature.  This Amendment shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto, their respective successors, successors-in-titles, and assigns.  11. Entire Understanding.  This Amendment sets forth the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the matters set forth herein, and shall supersede any prior negotiations or agreements, whether written or oral, with respect thereto.  [Signature Pages To Follow] 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGFIRST FARM CREDIT BANK, as Lender By:~ Name~ Title: Vice President [SIGNATURE PAGE TO FIRST AMENDMENT]Exhibit 10.1

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
(this “Agreement”), dated January 18, 2017 (the “Effective Date”), is entered into by and between ARC Group,
Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and Seenu Kasturi (the “Executive”).

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires
to employ Employee, and Employee desires to be employed by the Company, under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
below.

 

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

 

1.           Employment Term.
This Agreement shall remain in force and effect for a term commencing on the Effective Date and expiring on the third (3rd)
anniversary of such date (the “Initial Term”), unless earlier terminated in accordance with the provisions of Section
4 hereof. Upon the expiration of the Initial Term, this Agreement will be renewed automatically for successive one-year periods
(each, a “Renewal Term”), unless earlier terminated in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 or unless the Company
gives written notice of non-renewal to the Executive at least 90 days prior to the date on which the Executive’s employment
would otherwise end. The Initial Term as renewed by any and all Renewal Terms is referred to herein as the “Employment Period.”

 

2.           Positions &
Duties. The Executive shall hold the positions of President and Chief Financial Officer and shall have such responsibilities,
duties and authority consistent with such positions at similarly-sized companies. The Executive shall report to the Company’s
Chief Executive Officer and agrees to devote his best efforts, energies and skill to the faithful, competent and diligent discharge
of the duties and responsibilities attributable to his position. Notwithstanding the forgoing, the Company acknowledges and agrees
that the Executive shall be permitted to engage in and pursue such contemporaneous activities and interests as the Executive may
desire, for personal profit or otherwise.

 

3.           Compensation and
Reimbursement. Commencing on the Effective Date, the Executive shall be entitled to receive, for all services rendered to the
Company under this Agreement, the compensation, benefits, reimbursement and other rights set forth in this Agreement.

 

(a)           Base Salary.
During the Employment Period, the Executive shall receive an annual base salary equal to $26,000. The Executive’s annual
base salary shall be payable in equal installments in accordance with the Company’s salary payment policies applicable to
executive officers, but no less frequently than monthly. Beginning January 1, 2018, the Executive’s salary shall be increased
on January 1st of each year remaining of the Employment Period by such amount as shall be determined by the Board in
its sole discretion. The annual base salary shall not be reduced after any increase in accordance herewith. The Company shall commence
paying the increased salary effective January 1st of the calendar year during which the increase is scheduled to take
effect. The Executive’s annual base salary, as the same may be increased from time to time in accordance with this Section
3(a), shall be referred to herein as the “Base Salary.”

 

    	 	 	 

     

    

 

(b)           Annual Bonus.
Beginning with the Company’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, the Executive will be eligible to receive an annual bonus
as determined by the board of directors of the Company in its sole and absolute discretion based upon the Executive’s performance
during the applicable year (the “Annual Bonus”). The Annual Bonus shall be paid to the Executive within 21⁄2 months
of the end of the fiscal year to which such Annual Bonus relates.

 

(c)           Equity Awards.
Beginning April 1, 2017, the Executive shall receive, on April 1st, July 1st, October 1st and
January 1st of each year during the Employment Period, a quarterly award of shares of the Company common stock, par
value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”; each such award, an “Equity Award”) equal in value to $13,500. The
number of shares will be calculated based on the average daily closing price of the shares of Common Stock on the OTCQB
market tier of the “pink sheets” maintained by the OTC Markets Group, Inc. during the 30-day period immediately
preceding the applicable award date. The shares will be “restricted securities” as such term is defined under Rule
144 of the Securities Act. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 1(c) to the contrary, (i) in no event shall the number of shares
of Common Stock comprising an Equity Award exceed 25,000 shares of Common Stock, and (ii) in no event shall the Company be required
to issue more shares of Common Stock to the Executive than are then authorized and available for issuance by the Company. In the
event the Company is unable to comply with either of clauses (i) or (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence, then the Company
shall issue the maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable under clauses (i) and (ii) and shall settle any liability to
the Executive created as a result thereof in cash.

