0001104659-17-066698.txt : 20171107 0001104659-17-066698.hdr.sgml : 20171107 20171107172622 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-17-066698 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 13 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20171107 ITEM INFORMATION: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement ITEM INFORMATION: Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant ITEM INFORMATION: Regulation FD Disclosure ITEM INFORMATION: Other Events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20171107 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20171107 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: 99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001011290 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: RETAIL-VARIETY STORES [5331] IRS NUMBER: 952411605 STATE OF INCORPORATION: CA FISCAL YEAR END: 0330 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-11735 FILM NUMBER: 171184480 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 4000 EAST UNION PACIFIC AVENUE CITY: CITY OF COMMERCE STATE: CA ZIP: 90023 BUSINESS PHONE: 3239808145 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 4000 EAST UNION PACIFIC AVENUE CITY: CITY OF COMMERCE STATE: CA ZIP: 90023 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: 99 CENTS ONLY STORES DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19960327 8-K 1 a17-26148_18k.htm 8-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 7, 2017

 

99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

California

 

1-11735

 

95-2411605

(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)

 

(Commission
File Number)

 

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

4000 East Union Pacific Avenue

 

 

City of Commerce, California

 

90023

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(323) 980-8145

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

None

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Emerging growth company o

 

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

 

 

 



 

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

Amendment to First Lien Term Loan Facility

 

On November 7, 2017 (the “Amendment Date”), 99 Cents Only Stores LLC (the “Company”), Number Holdings, Inc., the direct parent of the Company (“Parent”), the subsidiaries of the Company party thereto, Royal Bank of Canada, as administrative agent (the “First Lien Administrative Agent”), and the other lenders party thereto entered into Amendment No. 3 to the Term Credit Agreement (the “Term Amendment”) amending the Company’s Credit Agreement, dated as of January 13, 2012 (as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the Term Credit Agreement, dated as of April 4, 2012, and Amendment No. 2 to the Term Credit Agreement, dated as of October 8, 2013, the “Existing Term Credit Agreement” and, after giving effect to the Term Amendment, the “Term Credit Agreement”).

 

The Term Amendment (i) provides for the refinancing or replacement of not less than 85% of the existing tranche B-2 term loans held by lenders that are not affiliates of the Company under the Existing Credit Agreement with new first lien term loans (the “First Lien Term Loans”) under the Term Credit Agreement,  (ii) provides for the reallocation of 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the tranche B-2 term loans under the Existing Term Credit Agreement held by lenders that are affiliates of the Company to a new senior secured second lien facility (the “Second Lien Facility”), (iii) permits an exchange of the Borrower’s Senior Notes for new senior secured notes all or partially payable in kind and with a later maturity date, (iv) increases the mandatory prepayment threshold for excess cash flow of the Company from 50% to 100% commencing with the fiscal year ending January 25, 2019, (v) permits the Company to reinvest $5,000,000 of the net cash proceeds received or realized after the Amendment Date from certain asset sales (including sale leaseback transactions) or recovery events, (vi) eliminates any incremental capacity after the Amendment Date, (vi) reduces certain thresholds in the negative covenants in a manner consistent with certain features of the ABL facility, (vii) adds certain unencumbered real property of the Company as collateral for the First Lien Term Loans, as more particularly described under “Entry into Second Lien Facility” below, and (viii) permits certain other modifications as set forth in the Term Amendment. Upon the effectiveness of the Term Amendment, approximately $399.2 million of the term loans under the Existing Credit Agreement held by lenders that are not affiliates of the Company were converted into First Lien Term Loans (and approximately $34.7 million of tranche B-2 loans under the Term Credit Agreement are expected to be converted after the consummation of the Term Amendment) and, upon the effectiveness of the Second Lien Credit Agreement, approximately $130 million of tranche B-2 term loans held by lenders that are affiliates of the Company under the Existing Term Credit Agreement were reallocated to the Second Lien Facility.

 

The First Lien Term Loans bear interest at the Eurocurrency Rate plus 6.50% (5.00% to be payable in cash and 1.50% to be payable in-kind) or the Base Rate plus 5.50% (4.00% to be payable in cash and 1.50% to be payable in-kind (“PIK”)); provided that, the Company may, at its option and upon notice to the First Lien Administrative Agent, pay all or any portion of the PIK interest in cash. The Eurocurrency rate is subject to a floor of 1.0%.  The First Lien Term Loans shall be payable in equal quarterly installments of 1% per annum, with the balance payable on the scheduled maturity date (the “First Lien Maturity Date”), which was extended to January 13, 2022; provided that, if less than 95% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes outstanding on the Amendment Date has been converted, redeemed, repurchased or refinanced in full on or before the date that is three business days prior to June 1, 2019, such that the stated maturity date in respect of the Senior Notes (other than up to 5% in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes) is at least 91 days after January 13, 2022, then the First Lien Maturity Date will be June 1, 2019.

 

The Company may prepay or reprice the First Lien Term Loans, in whole or in part, at any time, with payment of a prepayment premium equal to (a) 2.0% of principal amount prepaid or repriced if made during the first two years of the Amendment Date and (b) 1.0% of principal amount prepaid or repriced if made after the second anniversary of Amendment Date but before the third anniversary of the Amendment Date. Thereafter, no prepayment premium is applicable.

 

Tranche B-2 term loans that remain outstanding under the Term Credit Agreement after the Amendment Date (a) will not benefit from certain covenants and the events of default governing the First Lien Term Loan, other than those relating to payment, security or insolvency and (b) may not be assigned without the prior written consent of the Company in the Company’s sole discretion.

 

Amendment to ABL Credit Facility

 

In connection with the Term Amendment, the Company, Parent, the subsidiaries of the Company party thereto, Royal Bank of Canada, as administrative agent and collateral agent (the “ABL Administrative Agent”), and the other lenders party thereto entered into Amendment No. 6 to the ABL Credit Agreement (the “ABL Amendment”) amending the Company’s Credit Agreement, dated as of January 13, 2012 (as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of April 4, 2012, Amendment No. 2 to the ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of October 8, 2013, Amendment No. 3 to the ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2015, Amendment No. 4 to the ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2016, and Amendment No. 5 to the ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of September 6, 2017, the “ABL Credit Agreement”).

 

The ABL Amendment provides for certain modifications to the ABL Credit Agreement to (i) extend the maturity date of the FILO facility and revolving facility under the ABL Credit Agreement to a date that is 91 days prior to the First Lien Maturity Date, (ii) permit an exchange of the Borrower’s Senior Notes for new senior secured notes partially payable in kind and with a later maturity date, (iii) permit the refinancing of the tranche B-2 loans under the Company’s Existing Term Credit Agreement for First Lien Term Loans, (iv) permit the Second Lien Facility and (v) permit certain other modifications as set forth in the ABL Amendment.

 

2



 

Entry into Second Lien Facility

 

In connection with the Term Amendment, the Company, Parent, the subsidiaries of the Company party thereto Wilmington Trust, National Association, as administrative agent (the “Second Lien Administrative Agent”), and the lenders from time to time party thereto, entered into that certain Credit Agreement (the “Second Lien Credit Agreement”). The loans under the Second Lien Facility bear interest at a per annum rate equal to Eurocurrency rate plus 8.50% or the Base Rate plus 7.50%, in each case, in the form of PIK interest. The Eurocurrency rate is subject to a floor of 1.0%. The maturity date of the Second Lien Facility will be 91 days after the First Lien Maturity Date.  The Second Lien Facility is secured by a second lien on the same collateral assets as the First Lien Term Loans and a third lien on the ABL-priority collateral assets, and is guaranteed by the same guarantors as the First Lien Term Loans and the ABL Facility.

 

The Second Lien Facility contains prepayment provisions, covenants and events of default that are substantially similar to the First Lien Term Loans.

 

Pursuant to the Second Lien Guaranty, all obligations under the Second Lien Facility are unconditionally guaranteed by Parent and certain of the Company’s existing wholly owned domestic restricted subsidiaries, and are required to be guaranteed by certain of the Company’s future wholly owned domestic restricted subsidiaries.  In connection with the Second Lien Credit Agreement, the Company, Parent, the subsidiaries of the Company party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as collateral agent (the “Second Lien Collateral Agent”), and the lenders from time to time party thereto, entered into the Second Lien Security Agreement (the “Second Lien Security Agreement”), providing that all obligations under the Second Lien Facility, and the guarantees of those obligations, are secured, subject to certain exceptions, on a second-priority basis by substantially all of the assets of the Company and Parent and the Company’s restricted subsidiaries that have guaranteed the credit facility under the Term Credit Agreement.

 

In connection with the Term Amendment, ABL Amendment and Second Lien Credit Agreement, in addition to the collateral securing the Existing Term Credit Agreement and ABL Credit Agreement, (i) the term facility under the Term Credit Agreement will be secured by a first-priority mortgage on all unencumbered fee-owned real property of the Company other than certain property designated as excluded real property by the Company on the Amendment Date or that is eligible for an exempt sale-leaseback transaction (the “Real Estate Collateral”), (ii) the Second Lien Facility will be secured by a second-priority mortgage on the Real Estate Collateral, (iii) the ABL facility will be secured by a third-priority mortgage on the Real Estate Collateral.

 

Intercreditor Agreements

 

On the Amendment Date, (i) the First Lien Administrative Agent, ABL Administrative Agent, Second Lien Administrative Agent, the Company, Parent and subsidiaries of the Company party thereto amended the Intercreditor Agreement, dated January 13, 2012 among the Company, Parent, the First Lien Administrative Agent and the ABL Administrative Agent, to, among other things, add the Second Lien Administrative Agent, and (ii) the First Lien Administrative Agent, Second Lien Administrative Agent, Parent, Company and subsidiaries of the Company party thereto entered into a Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, which contains customary provisions setting forth, among other things, (1) the relative lien priorities of the Term Credit Agreement secured parties and the Second Lien Facility secured parties in the collateral, (2) the rights of the respective secured parties to take enforcement actions against the collateral, (3) limitations on the ability to amend the loan documentation governing the Term Credit Agreement and the Second Lien Facility, and (4) waivers of certain rights of the respective secured parties with respect to, among other things, (a) the provision of debtor-in-possession financing to the Company, (b) the ability to seek adequate protection under the bankruptcy code, and (c) the ability to contest certain asset sales in a bankruptcy proceeding.

 

The preceding descriptions of the ABL Amendment, the Term Amendment and the Second Lien Credit Agreement, the Second Lien Security Agreement, the Second Lien Guaranty, the ABL/Term/Notes Intercreditor Agreement and the First Amendment to Intercreditor Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by the terms and conditions of ABL Amendment, the Term Amendment and the Second Lien Credit Agreement, the Second Lien Security Agreement, the Second Lien Guaranty, the ABL/Term/Notes Intercreditor Agreement and the First Amendment to Intercreditor Agreement, which are respectively filed as Exhibit 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7 hereto, and incorporated into this report by reference.

 

A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and incorporated herein by reference. The information disclosed in this Item 1.01, including Exhibit 99.2, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, as amended or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act, as amended, or the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in such a filing.

 

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

 

The information set forth in Item 1.01 above and the full texts of the ABL Amendment, the Term Amendment, the Second Lien Credit Agreement, the Second Lien Security Agreement, the Second Lien Guaranty, the ABL/Term/Notes Intercreditor Agreement and

 

3



 

the First Amendment to Intercreditor Agreement, which are respectively attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7 are incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

 

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

The Company is filing as Exhibit 99.1 certain information derived from the Confidential Offering Memorandum and Consent Solicitation Statement, dated November 7, 2017 (as it may be supplemented and amended from time to time, the “Offering Memorandum”) that is being disseminated in connection with the Exchange Offer described under Item 8.01. Such information is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

 

The information contained under Item 7.01 in this Current Report on Form 8-K (this “Report”), including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished and, as a result, such information shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, nor shall such information be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

 

Item 8.01. Other Events.

 

On November 7, 2017, the Company issued a press release announcing the launch of an exchange offer and consent solicitation (the “Exchange Offer”) to (i) exchange its existing 11% senior notes due 2019, of which there are currently $250 million aggregate principal amount outstanding (the “Existing Notes”), for either the Company’s newly issued (i) 13% All PIK Notes due 2023 (the “All PIK Notes”) or (ii) 13% Cash/PIK Notes due 2023 (the “Cash/PIK Notes” and, together with the All PIK Notes, the “New Secured Notes”) at the election of each holder thereof and (ii) solicit consents to certain proposed amendments to the indenture governing the Existing Notes (the “Existing Indenture Amendments”), in each case, upon the terms and subject to the conditions as set forth in an Offering Memorandum and a related Letter of Transmittal.

 

The Exchange Offer is being made, and the New Secured Notes are being offered and issued only (a) in the United States to holders of Existing Notes who are “qualified institutional buyers” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) in a private transaction in reliance upon an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act or “accredited investors” (as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) in a private transaction in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Section 4(a)(2) thereof and (b) outside the United States to holders of Existing Notes who are persons other than “U.S. persons” (as defined in Rule 902 under the Securities Act) in reliance upon Regulation S under the Securities Act (collectively, “Eligible Holders”).

 

As further described in the Offering Memorandum, Eligible Holders of Existing Notes who validly tender Existing Notes prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on November 22, 2017 (the “Early Tender Date”), will receive, for each $1,000.00 principal amount of Existing Notes tendered, $1,000.00 principal amount of New Secured Notes, which includes an early tender premium of $30.00. Eligible Holders who validly tender after the Early Tender Date, but on or before the Expiration Date (as defined below), will receive, for each $1,000.00 principal amount of Existing Notes tendered, $970 principal amount of New Secured Notes. The Exchange Offer will expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on December 7, 2017, unless extended or earlier terminated (the “Expiration Date”). The New Secured Notes will be secured by a perfected security interest, subject to certain exceptions and permitted senior liens, on (i) substantially all of the Company’s and each guarantor’s tangible and intangible assets and (ii) the equity interests issued by the Company’s direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries, as described in the Offering Memorandum. The New Secured Notes will be effectively senior to all of the Company’s existing and future unsecured indebtedness, including the Existing Notes, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing the New Secured Notes.

 

The Exchange Offer will be conditioned on the satisfaction, or the waiver by the Company, of certain general conditions described in the Offering Memorandum.  The Company may amend or waive the conditions at any time, in its sole discretion, and may terminate, modify or withdraw the Exchange Offer at any time and for any reason, including if any of the conditions are not or will not be satisfied.  The Exchange Offer is not conditioned on a minimum aggregate principal amount of Existing Notes being tendered or the adoption of the Existing Indenture Amendments.

 

The settlement date for the Exchange Offer will occur promptly following the Expiration Date.

 

The Exchange Offer and the issuance of New Secured Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or the securities laws of any state and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from the

 

4



 

registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Neither this Report on Form 8-K nor the press release constitutes an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the New Secured Notes, nor shall there be any sale of the New Secured Notes, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

 

The Company has included statements in this current report that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. As a general matter, forward-looking statements are those focused on future or anticipated events or trends, expectations and beliefs including, among other things, the Company’s expectations with respect to the amend and extend transaction described herein.  Such statements are intended to be identified by using words such as “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “will,” “project,” “plan” and similar expressions in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. Any forward-looking statements are and will be based upon the Company’s then-current expectations, estimates and assumptions regarding future events and are applicable only as of the dates of such statements. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those projected in this current report for reasons, among others, including (i) the ability of the Company to satisfy the conditions to the Offering Memorandum, (ii) the availability of alternative transactions, (iii) general market conditions and (iv) those reasons discussed in the reports and other documents the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors” sections contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 27, 2017. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.3 and incorporated herein by reference. The information disclosed in this Item 8.01, including Exhibit 99.3, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, as amended or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act, as amended, or the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in such a filing.

 

5



 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

10.1

 

Amendment No. 6 to the ABL Credit Agreement, dated November 7, 2017, among 99 Cents Only Stores LLC, Number Holdings, Inc., the subsidiaries of 99 Cents Only Stores LLC party thereto, Royal Bank of Canada, as administrative agent, and the other lenders party thereto.

 

 

 

10.2

 

Amendment No. 3 to the Term Credit Agreement, dated November 7, 2017, among 99 Cents Only Stores LLC, Number Holdings, Inc., the subsidiaries of 99 Cents Only Stores LLC party thereto, Royal Bank of Canada, as administrative agent, and the other lenders party thereto.

 

 

 

10.3

 

Second Lien Credit Agreement, dated November 7, 2017, among 99 Cents Only Stores LLC, Number Holdings, Inc., the subsidiaries of 99 Cents Only Stores LLC party thereto, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as administrative agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto.

 

 

 

10.4

 

Second Lien Security Agreement, dated November 7, 2017, among 99 Cents Only Stores LLC, Number Holdings, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors party thereto from time to time and, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as collateral agent.

 

 

 

10.5

 

Second Lien Guaranty, dated November 7, 2017, among Number Holdings, Inc., the other guarantors party thereto from time to time and, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as administrative agent and collateral agent.

 

 

 

10.6

 

Term Intercreditor Agreement, dated November 7, 2017, among 99 Cents Only Stores LLC, Number Holdings, Inc., the other grantors party thereto, Royal Bank of Canada, as Senior Representative and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Junior Representatives, and each additional Senior Representative and Junior Representative that from time to time becomes a party thereto.

 

 

 

10.7

 

First Amendment to Intercreditor Agreement, dated November 7, 2017, among Royal Bank of Canada, as representative for the ABL Secured Parties and First Lien Term Secured Parties, and WilmingtonTrust, National Association, as representative for the Second Lien Term Secured Parties.

 

 

 

99.1

 

Disclosure regarding 99 Cents Only Stores LLC and its subsidiaries in connection with the Exchange Offer on November 7, 2017.

 

 

 

99.2

 

Press release, dated November 7, 2017.

 

 

 

99.3

 

Press release, dated November 7, 2017.

 

6



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

10.1

 

Amendment No. 6 to the ABL Credit Agreement, dated November 7, 2017, among 99 Cents Only Stores LLC, Number Holdings, Inc., the subsidiaries of 99 Cents Only Stores LLC party thereto, Royal Bank of Canada, as administrative agent, and the other lenders party thereto.

 

 

 

10.2

 

Amendment No. 3 to the Term Credit Agreement, dated November 7, 2017, among 99 Cents Only Stores LLC, Number Holdings, Inc., the subsidiaries of 99 Cents Only Stores LLC party thereto, Royal Bank of Canada, as administrative agent, and the other lenders party thereto.

 

 

 

10.3

 

Second Lien Credit Agreement, dated November 7, 2017, among 99 Cents Only Stores LLC, Number Holdings, Inc., the subsidiaries of 99 Cents Only Stores LLC party thereto, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as administrative agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto.

 

 

 

10.4

 

Second Lien Security Agreement, dated November 7, 2017, among 99 Cents Only Stores LLC, Number Holdings, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors party thereto from time to time and, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as collateral agent.

 

 

 

10.5

 

Second Lien Guaranty, dated November 7, 2017, among Number Holdings, Inc., the other guarantors party thereto from time to time and, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as administrative agent and collateral agent.

 

 

 

10.6

 

Term Intercreditor Agreement, dated November 7, 2017, among 99 Cents Only Stores LLC, Number Holdings, Inc., the other grantors party thereto, Royal Bank of Canada, as Senior Representative and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Junior Representatives, and each additional Senior Representative and Junior Representative that from time to time becomes a party thereto.

 

 

 

10.7

 

First Amendment to Intercreditor Agreement, dated November 7, 2017, among Royal Bank of Canada, as representative for the ABL Secured Parties and First Lien Term Secured Parties, and WilmingtonTrust, National Association, as representative for the Second Lien Term Secured Parties.

 

 

 

99.1

 

Disclosure regarding 99 Cents Only Stores LLC and its subsidiaries in connection with the Exchange Offer on November 7, 2017.

 

 

 

99.2

 

Press release, dated November 7, 2017.

 

 

 

99.3

 

Press release, dated November 7, 2017.

 

7



 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

 

99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated: November 7, 2017

 

By:

/s/ Felicia Thornton

 

 

 

Felicia Thornton

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

8


EX-10.1 2 a17-26148_1ex10d1.htm EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

AMENDMENT NO. 6
TO THE ABL CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

AMENDMENT NO. 6 (this “Amendment”), dated as of November 7, 2017, among 99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC (the “Borrower”), NUMBER HOLDINGS, INC. (“Holdings”), each other Loan Party party hereto, the Lenders party hereto, ROYAL BANK OF CANADA (“Royal Bank”), as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”), and TPG SPECIALTY LENDING, INC., as agent for the FILO Lenders (in such capacity, the “FILO Agent”), to the Credit Agreement (as defined below).  Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Amendment have the same meanings as specified in the Credit Agreement referred to below (as amended hereby).

 

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS:

 

WHEREAS, Holdings, the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto, Royal Bank, as Administrative Agent and as Collateral Agent and the other agents party thereto, entered into that certain $175,000,000 Credit Agreement dated as of January 13, 2012 (as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of April 4, 2012, Amendment No. 2 to the ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of October 8, 2013, Amendment No. 3 to the ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2015, Amendment No. 4 to the ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2016, Amendment No. 5 to the ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of September 6, 2017, and as may be further amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”; and the Lenders party to the Credit Agreement immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Amendment being the “Existing Lenders”).

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower, by this Amendment, hereby requests certain amendments to the Credit Agreement to: (a) permit an exchange offer in respect of the Senior Notes pursuant to which the Senior Notes may be exchanged for new senior secured notes partially payable in-kind and with a later maturity date; (b) permit the refinancing of the Term Facility by (i) reallocating 100% of the principal amount of loans under the Term Facility Credit Agreement held by Affiliated Lenders (as defined in the Term Facility Credit Agreement) to a new second-lien term facility and (ii) establishing a new class of loans under the Term Facility Credit Agreement, which would refinance or replace not less than 85% of the principal amount of Loans under the Term Facility Credit Agreement not held by Affiliated Lenders (as defined in the Term Facility Credit Agreement) and (c) make certain other modifications to the Credit Agreement, in each case as more particularly set forth herein.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.         Amendments to the Credit Agreement.  The Credit Agreement is, effective as of the Effective Date (as defined below) and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 2 of this Amendment, hereby amended as follows:

 

(a)           The Credit Agreement shall be amended as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto, such that all of the newly inserted double-underlined provisions therein (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: double-underlined text) shall be deemed to be inserted and all of the stricken text therein (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: stricken text) shall be deemed to be deleted therefrom.

 



 

(b)           The Credit Agreement is amended to add a new Exhibit T thereto as set forth on Exhibit B hereto.

 

(c)           Schedule 5.11 of the Credit Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as set forth on Exhibit C hereto.

 

SECTION 2.         Conditions to EffectivenessThis Amendment shall become effective as of the first date (the “Effective Date”) when each of the following conditions below have been fulfilled to the reasonable satisfaction of (or waiver by) the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

(a)           The Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent shall have received the following:

 

(i)            this Amendment executed by Holdings, the Borrower, the other Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent and the Existing Lenders constituting the Requisite Lenders and the Requisite FILO Lenders and, solely for purposes of amending the term “Scheduled Termination Date”, and “FILO Maturity Date” each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby.

 

(ii)           (x) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, dated as of the Effective Date, which shall (A) certify the resolutions of the board of directors, members or other body authorizing the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of this Amendment and the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, (B) identify by name and title and bear the signatures of the officers of each Loan Party authorized to sign this Amendment and the other Loan Documents and (C) contain appropriate attachments, including the organization documents of each Loan Party certified, if applicable, by the relevant authority of the jurisdiction of organization of the such Loan Party  and (y) a good standing certificate as of a recent date for the Borrower and each Guarantor from its jurisdiction of organization.

 

(iii)          a solvency certificate from the chief financial officer of the Borrower (as of the Effective Date).

 

(iv)          a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, certifying to the matters set forth in Section 2(b) below.

 

(v)           executed copies of (i) the First Amendment to Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Term Facility Administrative Agent and the Second Lien Administrative Agent, and acknowledged by the Borrower, Holdings and the other Guarantors, (ii) the Second Lien Credit Agreement, (iii) Amendment No. 3 to the Term Facility Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Borrower, Holdings, the other loan parties party thereto, the lenders party or consenting in writing thereto and the Term Facility Administrative Agent and (iv) the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, each of which shall be in full force and effect.

 

(b)             On and as of the Effective Date, both immediately before and immediately after giving effect to the effectiveness of this Amendment, (A) the representations and warranties of the Borrower and each other Loan Party contained in Article V of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material respects; provided that, to the extent such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, they shall be true and correct in all

 

2



 

material respects as of such earlier date; and provided, further that, any representation or warranty that is qualified as to “materiality,” “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language shall be true and correct (after giving effect to any qualification therein) in all respects on such respective dates and (B) no Event of Default or Default shall exist, or would result from, the execution or delivery of this Amendment.

 

(c)             All conditions to effectiveness contained in Section 3 of that certain Amendment No. 3 to the Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Borrower, Holdings, the loan parties party thereto, each lender party thereto and Royal Bank, as Term Facility Administrative Agent, shall have been, or concurrently with the effectiveness of this Amendment be, satisfied (or waived).

 

(d)             The Borrower shall have paid (which may occur substantially simultaneously with the effectiveness of this Amendment on the Effective Date) (i) all reasonable, documented and invoiced fees payable to the Administrative Agent in connection with this Amendment, (ii) all reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of Paul Hastings LLP, as counsel for the Administrative Agent, incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation and execution of this Amendment to the extent invoiced at least three (3) Business Days prior to the date hereof and (iii) all reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, as counsel for the FILO Agent, incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation and execution of this Amendment to the extent invoiced at least three (3) Business Days prior to the date hereof.

 

(e)           The Administrative Agent shall have received a completed “Life-of-Loan” Federal Emergency Management Agency Standard Flood Hazard Determination with respect to each Mortgaged Property.

 

(f)            The Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a perfection certificate reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (but including, for the avoidance of doubt, a reasonably detailed list of all owned real property, including, where applicable, an identification of such owned real property as Material Real Property, Excluded Real Property or of the type that is eligible for an Exempt Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction).

 

SECTION 3.         Consent and Affirmation of the Loan Parties.  Each Loan Party (prior to and after giving effect to this Amendment) hereby consents to the amendment of the Credit Agreement effected hereby and confirms and agrees that, notwithstanding the effectiveness of this Amendment, each Loan Document to which such Loan Party is a party is, and the obligations (including any guarantees) of such Loan Party contained in the Credit Agreement, this Amendment or in any other Loan Document to which it is a party are, and shall continue to be, in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects, in each case as amended or modified by this Amendment.  For greater certainty and without limiting the foregoing, each Loan Party hereby confirms that the existing security interests granted by such Loan Party in favor of the Secured Parties pursuant to the Loan Documents in the Collateral described therein shall continue to secure the obligations of the Loan Parties under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents as and to the extent provided in the Loan Documents.

 

SECTION 4.         Term Documentation; Intercreditor Arrangements. Each Lender party hereto hereby acknowledges that it has received a copy of (i) that certain Amendment No. 3 to the Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Borrower, Holdings, the lenders party thereto or consenting in writing thereto and Royal Bank of Canada as administrative agent, (ii) the Second Lien Credit Agreement, (iii) the form of Notes Intercreditor Agreement, and (iv) the First Amendment to Intercreditor Agreement, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into or consent in writing to this Amendment, and each such Lender has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative

 

3



 

Agent or any other Lender or Person.  The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent are authorized to enter into the First Amendment to Intercreditor Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.         Representations and Warranties.

 

(a)             Each Loan Party represents and warrants, on and as of the Effective Date, that: (i) it has the corporate or other organizational power to execute and deliver this Amendment, and all corporate or other organizational action required to be taken by it for the execution, delivery and performance by it of this Amendment and the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, has been taken; (ii)  this Amendment has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it; and (iii) no action, consent or approval of, registration or filing with or any other action by any Governmental Authority is required to be obtained by it in connection with the execution and delivery of this Amendment, except for such actions, consents, approvals, registrations or filings as have been taken or the failure of which to be obtained or made could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)             Each Loan Party hereby represents and warrants that, on and as of the Effective Date, both immediately before and immediately after giving effect to this Amendment, the representations and warranties of such Loan Party contained in Article V of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document are true and correct in all material respects; provided that, to the extent such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date; and provided, further that, any representation or warranty that is qualified as to “materiality,” “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language shall be true and correct (after giving effect to any qualification therein) in all respects on such respective dates.

 

(c)             Each Loan Party hereby represents and warrants that, on and as of the Effective Date, both immediately before and immediately after giving effect to this Amendment, no Event of Default or Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

SECTION 6.         Reference to and Effect on the Credit Agreement.

 

(a)               On and after the effectiveness of this Amendment, each reference in the Credit Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “hereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement, as amended and otherwise modified by this Amendment.

 

(b)               The Credit Agreement, as specifically amended and otherwise modified by this Amendment, is and shall continue to be in full force and effect and is hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed.  The amendment of the Credit Agreement pursuant to this Amendment and all other Loan Documents amended and/or executed and delivered in connection with this Amendment do not constitute a novation of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents as in effect prior to the Effective Date.  This Amendment shall be a “Loan Document” for purposes of the definition thereof in the Credit Agreement.

 

(c)               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 any Lender or the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent or the Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

4



 

SECTION 7.         Execution in Counterparts.  This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same agreement.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Amendment by facsimile or in “pdf” or similar format by electronic mail shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment.

 

SECTION 8.         Governing Law.  This Amendment shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.

 

SECTION 9.         Headings.  Section headings are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part hereof for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

 

SECTION 10.       Severability.  In case any provision in or obligation hereunder shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired hereby.

 

SECTION 11.       Notices; Successors; Waiver of Jury Trial.  All communications and notices hereunder shall be given as provided in the Credit Agreement.  The terms of this Amendment shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.  Each of the parties hereto irrevocably waives trial by jury in any action or proceeding with respect to this Amendment or any other Loan Document.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

5



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Amendment to be executed by their respective authorized officers as of the date first above written.

 

 

NUMBER HOLDINGS, INC.,

 

as Holdings

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Felicia Thornton

 

Name: Felicia Thornton

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC,

 

as the Borrower

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Felicia Thornton

 

Name: Felicia Thornton

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

99 CENTS ONLY STORES TEXAS, INC.,

 

as a Guarantor

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Felicia Thornton

 

Name: Felicia Thornton

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NO. 6 TO ABL CREDIT AGREEMENT]

 



 

 

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,

 

as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Susan, Khokher

 

Name:   Susan, Khokher

 

Title:     Manager, Agency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NO. 6 TO ABL CREDIT AGREEMENT]

 



 

 

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,

 

as Issuer

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Anna Bernat

 

Name:   Anna Bernat

 

Title:     Attorney In Fact

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ A. Chaykosk

 

Name:   A. Chaykosk

 

Title:     Attorney In Fact

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NO. 6 TO ABL CREDIT AGREEMENT]

 



 

 

Siemens Financial Services, Inc.,

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Maria Levy

 

Name: Maria Levy

 

Title: Vice President

 

 

 

If a second signature block is necessary:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael L. Zion

 

Name: Michael L. Zion

 

Title: Vice President

 

          Siemens Financial Services, Inc.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NO. 6 TO ABL CREDIT AGREEMENT]

 



 

 

Citizens Business Captial, A Division of Citizens

 

Asset Finance, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jessica Benevides Caron

 

 

Name: Jessica Benevides Caron

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If a second signature block is neccessary:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NO. 6 TO ABL CREDIT AGREEMENT]

 



 

 

UBS AG, Stamford Branch        ,

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Houssem Daly

 

 

Name: Houssem Daly

 

 

Title:   Associate Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Darlene Arias

 

 

Name: Darlene Arias

 

 

Title:   Director

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NO. 6 TO ABL CREDIT AGREEMENT]

 



 

 

City National Bank,

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Brent Phillips

 

 

Name:  Brent Phillips

 

 

Title:    Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If a second signature block is neccessary:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NO. 6 TO ABL CREDIT AGREEMENT]

 



 

Exhibit A

 

$160,000,000 Revolving Credit Commitments
$25,000,000 FILO Facility

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Dated as of January 13, 2012, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated as of April 4, 2012, as amended by Amendment No. 2 dated as of October 8, 2013, as amended by Amendment No. 3 dated as of August 24, 2015, as amended by Amendment No. 4 dated as of April 8, 2016, and as amended by Amendment No. 5 dated as of September 6, 2017 and as amended by Amendment No. 6 dated as of November 7, 2017

 

among

 

NUMBER MERGER SUB, INC.,
as the initial Borrower,
which on the Effective Date shall be merged within and into

 

99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC (f/k/a 99¢ ONLY STORES),
with 99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC (f/k/a 99¢ ONLY STORES) surviving such merger as the Borrower,

 

NUMBER HOLDINGS, INC.,

as Holdings,

 

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,

as Administrative Agent and Issuer,

 

TPG SPECIALTY LENDING, INC.,
 as FILO Agent,

 

and

 

THE OTHER LENDERS AND ISSUERS PARTY HERETO


 

CITIZENS BANK, N.A.,

and

UBS SECURITIES LLC,

as Co-Syndication Agents,

 

CITY NATIONAL BANK

and

SIEMENS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.,

as Co-Documentation Agents,

 



 

and

 

RBC CAPITAL MARKETS,*
CITIZENS BANK, N.A.,
and
UBS SECURITIES LLC,
as Joint Lead Arrangers and as Joint Bookrunners

 


* RBC Capital Markets is a brand name for the capital markets activities of Royal Bank of Canada and its affiliates

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE I

Definitions, Interpretation and Accounting Terms

2

 

 

 

SECTION 1.1

Defined Terms

2

 

 

 

SECTION 1.2

Other Interpretive Provisions

8081

 

 

 

SECTION 1.3

Accounting Terms

8182

 

 

 

SECTION 1.4

Rounding

8183

 

 

 

SECTION 1.5

References to Agreements, Laws, Etc.

8183

 

 

 

SECTION 1.6

Times of Day

8183

 

 

 

SECTION 1.7

Pro Forma Calculations

8183

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

The Facility

8384

 

 

 

SECTION 2.1

The Revolving Credit Commitments

8384

 

 

 

SECTION 2.2

Borrowing Procedures

8486

 

 

 

SECTION 2.3

Swing Loans

8687

 

 

 

SECTION 2.4

Letters of Credit

8889

 

 

 

SECTION 2.5

Reduction and Termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments

9395

 

 

 

SECTION 2.6

Repayment of Loans

9395

 

 

 

SECTION 2.7

Evidence of Indebtedness

9495

 

 

 

SECTION 2.8

Optional Prepayments

9596

 

 

 

SECTION 2.9

Mandatory Prepayments

9697

 

 

 

SECTION 2.10

Interest

9799

 

 

 

SECTION 2.11

Conversion/Continuation Option

98100

 

 

 

SECTION 2.12

Fees

99100

 

 

 

SECTION 2.13

Payments and Computations

100102

 

 

 

SECTION 2.14

Determination of Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate

102103

 

 

 

SECTION 2.15

Revolving Commitment Increase

102104

 

 

 

SECTION 2.16

Defaulting Lenders

105106

 

 

 

SECTION 2.17

Extensions of Loans

107108

 

 

 

SECTION 2.18

Refinancing Amendments

111112

 

 

 

ARTICLE III

TAXES, INCREASED COSTS PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

112113

 

 

 

SECTION 3.1

Taxes

112113

 

i



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

SECTION 3.2

Illegality

117118

 

 

 

SECTION 3.3

Inability to Determine Rates

118119

 

 

 

SECTION 3.4

Increased Cost and Reduced Return; Capital Adequacy; Reserves on Eurocurrency Rate Loans

119120

 

 

 

SECTION 3.5

Funding Losses

120121

 

 

 

SECTION 3.6

Matters Applicable to All Requests for Compensation

121122

 

 

 

SECTION 3.7

Replacement of Lenders under Certain Circumstances

122123

 

 

 

SECTION 3.8

Survival

123124

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

Conditions Precedent

123124

 

 

 

SECTION 4.1

Conditions Precedent to Initial Borrowing

123124

 

 

 

SECTION 4.2

Conditions Precedent to Each Loan and Letter of Credit

127128

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

Representations and Warranties

128

 

 

 

SECTION 5.1

Existence, Qualification and Power; Compliance with Laws

128129

 

 

 

SECTION 5.2

Authorization; No Contravention

128129

 

 

 

SECTION 5.3

Governmental Authorization

129

 

 

 

SECTION 5.4

Binding Effect

129130

 

 

 

SECTION 5.5

Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect

129130

 

 

 

SECTION 5.6

Litigation

130131

 

 

 

SECTION 5.7

Ownership of Property; Liens

130131

 

 

 

SECTION 5.8

Environmental Matters

130131

 

 

 

SECTION 5.9

Taxes

130131

 

 

 

SECTION 5.10

ERISA Compliance

131

 

 

 

SECTION 5.11

Subsidiaries

131132

 

 

 

SECTION 5.12

Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act

131132

 

 

 

SECTION 5.13

Disclosure

132133

 

 

 

SECTION 5.14

Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc.

132133

 

 

 

SECTION 5.15

Solvency

132133

 

 

 

SECTION 5.16

Subordination of Junior Financing

132133

 

 

 

SECTION 5.17

USA PATRIOT Act

132133

 

 

 

SECTION 5.18

Collateral Documents

133134

 

ii



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

SECTION 5.19

Use of Proceeds

133134

 

 

 

SECTION 5.20

Insurance

133134

 

 

 

SECTION 5.21

Borrowing Base Certificate

133134

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

Financial Covenant

134

 

 

 

SECTION 6.1

Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio

134135

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII

Reporting Covenants

134135

 

 

 

SECTION 7.1

Financial Statements, Etc.

134135

 

 

 

SECTION 7.2

Certificates; Other Information

136137

 

 

 

SECTION 7.3

Notices

138139

 

 

 

SECTION 7.4

Borrowing Base Certificate

138140

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

Affirmative Covenants

140142

 

 

 

SECTION 8.1

Preservation of Existence, Etc.

140142

 

 

 

SECTION 8.2

Compliance with Laws, Etc.

140142

 

 

 

SECTION 8.3

Designation of Subsidiaries

141142

 

 

 

SECTION 8.4

Payment of Taxes, Etc.

141143

 

 

 

SECTION 8.5

Maintenance of Insurance

141143

 

 

 

SECTION 8.6

Inspection Rights

142143

 

 

 

SECTION 8.7

Books and Records

142144

 

 

 

SECTION 8.8

Maintenance of Properties

142144

 

 

 

SECTION 8.9

Use of Proceeds

143144

 

 

 

SECTION 8.10

Compliance with Environmental Laws

143144

 

 

 

SECTION 8.11

Covenant to Guarantee Obligations and Give Security

143145

 

 

 

SECTION 8.12

Cash Receipts

145146

 

 

 

SECTION 8.13

Further Assurances and Post-Closing Covenants

147149

 

 

 

SECTION 8.14

[Reserved]

149150

 

 

 

SECTION 8.15

Physical Inventories

149150

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX

Negative Covenants

149151

 

 

 

SECTION 9.1

Liens

149151

 

 

 

SECTION 9.2

Investments

153155

 

 

 

SECTION 9.3

Indebtedness

156157

 

iii



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

SECTION 9.4

Fundamental Changes

160162

 

 

 

SECTION 9.5

Dispositions

162163

 

 

 

SECTION 9.6

Restricted Payments

165167

 

 

 

SECTION 9.7

Change in Nature of Business

169170

 

 

 

SECTION 9.8

Transactions with Affiliates

169171

 

 

 

SECTION 9.9

Burdensome Agreements

172173

 

 

 

SECTION 9.10

Fiscal Year

174176

 

 

 

SECTION 9.11

Prepayments, Etc. of Junior Financing

175176

 

 

 

SECTION 9.12

Modification of Agreements

175176

 

 

 

SECTION 9.13

Holdings

176177

 

 

 

ARTICLE X

Events of Default

176178

 

 

 

SECTION 10.1

Events of Default

176178

 

 

 

SECTION 10.2

Remedies upon Event of Default

180181

 

 

 

SECTION 10.3

Application of Funds

181183

 

 

 

SECTION 10.4

Borrower’s Right to Cure

183185

 

 

 

SECTION 10.5

Actions in Respect of Letters of Credit; Cash Collateral

184186

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI

The Administrative Agent

185187

 

 

 

SECTION 11.1

Appointment and Authorization

185187

 

 

 

SECTION 11.2

Rights as a Lender

186188

 

 

 

SECTION 11.3

Exculpatory Provisions

186188

 

 

 

SECTION 11.4

Reliance by the Administrative Agent

188189

 

 

 

SECTION 11.5

Delegation of Duties

188190

 

 

 

SECTION 11.6

Resignation of Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent

189190

 

 

 

SECTION 11.7

Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders; Disclosure of Information by Agents

190191

 

 

 

SECTION 11.8

No Other Duties; Other Agents, Arrangers, Managers, Etc.

191192

 

 

 

SECTION 11.9

Intercreditor Agreement

191193

 

 

 

SECTION 11.10

Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim

191193

 

 

 

SECTION 11.11

Collateral and Guaranty Matters

192194

 

 

 

SECTION 11.12

Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements

193195

 

iv



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

SECTION 11.13

Indemnification of Agents

194196

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII

Miscellaneous

197198

 

 

 

SECTION 12.1

Amendments, Etc.

197199

 

 

 

SECTION 12.2

Successors and Assigns

200202

 

 

 

SECTION 12.3

Costs and Expenses

206208

 

 

 

SECTION 12.4

Indemnities

207209

 

 

 

SECTION 12.5

Limitation of Liability

208210

 

 

 

SECTION 12.6

Right of Setoff

209210

 

 

 

SECTION 12.7

Sharing of Payments

209211

 

 

 

SECTION 12.8

Notices and Other Communications; Facsimile Copies

210212

 

 

 

SECTION 12.9

No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies

213215

 

 

 

SECTION 12.10

Binding Effect

213215

 

 

 

SECTION 12.11

Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Service of Process

213215

 

 

 

SECTION 12.12

Waiver of Jury Trial

215216

 

 

 

SECTION 12.13

Marshaling; Payments Set Aside

215217

 

 

 

SECTION 12.14

Execution In Counterparts

215217

 

 

 

SECTION 12.15

Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents

216217

 

 

 

SECTION 12.16

Confidentiality

216217

 

 

 

SECTION 12.17

Use of Name, Logo, etc.

217219

 

 

 

SECTION 12.18

USA PATRIOT Act Notice

217219

 

 

 

SECTION 12.19

No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility

218219

 

 

 

SECTION 12.20

Severability

218220

 

 

 

SECTION 12.21

Survival of Representations and Warranties

218220

 

 

 

SECTION 12.22

Lender Action

219220

 

 

 

SECTION 12.23

Interest Rate Limitation

219220

 

 

 

SECTION 12.24

Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions

219221

 

v



 

SCHEDULES

 

Schedule I

 

-

 

Revolving Credit Commitments

Schedule I(a)

 

-

 

FILO Commitments

Schedule II

 

-

 

Subsidiary Guarantors

Schedule 1.1A

 

-

 

Certain Security Interests and Guarantees

Schedule 1.1B

 

-

 

Credit Card Agreements

Schedule 1.7(b)

 

-

 

Adjustments to Consolidated EBITDA

Schedule 5.10(a)

 

-

 

ERISA Compliance

Schedule 5.11

 

-

 

Subsidiaries and Other Equity Investments

Schedule 8.13

 

-

 

Post Closing Items

Schedule 9.1(b)

 

-

 

Existing Liens

Schedule 9.2(f)

 

-

 

Existing Investments

Schedule 9.3(b)

 

-

 

Existing Indebtedness

Schedule 9.6(c)

 

-

 

Permitted Restricted Payments

Schedule 9.8(h)

 

-

 

Existing Transactions with Affiliates

Schedule 9.9

 

-

 

Burdensome Agreements

Schedule 12.8

 

-

 

Administrative Agent’s Office, Certain Addresses for Notices

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBITS

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

-

 

Form of Assignment and Assumption

Exhibit B

 

-

 

Form of Revolving Credit Note

Exhibit B-1

 

-

 

Form of FILO Note

Exhibit C

 

-

 

Form of Notice of Borrowing

Exhibit D

 

-

 

Form of Swing Loan Request

Exhibit E

 

-

 

Form of Letter of Credit Request

Exhibit F

 

-

 

Form of Notice of Conversion or Continuation

Exhibit G-1

 

-

 

Form of Opinion of Proskauer Rose LLP, New York and California Counsel for the Loan Parties

Exhibit G-2

 

-

 

Form of Opinion of Greenberg Traurig LLP, Nevada Counsel for the Loan Parties

Exhibit H

 

-

 

Form of Guaranty

Exhibit I

 

-

 

Form of Security Agreement

Exhibit J

 

-

 

Form of Borrowing Base Certificate

Exhibit K

 

-

 

Form of Intercreditor Agreement

Exhibit L

 

-

 

Form of Intercompany Subordination Agreement

Exhibit M

 

-

 

Form of Solvency Certificate

Exhibit N

 

-

 

Form of Non-Bank Certificate

Exhibit O

 

-

 

Form of Compliance Certificate

Exhibit P

 

-

 

Form of Customs Broker Agreement

Exhibit Q

 

-

 

Form of Credit Card Notification

Exhibit R-1

 

-

 

Form of Collateral Access Agreement for Landlords

Exhibit R-2

 

-

 

Form of Collateral Access Agreement for Non-Landlords

Exhibit S

 

-

 

Form of Mortgage

Exhibit T

 

 

 

Form of Notes Intercreditor Agreement

 

i



 

This CREDIT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is entered into as of January 13, 2012, among NUMBER MERGER SUB, INC., a California corporation and the initial Borrower (which on the Effective Date shall be merged with and into 99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC (f/k/a 99¢ ONLY STORES), a California limited liability company (the “Company”), with the Company surviving such merger as the successor Borrower), NUMBER HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”), ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, as administrative agent (in such capacity, including any successor thereto, the “Administrative Agent”) and as collateral agent (in such capacity, including any successor thereto, the “Collateral Agent”) under the Loan Documents, TPG SPECIALTY LENDING, INC., as agent for the FILO Lenders as of the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date (in such capacity, including any successor thereto, the “FILO Agent”), and each lender from time to time party hereto (collectively, the “Lenders” and individually, a “Lender”).

 

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS

 

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement (as this and other capitalized terms used in these preliminary statements are defined in Section 1.1 below), Number Merger Sub, Inc., a California corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings (“Merger Sub”), will merge (the “Merger”) with and into the Company, with (i) subject to dissenters’ rights, the Merger Consideration being paid, and (ii) the Company surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings.

 

The Borrower has requested that, substantially simultaneously with the consummation of the Merger, (i) the Lenders extend credit to the Borrower in accordance with the Revolving Credit Commitments on the Effective Date in an initial aggregate principal amount of up to $175,000,000 pursuant to this Agreement, and (ii) certain other lenders extend credit to the Borrower in the form of a Term Facilityterm facility in an initial aggregate principal amount of $525,000,000 pursuant to the Term Facility Credit Agreement.

 

The proceeds of the Initial ABL Borrowings (to the extent permitted in accordance with the definition of the term “Permitted Initial ABL Borrowing Purposes”),  together with (i) a portion of the Company’s cash on hand, (ii) borrowings under the Term Facility on the Effective Date, (iii) the proceeds of the issuance of the Senior Notes (or, if and to the extent the Borrower does not, or is unable to, issue the Senior Notes generating gross proceeds of at least $250,000,000 on or before the Effective Date, the proceeds of loans under a bridge facility in the aggregate principal amount of at least $250,000,000, less the aggregate gross proceeds of the Senior Notes, if any, issued on or before the Effective Date) and (iv) the proceeds of the Equity Contribution, will be used to pay the Merger Consideration and the Transaction Expenses.  The proceeds of Revolving Loans made after the Effective Date will be used to finance Capital Expenditures, working capital, Acquisitions permitted under this Agreement and other investments, and for general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.  Swing Loans and Letters of Credit will be used for general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

 

The applicable Lenders have indicated their willingness to lend, and the Issuers have indicated their willingness to issue Letters of Credit, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

 



 

In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS, INTERPRETATION AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

 

SECTION 1.1       Defined Terms.

 

As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):

 

Accounts” means “accounts” as defined in the UCC, and also means a right to payment of a monetary obligation, whether or not earned by performance, (a) for property that has been or is to be sold, leased, licensed, assigned, or otherwise Disposed of, (b) for services rendered or to be rendered, or (c) arising out of the use of a credit, debit or charge card or information contained on or for use with the card.

 

Account Debtor” means a person who is obligated under an Account, Chattel Paper (as defined in the UCC) or General Intangible (as defined in the UCC).

 

ACH” means automated clearing house transfers.

 

ACOF III” means Ares Corporate Opportunities Fund III, L.P., and its Affiliates.

 

Acquisition” means the purchase or other acquisition by any Person of property and assets or businesses of any other Person or of assets constituting a business unit, a line of business or division of any Person, a Store or Equity Interests in any Person that, upon the consummation thereof, will be or become part of a direct or indirect wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary of such Person (including as a result of a merger, consolidation or amalgamation).

 

Acquisition Documents” means the Merger Agreement and any other document entered into in connection therewith, in each case as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time prior to the Effective Date or thereafter.

 

Additional Lender” means, at any time, any bank, financial institution or other institutional lender or investor that, in any case, is not an existing Lender and that agrees to provide any portion of any (a) Revolving Commitment Increase in accordance with Section 2.15 or (b) Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment in accordance with Section 2.18.

 

Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate” means with respect to any Eurocurrency Rate Loan for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum equal to the Eurocurrency Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by the Statutory Reserve Rate; provided, that solely with respect to the FILO Loan, the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate shall be deemed to be not less than 1.00% per annum.  The Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate will be adjusted automatically as to all Eurocurrency Rate Loans then outstanding as of the effective date of any change in the Statutory Reserve Rate.

 

2



 

Adjustment Date” means the first day of each Fiscal Quarter.

 

Administrative Agent” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

Administrative Agent’s Office” means the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 12.8, or such other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Lenders.

 

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

 

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

 

Agent Parties” has the meaning specified in Section 12.8(d).

 

Agent-Related Persons” means the Agents, together with their respective Affiliates, and the officers, directors, employees, agents, attorney-in-fact, partners and trustees of such Persons and of such Persons’ Affiliates.

 

Agent Sweep Account” has the meaning specified in Section 8.12(c).

 

Agents” means, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, each Co-Syndication Agent, each Co-Documentation Agent and each co-agent or sub-agent (if any) appointed by the Administrative Agent from time to time pursuant to Section 11.5 and the Arrangers.

 

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

 

Agreement” means this Credit Agreement, as amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

Amendment No. 2” means Amendment No. 2 to this Agreement, dated as of October 8, 2013, among Holdings, the Borrower, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent.

 

Amendment No. 2 Effective Date” means the “Amendment Effective Date” under and as defined in Amendment No. 2.

 

Amendment No. 3” means Amendment No. 3 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2015, among Holdings, the Borrower, each other Loan Party party thereto, each Lender party thereto, and the Administrative Agent.

 

Amendment No. 3 Effective Date” means August 24, 2015, being the date of effectiveness of Amendment No. 3.

 

3



 

Amendment No. 4” means Amendment No. 4 to this Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2016, among Holdings, the Borrower, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent.

 

Amendment No. 4 Effective Date” means April 8, 2016, being the date of effectiveness of Amendment No. 4.

 

Amendment No. 5” means Amendment No. 5 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of September 6, 2017, among Holdings, the Borrower, each other Loan Party party thereto, each Lender party thereto, the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent.

 

Amendment No. 5 Effective Date” means September 6, 2017, being the date of effectiveness of Amendment No. 5.

 

Amendment No. 6” means Amendment No. 6 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of November 7, 2017, among Holdings, the Borrower, each other Loan Party party thereto, each Lender party thereto, the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent.

 

Amendment No. 6 Effective Date” means November 7, 2017, being the date of effectiveness of Amendment No. 6.

 

Annual Financial Statements” means the audited Consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of the Saturday closest to each of March 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related Consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the Company for the Fiscal Years then ended.

 

Applicable Margin” means a percentage per annum equal to (a) from the Amendment No. 4 Effective Date until the end of the first full Fiscal Quarter ending after the Amendment No. 4 Effective Date (it being acknowledged and agreed that the Applicable Margin in respect of all periods prior to the Amendment No. 4 Effective Date is set forth in this Agreement as in effect immediately prior to the effectiveness of Amendment No. 4), (i) for Eurocurrency Rate Loans, 3.00%, (ii) for Base Rate Loans, 2.00% and (iii) for Letter of Credit fees, 3.00%, and (b) thereafter, the following percentages per annum, based upon Average Historical Excess Availability as of the most recent Adjustment Date:

 

Average Historical
Excess Availability

 

Applicable
Margin for
Eurocurrency
Loans and
Letter of
Credit Fees

 

Applicable
Margin for
Base Rate
Loans

 

> $110,000,000

 

2.75

%

1.75

%

< $110,000,000 but > $55,000,000

 

3.00

%

2.00

%

< $55,000,000

 

3.25

%

2.25

%

 

4



 

; provided, however, that after the Term/Notes Refinancing Date each of the percentages set forth above shall automatically be reduced by 0.50% per annum.  The Applicable Margin shall be adjusted quarterly in accordance with the table above on each Adjustment Date commencing on the first day of the first full Fiscal Quarter commencing after the Amendment No. 4 Effective Date for the period beginning on such Adjustment Date based upon the Average Historical Excess Availability as the Administrative Agent shall determine in good faith within ten (10) Business Days after such Adjustment Date.  Any increase or decrease in the Applicable Margin resulting from a change in the Average Historical Excess Availability shall become effective as of each Adjustment Date.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any FILO Loan, the Applicable Margin shall be (i) for Eurocurrency Rate Loans, 7.75%, and (ii) for Base Rate Loans, 6.75%.

 

Applicable Percentage” means with respect to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Aggregate Commitments represented by such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment at such time, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.16.  If the commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender to make Loans and the obligation of the Issuers to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 10.2 or if the Aggregate Commitments have expired, then the Applicable Percentage of each Revolving Credit Lender shall be determined based on the Applicable Percentage of such Lender most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments.  The initial Applicable Percentage of each Revolving Credit Lender is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule I or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable.

 

Applicable Unused Commitment Fee Rate” means, for any day, a percentage per annum equal to (a) from the Amendment No. 4 Effective Date through and including the Term/Notes Refinancing Date (it being acknowledged and agreed that the Applicable Unused Commitment Fee Rate in respect of all periods prior to the Amendment No. 4 Effective Date is set forth in this Agreement as in effect immediately prior to the effectiveness of Amendment No. 4), 0.50% per annum  and (b) after the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, the following percentages per annum of the Aggregate Commitments, based upon Average Historical Excess Availability as of the most recent Adjustment Date:

 

Average Historical Excess
Availability

 

Unused Commitment Fee

 

> $100,000,000

 

0.50

%

< $100,000,000

 

0.375

%

 

The Applicable Unused Commitment Fee Rate shall be adjusted quarterly on each Adjustment Date occurring after the Term/Notes Refinancing Date for the period beginning on such Adjustment Date based upon the Average Historical Excess Availability as the Administrative Agent shall determine in good faith within ten (10) Business Days after such Adjustment Date in accordance with the table above.  Any increase or decrease in the Applicable Unused Commitment Fee Rate resulting from a change in the Average Historical Excess Availability shall become effective as of the applicable Adjustment Date.

 

5



 

Appropriate Lender” means, at any time, with respect to Loans of any Class, the Lenders of such Class.

 

Approved Account Bank” means a financial institution at which the Borrower or any Guarantor maintains an Approved Deposit Account.

 

Approved Deposit Account” means each Deposit Account in respect of which the Borrower or any Guarantor shall have entered into a Deposit Account Control Agreement.

 

Approved Securities Account” means each securities account in respect of which Borrower or any Guarantor shall have entered in a Securities Account Control Agreement.

 

Approved Securities Intermediary” means a securities intermediary at which the Borrower or any Guarantor maintains an Approved Securities Account.

 

Approved Fund” means, with respect to any Lender, any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) such Lender, (b) an Affiliate of such Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages such Lender.

 

Arrangers” means RBC Capital Markets*, Citizens Bank, N.A. and UBS Securities LLC, each in its capacity as a joint lead arranger under this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

Assignee Group” means two or more Eligible Assignees that are Affiliates of one another or two or more Approved Funds managed by the same investment advisor.

 

Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee, and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

Attorney Costs” means all reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of any law firm or other external legal counsel.

 

Available Amount” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Term Facility Credit Agreement (as in effect on the Amendment No. 46 Effective Date).

 

Availability Reserves” means, without duplication of any other reserves or items that are otherwise addressed or excluded through eligibility criteria, such reserves as the Administrative Agent from time to time determines in its Permitted Discretion as being appropriate (a) to reflect the impediments to the Agents’ ability to realize upon the Collateral in accordance with the Loan Documents, (b) to reflect claims and liabilities that will need to be satisfied in connection with the realization upon the Collateral or (c) to reflect criteria, events, conditions, contingencies or risks which adversely affect any component of the Borrowing Base, the Collateral or the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any material remedies of the Secured Parties under the Loan Documents with respect to the

 


* RBC Capital Markets is a brand name for the capital markets activities of Royal Bank of Canada and its affiliates.

 

6



 

Collateral; provided that circumstances, conditions, events or contingencies existing or arising prior to the Effective Date and, in each case, disclosed in writing in any field examination or appraisal delivered to the Administrative Agent in connection herewith prior to the Effective Date shall not be the basis for any establishment of any reserves after the Effective Date, unless such circumstances, conditions, events or contingencies shall have changed since the Effective Date in a manner materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Availability Reserves may include, without duplication, reserves based on: (i) rent; provided that such Availability Reserves shall be limited to an amount not to exceed the sum of (x) past due rent for all of the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ leased locations plus (y) one (1) month’s rent for all of the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ leased locations (A) located in any Landlord Lien States or (B) that are distribution centers or warehouses, other than, in each case, such locations, distribution centers or warehouses with respect to which the Administrative Agent has received a Collateral Access Agreement; (ii) customs duties, and other costs to release Inventory which is being imported into the United States; (iii) outstanding Taxes and other governmental charges, including, ad valorem, real estate, personal property, sales, and other Taxes which have priority over the security interests of the Collateral Agent under the Collateral Documents in the Current Asset Collateral; (iv) salaries, wages and benefits due to employees of the Borrower which have priority over the security interests of the Collateral Agent under the Collateral Documents in the Current Asset Collateral, (v) Customer Credit Liabilities; provided that such Availability Reserves shall be limited to an amount not to exceed 50% of then Customer Credit Liabilities; (vi) unless the Administrative Agent has received a Collateral Access Agreement from the applicable warehouseman or bailee, warehousemen’s or bailee’s charges and other Liens permitted under Section 9.1 which could reasonably be expected to have priority over the security interests of the Collateral Agent under the Collateral Documents in the Current Asset Collateral; (vii) reserves in respect of Cash Management Obligations, provided that reserves of the type described in this clause (vii) in respect of such Cash Management Obligations shall require the prior written consent of the Borrower; provided, further, that if the Borrower has consented to an Availability Reserve in respect of any Cash Management Obligations under this clause (vii) then such Availability Reserve shall not be reduced or released without the consent of the Cash Management Bank (or, if such Cash Management Bank is not a Lender, the Lender affiliated with such Cash Management Bank) holding the Cash Management Obligations in respect of which such Availability Reserve was implemented; (viii) reserves in respect of Obligations in respect of Secured Hedge Agreements; provided that reserves of the type described in this clause (viii) in respect of such Secured Hedge Agreements shall require the prior written consent of the Borrower; provided, further, that if the Borrower has consented to an Availability Reserve in respect of any Secured Hedge Agreements under this clause (viii) then such Availability Reserve shall not be reduced or released without the consent of the Hedge Bank (or, if such Hedge Bank is not a Lender, the Lender affiliated with such Hedge Bank) counterparty to the Secured Hedge Agreement in respect of which such Availability Reserve was implemented; (ix) without duplication of any eligibility criteria, the PACA Reserve and the PASA Reserve; (x) the Systems Reserve, (xi) to the extent and in the amount permitted by clause (v) of the proviso to the definition of Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, reserves in respect of any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness that is secured by any Collateral included in the Borrowing Base, and (xii) circumstances, conditions, events or contingencies not addressed in foregoing clauses (i) through (xi) above; provided that reserves of the type described in this clause (xii) shall be imposed only in the circumstances described in clauses (a) through (c) of the first sentence of this

 

7



 

definition.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the proviso to the last sentence of the definition of Borrowing Base is hereby incorporated herein mutatis mutandis.

 

Average Historical Excess Availability” means, at any Adjustment Date, the average daily Excess Availability for the Fiscal Quarter immediately preceding such Adjustment Date.

 

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

 

Bail-In Legislation” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

Bankruptcy Code” means the Bankruptcy Code in Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, modified, succeeded or replaced from time to time.

 

Base Rate” means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1%, (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as announced from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its “prime rate” at its principal office in New York City, and (c) the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate on such day for an Interest Period of one (1) month plus 1.00% (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day).  The “prime rate” is a rate set by the Administrative Agent based upon various factors including the Administrative Agent’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate.  Any change in the Base Rate due to a change in such rate announced by the Administrative Agent or in the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the announcement of such change.

 

Base Rate Loan” means any Loan during any period in which it bears interest based on the Base Rate.

 

Beneficial Owner” has the meaning given to such term in Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5 under the Exchange Act.  “Beneficially Owned” has the meaning correlative thereto.

 

Board of Directors” means, as to any Person, the board of directors or managers, as applicable, of such Person (or, if such Person is a partnership, the board of directors or other governing body of the general partner of such Person) or any duly authorized committee thereof.

 

Bona Fide Debt Fund Affiliate” means any debt fund or investment vehicle that is an Affiliate of any Disqualified Lender described in clause (i) or (ii) of the definition thereof (a) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of business and (b) with respect to which no personnel involved in the investment in, or management of, the relevant Disqualified Lender described in clause (i) or (ii) of the definition thereof (1) makes (or has the right to make or participate with others in making) investment decisions on behalf of, or otherwise cause the

 

8



 

direction of the investment policies of, such debt fund or investment vehicle or (2) has access to any information (other than information that is publicly available) relating to Holdings, the Company and/or their respective Subsidiaries.

 

Borrower” means (i) prior to the effectiveness of the Merger, Merger Sub, and (ii) thereafter, the Company.

 

Borrower Materials” has the meaning specified in Section 12.8(b).

 

Borrowing” means a borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Class and Type made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period.

 

Borrowing Base” means, at any time of calculation, an amount equal to:

 

(a)           the face amount of Eligible Credit Card Receivables multiplied by the Credit Card Advance Rate; plus

 

(b)           the Net Recovery Percentage of Eligible Inventory, multiplied by the Inventory Advance Rate multiplied by the Cost of Eligible Inventory, net of Inventory Reserves attributable to Eligible Inventory; plus

 

(c)           the lesser of (i) the Net Recovery Percentage of Eligible In-Transit Inventory multiplied by the In-Transit Advance Rate, multiplied by the Cost of Eligible In-Transit Inventory, net of Inventory Reserves attributable to Eligible In-Transit Inventory, and (ii) $15,000,000; minus

 

(d)           the then amount of all Availability Reserves (exclusive of Inventory Reserves attributable to Eligible Inventory); minus

 

(e)           the FILO Reserve.

 

The Borrowing Base at any time shall be determined by reference to the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.4, as adjusted to give effect to Reserves following such delivery; provided, that:  (i) notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, such Reserves shall not be established or changed except upon not less than three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice to the Borrower (during which period (a) the Administrative Agent shall be available to discuss any such proposed Reserve or change with the Borrower and (b) the Borrower may take such action as may be required so that the event, condition or matter that is the basis for such Reserve or change no longer exists or exists in a manner that would result in the establishment of a lower Reserve or result in a lesser change, in a manner and to the extent reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent); (ii) no such prior notice shall be required for changes to any Reserves resulting solely by virtue of mathematical calculations of the amount of the Reserves in accordance with the methodology of calculation previously utilized (such as, but not limited to, rent and Customer Credit Liabilities); (iii) the amount of any Reserve established by the Administrative Agent, and any change in the amount of any Reserve, shall have a reasonable relationship to the event, condition or other matter that is the basis for such Reserve or such change; and (iv) Reserves shall not duplicate eligibility criteria

 

9



 

contained in the definition of Eligible Credit Card Receivables, Eligible Inventory, Eligible In-Transit Inventory or any other Reserve then established.

 

Borrowing Base Certificate” means a certificate of the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit J.

 

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, Los Angeles, California or in the jurisdiction where the Administrative Agent’s Office with respect to Obligations is located and if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in Dollars in respect of any such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, or any other dealings in Dollars to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, means any such day on which dealings in deposits in Dollars are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank Eurocurrency market.

 

Capital Expenditures” means, for any period, the aggregate of (a) all amounts that would be reflected as additions to property, plant or equipment on a Consolidated statement of cash flows of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP and (b) the value of all assets under Capitalized Leases incurred by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries during such period that, in conformity with GAAP, are or are required to be included as capital expenditures on a Consolidated statement of cash flows of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the term “Capital Expenditures” shall not include: (i) expenditures made in connection with the replacement, substitution, restoration or repair of assets to the extent financed with (x) insurance proceeds paid on account of the loss of or damage to the assets being replaced, substituted, restored or repaired or (y) awards of compensation arising from the taking by eminent domain or condemnation of the assets being replaced, (ii) the purchase price of equipment that is purchased simultaneously with the trade-in of existing equipment to the extent that the gross amount of such purchase price is reduced by the credit granted by the seller of such equipment for the equipment being traded in at such time, (iii) the purchase of plant, property or equipment or software to the extent financed with the proceeds of Dispositions of Collateral that are not required to be applied to prepay the Loans pursuant to Section 2.9(b) or (c) or prepay loans under the Term Facility pursuant to the Term Facility Credit Agreement or the Second Lien Facility pursuant to the Second Lien Credit Agreement, (iv) expenditures that are accounted for as capital expenditures by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and that actually are paid for, or reimbursed to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in cash or Cash Equivalents, by a Person other than the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and for which neither the Borrower nor any Restricted Subsidiary has provided or is required to provide or incur, directly or indirectly, any consideration or obligation (other than rent) in respect of such expenditures to such Person or any other Person (whether before, during or after such period), (v) expenditures to the extent constituting any portion of an Acquisition permitted under this Agreement (but shall include Capital Expenditures made with the cash proceeds of such Acquisition by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a recipient thereof), (vi) the purchase price of equipment purchased during such period to the extent the consideration therefor consists of any combination of (A) used or surplus equipment traded in at the time of such purchase and (B) the proceeds of a concurrent sale of used or surplus equipment, in each case, in the ordinary course of business, (vii) expenditures relating to the construction, acquisition, replacement, reconstruction, development,

 

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refurbishment, renovation or improvement of any property which has been transferred to a Person other than the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary during the same Fiscal Year in which such expenditures were made pursuant to a Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction to the extent of the cash proceeds received by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to such Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction; or (viii) expenditures financed with the proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interests of Holdings, any direct or indirect parent thereof, or a capital contribution to the Borrower or Indebtedness permitted to be incurred hereunder.

 

Capitalized Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a Capitalized Lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

Capitalized Leases” means all leases that have been or are required to be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capitalized leases; provided that for all purposes hereunder the amount of obligations under any Capitalized Lease shall be the amount thereof accounted for as a liability in accordance with GAAP.

 

Cash Collateralize” means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, an Issuer or the Swing Loan Lender (as applicable) and the Lenders (other than FILO Lenders), as collateral for Letter of Credit Obligations, Obligations in respect of Swing Loans, or obligations of Lenders (other than FILO Lenders) to fund participations in respect of either thereof (as the context may require), cash in Dollars or deposit account balances or, if the applicable Issuer or Swing Loan Lender benefiting from such collateral shall agree in its sole discretion, other credit support (including, in the case of Letter of Credit Obligations, back-to-back letters of credit from an issuer reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, it being agreed that any Lender (other than a Disqualified Lender or a Defaulting Lender) shall be deemed satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), in each case in an amount and pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to (a) the Administrative Agent and (b) the applicable Issuer or the Swing Loan Lender (as applicable).  “Cash Collateral” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.

 

Cash Dominion Period” means (a) each period beginning on the date that Excess Availability shall have been less than the greater of (x) 15% of the Maximum Credit (without giving effect to the FILO Reserve) and (y) $25,000,000, in either case, for five (5) consecutive Business Days, and ending on the date Excess Availability shall have been equal to or greater than the greater of (x) 15% of the Maximum Credit (without giving effect to the FILO Reserve) and (y) $25,000,000, in either case, for thirty (30) consecutive calendar days or (b) upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the period that such Event of Default shall be continuing; provided that a Cash Dominion Period shall not be deemed to have ended under this definition on more than three (3) occasions in any period of 365 consecutive days, with each such 365 consecutive day period commencing on the first day of each such Cash Dominion Period.

 

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Cash Equivalents” means:

 

(a)                                 Dollars, Canadian dollars, pounds sterling, euros, or in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary, such local currencies held by it from time to time in the ordinary course of business and not for speculation;

 

(b)                                 readily marketable direct obligations issued or directly and fully and unconditionally guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof the securities of which are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of such government with maturities of two (2) years or less from the date of acquisition;

 

(c)                                  certificates of deposit, time deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, or bankers’ acceptances, in each case, with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any commercial bank having capital and surplus of not less than $250,000,000 and whose long-term debt is rated at least “A-2” or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s or at least “A” or the equivalent thereof by S&P (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized rating agency);

 

(d)                                 repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (b) and (c) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (c) above;

 

(e)                                  commercial paper issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Borrower) rated at least P-1 by Moody’s or A-1 by S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another internationally recognized rating agency), in each case maturing within 12 months after the date of acquisition thereof;

 

(f)                                   readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States or any political subdivision thereof having one of the two highest rating categories obtainable from either Moody’s or S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another internationally recognized rating agency), in each case with maturities of two (2) years or less from the date of acquisition;

 

(g)                                  Indebtedness issued by Persons (other than the Sponsors or any of their Affiliates) with a rating of at least A-2 by Moody’s or A by S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another internationally recognized rating agency), in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition;

 

(h)                                 investment funds investing at least 95% of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (a) through (g) above; and

 

(i)                                     auction rate securities held by the Borrower on the Effective Date in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000.

 

Cash Flow Forecast” means, as of any date, a weekly cash flow forecast of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the subsequent 13-week period prepared by a Responsible Officer, together with a cash report detailing all cash and Cash Equivalents projected by the

 

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Borrower to be on-hand for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the close of business of the last day of each such week, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and, if the Stub Term Loans outstanding as of the Stub TL Test Date are greater than $30,000,000, the FILO Agent.

 

Cash Management Bank” means any Person that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time it provides any Cash Management Services, whether or not such Person subsequently ceases to be a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender.

 

Cash Management Obligations” means obligations owed by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to any Cash Management Bank in respect of or in connection with any Cash Management Services and designated by the Cash Management Bank and the Borrower in writing to the Administrative Agent as “Cash Management Obligations”.

 

Cash Management Services” means any agreement or arrangement to provide cash management services, including treasury, depository, overdraft, credit card processing, credit or debit card, purchase card, electronic funds transfer and other cash management arrangements.

 

Cash Receipts” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.12(c).

 

Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty (excluding the taking effect after the date of this Agreement of a law, rule, regulation or treaty adopted prior to the date of this Agreement), (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority.  It is understood and agreed that (i) (x) the Dodd—Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Pub.L. 111-203, H.R. 4173), all Laws relating thereto, all interpretations and applications thereof and any compliance by a Lender with any request or directive relating thereto and (y) all rules or directives and, any compliance by a Lender with any requests or guidelines promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall, in each case, for the purposes of this Agreement, be deemed to be adopted subsequent to the date hereofEffective Date and (ii) for purposes of this Agreement, the adoption of a successor provision that is substantially equivalent to the promulgation of Treasury regulations in respect of or the issuance of official interpretations of FATCA shall be deemed not an occurrence described in the preceding sentence.

 

Change of Control” means the earliest to occur of:

 

(a)                                 at any time prior to the consummation of a Qualifying IPO: any Person or group of Persons (other than Permitted Holders) acquiring, beneficially, directly or indirectly, greater than 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power for the election of directors represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Holdings (in each case, determined on a fully diluted basis but not giving effect to contingent voting rights that have not vested); or

 

(b)                                 at any time upon or after the consummation of a Qualifying IPO (1) any Person (other than a Permitted Holder) or (2) Persons (other than one or more Permitted

 

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Holders) constituting a “group” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such Person and its Subsidiaries, and any Person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan), becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of Equity Interests representing more than thirty-five percent (35%) of the aggregate ordinary voting power for the election of directors represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Holdings (in each case, determined on a fully diluted basis but not giving effect to contingent voting rights that have not vested) and the percentage of aggregate ordinary voting power for the election of directors so held is greater than the percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power for the election of directors represented by the Equity Interests of Holdings Beneficially Owned, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate by the Permitted Holders (in each case, determined on a fully diluted basis but not giving effect to contingent voting rights that have not vested);

 

unless, in the case of either clause (a) or (b) above, the Permitted Holders have, at such time, the right or the ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election at least a majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings; or

 

(c)                                  any “Change of Control” (or any comparable term) in any document pertaining to the Term Facility (or any Permitted Refinancing thereof), the Second Lien Facility (or any Permitted Refinancing thereof), the Senior Notes or the Senior Notes Indenture, any indenture governing notes issued in a Permitted Refinancing of the Senior Notes, or any documents governing any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness (or any Permitted Refinancing thereof); or

 

(d)                                 the Borrower ceases to be a direct Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Holdings (or any successor (a “Permitted Holdings Successor”) of Holdings that (A) becomes the direct parent of the Borrower and owns no other direct Subsidiaries and (B) has expressly assumed (and is in compliance with) all the obligations of Holdings under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which Holdings is a party pursuant to a supplement hereto or thereto in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent); provided that ACOF III or one or more of its designees may own up to 20% of the Class B Equity Interests (determined on a fully diluted basis but not giving effect to contingent voting rights that have not vested), so long as Holdings has collaterally assigned its call rights set forth in the Shareholders Agreement with respect to such Class B Equity Interests to the Collateral Agent to secure the Secured Obligations.

 

The merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company shall in no event constitute a Change of Control.

 

Class” (a) when used with respect to any commitment, refers to whether such commitment is a Revolving Credit Commitment, an Extended Revolving Credit Commitment of a given Extension Series, a New Revolving Credit Commitment, an Other Commitment or a FILO Commitment, (b) when used with respect to Loans or a Borrowing, refers to whether such Loans, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans, Loans under Extended Revolving Credit Commitments of a given Extension Series, Loans under New Revolving Credit Commitments, Other Loans under an Other Commitment or FILO Loan and (c) when used with respect to Lenders, refers to whether such Lenders have a Loan or Commitment with respect to a particular Class of Loans or Commitments.  Other Commitments, Other Loans, Extended

 

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Revolving Credit Commitments of a given Extension Series and Loans under New Revolving Credit Commitments that have different terms and conditions shall be construed to be in different Classes.

 

Class B Equity Interests” means the Class B Common Stock of the Borrower.

 

Closing Date Material Adverse Effect” means any change, development, event, effect or occurrence (each, an “Event”) that, individually or in the aggregate:

 

(a)                                 has or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; or

 

(b)                                 prevents or materially delays the Company from performing its obligations under the Merger Agreement in any material respect or from consummating the Merger; provided, that none of the following shall be deemed either alone or in combination to constitute, and none of the following shall be taken into account in determining whether there has been or would be, a Closing Date Material Adverse Effect pursuant to clause (a) above:

 

(i)                           any Event generally affecting (A) the geographic regions or the industry in which the Company primarily operates to the extent that they do not disproportionately affect the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in relation to other companies in the industry in which the Company primarily operates, or (B) the economy or financial, debt, credit, banking, foreign exchange, securities or capital markets, including any change in interest, currency or exchange rates, or in any commodity, security or market index, and including any disruption of any thereof, in the United States or elsewhere in the world to the extent that they do not disproportionately affect the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in relation to other companies in the industry in which the Company primarily operates; or

 

(ii)                        to the extent (but only to the extent) arising or resulting from any of the following:

 

(A)                               changes in applicable Law or applicable accounting regulations or principles or interpretations thereof to the extent that they do not disproportionately affect the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in relation to other companies in the geographic area or industry in which the Company primarily operates;

 

(B)                               the announcement or pendency of the Merger Agreement or any related agreement or the anticipated consummation of the Merger (including the identity of Holdings or any of its affiliates as the acquiror of the Company, or any action taken, delayed or omitted to be taken by the Company at the request or with the prior consent of Holdings or Merger Sub), including the impact thereof on relationships, contractual or otherwise, with employees, customers, subcontractors or partners;

 

(C)                               national or international political conditions, any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, insurrection or war, whether or not pursuant to declaration of a national emergency or war, acts of terrorism, sabotage, strikes, freight embargoes or other calamity or crisis to the extent that they do not disproportionately affect the Company and the

 

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Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in relation to other companies in the geographic area or industry in which the Company primarily operates;

 

(D)                               any decline in the market price, or change in trading volume, of the capital stock of the Company or any change in or failure to meet publicly announced revenue or earnings projections (whether such projections or predictions were made by the Company or independent third parties) or internal projections (it being understood that any Event giving rise to such failure (other than any Event described in clause (a) or (b) of this paragraph) may be taken into account in determining whether there has been or will be a Closing Date Material Adverse Effect);

 

(E)                                any proceeding by any of the Company’s stockholders (other than the Rollover Investors) arising out of, concerning or related to the Merger Agreement or the Merger or any related proposals or processes that were announced or became known publicly (whether before or after the date of the Merger Agreement); or

 

(F)                                 fires, epidemics, quarantine restrictions, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes or other natural disasters to the extent that they do not disproportionately affect the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in relation to other companies in the geographic area or industry in which the Company primarily operates.  For purposes of this definition, “Company Subsidiaries”, “Law”, “Merger” and “Rollover Investors” shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Merger Agreement.

 

Co-Documentation Agents” means City National Bank and Siemens Financial Services, Inc., each as a Co-Documentation Agent under this Agreement.

 

Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Collateral” means all the “Collateral” (or equivalent term) as defined in any Collateral Document and shall include the Mortgaged Properties.

 

Collateral Agent” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

Collateral Access Agreement” means (A) an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit R-1 or Exhibit R-2, as applicable, or (B) any other collateral access agreement reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent executed by, as the case may be, (a) an owner or operator or warehouse lessor or other bailee or other Person (other than a Loan Party) in possession of Collateral, or (b) any landlord of any premises leased by any Loan Party, pursuant to which, in the case of a collateral access agreement entered into pursuant to clause (B), such Person (i) acknowledges the Collateral Agent’s Lien on the Collateral, (ii) releases or subordinates to the security interest of the Collateral Agent therein pursuant to the Collateral Documents such Person’s Liens in the Collateral held by such Person or located on such premises, (iii) agrees to provide the Collateral Agent with access to the Collateral held by such bailee or other Person or located in or on such premises for the purpose of conducting field examinations, appraisals or Liquidation as and to the extent permitted by the Loan Documents to which any Loan Party is a party and (iv) makes such other agreements with the Collateral Agent as

 

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the Administrative Agent may reasonably require in the good faith exercise of its Permitted Discretion.

 

Collateral and Guarantee Requirement” means, at any time, the requirement that:

 

(a)                                 the Collateral Agent shall have received each Collateral Document required to be delivered on the Effective Date pursuant to Section 4.1(a)(iv) or pursuant to Section 8.11, Section 8.12 or Section 8.13 at such time, duly executed by each Loan Party thereto;

 

(b)                                 all Obligations shall have been unconditionally guaranteed by Holdings, each wholly-owned Material Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not an Excluded Subsidiary, including those Subsidiaries that are listed on Schedule II hereto and any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that Guarantees the Senior Notes, any Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower pursuant to the Term Facility, the Second Lien Facility, any Junior Financing or any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness (or, in each case, any Permitted Refinancing thereof) (each such guarantor, a “Guarantor”);

 

(c)                                  the Obligations and the Guaranty shall have been secured by a perfected first-priority security interest (subject, as to priority, only to (i) non-consensual Liens permitted by Section 9.1, (ii) Liens permitted under Section 9.1 (including under clause (v) thereof) securing the Obligations (as defined under the Term Facility Credit Agreement), the Obligations (as defined under the Second Lien Facility Credit Agreement) or any Permitted Refinancing thereof (in each case, subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the Notes Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable) and (iii) Liens permitted under Section 9.1(p), and any modification, replacement, renewal or extension of any such Liens to the extent permitted under Section 9.1(y)) in (A) the Equity Interests of the Borrower (other than any Class B Equity Interests owned by ACOF III or one or more of its designees as permitted hereunder; provided that Holdings shall collaterally assign its call rights set forth in the Shareholders Agreement with respect to such Class B Equity Interests to the Collateral Agent to secure the Secured Obligations), (B) all Equity Interests of each Domestic Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Domestic Subsidiary described in the following clause (C)(1)) and that is a direct Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor and (C) 65% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of (1) each Domestic Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary and a direct Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor and that is a disregarded entity for United States Federal income tax purposes substantially all of the assets of which consist of Equity Interests in one or more Foreign Subsidiaries and (2) each Foreign Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary and a direct Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor  (it being understood, for the avoidance of doubt, that each of the preceding clauses (1) and (2) shall be interpreted as intended to prevent the application of Section 956 of the Code to Holdings, the Borrower and any of their respective Subsidiaries as a result of the Obligations, the Secured Obligations and the Guaranty); provided that Holdings, the Borrower and their respective Subsidiaries shall not be required to enter into any pledge or other collateral agreements governed by foreign Law (other than with respect to Collateral in the Borrowing Base located in Canada, as to which the Laws of Canada shall govern); and

 

(d)                                 except to the extent otherwise provided hereunder, including subject to Liens permitted by Section 9.1, or under any Collateral Document, the Obligations and the

 

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Guaranty shall have been secured by a perfected first-priority security interest (to the extent such security interest may be perfected by delivering certificated securities, filing financing statements under the UCC and the PPSA or making any necessary filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or United States Copyright Office) in substantially all tangible and intangible personal property Collateral of the Borrower and each Guarantor, in each case, as, and with the priority, required by the Collateral Documents, in each case subject to exceptions and limitations otherwise set forth in this Agreement and the Collateral Documents; provided that any such security interests in Collateral shall be subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the Notes Intercreditor Agreement.

 

The foregoing definition shall not require (i) Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries to enter into any Collateral Documents (or any foreign equivalent thereof), or any other pledge or collateral documents, governed or purported to be governed by foreign Law (other than with respect to Collateral in the Borrowing Base located in Canada, as to which the Laws of Canada shall govern), (ii) the creation or perfection of pledges of or security interests in, or the obtaining of title insurance, surveys, abstracts or appraisals with respect to, particular assets if and for so long as, in the reasonable judgment of both the Collateral Agent and the Borrower, the cost, difficulty, burden or consequences of creating or perfecting such pledges or security interests in such assets or obtaining title insurance, surveys, abstracts or appraisals in respect to such assets shall be excessive in relation to the benefit to the Lenders to be afforded thereby or (iii) with respect to any Loan Party, the Guarantee of any Obligation that constitutes an Excluded Swap Obligation with respect to such Loan Party.

 

Subject to the immediately preceding paragraph, the Collateral Agent may grant extensions of time for the creation or perfection of security interests in or the obtaining of title insurance and surveys with respect to particular assets (including extensions beyond (x) the Effective Date or, if later, the date required by the proviso at the end of Section 4.1(a) or Section 8.13 for the creation or perfection of security interests in the assets of the Loan Parties on such date, or (y) the closing date of any Acquisition permitted by this Agreement or, if later, the date required by Section 8.11 or Section 8.13 for the creation or perfection of security interests in the assets acquired in such Acquisition on such date) where it reasonably determines, in consultation with the Borrower, that creation or perfection cannot reasonably be accomplished without undue effort, difficulty, burden or expense by the time or times at which it would otherwise be required by this Agreement or the Collateral Documents.

 

Collateral Documents” means, collectively, the Security Agreement, the Intellectual Property Security Agreements, the Mortgages, each of the mortgages, collateral assignments, the Security Agreement Supplements, security agreements, pledge agreements or other similar agreements delivered to the Agents and the Lenders pursuant to Section 4.1(a)(iv), Section 8.11, Section 8.12 or Section 8.13, the Guaranty, each Lien Acknowledgment Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement, the Notes Intercreditor Agreement and each of the other agreements, instruments or documents executed and delivered by one or more Loan Parties that creates or purports to create a Lien or Guarantee in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties to secure or Guarantee the Obligations.

 

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Commitment” means a Revolving Credit Commitment, an Extended Revolving Credit Commitment of a given Extension Series, a New Revolving Credit Commitment, an Other Commitment or a FILO Commitment, as the context may require.

 

Commitment Increase” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.15(a).

 

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

 

Company” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit O and which certificate shall in any event be a certificate of the chief financial officer (a) certifying as to whether, to such chief financial officer’s knowledge, except as otherwise disclosed to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement, an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and, if applicable, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (b) setting forth a reasonably detailed calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the most recently completed Test Period, and (c) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations, in the case of financial statements delivered under Section 7.1, beginning with the financial statements for the Fiscal Year of the Borrower ending on or around March 31, 2012, of the Net Cash Proceeds received during the applicable period by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Disposition subject to prepayment pursuant to Section 2.9.

 

Consolidated” means, with respect to any Person, the consolidation of accounts of such Person and any other Person in accordance with GAAP, and shall not include any Unrestricted Subsidiary, but the interest of such Person in an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be accounted for as an Investment.  Unless the context otherwise requires “Consolidated” refers to the consolidated of accounts of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.  “Consolidation” has a correlative meaning.

 

Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation and amortization expense, including the amortization of key money and other intangible assets and deferred financing fees and amortization of unrecognized prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses related to pensions and other post-employment benefits, of such Person and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a Consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period:

 

(1)                                 increased, in each case to the extent deducted (and not added back) or, in the case of clause (l) not already included, in Consolidated Net Income, and in each case, without duplication, by:

 

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(a)                                 provision for taxes based on income or profits or capital, including state, franchise, excise and similar taxes and foreign withholding taxes of such Person paid or accrued, including any penalties and interest relating to any tax examinations; plus

 

(b)                                 Fixed Charges (of the type described in clauses (a) and (c) (without giving effect to clause (ii) of the parenthetical in such clause (c)) of the definition thereof) of such Person for such period (including (i) net losses on Swap Contracts or other derivative instruments entered into for the purpose of hedging interest rate risk and (ii) expenses of surety bonds in connection with financing activities, in each case, to the extent included in Fixed Charges), together with items excluded from the definition of “Consolidated Interest Expense” pursuant to clauses (a) through (c) thereof; plus

 

(c)                                  Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense of such Person for such period; plus

 

(d)                                 extraordinary, non-recurring, unusual and exceptional losses, charges and expenses; plus

 

(e)                                  losses, charges and expenses relating to the Transaction; business optimization (including consolidation initiatives), relocation or integration; consolidation or closing of stores, distribution centers or other facilities or exiting lines of business; acquisitions after the Effective Date; initiatives aimed at profitability improvement; strategic initiatives; personnel relocation, restructuring, redundancy, severance, termination, settlement or judgment; one-time compensation charges; and the amount of any signing, retention and completion bonuses; plus

 

(f)                                   losses, charges and expenses attributable to Disposed or discontinued operations and losses, charges and expenses related to the disposal of Disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations; plus

 

(g)                                  losses, charges and expenses attributable to asset Dispositions or the sale or other disposition of any Equity Interests of any Person other than in the ordinary course of business, as determined in good faith by a Responsible Officer or the Board of Directors of the Borrower; plus

 

(h)                                 losses, charges and expenses attributable to the early extinguishment or conversion of Indebtedness, Swap Contracts or other derivative instruments (including deferred financing expenses written off and premiums paid); plus

 

(i)                                     the amount of any minority interest expense consisting of Subsidiary income attributable to minority equity interests of third parties in any non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary; plus

 

(j)                                    the amount of management, monitoring, consulting and advisory fees (including termination fees) and related indemnities, charges and expenses paid or accrued to or on behalf of any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower or any of the Permitted Holders, in each case to the extent permitted under Section 9.8; plus

 

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(k)                                 losses, charges and expenses related to internal software development that are expensed but could have been capitalized under alternative accounting policies in accordance with GAAP; plus

 

(l)                                     the amount of net cost savings and synergies projected by the Borrower in good faith to be realized as a result of specified actions taken or expected to be taken prior to or during such period (which cost savings or synergies shall be subject only to certification by management of the Borrower and shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis as though such cost savings or synergies had been realized on the first day of such period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions; provided that (A) such cost savings or synergies are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable, and (B) such actions have been taken or are to be taken within twelve (12) months after the date of determination to take such action; and provided, further that the aggregate amount added back to pursuant to this clause (l) in any four-quarter period shall not exceed the greater of (i) $25,000,000 and (ii) 15% of Consolidated EBITDA for such period (calculated after giving effect to all adjustments pursuant to this definition, including this clause (l)); plus

 

(m)                             losses, charges and expenses related to the pre-opening and opening of Stores, distribution centers or other facilities; provided that the aggregate amount added back to Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to this clause (m) in any four-quarter period shall not exceed $12,500,000 for such period; plus

 

(n)                                 losses, charges and expenses related to payments made to option holders of the Borrower or any of its direct or indirect parents in connection with, or as a result of, any distribution being made to equityholders of such Person or any of its direct or indirect parents, which payments are being made to compensate such option holders as though they were equityholders at the time of, and entitled to share in, such distribution, in each case to the extent permitted under the Senior Notes Indenture; plus

 

(o)                                 with respect to any Joint Venture that is not a Restricted Subsidiary, an amount equal to the proportion of those items described in clauses (a), (b) and (c) above relating to such Joint Venture corresponding to the Borrower’s and the Restricted Subsidiaries’ proportionate share of such Joint Venture’s Consolidated Net Income (determined as if such Joint Venture were a Restricted Subsidiary); plus

 

(p)                                 cash receipts (or any netting arrangements resulting in reduced cash expenditures) not included in Consolidated EBITDA or Consolidated Net Income in any period to the extent non-cash gains relating to such cash receipts or netting arrangement were deducted in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clause (2) below for any prior period and not added back; plus

 

(q)                                 any other non-cash losses, charges and expenses, including any write offs or write downs, reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period, excluding any such loss, charge or expense that represents an accrual or reserve for a cash expenditure for a future period; and

 

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(2)                                 decreased by (without duplication) non-cash gains increasing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period, excluding any non-cash gains that represent the reversal of any accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges that were deducted (and not added back) in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA for any prior period.

 

Consolidated Indebtedness” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on such date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, consisting of Indebtedness of the types described in clauses (a) and (f) of the definition of “Indebtedness”; provided that Consolidated Indebtedness shall not include (a) any letter of credit, except to the extent of unreimbursed obligations in respect of drawn letters of credit (provided that any unreimbursed amount under commercial letters of credit shall not be counted as Consolidated Indebtedness until three Business Days after such amount is drawn (it being understood that any borrowing, whether automatic or otherwise, to fund such reimbursement shall be counted)) and (b) obligations under Swap Contracts.

 

Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

 

(a)                                 Consolidated interest expense of such Person and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent such expense was deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income (including amortization of original issue discount, the interest component of Capitalized Lease Obligations, and net payments and receipts (if any) pursuant to interest rate Swap Contracts and excluding additional interest in respect of the Senior Notes, amortization of deferred financing fees, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses and expensing of any bridge, commitment or other financing fees); plus

 

(b)                                 Consolidated capitalized interest of such Person and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued; plus

 

(c)                                  any amounts paid or payable pursuant to Section 9.6(g)(vii); minus

 

(d)                                 interest income for such period.

 

For purposes of this definition, interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by the Borrower to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a Consolidated basis, and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that, without duplication:

 

(a)                                 the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles shall be excluded;

 

(b)                                 the net after-tax effect of extraordinary, non-recurring, unusual and exceptional gains, losses, charges and expenses shall be excluded;

 

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(c)                                  the net after-tax effect of any losses, charges and expenses related to the Transaction; business optimization (including consolidation initiatives), relocation or integration; consolidation or closing of Stores, distribution centers or other facilities or exiting lines of business; acquisitions after the Effective Date; initiatives aimed at profitability improvement; strategic initiatives; personnel relocation, restructuring, redundancy, severance, termination, settlement or judgment; one-time compensation charges; and the amount of any signing, retention and completion bonuses; shall in each case be excluded;

 

(d)                                 the net after-tax effect of gains, losses, charges and expenses attributable to disposed or discontinued operations and any net after-tax gains, losses, charges and expenses related to the disposal of disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations shall be excluded;

 

(e)                                  the net after-tax effect of gains, losses, charges and expenses attributable to asset Dispositions or the sale or other Disposition of any Equity Interests of any Person other than in the ordinary course of business, as determined in good faith by a Responsible Officer or the Board of Directors of the Borrower, shall be excluded;

 

(f)                                   the net after-tax effect of gains, losses, charges and expenses attributable to the early extinguishment or conversion of Indebtedness, Swap Contracts or other derivative instruments (including deferred financing expenses written off and premiums paid) shall be excluded;

 

(g)                                  the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary, or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be excluded; provided that Consolidated Net Income of the Borrower shall be increased by the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments that (i) are actually paid to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period in cash, or (ii) as reasonably determined in good faith by a Responsible Officer or the Board of Directors of the Borrower could have been so paid to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period;

 

(h)                                 [reserved];

 

(i)                                     the effects of adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries) in any line item in such Person’s Consolidated financial statements pursuant to GAAP resulting from the application of recapitalization accounting or purchase accounting, as the case may be, in connection with the Transaction, any acquisition or any joint venture investments or the amortization or write off of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded;

 

(j)                                    impairment charges, asset write offs and write downs, including impairment charges, asset write offs and write downs related to goodwill, intangible assets, long-lived assets, investments in debt and equity securities or as a result of a change in law or regulation, in each case pursuant to GAAP, and the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to GAAP shall be excluded;

 

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(k)                                 (i) non-cash compensation charges and expenses, including any such charges and expenses arising from grants of stock appreciation or similar rights, phantom equity, stock options, restricted stock or other rights or equity incentive programs and (ii) non-cash deemed finance charges in respect of any pension liabilities or other provisions shall be excluded;

 

(l)                                     (i) charges and expenses pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement, any stock subscription or shareholder agreement or any distributor equity plan or agreement and (ii) charges, expenses, accruals and reserves in connection with the rollover, acceleration or payout of Equity Interests held by management of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, in the case of each of (i) and (ii), to the extent that (in the case of any cash charges and expenses) such charges, expenses, accruals and reserves are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower or Net Cash Proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests and except to the extent that such proceeds do not increase the amount available under clause (c) of the definition of Available Amount) of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower shall be excluded;

 

(m)                             charges, expenses and fees incurred, or any amortization thereof, in connection with any Equity Offering, acquisition, Investment, recapitalization, asset Disposition, incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness, issuance of Equity Interests, refinancing transaction or amendment or modification of any debt instrument (in each case, including any such transaction consummated prior to the Effective Date and any such transaction undertaken but not completed) and any non-recurring charges and expenses (including non-recurring merger expenses) incurred as a result of any such transaction shall be excluded;

 

(n)                                 accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted, in each case within 12 months of the subject transaction, as a result of the Transaction or any acquisition, Investment, asset Disposition, write down or write off (including the related tax benefit) in accordance with GAAP (including any adjustment of estimated payouts on earn-outs) or charges as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies shall be excluded;

 

(o)                                 to the extent covered by insurance and actually reimbursed, or, so long as the Borrower has made a good faith determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer and only to the extent that (i) such coverage is not denied by the applicable carrier or indemnifying party in writing within 180 days and (ii) such amount is in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such determination (with a deduction in the applicable future period for any amount so added back to the extent not so reimbursed within 365 days), losses, charges, expenses, accruals and reserves with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be excluded;

 

(p)                                 losses, charges and expenses that are covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any acquisition, Investment or asset Disposition, to the extent actually reimbursed, or, so long as the Borrower has made a determination that a reasonable basis exists for indemnification or reimbursement and only to the extent that such amount is in fact indemnified or reimbursed within 365 days of such determination (with a deduction in the applicable future period for any amount so added back to the extent not so indemnified or reimbursed within such 365 days), shall be excluded;

 

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(q)                                 (i) non-cash or unrealized gains or losses in respect of obligations under Swap Contracts or any ineffectiveness recognized in earnings related to qualifying hedge transactions or the fair value of changes therein recognized in earnings for derivatives that do not qualify as hedge transactions, in each case, in respect of obligations under Swap Contracts, and (ii) gains or losses resulting from currency translation gains or losses related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness (including gains or losses resulting from (A) Swap Contracts for currency exchange risk and (B) intercompany Indebtedness) and all other foreign currency translation gains or losses to the extent such gains or losses are non-cash items shall be excluded; and

 

(r)                                    deferred tax expenses associated with tax deductions or net operating losses arising as a result of the Transaction, or the release of any valuation allowance related to such item, shall be excluded.

 

Consolidated Senior Secured Net Debt” means, as of any date of determination, Consolidated Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected on the Borrower’s Consolidated balance sheet that is secured by a Lien less the amount of cash and Cash Equivalents in excess of any Restricted Cash that would be stated on the Borrower’s Consolidated balance sheet as of such date of determination, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000,000.

 

Consolidated Total Net Debt” means, as of any date of determination, Consolidated Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected on the Borrower’s Consolidated balance sheet less the amount of cash and Cash Equivalents in excess of any Restricted Cash that would be stated on the Borrower’s Consolidated balance sheet as of such date of determination, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000,000.

 

Constituent 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.

 

Contractual Obligation” means, 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” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise.  “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.  For the avoidance of doubt, none of the Arrangers, the Agents or their respective lending affiliates or any entity acting as an Issuer hereunder shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries.

 

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Cost” means the cost of purchases of Inventory determined according to the accounting policies used in the preparation of the Borrower’s financial statements.

 

Co-Syndication Agent” means each of Citizens Bank, N.A. and UBS Securities LLC, as a co- syndication agent under this Agreement.