 

(d)           Incentive, Savings
and Retirement Plans. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be eligible to participate in all other incentive plans,
practices, policies and programs, and all savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs (including, as applicable,
401(k) plans, deferred compensation plans and pension plans), maintained by the Company for its executive officers.

 

(e)           Welfare Benefit
Plans. During the Employment Period, the Executive and his spouse and dependents shall be eligible to participate in all welfare
benefit plans, practices, policies and programs (including, as applicable, health, dental and vision insurance, disability insurance,
employee life insurance, group life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance plans, benefits and programs) maintained
by the Company for its executive officers.

 

(f)           Personal Days.
The Executive shall be eligible for a total of 20 days of paid personal days each year of his employment hereunder. In the event
any accrued personal days are not utilized by the Executive, the Executive shall be compensated at a rate equal to the Base Salary
in effect at the time the personal days accrued. Such compensation shall be paid to the Executive in a single lump sum no later
than 30 days after the end of the year during which the unused personal time accrued.

 

(g)           Expenses.
Subject to and in accordance with the Company’s policies and procedures and, upon presentation of itemized receipts, the
Executive shall be reimbursed by the Company for all reasonable business costs and expenses incurred by the Executive on behalf
of the Company during the Employment Period, including travel to and from the Company, hotel rooms, meals, entertainment and other
related expenses, within 10 days of the date the Executive presents such itemized accounts to the Company for reimbursement.

 

    	 	2 	 

     

    

 

(h)           Deductions from
Compensation and Benefits. The Company will withhold from all compensation and benefits payable to the Executive hereunder
all federal, state and local income and employment taxes, and all other taxes and other amounts as are required by law or authorized
by the Executive to be withheld from the compensation and benefits payable to the Executive hereunder.

 

4.           Termination.

 

(a)           General.
This Agreement may be terminated by either the Executive or the Company at any time.

 

(b)           Death or Disability.
The Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive’s death during the Employment Period. If,
during the Employment Period, in the reasonable opinion of a licensed medical doctor practicing as a specialist in the area to
which the alleged disability relates that was selected by the Company and approved by the Executive (or his guardian), the costs
of which shall be paid by the Company, the Executive, because of physical or mental illness or incapacity or disability, shall
become unable to perform, with reasonable accommodation, substantially all of the duties and services required of him under this
Agreement for a period of 180 consecutive business days during any 12-month period (“Disability”), the Company may
terminate the Executive’s employment. In the event a determination is made that such a disability exists and the Executive
disagrees with the determination, the Executive may request a review of the determination by independent licensed medical specialists,
the reasonable costs of which shall be paid by the Company. If the licensed medical specialists are unable to reach a consensus
that such a disability exists, then the Company and the Executive shall settle the dispute in accordance with the provisions of
Section 12 hereof. For avoidance of doubt, the date on which the notice period expires or, if later, a final, non-appealable determination
is made that the Executive is disabled shall constitute the Date of Termination (as defined below) for purposes of this Section
4(b) (such date, the “Disability Effective Date”).

 

(c)           Termination by
Employer for Cause. The Company may terminate this agreement for “Cause” or without “Cause” at any
time during the Employment Period. For the purposes of this Agreement, termination for “Cause” shall mean and be limited
to the following conduct of the Executive during the Employment Period:

 

(i)           The willful and continuing
breach of any material provision of this Agreement by the Executive that the Company can demonstrate had a material adverse effect
on the Company (other than as a result of death, illness or disability) if not reasonably cured by the Executive within 30 days
after receiving written notice thereof;

 

(ii)          The willful engagement
in illegal or gross misconduct by the Executive against the Company that the Company can demonstrate had a material adverse effect
on the Company; and

 

(iii)         The conviction of
the Executive of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere by the Executive to, a felony that the Company can demonstrate had
a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

    	 	3 	 

     

    

 

For the purposes of this
Section 4(c), no act or failure to act on the part of the Executive shall be considered “willful” unless it is done,
or omitted to be done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the Executive’s action or omission
was in the best interests of the Company. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly
adopted by the Board or upon the advice of counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be
done, by the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. The termination of employment of the Executive shall
not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted
by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after
reasonable notice is provided to the Executive and the Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before
the Board) finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive is guilty of the conduct described in clauses (i),
(ii) or (iii) above, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

 

(d)           Notice of Termination.
Any termination by the Company for Cause shall be communicated by a Notice of Termination (as defined below) to the Executive after
the expiration of all opportunities for cure. For the purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” means a
written notice that: (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable,
sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s
employment under the provision so indicated, and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of
receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date. The failure by the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any
fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Cause shall not constitute a waiver of any right of the Company hereunder
or preclude the Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Company’s rights hereunder.

 

(e)            Date of Termination.
“Date of Termination” means, in each case after the expiration of all opportunities for cure: (i) if the Executive’s
employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified
therein within 30 days of such notice, as the case may be, (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive,
the Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Executive notifies the Company of such termination, (iii) if the Executive’s
employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause, death or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date on
which the Company notifies the Executive of such termination, and (iv) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason
of death or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as
the case may be. The Company and the Executive shall use their best efforts (including with regard to any post-termination services
by the Executive) to ensure that any termination described in this Section 4 constitutes a “separation from service”
within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and notwithstanding
anything contained herein to the contrary, the date on which such separation from service takes place shall be the “Date
of Termination.” Notwithstanding the above, in no event shall the Executive be required to forgo any compensation, benefits
or other rights to which he is entitled hereunder.

 

    	 	4 	 

     

    

 

5.           Obligations of the
Company Upon Termination.

 

(a)           Voluntary Termination;
Termination for Cause. If the Executive terminates his own employment or the Executive’s employment is terminated by
the Company for Cause: (i) the Company shall be obligated to pay the Executive the Base Salary, unused personal time and reimbursable
expenses accrued but unpaid as of the Date of Termination (collectively, the “Accrued Amount”) in a single lump sum
within 30 days after the Date of Termination, and (ii) in the case of voluntary termination, the Executive shall be given the option
of assuming any disability and health insurance with no lapse in coverage (in the case of health insurance, such option shall be
provided pursuant to the requirements of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”)).

 

(b)           Termination by
Death. In the event the Executive’s employment terminates due to the Executive’s death during the Employment Period,
the Executive shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Amount owing to the Executive through the Date of Termination. The Accrued
Amount shall be paid to his spouse or, if the Executive does not have a spouse, his estate. Payment of the Accrued Amount shall
be made to the Executive’s estate in a single lump sum within 30 days after the date of the Executive’s death. The
Executive and his spouse and dependents shall have all rights available under COBRA with respect to participation in the Company’s
welfare benefit plans with no lapse in coverage.

 

(c)           Termination by
Disability. In the event the Company terminates the Executive’s employment due to Disability during the Employment Period,
the Executive shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Amount owing to the Executive through the Date of Termination. Payment of
the Accrued Amount shall be made to the Executive in a single lump sum within 30 days after the Date of Termination. The Executive
and his spouse and dependents shall have all rights available under COBRA with respect to participation in the Company’s
welfare benefit plans with no lapse in coverage.

 

(d)           Termination
Without Cause. If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment without Cause: (i) the Company shall be obligated
to pay the Executive the Accrued Amount in a single lump sum within 30 days after the Date of Termination, and (ii) the Executive
and his spouse and dependents shall have all rights available under COBRA with respect to participation in the Company’s
benefit plans with no lapse in coverage.