 

Covenant Trigger Event” means that Excess Availability shall have been less than the greater of (i) $20,000,000 and (ii) 12.5% of the Maximum Credit (without giving effect to the FILO Reserve). For purposes hereof, the occurrence of a Covenant Trigger Event shall be deemed to be continuing until Excess Availability is equal to or greater than the greater of (i) $20,000,000 and (ii) 12.5% of the Maximum Credit (without giving effect to the FILO Reserve), in either case, for thirty (30) consecutive days, in which case a Covenant Trigger Event shall no longer be deemed to be continuing for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness” means any (a) Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (b) Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt, (c) Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt or (d) Indebtedness under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents incurred pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment, in each case, issued, incurred or otherwise obtained (including by means of the extension or renewal of existing Indebtedness) in exchange for, or to extend, renew, replace or refinance, in whole or part, (1) existing Revolving Loans or FILO Loan, (2) existing Loans under Extended Revolving Credit Commitments of any given Extension Series, (3) existing Loans under New Revolving Credit Commitments of any given Extension Series, (4) existing Other Loans or (5) in the case of Other Commitments obtained pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment, Revolving Credit Commitments hereunder (including, in each case, any successive Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness) (“Refinanced Debt”); provided that (i) such exchanging, extending, renewing, replacing or refinancing Indebtedness (including, if such Indebtedness includes any Other Commitments, the unused portion of such Other Commitments) is in an original aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) not greater than the aggregate principal amount of the Refinanced Debt (and, in the case of Refinanced Debt consisting, in whole or in part, of unused Revolving Credit Commitments or Other Commitments, the amount thereof) except by an amount equal to unpaid accrued or capitalized interest thereon, any make-whole payments and premium (including tender premium) thereon, any swap breakage costs and other termination costs related to Swap Contracts and other customary fees and expenses (including upfront fees and OID) in connection with such exchange, modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal, replacement or extension, (ii) such Indebtedness has a maturity not earlier than, and a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than, the Refinanced Debt, (iii) the terms and conditions of such Indebtedness (except (A) as otherwise provided in clause (ii) above, (B) with respect to pricing (including interest rate, fees, funding discounts and other pricing terms), prepayment or other premiums, optional prepayment or redemption terms and subordination provided, however, that prior to the Latest Maturity Date in effect on the date any Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt constituting Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred, if (x) the applicable margins, interest rate floors or the unused commitment fee rate with respect to such Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt (other than with respect to any Refinanced Debt constituting FILO Loan) which ranks pari passu basis in right of payment in any collateral distribution waterfall with the Obligations (other than Obligations under the FILO Facility) exceed any of the Applicable Margins, interest rate floors or Applicable Unused

 

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Commitment Fee Rate, as the case may be, with respect to the existing Revolving Credit Commitment Facility, the Applicable Margins, interest rate floors and/or Applicable Unused Commitment Fee Rate, as applicable (other than with respect to the FILO Facility), shall be increased to equal the applicable margins, interest rate floors and the unused commitment fee rate with respect to such Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt and (y) the applicable margins or interest rate floors with respect to such Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt (with respect to any Refinanced Debt constituting FILO Loan) which ranks pari passu basis in right of payment in any collateral distribution waterfall with the Obligations under the FILO Facility exceed any of the Applicable Margins or interest rate floors, as the case may be, with respect to the existing FILO Facility, the Applicable Margins and/or interest rate floors, as applicable, with respect to the existing FILO Facility shall be increased to equal the applicable margins and interest rate floors with respect to such Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt and (C) for covenants or other provisions applicable only to periods after the Latest Maturity Date determined at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness) are substantially identical to, or (taken as a whole) are no more favorable to the lenders or holders providing such Indebtedness, than those applicable to the Refinanced Debt being refinanced, taken as a whole (provided that a certificate of a Responsible Officer delivered to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent at least five (5) Business Days prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such Indebtedness or drafts of the material documentation relating thereto, stating that the Borrower has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the requirement of this clause (iii) shall be conclusive evidence that such terms and conditions satisfy such requirement unless the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent notifies the Borrower within such five (5) Business Day period that it disagrees with such determination (including a reasonably detailed description of the basis upon which it disagrees)), (iv) such Refinanced Debt shall be repaid, defeased or satisfied and discharged, and all accrued interest, fees and premiums (if any) in connection therewith shall be paid with 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds of the applicable Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, on the date such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is issued, incurred or obtained, and to the extent that such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness consists, in whole or in part, of Revolving Credit Commitments or Other Commitments (or Revolving Loans, FILO Loan or Other Loans incurred pursuant to any Revolving Credit Commitments or Other Commitments), such Revolving Credit Commitments or Other Commitments, as applicable, to the extent being refinanced by the applicable Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness shall be terminated to the extent of the Refinanced Debt, and all accrued fees in connection therewith shall be paid, on the date such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is issued, incurred or obtained, and (v) to the extent any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis with the Facility, unless such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is in the form of Loans that are supported by the Borrowing Base or FILO Borrowing Base and subject to the Loan Documents, corresponding Availability Reserves will be established against the Borrowing Base in an amount equal to the greater of (i) the principal amount of such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, or (ii) the lesser of (x) total commitments under such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness and (y) the maximum principal amount permitted to be borrowed thereunder pursuant to the borrowing base provisions contained therein.

 

Credit Card Advance Rate” means 90%.

 

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Credit Card Agreements” means all agreements now or hereafter entered into by the Borrower or any Guarantor for the benefit of the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case with any Credit Card Issuer or any Credit Card Processor, as the same now exist or may hereafter be amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, restated or replaced, including, but not limited to, the agreements set forth on Schedule 1.1B hereto.

 

Credit Card Issuer” means any Person (other than the Borrower or a Guarantor) who issues or whose members issue credit or debit cards, including MasterCard or VISA bank credit or debit cards or other bank credit or debit cards issued through MasterCard International, Inc., Visa, U.S.A., Inc. or Visa International and American Express, Discover, Diners Club, Carte Blanche, other non-bank credit or debit cards, including credit or debit cards issued by or through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. or Novus Services, Inc., any issuer of credit or debit cards distributed to customers of third parties pursuant to any refund or rebate program, and any issuer of credit or debit-type cards issued by any Governmental Authority, including pursuant to any “electronic benefit transaction”, food stamp or similar program.

 

Credit Card Notification” means, collectively, the notices to Credit Card Issuers or Credit Card Processors who are parties to Credit Card Agreements in substantially the form of Exhibit Q or such other form as is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

Credit Card Processor” means any servicing or processing agent or any factor or financial intermediary who facilitates, services, processes or manages the credit authorization, billing transfer and/or payment procedures with respect to the Borrower’s or any Guarantor’s sales transactions involving credit card or debit card purchases by customers using credit cards or debit cards issued by any Credit Card Issuer.

 

Credit Card Receivables” means, collectively, (a) all present and future rights of the Borrower or any Guarantor to payment from any Credit Card Issuer, Credit Card Processor or other third party arising from sales of goods or rendition of services to customers who have purchased such goods or services using a credit or debit card and (b) all present and future rights of the Borrower or any Guarantor to payment from any Credit Card Issuer, Credit Card Processor or other third party in connection with the sale or transfer of Accounts arising pursuant to the sale of goods or rendition of services to customers who have purchased such goods or services using a credit card or a debit card, including, but not limited to, all amounts at any time due or to become due from any Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor under the Credit Card Agreements or otherwise, in each case above calculated net of prevailing interchange charges.

 

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

 

Cure Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 10.4(b).

 

Cure Expiration Date” has the meaning specified in Section 10.4(a).

 

Current Asset Collateral” means all the “ABL Priority Collateral” as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

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

 

Customs Broker Agreement” means (i) an agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit P, or (ii) any agreement in such other form as may be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent among a Loan Party, a customs broker, freight forwarder or other carrier, and the Collateral Agent, in which the customs broker, freight forwarder or other carrier acknowledges that it has control over and holds the documents evidencing ownership of, or other shipping documents relating to, the subject Inventory or other property constituting Collateral for the benefit of the Collateral Agent, and agrees, upon written notice from the Collateral Agent (which notice shall be delivered only upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and shall be withdrawn in writing by the Collateral Agent at such time as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing), to hold and dispose of the subject Inventory and other property solely as directed by the Collateral Agent.

 

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

 

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

 

Default Rate” means an interest rate equal to the Base Rate, plus 2.0% per annum; provided that with respect to the outstanding principal amount of any Loan, the Default Rate shall be an interest rate equal to the interest rate (including any Applicable Margin) otherwise applicable to such Loan (giving effect to Section 2.11, if applicable) plus 2.0% per annum, in each case, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

 

Defaulting Lender” means, subject to Section 2.16(b), any Lender that, (a) has failed to perform any of its funding obligations hereunder, including in respect of its Loans or participations in respect of Letters of Credit or Swing Loans, within three (3) Business Days of the date required to be funded by it hereunder, (b) has notified the Borrower or the Administrative Agent that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations or has made a public statement to that effect with respect to its funding obligations hereunder or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three (3) Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent, to confirm in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that it will comply with its funding obligations (provided that any Lender that has failed to give such timely confirmation shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender under this clause (c) upon receipt of such confirmation by the Administrative Agent), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, (ii) had a

 

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receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or a custodian appointed for it, (iii) taken any action in furtherance of, or indicated its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment or (iv) become the subject of a Bail-in Action; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender.

 

Deposit Account” means any checking or other demand deposit account maintained by the Loan Parties, including any “deposit accounts” under Article 9 of the UCC.  All funds in such Deposit Accounts shall be presumed to be Collateral and proceeds of Collateral and the Collateral Agent and the Lenders shall have no duty to inquire as to the source of the amounts on deposit in the Deposit Accounts, subject to the Security Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Deposit Account Control Agreement” means, with respect to any Deposit Account, an agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, among the Collateral Agent, the financial institution or other Person at which such account is maintained and the Loan Party maintaining such account, effective to grant “control” (as defined under the applicable UCC) over such account to the Collateral Agent.

 

Designated Non-Cash Consideration” means the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of non-cash consideration received by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with a Disposition pursuant to Section 9.5(j) that is designated as Designated Non-Cash Consideration pursuant to a certificate of a Responsible Officer, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration.

 

Designated Sale-Leaseback Property” means Material Real Property, other than distribution centers, that the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary intends to Dispose of in a Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction, to the extent that (x) the Borrower designates such Material Real Property, in writing to the Administrative Agent, on or our prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date, as “Designated Sale-Leaseback Property” and (y) the Loan Parties Dispose of such Material Real Property in a transaction permitted hereunder prior to the expiration of the 90-day period (or such longer period as the Collateral Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) following the earlier of (1) the first anniversary of the Effective Date and (2) delivery by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent of the designation notice referred to in the foregoing clause (x).

 

Discharge of Obligations” means the time at which all the Secured Obligations (other than (i) contingent indemnification and reimbursement obligations as to which no claim has been asserted by the Person entitled thereto, (ii) Obligations under Secured Hedge Agreements, and (iii) Cash Management Obligations) have been paid in full in cash, all Letters of Credit have

 

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expired or been terminated (other than Letters of Credit for which other arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each applicable Issuer have been made) and all Commitments have been terminated.

 

Disposition” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction and any sale or issuance of Equity Interests in a Subsidiary) of any property by any Person, including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.  “Dispose” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing.

 

Disqualified Equity Interests” means any Equity Interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security or other Equity Interests into which it is convertible or for which it is redeemable or exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (except as a result of a change of control or asset sale to the extent that (i) such Equity Interest provides that such Equity Interest shall not be required to be repurchased or redeemed until the Latest Maturity Date has occurred, determined as of the time of issuance of such Equity Interest, or (ii) such repurchase or redemption is otherwise permitted by this Agreement (including as a result of a waiver hereunder)) or (b) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than (i) solely for Qualified Equity Interests, (ii) as a result of a change of control or asset sale to the extent that such Equity Interest provides that such Equity Interest shall not be required to be repurchased or redeemed until the Latest Maturity Date has occurred, determined as of the time of issuance of such Equity Interest, or (iii) such repurchase or redemption is otherwise permitted by this Agreement (including as a result of a waiver hereunder)), in whole or in part, (c) provides for the scheduled payments of dividends in cash, or (d) is or becomes convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness or any other Equity Interests that would constitute Disqualified Equity Interests, in each case, prior to the date that is ninety-one (91) days after the Latest Maturity Date of the Loans determined as of the time of issuance of such Equity Interest; provided that if such Equity Interests are issued pursuant to any equity or incentive compensation or benefit plan or arrangement of Holdings, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, such Equity Interests shall not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests solely because they may be required to be repurchased by Holdings, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s termination, death or disability.

 

Disqualified Lenders” means (i) any person identified by the Company in writing that is or becomes a competitor of the Company and/or any its Subsidiaries, (ii) any Person that is identified in writing to the Administrative Agent prior to the Amendment No. 4 Effective Date and (iii) an Affiliate of any Person described in clauses (i) or (ii) above that is either (x) reasonably identifiable on the basis of such Affiliate’s name or (y) identified in writing by the Company from time to time, other than, in either case, any Bona Fide Debt Fund Affiliate (except to the extent expressly identified pursuant to clause (ii) above); provided that no written notice delivered pursuant to the foregoing clauses (i) or (iii) shall apply retroactively to cause any Person that has previously acquired an assignment or participation interest in the Facility to become a Disqualified Lender.

 

Document” has the meaning set forth in Article 9 of the UCC.

 

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Documentary Letter of Credit” means any Letter of Credit that is drawable upon presentation of documents evidencing the sale or shipment of goods purchased by the Borrower or a Guarantor in the ordinary course of its business.

 

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

 

Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the Laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Effective Date” means January 13, 2012.

 

Eligible Assignee” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 12.2(b)(iii) and (v) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 12.2(b)(iii)).

 

Eligible Credit Card Receivables” means, as to the Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor, Credit Card Receivables of such Person which satisfy the criteria set forth below:

 

(a)           such Credit Card Receivables arise from the actual and bona fide sale and delivery of goods or rendition of services by such Person in the ordinary course of the business of such Person;

 

(b)           such Credit Card Receivables are not unpaid more than five (5) Business Days after the date of the sale of Inventory giving rise to such Credit Card Receivables;

 

(c)           the Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor obligated in respect of such Credit Card Receivables has not failed to remit any monthly payment in respect of such Credit Card Receivable;

 

(d)           the Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor with respect to such Credit Card Receivables has not asserted a counterclaim, defense or dispute against such Credit Card Receivables (other than customary set-offs to fees and chargebacks consistent with the practices of such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor with such Person from time to time), but the portion of the Credit Card Receivables owing by such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card

 

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Processor in excess of the amount owing by such Person to such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor pursuant to such fees and chargebacks shall be deemed Eligible Credit Card Receivables;

 

(e)           the Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor with respect to such Credit Card Receivables has not set off against amounts otherwise payable by such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor to such Person for the purpose of establishing a reserve or collateral for obligations of such Person to such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor (other than customary set-offs and chargebacks consistent with the practices of such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor from time to time) but the portion of the Credit Card Receivables owing by such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor in excess of the set-off amounts shall be deemed Eligible Credit Card Receivables;

 

(f)            such Credit Card Receivables (x) are owned by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor and such Person has good title to such Credit Card Receivables, (y) are subject to the first priority, valid and perfected security interest of the Collateral Agent (subject as to priority only to Liens permitted under Section 9.1 having priority by operation of applicable Law over the Liens of the Collateral Agent), for and on behalf of itself and Lenders, as to such Credit Card Receivables of such Person and (z) are not subject to any other Lien (other than Liens permitted under Section 9.1 (subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement)) (the foregoing clause (y) not being intended to limit the ability of the Administrative Agent to change, establish or eliminate any Reserves in its Permitted Discretion on account of any such permitted Liens);

 

(g)           the Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor with respect to such Credit Card Receivables is not subject to an event of the type described in Section 10.1(f);

 

(h)           no event of default has occurred and is continuing under the Credit Card Agreement of such Person with the Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor who has issued the credit card or debit card or handles payments under the credit card or debit card used in the sale which gave rise to such Credit Card Receivables which event of default gives such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor the right to cease or suspend payments to such Person unless, and for so long as, such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor has waived such event of default;

 

(i)            the customer using the credit card or debit card giving rise to such Credit Card Receivable shall not have returned the merchandise purchased giving rise to such Credit Card Receivable; provided that only the portion of such Credit Card Receivable attributable to the merchandise returned shall not be eligible pursuant to this clause (i);

 

(j)            to the extent required by Section 8.12(b), Credit Card Notifications have been delivered to the Administrative Agent with respect to the Credit Card Receivables;

 

(k)           the Credit Card Processor is organized and has its principal offices or assets within the United States or Canada or is otherwise acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion; provided that, with respect to Canada, all necessary or advisable actions, as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent, have been taken to perfect the

 

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security interest of the Collateral Agent in such Credit Card Receivables under the Laws of Canada;

 

(l)            such Credit Card Receivables are not evidenced by chattel paper or an instrument of any kind, and have not been reduced to judgment; and

 

(m)          in the case of a Credit Card Receivable due from a Credit Card Processor, the Administrative Agent has not notified the Borrower that the Administrative Agent has determined in its Permitted Discretion that such Credit Card Receivable is unlikely to be collected.

 

Credit Card Receivables which would otherwise constitute Eligible Credit Card Receivables pursuant to this definition will not be deemed ineligible solely by virtue of the Credit Card Agreements with respect thereto having been entered into by (i) any Guarantor, for the benefit of Borrower, (ii) any Guarantor for the benefit or any other Guarantor, or (iii) by the Borrower for the benefit of any Guarantor.  Any Credit Card Receivables which are not Eligible Credit Card Receivables shall nevertheless be part of the Collateral to the extent required by the Collateral Documents.

 

Eligible In-Transit Inventory” means, as of any date of determination, without duplication of other Eligible Inventory, Inventory of the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor which meets the following criteria:

 

(a)           such Inventory has been shipped from any foreign location to a United States or Canadian location for receipt by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor within sixty (60) days of the date of determination and has not yet been received by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor; provided that, with respect to Canada, all necessary or advisable actions, as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent, have been taken to perfect the security interest of the Collateral Agent in such Inventory under the Laws of Canada;

 

(b)           the purchase order for such Inventory is in the name of the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor and title has passed to the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(c)           either (i) such Inventory is subject to a negotiable document of title, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, which shall, except as otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion, have been endorsed to the Administrative Agent or an agent acting on its behalf or (ii) such Inventory is evidenced by a non-negotiable document of title in form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, or other shipping document reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, which names the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor as consignee;

 

(d)           during the continuation of any In-Transit Trigger Period, (i) each relevant freight carrier, freight forwarder, customs broker, shipping company or other Person in possession of such Inventory and/or the documents relating to such Inventory, in each case, as reasonably requested by Administrative Agent, shall have entered into a Customs Broker Agreement and (ii) as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, the documents relating to such Inventory shall be in the possession of the Administrative Agent or an agent (or sub-agent) acting on its behalf;

 

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(e)           such Inventory is insured in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including, if applicable, marine cargo insurance;

 

(f)            such Inventory is subject to a first priority perfected security interest in such Inventory in favor of the Collateral Agent (except, as to priority, for any possessory lien upon such goods and any documentation relating to such goods in the possession of a freight carrier or shipping company securing only the freight charges for the transportation of such goods to the Borrower or Subsidiary Guarantor or any Liens permitted under Section 9.1 having priority by operation of applicable Law); and

 

(g)           such Inventory is not excluded from the definition of Eligible Inventory (except solely pursuant to clauses (f), (i), (m), (n), (u) and (v) thereof); provided that the Administrative Agent may, in its Permitted Discretion and upon notice to the Borrower, exclude any particular Inventory from the definition of “Eligible In-Transit Inventory” in the event that the Administrative Agent determines in its Permitted Discretion and upon notice to the Borrower that such Inventory is subject to any Person’s right or claim which is (or is capable of being) senior to, or pari passu with, the Lien of the Collateral Agent (such as, without limitation, a right of reclamation or stoppage in transit), as applicable, or may otherwise adversely impact the ability of the Collateral Agent to realize upon such Inventory in accordance with the Loan Documents.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Eligible In-Transit Inventory shall not include Inventory accounted for as “in transit” by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor by virtue of such Inventory’s being in transit between the Loan Parties’ locations or in storage trailers at the Loan Parties’ locations; rather such Inventory shall be treated as “Eligible Inventory” if it satisfies the conditions therefor.

 

Eligible Inventory” means, as to the Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor, Inventory consisting of finished goods merchantable and readily saleable to the public in the ordinary course of the business of such Person but shall not include:

 

(a)           unfinished goods or work-in-process;

 

(b)           raw materials;

 

(c)           spare parts for equipment;

 

(d)           promotional, marketing, packaging and shipping materials;

 

(e)           supplies used or consumed in such Person’s business;

 

(f)            Inventory (other than In-Transit Inventory) located at (x) premises owned and operated by a Person other than, and not leased by, the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor, or (y) at a warehouse leased by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor, if the Administrative Agent shall not have received a Collateral Access Agreement from the owner and operator or warehouse lessor or other bailee with respect to such location, duly authorized, executed and delivered by such owner and operator or warehouse lessor (or the Administrative Agent shall determine to accept a collateral access agreement that does not include all of the provisions specified in the definition of Collateral Access Agreement), unless the Administrative

 

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Agent has, at its option, established such Availability Reserves in respect of amounts at any time due or to become due to the owner and operator or warehouse lessor thereof as the Administrative Agent shall determine in its Permitted Discretion;

 

(g)           bill and hold goods;

 

(h)           obsolete, unmerchantable, damaged, defective or unfit for sale Inventory;

 

(i)            which is not subject to the first priority, valid and perfected security interest of the Collateral Agent (subject, as to priority, only to Liens permitted under Section 9.1 having priority by operation of Law);

 

(j)            returned or repossessed goods (other than goods that are undamaged and able to be resold in the ordinary course of business) or goods to be returned to the Borrower’s or Subsidiary Guarantor’s suppliers;

 

(k)           Inventory purchased or sold on consignment;

 

(l)            Inventory acquired in an Acquisition permitted under this Agreement, other than any such Inventory (i) which otherwise meets the requirements of Eligible Inventory and (ii) as to which the Administrative Agent has completed or received (A) an appraisal from appraisers reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and (B) such other due diligence materials as the Administrative Agent may require in its Permitted Discretion, including without limitation, field examinations, all of the results of the foregoing to be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion (provided that so long as the Administrative Agent has received reasonable prior notice of such Acquisition and the Loan Parties reasonably cooperate (and cause the Person being acquired to reasonably cooperate) with the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall use reasonable best efforts to complete such due diligence and a related appraisal and, if required, field examinations on or prior to the closing date of such Acquisition);

 

(m)          Inventory that is not solely owned by the applicable Loan Party or the applicable Loan Party does not have good title thereto;

 

(n)           Inventory that is not located in the United States (excluding territories or possessions of the United States) or Canada; provided that Inventory located in Canada shall not account for more than 10% of Eligible Inventory at any time (or such greater percentage as the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion may establish in consultation with the Borrower pursuant to its receipt of a recent appraisal thereof from an appraiser and in form and detail reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent); provided further that, with respect to Canada, all necessary or advisable actions, as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent, have been taken to perfect the security interest of the Collateral Agent in such Inventory under the Laws of Canada;

 

(o)           Inventory consisting of meat, dairy, cheese, seafood, produce, delicatessen, non-artificial floral products and bakery goods;

 

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(p)           samples, labels, bags and other similar non-merchandise categories;

 

(q)           Inventory that is not in material compliance with all standards imposed by any Governmental Authority having regulatory authority over such Inventory, its use or sale;

 

(r)            Inventory that is not subject to casualty insurance in compliance with this Agreement;

 

(s)            Inventory that has been sold to a customer of the Borrower or such Subsidiary Guarantor but not yet delivered or Inventory to the extent the Borrower has accepted a deposit therefor that has not been returned to or forfeited by the Person making such deposit pursuant to the terms of the agreement between such Person and the Borrower or Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, governing such deposit;

 

(t)            Inventory which contains or bears any intellectual property rights licensed to the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor unless the Administrative Agent, acting in good faith, is satisfied that it may sell or otherwise dispose of such Inventory in accordance with the Loan Documents without (i) infringing the rights of such licensor in any material respect, (ii) violating any material contract between the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor and such licensor or (iii) incurring any material liability to such licensor under any licensing agreement between the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor and such licensor with respect to the payment of royalties to such licensor in respect of such Inventory other than royalties incurred pursuant to sale or other Disposition of such Inventory under any such licensing agreement;

 

(u)           In-Transit Inventory; and

 

(v)           Except as otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion, Inventory that represents goods that do not conform in all material respects to the representations and warranties with respect to such Inventory contained in this Agreement or any of the Collateral Documents to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor is a party.

 

Any Inventory which is not Eligible Inventory shall nevertheless be part of the Collateral to the extent required by the Collateral Documents.

 

Environmental Claim” means any and all administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violation, investigations (other than reports prepared for internal purposes by or on behalf of any Loan Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (a) in the ordinary course of such Person’s business or (b) as required in connection with a financing transaction or an acquisition or disposition of real estate) or proceedings with respect to any Environmental Liability (hereinafter “Claims”), including (i) any and all Claims by governmental or regulatory authorities for enforcement, cleanup, removal, response, remedial or other actions or damages pursuant to any Environmental Law and (ii) any and all Claims by any third party seeking damages, contribution, indemnification, cost recovery, compensation or injunctive relief pursuant to any Environmental Law.

 

Environmental Laws” means any and all applicable Laws relating to the protection of the environment or, to the extent relating to exposure to Hazardous Materials, human health.

 

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

 

Environmental Permit” means any permit, approval, identification number, license or other authorization required under any Environmental Law in connection with the operation of the business or the real property of each Loan Party and each of the Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Equity Contribution” means the contribution by the Sponsors of an aggregate amount of cash as Qualified Equity Interests, directly or indirectly to Holdings, which will in turn be contributed to the Borrower in the form of common stock, which, together with any rollover equity, will constitute an aggregate amount of not less than 40% of the debt and equity capitalization of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on the Effective Date, after giving effect to the Transaction; provided that (i) the aggregate amount of rollover equity does not exceed 20% of such sum and (ii) for purposes of this definition, debt shall exclude obligations under Secured Hedge Agreements, Swap Contracts or similar arrangements.

 

Equity Interests” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares, interests, rights, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests or units in) such Person and all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase, acquisition or exchange from such Person of any of the foregoing (including through convertible securities).

 

Equity Offering” means any public or private sale after the Effective Date of common stock of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, as applicable (other than Disqualified Equity Interests), other than:

 

(a)           public offerings with respect to the Borrower’s or such direct or indirect parent’s common stock registered on Form S-8;

 

(b)           issuances to any Subsidiary of the Borrower; and

 

(c)           any such public or private sale that constitutes an Excluded Contribution.

 

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

 

ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that together with any Loan Party is treated as a single employer within the meaning of Section 414 of the Code or Section 4001 of ERISA.

 

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ERISA Event” means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) a withdrawal by any Loan Party or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations that is treated as a termination under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by any Loan Party or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates from a Multiemployer Plan, written notification of any Loan Party or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or written notification that a Multiemployer Plan is insolvent or is in reorganization within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA; (d) the filing under Section 4041(c) of ERISA of a notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan, the treatment of a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan amendment as a termination under Sections 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, or the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (e) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan, other than for the payment of plan contributions or PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon any Loan Party or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates, (f) the application for a minimum funding waiver under Section 302(c) of ERISA with respect to a Pension Plan, (g) the imposition of a lien under Section 303(k) of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan or (h) a determination that any Pension Plan is in “at risk” status (within the meaning of Section 303 of ERISA).

 

Escrow Agent” means Wilmington Trust, National Association.

 

Escrow Agreement” means that certain escrow agreement, dated as of December 29, 2011, among the Borrower, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee and as Escrow Agent.

 

Escrowed Funds” means (i) an amount equal to the gross proceeds of the offering of the Senior Notes sold on the Effective Date, (ii) funds sufficient to pay interest with respect to the Senior Notes up to, but not including, the latest possible date on which the Borrower will redeem all of the Senior Notes pursuant to the Senior Notes Indenture and (iii) any other property from time to time held by the Escrow Agent.

 

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

 

Eurocurrency Rate” means, for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, the rate per annum equal to LIBOR Rate calculated and published by ICE Benchmark Administration, as published on LIBOR01 Page as of 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for deposits in Dollars (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period; provided that if at any time the Eurocurrency Rate shall be less than zero the Eurocurrency Rate shall instead be deemed to be zero.  If such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the “Eurocurrency Rate” for such Interest Period shall be the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the rate at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in Same Day Funds in the approximate amount of the Eurocurrency Rate Loan being made, continued or converted by Royal Bank of Canada and with a term equivalent to such Interest

 

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Period would be offered by Royal Bank of Canada’s London Branch (or other Royal Bank of Canada branch or Affiliate) to major banks in the London or other offshore interbank market for such currency at their request as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.

 

Eurocurrency Rate Loan” means a Loan that bears interest at a rate based on the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate.

 

Event” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Closing Date Material Adverse Effect”.

 

Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 10.1.

 

Excess Availability” means, at any time, (a) the Maximum Credit at such time minus (b) the aggregate Revolving Credit Outstandings at such time.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Excluded Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 8.12(a)(i).

 

Excluded Contributions” means the Cash Equivalents or other assets (valued at their Fair Market Value as determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors of the Borrower) received by the Borrower after the Effective Date from:

 

(a)                                 contributions to its common equity capital, and

 

(b)                                 the sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Borrower or to any Subsidiary management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement) of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of the Borrower,

 

in each case other than any amount designated as a Cure Amount or any amount (w) increasing the Available Amount pursuant to clause (c) of the definition thereof, (x) increasing Restricted Payment capacity under clause (ii) of the proviso of Section 9.6(f), (y) applied to prepay Indebtedness under Sections 9.11(iii) or 9.11(vi) or (z) applied to finance Capital Expenditures under clause (viii) of the proviso to the definition thereof, and in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to a certificate from a Responsible Officer of the Borrower executed on or promptly after the date such capital contributions are made or the date such Equity Interests are sold, as the case may be; provided that any such equity contribution made by, or Net Cash Proceeds received from, the Sponsors in connection with the exchange or refinancing of the Tranche B-2 Loans or the Senior Notes shall not be an Excluded Contribution until on or following the 12 month anniversary of the Amendment No. 6 Effective Date.

 

Excluded Real Property” means fee-owned real property that the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary intends to Dispose of in a Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction or Asset Sale, to the extent that (x) the Borrower designates such fee-owned real property, in writing to the Administrative Agent, on or prior to the Amendment No. 6 Effective Date, as “Excluded Real Property” (which designation may be included in the perfection certificate delivered by the

 

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Borrower in connection with Amendment No. 6) and (y) the Loan Parties Dispose of such fee-owned real property in a transaction permitted hereunder prior to the expiration of the 90-day period (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) following the first anniversary of the Amendment No. 6 Effective Date.

 

Excluded Subsidiary” means (a) any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower or a Guarantor, (b)  any direct or indirect Domestic Subsidiary of Holdings if substantially all of its assets consist of Equity Interests or Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests of one or more direct or indirect Foreign Subsidiaries, (c) Immaterial Subsidiaries, (d) any direct or indirect Domestic Subsidiary that is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary of Holdings, (e) any Subsidiary that is prohibited or restricted by applicable Law or Contractual Obligation existing on the Effective Date or on the date any such Subsidiary is acquired or organized (so long as, in the case of an acquisition of a Subsidiary, such prohibition did not arise as part of such acquisition) from providing a Guaranty or if such Guaranty would require governmental (including regulatory) consent, approval, license or authorization, (f) any other Subsidiary with respect to which the Administrative Agent and the Borrower reasonably agree that the cost, difficulty, burden or consequences (including any adverse tax consequences) to the Borrower of providing the Guaranty is excessive in relation to the benefit to the Lenders to be obtained therefrom and (g) each Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

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

 

Existing Revolver Tranche” has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(a).

 

Existing Term Facility” means the term facility under the Term Facility Credit Agreement issued pursuant to Section 2.1(c) of the Term Facility Credit Agreement that has not been amended, refinanced or replaced pursuant to Section 2.1(d) of the Term Facility Credit Agreement on the Amendment No. 6 Effective Date.

 

Extended Revolving Credit Commitments” has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(a).

 

Extending Revolving Credit Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(b).

 

Extension” means any establishment of Extended Revolving Credit Commitments pursuant to Section 2.17 and the applicable Extension Amendment.

 

Extension Amendment” has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(d).

 

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Extension Election” has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(b).

 

Extension Request” has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(a).

 

Extension Series” has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(a).

 

Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset or property, the price which could be negotiated in an arm’s-length transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction.

 

Facility” means (i) the Revolving Credit Commitments and the provisions herein related to the Revolving Loans, Swing Loans and Letters of Credit, Loans under Extended Revolving Credit Commitments and Loans under New Revolving Credit Commitments and (ii) the FILO Facility, as the context may require and, in each case, any Permitted Refinancing thereof.

 

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code as in effect on the date hereofEffective Date or any successor provision that is substantively the equivalent thereof and not materially more onerous to comply with (and, in each case, any regulations promulgated thereunder or official interpretations thereof).

 

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

 

Federal Reserve Board” means the Board of Governors of the United States Federal Reserve System, or any successor thereto.

 

Fee Letter” means the amended and restated Fee Letter dated October 31, 2011, among Holdings and the Arrangers.

 

Field Examination” has the meaning specified in Section 7.4(d).

 

FILO Agent” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

FILO Borrowing Base” means, at any time of calculation, an amount equal to:

 

(a)                                 the face amount of Eligible Credit Card Receivables multiplied by 10%; plus

 

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(b)                                 the Net Recovery Percentage of Eligible Inventory, multiplied by 15% multiplied by the Cost of Eligible Inventory, net of Inventory Reserves attributable to Eligible Inventory; plus

 

(c)                                  the lesser of (i) the Net Recovery Percentage of Eligible In-Transit Inventory multiplied by 17.5%, multiplied by the Cost of Eligible In-Transit Inventory, net of Inventory Reserves attributable to Eligible In-Transit Inventory and (ii) (A) $17,500,000 minus (B) the amount obtained under clause (c) of the definition of “Borrowing Base”; plus

 

(d)                                 so long as the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of the end of the most recently ended Test Period for which financial statements have been or are required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.01(a) or (b) is less than 1.00 to 1.00, the difference (not less than zero) between (x) the greater of (i) $20,000,000 and (ii) 12.5% of the Maximum Credit (without giving effect to the FILO Reserve) and (y) an amount equal to 10% of the sum of the Borrowing Base (without giving effect to the FILO Reserve) and the FILO Borrowing Base (before giving effect to this clause (d)).

 

The FILO Borrowing Base at any time shall be determined by reference to the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered to the FILO Agent pursuant to Section 7.4.

 

FILO Commitment” means, with respect to each FILO Lender, the commitment of such FILO Lender to make a FILO Loan on the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date in the principal amount set forth opposite such FILO Lender’s name on Schedule I(a).  The aggregate amount of the FILO Commitments as of the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date is $25,000,000.  After the effectiveness of Amendment No. 5 and the funding of the FILO Loan, the FILO Commitments shall be reduced to $0.

 

FILO Commitment Increase” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.15(a).

 

FILO Event of Default” means (i) an Event of Default under Section 10.1(a) with respect to the FILO Loan, (ii) an Event of Default under Section 10.1(a) with respect to the Obligations (other than the FILO Liabilities) then due and owing on the Revolving Credit Termination Date, (iii) an Event of Default under Section 10.1(b)(iii), but only to the extent such Event of Default arises from the Loan Parties’ failure to comply with the provisions of Sections 7.4(a) or 7.4(b), and (iv) an Event of Default under Section 10.1(b)(i), but only to the extent such Event of Default arises from the Loan Parties’ failure to comply with the provisions of Sections 6.1 or 9.14.

 

FILO Facility” means the FILO Commitments and the provisions herein related to the FILO Loan, as the context may require.

 

FILO Fee  Letter”  means  the  letter  agreement,  dated  as  of  September 6, 2017,  between the Borrower and the FILO Agent.

 

FILO Lender” means each Person party hereto as a FILO Lender as reflected on Schedule I(a), and each Person holding a FILO Loan that shall become a party hereto pursuant to Section 12.2.

 

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FILO Liabilities” means advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Loan Party arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to the FILO Loan, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding.

 

FILO Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(d).

 

FILO Maturity Date” means the earliest of (a) April 8, 2021, (b) the date that is 9091 days prior to the stated maturity date of the First Lien Term FacilityLoans (and any Permitted Refinancing thereof), (c) the date that is 90 days prior to the stated maturity date of the Senior Notes (and any Permitted Refinancing thereof), (d) the date of termination of all of the Revolving Credit Commitments pursuant to Section 2.5 and (ed) the date on which the Obligations become due and payable pursuant to Section 10.2; provided that, in each case, ifnotwithstanding any of the foregoing, (i) if less than the Specified Exchange Threshold of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes outstanding as of the Amendment No. 6 Effective Date has been converted, redeemed, repurchased or refinanced on or prior to the date that is three Business Days prior to March 2, 2019 pursuant to one or more transactions permitted under this Agreement, such that the stated maturity date (including any scheduled principal payment date) in respect of such Senior Notes that have been so converted, redeemed, repurchased or refinanced (and any Permitted Refinancing in respect thereof) is at least 181 days after the Latest Maturity Date, the FILO Maturity Date shall be March 2, 2019, and (ii) in any case, if any such day described above is not a Business Day, the FILO Maturity Date shall be the Business Day immediately preceding such day.

 

FILO Note” means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to the order of any FILO Lender in a principal amount equal to the amount of such Lender’s FILO Loan evidencing the aggregate Indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender.

 

FILO Prepayment Premium” means, with respect to any prepayment of the FILO Loan (or deemed prepayment in the case of an acceleration of the FILO Loan), a premium equal to (i) two percent (2.00%) of the principal amount of such prepayment (or deemed prepayment in the case of an acceleration of the FILO Loan), if such prepayment (or deemed prepayment in the case of an acceleration of the FILO Loan) is made after the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date but on or prior to the first anniversary of the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date, (ii) one percent (1.00%) of the principal amount of such prepayment (or deemed prepayment in the case of an acceleration of the FILO Loan), if such prepayment (or deemed prepayment in the case of an acceleration of the FILO Loan) is made after the first anniversary of the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date and on or prior to the second anniversary of the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date, and (iii) zero at all times after the second anniversary of the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date.

 

FILO Reserve” means, at any time of calculation, an amount equal to the excess of (i) the Outstanding Amount of the FILO Loan over (ii) the FILO Borrowing Base as reflected in the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate furnished by the Borrower; provided, however, that if the FILO Agent determines in good faith that there has been a mathematical error in calculating the FILO Reserve, the FILO Agent may notify the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the

 

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Borrower, setting forth the amount of the FILO Reserve to be established as calculated by the FILO Agent and the basis for its determination, together with its detailed calculation.  Within two Business Days after receipt of such notice from the FILO Agent, the Administrative Agent shall establish or update the FILO Reserve in the amount requested by the FILO Agent (in the absence of manifest error).  The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to investigate the basis for the FILO Agent’s dispute or calculation, may conclusively rely on the notice furnished by the FILO Agent with respect thereto, and shall have no liability to any Loan Party for following the instructions of the FILO Agent.

 

FILO Standstill Period” means, with respect to a FILO Event of Default, the period commencing on the date of the Administrative Agent’s and the Borrower’s receipt of written notice from the FILO Agent that a FILO Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and that the FILO Agent is requesting the Agents to commence the enforcement of remedies, and ending on the earliest to occur of the date which is forty-five (45) days after receipt of such notice with respect to a FILO Event of Default.

 

Financial Statements” means the financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries delivered in accordance with Sections 7.1(a) and 7.1(b).

 

First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement” means the intercreditor agreement dated as of November 7, 2017 among Holdings, the Borrower, the Term Facility Administrative Agent and the Second Lien Administrative Agent, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance therewith.

 

“First Lien Term Facility” means the First Lien Term Loans under the Term Facility Credit Agreement and any Permitted Refinancing thereof.

 

First Lien Term Loans” has the meaning specified in the Term Facility Credit Agreement.

 

Fiscal Quarter” means the quarterly period of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries ending on the Friday closest to the last day in April, July, October or January of each calendar year.

 

Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries ending on the Friday closest to January 31 in the following calendar year.

 

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the ratio of (a) (i) Consolidated EBITDA of such Person for such period, minus (ii) Capital Expenditures (without giving effect to clause (iii) of the proviso of the definition of Capital Expenditures, and except those financed with Indebtedness other than Loans) of such Person for such period, minus (iii) the aggregate amount of Federal, state, local and foreign income taxes paid in cash by such Person during such period, to (b) the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period.

 

Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

 

(a)                                 Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period;

 

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(b)                                 annual management fees provided for in any Sponsor Management Agreement paid in cash by such Person during such period;

 

(c)                                  all cash dividend payments (excluding items (i) eliminated in consolidation and (ii) Restricted Payments made pursuant to Section 9.6(l) (except solely for purposes of determining compliance with the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio in order to make any Restricted Payment pursuant to Section 9.6(l)) on any series of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Equity Interests of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries; and

 

(d)                                 Scheduled Debt Payments made by such Person during such period.

 

Foreign Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 3.1(b).

 

Foreign Subsidiary” means any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

Fronting Exposure” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to an Issuer, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations to the extent that such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations has not been reallocated pursuant to Section 2.16(a)(iv) or Cash Collateralized pursuant to Section 2.16(c), and (b) with respect to the Swing Loan Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of Swing Loans to the extent that such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of Swing Loans has not been reallocated pursuant to Section 2.16(a)(iv) or Cash Collateralized pursuant to Section 2.16(c).

 

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

 

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, as in effect from time to time; provided, however, that (a) if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Effective Date in GAAP or in the application thereof (including through the adoption of IFRS) on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Requisite 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 (including through the adoption of IFRS), 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, (b) unless any such notice delivered pursuant to clause (a) above has been withdrawn, the Borrower and the requisite Lenders under Section 12.1 shall negotiate in good faith to amend the provisions of this Agreement that relate to the operation of such provision with the intent of having the respective positions of the Borrower and the Lenders after such change in GAAP or the application thereof conform as nearly to their respective positions as of the Effective Date, and (c) GAAP as applied herein with respect to accounting for leases (including Capitalized Leases, Capitalized Lease Obligations and Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transactions) shall be GAAP as in effect on the Effective Date.

 

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Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

 

Granting Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 12.2(g).

 

Guarantee” means, as to any Person, without duplication, (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness of or other monetary obligation payable or performable by another Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other monetary obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or monetary other obligation of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other monetary obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other monetary obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other monetary obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness or other monetary obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness or monetary other obligation is assumed by such Person (or any right, contingent or otherwise, of any holder of such Indebtedness to obtain any such Lien); provided that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit, indemnity obligations in effect on the Effective Date, or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations entered into following the Effective Date in the ordinary course of business in connection with any acquisition or disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement (other than such obligations with respect to Indebtedness).  The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith.  The term “Guarantee” as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

 

Guarantors” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement”.  For avoidance of doubt, the Borrower may cause any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor to Guarantee the Obligations by causing such Restricted Subsidiary to execute a supplement to the Guaranty in substantially the form attached thereto, and any such Restricted Subsidiary shall be a Guarantor hereunder and thereunder for all purposes.

 

Guaranty” means (a) the guaranty made by Holdings and the other Guarantors in favor of the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties pursuant to clause (b) of the definition of “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement,” substantially in the form of Exhibit H, and (b) each other guaranty and guaranty supplement delivered pursuant to Section 8.11.

 

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Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes, all hazardous or toxic substances, and all wastes or pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, friable asbestos or friable asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas and infectious or medical wastes in each case that are regulated pursuant to any applicable Environmental Law.

 

Hedge Bank” means, with respect to any Swap Contract, as of any date of determination, (a) any Person that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender on such date or (b) any Person who (i) was a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time such Swap Contract was entered into or on the Effective Date and who is no longer a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, (ii) is, and at all times remains, in compliance with the provisions of Section 11.12(b)(i) and (iii) agrees in writing that the Agents and the other Secured Parties shall have no duty to such Person (other than the payment of any amounts to which such Person may be entitled under Section 10.3) and acknowledges that the Agents and the other Secured Parties may deal with the Loan Parties and the Collateral as they deem appropriate (including the release of any Loan Party or all or any portion of the Collateral) without notice or consent from such Person, whether or not such action impairs the ability of such Person to be repaid Obligations owing to it in respect of the Secured Hedge Agreements to which it is a party) and agrees to be bound by Section 11.12(b)(ii).

 

Holdings” has the meaning specified in the preamble to this Agreement and shall include any Permitted Holdings Successor.

 

IFRS” means international accounting standards within the meaning of the IAS Regulation 1606/2002 to the extent applicable to the relevant financial statements.

 

Immaterial Subsidiary” means, with respect to the Borrower, any Subsidiary thereof that is not a Material Subsidiary.

 

In-Transit Advance Rate” means 85%.

 

In-Transit Inventory” means Inventory located outside of the United States or Canada or in transit within or outside of the United States or Canada to the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor from vendors and suppliers that has not yet been received into a distribution center or store of such Person.

 

In-Transit Trigger Period” means the period beginning on the date on which the Borrower has failed to maintain Excess Availability at least equal to the greater of (a) 20% of the Maximum Credit  (without giving effect to the FILO Reserve) or (b) $25,000,000, in either case, for five (5) consecutive Business Days, and ending on the date Excess Availability shall have been equal to or greater than the greater of (x) 20% of the Maximum Credit (without giving effect to the FILO Reserve) and (y) $25,000,000, in each case, for thirty (30) consecutive calendar days.

 

Incremental Amendment” has the meaning specified in Section 2.15(a).

 

Incremental Facility Effective Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.15(a).

 

Indebtedness” means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following:

 

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(a)                                 all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments;

 

(b)                                 the maximum amount (after giving effect to any prior drawings or reductions that may have been reimbursed) of all letters of credit (including standby and commercial) or bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person;

 

(c)                                  net obligations of such Person under any Swap Contract;

 

(d)                                 all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than (i) trade accounts and accrued expenses payable in the ordinary course of business, (ii) any earn-out obligation until both (A) such obligation is not paid within thirty (30) days after becoming due and payable and (B) such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP, and (iii) accruals for payroll and other liabilities accrued in the ordinary course of business);

 

(e)                                  indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned by such Person (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements and mortgage, industrial revenue bond, industrial development bond and similar financings), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse;

 

(f)                                   all Capitalized Lease Obligations;

 

(g)                                  all obligations of such Person in respect of Disqualified Equity Interests; and

 

(h)                                 all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.

 

For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person (A) shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or Joint Venture (other than a Joint Venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, except to the extent such Person’s liability for such Indebtedness is otherwise limited and only to the extent such Indebtedness would be included in the calculation of Consolidated Total Net Debt and (B) in the case of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties, shall exclude loans and advances made by Loan Parties having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any roll over or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary course of business solely to the extent that such intercompany loans and advances are evidenced by one or more notes in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and pledged as Collateral.  The amount of any net obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date.  The amount of Indebtedness of any Person for purposes of clause (e) shall be deemed to be equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate unpaid amount of such Indebtedness and (ii) the Fair Market Value (as determined by such Person in good faith) of the property encumbered thereby.

 

Indemnified Liabilities” has the meaning specified in Section 12.4.

 

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Indemnitees” has the meaning specified in Section 12.4.

 

Independent Financial Advisor” means an accounting, appraisal, investment banking firm or consultant of nationally recognized standing that is, in the good faith judgment of the Borrower, qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged and that is independent of the Borrower and its Affiliates.

 

Information” has the meaning specified in Section 12.16.

 

Initial ABL Borrowing” means one or more borrowings of Revolving Loans or issuances or deemed issuances of Letters of Credit on the Effective Date in an amount not to exceed the aggregate amounts specified or referred to in the definition of the term “Permitted Initial ABL Borrowing Purposes”.

 

Initial Inventory Appraisal” means that certain report prepared by Great American Group Advisory & Valuation Services, L.L.C. for the Arrangers and the Administrative Agent dated November 2011.

 

Intellectual Property” has the meaning specified in the Security Agreement.

 

Intellectual Property Security Agreements” has the meaning specified in the Security Agreement.

 

Intercompany Subordination Agreement” means an agreement executed by each Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower, in substantially the form of Exhibit L.

 

Intercreditor Agreement” means the intercreditor agreement dated as of the date hereofEffective Date among Holdings, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Term Facility Administrative Agent, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit K, as amended on the Amendment No. 6 Effective Date and as may be further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance therewith and herewith.

 

Interest Period” means, as to each Eurocurrency Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such Eurocurrency Rate Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency Rate Loan and (i) with respect to Revolving Loans, ending on the date one, two, three or six months thereafter, or to the extent consented to by each applicable Lender, nine or twelve months (or such period of less than one month as may be consented to by each applicable Lender), as selected by the Borrower in its Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion or Continuation and (ii) with respect to FILO Loan, the period commencing on the date the relevant portion of the FILO Loan is disbursed and ending on the date that is three months thereafter; provided that:

 

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

 

(b)                                 any Interest Period (other than an Interest Period having a duration of less than one month) 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

 

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Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and

 

(c)                                  no Interest Period shall extend beyond the applicable Scheduled Termination Date of the Class of Loans of which the Eurocurrency Rate Loan is a part.

 

Inventory” has the meaning given to such term in Article 9 of the UCC and Section 1 of the PPSA.

 

Inventory Advance Rate” means 90%.

 

Inventory Reserves” means (a) such reserves as may be established from time to time by the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, with respect to changes in the determination of the saleability, at retail, of the Eligible Inventory or which reflect such other factors as negatively affect the market value of the Eligible Inventory and (b) Shrink Reserves.  The proviso to the last sentence of the definition of Borrowing Base is hereby incorporated herein mutatis mutandis.

 

Investment” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person in any other Person, in the form of (a) the purchase or other acquisition (including without limitation by merger or otherwise) of Equity Interests or debt or other securities of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of Indebtedness of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person (excluding, in the case of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, intercompany loans, advances, or Indebtedness having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any roll-over or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary course of business) or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions, including without limitation by merger or otherwise) of all or substantially all of the property and assets or business of another Person or assets constituting a business unit, line of business or division of such Person.  For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment at any time shall be the amount actually invested (measured at the time made), without adjustment for subsequent changes in the value of such Investment, net of any return representing a return of capital with respect to such Investment.

 

IP Rights” has the meaning specified in Section 5.14.

 

IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

 

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

 

Issue” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, to issue, extend the expiry of, amend, renew or increase the maximum face amount (including by deleting or reducing any scheduled decrease in such maximum face amount) of, such Letter of Credit.  The terms “Issued”, “Issuing” and “Issuance” shall have a corresponding meaning.

 

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Issuer” means Royal Bank of Canada and each other Lender or Affiliate of a Lender that (a) is listed on the signature pages hereof as an “Issuer”, and (b) hereafter becomes an Issuer with the approval of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by agreeing pursuant to an agreement with and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower to be bound by the terms hereof applicable to Issuers (and in the case of any resignation, subject to and in accordance with Section 12.2(h)).

 

Issuer Documents” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Request, and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by an Issuer and the Borrower (or any of its Subsidiaries) or in favor of such Issuer and relating to such Letter of Credit.

 

Joint Bookrunner” means each of RBC Capital Markets*, Citizens Bank, N.A. and UBS Securities LLC.

 

Joint Venture” means a business enterprise comprised of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries and one or more Persons, whether in the form of a partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other entity or joint ownership or operating arrangement, in which 50% or less of the partnership interests, outstanding voting stock or other Equity Interests is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Borrower and/or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Junior Financing” means (a) the Senior Notes, (b) any Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt, or Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt, (c) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 9.3(s), (d) the Term Facility (and any Permitted Refinancing thereof) and, (e) the Second Lien Facility (and any Permitted Refinancing thereof) and (f) any Indebtedness of a Loan Party that is subordinated to the Obligations expressly by its terms (other than Indebtedness between or among any of Holdings, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries).  For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the FILO Facility be considered a “Junior Financing”.

 

Junior Financing Documentation” means any documentation governing any Junior Financing.

 

Junior Lien” means any Lien that ranks (i) prior to the Discharge of Obligations, junior to the Liens securing all or any portion of the Obligations, and (ii) prior to the Discharge of Obligations (as defined in the Term Facility Credit Agreement), junior to the Liens securing all or any portion of the Obligations (as defined in the Term Facility Credit Agreement).

 

Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement” means a “junior lien” intercreditor agreement among the Administrative Agent, the Term Facility Administrative Agent and one or more Senior Representatives for holders of Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, the Term Facility Administrative Agent and the Borrower.

 

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

 


* RBC Capital Markets is a brand name for the capital market activities of Royal Bank of Canada and its affiliates.

 

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Landlord Lien State” means any state in which, at any time, a landlord’s claim for rent has priority by operation of applicable Law notwithstanding any contractual provision to the contrary over the Lien of the Collateral Agent in any of the Collateral.

 

Latest Maturity Date” means, at any date of determination, the latest Scheduled Termination Date applicable to any Loan or Revolving Credit Commitment hereunder at such time, including the latest termination date of any Other Loan or Other Commitment, any Extended Revolving Credit Commitment or New Revolving Credit Commitment, as applicable, as extended in accordance with this Agreement from time to time. For the avoidance of doubt, the Latest Maturity Date shall be determined without giving effect to clause (i) of the proviso in the definitions of “FILO Maturity Date” and “Scheduled Termination Date”.

 

Laws” means, collectively, all international, foreign, federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities and executive orders, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority.

 

Lease Letter Agreement” means the Letter Agreement, dated October 11, 2011, among Holdings, Merger Sub and each landlord party thereto, as amended, modified or supplemented in a manner that is not more disadvantageous to the Lenders in any material respect as determined by the Borrower in good faith, together with all transactions effected pursuant thereto.

 

Leases” means, with respect to any Person, all of those leasehold estates in real property of such Person, as lessee, as such may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Lender” means the Swing Loan Lender, Revolving Credit Lender, FILO Lender and each other financial institution or entity that (a) is listed on the signature pages hereof as a “Lender” or (b) from time to time becomes a party hereto by execution of an Assignment and Assumption or, in connection with a Revolving Commitment Increase, an Incremental Amendment or, in connection with an Extended Revolving Credit Commitment or a New Revolving Credit Commitment, an Extension Amendment, or in connection with a Permitted Refinancing, a Refinancing Amendment.

 

Lending Office” means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender described as such in such Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

Letter of Credit” means any letter of credit Issued (or deemed Issued) pursuant to Section 2.4.  A Letter of Credit may be a Documentary Letter of Credit or a Standby Letter of Credit; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Royal Bank of Canada, in its capacity as Issuer, shall not be required to issue Documentary Letters of Credit hereunder.

 

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Letter of Credit Borrowing” means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit that has not been reimbursed on the applicable Reimbursement Date or refinanced as a Revolving Loan.

 

Letter of Credit Fee” has the meaning specified in Section 2.12(b).

 

Letter of Credit Obligations” means, at any time, the aggregate amount of all liabilities at such time of any Loan Party to all Issuers with respect to Letters of Credit, whether or not any such liability is contingent, including, without duplication, the sum of (a) the Reimbursement Obligations at such time and (b) the Letter of Credit Undrawn Amounts at such time.

 

Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement” has the meaning specified in Section 2.4(a)(v).

 

Letter of Credit Request” has the meaning specified in Section 2.4(c).

 

Letter of Credit Undrawn Amounts” means, at any time, the aggregate undrawn face amount of all Letters of Credit outstanding at such time.

 

Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, and any Capitalized Lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing); provided, that in no event shall an operating lease in and of itself be deemed a Lien.

 

Lien Acknowledgment Agreement” means each Collateral Access Agreement and Customs Broker Agreement.

 

Liquidation” means the exercise by the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent of those rights and remedies accorded to the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents and applicable Law as a creditor of the Loan Parties with respect to the realization on the Collateral, including (after the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default) the conduct by the Loan Parties acting with the consent of the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent, of any public, private or “going out of business” sale or other disposition of the Collateral for the purpose of liquidating the Collateral.  Derivations of the word “Liquidation” (such as “Liquidate”) are used with like meaning in this Agreement.

 

Loan” means any loan made by any Lender pursuant to this Agreement, including Swing Loans, any Loans made in respect of any Revolving Commitment Increase and FILO Loan.

 

Loan Documents” means, collectively, (a) this Agreement, (b) the Revolving Credit Notes and the FILO Notes, (c) any Incremental Amendment, any Extension Amendment and any Refinancing Amendment, (d) the Fee Letter, (e) the FILO Fee Letter, (f) each Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement, (g) the Collateral Documents (including the Guaranty), (h) the

 

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Issuer Documents and (i) each other agreement or document that the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall designate in writing as a Loan Document.

 

Loan Parties” means, collectively, (a) Holdings, (b) the Borrower and (c) each other Guarantor.

 

Maintenance Capital Expenditures” means any Capital Expenditures of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries that are necessary to (a) repair any damage to any Store, distribution center or other facility of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or (b) maintain any Store, distribution center or other facility of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in good condition and working order (including any Capital Expenditures that are necessary to repair any ordinary wear and tear to such Store, distribution center or other facility).

 

Management Group” means the group consisting of the directors, executive officers and other management personnel of the Company or any direct or indirect parent thereof, as the case may be, on the Senior Notes Issue Date (including The Gold Revocable Trust dated October 26, 2005)Amendment No. 6 Effective Date together with (1) any new directors whose election by suchthe applicable boards of directors or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company, as applicable, was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company, as applicable, then still in office who were either directors on the Senior Notes IssueAmendment No. 6 Effective Date or whose election or nomination was previously so approved and (2) executive officers and other management personnel of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company, as applicable, who served or were hired at a time when the directors on the Senior Notes IssueAmendment No. 6 Effective Date together with the directors so approved constituted a majority of the directors of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Company, as applicable.

 

Margin Stock” has the meaning set forth in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the United States Federal Reserve System, or any successor thereto.

 

Master Agreement” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Swap Contract.”

 

Material Adverse Effect” means any event, circumstance or condition that has had a materially adverse effect on (a) the business, operations, assets or financial condition of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Loan Parties (taken as a whole) to perform their respective payment obligations under any Loan Document to which any of the Loan Parties is a party or (c) the rights and remedies of the Lenders, the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document.

 

Material Domestic Subsidiary” means, at any date of determination, each of the Borrower’s Domestic Subsidiaries (a) whose Total Assets at the last day of the most recent Test Period for which financial statements have been or are required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or (b) were equal to or greater than 2.5% of Total Assets at such date or (b) whose gross revenues for such Test Period were equal to or greater than 2.5% of the Consolidated gross revenues of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, in each case determined

 

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in accordance with GAAP; provided that if, at any time and from time to time after the Effective Date, Domestic Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors solely because they do not meet the thresholds set forth in clauses (a) or (b) comprise in the aggregate more than 5.0% of Total Assets as of the end of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter of the Borrower for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 or more than 5.0% of the Consolidated gross revenues of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for the period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters ending as of the last day of such Fiscal Quarter, then the Borrower shall, not later than forty-five (45) days after the date by which financial statements for such quarter are required to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement (or such longer period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion), (i) designate in writing to the Administrative Agent one or more of such Domestic Subsidiaries as “Material Domestic Subsidiaries” to the extent required such that the foregoing condition ceases to be true and (ii) comply with the provisions of Sections 8.11, 8.12 and 8.13 applicable to such Subsidiary.

 

Material Foreign Subsidiary” means, at any date of determination, each of the Borrower’s Foreign Subsidiaries (a) whose Total Assets at the last day of the most recent Test Period for which financial statements have been or are required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or (b) were equal to or greater than 2.5% of Total Assets at such date or (b) whose gross revenues for such Test Period were equal to or greater than 2.5% of the Consolidated gross revenues of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Material Real Property” means any fee owned real property owned by any Loan Party with a Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of at least $5,000,000.

 

Material Subsidiary” means any Material Domestic Subsidiary or any Material Foreign Subsidiary.

 

Maximum Credit” means, at any time, the lesser of (i) the Revolving Credit Commitments in effect at such time and (ii) the Borrowing Base at such time.

 

Maximum Rate” has the meaning specified in Section 12.23.

 

Merchant Card Account” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.12(b).

 

Merger” has the meaning specified in the preliminary statements to this Agreement.

 

Merger Agreement” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of October 11, 2011, among Holdings, Merger Sub and the Company.

 

Merger Agreement Representations” means the representations and warranties with respect to the Company made by the Company in the Merger Agreement, but only to the extent (i) such representations and warranties are material to the interests of the Lenders, and (ii) Holdings has the right to terminate its obligations under the Merger Agreement as a result of a breach of such representations and warranties under the Merger Agreement.

 

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Merger Consideration” means an amount equal to the total funds required to pay to (i) the holder of each share of issued and outstanding common stock of the Borrower immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger (subject to certain exceptions as set forth in the Merger Agreement) an aggregate amount of $22.00 per share in cash, (ii) the holders of certain outstanding options, with respect to any share of common stock of the Borrower issuable under a particular option, an aggregate amount in cash equal to the excess, if any, of (x) $22.00 per share and (y) the applicable exercise price payable in respect of such share of common stock of the Borrower issuable under such option, and (iii) the holders of certain restricted stock units and performance stock units, an aggregate amount in cash equal to the product of (a) $22.00 per share and (b) the number of unforfeited shares of common stock of the Borrower subject to the restricted stock unit or performance stock unit, as applicable.

 

Merger Sub” has the meaning specified in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Monthly Borrowing Base Certificate” shall have the meaning specified in Section 7.4(a).

 

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

 

Mortgage Policies” has the meaning specified in Section 8.13(b)(ii) hereof.

 

Mortgaged Properties has the meaning specified in paragraph (e) of the definition of “Collateral and Guarantee Requirementmeans owned real property of the Loan Parties, in each case to the extent subject to a Mortgage.

 

Mortgages” means, collectively, (a) mortgages or deeds of trust in the form of Exhibit S (subject to such conforming changes as shall be necessary to reflect local law requirements), or (b) the deeds of trust, trust deeds, hypothecs and mortgages executed and delivered by the Loan Parties in favor or for the benefit of the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Lenders in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, and any other mortgages executed and delivered pursuant to Sections 8.11 or 8.13.

 

Multiemployer Plan” means any multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA and subject to Title IV of ERISA, to which any Loan Party or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five plan years has made or been obligated to make contributions.

 

Net Cash Proceeds” means:

 

(a)                                 with respect to the Disposition of any asset by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or with respect to any Recovery Event, the excess, if any, of (i) the sum of cash and Cash Equivalents received in connection with such Disposition (including any cash and Cash Equivalents received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so received) or Recovery Event, as the case may be, over (ii) the sum of (A) the principal amount, premium or penalty, if any, interest and other amounts on any Indebtedness that is secured by the asset subject to such Disposition or Recovery Event, as the case may be, and that is required to be repaid in connection with such Disposition or Recovery Event (other than Indebtedness under the Loan Documents, the Credit

 

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Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness or the Term Facility Documentation or any Permitted Refinancing of the Indebtedness under the Term Facility Documentation or the Credit AgreementIndebtedness under the Second Lien Facility Documentation or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtednessthereof), (B)  distributions permitted to be made pursuant to Section 9.6(g)(i) or (g)(ii) and taxes paid or reasonably estimated to be payable in connection therewith (including taxes imposed on the distribution or repatriation of any such Net Cash Proceeds), (C) in the case of any Disposition by a non-wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary or Recovery Event with respect to assets of a non-wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary, the pro rata portion of the Net Cash Proceeds thereof (calculated without regard to this clause (C)) attributable to minority interests and not available for distribution to or for the account of the Borrower or a wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary as a result thereof, (D) any reserve for adjustment in respect of (x) the sale price of such asset or assets established in accordance with GAAP and (y) any liabilities associated with such asset or assets and retained by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary after such Recovery Event or Disposition, as the case may be, including pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction, it being understood that “Net Cash Proceeds” shall include the amount of any reversal (without the satisfaction of any applicable liabilities in cash in a corresponding amount) of any reserve described in this clause (D) and (E) the out-of-pocket fees and expenses (including attorneys’ fees, investment banking fees, survey costs, title insurance premiums, and related search and recording charges, transfer taxes, deed or mortgage recording taxes, other customary expenses and brokerage, consultant and other customary fees) actually incurred by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with any of the foregoing,; and

 

(b)                                 (i) with respect to the incurrence or issuance of any Indebtedness by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or any Permitted Equity Issuance by the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, the excess, if any, of (A) the sum of the cash and Cash Equivalents received in connection with such incurrence or issuance over (B) the investment banking fees, underwriting discounts, commissions, costs and other out-of-pocket expenses and other customary expenses, incurred by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such incurrence or issuance and (ii) with respect to any Permitted Equity Issuance by any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, the amount of cash from such Permitted Equity Issuance contributed to the capital of the Borrower.

 

Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.

 

Net Recovery Percentage” means the fraction, expressed as a percentage, (a) the numerator of which is the amount equal to the recovery on the aggregate amount of the Inventory at such time on a “going out of business sale” basis as set forth in the most recent appraisal of Inventory received by the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 7.4, net of operating expenses, liquidation expenses and commissions, and (b) the denominator of which is the applicable original cost of the aggregate amount of the Inventory subject to appraisal.  The Net Recovery Percentage for any category of Inventory used in determining the Borrowing Base and the FILO Borrowing Base shall be based on the applicable percentage in the most recent appraisal conducted as set forth in Section 7.4.

 

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New Revolving Credit Commitment” has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(c).

 

New Revolving Commitment Lenders” has the meaning specified in Section  2.17(c).

 

Non-Bank Certificate” has the meaning specified in Section 3.1(b).

 

Non-Consenting Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 3.7.

 

Non-Loan Party” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party.

 

Notes Intercreditor Agreement” means (a) an intercreditor agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit T hereto, (b) another intercreditor agreement not materially less favorable to the Lenders vis-à-vis such Junior Liens than the form of intercreditor agreement attached as Exhibit T hereto (as determined by the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent and the Borrower in good faith in the exercise of reasonable judgment) or (c) another intercreditor agreement the terms of which are consistent with market terms governing security arrangements for the sharing of liens on a junior basis at the time such intercreditor agreement is proposed to be established in light of the type of Indebtedness to be secured by such liens, as determined by the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent and the Borrower in the exercise of reasonable judgment.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Notes Intercreditor Agreement is a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Notice of Borrowing” has the meaning specified in Section 2.2(a).

 

Notice of Conversion or Continuation” has the meaning specified in Section 2.11(a).

 

Notice of Intent to Cure” has the meaning specified in Section 7.2(a).

 

Obligations” means all (a) advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Loan Party arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit (including, without limitation, the FILO Liabilities), whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding, (b) obligations of any Loan Party arising under any Secured Hedge Agreement (other than Excluded Swap Obligations of such Loan Party), and (c) Cash Management Obligations.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Obligations of the Loan Parties under the Loan Documents (and any of their Subsidiaries to the extent they have obligations under the Loan Documents to which such Subsidiaries are party) include the obligation (including guarantee obligations) to pay principal, interest, Letter of Credit, reimbursement obligations, charges, expenses, fees, Attorney Costs, indemnities and other amounts payable by any Loan Party under any Loan Document; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this definition, Obligations of any Guarantor shall in no event include any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Loan Party.

 

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OFAC” has the meaning specified in Section 5.17(b).

 

OID” means “original issue discount” within the meaning of Section 1273 of the Code.

 

Other Commitments” means one or more Classes of loan commitments hereunder that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

 

Other Loans” means one or more Classes of loans that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

 

Other Taxes” has the meaning specified in Section 3.1(f).

 

Outstanding Amount” means (a) with respect to the Revolving Loans and Swing Loans on any date, the amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of Revolving Loans (including any refinancing of Letter of Credit Obligations as a Revolving Loan) and Swing Loans, as the case may be, occurring on such date; (b) with respect to any Letter of Credit Obligations on any date, the amount thereof on such date after giving effect to any related extension of any Letter of Credit occurring on such date and any other changes thereto as of such date, including as a result of any reimbursements of outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations (including any refinancing of outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations under related Letters of Credit or related extensions of any Letters of Credit as a Revolving Loan) or any reductions in the maximum amount available for drawing under related Letters of Credit taking effect on such date; and (c) with respect to the FILO Loan on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any prepayments or repayments of the FILO Loan occurring on such date, if any.

 

Overnight Rate” means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Rate and (b) an overnight rate determined by the Administrative Agent, an Issuer, or the Swing Loan Lender, as applicable, in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

 

PACA” means the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, 1930.

 

PACA Reserve” means all amounts owed from time to time by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor to any Person on account of the purchase price or other amounts owed in respect of agricultural products or any services related to the foregoing and subject to PACA, to the extent that (i) such amounts are secured (by way of a grower’s lien, seller’s lien, statutory trust or similar security interest or priority arrangement) by the applicable agricultural products (such lien, a “PACA Super Priority Lien”) in accordance with PACA and (ii) such PACA Super Priority Lien would have priority over the Administrative Agent’s Lien in such agricultural products to the extent constituting Current Asset Collateral consisting of Inventory.

 

PASA” means the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921.

 

PASA Reserve” means all amounts owed from time to time by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor to any Person on account of the purchase price or other amounts owed in respect of livestock, livestock products, poultry, poultry products, other meat and meat products, or any services related to the foregoing and subject to PASA, to the extent that (i) such amounts are

 

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secured (by way of a grower’s lien, seller’s lien, statutory trust or similar security interest or priority arrangement) by the applicable livestock, livestock products, poultry, poultry products, other meat and meat products (such lien, a “PASA Super Priority Lien”) in accordance with PASA and (ii) such PASA Super Priority Lien would have priority over the Administrative Agent’s Lien in such livestock, livestock products, poultry, poultry products, other meat and meat products to the extent constituting Current Asset Collateral consisting of Inventory.

 

Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement” means a “pari passu” intercreditor agreement among the Administrative Agent, the Term Facility Administrative Agent and one or more Senior Representatives for holders of Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, the Term Facility Administrative Agent and the Borrower.

 

Participant” has the meaning specified in Section 12.2(d).

 

Participant Register” has the meaning specified in Section 12.2(e).

 

Payment Conditions” means, at any time of determination, that (a) no Event of Default exists immediately prior to the making of the subject Specified Payment or would thereafter result from the making of the subject Specified Payment, (b) for thirty (30) consecutive Business Days immediately prior to such Specified Payment and immediately after giving Pro Forma Effect to such Specified Payment, Excess Availability shall be at least the greater of (i) 30.0% of the Maximum Credit (without giving effect to the FILO Reserve) and (ii) $45,000,000 and (c) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of the end of the most recently ended Test Period for which financial statements have been or are required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or (b) shall be greater than or equal to 1.00 to 1.00 after giving Pro Forma Effect to such Specified Payment as if such Specified Payment (if applicable to such calculation) had been made as of the first day of such period (the “Pro Forma Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”), and, in each case, the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (A) certifying that no Event of Default exists immediately prior to the making of the subject Specified Payment or would thereafter result from the making of such subject Specified Payment and (B) setting forth a reasonably detailed calculation of the Pro Forma Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

 

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

 

Pension Plan” means any “employee pension benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA and is sponsored or maintained by any Loan Party or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates or to which any Loan Party or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates contributes or has an obligation to contribute, or in the case of a multiple employer or other plan described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA, has made contributions in the preceding five plan years.

 

Permitted Acquisition” means any Acquisition by Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that, with respect to each such Acquisition:

 

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(i)                           (A) each applicable Loan Party and any newly created or acquired Subsidiary (and, to the extent required under the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement and Section 8.11, the Subsidiaries of such created or acquired Subsidiary) shall be Guarantors and shall comply with the requirements of Section 8.11, 8.12 and 8.13, within the times specified therein (for the avoidance of doubt, this clause (i) shall not override any provisions of the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement or Section 8.11, subject to the limit in clause (iii) below); (B) the Board of Directors of such acquired Person or its selling equity holders in existence at the time such purchase or acquisition is commenced shall have approved such purchase or other acquisition, and (C) the acquired property, assets, business or Person is in a business permitted under Section 9.7;

 

(ii)                        the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent (and the Borrower shall have used commercially reasonable efforts to deliver no later than five (5) Business Days before the date on which any such purchase or other acquisition is consummated), on behalf of the Lenders, a certificate of a Responsible Officer, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, certifying that all of the requirements set forth in this definition have been satisfied or will be satisfied in accordance with the requirements of this definition;

 

(iii)                     with respect to Acquisitions of Subsidiaries that do not become Guarantors, the consideration shall not exceed the greater of (1) $50,000,000 and (2) 2.75% of Total Assets (in each case, measured at the time of consummation of the subject Acquisition), in the aggregate with respect to all such Acquisitions; and

 

(iv)                    after giving effect to such Acquisition on a Pro Forma Basis, the Borrower is in compliance with the Payment Conditions.

 

Permitted Discretion” means a determination made by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent (as applicable) in its commercially reasonable discretion, exercised in good faith in accordance with customary business practices for comparable asset-based lending transactions.

 

Permitted Equity Issuance” means any sale or issuance of any Qualified Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower (in which case the Net Cash Proceeds have been received by the Borrower as cash common equity), in each case to the extent permitted hereunder.

 

Permitted Holder” means any of the Sponsors.

 

Permitted Holdings Successor” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Change of Control”.

 

Permitted Initial ABL Borrowing Purposes” means (a) one or more Borrowings of Revolving Loans to pay for Transaction Expenses, and (b) the issuance of Letters of Credit in replacement of, or as a backstop for, letters of credit of Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on the Effective Date.

 

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Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt” means any secured Indebtedness issued or incurred by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor in the form of one or more series of Junior Lien secured notes or loans; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is secured by the Collateral on a Junior Lien basis (subject to Liens permitted under Section 9.1) with the Obligations and is not secured by any property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary other than the Collateral, (ii) such Indebtedness constitutes Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, (iii) such Indebtedness does not mature or have scheduled amortization or scheduled payments of principal and is not subject to mandatory redemption, repurchase, prepayment or sinking fund obligation (other than customary offers to repurchase or mandatory prepayments upon a change of control, asset sale or other Disposition or casualty event or incurrence of indebtedness that is not permitted thereunder and customary acceleration rights after an event of default) prior to the Latest Maturity Date, determined at the time such Indebtedness is incurred, (iv) the security agreements relating to such Indebtedness are substantially the same as the Collateral Documents (with such differences as are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), (v) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiary Guarantors and (vi) a Senior Representative acting on behalf of the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become party to or otherwise subject to the provisions of the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement; provided that if such Indebtedness is the initial Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt incurred by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor, then Holdings, the Borrower, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Administrative Agent and the Senior Representative for such Indebtedness shall have executed and delivered a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.  Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt will include any Registered Equivalent Notes issued in exchange therefor.

 

Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt” means any secured Indebtedness issued or incurred by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor in the form of one or more series of senior secured notes or loans; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis (but without regard to the control of remedies) with the Obligations and is not secured by any property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary other than the Collateral, (ii) such Indebtedness constitutes Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, (iii) such Indebtedness does not mature or have scheduled amortization or scheduled payments of principal and is not subject to mandatory redemption, repurchase, prepayment or sinking fund obligation (other than customary offers to repurchase or mandatory prepayments upon a change of control, asset sale or other Disposition, casualty event or incurrence of indebtedness that is not permitted thereunder and customary acceleration rights after an event of default) prior to the Latest Maturity Date determined at the time such Indebtedness is incurred, (iv) the security agreements relating to such Indebtedness are substantially the same as the Collateral Documents (with such differences as are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), (v) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiary Guarantors and (vi) a Senior Representative acting on behalf of the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become party to or otherwise subject to the provisions of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement; provided that if such Indebtedness is the initial Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt incurred by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor, then the Borrower, Holdings, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Administrative Agent and the Senior Representative for such Indebtedness shall have executed and delivered a Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.  Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt will include any Registered Equivalent Notes issued in exchange therefor.

 

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Permitted Refinancing” means, with respect to any Person, any modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension of, any Indebtedness (including any such Indebtedness incurred or issued pursuant to a Permitted Refinancing) of such Person with Indebtedness of such Person or Disqualified Equity Interests of such Person, or of any Disqualified Equity Interests (including any such Disqualified Equity Interests incurred or issued pursuant to a Permitted Refinancing) of such Person with Disqualified Equity Interests (any such resulting Indebtedness, “Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness”); provided that (a) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of any such Indebtedness or the liquidation preference of any such Disqualified Equity Interests does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness or the liquidation preference of any such Disqualified Equity Interests so modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended except by an amount equal to unpaid accrued or capitalized interest thereon, any make-whole payments and premium (including tender premiums) thereon, any swap breakage costs and other termination costs related to Swap Contracts, plus OID and upfront fees plus other fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder, (b) other than with respect to a Permitted Refinancing in respect of Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Sections 9.3(b), (e), (p) and (u), such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension has a final maturity date equal to or later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended, (c) other than with respect to a Permitted Refinancing in respect of Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Sections 9.3(e), at the time thereof, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (d) if such Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed, replaced or extended is Junior Financing, (i) to the extent such Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed, replaced or extended is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations, such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal, replacement or extension is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations on terms (taken as a whole) at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended (or are otherwise acceptable to the Administrative Agent), (ii) the terms and conditions (including, if applicable, as to collateral but excluding (a) as to subordination, pricing (including interest rate, fees, funding discounts and other pricing terms, in each case other than the per annum rate of interest payable in cash, which shall not be so excluded), premiums, no call periods, liquidation preferences and optional prepayment or redemption provisions, and (b) covenants and other provisions applicable only to periods after the Latest Maturity Date, determined at the date of incurrence of such Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests) of any such modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests, taken as a whole, are not materially less favorable to the Loan Parties or the Lenders than the terms and conditions of the Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended; provided that (I) the Senior Notes may be refinanced with Indebtedness secured by Junior Liens on the Collateral, provided that such Liens are subject to the Notes Intercreditor Agreement, (II) notwithstanding anything in this definition to the contrary, the stated interest rate payable in cash for any secured Permitted Refinancing in respect of the Senior Notes shall not exceed 11% per annum, (III) notwithstanding anything in this definition to the contrary, the Stub Term Loans shall be deemed to have substantially identical terms and conditions as the First Lien Term Loans for purposes of the above clause (d)(ii), including the per annum rate

 

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of interest payable in cash, and (IV) a certificate of a Responsible Officer delivered to the Administrative Agent at least five (5) Business Days prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests, together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests or drafts of the documentation relating thereto, stating that the Borrower has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirement shall be conclusive evidence that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirement unless the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower within such five Business Day period that it disagrees with such determination (including a description of the basis upon which it disagrees) and (iii) such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension is incurred by the Person who is the obligor of the Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended and no additional obligors become liable for such Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests, and (e) in the case of any Permitted Refinancing in respect of the Term Facility, such Permitted Refinancing is secured only by assets pursuant to one or more security agreements subject to the Intercreditor Agreement (or another intercreditor agreement containing terms, taken as a whole, that are at least as favorable to the Secured Parties as those contained in the Intercreditor Agreement), (f) in the case of any Permitted Refinancing in respect of the Second Lien Facility, such Permitted Refinancing is secured only by assets pursuant to one or more security agreements subject to the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement (in each case, or another intercreditor agreement containing terms (taken as a whole) that are at least as favorable to the Secured Parties as those contained in the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement or the Intercreditor Agreement, as the case may be), (g) in the case of any secured Permitted Refinancing in respect of the Senior Notes, such Permitted Refinancing (i) is secured only by assets pursuant to one or more security agreements subject to the Notes Intercreditor Agreement (or another intercreditor agreement containing terms (taken as a whole) that are at least as favorable to the Secured Parties as those contained in the Notes Intercreditor Agreement as determined by the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent) and (ii) shall not require any scheduled principal payments prior to the date that is at least 181 days after the Latest Maturity Date and (h) in the case of a Permitted Refinancing of the Stub Term Loans or the Stub Notes, such Permitted Refinancing has a final stated maturity date that is at least 181 days after the Latest Maturity Date.

 

Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction” means any sale and leaseback transaction of any assets of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a transaction or series of transactions in which the Borrower or any such Restricted Subsidiary receives Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) for each such sale; provided, that (a) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing immediately prior to such sale or would occur as a result of such sale, (b) the lease pertaining to such assets is an operating lease for purposes of GAAP or a Capitalized Lease to the extent permitted under Section 9.3(e), and (c) the Net Cash Proceeds from such transaction are used by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary to prepay outstanding Indebtedness (including any Junior Financing) or reinvested or used in accordance with and to the extent required by Section 2.4(b) of the Term Facility Credit Agreement.

 

Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt” means any unsecured Indebtedness issued or incurred by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor in the form of one or more series of unsecured notes or loans; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is not secured by any property or assets of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) such Indebtedness constitutes Credit

 

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Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, (iii) such Indebtedness does not mature or have scheduled amortization prior to the Latest Maturity Date, determined at the time such Indebtedness is incurred (other than customary offers to repurchase or mandatory prepayments upon a change of control, asset sale or other Disposition, casualty event or incurrence of indebtedness that is not permitted thereunder and customary acceleration rights after an event of default), and (iv) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiary Guarantors.  Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt will include any Registered Equivalent Notes issued in exchange therefor.

 

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

 

Plan” means any material “employee benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA), established by any Loan Party or, with respect to any such plan that is subject to Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA, any of their respective ERISA Affiliates.

 

Platform” has the meaning specified in Section 12.8(b).

 

Pledged Debt” has the meaning specified in the Security Agreement.

 

Pledged Equity” has the meaning specified in the Security Agreement.

 

PPSA” means the Personal Property Security Act (Ontario) and the regulations promulgated thereunder and other applicable personal property security legislation of the applicable Canadian province or provinces in connection with the issue, perfection, effect of perfection, enforcement, enforceability, validity, priority or effect of security interests, hypothecs or other applicable Liens (including the Civil Code of the Province of Quebec and the regulations respecting the Register of Personal and Movable Real Rights promulgated thereunder) as all such legislation now exists or may from time to time hereafter be amended, modified, recodified, supplemented or replaced, together with all rules, regulations and interpretations thereunder or related thereto.

 

Preferred Stock” means any Equity Interest with preferential right of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.

 

Pro Forma Balance Sheet” has the meaning specified in Section 5.5(a)(ii).

 

Pro Forma Basis” and “Pro Forma Effect” mean, with respect to compliance with any test or covenant or calculation hereunder, the determination or calculation of such test, covenant or ratio (including in connection with Specified Transactions) in accordance with Section 1.7.

 

Pro Forma Financial Statements” has the meaning specified in Section 5.5(a)(ii).

 

Pro Forma Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Payment Conditions.

 

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Pro Forma Total Leverage Ratio” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Payment Conditions.

 

Proceeds” has the meaning given to such term in Article 9 of the UCC.

 

Projections” shall have the meaning specified in Section 7.1(d).

 

Protective Advances” means an overadvance made or deemed to exist by the Administrative Agent, in its discretion, which:

 

(a)                                 is made to maintain, protect or preserve the Collateral and/or the Lenders rights under the Loan Documents or which is otherwise for the benefit of the Lenders; or

 

(b)                                 is made to enhance the likelihood of, or to maximize the amount of, repayment of any Obligation; or

 

(c)                                  is made to pay any other amounts then due and payable or reimburseable (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) by any Loan Party under any Loan Document; and

 

(d)                                 together with all other Protective Advances then outstanding, shall not (i) exceed five percent (5%) of the Borrowing Base at any time, (ii) unless a Liquidation is taking place, remain outstanding for more than forty-five (45) consecutive Business Days, unless in each case, the Requisite Revolving Credit Lenders otherwise agree; provided, that, Protective Advances shall not, unless a Liquidation is taking place, remain outstanding for more than sixty (60) consecutive Business Days, unless in each case, the Requisite FILO Lenders and the Requisite Revolving Credit Lenders agree, or (iii) when taken together with the aggregate principal amount of all other Revolving Credit Outstandings, exceed the Revolving Credit Commitments.

 

Public Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 12.8(b).

 

Qualified Equity Interests” means any Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests.

 

Qualifying IPO” means the issuance by Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings of its common Equity Interests in an underwritten primary public offering (other than a public offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8) pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the SEC in accordance with the Securities Act (whether alone or in connection with a secondary public offering).

 

Quarterly Financial Statements” means the unaudited Consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the most recent Fiscal Quarters after the date of the Annual Financial Statements and ended at least forty-five (45) days before the Effective Date.

 

Ratable Portion”, “Pro Rata Share”, “ratable share” or (other than in the expression “equally and ratably”) “ratably” means, (a) with respect to any Lender (other than

 

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FILO Lenders), the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the Revolving Credit Commitment of such Class of such Lender by (i) the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments of all Lenders of such Class (or, at any time after the Revolving Credit Termination Date, the percentage obtained by dividing the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Credit Outstandings of such Class owing to such Lender by the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Credit Outstandings owing to all Lenders of such Class), and (b) with respect to any FILO Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the outstanding principal amount of the FILO Loan owing to such Lender by (ii) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the FILO Loan owing to all FILO Lenders.

 

Recovery Event” means the receipt by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any cash insurance proceeds (other than proceeds of business interruption insurance) or condemnation awards payable by reason of theft, loss, physical destruction, damage, taking or any other similar event with respect to any property or assets of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries included in the Collateral.

 

Refinanced Debt” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness.”

 

Refinancing Amendment” means an amendment to this Agreement executed by each of (a) the Borrower and Holdings, (b) the Administrative Agent and (c) each Lender that agrees to provide any portion of the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness being incurred pursuant thereto, in accordance with Section 2.18.

 

Regional Concentration Account” means an Approved Deposit Account and/or an Approved Securities Account maintained by the applicable Loan Party in the name of such Loan Party with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, any Lender or Affiliate of a Lender or any other institution as shall be reasonably consented to the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned).

 

Register” has the meaning specified in Section 12.2(c).

 

Registered Equivalent Notes” means, with respect to any notes originally issued in a Rule 144A or other private placement transaction under the Securities Act, substantially identical notes (having the same Guarantees) issued in a dollar-for-dollar exchange therefor pursuant to an exchange offer registered with the SEC.

 

Reimbursement Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.4(h).

 

Reimbursement Obligations” means, as and when matured, the obligation of any Loan Party to pay, on the date payment is made or scheduled to be made to the beneficiary under each such Letter of Credit (or at such other date as may be specified in the applicable Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement) in Dollars, all amounts of each drafts and other requests for payments drawn under Letters of Credit, and all other matured reimbursement or repayment obligations of any Loan Party to any Issuer with respect to amounts drawn under Letters of Credit.

 

Related Indemnified Person” of an Indemnitee means (a) any controlling person (including any member or other equity holders) or controlled affiliate of such Indemnitee, (b) the

 

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respective directors, officers, or employees of such Indemnitee or any of its controlling persons or controlled affiliates and (c) the respective agents, advisors or other representatives of such Indemnitee or any of its controlling persons or controlled affiliates, in the case of this clause (c), acting at the instructions of such Indemnitee, controlling person or such controlled affiliate; provided that each reference to a controlled affiliate or controlling person in this definition shall pertain to a controlled affiliate or controlling person involved in the negotiation or syndication of the Facility, the Term Facility, the Second Lien Facility or the Senior Notes.

 

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

 

Reportable Event” means, with respect to any Pension Plan, any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, other than events for which the thirty (30) day notice period has been waived.

 

Requisite Class Lenders shall meanmeans, (a) with respect to any Class (other than with respect to FILO Lenders) on any date of determination, Lenders having more than fifty percent (50%) of (i) the aggregate outstanding amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments of such Class or, after the Revolving Credit Termination Date, more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate Revolving Credit Outstandings of such Class; provided that the unused Revolving Credit Commitment of, and the portion of the Loans and outstanding Letters of Credit held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Requisite Class Lenders, and (b) with respect to FILO Lenders, the Requisite FILO Lenders.

 

Requisite FILO Lenders” means, collectively, FILO Lenders having more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the FILO Loan; provided that the portion of the FILO Loan held by any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Requisite FILO Lenders.

 

Requisite Lenders” means, collectively, Lenders having more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate outstanding amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments and the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the FILO Loan or, after the Revolving Credit Termination Date, more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate Revolving Credit Outstandings and the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the FILO Loan; provided that the unused Revolving Credit Commitment of, and the portion of the Loans and outstanding Letters of Credit held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Requisite Lenders.

 

Requisite Revolving Credit Lenders” means, collectively, Lenders having more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate outstanding amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments or, after the Revolving Credit Termination Date, more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate Revolving Credit Outstandings; provided that the unused Revolving Credit Commitment of, and the portion of the Loans and outstanding Letters of Credit held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Requisite Revolving Credit Lenders.

 

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Reserves” means any Inventory Reserves and Availability Reserves.

 

Responsible Officer” means the chief executive officer, president, vice president, chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer or other similar officer or Person performing similar functions of a Loan Party and, as to any document delivered on the Effective Date, any secretary or assistant secretary of a Loan Party.  Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.  Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Responsible Officer” shall refer to a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

 

Restricted Cash” means cash and Cash Equivalents that (a) would be listed as “restricted” on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (b) are subject to any Liens, except for Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.3 that is secured by such cash or Cash Equivalents.

 

Restricted Investment” means any Investment other than one permitted under Section 9.2 hereof.

 

Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interest of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interest, or on account of any return of capital to the Borrower’s or Holdings’ stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent Persons thereof).

 

Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

Retained Funds Account” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.12(e).

 

Revolving Commitment Increase” has the meaning specified in Section 2.15(a).

 

Revolving Commitment Increase Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.15(a).

 

Revolving Credit Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender (other than any FILO Lender), the commitment of such Lender to make Revolving Loans and acquire interests in other Revolving Credit Outstandings expressed as an amount representing the maximum principal amount of the Revolving Loans to be made by such Lender under this Agreement, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to this Agreement and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to (i) assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, (ii) a Revolving Commitment Increase, (iii) a New Revolving Credit Commitment, (iv) an Extension, or (v) a Refinancing Amendment.  The amount of each Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment as of the Amendment No. 4 Effective Date is set forth on Schedule I under the caption “Revolving Credit Commitment,” as amended to reflect each

 

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Assignment and Assumption, Incremental Amendment, Extension Amendment or Refinancing Amendment, in each case executed by such Lender.  The aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments as of the Amendment No. 4 Effective Date is $160,000,000.

 

Revolving Credit Exposure” means, as to each Lender (other than any FILO Lender), the sum of the Outstanding Amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loans, its Pro Rata Share of the Letter of Credit Obligations and its Pro Rata Share of the Swing Loan Obligations at such time.

 

Revolving Credit Lender” means each Lender that (a) has a Revolving Credit Commitment, (b) holds a Revolving Loan or (c) participates in any Letter of Credit.

 

Revolving Credit Note” means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to the order of any Revolving Credit Lender in a principal amount equal to the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment evidencing the aggregate Indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from the Loans of a given Class owing to such Lender.

 

Revolving Credit Outstandings” means, at any particular time, the sum of (a) the principal amount of the Loans (other than FILO Loan) outstanding at such time, (b) the Letter of Credit Obligations outstanding at such time and (c) the principal amount of the Swing Loans outstanding at such time.

 

Revolving Credit Termination Date” means the earliest of (a) the Scheduled Termination Date, (b) the date of termination of all of the Revolving Credit Commitments pursuant to Section 2.5 and (c) the date on which the Obligations become due and payable pursuant to Section 10.2.

 

Revolving Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(a).

 

Royal Bank of Canada” means Royal Bank of Canada, acting in its individual capacity, and its successors and assigns.

 

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC and any successor thereto.

 

Same Day Funds” means disbursements and payments in immediately available funds.

 

Scheduled Debt Payments” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of all regularly scheduled amortization payments of principal on Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis for such period (including the principal component of payments due on Capitalized Leases during such period); provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt, any payments made pursuant to a mandatory prepayment, mandatory redemption or like provision shall not constitute Scheduled Debt Payments.

 

Scheduled Termination Date” means (a) with respect to the Facility, the earlier of (x) the date that is five (5) years after the Amendment No. 4 Effective Date (solely in the case of Revolving Credit Commitments, as may be extended pursuant to Section 12.1(b) or Section 2.17

 

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hereof)earliest of (x) April 8, 2021 and (y) the date that is 9091 days prior to the earlier of (i) the stated maturity date of the Term Facility (and any Permitted Refinancing thereof) and (ii) the stated maturity date of the Senior NotesFirst Lien Term Loans (and any Permitted Refinancing thereof), (b) with respect to any Extended Revolving Credit Commitments or New Revolving Credit Commitments of a given Extension Series, the final maturity date as specified in the applicable Extension Amendment accepted by the respective Lender or Lenders, (c) with respect to any Other Loans, the final maturity date as specified in the applicable Refinancing Amendment and (d) with respect to any Loans under any Revolving Commitment Increase, the final maturity date as specified in the applicable Incremental Amendment; provided that, in each case, ifnotwithstanding any of the foregoing, (i) if less than the Specified Exchange Threshold of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes outstanding as of the Amendment No. 6 Effective Date has been converted, redeemed, repurchased or refinanced on or prior to the date that is three Business Days prior to March 2, 2019 pursuant to one or more transactions permitted under this Agreement, such that the stated maturity date (including any scheduled principal payment date) in respect of such Senior Notes that have been so converted, redeemed, repurchased or refinanced (and any Permitted Refinancing in respect thereof) is at least 181 days after the Latest Maturity Date, the Scheduled Termination Date shall be March 2, 2019, and (ii) in any case, if any such day described above is not a Business Day, the Scheduled Termination Date shall be the Business Day immediately preceding such day.

 

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

 

Second Lien Administrative Agent” means Wilmington Trust, National Association in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent under the Second Lien Credit Agreement, or any successor administrative agent and collateral agent under the Second Lien Credit Agreement.

 

Second Lien Credit Agreement” means that certain second lien credit agreement dated as of November 7, 2017, among the Borrower, Holdings, the lenders party thereto and the Second Lien Administrative Agent, as the same may be amended, restated, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced, from time to time, in whole or in part, in one or more agreements (in each case with the same or new lenders, institutional investors or agents), including any agreement extending the maturity thereof or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness thereunder or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof and in each case any Permitted Refinancing thereof, in each case as and to the extent permitted by this Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement and the Notes Intercreditor Agreement.

 

“Second Lien Facility” means the term credit facility under the Second Lien Credit Agreement and any Permitted Refinancing thereof.

 

“Second Lien Facility Documentation” means the Second Lien Credit Agreement and all security agreements, guarantees, pledge agreements and other agreements or instruments executed in connection therewith.

 

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Second Lien Lenders” means the lenders from time to time party to the Second Lien Credit Agreement.

 

Secured Cash Management Agreement” means any cash management agreement that is entered into by and between any Loan Party (or entered into by Merger Sub and existing at the time of the Merger) and any Cash Management Bank.

 

Secured Hedge Agreement” means any Swap Contract permitted under Section 9.3(f) that is entered into by and between any Loan Party (or entered into by Merger Sub and existing at the time of the Merger) or any Restricted Subsidiary and any Hedge Bank and designated in writing by the Hedge Bank and the Borrower to the Administrative Agent as a “Secured Hedge Agreement.”

 

Secured Obligations” means, in the case of the Borrower, the Obligations, including, without limitation, each extension of credit under this Agreement and all obligations of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries which arise under the Loan Documents (including the Guaranty but excluding with respect to any Guarantor, Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor) and the obligations of the Loan Parties in respect of Secured Hedge Agreements and Cash Management Obligations, in each case, whether outstanding on the date of this Agreement or extended or arising from time to time after the date of this Agreement.

 

Secured Parties” means, collectively, the Lenders, the Issuers, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the FILO Agent, each Hedge Bank, each Cash Management Bank and each co-agent or sub-agent (if any) appointed by the Administrative Agent from time to time pursuant to Section 11.5.

 

Securities Account Control Agreement” means, with respect to any securities account, an agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, among the Collateral Agent, the Approved Securities Intermediary and the Loan Party maintaining such account, effective to grant “control” (as defined under the applicable UCC) over such account to the Collateral Agent.

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

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

 

Security Agreement” means, collectively, the Security Agreement executed by the Loan Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit I, together with each Security Agreement Supplement executed and delivered pursuant to Section 8.11.

 

Security Agreement Supplement” has the meaning specified in the Security Agreement.

 

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Senior Notes” means up to $250,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Borrower’s senior unsecured notes due 2019 and any Registered Equivalent Notes having terms, taken as a whole, that are on substantially identical terms and issued pursuant to the Senior Notes Indenture in exchange for the initial, unregistered senior unsecured notes, and in any case any Permitted Refinancing in respect thereof.

 

Senior Notes Indenture” means the Indenture for the Senior Notes, dated December 29, 2011, between the Borrower and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented, replaced or refinanced to the extent not prohibited by this Agreement.

 

Senior Notes Issue Date” means December 29, 2011.

 

Senior Representative” means, with respect to any series of Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt or Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt, the trustee, administrative agent, collateral agent, security agent or similar agent under the indenture or agreement pursuant to which such Indebtedness is issued, incurred or otherwise obtained, as the case may be, and each of their successors in such capacities.

 

Senior Secured Leverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Test Period for which financial statements are required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or (b), the ratio of (a) Consolidated Senior Secured Net Debt of the Borrower as of the last day of such Test Period to (b) Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower for such Test Period.

 

Shareholders Agreement” means the Voting Agreement, dated as of the Effective Date, among the Company, Holdings and ACOF III.

 

Shrink Reserve” means an amount reasonably estimated by the Administrative Agent to be equal to that amount which is required in order that the shrink reflected in current books and records of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries would be reasonably equivalent to the shrink calculated as part of the Borrower’s most recent physical Inventory; provided that no Shrink Reserve established by the Administrative Agent shall be duplicative of any shrink as so reflected in the current books and records of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries or estimated by the Borrower for purposes of computing the Borrowing Base).  The proviso to the last sentence of the definition of Borrowing Base is hereby incorporated herein mutatis mutandis.

 

Solvent” and “Solvency” mean, with respect to any Person on any date of determination, that on such date (a) the fair value of the assets of such Person exceeds its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, (b) the present fair saleable value of the property of such Person is greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of its debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured, (c) such Person is able to pay its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such liabilities become absolute and matured and (d) such Person is not engaged in, and is not about to engage in, business for which it has unreasonably small capital.  The amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, would reasonably be expected to become an actual and matured liability.

 

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SPC” has the meaning specified in Section 12.2(g).

 

Specified Event of Default” means any Event of Default under Section 10.1(a), Section 10.1(b)(i)(A), Section 10.1(b)(ii), Section 10.1(b)(iii), Section 10.1(b)(iv), Section 10.1(e) with respect to the Term Facility and Section 10.1(f).

 

Specified Exchange Threshold” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Term/Notes Refinancing Date”.

 

Specified Payment” means any Permitted Acquisition, any optional prepayment of FILO Loan made pursuant to Section 2.8(b)(ii), any Investment made pursuant to Section 9.2(r), any Restricted Payment made pursuant to Section 9.6(l) or, any payment made pursuant to Section 9.11(i), or any payment of the Stub Term Loans or the Stub Notes on the final maturity date thereof, that in each case is subject to the satisfaction of the Payment Conditions.

 

Specified Representations” means those representations and warranties made by the Borrower in Sections 5.1(a) (with respect to organizational existence only), 5.1(b)(ii), 5.2(a), 5.2(b)(i), 5.4, 5.12, 5.15, 5.16 and 5.18.

 

Specified Transaction” means (i) any Investment that results in a Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) any designation of a Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary, (iii) any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or discontinued operation (as determined in accordance with GAAP), in each case with respect to an operating unit of a business that the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary has made, or (iv) any incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness, Restricted Payment, Investment or Revolving Commitment Increase that by the terms of this Agreement requires such test to be calculated on a “Pro Forma Basis” or after giving “Pro Forma Effect.”

 

Sponsor” means any of (a) ACOF III, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, and any of their respective Affiliates and funds or partnerships managed or advised by any of them or any of their respective Affiliates, but not including any portfolio company of any of the foregoing and (b) any Person that forms a group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) with ACOF III, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board or any of their respective Affiliates and funds or partnerships managed or advised by any of them or any of their respective Affiliates, but not including any portfolio company of any of the foregoing.

 

Sponsor Management Agreement” means any management services agreement by and among ACOF Operating Manager III, LLC and/or Canada Pension Plan Investment Board or certain of the management companies associated with each of them or their advisors and Holdings and/or the Borrower, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms.

 

Sponsor Termination Fees” means the one-time payment under any Sponsor Management Agreement of a termination fee to one or more of the Sponsors in the event of either a Change of Control or the completion of a Qualifying IPO.

 

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Standby Letter of Credit” means any Letter of Credit that is not a Documentary Letter of Credit.

 

Statutory Reserve Rate” means, with respect to any currency, a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by any Governmental Authority of the United States or of the jurisdiction of such currency or any jurisdiction in which Loans in such currency are made to which banks in such jurisdiction are subject for any category of deposits or liabilities customarily used to fund loans in such currency or by reference to which interest rates applicable to Loans in such currency are determined.  Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D.  Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurodollar funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D or any comparable regulation.  The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

 

Store” means any retail store (which includes any real property, fixtures, equipment, Inventory and other property related thereto) operated, or to be operated, by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Store Deposit Account” has the meaning specified in Section 8.12(a)(i).

 

Stub Notes” means any Senior Notes with a stated maturity date prior to the date that is 181 days after the Latest Maturity Date that remain outstanding at any time following the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date.

 

Stub Notes Payment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.2(i).

 

Stub Notes Test Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.2(i).

 

Stub Term Loans” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.2(h).

 

Stub TL Payment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.2(h).

 

Stub TL Test Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.2(h).

 

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (a) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Equity Interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or Controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, and (b) any partnership, joint venture or limited liability company of which (i) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general and limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, whether in the form of membership,

 

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general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise, and (ii) such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise Controls such entity.  Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

 

Subsidiary Guarantor” means any Guarantor other than Holdings.

 

Successor Borrower” has the meaning specified in Section 9.4(d).

 

Supermajority Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders having two-thirds or more of the sum of the (a) Revolving Credit Outstandings (with the aggregate principal amount of each Lender’s risk participation and funded participation in Letter of Credit Obligations and Swing Loans being deemed “held” by such Lender for purposes of this definition), (b) aggregate outstanding principal amount of the FILO Loan and (c) aggregate unused Revolving Credit Commitments; provided that the unused Revolving Credit Commitment of, and the portion of the Loans and outstanding Letters of Credit held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Supermajority Lenders.

 

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

 

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

 

Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).

 

Swing Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(a).

 

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Swing Loan Lender” means Royal Bank of Canada in its capacity as the Swing Loan Lender hereunder.

 

Swing Loan Obligations” means, as at any date of determination, the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Swing Loans.

 

Swing Loan Request” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(b).

 

Swing Loan Sublimit” means the lesser of (a) $17,500,000 and (b) the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments.  The Swing Loan Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Credit Commitments.

 

Systems Reserve” means, so long as a perpetual inventory reporting system reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent has not been implemented, a reserve in an amount not to exceed 7.5% of the amount of Store level Inventory.

 

Taxes” has the meaning specified in Section 3.1(a).

 

Term/Notes Refinancing Date” means the date that the Term Facilityon which at least 95% (the “Specified Exchange Threshold”) of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes outstanding as of the Amendment No. 6 Effective Date has been converted, redeemed, repurchased or refinanced pursuant to one or more transactions permitted under this Agreement, such that the stated maturity date (including any scheduled principal payment date) in respect of such Senior Notes that have been so converted, redeemed, repurchased or refinanced (and any Permitted Refinancing in respect thereof) and the Senior Notes (and any Permitted Refinancing thereof) have each been repaid or refinanced in full or amended, in each case, to extend the final maturity dates thereof to a date that is at least 180is at least 181 days after the fifth anniversary of the Amendment No. 4 Effective Date.Latest Maturity Date.

 

Term Facility” means the credit facilitiesExisting Term Facility and the First Lien Term Facility under the Term Facility Credit Agreement and, in each case, any Permitted Refinancing thereof.

 

Term Facility Administrative Agent” means Royal Bank of Canada in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent under the Term Facility Credit Agreement, or any successor administrative agent and collateral agent under the Term Facility Credit Agreement.

 

Term Facility Credit Agreement” means that certain credit agreement dated as of the date hereofEffective Date, among the Borrower, Holdings, the lenders party thereto and Royal Bank of Canada, as administrative agent and collateral agent,the Term Facility Administrative Agent, as amended on April 4, 2012, October 8, 2013, November 7, 2017 and as the same may be further amended, restated, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced, from time to time, in whole or in part, in one or more agreements (in each case with the same or new lenders, institutional investors or agents), including any agreement extending the maturity thereof or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness thereunder or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof, and in each case any Permitted Refinancing thereof, in each case as and to the extent permitted by this Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

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Term Facility Documentation” means the Term Facility Credit Agreement and all security agreements, guarantees, pledge agreements and other agreements or instruments executed in connection therewith.

 

Test Period” in effect at any time means the most recent period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters of the Borrower ended on or prior to such time (taken as one accounting period).  A Test Period may be designated by reference to the last day thereof (i.e.g., the “April 2, 201228, 2017 Test Period” refers to the period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters of the Borrower ended April 2, 201228, 2017), and a Test Period shall be deemed to end on the last day thereof.

 

Total Assets” means the total assets of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of the Borrower delivered pursuant to Sections 7.1(a) or 7.1(b) or, for the period prior to the time any such statements are so delivered pursuant to Sections 7.1(a) or 7.1(b), the Pro Forma Financial Statements.

 

Total Leverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Test Period for which financial statements are required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or (b), the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Net Debt of the Borrower as of the last day of such Test Period to (b) Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower for such Test Period.

 

Tranche B-2 Loans” has the meaning specified in the Term Facility Credit Agreement.

 

Transaction” means, collectively, (a) the Equity Contribution, (b) the Merger, (c) the issuance of the Senior Notes, if any, (d) the funding of the loans under the Term Facility Credit Agreement on the Effective Date, (e) the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the funding of the Loans on the Effective Date, if any, (f) the funding of the loans under the senior bridge facility on the Effective Date, if any, (g) the consummation of any other transactions in connection with the foregoing, and (i) the payment of the fees and expenses incurred in connection with any of the foregoing.

 

Transaction Expenses” means any fees or expenses incurred or paid by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the Transaction, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

 

Type” means, with respect to a Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a Eurocurrency Rate Loan.

 

UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code or any successor provision thereof as the same may from time to time be in effect in the State of New York or the Uniform Commercial Code or any successor provision thereof (or similar code or statute) of another jurisdiction, to the extent it may be required to apply to any item or items of Collateral.

 

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

 

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Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower designated by the Board of Directors of the Borrower as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 8.3 subsequent to the date hereofEffective Date, in each case, until such Person ceases to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Borrower in accordance with Section 8.3 or ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Borrower.

 

Unused Commitment Fee” has the meaning specified in Section 2.12(a).

 

Updated Inventory Appraisal” has the meaning specified in Section 7.4(c).

 

U.S. Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 3.1(d).

 

USA PATRIOT Act” means The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Title III of Pub. L. No. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), as amended or modified from time to time.

 

Weekly Monitoring Event” means the Borrower has failed to maintain, for five (5) consecutive Business Days, Excess Availability of the greater of (i) $25,000,000 and (ii) 15% of the Maximum Credit (without giving effect to the FILO Reserve); provided that a Weekly Monitoring Event shall be deemed continuing until the date on which, Excess Availability has been greater than or equal to the greater of (i) $25,000,000 and (ii) 15% of the Maximum Credit (without giving effect to the FILO Reserve), in each case under clauses (i) and (ii), for at least thirty (30) consecutive days.

 

Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, at any date, the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the sum of the product of the number of years from the date of determination to the date of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Disqualified Equity Interests or Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment, by (b) the sum of all such payments.

 

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” of a Person means a Subsidiary of such Person, all of the outstanding Equity Interests of which (other than (x) director’s qualifying shares and (y) nominal shares issued to foreign nationals to the extent required by applicable Law) are  owned by such Person and/or by one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

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

 

Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

SECTION 1.2                     Other Interpretive Provisions.  With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:

 

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(a)                                 The meanings of defined terms are equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of the defined terms.

 

(b)                                 (i)                                     The words “herein,” “hereto,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document shall refer to such Loan Document as a whole and not to any particular provision thereof.

 

(ii)                                  References in this Agreement to an Exhibit, Schedule, Article, Section, clause or sub-clause refer (A) to the appropriate Exhibit or Schedule to, or Article, Section, clause or sub-clause in this Agreement or (B) to the extent such references are not present in this Agreement, to the Loan Document in which such reference appears,

 

(iii)                               The term “including” is by way of example and not limitation, subject, in the case of computations of time periods, to clause (d) below,

 

(iv)                              The term “documents” includes any and all instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, notices, reports, financial statements and other writings, however evidenced, whether in physical or electronic form,

 

(v)                                 Unless otherwise expressly indicated herein, the words “above” and “below”, when following a reference to a clause or a sub-clause of any Loan Document, refer to a clause or sub-clause within, respectively, the same Section or clause; and

 

(vi)                              The words “assets” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect.

 

(c)                                  The terms “Lender,” “Issuer”, “FILO Agent” and “Administrative Agent” include, without limitation, their respective successors.

 

(d)                                 In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including”, the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding” and the word “through” means “to and including.”

 

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

 

(f)                                   For purposes of any Collateral located in the Province of Quebec or charged by any deed of hypothec (or any other Loan Document) and for all other purposes pursuant to which the interpretation or construction of a Loan Document may be subject to the laws of the Province of Quebec or a court or tribunal exercising jurisdiction in the Province of Quebec, (i) “personal property” shall be deemed to include “movable property”, (ii) “real property” shall be deemed to include “immovable property”, (iii) “tangible property” shall be deemed to include “corporeal property”, (iv) “intangible property” shall be deemed to include “incorporeal property”, (v) “security interest” and “mortgage” shall be deemed to include a “hypothec”, (vi) all references to filing, registering or recording under the UCC or the PPSA shall be deemed to include publication under the Civil Code of Quebec, (vii) all references to “perfection” of or “perfected” Liens shall be deemed to include a reference to the “opposability” of

 

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such Liens to third parties, (viii) any “right of offset”, “right of setoff” or similar expression shall be deemed to include a “right of compensation”, (ix) “goods” shall be deemed to include “corporeal movable property” other than chattel paper, documents of title, instruments, money and securities, and (x) an “agent” shall be deemed to include a “mandatary”.

 

SECTION 1.3                     Accounting Terms.  All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein.

 

SECTION 1.4                     Rounding.  Any financial ratios required to be satisfied in order for a specific action to be permitted under this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).

 

SECTION 1.5                     References to Agreements, Laws, Etc.  Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (a) references to Constituent Documents, agreements (including the Loan Documents) and other contractual instruments shall be deemed to include all appendices, exhibits and schedules thereto and all subsequent amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications thereto (but only to the extent that such amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications are permitted by any Loan Document); and (b) references to any Law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting such Law.

 

SECTION 1.6                     Times of Day.  Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).

 

SECTION 1.7                     Pro Forma Calculations.

 

(a)                                 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Total Leverage Ratio, the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio and the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated in the manner prescribed by this Section 1.7; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 1.7, when calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for purposes of determining actual compliance (and not compliance on a Pro Forma Basis) with Section 6.1, the events described in this Section 1.7 that occurred subsequent to the end of the applicable Test Period shall not be given pro forma effect.

 

(b)                                 For purposes of calculating the Total Leverage Ratio, the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio and the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Specified Transactions (and the incurrence or repayment of any Indebtedness in connection therewith) that have been made, in each case without duplication, (i) during the applicable Test Period or (ii) subsequent to such Test Period and prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation of any such ratio is made shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Specified Transactions (and any increase or decrease in Consolidated EBITDA and the component financial definitions used therein attributable to any Specified Transaction) had occurred on the first day of the applicable

 

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Test Period.  If since the beginning of any applicable Test Period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged, or consolidated with or into the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries since the beginning of such Test Period shall have made any Specified Transaction that would have required adjustment pursuant to this Section 1.7, then the Total Leverage Ratio, the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio and the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated to give pro forma effect thereto for such period as if the Specified Transaction had occurred on the first day of the applicable Test Period in accordance with this Section 1.7.  Any such pro forma calculation may include adjustments appropriate, in the reasonable good faith determination of the Borrower as set forth in a certificate from a Responsible Officer, to reflect, in each case without duplication, (i) operating expense reductions and other operating improvements, synergies or cost savings reasonably expected to result from such relevant pro forma event (including, to the extent applicable, the Transaction) based on actions already taken and for which the full run-rate effect of such actions is expected to be realized within eighteen (18) months of such action, and (ii) all adjustments of the nature set forth in Schedule 1.7(b) to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to the relevant Test Period.

 

(c)                                  In the event that the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs (including by assumption or guarantees) or repays (including by redemption, repayment, retirement or extinguishment) any Indebtedness included in the calculations of the Total Leverage Ratio, the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio and the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, as the case may be (in each case, other than Indebtedness incurred or repaid under any revolving credit facility in the ordinary course of business for working capital purposes), (i) during the applicable Test Period or (ii) subsequent to the end of the applicable Test Period and prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation of any such ratio is made, then the Total Leverage Ratio, the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio and the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness, to the extent required, as if the same had occurred on the first day of the applicable Test Period.

 

(d)                                 If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any hedging obligations applicable to such Indebtedness).  Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Borrower to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.  For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a Pro Forma Basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period.  Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurodollar interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be determined to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Borrower may designate.

 

(e)                                  Any amount in a currency other than Dollars will be converted to Dollars based on the average exchange rate for such currency for the most recent twelve month period immediately prior to the date of determination in a manner consistent with that used in calculating Consolidated EBITDA for the applicable period.

 

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ARTICLE II

 

THE FACILITY

 

SECTION 2.1                     The Revolving Credit Commitments; FILO Commitments.

 

(a)                                 On the terms and subject to the conditions contained in this Agreement, each Revolving Credit Lender severally agrees to make loans in Dollars (each, a “Revolving Loan”) to the Borrower from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Effective Date until the Revolving Credit Termination Date in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding for all such loans by such Lender not to exceed such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment; provided, however, that at no time shall any Revolving Credit Lender be obligated to make a Revolving Loan in excess of such Lender’s Ratable Portion of the Maximum Credit.  Within the limits of the Revolving Credit Commitment of each Lender, amounts of Revolving Loans repaid may be reborrowed under this Section 2.1.

 

(b)                                 Subject to the limitations set forth below (and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 4.2), the Administrative Agent is authorized by the Borrower and the Revolving Credit Lenders, from time to time in the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion (but shall have absolutely no obligation), to make Revolving Loans to the Borrower, on behalf of all Revolving Credit Lenders at any time that any condition precedent set forth in Section 4.2 has not been satisfied or waived, which the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, deems necessary or desirable for the purposes specified in the definition of “Protective Advances”.  Any Protective Advance may be made in a principal amount that would cause the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure to exceed the Borrowing Base; provided that the aggregate amount of outstanding Protective Advances plus the aggregate of all other Revolving Credit Exposure shall not exceed the Aggregate Commitments.  Each Protective Advance shall be secured by the Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent in and to the Collateral and shall constitute a Base Rate Loan.  The Administrative Agent’s authorization to make Protective Advances may be revoked at any time by the Requisite Revolving Lenders.  Any such revocation must be in writing and shall become effective prospectively upon the Administrative Agent’s receipt thereof.  The making of a Protective Advance on any one occasion shall not obligate the Administrative Agent to make any Protective Advance on any other occasion.  At any time that the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.2 have been satisfied or waived, the Administrative Agent may request the Lenders to make a Base Rate Loan to repay a Protective Advance.  At any other time, the Administrative Agent may require the Revolving Credit Lenders to fund their risk participations described in Section 2.1(c).

 

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

 

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all proceeds of Collateral received by the Administrative Agent in respect of such Protective Advance.

 

(d)                                 FILO Commitments.  On the terms and subject to the conditions contained in this Agreement, each FILO Lender severally agrees to make its portion of a term loan to the Borrower on the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date (each, a “FILO Loan”) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed such FILO Lender’s FILO Commitment.  The FILO Loan shall be made in a single drawing in the aggregate principal amount of $25,000,000 on the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date.  Upon funding of its portion of the FILO Loan by each FILO Lender on the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date, the FILO Commitment of such FILO Lender shall be satisfied in full and reduced to $0.  Amounts borrowed under this Section 2.1(d) and repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.

 

SECTION 2.2                     Borrowing Procedures.

 

(a)                                 Each Borrowing of Revolving Loans shall be made on notice given by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent not later than (i) 12:00 p.m. on the same Business Day as the date of the proposed Borrowing, in the case of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, and (ii)  1:00 p.m. three (3) Business Days prior to the date of the proposed Borrowing, in the case of a Borrowing of Eurocurrency Rate Loans.  Each such notice shall be in substantially the form of Exhibit C (a “Notice of Borrowing”), specifying (A) the date of such proposed Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day, (B) the aggregate amount of such proposed Borrowing, (C) whether any portion of the proposed Borrowing will be of Base Rate Loans or Eurocurrency Rate Loans, (D) the initial Interest Period or Interest Periods for any Eurocurrency Rate Loans, (E) the Class of such proposed Borrowing, and (F)  with respect to any Borrowing the proceeds of which will be used to fund a Restricted Payment subject to the satisfaction of the Payment Conditions, an additional solvency representation and warranty of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a Consolidated basis, after giving effect to such Borrowing and the use of proceeds thereof.  The Loans shall be made as Base Rate Loans, unless, subject to Section 3.3, the Notice of Borrowing specifies that all or a portion thereof shall be Eurocurrency Rate Loans.  Each Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount of not less than $500,000 or an integral multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof.

 

(b)                                 The Administrative Agent shall give to each Appropriate Lender prompt notice of the Administrative Agent’s receipt of a Notice of Borrowing, and, if Eurocurrency Rate Loans are properly requested in such Notice of Borrowing, the applicable interest rate determined pursuant to Section 2.14(a).  Each Revolving Credit Lender shall, before 2:00 p.m. on the date of the proposed Borrowing, make available to the Administrative Agent at its address referred to in Section 12.8(a)(i), in Same Day Funds in Dollars, such Lender’s Ratable Portion of such proposed Borrowing.  Upon fulfillment (or due waiver in accordance with Section 12.1) (i) on the Effective Date, of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.1 and (ii) at any time (including the Effective Date), of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.2, and, subject to clause (c) below, after the Administrative Agent’s receipt of such funds, the Administrative Agent shall make such funds available to the Borrower as promptly as reasonably practicable and, in any event, on the date of the proposed Borrowing.

 

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(c)                                  Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Revolving Credit Lender prior to the date of any proposed Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s Ratable Portion of such Borrowing (or any portion thereof), the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made its Ratable Portion available to the Administrative Agent on the date of such Borrowing in accordance with this Section 2.2 and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower on such date a corresponding amount.  If and to the extent that such Lender shall not have so made its Ratable Portion available to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover the corresponding amount from such Lender.  If such Lender does not pay the corresponding amount promptly upon the Administrative Agent’s demand therefor, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Borrower shall pay the corresponding amount to the Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent is also entitled to recover from such Lender or the Borrower interest on the corresponding amount for each day from the date such amount is made available to the Borrower until the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent, at a rate per annum equal to (i) if paid by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable at the time to the Loans comprising such Borrowing and (ii) if paid by such Lender, the Federal Funds Rate for the first Business Day and thereafter at the interest rate applicable at the time to the Loans comprising such Borrowing.  If such Lender shall repay to the Administrative Agent such corresponding amount, such corresponding amount so repaid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan as part of such Borrowing for purposes of this Agreement.  If the Borrower shall repay to the Administrative Agent such corresponding amount, such payment shall not relieve such Lender of any obligation it may have hereunder or under applicable Law to the Borrower.

 

(d)                                 The failure of any Defaulting Lender to make on the date specified any Loan or any payment required by it, including any payment in respect of its participation in Swing Loans and Letter of Credit Obligations, shall not relieve any other Appropriate Lender of its obligations to make such Loan or payment on such date but, except to the extent otherwise provided herein, no such other Appropriate Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any Defaulting Lender to make a Loan or payment required under this Agreement.

 

(e)                                  After giving effect to all Borrowings, all conversions of Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Loans as the same Type (other than FILO Loan), there shall not be more than ten (10) Interest Periods in effect unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent; provided that after the establishment of any new Class of Loans pursuant to an Extension Amendment or Refinancing Amendment, the number of Interest Periods otherwise permitted by this Section 2.2(e) shall increase by three (3) Interest Periods for each applicable Class so established.

 

(f)                                   For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of this Section 2.2 shall not apply to any Borrowing of FILO Loan.

 

SECTION 2.3                     Swing Loans.

 

(a)                                 On the terms and subject to the conditions contained in this Agreement, the Swing Loan Lender shall make, in Dollars, loans (each, a “Swing Loan”) otherwise available to the Borrower under the Facility (other than the FILO Facility) from time to

 

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time on any Business Day during the period from the Effective Date until the Revolving Credit Termination Date in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding (together with the aggregate outstanding principal amount of any other Swing Loan made by the Swing Loan Lender hereunder in its capacity as the Swing Loan Lender) not to exceed the Swing Loan Sublimit; provided, however, that (i) at no time shall the Swing Loan Lender make any Swing Loan to the extent that, after giving effect to such Swing Loan, the aggregate Revolving Credit Outstandings would exceed the Maximum Credit, (ii) in the event that the Swing Loan Lender and the Administrative Agent are not the same Person, then the Swing Loan Lender shall only make a Swing Loan after having given prior notice thereof to the Administrative Agent (which notice the Swing Loan Lender shall give as soon as reasonably practicable and, in any event, on or before the date on which the applicable Swing Loan is required to be made), and (iii) the Swing Loan Lender shall not be required to make any Swing Loan to the extent that such Swing Loan Lender reasonably believes that any Lender (other than such Swing Loan Lender and FILO Lenders) is a Defaulting Lender, unless after giving effect to the requested Swing Loans, there would exist no Fronting Exposure (in the good faith determination of the Swing Loan Lender).  Each Swing Loan shall be, at the option of the Borrower, (i) a Base Rate Loan, or (ii) a Loan bearing interest at a rate per annum offered by the Swing Loan Lender (it being understood that the Swing Loan Lender shall have no obligation to offer a Loan pursuant to this clause (ii)), and, in each case, must be repaid in full in Dollars within seven (7) days after its making or, if sooner, upon any Borrowing hereunder and shall in any event mature no later than the Revolving Credit Termination Date (without giving effect to any extensions of the type referred to in Section 12.1(b) hereof).  Within the limits set forth in the first sentence of this clause (a), amounts of Swing Loans repaid may be reborrowed under this clause (a).

 

(b)                                 In order to request a Swing Loan, the Borrower shall telecopy (or forward by electronic mail or similar means) to the Swing Loan Lender, with a copy to the Administrative Agent, a duly completed request in substantially the form of Exhibit D, setting forth the requested amount and date of such Swing Loan (a “Swing Loan Request”), to be received by the Swing Loan Lender not later than 1:00 p.m. on the day of the proposed borrowing.  Promptly after receipt by the Swing Loan Lender of any Swing Loan Request, the Swing Loan Lender will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has also received such Swing Loan Request and, if not, the Swing Loan Lender will notify the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) of the contents thereof.  Unless the Swing Loan Lender has received notice (by telephone or in writing) from the Administrative Agent (including at the request of any applicable Revolving Credit Lender) prior to 1:00 p.m. on the date of the proposed Swing Loan Borrowing (i) directing the Swing Loan Lender not to make such Swing Loan as a result of the limitations set forth in Section 2.3(a), or (ii) that one or more of the applicable conditions contained in Section 4.2 (and, if the date of the proposed Swing Loan Borrowing is the Effective Date, Section 4.1) is not then satisfied or duly waived, then, subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Swing Loan Lender shall make a Swing Loan available to the Borrower as promptly as reasonably practicable on the date set forth in the relevant Swing Loan Request.

 

(c)                                  The Swing Loan Lender may demand at any time that each Revolving Credit Lender pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Swing Loan Lender, in the manner provided in clause (d) below, such Lender’s Ratable Portion of all or a portion of the outstanding Swing Loans, which demand shall be made through the Administrative

 

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Agent, shall be in writing and shall specify the outstanding principal amount of Swing Loans demanded to be paid.

 

(d)                                 The Administrative Agent shall forward each demand referred to in clause (c) above to each Revolving Credit Lender on the day such notice or such demand is received by the Administrative Agent (except that any such notice or demand received by the Administrative Agent after 2:00 p.m. on any Business Day or any such notice or demand received on a day that is not a Business Day shall not be required to be forwarded to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent until the next succeeding Business Day), together with a statement prepared by the Administrative Agent specifying the amount of each Revolving Credit Lender’s Ratable Portion of the aggregate principal amount of the Swing Loans stated to be outstanding in such notice or demanded to be paid pursuant to such demand, and, notwithstanding whether or not the conditions precedent set forth in Sections 4.2 shall have been satisfied (which conditions precedent the Lenders hereby irrevocably waive), each Revolving Credit Lender shall, before 11:00 a.m. on the Business Day next succeeding the date of such Lender’s receipt of such notice or demand, make available to the Administrative Agent, in Same Day Funds in Dollars, for the account of the Swing Loan Lender, the amount specified in such statement.  Upon such payment by a Revolving Credit Lender, such Lender shall, except as provided in clause (e) below, be deemed to have made a Revolving Loan to the Borrower in the amount of such payment.  The Administrative Agent shall use such funds to repay the Swing Loans to the Swing Loan Lender.

 

(e)                                  Upon the occurrence of a Default under Section 10.1(f), each Revolving Credit Lender shall acquire, without recourse or warranty, an undivided participation in each Swing Loan otherwise required to be repaid by such Lender pursuant to clause (d) above, which participation shall be in a principal amount equal to such Lender’s Ratable Portion of such Swing Loan, by paying to the Swing Loan Lender on the date on which such Lender would otherwise have been required to make a payment in respect of such Swing Loan pursuant to clause (d) above, in Same Day Funds, an amount equal to such Lender’s Ratable Portion of such Swing Loan.  If all or part of such amount is not in fact made available by such Lender to the Swing Loan Lender on such date, the Swing Loan Lender shall be entitled to recover any such unpaid amount on demand from such Lender together with interest accrued from such date at the Federal Funds Rate for the first Business Day after such payment was due and thereafter at the rate of interest then applicable to Base Rate Loans.

 

(f)                                   From and after the date on which any Revolving Credit Lender (i) is deemed to have made a Revolving Loan pursuant to clause (d) above with respect to any Swing Loan or (ii) purchases an undivided participation interest in a Swing Loan pursuant to clause (e) above, the Swing Loan Lender shall promptly distribute to such Lender such Lender’s Ratable Portion of all payments of principal and interest received by the Swing Loan Lender on account of such Swing Loan other than those received from a Lender pursuant to clause (d) or (e) above.

 

SECTION 2.4                     Letters of Credit.

 

(a)                                 Subject to the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement, each Issuer agrees to Issue at the request of the Borrower, for the account of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary (provided that any Letter of Credit issued for the benefit of any Restricted Subsidiary shall be issued naming the Borrower as a joint and several co-applicant or as the

 

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account party on any such Letter of Credit but such Letter of Credit may contain a statement that it is being issued for the benefit of such Restricted Subsidiary), one or more Letters of Credit from time to time on any Business Day during the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the earlier of the Revolving Credit Termination Date and five (5) Business Days prior to the Scheduled Termination Date (without giving effect to any extension of the type referred to in Section 12.1(b) hereof), or such later date as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion; provided, however, that no Issuer shall be under any obligation to Issue (and, upon the occurrence of any of the events described in clauses (ii) and (iii) below shall not Issue) any Letter of Credit upon the occurrence of any of the following:

 

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

 

(ii)                                  such Issuer shall have received any written notice of the type described in clause (d) below;

 

(iii)                               after giving effect to the Issuance of such Letter of Credit, (A) the Letter of Credit Obligations would exceed $45,000,000, (B) the aggregate Revolving Credit Outstandings would exceed the Maximum Credit at such time or (C) the Revolving Credit Outstandings of any Lender would exceed such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment;

 

(iv)                              such Letter of Credit is requested to be denominated in any currency other than Dollars;

 

(v)                                 (A) any fees due to the Issuer hereunder in connection with a requested Issuance have not been paid, (B) such Letter of Credit is requested to be Issued in a form that is not acceptable to such Issuer or (C) the Issuer for such Letter of Credit shall not have received, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to it and, if applicable, duly executed by the Borrower, applications, agreements and other documentation (collectively, a “Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement”) such Issuer generally employs in the ordinary course of its business for the Issuance of letters of credit of the type of such Letter of Credit; or

 

(vi)                              any Revolving Credit Lender is at that time a Defaulting Lender, unless (i) after giving effect to the requested Issuance, there would exist no Fronting Exposure (in the good faith determination of the applicable Issuer) or (ii) the applicable Issuer has entered into arrangements, including the delivery of Cash Collateral, satisfactory to the applicable Issuer (in its good faith determination) with the Borrower or such Lender to eliminate such Issuer’s actual or potential Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv)) with respect to the

 

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Defaulting Lender arising from either the Letter of Credit then proposed to be issued or any other Letter of Credit Obligations as to which such Issuer has actual or potential Fronting Exposure, as it may elect in its sole discretion.

 

None of the Lenders (other than the Issuers in their capacity as such) shall have any obligation to Issue any Letter of Credit.  Any Letter of Credit which has been or deemed Issued hereunder may be amended by the Borrower and the Issuer at any time to reduce the amount outstanding thereunder.

 

(b)                                 The expiration date of each Letter of Credit shall be no more than one (1) year after the date of issuance thereof; provided, however, that any Letter of Credit with a term less than or equal to one (1) year may provide for the renewal thereof for additional periods less than or equal to one (1) year, as long as, on or before the expiration of each such term and each such period, the Borrower and the Issuer of such Letter of Credit shall have the option to prevent such renewal; provided further, that, for any Letter of Credit having an expiration date after the Scheduled Termination Date, the Borrower agrees to deliver to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the Scheduled Termination Date a letter of credit or letters of credit in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent issued by a bank acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in each case in its sole discretion, and/or cash collateral in an amount equal to 101% of the maximum drawable amount of any such Letter of Credit or other credit support satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion.

 

(c)                                  In connection with the Issuance of each Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall give the relevant Issuer and the Administrative Agent at least three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice for a Standby Letter of Credit and at least five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice for a Documentary Letter of Credit (or, in each case, such shorter period as may be agreed to by the Issuer), in substantially the form of Exhibit E (or in such other written or electronic form as is acceptable to such Issuer), of the requested Issuance of such Letter of Credit (a “Letter of Credit Request”).  Such notice shall specify the Issuer of such Letter of Credit, the face amount in Dollars of the Letter of Credit requested, the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which date shall be a Business Day) and, in the case of an issuance, the Person for whose benefit the requested Letter of Credit is to be issued.  Such notice, to be effective, must be received by the relevant Issuer and the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. on the last Business Day on which such notice can be given under the first sentence of this clause (c); provided that the relevant Issuer and the Administrative Agent may agree in a particular instance in their sole discretion to a later time and date.

 

(d)                                 Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in this Section 2.4, the relevant Issuer shall, on the requested date, Issue a Letter of Credit on behalf of the Borrower or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with such Issuer’s usual and customary business practices.  No Issuer shall Issue any Letter of Credit in the period commencing on the first Business Day after it receives written notice from any Lender (other than a FILO Lender) that one or more of the conditions precedent contained in Section 4.2 or clause (a) above are not on such date satisfied or duly waived and ending when such conditions are satisfied or duly waived.  No Issuer shall otherwise be required to determine that, or take notice whether, the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.2 have been satisfied in connection with the Issuance of any Letter of Credit.

 

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(e)                                  The Borrower agrees that, if requested by the Issuer of any Letter of Credit prior to the issuance of a Letter of Credit, it shall execute a Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement in respect of any Letter of Credit Issued hereunder.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of any Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall govern.

 

(f)                                   Each Issuer shall comply with the following:

 

(i)                                     give the Administrative Agent written notice (or telephonic notice confirmed promptly thereafter in writing), which writing may be a telecopy or electronic mail, of the Issuance of any Letter of Credit Issued by it, all drawings under any Letter of Credit Issued by it and of the payment (or the failure to pay when due) by the Borrower of any Reimbursement Obligation when due (which notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit by telecopy, electronic mail or similar transmission to each Lender (other than the FILO Lenders));

 

(ii)                                  [reserved]; and

 

(iii)                               on the first Business Day of each calendar month, if requested by the Administrative Agent, provide to the Administrative Agent (and the Administrative Agent shall provide a copy to each Lender (other than the FILO Lenders) requesting the same) and the Borrower separate schedules for Documentary Letters of Credit and Standby Letters of Credit issued by it, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, setting forth the aggregate Letter of Credit Obligations, in each case outstanding at the end of each preceding month, and any information requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent relating thereto.

 

(g)                                  Immediately upon the issuance by an Issuer of a Letter of Credit in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, such Issuer shall be deemed to have sold and transferred to each Revolving Credit Lender, and each Revolving Credit Lender shall be deemed irrevocably and unconditionally to have purchased and received from such Issuer, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation, to the extent of such Lender’s Ratable Portion, in such Letter of Credit and the obligations of the Borrower with respect thereto (including all Letter of Credit Obligations with respect thereto) and any security therefor and guaranty pertaining thereto.

 

(h)                                 The Borrower agrees to pay to the Issuer of any Letter of Credit in Dollars, and, to the extent so financed, all Reimbursement Obligations owing to such Issuer under any Letter of Credit issued for its account no later than the Business Day immediately following the Business Day on which the Borrower receives written notice from such Issuer that payment has been made under such Letter of Credit in accordance with its terms (such date, the “Reimbursement Date”), irrespective of any claim, set-off, defense or other right that the Borrower may have at any time against such Issuer or any other Person.  In the event that any Issuer makes any payment under any Letter of Credit in accordance with its terms and the Borrower shall not have repaid such amount to such Issuer pursuant to this clause (h) (directly or by application of the deemed Loans described below in this clause (h) or by virtue of the penultimate sentence of this clause (h)) or any such payment by the Borrower is rescinded or set aside for any reason, such

 

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Reimbursement Obligation shall be payable in Dollars on demand with interest thereon computed (i) from the date on which such Reimbursement Obligation arose to but excluding the Reimbursement Date, at the rate of interest applicable during such period to Base Rate Loans, and (ii) from and including the Reimbursement Date until the date of repayment in full, at the rate of interest applicable during such period to past due Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans, and such Issuer shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent, which shall promptly notify each Lender (other than the FILO Lenders) of such failure, and each Revolving Credit Lender shall promptly and unconditionally pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuer the amount of such Lender’s Ratable Portion of such payment in Same Day Funds in Dollars.  If the Administrative Agent so notifies such Lender prior to 11:00 a.m. on any Business Day, such Lender shall make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuer its Ratable Portion of the amount of such payment on such Business Day in Same Day Funds in Dollars.  Upon such payment by a Revolving Credit Lender, such Lender shall, except during the continuance of a Default or Event of Default under Section 10.1(f) and notwithstanding whether or not the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.2 shall have been satisfied (which conditions precedent the Revolving Credit Lenders hereby irrevocably waive), be deemed to have made a Revolving Loan to the Borrower in the principal amount of such payment.  Whenever any Issuer receives from the Borrower a payment of a Reimbursement Obligation as to which the Administrative Agent has received for the account of such Issuer any payment from a Revolving Credit Lender pursuant to this clause (h), such Issuer shall pay over to the Administrative Agent any amount received in excess of such Reimbursement Obligation and, upon receipt of such amount, the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay over to each Revolving Credit Lender, in Same Day Funds in Dollars, an amount equal to such Lender’s Ratable Portion of the amount of such payment adjusted, if necessary, to reflect the respective amounts the Revolving Credit Lenders have paid in respect of such Reimbursement Obligation.  (A) In the absence of written notice to the contrary from the Borrower, and subject to the other provisions of this Agreement (but without regard to the conditions to borrowing set forth in Section 4.2), Reimbursement Obligations shall be financed when due with Swing Loans or Base Rate Loans, in each case to the Borrower in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting Swing Loan or Base Rate Loan, as the case may be, and (B) in the event that the Borrower has notified the Administrative Agent that it will not so finance any such payments, the Borrower will make payment directly to the applicable Issuer when due. The Administrative Agent shall promptly remit the proceeds from any Revolving Loans made pursuant to clause (A) above in reimbursement of a draw under a Letter of Credit to the applicable Issuer.

 

(i)                                     Each Defaulting Lender agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuer forthwith on demand any such unpaid amount together with interest thereon, for the first Business Day after payment was first due at the Federal Funds Rate and, thereafter, until such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuer, at a rate per annum equal to the rate applicable to Base Rate Loans under the Facility (other than the FILO Facility).

 

(j)                                    The Borrower’s obligations to pay each Reimbursement Obligation and the obligations of the Revolving Credit Lenders to make payments to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuers with respect to Letters of Credit shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this

 

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Agreement, under any and all circumstances whatsoever (it being understood that any such payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to, and shall not constitute a waiver of, any rights the Borrower might have or might acquire as a result of the payment by an Issuer pursuant to any Letter of Credit or the reimbursement by the Borrower thereof), including the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, and irrespective of any of the following:

 

(i)                                     any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or any Loan Document, or any term or provision therein;

 

(ii)                                  any amendment or waiver of or any consent to departure from all or any of the provisions of any Letter of Credit or any Loan Document;

 

(iii)                               the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right that the Borrower, any other party guaranteeing, or otherwise obligated with, the Borrower, any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof or any other Person may at any time have against the beneficiary under any Letter of Credit, any Issuer, the Administrative Agent or any Revolving Credit Lender or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other related or unrelated agreement or transaction;

 

(iv)                              any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect;

 

(v)                                 payment by the Issuer under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not strictly comply, but that does substantially comply, with the terms of such Letter of Credit; and

 

(vi)                              any other act or omission to act or delay of any kind of any Issuer, the Revolving Credit Lenders, the Administrative Agent or any other Person or any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section 2.4, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of the Borrower’s obligations hereunder.

 

Any action taken or omitted to be taken by the relevant Issuer under or in connection with any Letter of Credit, if taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct, shall not result in any liability of such Issuer to the Borrower or any Revolving Credit Lender.  In determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof, the Issuers may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary and, in making any payment under any Letter of Credit, the Issuers may rely exclusively on the documents presented to it under such Letter of Credit as to any and all matters set forth therein, including reliance on the amount of any draft presented under such Letter of Credit, whether or not the amount due to the beneficiary thereunder equals the amount of such draft and whether or not any document presented pursuant to such Letter of Credit proves to be insufficient in any respect, if such document on its face appears to be in order, and whether or not any other statement or any other document presented pursuant to such Letter of Credit proves to be forged or invalid or any statement therein proves to be inaccurate or untrue in any respect whatsoever, and

 

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any noncompliance in any immaterial respect of the documents presented under such Letter of Credit with the terms thereof shall, in each case, be deemed not to constitute willful misconduct or gross negligence of the applicable Issuer.

 

(k)                                 Applicability of ISP and UCP.  Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the relevant Issuer and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued, (i) the rules of the ISP shall apply to each Standby Letter of Credit, and (ii) the rules of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, as most recently published by the International Chamber of Commerce at the time of issuance, shall apply to each Documentary Letter of Credit.

 

SECTION 2.5                     Reduction and Termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments.  The Borrower may, upon at least three (3) Business Days’ prior notice to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent, terminate in whole or reduce in part ratably the unused portions of any Class of Revolving Credit Commitments of the Lenders without premium or penalty other than any amount required to be paid by the Borrower pursuant to Section 3.5; provided, however, that each partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount of not less than $1,000,000 or an integral multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof; provided, further, that no reduction or termination of Revolving Credit Commitments having a later maturity shall be permitted on a greater than pro rata basis with commitments having an earlier maturity.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower may rescind or postpone any notice of termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments if such termination would have resulted from a refinancing of all of the applicable Facility, which refinancing shall not be consummated or otherwise shall be delayed.

 

SECTION 2.6                     Repayment of Loans.  The Borrower shall repay to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the Lenders (other than the FILO Lenders) the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans (including any Letter of Credit Borrowings but excluding the FILO Loan) and the Swing Loans on the Revolving Credit Termination Date or earlier, if otherwise required by the terms hereof.  The Borrower shall repay to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the FILO Lenders the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all FILO Liabilities on the FILO Maturity Date or earlier, if otherwise required by the terms hereof.

 

SECTION 2.7                     Evidence of Indebtedness.

 

(a)                                 The Loans made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and evidenced by one or more entries in the Register maintained by the Administrative Agent, acting solely for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 5f.103-1(c), as non-fiduciary agent for the Borrower, in each case in the ordinary course of business.  The accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be prima facie evidence absent manifest error of the amount of the Loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon.  Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations.  In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.

 

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(b)                                 (i) Entries made in good faith by the Administrative Agent in the Register pursuant to Section 2.7(a) and by each Lender in its account or accounts pursuant to Section 2.7(a) shall be prima facie evidence of the amount of principal and interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to, in the case of the Register, each Lender and, in the case of such account or accounts, such Lender, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, absent manifest error; provided that the failure of the Administrative Agent or such Lender to make an entry, or any finding that an entry is incorrect, in the Register or such account or accounts shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

(ii)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Loans (including the Revolving Credit Notes, if any, evidencing such Loans) and the drawn Letters of Credit are registered obligations and the right, title, and interest of the Lenders and the Issuers and their assignees in and to such Loans or drawn Letters of Credit, as the case may be, shall be transferable only upon notation of such transfer in the Register.  A Revolving Credit Note shall only evidence the Lender’s or a registered assignee’s right, title and interest in and to the related Loan, and in no event is any such Revolving Credit Note to be considered a bearer instrument or obligation.  This Section 2.7(b) and Section 12.2 shall be construed so that the Loans and drawn Letters of Credit are at all times maintained in “registered form” within the meaning of Sections 163(f), 871(h)(2) and 881(c)(2) of the Code and any related regulations (or any successor provisions of the Code or such regulations).

 

(c)                                  The entries made in the Register and in the accounts therein maintained pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) above and Section 12.2 hereof shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided, however, that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligations of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with their terms.  In addition, the Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuers shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Lender or as an Issuer, as applicable, for all purposes of this Agreement.  Information contained in the Register with respect to any Lender or Issuer shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, such Lender (as to its interest only) or such Issuer (as to its interest only) at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

 

(d)                                 Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement, in the event that any Lender requests that the Borrower execute and deliver a promissory note or notes payable to such Lender in order to evidence the Indebtedness owing to such Lender by the Borrower hereunder, the Borrower shall promptly execute and deliver a Revolving Credit Note or Revolving Credit Notes or a FILO Note, as applicable, to such Lender evidencing the Loans of such Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit B or Exhibit B-1.  Each Lender may attach schedules to its Revolving Credit Note or its FILO Note, as applicable, and endorse thereon the date, Type (if applicable), amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto; provided that the failure to do so shall in no way affect the obligations of the Borrower or any other Loan Party under any Loan Document.

 

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SECTION 2.8                     Optional Prepayments.

 

(a)                                 Revolving Loans and Swing Loans.  The Borrower may prepay, in Dollars, the outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loans and Swing Loans in whole or in part at any time; provided, however, that if any prepayment of any Eurocurrency Rate Loan is made by the Borrower other than on the last day of an Interest Period for such Loan, the Borrower shall also pay any amount owing pursuant to Section 3.5.

 

(b)                                 FILO Loan.

 

(i)                                     Other than the payments required under Section 2.6 or 2.9 and except as provided in clause (ii) of this Section 2.8(b), the FILO Loan may not be optionally prepaid in whole or in part until the Discharge of Obligations (other than with respect to the FILO Liabilities).  At any such time, the Borrower may, upon written notice to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent, at any time or from time to time voluntarily prepay all or any portion of the FILO Loan; provided that (x) if any prepayment of any Eurocurrency Rate Loan is made by the Borrower other than on the last day of an Interest Period for such Loan, the Borrower shall also pay any amount owing pursuant to Section 3.5 and (y) each prepayment under this Section 2.8(b) shall be accompanied by payment of all accrued and unpaid interest on the amount prepaid and the FILO Prepayment Premium payable in connection with such prepayment of the FILO Loan.  Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment.

 

(ii)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, so long as the Payment Conditions are satisfied at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such prepayment, the FILO Loan may be optionally prepaid in whole or in part, subject to, and otherwise in accordance with the provisions of clause (b)(i) hereof (excluding the first sentence thereof).

 

SECTION 2.9                     Mandatory Prepayments.

 

(a)                                 If at any time, the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Credit Outstandings exceeds the aggregate Maximum Credit at such time, the Borrower shall forthwith, upon notification by the Administrative Agent, prepay, in Dollars, the Swing Loans first and then the other Loans (other than FILO Loan) then outstanding in an amount equal to such excess.  If any such excess remains after repayment in full of the aggregate outstanding Swing Loans and the other Loans (other than FILO Loan), the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize the Letter of Credit Obligations in the manner set forth in Section 10.5 in an amount equal to 101% of such excess.

 

(b)                                 If (x) at any time during a Cash Dominion Period or (y) in respect of any Disposition that would result in the occurrence of a Cash Dominion Period, any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries receives any Net Cash Proceeds arising from any Disposition in respect of any Collateral included in the Borrowing Base or the FILO Borrowing Base outside of the ordinary course of business, the Borrower shall promptly (but in any event within five (5) Business Days of such receipt) (i) prepay the Loans (other than FILO Loan) in an amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds, (ii) to the extent such Net Cash Proceeds exceed the aggregate principal amount of Loans (other than FILO Loan) outstanding, Cash Collateralize Letters of Credit in an amount equal to up to 101% of the aggregate maximum drawable amount of such Letters of Credit and (iii) thereafter, to the extent such Net Cash Proceeds exceed the amount needed to Cash Collateralize

 

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Letters of Credit in an amount equal to up to 101% of the aggregate maximum drawable amount of such Letters of Credit, prepay the FILO Loan in an amount equal to any such excess.

 

(c)                                  If (x) at any time during a Cash Dominion Period or (y) in respect of any Recovery Event that would result in the occurrence of a Cash Dominion Period, any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries receives any Net Cash Proceeds arising from any Recovery Event in respect of any Collateral included in the Borrowing Base or the FILO Borrowing Base, the Borrower shall promptly (but in any event within five (5) Business Days of such receipt) (i) prepay the Loans (other than FILO Loan) in an amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds, (ii) to the extent such Net Cash Proceeds exceed the aggregate principal amount of Loans (other than FILO Loan) outstanding, Cash Collateralize Letters of Credit in an amount equal to up to 101% of the aggregate maximum drawable amount of such Letters of Credit and (iii) thereafter, to the extent such Net Cash Proceeds exceed the amount needed to Cash Collateralize Letters of Credit in an amount equal to up to 101% of the aggregate maximum drawable amount of such Letters of Credit, prepay the FILO Loan in an amount equal to any such excess.

 

(d)                                 If the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs or issues any Indebtedness that constitutes (i) Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness (other than with respect to any Refinanced Debt constituting the FILO Loan), the Borrower shall prepay an aggregate principal amount of the Loans (other than FILO Loan) equal to 100% of all Net Cash Proceeds received therefrom on or prior to the date which is five (5) Business Days after the receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, or (ii) Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness (with respect to any Refinanced Debt constituting FILO Loan), the Borrower shall prepay an aggregate principal amount of the FILO Loan equal to 100% of all Net Cash Proceeds received therefrom on the date of receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable.

 

(e)                                  (i) Subject to Section 3.5 and Section 2.9(e)(ii) hereof, all such payments in respect of the Loans pursuant to this Section 2.9 shall be without premium or penalty and (ii) all such payments with respect to any Refinanced Debt constituting FILO Loan pursuant to Section 2.9(d)(ii) shall be accompanied by payment of the FILO Prepayment Premium, if any, and shall be subject to the provisions of the FILO Fee Letter.  All interest accrued on the principal amount of the Loans paid pursuant to this Section 2.9 shall be paid, or may be charged by the Administrative Agent to any loan account(s) of the Borrower, at the Administrative Agent’s option, on the date of such payment.  Interest shall accrue and be due, until the next Business Day, if the amount so paid by the Borrower to the bank account designated by the Administrative Agent for such purpose is received in such bank account after 3:00 p.m.

 

(f)                                   At all times after the occurrence and during the continuance of Cash Dominion Period and notification thereof by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower (subject to the provisions of Section 10.3 and to the terms of the Security Agreement), on each Business Day, at or before 1:00 p.m., the Administrative Agent shall apply all Same Day Funds credited to the Agent Sweep Account and all amounts received pursuant to Section 2.9(b) and (c), first to pay any fees or expense reimbursements then due to the Administrative Agent, the Issuers and the Lenders (other than FILO Lenders) (other than in connection with Cash Management Obligations, Obligations in respect of Secured Hedge Agreements or any Revolving Commitment Increases), pro rata, second to pay interest due and payable in respect of any Loans (including Swing Loans

 

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but excluding FILO Loans) and any Protective Advances that may be outstanding, pro rata, third to prepay the principal of any Protective Advances that may be outstanding, pro rata, and fourth to prepay the principal of the Loans (including Swing Loans but excluding FILO Loans) and to Cash Collateralize outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations, pro rata.

 

SECTION 2.10              Interest.

 

(a)                                 Rate of Interest.  All Loans and the outstanding amount of all other Obligations owing under the Loan Documents shall bear interest, in the case of any Class of Loans, on the unpaid principal amount thereof from the date such Loans are made and, in the case of such other Obligations, from the date such other Obligations are due and payable until, in all cases, paid in full, except as otherwise provided in clause (c) below, as follows:

 

(i)                                     if a Base Rate Loan or such other Obligation (except as otherwise provided in this Section 2.10(a)), at a rate per annum equal to (A) in the case of the FILO Loan, the sum of (1) the Base Rate as in effect from time to time and (2) the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans applicable to the FILO Loan and (B) otherwise, the sum of (1) the Base Rate as in effect from time to time and (2) the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans; and

 

(ii)                                  if a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, at a rate per annum equal to (A) in the case of the FILO Loan, the sum of (1) the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate applicable to the FILO Loan determined for the applicable Interest Period and (2) the Applicable Margin for Eurocurrency Rate Loans applicable to the FILO Loan in effect from time to time during such Interest Period and (B) otherwise, the sum of (1) the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate determined for the applicable Interest Period and (2) the Applicable Margin for Eurocurrency Rate Loans in effect from time to time during such Interest Period.

 

(b)                                 Interest Payments.  (i) Interest accrued on each Base Rate Loan (other than Swing Loans) shall be payable in arrears (A) on the first Business Day of each January, April, July and OctoberFiscal Quarter, commencing on the first such day following the making of such Base Rate Loan, and (B) if not previously paid in full, at maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) of such Base Rate Loan, (ii) interest accrued on Swing Loans shall be payable in arrears on the first Business Day of the immediately succeeding calendar month, (iii) interest accrued on each Eurocurrency Rate Loan shall be payable in arrears (A) on the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and, if such Interest Period has a duration of more than three (3) months, on each date during such Interest Period occurring every three (3) months from the first day of such Interest Period, (B) upon the payment or prepayment thereof in full or in part and (C) if not previously paid in full, at maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) of such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, and (iv) interest accrued on the amount of all other Obligations shall be payable on demand from and after the time such Obligation becomes due and payable (whether by acceleration or otherwise).

 

(c)                                  Default Interest.  Following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default under Section 10.1(a) or Section 10.1(f), the Borrower shall pay interest on past due amounts hereunder at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.  Accrued and unpaid

 

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interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.

 

SECTION 2.11              Conversion/Continuation Option.

 

(a)                                 The Borrower may elect (i) at any time on any Business Day, to convert Base Rate Loans (other than Swing Loans) or any portion thereof to Eurocurrency Rate Loans, and (ii) at the end of any applicable Interest Period, to convert Eurocurrency Rate Loans or any portion thereof into Base Rate Loans, or to continue such Eurocurrency Rate Loans or any portion thereof for an additional Interest Period; provided, however, that the aggregate amount of the Eurocurrency Rate Loans for each Interest Period and Base Rate Loans converted or continued must be in the amount of at least $500,000 or an integral multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof.  Each conversion or continuation shall be made on notice given by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent not later than (i) 12:00 p.m. on the same Business Day as the proposed conversion or continuation of any Loan into a Base Rate Loan, and (ii) 1:00 p.m. three (3) Business Days prior to the date of the proposed conversion or continuation of any Loan into a Eurocurrency Rate Loans, in each case prior to the date of the proposed conversion or continuation.  Each conversion or continuation shall be allocated among the Loans of each Lender in accordance with such Lender’s Ratable Portion.  Each such election shall be in substantially the form of Exhibit F (a “Notice of Conversion or Continuation”) and shall be made by giving the Administrative Agent prior written notice specifying (A) the amount and type of Loan being converted or continued, (B) in the case of a conversion to or a continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, the applicable Interest Period and (C) in the case of a conversion, the date of such conversion.

 

(b)                                 The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of a Notice of Conversion or Continuation and of the options selected therein.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent (or the Requisite Revolving Credit Lenders, with respect to the Revolving Loans, or the Requisite FILO Lenders, with respect to the FILO Loan) may require by notice to the Borrower that no conversion in whole or in part of Base Rate Loans to Eurocurrency Rate Loans, and no continuation in whole or in part of Eurocurrency Rate Loans upon the expiration of any applicable Interest Period shall be permitted at any time at which (A) an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or (B) the continuation of, or conversion into, a Eurocurrency Rate Loan would violate any provision of Section 3.3.  If, within the time period required under the terms of this Section 2.11, the Administrative Agent does not receive a Notice of Conversion or Continuation from the Borrower containing a permitted election to continue any Eurocurrency Rate Loans for an additional Interest Period or to convert any such Loans, then, upon the expiration of the applicable Interest Period, such Loans shall be automatically converted to Base Rate Loans.  Each Notice of Conversion or Continuation shall be irrevocable.

 

(c)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, subject to Sections 2.11(b) and 3.3, the FILO Loan shall, at the end of any applicable Interest Period, be automatically continued as Eurocurrency Rate Loans with an Interest Period of three months.

 

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SECTION 2.12              Fees.

 

(a)                                 Unused Commitment Fee.  The Borrower shall pay in Same Day Funds in Dollars to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender a commitment fee (the “Unused Commitment Fee”) on the average daily amount by which the Revolving Credit Commitment of such Lender exceeds such Lender’s Ratable Portion of the sum of (i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Loans (other than Swing Loans and FILO Loan) for the applicable Class and (ii) the outstanding amount of the aggregate Letter of Credit Undrawn Amounts from the Effective Date through the Revolving Credit Termination Date at the Applicable Unused Commitment Fee Rate, payable in arrears (x) on the first Business Day of each calendar quarter, commencing on the first such Business Day following the Effective Date and (y) on the Revolving Credit Termination Date.

 

(b)                                 Letter of Credit Fees.  The Borrower shall pay the following amounts with respect to Letters of Credit issued by any Issuer:

 

(i)                                     to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Issuer of a Letter of Credit, with respect to each Letter of Credit issued by such Issuer, an issuance fee equal to the greater of (x) 0.125% per annum of the average daily maximum undrawn face amount of such Letter of Credit for the immediately preceding calendar quarter (or portion thereof), or (y) $125 per quarter, payable in arrears (A) on the first Business Day of each calendar quarter, commencing on the first such Business Day following the issuance of such Letter of Credit and (B) on the Revolving Credit Termination Date;

 

(ii)                                  to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Revolving Credit Lenders, with respect to each Letter of Credit, a fee accruing in Dollars at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Margin for Eurocurrency Rate Loans (the “Letter of Credit Fee”), in each case multiplied by the average daily maximum undrawn face amount of such Letter of Credit for the immediately preceding calendar quarter (or portion thereof), payable in arrears (A) on the first Business Day of each calendar quarter, commencing on the first such Business Day following the issuance of such Letter of Credit and (B) on the Revolving Credit Termination Date; provided, however, that any Letter of Credit Fees otherwise payable for the account of a Defaulting Lender with respect to any Letter of Credit as to which such Defaulting Lender has not provided Cash Collateral satisfactory to the applicable Issuer pursuant to Section 2.4 shall be payable, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law, to the other Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with the upward adjustments in their respective Applicable Percentages allocable to such Letter of Credit pursuant to Section 2.16(a)(iv), with the balance of such fee, if any, payable to the applicable Issuer for its own account; and

 

(iii)                               to the Issuer of any Letter of Credit, with respect to the issuance, amendment or transfer of each Letter of Credit and each drawing made thereunder, customary documentary and processing charges in accordance with such Issuer’s standard schedule for such charges in effect at the time of issuance, amendment, transfer or drawing, as the case may be.

 

(c)                                  Additional Fees.  The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers such fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing in the amounts and at the times so specified.  Except as otherwise provided in any written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers, such fees shall be fully earned

 

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when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.  The Borrower shall pay to the FILO Agent such fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing in the amounts and at the times so specified.  Except as otherwise provided in any written agreement between the Borrower and the FILO Agent, such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.

 

SECTION 2.13              Payments and Computations.

 

(a)                                 All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff.  The Borrower shall make each payment and prepayment hereunder (including fees and expenses) not later than 3:00 p.m. on the day when due, in Dollars, in each case to the Administrative Agent for the account of the respective Appropriate Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the applicable Administrative Agent’s Office for payment and in Same Day Funds without condition or deduction for any defense, recoupment, set-off or counterclaim.  The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Appropriate Lender its Pro Rata Share (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender’s Lending Office.  All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 3:00 p.m. shall, in each case be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue.

 

(b)                                 All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 days or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed.  All other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year).  Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid; provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall bear interest for one (1) day.  Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

 

(c)                                  Whenever any payment hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day other than a Business Day, the due date for such payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of payment of interest or fees, as the case may be; provided, however, that if such extension would cause payment of interest on or principal of any Eurocurrency Rate Loan to be made in the next calendar month, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day.  All repayments of any Loans shall be applied as follows:  first, to repay any such Loans outstanding as Base Rate Loans and then, to repay any such Loans outstanding as Eurocurrency Rate Loans, with those Eurocurrency Rate Loans, as applicable, having earlier expiring Interest Periods being repaid prior to those having later expiring Interest Periods.

 

(d)                                 Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower to the Lenders prior to the date on which any payment is due hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment in full, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment in full to the Administrative Agent on such date and the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be so required to), in reliance upon such assumption,

 

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cause to be distributed to each Lender on such due date an amount equal to the amount then due such Lender.  If and to the extent that the Borrower shall not have made such payment to the Administrative Agent in Same Day Funds in Dollars, then each Lender shall repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the portion of such assumed payment that was made available to such Lender in Same Day Funds in Dollars, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such amount was made available to such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent in Same Day Funds in Dollars at the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect.

 

(e)                                  Except for payments and other amounts received by the Administrative Agent and applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.2(b) below (or required to be applied in accordance with Section 2.9), all payments and any other amounts received by the Administrative Agent from or for the benefit of the Borrower shall be applied as follows: first, to pay principal of, and interest on, any portion of the Loans the Administrative Agent may have advanced pursuant to the express provisions of this Agreement on behalf of any Lender, for which the Administrative Agent has not then been reimbursed by such Lender or the Borrower, second, to pay all other Obligations (other than FILO Loan) then due and payable, third, to pay the FILO Liabilities and fourth, as the Borrower so designates.  Payments in respect of Swing Loans received by the Administrative Agent shall be distributed to the Swing Loan Lender; payments in respect of Loans received by the Administrative Agent shall be distributed to each Appropriate Lender in accordance with such Lender’s Ratable Portion; and all payments of fees and all other payments in respect of any other Obligation shall be allocated among such of the Lenders and Issuers as are entitled thereto and, for such payments allocated to such Lenders, in proportion to their respective Ratable Portions.

 

(f)                                   At the option of the Administrative Agent, principal on the Swing Loans, Reimbursement Obligations, interest, fees, expenses and other sums due and payable in respect of the Loans and Protective Advances may be paid from the proceeds of Swing Loans or the Revolving Loans unless the Borrower makes such payments on the next succeeding Business Day after the Borrower receives written notice from the Administrative Agent requesting such payments.  The Borrower hereby authorizes the Swing Loan Lender to make such Swing Loans pursuant to Section 2.3(a) and the Revolving Credit Lenders to make such Loans pursuant to Section 2.2(a) from time to time in the amounts of any and all principal payable with respect to the Swing Loans, Reimbursement Obligations, interest, fees, expenses and other sums payable in respect of the Loans and Protective Advances, and further authorizes the Administrative Agent to give the Revolving Credit Lenders notice of any Borrowing with respect to such Swing Loans and the Revolving Loans and to distribute the proceeds of such Swing Loans and the Revolving Loans to pay such amounts.  The Borrower agrees that all such Swing Loans and the Revolving Loans so made shall be deemed to have been requested by it (irrespective of the satisfaction of the conditions in Section 4.2, which conditions the Lenders irrevocably waive) and directs that all proceeds thereof shall be used to pay such amounts.

 

SECTION 2.14              Determination of Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate.  The Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate for each Interest Period for Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be determined by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the procedures set forth in the definition of “Eurocurrency Rate”.  The Administrative Agent’s determination shall be presumed to be correct and binding on the Loan Parties, absent manifest error.

 

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SECTION 2.15              Revolving Commitment Increase.

 

(a)                                 The Borrower may at any time or from time to time after the Effective Date, by notice to the Administrative Agent (whereupon the Administrative Agent shall promptly deliver a copy to each of the Lenders), request one or more increases in the amount of any Class of Revolving Credit Commitments (each such increase, a “Revolving Commitment Increase”) or FILO Commitments (each such increase, a “FILO Commitment Increase” and, together with any Revolving Commitment Increase, each a “Commitment Increase”); provided that (i) before and after giving effect to such Revolving Commitment Increase, no Default or Event of Default shall exist, (ii) any Loans made under such Revolving Commitment Increase (other than those made under a Last-Out Incremental (as defined below)) will rank pari passu in right of payment with existing Revolving Loans and the Liens securing any Loans made under such Revolving Commitment Increase will rank pari passu with the Liens securing the existing Revolving Loans(a) any Loans made under a Revolving Commitment Increase will rank pari passu in right of payment with existing Revolving Loans and the Liens securing any Loans made under such Commitment Increase will rank pari passu with the Liens securing the existing Revolving Loans, and (b) any Loans made under a FILO Commitment Increase will rank pari passu in right of payment with existing FILO Loan and the Liens securing any Loans made under such FILO Commitment Increase will rank pari passu with the Liens securing the existing FILO Loan, (iii) the final maturity date of such Revolving Commitment Increase shall be no earlier than the then Latest Maturity Date of any other Revolving Credit Commitments hereunder, and the final maturity date of such FILO Commitment Increase shall be no earlier than the then Latest Maturity Date of any other FILO Commitments hereunder, (iv) the Borrower shall be in compliance with Article VI, whether or not in effect, as of the end of the Test Period most recently ended after giving Pro Forma Effect to such Revolving Commitment Increase and any Acquisition permitted under this Agreement and/or any other transactions related to such Revolving Commitment Increase (and, in each case, with respect to any Revolving Commitment Increase, assuming a borrowing of the maximum amount of Loans available under such Revolving Commitment Increase and any Revolving Commitment Increase previously made pursuant to this Section 2.15) and (v) the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio shall be no greater than 3.50 to 1.00 as of the end of the Test Period most recently ended after giving Pro Forma Effect to such Revolving Commitment Increase and any Acquisition permitted under this Agreement and/or any other transactions related to such Revolving Commitment Increase (and, in each case, with respect to any Revolving Commitment Increase, assuming a borrowing of the maximum amount of Loans available under such Revolving Commitment Increase and any Revolving Commitment Increase previously made pursuant to this Section 2.15, but excluding the proceeds from any borrowing under such Revolving Commitment Increase from any “net debt” determination); provided that the foregoing clauses (iv) and (v) shall not apply to any Revolving Commitment Increase pursuant to Amendment No. 3.3 or any FILO Commitment Increase.  Each Revolving Commitment Increase shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is not less than $10,000,000 (provided that such amount may be less than $10,000,000 if such amount represents all remaining availability under the limit set forth in the next sentence).  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitment Increases after the Amendment No. 56 Effective Date shall not exceed $0.0, and the aggregate amount of the FILO Commitment Increases after the Amendment No. 6 Effective Date shall not exceed $15,000,000.  Each notice from the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall set forth the requested amount and proposed terms of the relevant Revolving Commitment Increases.  Revolving Commitment Increases may be provided by any existing Lender (it being understood

 

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that no existing Lender will have an obligation to provide a portion of any Revolving Commitment Increase), in each case on terms permitted in this Section 2.15 and otherwise on terms reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent, or by any other bank or other financial institution or institutional lender or investor (any such other bank or other financial institution or institutional lender or investor being called an “Additional Lender”), provided that the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, each Issuer and the Swing Loan Lender shall have consented (in each case, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) to such Lender’s or Additional Lender’s providing such Revolving Commitment Increases (other than the consent of each Issuer and Swing Loan Lender with respect to any Last-Out Incremental provided in the form of a term loanFILO Commitment Increase) if such consent by the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, the applicable Issuer and the Swing Loan Lender, as the case may be, would be required under Section 12.2(b) for an assignment of Loans or Revolving Credit Commitments to such Lender or Additional Lender.  Revolving Credit Commitments in respect of Revolving Commitment Increases shall become Revolving Credit Commitments (or in the case of a Revolving Commitment Increase to be provided by an existing Lender, an increase in such Lender’s applicable Revolving Credit Commitment) under this Agreement and FILO Commitments in respect of FILO Commitment Increases shall become FILO Commitments (or in the case of a FILO Commitment Increase to be provided by an existing Lender, an increase in such Lender’s applicable FILO Commitment) under this Agreement, in each case, pursuant to an amendment (an “Incremental Amendment”) to this Agreement and, as appropriate, the other Loan Documents, executed by Holdings, the Borrower, each Lender agreeing to provide such Revolving Credit Commitment, if any, each Additional Lender, if any, and the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent.  The Incremental Amendment may, without the consent of any Person other than the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, the Borrower and the Lenders providing the applicable Revolving Commitment Increase, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent and the Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section.  The effectiveness of any Incremental Amendment shall be subject to the satisfaction on the date thereof (each, an “Incremental Facility Effective Date”) of each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.2 (it being understood that all references to “the date of such Loan or Issuance” or similar language in such Section 4.2 shall be deemed to refer to the effective date of such Incremental Amendment) and the satisfaction of such other conditions (if any) as the parties thereto shall agree and, to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent, the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent shall have received legal opinions, Board of Director resolutions, officers’ certificates and/or reaffirmation agreements consistent with those delivered on the Effective Date (other than changes to such legal opinion resulting from a Change in Law, change in fact or change to counsel’s form of opinion) or otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent, together with such supplements and/or amendments to the Collateral Documents as the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent shall reasonably request (including, in the case of the Mortgages, mortgage amendments and date down endorsements with respect to the applicable title insurance policies).  Each Revolving Commitment Increase (other than a Last-Out Incremental incurred as a term loan) shall be documented as an increase to the Facility.  Each Revolving Credit Commitments and each FILO Commitment Increase shall be documented as an increase to the FILO Commitments.  Each Commitment Increase shall be on terms identical to those applicable to the Facility being increased, except (x) with respect to any original issue discount or any commitment, arrangement, upfront or similar fees that may be

 

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agreed to among the Borrower and the lenders agreeing to participate in such Revolving Commitment Increase; provided that if any of the Applicable Margins or the Applicable Unused Commitment Fee Rate with respect to any Revolving Commitment Increase (other than a Last-Out Incremental) exceed any of the Applicable Margins or Applicable Unused Commitment Fee Rate, as the case may be, with respect to the applicable existing Revolving Credit Commitment Facility being increased, the Applicable Margins and/or Applicable Unused Commitment Fee Rate, as applicable, shall be increased to equal the Applicable Margins and the Applicable Unused Commitment Fee Rate with respect to such Revolving Commitment Increase (the “MFN Provision”), (y) any such Revolving Commitment Increase may rank junior to the Obligations in right of payment in any distribution waterfall (a “Last-Out Incremental”) and such Last-Out Incremental may (1) have interest rate margins, interest rate floors, original issue discount, upfront fees, structuring, commitment and arranger fees (and any fee similar to any of the foregoing) that are determined by the Company and the lender or lenders providing the relevant Last-Out Incremental and shall not be subject to the MFN Provision, (2) be in the form of one or more revolving credit facilities or term loans and (3) have other terms that are customary for “last-out” asset-based credit facilities and reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; it being understood and agreed that (x) the Administrative Agent may implement a dollar-for-dollar Reserve against the Borrowing Base in respect of the amount of any Last-Out Incremental and (y) in no event shall any Last-Out Incremental be entitled to receive payments under Section 10.3 prior to the payment in full of all amounts owing with respect to any Cash Management Obligations or Secured Hedge Obligations and (z) for terms applicable only after the then Latest Maturity Date.  The Borrower shall use the proceeds of any Revolving Commitment Increases for any purpose not prohibited by this Agreement.  Upon each Revolving Commitment Increase pursuant to this Section 2.15, other than any Revolving Commitment Increase in the form of a Last-Out Incremental, (x) each Lender of the applicable Class immediately prior to such increase will automatically and without further act be deemed to have assigned to each Lender providing a portion of the Revolving Commitment Increase of the applicable Class (each a “Revolving Commitment Increase Lender”) in respect of such increase, and each such Revolving Commitment Increase Lender will automatically and without further act be deemed to have assumed, a portion of such Lender’s participations hereunder in outstanding Letters of Credit and Swing Loans such that, after giving effect to each such deemed assignment and assumption of participations, the percentage of the aggregate outstanding (i) participations hereunder in Letters of Credit, (ii) participations hereunder in Swing Loans held by each Lender of the applicable Class and (iii) participations in Protective Advances held by each Lender of the applicable Class (including each such Revolving Commitment Increase Lender) will equal the percentage of the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments of all Lenders of such Class represented by such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment and (y) if, on the date of such increase, there are any Revolving Loans of such Class outstanding, such Revolving Loans shall on or prior to the effectiveness of such Revolving Commitment Increase be prepaid from the proceeds of additional Revolving Loans of such Class made hereunder (reflecting such increase in Revolving Credit Commitments of such Class), which prepayment shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the Revolving Loans of such Class being prepaid and any costs incurred by any Lender in accordance with Section 3.5.  The Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby agree that the minimum borrowing, pro rata borrowing and pro rata payment requirements contained elsewhere in this Agreement shall not apply to the transactions effected pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence.

 

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(b)                                 This Section 2.15 shall supersede any provisions in Section 12.1 or Section 12.7 to the contrary.

 

SECTION 2.16              Defaulting Lenders.

 

(a)                                 Adjustments.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable Law:

 

(i)                                     Waivers and Amendments.  That Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in Section 12.1.

 

(ii)                                  Reallocation of Payments.  Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of that Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article X or otherwise, and including any amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by that Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 12.6), shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to any Issuer or the Swing Loan Lender hereunder; third, if so determined by the Administrative Agent or requested by any Issuer or the Swing Loan Lender, to be held as cash collateral for future funding obligations of that Defaulting Lender of any participation in any Swing Loan or Letter of Credit; fourth, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a non-interest bearing deposit account and released in order to satisfy obligations of that Defaulting Lender to fund Loans under this Agreement; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, any Issuer or the Swing Loan Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, any Issuer or the Swing Loan Lender against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth, to that Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or Letter of Credit Borrowings in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share and (y) such Loans or Letter of Credit Borrowings were made at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.2 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and Letter of Credit Borrowings owed to, all non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or Letter of Credit Borrowings owed to, that Defaulting Lender.  Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post cash collateral pursuant to this Section 2.16(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by that Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

 

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(iii)                               Certain Fees.  That Defaulting Lender (x) shall not be entitled to receive any commitment fee pursuant to Section 2.12(a) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender for such period) and (y) shall be limited in its right to receive Letter of Credit Fees as provided in Section 2.12(b).

 

(iv)                              Reallocation of Applicable Percentages to Reduce Fronting Exposure.  During any period in which there is a Defaulting Lender, for purposes of computing the amount of the obligation of each non-Defaulting Lender to acquire, refinance or fund participations in Letters of Credit or Swing Loans pursuant to Sections 2.3 and 2.4, the “Applicable Percentage” of each non-Defaulting Lender shall be computed without giving effect to the Revolving Credit Commitment of that Defaulting Lender; provided that (i) each such reallocation shall be given effect only if, at the date the applicable Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, no Default or Event of Default exists; and (ii) the aggregate obligation of each non-Defaulting Lender to acquire, refinance or fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Loans shall not exceed the positive difference, if any, of (1) the Revolving Credit Commitment of that non-Defaulting Lender minus (2) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Revolving Loans of that Lender.

 

(b)                                 Defaulting Lender Cure.  If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, Swing Loan Lender and the Issuers agree in writing in their sole discretion that a Defaulting Lender should no longer be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase that portion of outstanding Revolving Loans of the other Revolving Credit Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Revolving Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages (without giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv)), whereupon that Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower for the period that such Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided further that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

 

(c)                                  Cash Collateral.  At any time that there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, within one (1) Business Day following the written request of the Administrative Agent, the applicable Issuer or the Swing Loan Lender, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to cover all Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv) and any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender).

 

SECTION 2.17              Extensions of Loans.

 

(a)                                 Extension of Revolving Credit Commitments.  The Borrower may at any time and from time to time request that all or a portion of the Revolving Credit Commitments of a given Class (each, an “Existing Revolver Tranche”) be amended to extend the Scheduled Termination Date with respect to all or a portion of any principal amount of such Revolving Credit

 

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Commitments (any such Revolving Credit Commitments which have been so amended, “Extended Revolving Credit Commitments”) and to provide for other terms consistent with this Section 2.17; provided that there shall be no more than three (3) Classes of Loans and Commitments outstanding pursuant to this Section 2.17 at any time.  In order to establish any Extended Revolving Credit Commitments, the Borrower shall provide a notice to the Administrative Agent (who shall provide a copy of such notice to each of the Lenders under the applicable Existing Revolver Tranche) (each, an “Extension Request”) setting forth the proposed terms (which shall be determined in consultation with the Administrative Agent) of the Extended Revolving Credit Commitments to be established, which shall (x) be identical as offered to each Lender under such Existing Revolver Tranche (including as to the proposed interest rates and fees payable) and offered pro rata to each Lender under such Existing Revolver Tranche, (y) be identical to the Revolving Credit Commitments under the Existing Revolver Tranche from which such Extended Revolving Credit Commitments are to be amended and (z) not include any term, condition or provision that adversely affects the FILO Liabilities or the rights and remedies of the FILO Agent and the FILO Lenders, except that: (i) the Scheduled Termination Date of the Extended Revolving Credit Commitments shall be later than the Scheduled Termination Date of the Revolving Credit Commitments of such Existing Revolver Tranche, (ii) the Extension Amendment may provide for other covenants and terms that apply solely to any period after the Latest Maturity Date that is in effect on the effective date of the Extension Amendment (immediately prior to the establishment of such Extended Revolving Credit Commitments); and (iii) all borrowings under the Revolving Credit Commitments and repayments thereunder shall be made on a pro rata basis (except for (I) solely in respect of any period after the Latest Maturity Date that is in effect on the effective date of the Extension Amendment (immediately prior to the establishment of such Extended Revolving Credit Commitments), payments of interest and fees at different rates on Extended Revolving Credit Commitments (and related outstandings) and (II) repayments required upon the Revolving Credit Termination Date of the non-extending Revolving Credit Commitments); provided, further, that (A) the conditions precedent to a Borrowing set forth in Section 4.2 shall be satisfied or duly waived as of the date of such Extension Amendment and at the time when any Loans are made in respect of any Extended Revolving Credit Commitment, (B) in no event shall the final maturity date of any Extended Revolving Credit Commitments of a given Extension Series at the time of establishment thereof be earlier than the then Latest Maturity Date of any other Revolving Credit Commitments hereunder, (C) any such Extended Revolving Credit Commitments (and the Liens securing the same) shall be permitted by the terms of the Intercreditor Agreements (Agreement and the Notes Intercreditor Agreement (in each case to the extent any Intercreditor Agreementsuch agreement is then in effect) and (D) all documentation in respect of the such Extension Amendment shall be consistent with the foregoing.  Any Extended Revolving Credit Commitments amended pursuant to any Extension Request shall be designated a series (each, an “Extension Series”) of Extended Revolving Credit Commitments for all purposes of this Agreement; provided that any Extended Revolving Credit Commitments amended from an Existing Revolver Tranche may, to the extent provided in the applicable Extension Amendment, be designated as an increase in any previously established Extension Series with respect to such Existing Revolver Tranche.  Each Extension Series of Extended Revolving Credit Commitments incurred under this Section 2.17 shall be in an aggregate principal amount equal to not less than $25,000,000.

 

(b)                                 Extension Request.  The Borrower shall provide the applicable Extension Request at least five (5) Business Days (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the

 

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Administrative Agent) prior to the date on which Lenders under the Existing Revolver Tranche are requested to respond, and shall agree to such procedures, if any, as may be established by, or acceptable to, the Administrative Agent, in each case acting reasonably, to accomplish the purposes of this Section 2.17.  No Lender shall have any obligation to agree to provide any Extended Revolving Credit Commitment pursuant to any Extension Request.  Any Revolving Credit Lender (each, an “Extending Revolving Credit Lender”) wishing to have all or a portion of its Revolving Credit Commitments under the Existing Revolver Tranche subject to such Extension Request amended into Extended Revolving Credit Commitments shall notify the Administrative Agent (each, an “Extension Election”) on or prior to the date specified in such Extension Request of the amount of its Revolving Credit Commitments under the Existing Revolver Tranche which it has elected to request be amended into Extended Revolving Credit Commitments (subject to any minimum denomination requirements imposed by the Administrative Agent).  In the event that the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Credit Commitments under the Existing Revolver Tranche in respect of which applicable Revolving Credit Lenders shall have accepted the relevant Extension Request exceeds the amount of Extended Revolving Credit Commitments requested to be extended pursuant to the Extension Request, Revolving Credit Commitments subject to Extension Elections shall be amended to reflect allocations of the Extended Revolving Credit Commitments, which Extended Revolving Credit Commitments shall be allocated as agreed by Administrative Agent and the Borrower.

 

(c)                                  New Revolving Commitment Lenders.  Following any Extension Request made by the Borrower in accordance with Sections 2.17(a) and 2.17(b), if the Lenders shall have declined to agree during the period specified in Section 2.17(b) above to provide Extended Revolving Credit Commitments in an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount requested by the Borrower in such Extension Request, the Borrower may request that Lenders and/or banks, financial institutions or other institutional lenders or investors other than the Lenders (in such capacities, the “New Revolving Commitment Lenders”), which New Revolving Commitment Lenders may elect to provide an Extended Revolving Credit Commitment hereunder (each, a “New Revolving Credit Commitment”); provided that such New Revolving Credit Commitments of such New Revolving Commitment Lenders (i) shall be in an aggregate principal amount for all such New Revolving Commitment Lenders not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of Extended Revolving Credit Commitments so declined to be provided by the existing Lenders and (ii) shall be on identical terms to the terms applicable to the terms specified in the applicable Extension Request (and any Extended Revolving Credit Commitments provided by existing Lenders in respect thereof); provided further that, as a condition to the effectiveness of any New Revolving Credit Commitment of any New Revolving Commitment Lender, the Administrative Agent, each Issuer and the Swing Loan Lender shall have consented (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) to each New Revolving Commitment Lender if such consent would be required under Section 12.2(b)(iii) for an assignment of Revolving Credit Commitments to such Person.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any New Revolving Credit Commitment provided by New Revolving Commitment Lenders shall be pro rata to each New Revolving Commitment Lender.  Upon effectiveness of the Extension Amendment to which each such New Revolving Commitment Lender is a party, (a) the Revolving Credit Commitments of all non-extending Revolving Credit Lenders of each Class specified in the Extension Amendment in accordance with this Section 2.17 will be permanently reduced pro rata by an aggregate amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the New Revolving Credit Commitments of such New Revolving Commitment Lenders and (b) the Revolving Credit

 

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Commitment of each such New Revolving Commitment Lender will become effective.  The New Revolving Credit Commitments of New Revolving Commitment Lenders will be incorporated as Revolving Credit Commitments hereunder in the same manner in which Extended Revolving Credit Commitments of existing Lenders are incorporated hereunder pursuant to this Section 2.17, and for the avoidance of doubt, all Borrowings and repayments of Revolving Loans from and after the effectiveness of such Extension Amendment shall be made pro rata across all Classes of Revolving Credit Commitments including such New Revolving Commitment Lenders (based on the outstanding principal amounts of the respective Classes of Revolving Credit Commitments) except for (x) solely in respect of any period after the Latest Maturity Date that is in effect on the effective date of the Extension Amendment (immediately prior to the establishment of such Extended Revolving Credit Commitments), payments of interest and fees at different rates for each Class of Revolving Credit Commitments (and related Outstanding Amounts) and (y) repayments required on the Revolving Credit Termination Date for any particular Class of Revolving Credit Commitments.  Upon the effectiveness of each New Revolving Credit Commitment pursuant to this Section 2.17(c), (a) each Revolving Credit Lender of all applicable existing Classes of Revolving Credit Commitments immediately prior to such effectiveness will automatically and without further act be deemed to have assigned to each New Revolving Commitment Lender, and each such New Revolving Commitment Lender will automatically and without further act be deemed to have assumed, a portion of such Revolving Credit Lender’s participations hereunder in outstanding Letters of Credit and Swing Loans such that, after giving effect to each such deemed assignment and assumption of participations, subject to Section 2.16, the percentage of the outstanding (i) participations hereunder in Letters of Credit and (ii) participations hereunder in Swing Loans held by each Revolving Credit Lender of each Class of Revolving Credit Commitments (including each such New Revolving Commitment Lender) will equal the percentage of the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments of all Classes of Revolving Credit Lenders represented by such Revolving Credit Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment and (b) if, on the date of such effectiveness, there are any Revolving Loans outstanding, such Revolving Loans shall on or prior to the effectiveness of such New Revolving Credit Commitment be prepaid from the proceeds of Loans outstanding after giving effect to such New Revolving Credit Commitments, which prepayment shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the Revolving Loans being prepaid and any costs incurred by any Lender in accordance with Section 3.5.  The Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby agree that the minimum borrowing, pro rata borrowing and pro rata payment requirements contained elsewhere in this Agreement shall not apply to the transactions effected pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence.

 

(d)                                 Extension Amendment.  Extended Revolving Credit Commitments and New Revolving Credit Commitments shall be established pursuant to an amendment (each, an “Extension Amendment”) to this Agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each Extending Revolving Credit Lender and each New Revolving Commitment Lender, if any, providing an Extended Revolving Credit Commitment or a New Revolving Credit Commitment, as applicable, thereunder, which shall be consistent with the provisions set forth in Sections 2.17(a), (b) and (c) above (and shall not require the consent of any other Person).  The effectiveness of any Extension Amendment shall be subject to the satisfaction on the date thereof of each of the conditions set forth in Sections 4.2(a) and (b) and, to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, receipt by the Administrative Agent of (i) legal opinions, board resolutions and officers’ certificates consistent with those delivered on the Effective Date (other than changes to such legal opinion resulting from a Change in Law, change in fact or change to

 

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counsel’s form of opinion) or otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (ii) reaffirmation agreements and/or such amendments to the Collateral Documents as may be reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent in order to ensure that the Extended Revolving Credit Commitments or the New Revolving Credit Commitments, as the case may be, are provided with the benefit of the applicable Loan Documents (including, in the case of the Mortgages, mortgage amendments and date down endorsements with respect to the applicable title insurance policies).  The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Extension Amendment.  Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that this Agreement and the other Loan Documents may be amended pursuant to an Extension Amendment, without the consent of any Person other than the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Lenders providing the applicable Extended Revolving Credit Commitments or New Revolving Credit Commitments, to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to (i) reflect the existence and terms of the Extended Revolving Credit Commitments or the New Revolving Credit Commitments, as the case may be, incurred pursuant thereto, (ii) make such other changes to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (without the consent of the Requisite Revolving Credit Lenders) and (iii) effect such other amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section, and the Requisite Revolving Credit Lenders hereby expressly authorize the Administrative Agent to enter into any such Extension Amendment.

 

(e)                                  No conversion of Loans pursuant to any Extension in accordance with this Section 2.17 shall constitute a voluntary or mandatory payment or prepayment for purposes of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 2.18              Refinancing Amendments.  After the Effective Date, the Borrower may obtain, from any Lender or any Additional Lender, Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of all or any portion of the Loans and Commitments then outstanding under this Agreement in each case pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment; provided that there shall be no obligors in respect of any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness that are not Loan Parties; provided, further that the terms and conditions applicable to such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness may provide for any additional or different financial or other covenants or other provisions that are agreed between the Borrower and the Lenders thereof and applicable only during periods after the Latest Maturity Date that is in effect on the date such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is issued, incurred or obtained.  Any Other Loans may participate on a pro rata basis or on a less than pro rata basis (but not on a greater than pro rata basis) in any voluntary or mandatory prepayments hereunder, as specified in the applicable Refinancing Amendment.  The effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment shall be subject to the satisfaction on the date thereof of each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.2(b) and, to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, receipt by the Administrative Agent of customary legal opinions, board resolutions, officers’ certificates and/or reaffirmation agreements consistent with those delivered on the Effective Date under Section 4.1 (other than changes to such legal opinions resulting from a change in law, change in fact or change to counsel’s form of opinion) or otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (including, in the case of the Mortgages, mortgage amendments and date down endorsements with respect to the applicable title insurance policies).  Each incurrence of Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness under this Section 2.18 (other than with respect to the FILO Loan) shall be in an aggregate principal amount of not less than $75,000,000.  Each incurrence of Credit Agreement

 

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Refinancing Indebtedness under this Section 2.18 (with respect to the FILO Loan) on any date shall be in an aggregate principal amount of not less than the aggregate amount of FILO Liabilities outstanding on such date.  The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Refinancing Amendment.  Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that, upon the effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to reflect the existence and terms of the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness incurred pursuant thereto (including any amendments necessary to treat the Loans and Commitments subject thereto as Other Loans and/or Other Commitments).  Any Refinancing Amendment may, without the consent of any Person other than the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, the Borrower and the Lenders providing the applicable Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.18.  This Section 2.18 shall supersede any provisions in Section 12.7 or 12.1 to the contrary.  It is understood that (x) any Lender approached to provide all or a portion of Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness may elect or decline, in its sole discretion, to provide such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness (it being understood that there is no obligation to approach any existing Lenders to provide any Other Commitment), and (y) the Administrative Agent shall have consented (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) to such Person’s providing such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness if such consent would be required under Section 12.2 for an assignment of Loans or Commitments to such Person.

 

ARTICLE III

 

TAXES, INCREASED COSTS PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

 

SECTION 3.1                     Taxes.

 

(a)                                 Except as required by law, any and all payments by the Borrower (the term “Borrower” under this Article III being deemed to include any Subsidiary for whose account a Letter of Credit is issued) or any Guarantor to or for the account of any Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, assessments, fees, withholdings or similar charges, and all liabilities (including additions to tax, penalties and interest) with respect thereto, excluding, in the case of each Agent and each Lender, (i) taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated, and including branch profits and similar taxes), and franchise or similar taxes, in each case (A) imposed by the jurisdiction under the laws of which it is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located or (B) taxes imposed by reason of any connection between such Agent or Lender and the taxing jurisdiction imposing such tax (other than a connection arising solely by executing or entering into any Loan Document, receiving payments thereunder or having been a party to, performed its obligations under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced, any Loan Documents), (ii) subject to Section 3.1(e), any U.S. federal tax that is (or would be) required to be withheld with respect to amounts payable hereunder in respect of an interest arising under any Loan Document that is assigned to an Eligible Assignee (pursuant to an assignment under Section 12.2) on the date such assignee becomes an Eligible Assignee to the extent such tax is in excess of the tax that would have

 

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been applicable had such assigning Lender not assigned its interest arising under any Loan Document (unless such assignment is made at the express written request of the Borrower), (iii) in the case of any Foreign Lender, any U.S. federal withholding taxes imposed as a result of the failure of any Agent or Lender to comply with the provisions of Sections 3.1(b) and 3.1(c), (iv) in the case of any U.S. Lender, any U.S. federal withholding taxes imposed as a result of the failure of any Agent or Lender to comply with the provisions of Section 3.1(d), (v) any taxes imposed on any amount payable to or for the account of any Agent or Lender as a result of the failure of such recipient to comply with its obligations under Section 3.1(l), (vi) amounts excluded pursuant to Section 3.1(e) hereto, and (vii) penalties and interest on the foregoing amounts (all such non excluded taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, assessments, fees, withholdings or similar charges and liabilities being hereinafter referred to as “Taxes”).  If the Borrower, Guarantor or other applicable withholding agent is required to deduct any Taxes or Other Taxes (as defined below) from or in respect of any sum payable under any Loan Document to any Agent or any Lender, (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.1(a)), each of such Agent and such Lender receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower, Guarantor or other applicable withholding agent shall make such deductions, (iii) the Borrower, Guarantor or other applicable withholding agent shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxing authority, and (iv) within thirty (30) days after the date of such payment (or, if receipts or evidence are not available within thirty (30) days, as soon as practicable thereafter), the Borrower or Guarantor shall furnish to such Agent or Lender (as the case may be) the original or a facsimile copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof to the extent such a receipt has been made available to the Borrower or Guarantor (or other evidence of payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent).  If the Borrower or Guarantor fails to pay any Taxes or Other Taxes when due to the appropriate taxing authority or fails to remit to any Agent or any Lender the required receipts or other required documentary evidence that has been made available to the Borrower or Guarantor, the Borrower or Guarantor shall indemnify such Agent and such Lender for any incremental Taxes that may become payable by such Agent or such Lender arising out of such failure.

 

(b)                                 To the extent it is legally able to do so, each Agent or Lender (including an Eligible Assignee to which a Lender assigns its interest in accordance with Section 12.2) that is not a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code (each, a “Foreign Lender”) agrees to complete and deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which the Agent or Lender (or Eligible Assignee) becomes a party hereto, two (2) accurate, complete and original signed copies of whichever of the following is applicable:  (i) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits under an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party, an IRS Form W-8BEN-E certifying that it is entitled to such benefits; (ii) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming that the income receivable pursuant to any Loan Document is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, an IRS Form W-8ECI certifying to this effect; (iii) if the Foreign Lender is claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under either Section 871(h) or Section 881(c) of the Code and is not (A) a bank described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a 10-percent shareholder described in Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, or (C) a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower within the meaning of Section 864(d) of the Code, a certificate to that effect in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit N (a “Non-Bank Certificate”) and an IRS Form W-8BEN-E, certifying that the Foreign Lender is not a United States person; (iv) to the

 

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extent a Lender is not the beneficial owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes, an IRS Form W-8IMY (or any successor form thereto) of the Lender, accompanied by, as and to the extent applicable, an IRS Form W-8BEN or an IRS Form W-8BEN-E, an IRS Form W-8ECI, Non-Bank Certificate, an IRS Form W-9, additional IRS Forms W-8IMY (further accompanied by required attachments thereto) and any other required supporting information from each beneficial owner (it being understood that a Lender need not provide certificates or supporting documentation from beneficial owners if (x) the Lender is a “qualified intermediary” or “withholding foreign partnership” for U.S. federal income tax purposes and (y) such Lender is as a result able to establish, and does establish, that payments to such Lender are, to the extent applicable, entitled to an exemption from or, if an exemption is not available, a reduction in the rate of, U.S. federal withholding taxes without providing such certificates or supporting documentation); or (v) any other form prescribed by applicable requirements of U.S. federal income tax law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable requirements of law to permit the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made except, and solely for the purposes of this clause (v), to the extent, in the Agent or Lender’s reasonable judgment, such completion, execution, or submission would subject such Agent or Lender to any material unreimbursed costs or expenses or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Agent or Lender.

 

(c)                                  In addition, each such Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, (i) promptly submit to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two (2) accurate, complete and original signed copies of such other or additional forms or certificates (or such successor forms or certificates as shall be adopted from time to time by the relevant taxing authorities) as may then be applicable or available to secure an exemption from or reduction in the rate of U.S. federal withholding tax (A) on or before the date that such Lender’s most recently delivered form, certificate or other evidence expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any material respect, (B) after the occurrence of a change in the Foreign Lender’s circumstances requiring a change in the most recent form, certificate or evidence previously delivered by it to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (C) from time to time thereafter if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, and (ii) promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of any change in the Foreign Lender’s circumstances which would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or reduction.

 

(d)                                 Each Agent or Lender that is a “United States person” (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) (each a “U.S. Lender”) agrees to complete and deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two (2) original copies of accurate, complete and signed IRS Form W-9 or successor form certifying that such Agent or Lender is not subject to United States backup withholding (i) on or prior to the Effective Date (or on or prior to the date it becomes a party to this Agreement), (ii) on or before the date that such form expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any material respect, (iii) after the occurrence of a change in the Agent’s or Lender’s circumstances requiring a change in the most recent form previously delivered by it to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (iv) from time to time thereafter if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent.

 

(e)                                  Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary (but subject to the succeeding sentence), if a Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent is subject to any U.S. federal tax

 

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that is required to be withheld with respect to amounts payable hereunder at a rate in excess of zero percent at the time such Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent becomes a party to this Agreement or otherwise acquires an interest in the Loan, or pursuant to a law or other legal requirement in effect at such time, such tax (including additions to tax, penalties and interest imposed with respect to such tax) shall be considered excluded from Taxes (unless and until such time as such Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent subsequently provides forms and certifications that establish to the reasonable satisfaction of Borrower and the Administrative Agent that such Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent is subject to a lower rate of tax, at which time tax at such lower rate (including additions to tax, penalties and interest imposed with respect to such tax) shall be considered so excluded for periods during which such forms and certifications remain valid and are sufficient, under the law in effect at the time such forms and certifications are provided (including any law with a delayed effective date), to establish that such Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent is subject to such lower rate of tax) except, in the case of an Eligible Assignee, to the extent the Lender’s assignor was entitled to additional amounts or indemnity payments immediately prior to the assignment.  Further, the Borrower shall not be required pursuant to this Section 3.1 to pay any additional amount to, or to indemnify, any Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent, as the case may be, to the extent that such Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent becomes subject to Taxes subsequent to the Effective Date (or, if later, the date such Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent becomes a party to this Agreement or otherwise acquires an interest in the Loan) solely as a result of a change in the place of organization or place of doing business of such Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent (or any applicable beneficial owner), a change in the Lending Office of such Lender or Eligible Assignee (or any applicable beneficial owner) (other than at the written request of the Borrower to change such Lending Office), or a change that results in such Lender or Eligible Assignee (or any applicable beneficial owner) being described in clauses (A), (B) or (C) of Section 3.1(b)(iii), occurring after the date that such Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent becomes a party to this Agreement or otherwise acquires an interest in the Loan.  If an Eligible Assignee acquires an additional interest in a Loan after the date on which it became a party to this Agreement or previously acquired an interest in any Loan, the provisions of this Section 3.1(e) shall apply to such additional interest as of the date such additional interest was acquired.

 

(f)                                   The Borrower agrees to pay any and all present or future stamp, court or documentary taxes and any other excise, property, intangible or mortgage recording taxes or charges or similar levies which arise from any payment made under any Loan Document or from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document (including additions to tax, penalties and interest related thereto) excluding, in each case, such amounts that result from an Assignment and Assumption, grant of a participation, transfer or assignment to or designation of a new applicable Lending Office or other office for receiving payments under any Loan Document, except to the extent that any such Assignment and Assumption, grant of a participation, transfer, assignment or designation is requested in writing by the Borrower subsequent to the date hereofEffective Date (all such non-excluded taxes described in this Section 3.1(f) being hereinafter referred to as “Other Taxes”).

 

(g)                                  If any Taxes or Other Taxes are directly asserted against any Agent or Lender with respect to any payment received by such Agent or Lender in respect of any Loan Document, such Agent or Lender may pay such Taxes or Other Taxes and the Borrower will promptly indemnify and hold harmless such Agent or Lender for the full amount of such Taxes and Other Taxes (and any Taxes and Other Taxes imposed on amounts payable under this Section 3.1),

 

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and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted.  Payments under this Section 3.1(g) shall be made within ten (10) days after the date Borrower receives written demand for payment from such Agent or Lender.

 

(h)                                 A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 3.1 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless (i) the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s express written consent to such participation at the time such participation is sold to such Participant or (ii) such entitlement to a greater payment results from a change in any law after the sale of the participation takes place.

 

(i)                                     If the Borrower determines in good faith that a reasonable basis exists for contesting any taxes for which indemnification has been demanded hereunder, the relevant Lender or the relevant Agent, as applicable, shall cooperate with the Borrower in a reasonable challenge of such taxes if so requested by the Borrower, provided that (a) such Lender or Agent determines in its reasonable discretion that it would not be prejudiced by cooperating in such challenge, (b) the Borrower pays all related expenses of such Agent or Lender and (c) the Borrower indemnifies such Lender or Agent for any liabilities or other costs incurred by such party in connection with such challenge.

 

(j)                                    If any Agent or any Lender has received or is entitled to receive a refund in respect of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrower or Holdings, as the case may be or with respect to which the Borrower or Holdings, as the case may be has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.1, it shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain such refund (to the extent not yet received) (provided that doing so would not otherwise materially disadvantage the Agent or Lender) and it shall promptly remit such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrower or Holdings, as the case may be under this Section 3.1 with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that the Borrower or Holdings, as the case may be, upon the written request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower or Holdings (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority), as the case may be, to the Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event the Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority (provided that such Lender or the Administrative Agent may delete any information therein that such Lender or the Administrative Agent deems confidential in its reasonable discretion).  The Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, shall provide the Borrower with a copy of any notice of assessment or other evidence reasonably available of the requirement to repay such refund received from the relevant Governmental Authority.  This subsection shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that is reasonably deems confidential) to the Borrower, Holdings or any other Person.

 

(k)                                 Each Lender agrees that, upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 3.1(a) or (g) with respect to such Lender, it will, if requested by the

 

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Borrower, use commercially reasonable efforts (subject to legal and regulatory restrictions) to mitigate the effect of any such event, including by designating another Lending Office for any Loan affected by such event and by completing and delivering or filing any tax-related forms which such Lender is legally able to deliver and which would reduce or eliminate any amount of Taxes or Other Taxes required to be deducted or withheld or paid by the Borrower; provided that such efforts are made at the Borrower’s expense and on terms that, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, cause such Lender and its Lending Office(s) to suffer no material economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage, and provided further that nothing in this Section 3.1(k) shall affect or postpone any of the Obligations of the Borrower or the rights of such Lender pursuant to Section 3.1(a) or (g).

 

(l)                                     If a payment made to a recipient under any Loan Document would be subject to United States federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such recipient were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA, such recipient shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times prescribed by FATCA and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such documentation prescribed by FATCA requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their respective obligations under FATCA, to determine that such recipient has or has not complied with such recipient’s obligations under FATCA and, as necessary, to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment.