 

6.            Proprietary Rights.

 

(a)           Confidential
Information. The Executive understands that the execution of this Agreement by the Executive and the Company creates a relationship
of trust and confidence between the Executive and the Company. As a result, the Executive agrees that, during the period commencing
on the Effective Date and ending on the date that is three (3) years after the Termination Date, he will not use or disclose, or
knowingly allow anyone else to use or disclose, any Confidential Information (as defined below) except as expressly permitted under
this Agreement. “Confidential Information” shall include, but not be limited to: (i) all financial, technical, commercial
and other information concerning, among other things, the Company’s business, technologies, strategies, financial position,
operations, assets, financial information and data, research and development plans, methods and data, scientific and technical
data, manufacturing and production data, business development, marketing and sales plans and data, and the identities of, discussions
with and the course of dealing with any of the Company’s actual or prospective collaborators, licensees, sublicensees, acquirors,
acquirees, customers, contractors, vendors, suppliers or other third parties, (ii) all Company information consisting of research
and development, patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights and all other intellectual property, and any applications therefor,
technical information, computer programs, software, methodologies, innovations, software tools, know-how, knowledge, designs, drawings,
specifications, concepts, data, reports, processes, methods, techniques and documentation, (iii) all Company notes, analyses, compilations,
forecasts, studies, interpretations and other documents furnished to or prepared by the Executive, and (iv) any other Company information
not available to the general public, whether written or oral, whether provided to the Executive prior to, on or after the Effective
Date, that the Executive knows or has reason to know the Company would like to treat as confidential for any purpose, such as maintaining
a competitive advantage or avoiding undesirable publicity. Neither the failure to mark any Confidential Information as confidential
or proprietary nor the method by which Confidential Information is communicated to or received by the Executive (i.e., whether
orally, electronically or in writing) shall affect its status as Confidential Information under the terms of this Agreement.

 

    	 	5 	 

     

    

 

(b)           Permitted Disclosure.
Confidential Information does not include any information that: (i) is or becomes publicly available without a breach of this Agreement
by the Executive, (ii) can be shown by documentation to have been known to the Executive at the time of its receipt from the Company,
(iii) is received by the Executive from a third party that did not acquire or disclose such information by a wrongful or tortious
act, or (iv) can be shown by documentation to have been independently developed by the Executive without reference to any Confidential
Information. If the Executive is required to disclose Confidential Information by law or by an order or notice from a court or
regulatory agency, the Executive shall: (A) promptly send a copy of the notice to the Company, (B) cooperate with the Company if
the Company wishes to object or condition such disclosure through a protective order or otherwise, (C) limit the extent of such
disclosure to the minimum required to comply with the notice, and (D) seek confidential treatment (i.e., filing “under seal”)
for that disclosure.

 

(c)           Non-Solicitation.
During the Employment Period and for a period of one (1) year thereafter, the Executive will not directly induce or attempt to
induce: (i) any person who at the time of such inducement is an employee, officer or director of the Company, its affiliates or
subsidiaries, to terminate such person’s employment or board membership with the Company, its affiliates or subsidiaries,
or (ii) any strategic partners, collaborators, customers, suppliers, vendors, contractors or other parties, to terminate or reduce
their relationship with the Company.

 

(d)           Non-Compete.
During the Employment Period and for a period of one (1) year thereafter, the Executive will not, without the prior written approval
of the Board, whether alone or as a partner, officer, director, consultant, agent, employee or stockholder of any company or other
commercial enterprise, engage in a Competing Business (as defined below) with any person, company or entity within a five-mile
radius of any restaurant locations franchised, owned or operated by the Company on the applicable date. For the purposes of this
Agreement, a “Competing Business” is any business involving: (i) the operation of a restaurant in any capacity whatsoever,
whether individually or in an entity of whatever nature or kind, whose main menu item, focus and prominent product is chicken wings
of whatever nature, or (ii) such other activities as the Company may engage in during the Employment Period.

 

(e)           Return of Property.
The Executive acknowledges and agrees that all papers, records, data, notes, drawings, files, documents, samples, devices, products,
equipment and other materials, including copies and in whatever form, relating to the business of the Company that the Executive
possesses or creates as a result of the performance of his duties and responsibilities hereunder, whether or not confidential,
are the sole and exclusive property of the Company and shall be considered Confidential Information. Upon the termination of this
Agreement for any reason whatsoever, the Executive agrees to end all further use and utilization of, and to immediately return
to the Company, without limitation, all Confidential Information, all Company documents, files and other property, and all documents,
files and other property of the Company’s customers, licensors, licensees, business partners and affiliates, provided to
or obtained by the Executive pursuant to this Agreement.