 

(m)                             Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent may deduct and withhold any taxes required by any Laws to be deducted and withheld from any payment under any of the Loan Documents, subject to the provisions of this Section 3.1.

 

(n)                                 With respect to any Lender’s claim for compensation under this Section 3.1, the Borrower shall not be required to compensate such Lender for any amount incurred more than one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower in writing of the event that gives rise to such claim; provided that, if the circumstance giving rise to such claim is retroactive, then such 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

 

(o)                                 The agreements in this Section 3.1 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

 

SECTION 3.2                     Illegality.  If any Lender reasonably determines that any Law has made it unlawful or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful for any Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Loans (and, in the reasonable opinion of such Lender (subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender), the designation of a different applicable Lending Office or the assignment by such Lender of its rights hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates would either not avoid such unlawfulness or would be disadvantageous to such Lender in any economic, legal or regulatory respect) whose interest is determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurocurrency Rate or Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take

 

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deposits of, Dollars in the London interbank market, then, on notice thereof within a reasonable time thereafter (if by telephone, confirmed in writing) by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, (i) any obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurocurrency Rate, or to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurocurrency Rate Loans, shall be suspended, and (ii) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender making or maintaining Base Rate Loans the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate, the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate, in each case until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist (which notice such Lender agrees to give at such time when such circumstances no longer exist).  Upon receipt of such notice within a reasonable time thereafter, (x) the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, and shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, convert all Eurocurrency Rate Loans of such Lender to Base Rate Loans (and the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Rate Loans, to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Rate Loans, and (y) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate with respect to any Base Rate Loans, the Administrative Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Base Rate applicable to such Lender without reference to the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate component thereof until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal  for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurocurrency Rate.  Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.

 

SECTION 3.3                     Inability to Determine Rates.  If the Requisite Lenders reasonably determine that for any reason in connection with any request for a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, or a conversion to or continuation thereof that (a) deposits in Dollars are not being offered to banks in the applicable offshore interbank market for such currency for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, (b) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the Eurocurrency Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurocurrency Rate Loan or in connection with an existing or proposed Base Rate Loan, or (c) the Eurocurrency Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurocurrency Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender.  Thereafter, (x) each Eurocurrency Rate Loan shall automatically, on the last day of the current Interest Period for such Loan, convert into a Base Rate Loan, (y) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be suspended, and (z) in the event of a determination described in the preceding sentence with respect to the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate, the utilization of the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate component in determining the Base Rate shall be suspended, in each case until the Administrative Agent (upon the instruction of the Requisite Lenders) notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist (which notice the Administrative Agent agrees to give at such time

 

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when such circumstances no longer exist).  Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein.

 

SECTION 3.4                     Increased Cost and Reduced Return; Capital Adequacy; Reserves on Eurocurrency Rate Loans.

 

(a)                                 Increased Costs Generally.  If any Change in Law shall:

 

(i)                                     impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate) or any Issuer;

 

(ii)                                  subject any Lender or any Issuer to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, any participation in a Letter of Credit or any Eurocurrency Rate Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender or the Issuer in respect thereof (except for Taxes covered by Section 3.1 and any taxes and other amounts described in clauses (i) through (viii) of the first sentence of Section 3.1(a) that are imposed with respect to payments for or on account of any Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document, and except for Other Taxes); or

 

(iii)                               impose on any Lender or any Issuer or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or Eurocurrency Rate Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein, in each case that is not otherwise accounted for in the definition of Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate or this clause (a);

 

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Loan the interest on which is determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender or such Issuer of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or Issuer hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, from time to time within fifteen (15) days after demand by such Lender or Issuer setting forth in reasonable detail such increased costs (with a copy of such demand to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower will pay to such Lender or Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or Issuer, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

(b)                                 Capital Requirements.  If any Lender or any Issuer reasonably determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or such Issuer or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lender’s or such Issuer’s holding company, if any, regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or such Issuer’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or such Issuer’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Revolving Credit Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued

 

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by such Issuer, to a level below that which such Lender or such Issuer or such Lender’s or such Issuer’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such Issuer’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or such Issuer’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time promptly following demand of such Lender or such Issuer setting forth in reasonable detail the charge and the calculation of such reduced rate of return (with a copy of such demand to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower will pay to such Lender or such Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuer or such Lender’s or such Issuer’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

 

(c)                                  Certificates for Reimbursement.  A certificate of a Lender or an Issuer setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or such Issuer or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this Section 3.4 and delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  The Borrower shall pay such Lender or such Issuer, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.

 

(d)                                 Delay in Requests.  Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or any Issuer to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.4 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or such Issuer’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or an Issuer pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.4 for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the date that such Lender or such Issuer, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower in writing of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or such Issuer’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

 

(e)                                  Without duplication of any reserves specified in the definition of “Eurocurrency Rate”, the Borrower shall pay to each Lender, as long as such Lender shall be required to comply with any reserve ratio requirement or analogous requirement of any central banking or financial regulatory authority imposed in respect of the maintenance of the Aggregate Commitments or the funding of the Eurocurrency Rate Loans, such additional costs (expressed as a percentage per annum and rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest five decimal places) equal to the actual costs allocated to such Commitment or Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error), which shall be due and payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan, provided the Company shall have received at least fifteen (15) days’ prior notice (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of such additional costs from such Lender.  If a Lender fails to give notice fifteen (15) days prior to the relevant interest payment date, such additional costs shall be due and payable fifteen (15) days from receipt of such notice.

 

SECTION 3.5                     Funding Losses.  Upon written demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) from time to time, which demand shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis for requesting such amount, the Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:

 

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(a)                                 any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Eurocurrency Rate Loan on a day prior to the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise);

 

(b)                                 any failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Eurocurrency Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower; or

 

(c)                                  (any assignment of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan on a day prior to the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 3.7;

 

including any loss or expense (excluding loss of anticipated profits or margin) actually incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained.

 

SECTION 3.6                     Matters Applicable to All Requests for Compensation.

 

(a)                                 Designation of a Different Lending Office.  If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.4, or the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender, any Issuer, or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender or any Issuer pursuant to Section 3.1, or if any Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 3.2, then such Lender or such Issuer shall, as applicable, use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender or such Issuer, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.1 or 3.4, as the case may be, in the future, or eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 3.2, as applicable, and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender or such Issuer, as the case may be, to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender or such Issuer, as the case may be in any material economic, legal or regulatory respect.

 

(b)                                 Suspension of Lender Obligations.  If any Lender requests compensation by the Borrower under Section 3.4, the Borrower may, by notice to such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), suspend the obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurocurrency Rate Loans from one Interest Period to another Interest Period, or to convert Base Rate Loans into Eurocurrency Rate Loans, until the event or condition giving rise to such request ceases to be in effect (in which case the provisions of Section 3.6(c) shall be applicable); provided that such suspension shall not affect the right of such Lender to receive the compensation so requested.

 

(c)                                  Conversion of Eurocurrency Rate Loans.  If any Lender gives notice to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) that the circumstances specified in Sections 3.2, 3.3 or 3.4 hereof that gave rise to the conversion of such Lender’s Eurocurrency Rate Loans no longer exist (which such Lender agrees to do promptly upon such circumstances ceasing to exist) at a time when Eurocurrency Rate Loans made by other Lenders are outstanding, such Lender’s Base Rate Loans shall be automatically converted, on the first day(s) of the next succeeding Interest Period(s) for such outstanding Eurocurrency Rate Loans, to the extent

 

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necessary so that, after giving effect thereto, all Loans of a given Class held by the Lenders of such Class holding Eurocurrency Rate Loans and by such Lender are held pro rata (as to principal amounts, interest rate basis, and Interest Periods) in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares.

 

SECTION 3.7                     Replacement of Lenders under Certain Circumstances.  If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.4 or ceases to make Eurocurrency Rate Loans as a result of any condition described in Section 3.2 or Section 3.4, (ii) the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.1, (iii) any Lender is a Non-Consenting Lender, (iv) any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, or (v) any other circumstance exists hereunder that gives the Borrower the right to replace a Lender as a party hereto, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 12.2), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to one or more Eligible Assignees that shall assume such obligations (any of which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that:

 

(a)                                 the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee (if any) specified in Section 12.2(b)(iv);

 

(b)                                 such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 3.5) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);

 

(c)                                  such Lender being replaced pursuant to this Section 3.7 shall (i) execute and deliver an Assignment and Assumption with respect to such Lender’s Commitment and outstanding Loans, and (ii) deliver any Revolving Credit Notes evidencing such Loans to the Borrower or Administrative Agent (or a lost or destroyed note indemnity in lieu thereof); provided that the failure of any such Lender to execute an Assignment and Assumption or deliver such Revolving Credit Notes shall not render such sale and purchase (and the corresponding assignment) invalid and such assignment shall be recorded in the Register and the Revolving Credit Notes shall be deemed to be canceled upon such failure;

 

(d)                                 the Eligible Assignee shall become a Lender hereunder and the assigning Lender shall cease to constitute a Lender hereunder with respect to such assigned Loans, Revolving Credit Commitments and participations, except with respect to indemnification provisions under this Agreement, which shall survive as to such assigning Lender;

 

(e)                                  in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 3.4 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 3.1, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter; and

 

(f)                                   such assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws.

 

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In the event that (i) the Borrower or the Administrative Agent has requested that the Lenders consent to a departure or waiver of any provisions of the Loan Documents or agree to any amendment thereto, (ii) the consent, waiver or amendment in question requires the agreement of each Lender, all affected Lenders or all the Lenders or all affected Lenders with respect to a certain Class or Classes of the Loans and (iii) the Requisite Lenders or the requisite Lenders of the applicable Class or Classes of the Loans, have agreed to such consent, waiver or amendment, then any Lender who does not agree to such consent, waiver or amendment shall be deemed a “Non-Consenting Lender.”

 

A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

 

SECTION 3.8                     Survival.  All of the Borrower’s obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of the Aggregate Commitments, repayment of all other Obligations hereunder and resignation of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the FILO Agent, the Swing Loan Lender or any Issuer.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

SECTION 4.1                     Conditions Precedent to Initial Borrowing.  The effectiveness of this Agreement on the Effective Date was subject to satisfaction (or waiver) of the following conditions precedent, except as otherwise agreed between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent:

 

(a)                                 The Administrative Agent’s receipt of the following, each of which shall be originals or facsimiles (followed promptly by originals) unless otherwise specified, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the signing Loan Party each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:

 

(i)                                     a Notice of Borrowing in accordance with the requirements hereof provided that such notice shall not include any representation or statement as to the absence (or existence) of any Default;

 

(ii)                                  executed counterparts of this Agreement and the Guaranty;

 

(iii)                               a Revolving Credit Note executed by the Borrower in favor of each Lender that has requested a Revolving Credit Note at least two (2) Business Days in advance of the Effective Date;

 

(iv)                              each Collateral Document set forth on Schedule 1.1A required to be executed on the Effective Date as indicated on such schedule, duly executed by each Loan Party thereto, together with:

 

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(A)                               copies of certificates, if any, representing the Pledged Equity referred to therein accompanied by undated stock powers executed in blank and instruments evidencing the Pledged Debt indorsed in blank;

 

(B)                               [Reserved]; and

 

(C)                               evidence that all other actions, recordings and filings that the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent has reasonably requested to be taken, completed or otherwise provided for to satisfy the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement shall have been taken, completed or otherwise provided for in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

 

(v)                                 such certificates of good standing from the applicable secretary of state of the state of organization of each Loan Party, certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or other certificates of Responsible Officers of each Loan Party as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require evidencing the identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible Officer thereof authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party or is to be a party on the Effective Date;

 

(vi)                              an opinion from Proskauer Rose, LLP, New York and California counsel to the Loan Parties substantially in the form of Exhibit G-1;

 

(vii)                           an opinion from Greenberg Traurig LLP, Nevada counsel to the Loan Parties substantially in the form of Exhibit G-2;

 

(viii)                        a solvency certificate from the chief financial officer of the Borrower (as of the Effective Date and after giving effect to the Transaction) substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit M;

 

(ix)                              evidence that all insurance (excluding title insurance) required to be maintained pursuant to the Loan Documents has been obtained and is in effect as of the Effective Date and that the Collateral Agent has been named as loss payee and/or additional insured, as applicable, under each insurance policy with respect to such insurance as to which the Collateral Agent (i) is entitled under the Loan Documents to be so named, and (ii) shall have requested to be so named;

 

(x)                                 certified copies of the Merger Agreement and schedules and other attachments thereto, duly executed by the parties thereto, together with all material agreements, instruments and other documents delivered in connection therewith as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request, each including certification by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower that such documents are in full force and effect as of the Effective Date;

 

(xi)                              copies of a recent Lien and judgment search in each jurisdiction reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent with respect to the Loan Parties; and

 

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(xii)                           a Borrowing Base Certificate, certified as complete and correct in all respects, which calculates the Borrowing Base as of the last Business Day of the most recent month ended at least fifteen (15) days prior to the Effective Date;

 

provided, however, that, each of the requirements set forth in clause (iv) above, including the delivery of documents and instruments necessary to satisfy the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement (except for the execution and delivery of the Security Agreement and to the extent that a Lien on such Collateral may be perfected (x) by the filing of a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code or (y) by the delivery of stock certificates of the Borrower and its wholly owned Domestic Subsidiaries) shall not constitute conditions precedent to the Credit Extensions on the Effective Date after the Borrower’s use of commercially reasonable efforts, without undue burden or cost, to provide such items on or prior to the Effective Date if the Borrower agrees to deliver, or cause to be delivered, such search results, documents and instruments, or take or cause to be taken such other actions as may be required to perfect such security interests within ninety (90) days after the Effective Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent and the Borrower mutually agree in good faith).  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, the terms of the Loan Documents shall be in a form such that they do not impair the availability or funding of the Facility on the Effective Date if the conditions set forth in this Section 4.1 are satisfied or waived by the Arrangers.

 

(b)                                 All fees and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses required to be paid on or before the Effective Date hereunder and invoiced at least three (3) Business Days before the Effective Date shall have been paid in full in cash (which such amounts, notwithstanding the foregoing, may be offset against the proceeds of the Facility).

 

(c)                                  Prior to or substantially simultaneously with the Initial ABL Borrowing on the Effective Date, (i) the Equity Contribution shall have been consummated; and (ii) the Merger shall be consummated in all material respects in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement.

 

(d)                                 Prior to or substantially simultaneously with the initial Borrowings on the Effective Date, the Borrower shall have received (i) at least $525,000,000 in gross cash proceeds from borrowings under the Term Facility, and (ii) at least $250,000,000 in gross cash proceeds from the issuance of the Senior Notes.

 

(e)                                  The Intercreditor Agreement and the Term Facility Documentation shall have been duly executed and delivered by each party thereto, and shall be in full force and effect.

 

(f)                                   Prior to or substantially simultaneously with the initial Borrowing on the Effective Date, the Loan Parties shall have taken all other necessary actions such that, after giving effect to the Transaction, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall have outstanding no material third-party Indebtedness for borrowed money or preferred Equity Interests other than (A) the Loans and Letter of Credit Obligations, (B) borrowings under the Term Facility, (C) borrowings under the Senior Notes and (D) Indebtedness permitted the Loan Documents, the Merger Agreement and/or the Schedules thereto.

 

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(g)                                  The Arrangers shall have received the Annual Financial Statements and the Quarterly Financial Statements.

 

(h)                                 The Arrangers shall have received the Pro Forma Financial Statements.

 

(i)                                     The Administrative Agent and the Arrangers shall have received all documentation and other information reasonably requested in writing by them at least ten (10) days prior to the Effective Date in order to allow the Arrangers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to comply with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

(j)                                    The Administrative Agent shall have received, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers a Field Examination and the Initial Inventory Appraisal and such other reports, audits or certifications as the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers may reasonably request in respect of the Collateral included in the Borrowing Base not less than ten (10) Business Days prior to the Effective Date.

 

(k)                                 Since October 11, 2011, there shall not have been any Event, change or occurrence that, individually or together with any other Event, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Closing Date Material Adverse Effect.

 

(l)                                     After giving effect to the Transaction on the Effective Date, the Excess Availability on the Effective Date (together with any unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents of the Company and its Subsidiaries) shall be no less than $50,000,000.

 

(m)                             The Merger Agreement Representations and the Specified Representations shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, if qualified by “materiality”, “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language, in all respects (after giving effect to such qualification)) on and as of the Effective Date; provided that a failure of any Merger Agreement Representation to be true and correct shall not result in a failure of the condition to the initial availability of the Facility on the Effective Date, unless such failure gives Holdings the right to terminate its obligations under the Merger Agreement.

 

(n)                                 The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, certifying to the matters set forth in Section 4.1(c), (k) and (m).

 

Without limiting the generality of the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 9.3, for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 4.1, each Lender shall be deemed to have consented to, approved, accepted or be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to the Lenders unless an officer of the Administrative Agent responsible for the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the Borrowing on the Effective Date, borrowing of Swing Loans or Issuance or deemed Issuance hereunder specifying its objection thereto and such Lender shall not have made available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s Ratable Portion of such Borrowing or Swing Loans.

 

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SECTION 4.2                     Conditions Precedent to Each Loan and Letter of Credit.  The obligation of each Lender (other than FILO Lenders) on any date to make any Loan (other than FILO Loan) and of each Issuer on any date to Issue any Letter of Credit is subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)                                 Request for Borrowing or Issuance of Letter of Credit.  With respect to any such Loan, the Administrative Agent shall have received a duly executed Notice of Borrowing (or, in the case of Swing Loans, a duly executed Swing Loan Request), and, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuer shall have received a duly executed Letter of Credit Request; provided that, with respect to extensions of credit made on the Effective Date, no such notice shall include any representation, warranty or statement as to the absence (or existence) of any Default.

 

(b)                                 Representations and Warranties; No Defaults.  The following statements shall be true on the date of such Loan or Issuance, both immediately before and immediately after giving effect thereto and, in the case of any Loan, giving effect to the application of the proceeds thereof by, or at the direction of, the Borrower:

 

(i)                                     The representations and warranties of the Borrower and each other Loan Party contained in Article V or any other Loan Document (limited to, in the case of the initial Credit Extensions on the Effective Date, the Specified Representations) shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Borrowing; provided that, to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date; provided, further that, any representation and warranty that is qualified as to “materiality,” “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language shall be true and correct (after giving effect to any qualification therein) in all respects on such respective dates; and

 

(ii)                                  except in the case of the initial Credit Extension on the Effective Date, no Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Credit Extension or from the application of the proceeds therefrom by, or at the direction of, the Borrower.

 

(c)                                  Borrowing Base.  Immediately after giving effect to the Loans or Letters of Credit requested to be made or Issued on any such date and the use of proceeds thereof, the Revolving Credit Outstandings shall not exceed the Maximum Credit at such time.

 

Each submission by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent of a Notice of Borrowing or a Swing Loan Request and the acceptance by the Borrower of the proceeds of each Loan requested therein, and each submission by the Borrower to an Issuer of a Letter of Credit Request, and the Issuance of each Letter of Credit requested therein, shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower that the conditions specified in clause (b) above have been satisfied or duly waived on and as of the date of the making of such Loan or the Issuance of such Letter of Credit.

 

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ARTICLE V

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

To induce the Lenders, the Issuers and the Administrative Agent to enter into this Agreement, each of Holdings and the Borrower represents and warrants each of the following to the Lenders, the Issuers and the Administrative Agent, on and as of the Effective Date, the Amendment No. 6 Effective Date and after giving effect to the making of the Loans and the other financial accommodations on the Effective Date, the Amendment No. 6 Effective Date and on and as of each date as required by Section 4.2(b)(i):

 

SECTION 5.1                     Existence, Qualification and Power; Compliance with Laws.  Each Loan Party and each of the Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Material Subsidiary (a) is a Person duly organized or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization (to the extent such concept exists in such jurisdiction), (b) has all corporate or other organizational power and authority to (i) own its assets and carry on its business and (ii) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (c) is duly qualified and in good standing (to the extent such concept exists) under the Laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, (d) is in compliance with all applicable Laws, orders, writs, injunctions and orders and (e) has all requisite governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to operate its business as currently conducted; except in each case referred to in clause (c), (d) or (e), to the extent that failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.2                     Authorization; No Contravention.

 

(a)                                 The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which such Person is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action by such Person; and

 

(b)                                 Neither the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which such Person is a party nor the consummation of the Transaction will (i) contravene the terms of any of such Person’s Constituent Documents, (ii) result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien upon any of the property or assets of such Person or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than as permitted by Section 9.1) under (A) any Contractual Obligation to which such Person is a party or by which such Person or its properties are bound or (B) any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which such Person or its property is subject; or (iii) violate any applicable Law; except with respect to any breach, contravention or violation (but not creation of Liens) referred to in clauses (ii) and (iii), to the extent that such breach, contravention or violation would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.3                     Governmental Authorization.  No material approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, any Loan Party of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except for (i) filings necessary to create and perfect the Liens on the Collateral granted by the Loan Parties in favor of the Secured Parties, (ii) the approvals, consents, exemptions, authorizations, actions, notices and filings that have been duly obtained, taken, given or made and are in full force and effect and (iii) those approvals, consents, exemptions, authorizations or other actions, notices or

 

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filings, the failure of which to obtain or make would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.4                     Binding Effect.  This Agreement and each other Loan Document to which a Loan Party is a party has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto.  This Agreement and each other Loan Document to which a Loan Party is a party constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan Party that is party thereto in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by Debtor Relief Laws and by general principles of equity and principles of good faith and fair dealing.

 

SECTION 5.5                     Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect.

 

(a)                                 (i)  The Annual Financial Statements and the Quarterly Financial Statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and their results of operations for the respective periods covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods covered thereby, (A) except as otherwise expressly noted therein and (B) subject, in the case of the Quarterly Financial Statements, to changes resulting from normal year end adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

 

(ii)                                  The unaudited pro forma Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of and for the twelve-month period ending on the last day of the most recently completed four-Fiscal Quarter period ended at least forty-five (45) days (or ninety (90) days in case such four-Fiscal Quarter period is the end of the Company’s Fiscal Year) prior to the Effective Date, prepared after giving effect to the Transaction as if the Transaction had occurred as of such date (including the notes thereto) (the “Pro Forma Balance Sheet”) and the unaudited pro forma Consolidated statement of income of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the 12-month period ended at least forty-five (45) days (or ninety (90) days in case such four-Fiscal Quarter period is the end of the Company’s Fiscal Year) prior to the Effective Date, prepared after giving effect to the Transaction as if the Transaction had occurred at the beginning of such period (together with the Pro Forma Balance Sheet, the “Pro Forma Financial Statements”), copies of which have heretofore been furnished to the Administrative Agent, have been prepared based on the Annual Financial Statements and the Quarterly Financial Statements and have been prepared in good faith, based on assumptions believed by the Borrower to be reasonable as of the date of delivery thereof, and present fairly in all material respects on a pro forma basis the estimated financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at October 1,September 30, 2011, and their estimated results of operations for the period covered thereby.

 

(b)                                 Since the Effective Date, there has been no event or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)                                  All Projections delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(d) have been prepared in good faith on the basis of the assumptions stated therein, which assumptions were believed to be reasonable at the time made, it being understood that projections as to future events

 

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are not to be viewed as facts, are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, and actual results may vary materially from such Projections.

 

SECTION 5.6                     Litigation.  There are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, overtly threatened in writing, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, by or against Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.7                     Ownership of Property; Liens.  Each Loan Party and each of the Restricted Subsidiaries has good record and marketable title in fee simple to, or valid leasehold interests in, or easements or other limited property interests in, all real property necessary in the ordinary conduct of its business, free and clear of all Liens except for (i) Liens permitted by Section 9.1 and (ii) where the failure to have such title or other interest would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.8                     Environmental Matters.

 

(a)                                 Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all Environmental Laws (including having obtained all Environmental Permits) and (ii) none of the Loan Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries is subject to any pending, or to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened Environmental Claim or any other Environmental Liability that remains outstanding or unresolved.

 

(b)                                 None of the Loan Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries has treated, stored, transported or disposed of Hazardous Materials at or from any currently or formerly operated real estate or facility relating to its business in a manner that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.9                     Taxes.  Except would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, Holdings, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries have timely filed all Federal and state and other tax returns and reports required to be filed under applicable Law, and have timely paid all Federal and state and other taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges (including satisfying their withholding tax obligations) levied or imposed on their properties, income or assets that have become due and payable, except those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate actions diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves (in the good faith judgment of management of Holdings, the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiaries) have been provided in accordance with GAAP.

 

SECTION 5.10              ERISA Compliance.

 

(a)                                 Except as set forth in Schedule 5.10(a) or as would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, each Plan is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other federal or state Laws.

 

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(b)                                 (i) No ERISA Event has occurred within the one-year period prior to the date on which this representation is made or deemed made; (ii) no Pension Plan has failed to satisfy the minimum funding standards (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) applicable to such Pension Plan; (iii) none of the Loan Parties or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability (and no event has occurred which, with the giving of notice under Section 4219 of ERISA, would result in such liability) under Sections 4201 et seq. or 4243 of ERISA with respect to a Multiemployer Plan; (iv) none of the Loan Parties or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has engaged in a transaction that is subject to Sections 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA; and (v) neither any Loan Party nor any ERISA Affiliate has been notified by the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan that such Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization (within the meaning of Section 4242 of ERISA), insolvent (within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA) or has been determined to be in “endangered” or critical status (within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA) and no such Multiemployer Plan is expected to be in reorganization, insolvent or endangered or critical status, except, with respect to each of the foregoing clauses of this Section 5.10(b), as would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.11              Subsidiaries.  As of the Effective Date and the Amendment No. 6 Effective Date, neither Holdings nor any other Loan Party has any Subsidiaries other than those specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.11, and all of the outstanding Equity Interests in the Borrower and the Subsidiaries (in each case, to the extent constituting Collateral) have been validly issued and are fully paid and (if applicable) nonassessable, and all Equity Interests owned by Holdings or any other Loan Party are owned free and clear of all security interests of any person except (i) those created under the Collateral Documents or, under the Term Facility Documentation (which Liens shall be subject to the Intercreditor Agreement ), or under the Second Lien Facility Documentation (which Liens shall be subject to the Intercreditor Agreement) and (ii) any other Lien that is permitted under Section 9.1.  As of the Effective Date and the Amendment No. 6 Effective Date, Schedule 5.11 (a) sets forth the name and jurisdiction of each Subsidiary, (b) sets forth the ownership interest of Holdings, the Borrower and any other Subsidiary in each Subsidiary, including the percentage of such ownership and (c) identifies each Subsidiary the Equity Interests of which are required to be pledged on the Effective Date and the Amendment No. 6 Effective Date pursuant to the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement.

 

SECTION 5.12              Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act.

 

(a)                                 As of the Effective Date and the Amendment No. 6 Effective Date, none of the Collateral is comprised of any Margin Stock.  No Loan Party is engaged, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the Federal Reserve Board), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock, and no proceeds of any Borrowings will be used for any purpose that violates Regulation U.

 

(b)                                 Neither the Borrower nor any Guarantor is an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

SECTION 5.13              Disclosure.  None of the written information and written data heretofore or contemporaneously furnished in writing by or on behalf of any Loan Party to

 

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any Agent or any Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder or any other Loan Document when furnished and when taken as a whole contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein, when taken as a whole, in the light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not materially misleading; it being understood that for purposes of this Section 5.13, such information and data shall not include projections and pro forma financial information (including financial estimates, financial models, forecasts and other forward-looking information) or information of a general economic or general industry nature.

 

SECTION 5.14              Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc.  The Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to, or a valid license or right to use, all patents, patent rights, trademarks, servicemarks, trade names, copyrights, technology, software, know-how database rights, rights of privacy and publicity, licenses and other intellectual property rights that are necessary for the operation of their respective businesses as currently conducted and as proposed to be conducted (collectively, “IP Rights”), except where the failure to have any such title, license or other rights would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  To the knowledge of the Borrower, the operation of the respective businesses of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries as currently conducted does not infringe upon, misuse, misappropriate or violate any rights held by any Person except for such infringements, misuses, misappropriations or violations that would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.15              Solvency.  On the Effective Date after giving effect to the Transaction, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a Consolidated basis, are Solvent. On the Amendment No. 6 Effective Date immediately after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by Amendment No. 6, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a Consolidated basis are solvent.

 

SECTION 5.16              Subordination of Junior Financing.  The Obligations are “Designated Senior Debt,” “Senior Debt,” “Senior Indebtedness,” “Guarantor Senior Debt” or “Senior Secured Financing” (or any comparable term) under, and as defined in, any indenture or document governing any applicable Junior Financing Documentation in respect of Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations.

 

SECTION 5.17              USA PATRIOT Act.  (a) To the extent applicable, each of Holdings, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is in compliance, in all material respects, with (i) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, and each of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) and any other enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto and (ii) the USA PATRIOT Act.  No part of the proceeds of the Loans will be used by Holdings, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

 

(b)                                 None of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any director, officer, agent, employee or Affiliate of the Borrower or

 

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any Restricted Subsidiary, (i) is a person on the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” or (ii) is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”); and the Borrower will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the Loans or the Letters of Credit or otherwise knowingly make available such proceeds to any person, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

 

SECTION 5.18              Collateral Documents.  ExceptAs of the Amendment No. 6 Effective Date, except as otherwise contemplated hereby or under any other Loan Documents, the provisions of the Collateral Documents, together with such filings and other actions required to be taken hereby or by the applicable Collateral Documents (including the filings of appropriate financing statements with the office of the Secretary of State of the state of organization of each Loan Party, the filing of appropriate assignments or notices with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the U.S. Copyright Office, and the proper recordation of Mortgages and fixture filings with respect to Material Real Propertiesfee-owned real properties, in each case in favor of the Collateral Agent and the delivery to Collateral Agent of any Pledged Debt and any Pledged Equity required to be delivered pursuant to the applicable Collateral Documents), are effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a legal, valid and enforceable first priority Lien (subject to Liens permitted by Section 9.1 and subject to the Intercreditor Agreement and the Notes Intercreditor Agreement) on all right, title and interest of the respective Loan Parties in the Collateral described therein, to the extent that a security interest therein can be perfected by the foregoing actions.

 

SECTION 5.19              Use of Proceeds.  The proceeds of the Initial ABL Borrowings have been or will be used in accordance with the Permitted Initial ABL Borrowing Purposes.  The proceeds of Revolving Loans made after the Effective Date have been used for working capital and other general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including the financing of Acquisitions permitted under this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.20              Insurance.  The insurance maintained by the Loan Parties complies with the requirements set forth in Section 8.5.

 

SECTION 5.21              Borrowing Base Certificate.  At the time of delivery of each Borrowing Base Certificate, assuming that any eligibility criteria that requires the approval or satisfaction of the Administrative Agent are approved by or satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, each Credit Card Receivable reflected therein as eligible for inclusion in the Borrowing Base and the FILO Borrowing Base is an Eligible Credit Card Receivable, the Inventory reflected therein as eligible for inclusion in the Borrowing Base and the FILO Borrowing Base constitutes Eligible Inventory and the In-Transit Inventory reflected therein as eligible for inclusion in the Borrowing Base and the FILO Borrowing Base constitutes Eligible In-Transit Inventory.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

FINANCIAL COVENANT

 

Until the Discharge of Obligations, the Borrower agrees with the Lenders, the Issuers, the FILO Agent and the Administrative Agent to the following:

 

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SECTION 6.1       Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.  At any time that a Covenant Trigger Event shall be in effect, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries (on a Consolidated basis) for the Test Period ending on the last day of the most recent Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries were required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or (b), as applicable, and each subsequent Test Period during the continuance of such Covenant Trigger Event, shall be not less than 1.00 to 1.00.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

REPORTING COVENANTS

 

Until the Discharge of Obligations, Holdings and the Borrower shall, and shall (except in the case of the covenants set forth in Sections 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3) cause each of the Restricted Subsidiaries to:

 

SECTION 7.1       Financial Statements, Etc.

 

Deliver to the Administrative Agent for prompt further distribution to each Lender each of the following and shall take the following actions:

 

(a)           within ninety (90) days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Borrower (beginning with the Fiscal Year ending March 31, 2012 and, with respect to such Fiscal Year only, one hundred twenty (120) days after the end thereof), a Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Year, and the related Consolidated statements of income or operations and cash flows for such Fiscal Year together with related notes thereto and management’s discussion and analysis describing results of operations, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of Ernst & Young LLP or any other independent registered public accounting firm of nationally recognized standing, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception (other than a going concern or like qualification or exception resulting solely from an upcoming maturity date under the Facility, the Term Facility, the Second Lien Facility or the Senior Notes (or in each case any Permitted Refinancing in respect thereof) occurring within one year from the time such opinion is delivered) or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit;

 

(b)           within forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three (3) Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year of the Borrower (beginning with the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2012), a condensed Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Quarter, and the related (i) condensed Consolidated statements of income or operations for such Fiscal Quarter and for the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended and (ii) condensed Consolidated statements of cash flows for the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding Fiscal Quarter of the previous Fiscal Year and the corresponding portion of the previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail and certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as fairly presenting in all

 

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material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes, together with management’s discussion and analysis describing results of operations;

 

(c)           within thirty (30) days after the end of each of the first two (2) months of each Fiscal Quarter of the Borrower (beginning with the Fiscal Quarter ending March 31, 2012), a Consolidated (and consolidating to the extent prepared by the Borrower) balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such month, and the related Consolidated (and consolidating to the extent prepared by the Borrower) statements of income or operations, for such month, in the form prepared by management of the Borrower;

 

(d)           within ninety (90) days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Borrower (beginning with the Fiscal Year ending March 31, 2012), a reasonably detailed Consolidated budget for the following Fiscal Year as customarily prepared by management of the Borrower for its internal use (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 operations or income and projected cash flow and setting forth the material underlying assumptions applicable thereto) in each case on a fiscal quarter basis (collectively, the “Projections”), which Projections shall in each case be accompanied by a certificate of a Responsible Officer stating that such Projections have been prepared in good faith on the basis of the assumptions stated therein, which assumptions were believed to be reasonable at the time made, it being understood that actual results may vary from such Projections and that such variations may be material;

 

(e)           concurrently with the delivery of each set of Consolidated financial statements referred to in Sections 7.1(a) and 7.1(b) above, the related consolidating financial statements reflecting the adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such Consolidated financial statements; and

 

(f)            quarterly, at a time mutually agreed with the Administrative Agent that is promptly after the delivery of the information required pursuant to clause (a) above and the information delivered pursuant to clause (b) above for each Fiscal Quarter, participate in a conference call for Lenders to discuss the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the most recently-ended period for which financial statements have been delivered, which requirement may be satisfied by including the Lenders and the Administrative Agent on quarterly conference calls with the Term Facility Lenders or the noteholders in respect of the Senior Notes (or any Permitted Refinancing in respect thereof).

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 7.1 may be satisfied with respect to financial information of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries by furnishing (A) the applicable financial statements of any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower that holds all of the Equity Interests of the Borrower or (B) the Borrower’s or such entity’s Form 10-K or 10-Q, as applicable, filed with the SEC; provided that, with respect to each of clauses (A) and (B), (i) to the extent such information relates to a parent of the Borrower, such information is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to the Borrower (or such parent), on the one hand, and

 

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the information relating to the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand and (ii) to the extent such information is in lieu of information required to be provided under Section 7.1(a), such materials are accompanied by a report and an opinion of Ernst & Young LLP or any other independent registered public accounting firm of nationally recognized standing, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception (other than a going concern or like qualification or exception resulting solely from an upcoming maturity date under the Facility or, the Term Facility, the Second Lien Facility or other Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.3 occurring within one year from the time such opinion is delivered) or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit.

 

Any financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to Sections 7.1(a) and (b) shall not be required to contain all purchase or recapitalization accounting adjustments relating to the Transaction to the extent it is not practicable to include any such adjustments in such financial statements.

 

SECTION 7.2       Certificates; Other Information.  Deliver to the Administrative Agent for prompt further distribution to each Lender and, with respect to clauses (h) and (i) below, the FILO Agent:

 

(a)           concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Section 7.1(a) and Section 7.1(b), a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by the chief financial officer of the Borrower (and including, for the avoidance of doubt, reasonably detailed calculations of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, whether or not a Covenant Trigger Event shall have occurred); provided that if such Compliance Certificate demonstrates an Event of Default in respect of the financial covenant under Section 6.1, any of the Permitted Holders may deliver, prior to or together with such Compliance Certificate, a notice of their intent to cure (a “Notice of Intent to Cure”) pursuant to Section 10.4 to the extent permitted thereunder;

 

(b)           promptly after the same are publicly available, copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports, proxy statements and registration statements which Holdings or the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary files with the SEC or with any Governmental Authority that may be substituted therefor or with any national securities exchange, as the case may be (other than amendments to any registration statement (to the extent such registration statement, in the form it became effective, is delivered to the Administrative Agent), exhibits to any registration statement and, if applicable, any registration statement on Form S-8), and in any case not otherwise required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to any other clause of this Section 7.2;

 

(c)           promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any material statements or material reports furnished to any holder of any class or series of debt securities of any Loan Party having an aggregate outstanding principal amount greater than $25,000,000 or pursuant to the terms of the Term Facility Credit Agreement, the Second Lien Credit Agreement, or the Senior Notes Indenture (or in each case any Permitted Refinancing in respect thereof), in each case, so long as the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereunder is greater than $25,000,000 and not otherwise required to be furnished to the Administrative Agent pursuant to any other clause of this Section 7.2;

 

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(d)           together with the delivery of each Compliance Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 7.2(a), (i) a report setting forth the information required by Section 3.03(c) of the Security Agreement (or confirming that there has been no change in such information since the Effective Date or the date of the last such report), (ii) a description of each event, condition or circumstance during the last Fiscal Quarter covered by such Compliance Certificate requiring a mandatory prepayment under Section 2.9 and (iii) a list of each Subsidiary of the Borrower that identifies each Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary at the end of such Fiscal Year or Fiscal Quarter, as the case may be or a confirmation that there is no change in such information since the later of the Effective Date and the end of the preceding Fiscal Year or Fiscal Quarter, as applicable;

 

(e)           on the date on which the delivery of financial statements is required to be made pursuant to Section 7.1(a), the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent a summary, in reasonable detail, of all material insurance coverage required to be maintained by the Loan Parties pursuant to Section 8.5;

 

(f)            prior to or concurrent with the making of any Specified Payment subject to compliance with the Payment Condition, a reasonably detailed calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, the Total Leverage Ratio and projected Excess Availability as required pursuant to clauses (b), (c) and (d) of the definition of “Payment Conditions”, together with a certification that no Event of Default exists immediately prior to the making of the subject Specified Payment or would thereafter result from the making of such subject Specified Payment; and

 

(g)           promptly, such additional information regarding the business, legal, financial or corporate affairs of any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary, or compliance by any such Person with the terms of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, as the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent may from time to time on its own behalf or on behalf of any Lender reasonably request in writing.;

 

(h)           on October 18, 2018 (the “Stub TL Test Date”), to the extent any Tranche B-2 Loans remain outstanding (the “Stub Term Loans”), (i) (A) a reasonably detailed calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of the end of the most recently ended Test Period for which financial statements have been or are required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or (b) and projected Excess Availability as required pursuant to clauses (b) and (c) of the definition of “Payment Conditions”, in each case, on a pro forma basis, after giving effect to the payment, conversion, extension or refinancing in full of the Stub Term Loans (the “Stub TL Payment”) as if such Stub TL Payment had been made as of the first day of such period, together with a certification from a Responsible Officer that no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result from the making of such Stub TL Payment, and (B) a Cash Flow Forecast as of such date; and (ii) if such calculation and Cash Flow Forecast do not demonstrate that the Payment Conditions would be satisfied as of the Stub TL Test Date after giving pro forma effect to such TL Stub Payment, a management plan, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and, if the Stub Term Loans outstanding as of the Stub TL Test Date are greater than $30,000,000, the FILO Agent, which shall provide in reasonable detail the Borrower’s sources of debt and/or equity financing permitted hereunder in an amount sufficient to pay in full the Stub TL Payment on or prior to the stated maturity date of the Stub Term Loans, together with

 

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copies of documentation for legally binding commitments for such debt and/or equity financing, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and, if the Stub Term Loans outstanding as of the Stub TL Test Date are greater than $30,000,000, the FILO Agent; and

 

(i)            on September 16, 2019 (the “Stub Notes Test Date”), to the extent any Stub Notes remain outstanding, (i) (A) a reasonably detailed calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of the end of the most recently ended Test Period for which financial statements have been or are required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or (b) and projected Excess Availability as required pursuant to clauses (b) and (c) of the definition of “Payment Conditions”, in each case, on a pro forma basis, after giving effect to the payment, redemption, repurchase or refinancing in full of the Stub Notes (the “Stub Notes Payment”) as if such Stub Notes Payment had been made as of the first day of such period, together with a certification from a Responsible Officer that no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result from the making of such Stub Notes Payment, and (B) a Cash Flow Forecast as of such date; and (ii) if such calculation and Cash Flow Forecast do not demonstrate that the Payment Conditions would be satisfied as of the Stub Notes Test Date after giving pro forma effect to such Stub Notes Payment, a management plan, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, which shall provide in reasonable detail the Borrower’s sources of debt and/or equity financing permitted hereunder in an amount sufficient to pay in full the Stub Notes Payment on or prior to the stated maturity date of the Stub Notes, together with copies of documentation for legally binding commitments for such debt and/or equity financing, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or (b) or Section 7.2(b) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 12.8 and so notifies the Administrative Agent; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on IntraLinks/IntraAgency or another relevant website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that:  (i) upon written request by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent for further distribution to each Lender until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is received by the Borrower from the Administrative Agent and (ii) the Borrower shall notify (which may be by facsimile or electronic mail) the Administrative Agent of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents.  Each Lender shall be solely responsible for timely accessing posted documents or requesting delivery of paper copies of such documents from the Administrative Agent and maintaining its copies of such documents.

 

SECTION 7.3       Notices.  Promptly after a Responsible Officer obtains actual knowledge thereof, notify the Administrative Agent:

 

(a)           of the occurrence of any Default; and

 

(b)           of (i) any dispute, litigation, investigation or proceeding between any Loan Party and any arbitrator or Governmental Authority, (ii) the filing or commencement of,

 

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or any material development in, any litigation or proceeding against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, including pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws or in respect of IP Rights, the occurrence of any noncompliance by any Loan Party or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with, or liability under, any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit, or (iii) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, in any such case referred to in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii), has resulted or would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Each notice pursuant to this Section 7.3 shall be accompanied by a written statement of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

SECTION 7.4       Borrowing Base Certificate.

 

(a)           The Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent within fifteen (15) days after the end thereof after the end of each fiscal month of the Borrower with a Borrowing Base Certificate setting forth the calculation of the Borrowing Base and of Excess Availability and, to the extent FILO Loan is outstanding, of the FILO Borrowing Base, in each case, as of the last Business Day of the immediately preceding fiscal month of the Borrower, duly completed and executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, together with all schedules required pursuant to the terms of the Borrowing Base Certificate duly completed (such certification, a “Monthly Borrowing Base Certificate”); provided that the Borrower may elect, at its option, to deliver more frequent Borrowing Base Certificates, in which case such Borrowing Base Certificates shall be computed in accordance with the requirements in respect of Borrowing Base Certificates required to be delivered during the continuance of a Weekly Monitoring Event and the Borrower shall continue to deliver Borrowing Base Certificates on a weekly basis for the subsequent four-week period; provided further that at any time after the occurrence and during the continuation of a Specified Event of Default, the Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent with a Borrowing Base Certificate setting forth the calculation of the Borrowing Base and, to the extent FILO Loan is outstanding, of the FILO Borrowing Base, on a more frequent basis as the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent may direct.

 

(b)           At any time after the occurrence and during the continuation of a Weekly Monitoring Event, the Borrower shall furnish a Borrowing Base Certificate calculated as of the close of business on Saturday of the immediately preceding calendar week, on Wednesday of each week (or, if Wednesday is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day): provided that after the occurrence and during the continuation of a Specified Event of Default, the Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent with a Borrowing Base Certificate setting forth the calculation of the Borrowing Base and, to the extent FILO Loan is outstanding, of the FILO Borrowing Base, on a more frequent basis as the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent may direct.

 

(c)           Subject to Section 11.15, the Administrative Agent may carry out, at the Borrower’s reasonable expense, two (2) updates to the Initial Inventory Appraisal that shall be in form and detail and from third-party appraisers reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and, to the extent FILO Loan is outstanding, the FILO Agent (provided that appraisals from third-party appraisers most recently used by the Administrative Agent prior to the Amendment No.

 

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5 Effective Date shall be deemed to be acceptable to the FILO Agent) (each, an “Updated Inventory Appraisal”) for the purpose of determining the amount of the Borrowing Base and the FILO Borrowing Base attributable to Inventory in any period of 12 consecutive months; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing limitations (i) at any time on or after the date on which Excess Availability has been less than 30% of the Maximum Credit (without giving effect to the FILO Reserve) for five (5) consecutive Business Days, the Administrative Agent may carry out, at the Borrower’s expense, three (3) Updated Inventory Appraisals in any period of twelve (12) consecutive months, and (ii) at any time during the continuation of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may carry out, at the Borrower’s reasonable expense, Updated Inventory Appraisals as frequently as determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.  In addition, the Administrative Agent may carry out, at the Lenders’ expense, one (1) additional Updated Inventory Appraisal in any period of twelve (12) consecutive months which includes the first day of a Cash Dominion Period.  The Borrower shall cooperate with (and cause the Restricted Subsidiaries to cooperate with) the Administrative Agent, in connection with any such Updated Inventory Appraisals.  The Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent any information that the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent may reasonably request regarding the determination and calculation of the Borrowing Base and the FILO Borrowing Base including correct and complete copies of any invoices, underlying agreements, instruments or other documents and the identity of all Account Debtors in respect of Accounts referred to therein.

 

(d)           Subject to Section 11.15, the Administrative Agent may carry out, at the Borrower’s reasonable expense, two (2) investigations and reviews of each Loan Party’s property (including a field audit conducted by the Administrative Agent) (each, a “Field Examination”) in any period of twelve (12) consecutive months; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing limitations, (x)(i) at any time on or after the date on which Excess Availability has been less than 30% of the Maximum Credit (without giving effect to the FILO Reserve), in each case, for five (5) consecutive Business Days or there is a material increase in the amount of Inventory that does not constitute Eligible Inventory (as determined by the Administrative Agent) based on the most recent Field Examination, the Administrative Agent may carry out, at the Borrower’s reasonable expense, three (3) Field Examinations in any period of twelve (12) consecutive months, and (ii) at any time during the continuation of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may carry out, at the Borrower’s reasonable expense, Field Examinations as frequently as determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion and (y) in addition to the foregoing clause (x), the Administrative Agent may carry out, at the Lenders’ expense, one (1) additional Field Examination in any period of twelve (12) consecutive months which includes the first day of a Cash Dominion Period.  The Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent any information that the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent may reasonably request regarding the determination and calculation of the Borrowing Base and the FILO Borrowing Base including correct and complete copies of any invoices, underlying agreements, instruments or other documents and the identity of all Account Debtors in respect of Accounts referred to therein.

 

(e)           The Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent as soon as possible after the end of each fiscal month (but in any event within fifteen (15) days after the end thereof), in each case as of the close of business on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal month, such supporting information with respect to the Collateral in the Borrowing Base and the FILO Borrowing Base as reasonably requested by the Administrative

 

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Agent and/or the FILO Agent in such detail as is satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent in their Permitted Discretion.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

Until the Discharge of Obligations, Holdings and the Borrower shall, and shall cause each of the Restricted Subsidiaries to:

 

SECTION 8.1       Preservation of Existence, Etc.  (a) Preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and (b) take all reasonable action to obtain, preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect the rights, licenses, permits, privileges, franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names material to the conduct of its business, except in the case of clause (a) or (b) to the extent (other than with respect to the preservation of the existence of Holdings and the Borrower) that failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect or pursuant to any merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution or Disposition permitted by Article IX.

 

SECTION 8.2       Compliance with Laws, Etc.  Comply in all material respects with its Constituent Documents and the requirements of all Laws (including, without limitation, ERISA and the USA PATRIOT Act), and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or to its business or property, except if the failure to comply therewith would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 8.3       Designation of Subsidiaries.  The Board of Directors of the Borrower may at any time designate any Subsidiary of the Borrower (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary of the Borrower) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, the Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; provided that (i) before and after such designation, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) before and after such designation, the Borrower shall be in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with Article VI, whether or not in effect at such time, (iii) no Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if, after such designation, it would be a “Restricted Subsidiary” for the purpose of the Term Facility, the Second Lien Facility, the Senior Notes, or any other Junior Financing or any other Indebtedness of any Loan Party and (iv) prior to the designation of a Subsidiary owning assets included in the Borrowing Base with a value in excess of $5,000,000 as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent an updated Borrowing Base Certificate demonstrating that, after giving pro forma effect to such designation, the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Credit Outstandings does not exceed the aggregate Maximum Credit at such time.  The designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall constitute an Investment by the Borrower therein at the date of designation in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value as determined by the Borrower in good faith of the Borrower’s or its Subsidiary’s (as applicable) Investment therein.  The Board of Directors of the Borrower may at

 

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any time designate or re-designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Borrower to be a Restricted Subsidiary, so long as such designation or re-designation would not result in an Event of Default.  The designation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary shall constitute the incurrence at the time of designation of any Indebtedness or Liens of such Subsidiary existing at such time and a return on any Investment by the Borrower in such Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to the preceding sentence in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value as determined by the Borrower in good faith at the date of such designation of the Borrower’s or its Subsidiary’s (as applicable) Investment in such Subsidiary.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Unrestricted Subsidiary that has been re-designated a Restricted Subsidiary may not be subsequently re-designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, unless such re-designation would not result in an Event of Default.

 

SECTION 8.4       Payment of Taxes, Etc.  Pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy, before they become delinquent, all material liabilities in respect of taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits or in respect of its property, except, in each case, to the extent (i) any such tax, assessment, charge or levy is being contested in good faith and by appropriate actions for which appropriate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP or (ii) the failure to pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy the same would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 8.5       Maintenance of Insurance.  Maintain with insurance companies that the Borrower believes (in the good faith judgment of its management) are financially sound and reputable at the time the relevant coverage is placed or renewed, insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in at least such amounts (after giving effect to any self-insurance the Borrower believes (in the good faith judgment of its management) as is reasonable and prudent in light of the size and nature of its business), and will furnish to the Administrative Agent (for further delivery to the Lenders), upon written request from the Administrative Agent, information presented in reasonable detail as to the insurance so required to be carried.  Each such policy of insurance shall, as appropriate, (i) name the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, as an additional insured thereunder as its interests may appear with respect to any such required general liability insurance and/or (ii) in the case of each casualty insurance policy, contain a loss payable clause or endorsement that names the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Lenders as the loss payee thereunder.

 

SECTION 8.6       Inspection Rights.  In addition to the requirements pursuant to Section 7.4, permit officers, employees and designated representatives of the Administrative Agent and each Lender to visit and inspect any of its properties, to examine its corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its directors, officers, and independent public accountants (subject to such accountants’ customary policies and procedures), all at the reasonable expense of the Borrower and at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably desired, upon reasonable advance notice to the Borrower; provided that, excluding any such visits and inspections during the continuation of an Event of Default, only the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders may exercise rights under this Section 8.6 and the Administrative Agent shall not exercise such rights more often than two (2) times during any calendar year if

 

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Excess Availability shall be greater than 30% of the Maximum Credit (without giving effect to the FILO Reserve) for a period of five consecutive days during such calendar year, and only one (1) such time shall be at the Borrower’s expense; provided further that when an Event of Default exists, the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any of their respective representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Borrower at any time during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice.  The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall give the Borrower the opportunity to participate in any discussions with the Borrower’s independent public accountants.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 8.6, none of Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries will be required to disclose, permit the inspection, examination or making copies or abstracts of, or discussion of, any document, information or other matter that (a) in respect of which disclosure to the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or their respective representatives or contractors) is prohibited by Law or any bona fide arm’s length third party contract or (b) is subject to attorney-client or similar privilege or constitutes attorney work product.

 

SECTION 8.7       Books and Records.  Maintain proper books of record and account (a) in which entries that are full, true and correct in all material respects shall be made of all material financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of Holdings, the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, and (b) that permit financial statements in conformity with GAAP to be derived therefrom.

 

SECTION 8.8       Maintenance of Properties.  Except if the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, keep and maintain all of its material properties and equipment used in the operation of its business in good working order, repair and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted and casualty or condemnation excepted.

 

SECTION 8.9       Use of Proceeds.  Use the proceeds of the Loans only in compliance with (and not in contravention of) applicable Laws and each Loan Document and, in respect of the Initial ABL Borrowing, use the proceeds in accordance with the Permitted Initial ABL Borrowing Purposes.

 

SECTION 8.10     Compliance with Environmental Laws.  Except, in each case, to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, (a) comply, and take all commercially reasonable actions to cause any lessees, tenants and subtenants to comply with all applicable Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits; (b) obtain and renew all Environmental Permits necessary for its operations and properties; and, (c) in each case to the extent required by applicable Environmental Laws, conduct any investigation, study, sampling and testing, and undertake any cleanup, removal, remedial or other action necessary to remove and clean up all Hazardous Materials from any of its properties, in accordance with the requirements of all applicable Environmental Laws.

 

SECTION 8.11     Covenant to Guarantee Obligations and Give Security.  At the Borrower’s expense, subject to the provisions of the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement and any applicable limitation in any Collateral Document, take all action necessary or reasonably

 

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requested by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent to ensure that the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement is satisfied, including:

 

(a)           (x) upon the formation or acquisition of any new Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Material Domestic Subsidiary (in each case, other than an Excluded Subsidiary, but including any Subsidiary that ceases to constitute an Excluded Subsidiary) by any Loan Party, the designation in accordance with Section 8.3, of any existing Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Material Domestic Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or any Subsidiary becoming a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Material Domestic Subsidiary, (y) upon the acquisition of any material assets (including Material Real Propertyfee-owned real property) by the Borrower or any other Loan Party or (z) with respect to any Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Loan Party, for any material assets held by such Subsidiary (in each case, other than (1) assets constituting Collateral under a Collateral Document that becomes subject to the Lien created by such Collateral Document upon acquisition thereof (without limitation of the obligations to perfect such Lien), and (2) Excluded Property (as defined in the Security Agreement)):

 

(i)         within forty-five (45) days after such formation, acquisition or designation or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion, cause each such Material Domestic Subsidiary that is required to become a Guarantor under the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to furnish to the Collateral Agent a description of the Material Real Propertiesfee-owned real properties owned by such Material Domestic Subsidiary in detail reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent;

 

(ii)        within forty-five (45) days after such formation, acquisition or designation or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion, cause each such Material Domestic Subsidiary that is required to become a Guarantor pursuant to the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to duly execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent Security Agreement Supplements, Intellectual Property Security Agreements and other security agreements and documents, as reasonably requested by and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (consistent with the Security Agreement, Intellectual Property Security Agreements and other Collateral Documents in effect on the Effective Date), in each case granting Liens required by the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement; provided that Holdings, the Borrower and any of their respective Subsidiaries shall not be required to enter into any Collateral Documents or other pledge or security agreements governed or purported to be governed by foreign law;

 

(iii)       within forty-five (45) days after such formation, acquisition or designation or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion, cause each such Material Domestic Subsidiary that is required to become a Guarantor pursuant to the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to deliver (A) any and all certificates representing Equity Interests (to the extent certificated) that are required to be pledged pursuant to the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement, accompanied by undated stock powers or other appropriate instruments of transfer executed in blank (or any other documents customary under local law) and (B) instruments evidencing the intercompany Indebtedness held by such Material Domestic Subsidiary and required to be pledged pursuant to the Collateral Documents, indorsed in blank to the Collateral Agent; provided that no such Material Domestic Subsidiary shall be

 

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required to enter into any Collateral Documents or other pledge or security agreements governed or purported to be governed by foreign law;

 

(iv)       within forty-five (45) days after such formation, acquisition or designation or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion, (1) take and cause the applicable Material Domestic Subsidiary and each direct or indirect parent of the applicable Material Domestic Subsidiary that is required to become a Guarantor pursuant to the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to take whatever action (including the filing of UCC and PPSA financing statements and delivery of stock and membership interest certificates to the extent certificated) may be necessary in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent to vest in the Collateral Agent (or in any representative of the Collateral Agent designated by it) valid Liens required by the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement, enforceable against all third parties in accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by Debtor Relief Laws and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law) and (2) comply with the requirements of Section 8.12; provided that no such Material Domestic Subsidiary shall be required to enter into any Collateral Documents or other pledge or security documents governed or purported to be governed by foreign law;

 

(v)        within forty-five (45) days after the written request therefor by the Administrative Agent (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion), deliver to the Administrative Agent a signed copy of a legal opinion, addressed to the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, of counsel for the Loan Parties reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent as to such matters set forth in this Section 8.11(a) as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request; and

 

(vi)       after the Effective Date, promptly after the acquisition of any Material Real Propertyfee-owned real property by any Loan Party other than Holdings, if such Material Propertyfee-owned real property shall not already be subject to a perfected Lien pursuant to Section 8.13, the Borrower shall give notice thereof to the Collateral Agent and will take, or cause the relevant Loan Party to take, the actions set forth in Section 8.13(b) with respect to such Material Real Propertyfee-owned real property.

 

SECTION 8.12     Cash Receipts.

 

(a)           Within ninety (90) days after the Effective Date (or such longer period as may be consented to by the Administrative Agent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed):

 

(i)         cause each Store to deposit promptly upon receipt in accordance with historical practices all cash, checks, proceeds of collections of Accounts and other amounts received by or on behalf of such Store into an Approved Deposit Account (a “Store Deposit Account”), maintained in the name of the Borrower or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be; provided that each Loan Party may maintain credit balances (including Cash Equivalents) in Store Deposit Accounts or other deposit or securities accounts that are not Approved Deposit Accounts or Approved Securities Accounts (“Other Accounts”), so long

 

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as the aggregate credit balances in Store Deposit Accounts and balances in all such Other Accounts, does not exceed $3,000,000 (such amount, the “Excluded Amount”); and

 

(ii)        instruct each Approved Account Bank at which any Store Deposit Account or Merchant Card Account or, subject to the proviso of Section 8.12(e)(ii) below, the Retained Funds Account, is maintained to cause all amounts on deposit and available at the end of each Business Day on which such Approved Account Bank is not closed due to a local bank holiday in such Store Deposit Account or Merchant Card Account (in each case, net of any minimum balance as may be required to be kept in the subject Store Deposit Account or Merchant Card Account, as the case may be, by the Approved Account Bank at which such Store Deposit Account or Merchant Card Account, as applicable, is maintained and other balances in an aggregate amount (together with any such balances held in Other Accounts) not in excess of the Excluded Amount), as applicable, to be transferred to a Regional Concentration Account or an Approved Securities Account designated by the applicable Loan Party (or the Borrower on behalf of such Loan Party), on such Business Day by ACH or wire transfer of immediately available funds.

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the provisions of this Section 8.12(a) shall not apply to any Deposit Account that is (i) acquired by a Loan Party in connection with an Acquisition or other Investment permitted under this Agreement, or (ii) opened by any Loan Party in connection with an Acquisition or other Investment permitted under this Agreement, in each case prior to the date that is ninety (90) days (or such later date as may be consented to by the Administrative Agent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) following the date of such Acquisition or other Investment; provided that the balances held in such Deposit Accounts, together with any other balances in Other Accounts, do not exceed, in the aggregate, the Excluded Amount.

 

(b)           Each Loan Party shall deliver Credit Card Notifications duly executed by each applicable Loan Party to the Administrative Agent within thirty (30) days following the Effective Date (or such longer period as may be consented to by the Administrative Agent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).  Each Credit Card Notification shall require (without further consent of the Loan Parties) the ACH, Depositary Transfer Check, Electronic Depository Transfer or wire transfer by each Credit Card Issuer and Credit Card Processor no less frequently than each Business Day on which such Approved Account Bank is not closed due to a local bank holiday to an Approved Deposit Account (each a “Merchant Card Account”) the cash proceeds of all credit card charges (including Credit Card Receivables).

 

(c)           Subject to (x) the Intercreditor Agreement and (y) compliance with the provisions of Section 2.9(b) or 2.9(c), as and to the extent applicable, the Loan Parties shall cause, after the occurrence and during the continuance of a Cash Dominion Period, (A) all amounts on deposit and available at the end of each Business Day on which the applicable Approved Account Bank is not closed due to a local bank holiday (and whether or not there are then any outstanding Obligations) in each Approved Deposit Account to be transferred to a Regional Concentration Account, (B) all amounts on deposit and available at the end of each Business Day on which the applicable Approved Account Bank or Approved Securities Intermediary is not closed due to a local bank holiday (and whether or not there are then any outstanding Obligations)

 

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in each Regional Concentration Account and Approved Securities Account to be transferred to a deposit account designated by, and maintained by and in the name of and under the sole dominion and control of, the Administrative Agent (the “Agent Sweep Account”) and (C) all other Cash Receipts to be transferred promptly upon receipt in accordance with historical practices to an Approved Deposit Account.  “Cash Receipts” shall mean all cash receipts and collections of Collateral, including, to the extent constituting Collateral, the following :

 

(i)         all available cash receipts from the sale of Inventory and other Current Asset Collateral or casualty insurance proceeds arising from any of the foregoing;

 

(ii)        all proceeds of collections of Accounts (including Credit Card Receivables);

 

(iii)       the then contents of each Approved Deposit Account (net of any minimum balance as may be required to be kept in the subject Deposit Account by the Approved Account Bank at which such Deposit Account is maintained); and

 

(iv)       the cash proceeds of all credit card charges contained in any Deposit Account (net of any minimum balance as may be required to be kept in the subject Deposit Account by the Approved Account Bank at which such Deposit Account is maintained).

 

(d)           The Agent Sweep Account shall at all times be under the sole dominion and control of the Administrative Agent.  The Loan Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that (i) the Loan Parties have no right of withdrawal from the Agent Sweep Account, (ii) the funds on deposit in the Agent Sweep Account shall at all times be collateral security for all of the Obligations and (iii) the funds on deposit in the Agent Sweep Account shall be applied as provided in Section 10.3 of this Agreement.  In the event that, notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8.12, after the occurrence and during the continuation of any Cash Dominion Period, any Loan Party receives or otherwise has control over any such Cash Receipts, such Cash Receipts shall be held in trust by such Loan Party for the Administrative Agent, shall not be commingled with any of such Loan Party’s other funds or deposited in any account of such Loan Party, shall promptly be applied in accordance with Section 2.9(b) or 2.9(c), as and to the extent applicable, and shall, not later than the Business Day after receipt thereof, be deposited into an Approved Deposit Account or dealt with in such other fashion as such Loan Party may be instructed in writing by the Administrative Agent.

 

(e)           Any amounts remaining in the Agent Sweep Account (i) at any time when a Cash Dominion Period is no longer continuing for purposes of this Agreement shall be remitted to a Regional Concentration Account designated by the Borrower, or (ii) after application of amounts received in the Agent Sweep Account as set forth in Section 10.3, shall be remitted to an Approved Deposit Account designated by the Borrower (the “Retained Funds Account”); provided that any amounts on deposit in such Retained Funds Account on any Business Day shall not be swept to a Regional Concentration Account unless there are outstanding Obligations.

 

(f)            So long as no Cash Dominion Period is continuing, the Loan Parties may direct, and shall have sole control over, the manner of disposition of funds in any Approved

 

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Deposit Accounts or Approved Securities Account (including the Store Deposit Accounts, the Retained Funds Account or any Regional Concentration Account) or any other account.

 

(g)           Any amounts received in the Agent Sweep Account at any time following the Discharge of Obligations shall be promptly remitted to the Borrower.

 

(h)           The Administrative Agent shall promptly furnish written notice to each bank or securities intermediary, as applicable, at which an Approved Deposit Account or an Approved Securities Account is maintained of (i) any termination of a Cash Dominion Period and (ii) the Discharge of Obligations.

 

SECTION 8.13     Further Assurances and Post-Closing Covenants.  Subject to the provisions of the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement and any applicable limitations in any Collateral Document and in each case at the reasonable expense of the Loan Parties:

 

(a)           Promptly upon reasonable request by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent or as may be required by applicable law (i) correct any material defect or error that is discovered in the execution, acknowledgment, filing or recordation of any Collateral Document or other document or instrument relating to any Collateral, and (ii) do, execute, acknowledge, deliver, record, re-record, file, re-file, register and re-register any and all such further acts, deeds, certificates, assurances and other instruments as the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent may reasonably request from time to time, in order to grant, preserve and perfect the security interests created or intended to be created by the Collateral Documents.

 

(b)           In the case of Material Real Propertyfee-owned real property, provide the Collateral Agent with a Mortgage with respect to such Material Real Propertyfee-owned real property within (x) in the case of Material Real Propertyfee-owned real property owned by the Loan Parties on Amendment No. 6 Effective Date that is not already subject to a Mortgage, ninety (90) days (or such longer period as the Collateral Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) after the Amendment No. 6 Effective Date or the date, if later, on which any such property ceases to be Excluded Real Property, and (y) in the case of fee-owned real property acquired by the Loan Parties after the Amendment No. 6 Effective Date, ninety (90) days (or such longer period as the Collateral Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) after the acquisition of such Material Real Property, (y) in the case of Material Real Property constituting distribution centers owned by the Loan Parties on the Effective Date, ninety (90) days (or such longer period as the Collateral Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) after the Effective Date and (z) in the case of Material Real Property (other than distribution centers) owned by the Loan Parties on the Effective Date, ninety (90) days (or such longer period as the Collateral Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) after the first anniversary of the Effective Date; provided that, any Designated Sale-Leasebackfee-owned real property; provided that, any Excluded Real Property shall not be subject to the requirements of this clause (b); in each case together with:

 

(i)         evidence that counterparts of the Mortgage have been duly executed, acknowledged and delivered and that such Mortgages are in form suitable for filing or recording in all filing or recording offices that the Collateral Agent deems reasonably necessary or desirable in order to create a valid and subsisting perfected Lien on the property and/or rights described therein in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties and that all

 

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filing and recording taxes and fees have been paid or otherwise provided for in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent;

 

(ii)        solely with respect to any Material Real Property, a fully paid American Land Title Association Lender’s Extended Coverage title insurance policy or the equivalent or other form available in each applicable jurisdiction (the “Mortgage Policies”) in form and substance, with endorsements available in the applicable jurisdiction and in amount, reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent (not to exceed the lesser of (i) the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of the real properties covered thereby and (ii) the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments), issued, coinsured and reinsured by title insurers reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent, insuring the Mortgage to be a valid Liens on the property described therein, subject only to Liens permitted by Section 9.1, and providing for such other affirmative insurance (including endorsements for future advances under the Loan Documents) and such coinsurance and direct access reinsurance as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request and is available in the applicable jurisdiction;

 

(iii)       an opinion of local counsel for the Loan Parties in the state in which the Material RealMortgaged Property is located, with respect to the enforceability and perfection of the Mortgages and any related fixture filing in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

 

(iv)       such other evidence that all other actions that the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent reasonably deems necessary or desirable in order to create a valid Lien on the property described in the Mortgage has been taken; and

 

(v)        a life of loan flood hazard determination with respect to all such Material RealMortgaged Property and, if such real property is located in a special flood hazard area, evidence of flood insurance in such amounts as are required by applicable law.

 

(c)           As promptly as practicable, and in any event within the time periods after the Effective Date specified in Schedule 8.13 or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its discretion, the Loan Parties shall deliver the documents or take the actions specified in Schedule 8.13, in each case except to the extent otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent in its discretion.

 

SECTION 8.14     [Reserved].

 

SECTION 8.15     Physical Inventories.  Cause not less than one (1) physical inventory to be undertaken at substantially all Store locations and in each twelve (12) month period (or such longer period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion), and periodic cycle counts of Inventory at each distribution center to be undertaken, at the expense of the Loan Parties in accordance with the Borrower’s usual business practices, conducted using methodology routinely used by such Loan Parties in their ordinary course of business with respect to such Inventory counts or as otherwise consistent with standard and customary business practices, and shall post such results to the Loan Parties’ stock ledgers and general ledgers, as applicable and, following the completion of such Inventory count, deliver a summary, in a form routinely used by such Loan Parties in their ordinary course of business with respect to such

 

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Inventory counts or as otherwise consistent with standard and customary business practices, of the results of such count to the Administrative Agent.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

Until the Discharge of Obligations, Holdings and the Borrower shall not, nor shall the Borrower permit any Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

SECTION 9.1       Liens.  Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than the following:

 

(a)           (i) Liens created pursuant to any Loan Document or securing any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness and (ii) Junior Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.3(q)(ii) and related Indebtedness under Section 9.3(x), so long as such Liens are subject to the Notes Intercreditor Agreement;

 

(b)           Liens existing on the Effective Date and set forth on Schedule 9.1(b);

 

(c)           Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges that are not overdue for a period of more than thirty (30) days or that are not subject to penalties for non-payment or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate actions for which appropriate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP;

 

(d)           statutory or common law Liens of landlords, carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen, repairmen, construction contractors or other like Liens or other customary Liens in favor of landlords, so long as, in each case, such Liens secure amounts not overdue for a period of more than thirty (30) days or, if more than thirty (30) days overdue, are unfiled and no other action has been taken to enforce such Lien or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate actions, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;

 

(e)           (i) pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation or (ii)  deposits in the ordinary course of business securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance to Holdings, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(f)            (i) good faith deposits to secure the performance of bids, tenders, contracts and leases (other than Indebtedness for borrowed money), public or statutory obligations, surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds, performance bonds, other obligations of a like nature (including those to secure health, safety and environmental obligations) and deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business and (ii) Liens in favor of issuers of performance and surety bonds or bid bonds or with

 

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respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of a Loan Party in the ordinary course of business;

 

(g)           easements, rights-of-way, restrictions (including zoning restrictions), encroachments, protrusions and other similar encumbrances, minor survey exceptions and title defects affecting real property or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties, in each case, that were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and that, in the aggregate, do not in any case materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or materially impair the use of the property for its intended purpose, and any other exceptions to title on the Mortgage Policies accepted by the Collateral Agent in accordance with this Agreement;

 

(h)           Liens arising from judgments or orders for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under Section 10.1(g) and notices of lis pendens and associated rights related to litigation being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been made;

 

(i)            Liens securing obligations in respect of Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.3(e) (provided that such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness, replacements thereof and improvements, additions and accessions to such property and the proceeds and the products thereof and customary security deposits; provided that individual financings of equipment provided by one lender or lessor may be cross collateralized to other financings of equipment provided by such lender or lessor);

 

(j)            leases, licenses, subleases or sublicenses granted to others in the ordinary course of business (including with respect to real property) which do not (i) interfere in any material respect with the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) secure any Indebtedness;

 

(k)           Liens (i) in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business and (ii) other than Current Asset Collateral, on specific items of inventory or other goods (and the proceeds of the foregoing) of any Loan Party securing such Loan Party’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances or letters of credit issued or created for the account of such Loan Party to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or such other goods in the ordinary course of business;

 

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

 

(m)          Liens (i) on, or consisting of, cash advances in favor of the seller of any property to be acquired in an Investment permitted pursuant to Sections 9.2(i), (m), (r) or (s) to be applied against the purchase price for such Investment or (ii) consisting of an agreement to Dispose of any property in a Disposition permitted under Section 9.5, in each case, solely to the extent such Investment or Disposition, as the case may be, would have been permitted on the date of the creation of such Lien;

 

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(n)           Liens on property of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor securing Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary incurred pursuant to Section 9.3(r);

 

(o)           Liens in favor of Holdings, the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(p)           Liens existing on property or shares of stock of a Person at the time of its acquisition or existing on the property of any Person at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (other than by designation as a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 8.3), in each case after the Effective Date; provided that (i) such Lien does not extend to or cover any other assets or property  or shares of stock (other than (A) the proceeds or products thereof, (B) improvements, additions and accessions to such property, and (C) after-acquired property of such acquired Restricted Subsidiary to the extent that such property is of a type covered by such Lien at such time of acquisition), and (ii) any Indebtedness secured thereby is permitted under Sections 9.3(e), (i) or (u);

 

(q)           any interest or title of a lessor, sublessor, licensor or sublicensor or secured by a lessor’s, sublessor’s, licensor’s or sublicensor’s interest under leases (other than Capitalized Leases) or licenses entered into by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

(r)            Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sale of goods entered into by Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

(s)            Liens solely on, or consisting of, any cash earnest money deposits made by Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Acquisition permitted under this Agreement or any other Investment or any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted hereunder;

 

(t)            ground leases in respect of real property on which facilities owned or leased by Holdings, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries are located;

 

(u)           purported Liens evidenced by the filing of precautionary UCC and PPSA financing statements or similar public filings;

 

(v)           Liens securing obligations in respect of Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.3(p)(i) and obligations in respect of any Secured Hedge Agreement and any Cash Management Obligation (in each case, as defined in the Term Facility Credit Agreement) permitted under Section 9.3(p)(ii) (or, in each case, any Permitted Refinancing in respect thereof, and subject to (x) the Intercreditor Agreement or, in the case of any Permitted Refinancing thereof, another intercreditor agreement containing terms, taken as a whole, that are at least as favorable to the Secured Parties as those contained in the Intercreditor Agreement, taken as a whole and (y) to the extent applicable, the Notes Intercreditor Agreement);

 

(w)          Liens (i) of a collecting bank arising under Section 4-208 of the UCC on the items in the course of collection, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodities brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and (iii) in favor of a banking or other financial institution arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits or other

 

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funds maintained with a financial institution (including the right of set off) and that are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry;

 

(x)           any zoning, building code or similar law or right reserved to or vested in any Governmental Authority to control or regulate the use of any real property that does not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

(y)           the modification, replacement, renewal or extension (or successive modifications, replacements, renewals or extensions), in whole or in part, of any Lien permitted by clauses (b) and (p) of this Section 9.1; provided that (i) the Lien does not extend to any additional property other than (A) after-acquired property that is affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien or financed by Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.3(e), and (B) proceeds and products thereof, and (ii) the renewal, extension or refinancing of the obligations secured or benefited by such Liens is permitted by Section 9.3;

 

(z)           rights of set-off against credit balances of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with Credit Card Issuers or Credit Card Processors or amounts owing by such Credit Card Issuers or Credit Card Processors to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, but not rights of set-off against any other property or assets of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the Credit Card Agreements (as in effect on the date hereofEffective Date) to secure the obligations of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to the Credit Card Issuers or Credit Card Processors as a result of fees and chargebacks;

 

(aa)         without duplication of any other clause of this Section 9.1, other Liens (not covering Current Asset Collateral unless the Liens thereon are subordinated to the Lien of the Collateral Agent in a manner consistent with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, taken as a whole) securing obligations outstanding in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $25,000,000 at any time outstanding;

 

(bb)         Liens that are contractual rights of setoff (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks or other deposit-taking financial institutions in the ordinary course of business and not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness or (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of Holdings, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(cc)         Liens on the Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries or Joint Ventures; provided that any such Lien is in favor of a creditor or partner of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture, as applicable;

 

(dd)         Liens of the Escrow Agent on the Escrowed Funds and any Lien contemplated under the Escrow Agreement; and

 

(ee)         customary Liens granted to an indenture trustee or similar representative to secure fees, expenses and other amounts owed to such Person under the terms of the related indenture or other definitive documentation.

 

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SECTION 9.2       Investments.

 

Make or hold any Investments, except:

 

(a)           Investments by Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in assets that are, and the use of, cash and Cash Equivalents;

 

(b)           loans or advances to officers, directors, employees and consultants of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (i) for reasonable business-related travel, entertainment, relocation and similar ordinary business purposes, (ii) in connection with such Person’s purchase of Equity Interests of the Borrower or Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) and (iii) for any other purpose, in an aggregate principal amount outstanding under this clause (iii) not to exceed $1,000,000 (or, upon and after the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, $2,500,000);

 

(c)           Investments (i) by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Loan Party in the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Loan Party, (ii) by any Non-Loan Party in any other Non-Loan Party that is a Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) by any Non-Loan Party in the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Loan Party and (iv) without duplication of any other clauses of this Section 9.2, by any Loan Party in any Non-Loan Party that is a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (A) any such Investments made pursuant to this clause (iv) in the form of intercompany loans shall be evidenced by notes that have been pledged to the extent required by the Collateral Documents, the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement, Section 8.11 or Section 8.13 (individually or pursuant to a global note) to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Lenders (it being understood and agreed that any Investments permitted under this clause (iv) that are not so evidenced as of the Effective Date are not required to be so evidenced and pledged until the date that is sixty (60) days after the Effective Date (or such later date as may be consented to by the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed))) and (B) the aggregate amount of Investments made pursuant to this clause (iv) shall not exceed $5,000,000 (or, upon and after the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, $10,000,000)  at any time outstanding (determined at the time such Investment was made);

 

(d)           Investments consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business, and Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors and other credits to suppliers in the ordinary course of business;

 

(e)           Investments consisting of Liens, Indebtedness, fundamental changes, Dispositions and Restricted Payments permitted under Sections 9.1, 9.3 (other than 9.3(c)(ii) or (d)), 9.4 (other than 9.4(c)(ii), (d) or (e)), 9.5 (other than 9.5(d)(ii) or (e)) and 9.6 (other than 9.6(d) or (g)(iv)), respectively;

 

(f)            Investments existing on the Effective Date or made pursuant to legally binding commitment in existence on the Effective Date, in each case, set forth on Schedule 9.2(f) and any modification, replacement, renewal, reinvestment or extension of any of the foregoing; provided that the amount of any Investment permitted pursuant to this Section 9.2(f) is not increased from the amount of such Investment on the Effective Date except pursuant to the

 

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terms of such Investment as of the Effective Date (including the terms of any legally binding commitment in respect thereof in effect as of the Effective Date) or as otherwise permitted by another clause of this Section 9.2;

 

(g)           Investments in Swap Contracts permitted under Section 9.3;

 

(h)           promissory notes and other non-cash consideration that is permitted to be received in connection with Dispositions permitted by Section 9.5;

 

(i)            Permitted Acquisitions; provided that, prior to the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, (i) no extensions of credit under the Facility shall be utilized to finance any Permitted Acquisition and (ii) no Permitted Acquisitions of Subsidiaries that do not become Guarantors or assets that do not become Collateral, other than assets of the type constituting “Excluded Property” or a similar term under any Collateral Document shall be permitted;

 

(j)            Investments made to effect the Transaction;

 

(k)           Investments (including debt obligations and Equity Interests) received in connection with the bankruptcy, workout, recapitalization or reorganization of suppliers and customers or in settlement of delinquent obligations of, or other disputes with, customers, suppliers or other issuer of an Investment or upon the foreclosure with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

 

(l)            loans and advances to Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) in lieu of, and not in excess of the amount of (after giving effect to any other loans, advances or Restricted Payments in respect thereof), Restricted Payments to the extent permitted to be made to Holdings (or such direct or indirect parent) in accordance with Section 9.6(f) or (g);

 

(m)          without duplication of any other clauses of this Section 9.2, other Investments that do not exceed when combined with all Restricted Payments made under Section 9.6(k), $5,000,000 (or, upon and after the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, $20,000,000) in the aggregate at any time outstanding;

 

(n)           advances of payroll payments to employees in the ordinary course of business;

 

(o)           Investments to the extent that payment for such Investments is made solely with Qualified Equity Interests of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof);

 

(p)           Investments held by a Restricted Subsidiary acquired after the Effective Date or of a Person merged into the Borrower or merged or consolidated with a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 9.4 after the Effective Date to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger or consolidation;

 

(q)           Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of UCC Article 3 endorsements for collection or deposit and UCC Article 4 customary trade arrangements with customers consistent with past practices;

 

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(r)            without duplication of any other clause of this Section 9.2, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may make(i) other Investments upon and after the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date asso long as the Payment Conditions are satisfied with respect thereto; and (ii) Investments out of the Available Amount so long as the Payment Conditions (other than the requirements under clause (c) of such definition) shall have been satisfied with respect thereto, in an amount not to exceed $5,000,000 with respect to this clause (ii) only;

 

(s)            Investments made by any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to the extent such Investments are financed with the proceeds received by such Restricted Subsidiary from an Investment made pursuant to clauses (c)(iv), (i) or (m) of this Section 9.2.

 

(t)            Guarantees by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of leases (other than Capitalized Leases) or of other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(u)           Investments consisting of cash earnest money deposits made in accordance with Section 9.1(s);

 

(v)           Investments in Joint Ventures in an aggregate amount outstanding at any time under this clause (v) not to exceed $2,500,000 (or, upon and after the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, $10,000,000);

 

(w)          Investments consisting of the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons;

 

(x)           Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials, services or equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(y)           to the extent constituting an Investment, the exercise by Holdings of its rights under the Shareholders Agreement.

 

SECTION 9.3       Indebtedness.

 

Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness or issue any Disqualified Equity Interest, other than:

 

(a)           Indebtedness under the Loan Documents and Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness;

 

(b)           (i) Indebtedness existing on the Effective Date set forth on Schedule 9.3(b) and any Permitted Refinancing thereof and (ii) intercompany Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereofEffective Date; provided that all such Indebtedness of any Loan Party owed to any Non-Loan Party shall be subject to the Intercompany Subordination Agreement;

 

(c)           (i) Guarantees by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries otherwise permitted

 

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hereunder (other than Guarantees by a Loan Party of Indebtedness of a Non-Loan Party and except that a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party may not, by virtue of this Section 9.3(c), Guarantee Indebtedness that such Restricted Subsidiary could not otherwise incur under this Section 9.3); provided that (A) no Guarantee by any Restricted Subsidiary of any Junior Financing shall be permitted unless such Restricted Subsidiary shall have also provided a Guarantee of the Obligations substantially on the terms set forth in the Guaranty, and (B) if the Indebtedness being Guaranteed is subordinated to the Obligations, such Guarantee shall be subordinated to the Guaranty on terms (taken as a whole) at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the subordination terms of such Indebtedness (taken as a whole), and (ii) any Guarantee by a Loan Party of Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that would have been permitted as an Investment by such Loan Party in such Restricted Subsidiary under Section 9.2(c);

 

(d)           Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries owing to the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary to the extent constituting an Investment permitted by Section 9.2; provided that (i) all such Indebtedness of any Loan Party owed to any Person that is not a Loan Party shall be subject to the Intercompany Subordination Agreement and (ii) in the event of any such Indebtedness in respect of the sale, transfer or assignment of Current Asset Collateral, such Indebtedness shall be duly noted on the books and records of the Loan Parties as being owing in respect of Current Asset Collateral;

 

(e)           (i) Capitalized Lease Obligations of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, (ii) mortgage financings and other purchase money obligations or Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) Disqualified Equity Interests issued by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case, incurred to finance the acquisition, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement of property, real or personal, and whether through the direct purchase of property or the Equity Interests of any Person owning such property; provided that such Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests is incurred prior to or within two hundred seventy (270) days after the applicable acquisition, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement; provided further that the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness and Disqualified Equity Interests at any one time outstanding incurred pursuant to this clause (e) (and any Permitted Refinancing thereof) shall not exceed the greater of $50,000,000 and 2.75% of Total Assets (measured at the time of incurrence); provided, further, that the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness incurred on behalf of or representing Guarantees of Indebtedness of Joint Ventures of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary under this clause (e) shall not exceed $10,000,000 at any time outstanding;

 

(f)            Indebtedness in respect of Swap Contracts that are not for speculative purposes and that are designed to hedge against Holdings’, the Borrower’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s exposure to interest rates, foreign exchange rates or commodities pricing risks;

 

(g)           Indebtedness representing deferred compensation to employees of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(h)           Indebtedness to future, current or former officers, directors, managers, consultants and employees of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) and its Restricted Subsidiaries, their respective estates, spouses or former spouses, in each case, to

 

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finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower) permitted by Section 9.6(f);

 

(i)            Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in an Acquisition permitted under this Agreement, any other Investment expressly permitted hereunder or any Disposition, in each case to the extent constituting indemnification obligations or obligations in respect of purchase price (including earn-outs) or other similar adjustments; provided, in the case of any Disposition, any such Indebtedness shall at no time exceed the gross proceeds, including the Fair Market Value of non-cash proceeds (measured at the time received and without giving effect to any subsequent changes in value), actually received by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such Disposition;

 

(j)            Indebtedness consisting of obligations of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries under deferred compensation or other similar arrangements with employees incurred by such Person in connection with the Transaction and Acquisitions expressly permitted under this Agreement or any other Investment expressly permitted hereunder;

 

(k)           Cash Management Obligations and other Indebtedness in respect of netting services, automatic clearinghouse arrangements, overdraft protections, employee credit card programs and other cash management and similar arrangements in the ordinary course of business and any Guarantees thereof;

 

(l)            Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference at any time outstanding not to exceed the greater of $75,000,000 and 4.0% of Total Assets (measured at the time of incurrence);

 

(m)          Indebtedness consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take-or-pay obligations contained in ordinary course supply arrangements;

 

(n)           Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees, bankers’ acceptances, warehouse receipts or similar instruments issued or created in the ordinary course of business, including in respect of workers compensation claims, health, disability or other benefits to employees, former employees or their families or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or letters of credit in connection with the maintenance, or pursuant to the requirements, of environmental or other permits or licenses from Governmental Authorities, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers compensation claims;

 

(o)           Indebtedness (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bank guarantees) in respect of performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and performance and completion guarantees and similar obligations provided by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry practice;

 

(p)           (i) Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $675,000,000 at any time outstanding under the Term Facility and Second Lien Facility and (ii) the amount of obligations in respect of (ii)(A) obligations under Secured Hedge Agreements and (B)

 

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Cash Management Obligations (in the case of each of the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), as defined in the Term Facility Credit Agreement) at any time outstanding and not incurred in violation of Section 9.3(f), in each case and, in respect of clauses (i) and (ii), any Permitted Refinancing thereof;

 

(q)           (i) Indebtedness in respect of the Senior Notes (including any guarantees thereof) and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing thereof;

 

(r)            Indebtedness incurred by a Non-Loan Party which, when aggregated with the principal amount of all other Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (r) and then outstanding, does not exceed $25,000,000, at any one time outstanding;

 

(s)            other unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor; provided that (i) the maturity date and Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Indebtedness are at least ninety-one (91) days after the Latest Maturity Date determined at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness (and any Permitted Refinancing thereof); (ii) no Event of Default exists immediately prior to, or would thereafter result from, the incurrence of such Indebtedness; (iii) the Total Leverage Ratio as of the end of the most recently ended Test Period for which financial statements have been or are required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or (b) shall not be greater than 4.50 to 1.00 after giving Pro Forma Effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness as if such Indebtedness had been incurred as of the first day of such period; and (iv) the terms and conditions of such Indebtedness (except (A) as otherwise provided in clause (i) above, (B) with respect to pricing (including interest rate, fees, funding discounts and other pricing terms), prepayment or other premiums, optional prepayment or redemption terms and subordination, and (C) for covenants or other provisions applicable only to periods after the Latest Maturity Date determined at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness) are (taken as a whole) are no more favorable to the lenders or holders providing such Indebtedness than those under the Loan Documents, taken as a whole (provided that a certificate of a Responsible Officer delivered to the Administrative Agent at least five (5) Business Days prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such Indebtedness or drafts of the material documentation relating thereto, stating that the Borrower has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the requirement of this clause (iv) shall be conclusive evidence that such terms and conditions satisfy such requirement unless the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower within such five (5) Business Day period that it disagrees with such determination (including a reasonably detailed description of the basis upon which it disagrees));

 

(t)            Indebtedness in respect of letters of credit issued for the account of any of the Subsidiaries of Holdings to finance the purchase of Inventory so long as (x) such Indebtedness is unsecured and (y) the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness does not exceed $7,500,000 at any time;

 

(u)           Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests (i) of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred to finance any Acquisition permitted under this Agreement and any Permitted Refinancing thereof, (ii) of any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after the date hereofEffective Date, which Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests is existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, and is not incurred in contemplation of such

 

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Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary that is non-recourse to the Borrower, Holdings or any other Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Subsidiary of such Person that is a Subsidiary on the date such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary) and is either (A) unsecured or (B) secured only by Liens on the assets of such Restricted Subsidiary permitted under Section 9.1(p) and, in each case, any Permitted Refinancing thereof, and (iii) of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred or assumed in connection with any Acquisition permitted under this Agreement that is secured only by Liens permitted under Section 9.1(p) (and any Permitted Refinancing of any of the foregoing), so long as the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests and all Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests resulting from any Permitted Refinancing thereof at any time outstanding pursuant to clause (u)(i) above and this clause (u)(iii) does not exceed $35,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding together with all other Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests incurred or assumed by Non-Loan Parties under this Section 9.3(u); provided that Indebtedness incurred under clause (ii)(B) or clause (iii) of this Section 9.3(u) that is secured by assets of a type that would constitute Current Asset Collateral shall not exceed an aggregate amount outstanding of $20,000,000 and any such assets shall have been and at all times be segregated from, and not commingled with, Current Asset Collateral, with reasonably satisfactory evidence of compliance with the foregoing to be provided to the Administrative Agent promptly upon request;

 

(v)           Indebtedness due to any landlord in connection with the financing by such landlord of leasehold improvements;

 

(w)          Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary supported by, and recourse only to, a letter of credit permitted under this Section 9.3, in a principal amount not in excess of the face amount of such letter of credit; and

 

(x)           all premiums (if any), interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges and additional, capitalized or contingent interest on obligations described in clauses (a) through (w) above.

 

The accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value and the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests, as applicable, the accretion of original issue discount, fees or expenses, the accretion of liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies shall not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests for purposes of this Section 9.3.

 

SECTION 9.4       Fundamental Changes.  Merge, amalgamate, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate with or into or wind up or convert into another Person, or Dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person, except that:

 

(a)           Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into, or convert or wind up into the Borrower (including a merger, the purpose of which is to reorganize the Borrower into a new jurisdiction); provided that (x) the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person, (y) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, conversion or winding up does not result in the Borrower ceasing to be organized under the Laws

 

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of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and (z) in the case of a merger, consolidation or amalgamation of Holdings with and into or converting or winding up into the Borrower, Holdings shall not be an obligor in respect of any Indebtedness that is not permitted to be Indebtedness of the Borrower under this Agreement, shall have no direct Subsidiaries at the time of such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, conversion or winding up other than the Borrower and, after giving effect to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, conversion or winding up, the direct parent of the Borrower shall expressly assume all the obligations of Holdings under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which Holdings is a party pursuant to a supplement hereto or thereto in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

 

(b)           (i) any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into or convert or wind up into any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party, (ii) any Restricted Subsidiary may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into or convert or wind up into any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a Loan Party, (iii) any merger, consolidation, amalgamation, conversion or winding up the sole purpose of which is to reincorporate or reorganize a Loan Party in another jurisdiction in the United States shall be permitted and (iv) any Restricted Subsidiary may wind up, liquidate, convert or dissolve or change its legal form if the Borrower determines in good faith that such action is in the best interests of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders; provided, in the case of clauses (ii) through (iv) of this paragraph (b), that (A) no Event of Default shall result therefrom, (B) no Change of Control shall result therefrom and (C) the surviving Person (or, with respect to clause (iv), the Person who receives the assets of such dissolving or liquidated Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor) shall be a Loan Party;

 

(c)           any Restricted Subsidiary may Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to the Borrower or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor in such a transaction is a Loan Party, then (i) the transferee must be a Loan Party or (ii) such Investment must be a permitted Investment in a Restricted Subsidiary which is not a Loan Party in accordance with Section 9.2 (other than clause (e) thereof) and must be a permitted Disposition in accordance with Section 9.5;

 

(d)           so long as no Default would exist immediately after giving effect thereto, the Borrower may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into, or convert into, any other Person; provided that (i) the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving corporation or (ii) if the Person formed by or surviving any such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or conversion is not the Borrower (any such Person, the “Successor Borrower”), (A) the Successor Borrower shall be an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof, (B) the Successor Borrower shall expressly assume all the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a party pursuant to a supplement hereto or thereto in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (C) each Guarantor, unless it is the other party to such merger, consolidation or amalgamation, shall have by a supplement to the Guaranty confirmed that its Guarantee of the Obligations shall apply to the Successor Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement, (D) each Loan Party, unless it is the other party to such merger, consolidation or amalgamation, shall have by a supplement to the Security Agreement confirmed that its

 

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obligations thereunder shall apply to the Successor Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement, (E) each mortgagor of a Mortgaged Property, unless it is the other party to such merger, consolidation or amalgamation, shall have by an amendment to or restatement of the applicable Mortgage (or other instrument reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent) confirmed that its obligations thereunder shall apply to the Successor Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement, and (F) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or conversion and such supplement to this Agreement or any Collateral Document comply with this Agreement; provided, further, that if the foregoing are satisfied, the Successor Borrower will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Borrower under this Agreement;

 

(e)           so long as no Default would exist immediately after giving effect thereto, any Restricted Subsidiary may merge, consolidate, amalgamate with or into, or convert or wind up into any other Person in order to effect an Investment permitted pursuant to Section 9.2 (other than Section 9.2(e)); provided that the continuing or surviving Person shall be the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, which together with each of the Restricted Subsidiaries, shall have complied with the applicable requirements of Sections 8.11, 8.12 and 8.13;

 

(f)            the Transaction may be consummated; and

 

(g)           so long as no Default would exist immediately after giving effect thereto, a merger, dissolution, liquidation, consolidation, amalgamation, conversion, winding up or Disposition, the purpose of which is to effect a Disposition permitted pursuant to Section 9.5 (other than Section 9.5(e)).

 

SECTION 9.5       Dispositions.  Make any Disposition, except:

 

(a)           Dispositions of obsolete, worn out or damaged property or equipment, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in the ordinary course of business;

 

(b)           Dispositions of inventory and goods held for sale in the ordinary course of business;

 

(c)           Dispositions of property to the extent that (i) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property or (ii) the proceeds of such Disposition are promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement property; provided that to the extent the property being transferred constitutes Current Asset Collateral, such replacement property shall constitute Current Asset Collateral;

 

(d)           Dispositions of property to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor of such property is a Loan Party (i) the transferee thereof must be a Loan Party, (ii) to the extent constituting a Disposition to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, such Disposition must be a permitted Investment in a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in accordance with Section 9.2 (other than Section 9.2(e)) or (iii) to the extent constituting a Disposition to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, such Disposition is for fair value (as determined by the Person making such Disposition in good faith) and any promissory note or other non-cash consideration received in respect thereof is a permitted Investment in a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in accordance with Section 9.2 (other

 

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than Section 9.2(e) or (h)); provided further that no Disposition of Current Asset Collateral (other than cash and Cash Equivalents) shall be permitted pursuant to this clause (d) unless the Borrower shall have (A) in respect of any Disposition pursuant to this clause (d) of property with an aggregate Fair Market Value in excess of $2,000,000, delivered to the Administrative Agent written notice of such Disposition in reasonable detail and (B) if reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent, delivered to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent an updated Borrowing Base Certificate; provided further that Dispositions of Intellectual Property pursuant to this Section 9.5(d) shall comply with the terms of Section 9.5(j)(iv);

 

(e)           Dispositions permitted by Section 9.2 (other than Section 9.2(e)), Section 9.4 (other than Section 9.4(g)) and Section 9.6 (other than Section 9.6(d)) and Liens permitted by Section 9.1(other than Section 9.1(m)(ii));

 

(f)            Dispositions of property (other than Current Assets Collateral) pursuant to Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transactions;

 

(g)           any issuance or sale of Equity Interests in, or issuance or sale of Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

(h)           leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses (including the provision of software under an open source license), in each case in the ordinary course of business and which do not materially interfere with the business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

(i)            Dispositions of property other than Current Assets Collateral subject to Recovery Events;

 

(j)            Dispositions of property (other than Current Asset Collateral and other than in connection with any sale and leaseback transaction) not otherwise permitted under this Section 9.5; provided that: (i) at the time of such Disposition (other than any such Disposition made pursuant to a legally binding commitment entered into at a time when no Default would exist immediately after giving effect thereto), no Default would exist immediately after giving effect to such Disposition; (ii) the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries shall receive not less than 75% of such consideration in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents (in each case, free and clear of all Liens at the time received, other than Liens permitted by Section  9.1); provided, however, that for the purposes of this clause (ii), (A) any liabilities (as shown on the Borrower’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet provided hereunder or in the footnotes thereto) of the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated in right of payment to the payment in cash of the Obligations (other than contingent indemnification and reimbursement obligations as to which no claim has been asserted by the Person entitled thereto), that are assumed by the transferee with respect to the applicable Disposition and for which the Borrower and all of the Restricted Subsidiaries shall have been validly released by all applicable creditors in writing, (B) any securities received by such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by such Restricted Subsidiary into cash (to the extent of the cash received) within one hundred eighty (180) days following the closing of the applicable Disposition and (C) any Designated Non-Cash Consideration received in respect of such Disposition having an aggregate Fair Market Value as determined by the Borrower

 

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in good faith, taken together with all other Designated Non-Cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (C) that is at that time outstanding, not in excess of the greater of $25,000,000 and 1.5% of Total Assets (measured at the time such Designated Non-Cash Consideration is received), with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value, shall be deemed to be cash; (iii) [reserved]; and (iv) in the event of a Disposition of Intellectual Property used or useful in connection with the Current Asset Collateral, the purchaser, assignee or other transferee thereof agrees in writing to be bound by a non-exclusive royalty-free worldwide license of such Intellectual Property in favor of the Collateral Agent for use in connection with the exercise of the rights and remedies of the Secured Parties following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, which license shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, and provided further that in the case of a Disposition of Intellectual Property licensed by the Borrower or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries from a third party, the transferee thereof shall be required to provide such a license only to the extent to which the applicable license gives it a right to do so;

 

(k)           Dispositions of Investments in Joint Ventures to the extent required by, or made pursuant to customary buy/sell arrangements between, the Joint Venture parties set forth in Joint Venture arrangements and similar binding arrangements;

 

(l)            bulk sales or other Dispositions of the Inventory of a Loan Party not in the ordinary course of business in connection with Store closings, at arm’s length, provided that such Store closures and related Inventory Dispositions shall not exceed in any transaction or series of related transactions, 10.0% of the number of the Loan Parties’ Stores as of the date of such bulk sale or other Disposition, unless the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent an updated Borrowing Base Certificate; provided further that when such Store closures (net of new Store openings) first exceed 15.0% in the aggregate during any twelve-month period of the number of the Loan Parties’ Stores in existence at the beginning of such period, the Borrower (x) shall have delivered immediately prior to such event written notice to the Administrative Agent of such Disposition in reasonable detail and (y) if requested by the Administrative Agent, shall permit an Updated Inventory Appraisal in form and detail and from an appraiser reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; provided further that all Net Cash Proceeds received in connection therewith are applied to the Obligations if then required in accordance with Section 2.9 hereof;

 

(m)          the unwinding of any Swap Contract;

 

(n)           the lapse or abandonment in the ordinary course of business of any registrations or applications for registration of any IP Rights that are immaterial to the business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

(o)           to the extent allowable under Section 1031 of the Code (or comparable or successor provision) of comparable or greater market value or usefulness to the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, any exchange of like property (excluding any boot thereon permitted by such provision) for use in any business conducted by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries that is not in contravention of Section 9.7;

 

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(p)           Dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with the collection or compromise thereof other than in connection with a financing transaction; provided that no disposition of Eligible Credit Card Receivables shall be permitted pursuant to this clause (p) unless the Borrower shall have (i) in the case of a Disposition of Eligible Credit Card Receivables in an amount in excess of $100,000, delivered to the Administrative Agent written notice of such Disposition in reasonable detail and (ii) if reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent, delivered to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent an updated Borrowing Base Certificate;

 

(q)           sales or other Dispositions by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of assets in connection with the closing or sale of a Store in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries which consist of leasehold interests in the premises of such Store, the equipment and fixtures located at such premises and the books and records relating directly to the operations of such Store; provided that as to each and all such sales and closings, (A) no Event of Default shall result therefrom and (B) each such sale shall be on commercially reasonable prices and terms in a bona fide arm’s length transaction; and

 

(r)            Dispositions of cash and Cash Equivalents;

 

provided that any Disposition of any property pursuant to this Section 9.5 (except pursuant to Sections 9.5(a), (d)(i), (e), (i), (k), (m), (n), (o) and (p) and except for Dispositions from the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Loan Party to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Loan Party), shall be for no less than the Fair Market Value of such property at the time of such Disposition as determined by the Borrower in good faith.  To the extent any Collateral is Disposed of as expressly permitted by this Section 9.5 to any Person other than a Loan Party, such Collateral shall be sold free and clear of the Liens created by the Loan Documents, and, if requested by the Administrative Agent, upon the certification by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower that such Disposition is permitted by this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to take any actions deemed appropriate in order to effect the foregoing.

 

SECTION 9.6       Restricted Payments.  Declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except:

 

(a)           each Restricted Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to the Borrower and to its other Restricted Subsidiaries (and, in the case of a Restricted Payment by a non-wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary, to the Borrower and any of its other Restricted Subsidiaries and to each other owner of Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary based on their relative ownership interests of the relevant class of Equity Interests);

 

(b)           the Borrower and each of the Restricted Subsidiaries may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in the Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests not otherwise permitted by Section 9.3) of such Person;

 

(c)           Restricted Payments used to fund the Transaction and the payment of any fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transaction or owed by the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiaries to Affiliates, and any other payments made, including any such payments made to any direct or indirect parent of the

 

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Borrower to enable it to make payments in connection with the consummation of the Transaction or as contemplated by the Acquisition Documents, whether payable on the Effective Date or thereafter, in each case, to the extent permitted by Section 9.8 and set forth on Schedule 9.6(c);

 

(d)           to the extent constituting Restricted Payments, Holdings, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may enter into and consummate transactions expressly permitted by any provision of Section 9.2 (other than Section 9.2(e) or (l)), or 9.4 (other than a merger, amalgamation or consolidation of Holdings and the Borrower);

 

(e)           repurchases of Equity Interests in Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries deemed to occur upon the non-cash exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants;

 

(f)            the Borrower may pay (or make Restricted Payments to allow Holdings or any direct or indirect parent thereof to pay) for the repurchase, retirement or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests of Holdings (or of any direct or indirect parent of Holdings) held directly or indirectly by any future, present or former employee, director or consultant (or any spouses, former spouses, successors, executors, administrators, estate or tax planning entities, heirs, legatees or distributees of any of the foregoing) of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower) or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or any agreement or arrangement with any employee, director or consultant of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower) or any of its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount after the Effective Date together with the aggregate amount of loans and advances to Holdings made pursuant to Section 9.2(l) in lieu of Restricted Payments permitted by this clause (f) not to exceed (x) prior to the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, $2,000,000 in any calendar year (with any unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to the immediately succeeding calendar year subject to a maximum (without giving effect to the following proviso) of $4,000,000 in any calendar year) or (y) from and after the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, $3,500,000 in any calendar year (with any unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to the two immediately succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum (without giving effect to the following proviso) of $10,000,000 in any calendar year); provided, that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed the sum of:

 

(i)         the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Borrower, any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower (to the extent contributed to the Borrower) or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries after the Effective Date, other than in connection with, or pursuant to, the Equity Contribution; plus

 

(ii)        the cash proceeds received by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries from the sale of Qualified Equity Interests (other than any amount designated as a Cure Amount or any amount increasing the Available Amount) of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower (to the extent contributed to the Borrower) to members of management, directors or consultants of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower that occurs after the Effective Date; plusprovided that (a) any such equity contribution made by, or Net Cash Proceeds received from, the Sponsors

 

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in connection with the exchange or refinancing of the Tranche B-2 Loans (as defined in the Term Facility Credit Agreement) or the Senior Notes due 2019 shall not be included under this clause (ii) until on or following the 12 month anniversary of the Amendment No. 6 Effective Date and (b) the Payment Conditions are satisfied with respect thereto; plus;

 

(iii)       the amount of any cash bonuses otherwise payable to members of management, directors or consultants of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or any of the Borrower’s direct or indirect parents in connection with the Transaction that are foregone in return for the receipt of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any of its direct or indirect parents; minus

 

(iv)       the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments previously made with the cash proceeds described in foregoing clauses (i), (ii), and (iii);

 

(g)           the Borrower may make Restricted Payments to Holdings or to any direct or indirect parent of Holdings:

 

(i)         the proceeds of which will be used to pay (or make Restricted Payments to allow any direct or indirect parent thereof to pay) foreign, federal, state or local income taxes (as the case may be) imposed directly on Holdings or such parent in respect of income of the Borrower and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries, including any Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of which a consolidated, combined, unitary or affiliated return is filed by Holdings (or such direct or indirect parent) that includes the Borrower and/or any of its Subsidiaries, to the extent such income tax liability does not exceed the lesser of (A) the taxes that would have been payable by the Borrower and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries as a stand-alone group and (B) the actual tax liability of Holdings’ consolidated, combined, unitary or affiliated group (or, if Holdings is not the parent of the actual group, the taxes that would have been paid by Holdings, the Borrower and/or the Borrower’s Restricted Subsidiaries as a stand-alone group), reduced by any such taxes paid or to be paid directly by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(ii)        the proceeds of which shall be used to pay (or make Restricted Payments to allow any direct or indirect parent thereof to pay) operating costs and expenses of Holdings or its direct or indirect parents incurred in the ordinary course of business and other corporate overhead costs and expenses, which are incurred in the ordinary course of business to the extent attributable to the ownership or operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

 

(iii)       the proceeds of which shall be used to pay (or make Restricted Payments to allow any direct or indirect parent thereof to pay) franchise taxes and other fees, taxes and expenses required to maintain its (or any of such direct or indirect parent’s) corporate existence to the extent attributable to the ownership or operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

 

(iv)       to finance any Investment permitted to be made pursuant to Section 9.2; provided that (A) such Restricted Payment shall be made concurrently with the closing of such Investment (and no earlier than one (1) Business Day prior to the closing of such Investment), (B) such parent shall, immediately following the closing thereof, cause (1) all

 

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property acquired (whether assets or Equity Interests) to be contributed to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary or (2) the merger, consolidation, amalgamation, conversion, winding up or Disposition (to the extent permitted in Section 9.4) of the Person formed or acquired into the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in order to consummate such Investment, in each case, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 8.11, 8.13 and 9.2, (C) such direct or indirect parent company and its Affiliates (other than the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary) receives no consideration or other payment in connection with such transaction, except to the extent the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary could have given such consideration or made such payment in compliance with Section 9.8, (D) any property received by the Borrower shall not increase the Available Amount pursuant to clause (c) of the definition thereof and (E) such Investment shall be deemed to be made by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to a provision of Section 9.2 (other than clause (o) thereof);

 

(v)        the proceeds of which shall be used to pay (or make Restricted Payments to allow any direct or indirect parent thereof to pay) fees and expenses (other than to Affiliates) related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering of such parent;

 

(vi)       the proceeds of which (A) shall be used to pay customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to officers and employees of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent company of Holdings to the extent such salaries, bonuses and other benefits are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries or (B) shall be used to make payments permitted under Sections 9.8(c), (g) and (i) (but only to the extent such payments have not been and are not expected to be made by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary); and

 

(vii)      the proceeds of which shall be used to pay interest and/or principal on Indebtedness the proceeds of which Indebtedness have been contributed to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and that has been guaranteed by, or is otherwise considered Indebtedness of, the Borrower incurred in accordance with Section 9.3 and any such interest in respect of such Indebtedness paid or required to be paid by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is included in Consolidated Interest Expense;

 

(h)           Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries may pay cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional Equity Interests upon the exercise of options or warrants or the conversion or exchange of Equity Interests of any such Person or such Person’s direct or indirect parents;

 

(i)            so long as the Payment Conditions are satisfied, the declaration and payment of dividends on the Borrower’s common stock (or a dividend or other distribution to any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower to fund the payment by such direct or indirect parent of the Borrower of dividends on such entity’s common stock) following the later of (x) the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date and (y) first public offering of the Borrower’s common stock or the common stock of any of its direct or indirect parents after the Effective Date, of up to 6.0% per annum of the net proceeds received by or contributed to the Borrower in or from any such public offering, other than public offerings with respect to the Borrower’s common stock registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8 and other than any public sale constituting an Excluded Contribution;[reserved];

 

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(j)            repurchases of Equity Interests (i) deemed to occur upon the non-cash exercise of options by the delivery of Equity Interests in satisfaction of the exercise price of such options or (ii) in consideration of withholding or similar Taxes payable directly or indirectly by any future, present or former employee, director, manager or consultant (or any spouses, former spouses, successors, executors, administrators, estate or tax planning entities, heirs, legatees or distributes of any of the foregoing), including deemed repurchases in connection with the exercise of stock options;

 

(k)           without duplication of any other clauses of this Section 9.6, other Restricted Payments made on and after the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date in an aggregate amount, when combined with any Investments made under Section 9.2(m), not to exceed $20,000,000;[reserved];

 

(l)            (i) Restricted Payments made on and after the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date so long as the Payment Conditions shall have been satisfied with respect thereto; and (ii) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, Restricted Payments out of the Available Amount so long as the Payment Conditions (other than requirements under clause (c) of such definition) shall have been satisfied with respect thereto, in an amount not to exceed $5,000,000 with respect to this clause (ii) only;

 

(m)          Restricted Payments made on and after the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date with the proceeds of Excluded Contributions; provided that (i) the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payments does not exceed $10,000,000 in any Fiscal Year, (ii) no Event of Default would result immediately thereafter from the making of any such Restricted Payment, (iii) each such Restricted Payment shall be made within one year following the receipt of the related Excluded Contributions, and (iv) there is no increase in the Revolving Credit Outstandings immediately after giving effect thereto.[reserved];

 

(n)           [reserved];

 

(o)           the payment of any dividend or distribution within sixty (60) days after the date of declaration thereof, if at the date of declaration (i) such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Agreement and (ii) no Event of Default occurred and was continuing;

 

(p)           payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders pursuant to applicable Law, pursuant to or in connection with the Acquisition Documents; and

 

(q)           the distribution, by dividend or otherwise, of Equity Interests of, or Indebtedness owed to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary by, Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

SECTION 9.7       Change in Nature of Business.  Engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business conducted by Holdings, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on the Effective Date or any business reasonably related or ancillary thereto.

 

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SECTION 9.8       Transactions with Affiliates.  Enter into any transaction of any kind with any Affiliate (other than Holdings) of the Borrower, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, other than:

 

(a)           transactions between or among the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or any entity that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction;

 

(b)           transactions on terms not materially less favorable to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary as would be obtainable by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate;

 

(c)           the execution of the Transaction and the payment of fees and expenses related to the Transaction, other than in connection with any Sponsor Management Agreement and the Lease Letter Agreement;

 

(d)           the issuance of Equity Interests of Holdings to any officer, director, employee or consultant of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings in connection with the Transaction;

 

(e)           the entering into of any Sponsor Management Agreement or any other agreement (and any amendment or modification of any such agreement) to pay, and the payment of management, consulting, monitoring, advisory, termination and other fees, indemnities, expenses and reimbursements to the Sponsors pursuant to any Sponsor Management Agreement (plus any unpaid management, consulting, monitoring, advisory and other fees, indemnities, expenses and reimbursements accrued in any prior year) and any Sponsor Termination Fees pursuant to any Sponsor Management Agreement in an aggregate amount not in excess of $5,000,000 in any fiscal year; provided that during any period in which an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would immediately thereafter result from the making of such payment, the annual fixed management fee and any termination fees pursuant to any Sponsor Management Agreement may accrue, but not be paid, and following the waiver or cure of such Event of Default, such accrued management fee may be paid to the Sponsors; provided, further, that any payment not made in any Fiscal Year may be carried forward and paid in any succeeding Fiscal Year;

 

(f)            the issuance of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock option and stock ownership plans or similar employee benefit plans approved by the Board of Directors of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower or of a Restricted Subsidiary, as appropriate, in good faith;

 

(g)           the payment of reasonable and customary fees and reimbursement of expenses paid to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, directors, officers, employees and consultants of Holdings, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings;

 

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(h)           any agreement, instrument or arrangement as in effect as of the Effective Date and set forth on Schedule 9.8(h), or any amendment thereto (so long as any such amendment, taken together with all other amendments thereto since the Effective Date, is not more adverse to the Lenders in any material respect as compared to the applicable agreement as in effect on the Effective Date) or any transaction contemplated thereby as determined in good faith by the Borrower;

 

(i)            Investments permitted under Section 9.2;

 

(j)            Restricted Payments permitted under Section 9.6;

 

(k)           payments by the Borrower and any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to the Sponsors made for any financial advisory, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities (including in connection with acquisitions or divestitures), which payments are approved by the majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Borrower in good faith;

 

(l)            transactions in which the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, delivers to the Administrative Agent a letter from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that such transaction is fair to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or meets the requirements of clause (b) of this Section 9.8;

 

(m)          the issuance of Qualified Equity Interests of Holdings to any Permitted Holder or to any member of the Management Group;

 

(n)           payments to or from, and transactions with, Joint Ventures (other than Joint Ventures in which any Affiliate of the Borrower (other than the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries) has an ownership or control interest) in the ordinary course of business to the extent otherwise permitted under Section 9.2;

 

(o)           employment and severance arrangements between the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries and their respective officers, employees or consultants in the ordinary course of business;

 

(p)           the existence of, or the performance by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of, the Acquisition Documents, any stockholders or similar agreement (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of the Effective Date (other than any Sponsor Management Agreement) and any amendment thereto or similar transactions, arrangements or agreements which it may enter into thereafter; provided, however, that the existence of, or the performance by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under, any future amendment to any such existing transaction, arrangement or agreement or under any similar transaction, arrangement or agreement entered into after the Effective Date shall only be permitted by this clause (p) to the extent that the terms of any such existing transaction, arrangement or agreement together with all amendments thereto, taken as a whole, or new agreement are not otherwise more disadvantageous to the Lenders in any material respect than the original

 

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transaction, arrangement or agreement as in effect on the Effective Date in the reasonable determination of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower;

 

(q)           transactions with customers, clients, suppliers or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, or transactions otherwise relating to the purchase or sale of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Agreement, which are fair to the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the reasonable determination of the Board of Directors or the senior management of the Borrower, or are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party;

 

(r)            the entering into of any tax sharing agreement or arrangement and payments made with respect thereto, in each case between or among the Borrower (and/or any direct or indirect parent thereof) and its Subsidiaries; provided that in each case the amount of such payments in any taxable year does not exceed the amount that the Borrower, its Restricted Subsidiaries and its Unrestricted Subsidiaries (to the extent of the amount received from Unrestricted Subsidiaries) would be required to pay in respect of foreign, federal, state and local taxes for such taxable year were the Borrower, its Restricted Subsidiaries and its Unrestricted Subsidiaries (to the extent described above) to pay such taxes separately from any such direct or indirect parent company of the Borrower;

 

(s)            transactions between the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries and any Person other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary which would constitute a transaction with an Affiliate solely because a director of such Person is also a director of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower; provided, however, that such director abstains from voting as a director of the Borrower or such direct or indirect parent, as the case may be, on any matter involving such other Person;

 

(t)            any contribution to the capital of the Borrower;

 

(u)           the existence of, or the performance by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of, the Lease Letter Agreement; and

 

(v)           pledges of Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

SECTION 9.9       Burdensome Agreements.  Enter into or permit to exist any Contractual Obligation (other than this Agreement or any other Loan Document) that prohibits, restricts, imposes any condition on or limits the ability of (a) any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to make Restricted Payments to (directly or indirectly) or to make or repay loans or advances to any Loan Party or to Guarantee the Obligations of any Loan Party under the Loan Documents or (b) any Loan Party to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Liens on property of such Person for the benefit of the Lenders with respect to the Facility and the Obligations under the Loan Documents; provided that the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) shall not apply to Contractual Obligations that:

 

(i)         (x) exist on the date hereofEffective Date (including the Acquisition Documents) and (to the extent not otherwise permitted by this Section 9.9) are listed on Schedule 9.9 hereto and (y) to the extent Contractual Obligations permitted by clause (x) are set

 

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forth in an agreement evidencing Indebtedness, are set forth in any agreement evidencing any permitted modification, replacement, renewal, extension or refinancing of such Indebtedness so long as such modification, replacement, renewal, extension or refinancing does not expand the scope of such Contractual Obligation;

 

(ii)        are binding on a Restricted Subsidiary at the time such Restricted Subsidiary first becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, so long as such Contractual Obligations were not entered into in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and such Contractual Obligations are not applicable to any other Person, or the properties of any other Person, other than the Person and its Subsidiaries, or the property (and the proceeds and products thereof) of the Person and its Subsidiaries, so acquired;

 

(iii)       represent Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party that is permitted by Section 9.3, so long as such Contractual Obligations will not materially affect the Borrower’s ability to make anticipated principal or interest payments on the Loans (as determined in good faith by the Borrower);

 

(iv)       are customary restrictions that arise in connection with (x) any Lien permitted by Section  9.1 or any document or restriction governing or evidencing such permitted Lien, and relate only to the property subject to such Lien or (y) any Disposition permitted by Section 9.5 applicable pending such Disposition solely to the assets subject to such Disposition;

 

(v)        are customary provisions in Joint Venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to Joint Ventures permitted under Section 9.2 and applicable solely to such Joint Venture entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(vi)       are negative pledges and restrictions on Liens in favor of any holder of Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.3 but solely to the extent any negative pledge or restriction on Lien relates to the property financed by or the subject of such Indebtedness (and excluding in any event any Indebtedness constituting any Junior Financing) and the proceeds and products thereof and, in the case of the Term Facility andor the Second Lien Facility and, in each case, any Permitted Refinancing thereof, permit the Liens securing the Obligations without restriction (subject to the Intercreditor Agreement and, to the extent such agreement is then effective, the Notes Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable);

 

(vii)      are customary restrictions on leases, subleases, licenses or asset sale agreements otherwise permitted hereby so long as such restrictions relate to the assets subject thereto;

 

(viii)     comprise restrictions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 9.3 to the extent that such restrictions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness;

 

(ix)       are customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(x)        are customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xi)       are restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xii)      are restrictions contained in Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, the Term Facility Credit Agreement, the Term Facility Documentation, the Second Lien Facility Documentation, the Senior Notes Indenture or the Senior Notes and any Permitted Refinancing of any of the foregoing;

 

(xiii)     comprise restrictions imposed by any agreement governing Indebtedness entered into after the Effective Date and permitted under Section 9.3 that are, taken as a whole, in the good faith judgment of the Borrower, no more restrictive with respect to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary than customary market terms for Indebtedness of such type (and, in any event, are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than the restrictions contained in this Agreement, taken as a whole), so long as the Borrower shall have determined in good faith that such restrictions will not affect its obligation or ability to make any payments required hereunder;

 

(xiv)    exist under or by reason of applicable Law;

 

(xv)     exist under or by reason of any Contractual Obligation of a Person acquired by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in an Acquisition permitted under this Agreement which was in existence at the time of such Acquisition (but not created in contemplation thereof or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person and its Subsidiaries, or the property or assets of the Person and its Subsidiaries, so acquired;

 

(xvi)    are restrictions contained in Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreements and other standard documentation that any Issuer requires to be executed by any Loan Party with respect to the issuance of any Letter of Credit;

 

(xvii)   are restrictions contained in the Escrow Agreement;

 

(xviii)  are restrictions contained in the Shareholders Agreement; or

 

(xix)    are imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (i) through (xviii) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Borrower, no more restrictive with respect to such dividend and other restrictions than those contained in the dividend or other restrictions prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.

 

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 9.9, the subordination of loans or advances made to Holdings, the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary to other Indebtedness

 

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incurred by Holdings, the Borrower or any such Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advance.

 

SECTION 9.10     Fiscal Year.

 

Make any change in its Fiscal Year; provided, however, that (a) any Restricted Subsidiary acquired after the Amendment No. 4 Effective Date may change its Fiscal Year to conform to the Fiscal Year of Holdings and the Borrower and (b) Holdings, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may, upon written notice to the Administrative Agent, change their Fiscal Year to any other fiscal year reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in which case the Borrower and the Administrative Agent will, and are hereby authorized by the Lenders to, make any adjustments to this Agreement that the Borrower and the Administrative Agent mutually agree, acting reasonably, are necessary to reflect such change in fiscal year.

 

SECTION 9.11     Prepayments, Etc. of Junior Financing.

 

Prepay, redeem, purchase, defease or otherwise satisfy prior to the scheduled maturity thereof in any manner any Junior Financing (it being understood that payments of regularly scheduled principal and interest and mandatory offers to repay any Junior Financing or mandatory prepayments of principal, premium and interest (in each case other than payment of the Stub Term Loans and the Stub Notes on the stated maturity date thereof, as applicable) shall be permitted), except (i) so long as the Payment Conditions are satisfied after giving effect thereto, any prepayment, redemption, purchase, defeasance or other satisfaction of any Junior Financing may be made upon and after the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date; (ii) [Reserved]; (iii) the conversion (or exchange) of any Junior Financing to Qualified Equity Interests or Indebtedness of any of Holdings’ direct or indirect parents; (iv) the prepayment of Junior Financing of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary owed to Holdings, the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary; (v) any Permitted Refinancing of any Junior Financing; (vi) any prepayment, redemption, purchase, defeasance or other satisfaction with the Net Cash Proceeds of any Permitted Equity Issuance; and (vii) the prepayment of Junior Financing incurred pursuant to clauses  (e), (f),(h), (k) and (u) of Section 9.3; provided, that prepayments of Junior Financing incurred pursuant to (A) clause (h) of Section 9.3 shall not exceed (x) prior to the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, $2,000,000 in any calendar year (with any unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to the immediately succeeding calendar year subject to a maximum of $4,000,000 in any calendar year) or (y) from and after the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, $3,500,000 in any calendar year (with any unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to the two immediately succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum of $10,000,000 in any calendar year) and (B) clause (u) of Section 9.3 shall not exceed (x) prior to the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, $2,500,000 in any calendar year or (y) from and after the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, $10,000,000 in any calendar year (viii) any prepayment, redemption, purchase, defeasance or other satisfaction with the Net Cash Proceeds of any Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transactions; provided that after giving pro forma effect thereto, the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio would not exceed 2.75 to 1.00..

 

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SECTION 9.12     Modification of Agreements.

 

Amend, modify or change in any manner materially adverse to the interest of the Lenders (i) any term or condition of any Junior Financing Documentation (other than as a result of a Permitted Refinancing thereof and in any event excluding (x) the Term Facility and any Permitted Refinancing thereof and any Indebtedness under the Loan Documents and (y) with respect to any secured Permitted Refinancing in respect of the Senior Notes, amendments, modifications or changes permitted under the Notes Intercreditor Agreement will be permitted), (ii) any Constituent Documents of Holdings, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries, (iii) any Sponsor Management Agreement and (iv) the Shareholders Agreement, in each case, without the consent of the Administrative Agent (not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned).

 

SECTION 9.13     Holdings.  In the case of Holdings, conduct, transact or otherwise engage in any business or operations other than the following (and activities or operations incidental thereto):  (i) its ownership of the Equity Interests of the Borrower, (ii) the maintenance of its legal existence (including the ability to incur fees, costs and expenses relating to such maintenance), (iii) the performance of its obligations with respect to the Loan Documents, any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, the Term Facility, the Second Lien Facility, the Second Lien Facility Documentation, any Senior Notes (or any Permitted Refinancing in respect thereof), or the Senior Notes Indenture, the Lease Letter Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement, the Acquisition Documents or the other agreements contemplated by the Term Facility, the Second Lien Facility, the Senior Notes (or any Permitted Refinancing in respect thereof), the Senior Notes Indenture and the Acquisition Documents, (iv) any public offering of its common stock or any other issuance of its Equity Interests or making payments or restricted payments with any amounts received in any transaction permitted under Section 9.6, (v) the issuance of Qualified Equity Interests, (vi) making contributions to the capital of its Subsidiaries, (vii) guaranteeing the obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries solely to the extent such obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are not prohibited hereunder, (viii) participating in tax, accounting and other administrative matters as a member of the consolidated group of Holdings, any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, and the Borrower, (ix) holding any cash or property received in connection with Restricted Payments made by the Borrower in accordance with Section 9.6 pending application or further distribution thereof by Holdings, (x) providing indemnification to officers and directors, (xi) the performance of its obligations with respect to the documentation for any Indebtedness of Holdings permitted under Section 9.3, (xii) any other actions expressly permitted to be undertaken by Holdings under any of the Loan Documents or the Acquisition Documents; and (xiii) activities or operations incidental to the businesses or activities described in clauses (i) to (xii) of this Section 9.13.

 

SECTION 9.14     Maintenance of the FILO Reserve.  Fail to deliver a Borrowing Base Certificate as and when required hereunder which contains the FILO Reserve (if any), including a calculation thereof; provided, that it shall not constitute a violation of this Section 9.14 if the Borrower relies on, in calculating the FILO Reserve (if any), the amount of Reserves (and the calculation thereof) applicable to the Borrowing Base reflected in the last Borrowing Base Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 7.4, as adjusted to give effect to the FILO Reserve following such delivery in accordance with the last paragraph of the definition of “Borrowing Base”.

 

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ARTICLE X

 

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

SECTION 10.1              Events of Default.  Each of the events referred to in clauses (a) through (l) of this Section 10.1 shall constitute an “Event of Default:

 

(a)                                 Non-Payment.  The Borrower fails to pay (i) when due, any amount of principal of any Loan, or (ii) within five (5) Business Days after the same becomes due, any interest on any Loan or any other amount payable hereunder or with respect to any other Loan Document; or

 

(b)                                 Specific Covenants.

 

(i)                           The Borrower, any Restricted Subsidiary or, in the case of Section 9.13, Holdings, fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in (A) Article VI; provided that any failure to comply with Article VI shall be subject to cure to the extent provided in Section 10.4, (B) Section 7.2(a) or Section 8.1(a) (solely with respect to the Borrower), (C) Section 7.3(a), (D) Section 8.9 or (E) Article IX;

 

(ii)                        during the continuation of any Cash Dominion Period the Borrower or any other Loan Party fails to perform or observe (or to cause to be performed or observed) any covenant or agreement contained in Section 8.12; or

 

(iii)                     the Borrower or any other Loan Party fails to perform or observe (or to cause to be performed or observed) any covenant or agreement contained in (A) Section 7.4(a) and such failure continues for five (5) Business Days after receipt by the Borrower of written notice thereof from the Administrative Agent, or (B) Section 7.4(b) and such failure continues for three (3) Business Days after receipt by the Borrower of written notice thereof from the Administrative Agent; or

 

(iv)                    the Borrower or any other Loan Party fails to perform or observe (or to cause to be performed or observed) any covenant or agreement contained in Section 8.5 in respect of any casualty insurance covering Current Asset Collateral and such failure continues for ten (10) Business Days after receipt by the Borrower of written notice thereof from the Administrative Agent; or

 

(c)                                  Other Defaults.

 

(i)                           Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement (not specified in Section 10.1(a) or (b) above and, for the purpose of clarity, including any failure to perform or observe any covenant or agreement contained in (x) Section 8.12 other than during the continuation of any Cash Dominion Period or (y) Section 8.5 other than with respect to casualty insurance covering Current Asset Collateral) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed and such failure continues for thirty (30) days after receipt by the Borrower of written notice thereof from the Administrative Agent; or

 

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(ii)                        The Stub Term Loans or the Stub Notes have not been repaid, converted, redeemed, repurchased or refinanced in full on or before the respective final stated maturity date thereof, or the respective final stated maturity date therefor extended on or before such date to a date that is at least 181 days after the Latest Maturity Date, in each case, pursuant to one or more transactions permitted under this Agreement; or

 

(iii)                     All or any portion of the Stub Term Loans or the Stub Notes are repaid on the final maturity date thereof and the Payment Conditions have not been satisfied after giving effect thereto, unless, collectively, all of the Stub Term Loans or Stub Notes, as applicable, are (a) repaid, redeemed, repurchased or defeased or otherwise satisfied with the Net Cash Proceeds of any Permitted Equity Issuance, (b) converted to Qualified Equity Interests or Indebtedness of any of Holdings’ direct or indirect parents and/or (c) refinanced pursuant to a Permitted Refinancing; or

 

(d)                                 Representations and Warranties.  Any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by any Loan Party herein, in any other Loan Document, or in any document required to be delivered in connection herewith or therewith shall be untrue in any material respect when made or deemed made; or

 

(e)                                  Cross-Default.  Any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary (i) fails to make any payment beyond the applicable grace period, if any, whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise, in respect of any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness hereunder) having an aggregate outstanding principal amount (individually or in the aggregate with all other Indebtedness as to which such a failure shall exist) of not less than $25,000,000,25,000,000 or any Indebtedness in respect of Stub Term Loans or the Stub Notes, or (ii) fails to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness, or any other event occurs (other than, with respect to Indebtedness consisting of Swap Contracts, termination events or equivalent events pursuant to the terms of such Swap Contracts and not as a result of any default thereunder by any Loan Party) the effect of which default or other event is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity; provided that this clause (e)(ii) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due or subject to a mandatory offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, if such sale or transfer is permitted hereunder and under the documents providing for such Indebtedness; provided further that such failure is unremedied and is not waived by the holders of such Indebtedness prior to any termination of the Aggregate Commitments or acceleration of the Loans pursuant to Section 10.2; and, provided, further, that no such event under the Term Facility (other than a payment default or any default relating to insolvency or any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law) shall constitute an Event of Default under this Section 10.1(e) until the earliest to occur of (x) the date that is thirty (30) days after such event or circumstance (but only if such event or circumstance has not been waived or cured), (y) the acceleration of the Indebtedness under the Term Facility and (z) the exercise of any remedies by the Term Facility Administrative Agent or collateral agent or any lenders under the Term Facility in respect of any Collateral; or

 

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(f)                                   Insolvency Proceedings, Etc. Holdings, the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary institutes or consents to the institution of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator, administrator, administrative receiver or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator, administrator, administrative receiver or similar officer is appointed without the application or consent of such Person and the appointment continues undischarged or unstayed for sixty (60) calendar days; or any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law relating to any such Person or to all or any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of such Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for sixty (60) calendar days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding; or

 

(g)                                  Judgments.  There is entered against any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary a final judgment or order for the payment of money in an aggregate amount exceeding $25,000,000 (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer has been notified of such judgment or order and has not denied or failed to acknowledge coverage thereof) and such judgment or order shall not have been satisfied, vacated, discharged or stayed or bonded pending an appeal for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days; or

 

(h)                                 ERISA.  (i)  An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or would reasonably be expected to result in liability of any Loan Party or their respective ERISA Affiliates under Title IV of ERISA in an aggregate amount which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) any Loan Party or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its Withdrawal Liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

(i)                                     Invalidity of Loan Documents.  Any material provision of any Loan Document at any time after its execution and delivery by any Loan Party and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder (including as a result of a transaction permitted under Section 9.4 or 9.5) or the Discharge of Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect; or any Loan Party contests in writing the validity or enforceability of any provision of any such Loan Document; or any Loan Party denies in writing that it has any or further liability or obligation under any such Loan Document (other than as a result of the Discharge of Obligations), or purports in writing to revoke or rescind any such Loan Document; or

 

(j)                                    Collateral Documents.  Any Collateral Document after delivery thereof pursuant to Section 4.1 or 8.11 shall for any reason (other than pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof including as a result of a transaction permitted under Section 9.4 or 9.5) cease to create, or any Lien purported to be created by any Collateral Document shall be asserted in writing by any Loan Party not to be, a valid and perfected Lien, with the priority required by the Collateral Documents (or other security purported to be created on the applicable Collateral) on and security interest in any material portion of the Collateral purported to be covered thereby, subject to Liens permitted under Section 9.1, except (x) to the extent that any such loss of perfection or priority results from acts or omissions of the Collateral Agent, any co-agent or sub-agent of the Collateral Agent appointed in accordance with Article XI or any Lender, including the failure of the

 

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Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent to maintain possession of certificates actually delivered to it representing securities pledged under the Collateral Documents or to file UCC continuation statements, or (y) as to Collateral consisting of real property to the extent that such losses are covered by a lender’s title insurance policy and such insurer has not denied coverage; provided that, for purposes of this paragraph (j), the Guaranty shall be deemed not to be a Collateral Document; or

 

(k)                                 Junior Financing Documentation.  (i) Any of the Obligations of the Loan Parties under the Loan Documents for any reason shall cease to be “Senior Indebtedness” (or any comparable term) or “Senior Secured Financing” (or any comparable term) under, and as defined in any Junior Financing Documentation governing Junior Financing subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations under the Loan Documents with an aggregate principal amount of not less than $25,000,000 or (ii) the subordination provisions set forth in any Junior Financing Documentation governing Junior Financing subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations under the Loan Documents with an aggregate principal amount of not less than $25,000,000 shall, in whole or in part, cease to be effective or cease to be legally valid, binding and enforceable against the holders of any such Junior Financing, if applicable; or

 

(l)                                     Change of Control.  There occurs any Change of Control.

 

SECTION 10.2              Remedies upon Event of Default.

 

(a)                                 If any Event of Default (other than as set forth in the proviso hereto) occurs and is continuing, the Administrative Agent may with the consent of, and shall at the request of, the Requisite Lenders take any or all of the following actions by notice to the Borrower:

 

(i)                           declare the Revolving Credit Commitments of each Lender and any obligation of the Issuers to make L/C Credit Extensions to be terminated, whereupon such Revolving Credit Commitments and obligation shall be terminated;

 

(ii)                        declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document (including, without limitation, the FILO Prepayment Premium) to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower;

 

(iii)                     require that the Borrower Cash Collateralize the Letter of Credit Obligations (in an amount equal to the then Outstanding Amount thereof); and

 

(iv)                    exercise on behalf of itself and the Lenders all rights and remedies available to it and the Lenders under the Loan Documents or applicable Law;

 

provided that upon the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, the Revolving Credit Commitments of each Lender and any obligation of the Issuers to make L/C Credit Extensions shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, and the obligation of the Borrower to Cash

 

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Collateralize the Letter of Credit Obligations (in an amount equal to 101% of such Letter of Credit Obligations on such date) as aforesaid shall automatically become effective, in each case without further act of the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, any prepayment of the FILO Loan (or deemed repayment in the case of an acceleration of the FILO Loan) pursuant to Sections 2.8, 2.9 or 10.2 (including in connection with the commencement of any insolvency proceeding or other proceeding pursuant to any Debtor Relief Laws) shall be accompanied by the FILO Prepayment Premium and shall be subject to the provisions of the FILO Fee Letter.

 

(b)                                 Without limitation of the rights of the Agents or Secured Parties under Section 8.12, the Borrower hereby irrevocably waives the right to direct the application of any and all payments in respect of the Obligations and any proceeds of Collateral after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and agrees that during the continuance of an Event of Default, and notwithstanding Section 2.13(e) above, the Administrative Agent may in its sole discretion, and, upon either (A) the written direction of the Requisite Lenders or (B) the acceleration of the Obligations pursuant to Section 10.2(a), deliver a notice to each Approved Account Bank instructing them to cease complying with any instructions from any Loan Party and to transfer all funds therein to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent shall apply all payments in respect of any Obligations and all funds on deposit in the Agent Sweep Account and all other proceeds of Collateral in the order specified in Section 10.3 hereof.

 

(c)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, if the only Events of Default then having occurred and continuing are the failure to comply with Section 6.1 with respect to the Test Period most recently ended, then the Administrative Agent may not take any of the actions set forth in subclauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) of Section 10.2(a) during the period commencing on the date that the Administrative Agent receives a Notice of Intent to Cure and ending on the Cure Expiration Date with respect thereto in accordance with and to the extent permitted by Section 10.4.

 

(d)                                 Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, if at any time while the FILO Loan is outstanding any FILO Event of Default occurs and is continuing (unless such FILO Event of Default has been waived by the Requisite FILO Lenders or, solely with respect to a FILO Event of Default arising as a result of the Borrower’s failure to comply with Article VI, cured) and the FILO Standstill Period has expired, the Administrative Agent, at the written request of the FILO Agent, shall, within a reasonable time after receipt of such request (but in any event within five (5) Business Days, solely with respect to clause (i) below) take any or all of the following actions:

 

(i)                           declare the unpaid principal amount of the outstanding FILO Loan, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document with respect to the FILO Loan to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Loan Parties; or

 

(ii)                        whether or not the maturity of the FILO Loan shall have been accelerated pursuant hereto, proceed to protect, enforce and exercise the rights and remedies

 

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(including secured creditor remedies subject to the Intercreditor Agreement) under this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or applicable law on behalf of the FILO Agent and the FILO Lenders, including, but not limited to, by suit in equity, action at law or other appropriate proceeding, whether for the specific performance of any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any instrument pursuant to which the FILO Loan is evidenced, and, if such amount shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, proceed to enforce the payment thereof or any other legal or equitable right of the FILO Lenders; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent shall not have any obligations to take any additional action under this clause (ii) so long as the Administrative Agent is diligently pursuing in good faith the exercise of its rights and remedies against all or substantially all of the Current Asset Collateral, including through actions taken by the Loan Parties with the consent of the Administrative Agent.

 

SECTION 10.3              Application of Funds.  After the occurrence and during the continuance of the exercise of remedies following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default provided for in Section 10.2 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable and the Letter of Credit Obligations have automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set forth in the proviso to Section 10.2), any amounts received on account of the Obligations shall be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:

 

First, ratably, pay any reasonable and documented fees, indemnities, or out-of-pocket expense reimbursements then due to the Administrative Agent or any Issuer from the Borrower (other than in connection with Cash Management Obligations or Obligations in respect of Secured Hedge Agreements);

 

Second, ratably, to pay any reasonable and documented fees or out-of-pocket expense reimbursements then due to the Revolving Credit Lenders from the Borrower (other than in connection with Cash Management Obligations or Obligations in respect of Secured Hedge Agreements);

 

Third, to pay interest due and payable in respect of any Loans (including any Swing Loans but excluding the FILO Loan) and any Protective Advances, ratably;

 

Fourth, to pay principal on the Protective Advances;

 

Fifth, (a) ratably, to pay principal on the Loans (other than the Protective Advances and the FILO Loan) and unreimbursed Letter of Credit Borrowings, (b) to pay any amounts owing with respect to Obligations in respect of (i) Secured Hedge Agreements (solely to the extent and up to the amount of Availability Reserves imposed with respect to such Obligations in respect of Secured Hedge Agreements) and (ii) Secured Hedge Agreements in an additional aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 in excess of the amount of Availability Reserves imposed with respect to such Obligations in respect of Secured Hedge Agreements and (c) Cash Management Obligations;

 

Sixth, to pay an amount to the Administrative Agent equal to 101% of the Letter of Credit Obligations on such date, to be held in the Agent Sweep Account as cash collateral for such Obligations;

 

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Seventh, to the payment of any other Obligation (other than (i) principal, interest, expenses and fees, and (ii) any amounts owing with respect to any Cash Management Obligations and any Secured Hedge Obligations) due to the Administrative Agent or any Lender (other than the FILO Lender) by the Borrower;

 

Eighth, to pay any reasonable and documented fees, indemnities, or out-of-pocket expense reimbursements then due to the FILO Agent from the Borrower;

 

Ninth, ratably, to pay any reasonable and documented fees (other than the FILO Prepayment Premium) or out-of-pocket expense reimbursements then due to the FILO Lenders from the Borrower;

 

Tenth, ratably, to pay interest due and payable in respect of the FILO Loan;

 

Eleventh, ratably, to pay principal on the FILO Loan;

 

Twelfth, ratably, to pay the Obligations in respect of any FILO Prepayment Premium then due and payable to the FILO Lenders;

 

Thirteenth, to pay any amounts owing with respect to Cash Management Obligations not paid pursuant to clause Fifth, ratably;

 

Fourteenth, to pay any amounts owing with respect to any Secured Hedge Obligations not paid pursuant to clause Fifth, ratably;

 

Fifteenth, to the payment of any other Obligation due to any FILO Lender by the Borrower;

 

Sixteenth, as provided for under the Intercreditor Agreement and the Notes Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable; and

 

Seventeenth, after all of the Obligations set forth in foregoing clauses First through Sixteenth have been paid in full, to the Borrower or as the Borrower shall direct or as otherwise required by Law.

 

Subject to Sections 2.4, 2.16, 8.12 and 10.5, amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Sixth above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur.  If any amount remains on deposit as cash collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above and, if no Obligations then remain outstanding, to the Borrower.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if sufficient funds are not available to fund all payments to be made in respect of any Secured Obligation described in any of clauses First through Sixteenth above, the available funds being applied with respect to any such Secured Obligation (unless otherwise specified in such clause) shall be allocated to the payment of such Secured Obligation ratably, based on the proportion of the Administrative Agent’s, the FILO Agent’s and each Lender’s or Issuer’s interest in the aggregate outstanding Secured Obligations

 

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described in such clauses; provided, however, that payments that would otherwise be allocated to the Lenders shall be allocated first to repay Protective Advances and Swing Loans pro rata until such Protective Advances and Swing Loans are paid in full, second to repay the Loans (other than the FILO Loan) and third to repay the FILO Loan.  The order of priority set forth in clauses First through Seventeenth above may be changed only with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent in addition to that of all Lenders.

 

SECTION 10.4              Borrower’s Right to Cure.

 

(a)                                 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 10.1, in the event of any Event of Default under the covenant set forth in Article VI and until the expiration of the tenth (10th) day following the date on which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio calculation would be required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.1 or Section 7.2(a) (such date, the “Cure Expiration Date”), following delivery of a Notice of Intent to Cure by the Permitted Holders (or any subset thereof) of their intent to exercise their rights under this Section 10.4, the Borrower may designate any portion of the Net Cash Proceeds of any issuance of common Equity Interests of the Borrower or any cash capital contribution to the common equity of the Borrower as an increase to Consolidated EBITDA with respect to such applicable quarter; provided that all such Net Cash Proceeds to be so designated (i) are actually received by the Borrower as cash common equity (including through capital contribution of such Net Cash Proceeds directly or indirectly to the Borrower) after the date of such notice and before the Cure Expiration Date and (ii) the aggregate amount of such Net Cash Proceeds or cash capital contribution that are so designated shall not exceed 100% of the aggregate amount necessary to cure such Event of Default under Article VI for any applicable period.

 

(b)                                 Upon receipt by the Borrower of any such designated Net Cash Proceeds or cash capital contribution (the “Cure Amount”) in accordance with this Section 10.4, Consolidated EBITDA for any period of calculation which includes the last Fiscal Quarter of the Test Period ending immediately prior to the date on which such Cure Amount was received shall be increased, solely for the purpose of calculating the financial ratio set forth in Article VI, by an amount equal to the Cure Amount.  The resulting increase to Consolidated EBITDA from designation of a Cure Amount shall not result in any adjustment to Consolidated EBITDA or any other financial definition for any purpose under this Agreement other than for purposes of calculating the financial ratio set forth in Article VI and for additional clarification shall not adjust the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA for purposes of determining the Total Leverage Ratio, Senior Secured Leverage Ratio or Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (other than for purposes of actual compliance with Article VI as of the end of any applicable Test Period).

 

(c)                                  If, after giving effect to the foregoing recalculations, the Borrower shall then be in compliance with the requirements of Article VI, the Borrower shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of Article VI as of the relevant date of determination with the same effect as though there had been no failure to comply therewith at such date, and the applicable existing breach or default of Article VI shall be deemed cured for this purpose of the Agreement.

 

(d)                                 In each period of four Fiscal Quarters, there shall be at least two (2) Fiscal Quarters for which Consolidated EBITDA is not increased by exercise of a cure pursuant to Section 10.4(a).

 

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(e)                                  Consolidated EBITDA shall not be increased by exercise of a cure pursuant to Section 10.4(a) more than five (5) times during the term of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 10.5              Actions in Respect of Letters of Credit; Cash Collateral.

 

(a)                                 At any time (i) upon the Revolving Credit Termination Date, (ii) after the Revolving Credit Termination Date when the aggregate funds on deposit in the Agent Sweep Account to Cash Collateralize Letter of Credit Obligations shall be less than 101% of the Letter of Credit Obligations and (iii) as may be required by Section 2.9 or Section 2.16, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent in Same Day Funds at the Administrative Agent’s office referred to in Section 12.8, for deposit in the Agent Sweep Account, (x) in the case of clauses (i) and (ii) above, the amount required such that, after such payment, the aggregate funds on deposit in the Agent Sweep Account equals or exceeds 101% of the sum of all outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations and (y) in the case of clause (iii) above, the amount required by Section 2.9.  The Administrative Agent may, from time to time after funds are deposited in the Agent Sweep Account, apply funds then held in the Agent Sweep Account to the payment of any amounts, in accordance with Section 2.9 and Section 10.2(b), as shall have become or shall become due and payable by the Borrower to the Issuers or Lenders in respect of the Letter of Credit Obligations.  The Administrative Agent shall promptly give the Borrower written notice of any such application; provided, however, that the failure to give such written notice shall not invalidate any such application.  If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the applicable Fronting Exposure and other obligations secured thereby, the Borrower or the relevant Defaulting Lender will, promptly upon demand by the Administrative Agent, pay or provide to the Administrative Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency.

 

(b)                                 Application.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under any of this Section 10.4 or Sections 2.4, 2.9, 2.12, 2.16 or 10.2 in respect of Letters of Credit or Swing Loans shall be held and applied to the satisfaction of the specific Letter of Credit Obligations, Swing Loans, obligations to fund participations therein (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) and other obligations for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may be provided for herein.

 

(c)                                  Release.  Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce Fronting Exposure or other obligations shall be released promptly following (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure or other obligations giving rise thereto (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender or, as appropriate, its assignee following compliance with Section 12.2(b)(vi)) or (ii) the Administrative Agent’s good faith determination that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided, however, (x) that Cash Collateral furnished by or on behalf of a Loan Party shall not be released during the continuance of a Default or Event of Default (and following application as provided in this Section 10.4 may be otherwise applied in accordance with Section 10.3), and (y) the Person providing Cash Collateral and the applicable Issuer or Swing Loan Lender, as applicable, may agree that

 

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Cash Collateral shall not be released but instead held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

 

SECTION 11.1              Appointment and Authorization.

 

(a)                                 Each of the Lenders and the Issuers hereby irrevocably appoints Royal Bank of Canada to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.  The provisions of this Article XI (other than Sections 11.6 and 11.11) are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, the Lenders and the Issuers, and the Borrower shall not have rights as a third party beneficiary of any such provision.

 

(b)                                 The Administrative Agent shall also act as the “collateral agent” under the Loan Documents, and each of the Lenders (including in its capacities as a potential Hedge Bank and/or Cash Management Bank) and the Issuers hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to act as the agent of (and to hold any security interest created by the Collateral Documents for and on behalf of or in trust for) such Lender and such Issuer for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any of the Loan Parties to secure any of the Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto.  In this connection, the Administrative Agent, as “collateral agent” and any co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 11.5 for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under the Collateral Documents, or for exercising any rights and remedies thereunder at the direction of the Administrative Agent, shall be entitled to the benefits of all provisions of this Article XI and Article XII (including Sections 11.3, 11.13, 12.3, 12.4 and 12.5, as though such co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact were the “collateral agent” under the Loan Documents) as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Lenders hereby expressly authorize the Administrative Agent to execute any and all documents (including releases) with respect to the Collateral and the rights of the Secured Parties with respect thereto (including the Intercreditor Agreement and the Notes Intercreditor Agreement), as contemplated by and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Collateral Documents and acknowledge and agree that any such action by any Agent shall bind the Lenders.

 

SECTION 11.2              Rights as a Lender.  Any Person serving as an Agent (including as Administrative Agent) or FILO Agent, as applicable, hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent or FILO Agent, as applicable, and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include each Person serving as an Agent or FILO Agent, as applicable, hereunder in its individual capacity.  Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor

 

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or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not an Agent or FILO Agent, as applicable, hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.  The Lenders acknowledge that, pursuant to such activities, any Agent, FILO Agent or their respective Affiliates may receive information regarding any Loan Party or any of its Affiliates (including information that may be subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of such Loan Party or such Affiliate) and acknowledge that no Agent nor the FILO Agent shall be under any obligation to provide such information to them.

 

SECTION 11.3              Exculpatory Provisions.  No Agent (including the Administrative Agent) nor the FILO Agent shall have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, an Agent (including the Administrative Agent) and the FILO Agent:

 

(a)                                 shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the use of the term “agent” herein and in the other Loan Documents with reference to any Agent or the FILO Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law and instead, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties;

 

(b)                                 shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that such Agent or FILO Agent, as applicable, is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Requisite Lenders or Requisite FILO Lenders, as applicable (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that no Agent nor the FILO Agent shall be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose such Agent or the FILO Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law; and

 

(c)                                  shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by any Person serving as an Agent, FILO Agent or any of their respective Affiliates in any capacity.

 

Neither the Administrative Agent nor the FILO Agent shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Requisite Lenders or Requisite FILO Lenders, as applicable (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as such Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 12.1 and 12.2), or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, in connection with its duties expressly set forth herein.  Neither the Administrative Agent nor the FILO Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given to such Agent or FILO Agent, as applicable, by the Borrower, a Lender or an Issuer.

 

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No Agent-Related Person shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any recital, statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Collateral Documents, (v) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral, or (vi) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent, or (vii) to inspect the properties, books or records of any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof.

 

SECTION 11.4              Reliance by the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent.

 

The Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person.  The Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon.  In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or the applicable Issuer, the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or such Issuer unless the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent, as applicable, shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or such Issuer prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit.  The Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

 

The Administrative Agent and FILO Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under any Loan Document unless the Administrative Agent or FILO Agent, as applicable, shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Requisite Lenders or Requisite FILO Lenders, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent or FILO Agent, as applicable, deems appropriate and, if the Administrative Agent or FILO Agent, as applicable, so requests, the Administrative Agent or FILO Agent, as applicable, shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by the Administrative Agent or FILO Agent, as applicable, by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.  The Administrative Agent and FILO Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document in accordance with a request or consent of the Requisite Lenders or Requisite FILO Lenders, as applicable (or such greater number or percentage of Lenders as may be expressly required hereby in any instance), and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders; provided that neither the Administrative Agent nor the FILO Agent shall be required to take any action that, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent or FILO Agent, as applicable, or in

 

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the opinion of their respective counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent or FILO Agent, as applicable, to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable Law.

 

SECTION 11.5              Delegation of Duties.  The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Documents by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Agent-Related Persons.  The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Agent-Related Persons of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

 

SECTION 11.6              Resignation of Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent.

 

(a)                                 The Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the Issuers and the Borrower.  Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Requisite Lenders shall have the right, with the consent of the Borrower at all times other than during the existence of an Event of Default under Section 10.1(a) or (f) (which consent of the Borrower shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), to appoint a successor, which shall be a Lender or a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such Lender or bank with an office in the United States.  If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Requisite Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, may on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuers, with the consent of the Borrower at all times other than during the existence of an Event of Default under Section 10.1(a) or (f) (which consent of the Borrower shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), appoint a successor Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that if the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (1) the retiring Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Lenders or the Issuers under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent or such Collateral Agent, as applicable, is appointed) and (2) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and each Issuer directly, until such time as the Requisite Lenders with the consent of the Borrower at all times other than during the existence of an Event of Default under Section 10.1(a) or (f) (which consent of the Borrower shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above in this Section 11.6.  Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, hereunder and such successor agent agreeing to be bound as the successor Administrative Agent by the terms and conditions of that certain Agreement

 

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Among Lenders (“AAL”) dated as of the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date among TPG Specialty Lending, Inc., as FILO Agent, Royal Bank of Canada, as Administrative Agent and acknowledged by the Loan Parties, and upon the execution and filing or recording of such financing statements, or amendments thereto, and such amendments or supplements to the Mortgages, and such other instruments or notices, as may be necessary or desirable, or as the Requisite Lenders may request, in order to (i) continue the perfection of the Liens granted or purported to be granted by the Collateral Documents or (ii) otherwise ensure that the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement is satisfied, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, and the retiring Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section).  The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor.  After the retiring Administrative Agent’s or Collateral Agent’s, as applicable, resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Sections 12.3, 12.4 and 12.5 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, its sub agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, was acting as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable.

 

(b)                                 Any resignation by Royal Bank of Canada as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall also constitute its resignation as an Issuer and Swing Loan Lender.  Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, (i) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Issuer and Swing Loan Lender, (ii) the retiring Issuer and Swing Loan Lender shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and (iii) the successor Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit issued by Royal Bank of Canada, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to the retiring Issuer to effectively assume the obligations of the retiring Issuer with respect to such Letters of Credit.

 

SECTION 11.7              Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders; Disclosure of Information by Agents.  Each Lender and each Issuer acknowledges that no Agent-Related Person has made any representation or warranty to it, and that no act by any Agent hereafter taken, including any consent to and acceptance of any assignment or review of the affairs of any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by any Agent-Related Person to any Lender as to any matter, including whether Agent-Related Persons have disclosed material information in their possession.  Each Lender represents to each Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent-Related Person and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries, and all applicable bank or other regulatory Laws relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, and made its own decision to enter into this Agreement and to extend credit to the Borrower and the other Loan Parties hereunder.  Each Lender and each Issuer also represents that it will,

 

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independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Agent-Related Persons 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 investigations as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties.  Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by any Agent herein, such Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of any of the Loan Parties or any of their respective Affiliates which may come into the possession of any Agent-Related Person.

 

SECTION 11.8              No Other Duties; Other Agents, Arrangers, Managers, Etc.  Each of Citizens Bank, N.A. and UBS Securities LLC is hereby appointed as a Co-Syndication Agent hereunder, and each Lender hereby authorizes each of Citizens Bank, N.A. and UBS Securities LLC to act as a Co-Syndication Agent in accordance with the terms hereof and the other Loan Documents.  Each of City National Bank and Siemens Financial Services, Inc. is hereby appointed Co-Documentation Agent hereunder, and each Lender hereby authorizes City National Bank and Siemens Financial Services, Inc. to act as Co-Documentation Agent in accordance with the terms hereof and the other Loan Documents.  Each Agent hereby agrees to act in its capacity as such upon the express conditions contained herein and the other Loan Documents, as applicable.  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the Joint Bookrunners, Arrangers or other Agents listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or a Lender or Issuer hereunder and such Persons shall have the benefit of this Article XI.  Without limiting the foregoing, none of the Lenders or other Persons so identified shall have or be deemed to have any agency or fiduciary or trust relationship with any Lender, Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries.  Each Lender acknowledges that it has not relied, and will not rely, on any of the Lenders or other Persons so identified in deciding to enter into this Agreement or in taking or not taking action hereunder.  Each Co-Syndication Agent and each Co-Documentation Agent, without consent of or notice to any party hereto, may assign any and all of its rights or obligations hereunder to any of its Affiliates.  Each Co-Syndication Agent and each Co-Documentation Agent and any other Agent may resign from such role at any time, with immediate effect, by giving prior written notice thereof to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower.

 

SECTION 11.9              Intercreditor AgreementAgreements and Agreement Among Lenders.

 

(a)                                 The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent are authorized to enter into the Intercreditor Agreement, and the parties hereto acknowledge that the Intercreditor Agreement is binding upon them.  Each Lender (a) hereby consents to the subordination of the Liens on the Collateral other than the Current Asset Collateral securing the Obligations on the terms set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement, (b) hereby agrees that it will be bound by and will take no actions contrary to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and (c) hereby authorizes and instructs the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent to enter into the Intercreditor Agreement and to subject the Liens on the Collateral securing the Obligations to the provisions

 

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thereof.  The foregoing provisions are intended as an inducement to the Secured Parties to extend credit to the Borrower and such Secured Parties are intended third-party beneficiaries of such provisions and the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(b)                                 The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent are authorized to enter into the Notes Intercreditor Agreement, and the parties hereto acknowledge that the Notes Intercreditor Agreement is binding upon them.  Each Lender (a)  hereby agrees that it will be bound by and will take no actions contrary to the provisions of the Notes Intercreditor Agreement and (b) hereby authorizes and instructs the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent to enter into the Notes Intercreditor Agreement and to subject the Liens on the Collateral securing the Obligations to the provisions thereof.  The foregoing provisions are intended as an inducement to the Secured Parties to extend credit to the Borrower and such Secured Parties are intended third-party beneficiaries of such provisions and the provisions of the Notes Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(c)                                  The Administrative Agent is hereby authorized to enter into the AAL and the parties hereto acknowledge that the AAL is binding upon them.  Each Lender hereby agrees that it will be bound by and will take no actions contrary to the provisions of the AAL.

 

SECTION 11.10       Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim.  In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or Letter of Credit Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

 

(a)                                 to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, Letter of Credit Obligations and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Issuers and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the Issuers and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the Issuers and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.12, 12.3  and 12.4) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

 

(b)                                 to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and

 

(c)                                  any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and each Issuer to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the Issuers, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Agents and their respective agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.12, 12.3 and 12.4.

 

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Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or any Issuer any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or any Issuer to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or any Issuer in any such proceeding.

 

SECTION 11.11       Collateral and Guaranty Matters.

 

Each of the Lenders (including in its capacities as a potential or actual Cash Management Bank and a potential Hedge Bank) and the Issuers irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, and each of the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent agrees that it will:

 

(a)                                 release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent under any Loan Document (i) upon the Discharge of Obligations, (ii) at the time the property subject to such Lien is transferred or to be transferred as part of or in connection with any transfer permitted hereunder or under any other Loan Document (including in connection with a Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction) to any Person other than Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Guarantors, (iii) subject to Section 12.1, if the release of such Lien is approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Requisite Lenders, or (iv) if the property subject to such Lien is owned by a Guarantor, upon release of such Guarantor from its obligations under its Guaranty pursuant to clause (c) below;

 

(b)                                 release or subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by Section 9.1(i);

 

(c)                                  release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty if (i) in the case of any Subsidiary, such Person ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of a transaction or designation permitted hereunder or (ii) in the case of Holdings, as a result of a transaction permitted hereunder; provided that no such release shall occur if such Guarantor continues to be a guarantor in respect of the Term Facility, Second Lien Facility, Senior Notes, any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness or any Junior Financing; and

 

(d)                                 if any Guarantor shall cease to be a Material Subsidiary (as certified in writing by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower), and the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that it wishes such Guarantor to be released from its obligations under the Guaranty and provides the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent such certifications or documents with respect thereto as either such Agent shall reasonably request, (i) release such Subsidiary from its obligations under the Guaranty and (ii) release any Liens granted by such Subsidiary or Liens on the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary; provided that no such release shall occur if such Subsidiary continues to be a guarantor in respect of the Term Facility, the Second Lien Facility, the Senior Notes, any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness or any other Junior Financing.

 

Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Requisite Lenders will confirm in writing the Collateral Agent’s authority to release or subordinate its security interest in

 

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particular types or items of property, or to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty pursuant to this Section 11.11.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in each case as specified in this Section 11.11, the applicable Agent will (and each Lender irrevocably authorizes the applicable Agent to), at the Borrower’s expense, promptly execute and deliver to the applicable Loan Party such documents as such Loan Party may reasonably request to evidence the release or subordination of such item of Collateral from the assignment and security interest granted under the Collateral Documents, or to evidence the release of such Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents and this Section 11.11.

 

In connection with the delivery of any such release or subordination documentation by the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 11.11, the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent, prior to the date of the proposed release or subordination, a written request for release or subordination identifying the relevant Guarantor and/or Collateral and the terms of the sale or other disposition or transaction in reasonable detail, including such other information as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request, together with a certification by the Borrower stating that such transaction is in compliance with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

SECTION 11.12       Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements.

 

(a)                                 Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein or in any Guaranty or any Collateral Document, no Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank that obtains the benefits of Section 10.3, any Guaranty or any Collateral by virtue of the provisions hereof or of any Guaranty or any Collateral Document shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document or otherwise in respect of the Collateral (including the release or impairment of any Collateral) other than solely in its capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article XI to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements unless the Administrative Agent has received written notice of such Obligations, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank, as the case may be.

 

(b)                                 Each Secured Party hereby agrees (i) that, after the occurrence and during the continuance of a Cash Dominion Period (and thereafter at such frequency as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request in writing), it will provide to the Administrative Agent, promptly upon the written request of the Administrative Agent, a summary of all Obligations owing to it under this Agreement and (ii) that the benefit of the provisions of the Loan Documents directly relating to the Collateral or any Lien granted thereunder shall extend to and be available to any Secured Party that is not an Agent, a Lender or an Issuer party hereto as long as, by accepting such benefits, such Secured Party agrees, as among the Administrative Agent and all other Secured Parties, that such Secured Party is bound by (and, if requested by the Administrative Agent, shall confirm such agreement in a writing in form and substance reasonably acceptable to

 

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the Administrative Agent) this Article XI and Sections 3.1, Sections 12.4, 12.6, 12.16, 12.19 and 12.22 and12.22, the Intercreditor Agreement, the Notes Intercreditor Agreement and the decisions and actions of any Agent and the Requisite Lenders (or, where expressly required by the terms of this Agreement, a greater proportion of the Lenders or other parties hereto as required herein) to the same extent a Lender is bound; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing clause (ii), (x) such Secured Party shall be bound by Sections 12.3, 12.4 and 12.5 only to the extent of liabilities, reimbursement obligations, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses, or disbursements with respect to or otherwise relating to the Liens and Collateral held for the benefit of such Secured Party, in which case the obligations of such Secured Party thereunder shall not be limited by any concept of pro rata share or similar concept, (y) each of the Agents, the Lenders and the Issuers party hereto shall be entitled to act at its sole discretion, without regard to the interest of such Secured Party, regardless of whether any Obligation to such Secured Party thereafter remains outstanding, is deprived of the benefit of the Collateral, becomes unsecured or is otherwise affected or put in jeopardy thereby, and without any duty or liability to such Secured Party or any such Obligation and (z) such Secured Party shall not have any right to be notified of, consent to, direct, require or be heard with respect to, any action taken or omitted in respect of the Collateral or under any Loan Document.

 

SECTION 11.13       Indemnification of Agents.

 

Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Lenders shall indemnify upon demand the Administrative Agent and each other Agent-Related Person (solely to the extent any such Agent-Related Person was performing services on behalf of the Administrative Agent) (to the extent not reimbursed by or on behalf of any Loan Party and without limiting the obligation, if any, of any Loan Party to do so), pro rata, and hold harmless the Administrative Agent and each other Agent-Related Person (solely to the extent any such Agent-Related Person was performing services on behalf of the Administrative Agent) from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities incurred by it; provided that no Lender shall be liable for the payment to any Agent-Related Person of any portion of such Indemnified Liabilities resulting from such Agent-Related Person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that no action taken in accordance with the directions of the Requisite Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be required by the Loan Documents) shall be deemed to constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct for purposes of this Section 11.13.  In the case of any investigation, litigation or proceeding giving rise to any Indemnified Liabilities, this Section 11.13 applies whether any such investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by any Lender or any other Person.  Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender shall reimburse the Administrative Agent upon demand for its ratable share of any costs or out-of-pocket expenses (including Attorney Costs) incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, amendment or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or responsibilities under, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any document contemplated by or referred to herein, to the extent that the Administrative Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses by or on behalf of the Borrower, provided that such reimbursement by the Lenders shall not affect the Borrower’s continuing reimbursement obligations (if any) with respect thereto, provided further that the failure of any Lender to indemnify or reimburse the Administrative Agent shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation in respect thereof.  The

 

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undertaking in this Section 11.13 shall survive termination of the Aggregate Commitments, the payment of all other Obligations and the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the Swing Loan Lender or any Issuer.

 

SECTION 11.14       Reserves.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, as long as the FILO Loan remains outstanding, the Administrative Agent shall maintain Reserves  of the type existing on the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date, which Reserves shall be calculated using a methodology no less restrictive than as used by the Administrative Agent on the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date; provided that the Administrative Agent may eliminate any Reserve concurrently with, or after elimination of, the event or circumstance that gave rise to the establishment of such Reserve; provided, further, that the Administrative Agent may modify or eliminate the Systems Reserve and the import inventory reserve in its Permitted Discretion (and, to the extent any collateral diligence results are available with respect to such modification or elimination, the Administrative Agent shall deliver such results to the FILO Agent).  For clarity, the foregoing shall not limit the right of the Administrative Agent (i) to modify the amount of any of the Reserves resulting from mathematical calculations, including reducing the amount of any such Reserves to an amount less than those Reserves in effect on the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date, to the extent such reduction results from mathematical calculations, (ii) without regard to clause (i) hereof, to increase any Reserve from the level in effect at the time of the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date and thereafter to reduce the amount of such Reserve to an amount not less than the amount thereof in effect on the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date, or (iii) to implement any Reserves not in existence on the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date (it being understood and agreed that nothing herein shall limit the discretion of the Administrative Agent to reduce, establish or eliminate such Reserves described in this clause (iii) without the consent of any Lenders), in the case of each of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), in a manner otherwise permitted by this Agreement.  For the avoidance of doubt, the FILO Reserve (if any) shall automatically apply to the Borrowing Base at all times.

 

SECTION 11.15       Updated Inventory Appraisals and Field Examinations.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, as long as the FILO Loan remains outstanding, the Administrative Agent shall carry out Updated Inventory Appraisals and Field Examinations, in each case, as frequently as the lesser of (a) two times in any period of 12 consecutive months and (b) the maximum number permitted under Section 7.4(c) or Section 7.4(d), as applicable.

 

SECTION 11.16       FILO Agent.

 

(a)                                 Each of the FILO Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints TPG SPECIALTY LENDING, INC. to act on its behalf as the FILO Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the FILO Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the FILO Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.

 

(b)                                 The FILO Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to other Secured Parties, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower.  Upon receipt of any such

 

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notice of resignation, the Requisite FILO Lenders shall have the right, with the consent of the Borrower at all times other than during the existence of an Event of Default under Section 10.1(a) or (f) (which consent of the Borrower shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), to appoint a successor.  If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Requisite FILO Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring FILO Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring FILO Agent may on behalf of the FILO Lenders, with the consent of the Borrower at all times other than during the existence of an Event of Default under Section 10.1(a) or (f) (which consent of the Borrower shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), appoint a successor FILO Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that if the FILO Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (1) the retiring FILO Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and (2) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the FILO Agent shall instead be made by or to each FILO Lender directly, until such time as the Requisite FILO Lenders with the consent of the Borrower at all times other than during the existence of an Event of Default under Section 10.1(a) or (f) (which consent of the Borrower shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) appoint a successor FILO Agent as provided for above in this Section 11.16.  Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as FILO Agent hereunder and upon the execution of amendments thereto and such other instruments or notices, as may be necessary, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) FILO Agent, and the retiring FILO Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section).  The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor FILO Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor.  After the retiring FILO Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Sections 12.3, 12.4 and 12.5 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring FILO Agent, its sub agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring FILO Agent was acting as FILO Agent.

 

ARTICLE XII

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 12.1              Amendments, Etc.  Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, no amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by the Borrower or any other Loan Party therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Requisite Lenders and the Borrower or the applicable Loan Party, as the case may be, and acknowledged by the Administrative Agent, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided that, no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:

 

(a)                                 extend or increase the Revolving Credit Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby (it being understood that (i) a waiver of any condition precedent set forth in Section 4.1 or Section 4.2 or (ii) the waiver of any Default, mandatory prepayment or mandatory reduction of the Revolving Credit

 

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Commitments, in each case, shall not constitute an extension or increase of any Revolving Credit Commitment of any Lender);

 

(b)                                 postpone any date scheduled for, or reduce the amount of, any payment of principal or interest under Section 2.6 or 2.10 without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby (it being understood that (i) any change to any component of “Excess Availability”, the definitions of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Total Leverage Ratio or Senior Secured Leverage Ratio or, in each case, in the component definitions thereof, (ii) a waiver of any condition precedent set forth in Section 4.1 or Section 4.2, (iii) the waiver of any Default, mandatory prepayment or mandatory reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitments or, (iv) a waiver of applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates, (v) a modification to or waiver of the Specified Exchange Threshold or (vi) a modification or waiver to the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, in each case, shall not constitute a postponement of any date scheduled for the payment of principal or interest or a reduction in the amount of any payment of interest); provided that only the consent of the Requisite Revolving Credit Lenders shall be necessary to amend the definition of “Default Rate” as it applies to the Facility (other than the FILO Facility) or to waive any obligation of any Loan Party to pay interest in respect of the Facility (other than the FILO Facility) at the applicable Default Rate or to amend the definition “Specified Exchange Threshold” or “Term/Notes Refinancing Date”;

 

(c)                                  reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or Letter of Credit Borrowing, or (subject to clause (iii) of the second proviso to this Section 12.1) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby (it being understood that (i) any change to any component of “Excess Availability”, the definitions of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Total Leverage Ratio or Senior Secured Leverage Ratio or, in each case, in the component definitions thereof, (ii) a waiver of any condition precedent set forth in Section 4.1 or Section 4.2, (iii) the waiver of any Default, mandatory prepayment or mandatory reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitments or (iv) a waiver of applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates, in each case, shall not constitute a reduction in the rate of interest); provided that only the consent of the Requisite Revolving Credit Lenders shall be necessary to amend the definition of “Default Rate” as it applies to the Facility (other than the FILO Facility) or to waive any obligation of any Loan Party to pay interest in respect of the Facility (other than the FILO Facility) at the applicable Default Rate;

 

(d)                                 change any provision of this Section 12.1, the definition of “Requisite Lenders”, “Requisite Class Lenders”, “Requisite Revolving Credit Lenders” “Supermajority Lenders” or any other provision specifying the number of Lenders or portion of the Loans or Revolving Credit Commitments required to take any action under the Loan Documents without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby;

 

(e)                                  other than in a transaction permitted under Section 9.4 or 9.5 or pursuant to Section 11.11, release all or substantially all of the Collateral in any transaction or series of related transactions (except as expressly permitted by the Collateral Documents or this Agreement), without the written consent of each Lender;

 

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(f)                                   other than in a transaction permitted under Section 9.4 or 9.5 or pursuant to Section 11.11, release all or substantially all of the Guarantors (except as expressly permitted by the Guaranty or this Agreement), without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby;

 

(g)                                  change the definition of the term “Borrowing Base” or any component definition thereof, if as a result thereof the amounts available to be borrowed by the Borrower would be increased, without the written consent of the Supermajority Lenders, provided that the foregoing shall not limit the discretion of the Administrative Agent to change, establish or eliminate any Reserves without the consent of any Lenders;

 

(h)                                 without the prior written consent of all Lenders directly and adversely affected thereby, (i) subordinate the Obligations hereunder to any other Indebtedness, or (ii) except as provided by operation of applicable Law or in the Intercreditor Agreement or pursuant to Section 11.11, subordinate the Liens granted hereunder or under the other Loan Documents to any other Lien;

 

(i)                                     change Section 12.7 or the order of the application of funds specified in Section 10.3 without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby (or, with respect to any amendment of such Sections in respect of Cash Management Obligations or Secured Hedge Agreements, the written consent of Cash Management Bank directly affected thereby (or if such Cash Management Bank is not a Lender, the Lender affiliated with the Cash Management Bank directly affected thereby) or the Hedge Bank directly affected thereby (or if such Hedge Bank is not a Lender, the Lender affiliated with the Hedge Bank directly affected thereby);

 

and provided further that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by each Issuer in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of an Issuer under this Agreement or any Issuer Document relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by it; (ii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Swing Loan Lender in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Swing Loan Lender under this Agreement; (iii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of, or any fees or other amounts payable to, the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (iv) Section 12.2(g) may not be amended, waived or otherwise modified without the consent of each Granting Lender all or any part of whose Loans are being funded by an SPC at the time of such amendment, waiver or other modification; (v) the consent of Requisite Class Lenders shall be required with respect to any amendment that by its terms directly and adversely affects the rights of such Class in respect of payments hereunder in a manner different than such amendment affects other Classes; (vi) no Lender consent is required to effect any amendment or supplement to the Intercreditor Agreement, (A) that is for the purpose of adding the holders of Indebtedness incurred or issued pursuant to a Permitted Refinancing of the Term Facility (or any agent or trustee of such holders) as parties thereto, as expressly contemplated by the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and permitted under Section 9.3(p) (it being understood that any such amendment or supplement may make such other changes to the Intercreditor Agreement as, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, are required to effectuate the foregoing and provided that such other

 

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changes are not adverse, in any material respect, to the interests of the Lenders) or (B) that is expressly contemplated by Sections 5.2(c) or 7.4 of the Intercreditor Agreement with respect to a Permitted Refinancing of the Term Facility permitted under Section 9.3(p) (or the comparable provisions, if any, of any successor intercreditor agreement with respect to a Permitted Refinancing of the Term Facility permitted under Section 9.3(p)); provided further that  no such agreement shall, pursuant to this clause (vi), amend, modify or otherwise directly and adversely affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, and (vii) no Lender consent is required to effect any amendment or supplement to the Notes Intercreditor Agreement, (A) that is for the purpose of adding the holders of Indebtedness incurred or issued pursuant to a Permitted Refinancing of the Senior Notes (or any agent or trustee of such holders) as parties thereto, as expressly contemplated by the terms of the Notes Intercreditor Agreement and permitted under Section 9.3(q) (it being understood that any such amendment or supplement may make such other changes to the Notes Intercreditor Agreement as, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, are required to effectuate the foregoing and provided that such other changes are not adverse, in any material respect, to the interests of the Lenders) or (B) that is expressly contemplated by Section 5.03 of the Notes Intercreditor Agreement with respect to a Permitted Refinancing of the Senior Notes permitted under Section 9.3(q) (or the comparable provisions, if any, of any successor intercreditor agreement with respect to a Permitted Refinancing of the Senior Notes permitted under Section 9.3(q)); provided further that no such agreement shall, pursuant to this clause (ii), amend, modify or otherwise directly and adversely affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as applicable and (viii) only the consent of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower is required to effect any amendment or supplement of the Fee Letter.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (x) the Revolving Credit Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender more adversely than other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 12.1 or otherwise in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (i) this Agreement and any other Loan Document may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified to effect the provisions of Sections 2.15, 2.17 and 2.18, (ii) this Agreement and any other Loan Document may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, or any provision thereof waived, with the consent of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower without the need to obtain the consent of any Lender or Issuer, if such amendment, supplement, modification or waiver is delivered in order to (A) cure ambiguities, omissions, mistakes or defects or (B) cause any Collateral Document to be consistent with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (iii) without the consent of any Lender or Issuer, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent or any other collateral agent may enter into any amendment, supplement or modification of any Loan Document, or enter into any new agreement or instrument, to effect the granting, perfection, protection, expansion or enhancement of any

 

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security interest of the Secured Parties in any Collateral or additional property to become Collateral for the benefit of the Secured Parties or as required by local law to give effect to, or protect any security interests for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in any property or so that the security interests therein comply with applicable law or this Agreement or in each case to otherwise enhance the rights or benefits of any Lender under any Loan Document.  The Administrative Agent shall make available to the Lenders copies of each such amendment or other modification to this Agreement.

 

If any Lender does not consent to a proposed amendment, waiver, consent or release with respect to any Loan Document that requires the consent of each Lender or each affected Lender and that has been approved by the Requisite Lenders, the Borrower may replace such non-consenting Lender in accordance with Section 3.7; provided that such amendment, waiver, consent or release can be effected as a result of the assignment contemplated by such Section (together with all other such assignments required by the Borrower to be made pursuant to this paragraph).

 

SECTION 12.2              Successors and Assigns.

 

(a)                                 Successors and Assigns Generally.  The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that neither Holdings nor the Borrower may, except as permitted by Section 9.4, assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section, or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of subsection (f) of this Section, or (iv) to an SPC in accordance with the provisions of subsection (g) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void).  Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuers and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(b)                                 Assignments by Lenders.  Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Revolving Credit Commitment and the Loans (including for purposes of this subsection (b), participations in Letter of Credit Obligations and in Swing Loans) at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

 

(i)                           Minimum Amounts.

 

(A)                               in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment and the Loans of any Class at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and

 

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(B)                               in any case not described in subsection (b)(i)(A) of this Section, (x) the aggregate unused amount of the Revolving Credit Commitment (plus the principal outstanding balance of the Revolving Loans) or, if the Revolving Credit Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Revolving 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 or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default under Section 10.1(a) or (f), has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) and (y) the principal outstanding balance of the portion of the FILO Loan 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 or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default under Section 10.1(a) or (f), has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned); provided, however, that concurrent assignments to members of an Assignee Group and concurrent assignments from members of an Assignee Group to a single Eligible Assignee (or to an Eligible Assignee and members of its Assignee Group) will be treated as a single assignment for purposes of determining whether such minimum amount has been met;

 

(ii)                        Proportionate Amounts.  Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Revolving Credit Commitment assigned, except that this clause (ii) shall not apply to rights in respect of the Swing Loan Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of Swing Loans;

 

(iii)                     Required Consents.  No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition:

 

(A)                               the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) shall be required unless (1) an Event of Default under Section 10.1(a) or Section 10.1(f), has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (2) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to an assignment (including any consent required under subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section) unless it shall have objected thereto by written notice (including via e-mail) to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received written notice thereof from the Administrative Agent;

 

(B)                               the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) shall be required if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender;

 

(C)                               the consent of the Issuers (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) shall be required for any assignment that increases

 

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the obligation of the assignee to participate in exposure under one or more Letters of Credit (whether or not then outstanding);

 

(D)                               the consent of the Swing Loan Lender (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) shall be required for any assignment that increases the obligation of the assignee to participate in exposure under one or more Swing Loans (whether or not then outstanding); and

 

(E)                                the consent of the FILO Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) shall be required for any assignment of a FILO Loan;

 

(iv)                    Assignment and Assumption.  The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment.  The Eligible Assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.  All assignments shall be by novation.

 

(v)                       No Assignment to Certain Persons.  No such assignment shall be made (A) to Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries, or (B) to any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (B), (C) to a natural person, or (D) to a Disqualified Lender.

 

(vi)                    Certain Additional Payments.  In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon) and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable Law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.

 

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to clause (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender

 

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under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.1, 3.4, 3.5, 12.3, 12.4 and 12.5 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment).  Upon request, and the surrender by the assigning Lender of its Revolving Credit Note, the Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Revolving Credit Note to the assignee Lender.  Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with subsection (d) of this Section.

 

(c)                                  Register.  The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at the Administrative Agent’s Office  a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Revolving Credit Commitments of, and principal amounts (and related interest amounts) of the Loans and Letter of Credit Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”).  The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Agents and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.  In addition, the Administrative Agent shall maintain on the Register information regarding the designation, and revocation of designation, of any Lender as a Defaulting Lender.  The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, any Agent and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.  This Section 12.2(c) and Section 2.7 shall be construed so that all Loans are at all times maintained in “registered form” within the meaning of Sections 163(f), 871(h)(2) and 881(c)(2) of the Code and any related Treasury regulations (or any other relevant or successor provisions of the Code or of such Treasury regulations).

 

(d)                                 Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person, a Defaulting Lender or the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Revolving Credit Commitment and/or the Loans (including such Lender’s participations in Letter of Credit Obligations and/or Swing Loans) owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Agents, the other Lenders and the Issuers shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement.

 

Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any  provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver

 

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or other modification described in the first proviso to Section 12.1 (other than clause (d) thereof) that directly and adversely affects such Participant.  Subject to subsection (e) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.1 (subject to the requirements of Sections 3.1(b), (c) or (d), as applicable), Section 3.4 and Section 3.5 (through the applicable Lender) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section.  To the extent permitted by applicable Law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 12.6 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 12.7 as though it were a Lender.

 

(e)                                  Limitations upon Participant Rights.  A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 3.1, 3.4 or 3.5 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 express prior written consent to such sale.  A Participant shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 3.1 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant (provided, that the receipt of such notice without more shall not be deemed to imply or constitute the Borrower’s consent to such sale for purposes of this Section or Section 3.1(e)) and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply and does in fact comply with Section 3.1 as though it were a Lender.  Each Lender that sells a participation shall (acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower) maintain a register complying with the requirements of Sections 163(f), 871(h) and 881(c)(2) of the Code and the Treasury regulations issued thereunder on which is entered the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under this Agreement (the “Participant Register”).  A Lender shall be obligated to disclose the Participant Register to any Person (including for the avoidance of doubt the Borrower and the Administrative Agent) to the extent such disclosure is necessary to establish that any Loan or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury regulations.  The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.

 

(f)                                   Any Lender may, at any time, pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Revolving Credit Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

 

(g)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a “Granting Lender”) may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (an “SPC”) the option to provide all or any part of any Revolving Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make pursuant to this Agreement; provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPC to fund any Revolving Loan, and (ii) if an SPC elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to make all or any part of such Revolving Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to make such Revolving Loan pursuant to the terms hereof or, if it fails to do so, to make such payment to the Administrative Agent as is required under Section

 

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2.13(e).  Each party hereto hereby agrees that (i) neither the grant to any SPC nor the exercise by any SPC of such option shall increase the costs or expenses or otherwise increase or change the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement (including its obligations under Sections 3.1, 3.4 and 3.5), (ii) no SPC shall be liable for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Agreement for which a Lender would be liable, and (iii) the Granting Lender shall for all purposes, including the approval of any amendment, waiver or other modification of any provision of any Loan Document, remain the lender of record hereunder.  The making of a Revolving Loan by an SPC hereunder shall utilize the Revolving Credit Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if, such Revolving Loan were made by such Granting Lender.  In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other senior debt of any SPC, it will not institute against, or join any other Person in instituting against, such SPC any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, or liquidation proceeding under the laws of the United States or any State thereof.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any SPC may (i) with notice to, but without prior consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and with the payment of a processing fee of $3,500 (which processing fee may be waived by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), assign all or any portion of its right to receive payment with respect to any Revolving Loan to the Granting Lender and (ii) disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information relating to its funding of Revolving Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety or Guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPC.

 

(h)                                 Resignation as Issuer or Swing Loan Lender after Assignment.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time Royal Bank of Canada or any other Issuer assigns all of its Revolving Credit Commitment and Revolving Loans pursuant to subsection (b) above, Royal Bank of Canada or the applicable Issuer may, (i) upon thirty (30) days’ notice to the Borrower and the Lenders, resign as Issuer and/or (ii) if applicable, upon thirty (30) days’ notice to the Borrower, resign as Swing Loan Lender.  In the event of any such resignation as Issuer or Swing Loan Lender, the Borrower shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders a successor Issuer or Swing Loan Lender hereunder; provided, however, that no failure by the Borrower to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of Royal Bank of Canada or the applicable Issuer as Issuer or (as applicable) Swing Loan Lender, as the case may be.  If Royal Bank of Canada or the applicable Issuer resigns as Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of an Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as Issuer and all Letter of Credit Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in unreimbursed amounts under Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.4).  If Royal Bank of Canada resigns as Swing Loan Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swing Loan Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swing Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swing Loans pursuant to Section 2.3.  Upon the appointment of a successor Issuer and/or Swing Loan Lender, (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Issuer or Swing Loan Lender, as the case may be, and (b) the successor Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to Royal Bank of Canada or the applicable Issuer to effectively

 

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assume the obligations of Royal Bank of Canada or the applicable Issuer with respect to such Letters of Credit.

 

SECTION 12.3              Costs and Expenses.  The Borrower agrees (a) if the Effective Date occurs, to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent upon presentation of a summary statement for all reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation, syndication and execution of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any amendment, waiver, consent or other modification of the provisions hereof and thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated thereby are consummated), and the consummation and administration of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including, with respect to (i) the Administrative Agent, (x) all Attorney Costs of Paul Hastings LLP and, if reasonably necessary, a single firm of local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction material to the interests of the Lenders taken as a whole (which may include a single special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions), and (y) reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred in connection with Field Examinations, the Initial Inventory Appraisal and any Updated Inventory Appraisal, and (ii) the FILO Agent, all Attorney Costs of Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, and (b) to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, the Issuers and the Lenders for all reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement of any rights or remedies under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (including all such reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred during any legal proceeding, including any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, and including all Attorney Costs of a single firm of counsel to the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, the Issuers and the Lenders taken as a whole (and, if reasonably necessary, a single firm of local counsel in any relevant material jurisdiction (which may include a single special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions).  The agreements in this Section 12.3 shall survive the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and repayment of all other Obligations.  All amounts due under this Section 12.3 shall be paid promptly following receipt by the Borrower of an invoice relating thereto setting forth such expenses in reasonable detail.  If any Loan Party fails to pay when due any costs, expenses or other amounts payable by it hereunder or under any Loan Document, such amount may be paid on behalf of such Loan Party by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.

 

SECTION 12.4              Indemnities.  The Borrower shall indemnify and hold harmless the Agents, the FILO Agent, each Lender, each Issuer and their respective Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, controlling persons and other representatives and the successors and permitted assigns of each of the foregoing (collectively the “Indemnitees”) from and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages, claims, and reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket fees and expenses (including Attorney Costs) of any kind or nature whatsoever which may at any time be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any such Indemnitee in any way relating to or arising out of or in connection with (but limited, in the case of Attorney Costs, to the reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket fees, disbursements and other charges of a single firm of counsel to all Indemnitees taken as a whole and, if necessary, a single firm of local counsel for all Indemnitees taken as a whole in each appropriate jurisdiction (which may include a single firm of special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions), and solely in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, where the Indemnitee affected by such conflict informs the Borrower and thereafter retains its own counsel, one additional firm of counsel for each group of affected Indemnitees similarly situated taken as a whole) (i) the execution,

 

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delivery, enforcement, performance or administration of any Loan Document or any other agreement, letter or instrument delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated thereby or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, (ii) any Revolving Credit Commitment, Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by an Issuer to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), or (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property currently or formerly owned or operated by the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other Loan Party, or any Environmental Liabilities, in each case arising out of the activities or operations of the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other Loan Party, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory (including any investigation of, preparation for, or defense of any pending or threatened claim, investigation, litigation or proceeding) and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto (all the foregoing, collectively, the “Indemnified Liabilities”); provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such liabilities, losses, damages, claims, costs, expenses or disbursements resulted from (A) (x) the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or of any Related Indemnified Person or (y) a breach of any obligations under any Loan Document by such Indemnitee or of any Related Indemnified Person, in each case, as determined by a final, non appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction or (B) any dispute solely between or among Indemnitees other than any claims against an Indemnitee in its capacity or in fulfilling its role as an administrative agent or arranger or any similar role under the Facility (excluding their role as a Lender) and other than any claims arising out of any act or omission of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates.  To the extent that the undertakings to indemnify and hold harmless set forth in this Section 12.4 may be unenforceable in whole or in part because they are violative of any applicable law or public policy, the Borrower shall contribute the maximum portion that it is permitted to pay and satisfy under applicable law to the payment and satisfaction of all Indemnified Liabilities incurred by the Indemnitees or any of them.  No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of any information or other materials obtained through IntraLinks or other similar information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement, nor shall any Indemnitee or any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or arising out of its activities in connection herewith or therewith (whether before or after the Effective Date) (other than, in the case of any Loan Party, in respect of any such damages incurred or paid by an Indemnitee to a third party).  In the case of an investigation, litigation or other proceeding to which the indemnity in this Section 12.4 applies, such indemnity shall be effective whether or not such investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by any Loan Party, its directors, stockholders or creditors or an Indemnitee or any other Person, whether or not any Indemnitee is otherwise a party thereto and whether or not any of the transactions contemplated hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents is consummated.  All amounts due under this Section 12.4 shall be paid within twenty (20) Business Days after written demand thereof from the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent or the Indemnitee entitled thereto.  The agreements in this Section 12.4 shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the FILO Agent, the Swing Loan Lender or any Issuer, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.  This Section 12.4 shall not apply to Taxes, or amounts

 

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excluded from the definition of Taxes pursuant to clauses (i) through (viii) of the first sentence of Section 3.1(a), that are imposed with respect to payments to or for account of any Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document, which shall be governed by Section 3.1.  This Section 12.4 also shall not apply to Other Taxes or to taxes covered by Section 3.4.

 

SECTION 12.5              Limitation of Liability.  The Loan Parties agree that no Indemnitee shall have any liability (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) to any Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries or any of their respective equity holders or creditors for or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and in the other Loan Documents, except to the extent such liability is determined in a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Indemnitee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct or bad faith or breach by such Indemnitee of its material obligations under this Agreement.  In no event shall any Loan Party, any Affiliate thereof, any other party hereto or any Indemnitee be liable on any theory of liability for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (including any loss of profits, business or anticipated savings).  Each party hereto hereby waives, releases and agrees (each for itself and on behalf of its Subsidiaries) not to sue upon any such claim for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, whether or not accrued and whether or not known or suspected to exist in its favor.

 

SECTION 12.6              Right of Setoff.

 

If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, after obtaining the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower or any other Loan Party  against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower or such other Loan Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrower or such Loan Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lender different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness;  provided that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.16 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff.  The rights of each Lender and its Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender or its Affiliates may have.  Each Lender agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

 

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SECTION 12.7              Sharing of Payments.

 

If, other than as expressly provided elsewhere herein, any Lender shall obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on account of the Loans made by it, or the participations in Letter of Credit Obligations and Swing Loans held by it (in each case, whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise of any right of set-off, or otherwise) in excess of its ratable share (or other share contemplated hereunder) thereof, such Lender shall immediately (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase from the other Lenders such participations in the Loans made by them and/or such subparticipations in the participations in Letter of Credit Obligations or Swing Loans held by them, as the case may be, as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess payment of principal of or interest on such Loans or such participations, as the case may be, pro rata with each of them; provided that if all or any portion of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from the purchasing Lender under any of the circumstances described in Section 12.13 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the purchasing Lender in its discretion), such purchase shall to that extent be rescinded and each other Lender shall repay to the purchasing Lender the purchase price paid therefor, together with an amount equal to such paying Lender’s ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such paying Lender’s required repayment to (ii) the total amount so recovered from the purchasing Lender) of any interest or other amount paid or payable by the purchasing Lender in respect of the total amount so recovered, without further interest thereon.  The provisions of this Section shall not be construed to apply to the application of Cash Collateral provided for in Sections 10.3 and 10.5.  For avoidance of doubt, the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to (A) any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement as in effect from time to time or (B) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans to any assignee or participant permitted hereunder.  The Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another Lender may, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, exercise all its rights of payment (including the right of set-off, but subject to Section 12.6) with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.  The Administrative Agent will keep records (which shall be conclusive and binding in the absence of manifest error) of participations purchased under this Section 12.7 and will in each case notify the Lenders following any such purchases or repayments.  Each Lender that purchases a participation pursuant to this Section 12.7 shall from and after such purchase have the right to give all notices, requests, demands, directions and other communications under this Agreement with respect to the portion of the Obligations purchased to the same extent as though the purchasing Lender were the original owner of the Obligations purchased.

 

SECTION 12.8              Notices and Other Communications; Facsimile Copies.

 

(a)                                 General.  Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in subsection (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopier as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:

 

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(i)                           if to Holdings, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent an Issuer or the Swing Loan Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 12.8; and

 

(ii)                        if to any other Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire.

 

Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by telecopier shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient).  Notices and other communications delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subsection (b) below shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b).

 

(b)                                 Electronic Communications.  Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuers hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or Issuer pursuant to Article II if such Lender or Issuer, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication.  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.  The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Arrangers will make available to the Lenders and the Issuers materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks or another similar electronic system (the “Platform”) and (b) certain of the Lenders (each, a “Public Lender”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities.  The Borrower hereby agrees that (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Issuers and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 12.16); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Side Information”; and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Side Information.”

 

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(c)                                  Receipt.  Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.

 

(d)                                 The Platform.  THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.”  THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS.  NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM.  In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Agent-Related Persons or any Arranger (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to Holdings, the Borrower, any Lender, any Issuer or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrower’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Borrower Materials through the Internet, except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Agent Party; provided, however, that in no event shall any Agent Party have any liability to Holdings, the Borrower, any Lender, any Issuer or any other Person under this Section 12.8 for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages).  Royal Bank has adopted internal policies and procedures that address requirements placed on federally regulated lenders under the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 and related legislation (the “Flood Laws”).  Royal Bank, in its capacity as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, will post on the Platform (or otherwise distribute to each Lender) documents that it receives in connection with the Flood Laws. However, Royal Bank reminds each Lender and Participant that, pursuant to the Flood Laws, each federally regulated Lender (whether acting as a Lender or a Participant) is responsible for assuring its own compliance with applicable flood insurance requirements.

 

(e)                                  Change of Address.  Each of Holdings, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, each Issuer and the Swing Loan Lender may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.  Each other Lender may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, each Issuer and the Swing Loan Lender.  In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent and, with respect to any FILO Lender, the FILO Agent, from time to time to ensure that the Administrative Agent and, if applicable, the FILO

 

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Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, telecopier number and electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender.  Furthermore, each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws, to make reference to Borrower Materials that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal or state securities laws.

 

(f)                                   Reliance by Administrative Agent, FILO Agent, Issuers and Lenders.  The Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, the Issuers and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic Notices of Borrowing or Swing Loan Requests) purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof.  The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, each Issuer, each Lender and the Agent-Related Persons of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower; provided that such indemnity shall not be available to the extent that such losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulted from (x) the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Person or (y) a breach of any obligations under any Loan Document by such Person, in each case, as determined by a final, non appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.  All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.

 

SECTION 12.9              No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.

 

No failure by any Lender, the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.  The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided, and provided under each other Loan Document, are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by Law.

 

SECTION 12.10       Binding Effect.  This Agreement shall become effective when (i) it shall have been executed by the Borrower, Holdings and the Administrative Agent and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have been notified by each Lender, Swing Loan Lender and each Issuer (and the Administrative Agent, in turn, shall have notified the Borrower thereof) that each such Lender, Swing Loan Lender and Issuer has executed it and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, Holdings, each Agent and each Lender and their respective successors and assigns.

 

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SECTION 12.11       Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Service of Process.

 

(a)                                 THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT (EXCEPT AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK; PROVIDED THAT THE INTERPRETATION OF ANY PROVISION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT, INCLUDING THE DETERMINATION OF THE ACCURACY OF ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OR THE SATISFACTION OF ANY CONDITION CONTAINED THEREIN (INCLUDING ANY DETERMINATION OR DISPUTE CONCERNING A “CLOSING DATE MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT”) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND SECTION 9.08 OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT SHALL GOVERN WITH RESPECT THERETO.

 

(b)                                 THE BORROWER, HOLDINGS, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE FILO AGENT, EACH ISSUER AND EACH LENDER EACH IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR FEDERAL COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW.  EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES THAT THE AGENTS AND LENDERS RETAIN THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST ANY LOAN PARTY IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION SOLELY IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHTS UNDER ANY COLLATERAL DOCUMENT OR THE ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT.

 

(c)                                  THE BORROWER, HOLDINGS, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE FILO AGENT, EACH ISSUER AND EACH LENDER EACH IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (b) OF THIS SECTION.  EACH OF THE PARTIES

 

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HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

 

(d)                                 EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 12.8.  NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

 

SECTION 12.12       Waiver of Jury Trial.  EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY).  EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

SECTION 12.13       Marshaling; Payments Set Aside.  None of the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, any Lender or any Issuer shall be under any obligation to marshal any assets in favor of the Loan Parties or any other party or against or in payment of any or all of the Obligations.  To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower is made to any Agent or any Lender, or any Agent or any Lender exercises its right of set-off, and such payment or the proceeds of such set-off or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by such Agent or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such set-off had not occurred, and (b) each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share of any amount so recovered from or repaid by any Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect.

 

SECTION 12.14       Execution In Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.  This Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof.  Delivery of an executed

 

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counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy or other electronic imaging means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 12.15       Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents.  The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption or in any amendment or other modification hereof (including waivers and consents) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

 

SECTION 12.16       Confidentiality.  Each of the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, the Lenders and the Issuers agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information in accordance with its customary procedures (as set forth below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’ respective employees, legal counsel, independent auditors, professionals and other experts or agents who need to know such Information and who are informed of the confidential nature of such Information are subject to customary confidentiality obligations of professional practice or agree to be bound by the terms of this Section 12.16 (or provisions at least as restrictive as those of this Section 12.16, taken as a whole,) (with each such Administrative Agent, FILO Agent, Lender and Issuer responsible for such Person’s compliance with this paragraph), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners) in which case the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, the Lenders and the Issuers agree (except with respect to any audit or examination conducted by bank accountants or any governmental bank regulatory authority exercising examination or regulatory authority), to the extent practicable and not prohibited by applicable Law, to notify the Borrower promptly thereof prior to disclosure by such Person, (c) pursuant to the order of any court or administrative agency or in any pending legal, judicial or administrative proceeding, or otherwise as required by applicable law or compulsory legal process based on the advice of counsel (in which case the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent or such Lender, as applicable, agrees (except with respect to any audit or examination conducted by bank accountants or any governmental bank regulatory authority exercising examination or regulatory authority), to the extent practicable and not prohibited by applicable Law, to inform the Borrower promptly thereof prior to disclosure), (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions at least as restrictive as those of this Section 12.16, taken as a whole, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or any Eligible Assignee invited to be an Additional Lender or (ii) any actual or prospective direct or indirect counterparty to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations, in each case who agree to be bound by the terms of this Section 12.16 (or provisions at least as restrictive as those of this Section 12.16, taken as a whole,), (g) with the written consent of the Borrower; (h) to any rating agency in connection with obtaining ratings for the Borrower, the Facility, the Term Facility or the Senior Notes; or (i) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than

 

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as a result of a breach of this Section or improper disclosure by the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, any Lender or any Issuer or any of their respective Affiliates or any related parties thereto in violation of any confidentiality obligations owing to the Borrower, the Company, any Permitted Holder or any of their respective Affiliates or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, any Issuer, any Lender, or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof, and which source is not known by such Agent, FILO Agent or Lender to be subject to a confidentiality restriction in respect thereof in favor of the Borrower, the Company, any Permitted Holder or any of their respective Affiliates.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may Information be shared with a Disqualified Lender.

 

For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof relating to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof or their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, it being understood that all information received from or on behalf of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary after the date hereofEffective Date shall be deemed confidential unless such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as not being confidential.  Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so in accordance with its customary procedures if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

 

Each of the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, the Issuers and the Lenders acknowledges that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning any Loan Party or a Subsidiary thereof, as the case may be, (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws.