 

    	 	6 	 

     

    

 

(f)           Enforcement.

 

(i)           Scope. 
The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the type and periods of restrictions imposed in this Section 6 are fair and reasonable,
and that such restrictions are intended solely to protect the legitimate interests of the Company, rather than to prevent the Executive
from earning a livelihood. The Executive recognizes that his access to Confidential Information makes it necessary for the Company
to restrict his post-termination activities in any market in which the Company competes and in which his access to Confidential
Information and other proprietary information could be used to the detriment of the Company. The Executive acknowledges and agrees
that the compensation and benefits to be provided to him under this Agreement are provided, in part, as consideration for the covenants
in this Section 6.

 

(ii)           Injunctive Relief.
The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the covenants set forth in this Section 6 are reasonable and necessary to protect the
Company and its legitimate business interests, and to prevent the unauthorized dissemination of Confidential Information to competitors
of the Company. The Executive also agrees that the Company will be irreparably harmed and that money damages alone will be inadequate
to compensate the Company if the Executive breaches any provision in Section 6 of this Agreement. Therefore, in the event of any
such breach, the Executive agrees that, in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, the Company shall be entitled
as a matter of right to seek specific performance and injunctive and other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction
to have the covenants, restrictions and agreements contained in Section 6 specifically enforced without the need to post a bond
or other security. The provisions of this Section 6(f)(ii) shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

(iii)
           Savings Clause. In the event that any court of competent jurisdiction, tribunal, arbitration, or governmental agency
determines that any provision contained in this Section 6 is overly broad with respect to scope, time or geographical coverage,
the parties agree that such restriction(s) shall be modified and narrowed, either by the court, tribunal, arbitrator, governmental
agency or the Company, to the extent necessary to make the provision enforceable, and that such determination will not affect the
enforceability of any other provisions of this Agreement.

 

7.           Non-Disparagement.
During the Employment Period and for a period of 12 months thereafter, the Executive will not knowingly disparage, criticize or
otherwise make any derogatory statements regarding the Company or its officers or directors, and the Company will not knowingly
disparage, criticize or otherwise make any derogatory statements regarding the Executive. The Company’s obligations under
the preceding sentence shall be limited to statements made by the Company’s executive officers and directors. Notwithstanding
the above, statements made in the course of sworn testimony in administrative, judicial or arbitral proceedings (including, without
limitation, depositions in connection with such proceedings) shall not be subject to this Section 7.

 

    	 	7 	 

     

    

 

8.           Representations
and Warranties of the Executive. The Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company as follows:
(a) the Executive has the legal capacity and unrestricted right to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform all of his
obligations hereunder, and (b) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Executive and the performance of his obligations
hereunder will not violate or be in conflict with any fiduciary or other duty, instrument, agreement, document, arrangement or
other understanding to which the Executive is a party or by which he is bound or subject.

 

9.           Indemnification. The Company shall
indemnify and hold harmless the Executive for all amounts (including, without limitation, judgments, fines, settlement payments,
losses, damages, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorney fees)) incurred or paid by the Executive in connection with
any actions, suits, proceedings, demands or claims arising out of or relating to the Executive’s performance of services
as a director, officer or employee of the Company or any subsidiary thereof or in any other capacity, including any fiduciary capacity,
to the fullest extent permitted by law and the Company’s articles of incorporation and bylaws. Expenses incurred by the Executive
in defending or investigating a threatened or pending action, suit, proceeding, demand or claim shall be paid by the Company in
advance of the final disposition of such action, suit, proceeding, demand or claim upon receipt by the Company of an undertaking
by or on behalf of the Executive to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified
by the Company. The Company’s obligations under this Section 9 shall survive the termination of this Agreement, regardless
of the reason for termination, and shall inure to the benefit of the Executive’s heirs, executors and administrators. To
the extent that the Company reduces the indemnity rights provided for under its articles of incorporation and/or bylaws after the
Effective Date, the Company’s indemnity obligations hereunder shall be unaffected to the extent permitted by applicable law.