 

SECTION 12.17       Use of Name, Logo, etc.  Each Loan Party consents to the publication in the ordinary course by Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent or the Arrangers of customary advertising material relating to the financing transactions contemplated by this Agreement using such Loan Party’s name, product photographs, logo or trademark.  Such consent shall remain effective until revoked by such Loan Party in writing to the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent and the Arrangers.

 

SECTION 12.18       USA PATRIOT Act Notice.  Each Lender that is subject to the USA PATRIOT Act and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of each Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify each Loan Party in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act.  The Borrower shall, promptly following a request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent or such Lender requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations

 

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under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

SECTION 12.19       No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility.  In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), each of the Borrower and Holdings acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries’ understanding, that: (i) (A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Agents and the Arrangers are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrower, Holdings and their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Agents and the Arrangers, on the other hand, (B) each of the Borrower and Holdings has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) each of the Borrower and Holdings is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) the Agents, the FILO Agent, the Arrangers and each Lender is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Borrower, Holdings or any of their respective Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) none of the Agents, the FILO Agent, the Arrangers nor any Lender has any obligation to the Borrower, Holdings or any of their respective Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Agents, the FILO Agent, the Arrangers, the Lender and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower, Holdings their respective Affiliates, and none of the Agents, the FILO Agent, the Arrangers nor any Lender has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower, Holdings or any of their respective Affiliates.  To the fullest extent permitted by law, each of the Borrower and Holdings hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Agents, the FILO Agent, the Arrangers nor any Lender with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.

 

SECTION 12.20       Severability.  If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions.  The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.  Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 12.20, if and to the extent that the enforceability of any provisions in this Agreement relating to Defaulting Lenders shall be limited by Debtor Relief Laws, as determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent, the applicable Issuer or the Swing Loan Lender, as applicable, then such provisions shall be deemed to be in effect only to the extent not so limited.

 

SECTION 12.21       Survival of Representations and Warranties.  All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof.  Such representations and warranties have been or

 

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will be relied upon by the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, each Issuer and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, any Issuer or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, any Issuer or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall continue in full force and effect until the Discharge of Obligations.

 

SECTION 12.22       Lender Action.  Each Lender agrees that it shall not take or institute any actions or proceedings, judicial or otherwise, for any right or remedy against any Loan Party under any of the Loan Documents (including the exercise of any right of set-off, rights on account of any banker’s lien or similar claim or other rights of self-help), or institute any actions or proceedings, or otherwise commence any remedial procedures, with respect to any Collateral or any other property of any such Loan Party (including, without limitation, with respect to any Secured Hedge Agreement), without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (which shall not be withheld in contravention of Section 11.4).  The provision of this Section 12.22 are for the sole benefit of the Lenders and shall not afford any right to, or constitute a defense available to, any Loan Party.

 

SECTION 12.23       Interest Rate Limitation.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “Maximum Rate”).  If any Agent, the FILO Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower.  In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by an Agent, the FILO Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

 

SECTION 12.24       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;

 

219



 

(ii)                        a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

 

(iii)                     the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

 

SECTION 12.25       Amendments Affecting the FILO Facility.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no amendment, waiver or consent to any provision of any Loan Document shall:

 

(a)                                 (x) amend the definition of “Default Rate” as it applies to the FILO Facility or waive any obligation of any Loan Party to pay interest in respect of the FILO Facility at the applicable Default Rate, in each case without the written consent of the Requisite FILO Lenders (it being understood and agreed that no other consent shall be required (other than with respect to any amendments that increase the rates of interest set forth in the definition of “Default Rate” as it applies to the FILO Facility, which shall require the consent of the Requisite Lenders)) or (y) amend the definition of “Default Rate” as it applies to the Facility (other than the FILO Facility) if such amendment would increase the rate of interest set forth in the definition of “Default Rate” as it applies to the Facility (other than the FILO Facility) without the consent of the Requisite FILO Lenders;

 

(b)                                 change any provision of this Section 12.25, the definition of “Requisite FILO Lenders”, or any other provision specifying the number of FILO Lenders or portion of the FILO Loan or the FILO Commitments required to take any action under the Loan Documents without the written consent of each FILO Lender directly and adversely affected thereby;

 

(c)                                  change the definition of the term “Borrowing Base” or any component definition thereof, if as a result thereof the amounts available to be borrowed by the Borrower would be increased, without the written consent of the Requisite FILO Lenders, provided that, subject to Section 11.14, the foregoing shall not limit the discretion of the Administrative Agent to change, establish or eliminate any Reserves without the consent of any Lenders;

 

(d)                                 change Section 2.9(f) or 2.13(e) without the written consent of each FILO Lender directly affected thereby;

 

(e)                                  without the prior written consent of the Requisite FILO Lenders, amend the definition of “Cash Dominion Period”, “Cash Flow Forecast” (solely to the extent the Stub Term Loans are greater than $30,000,000), “Change of Control”, “Covenant Trigger Event”, “Event of Default”, “Eurocurrency Rate”, “Excess Availability”, “FILO Agent”, “FILO Borrowing Base”, “FILO Commitment”, “FILO Event of Default”, “FILO Facility”, “FILO Fee Letter”, “FILO Lender”, “FILO Liabilities”, “FILO Loan”, “FILO Maturity Date”, “FILO Note”, “FILO Prepayment Premium”, “FILO Reserve”, “FILO Standstill Period”, “Fixed Charge

 

220



 

Coverage Ratio”, “Net Cash Proceeds”, “Payment Conditions”, “Pro Rata Share”, “Protective Advances”, “Ratable Portion”, “Requisite FILO Lenders”, “Specified Exchange Threshold”, “Term/Notes Refinancing Date” or “Weekly Monitoring Event” (and any component definition of any of the foregoing terms to the extent used therein); provided that, subject to Section 11.14, the foregoing shall not limit the discretion of the Administrative Agent to change, establish or eliminate any Reserves without the consent of any Lenders;

 

(f)                                   without the prior written consent of the Requisite FILO Lenders, amend Section 2.1(d), Section 2.8(b), Section 2.9(a) — (c), Section 2.11(c) (solely as it relates to the FILO Loan), Section 2.17 (solely as it relates to the FILO Loan), Section 2.18 (solely as it relates to the FILO Loan), Section 6.1, Section 7.2(h) (solely to the extent the Stub Term Loans are greater than $30,000,000), Section 7.4, Section 8.12, Section 8.15, Section 9.5 (solely as it relates to Disposition of Collateral in the Borrowing Base), Section 9.6, Section 9.8, Section 9.11, Section 9.14, Section 10.1 (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, but subject to the following proviso, any waiver or consent of a Default or Event of Default; provided that (i) any waiver or consent of a FILO Event of Default shall require the consent of the Requisite FILO Lenders and (ii) any waiver of consent of an Event of Default pursuant to Section 10.1(c)(ii) or 10.1(c)(iii) shall require the consent of the Requisite FILO Lenders), Section 10.2, Section 10.4, Section 12.2(b) (solely as it relates to the FILO Loan), Section 12.3 (solely as it relates to the FILO Loan) or Section 12.4 (solely as it relates to the FILO Loan);

 

(g)                                  without the prior written consent of the Requisite FILO Lenders, amend Section 11.14, Section 11.15 and Section 11.16;

 

(h)                                 without the prior written consent of the Requisite FILO Lenders, modify the time upon which the Administrative Agent must institute the FILO Reserve;

 

(i)                                     without the prior written consent of the Requisite FILO Lenders, waive or consent to any FILO Event of Default;

 

(j)                                    without the prior written consent of the Requisite FILO Lenders, increase the rates  of  interest  set  forth  in  the  definition  of “Applicable Margin” at any level of the pricing grid applicable thereto (including, without limitation, in connection with any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness), or of the “Default Rate” with respect to the Revolving Loans or Letter of Credit Fees unless the “Applicable Margin” and “Default Rate”, in each case, with respect to the FILO Loan is increased by the same amount of rate;  provided  that  the  foregoing  shall  not  include  any  increase  occurring  because  of fluctuations in underlying rate indices or the imposition of the “Default Rate”;

 

(k)                                 affect the rights or duties of the FILO Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of the FILO Agent in addition to the Lenders otherwise required by this Agreement;

 

(l)                                     modify any provision of the FILO Fee Letter unless executed by the Persons party thereto; and

 

(m)                             without the prior written consent of the Requisite FILO Lenders, amend the Intercreditor Agreement; provided that any amendment or supplement to the

 

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Intercreditor Agreement, (A) that is for the purpose of adding the holders of Indebtedness incurred or issued pursuant to a Permitted Refinancing of the Term Facility (or any agent or trustee of such holders) as parties thereto, as expressly contemplated by the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and permitted under Section 9.3(p) (it being understood that any such amendment or supplement may make such other changes to the Intercreditor Agreement as, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, are required solely to effectuate the foregoing and provided that such other changes are not adverse, to the interests of the Lenders), (B) that is expressly contemplated by Sections 5.2(c) or 7.4 of the Intercreditor Agreement with respect to a Permitted Refinancing of the Term Facility permitted under Section 9.3(p) (or the comparable provisions, if any, of any successor intercreditor agreement with respect to a Permitted Refinancing of the Term Facility permitted under Section 9.3(p)) or (C) that is in connection with any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness of the FILO Loan, shall not require the consent of any FILO Lender; and

 

(n)                                 without the prior written consent of the Requisite FILO Lenders, amend the Notes Intercreditor Agreement, provided that any amendment or supplement to the Notes Intercreditor Agreement, (A) that is for the purpose of adding the holders of Indebtedness incurred or issued pursuant to a Permitted Refinancing of the Senior Notes (or any agent or trustee of such holders) as parties thereto, as expressly contemplated by the terms of the Notes Intercreditor Agreement and permitted under Section 9.3(q) (it being understood that any such amendment or supplement may make such other changes to the Notes Intercreditor Agreement as, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, are required to effectuate the foregoing and provided that such other changes are not adverse, in any material respect, to the interests of the Lenders), (B) that is expressly contemplated by Section 5.03 of the Notes Intercreditor Agreement with respect to a Permitted Refinancing of the Senior Notes permitted under Section 9.3(q) (or the comparable provisions, if any, of any successor intercreditor agreement with respect to a Permitted Refinancing of the Senior Notes permitted under Section 9.3(q)) or (C) that is in connection with any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness of the FILO Loan, shall not require the consent of any FILO Lender.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, any amendment, waiver or consent that reduces the rate of interest specified herein on the FILO Loan or postpones any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment or mandatory prepayment of principal, interest or fees due to the FILO Lenders hereunder shall require only the written consent of each FILO Lender entitled to such payment and the Borrower (and the consent of the Requisite Lenders shall not be required).

 

In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Section 12.25 and any other provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Section 12.25 shall control.

 

[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.]

 

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Exhibit B

 

Form of Notes Intercreditor Agreement

 



 

Exhibit C

 

SCHEDULE 5.11

 

SUBSIDIARIES

 

Name of Loan Party

 

Jurisdiction

Number Holdings, Inc.

 

Delaware

99 Cents Only Stores LLC

 

California

99 Cents Only Stores Texas, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

EQUITY INTERESTS REQUIRED TO BE PLEDGED

 

Loan Party
Pledgor

 

Pledgor
Jurisdiction

 

Issuer

 

Issuer
Jurisdiction

 

Number of
Shares
Owned/Class

 

Percent
Owned

 

Certificate
Number

Number Holdings, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

99 Cents Only Stores LLC

 

California

 

100/ Membership Units

 

100%

 

1

99 Cents Only Stores LLC

 

California

 

99 Cents Only Stores Texas, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

100/Common Stock

 

100%

 

3

99 Cents Only Stores LLC

 

California

 

Number Holdings, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

10,000/Class A

 

100%

 

A-1

99 Cents Only Stores LLC

 

California

 

Bargain Wholesale LLC

 

Delaware

 

N/A

 

100%

 

uncertificated

 


EX-10.2 3 a17-26148_1ex10d2.htm EX-10.2

Exhibit 10.2

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

AMENDMENT NO. 3
TO THE TERM CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

AMENDMENT NO. 3 (this “Amendment”), dated as of November 7, 2017, among 99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC (the “Borrower”), NUMBER HOLDINGS, INC. (“Holdings”), each other Loan Party party hereto, each Lender party or consenting in writing hereto and ROYAL BANK OF CANADA (“Royal Bank”), as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”), to the Existing Credit Agreement (as defined below).  Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Amendment have the same meanings as specified in the Credit Agreement.

 

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS:

 

WHEREAS, Holdings, the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto, Royal Bank, as Administrative Agent and as Collateral Agent, and the other agents party thereto, entered into that certain $525,000,000 Credit Agreement dated as of January 13, 2012 (as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the Term Credit Agreement, dated as of April 4, 2012 and Amendment No. 2 to the Term Credit Agreement, dated as of October 8, 2013, the “Existing Credit Agreement”; as amended by this Amendment and as otherwise may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”; and the Lenders party to the Existing Credit Agreement immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Amendment being the “Existing Lenders”).

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower, by this Amendment, hereby requests certain amendments to the Existing Credit Agreement to permit: (a) a reallocation of 100% of the principal amount of Loans under the Existing Credit Agreement held by Affiliated Lenders to a new second-lien term facility (the “Second Lien Facility”); (b) the establishment of a new Class of Loans, which would refinance or replace not less than 85% of the principal amount of Loans under the Existing Credit Agreement not held by Affiliated Lenders and extend the Scheduled Termination Date thereof pursuant to Section 2.13 of the Credit Agreement; (c) an exchange offer (the “Exchange Offer”) in respect of the Borrower’s Senior Notes pursuant to which such Senior Notes may be exchanged for new senior secured notes partially payable in-kind and with a later maturity date (the “Notes Maturity Date Extension”); and (d) certain other modifications to the Existing Credit Agreement, in each case as more particularly set forth herein.

 

WHEREAS, each Existing Lender executing and delivering a notice (a “Conversion Notice”) in the form attached as Exhibit E hereto to the Administrative Agent (each such Lender in such capacity, a “Converting Lender”) shall be deemed to have converted the aggregate outstanding amount of its Tranche B-2 Loans under the Existing Credit Agreement, as set forth in such Converting Lender’s Conversion Notice (not to exceed such Converting Lender’s First Lien Term Loan Commitment (as defined below)), into an equal aggregate principal amount of First Lien Term Loans under the Credit Agreement.

 

WHEREAS, the parties hereto have agreed to amend the Existing Credit Agreement on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 



 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.                            Amendments to the Existing Credit Agreement.  The Existing Credit Agreement is, effective as of the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 3 hereof, hereby amended as follows:

 

(a)                                 The Existing Credit Agreement shall be amended as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto, such that all of the newly inserted double-underlined provisions therein (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: double-underlined text) shall be deemed to be inserted and all of the stricken text therein (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: stricken text) shall be deemed to be deleted therefrom.

 

(b)                                 The Existing Credit Agreement is amended to add a new Exhibit U thereto as set forth on Exhibit B hereto.

 

(c)                                  Schedule 5.11 of the Existing Credit Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as set forth on Exhibit C hereto.

 

(d)                                 Schedule 12.8 of the Existing Credit Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as set forth on Exhibit D hereto.

 

SECTION 2.                            Refinancing Amendment.    For all purposes of the Credit Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents, (i) this Amendment shall constitute a “Refinancing Amendment” and (ii) the First Lien Term Loans shall constitute “Other Loans” and “Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness”.  For purposes of determining withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA, from and after the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall treat (and the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to treat) the Obligations in respect of the First Lien Term Loans as not qualifying as “grandfathered obligations” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.1471-2(b)(2)(i).

 

SECTION 3.                            Conditions to Effectiveness.  This Amendment shall become effective as of the first date (the “Amendment No. 3 Effective Date”) when, and only when, each of the following conditions have been satisfied (or waived) in accordance with the terms herein:

 

(a)                                 The Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts of this Amendment executed by Holdings, the Borrower, the other Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent and each Affiliated Lender.

 

(b)                                 The Administrative Agent shall have received a duly executed and delivered Conversion Notice from Converting Lenders representing at least 85% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Tranche B-2 Loans (excluding Tranche B-2 Loans held by Affiliated Lenders).

 

(c)                                  The Borrower shall have paid (A) all reasonable, documented and invoiced fees payable to the Administrative Agent and any other agents and advisors as

 

2



 

agreed in writing between any such Person and the Borrower and (B) all reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of Paul Hastings LLP, as counsel for the Administrative Agent, incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation and execution of this Amendment to the extent invoiced at least three (3) Business Days prior to the date hereof.

 

(d)                                 The Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each Converting Lender, an upfront fee in an amount equal to 0.50% of the aggregate principal amount of the First Lien Term Loans.

 

(e)                                  The Administrative Agent shall have received a solvency certificate from the chief financial officer or other Responsible Officer of the Borrower, in form and substance consistent with the solvency certificate delivered at closing of the Existing Credit Agreement, attesting to the Solvency of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a Consolidated basis, immediately after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Amendment and the exchange or refinancing of Tranche B-2 Loans for or with First Lien Term Loans and the reallocation of a portion of the Loans to the Second Lien Facility.

 

(f)                                   On and as of the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date, both immediately before and immediately after giving effect to the effectiveness of this Amendment and the exchange or refinancing of Tranche B-2 Loans for or with First Lien Term Loans and the reallocation of a portion of the Loans to the Second Lien Facility, (1) the representations and warranties of the Borrower and each other Loan Party contained in Article V of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material respects; provided that, to the extent such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date; and provided, further that, any representation or warranty that is qualified as to “materiality,” “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language shall be true and correct (after giving effect to any qualification therein) in all respects on such respective dates and (2) no Default or Event of Default shall exist, or would result therefrom.  The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying as to the matters set forth in this Section 3(f) and in Sections 3(h), (i) and (j).

 

(g)                                  The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower which shall (A) certify the resolutions of the board of directors, members or other body authorizing the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of this Amendment, (B) identify by name and title and bear the signatures of the officers of each Loan Party authorized to sign this Amendment (or certify that the signatures of such officers previously delivered to the Administrative Agent remain true and correct) and (C) contain appropriate attachments, including the organization documents of each Loan Party certified, if applicable, by the relevant authority of the jurisdiction of organization of such Loan Party (or certify that the organization documents of such Loan Party previously delivered to the Administrative Agent remain true and correct) and (ii) a good standing certificate as of a recent date for the Borrower and each Guarantor from its jurisdiction of organization.

 

3



 

(h)                                 All conditions to effectiveness contained in Section 2 of that certain Amendment No. 6 to the ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Borrower, Holdings, the loan parties party thereto, each lender party thereto, Royal Bank, as ABL Facility Administrative Agent and TPG Specialty Lending, Inc., as FILO Agent, shall have been, or concurrently with the effectiveness of this Amendment shall be, satisfied (or waived).

 

(i)                                     (i) The First Amendment to Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “First Amendment to Intercreditor Agreement”), among Holdings, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the ABL Facility Administrative Agent shall have been duly executed and delivered by each party thereto, and shall be in full force and effect and (ii) the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among Holdings, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Second Lien Administrative Agent shall have been duly executed and delivered by each party thereto, and shall be in full force and effect.

 

(j)                                    The reallocation of 100% of the Loans under the Existing Credit Agreement held by Affiliated Lenders to the Second Lien Facility shall have occurred or shall occur substantially simultaneously with the effectiveness of this Amendment and all conditions to effectiveness contained in Article IV of the Second Lien Credit Agreement shall have been, or concurrently with the effectiveness of this Amendment shall be, satisfied (or waived). The Second Lien Facility Documentation shall have been duly executed and delivered by each party thereto and shall be in full force and effect.

 

(k)                                 The Administrative Agent shall have received, on behalf of itself and the Lenders, dated the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date, a favorable written opinion of Proskauer Rose, LLP, special counsel for the Loan Parties, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

(l)                                     The Administrative Agent and the Converting Lenders shall have received on or prior to the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date, all documentation and other information reasonably requested by them in writing at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date in order to allow the Lenders to comply with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

(m)                             The Administrative Agent shall have received a completed “Life-of-Loan” Federal Emergency Management Agency Standard Flood Hazard Determination with respect to each Mortgaged Property.

 

(n)                                 The Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a perfection certificate in form and substance substantially consistent with the corresponding certificate most recently delivered pursuant to the ABL Facility (but including, for the avoidance of doubt, a reasonably detailed list of all owned real property, including, where applicable, an identification of such owned real property as Material Real Property and/or of the type that is eligible for an Exempt Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction).

 

4



 

SECTION 4.                            Execution and Delivery of First Amendment to Intercreditor Agreement. The Administrative Agent is hereby authorized and directed to execute and deliver the First Amendment to Intercreditor Agreement on the date hereof.

 

SECTION 5.                            Second Lien Facility; Intercreditor Arrangements. Each Converting Lender and each Affiliated Lender hereby acknowledge that it has received a copy of the Second Lien Credit Agreement, the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the form of Notes Intercreditor Agreement, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into or consent in writing to this Amendment, and each Converting Lender and each Affiliated has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or Person.

 

SECTION 6.                            Mechanics upon Effectiveness.  On the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date, upon the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 3 hereof:

 

(a)                                 With respect to each Converting Lender:

 

(i)                                     the outstanding amount of Tranche B-2 Loans of such Converting Lender shall be deemed to be converted to an equal outstanding amount of First Lien Term Loans under the Credit Agreement;

 

(ii)                                  pursuant to the terms of the Conversion Notice and this Agreement, for purposes of Section 12.1 of the Existing Credit Agreement, each Converting Lender shall be deemed to have consented to this Amendment and the amendment of the Existing Credit Agreement contemplated hereby; and

 

(iii)                               the Loans under the Existing Credit Agreement held by Affiliated Lenders shall be deemed (A) to have been automatically exchanged for loans under the Second Lien Facility and (B) repaid in full and no longer outstanding under the Credit Agreement.

 

(b)                                 Each conversion of Tranche B-2 Loans pursuant to Section 6(a) above shall be deemed, automatically and without further act by any Person, to constitute a simultaneous (i) Borrowing by the Borrower of First Lien Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.1(d) of the Credit Agreement from the applicable Converting Lender and (ii) prepayment of Tranche B-2 Loans of such Converting Lender pursuant to Section 2.3(a) of the Existing Credit Agreement, in each case in the amount of such conversion, provided that, the accrued and unpaid interest on such Tranche B-2 Loans shall not be payable at the time of such deemed prepayment, but instead be payable on the last day of the initial Interest Period with respect to the First Lien Term Loans into which such Tranche B-2 Loans are converted.

 

(c)                                  With respect to Section 6(a) above, the conversion of outstanding Tranche B-2 Loans by each Converting Lender shall be effected by book entry to the extent that any portion of the amount converted by such Converting Lender will be an outstanding amount of First Lien Term Loans of such Converting Lender after giving effect to this

 

5



 

Amendment, in each case in such manner, and with such supporting documentation, as may be reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent.

 

SECTION 7.                            Post-Closing Covenant.  (a) To the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower or such other applicable Loan Party shall deliver (or cause to be delivered) to the Administrative Agent within ninety (90) days of the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date one or more mortgage amendments, supplements or restatements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (the “Mortgage Amendments”) with respect to the Mortgages, duly executed, acknowledged and delivered by a duly authorized officer of each party thereto, in form suitable for filing and recording in all applicable filing or recording offices.

 

(b)                                       The applicable Loan Parties shall deliver the documents and take the actions required by Section 8.13 of the Credit Agreement.

 

SECTION 8.                            Consent and Affirmation of the Loan Parties.  Each Loan Party (prior to and after giving effect to this Amendment) hereby consents to the amendment of the Existing Credit Agreement effected hereby and confirms and agrees that, notwithstanding the effectiveness of this Amendment, each Loan Document to which such Loan Party is a party is, and the obligations of such Loan Party contained in the Existing Credit Agreement, this Amendment or in any other Loan Document to which it is a party are, and shall continue to be, in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects, in each case as amended or modified by this Amendment.  For greater certainty and without limiting the foregoing, each Loan Party hereby confirms that the existing security interests granted by such Loan Party in favor of the Secured Parties pursuant to the Loan Documents in the Collateral described therein shall continue to secure the obligations of the Loan Parties under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents as and to the extent provided in the Loan Documents.

 

SECTION 9.                            Representations and Warranties.  (a) Each Loan Party represents and warrants, on and as of the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date, that: (i) it has the corporate or other organizational power to execute and deliver this Amendment, and all corporate or other organizational action required to be taken by it for the execution, delivery and performance by it of this Amendment and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby has been taken; (ii) this Amendment has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it; and (iii) no action, consent or approval of, registration or filing with or any other action by any Governmental Authority is required to be obtained by it in connection with the execution and delivery of this Amendment, except for such actions, consents, approvals, registrations or filings as have been taken or the failure of which to be obtained or made could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)                                       Each Loan Party hereby represents and warrants that, on and as of the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date, both immediately before and immediately after giving effect to this Amendment, the representations and warranties of such Loan Party contained in Article V of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document are true and correct in all material respects; provided that, to the extent such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date; and provided, further that, any representation or warranty that is qualified as to “materiality,”

 

6



 

“Material Adverse Effect” or similar language shall be true and correct (after giving effect to any qualification therein) in all respects on such respective dates.

 

(c)                                  Each Loan Party hereby represents and warrants that, on and as of the date hereof, both immediately before and immediately after giving effect to this Amendment, no Event of Default or Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

SECTION 10.                     Reference to and Effect on the Credit Agreement.

 

(a)                                 On and after the effectiveness of this Amendment, each reference in the Credit Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “hereof’ or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement, as amended and otherwise modified by this Amendment.

 

(b)                                 The Existing Credit Agreement, as specifically amended and otherwise modified by this Amendment, is and shall continue to be in full force and effect and is hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed.  The amendment of the Existing Credit Agreement pursuant to this Amendment and all other Loan Documents amended and/or executed and delivered in connection with this Amendment do not constitute a novation of the Existing Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents as in effect prior to the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date, and all amounts owing in respect of principal, interest, fees and other amounts pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement shall, to the extent not paid or deemed paid on or prior to the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date, continue to be owing under the Credit Agreement.  This Amendment shall be a “Loan Document” for purposes of the definition thereof in the Credit Agreement.

 

(c)                                  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 any Lender or the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

SECTION 11.                     Execution in Counterparts.  This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same agreement.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Amendment by facsimile or in “pdf” or similar format by electronic mail shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment.

 

SECTION 12.                     Governing Law.  This Amendment shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.

 

SECTION 13.                     Headings.  Section headings are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part hereof for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

 

SECTION 14.                     Severability.  In case any provision in or obligation hereunder shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of

 

7



 

the remaining provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired hereby.

 

SECTION 15.                     Notices; Successors; Waiver of Jury Trial.  All communications and notices hereunder shall be given as provided in the Credit Agreement; provided that each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders party hereto waive any notice, demand or other communication required to request or make a prepayment or borrowing of Loans made in connection with this Amendment.  The terms of this Amendment shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.  Each of the parties hereto irrevocably waives trial by jury in any action or proceeding with respect to this Amendment or any other Loan Document.

 

SECTION 16.                     Waiver.  Subject to the conditions to effectiveness set forth in Section 3 hereof, each Affiliated Lender that has executed a counterpart hereto and each Converting Lender that has delivered a duly executed Conversion Notice hereby waives any compensation that may be required to be made pursuant to Section 3.5 of the Credit Agreement with respect to (a) any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Eurocurrency Rate Loan on a day prior to the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan or (b) any assignment of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan on a day prior to the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 3.7 of the Credit Agreement.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

8



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Amendment to be executed by their respective authorized officers as of the date first above written.

 

 

NUMBER HOLDINGS, INC.,

 

as Holdings

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Felicia Thornton

 

Name:

Felicia Thornton

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC,

 

as the Borrower

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Felicia Thornton

 

Name:

Felicia Thornton

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

99 CENTS ONLY STORES TEXAS, INC.,

 

as a Guarantor

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Felicia Thornton

 

Name:

Felicia Thornton

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

[99 Cents — Signature Page to Amendment No. 3 to Term Loan Credit Agreement]

 



 

 

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,

 

as Administrative Agent

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Susan, Khokher

 

Name:

Susan, Khokher

 

Title:

Manager, Agency

 

[99 Cents — Signature Page to Amendment No. 3 to Term Loan Credit Agreement]

 



 

 

AF III HOLDINGS A S.À.R.L., a Luxembourg limited liability company, as an Affiliated Lender

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael Thomas

 

Name:

Michael Thomas

 

Title:

Class A Manager

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Paul Galliver

 

Name:

Paul Galliver

 

Title:

Class B Manager

 

[99 Cents — Signature Page to Amendment No. 3 to Term Loan Credit Agreement]

 



 

 

CANADA PENSION PLAN INVESTMENT BOARD, as an Affiliated Lender

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Pierre Lavallée

 

Name:

Pierre Lavallée

 

Title:

Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Ryan Selwood

 

Name:

Ryan Selwood

 

Title:

Authorized Signatory

 

[99 Cents — Signature Page to Amendment No. 3 to Term Loan Credit Agreement]

 



 

Exhibit A

 

(see attached)

 



 

Conformed Copy, incorporating:EXHIBIT A

Amendment No. 1, dated as of April 4, 2012 and

Amendment No. 2, dated as of October 8, 2013

 

[Published CUSIP Number:           ]

 

$525,000,000

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Dated as of January 13

13, 2012, as amended by

Amendment No. 1 dated as of April 4, 2012,

Amendment No. 2 dated as of October 8, 2013, and

Amendment No. 3 dated as of November 7, 2017

 

among

 

NUMBER MERGER SUB, INC.,

as the initial Borrower,

which on the Effective Date shall be merged within and into

 

99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC (f/k/a 99¢ ONLY STORES),

with 99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC (f/k/a 99¢ ONLY STORES) surviving such merger as the Borrower,

 

NUMBER HOLDINGS, INC.,

as Holdings,

 

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,

as Administrative Agent,

 

and

 

THE OTHER LENDERS PARTY HERETO

 


 

BMO CAPITAL MARKETS+,

and DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,

as Co-Syndication Agents,

and

 

RBC CAPITAL MARKETS,*

BMO CAPITAL MARKETS

and

 


+ BMO Capital Markets is a brand name for the capital markets activities of Bank of Montreal and its affiliates

** RBC Capital Markets is a brand name for the capital markets activities of Royal Bank of Canada and its affiliates

 



 

Paul Hastings Draft

December 2, 2011

 

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.

as Joint Lead Arrangers and as Joint Bookrunners

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

 

 

ARTICLE I

Definitions, Interpretation and Accounting Terms

12

 

 

SECTION 1.1

Defined Terms

2

SECTION 1.2

Other Interpretive Provisions

6067

SECTION 1.3

Accounting Terms

6168

SECTION 1.4

Rounding

6168

SECTION 1.5

References to Agreements, Laws, Etc.

6168

SECTION 1.6

Times of Day

6268

SECTION 1.7

Pro Forma Calculations

6268

 

 

ARTICLE II

The Facility

6370

 

 

SECTION 2.1

The Loans

6370

SECTION 2.2

Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans

6370

SECTION 2.3

Optional Prepayments

6573

SECTION 2.4

Mandatory Prepayments

7380

SECTION 2.5

Reduction and Termination of Commitments 76; Etc.

84

SECTION 2.6

Repayment of Loans

7684

SECTION 2.7

Evidence of Indebtedness

7785

SECTION 2.8

Interest

7886

SECTION 2.9

Fees

7987

SECTION 2.10

Payments and Computations

7987

SECTION 2.11

Determination of Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate

8088

SECTION 2.12

Incremental Borrowings

8088

SECTION 2.13

Extensions of Loans

8290

SECTION 2.14

Refinancing Amendments

8493

SECTION 2.15

Loan Repricing ProtectionPrepayment Premium

8594

 

 

ARTICLE III

TAXES, INCREASED COSTS PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITYTaxes, Increased Costs Protection and Illegality

8695

 

 

SECTION 3.1

Taxes

9195

SECTION 3.2

Illegality

92100

SECTION 3.3

Inability to Determine Rates

92101

SECTION 3.4

Increased Cost and Reduced Return; Capital Adequacy; Reserves on Eurocurrency Rate Loans

92102

 

i



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

Page

 

 

 

SECTION 3.5

Funding Losses

94103

SECTION 3.6

Matters Applicable to All Requests for Compensation

94104

SECTION 3.7

Replacement of Lenders under Certain Circumstances

95105

SECTION 3.8

Survival

96106

 

 

ARTICLE IV

Conditions Precedent

96106

 

 

SECTION 4.1

 

Conditions Precedent to Initial Borrowing

96106

SECTION 4.2

 

Conditions Precedent to Each Loan

100109

 

 

ARTICLE V

Representations and Warranties

100110

 

 

SECTION 5.1

Existence, Qualification and Power; Compliance with Laws

101110

SECTION 5.2

Authorization; No Contravention

101110

SECTION 5.3

Governmental Authorization

101111

SECTION 5.4

Binding Effect

102111

SECTION 5.5

Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect

102111

SECTION 5.6

Litigation

103112

SECTION 5.7

Ownership of Property; Liens

103112

SECTION 5.8

Environmental Matters

103112

SECTION 5.9

Taxes

103112

SECTION 5.10

ERISA Compliance

103113

SECTION 5.11

Subsidiaries

104113

SECTION 5.12

Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act

104114

SECTION 5.13

Disclosure

104114

SECTION 5.14

Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc.

105114

SECTION 5.15

Solvency

105114

SECTION 5.16

Subordination of Junior Financing

105115

SECTION 5.17

USA PATRIOT Act

105115

SECTION 5.18

Collateral Documents

106115

SECTION 5.19

Use of Proceeds

106115

SECTION 5.20

Insurance

106116

SECTION 5.21

Broker’s or Finder’s Commissions

106

 

ii



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

Page

 

 

ARTICLE VI

[ReservedRESERVED]

107116

 

 

ARTICLE VII

Reporting Covenants

107116

 

 

SECTION 7.1

Financial Statements, Etc.

107116

SECTION 7.2

Certificates; Other Information

108118

SECTION 7.3

Notices

110120

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

Affirmative Covenants

110120

 

 

SECTION 8.1

Preservation of Existence, Etc.

110120

SECTION 8.2

Compliance with Laws, Etc.

111120

SECTION 8.3

Designation of Subsidiaries

111121

SECTION 8.4

Payment of Taxes, Etc.

111121

SECTION 8.5

Maintenance of Insurance

112121

SECTION 8.6

Inspection Rights

112122

SECTION 8.7

Books and Records

112122

SECTION 8.8

Maintenance of Properties

113122

SECTION 8.9

Use of Proceeds

113122

SECTION 8.10

Compliance with Environmental Laws

113123

SECTION 8.11

Covenant to Guarantee Obligations and Give Security

113123

SECTION 8.12

Interest Rate Protection

115125

SECTION 8.13

Further Assurances and Post-Closing Covenants

115125

 

 

ARTICLE IX

Negative Covenants

116126

 

 

SECTION 9.1

Liens

116126

SECTION 9.2

Investments

120130

SECTION 9.3

Indebtedness

123133

SECTION 9.4

Fundamental Changes

127137

SECTION 9.5

Dispositions

128139

SECTION 9.6

Restricted Payments

131141

SECTION 9.7

Change in Nature of Business

135145

SECTION 9.8

Transactions with Affiliates

135146

SECTION 9.9

Burdensome Agreements

138148

 

iii



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

Page

 

 

 

SECTION 9.10

Fiscal Year

140151

SECTION 9.11

Prepayments, Etc. of Junior Financing

140151

SECTION 9.12

Modification of Agreements

141152

SECTION 9.13

Holdings

141152

SECTION 9.14

Capital Expenditures

142

 

 

ARTICLE X

Events of Default

143153

 

 

SECTION 10.1

Events of Default

143153

SECTION 10.2

Remedies upon Event of Default

146156

SECTION 10.3

Application of Funds

146156

 

 

ARTICLE XI

The Administrative Agent

147157

 

 

SECTION 11.1

Appointment and Authorization

147157

SECTION 11.2

Rights as a Lender

148158

SECTION 11.3

Exculpatory Provisions

148158

SECTION 11.4

Reliance by the Administrative Agent

149159

SECTION 11.5

Delegation of Duties

150160

SECTION 11.6

Resignation of Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent

150160

SECTION 11.7

Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders; Disclosure of Information by Agents

151161

SECTION 11.8

No Other Duties; Other Agents, Arrangers, Managers, Etc.

152162

SECTION 11.9

Intercreditor AgreementAgreements

152162

SECTION 11.10

Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim

152163

SECTION 11.11

Collateral and Guaranty Matters

153164

SECTION 11.12

Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements

154165

SECTION 11.13

Indemnification of Agents

155166

 

 

ARTICLE XII

Miscellaneous

156166

 

 

SECTION 12.1

Amendments, Etc.

156166

SECTION 12.2

Successors and Assigns

159169

SECTION 12.3

Costs and Expenses

165176

 

iv



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

Page

 

 

 

SECTION 12.4

Indemnities

166177

SECTION 12.5

Limitation of Liability

167178

SECTION 12.6

Right of Setoff

167178

SECTION 12.7

Sharing of Payments

168179

SECTION 12.8

Notices and Other Communications; Facsimile Copies

168180

SECTION 12.9

No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies

171182

SECTION 12.10

Binding Effect

171182

SECTION 12.11

Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Service of Process

171182

SECTION 12.12

Waiver of Jury Trial

173184

SECTION 12.13

Marshaling; Payments Set Aside

173184

SECTION 12.14

Execution In Counterparts

173184

SECTION 12.15

Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents

173184

SECTION 12.16

Confidentiality

174185

SECTION 12.17

Use of Name, Logo, etc.

175186

SECTION 12.18

USA PATRIOT Act Notice

175186

SECTION 12.19

No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility

175186

SECTION 12.20

Severability

176187

SECTION 12.21

Survival of Representations and Warranties

176187

SECTION 12.22

Lender Action

176187

SECTION 12.23

Interest Rate Limitation

177188

SECTION 12.24

Amendments to the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Notes Intercreditor Agreement

188

SECTION 12.25

Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions

189

 

v



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

Page

 

SCHEDULES

 

Schedule I

-

Term Commitments

 

Schedule II

-

Subsidiary Guarantors

 

Schedule 1.1A

-

Certain Security Interests and Guarantees

 

Schedule 1.7(b)

-

Adjustments to Consolidated EBITDA

 

Schedule 5.10(a)

-

ERISA Compliance

 

Schedule 5.11

-

Subsidiaries and Other Equity Investments

 

Schedule 8.13

-

Post-Closing Items

 

Schedule 9.1(b)

-

Existing Liens

 

Schedule 9.2(f)

-

Existing Investments

 

Schedule 9.3(b)

-

Existing Indebtedness

 

Schedule 9.6(c)

-

Permitted Restricted Payments

 

Schedule 9.8(h)

-

Existing Transactions with Affiliates

 

Schedule 9.9

-

Burdensome Agreements

 

Schedule 12.8

-

Administrative Agent’s Office, Certain Addresses for Notices

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A

-

Form of Acceptance and Prepayment Notice

 

Exhibit B

-

Form of Assignment and Assumption

 

Exhibit C

-

Form of Committed Loan Notice

 

Exhibit D

-

Form of Compliance Certificate

 

Exhibit E

-

Form of Discount Range Prepayment Notice

 

Exhibit F

-

Form of Discount Range Prepayment Offer

 

Exhibit G

-

Form of Guaranty

 

Exhibit H

-

Form of Intercompany Subordination Agreement

 

Exhibit I

-

Form of Intercreditor Agreement

 

Exhibit J

-

Form of Security Agreement

 

Exhibit K

-

Form of Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice

 

Exhibit L

-

Form of Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer

 

Exhibit M

-

Form of Specified Discount Prepayment Notice

 

Exhibit N

-

Form of Specified Discount Prepayment Response

 

Exhibit O

-

Form of Note

 

Exhibit P

-

Form of Non-Bank Certificate

 

Exhibit Q-1

-

Form of Opinion of Proskauer Rose LLP, New York and California Counsel for the Loan Parties

 

Exhibit Q-2

-

Form of Opinion of Greenberg Traurig, LLP, Nevada Counsel for the Loan Parties

 

Exhibit R

-

Form of Solvency Certificate

 

Exhibit S

-

Form of Affiliated Lender Notice

 

Exhibit T

-

Form of Mortgage

 

 

vi



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

Page

 

Exhibit U-1

-

Form of First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement

 

Exhibit U-2

-

Form of Notes Intercreditor Agreement

 

 

vii



 

This CREDIT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is entered into as of January 13, 2012 among NUMBER MERGER SUB, INC., a California corporation and the initial Borrower (which on the Effective Date shall be merged with and into 99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC (f/k/a 99¢ ONLY STORES), a California corporationlimited liability company (the “Company”), with the Company surviving such merger as the successor Borrower), NUMBER HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”), ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, as administrative agent (in such capacity, including any successor thereto, the “Administrative Agent”) and as collateral agent (in such capacity, including any successor thereto, the “Collateral Agent”) under the Loan Documents, and each lender from time to time party hereto (collectively, the “Lenders” and individually, a “Lender”).

 

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS

 

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement (as this and other capitalized terms used in these preliminary statements are defined in Section 1.1 below), Number Merger Sub, Inc., a California corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings (“Merger Sub”), will merge (the “Merger”) with and into the Company, with (i) subject to dissenters’ rights, the Merger Consideration being paid, and (ii) the Company surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings.

 

The Borrower has requested that, substantially simultaneously with the consummation of the Merger, (i) the Lenders extend credit to the Borrower in the form of Loans on the Effective Date in an initial aggregate principal amount of up to $525,000,000 pursuant to this Agreement, and (ii) certain other lenders extend credit to the Borrower in the form of an ABL Facility in an initial aggregate principal amount of $175,000,000 pursuant to the ABL Facility Credit Agreement.

 

The proceeds of the Loans, together with (i) a portion of the Company’s cash on hand, (ii) borrowings under the ABL Facility, (iii) the proceeds of the issuance of the Senior Notes (or, if and to the extent the Borrower does not, or is unable to, issue the Senior Notes generating gross proceeds of at least $250,000,000 on or before the Effective Date, the proceeds of loans under a bridge facility in the aggregate principal amount of at least $250,000,000, less the aggregate gross proceeds of the Senior Notes, if any, issued on or before the Effective Date) and (iv) the proceeds of the Equity Contribution, will be used to pay the Merger Consideration and the Transaction Expenses.

 

The applicable Lenders have indicated their willingness to lend on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

 

In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

 



 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS, INTERPRETATION AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

 

SECTION 1.1                                             Defined Terms.

 

As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):

 

ABL Facility Administrative Agent” means Royal Bank of Canada in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent under the ABL Facility Credit Agreement, or any successor administrative agent and collateral agent under the ABL Facility Credit Agreement.

 

ABL Facility Credit Agreement” means that certain asset-based revolving credit agreement dated as of the date hereofEffective Date, among the Borrower, Holdings, the lenders party thereto and Royal Bank of Canada, as administrative agent and collateral agent,, the ABL Facility Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent, as amended on April 4, 2012, October 8, 2013, August 24, 2015, April 8, 2016, September 6, 2017, November 7, 2017 and as the same may be further amended, restated, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced, from time to time, in whole or in part, in one or more agreements (in each case with the same or new lenders, institutional investors or agents), including any agreement extending the maturity thereof or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness thereunder or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof, and in each case any Permitted Refinancing thereof, in each case as and to the extent permitted by this Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

ABL Facility” means the asset-based revolving credit facilities under the ABL Facility Credit Agreement.

 

ABL Facility Documentation” means the ABL Facility Credit Agreement and all security agreements, guarantees, pledge agreements and other agreements or instruments executed in connection therewith.

 

ABL Facility Lenders” means the lenders from time to time party to the ABL Facility Credit Agreement.

 

Acceptable Discount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iv)(B).

 

Acceptable Prepayment Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iv)(C).

 

Acceptance and Prepayment Notice” means a notice of the Borrower’s acceptance of the Acceptable Discount in substantially the form of Exhibit A.

 

Acceptance Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iv)(B).

 

ACOF III” means Ares Corporate Opportunities Fund III, L.P., and its Affiliates.

 

2



 

Acquisition” means the purchase or other acquisition by any Person of property and assets or businesses of any other Person or of assets constituting a business unit, a line of business or division of any Person, a Store or Equity Interests in any Person that, upon the consummation thereof, will be or become part of a direct or indirect wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary of such Person (including as a result of a merger, consolidation or amalgamation).

 

Acquisition Documents” means the Merger Agreement and any other document entered into in connection therewith, in each case as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time prior to the Effective Date or thereafter.

 

Additional Lender” means, at any time, any bank, financial institution or other institutional lender or investor that, in any case, is not an existing Lender and that agrees to provide any portion of any (a) Incremental Loans in accordance with Section 2.12 or (b) Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment in accordance with Section 2.14.

 

Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate” means with respect to any Eurocurrency Rate Loan for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum equal to the greater of (a) the Eurocurrency Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by the Statutory Reserve Rate and (b) 1.00% per annum.  The Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate will be adjusted automatically as to all Eurocurrency Rate Loans then outstanding as of the effective date of any change in the Statutory Reserve Rate.

 

Administrative Agent” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

Administrative Agent’s Office” means the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 12.8, or such other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Lenders.

 

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

 

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

 

Affiliated Lender” means, at any time, any Lender that is a Sponsor or an Affiliate of Holdings (other than Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries) at such time.

 

Affiliated Lender Cap” has the meaning specified in Section 12.2(h)(iv).

 

Agent Parties” has the meaning specified in Section 12.8(d).

 

Agent-Related Persons” means the Agents, together with their respective Affiliates, and the officers, directors, employees, agents, attorney-in-fact, partners and trustees of such Persons and of such Persons’ Affiliates.

 

3



 

Agents” means, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, each Co-Syndication Agent and each co-agent or sub-agent (if any) appointed by the Administrative Agent from time to time pursuant to Section 11.5 and the Arrangers.

 

Aggregate Commitments” means the Commitments of all the Lenders.

 

Agreement” means this Credit Agreement, as amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

All-In Yield” means, as to any Indebtedness, the yield thereon, whether in the form of interest rate, margin, OID, upfront fees or a Eurocurrency Rate greater than 1.00% (with such increased amount being equated to interest margins for purposes of determining any increase to the Applicable Margin, and without taking into account any fluctuations in the Eurocurrency Rate), or otherwise; provided that OID and upfront fees (which shall be deemed to constitute like amounts of OID) shall be equated to interest rate margins assuming a 4-year life to maturity, and shall be calculated in a manner consistent with generally accepted financial practices); provided, further, that “All-In Yield” shall not include arrangement fees, structuring fees, underwriting fees or similar fees paid to arrangers for such Indebtedness.

 

Amendment No. 1” means Amendment No. 1 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of April 4, 2012, among Holdings, the Borrower, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent.

 

Amendment No. 1 Effective Date” means the date of satisfaction (or waiver) of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 3 of Amendment No. 1.

 

Amendment No. 2” means Amendment No. 2 to this Agreement, dated as of October 8, 2013, among Holdings, the Borrower, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent.

 

Amendment No. 2 Effective Date” means the “Amendment Effective Date” under and as defined in Amendment No. 2.

 

Amendment No. 3” means Amendment No. 3 to this Agreement, dated as of November 7, 2017, among Holdings, the Borrower, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto or consenting in writing thereto and the Administrative Agent.

 

Amendment No. 3 Converting Lender” means each Lender that has executed and delivered a Conversion Notice (as defined in Amendment No. 3) indicating its request to have the entire principal amount of its outstanding Tranche B-2 Loans converted to First Lien Term Loans on the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date.

 

Amendment No. 3 Effective Date” means the “Amendment No. 3 Effective Date” under and as defined in Amendment No. 3.

 

Amendment No. 6 to the ABL Facility Credit Agreement” means Amendment No. 6 to the ABL Facility Credit Agreement, dated as of November 7, 2017, among the Borrower, Holdings, the lenders party thereto, the ABL Facility Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent.

 

4



 

Annual Financial Statements” means the audited Consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of the Saturday closest to each of March 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related Consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the Company for the Fiscal Years then ended.

 

Applicable Discount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iii)(B).

 

Applicable Margin” means a percentage per annum equal to, (a) in the case of Initial Loans, (i) for Eurocurrency Rate Loans, 5.50%, and (ii) for Base Rate Loans, 4.50%, (b) in the case of Tranche B-1 Loans, (i) for Eurocurrency Rate Loans, 4.00%, and (ii) for Base Rate Loans, 3.00%, and (c) in the case of Tranche B-2 Loans, (i) for Eurocurrency Rate Loans, 3.50%, and (ii) for Base Rate Loans, 2.50% and (d) in the case of the First Lien Term Loans, (i) for Eurocurrency Rate Loans, 6.50%, and (ii) for Base Rate Loans, 5.50%.

 

Appropriate Lender” means, at any time, with respect to Loans of any Class, the Lenders of such Class.

 

Approved Fund” means, with respect to any Lender, any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) such Lender, (b) an Affiliate of such Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages such Lender.

 

Arrangers” means RBC Capital Markets*, BMO Capital Markets· and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., each in its capacity as a joint lead arranger under this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

Asset Sale” means any Disposition of any property by any Loan Party other than any Disposition of any property permitted by Section 9.5(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (g), (h), (i), (k), (m), (n), (o), (p) and (r).

 

Assignee Group” means two or more Eligible Assignees that are Affiliates of one another or two or more Approved Funds managed by the same investment advisor.

 

Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee, and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit B or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

Attorney Costs” means all reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of any law firm or other external legal counsel.

 

Auction Agent” means (a) the Administrative Agent or (b) any other financial institution or advisor employed by the Borrower (whether or not an Affiliate of the Administrative

 


** RBC Capital Markets is a brand name for the capital markets activities of Royal Bank of Canada and its affiliates.

·· BMO Capital Markets is a brand name for the capital markets activities of Bank of Montreal and its affiliates.

 

5



 

Agent) to act as an arranger in connection with any Discounted Loan Prepayment pursuant to Section 2.3(d); provided that the Borrower shall not designate the Administrative Agent as the Auction Agent without the written consent of the Administrative Agent (it being understood that the Administrative Agent shall be under no obligation to agree to act as the Auction Agent); provided, further, that neither the Borrower nor any of its Affiliates may act as the Auction Agent.

 

Available Amount” means, at any time (the “Reference Date”), the sum of (without duplication):

 

(a)                                 an amount equal to $25,000,000; provided that, after giving effect to the Share Repurchase, such amount shall be reset at $20,000,000; plus[reserved]; plus

 

(b)                                 an amount, determined for all Fiscal Years commencing with the Fiscal Year ending on or around March 31, 2013, equal to (A) the cumulative amount of Excess Cash Flow (which amount shall not be less than zero in any Fiscal Year) of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for each Fiscal Year ending after the Effective Date and prior to such time of determination minus (B) the portion of such Excess Cash Flow that has been (or is required to be) applied to the prepayment of Loans in accordance with Section 2.4(a); provided that, from and after March 31, 2013, such amount shall equal 50% of Consolidated Net Income of the Borrower for the period (taken as one accounting period) from March 31, 2013 to the end of the Borrower’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of determination (or, in the case such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit); plus[reserved]; plus

 

(c)                                  the amount of any capital contributions made in cash or Cash Equivalents to the Borrower or Net Cash Proceeds from the issuance or sale of Qualified Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower (other than any amount designated as a Cure Amount (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement), or an Excluded Contribution or any amount (x) increasing Restricted Payment capacity under clause (ii) of the proviso of Section 9.6(f) or (y) applied to (1) prepay Indebtedness under Sections 9.11(iii) or 9.11(vi) or (2) finance Capital Expenditures under clause (viii) of the proviso to the definition thereof) received by the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof and contributed by such parent, directly or indirectly, to the Borrower) during the period from and including the Business Day immediately following the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date through and including the Reference Date; provided that any such equity contribution made by, or Net Cash Proceeds received from, the Sponsors in connection with the exchange or refinancing of the Tranche B-2 Loans or the Senior Notes shall not be included in the Available Amount until on or following the 12 month anniversary of the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date; plus

 

(d)                                 in the event that the Available Amount has been reduced as a result of an Investment made pursuant to Section 9.2(r), to the extent not already reflected as a return of capital with respect to such Investment for purposes of determining the amount of such Investment or required to be applied to prepay Loans in accordance with Section 2.4(b), the aggregate amount of all Net Cash Proceeds received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the Disposition of any such Investment, and the aggregate amount of all returns, profits, dividends, other distributions and similar amounts received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in cash or Cash Equivalents in respect of such Investment, in each case, from and including the

 

6



 

Business Day immediately following the Effective Date through and including the Reference Date; plus

 

(e)                                  in the event that the Available Amount has been reduced as a result of an any Investment made pursuant to Section 9.2(r), in connection with the designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, in the event any such Unrestricted Subsidiary has been redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary or has been merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, an amount equal to the lesser of Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of the Investments of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in such Unrestricted Subsidiary (i) at the time of such redesignation, merger, combination or transfer (or of the assets transferred or conveyed, as applicable), and (ii) at the time of the original Investment by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Unrestricted Subsidiary, during the period from and including the Business Day immediately following the Effective Date through and including the Reference Date; minus[reserved]; minus

 

(f)                                   the aggregate amount, without duplication, of any Investment made pursuant to Section 9.2(r), any Investment made pursuant to Section 9.2(i), any Restricted Payment made pursuant to Section 9.6(l) or any payment made pursuant to Section 9.11(i) during the period commencing on the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date and ending on the Reference Date.

 

It is understood and agreed that any and all Retained Declined Proceeds shall be disregarded for purposes of calculating the Available Amount.

 

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

 

Bail-In Legislation” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

Bankruptcy Code” means the Bankruptcy Code in Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, modified, succeeded or replaced from time to time.

 

Base Rate” means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1%, (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as announced from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its “prime rate” at its principal office in New York City, and (c) the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate on such day for an Interest Period of one (1) month plus 1.00% (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day); provided, however, that during the period from the Effective Date to the date that is 30 days after the Effective Date (or such earlier date as shall be specified by the Administrative Agent on which a Eurocurrency Rate Loan has become available), the “Base Rate” shall mean the rate per annum equal to the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate for an Interest Period of one month as in effect on the Effective Date.  The “prime rate” is a rate set by the Administrative Agent based upon various factors including the Administrative Agent’s costs and desired return, general economic

 

7



 

conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate.  Any change in the Base Rate due to a change in such rate announced by the Administrative Agent or in the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the announcement of such change.

 

Base Rate Loan” means any Loan during any period in which it bears interest based on the Base Rate.

 

Beneficial Owner” has the meaning given to such term in Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5 under the Exchange Act.  “Beneficially Owned” has the meaning correlative thereto.

 

Board of Directors” means, as to any Person, the board of directors or managers, as applicable, of such Person (or, if such Person is a partnership, the board of directors or other governing body of the general partner of such Person) or any duly authorized committee thereof.

 

Bona Fide Debt Fund Affiliate” means any debt fund or investment vehicle that is an Affiliate of any Disqualified Lender described in clause (i) or (ii) of the definition thereof (a) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of business and (b) with respect to which no personnel involved in the investment in, or management of, the relevant Disqualified Lender described in clause (i) or (ii) of the definition thereof (1) makes (or has the right to make or participate with others in making) investment decisions on behalf of, or otherwise cause the direction of the investment policies of, such debt fund or investment vehicle or (2) has access to any information (other than information that is publicly available) relating to Holdings, the Company and/or their respective Subsidiaries.

 

Borrower” means (i) prior to the effectiveness of the Merger, Merger Sub, and (ii) thereafter, the Company.

 

Borrower Materials” has the meaning specified in Section 12.8(b).

 

Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment” means the offer by the Borrower to make a voluntary prepayment of Loans at a specified discount to par pursuant to Section 2.3(d)(ii).

 

Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers” means the solicitation by the Borrower of offers for, and the corresponding acceptance by a Lender of, a voluntary prepayment of Loans at a specified range of discounts to par pursuant to Section 2.3(d)(iii).

 

Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers” means the solicitation by the Borrower of offers for, and the subsequent acceptance, if any, by a Lender of, a voluntary prepayment of Loans at a discount to par pursuant to Section 2.3(d)(iv).

 

Borrowing” means a borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Class and Type made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period.

 

8



 

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, Los Angeles, California or in the jurisdiction where the Administrative Agent’s Office with respect to Obligations is located and if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in Dollars in respect of any such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, or any other dealings in Dollars to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, means any such day on which dealings in deposits in Dollars are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank Eurocurrency market.

 

Capital Expenditures” means, for any period, the aggregate of (a) all amounts that would be reflected as additions to property, plant or equipment on a Consolidated statement of cash flows of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP and (b) the value of all assets under Capitalized Leases incurred by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries during such period that, in conformity with GAAP, are or are required to be included as capital expenditures on a Consolidated statement of cash flows of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the term “Capital Expenditures” shall not include: (i) expenditures made in connection with the replacement, substitution, restoration or repair of assets to the extent financed with (x) insurance proceeds paid on account of the loss of or damage to the assets being replaced, substituted, restored or repaired or (y) awards of compensation arising from the taking by eminent domain or condemnation of the assets being replaced, (ii) the purchase price of equipment that is purchased simultaneously with the trade-in of existing equipment to the extent that the gross amount of such purchase price is reduced by the credit granted by the seller of such equipment for the equipment being traded in at such time, (iii) the purchase of plant, property or equipment or software to the extent financed with the proceeds of Dispositions of Collateral that are not required to be applied to prepay the Loans pursuant to Section 2.4(b) (including any Retained Declined Proceeds in respect thereof) or prepay loans under the Second Lien Facility pursuant to the Second Lien Credit Agreement or the ABL Facility pursuant to the ABL Facility Credit Agreement, (iv) expenditures that are accounted for as capital expenditures by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and that actually are paid for, or reimbursed to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in cash or Cash Equivalents, by a Person other than the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and for which neither the Borrower nor any Restricted Subsidiary has provided or is required to provide or incur, directly or indirectly, any consideration or obligation (other than rent) in respect of such expenditures to such Person or any other Person (whether before, during or after such period), (v) expenditures to the extent constituting any portion of an Acquisition permitted under this Agreement (but shall include Capital Expenditures made with the cash proceeds of such Acquisition by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a recipient thereof), (vi) the purchase price of equipment purchased during such period to the extent the consideration therefor consists of any combination of (A) used or surplus equipment traded in at the time of such purchase and (B) the proceeds of a concurrent sale of used or surplus equipment, in each case, in the ordinary course of business, (vii) expenditures relating to the construction, acquisition, replacement, reconstruction, development, refurbishment, renovation or improvement of any property which has been transferred to a Person other than the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary during the same Fiscal Year in which such expenditures were made pursuant to a Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction to the extent of the cash proceeds received by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to such Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction; or (viii) expenditures financed with the proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interests of Holdings, any direct

 

9



 

or indirect parent thereof, or a capital contribution to the Borrower or Indebtedness permitted to be incurred hereunder.

 

Capitalized Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a Capitalized Lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

Capitalized Leases” means all leases that have been or are required to be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capitalized leases; provided that for all purposes hereunder the amount of obligations under any Capitalized Lease shall be the amount thereof accounted for as a liability in accordance with GAAP.

 

Cash Collateral Account” means an account held at, and subject to the sole dominion and control of, the Collateral Agent.

 

Cash Equivalents” means:

 

(a)                                 Dollars, Canadian dollars, pounds sterling, euros or in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary, such local currencies held by it from time to time in the ordinary course of business and not for speculation;

 

(b)                                 readily marketable direct obligations issued or directly and fully and unconditionally guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof the securities of which are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of such government with maturities of two (2) years or less from the date of acquisition;

 

(c)                                  certificates of deposit, time deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, or bankers’ acceptances, in each case, with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any commercial bank having capital and surplus of not less than $250,000,000 and whose long-term debt is rated at least “A-2” or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s or at least “A” or the equivalent thereof by S&P (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized rating agency);

 

(d)                                 repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (b) and (c) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (c) above;

 

(e)                                  commercial paper issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Borrower) rated at least P-1 by Moody’s or A-1 by S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another internationally recognized rating agency), in each case maturing within 12 months after the date of acquisition thereof;

 

(f)                                   readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States or any political subdivision thereof having one of the two highest rating categories obtainable from either Moody’s or S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating

 

10



 

such obligations, an equivalent rating from another internationally recognized rating agency), in each case with maturities of two (2) years or less from the date of acquisition;

 

(g)                                  Indebtedness issued by Persons (other than the Sponsors or any of their Affiliates) with a rating of at least A-2 by Moody’s or A by S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another internationally recognized rating agency), in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition;

 

(h)                                 investment funds investing at least 95% of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (a) through (g) above; and

 

(i)                                     auction rate securities held by the Borrower on the Effective Date in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000.

 

Cash Interest Election” means the election by the Borrower to pay all or a portion of the PIK Interest on the First Lien Term Loans in cash (and not payable in kind) under Section 2.8(a)(ii) with respect to the interest due on any applicable interest payment date set forth in Section 2.8(b); provided that any such election shall be made by notice to the Administrative Agent at least three (3) Business Days prior to such applicable interest payment date (or such shorter period as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion).

 

Cash Management Bank” means any Person that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time it provides any Cash Management Services, whether or not such Person subsequently ceases to be a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender.

 

Cash Management Obligations” means obligations owed by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to any Cash Management Bank in respect of or in connection with any Cash Management Services and designated by the Cash Management Bank and the Borrower in writing to the Administrative Agent as “Cash Management Obligations”.

 

Cash Management Services” means any agreement or arrangement to provide cash management services, including treasury, depository, overdraft, credit card processing, credit or debit card, purchase card, electronic funds transfer and other cash management arrangements.

 

Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty (excluding the taking effect after the date of this Agreement of a law, rule, regulation or treaty adopted prior to the date of this Agreement), (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority.  It is understood and agreed that (i) (x) the Dodd—Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Pub.L. 111-203, H.R. 4173), all Laws relating thereto, all interpretations and applications thereof and any compliance by a Lender with any request or directive relating thereto and (y) all rules or directives and any compliance by a Lender with any requests or guidelines promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall, in each case, for the

 

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purposes of this Agreement, be deemed to be adopted subsequent to the date hereofEffective Date and (ii) for purposes of this Agreement, the adoption of a successor provision that is substantially equivalent to the promulgation of Treasury regulations in respect of or the issuance of official interpretations of FATCA shall be deemed not an occurrence described in the preceding sentence.

 

Change of Control” means the earliest to occur of:

 

(a)                                 at any time prior to the consummation of a Qualifying IPO: any Person or group of Persons (other than Permitted Holders) acquiring, beneficially, directly or indirectly, greater than 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power for the election of directors represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Holdings (in each case, determined on a fully diluted basis but not giving effect to contingent voting rights that have not vested); or

 

(b)                                 at any time upon or after the consummation of a Qualifying IPO (1) any Person (other than a Permitted Holder) or (2) Persons (other than one or more Permitted Holders) constituting a “group” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such Person and its Subsidiaries, and any Person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan), becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of Equity Interests representing more than thirty-five percent (35%) of the aggregate ordinary voting power for the election of directors represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Holdings (in each case, determined on a fully diluted basis but not giving effect to contingent voting rights that have not vested) and the percentage of aggregate ordinary voting power for the election of directors so held is greater than the percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power for the election of directors represented by the Equity Interests of Holdings Beneficially Owned, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate by the Permitted Holders (in each case, determined on a fully diluted basis but not giving effect to contingent voting rights that have not vested);

 

unless, in the case of either clause (a) or (b) above, the Permitted Holders have, at such time, the right or the ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election at least a majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings; or

 

(c)                                  any “Change of Control” (or any comparable term) in any document pertaining to the Second Lien Facility (or any Permitted Refinancing thereof), the ABL Facility (or any Permitted Refinancing thereof), the Senior Notes or the Senior Notes Indenture, any indenture governing notes issued in a Permitted Refinancing of the Senior Notes, or any documents governing any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness (or any Permitted Refinancing thereof); or

 

(d)                                 the Borrower ceases to be a direct Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Holdings (or any successor (a “Permitted Holdings Successor”) of Holdings that (A) becomes the direct parent of the Borrower and owns no other direct Subsidiaries and (B) has expressly assumed (and is in compliance with) all the obligations of Holdings under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which Holdings is a party pursuant to a supplement hereto or thereto in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent); provided that ACOF III or one or more of its designees may own up to 20% of the Class B Equity Interests (determined on a fully diluted basis but not giving effect to contingent voting rights that have not vested), so long as Holdings has

 

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collaterally assigned its call rights set forth in the Shareholders Agreement with respect to such Class B Equity Interests to the Collateral Agent to secure the Secured Obligations.

 

The merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company shall in no event constitute a Change of Control.

 

Class” when used in reference to (a) any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Initial Loans, Incremental Loans, Other Loans or Extended Loans, (b) any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a Commitment in respect of Initial Loans, Other Commitment (and, in the case of an Other Commitment, the Class of Loans to which such Commitment relates), or a Commitment in respect of a Class of Loans to be made pursuant to an Incremental Amendment or an Extension Amendment and (c) any Lender, refers to whether such Lender has a Loan or Commitment with respect to a particular Class of Loans or Commitments.  Other Commitments, Other Loans, Incremental Loans and Extended Loans that have different terms and conditions shall be construed to be in different Classes.  For the avoidance of doubt, Tranche B-2 Loans and First Lien Term Loans shall be construed to be in different Classes.

 

Class B Equity Interests” means the Class B Common Stock of the Borrower.

 

Closing Date Material Adverse Effect” means any change, development, event, effect or occurrence (each, an “Event”) that, individually or in the aggregate:

 

(a)                                 has or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; or

 

(b)                                 prevents or materially delays the Company from performing its obligations under the Merger Agreement in any material respect or from consummating the Merger; provided, that none of the following shall be deemed either alone or in combination to constitute, and none of the following shall be taken into account in determining whether there has been or would be, a Closing Date Material Adverse Effect pursuant to clause (a) above:

 

(i)                                     any Event generally affecting (A) the geographic regions or the industry in which the Company primarily operates to the extent that they do not disproportionately affect the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in relation to other companies in the industry in which the Company primarily operates, or (B) the economy or financial, debt, credit, banking, foreign exchange, securities or capital markets, including any change in interest, currency or exchange rates, or in any commodity, security or market index, and including any disruption of any thereof, in the United States or elsewhere in the world to the extent that they do not disproportionately affect the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in relation to other companies in the industry in which the Company primarily operates; or

 

(ii)                                  to the extent (but only to the extent) arising or resulting from any of the following:

 

(A)                               changes in applicable Law or applicable accounting regulations or principles or interpretations thereof to the extent that they do not disproportionately

 

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affect the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in relation to other companies in the geographic area or industry in which the Company primarily operates;

 

(B)                               the announcement or pendency of the Merger Agreement or any related agreement or the anticipated consummation of the Merger (including the identity of Holdings or any of its affiliates as the acquiror of the Company, or any action taken, delayed or omitted to be taken by the Company at the request or with the prior consent of Holdings or Merger Sub), including the impact thereof on relationships, contractual or otherwise, with employees, customers, subcontractors or partners;

 

(C)                               national or international political conditions, any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, insurrection or war, whether or not pursuant to declaration of a national emergency or war, acts of terrorism, sabotage, strikes, freight embargoes or other calamity or crisis to the extent that they do not disproportionately affect the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in relation to other companies in the geographic area or industry in which the Company primarily operates;

 

(D)                               any decline in the market price, or change in trading volume, of the capital stock of the Company or any change in or failure to meet publicly announced revenue or earnings projections (whether such projections or predictions were made by the Company or independent third parties) or internal projections (it being understood that any Event giving rise to such failure (other than any Event described in clause (i) or (ii) of this paragraph) may be taken into account in determining whether there has been or will be a Closing Date Material Adverse Effect);

 

(E)                                any proceeding by any of the Company’s stockholders (other than the Rollover Investors) arising out of, concerning or related to the Merger Agreement or the Merger or any related proposals or processes that were announced or became known publicly (whether before or after the date of the Merger Agreement); or

 

(F)                                 fires, epidemics, quarantine restrictions, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes or other natural disasters to the extent that they do not disproportionately affect the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in relation to other companies in the geographic area or industry in which the Company primarily operates.  For purposes of this definition, “Company Subsidiaries”, “Law”, “Merger” and “Rollover Investors” shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Merger Agreement.

 

Co-Syndication Agents” means BMO Capital Markets· and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., each as a Co-Syndication Agent under this Agreement.

 

Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.

 


·· BMO Capital Markets is a brand name for the capital markets activities of Bank of Montreal and its affiliates.

 

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Collateral” means all the “Collateral” (or equivalent term) as defined in any Collateral Document and shall include the Mortgaged Properties.

 

Collateral Agent” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

Collateral and Guarantee Requirement” means, at any time, the requirement that:

 

(a)                                 the Collateral Agent shall have received each Collateral Document required to be delivered on the Effective Date pursuant to Section 4.1(a)(iv) or pursuant to Section 8.11 or Section 8.13 at such time, duly executed by each Loan Party thereto;

 

(b)                                 all Obligations shall have been unconditionally guaranteed by Holdings, each wholly-owned Material Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not an Excluded Subsidiary, including those Subsidiaries that are listed on Schedule II hereto and any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that Guarantees the Senior Notes, any Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower pursuant to the Second Lien Facility or the ABL Facility, any Junior Financing or any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness (or, in each case, any Permitted Refinancing thereof) (each such guarantor, a “Guarantor”);

 

(c)                                  the Obligations and the Guaranty shall have been secured by a perfected first-priority security interest (subject, as to priority, only to (i) non-consensual Liens permitted by Section 9.1, (ii) Liens permitted under Section 9.1 (including under clause (v) thereof) securing the Obligations (as defined under the ABL Facility Credit Agreement) or any Permitted Refinancing thereof (in each case, subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the Notes Intercreditor Agreement) and (iii) Liens permitted under Section 9.1(p), and any modification, replacement, renewal or extension of any such Liens to the extent permitted under Section 9.1(y)) in (A) the Equity Interests of the Borrower (other than any Class B Equity Interests owned by ACOF III or one or more of its designees as permitted hereunder; provided that Holdings shall collaterally assign its call rights set forth in the Shareholders Agreement with respect to such Class B Equity Interests to the Collateral Agent to secure the Secured Obligations), (B) all Equity Interests of each Domestic Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Domestic Subsidiary described in the following clause (C)(1)) and that is a direct Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor and (C) 65% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of (1) each Domestic Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary and a direct Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor and that is a disregarded entity for United States Federal income tax purposes substantially all of the assets of which consist of Equity Interests in one or more Foreign Subsidiaries and (2) each Foreign Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary and a direct Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor  (it being understood, for the avoidance of doubt, that each of the preceding clauses (1) and (2) shall be interpreted as intended to prevent the application of Section 956 of the Code to Holdings, the Borrower and any of their respective Subsidiaries as a result of the Obligations, the Secured Obligations and the Guaranty); provided that Holdings, the Borrower and their respective Subsidiaries shall not be required to enter into any pledge or other collateral agreements governed by foreign Law; and

 

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(d)                                 except to the extent otherwise provided hereunder, including subject to Liens permitted by Section 9.1, or under any Collateral Document, the Obligations and the Guaranty shall have been secured by a perfected first-priority security interest (to the extent such security interest may be perfected by delivering certificated securities, filing financing statements under the UCC or making any necessary filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or United States Copyright Office) in substantially all tangible and intangible personal property Collateral of the Borrower and each Guarantor, in each case, as, and with the priority, required by the Collateral Documents, in each case subject to exceptions and limitations otherwise set forth in this Agreement and the Collateral Documents; provided that any such security interests in Collateral shall be subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Notes Intercreditor Agreement.

 

The foregoing definition shall not require (i) Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries to enter into any Collateral Documents (or any foreign equivalent thereof), or any other pledge or collateral documents, governed or purported to be governed by foreign Law, or (ii) the creation or perfection of pledges of or security interests in, or the obtaining of title insurance, surveys, abstracts or appraisals with respect to, particular assets if and for so long as, in the reasonable judgment of both the Collateral Agent and the Borrower, the cost, difficulty, burden or consequences of creating or perfecting such pledges or security interests in such assets or obtaining title insurance, surveys, abstracts or appraisals in respect to such assets shall be excessive in relation to the benefit to the Lenders to be afforded thereby or (iii) with respect to any Loan Party, the Guarantee of any Obligation that constitutes an Excluded Swap Obligation with respect to such Loan Party.

 

Subject to the immediately preceding paragraph, the Collateral Agent may grant extensions of time for the creation or perfection of security interests in or the obtaining of title insurance and surveys with respect to particular assets (including extensions beyond (x) the Effective Date or, if later, the date required by the proviso at the end of Section 4.1(a) or Section 8.13 for the creation or perfection of security interests in the assets of the Loan Parties on such date, or (y) the closing date of any Acquisition permitted by this Agreement or, if later, the date required by Section 8.11 or Section 8.13 for the creation or perfection of security interests in the assets acquired in such Acquisition on such date) where it reasonably determines, in consultation with the Borrower, that creation or perfection cannot reasonably be accomplished without undue effort, difficulty, burden or expense by the time or times at which it would otherwise be required by this Agreement or the Collateral Documents.

 

Collateral Documents” means, collectively, the Security Agreement, the Intellectual Property Security Agreements, the Mortgages, each of the mortgages, collateral assignments, the Security Agreement Supplements, security agreements, pledge agreements or other similar agreements delivered to the Agents and the Lenders pursuant to Section 4.1(a)(iv), Section 8.11 or Section 8.13, the Guaranty, the Intercreditor Agreement, the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the Notes Intercreditor Agreement and each of the other agreements, instruments or documents executed and delivered by one or more Loan Parties that creates or purports to create a Lien or Guarantee in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties to secure or Guarantee the Obligations.

 

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Commitment” means, as to each Lender, its obligation to make a Loan to the Borrower hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum principal amount of the Loan to be made by such Lender under this Agreement, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.5 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to (i) assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, (ii) an Incremental Amendment, (iii) a Refinancing Amendment or (iv) an Extension Amendment.  The initial amount of each Lender’s Commitment is set forth on Schedule I under the caption “Commitment” or, otherwise, in the Assignment and Assumption, Incremental Amendment, Refinancing Amendment or Extension Amendment pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Commitment, as the case may be.  The initial aggregate amount of the Commitments is $525,000,000.

 

Committed Loan Notice” means a notice of (a) a Borrowing, (b) a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or (c) a continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, pursuant to Section 2.2(a), which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit C.

 

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

 

Company” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

Company Parties” means the collective reference to Holdings and its Subsidiaries, including the Borrower, and “Company Party” means any one of them.

 

Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D and which certificate shall in any event be a certificate of the chief financial officer (a) certifying as to whether to such chief financial officer’s knowledge, except as otherwise disclosed to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement, an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and, if applicable, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (b) setting forth a reasonably detailed calculation, in the case of financial statements delivered under Section 7.1, beginning with the financial statements for the Fiscal Year of the Borrower ending on or around March 31, 2013, of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year and (c) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations, in the case of financial statements delivered under Section 7.1, beginning with the financial statements for the Fiscal Year of the Borrower ending on March 31, 2012, of the Net Cash Proceeds received during the applicable period by or on behalf of, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Disposition subject to prepayment pursuant to Section 2.4(b)(i).

 

Consolidated” means, with respect to any Person, the consolidation of accounts of such Person and any other Person in accordance with GAAP, and shall not include any Unrestricted Subsidiary, but the interest of such Person in an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be accounted for as an Investment.  Unless the context otherwise requires “Consolidated” refers to the consolidated of accounts of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.  “Consolidation” has a correlative meaning.

 

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Consolidated Current Assets” means, as at any date of determination, the total assets of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis that may properly be classified as current assets in conformity with GAAP, excluding cash and Cash Equivalents, and excluding the effects of adjustments pursuant to GAAP resulting from the application of recapitalization accounting or purchase accounting, as the case may be, in relation to the Transaction or any consummated acquisition.

 

Consolidated Current Liabilities” means, as at any date of determination, the total liabilities of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis that may properly be classified as current liabilities in conformity with GAAP, excluding (a) the current portion of any Funded Debt, (b) the current portion of interest, (c) accruals for current or deferred taxes based on income or profits, (d) accruals of any costs or expenses related to restructuring reserves, disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations or business optimization (including consolidation initiatives, accrued severance and facility closure costs), (e) revolving loans, swingline loans and letter of credit obligations under the ABL Facility or any other revolving credit facility, (f) the current portion of any Capitalized Lease Obligation, (g) deferred revenue arising from cash receipts that are earmarked for specific projects, (h) liabilities in respect of unpaid earn-outs, (i) the current portion of deferred acquisition costs and (j) the current portion of any other long-term liabilities, and, furthermore, excluding the effects of adjustments pursuant to GAAP resulting from the application of recapitalization accounting or purchase accounting, as the case may be, in relation to the Transaction or any consummated acquisition.

 

Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation and amortization expense, including the amortization of key money and other intangible assets and deferred financing fees and amortization of unrecognized prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses related to pensions and other post-employment benefits, of such Person and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a Consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period:

 

(1)                                 increased, in each case to the extent deducted (and not added back) or, in the case of clause (l) not already included, in Consolidated Net Income, and in each case, without duplication, by:

 

(a)                                 provision for taxes based on income or profits or capital, including state, franchise, excise and similar taxes and foreign withholding taxes of such Person paid or accrued, including any penalties and interest relating to any tax examinations; plus

 

(b)                                 Fixed Charges of such Person for such period (including (i) net losses on Swap Contracts or other derivative instruments entered into for the purpose of hedging interest rate risk and (ii) expenses of surety bonds in connection with financing activities, in each case, to the extent included in Fixed Charges), together with items excluded from the definition of “Consolidated Interest Expense” pursuant to clauses (a) through (c) thereof; plus

 

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(c)                                  Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense of such Person for such period; plus

 

(d)                                 extraordinary, non-recurring, unusual and exceptional losses, charges and expenses; plus

 

(e)                                  losses, charges and expenses relating to the Transaction; business optimization (including consolidation initiatives), relocation or integration; consolidation or closing of stores, distribution centers or other facilities or exiting lines of business; acquisitions after the Effective Date; initiatives aimed at profitability improvement; strategic initiatives; personnel relocation, restructuring, redundancy, severance, termination, settlement or judgment; one-time compensation charges; and the amount of any signing, retention and completion bonuses; plus

 

(f)                                   losses, charges and expenses attributable to Disposed or discontinued operations and losses, charges and expenses related to the disposal of Disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations; plus

 

(g)                                  losses, charges and expenses attributable to asset Dispositions or the sale or other disposition of any Equity Interests of any Person other than in the ordinary course of business, as determined in good faith by a Responsible Officer or the Board of Directors of the Borrower; plus

 

(h)                                 losses, charges and expenses attributable to the early extinguishment or conversion of Indebtedness, Swap Contracts or other derivative instruments (including deferred financing expenses written off and premiums paid); plus

 

(i)                                     the amount of any minority interest expense consisting of Subsidiary income attributable to minority equity interests of third parties in any non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary; plus

 

(j)                                    the amount of management, monitoring, consulting and advisory fees (including termination fees) and related indemnities, charges and expenses paid or accrued to or on behalf of any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower or any of the Permitted Holders, in each case to the extent permitted under Section 9.8; plus

 

(k)                                 losses, charges and expenses related to internal software development that are expensed but could have been capitalized under alternative accounting policies in accordance with GAAP; plus

 

(l)                                     the amount of net cost savings and synergies projected by the Borrower in good faith to be realized as a result of specified actions taken or expected to be taken prior to or during or after such period (which cost savings or synergies shall be subject only to certification by management of the Borrower and shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis as though such cost savings or synergies had been realized on the first day of such period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions; provided that (A) such cost savings or synergies are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable, and (B) such actions have been taken or are to be taken within twelve (12) months after the date of

 

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determination to take such action; and provided, further that the aggregate amount added back to pursuant to this clause (l) in any four-quarter period shall not exceed the greater of (i) $25,000,000 and (ii) 15% of Consolidated EBITDA for such period (calculated after giving effect to all adjustments pursuant to this definition, including this clause (l)); plus

 

(m)                             losses, charges and expenses related to the pre-opening and opening of Stores, distribution centers or other facilities; provided that the aggregate amount added back to Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to this clause (m) in any four-quarter period shall not exceed $12,500,000 for such period; plus

 

(n)                                 losses, charges and expenses related to payments made to option holders of the Borrower or any of its direct or indirect parents in connection with, or as a result of, any distribution being made to equityholders of such Person or any of its direct or indirect parents, which payments are being made to compensate such option holders as though they were equityholders at the time of, and entitled to share in, such distribution, in each case to the extent permitted under the Senior Notes Indenture; plus

 

(o)                                 with respect to any Joint Venture that is not a Restricted Subsidiary, an amount equal to the proportion of those items described in clauses (a), (b) and (c) above relating to such Joint Venture corresponding to the Borrower’s and the Restricted Subsidiaries’ proportionate share of such Joint Venture’s Consolidated Net Income (determined as if such Joint Venture were a Restricted Subsidiary); plus

 

(p)                                 cash receipts (or any netting arrangements resulting in reduced cash expenditures) not included in Consolidated EBITDA or Consolidated Net Income in any period to the extent non-cash gains relating to such cash receipts or netting arrangement were deducted in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clause (2) below for any prior period and not added back; plus

 

(q)                                 any other non-cash losses, charges and expenses, including any write offs or write downs, reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period, excluding any such loss, charge or expense that represents an accrual or reserve for a cash expenditure for a future period; and

 

(2)                                 decreased by (without duplication) non-cash gains increasing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period, excluding any non-cash gains that represent the reversal of any accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges that were deducted (and not added back) in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA for any prior period.

 

Consolidated Indebtedness” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on such date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, consisting of Indebtedness of the types described in clauses (a) and (f) of the definition of “Indebtedness”; provided that Consolidated Indebtedness shall not include (a) any letter of credit, except to the extent of unreimbursed obligations in respect of drawn letters of credit (provided that any unreimbursed amount under commercial letters of credit shall not be counted as Consolidated Indebtedness until three Business Days after such amount is drawn (it being understood that any

 

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borrowing, whether automatic or otherwise, to fund such reimbursement shall be counted)) and (b) obligations under Swap Contracts.

 

Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

 

(a)                                 Consolidated interest expense of such Person and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent such expense was deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income (including amortization of original issue discount, the interest component of Capitalized Lease Obligations, and net payments and receipts (if any) pursuant to interest rate Swap Contracts and excluding additional interest in respect of the Senior Notes, amortization of deferred financing fees, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses and expensing of any bridge, commitment or other financing fees); plus

 

(b)                                 Consolidated capitalized interest of such Person and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued; plus

 

(c)                                  any amounts paid or payable pursuant to Section 9.6(g)(vii); minus

 

(d)                                 interest income for such period.

 

For purposes of this definition, interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by the Borrower to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a Consolidated basis, and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that, without duplication:

 

(a)                                 the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles shall be excluded;

 

(b)                                 the net after-tax effect of extraordinary, non-recurring, unusual and exceptional gains, losses, charges and expenses shall be excluded;

 

(c)                                  the net after-tax effect of any losses, charges and expenses related to the Transaction; business optimization (including consolidation initiatives), relocation or integration; consolidation or closing of Stores, distribution centers or other facilities or exiting lines of business; acquisitions after the Effective Date; initiatives aimed at profitability improvement; strategic initiatives; personnel relocation, restructuring, redundancy, severance, termination, settlement or judgment; one-time compensation charges; and the amount of any signing, retention and completion bonuses; shall in each case be excluded;

 

(d)                                 the net after-tax effect of gains, losses, charges and expenses attributable to disposed or discontinued operations and any net after-tax gains, losses, charges and expenses related to the disposal of disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations shall be excluded;

 

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(e)                                  the net after-tax effect of gains, losses, charges and expenses attributable to asset Dispositions or the sale or other Disposition of any Equity Interests of any Person other than in the ordinary course of business, as determined in good faith by a Responsible Officer or the Board of Directors of the Borrower, shall be excluded;

 

(f)                                   the net after-tax effect of gains, losses, charges and expenses attributable to the early extinguishment or conversion of Indebtedness, Swap Contracts or other derivative instruments (including deferred financing expenses written off and premiums paid) shall be excluded;

 

(g)                                  the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary, or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be excluded; provided that Consolidated Net Income of the Borrower shall be increased by the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments that (i) are actually paid to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period in cash, or (ii) as reasonably determined in good faith by a Responsible Officer or the Board of Directors of the Borrower could have been so paid to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period;

 

(h)                                 solely for the purpose of determining the amount available under clause (b) of the definition of Available Amount, the Net Income for such period of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Guarantor) shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of its Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule, or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary, unless such restriction with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions has been legally waived; provided that Consolidated Net Income of the Borrower will be increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions or other payments actually paid in cash to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in respect of such period, to the extent not already included therein;

 

(i)                                     the effects of adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries) in any line item in such Person’s Consolidated financial statements pursuant to GAAP resulting from the application of recapitalization accounting or purchase accounting, as the case may be, in connection with the Transaction, any acquisition or any joint venture investments or the amortization or write off of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded;

 

(j)                                    impairment charges, asset write offs and write downs, including impairment charges, asset write offs and write downs related to goodwill, intangible assets, long-lived assets, investments in debt and equity securities or as a result of a change in law or regulation, in each case pursuant to GAAP, and the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to GAAP shall be excluded;

 

(k)                                 (i) non-cash compensation charges and expenses, including any such charges and expenses arising from grants of stock appreciation or similar rights, phantom

 

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equity, stock options, restricted stock or other rights or equity incentive programs and (ii) non-cash deemed finance charges in respect of any pension liabilities or other provisions shall be excluded;

 

(l)                                     (i) charges and expenses pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement, any stock subscription or shareholder agreement or any distributor equity plan or agreement and (ii) charges, expenses, accruals and reserves in connection with the rollover, acceleration or payout of Equity Interests held by management of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, in the case of each of (i) and (ii), to the extent that (in the case of any cash charges and expenses) such charges, expenses, accruals and reserves are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower or Net Cash Proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests and except to the extent that such proceeds do not increase the amount available under clause (c) of the definition of Available Amount) of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower shall be excluded;

 

(m)                             charges, expenses and fees incurred, or any amortization thereof, in connection with any Equity Offering, acquisition, Investment, recapitalization, asset Disposition, incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness, issuance of Equity Interests, refinancing transaction or amendment or modification of any debt instrument (in each case, including any such transaction consummated prior to the Effective Date and any such transaction undertaken but not completed) and any non-recurring charges and expenses (including non-recurring merger expenses) incurred as a result of any such transaction shall be excluded;

 

(n)                                 accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted, in each case within 12 months of the subject transaction, as a result of the Transaction or any acquisition, Investment, asset Disposition, write down or write off (including the related tax benefit) in accordance with GAAP (including any adjustment of estimated payouts on earn-outs) or charges as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies shall be excluded;

 

(o)                                 to the extent covered by insurance and actually reimbursed, or, so long as the Borrower has made a good faith determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer and only to the extent that (i) such coverage is not denied by the applicable carrier or indemnifying party in writing within 180 days and (ii) such amount is in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such determination (with a deduction in the applicable future period for any amount so added back to the extent not so reimbursed within 365 days), losses, charges, expenses, accruals and reserves with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be excluded;

 

(p)                                 losses, charges and expenses that are covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any acquisition, Investment or asset Disposition, to the extent actually reimbursed, or, so long as the Borrower has made a determination that a reasonable basis exists for indemnification or reimbursement and only to the extent that such amount is in fact indemnified or reimbursed within 365 days of such determination (with a deduction in the applicable future period for any amount so added back to the extent not so indemnified or reimbursed within such 365 days), shall be excluded;

 

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(q)                                 (i) non-cash or unrealized gains or losses in respect of obligations under Swap Contracts or any ineffectiveness recognized in earnings related to qualifying hedge transactions or the fair value of changes therein recognized in earnings for derivatives that do not qualify as hedge transactions, in each case, in respect of obligations under Swap Contracts, and (ii) gains or losses resulting from currency translation gains or losses related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness (including gains or losses resulting from (A) Swap Contracts for currency exchange risk and (B) intercompany Indebtedness) and all other foreign currency translation gains or losses to the extent such gains or losses are non-cash items shall be excluded; and

 

(r)                                    deferred tax expenses associated with tax deductions or net operating losses arising as a result of the Transaction, or the release of any valuation allowance related to such item, shall be excluded.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of determining the Available Amount (other than clauses (d) or (e) of the definition thereof), there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any income arising from any sale or other disposition of Restricted Investments made by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repurchases and redemptions of Restricted Investments from the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repayments of loans and advances which constitute Restricted Investments by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, any sale of the stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any distribution or dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, in each case only to the extent such amounts increase the Available Amount pursuant to clauses (d) or (e) of the definition thereof.

 

Consolidated Total Net Debt” means, as of any date of determination, Consolidated Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected on the Borrower’s Consolidated balance sheet less the amount of cash and Cash Equivalents in excess of any Restricted Cash that would be stated on the Borrower’s Consolidated balance sheet as of such date of determination, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000,000.

 

Consolidated Senior Secured Net Debt” means, as of any date of determination, Consolidated Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected on the Borrower’s Consolidated balance sheet that is secured by a Lien less the amount of cash and Cash Equivalents in excess of any Restricted Cash that would be stated on the Borrower’s Consolidated balance sheet as of such date of determination, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000,000.

 

Consolidated Total Net Debt” means, as of any date of determination, Consolidated Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected on the Borrower’s Consolidated balance sheet less the amount of cash and Cash Equivalents in excess of any Restricted Cash that would be stated on the Borrower’s Consolidated balance sheet as of such date of determination, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000,000.

 

Consolidated Working Capital” means, as at any date of determination, the excess of Consolidated Current Assets over Consolidated Current Liabilities.

 

Constituent Documents” means (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents

 

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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.

 

Contract Consideration” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Excess Cash Flow”.

 

Contractual Obligation” means, 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” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise.  “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.  For the avoidance of doubt, none of the Arrangers, the Agents or their respective lending affiliates shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries.

 

Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness” means any (a) Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt, (b) Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt, (c) Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt or (d) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment, in each case, issued, incurred or otherwise obtained (including by means of the extension or renewal of existing Indebtedness) in exchange for, or to extend, renew, replace or refinance, in whole or part, (1) existing Loans (2) existing Extended Loans of any given Extension Series, (3) existing Incremental Loans of any given Extension Series or (4) existing Other Loans (including, in each case, any successive Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness) (“Refinanced Debt”); provided that (i) such exchanging, extending, renewing, replacing or refinancing Indebtedness is in an original aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) not greater than the aggregate principal amount of the Refinanced Debt except by an amount equal to unpaid accrued or capitalized interest thereon, any make-whole payments and premium (including tender premium) thereon, any swap breakage costs and other termination costs related to Swap Contracts and other customary fees and expenses (including upfront fees and OID) in connection with such exchange, modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal, replacement or extension, (ii) such Indebtedness has a maturity not earlier than, and a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than, the Refinanced Debt, (iii) the terms and conditions of such Indebtedness (except (A) as otherwise provided in clause (ii) above, (B) subject to clause (v) below, with respect to pricing (including interest rate, fees, funding discounts and other pricing terms), prepayment or other premiums, optional prepayment or redemption terms and subordination, and (C) for covenants or other provisions applicable only to periods after the Latest Maturity Date determined at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness) are substantially identical to, or (taken as a whole) are no more favorable to the lenders or holders providing such Indebtedness, than those applicable to the Refinanced Debt being refinanced, taken as a whole (provided that a certificate of a Responsible Officer delivered to the Administrative Agent at least five (5) Business Days prior to the

 

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incurrence of such Indebtedness, together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such Indebtedness or drafts of the material documentation relating thereto, stating that the Borrower has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the requirement of this clause (iii) shall be conclusive evidence that such terms and conditions satisfy such requirement unless the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower within such five (5) Business Day period that it disagrees with such determination (including a reasonably detailed description of the basis upon which it disagrees)) (it being understood and agreed that the Tranche B-2 Loans shall be deemed to have substantially identical terms and conditions as the First Lien Term Loans for purposes of this clause (iii) and the immediately preceding clause (ii)), and (iv) such Refinanced Debt shall be repaid, defeased or satisfied and discharged, and all accrued interest, fees and premiums (if any) in connection therewith shall be paid with 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds of the applicable Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, on the date such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is issued, incurred or obtained and (v) solely with respect to any Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt, Extended Loans or Indebtedness incurred pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment, in each case, issued, incurred or otherwise obtained in exchange for, or to extend, renew, replace or refinance, in whole or part, any Tranche B-2 Loans after the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date (“Pari Passu Stub Refinancing Debt”), in the event that the All-In Yield of such Pari Passu Stub Refinancing Debt (the “Stub Refinancing Yield”) exceeds the All-In Yield of the First Lien Term Loans hereunder by more than 0.50%, then the interest rate margins for the First Lien Term Loans hereunder shall automatically be increased to a level such that the All-In Yield of such First Lien Term Loans is 0.50% below the Stub Refinancing Yield; provided that up to $30,000,000 (less the aggregate principal amount of Extended Loans excluded by operation of clause (E) of the second proviso to Section 2.13(a)) in aggregate principal amount of Pari Passu Stub Refinancing Debt may be excluded by the Borrower from the operation of this clause (v).

 

Credit Extension” means a Borrowing.

 

Debt Fund Affiliate” means any Affiliate of Holdings that is (a) any bona fide bank, debt fund, distressed asset fund, hedge fund, mutual fund, insurance company, financial institution or an investment vehicle that is engaged in the business of investing in, acquiring or trading commercial loans, bonds and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course, in each case, that is not organized primarily for the purpose of making equity investments, or (b) any investment fund or account of a Permitted Investor managed by third parties (including by way of a managed account, a fund or an index fund in which a Permitted Investor has invested) that is not organized or used primarily for the purpose of making equity investments, in each case of clauses (a) and (b), with respect to which Sponsor or a Permitted Investor does not, directly or indirectly, possess the power to direct or cause the direction of investment policies of such entity.

 

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

 

Declined Proceeds” has the meaning specified in Section 2.4(f).

 

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

 

Default Rate” means an interest rate equal to the Base Rate, plus 2.0% per annum; provided that with respect to the outstanding principal amount of any Loan, the Default Rate shall be an interest rate equal to the interest rate (including any Applicable Margin) otherwise applicable to such Loan (giving effect to Section 2.2, if applicable) plus 2.0% per annum, in each case, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

 

Designated Non-Cash Consideration” means the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of non-cash consideration received by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with a Disposition pursuant to Section 9.5(j) that is designated as Designated Non-Cash Consideration pursuant to a certificate of a Responsible Officer, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration.

 

Designated Sale-Leaseback Property” means Material Real Property, other than distribution centers, that the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary intends to Dispose of in a Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction, to the extent that (x) the Borrower designates such Material Real Property, in writing to the Administrative Agent, on or our prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date, as “Designated Sale-Leaseback Property” and (y) the Loan Parties Dispose of such Material Real Property in a transaction permitted hereunder prior to the expiration of the 90-day period (or such longer period as the Collateral Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) following the earlier of (1) the first anniversary of the Effective Date and (2) delivery by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent of the designation notice referred to in the foregoing clause (x).

 

Discharge of Obligations” means the time at which all the Secured Obligations (other than (i) contingent indemnification and reimbursement obligations as to which no claim has been asserted by the Person entitled thereto, (ii) Obligations under Secured Hedge Agreements and (iii) Cash Management Obligations) have been paid in full in cash and all Commitments have been terminated.

 

Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.3(d)(ii)(B).

 

Discount Range” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.3(d)(iii)(A).

 

Discount Range Prepayment Amount” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.3(d)(iii)(A).

 

Discount Range Prepayment Notice” means a written notice of a Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers made pursuant to Section 2.3(d)(iii)(A) substantially in the form of Exhibit E.

 

Discount Range Prepayment Offer” means the irrevocable written offer by a Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit F, submitted in response to an invitation to submit offers following the Auction Agent’s receipt of a Discount Range Prepayment Notice.

 

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Discount Range Prepayment Response Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.3(d)(iii)(A).

 

Discount Range Proration” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.3(d)(iii)(C).

 

Discounted Loan Prepayment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.3(d)(i).

 

Discounted Prepayment Determination Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.3(d)(iv)(C).

 

Discounted Prepayment Effective Date” means in the case of a Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment, Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offer or Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offer, five (5) Business Days following the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date, the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date or the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date, as applicable, in accordance with Section 2.3(d)(ii)(A), Section 2.3(d)(iii)(A) or Section 2.3(d)(iv)(A), respectively, unless a shorter period is agreed to between the Borrower and the Auction Agent.

 

Disposition” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction and any sale or issuance of Equity Interests in a Subsidiary) of any property by any Person, including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.  “Dispose” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing.

 

Disqualified Equity Interests” means any Equity Interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security or other Equity Interests into which it is convertible or for which it is redeemable or exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (except as a result of a change of control or asset sale to the extent that (i) such Equity Interest provides that such Equity Interest shall not be required to be repurchased or redeemed until the Latest Maturity Date has occurred, determined as of the time of issuance of such Equity Interest, or (ii) such repurchase or redemption is otherwise permitted by this Agreement (including as a result of a waiver hereunder)) or (b) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than (i) solely for Qualified Equity Interests, (ii) as a result of a change of control or asset sale to the extent that such Equity Interest provides that such Equity Interest shall not be required to be repurchased or redeemed until the Latest Maturity Date has occurred, determined as of the time of issuance of such Equity Interest, or (iii) such repurchase or redemption is otherwise permitted by this Agreement (including as a result of a waiver hereunder)), in whole or in part, (c) provides for the scheduled payments of dividends in cash, or (d) is or becomes convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness or any other Equity Interests that would constitute Disqualified Equity Interests, in each case, prior to the date that is ninety-one (91) days after the Latest Maturity Date of the Loans determined as of the time of issuance of such Equity Interest; provided that if such Equity Interests are issued pursuant to any equity or incentive compensation or benefit plan or arrangement of Holdings, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, such Equity Interests shall not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests solely because they may be

 

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required to be repurchased by Holdings, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s termination, death or disability.

 

Disqualified Lenders” means those banks, financial institutions and other institutional lenders, investors or competitors of the Borrower or any of(i) any person identified by the Company in writing that is or becomes a competitor of the Company and/or any its Subsidiaries who are specified by the Borrower, (ii) any Person that is identified in writing to the Administrative Agent in writing prior to the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date (and such other Persons as otherwise mutually agreed between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent after the Effective Date and added to such list in writing, with each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent acting reasonably)and (iii) an Affiliate of any Person described in clauses (i) or (ii) above that is either (x) reasonably identifiable on the basis of such Affiliate’s name or (y) identified in writing by the Company from time to time, other than, in either case, any Bona Fide Debt Fund Affiliate (except to the extent expressly identified pursuant to clause (ii) above); provided that no written notice delivered pursuant to the foregoing clauses (i) or (iii) shall apply retroactively to cause any Person that has previously acquired an assignment or participation interest in the Facility to become a Disqualified Lender.

 

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

 

Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the Laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

ECF Percentage” has the meaning specified in Section 2.4(a).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.

 

ECF Percentage” has the meaning specified in Section 2.4(a).

 

Effective Datehas the meaning specified in Section 4.1.means January 13, 2012, being the date on which the conditions precedent in Section 4.1 were satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 12.1.

 

Eligible Assignee” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 12.2(b)(iii) and (v) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 12.2(b)(iii)).

 

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Environmental Claimmeans any and all administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violation, investigations (other than reports prepared for internal purposes by or on behalf of any Loan Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (a) in the ordinary course of such Person’s business or (b) as required in connection with a financing transaction or an acquisition or disposition of real estate) or proceedings with respect to any Environmental Liability (hereinafter “Claims”), including (i) any and all Claims by governmental or regulatory authorities for enforcement, cleanup, removal, response, remedial or other actions or damages pursuant to any Environmental Law and (ii) any and all Claims by any third party seeking damages, contribution, indemnification, cost recovery, compensation or injunctive relief pursuant to any Environmental Law.

 

Environmental Laws” means any and all applicable Laws relating to the protection of the environment or, to the extent relating to exposure to Hazardous Materials, human health.

 

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

 

Environmental Permit” means any permit, approval, identification number, license or other authorization required under any Environmental Law in connection with the operation of the business or the real property of each Loan Party and each of the Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Equity Contribution” means the contribution by the Sponsors of an aggregate amount of cash as Qualified Equity Interests, directly or indirectly to Holdings, which will in turn be contributed to the Borrower in the form of common stock, which, together with any rollover equity, will constitute an aggregate amount of not less than 40% of the debt and equity capitalization of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on the Effective Date, after giving effect to the Transaction; provided that (i) the aggregate amount of rollover equity does not exceed 20% of such sum and (ii) for purposes of this definition, debt shall exclude obligations under Secured Hedge Agreements, Swap Contracts or similar arrangements.

 

Equity Interests” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares, interests, rights, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests or units in) such Person and all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase, acquisition or exchange from such Person of any of the foregoing (including through convertible securities).

 

Equity Offering” means any public or private sale after the Effective Date of common stock of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, as applicable (other than Disqualified Equity Interests), other than:

 

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(a)                                 public offerings with respect to the Borrower’s or such direct or indirect parent’s common stock registered on Form S-8;

 

(b)                                 issuances to any Subsidiary of the Borrower; and

 

(c)                                  any such public or private sale that constitutes an Excluded Contribution.

 

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

 

ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that together with any Loan Party is treated as a single employer within the meaning of Section 414 of the Code or Section 4001 of ERISA.

 

ERISA Event” means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) a withdrawal by any Loan Party or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations that is treated as a termination under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by any Loan Party or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates from a Multiemployer Plan, written notification of any Loan Party or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or written notification that a Multiemployer Plan is insolvent or is in reorganization within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA; (d) the filing under Section 4041(c) of ERISA of a notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan, the treatment of a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan amendment as a termination under Sections 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, or the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (e) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan, other than for the payment of plan contributions or PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon any Loan Party or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates, (f) the application for a minimum funding waiver under Section 302(c) of ERISA with respect to a Pension Plan, (g) the imposition of a lien under Section 303(k) of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan or (h) a determination that any Pension Plan is in “at risk” status (within the meaning of Section 303 of ERISA).

 

Escrow Agent” means Wilmington Trust, National Association.

 

Escrow Agreement” means that certain escrow agreement, dated as of December 29, 2011, among the Borrower, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee and as Escrow Agent.

 

Escrowed Funds” means (i) an amount equal to the gross proceeds of the offering of the Senior Notes sold on the Effective Date, (ii) funds sufficient to pay interest with respect to the Senior Notes up to, but not including, the latest possible date on which the Borrower will redeem all of the Senior Notes pursuant to the Senior Notes Indenture and (iii) any other property from time to time held by the Escrow Agent.

 

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

 

Eurocurrency Rate” means, for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, the rate per annum equal to the British Bankers Association LIBOR RateLIBOR calculated and published by ICE Benchmark Administration, as published on LIBOR01 Page as of 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for deposits in Dollars (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period; provided that if at any time the Eurocurrency Rate shall be less than zero the Eurocurrency Rate shall instead be deemed to be zero.  If such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the “Eurocurrency Rate” for such Interest Period shall be the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the rate at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in Same Day Funds in the approximate amount of the Eurocurrency Rate Loan being made, continued or converted by Royal Bank of Canada and with a term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered by Royal Bank of Canada’s London Branch (or other Royal Bank of Canada branch or Affiliate) to major banks in the London or other offshore interbank market for such currency at their request as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.

 

Eurocurrency Rate Loan” means a Loan that bears interest at a rate based on the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate.

 

Event” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Closing Date Material Adverse Effect”.

 

Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 10.1.

 

Excess Cash Flow” means, for any period, an amount equal to the excess of:

 

(1)                                 the Consolidated Net Income of the Borrower for such period, increased, in each case, without duplication, by

 

(a)                                 an amount equal to the amount of all non-cash charges (including depreciation and amortization) to the extent deducted in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income, but excluding any such non-cash charges representing an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period,

 

(b)                                 decreases in Consolidated Working Capital for such period,

 

(c)                                  an amount equal to the aggregate net non-cash loss on Dispositions by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries during such period (other than Dispositions in the ordinary course of business) to the extent deducted in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income,

 

(d)                                 the amount deducted as tax expense in determining Consolidated Net Income to the extent in excess of cash taxes paid in such period, and

 

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(e)                                  cash receipts in respect of Swap Contracts during such fiscal year to the extent not otherwise included in such Consolidated Net Income; over

 

(2)                                 the sum, in each case, without duplication, of:

 

(f)                                   (a) an amount equal to the amount of all non-cash credits included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income (but excluding any non-cash credit to the extent representing the reversal of an accrual or reserve described in clause (1)(a) above) and cash charges excluded by virtue of clauses (a) through (r) of the definition of Consolidated Net Income,

 

(g)                                  (b) without duplication of amounts deducted pursuant to clause (k) below in prior fiscal years, the amount of Capital Expenditures, Acquisitions and acquisitions of intellectual property accrued or made in cash during such period, except to the extent financed with the proceeds of Indebtedness (except to the extent such Indebtedness has been repaid),

 

(h)                                 (c) the aggregate amount of all principal payments of Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries (including (i) the principal component of payments in respect of Capitalized Leases, (ii) the amount of any mandatory prepayment of Loans pursuant to Section 2.4(b) to the extent required due to a Disposition that resulted in an increase to such Consolidated Net Income and not in excess of the amount of such increase and, (iii) the amount of any voluntary prepayments of Loans made pursuant to Section 2.3(d) (in an amount equal to the discounted amount actually paid in respect of the principal amount of such Loans), (iv) the amount of any voluntary prepayments of Second Lien Term Loans made pursuant to Section 2.3(d) of the Second Lien Credit Agreement (in an amount equal to the discounted amount actually paid in respect of the principal amount of such Second Lien Term Loans) and (v) the amount of any prepayments in respect of the FILO Loan (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement), but excluding (A) all other prepayments of Loans (other than voluntary prepayments made pursuant to Section 2.3(d)), (B) all prepayments in respect of any revolving credit facility (other than the FILO Loan (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement), except to the extent there is an equivalent permanent reduction in commitments thereunder and (C) payments of any subordinated Indebtedness except to the extent permitted to be paid pursuant to Section 9.11) made during such period, in each case except to the extent financed with the proceeds of other Indebtedness of the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiaries and in each case excluding any prepayments or repayments of (i) Initial Loans made in connection with the conversion or refinancing of such Loans into Tranche B-1 Loans pursuant to Amendment No. 1 and in each case excluding any prepayments or repayments of Tranche B-11, (ii) Tranche B-1 Loans made in connection with the exchange or refinancing of such Loans for or with Tranche B-2 Loans pursuant to Amendment No. 2 and (iii) Tranche B-2 Loans made in connection with the exchange or refinancing of such Loans for or with Tranche B-2First Lien Term Loans or the Second Lien Facility pursuant to Amendment No. 2,3,

 

(i)                                     (d) an amount equal to the aggregate net non-cash gain on Dispositions by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries during such period (other than Dispositions in the ordinary course of business) to the extent included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income and the net cash loss on Dispositions to the extent otherwise added to arrive at Consolidated Net Income,

 

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(j)                                    (e) increases in Consolidated Working Capital for such period,

 

(k)                                 (f) cash payments by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of long-term liabilities of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness) to the extent such payments are not expensed during such period or are not deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income,

 

(l)                                     (g) without duplication of amounts deducted pursuant to clauses (h) and (k) below in prior Fiscal Years, the aggregate amount of cash consideration paid by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with Investments (including Acquisitions) under Section 9.2 (excluding items eliminated in Consolidation) and financed with internally generated cash flow of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries,

 

(m)                             (h) the amount of Restricted Payments paid during such period pursuant to Sections 9.6(f), (g), (h), (i) and (ki) in each case to the extent such Restricted Payments were financed with internally generated cash flow of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries,

 

(n)                                 (i) the aggregate amount of expenditures actually made by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in cash during such period (including expenditures for the payment of financing fees) to the extent that such expenditures are not expensed during such period or are not deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income,

 

(o)                                 (j) the aggregate amount of any premium, make-whole or penalty payments actually paid in cash by Holdings, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries during such period that are made in connection with any prepayment, early extinguishment or conversion of Indebtedness to the extent such payments are not expensed during such period or are not deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income (excluding any such premium, make-whole or penalty payments made in connection with the conversion or refinancing of Initial Loans into Tranche B-1 Loans pursuant to Amendment No. 1, to the extent financed with Tranche B-1 Loans),

 

(p)                                 (k) without duplication of amounts deducted from Excess Cash Flow in prior periods, the aggregate consideration required to be paid in cash by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to binding contracts (the “Contract Consideration”) entered into prior to or during such period relating to Acquisitions, Capital Expenditures or acquisitions of intellectual property to be consummated or made during the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower following the end of such period; provided that, to the extent the aggregate amount of internally generated cash flow actually utilized to finance such Permitted Acquisitions, Capital Expenditures or acquisitions of intellectual property during such period of four consecutive fiscal quarters is less than the Contract Consideration, the amount of such shortfall shall be added to the calculation of Excess Cash Flow at the end of such period of four consecutive fiscal quarters,

 

(q)                                 (l) the amount of cash taxes (including penalties and interest) paid or tax reserves set aside or payable (without duplication) in such period to the extent they exceed the amount of tax expense deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period,

 

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(r)                                    (m) cash expenditures in respect of Swap Contracts during such fiscal year to the extent not deducted in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income,

 

(s)                                   (n) the aggregate amount of Consolidated Net Income attributable to investments in Joint Ventures or Excluded Subsidiaries, except to the extent actually paid to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in the form of a cash dividend or cash distribution,

 

(t)                                    (o) the aggregate amount of cash fees, costs and expenses in connection with, and any payments of, Transaction Expenses, to the extent not expensed and not deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income,

 

(u)                                 (p) the aggregate amount of any non-cash gain recognized as a result of any Asset Sale or Recovery Event pursuant to Section 2.4 that resulted in an increase to Consolidated Net Income (up to the amount of such increase), and

 

(v)                                 (q) cash indemnity payments received pursuant to indemnification provisions in any Acquisition Document, any Acquisition or any other Investment permitted under this Agreement, in each case that resulted in an increase to Consolidated Net Income (up to the amount of such increase).

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Excluded Contributions” means the Cash Equivalents or other assets (valued at their Fair Market Value as determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors of the Borrower) received by the Borrower after the Effective Date from:

 

(a)                                 contributions to its common equity capital, and

 

(b)                                 the sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Borrower or to any Subsidiary management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement) of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of the Borrower,

 

in each case other than any amount designated as a Cure Amount (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement) or any amount (w) increasing the Available Amount pursuant to clause (c) of the definition thereof, (x) increasing Restricted Payment capacity under clause (ii) of the proviso of Section 9.6(f), (y) applied to prepay Indebtedness under Sections 9.11(iii) or 9.11(vi) or (z) applied to finance Capital Expenditures under clause (viii) of the proviso to the definition thereof, and in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to a certificate from a Responsible Officer of the Borrower executed on or promptly after the date such capital contributions are made or the date such Equity Interests are sold, as the case may be.; provided that any such equity contribution made by, or Net Cash Proceeds received from, the Sponsors in connection with the exchange or refinancing of the Tranche B-2 Loans or the Senior Notes shall not be an Excluded Contribution until on or following the 12 month anniversary of the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date.

 

Excluded Real Property” means fee-owned real property that the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary intends to Dispose of in a Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction or Asset

 

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Sale, to the extent that (x) the Borrower designates such fee-owned real property, in writing to the Administrative Agent, on or prior to the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date, as “Excluded Real Property” (which designation may be included in the perfection certificate delivered by the Borrower in connection with Amendment No. 3) and (y) the Loan Parties Dispose of such fee-owned real property in a transaction permitted hereunder prior to the expiration of the 90-day period (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) following the first anniversary of the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date.

 

Excluded Subsidiary” means (a) any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower or a Guarantor, (b)  any direct or indirect Domestic Subsidiary of Holdings if substantially all of its assets consist of Equity Interests or Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests of one or more direct or indirect Foreign Subsidiaries, (c) Immaterial Subsidiaries, (d) any direct or indirect Domestic Subsidiary that is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary of Holdings, (e) any Subsidiary that is prohibited or restricted by applicable Law or Contractual Obligation existing on the Effective Date or on the date any such Subsidiary is acquired or organized (so long as, in the case of an acquisition of a Subsidiary, such prohibition did not arise as part of such acquisition) from providing a Guaranty or if such Guaranty would require governmental (including regulatory) consent, approval, license or authorization, (f) any other Subsidiary with respect to which the Administrative Agent and the Borrower reasonably agree that the cost, difficulty, burden or consequences (including any adverse tax consequences) to the Borrower of providing the Guaranty is excessive in relation to the benefit to the Lenders to be obtained therefrom and (f) each Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

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

 

Exempt Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction” means a Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction involving a sale and leaseback of any asset acquired by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after January 13, 2012.

 

Existing Tranche” has the meaning specified in Section 2.13(a).

 

Extended Loans” has the meaning specified in Section 2.13(a).

 

Extended Notes” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Term/Notes Refinancing Date”.

 

Extending Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.13(b).

 

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Extension” means any establishment of Extended Loans pursuant to Section 2.13 and the applicable Extension Amendment.

 

Extension Amendment” has the meaning specified in Section 2.13(d).

 

Extension Election” has the meaning specified in Section 2.13(b).

 

Extension Request” has the meaning specified in Section 2.13(a).

 

Extension Series” has the meaning specified in Section 2.13(a).

 

“Facility” means the Initial Loans, the Tranche B-2 Loans, the First Lien Term Loans, any Extended Loans, any Incremental Loans or any Other Loans, as the context may require.

 

Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset or property, the price which could be negotiated in an arm’s-length transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction.

 

Facility” means the Initial Loans, any Extended Loans, any Incremental Loans or any Other Loans, as the context may require.

 

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code as in effect on the date hereofEffective Date or any successor provision that is substantively the equivalent thereof and not materially more onerous to comply with (and, in each case, any regulations promulgated thereunder or official interpretations thereof).

 

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

 

Federal Reserve Board” means the Board of Governors of the United States Federal Reserve System, or any successor thereto.

 

Fee Letter” means the amended and restated Fee Letter dated October 31, 2011, among Holdings and the Arrangers.

 

FILO Agent” means TPG Specialty Lending, Inc., as agent for the FILO Lenders (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement) under the ABL Facility Credit Agreement, or any successor agent under the ABL Facility Credit Agreement.

 

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Financial Statements” means the financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries delivered in accordance with Sections 7.1(a) and 7.1(b).

 

First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement” means the intercreditor agreement dated as of November 7, 2017 among Holdings, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Second Lien Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit U-1 hereto, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance therewith and herewith.

 

“First Lien Term Loans” means a Loan into which Tranche B-2 Loans are converted pursuant to Section 2.1(d), 2.14(b) or 12.2(k)(i).

 

First Lien Term Loan Lender” means any Lender that holds First Lien Term Loans.

 

First Lien Term Loan Lender Party” means (x) each First Lien Term Loan Lender and (y) the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent.

 

Fiscal Quarter” means a fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Yearthe quarterly period of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries ending on the Friday closest to the last day in April, July, October or January of each calendar year.

 

Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries ending on the SaturdayFriday closest to MarchJanuary 31 in the following calendar year.

 

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period.Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

 

(a)                                 Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period, and

 

(b)                                 all cash dividend payments (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Equity Interests of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Foreign Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 3.1(b).

 

Foreign Subsidiary” means any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

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

 

Funded Debt” means, as of any date of determination, all Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for borrowed money that matures more than one year from such date of determination or matures within one year from such date that is renewable or

 

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extendable, 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 Indebtedness in respect of the Loans.

 

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, as in effect from time to time; provided, however, that (a) if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Effective Date in GAAP or in the application thereof (including through the adoption of IFRS) on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Requisite 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 (including through the adoption of IFRS), 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, (b) unless any such notice delivered pursuant to clause (a) above has been withdrawn, the Borrower and the requisite Lenders under Section 12.1 shall negotiate in good faith to amend the provisions of this Agreement that relate to the operation of such provision with the intent of having the respective positions of the Borrower and the Lenders after such change in GAAP or the application thereof conform as nearly to their respective positions as of the Effective Date, and (c) GAAP as applied herein with respect to accounting for leases (including Capitalized Leases, Capitalized Lease Obligations and Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transactions) shall be GAAP as in effect on the Effective Date.

 

Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

 

Granting Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 12.2(g).

 

Guarantee” means, as to any Person, without duplication, (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness of or other monetary obligation payable or performable by another Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other monetary obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or monetary other obligation of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other monetary obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other monetary obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other monetary obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing

 

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any Indebtedness or other monetary obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness or monetary other obligation is assumed by such Person (or any right, contingent or otherwise, of any holder of such Indebtedness to obtain any such Lien); provided that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit, indemnity obligations in effect on the Effective Date or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations entered into following the Effective Date in the ordinary course of business in connection with any acquisition or disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement (other than such obligations with respect to Indebtedness).  The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith.  The term “Guarantee” as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

 

Guarantors” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement”.  For avoidance of doubt, the Borrower may cause any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor to Guarantee the Obligations by causing such Restricted Subsidiary to execute a supplement to the Guaranty in substantially the form attached thereto, and any such Restricted Subsidiary shall be a Guarantor hereunder and thereunder for all purposes.

 

Guaranty” means (a) the guaranty made by Holdings and the other Guarantors in favor of the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties pursuant to clause (b) of the definition of “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement,” substantially in the form of Exhibit G, and (b) each other guaranty and guaranty supplement delivered pursuant to Section 8.11.

 

Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes, all hazardous or toxic substances, and all wastes or pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, friable asbestos or friable asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas and infectious or medical wastes in each case that are regulated pursuant to any applicable Environmental Law.

 

Hedge Bank” means, with respect to any Swap Contract, as of any date of determination, (a) any Person that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender on such date or (b) any Person who (i) was a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time such Swap Contract was entered into or on the Effective Date and who is no longer a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, (ii) is, and at all times remains, in compliance with the provisions of Section 11.12(b)(i) and (iii) agrees in writing that the Agents and the other Secured Parties shall have no duty to such Person (other than the payment of any amounts to which such Person may be entitled under Section 10.3) and acknowledges that the Agents and the other Secured Parties may deal with the Loan Parties and the Collateral as they deem appropriate (including the release of any Loan Party or all or any portion of the Collateral) without notice or consent from such Person, whether or not such action impairs the ability of such Person to be repaid Obligations owing to it in respect of the Secured Hedge Agreements to which it is a party) and agrees to be bound by Section 11.12(b)(ii).

 

Holdings” has the meaning specified in the preamble to this Agreement and shall include any Permitted Holdings Successor.

 

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Identified Participating Lenders” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iii)(C).

 

Identified Qualifying Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iv)(C).

 

IFRS” means international accounting standards within the meaning of the IAS Regulation 1606/2002 to the extent applicable to the relevant financial statements.

 

Immaterial Subsidiary” means, with respect to the Borrower, any Subsidiary thereof that is not a Material Subsidiary.

 

Incremental Amendment” has the meaning specified in Section 2.12(a).

 

Incremental Facility Effective Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.12(a).

 

Incremental Loans” has the meaning specified in Section 2.12(a).

 

Indebtedness” means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following:

 

(a)                                 all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments;

 

(b)                                 the maximum amount (after giving effect to any prior drawings or reductions that may have been reimbursed) of all letters of credit (including standby and commercial) or bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person;

 

(c)                                  net obligations of such Person under any Swap Contract;

 

(d)                                 all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than (i) trade accounts and accrued expenses payable in the ordinary course of business, (ii) any earn-out obligation until both (A) such obligation is not paid within thirty (30) days after becoming due and payable and (B) such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP, and (iii) accruals for payroll and other liabilities accrued in the ordinary course of business);

 

(e)                                  indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned by such Person (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements and mortgage, industrial revenue bond, industrial development bond and similar financings), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse;

 

(f)                                   all Capitalized Lease Obligations;

 

(g)                                  all obligations of such Person in respect of Disqualified Equity Interests; and

 

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(h)                                 all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.

 

For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person (A) shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or Joint Venture (other than a Joint Venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, except to the extent such Person’s liability for such Indebtedness is otherwise limited and only to the extent such Indebtedness would be included in the calculation of Consolidated Total Net Debt and (B) in the case of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties, shall exclude loans and advances made by Loan Parties having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any roll over or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary course of business solely to the extent that such intercompany loans and advances are evidenced by one or more notes in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and pledged as Collateral.  The amount of any net obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date.  The amount of Indebtedness of any Person for purposes of clause (e) shall be deemed to be equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate unpaid amount of such Indebtedness and (ii) the Fair Market Value (as determined by such Person in good faith) of the property encumbered thereby.

 

Indemnified Liabilities” has the meaning specified in Section 12.4.

 

Indemnitees” has the meaning specified in Section 12.4.

 

Independent Financial Advisor” means an accounting, appraisal, investment banking firm or consultant of nationally recognized standing that is, in the good faith judgment of the Borrower, qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged and that is independent of the Borrower and its Affiliates.

 

Information” has the meaning specified in Section 12.16.

 

Initial Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.1(a).

 

Intellectual Property Security Agreements” has the meaning specified in the Security Agreement.

 

Intercompany Subordination Agreement” means an agreement executed by each Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower, in substantially the form of Exhibit H.

 

Intercreditor Agreement” means the intercreditor agreement dated as of the date hereofEffective Date among Holdings, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the ABL Facility Administrative Agent, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit I, as amended on the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date and as may be further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance therewith and herewith.

 

Interest Period” means, as to each Eurocurrency Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such Eurocurrency Rate Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency Rate Loan and ending on the date one, two, three or six months thereafter, or to the extent consented to by each applicable Lender, nine or twelve months (or such period of less than

 

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one month as may be consented to by each applicable Lender), as selected by the Borrower in its Committed Loan Notice; provided that:

 

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

 

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

 

(c)                                  no Interest Period shall extend beyond the applicable Scheduled Termination Date of the Class of Loans of which the Eurocurrency Rate Loan is a part.

 

Investment” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person in any other Person, in the form of (a) the purchase or other acquisition (including without limitation by merger or otherwise) of Equity Interests or debt or other securities of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of Indebtedness of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person (excluding, in the case of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, intercompany loans, advances, or Indebtedness having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any roll-over or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary course of business) or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions, including without limitation by merger or otherwise) of all or substantially all of the property and assets or business of another Person or assets constituting a business unit, line of business or division of such Person.  For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment at any time shall be the amount actually invested (measured at the time made), without adjustment for subsequent changes in the value of such Investment, net of any return representing a return of capital with respect to such Investment.

 

IP Rights” has the meaning specified in Section 5.14.

 

IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

 

Joint Bookrunner” means each of RBC Capital Markets*, BMO Capital Markets+ and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

 

Joint Venture” means a business enterprise comprised of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries and one or more Persons, whether in the form of a partnership,

 


** RBC Capital Markets is a brand name for the capital market activities of Royal Bank of Canada and its affiliates.

+ BMO Capital Markets is a brand name for the capital market activities of Bank of Montreal and its affiliates.

 

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corporation, limited liability company or other entity or joint ownership or operating arrangement, in which 50% or less of the partnership interests, outstanding voting stock or other Equity Interests is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Borrower and/or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Junior Financing” means (a) the Senior Notes, and the Second Lien Facility and in each case any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, (b) any Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt, or Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt, (c) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 9.3(s), and (d) any Indebtedness of a Loan Party that is subordinated to the Obligations expressly by its terms (other than Indebtedness between or among any of Holdings, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries).

 

Junior Financing Documentation” means any documentation governing any Junior Financing.

 

Junior Lien” means any Lien that ranks (i) prior to the Discharge of Obligations, junior to the Liens securing all or any portion of the Obligations, and (ii) prior to the Discharge of Obligations (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement), junior to the Liens securing all or any portion of the Obligations (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement).

 

Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement” means a “junior lien” intercreditor agreement among the Administrative Agent, the ABL Facility Administrative Agent and one or more Senior Representatives for holders of Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, the ABL Facility Administrative Agent and the Borrower.

 

Latest Maturity Date” means, at any date of determination, the latest Scheduled Termination Date applicable to any Loan or Commitment hereunder at such time, including the latest termination date of any Other Loan or Other Commitment, any Extended Loans or Incremental Loans, as applicable, as extended in accordance with this Agreement from time to time.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Latest Maturity Date shall be determined without giving effect to the proviso to clause (a)(ii) of the “Scheduled Termination Date” definition.

 

Laws” means, collectively, all international, foreign, federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities and executive orders, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority.

 

Lease Letter Agreement” means the Letter Agreement, dated October 11, 2011, among Holdings, Merger Sub and each landlord party thereto, as amended, modified or supplemented in a manner that is not more disadvantageous to the Lenders in any material respect as determined by the Borrower in good faith, together with all transactions effected pursuant thereto.

 

Lender” means each financial institution or other entity that (a) is listed on the signature pages hereof as a “Lender” or (b) from time to time becomes a party hereto by execution of an Assignment and Assumption or, in connection with any Incremental Loans, an Incremental

 

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Amendment or, in connection with an Extended Loans, an Extension Amendment, or in connection with a Permitted Refinancing, a Refinancing Amendment.

 

Lending Office” means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender described as such in such Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, and any Capitalized Lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing); provided, that in no event shall an operating lease in and of itself be deemed a Lien.

 

Loan” means an extension of credit by a Lender to the Borrower under Article II.

 

Loan Documents” means, collectively, (a) this Agreement, (b) the Notes, (c) any Incremental Amendment, any Extension Amendment and any Refinancing Amendment, (d) the Fee Letter, (e) the Collateral Documents (including the Guaranty) and (f) each other agreement or document that the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall designate in writing as a Loan Document.

 

Loan Parties” means, collectively, (a) Holdings, (b) the Borrower and (c) each other Guarantor.

 

Management Group” means the group consisting of the directors, executive officers and other management personnel of the Company or any direct or indirect parent thereof, as the case may be, on the Senior Notes Issue Date (including The Gold Revocable Trust dated October 26, 2005)Amendment No. 3 Effective Date together with (1) any new directors whose election by suchthe applicable boards of directors or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company, as applicable, was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company, as applicable, then still in office who were either directors on the Senior Notes IssueAmendment No. 3 Effective Date or whose election or nomination was previously so approved and (2) executive officers and other management personnel of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company, as applicable, who served or were hired at a time when the directors on the Senior Notes IssueAmendment No. 3 Effective Date together with the directors so approved constituted a majority of the directors of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Company, as applicable.

 

Margin Stock” has the meaning set forth in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the United States Federal Reserve System, or any successor thereto.

 

Master Agreement” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Swap Contract.”

 

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Material Adverse Effect” means any event, circumstance or condition that has had a materially adverse effect on (a) the business, operations, assets or financial condition of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Loan Parties (taken as a whole) to perform their respective payment obligations under any Loan Document to which any of the Loan Parties is a party or (c) the rights and remedies of the Lenders, the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document.

 

Material Domestic Subsidiary” means, at any date of determination, each of the Borrower’s Domestic Subsidiaries (a) whose Total Assets at the last day of the most recent Test Period for which financial statements have been or are required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or (b) were equal to or greater than 2.5% of Total Assets at such date or (b) whose gross revenues for such Test Period were equal to or greater than 2.5% of the Consolidated gross revenues of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that if, at any time and from time to time after the Effective Date, Domestic Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors solely because they do not meet the thresholds set forth in clauses (a) or (b) comprise in the aggregate more than 5.0% of Total Assets as of the end of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter of the Borrower for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 or more than 5.0% of the Consolidated gross revenues of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for the period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters ending as of the last day of such Fiscal Quarter, then the Borrower shall, not later than forty-five (45) days after the date by which financial statements for such quarter are required to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement (or such longer period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion), (i) designate in writing to the Administrative Agent one or more of such Domestic Subsidiaries as “Material Domestic Subsidiaries” to the extent required such that the foregoing condition ceases to be true and (ii) comply with the provisions of Sections 8.11 and 8.13 applicable to such Subsidiary.

 

Material Foreign Subsidiary” means, at any date of determination, each of the Borrower’s Foreign Subsidiaries (a) whose Total Assets at the last day of the most recent Test Period for which financial statements have been or are required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or (b) were equal to or greater than 2.5% of Total Assets at such date or (b) whose gross revenues for such Test Period were equal to or greater than 2.5% of the Consolidated gross revenues of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Material Real Property” means any fee owned real property owned by any Loan Party with a Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of at least $5,000,000.

 

Material Subsidiary” means any Material Domestic Subsidiary or any Material Foreign Subsidiary.

 

Maximum Rate” has the meaning specified in Section 12.23.

 

Merger” has the meaning specified in the preliminary statements to this Agreement.

 

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Merger Agreement” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of October 11, 2011, among Holdings, Merger Sub and the Company.

 

Merger Agreement Representations” means the representations and warranties with respect to the Company made by the Company in the Merger Agreement, but only to the extent (i) such representations and warranties are material to the interests of the Lenders, and (ii) Holdings has the right to terminate its obligations under the Merger Agreement as a result of a breach of such representations and warranties under the Merger Agreement.

 

Merger Consideration” means an amount equal to the total funds required to pay to (i) the holder of each share of issued and outstanding common stock of the Borrower immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger (subject to certain exceptions as set forth in the Merger Agreement) an aggregate amount of $22.00 per share in cash, (ii) the holders of certain outstanding options, with respect to any share of common stock of the Borrower issuable under a particular option, an aggregate amount in cash equal to the excess, if any, of (x) $22.00 per share and (y) the applicable exercise price payable in respect of such share of common stock of the Borrower issuable under such option, and (iii) the holders of certain restricted stock units and performance stock units, an aggregate amount in cash equal to the product of (a) $22.00 per share and (b) the number of unforfeited shares of common stock of the Borrower subject to the restricted stock unit or performance stock unit, as applicable.

 

Merger Sub” has the meaning specified in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

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

 

Mortgage Policies” has the meaning specified in Section 8.13(b)(ii) hereof.

 

Mortgaged Propertieshas the meaning specified in paragraph (e) of the definition of “Collateral and Guarantee Requirementmeans owned real property of the Loan Parties, in each case to the extent subject to a Mortgage.

 

Mortgages” means, collectively, (a) mortgages or deeds of trust in the form of Exhibit T (subject to such conforming changes as shall be necessary to reflect local law requirements), or (b) the deeds of trust, trust deeds, hypothecs and mortgages executed and delivered by the Loan Parties in favor or for the benefit of the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Lenders in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, and any other mortgages executed and delivered pursuant to Sections 8.11 or 8.13.

 

Multiemployer Plan” means any multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA and subject to Title IV of ERISA, to which any Loan Party or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five plan years has made or been obligated to make contributions.

 

Net Cash Proceeds” means:

 

(a)                                 with respect to the Disposition of any asset by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or with respect to any Recovery Event, the excess, if any, of (i) the sum of cash and Cash Equivalents received in connection with such Disposition (including any

 

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cash and Cash Equivalents received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so received) or Recovery Event, as the case may be, over (ii) the sum of (A) the principal amount, premium or penalty, if any, interest and other amounts on any Indebtedness that is secured by the asset subject to such Disposition or Recovery Event, as the case may be, and that is required to be repaid in connection with such Disposition or Recovery Event (other than Indebtedness under the Loan Documents, the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness or the ABL Facility Documentation or any Permitted Refinancing of the Indebtedness under the ABL Facility Documentation or the Credit AgreementIndebtedness under the Second Lien Facility Documentation or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtednessthereof), (B)  distributions permitted to be made pursuant to Section 9.6(g)(i) or (g)(ii) and taxes paid or reasonably estimated to be payable in connection therewith (including taxes imposed on the distribution or repatriation of any such Net Cash Proceeds), (C) in the case of any Disposition by a non-wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary or Recovery Event with respect to assets of a non-wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary, the pro rata portion of the Net Cash Proceeds thereof (calculated without regard to this clause (C)) attributable to minority interests and not available for distribution to or for the account of the Borrower or a wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary as a result thereof, (D) any reserve for adjustment in respect of (x) the sale price of such asset or assets established in accordance with GAAP and (y) any liabilities associated with such asset or assets and retained by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary after such Recovery Event or Disposition, as the case may be, including pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction, it being understood that “Net Cash Proceeds” shall include the amount of any reversal (without the satisfaction of any applicable liabilities in cash in a corresponding amount) of any reserve described in this clause (D) and (E) the out-of-pocket fees and expenses (including attorneys’ fees, investment banking fees, survey costs, title insurance premiums, and related search and recording charges, transfer taxes, deed or mortgage recording taxes, other customary expenses and brokerage, consultant and other customary fees) actually incurred by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that, except in the case of proceeds from Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transactions, no net cash proceeds calculated in accordance with the foregoing realized in a single transaction or series of related transactions shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds unless, and only to the extent that, such net cash proceeds shall exceed $5,000,000; provided further that the aggregate amount of all such net cash proceeds so excluded as Net Cash Proceeds in any Fiscal Year shall not exceed $15,000,000; and

 

(b)                                 (i) with respect to the incurrence or issuance of any Indebtedness by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or any Permitted Equity Issuance by the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, the excess, if any, of (A) the sum of the cash and Cash Equivalents received in connection with such incurrence or issuance over (B) the investment banking fees, underwriting discounts, commissions, costs and other out-of-pocket expenses and other customary expenses, incurred by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such incurrence or issuance and (ii) with respect to any Permitted Equity Issuance by any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, the amount of cash from such Permitted Equity Issuance contributed to the capital of the Borrower.

 

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Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.

 

Non-Bank Certificate” has the meaning specified in Section 3.1(b).

 

Non-Consenting Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 3.7.

 

Non-Exempt Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction” means a Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction involving a sale and leaseback of any asset owned by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as of January 13, 2012.

 

Non-Loan Party” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party.

 

Note” means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to the order of any Lender in a principal amount equal to the amount of such Lender’s Commitment evidencing the aggregate Indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from the Loans of a given Class owing to such Lender.

 

Notes Intercreditor Agreement” means (a) an intercreditor agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit U-2 hereto, (b) another intercreditor agreement not materially less favorable to the Lenders vis-à-vis such Junior Liens than the form of intercreditor agreement attached as Exhibit U-2 hereto (as determined by the Borrower in good faith) or (c) another intercreditor agreement the terms of which are consistent with market terms governing security arrangements for the sharing of liens on a junior basis at the time such intercreditor agreement is proposed to be established in light of the type of Indebtedness to be secured by such liens, as determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in the exercise of reasonable judgment.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Notes Intercreditor Agreement is a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

“Notes Refunding Deadline” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Scheduled Termination Date”.

 

Obligations” means all (a) advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Loan Party arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding, (b) obligations of any Loan Party arising under any Secured Hedge Agreement (other than Excluded Swap Obligations of such Loan Party), and (c) Cash Management Obligations.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Obligations of the Loan Parties under the Loan Documents (and any of their Subsidiaries to the extent they have obligations under the Loan Documents to which such Subsidiaries are party) include the obligation (including guarantee obligations) to pay principal, interest, reimbursement obligations, charges, expenses, fees, Attorney Costs, indemnities and other amounts payable by any Loan Party under any Loan Document; provided that,

 

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notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this definition, Obligations of any Guarantor shall in no event include any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Loan Party.

 

OFAC” has the meaning specified in Section 5.17(b).

 

Offered Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iv)(A).

 

Offered Discount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iv)(A).

 

OID” means “original issue discount” within the meaning of Section 1273 of the Code.

 

Other Commitments” means one or more Classes of loan commitments hereunder that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

 

Other Loans” means one or more Classes of loans that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

 

Other Taxes” has the meaning specified in Section 3.1(f).

 

Overnight Rate” means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Rate and (b) an overnight rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

 

Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement” means a “pari passu” intercreditor agreement among the Administrative Agent, the ABL Facility Administrative Agent and one or more Senior Representatives for holders of Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, the ABL Facility Administrative Agent and the Borrower.

 

“Pari Passu Stub Refinancing Debt” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness”.

 

Participant” has the meaning specified in Section 12.2(d).

 

Participant Register” has the meaning specified in Section 12.2(e).

 

Participating Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iii)(B).

 

Payment Conditions” means, at any time of determination, that (a) no Event of Default exists immediately prior to the making of the subject Specified Payment or would thereafter result from the making of the subject Specified Payment and (b) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Borrower as of the end of the most recently ended Test Period for which internal financial statements are available shall be at least 2.00 to 1.00, after giving Pro Forma Effect to such Specified Payment (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), and, in each case, the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (A) certifying that no Event of Default exists immediately prior to the

 

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making of the subject Specified Payment or would thereafter result from the making of such subject Specified Payment and (B) setting forth a reasonably detailed calculation of such Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

 

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

 

Pension Plan” means any “employee pension benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA and is sponsored or maintained by any Loan Party or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates or to which any Loan Party or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates contributes or has an obligation to contribute, or in the case of a multiple employer or other plan described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA, has made contributions in the preceding five plan years.

 

Permitted Acquisition” means any Acquisition by Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that, with respect to each such Acquisition:

 

(i)                                     (A) each applicable Loan Party and any newly created or acquired Subsidiary (and, to the extent required under the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement and Section 8.11, the Subsidiaries of such created or acquired Subsidiary) shall be Guarantors and shall comply with the requirements of Section 8.11 and 8.13, within the times specified therein (for the avoidance of doubt, this clause (i) shall not override any provisions of the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement or Section 8.11, subject to the limit in clause (iii) below); (B) the Board of Directors of such acquired Person or its selling equity holders in existence at the time such purchase or acquisition is commenced shall have approved such purchase or other acquisition, and (C) the acquired property, assets, business or Person is in a business permitted under Section 9.7;

 

(ii)                                  the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent (and the Borrower shall have used commercially reasonable efforts to deliver no later than five (5) Business Days before the date on which any such purchase or other acquisition is consummated), on behalf of the Lenders, a certificate of a Responsible Officer, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, certifying that all of the requirements set forth in this definition have been satisfied or will be satisfied in accordance with the requirements of this definition;

 

(iii)                               with respect to Acquisitions of Subsidiaries that do not become Guarantors, the consideration shall not exceed the greater of (1) $50,000,000 and (2) 2.75% of Total Assets (in each case, measured at the time of consummation of the subject Acquisition), in the aggregate with respect to all such Acquisitions;

 

(iv)                              no Event of Default exists immediately prior to, or would thereafter result from, the consummation of such Acquisition; and

 

(v)                                 immediately after giving effect to such Acquisition on a Pro Forma Basis, the Total Leverage Ratio shall not be greater than 4.50 to 1.00.

 

Permitted Equity Issuance” means any sale or issuance of any Qualified Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower (in which case the Net Cash Proceeds

 

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have been received by the Borrower as cash common equity), in each case to the extent permitted hereunder.

 

Permitted Holder” means any of the Sponsors.

 

Permitted Holdings Successor” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Change of Control”.

 

Permitted Investors” means (a) ACOF III, (b) each of the affiliates and investment managers of ACOF III, (c) the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, (d) each of the affiliates and investment managers of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, (e) any fund or account managed by any of the persons described in clause (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this definition, (f) any employee benefit plan of Holdings or any of its subsidiaries and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan, and (g) members of management of the Borrower.

 

Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt” means any secured Indebtedness issued or incurred by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor in the form of one or more series of Junior Lien secured notes or loans; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is secured by the Collateral on a Junior Lien basis (subject to Liens permitted under Section 9.1) with the Obligations and is not secured by any property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary other than the Collateral, (ii) such Indebtedness constitutes Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, (iii) such Indebtedness does not mature or have scheduled amortization or scheduled payments of principal and is not subject to mandatory redemption, repurchase, prepayment or sinking fund obligation (other than customary offers to repurchase or mandatory prepayments upon a change of control, asset sale or other Disposition or casualty event or incurrence of indebtedness that is not permitted thereunder and customary acceleration rights after an event of default) prior to the Latest Maturity Date, determined at the time such Indebtedness is incurred, (iv) the security agreements relating to such Indebtedness are substantially the same as the Collateral Documents (with such differences as are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), (v) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiary Guarantors and (vi) a Senior Representative acting on behalf of the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become party to or otherwise subject to the provisions of the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement; provided that if such Indebtedness is the initial Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt incurred by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor, then Holdings, the Borrower, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Administrative Agent and the Senior Representative for such Indebtedness shall have executed and delivered a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.  Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt will include any Registered Equivalent Notes issued in exchange therefor.

 

Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt” means any secured Indebtedness issued or incurred by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor in the form of one or more series of senior secured notes or loans; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis (but without regard to the control of remedies) with the Obligations and is not secured by any property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary other than the Collateral, (ii) such Indebtedness constitutes Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, (iii) such Indebtedness does not mature or have scheduled amortization or scheduled payments of principal and is not subject to mandatory redemption, repurchase, prepayment or sinking fund

 

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obligation (other than customary offers to repurchase or mandatory prepayments upon a change of control, asset sale or other Disposition, casualty event or incurrence of indebtedness that is not permitted thereunder and customary acceleration rights after an event of default) prior to the Latest Maturity Date determined at the time such Indebtedness is incurred, (iv) the security agreements relating to such Indebtedness are substantially the same as the Collateral Documents (with such differences as are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), (v) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiary Guarantors and (vi) a Senior Representative acting on behalf of the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become party to or otherwise subject to the provisions of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement; provided that if such Indebtedness is the initial Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt incurred by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor, then the Borrower, Holdings, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Administrative Agent and the Senior Representative for such Indebtedness shall have executed and delivered a Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.  Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt will include any Registered Equivalent Notes issued in exchange therefor.

 

Permitted Refinancing” means, with respect to any Person, any modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension of, any Indebtedness (including any such Indebtedness incurred or issued pursuant to a Permitted Refinancing) of such Person with Indebtedness of such Person or Disqualified Equity Interests of such Person, or of any Disqualified Equity Interests (including any such Disqualified Equity Interests incurred or issued pursuant to a Permitted Refinancing) of such Person with Disqualified Equity Interests (any such resulting Indebtedness, “Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness”); provided that (a) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of any such Indebtedness or the liquidation preference of any such Disqualified Equity Interests does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness or the liquidation preference of any such Disqualified Equity Interests so modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended except by an amount equal to unpaid accrued or capitalized interest thereon, any make-whole payments and premium (including tender premiums) thereon, any swap breakage costs and other termination costs related to Swap Contracts, plus OID and upfront fees plus other fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder, (b) other than with respect to a Permitted Refinancing in respect of Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Sections 9.3(b), (e), (p) and (u), such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension has a final maturity date equal to or later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended, (c) other than with respect to a Permitted Refinancing in respect of Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Sections 9.3(e), at the time thereof, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (d) if such Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed, replaced or extended is Junior Financing, (i) to the extent such Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed, replaced or extended is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations, such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal, replacement or extension is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations on terms (taken as a whole) at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended (or are otherwise acceptable to the Administrative Agent), (ii) the terms and conditions (including, if applicable, as to collateral but excluding (a) as to subordination, pricing (including interest rate, fees, funding discounts and other pricing terms, in each case other than the per annum rate of

 

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interest payable in cash, which shall not be so excluded), premiums, no call periods, liquidation preferences and optional prepayment or redemption provisions, and (b) covenants and other provisions applicable only to periods after the Latest Maturity Date, determined at the date of incurrence of such Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests) of any such modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests, taken as a whole, are not materially less favorable to the Loan Parties or the Lenders than the terms and conditions of the Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended; provided that (I) the Senior Notes may be refinanced with Indebtedness secured by Junior Liens on the Collateral, provided that such Liens are subject to the Notes Intercreditor Agreement, (II) notwithstanding anything in this definition to the contrary, the stated interest rate payable in cash for any secured Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the Senior Notes shall not exceed 11% per annum and (III) a certificate of a Responsible Officer delivered to the Administrative Agent at least five (5) Business Days prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests, together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests or drafts of the documentation relating thereto, stating that the Borrower has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirement shall be conclusive evidence that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirement unless the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower within such five Business Day period that it disagrees with such determination (including a description of the basis upon which it disagrees) and (iii) such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension is incurred by the Person who is the obligor of the Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended and no additional obligors become liable for such Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests, and (e) in the case of any Permitted Refinancing in respect of the ABL Facility, such Permitted Refinancing is secured only by assets pursuant to one or more security agreements subject to the Intercreditor Agreement (or another intercreditor agreement containing terms (taken as a whole) that are at least as favorable to the Secured Parties as those contained in the Intercreditor Agreement)., (f) in the case of any Permitted Refinancing in respect of the Second Lien Facility, such Permitted Refinancing is secured only by assets pursuant to one or more security agreements subject to the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement (in each case, or another intercreditor agreement containing terms (taken as a whole) that are at least as favorable to the Secured Parties as those contained in the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement or the Interecreditor Agreement, as the case may be) and (g) in the case of any secured Permitted Refinancing in respect of the Senior Notes, such Permitted Refinancing is secured only by assets pursuant to one or more security agreements subject to the Notes Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction” means any sale and leaseback transaction of any assets of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a transaction or series of transactions in which the Borrower or any such Restricted Subsidiary receives Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower)  for each such sale; provided, that (a) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing immediately prior to such sale or would occur as a result of such sale, (b) the lease pertaining to such assets is an operating lease for purposes of GAAP or a Capitalized Lease to the extent permitted under Section 9.3(e), and (c) the Net Cash Proceeds from such transaction are used by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary to prepay outstanding Indebtedness (including any Junior Financing) or reinvested in accordance with Section 2.4(b).

 

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Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt” means any unsecured Indebtedness issued or incurred by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor in the form of one or more series of unsecured notes or loans; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is not secured by any property or assets of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) such Indebtedness constitutes Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, (iii) such Indebtedness does not mature or have scheduled amortization prior to the Latest Maturity Date, determined at the time such Indebtedness is incurred (other than customary offers to repurchase or mandatory prepayments upon a change of control, asset sale or other Disposition, casualty event or incurrence of indebtedness that is not permitted thereunder and customary acceleration rights after an event of default), and (iv) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiary Guarantors.  Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt will include any Registered Equivalent Notes issued in exchange therefor.

 

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

 

Plan” means any material “employee benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA), established by any Loan Party or, with respect to any such plan that is subject to Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA, any of their respective ERISA Affiliates.

 

Platform” has the meaning specified in Section 12.8(b).

 

Pledged Debt” has the meaning specified in the Security Agreement.

 

Pledged Equity” has the meaning specified in the Security Agreement.

 

PIK Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 2.8(a)(ii).

 

Preferred Stock” means any Equity Interest with preferential right of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.

 

Prepayment Premium” means in connection with (a) any optional prepayment of First Lien Term Loans made pursuant to Section 2.3(a), (b) any mandatory prepayment of the First Lien Term Loans made pursuant to Section 2.4(c), (c) any mandatory assignment of First Lien Term Loans made pursuant to Section 3.7, (d) any payment, refinancing or amendment of First Lien Term Loans made in connection with a Repricing Transaction, and (e) any payment (or deemed payment) of First Lien Term Loans following the acceleration thereof for any reason as contemplated by Section 2.15, a premium equal to the amount set forth below:

 

(i)                                     after the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date but before the second anniversary of the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date, 2.0% of the principal amount of the First Lien Term Loans to be prepaid, refinanced or repriced;

 

(ii)                                  on or after the second anniversary of the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date and before the third anniversary of the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date, 1.0% of the principal amount of the First Lien Term Loans to be prepaid, refinanced or repriced; and

 

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(iii)                               thereafter, 0% of the principal amount of the First Lien Term Loans to be prepaid, refinanced or repriced.

 

Pro Forma Balance Sheet” has the meaning specified in Section 5.5(a)(ii).

 

Pro Forma Basis” and “Pro Forma Effect” mean, with respect to compliance with any test or covenant or calculation hereunder, the determination or calculation of such test, covenant or ratio (including in connection with Specified Transactions) in accordance with Section 1.7.

 

Pro Forma Financial Statements” has the meaning specified in Section 5.5(a)(ii).

 

Pro Forma Total Leverage Ratio” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Payment Conditions”.

 

Projections” shall have the meaning specified in Section 7.1(d).

 

Public Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 12.8(b).

 

Qualified Equity Interests” means any Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests.

 

Qualifying IPO” means the issuance by Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings of its common Equity Interests in an underwritten primary public offering (other than a public offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8) pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the SEC in accordance with the Securities Act (whether alone or in connection with a secondary public offering).

 

Qualifying Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iv)(C).

 

Quarterly Financial Statements” means the unaudited Consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the most recent Fiscal Quarters after the date of the Annual Financial Statements and ended at least forty-five (45) days before the Effective Date.

 

Ratable Portion”, “Pro Rata Share”, “ratable share” or (other than in the expression “equally and ratably”) “ratably” means, with respect to any Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (a) the Commitment and, if applicable and without duplication, Loans of such Class of such Lender by (b) the aggregate Commitments and, if applicable and without duplication, Loans of all Lenders of such Class.

 

Recovery Event” means the receipt by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any cash insurance proceeds (other than proceeds of business interruption insurance) or condemnation awards payable by reason of theft, loss, physical destruction, damage, taking or any other similar event with respect to any property or assets of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries included in the Collateral.

 

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Reference Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Available Amount.”

 

Refinanced Debt” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness.”

 

Refinancing Amendment” means an amendment to this Agreement executed by each of (a) the Borrower and Holdings, (b) the Administrative Agent and (c) each Lender that agrees to provide any portion of the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness being incurred pursuant thereto, in accordance with Section 2.14.

 

Register” has the meaning specified in Section 12.2(c).

 

Registered Equivalent Notes” means, with respect to any notes originally issued in a Rule 144A or other private placement transaction under the Securities Act, substantially identical notes (having the same Guarantees) issued in a dollar-for-dollar exchange therefor pursuant to an exchange offer registered with the SEC.

 

Rejection Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 2.4(f).

 

Related Indemnified Person” of an Indemnitee means (a) any controlling person (including any member or other equity holders) or controlled affiliate of such Indemnitee, (b) the respective directors, officers, or employees of such Indemnitee or any of its controlling persons or controlled affiliates and (c) the respective agents, advisors or other representatives of such Indemnitee or any of its controlling persons or controlled affiliates, in the case of this clause (c), acting at the instructions of such Indemnitee, controlling person or such controlled affiliate; provided that each reference to a controlled affiliate or controlling person in this definition shall pertain to a controlled affiliate or controlling person involved in the negotiation or syndication of the Facility, the ABL Facility, the Second Lien Facility or the Senior Notes.

 

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

 

Reportable Event” means, with respect to any Pension Plan, any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, other than events for which the thirty (30) day notice period has been waived.

 

Repricing Transaction” means (a) any prepayment or repayment of all or any portion of the Initial Loans or, Tranche B-1 Loans or, Tranche B-2 Loans or First Lien Term Loans with the proceeds of, or any conversion of, the Initial Loans or, Tranche B-1 Loans or, Tranche B-2 Loans or First Lien Term Loans into other Loans for the primary purpose of prepaying, repaying or replacing such Initial Loans or, Tranche B-1 Loans or, Tranche B-2 Loans or First Lien Term Loans and having or resulting in an All-In Yield less than the All-In Yield of the Initial Loans or, Tranche B-1 Loans or, Tranche B-2 Loans or First Lien Term Loans being prepaid or repaid or (b) any amendment to all or any portion of the Initial Loans or, Tranche B-1 Loans or, Tranche B-2 Loans or First Lien Term Loans that, directly or indirectly, reduces the All-In Yield of such Initial Loans or, Tranche B-1 Loans or, Tranche B-2 Loans or First Lien Term Loans;

 

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provided that a Repricing Transaction shall not include any such prepayment, repayment, replacement, conversion or amendment made in connection with a Change of Control.

 

Requisite Class Lendersshall meanmeans, with respect to any Class on any date of determination, Lenders having more than fifty percent (50%) of (i) the outstanding Loans under such Class and (ii) the aggregate unused Commitments under such Class; provided that, to the same extent set forth in Section 12.2(h) with respect to determination of Requisite Lenders, the Loans of any Affiliated Lender shall in each case be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Requisite Class Lenders.

 

Requisite Lenders” means, collectively, Lenders having more than fifty percent (50%) of the sum of the (a) outstanding Loans and (b) aggregate unused Commitments; provided that the Loans of any Affiliated Lender shall in each case be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Requisite Lenders.

 

Responsible Officer” means the chief executive officer, president, vice president, chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer or other similar officer or Person performing similar functions of a Loan Party and, as to any document delivered on the Effective Date, any secretary or assistant secretary of a Loan Party.  Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.  Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Responsible Officer” shall refer to a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

 

Restricted Cash” means cash and Cash Equivalents that (a) would be listed as “restricted” on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (b) are subject to any Liens, except for Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.3 that is secured by such cash or Cash Equivalents.

 

Restricted Investment” means any Investment other than one permitted under Section 9.2 hereof.

 

Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interest of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interest, or on account of any return of capital to the Borrower’s or Holdings’ stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent Persons thereof).

 

Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

Restricted Subsidiary Disposition” has the meaning specified in Section 2.4(g).

 

Restricted Subsidiary Recovery Event” has the meaning specified in Section 2.4(jg).

 

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Retained Declined Proceeds” has the meaning specified in Section 2.4(f).

 

Rollover Investor Put” means the put right held by certain members of the Management Group pursuant to each such member’s employment agreement with the Borrower, or the agreement by any such members to sell Equity Interests in the Borrower or its direct or indirect parent to the Borrower or its direct or indirect parent.

 

Royal Bank of Canada” means Royal Bank of Canada, acting in its individual capacity, and its successors and assigns.

 

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s RatingFinancial Services LLC and any successor thereto.

 

Same Day Funds” means disbursements and payments in immediately available funds.

 

Scheduled Debt Payments” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of all regularly scheduled amortization payments of principal on Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis for such period (including the principal component of payments due on Capitalized Leases during such period); provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt, any payments made pursuant to a mandatory prepayment, mandatory redemption or like provision shall not constitute Scheduled Debt Payments.

 

Scheduled Termination Date” means (a) (i) with respect to the InitialTranche B-2 Term Loans, January 13, 2019 and (ii) with respect to First Lien Term Loans that have not been extended pursuant to Section 2.13, the date that is seven years after the Effective DateJanuary 13, 2022; provided that if less than the Specified Exchange Threshold in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes outstanding as of the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date has been converted, redeemed, repurchased or refinanced in full on or before that date that is three Business Days prior to June 1, 2019 (the “Notes Refunding Deadline”) pursuant to one or more transactions permitted under this Agreement, such that the stated maturity date in respect of the Senior Notes (and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof or any other Indebtedness all or any portion of which the Senior Notes have been converted into, exchanged for, or otherwise refinanced with the proceeds thereof) (other than up to 5% in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes outstanding as of the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date) is not at least 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date, the Scheduled Termination Date shall be the Notes Refunding Deadline, (b) with respect to any tranche of Extended Loans or New Loans, the final maturity date as specified in the applicable Extension Amendment accepted by the respective Lender or Lenders, (c) with respect to any Other Loans, the final maturity date as specified in the applicable Refinancing Amendment and (d) with respect to any Incremental Loans, the final maturity date as specified in the applicable Incremental Amendment; provided that, in each case, if such day is not a Business Day, the Scheduled Termination Date shall be the Business Day immediately preceding such day.

 

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

 

Second Lien Administrative Agent” means Wilmington Trust, National Association in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent under the Second Lien

 

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Credit Agreement, or any successor administrative agent and collateral agent under the Second Lien Credit Agreement.

 

Second Lien Credit Agreement” means that certain second lien credit agreement dated as of November 7, 2017, among the Borrower, Holdings, the lenders party thereto and the Second Lien Administrative Agent, as the same may be amended, restated, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced, from time to time, in whole or in part, in one or more agreements (in each case with the same or new lenders, institutional investors or agents), including any agreement extending the maturity thereof or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness thereunder or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof and in each case any Permitted Refinancing thereof, in each case as and to the extent permitted by this Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement, the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Notes Intercreditor Agreement.

 

“Second Lien Facility” means the term credit facility under the Second Lien Credit Agreement or any Permitted Refinancing thereof.

 

“Second Lien Facility Documentation” means the Second Lien Credit Agreement and all security agreements, guarantees, pledge agreements and other agreements or instruments executed in connection therewith.

 

Second Lien Lenders” means the lenders from time to time party to the Second Lien Credit Agreement.

 

Secured Cash Management Agreement” means any cash management agreement that is entered into by and between any Loan Party (or entered into by Merger Sub and existing at the time of the Merger) and any Cash Management Bank.

 

Secured Hedge Agreement” means any Swap Contract permitted under Section 9.3(f) that is entered into by and between any Loan Party (or entered into by Merger Sub and existing at the time of the Merger) or any Restricted Subsidiary and any Hedge Bank and designated in writing by the Hedge Bank and the Borrower to the Administrative Agent as a “Secured Hedge Agreement.”

 

Secured Obligations” means, in the case of the Borrower, the Obligations, including, without limitation, each extension of credit under this Agreement and all obligations of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries which arise under the Loan Documents (including the Guaranty but excluding with respect to any Guarantor, Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor) and the obligations of the Loan Parties in respect of Secured Hedge Agreements and Cash Management Obligations, in each case, whether outstanding on the date of this Agreement or extended or arising from time to time after the date of this Agreement.

 

Secured Parties” means, collectively, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, each Hedge Bank, each Cash Management Bank and each co-agent or sub-agent (if any) appointed by the Administrative Agent from time to time pursuant to Section 11.5.

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

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Security Agreement” means, collectively, the Security Agreement executed by the Loan Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit J, together with each Security Agreement Supplement executed and delivered pursuant to Section 8.11.

 

Security Agreement Supplement” has the meaning specified in the Security Agreement.

 

Senior Notes” means up to $250,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Borrower’s senior unsecured notes due 2019 and any Registered Equivalent Notes having terms, taken as a whole, that are on substantially identical terms and issued pursuant to the Senior Notes Indenture in exchange for the initial, unregistered senior unsecured notes, and in any case any Permitted Refinancing thereof.

 

Senior Notes Indenture” means the Indenture for the Senior Notes, dated December 29, 2011, between the Borrower and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented, replaced or refinanced to the extent not prohibited by this Agreement.

 

Senior Notes Issue Date” means December 29, 2011.

 

Senior Representative” means, with respect to any series of Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt or Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt, the trustee, administrative agent, collateral agent, security agent or similar agent under the indenture or agreement pursuant to which such Indebtedness is issued, incurred or otherwise obtained, as the case may be, and each of their successors in such capacities.

 

Senior Secured Leverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Test Period for which financial statements are required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or (b), the ratio of (a) Consolidated Senior Secured Net Debt of the Borrower as of the last day of such Test Period to (b) Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower for such Test Period.

 

Share Repurchase” has the meaning specified in Amendment No. 2.

 

Shareholders Agreement” means the Voting Agreement, dated as of the Effective Date, among the Company, Holdings and ACOF III.

 

Solicited Discount Proration” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iv)(C).

 

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iv)(A).

 

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice” means a written notice of the Borrower of Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers made pursuant to Section 2.3(d)(iv)(A) substantially in the form of Exhibit K.

 

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer” means the irrevocable written offer by each Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit L, submitted following the Administrative Agent’s receipt of a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice.

 

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Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iv)(A).

 

Solvent” and “Solvency” mean, with respect to any Person on any date of determination, that on such date (a) the fair value of the assets of such Person exceeds its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, (b) the present fair saleable value of the property of such Person is greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of its debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured, (c) such Person is able to pay its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such liabilities become absolute and matured and (d) such Person is not engaged in, and is not about to engage in, business for which it has unreasonably small capital.  The amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, would reasonably be expected to become an actual and matured liability.

 

SPC” has the meaning specified in Section 12.2(g).

 

Specified Discount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(ii)(A).

 

Specified Discount Prepayment Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(ii)(A).

 

Specified Discount Prepayment Notice” means a written notice of the Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment made pursuant to Section 2.3(d)(ii)(A) substantially in the form of Exhibit M.

 

Specified Discount Prepayment Response” means the irrevocable written response by each Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit N, to a Specified Discount Prepayment Notice.

 

Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(ii)(A).

 

Specified Discount Proration” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(ii)(C).

 

Specified Payment” means any Investment made pursuant to Section 9.2(r), any Restricted Payment made pursuant to Section 9.6(l) or any payment made pursuant to Section 9.11(i), that in each case is subject to the satisfaction of the Payment Conditions.Exchange Threshold” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Term/Notes Refinancing Date”.

 

Specified Representations” means those representations and warranties made by the Borrower in Sections 5.1(a) (with respect to organizational existence only), 5.1(b)(ii), 5.2(a), 5.2(b)(i), 5.4, 5.12, 5.15, 5.16 and 5.18.

 

Specified Transaction” means (i) any Investment that results in a Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) any designation of a Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary, (iii) any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or discontinued operation (as determined in accordance with GAAP), in each case with respect to an operating unit of a business that the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary has

 

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made, or (iv) any incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness, Restricted Payment, Investment or Incremental Loans that by the terms of this Agreement requires such test to be calculated on a “Pro Forma Basis” or after giving “Pro Forma Effect.”

 

Sponsor” means any of (a) ACOF III, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, and any of their respective Affiliates and funds or partnerships managed or advised by any of them or any of their respective Affiliates, but not including any portfolio company of any of the foregoing and (b) any Person that forms a group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) with ACOF III, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board or any of their respective Affiliates and funds or partnerships managed or advised by any of them or any of their respective Affiliates, but not including any portfolio company of any of the foregoing.

 

Sponsor Management Agreement” means any management services agreement by and among ACOF Operating Manager III, LLC and/or Canada Pension Plan Investment Board or certain of the management companies associated with each of them or their advisors and Holdings and/or the Borrower, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms.

 

Sponsor Termination Fees” means the one-time payment under any Sponsor Management Agreement of a termination fee to one or more of the Sponsors in the event of either a Change of Control or the completion of a Qualifying IPO.

 

Statutory Reserve Rate” means, with respect to any currency, a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by any Governmental Authority of the United States or of the jurisdiction of such currency or any jurisdiction in which Loans in such currency are made to which banks in such jurisdiction are subject for any category of deposits or liabilities customarily used to fund loans in such currency or by reference to which interest rates applicable to Loans in such currency are determined.  Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D.  Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurodollar funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D or any comparable regulation.  The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

 

Store” means any retail store (which includes any real property, fixtures, equipment, inventory and other property related thereto) operated, or to be operated, by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Stub Indebtedness” has the meaning specified in Section 10.1(c)(ii).

 

“Stub Refinancing Yield” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness”.

 

Submitted Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iii)(A).

 

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Submitted Discount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iii)(A).

 

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (a) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Equity Interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or Controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, and (b) any partnership, joint venture or limited liability company of which (i) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general and limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise, and (ii) such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise Controls such entity.  Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

 

Subsidiary Guarantor” means any Guarantor other than Holdings.

 

Successor Borrower” has the meaning specified in Section 9.4(d).

 

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

 

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

 

Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other

 

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readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).

 

Taxes” has the meaning specified in Section 3.1(a).

 

Term/Notes Refinancing Date” means the first date on which (a) the “Term/Notes Refinancing Date” (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement (as in effect on the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date after giving effect to Amendment No. 6 to the ABL Facility Credit Agreement)) has occurred and (b) at least 95% (such percentage, the “Specified Exchange Threshold”) of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes outstanding as of the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date has been converted, redeemed, repurchased or refinanced pursuant to one or more transactions permitted under this Agreement, such that the stated maturity date (including any scheduled principal payment date) in respect of such Senior Notes that have been so converted, redeemed, repurchased or refinanced (and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof) is at least 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date (the “Extended Notes”).

 

Term Priority Collateral” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Termination Date” means the earliest of (a) the Scheduled Termination Date and (b) the date on which the Obligations become due and payable pursuant to Section 10.2.

 

Test Period” in effect at any time means the most recent period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters of the Borrower ended on or prior to such time (taken as one accounting period).  A Test Period may be designated by reference to the last day thereof (i.e.g., the “April 2, 201228, 2017 Test Period” refers to the period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters of the Borrower ended April 2, 201228, 2017), and a Test Period shall be deemed to end on the last day thereof.

 

Total Assets” means the total assets of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of the Borrower delivered pursuant to Sections 7.1(a) or 7.1(b) or, for the period prior to the time any such statements are so delivered pursuant to Sections 7.1(a) or 7.1(b), the Pro Forma Financial Statements.

 

Total Leverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Test Period for which financial statements are required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or (b), the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Net Debt of the Borrower as of the last day of such Test Period to (b) Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower for such Test Period.

 

Tranche B-1 Commitments” has the meaning specified in Amendment No. 1.

 

Tranche B-1 Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.1(b).

 

Tranche B-2 Commitment” has the meaning specified in Amendment No. 2.

 

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Tranche B-2 Loan” means a Loan into which Tranche B-1 Loans are exchanged pursuant to Section 2.1(c) and, upon the Borrowing of the New Term Loans (as defined in Amendment No. 2) on the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date pursuant to Section 2.1(c), shall include such New Term Loans (as defined in Amendment No. 2).

 

Transaction” means, collectively, (a) the Equity Contribution, (b) the Merger, (c) the issuance of the Senior Notes, if any, (d) the funding of the loans under the ABL Facility Credit Agreement on the Effective Date, (e) the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the funding of the Loans on the Effective Date, if any, (f) the funding of the loans under the senior bridge facility on the Effective Date, if any, (g) the consummation of any other transactions in connection with the foregoing, and (i) the payment of the fees and expenses incurred in connection with any of the foregoing.

 

Transaction Expenses” means any fees or expenses incurred or paid by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the Transaction, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

 

Type” means, with respect to a Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a Eurocurrency Rate Loan.

 

UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code or any successor provision thereof as the same may from time to time be in effect in the State of New York or the Uniform Commercial Code or any successor provision thereof (or similar code or statute) of another jurisdiction, to the extent it may be required to apply to any item or items of Collateral.

 

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

 

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower designated by the Board of Directors of the Borrower as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 8.3 subsequent to the date hereofEffective Date, in each case, until such Person ceases to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Borrower in accordance with Section 8.3 or ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Borrower.

 

U.S. Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 3.1(d).

 

USA PATRIOT Act” means The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Title III of Pub. L. No. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), as amended or modified from time to time.

 

Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, at any date, the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the sum of the product of the number of years from the date of determination to the date of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Disqualified Equity Interests or Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment, by (b) the sum of all such payments.

 

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” of a Person means a Subsidiary of such Person, all of the outstanding Equity Interests of which (other than (x) director’s qualifying shares and (y)

 

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nominal shares issued to foreign nationals to the extent required by applicable Law) are  owned by such Person and/or by one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

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

 

Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

SECTION 1.2                                             Other Interpretive Provisions.  With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:

 

(a)                                 The meanings of defined terms are equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of the defined terms.

 

(b)                                 (i)                                     The words “herein,” “hereto,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document shall refer to such Loan Document as a whole and not to any particular provision thereof.

 

(ii)                                  References in this Agreement to an Exhibit, Schedule, Article, Section, clause or sub-clause refer (A) to the appropriate Exhibit or Schedule to, or Article, Section, clause or sub-clause in this Agreement or (B) to the extent such references are not present in this Agreement, to the Loan Document in which such reference appears,

 

(iii)                               The term “including” is by way of example and not limitation, subject, in the case of computations of time periods, to clause (d) below,

 

(iv)                              The term “documents” includes any and all instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, notices, reports, financial statements and other writings, however evidenced, whether in physical or electronic form,

 

(v)                                 Unless otherwise expressly indicated herein, the words “above” and “below”, when following a reference to a clause or a sub-clause of any Loan Document, refer to a clause or sub-clause within, respectively, the same Section or clause; and

 

(vi)           The words “assets” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect.

 

(c)                                  The terms “Lender” and “Administrative Agent” include, without limitation, their respective successors.

 

(d)                                 In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including”, the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding” and the word “through” means “to and including.”

 

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

 

SECTION 1.3                                             Accounting Terms.  All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein.

 

SECTION 1.4                                             Rounding.  Any financial ratios required to be satisfied in order for a specific action to be permitted under this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).

 

SECTION 1.5                                             References to Agreements, Laws, Etc.  Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (a) references to Constituent Documents, agreements (including the Loan Documents) and other contractual instruments shall be deemed to include all appendices, exhibits and schedules thereto and all subsequent amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications thereto (but only to the extent that such amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications are permitted by any Loan Document); and (b) references to any Law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting such Law.

 

SECTION 1.6                                             Times of Day.  Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).

 

SECTION 1.7                                             Pro Forma Calculations.

 

(a)                                 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, subject to Section 1.7(f), the Total Leverage Ratio and the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio and the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated in the manner prescribed by this Section 1.7.

 

(b)                                 For purposes of calculating the Total Leverage Ratio and the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio and the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Specified Transactions (and the incurrence or repayment of any Indebtedness in connection therewith) that have been made, in each case without duplication, (i) during the applicable Test Period or (ii) subsequent to such Test Period and prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation of any such ratio is made shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Specified Transactions (and any increase or decrease in Consolidated EBITDA and the component financial definitions used therein attributable to any Specified Transaction) had occurred on the first day of the applicable Test Period.  If since the beginning of any applicable Test Period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged, or consolidated with or into the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries since the beginning of such Test Period shall have made any Specified Transaction that would have required adjustment pursuant to this Section 1.7, then the Total Leverage Ratio and the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio and the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall

 

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be calculated to give pro forma effect thereto for such period as if the Specified Transaction had occurred on the first day of the applicable Test Period in accordance with this Section 1.7.  Any such pro forma calculation may include adjustments appropriate, in the reasonable good faith determination of the Borrower as set forth in a certificate from a Responsible Officer, to reflect, in each case without duplication, (i) operating expense reductions and other operating improvements, synergies or cost savings reasonably expected to result from such relevant pro forma event (including, to the extent applicable, the Transaction) based on actions already taken and for which the full run-rate effect of such actions is expected to be realized within eighteen (18) months of such action, and (ii) all adjustments of the nature set forth in Schedule 1.7(b) to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to the relevant Test Period.

 

(c)                                  In the event that the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs (including by assumption or guarantees) or repays (including by redemption, repayment, retirement or extinguishment) any Indebtedness included in the calculations of the Total Leverage Ratio and the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio and the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, as the case may be (in each case, other than Indebtedness incurred or repaid under any revolving credit facility in the ordinary course of business for working capital purposes), (i) during the applicable Test Period or (ii) subsequent to the end of the applicable Test Period and prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation of any such ratio is made, then the Total Leverage Ratio and the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio and the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness, to the extent required, as if the same had occurred on the first day of the applicable Test Period.

 

(d)                                 Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Borrower to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.  For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a Pro Forma Basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period.  Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurodollar interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be determined to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Borrower may designate.

 

(e)                                  Any amount in a currency other than Dollars will be converted to Dollars based on the average exchange rate for such currency for the most recent twelve month period immediately prior to the date of determination in a manner consistent with that used in calculating Consolidated EBITDA for the applicable period.

 

(f)                                   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, when calculating the Total Leverage Ratio for the purposes of the ECF Percentage of Excess Cash Flow, the events described in this Section 1.7 subsequent to the end of the applicable Test Period shall not be given pro forma effect or calculated on a pro forma basis.

 

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ARTICLE II

 

THE FACILITY

 

SECTION 2.1                                             The Loans.

 

(a)                                 Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Lenders severally made to the Borrower a single loan denominated in Dollars equal to $525,000,000 on the Effective Date.  Amounts borrowed under this Section 2.1(a) and repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.  Initial Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurocurrency Rate Loans, as further provided herein.

 

(b)                                 Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make to the Borrower a single loan denominated in Dollars equal to such Lender’s Tranche B-1 Commitment on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date.  Amounts borrowed under this Section 2.1(b) and repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.  Tranche B-1 Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurocurrency Rate Loans, as further provided herein.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tranche B-1 Loans shall be made as converted or refinanced Initial Loans on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Amendment No. 1.

 

(c)                                  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (i) each Converting Lender (as defined in Amendment No. 2) severally agrees to exchange, on the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date, the aggregate principal amount of its Tranche B-1 Loans (or such lesser amount as the Lead Arranger (as defined in Amendment No. 2) may allocate and/or as such Converting Lender may specify in its Tranche B-2 Commitment) for a like principal amount of Tranche B-2 Loans, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Amendment No. 2 and (ii) each Incremental Lender (as defined in Amendment No. 2) severally agrees to make to the Borrower a single loan denominated in Dollars equal to such Lender’s New Term Loan Commitment (as defined in Amendment No. 2) on the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date.  Amounts borrowed, converted or exchanged under this Section 2.1(c) and repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.  Tranche B-2 Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurocurrency Rate Loans, as further provided herein.

 

(d)                                 Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Amendment No. 3, each Amendment No. 3 Converting Lender severally agrees to convert, on the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date, the aggregate principal amount of its Tranche B-2 Loans into an equal principal amount of First Lien Term Loans, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Amendment No. 3.  Amounts borrowed, converted or exchanged under this Section 2.1(d) and repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.  First Lien Term Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurocurrency Rate Loans, as further provided herein.

 

SECTION 2.2                                             Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans.

 

(a)                                 Each Borrowing, each conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, and each continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone.  Each such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than (i) 121:00 noonp.m. three (3) Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans or any conversion of Base Rate Loans to Eurocurrency Rate Loans, and (ii) 1112:00 a.m.noon on the requested date of Borrowing with respect to any Borrowing of Base Rate Loan.  Each telephonic notice by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.2(a) must be confirmed

 

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promptly by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a written Committed Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.  Each Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.  Each Borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof.  Each Committed Loan Notice (whether telephonic or written) shall specify (i) whether the Borrower is requesting a Borrowing, a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, (ii) the requested date of the Borrowing, conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the principal amount of Loans to be borrowed, converted or continued, (iv) the Class and Type of Loans to be borrowed or to which existing Loans are to be converted and (v) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period with respect thereto.  If the Borrower fails to specify a Type of Loan in a Committed Loan Notice or fails to give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the applicable Loans shall be made as, or converted to, Base Rate Loans.  Any such automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the applicable Eurocurrency Rate Loans.  If the Borrower requests a Borrowing of, conversion to, or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans in any such Committed Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one (1) month.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 2.2(a), solely with respect to the First Lien Term Loans made (or deemed made) on the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date, there shall commence automatically on the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date an initial Interest Period with respect to such First Lien Term Loans, which Interest Period shall end on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Tranche B-2 Loans as in effect immediately prior to the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date.

 

(b)                                 Following receipt of a Committed Loan Notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of its Pro Rata Share of the applicable Class of Loans, and if no timely notice of a conversion or continuation is provided by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the details of any automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans or continuation of Loans described in Section 2.2(a).  In the case of each Borrowing, each Appropriate Lender shall make the amount of its Loan available to the Administrative Agent in Same Day Funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in the applicable Committed Loan Notice.  Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.2 (and, if such Borrowing is on the Effective Date, Section 4.1), the Administrative Agent shall make all funds so received available to the Borrower in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of the Administrative Agent with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the Administrative Agent by the Borrower.

 

(c)                                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent or the Requisite Lenders may require by notice to the Borrower that no conversion in whole or in part of Base Rate Loans to Eurocurrency Rate Loans, and no continuation in whole or in part of Eurocurrency Rate Loans upon the expiration of any applicable Interest Period shall be permitted at any time at which (i) an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or (i) the continuation of, or conversion into, a Eurocurrency Rate Loan would violate any provision of Section 3.3.

 

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

 

(e)                                  After giving effect to all Borrowings, all conversions of Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than ten (10) Interest Periods in effect unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent; provided that after the establishment of any new Class of Loans pursuant to an Extension Amendment or Refinancing Amendment, the number of Interest Periods otherwise permitted by this Section 2.2(e) shall increase by three (3) Interest Periods for each applicable Class so established.

 

(f)                                   The failure of any Lender to make the Loan to be made by it as part of any Borrowing shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation, if any, hereunder to make its Loan on the date of such Borrowing, but no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make the Loan to be made by such other Lender on the date of any Borrowing.

 

(g)                                  Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such Pro Rata Share available to the Administrative Agent on the date of such Borrowing in accordance with paragraph (b) above, and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower on such date a corresponding amount.  If the Administrative Agent shall have so made funds available, then, to the extent that such Lender shall not have made such portion available to the Administrative Agent, each of such Lender and the Borrower severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount together with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is made available to the Borrower until the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at (i) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable at the time to the Loans comprising such Borrowing and (ii) in the case of such Lender, the Overnight Rate plus any administrative, processing, or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the foregoing.  A certificate of the Administrative Agent submitted to any Lender with respect to any amounts owing under this Section 2.2(g) shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.  If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period.  If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.  Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

 

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SECTION 2.3                                             Optional Prepayments.

 

(a)                                 The Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, at any time or from time to time voluntarily prepay Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty (except for the Prepayment Premium, if any, as set forth in Section 2.15); provided that (1) such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 noon (A) three (3) Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of Eurocurrency Rate Loans and (B) on the date of prepayment of Base Rate Loans; (2) any partial prepayment of Eurocurrency Rate Loans of any applicable Class shall be in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof or, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding; and (3) any prepayment of Base Rate Loans of any applicable Class shall be in a principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof or, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding.  Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Class(es) and Type(s) of Loans to be prepaid and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein.  The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Appropriate Lender of its receipt of each such notice, and of the amount of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of such prepayment.  Any prepayment of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest thereon, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.5.3.5 and the Prepayment Premium (if any).  Each prepayment of the Loans pursuant to this Section 2.3 shall be paid to the Appropriate Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Share.

 

(b)                                 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Borrower may rescind any notice of prepayment under Section 2.3 if such prepayment would have resulted from a refinancing of all of the applicable Facility, which refinancing shall not be consummated or shall otherwise be delayed.

 

(c)                                  Voluntary prepayments of any Class of Loans permitted hereunder shall be applied to the remaining scheduled installments of principal thereof pursuant to Section 2.6 in a manner determined at the discretion of the Borrower and specified in the notice of prepayment (and absent such direction, in direct order of maturity).

 

(d)                                 Notwithstanding anything in any Loan Document to the contrary, so long as (x) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (y) no proceeds of Loans under the ABL Facility are used for this purpose, the Borrower may prepay the outstanding Loans (which shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be automatically and permanently canceled immediately upon acquisition by the Borrower) (or Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries may purchase such outstanding Loans and immediately cancel them) on the following basis:

 

(i)                           Any Company Party shall have the right to make a voluntary prepayment of Loans at a discount to par pursuant to a Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment, Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers or Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers (any such prepayment, the “Discounted Loan Prepayment”), in each case made in accordance with this Section 2.3(d); provided that no Company Party shall initiate any action under this Section 2.3(d) in order to make a Discounted Loan Prepayment unless (A) at least ten (10) Business Days shall have passed since the consummation of the most recent Discounted Loan Prepayment as a result of a prepayment made by a Company Party on the applicable Discounted Prepayment Effective Date; or (B) at least three (3) Business Days shall have passed since the date the Company Party was notified that no Lender

 

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was willing to accept any prepayment of any Loan at the Specified Discount, within the Discount Range or at any discount to par value, as applicable, or in the case of Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers, the date of any Company Party’s election not to accept any Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers.

 

(ii)

 

(A)                               Subject to the proviso to subsection (i) above, any Company Party may from time to time offer to make a Discounted Loan Prepayment by providing the Auction Agent with five (5) Business Days’ notice in the form of a Specified Discount Prepayment Notice; provided that (1) any such offer shall be made available, at the sole discretion of the Company Party, to (x) each Lender and/or (y) each Lender with respect to any Class of Loans on an individual tranche basis, (2) any such offer shall specify the aggregate principal amount offered to be prepaid (the “Specified Discount Prepayment Amount”) with respect to each applicable tranche, the tranche or tranches of Loans subject to such offer and the specific percentage discount to par (the “Specified Discount”) of such Loans to be prepaid (it being understood that different Specified Discounts and/or Specified Discount Prepayment Amounts may be offered with respect to different tranches of Loans and, in such event, each such offer will be treated as a separate offer pursuant to the terms of this Section), (3) the Specified Discount Prepayment Amount shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $10,000,000 and whole increments of $1,000,000 (or such lesser amounts as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent) in excess thereof and (4) each such offer shall remain outstanding through the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date.  The Auction Agent will promptly provide each Appropriate Lender with a copy of such Specified Discount Prepayment Notice and a form of the Specified Discount Prepayment Response to be completed and returned by each such Lender to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by no later than 5:00 p.m., on the third (3rd) Business Day after the date of delivery of such notice to such Lenders (the “Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date”).

 

(B)                               Each Lender receiving such offer shall notify the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date whether or not it agrees to accept a prepayment of any of its applicable then outstanding Loans at the Specified Discount and, if so (such accepting Lender, a “Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender”), the amount and the tranches of such Lender’s Loans to be prepaid at such offered discount.  Each acceptance of a Discounted Loan Prepayment by a Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender shall be irrevocable.  Any Lender whose Specified Discount Prepayment Response is not received by the Auction Agent by the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date shall be deemed to have declined to accept the applicable Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment.

 

(C)                               If there is at least one Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender, the relevant Company Party will make a prepayment of outstanding Loans pursuant to this paragraph (ii) to each Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender in accordance with the respective outstanding amount and tranches of Loans specified in such Lender’s Specified Discount Prepayment Response given pursuant to subsection (B) above; provided that, if the aggregate principal amount of Loans accepted for prepayment by all Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders exceeds the Specified Discount Prepayment Amount, such prepayment shall be made pro rata among the Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders in accordance with the

 

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respective principal amounts accepted to be prepaid by each such Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender and the Auction Agent (in consultation with such Company Party and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its reasonable discretion) will calculate such proration (the “Specified Discount Proration”).  The Auction Agent shall promptly, and in any case within three (3) Business Days following the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date, notify (1) the relevant Company Party of the respective Lenders’ responses to such offer, the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date and the aggregate principal amount of the Discounted Loan Prepayment and the tranches to be prepaid, (2) each Lender of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, and the aggregate principal amount and the tranches of Loans to be prepaid at the Specified Discount on such date and (3) each Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender of the Specified Discount Proration, if any, and confirmation of the principal amount, tranche and Type of Loans of such Lender to be prepaid at the Specified Discount on such date.  Each determination by the Auction Agent of the amounts stated in the foregoing notices to the Company Party and such Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error.  The payment amount specified in such notice to the Company Party shall be due and payable by such Company Party on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in accordance with subsection (vi) below (subject to subsection (x) below).

 

(iii)

 

(A)                               Subject to the proviso to subsection (i) above, any Company Party may from time to time solicit Discount Range Prepayment Offers by providing the Auction Agent with five (5) Business Days’ notice in the form of a Discount Range Prepayment Notice; provided that (1) any such solicitation shall be extended, at the sole discretion of such Company Party, to (x) each Lender and/or (y) each Lender with respect to any Class of Loans on an individual tranche basis, (2) any such notice shall specify the maximum aggregate principal amount of the relevant Loans (the “Discount Range Prepayment Amount”), the tranche or tranches of Loans subject to such offer and the maximum and minimum percentage discounts to par (the “Discount Range”) of the principal amount of such Loans with respect to each relevant tranche of Loans willing to be prepaid by such Company Party (it being understood that different Discount Ranges and/or Discount Range Prepayment Amounts may be offered with respect to different tranches of Loans and, in such event, each such offer will be treated as separate offer pursuant to the terms of this Section), (3) the Discount Range Prepayment Amount shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $10,000,000 and whole increments of $1,000,000 (or such lesser amounts as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent) in excess thereof and (4) each such solicitation by the Borrower shall remain outstanding through the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date.  The Auction Agent will promptly provide each Appropriate Lender with a copy of such Discount Range Prepayment Notice and a form of the Discount Range Prepayment Offer to be submitted by a responding Lender to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by no later than 5:00 p.m., on the third (3rd) Business Day after the date of delivery of such notice to such Lenders (the “Discount Range Prepayment Response Date”).  Each Lender’s Discount Range Prepayment Offer shall be irrevocable and shall specify a discount to par within the Discount Range (the “Submitted Discount”) at which such Lender is willing to allow prepayment of any or all of its then outstanding Loans of the applicable tranche or tranches and the maximum aggregate principal amount and tranches of such Lender’s Loans (the “Submitted Amount”) such Lender is willing to have prepaid at the Submitted Discount.  Any Lender whose Discount Range Prepayment Offer is not received by the Auction Agent by the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date shall be

 

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deemed to have declined to accept a Discounted Loan Prepayment of any of its Loans at any discount to their par value within the Discount Range.

 

(B)                               The Auction Agent shall review all Discount Range Prepayment Offers received on or before the applicable Discount Range Prepayment Response Date and shall determine (in consultation with such Company Party and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) the Applicable Discount and Loans to be prepaid at such Applicable Discount in accordance with this subsection (iii). The relevant Company Party agrees to accept on the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date all Discount Range Prepayment Offers received by Auction Agent by the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date, in the order from the Submitted Discount that is the largest discount to par to the Submitted Discount that is the smallest discount to par, up to and including the Submitted Discount that is the smallest discount to par within the Discount Range (such Submitted Discount that is the smallest discount to par within the Discount Range being referred to as the “Applicable Discount”) which yields a Discounted Loan Prepayment in an aggregate principal amount equal to the lower of (1) the Discount Range Prepayment Amount and (2) the sum of all Submitted Amounts.  Each Lender that has submitted a Discount Range Prepayment Offer to accept prepayment at a discount to par that is larger than or equal to the Applicable Discount shall be deemed to have irrevocably consented to prepayment of Loans equal to its Submitted Amount (subject to any required proration pursuant to the following subsection (C)) at the Applicable Discount (each such Lender, a “Participating Lender”).

 

(C)                               If there is at least one Participating Lender, the relevant Company Party will prepay the respective outstanding Loans of each Participating Lender in the aggregate principal amount and of the tranches specified in such Lender’s Discount Range Prepayment Offer at the Applicable Discount; provided that if the Submitted Amount by all Participating Lenders offered at a discount to par greater than the Applicable Discount exceeds the Discount Range Prepayment Amount, prepayment of the principal amount of the relevant Loans for those Participating Lenders whose Submitted Discount is a discount to par greater than or equal to the Applicable Discount (the “Identified Participating Lenders”) shall be made pro rata among the Identified Participating Lenders in accordance with the Submitted Amount of each such Identified Participating Lender and the Auction Agent (in consultation with such Company Party and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) will calculate such proration (the “Discount Range Proration”).  The Auction Agent shall promptly, and in any case within five (5) Business Days following the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date, notify (1) the relevant Company Party of the respective Lenders’ responses to such solicitation, the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, the Applicable Discount, and the aggregate principal amount of the Discounted Loan Prepayment and the tranches to be prepaid, (2) each Lender of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, the Applicable Discount, and the aggregate principal amount and tranches of Loans to be prepaid at the Applicable Discount on such date, (3) each Participating Lender of the aggregate principal amount and tranches of such Lender to be prepaid at the Applicable Discount on such date, and (4) if applicable, each Identified Participating Lender of the Discount Range Proration.  Each determination by the Auction Agent of the amounts stated in the foregoing notices to the relevant Company Party and Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error.  The payment amount specified in such notice to the Company Party shall be due and payable by

 

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such Company Party on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in accordance with subsection (vi) below (subject to subsection (x) below).

 

(iv)

 

(A)                               Subject to the proviso to subsection (i) above, any Company Party may from time to time solicit Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers by providing the Auction Agent with five (5) Business Days’ notice in the form of a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice; provided that (1) any such solicitation shall be extended, at the sole discretion of such Company Party, to (x) each Lender and/or (y) each Lender with respect to any Class of Loans on an individual tranche basis, (2) any such notice shall specify the maximum aggregate amount of the Loans (the “Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount”) and the tranche or tranches of Loans the Borrower is willing to prepay at a discount (it being understood that different Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amounts may be offered with respect to different tranches of Loans and, in such event, each such offer will be treated as separate offer pursuant to the terms of this Section), (3) the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $10,000,000 and whole increments of $1,000,000 (or such lesser amounts as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent) in excess thereof and (4) each such solicitation by the Borrower shall remain outstanding through the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date.  The Auction Agent will promptly provide each Appropriate Lender with a copy of such Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice and a form of the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer to be submitted by a responding Lender to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by no later than 5:00 p.m., on the third (3rd) Business Day after the date of delivery of such notice to such Lenders (the “Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date”).  Each Lender’s Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer shall (x) be irrevocable, (y) remain outstanding until the Acceptance Date, and (z) specify both a discount to par (the “Offered Discount”) at which such Lender is willing to allow prepayment of its then outstanding Loan and the maximum aggregate principal amount and tranches of such Loans (the “Offered Amount”) such Lender is willing to have prepaid at the Offered Discount.  Any Lender whose Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer is not received by the Auction Agent by the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date shall be deemed to have declined prepayment of any of its Loans at any discount.

 

(B)                               The Auction Agent shall promptly provide the relevant Company Party with a copy of all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers received on or before the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date.  Such Company Party shall review all such Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers and select the largest of the Offered Discounts specified by the relevant responding Lenders in the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers that is acceptable to the Company Party (the “Acceptable Discount”), if any.  If the Company Party elects to accept any Offered Discount as the Acceptable Discount, then as soon as practicable after the determination of the Acceptable Discount, but in no event later than by the third (3rd) Business Day after the date of receipt by such Company Party from the Auction Agent of a copy of all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers pursuant to the first sentence of this subsection (B) (the “Acceptance Date”), the Company Party shall submit an Acceptance and Prepayment Notice to the Auction Agent setting forth the Acceptable Discount.  If the Auction Agent shall fail to receive an Acceptance and Prepayment Notice from the Company Party by the Acceptance Date, such Company Party shall be deemed to have rejected all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers.

 

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(C)                               Based upon the Acceptable Discount and the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers received by Auction Agent by the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date, within three (3) Business Days after receipt of an Acceptance and Prepayment Notice (the “Discounted Prepayment Determination Date”), the Auction Agent will determine (in consultation with such Company Party and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) the aggregate principal amount and the tranches of Loans (the “Acceptable Prepayment Amount”) to be prepaid by the relevant Company Party at the Acceptable Discount in accordance with this Section 2.3(d)(iv)(C).  If the Company Party elects to accept any Acceptable Discount, then the Company Party agrees to accept all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers received by Auction Agent by the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date, in the order from largest Offered Discount to smallest Offered Discount, up to and including the Acceptable Discount.  Each Lender that has submitted a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer with an Offered Discount that is greater than or equal to the Acceptable Discount shall be deemed to have irrevocably consented to prepayment of Loans equal to its Offered Amount (subject to any required pro-rata reduction pursuant to the following sentence) at the Acceptable Discount (each such Lender, a “Qualifying Lender”).  The Company Party will prepay outstanding Loans pursuant to this subsection (iv) to each Qualifying Lender in the aggregate principal amount and of the tranches specified in such Lender’s Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer at the Acceptable Discount; provided that if the aggregate Offered Amount by all Qualifying Lenders whose Offered Discount is greater than or equal to the Acceptable Discount exceeds the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount, prepayment of the principal amount of the Loans for those Qualifying Lenders whose Offered Discount is greater than or equal to the Acceptable Discount (the “Identified Qualifying Lenders”) shall be made pro rata among the Identified Qualifying Lenders in accordance with the Offered Amount of each such Identified Qualifying Lender and the Auction Agent (in consultation with such Company Party and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) will calculate such proration (the “Solicited Discount Proration”).  On or prior to the Discounted Prepayment Determination Date, the Auction Agent shall promptly notify (1) the relevant Company Party of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date and Acceptable Prepayment Amount comprising the Discounted Loan Prepayment and the tranches to be prepaid, (2) each Lender of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, the Acceptable Discount, and the Acceptable Prepayment Amount of all Loans and the tranches to be prepaid to be prepaid at the Applicable Discount on such date, (3) each Qualifying Lender of the aggregate principal amount and the tranches of such Lender to be prepaid at the Acceptable Discount on such date, and (4) if applicable, each Identified Qualifying Lender of the Solicited Discount Proration.  Each determination by the Auction Agent of the amounts stated in the foregoing notices to such Company Party and Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error.  The payment amount specified in such notice to such Company Party shall be due and payable by such Company Party on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in accordance with subsection (vi) below (subject to subsection (x) below).

 

(v)                       In connection with any Discounted Loan Prepayment, the Company Parties and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that the Auction Agent may require as a condition to any Discounted Loan Prepayment, the payment of customary fees and expenses from a Company Party in connection therewith.

 

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(vi)                    If any Loan is prepaid in accordance with subsections (ii) through (iv) above, a Company Party shall prepay such Loans on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date.  The relevant Company Party shall make such prepayment to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders, Participating Lenders, or Qualifying Lenders, as applicable, at the Administrative Agent’s Office in immediately available funds not later than 11:00 a.m. on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date and all such prepayments shall be applied to the remaining principal installments of the relevant tranche of Loans on a pro-rata basis across such installments.  The Loans so prepaid shall be accompanied by all accrued and unpaid interest on the par principal amount so prepaid up to, but not including, the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date.  Each prepayment of the outstanding Loans pursuant to this Section 2.3(d) shall be paid to the Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders, Participating Lenders, or Qualifying Lenders, as applicable, and shall be applied to the relevant Loans of such Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Share.  The aggregate principal amount of the tranches and installments of the relevant Loans outstanding shall be deemed reduced by the full par value of the aggregate principal amount of the tranches of Loans prepaid on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in any Discounted Loan Prepayment.  In connection with each prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.3(d), the relevant Company Party shall make a representation to the Lenders that it does not possess material non-public information with respect to Holdings and its Subsidiaries or the securities of any of them that has not been disclosed to the Lenders generally (other than Lenders who elect not to receive such information).

 

(vii)                 To the extent not expressly provided for herein, each Discounted Loan Prepayment shall be consummated pursuant to procedures consistent with the provisions in this Section 2.3(d), established by the Auction Agent acting in its reasonable discretion and as reasonably agreed by the Borrower.

 

(viii)              Notwithstanding anything in any Loan Document to the contrary, for purposes of this Section 2.3(d), each notice or other communication required to be delivered or otherwise provided to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) shall be deemed to have been given upon Auction Agent’s (or its delegate’s) actual receipt during normal business hours of such notice or communication; provided that any notice or communication actually received outside of normal business hours shall be deemed to have been given as of the opening of business on the next Business Day.

 

(ix)                    Each of the Company Parties and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that the Auction Agent may perform any and all of its duties under this Section 2.3(d) by itself or through any Affiliate of the Auction Agent and expressly consents to any such delegation of duties by the Auction Agent to such Affiliate and the performance of such delegated duties by such Affiliate.  The exculpatory provisions pursuant to this Agreement shall apply to each Affiliate of the Auction Agent and its respective activities in connection with any Discounted Loan Prepayment provided for in this Section 2.3(d) as well as activities of the Auction Agent.

 

(x)                       Each Company Party shall have the right, by written notice to the Auction Agent, to revoke in full (but not in part) its offer to make a Discounted Loan Prepayment and rescind the applicable Specified Discount Prepayment Notice, Discount Range Prepayment Notice or Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice therefor at its discretion at any time on or prior to the applicable Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date (and if such offer

 

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is revoked pursuant to the preceding clauses, any failure by such Company Party to make any prepayment to a Lender, as applicable, pursuant to this Section 2.3(d) shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default under Section 10.1 or otherwise).

 

SECTION 2.4                                             Mandatory Prepayments.

 

(a)                                 Within five (5) Business Days after financial statements are required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a), the Borrower shall prepay an aggregate principal amount of Loans equal to (i) 50% (such percentage as it(A) with respect to each Fiscal Year ending on or prior to January 26, 2018, 50% of Excess Cash Flow, if any, for the Fiscal Year covered by such financial statements and (B) with respect to each Fiscal Year ending after January 26, 2018, 100% (such percentage described in the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), as each may be reduced as described below, the “ECF Percentage”) of Excess Cash Flow, if any, for the Fiscal Year covered by such financial statements (commencing with the Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2013) minus (ii) the sum of (A) all voluntary prepayments of Loans during such Fiscal Year pursuant to Section 2.3(a) and (Bthe applicable Prepayment Premium, if any, (B) all voluntary prepayments of Loans during such Fiscal Year pursuant to Section 2.3(a) of the Second Lien Credit Agreement and the applicable Prepayment Premium (as defined in the Second Lien Credit Agreement), if any, and (C) all voluntary prepayments of loans under the ABL Facility during such Fiscal Year to the extent accompanied by a corresponding permanent reduction in the commitments, as applicable, under the ABL Facility and the applicable FILO Prepayment Premium (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement), if any, in the case of each of the immediately preceding clauses (A), (B) and (BC), to the extent such prepayments are not funded with the proceeds of Indebtedness and excluding prepayments or repayments of (x) Initial Loans made in connection with the conversion or refinancing of such Loans into Tranche B-1 Loans pursuant to Amendment No. 1 and excluding prepayments or repayments of1, (y) Tranche B-1 Loans made in connection with the exchange or refinancing of such Loans for or with Tranche B-2 Loans pursuant to Amendment No. 2; provided that and (z) Tranche B-2 Loans made in connection with the exchange or conversion of such Loans for or with or into the First Lien Term Loans pursuant to Amendment No. 3 or deemed repaid under Section 2.5(c); provided that with respect to each Fiscal Year ending on or prior to January 26, 2018, (1) the ECF Percentage shall be 25% if the Total Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the Fiscal Year covered by such financial statements was less than or equal to 4.00 to 1.00 and greater than 3.00 to 1.00 and (2) the ECF Percentage shall be 0% if the Total Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the Fiscal Year covered by such financial statements was less than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00.