 

10.           Arbitration.
All disputes arising under this Agreement, other than actions to enforce the restrictions set forth in Section 6 or as otherwise
expressly stated in this Agreement, shall be subject to final and binding arbitration between the parties. All arbitration proceedings
shall be conducted pursuant to the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association
(“AAA”) in effect on the date of the first notice of demand for arbitration.
All arbitration proceedings will be conducted by a neutral arbitrator who is independent and disinterested with respect
to the parties, this Agreement and the outcome of the arbitration. The neutral arbitrator
will be selected in a manner consistent with the AAA’s national rules for the resolution of employment disputes. The
arbitration shall be conducted at a mutually agreeable site located within a 10-mile radius of the Company’s principal executive
office in Jacksonville, Florida. The parties hereto shall share equally the costs of the arbitration; provided, however,
that the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its share of such costs from the other party.

 

11.           Section 409A of the Code. To
the extent that Section 409A of the Code is applicable to this Agreement, the following provisions shall apply to the terms of
this Agreement.

 

(a)            This Agreement
shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive
guidance issued thereunder. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if the Company or the Executive determines
that any compensation or benefits payable under this Agreement may be subject to Section 409A of the Code and related Department
of Treasury guidance, the Company shall work in good faith with the Executive to adopt such amendments to this Agreement or adopt
other policies and procedures (including adopting amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other
actions that the Company and the Executive determine are necessary or appropriate to maintain to the maximum extent practicable
the original intent of the applicable provision while avoiding the imposition of taxes under Section 409A of the Code, including
without limitation, actions intended to: (i) exempt the compensation and benefits payable under this Agreement from Section 409A
of the Code, and/or (ii) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance.
Notwithstanding the above, in no event shall the Executive be required to forgo any compensation, benefits or other rights to which
he is entitled hereunder.

 

    	 	8 	 

     

    

 

(b)            Any right to a
series of installment payments pursuant to this Agreement is to be treated as a right to a series of separate payments. To the
extent permitted under Section 409A of the Code, any separate payment or benefit under this Agreement or otherwise shall not be
deemed “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code to the extent provided in the exceptions
in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) or any other applicable exception or provision of Section
409A of the Code.

 

(c)            Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Agreement: (i) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement during any taxable year of the
Executive shall not affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement during any other taxable year of the Executive, (ii)
any expense reimbursement made under this Agreement shall be made promptly, but in no event later than the last day of the Executive’s
taxable year immediately following the taxable year during which the expense was incurred, and (iii) the Executive’s right
to expense reimbursement under this Agreement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. For purposes
of this Agreement, in-kind benefits and perquisites shall be treated in the same manner as expenses eligible for reimbursement.

 

(d)            Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary in this Agreement, no compensation or benefits shall be paid to the Executive during the six-month period following
the Executive’s “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code) if: (i)
the Executive is a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i)), and (ii) the Company determines
that paying such amounts at the time or times indicated in this Agreement would be a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i)
of the Code. If the payment of any such amounts is delayed as a result of the previous sentence, then on the first business day
following the end of such six-month period (or such earlier date upon which such amount can be paid under Section 409A of the Code
without resulting in a prohibited distribution, including as a result of the Executive’s death), the Company shall pay the
Executive a lump-sum amount equal to the cumulative amount that would have otherwise been payable to the Executive during such
period.

 

12.           Miscellaneous.

 

(a)           Entire Agreement.
This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written
and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereto, and no party shall be liable or bound to any other party
in any manner by any warranties, representations, guarantees or covenants except as specifically set forth in this Agreement. Neither
party relied upon any representation or warranty, whether written or oral, made by the other party or any of his or its officers,
directors, employees, agents or representatives, in making his or its decision to enter into this Agreement.

 

    	 	9 	 

     

    

 

(b)           Amendment and
Modification. This Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented except by an instrument or instruments in writing
signed by the party against whom enforcement of any such amendment, modification or supplement is sought.

 

(c)           No Rights or
Licenses Granted. No express or implied licenses or other rights are provided to the Executive under this Agreement under any
patents, patent applications, trade secrets or other intellectual property rights or proprietary rights of the Company, now or
in the future.

 

(d)           Extensions and
Waivers. The parties hereto entitled to the benefits of a term or provision hereof may: (i) extend the time for the performance
of any of the obligations or other acts of the parties hereto, (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties
contained herein or in any document, certificate or writing delivered pursuant hereto, or (iii) waive compliance with any obligation,
covenant, agreement or condition contained herein. Any agreement on the part of a party to any such extension or waiver shall be
valid only if set forth in an instrument or instruments in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of any such extension
or waiver is sought. No failure or delay on the part of any party hereto in the exercise of any right hereunder shall impair such
right or be construed to be a waiver of, or acquiescence in, any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement.
No waiver by either party hereto of any breach or default of any of the covenants or agreements herein set forth will be deemed
a waiver as to any subsequent or similar breach or default.

 

(e)           Survival.
Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the rights and obligations set forth in this Agreement shall survive the
termination of this Agreement and remain in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms.

 

(f)           Successors and
Assigns.

 

(i)           The Executive may
not assign his rights or delegate his obligations under this Agreement, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution,
without the prior written consent of the Company. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Executive,
and all rights and benefits of the Executive hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Executive’s
personal and legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributes, devises and legatees.

 

(ii)          This Agreement shall
be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns.

 

(g)           Third-Party Beneficiaries.
Except as expressly provided herein, nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended or shall be construed to confer
upon any person other than the parties hereto (or their respective successors and assigns) any rights, remedies, obligations or
liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement. Except as expressly provided herein, there are no intended third-party beneficiaries
under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(h)            Headings; Definitions.
The Section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and will not affect the meaning
or interpretation of this Agreement. All references to Sections contained herein mean Sections of this Agreement unless otherwise
stated. All capitalized terms defined herein are equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

 

    	 	10 	 

     

    

 

(i)           Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held to be unreasonable, invalid
or unenforceable to any extent by any court, tribunal, governmental agency or other governmental body, then the parties agree,
and hereby submit, to the reduction and limitation of such provision to such area or period of time as shall be deemed reasonable
by such court, tribunal, governmental agency or other governmental body, and the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full
force and effect and shall be reformed to render the Agreement valid and enforceable while reflecting to the greatest extent permissible
the intent of the parties hereto.

 

(j)           Notices.
Except as expressly provided herein, all notices, requests, demands, and other communications hereunder must be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered by hand, sent by reputable overnight courier service, postage prepaid, or
mailed within the continental United States by first class, registered mail, return receipt requested, postage and registry fees
prepaid, to the applicable party and addressed as follows:

 

If to the
Company:

 

ARC Group, Inc.

212 Guilbeau Road

Lafayette, Louisiana 70506

Attn: Chief Executive Officer

 

If to the Executive:

 

To the address set forth on the Company’s
books and records

 

or such other address or to the attention of
such other person as the recipient party shall have specified by prior written notice to the sending party.

 

(k)           Governing Law.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida. Any action arising out of
or relating to any of the provisions of this Agreement may be brought and prosecuted only in the courts of, or located in, Jacksonville,
Florida, and the parties hereto consent to the jurisdiction and venue of said courts.

 

(l)           Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts and delivered via facsimile or other electronic transmission, each of which
shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

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left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the
Company has caused this Agreement to be executed and attested by its duly authorized officers, and the Executive has set his hand,
all as of the day and year first above written.

 

	 	ARC GROUP, INC.
	 	 	 
	 	By:	/s/ Richard W. Akam
	 	 	Richard W. Akam
	 	 	Chief Executive Officer
	 	 	 
	 	EXECUTIVE
	 	 
	 	/s/ Seenu G. Kasturi
	 	Seenu G. Kasturi

 

    	 	12

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00266-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00266-of-00352.parquet"}]]