 

(b)

 

(i)                           Not later than ten (10) Business Days after the date of the realization or receipt by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of Net Cash Proceeds of any Asset Sale or Recovery Event, subject to clause (ii) below, the Borrower shall prepay an aggregate principal amount of Loans equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds realized or received; provided, that if at the time that any such prepayment would be required, the Borrower is required to offer to repurchase Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt (or any Permitted Refinancing thereof that is secured on a pari passu basis with the Obligations) pursuant to the terms of the documentation governing such Indebtedness with the net proceeds of such Asset Sale or Recovery Event (such Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt (or Permitted

 

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Refinancing thereof) required to be offered to be so repurchased, “Other Applicable Indebtedness”), then the Borrower may apply such Net Cash Proceeds on a pro rata basis (determined on the basis of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans and Other Applicable Indebtedness at such time; provided that the portion of such net proceeds allocated to the Other Applicable Indebtedness shall not exceed the amount of such net proceeds required to be allocated to the Other Applicable Indebtedness pursuant to the terms thereof, and the remaining amount, if any, of such net proceeds shall be allocated to the Loans in accordance with the terms hereof) to the prepayment of the Loans and to the repurchase or prepayment of Other Applicable Indebtedness, and the amount of prepayment of the Loans that would have otherwise been required pursuant to this Section 2.4(b) shall be reduced accordingly; provided, further, that to the extent the holders of Other Applicable Indebtedness decline to have such indebtedness repurchased or prepaid, the declined amount shall promptly (and in any event within ten (10) Business Days after the date of such rejection) be applied to prepay the Loans in accordance with the terms hereof; provided, further, that no prepayment shall be required pursuant to this Section 2.4(b)(i) (A) with respect to such portion of such Net Cash Proceeds that the Borrower shall have, on or prior to such date, given written notice to the Administrative Agent of its intent to reinvest in accordance with Section 2.4(b)(ii) and (B) with respect to Net Cash Proceeds from Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transactions to the extent such Net Cash Proceeds are utilized to permanently prepay, redeem, purchase, defease or otherwise satisfy other Indebtedness of the Borrower and so long as after giving pro forma effect to such prepayment, redemption, purchase, defeasance or other satisfaction, the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio would not exceed 2.75 to 1.00.. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, the provisions of this Section 2.4(b)(i) shall not apply to any Net Cash Proceeds realized or received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary from any Exempt Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction.

 

(ii)                        (A) With respect to anyup to $5,000,000 in the aggregate of Net Cash Proceeds realized or received with respect to any Asset Sale (other than a Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction) or any Recovery Event and (B) with respect to (1) 100% of $50,000,000 of Net Cash Proceeds realized or received by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date from one or more Non-Exempt Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transactions and (2) without duplication of the amount in the foregoing clause (1), 50% of an additional $50,000,000 of Net Cash Proceeds realized or received by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Effective Date from one or more Non-Exempt Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transactions, in each caseany Asset Sale (including Non-Exempt Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transactions) or Recovery Event, at the option of the Borrower, the Borrower may reinvest all or any portion of such Net Cash Proceeds in assets useful for its business within 450 days following receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds; provided that if any Net Cash Proceeds are no longer intended to be or cannot be so reinvested at any time after delivery of a notice of intent to reinvest by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent, and subject to clause (d) of this Section 2.4, an amount equal to any such Net Cash Proceeds shall be applied within five (5) Business Days after the Borrower reasonably determines that such Net Cash Proceeds are no longer intended to be or cannot be so reinvested to the prepayment of the Loans as set forth in this Section 2.4.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, the provisions of this Section 2.4(b)(ii) shall not restrict in any manner the application or use of any Net Cash Proceeds realized or received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary from any Exempt Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction.

 

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(c)                                  If the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs or issues any Indebtedness (i) not expressly permitted to be incurred or issued pursuant to Section 9.3 or (ii) that constitutes Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, the Borrower shall prepay an aggregate principal amount of Loans equal to 100% of all Net Cash Proceeds received therefrom and the Prepayment Premium, if applicable, on or prior to the date which is five (5) Business Days after the receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds.

 

(d)                                 (i) Except as may otherwise be set forth in any Refinancing Amendment, Extension Amendment or any Incremental Amendment, each prepayment of Loans pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be applied ratably to each Class of Loans then outstanding (provided, that any prepayment of Loans with the Net Cash Proceeds of Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness shall be applied solely to each applicable Class of Refinanced Debt), (ii) with respect to each Class of Loans, each prepayment pursuant to clauses (a) through (c) of this Section 2.4 shall be applied to the next eight (8) scheduled installments of principal thereof following the date of prepayment pursuant to Section 2.6 in direct order of maturity and to the remaining installments pro rata; and (iii) each such prepayment shall be paid to the Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares of such prepayment.  Each prepayment pursuant to Section 2.6 shall be applied first to Base Rate Loans and second to Eurocurrency Rate Loans.

 

(e)                                  All prepayments under this Section 2.4 shall be accompanied by all accrued interest thereon, together with, in the case of any such prepayment of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan on a date prior to the last day of an Interest Period therefor, any amounts owing in respect of such Eurocurrency Rate Loan pursuant to Section 3.5.

 

(f)                                   The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent in writing of any mandatory prepayment of Loans required to be made pursuant to clauses (a), (b), and (c) of this Section 2.4 at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date of such prepayment.  Each such notice shall specify the date of such prepayment and provide a reasonably detailed calculation of the amount of such prepayment. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Appropriate Lender of the contents of the Borrower’s prepayment notice and of such Appropriate Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the prepayment.  Each Appropriate Lender may reject all or a portion of its Pro Rata Share of any mandatory prepayment (such declined amounts, the “Declined Proceeds”) of Loans required to be made pursuant to clauses (a), (b), and (c)(b) of this Section 2.4 by providing written notice (each, a “Rejection Notice”) to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower no later than 5:00 p.m. three (3) Business Days after the date of such Lender’s receipt of notice from the Administrative Agent regarding such prepayment.  Each Rejection Notice from a given Lender shall specify the principal amount of the mandatory prepayment of Loans to be rejected by such Lender.  If a Lender fails to deliver a Rejection Notice to the Administrative Agent within the time frame specified above or such Rejection Notice fails to specify the principal amount of the Loans to be rejected, any such failure will be deemed an acceptance of the total amount of such mandatory repayment of Loans.  Any Declined Proceeds shall be, to the extent required under the Second Lien Credit Agreement, offered to the Second Lien Lenders, and if any such amounts are rejected pursuant to the Second Lien Facility Documentation and to the extent that such rejected amounts are not required to be offered to prepay or redeem any other Indebtedness, such amounts may be retained by the Borrower (“Retained Declined Proceeds”).

 

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(g)                                  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 2.4, (i) to the extent any of or all the Net Cash Proceeds of any Asset Sale by a Restricted Subsidiary (a “Restricted Subsidiary Disposition”), the Net Cash Proceeds of any Recovery Event from a Restricted Subsidiary giving rise to a prepayment pursuant to Section 2.4(b)(ii) (a “Restricted Subsidiary Recovery Event”), or Excess Cash Flow are prohibited or delayed by applicable local law from being repatriated to the United States, the portion of such Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow so affected will not be required to be applied to repay Loans at the times provided in Section 2.4(a), or the Borrower shall not be required to make a prepayment at the time provided in Section 2.05(b), as the case may be, and instead, such amounts may be retained by the applicable Restricted Subsidiary so long, but only so long, as the applicable local law will not permit repatriation to the United States (the Borrower hereby agreeing to cause the applicable Restricted Subsidiary to promptly take all commercially reasonable actions available under applicable local law to permit such repatriation), and once such repatriation of any of such affected Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow is permitted under the applicable local law, such repatriation will be promptly effected and such repatriated Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow will be promptly (and in any event not later than three (3) Business Days after such repatriation) applied (net of additional taxes payable or reserved against as a result thereof) to the repayment of the Loans pursuant to this Section 2.4 to the extent provided herein and (ii) to the extent that the Borrower has determined in good faith that repatriation of any of or all the Net Cash Proceeds of any Restricted Subsidiary Disposition, any Restricted Subsidiary Recovery Event or Excess Cash Flow would have an adverse tax cost consequence (taking into account any foreign tax credit or benefit actually realized in connection with such repatriation) with respect to such Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow, the Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow so affected may be retained by the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, provided that, if not applied, or repatriated and applied, to prepayments pursuant to this Section 2.4 within twelve (12) months after the date on which such Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow so retained would otherwise have been required to be applied to prepayments pursuant to this Section 2.4, such Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow shall be applied (x) by the Borrower to such prepayments as if such Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow had been received by the Borrower rather than such Restricted Subsidiary, less the amount of additional taxes that would have been payable or reserved against if such Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow had been repatriated (or, if less, the Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow that would be calculated if received by such Restricted Subsidiary) or (y) to the repayment of Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

(h)                                 Notwithstanding any of the other provisions of this Section 2.4, so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, if any prepayment of Eurocurrency Rate Loans is required to be made under this Section 2.4 prior to the last day of the Interest Period therefor, in lieu of making any payment pursuant to this Section 2.4 in respect of any such Eurocurrency Rate Loan prior to the last day of the Interest Period therefor, the Borrower may, in its sole discretion, deposit an amount sufficient to make any such prepayment otherwise required to be made thereunder together with accrued interest to the last day of such Interest Period into a Cash Collateral Account until the last day of such Interest Period, at which time the Administrative Agent shall be authorized (without any further action by or notice to or from the Borrower or any other Loan Party) to apply such amount to the prepayment of such Loans in accordance with this Section 2.4.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Administrative Agent shall also be authorized (without any further action by or notice

 

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to or from the Borrower or any other Loan Party) to apply such amount to the prepayment of the outstanding Loans in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Section 2.4.

 

SECTION 2.5                                             Reduction and Termination of Commitments; Etc.

 

(a)                                 The Borrower may, upon at least three (3) Business Days’ prior notice to the Administrative Agent, terminate in whole or reduce in part ratably the unused Commitments of any Class, in each case, without premium or penalty other than any amount required to be paid by the Borrower pursuant to Section 3.5; provided, however, that each partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount of not less than $5,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof or, if less, the entire amount thereof.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower may rescind or postpone any notice of termination of the Commitments if such termination would have resulted from a refinancing of all of the applicable Facility, which refinancing shall not be consummated or otherwise shall be delayed.

 

(b)                                 The Commitment of each Lender shall be automatically and permanently reduced to $0 upon the making of such Lender’s Loans pursuant to Section 2.1.

 

(c)                                  Upon the effectiveness of Amendment No. 3, all Loans held by Affiliated Lenders immediately prior to such effectiveness, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, shall automatically be deemed repaid in full and no longer outstanding under this Agreement.

 

SECTION 2.6                                             Repayment of Loans.  The Borrower shall repay to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the Appropriate Lenders (a) on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the last Business Day of March, 2012, an aggregate principal amount equal to 0.25% of the aggregate principal amount of all Loans outstanding on the Effective Date (which payments shall be reduced as a result of the application of prepayments in accordance with the order of priority set forth in Section 2.3), (b) on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the last Business Day of March, 2012, an aggregate principal amount equal to 0.25% of the aggregate principal amount of all Tranche B-1 Loans outstanding on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date (which payments shall be reduced as a result of the application of prepayments in accordance with the order of priority set forth in Section 2.3), (c) on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the last Business Day of December, 2013, an aggregate principal amount equal to 0.25% of the aggregate principal amount of all Tranche B-2 Loans outstanding on the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date (which payments shall be reduced as a result of the application of prepayments in accordance with the order of priority set forth in Section 2.3) and (d, (d) on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the last Business Day of December, 2017, an aggregate principal amount equal to 0.25% of the aggregate principal amount of all First Lien Term Loans outstanding on the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date (which payments shall be reduced as a result of the application of prepayments in accordance with the order of priority set forth in Section 2.3 of this Agreement) and (e) on the Termination Date, the aggregate principal amount of all Loans outstanding on such date.

 

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SECTION 2.7                                             Evidence of Indebtedness.

 

(a)                                 The Loans made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and evidenced by one or more entries in the Register maintained by the Administrative Agent, acting solely for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 5f.103-1(c), as non-fiduciary agent for the Borrower, in each case in the ordinary course of business.  The accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be prima facie evidence absent manifest error of the amount of the Loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon.  Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations.  In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.

 

(b)                                 (i) Entries made in good faith by the Administrative Agent in the Register pursuant to Section 2.7(a) and by each Lender in its account or accounts pursuant to Section 2.7(a) shall be prima facie evidence of the amount of principal and interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to, in the case of the Register, each Lender and, in the case of such account or accounts, such Lender, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, absent manifest error; provided that the failure of the Administrative Agent or such Lender to make an entry, or any finding that an entry is incorrect, in the Register or such account or accounts shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

(ii)                        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Loans (including the Notes, if any, evidencing such Loans) are registered obligations and the right, title, and interest of the Lenders and their assignees in and to such Loans shall be transferable only upon notation of such transfer in the Register.  A Note shall only evidence the Lender’s or a registered assignee’s right, title and interest in and to the related Loan, and in no event is any such Note to be considered a bearer instrument or obligation.  This Section 2.7(b) and Section 12.2 shall be construed so that the Loans are at all times maintained in “registered form” within the meaning of Sections 163(f), 871(h)(2) and 881(c)(2) of the Code and any related regulations (or any successor provisions of the Code or such regulations).

 

(c)                                  The entries made in the Register and in the accounts therein maintained pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) above and Section 12.2 hereof shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided, however, that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligations of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with their terms.  In addition, the Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Lender for all purposes of this Agreement.  Information contained in the Register with respect to any Lender shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, such Lender (as to its interest only) at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

 

(d)                                 Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement, in the event that any Lender requests that the Borrower execute and deliver a Note payable to such Lender in

 

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order to evidence the Indebtedness owing to such Lender by the Borrower hereunder, the Borrower shall promptly execute and deliver such Note to such Lender evidencing the Loans of such Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit O.  Each Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, Type (if applicable), amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto; provided that the failure to do so shall in no way affect the obligations of the Borrower or any other Loan Party under any Loan Document.

 

SECTION 2.8                                             Interest.

 

(a)                                 Rate of Interest.  All Loans and the outstanding amount of all other Obligations owing under the Loan Documents shall bear interest, in the case of any Class of Loans, on the unpaid principal amount thereof from the date such Loans are made and, in the case of such other Obligations, from the date such other Obligations are due and payable until, in all cases, paid in full, except as otherwise provided in clause (c) below, as follows:

 

(i)                           (x) if a Base Rate Loan or such other Obligation (except as otherwise provided in this Section 2.8(a)), at a rate per annum equal to the sum of (A) the Base Rate as in effect from time to time and (B) the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans; and(ii)  (y) if a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, at a rate per annum equal to the sum of (A) the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate determined for the applicable Interest Period and (B) the Applicable Margin applicable to Eurocurrency Rate Loans in effect from time to time during such Interest Period; and

 

(ii)                        all interest on each First Lien Term Loan calculated pursuant to Section 2.8(a)(i) above shall be payable (I) at the times and as set forth in Section 2.8(b) and (II) as follows: (x) at the rate set forth in clause (d) of the definition of Applicable Margin, of which 1.50% per annum shall be payable-in-kind (“PIK Interest”) by capitalizing such interest and treating it for all purposes as outstanding principal amount of First Lien Term Loans, and (y) the remaining amount of the rate set forth in clause (d) of the definition of Applicable Margin shall be payable in cash (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not result in any adjustment to the overall rate of interest payable pursuant to Section 2.8(a)(i)); provided that, if the Borrower makes a Cash Interest Election at least three (3) Business Days prior to the applicable interest payment date as set forth in Section 2.8(b) (or such shorter period as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion), all or a portion of the PIK Interest for such applicable period, as specified in such Cash Interest Election, shall be payable in cash.  PIK Interest, as reduced by any portion thereof paid in cash pursuant to a Cash Interest Election, shall be payable as an increase in the principal amount of the applicable First Lien Term Loans in arrears on each payment date set forth in Section 2.8(b) without any further action on the part of the Administrative Agent or the Borrower.

 

(b)                                 Interest Payments.  (i) Interest accrued on each Base Rate Loan shall be payable in arrears (A) on the first Business Day of each January, April, July and OctoberFiscal Quarter, commencing on the first such day following the making of such Base Rate Loan, and (B) if not previously paid in full, at maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) of such Base Rate Loan, (ii) interest accrued on each Eurocurrency Rate Loan shall be payable in arrears (A) on the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and, if such Interest Period has a duration of more than three (3) months, on each date during such Interest Period occurring every three (3) months from the first day of such Interest Period, (B) upon the payment or prepayment thereof in

 

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full or in part and (C) if not previously paid in full, at maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) of such Eurocurrency Rate Loan and (iii) interest accrued on the amount of all other Obligations shall be payable on demand from and after the time such Obligation becomes due and payable (whether by acceleration or otherwise).

 

(c)                                  Default Interest.  Following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default under Section 10.1(a) or Section 10.1(f), the Borrower shall pay interest on past due amounts hereunder at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.  Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable in cash upon demand.

 

SECTION 2.9                                             Fees.  The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers such fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing in the amounts and at the times so specified.  Except as otherwise provided in any written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers, such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.

 

SECTION 2.10                                      Payments and Computations.

 

(a)                                 All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff.  The Borrower shall make each payment and prepayment hereunder (including fees and expenses) not later than 2:00 p.m. on the day when due, in Dollars, in each case to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the applicable Administrative Agent’s Office for payment and in Same Day Funds without condition or deduction for any defense, recoupment, set-off or counterclaim.  The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its Pro Rata Share (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender’s Lending Office.  All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 2:00 p.m. shall, in each case be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue.

 

(b)                                 All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 days or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed.  All other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year).  Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid; provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall bear interest for one (1) day.  Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

 

(c)                                  Whenever any payment hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day other than a Business Day, the due date for such payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of payment of interest or fees, as the case may be; provided, however, that if such extension would cause payment of interest on or principal of any Eurocurrency Rate Loan to be made in the next

 

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calendar month, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day.  All repayments of any Loans shall be applied as follows:  first, to repay any such Loans outstanding as Base Rate Loans and then, to repay any such Loans outstanding as Eurocurrency Rate Loans, with those Eurocurrency Rate Loans, as applicable, having earlier expiring Interest Periods being repaid prior to those having later expiring Interest Periods.

 

(d)                                 Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower to the Lenders prior to the date on which any payment is due hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment in full, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment in full to the Administrative Agent on such date and the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be so required to), in reliance upon such assumption, cause to be distributed to each Lender on such due date an amount equal to the amount then due such Lender.  If and to the extent that the Borrower shall not have made such payment to the Administrative Agent in Same Day Funds in Dollars, then each Lender shall repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the portion of such assumed payment that was made available to such Lender in Same Day Funds in Dollars, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such amount was made available to such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent in Same Day Funds in Dollars at the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect.

 

(e)                                  Except for payments and other amounts received by the Administrative Agent and applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.2(b) below (or required to be applied in accordance with Section 2.4), all payments and any other amounts received by the Administrative Agent from or for the benefit of the Borrower shall be applied as follows: first, to pay principal of, and interest on, any portion of the Loans the Administrative Agent may have advanced pursuant to the express provisions of this Agreement on behalf of any Lender, for which the Administrative Agent has not then been reimbursed by such Lender or the Borrower, second, to pay all other Obligations then due and payable and third, as the Borrower so designates.  Payments in respect of Loans received by the Administrative Agent shall be distributed to each Lender in accordance with such Lender’s Ratable Portion; and all payments of fees and all other payments in respect of any other Obligation shall be allocated among such of the Lenders as are entitled thereto and, for such payments allocated to the Lenders, in proportion to their respective Ratable Portions.

 

SECTION 2.11                                      Determination of Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate.  The Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate for each Interest Period for Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be determined by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the procedures set forth in the definition of “Eurocurrency Rate”.  The Administrative Agent’s determination shall be presumed to be correct and binding on the Loan Parties, absent manifest error.

 

SECTION 2.12                                      Incremental Borrowings.

 

(a)                                 The Borrower may at any time or from time to time after the Effective Date, by notice to the Administrative Agent (whereupon the Administrative Agent shall promptly deliver a copy to each of the Lenders), request one or more additional tranches of Loans (the “Incremental Loans”); provided that (i) before and after giving effect to the incurrence of such Incremental Loans, no Default or Event of Default shall exist, (ii) any Incremental Loans will rank

 

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pari passu in right of payment with existing Loans and the Liens securing any Incremental Loans will rank pari passu with the Liens securing the existing Loans, (iii) the final maturity date of such Incremental Loans shall be no earlier than the then Latest Maturity Date of any other Loans hereunder, (iv) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Incremental Loans shall not be shorter than that of the then-existing Loans, (v) the representations and warranties contained in Article V or any other Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material respects both before and after the effectiveness of any Incremental Amendment; provided that, any representation and warranty that is qualified as to “materiality,” “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language shall be true and correct (after giving effect to any qualification therein) in all respects both before and after the effectiveness of any Incremental Amendment, and (vi) the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio shall be no greater than 3.50 to 1.00 as of the end of the Test Period most recently ended after giving Pro Forma Effect to such Incremental Loans and any Acquisition permitted under this Agreement and/or any other transactions related to such Incremental Loans. Each tranche of Incremental Loans shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is not less than $25,000,000 (provided that such amount may be less than $25,000,000 if such amount represents all remaining availability under the limit set forth in the next sentence).  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the aggregate amount of the Incremental Loans after the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date shall not exceed $150,000,000.be $0. Each notice from the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall set forth the requested amount and proposed terms of the relevant Incremental Loans.  Incremental Loans may be provided by any existing Lender (it being understood that no existing Lender will have an obligation to provide a portion of any Incremental Loans), in each case on terms permitted in this Section 2.12 and otherwise on terms reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, or by any other bank or other financial institution or institutional lender or investor (any such other bank or other financial institution or institutional lender or investor being called an “Additional Lender”), provided that the Administrative Agent shall have consented (in each case, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) to such Lender’s or Additional Lender’s providing such Incremental Loans if such consent by the Administrative Agent would be required under Section 12.2(b) for an assignment of Loans to such Lender or Additional Lender.  Commitments in respect of Incremental Loans shall become Commitments under this Agreement pursuant to an amendment (an “Incremental Amendment”) to this Agreement and, as appropriate, the other Loan Documents, executed by Holdings, the Borrower, each Lender agreeing to provide such Commitment, if any, each Additional Lender, if any, and the Administrative Agent. The Incremental Amendment may, without the consent of any Person other than the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Lenders providing the applicable Incremental Loans, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section. The effectiveness of any Incremental Amendment and the Borrowing of Incremental Loans hereunder shall be subject to the satisfaction on the date thereof (each, an “Incremental Facility Effective Date”) of each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.2 (it being understood that all references to “the date of such Loan” or similar language in such Section 4.2 shall be deemed to refer to the effective date of such Incremental Amendment) and the satisfaction of such other conditions (if any) as the parties thereto shall agree and, to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall have received legal opinions, Board of Director resolutions, officers’ certificates and/or reaffirmation agreements consistent with those delivered on the Effective Date, together with such supplements and/or amendments to the Collateral Documents as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably

 

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request (including, in the case of the Mortgages, mortgage amendments and date down endorsements with respect to the applicable title insurance policies.  The Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Incremental Loans for any purpose not prohibited by this Agreement.  Subject to clauses (iii) and (iv) of the first proviso of this clause (a), the amortization schedule applicable to any Incremental Loans shall be determined by the Borrower and the lenders thereunder. The interest rate margin, upfront fees and OID applicable to any Incremental Loans will be determined by the Borrower and the lenders providing such Incremental Loans, provided that, in the event that the All-In Yield applicable to such Incremental Loans exceeds the All-In Yield of any Class of Loans existing at such time by more than 50 basis points, then the interest rate margins for each such Class of Loans shall be increased to the extent necessary so that the All-In Yield of such Loans is equal to the All-In Yield of such Incremental Loans minus 50 basis points.  Except as otherwise required or permitted in this Section 2.12, all other terms of such Incremental Loans, if not consistent with the terms of the existing Loans, shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.  Any Incremental Loans may participate on a pro rata basis or on a less than pro rata basis (but not on a greater than pro rata basis) in any voluntary or mandatory prepayments hereunder, as specified in the applicable Incremental Amendment.

 

(b)                                 This Section 2.12 shall supersede any provisions in Section 12.1 or Section 12.7 to the contrary.

 

SECTION 2.13                                      Extensions of Loans.

 

(a)                                 Extension of Loans.  The Borrower may at any time and from time to time request that all or a portion of the Loans of a given Class (each, an “Existing Tranche”) be amended to extend the Scheduled Termination Date with respect to all or a portion of any principal amount of such Loans (any such Loans which have been so amended, “Extended Loans”) and to provide for other terms consistent with this Section 2.13; provided that there shall be no more than three (3) Classes of Loans outstanding pursuant to this Section 2.13 at any time.  In order to establish any Extended Loans, the Borrower shall provide a notice to the Administrative Agent (who shall provide a copy of such notice to each of the Lenders under the applicable Existing Tranche) (each, an “Extension Request”) setting forth the proposed terms (which shall be determined in consultation with the Administrative Agent) of the Extended Loans to be established, which shall (x) be identical as offered to each Lender under such Existing Tranche (including as to the proposed interest rates and fees payable) and offered pro rata to each Lender under such Existing Tranche and (y) be identical to the Loans under the Existing Tranche from which such Extended Loans are to be amended, except that: (i) the Scheduled Termination Date of the Extended Loans shall be later than the Scheduled Termination Date of the Loans of such Existing Tranche, (ii) the Extension Amendment may provide for other covenants and terms that apply solely to any period after the Latest Maturity Date that is in effect on the effective date of the Extension Amendment (immediately prior to the establishment of such Extended Loans); and (iii) all borrowings of the Loans and repayments thereof shall be made on a pro rata basis (except for (I)  payments of interest and fees at different rates on Extended Loans and (II) repayments required upon the Termination Date of the non-extending Loans); provided, further, that (A) the conditions precedent to a Borrowing set forth in Section 4.2 shall be satisfied or duly waived as of the date of such Extension Amendment and at the time when any Extended Loans, (B) in no event shall the final maturity date of any Extended Loans of a given Extension Series at the time of establishment thereof be earlier than the then Latest Maturity Date of any other Loans hereunder or a shorter

 

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Weighted Average Life to Maturity than the First Lien Term Loans, (C) any such Extended Loans (and the Liens securing the same) shall be permitted by the terms of the Intercreditor Agreements (to the extent anyAgreement and the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Notes Intercreditor Agreement (in each case to the extent any such agreement is then in effect) and, (D) all documentation in respect of the such Extension Amendment shall be consistent with the foregoing and (E) solely with respect to any Extended Loans incurred in respect of any Tranche B-2 Loans after the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date, in the event that the All-In Yield of such Extended Loans exceeds the All-In Yield of the First Lien Term Loans hereunder by more than 0.50%, then the interest rate margins for the First Lien Term Loans hereunder shall automatically be increased to a level such that the All-In Yield of such First Lien Term Loans is 0.50% below the All-In Yield for such Extended Loans; provided that up to $30,000,000 (less the aggregate principal amount of Pari Passu Stub Refinancing Debt excluded by operation of clause (v) of the first proviso to the “Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness” definition) in aggregate principal amount of such Extended Loans may be excluded by the Borrower from the operation of this clause (E).  Any Extended Loans amended pursuant to any Extension Request shall be designated a series (each, an “Extension Series”) of Extended Loans for all purposes of this Agreement; provided that any Extended Loans amended from an Existing Tranche may, to the extent provided in the applicable Extension Amendment, be designated as an increase in any previously established Extension Series with respect to such Existing Tranche.  Each Extension Series of Extended Loans incurred under this Section 2.13 shall be in an aggregate principal amount equal to not less than $35,000,000.(i) $35,000,000 or (ii) in the case of Extended Loans in respect of Tranche B-2 Loans, $25,000,000 or, if less, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Tranche B-2 Loans.

 

(b)                                 Extension Request.  The Borrower shall provide the applicable Extension Request at least five (5) Business Days (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent) prior to the date on which Lenders under the Existing Tranche are requested to respond, and shall agree to such procedures, if any, as may be established by, or acceptable to, the Administrative Agent, in each case acting reasonably, to accomplish the purposes of this Section 2.13.  No Lender shall have any obligation to agree to provide any Extended Loans pursuant to any Extension Request.  Any Lender (each, an “Extending Lender”) wishing to have all or a portion of its Loans under the Existing Tranche subject to such Extension Request amended into Extended Loans shall notify the Administrative Agent (each, an “Extension Election”) on or prior to the date specified in such Extension Request of the amount of its Loans under the Existing Tranche which it has elected to request be amended into Extended Loans (subject to any minimum denomination requirements imposed by the Administrative Agent).  In the event that the aggregate principal amount of Loans under the Existing Tranche in respect of which applicable Lenders shall have accepted the relevant Extension Request exceeds the amount of Extended Loans requested to be extended pursuant to the Extension Request, Loans subject to Extension Elections shall be amended to reflect allocations of the Extended Loans, which Extended Loans shall be allocated as agreed by Administrative Agent and the Borrower.

 

(c)                                  New Lenders.  Following any Extension Request made by the Borrower in accordance with Sections 2.13(a) and 2.13(b), if the Lenders shall have declined to agree during the period specified in Section 2.13(b) above to provide Extended Loans in an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount requested by the Borrower in such Extension Request, the Borrower may request that Lenders and/or banks, financial institutions or other

 

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institutional lenders or investors other than the Lenders or Extending Lenders (in such capacities, the “New Lenders”), which New Lenders may elect to provide an Extended Loan hereunder (each, a “New Loan”); provided that such Extended Loans of such New Lenders (i) shall be in an aggregate principal amount for all such New Lenders not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of Extended Loans so declined to be provided by the existing Lenders and (ii) shall be on identical terms to the terms applicable to the terms specified in the applicable Extension Request (and any Extended Loans provided by existing Lenders in respect thereof); provided further that, as a condition to the effectiveness of any Extended Loans of any New Lender, the Administrative Agent shall have consented (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) to each New Lender if such consent would be required under Section 12.2(b)(iii) for an assignment of Loans to such Person.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Extended Loans provided by New Lenders shall be pro rata to each New Lender.  The Extended Loans of New Lenders will be incorporated as Loans hereunder in the same manner in which Extended Loans of existing Lenders are incorporated hereunder pursuant to this Section 2.13, and for the avoidance of doubt, all Borrowings and repayments of Loans from and after the effectiveness of such Extension Amendment shall be made pro rata across all Classes of Loans including such New Lenders (based on the outstanding principal amounts of the respective Classes of Loans) except for (x) payments of interest and fees at different rates for each Class of Loans (and related outstanding amounts thereof) and (y) repayments required on the Termination Date for any particular Class of Loans.

 

(d)                                 Extension Amendment.  Extended Loans and New Loans shall be established pursuant to an amendment (each, an “Extension Amendment”) to this Agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each Extending Lender and each New Lender, if any, providing an Extended Loan or a New Loan, as applicable, thereunder, which shall be consistent with the provisions set forth in Sections 2.13(a), (b) and (c) above (and shall not require the consent of any other Person).  The effectiveness of any Extension Amendment shall be subject to the satisfaction on the date thereof of each of the conditions set forth in Sections 4.2(a) and (b) and, to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, receipt by the Administrative Agent of (i) legal opinions, board resolutions and officers’ certificates consistent with those delivered on the Effective Date (other than changes to such legal opinion resulting from a Change in Law, change in fact or change to counsel’s form of opinion) or otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (ii) reaffirmation agreements and/or such amendments to the Collateral Documents as may be reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent in order to ensure that the Extended Loans or the New Loans, as the case may be, are provided with the benefit of the applicable Loan Documents (including, in the case of the Mortgages, mortgage amendments and date down endorsements with respect to the applicable title insurance policies).  The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Extension Amendment.  Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that this Agreement and the other Loan Documents may be amended pursuant to an Extension Amendment, without the consent of any other Person other than the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Lenders providing the applicable Extended Loans, to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to (i) reflect the existence and terms of the Extended Loans or the New Loans, as the case may be, incurred pursuant thereto, (ii) make such other changes to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (without the consent of the Requisite Lenders) and (iii) effect such other amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section, and

 

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the Requisite Lenders hereby expressly authorize the Administrative Agent to enter into any such Extension Amendment.

 

(e)                                  No conversion of Loans pursuant to any Extension in accordance with this Section 2.13 shall constitute a voluntary or mandatory payment or prepayment for purposes of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 2.14                                      Refinancing Amendments.  (a)  After the Effective Date, the Borrower may obtain, from any Lender or any Additional Lender, Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of all or any portion of the Loans then outstanding under this Agreement in each case pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment; provided that there shall be no obligors in respect of any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness that are not Loan Parties; provided, further that the terms and conditions applicable to such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness may provide for any additional or different financial or other covenants or other provisions that are agreed between the Borrower and the Lenders thereof and applicable only during periods after the Latest Maturity Date that is in effect on the date such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is issued, incurred or obtained.  Any Other Loans may participate on a pro rata basis or on a less than pro rata basis (but not on a greater than pro rata basis) in any voluntary or mandatory prepayments hereunder, as specified in the applicable Refinancing Amendment.  The effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment shall be subject to the satisfaction on the date thereof of each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.2(a) and (b) and, to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, receipt by the Administrative Agent of customary legal opinions, board resolutions, officers’ certificates and/or reaffirmation agreements consistent with those delivered on the Effective Date under Section 4.1 (other than changes to such legal opinions resulting from a change in law, change in fact or change to counsel’s form of opinion) or otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) (including, in the case of the Mortgages, mortgage amendments and date down endorsements with respect to the applicable title insurance policies). Each incurrence of Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness under this Section 2.14 shall be in an aggregate principal amount of not less than $75,000,000.(i) $75,000,000 or (ii) in the case of Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Tranche B-2 Loans, $25,000,000 or, if less, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Tranche B-2 Loans.  The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Refinancing Amendment.  Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that, upon the effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to reflect the existence and terms of the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness incurred pursuant thereto (including any amendments necessary to treat the Loans and Commitments subject thereto as Other Loans and/or Other Commitments).  Any Refinancing Amendment may, without the consent of any Person other than the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Lenders providing the applicable Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.14.  This Section 2.14 shall supersede any provisions in Section 12.7 or 12.1 to the contrary.  It is understood that (x) any Lender approached to provide all or a portion of Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness may elect or decline, in its sole discretion, to provide such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness (it being understood that there is no obligation to approach any existing Lenders to provide any Other Commitment), and (y) the Administrative Agent shall have consented (such

 

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consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) to such Person’s providing such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness if such consent would be required under Section 12.2 for an assignment of Loans or Commitments to such Person.

 

(b)                                 Anything in this Section 2.14 to the contrary notwithstanding, following the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date, a holder of Tranche B-2 Loans may elect to convert such Loans into First Lien Term Loans pursuant to documentation reasonably acceptable to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and such Lender and following such conversion, such converted Loans shall be deemed to be additional First Lien Term Loans for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

SECTION 2.15                                      Loan Repricing Protection.  In the event that, on or prior to the date that is one year after the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date, the Borrower (a) makes any prepayment of Tranche B-2 Loans in connection with any Repricing Transaction or (b) effects any amendment of this Agreement resulting in a Repricing Transaction, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each applicable Lender, (i) in the case of clause (a), a prepayment premium of 1.0% of the principal amount of the Tranche B-2 Loans being prepaid and (ii) in the case of clause (b), a payment equal to 1.0% of the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Tranche B-2 Loans outstanding immediately prior to such amendment.  Such amounts shall be due and payable on the date of effectiveness of such Repricing Transaction.Prepayment Premium.  Each optional prepayment of First Lien Term Loans made after the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date pursuant to Section 2.3(a), each mandatory prepayment of the First Lien Term Loans made after the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date pursuant to Section 2.4(c), each mandatory assignment of First Lien Term Loans made after the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date pursuant to Section 3.7, each payment, refinancing or repricing of First Lien Term Loans made after the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date in connection with any Repricing Transaction and each payment (or deemed payment) of First Lien Term Loans following the acceleration thereof for any reason (including, but not limited to, any optional or mandatory payment after the occurrence of an Event of Default or after acceleration of the First Lien Term Loans including in connection with any proceeding subject to Debtor Relief Laws), shall be accompanied by the Prepayment Premium, if applicable.

 

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that if the Obligations with respect to the First Lien Term Loans are accelerated for any reason, including because of default, the commencement of any insolvency proceeding or other proceeding pursuant to any Debtor Relief Laws, sale, disposition or encumbrance (including that by operation of law or otherwise), the Prepayment Premium with respect to the First Lien Term Loans, if any, determined as of the date of acceleration will also be due and payable as though said indebtedness was voluntarily prepaid as of such date and shall constitute part of the Obligations with respect to the First Lien Term Loans, in view of the impracticability and extreme difficulty of ascertaining actual damages and by mutual agreement of the parties as to a reasonable calculation of each applicable Lender’s lost profits as a result thereof.  Any Prepayment Premium payable in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence shall be presumed to be the liquidated damages sustained by each applicable Lender as the result of the early termination and the Borrower agrees that it is reasonable under the circumstances currently existing.  The Prepayment Premium, if any, shall also be payable (i) in the event the Obligations with respect to the First Lien Term Loans are satisfied or released by foreclosure (whether by power of judicial proceeding or otherwise), deed

 

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in lieu of foreclosure or by any other means and/or (ii) upon the satisfaction, release, payment, restructuring, reorganization, replacement, reinstatement, defeasance or compromise of any of the Obligations with respect to the First Lien Term Loans in any insolvency proceeding or other proceeding pursuant to any Debtor Relief Laws, foreclosure (whether by power of judicial proceeding or otherwise), deed in lieu of foreclosure or by any other means or the making of a distribution of any kind in any insolvency proceeding or other proceeding pursuant to any Debtor Relief Laws to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Lenders, in full or partial satisfaction of the Obligations.  THE BORROWER EXPRESSLY WAIVES THE PROVISIONS OF ANY PRESENT OR FUTURE STATUTE OR LAW THAT PROHIBITS OR MAY PROHIBIT THE COLLECTION OF THE FOREGOING PREPAYMENT PREMIUM IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH ACCELERATION INCLUDING IN CONNECTION WITH ANY VOLUNTARY OR INVOLUNTARY ACCELERATION OF THE OBLIGATIONS PURSUANT TO ANY INSOLVENCY PROCEEDING OR OTHER PROCEEDING PURSUANT TO ANY DEBTOR RELIEF LAWS OR PURSUANT TO A PLAN OF REORGANIZATION.  The Borrower expressly agrees that:  (A) the Prepayment Premium is reasonable and is the product of an arm’s length transaction between sophisticated business people, ably represented by counsel; (B) the Prepayment Premium shall be payable notwithstanding the then prevailing market rates at the time payment is made; (C) there has been a course of conduct between Lenders and the Borrower giving specific consideration in this transaction for such agreement to pay the Prepayment Premium; and (D) the Borrower shall be estopped hereafter from claiming differently than as agreed to in this Section.  The Borrower expressly acknowledges that its agreement to pay such amount to the Lenders as herein described is a material inducement to the First Lien Term Loan Lenders to make the First Lien Term Loans.

 

ARTICLE III

 

TAXES, INCREASED COSTS PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

 

SECTION 3.1                                             Taxes.

 

(a)                                 Except as required by law, any and all payments by the Borrower or any Guarantor to or for the account of any Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, assessments, fees, withholdings or similar charges, and all liabilities (including additions to tax, penalties and interest) with respect thereto, excluding, in the case of each Agent and each Lender, (i) taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated, and including branch profits and similar taxes), and franchise or similar taxes, in each case (A) imposed by the jurisdiction under the laws of which it is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located or (B) taxes imposed by reason of any connection between such Agent or Lender and the taxing jurisdiction imposing such tax (other than a connection arising solely by executing or entering into any Loan Document, receiving payments thereunder or having been a party to, performed its obligations under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced, any Loan Documents), (iiiii) subject to Section 3.1(e), any U.S. federal tax that is (or would be) required to be withheld with respect to amounts payable hereunder in respect of an interest arising under any Loan Document that is assigned to an Eligible Assignee (pursuant to an assignment under Section 12.2) on the date such assignee becomes an

 

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Eligible Assignee to the extent such tax is in excess of the tax that would have been applicable had such assigning Lender not assigned its interest arising under any Loan Document (unless such assignment is made at the express written request of the Borrower), (iviii) in the case of any Foreign Lender, any U.S. federal withholding taxes imposed as a result of the failure of any Agent or Lender to comply with the provisions of Sections 3.1(b) and 3.1(c), (viv) in the case of any U.S. Lender, any U.S. federal withholding taxes imposed as a result of the failure of any Agent or Lender to comply with the provisions of Section 3.1(d), (viv) any taxes imposed on any amount payable to or for the account of any Agent or Lender as a result of the failure of such recipient to comply with its obligations under Section 3.1(l), (viivi) amounts excluded pursuant to Section 3.1(e) hereto, and (viiivii) penalties and interest on the foregoing amounts (all such non excluded taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, assessments, fees, withholdings or similar charges and liabilities being hereinafter referred to as “Taxes”).  If the Borrower, Guarantor or other applicable withholding agent is required to deduct any Taxes or Other Taxes (as defined below) from or in respect of any sum payable under any Loan Document to any Agent or any Lender, (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.1(a)), each of such Agent and such Lender receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower, Guarantor or other applicable withholding agent shall make such deductions, (iii) the Borrower, Guarantor or other applicable withholding agent shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxing authority, and (iv) within thirty (30) days after the date of such payment (or, if receipts or evidence are not available within thirty (30) days, as soon as practicable thereafter), the Borrower or Guarantor shall furnish to such Agent or Lender (as the case may be) the original or a facsimile copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof to the extent such a receipt has been made available to the Borrower or Guarantor (or other evidence of payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent).  If the Borrower or Guarantor fails to pay any Taxes or Other Taxes when due to the appropriate taxing authority or fails to remit to any Agent or any Lender the required receipts or other required documentary evidence that has been made available to the Borrower or Guarantor, the Borrower or Guarantor shall indemnify such Agent and such Lender for any incremental Taxes that may become payable by such Agent or such Lender arising out of such failure.

 

(b)                                 To the extent it is legally able to do so, each Agent or Lender (including an Eligible Assignee to which a Lender assigns its interest in accordance with Section 12.2) that is not a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code (each, a “Foreign Lender”) agrees to complete and deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which the Agent or Lender (or Eligible Assignee) becomes a party hereto, two (2) accurate, complete and original signed copies of whichever of the following is applicable:  (i) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits under an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party, an IRS Form W-8BEN-E certifying that it is entitled to such benefits; (ii) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming that the income receivable pursuant to any Loan Document is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, an IRS Form W-8ECI certifying to this effect; (iii) if the Foreign Lender is claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under either Section 871(h) or Section 881(c) of the Code and is not (A) a bank described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a 10-percent shareholder described in Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, or (C) a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower within the meaning of Section 864(d) of the Code, a certificate to that effect in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit P (a “Non-Bank Certificate”) and an IRS

 

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Form W-8BEN-E, certifying that the Foreign Lender is not a United States person; (iv) to the extent a Lender is not the beneficial owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes, an IRS Form W-8IMY (or any successor form thereto) of the Lender, accompanied by, as and to the extent applicable, an IRS Form W-8BEN or an IRS Form W-8BEN-E, an IRS Form W-8ECI, Non-Bank Certificate, an IRS Form W-9, additional IRS Forms W-8IMY (further accompanied by required attachments thereto) and any other required supporting information from each beneficial owner (it being understood that a Lender need not provide certificates or supporting documentation from beneficial owners if (x) the Lender is a “qualified intermediary” or “withholding foreign partnership” for U.S. federal income tax purposes and (y) such Lender is as a result able to establish, and does establish, that payments to such Lender are, to the extent applicable, entitled to an exemption from or, if an exemption is not available, a reduction in the rate of, U.S. federal withholding taxes without providing such certificates or supporting documentation); or (v) any other form prescribed by applicable requirements of U.S. federal income tax law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable requirements of law to permit the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made except and solely for the purposes of this clause (v) to the extent, in the Agent or Lender’s reasonable judgment, such completion, execution, or submission would subject such Agent or Lender to any material unreimbursed costs or expenses or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Agent or Lender.

 

(c)                                  In addition, each such Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, (i) promptly submit to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two (2) accurate, complete and original signed copies of such other or additional forms or certificates (or such successor forms or certificates as shall be adopted from time to time by the relevant taxing authorities) as may then be applicable or available to secure an exemption from or reduction in the rate of U.S. federal withholding tax (A) on or before the date that such Lender’s most recently delivered form, certificate or other evidence expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any material respect, (B) after the occurrence of a change in the Foreign Lender’s circumstances requiring a change in the most recent form, certificate or evidence previously delivered by it to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (C) from time to time thereafter if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, and (ii) promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of any change in the Foreign Lender’s circumstances which would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or reduction.

 

(d)                                 Each Agent or Lender that is a “United States person” (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) (each a “U.S. Lender”) agrees to complete and deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two (2) original copies of accurate, complete and signed IRS Form W-9 or successor form certifying that such Agent or Lender is not subject to United States backup withholding (i) on or prior to the Effective Date (or on or prior to the date it becomes a party to this Agreement), (ii) on or before the date that such form expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any material respect, (iii) after the occurrence of a change in the Agent’s or Lender’s circumstances requiring a change in the most recent form previously delivered by it to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (iv) from time to time thereafter if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent.

 

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(e)                                  Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary (but subject to the succeeding sentence), if a Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent is subject to any U.S. federal tax that is required to be withheld with respect to amounts payable hereunder at a rate in excess of zero percent at the time such Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent becomes a party to this Agreement or otherwise acquires an interest in the Loan, or pursuant to a law or other legal requirement in effect at such time, such tax (including additions to tax, penalties and interest imposed with respect to such tax) shall be considered excluded from Taxes (unless and until such time as such Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent subsequently provides forms and certifications that establish to the reasonable satisfaction of Borrower and the Administrative Agent that such Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent is subject to a lower rate of tax, at which time tax at such lower rate (including additions to tax, penalties and interest imposed with respect to such tax) shall be considered so excluded for periods during which such forms and certifications remain valid and are sufficient, under the law in effect at the time such forms and certifications are provided (including any law with a delayed effective date), to establish that such Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent is subject to such lower rate of tax) except, in the case of an Eligible Assignee, to the extent the Lender’s assignor was entitled to additional amounts or indemnity payments immediately prior to the assignment.  Further, the Borrower shall not be required pursuant to this Section 3.1 to pay any additional amount to, or to indemnify, any Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent, as the case may be, to the extent that such Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent becomes subject to Taxes subsequent to the Effective Date (or, if later, the date such Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent becomes a party to this Agreement or otherwise acquires an interest in the Loan) solely as a result of a change in the place of organization or place of doing business of such Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent (or any applicable beneficial owner), a change in the Lending Office of such Lender or Eligible Assignee (or any applicable beneficial owner) (other than at the written request of the Borrower to change such Lending Office), or a change that results in such Lender or Eligible Assignee (or any applicable beneficial owner) being described in clauses (A), (B) or (C) of Section 3.1(b)(iii), occurring after the date that such Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent becomes a party to this Agreement or otherwise acquires an interest in the Loan.  If an Eligible Assignee acquires an additional interest in a Loan after the date on which it became a party to this Agreement or previously acquired an interest in any Loan, the provisions of this Section 3.1(e) shall apply to such additional interest as of the date such additional interest was acquired.

 

(f)                                   The Borrower agrees to pay any and all present or future stamp, court or documentary taxes and any other excise, property, intangible or mortgage recording taxes or charges or similar levies which arise from any payment made under any Loan Document or from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document (including additions to tax, penalties and interest related thereto) excluding, in each case, such amounts that result from an Assignment and Assumption, grant of a participation, transfer or assignment to or designation of a new applicable Lending Office or other office for receiving payments under any Loan Document, except to the extent that any such Assignment and Assumption, grant of a participation, transfer, assignment or designation is requested in writing by the Borrower subsequent to the date hereofEffective Date (all such non-excluded taxes described in this Section 3.1(f) being hereinafter referred to as “Other Taxes”).

 

(g)                                  If any Taxes or Other Taxes are directly asserted against any Agent or Lender with respect to any payment received by such Agent or Lender in respect of any Loan Document, such Agent or Lender may pay such Taxes or Other Taxes and the Borrower will

 

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promptly indemnify and hold harmless such Agent or Lender for the full amount of such Taxes and Other Taxes (and any Taxes and Other Taxes imposed on amounts payable under this Section 3.1), and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted.  Payments under this Section 3.1(g) shall be made within ten (10) days after the date Borrower receives written demand for payment from such Agent or Lender.

 

(h)                                 A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 3.1 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless (i) the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s express written consent to such participation at the time such participation is sold to such Participant or (ii) such entitlement to a greater payment results from a change in any law after the sale of the participation takes place.

 

(i)                                     If the Borrower determines in good faith that a reasonable basis exists for contesting any taxes for which indemnification has been demanded hereunder, the relevant Lender or the relevant Agent, as applicable, shall cooperate with the Borrower in a reasonable challenge of such taxes if so requested by the Borrower, provided that (a) such Lender or Agent determines in its reasonable discretion that it would not be prejudiced by cooperating in such challenge, (b) the Borrower pays all related expenses of such Agent or Lender and (c) the Borrower indemnifies such Lender or Agent for any liabilities or other costs incurred by such party in connection with such challenge.

 

(j)                                    If any Agent or any Lender has received or is entitled to receive a refund in respect of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrower or Holdings, as the case may be or with respect to which the Borrower or Holdings, as the case may be has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.1, it shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain such refund (to the extent not yet received) (provided that doing so would not otherwise materially disadvantage the Agent or Lender) and it shall promptly remit such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrower or Holdings, as the case may be under this Section 3.1 with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that the Borrower or Holdings, as the case may be, upon the written request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower or Holdings (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority), as the case may be, to the Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event the Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority (provided that such Lender or the Administrative Agent may delete any information therein that such Lender or the Administrative Agent deems confidential in its reasonable discretion).  The Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, shall provide the Borrower with a copy of any notice of assessment or other evidence reasonably available of the requirement to repay such refund received from the relevant Governmental Authority.  This subsection shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that is reasonably deems confidential) to the Borrower, Holdings or any other Person.

 

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(k)                                 Each Lender agrees that, upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 3.1(a) or (g) with respect to such Lender, it will, if requested by the Borrower, use commercially reasonable efforts (subject to legal and regulatory restrictions) to mitigate the effect of any such event, including by designating another Lending Office for any Loan affected by such event and by completing and delivering or filing any tax-related forms which such Lender is legally able to deliver and which would reduce or eliminate any amount of Taxes or Other Taxes required to be deducted or withheld or paid by the Borrower; provided that such efforts are made at the Borrower’s expense and on terms that, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, cause such Lender and its Lending Office(s) to suffer no material economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage, and provided further that nothing in this Section 3.1(k) shall affect or postpone any of the Obligations of the Borrower or the rights of such Lender pursuant to Section 3.1(a) or (g).

 

(l)                                     If a payment made to a recipient under any Loan Document would be subject to United States federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such recipient were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA, such recipient shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times prescribed by FATCA and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such documentation prescribed by FATCA requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their respective obligations under FATCA, to determine that such recipient has or has not complied with such recipient’s obligations under FATCA and, as necessary, to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment.

 

(m)                             Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent may deduct and withhold any taxes required by any Laws to be deducted and withheld from any payment under any of the Loan Documents, subject to the provisions of this Section 3.1.

 

(n)                                 With respect to any Lender’s claim for compensation under this Section 3.1, the Borrower shall not be required to compensate such Lender for any amount incurred more than one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower in writing of the event that gives rise to such claim; provided that, if the circumstance giving rise to such claim is retroactive, then such 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

 

(o)                                 The agreements in this Section 3.1 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

 

SECTION 3.2                                             Illegality.  If any Lender reasonably determines that any Law has made it unlawful or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful for any Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Loans (and, in the reasonable opinion of such Lender (subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender), the designation of a different applicable Lending Office or the assignment by such Lender of its rights hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates would either not avoid such unlawfulness or would be disadvantageous to such Lender in any economic, legal or regulatory respect) whose interest is determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate, or to determine or charge interest rates based

 

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upon the Eurocurrency Rate or Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the London interbank market, then, on notice thereof within a reasonable time thereafter (if by telephone, confirmed in writing) by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, (i) any obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurocurrency Rate, or to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurocurrency Rate Loans, shall be suspended, and (ii) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender making or maintaining Base Rate Loans the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate, the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate, in each case until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist (which notice such Lender agrees to give at such time when such circumstances no longer exist).  Upon receipt of such notice within a reasonable time thereafter, (x) the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, and shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, convert all Eurocurrency Rate Loans of such Lender to Base Rate Loans (and the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Rate Loans, to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Rate Loans, and (y) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate with respect to any Base Rate Loans, the Administrative Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Base Rate applicable to such Lender without reference to the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate component thereof until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurocurrency Rate.  Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.

 

SECTION 3.3                                             Inability to Determine Rates.  If the Requisite Lenders reasonably determine that for any reason in connection with any request for a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, or a conversion to or continuation thereof that (a) deposits in Dollars are not being offered to banks in the applicable offshore interbank market for such currency for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, (b) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the Eurocurrency Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurocurrency Rate Loan or in connection with an existing or proposed Base Rate Loan, or (c) the Eurocurrency Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurocurrency Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender.  Thereafter, (x) each Eurocurrency Rate Loan shall automatically, on the last day of the current Interest Period for such Loan, convert into a Base Rate Loan, (y) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be suspended, and (z) in the event of a determination described in the preceding sentence with respect to the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate, the utilization of the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate component in determining the Base Rate shall be suspended, in each case until the Administrative Agent (upon the instruction of the

 

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Requisite Lenders) notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist (which notice the Administrative Agent agrees to give at such time when such circumstances no longer exist).  Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein.

 

SECTION 3.4                                             Increased Cost and Reduced Return; Capital Adequacy; Reserves on Eurocurrency Rate Loans.

 

(a)                                 Increased Costs Generally.  If any Change in Law shall:

 

(i)                           impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate);

 

(ii)                        subject any Lender to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement or any Eurocurrency Rate Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender in respect thereof (except for Taxes covered by Section 3.1 and any taxes and other amounts described in clauses (i) through (viii) of the first sentence of Section 3.1(a) that are imposed with respect to payments for or on account of any Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document, and except for Other Taxes); or

 

(iii)                     impose on any Lender or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or Eurocurrency Rate Loans made by such Lender that is not otherwise accounted for in the definition of Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate or this clause (a);

 

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Loan the interest on which is determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender, or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, from time to time within fifteen (15) days after demand by such Lender setting forth in reasonable detail such increased costs (with a copy of such demand to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

(b)                                 Capital Requirements.  If any Lender reasonably determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lender’s holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by such Lender to a level below that which such Lender or such Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy or liquidity), then from time to time promptly following demand of such Lender setting

 

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forth in reasonable detail the charge and the calculation of such reduced rate of return (with a copy of such demand to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

 

(c)                                  Certificates for Reimbursement.  A certificate of a Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this Section 3.4 and delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.

 

(d)                                 Delay in Requests.  Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.4 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.4 for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower in writing of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

 

(e)                                  Without duplication of any reserves specified in the definition of “Eurocurrency Rate”, the Borrower shall pay to each Lender, as long as such Lender shall be required to comply with any reserve ratio requirement or analogous requirement of any central banking or financial regulatory authority imposed in respect of the maintenance of the Aggregate Commitments or the funding of the Eurocurrency Rate Loans, such additional costs (expressed as a percentage per annum and rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest five decimal places) equal to the actual costs allocated to such Commitment or Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error), which shall be due and payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan, provided the Company shall have received at least fifteen (15) days’ prior notice (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of such additional costs from such Lender.  If a Lender fails to give notice fifteen (15) days prior to the relevant interest payment date, such additional costs shall be due and payable fifteen (15) days from receipt of such notice.

 

SECTION 3.5                                             Funding Losses.  Upon written demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) from time to time, which demand shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis for requesting such amount, the Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:

 

(a)                                 any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Eurocurrency Rate Loan on a day prior to the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise);

 

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(b)                                 any failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Eurocurrency Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower; or

 

(c)                                  (any assignment of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan on a day prior to the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 3.7;

 

including any loss or expense (excluding loss of anticipated profits or margin) actually incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained.

 

SECTION 3.6                                             Matters Applicable to All Requests for Compensation.

 

(a)                                 Designation of a Different Lending Office.  If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.4, or the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.1, or if any Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 3.2, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.1 or 3.4, as the case may be, in the future, or eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 3.2, as applicable, and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender in any material economic, legal or regulatory respect.

 

(b)                                 Suspension of Lender Obligations.  If any Lender requests compensation by the Borrower under Section 3.4, the Borrower may, by notice to such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), suspend the obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurocurrency Rate Loans from one Interest Period to another Interest Period, or to convert Base Rate Loans into Eurocurrency Rate Loans, until the event or condition giving rise to such request ceases to be in effect (in which case the provisions of Section 3.6(c) shall be applicable); provided that such suspension shall not affect the right of such Lender to receive the compensation so requested.

 

(c)                                  Conversion of Eurocurrency Rate Loans.  If any Lender gives notice to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) that the circumstances specified in Sections 3.2, 3.3 or 3.4 hereof that gave rise to the conversion of such Lender’s Eurocurrency Rate Loans no longer exist (which such Lender agrees to do promptly upon such circumstances ceasing to exist) at a time when Eurocurrency Rate Loans made by other Lenders are outstanding, such Lender’s Base Rate Loans shall be automatically converted, on the first day(s) of the next succeeding Interest Period(s) for such outstanding Eurocurrency Rate Loans, to the extent necessary so that, after giving effect thereto, all Loans of a given Class held by the Lenders of such Class holding Eurocurrency Rate Loans and by such Lender are held pro rata (as to principal amounts, interest rate basis, and Interest Periods) in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares.

 

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SECTION 3.7                                             Replacement of Lenders under Certain Circumstances.  If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.4 or ceases to make Eurocurrency Rate Loans as a result of any condition described in Section 3.2 or Section 3.4, (ii) the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.1, (iii) any Lender is a Non-Consenting Lender or (iv) any other circumstance exists hereunder that gives the Borrower the right to replace a Lender as a party hereto, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 12.2), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to one or more Eligible Assignees that shall assume such obligations (any of which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that:

 

(a)                                 the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee (if any) specified in Section 12.2(b)(iv) and the Prepayment Premium (if any) specified in Section 2.15;

 

(b)                                 such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 3.5) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);

 

(c)                                  such Lender being replaced pursuant to this Section 3.7 shall (i) execute and deliver an Assignment and Assumption with respect to such Lender’s Commitment and outstanding Loans, and (ii) deliver any Notes evidencing such Loans to the Borrower or Administrative Agent (or a lost or destroyed note indemnity in lieu thereof); provided that the failure of any such Lender to execute an Assignment and Assumption or deliver such Notes shall not render such sale and purchase (and the corresponding assignment) invalid and such assignment shall be recorded in the Register and the Notes shall be deemed to be canceled upon such failure;

 

(d)                                 the Eligible Assignee shall become a Lender hereunder and the assigning Lender shall cease to constitute a Lender hereunder with respect to such assigned Loans, Commitments and participations, except with respect to indemnification provisions under this Agreement, which shall survive as to such assigning Lender;

 

(e)                                  in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 3.4 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 3.1, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter; and

 

(f)                                   such assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws.

 

In the event that (i) the Borrower or the Administrative Agent has requested that the Lenders consent to a departure or waiver of any provisions of the Loan Documents or agree to any amendment thereto, (ii) the consent, waiver or amendment in question requires the agreement of each Lender, all affected Lenders or all the Lenders or all affected Lenders with respect to a certain Class or Classes of the Loans and (iii) the Requisite Lenders or the requisite Lenders of the

 

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applicable Class or Classes of the Loans, have agreed to such consent, waiver or amendment, then any Lender who does not agree to such consent, waiver or amendment shall be deemed a “Non-Consenting Lender.”

 

A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

 

SECTION 3.8                                             Survival.  All of the Borrower’s obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of the Aggregate Commitments, repayment of all other Obligations hereunder and resignation of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

SECTION 4.1                                             Conditions Precedent to Initial Borrowing.  The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans shall be subject to the satisfaction or due waiver in accordance with Section 12.1 of each of the following conditions precedent, except as otherwise agreed between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (the date on which such conditions are satisfied or waived herein in accordance with Section 12.1 shall be the “Effective Date”):

 

(a)                                 The Administrative Agent’s receipt of the following, each of which shall be originals or facsimiles (followed promptly by originals) unless otherwise specified, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the signing Loan Party each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:

 

(i)                                     a Committed Loan Notice in accordance with the requirements hereof provided that such notice shall not include any representation or statement as to the absence (or existence) of any Default;

 

(ii)                                  executed counterparts of this Agreement and the Guaranty;

 

(iii)                               a Note executed by the Borrower in favor of each Lender that has requested a Note at least two (2) Business Days in advance of the Effective Date;

 

(iv)                              each Collateral Document set forth on Schedule 1.1A required to be executed on the Effective Date as indicated on such schedule, duly executed by each Loan Party thereto, together with:

 

(A)                               copies of certificates, if any, representing the Pledged Equity referred to therein accompanied by undated stock powers executed in blank and instruments evidencing the Pledged Debt indorsed in blank;

 

(B)                               [Reserved]; and

 

(C)                               evidence that all other actions, recordings and filings that the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent has reasonably requested to be taken,

 

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completed or otherwise provided for to satisfy the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement shall have been taken, completed or otherwise provided for in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

 

(v)                       such certificates of good standing from the applicable secretary of state of the state of organization of each Loan Party, certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or other certificates of Responsible Officers of each Loan Party as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require evidencing the identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible Officer thereof authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party or is to be a party on the Effective Date;

 

(vi)                    an opinion from Proskauer Rose, LLP, New York and California counsel to the Loan Parties substantially in the form of Exhibit Q-1;

 

(vii)                 an opinion from Greenberg Traurig, LLP, Nevada counsel to the Loan Parties substantially in the form of Exhibit Q-2;

 

(viii)              a solvency certificate from the chief financial officer of the Borrower (as of the Effective Date and after giving effect to the Transaction) substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit R;

 

(ix)                    evidence that all insurance (excluding title insurance) required to be maintained pursuant to the Loan Documents has been obtained and is in effect as of the Effective Date and that the Collateral Agent has been named as loss payee and/or additional insured, as applicable, under each insurance policy with respect to such insurance as to which the Collateral Agent (i) is entitled under the Loan Documents to be so named, and (ii) shall have requested to be so named;

 

(x)                       certified copies of the Merger Agreement and schedules and other attachments thereto, duly executed by the parties thereto, together with all material agreements, instruments and other documents delivered in connection therewith as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request, each including certification by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower that such documents are in full force and effect as of the Effective Date; and

 

(xi)                    copies of a recent Lien and judgment search in each jurisdiction reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent with respect to the Loan Parties;

 

provided, however, that, each of the requirements set forth in clauses (iv) and (ix) above, including the delivery of documents and instruments necessary to satisfy the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement (except for the execution and delivery of the Security Agreement and to the extent that a Lien on such Collateral may be perfected (x) by the filing of a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code or (y) by the delivery of stock certificates of the Borrower and its wholly owned Domestic Subsidiaries) shall not constitute conditions precedent to the Credit Extensions on the Effective Date after the Borrower’s use of commercially reasonable efforts, without undue burden or cost, to provide such items on or prior to the Effective Date if the Borrower agrees to deliver, or cause to be delivered, such search results, documents and

 

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instruments, or take or cause to be taken such other actions as may be required to perfect such security interests within ninety (90) days after the Effective Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent and the Borrower mutually agree in good faith).  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, the terms of the Loan Documents shall be in a form such that they do not impair the availability or funding of the Facility on the Effective Date if the conditions set forth in this Section 4.1 are satisfied or waived by the Arrangers.

 

(b)                                 All fees and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses required to be paid on or before the Effective Date hereunder and invoiced at least three (3) Business Days before the Effective Date shall have been paid in full in cash (which such amounts, notwithstanding the foregoing, may be offset against the proceeds of the Facility).

 

(c)                                  Prior to or substantially simultaneously with the initial Borrowing on the Effective Date, (i) the Equity Contribution shall have been consummated; and (ii) the Merger shall be consummated in all material respects in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement.

 

(d)                                 Prior to or substantially simultaneously with the initial Borrowings on the Effective Date, the Borrower shall have received at least $250,000,000 in gross cash proceeds from the issuance of the Senior Notes.

 

(e)                                  The Intercreditor Agreement and the ABL Facility Documentation shall have been duly executed and delivered by each party thereto, and shall be in full force and effect.

 

(f)                                   Prior to or substantially simultaneously with the initial Borrowing on the Effective Date, the Loan Parties shall have taken all other necessary actions such that, after giving effect to the Transaction, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall have outstanding no material third-party Indebtedness for borrowed money or preferred Equity Interests other than (A) the Loans, (B) borrowings and letter of credit obligations under the ABL Facility, (C) borrowings under the Senior Notes and (D) Indebtedness permitted the Loan Documents, the Merger Agreement and/or the Schedules thereto.

 

(g)                                  The Arrangers shall have received the Annual Financial Statements and the Quarterly Financial Statements.

 

(h)                                 The Arrangers shall have received the Pro Forma Financial Statements.

 

(i)                                     The Administrative Agent and the Arrangers shall have received all documentation and other information reasonably requested in writing by them at least ten (10) days prior to the Effective Date in order to allow the Arrangers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to comply with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

(j)                                    Since October 11, 2011, there shall not have been any Event, change or occurrence that, individually or together with any other Event, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Closing Date Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(k)                                 The Merger Agreement Representations and the Specified Representations shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, if qualified by “materiality”, “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language, in all respects (after giving effect to such qualification)) on and as of the Effective Date; provided that a failure of any Merger Agreement Representation to be true and correct shall not result in a failure of the condition to the initial availability of the Facility on the Effective Date, unless such failure gives Holdings the right to terminate its obligations under the Merger Agreement.

 

(l)                                     The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, certifying to the matters set forth in Section 4.1(c), (j) and (k).

 

Without limiting the generality of the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 9.3, for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 4.1, each Lender shall be deemed to have consented to, approved, accepted or be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to the Lenders unless an officer of the Administrative Agent responsible for the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the Borrowing on the Effective Date specifying its objection thereto and such Lender shall not have made available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s Ratable Portion of such Borrowing.

 

SECTION 4.2                                             Conditions Precedent to Each Loan.  The obligation of each Lender to honor a Committed Loan Notice after the Effective Date is subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)                                 Request for Borrowing.  With respect to any Loan, the Administrative Agent shall have received a duly executed Committed Loan Notice; provided that, with respect to extensions of credit made on the Effective Date, no such notice shall include any representation, warranty or statement as to the absence (or existence) of any Default.

 

(b)                                 Representations and Warranties; No Defaults.  The following statements shall be true on the date of such Loan, both immediately before and immediately after giving effect thereto and giving effect to the application of the proceeds of such Loan by, or at the direction of, the Borrower:

 

(i)                                     The representations and warranties of the Borrower and each other Loan Party contained in Article V or any other Loan Document (limited to, in the case of the initial Credit Extensions on the Effective Date, the Specified Representations) shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Borrowing; provided that, to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date; provided, further that, any representation and warranty that is qualified as to “materiality,” “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language shall be true and correct (after giving effect to any qualification therein) in all respects on such respective dates; and

 

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(ii)                                  except in the case of the initial Credit Extension on the Effective Date, no Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Credit Extension or from the application of the proceeds therefrom by, or at the direction of, the Borrower.

 

Each submission by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent of a Committed Loan Notice (other than a Committed Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type or a continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans) shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower that the conditions specified in clause (b) above have been satisfied or duly waived on and as of the date of the making of such Loan.

 

ARTICLE V

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

To induce the Lenders and the Administrative Agent to enter into this Agreement, each of Holdings and the Borrower represents and warrants each of the following to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, on and as of the Effective Date and, the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date and, the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date and the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date and after giving effect to the making of the Loans and the other financial accommodations on the Effective Date and, the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date and, the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date, the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date and on and as of each date as required by Section 4.2(b)(i):

 

SECTION 5.1                                             Existence, Qualification and Power; Compliance with Laws.  Each Loan Party and each of the Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Material Subsidiary (a) is a Person duly organized or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization (to the extent such concept exists in such jurisdiction), (b) has all corporate or other organizational power and authority to (i) own its assets and carry on its business and (ii) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (c) is duly qualified and in good standing (to the extent such concept exists) under the Laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, (d) is in compliance with all applicable Laws, orders, writs, injunctions and orders and (e) has all requisite governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to operate its business as currently conducted; except in each case referred to in clause (c), (d) or (e), to the extent that failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.2                                             Authorization; No Contravention.

 

(a)                                 The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which such Person is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action by such Person; and

 

(b)                                 Neither the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which such Person is a party nor the consummation of the Transaction will (i) contravene the terms of any of such Person’s Constituent Documents, (ii) result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien upon any of the property or assets of such Person or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than as permitted by Section 9.1) under (A) any

 

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Contractual Obligation to which such Person is a party or by which such Person or its properties are bound or (B) any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which such Person or its property is subject; or (iii) violate any applicable Law; except with respect to any breach, contravention or violation (but not creation of Liens) referred to in clauses (ii) and (iii), to the extent that such breach, contravention or violation would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.3                                             Governmental Authorization.  No material approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, any Loan Party of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except for (i) filings necessary to create and perfect the Liens on the Collateral granted by the Loan Parties in favor of the Secured Parties, (ii) the approvals, consents, exemptions, authorizations, actions, notices and filings that have been duly obtained, taken, given or made and are in full force and effect and (iii) those approvals, consents, exemptions, authorizations or other actions, notices or filings, the failure of which to obtain or make would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.4                                             Binding Effect.  This Agreement and each other Loan Document to which a Loan Party is a party has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto.  This Agreement and each other Loan Document to which a Loan Party is a party constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan Party that is party thereto in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by Debtor Relief Laws and by general principles of equity and principles of good faith and fair dealing.

 

SECTION 5.5                                             Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect.

 

(a)                                 (i)  The Annual Financial Statements and the Quarterly Financial Statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and their results of operations for the respective periods covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods covered thereby, (A) except as otherwise expressly noted therein and (B) subject, in the case of the Quarterly Financial Statements, to changes resulting from normal year end adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

 

(ii)                                  The unaudited pro forma Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of and for the twelve-month period ending on the last day of the most recently completed four-Fiscal Quarter period ended at least forty-five (45) days (or ninety (90) days in case such four-Fiscal Quarter period is the end of the Company’s Fiscal Year) prior to the Effective Date, prepared after giving effect to the Transaction as if the Transaction had occurred as of such date (including the notes thereto) (the “Pro Forma Balance Sheet”) and the unaudited pro forma Consolidated statement of income of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the 12-month period ended at least forty-five (45) days (or ninety (90) days in case such four-Fiscal Quarter period is the end of the Company’s Fiscal Year) prior to the Effective Date, prepared after giving effect to the Transaction as if the Transaction had occurred at the beginning of such period (together with the Pro Forma Balance Sheet, the “Pro Forma Financial Statements”), copies of

 

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which have heretofore been furnished to the Administrative Agent, have been prepared based on the Annual Financial Statements and the Quarterly Financial Statements and have been prepared in good faith, based on assumptions believed by the Borrower to be reasonable as of the date of delivery thereof, and present fairly in all material respects on a pro forma basis the estimated financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at September 30, 2011, and their estimated results of operations for the period covered thereby.

 

(b)                                 Since the Effective Date, there has been no event or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)                                  All Projections delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(d) have been prepared in good faith on the basis of the assumptions stated therein, which assumptions were believed to be reasonable at the time made, it being understood that projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts, are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, and actual results may vary materially from such Projections.

 

SECTION 5.6                                             Litigation.  There are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, overtly threatened in writing, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, by or against Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.7                                             Ownership of Property; Liens.  Each Loan Party and each of the Restricted Subsidiaries has good record and marketable title in fee simple to, or valid leasehold interests in, or easements or other limited property interests in, all real property necessary in the ordinary conduct of its business, free and clear of all Liens except for (i) Liens permitted by Section 9.1 and (ii) where the failure to have such title or other interest would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.8                                             Environmental Matters.

 

(a)                                 Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all Environmental Laws (including having obtained all Environmental Permits) and (ii) none of the Loan Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries is subject to any pending, or to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened Environmental Claim or any other Environmental Liability that remains outstanding or unresolved.

 

(b)                                 None of the Loan Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries has treated, stored, transported or disposed of Hazardous Materials at or from any currently or formerly operated real estate or facility relating to its business in a manner that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.9                                             Taxes.  Except would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, Holdings, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries have timely filed all Federal and state and other tax returns and reports required to be filed under applicable Law, and have timely paid all Federal and state and other taxes,

 

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assessments, fees and other governmental charges (including satisfying their withholding tax obligations) levied or imposed on their properties, income or assets that have become due and payable, except those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate actions diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves (in the good faith judgment of management of Holdings, the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiaries) have been provided in accordance with GAAP.

 

SECTION 5.10                                      ERISA Compliance.

 

(a)                                 Except as set forth in Schedule 5.10(a) or as would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, each Plan is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other federal or state Laws.

 

(b)                                 (i) No ERISA Event has occurred within the one-year period prior to the date on which this representation is made or deemed made; (ii) no Pension Plan has failed to satisfy the minimum funding standards (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) applicable to such Pension Plan; (iii) none of the Loan Parties or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability (and no event has occurred which, with the giving of notice under Section 4219 of ERISA, would result in such liability) under Sections 4201 et seq. or 4243 of ERISA with respect to a Multiemployer Plan; (iv) none of the Loan Parties or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has engaged in a transaction that is subject to Sections 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA; and (v) neither any Loan Party nor any ERISA Affiliate has been notified by the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan that such Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization (within the meaning of Section 4242 of ERISA), insolvent (within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA) or has been determined to be in “endangered” or critical status (within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA) and no such Multiemployer Plan is expected to be in reorganization, insolvent or endangered or critical status, except, with respect to each of the foregoing clauses of this Section 5.10(b), as would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.11                                      Subsidiaries.  As of the Effective Date, the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date and the Amendment No. 13 Effective Date, neither Holdings nor any other Loan Party has any Subsidiaries other than those specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.11, and all of the outstanding Equity Interests in the Borrower and the Subsidiaries (in each case, to the extent constituting Collateral) have been validly issued and are fully paid and (if applicable) nonassessable, and all Equity Interests owned by Holdings or any other Loan Party are owned free and clear of all security interests of any person except (i) those created under the Collateral Documents or, under the ABL Facility Documentation (which Liens shall be subject to the Intercreditor Agreement) or under the Second Lien Facility Documentation (which Liens shall be subject to the Intercreditor Agreement and the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement) and (ii) any other Lien that is permitted under Section 9.1.  As of the Effective Date, the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date and the Amendment No. 13 Effective Date, Schedule 5.11 (a) sets forth the name and jurisdiction of each Subsidiary, (b) sets forth the ownership interest of Holdings, the Borrower and any other Subsidiary in each Subsidiary, including the percentage of such ownership and (c) identifies each Subsidiary the Equity Interests of which are required to be pledged on the Effective Date, the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date and the Amendment No. 13 Effective Date pursuant to the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement.

 

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SECTION 5.12                                      Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act.

 

(a)                                 As of the Effective Date and, the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date and, the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date and the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date, none of the Collateral is comprised of any Margin Stock.  No Loan Party is engaged, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the Federal Reserve Board), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock, and no proceeds of any Borrowings will be used for any purpose that violates Regulation U.

 

(b)                                 Neither the Borrower nor any Guarantor is an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

SECTION 5.13                                      Disclosure.  None of the written information and written data heretofore or contemporaneously furnished in writing by or on behalf of any Loan Party to any Agent or any Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder or any other Loan Document when furnished and when taken as a whole contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein, when taken as a whole, in the light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not materially misleading; it being understood that for purposes of this Section 5.13, such information and data shall not include projections and pro forma financial information (including financial estimates, financial models, forecasts and other forward-looking information) or information of a general economic or general industry nature.

 

SECTION 5.14                                      Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc.  The Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to, or a valid license or right to use, all patents, patent rights, trademarks, servicemarks, trade names, copyrights, technology, software, know-how database rights, rights of privacy and publicity, licenses and other intellectual property rights that are necessary for the operation of their respective businesses as currently conducted and as proposed to be conducted (collectively, “IP Rights”), except where the failure to have any such title, license or other rights would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  To the knowledge of the Borrower, the operation of the respective businesses of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries as currently conducted does not infringe upon, misuse, misappropriate or violate any rights held by any Person except for such infringements, misuses, misappropriations or violations that would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.15                                      Solvency.  On the Effective Date after giving effect to the Transaction, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a Consolidated basis, are Solvent. On the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date immediately after giving effect to the Repricing Transaction pursuant to Amendment No. 1, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a Consolidated basis, are Solvent. On the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date immediately after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by Amendment No. 2, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a Consolidated basis, are Solvent.  On the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date immediately after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by Amendment No. 3, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a Consolidated basis are Solvent.

 

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SECTION 5.16                                      Subordination of Junior Financing.  The Obligations are “Designated Senior Debt,” “Senior Debt,” “Senior Indebtedness,” “Guarantor Senior Debt” or “Senior Secured Financing” (or any comparable term) under, and as defined in, any indenture or document governing any applicable Junior Financing Documentation in respect of Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations.

 

SECTION 5.17                                      USA PATRIOT Act.  (a) To the extent applicable, each of Holdings, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is in compliance, in all material respects, with (i) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, and each of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) and any other enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto and (ii) the USA PATRIOT Act.  No part of the proceeds of the Loans will be used by Holdings, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

 

(b)                                 None of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any director, officer, agent, employee or Affiliate of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, (i) is a person on the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” or (ii) is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”); and the Borrower will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the Loans or otherwise knowingly make available such proceeds to any person, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

 

SECTION 5.18                                      Collateral Documents.  As of the Effective Date and, the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date and, the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date and the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date, except as otherwise contemplated hereby or under any other Loan Documents, the provisions of the Collateral Documents, together with such filings and other actions required to be taken hereby or by the applicable Collateral Documents (including the filings of appropriate financing statements with the office of the Secretary of State of the state of organization of each Loan Party, the filing of appropriate assignments or notices with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the U.S. Copyright Office, and the proper recordation of Mortgages and fixture filings with respect to Material Real Propertiesfee-owned real properties, in each case in favor of the Collateral Agent and the delivery to Collateral Agent of any Pledged Debt and any Pledged Equity required to be delivered pursuant to the applicable Collateral Documents), are effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a legal, valid and enforceable first priority Lien (subject to Liens permitted by Section 9.1 and subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Notes Intercreditor Agreement) on all right, title and interest of the respective Loan Parties in the Collateral described therein, to the extent that a security interest therein can be perfected by the foregoing actions.

 

SECTION 5.19                                      Use of Proceeds.  The proceeds of the initial Borrowings shall be used to pay Merger Consideration.

 

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SECTION 5.20                                      Insurance.  The insurance maintained by the Loan Parties complies with the requirements set forth in Section 8.5.

 

SECTION 5.21                                      Broker’s or Finder’s Commissions.  No broker’s or finder’s fee or commission will be payable with respect to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

[RESERVED]

 

ARTICLE VII

 

REPORTING COVENANTS

 

Until the Discharge of Obligations, solely for the benefit of the First Lien Term Loan Lender Parties, Holdings and the Borrower shall, and shall (except in the case of the covenants set forth in Sections 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3) cause each of the Restricted Subsidiaries to:

 

SECTION 7.1                                             Financial Statements, Etc.  Deliver to the Administrative Agent for prompt further distribution to each First Lien Term Loan Lender each of the following and shall take the following actions:

 

(a)                                 within ninety (90) days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Borrower (beginning with the Fiscal Year ending March 31, 2012 and, with respect to such Fiscal Year only, one hundred twenty (120) days after the end thereof), a Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Year, and the related Consolidated statements of income or operations and cash flows for such Fiscal Year together with related notes thereto and management’s discussion and analysis describing results of operations, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of BDO USA,Ernst & Young LLP or any other independent registered public accounting firm of nationally recognized standing, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception (other than a going concern or like qualification or exception resulting solely from an upcoming maturity date under the Facility, the Second Lien Facility, the ABL Facility or the Senior Notes (or in each case any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof) occurring within one year from the time such opinion is delivered) or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit;

 

(b)                                 within forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three (3) Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year of the Borrower (beginning with the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2012), a condensed Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Quarter, and the related (i) condensed Consolidated statements of income or operations for such Fiscal Quarter and for the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended and (ii) condensed Consolidated statements of cash flows for the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding Fiscal Quarter of

 

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the previous Fiscal Year and the corresponding portion of the previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail and certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as fairly presenting in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes, together with management’s discussion and analysis describing results of operations;

 

(c)                                  within thirty (30) days after the end of each of the first two (2) months of each Fiscal Quarter of the Borrower beginning with the Fiscal Quarter ending March 31, 2012),2012, a Consolidated (and consolidating to the extent prepared by the Borrower) balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such month, and the related Consolidated (and consolidating to the extent prepared by the Borrower) statements of income or operations, for such month, in the form prepared by management of the Borrower;

 

(d)                                 within ninety (90) days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Borrower (beginning with the Fiscal Year ending March 31, 2012), a reasonably detailed Consolidated budget for the following Fiscal Year as customarily prepared by management of the Borrower for its internal use (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 operations or income and projected cash flow and setting forth the material underlying assumptions applicable thereto) in each case on a fiscal quarter basis (collectively, the “Projections”), which Projections shall in each case be accompanied by a certificate of a Responsible Officer stating that such Projections have been prepared in good faith on the basis of the assumptions stated therein, which assumptions were believed to be reasonable at the time made, it being understood that actual results may vary from such Projections and that such variations may be material;

 

(e)                                  concurrently with the delivery of each set of Consolidated financial statements referred to in Sections 7.1(a) and 7.1(b) above, the related consolidating financial statements reflecting the adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such Consolidated financial statements; and

 

(f)                                   quarterly, at a time mutually agreed with the Administrative Agent that is promptly after the delivery of the information required pursuant to clause (a) above and the information delivered pursuant to clause (b) above for each Fiscal Quarter, participate in a conference call for First Lien Term Loan Lenders to discuss the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the most recently-ended period for which financial statements have been delivered, which requirement may be satisfied by including the First Lien Term Loan Lenders and the Administrative Agent on quarterly conference calls with the ABL Facility Lenders or the noteholders in respect of the Senior Notes (or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof).

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 7.1 may be satisfied with respect to financial information of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries by furnishing (A) the applicable financial statements of any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower that holds all of the Equity Interests of the Borrower or (B) the Borrower’s or such entity’s Form 10-K or 10-Q, as applicable, filed with the SEC; provided that, with respect to each

 

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of clauses (A) and (B), (i) to the extent such information relates to a parent of the Borrower, such information is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to the Borrower (or such parent), on the one hand, and the information relating to the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand and (ii) to the extent such information is in lieu of information required to be provided under Section 7.1(a), such materials are accompanied by a report and an opinion of BDO USA,Ernst & Young LLP or any other independent registered public accounting firm of nationally recognized standing, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception (other than a going concern or like qualification or exception resulting solely from an upcoming maturity date under the Facility or, the ABL Facility, the Second Lien Facility, the Senior Notes or other Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.3 occurring within one year from the time such opinion is delivered) or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit.

 

Any financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to Sections 7.1(a) and (b) shall not be required to contain all purchase or recapitalization accounting adjustments relating to the Transaction to the extent it is not practicable to include any such adjustments in such financial statements.

 

SECTION 7.2                                             Certificates; Other Information.  Deliver to the Administrative Agent for prompt further distribution to each First Lien Term Loan Lender:

 

(a)                                 concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Section 7.1(a) and Section 7.1(b), a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by the chief financial officer of the Borrower;

 

(b)                                 promptly after the same are publicly available, copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports, proxy statements and registration statements which Holdings or the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary files with the SEC or with any Governmental Authority that may be substituted therefor or with any national securities exchange, as the case may be (other than amendments to any registration statement (to the extent such registration statement, in the form it became effective, is delivered to the Administrative Agent), exhibits to any registration statement and, if applicable, any registration statement on Form S-8), and in any case not otherwise required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to any other clause of this Section 7.2;

 

(c)                                  promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any material statements or material reports furnished to any holder of any class or series of debt securities of any Loan Party having an aggregate outstanding principal amount greater than $25,000,000 or pursuant to the terms of the Second Lien Credit Agreement, the ABL Facility Credit Agreement or the Senior Notes Indenture (or in each case any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof), in each case, so long as the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereunder is greater than $25,000,000 and not otherwise required to be furnished to the Administrative Agent pursuant to any other clause of this Section 7.2;

 

(d)                                 together with the delivery of each Compliance Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 7.2(a), (i) a report setting forth the information required by Section 3.03(c) of

 

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the Security Agreement (or confirming that there has been no change in such information since the Effective Date or the date of the last such report), (ii) a description of each event, condition or circumstance during the last Fiscal Quarter covered by such Compliance Certificate requiring a mandatory prepayment under Section 2.4 and (iii) a list of each Subsidiary of the Borrower that identifies each Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary at the end of such Fiscal Year or Fiscal Quarter, as the case may be or a confirmation that there is no change in such information since the later of the Effective Date and the end of the preceding Fiscal Year or Fiscal Quarter, as applicable;

 

(e)                                  on the date on which the delivery of financial statements is required to be made pursuant to Section 7.1(a), the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent a summary, in reasonable detail, of all material insurance coverage required to be maintained by the Loan Parties pursuant to Section 8.5;

 

(f)                                   prior to or concurrent with the making of any Specified Payment subject to compliance with the Payment Condition, a reasonably detailed calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as required pursuant to clause (b) of the definition of “Payment Conditions”, together with a certification that no Event of Default exists immediately prior to the making of the subject Specified Payment or would thereafter result from the making of such subject Specified Payment; and[reserved]; and

 

(g)                                  promptly, such additional information regarding the business, legal, financial or corporate affairs of any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary, or compliance by any such Person with the terms of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, as the Administrative Agent may from time to time on its own behalf or on behalf of any First Lien Term Loan Lender reasonably request in writing.

 

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or (b) or Section 7.2(b) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 12.8 and so notifies the Administrative Agent; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on IntraLinks/IntraAgency or another relevant website, if any, to which each First Lien Term Loan Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that:  (i) upon written request by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent for further distribution to each First Lien Term Loan Lender until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is received by the Borrower from the Administrative Agent and (ii) the Borrower shall notify (which may be by facsimile or electronic mail) the Administrative Agent of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents.  Each First Lien Term Loan Lender shall be solely responsible for timely accessing posted documents or requesting delivery of paper copies of such documents from the Administrative Agent and maintaining its copies of such documents.

 

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SECTION 7.3                                             Notices.  Promptly after a Responsible Officer obtains actual knowledge thereof, notify the Administrative Agent, solely for the benefit of the First Lien Term Loan Lenders:

 

(a)                                 of the occurrence of any Default; and

 

(b)                                 of (i) any dispute, litigation, investigation or proceeding between any Loan Party and any arbitrator or Governmental Authority, (ii) the filing or commencement of, or any material development in, any litigation or proceeding against any Loan Party that or any Subsidiary, including pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws or in respect of IP Rights, the occurrence of any noncompliance by any Loan Party or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with, or liability under, any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit, or (iii) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, in any such case referred to in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii), has resulted or would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Each notice pursuant to this Section 7.3 shall be accompanied by a written statement of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions set forth in this Article VII are solely for the benefit of the First Lien Term Loan Lender Parties and do not apply to any Lender holding Tranche B-2 Loans after giving effect to the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

Until the Discharge of Obligations, Holdings and the Borrower shall, and shall cause each of the Restricted Subsidiaries to:

 

SECTION 8.1                                             Preservation of Existence, Etc.  (a) PreserveSolely for the benefit of the First Lien Term Loan Lender Parties (a) preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and (b) take all reasonable action to obtain, preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its the rights, licenses, permits, privileges, franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names material to the conduct of its business, except in the case of clause (a) or (b) to the extent (other than with respect to the preservation of the existence of Holdings and the Borrower) that failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect or pursuant to any merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution or Disposition permitted by Article IX.

 

SECTION 8.2                                             Compliance with Laws, Etc.  ComplySolely for the benefit of the First Lien Term Loan Lender Parties, comply in all material respects with its Constituent Documents and the requirements of all Laws (including, without limitation, ERISA and the USA PATRIOT Act), and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or to its business or property, except if the failure to comply therewith would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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SECTION 8.3                                             Designation of Subsidiaries.  The Board of Directors of the Borrower may at any time designate any Subsidiary of the Borrower (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary of the Borrower) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, the Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; provided that (i) before and after such designation, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) before and after such designation, the Total Leverage Ratio shall not be greater than 4.50 to 1.00 after giving Pro Forma Effect thereto, and (iii) no Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if, after such designation, it would be a “Restricted Subsidiary” for the purpose of the Second Lien Facility, the ABL Facility, the Senior Notes, or any other Junior Financing or any other Indebtedness of any Loan Party.  The designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall constitute an Investment by the Borrower therein at the date of designation in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value as determined by the Borrower in good faith of the Borrower’s or its Subsidiary’s (as applicable) Investment therein.  The Board of Directors of the Borrower may at any time designate or re-designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Borrower to be a Restricted Subsidiary, so long as such designation or re-designation would not result in an Event of Default.  The designation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary shall constitute the incurrence at the time of designation of any Indebtedness or Liens of such Subsidiary existing at such time and a return on any Investment by the Borrower in such Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to the preceding sentence in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value as determined by the Borrower in good faith at the date of such designation of the Borrower’s or its Subsidiary’s (as applicable) Investment in such Subsidiary.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Unrestricted Subsidiary that has been re-designated a Restricted Subsidiary may not be subsequently re-designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, unless such re-designation would not result in an Event of Default.

 

SECTION 8.4                                             Payment of Taxes, Etc.  PaySolely for the benefit of the First Lien Term Loan Lender Parties, pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy, before they become delinquent, all material liabilities in respect of taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits or in respect of its property, except, in each case, to the extent (i) any such tax, assessment, charge or levy is being contested in good faith and by appropriate actions for which appropriate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP or (ii) the failure to pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy the same would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 8.5                                             Maintenance of Insurance.  Maintain with insurance companies that the Borrower believes (in the good faith judgment of its management) are financially sound and reputable at the time the relevant coverage is placed or renewed, insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in at least such amounts (after giving effect to any self-insurance the Borrower believes (in the good faith judgment of its management) as is reasonable and prudent in light of the size and nature of its business), and will furnish to the Administrative Agent (for further delivery to the Lenders), upon written request from the Administrative Agent, information presented in reasonable detail as to the insurance so required to be carried.  Each such policy of insurance shall, as appropriate, (i) name the Collateral Agent, on

 

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behalf of the Lenders, as an additional insured thereunder as its interests may appear with respect to any such required general liability insurance and/or (ii) in the case of each casualty insurance policy, contain a loss payable clause or endorsement that names the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Lenders as the loss payee thereunder.

 

SECTION 8.6                                             Inspection Rights.  PermitSolely for the benefit of the First Lien Term Loan Lender Parties, permit officers, employees and designated representatives of the Administrative Agent and each First Lien Term Loan Lender to visit and inspect any of its properties, to examine its corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its directors, officers, and independent public accountants (subject to such accountants’ customary policies and procedures), all at the reasonable expense of the Borrower and at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably desired, upon reasonable advance notice to the Borrower; provided that, excluding any such visits and inspections during the continuation of an Event of Default, only the Administrative Agent on behalf of the First Lien Term Loan Lenders may exercise rights under this Section 8.6 and the Administrative Agent shall not exercise such rights more often than two (2) times during any calendar year, and only one (1) such time shall be at the Borrower’s expense; provided further that when an Event of Default exists, the Administrative Agent or any First Lien Term Loan Lender (or any of their respective representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Borrower at any time during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice.  The Administrative Agent and the First Lien Term Loan Lenders shall give the Borrower the opportunity to participate in any discussions with the Borrower’s independent public accountants.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 8.6, none of Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries will be required to disclose, permit the inspection, examination or making copies or abstracts of, or discussion of, any document, information or other matter that (a) in respect of which disclosure to the Administrative Agent or any First Lien Term Loan Lender (or their respective representatives or contractors) is prohibited by Law or any bona fide arm’s length third party contract or (b) is subject to attorney-client or similar privilege or constitutes attorney work product.

 

SECTION 8.7                                             Books and Records.  MaintainSolely for the benefit of the First Lien Term Loan Lender Parties, maintain proper books of record and account (a) in which entries that are full, true and correct in all material respects shall be made of all material financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of Holdings, the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, and (b) that permit financial statements in conformity with GAAP to be derived therefrom.

 

SECTION 8.8                                             Maintenance of Properties.  ExceptSolely for the benefit of the First Lien Term Loan Lender Parties, except if the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, keep and maintain all of its material properties and equipment used in the operation of its business in good working order, repair and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted and casualty or condemnation excepted.

 

SECTION 8.9                                             Use of Proceeds.  Use the proceeds of theSolely for the benefit of the First Lien Term Loan Lender Parties, use the proceeds of the Loans only in compliance with (and not in contravention of) applicable Laws and each Loan Document.  Solely for the benefit of

 

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the Lenders holding Tranche B-2 Loans, use the proceeds of the Tranche B-2 Loans only in compliance with (and not in contravention of) applicable Laws and each Loan Document.

 

SECTION 8.10                                      Compliance with Environmental Laws.  ExceptSolely for the benefit of the First Lien Term Loan Lender Parties, except, in each case, to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, (a) comply, and take all commercially reasonable actions to cause any lessees, tenants and subtenants to comply with all applicable Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits; (b) obtain and renew all Environmental Permits necessary for its operations and properties; and, (c) in each case to the extent required by applicable Environmental Laws, conduct any investigation, study, sampling and testing, and undertake any cleanup, removal, remedial or other action necessary to remove and clean up all Hazardous Materials from any of its properties, in accordance with the requirements of all applicable Environmental Laws.

 

SECTION 8.11                                      Covenant to Guarantee Obligations and Give Security.  At the Borrower’s expense, subject to the provisions of the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement and any applicable limitation in any Collateral Document, take all action necessary or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent to ensure that the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement is satisfied, including:

 

(a)                                 (x) upon the formation or acquisition of any new Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Material Domestic Subsidiary (in each case, other than an Excluded Subsidiary, but including any Subsidiary that ceases to constitute an Excluded Subsidiary) by any Loan Party, the designation in accordance with Section 8.3 of any existing Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Material Domestic Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or any Subsidiary becoming a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Material Domestic Subsidiary, (y) upon the acquisition of any material assets (including Material Real Propertyfee-owned real property) by the Borrower or any other Loan Party or (z) with respect to any Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Loan Party, for any material assets held by such Subsidiary (in each case, other than (1) assets constituting Collateral under a Collateral Document that becomes subject to the Lien created by such Collateral Document upon acquisition thereof (without limitation of the obligations to perfect such Lien), and (2) Excluded Property (as defined in the Security Agreement)):

 

(i)                                     within forty-five (45) days after such formation, acquisition or designation or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion, cause each such Material Domestic Subsidiary that is required to become a Guarantor under the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to furnish to the Collateral Agent a description of the Material Real Propertiesfee-owned real properties owned by such Material Domestic Subsidiary in detail reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent;

 

(ii)                                  within forty-five (45) days after such formation, acquisition or designation or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion, cause each such Material Domestic Subsidiary that is required to become a Guarantor pursuant to the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to duly execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent, Security Agreement Supplements, Intellectual Property Security Agreements and other security agreements and documents, as reasonably requested by and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (consistent with the Security Agreement,

 

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Intellectual Property Security Agreements and other Collateral Documents in effect on the Effective Date), in each case granting Liens required by the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement; provided that Holdings, the Borrower and any of their respective Subsidiaries shall not be required to enter into any Collateral Documents or other pledge or security agreements governed or purported to be governed by foreign law;

 

(iii)                               within forty-five (45) days after such formation, acquisition or designation or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion, cause each such Material Domestic Subsidiary that is required to become a Guarantor pursuant to the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to deliver (A) any and all certificates representing Equity Interests (to the extent certificated) that are required to be pledged pursuant to the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement, accompanied by undated stock powers or other appropriate instruments of transfer executed in blank (or any other documents customary under local law) and (B) instruments evidencing the intercompany Indebtedness held by such Material Domestic Subsidiary and required to be pledged pursuant to the Collateral Documents, indorsed in blank to the Collateral Agent; provided that no such Material Domestic Subsidiary shall be required to enter into any Collateral Documents or other pledge or security agreements governed or purported to be governed by foreign law;

 

(iv)                              within forty-five (45) days after such formation, acquisition or designation or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion, take and cause the applicable Material Domestic Subsidiary and each direct or indirect parent of the applicable Material Domestic Subsidiary that is required to become a Guarantor pursuant to the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to take whatever action (including the filing of UCC financing statements and delivery of stock and membership interest certificates to the extent certificated) may be necessary in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent to vest in the Collateral Agent (or in any representative of the Collateral Agent designated by it) valid Liens required by the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement, enforceable against all third parties in accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by Debtor Relief Laws and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law); provided that no such Material Domestic Subsidiary shall be required to enter into any Collateral Documents or other pledge or security documents governed or purported to be governed by foreign law; and

 

(v)                                 within forty-five (45) days after the written request therefor by the Administrative Agent (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion), deliver to the Administrative Agent a signed copy of a legal opinion, addressed to the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, of counsel for the Loan Parties reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent as to such matters set forth in this Section 8.11(a) as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request; and

 

(vi)                              after the Effective Date, promptly after the acquisition of any Material Real Propertyfee-owned real property by any Loan Party other than Holdings, if such Material Real Propertyfee-owned real property shall not already be subject to a perfected Lien pursuant to Section 8.13, the Borrower shall give notice thereof to the Collateral Agent and will take, or cause the relevant Loan Party to take, the actions set forth in Section 8.13(b) with respect to such Material Real Propertyfee-owned real property.

 

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SECTION 8.12                                      Interest Rate Protection.  No later than 180 days following the Effective Date, enter into and thereafter maintain for a minimum of two and one half (2½) years interest rate Swap Contracts with one or more counterparties reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and with terms and conditions (taken as a whole) reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent that result in at least 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the Loans being effectively subject to a fixed or maximum interest rate reasonably determined by the Borrower.

 

SECTION 8.13                                      Further Assurances and Post-Closing Covenants.  Subject to the provisions of the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement and any applicable limitations in any Collateral Document and in each case at the reasonable expense of the Loan Parties:

 

(a)                                 Promptly upon reasonable request by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent or as may be required by applicable law (i) correct any material defect or error that is discovered in the execution, acknowledgment, filing or recordation of any Collateral Document or other document or instrument relating to any Collateral, and (ii) do, execute, acknowledge, deliver, record, re-record, file, re-file, register and re-register any and all such further acts, deeds, certificates, assurances and other instruments as the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent may reasonably request from time to time, in order to grant, preserve and perfect the security interests created or intended to be created by the Collateral Documents.

 

(b)                                 In the case of Material Real Propertyfee-owned real property, provide the Collateral Agent with a Mortgage with respect to such Material Real Propertyfee-owned real property within (x) in the case of Material Real Propertyfee-owned real property owned by the Loan Parties on Amendment No. 3 Effective Date that is not already subject to a Mortgage, ninety (90) days (or such longer period as the Collateral Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) after the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date or the date, if later, on which any such property ceases to be Excluded Real Property, and (y) in the case of fee-owned real property acquired by the Loan Parties after the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date, ninety (90) days (or such longer period as the Collateral Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) after the acquisition of such Material Real Property, (y) in the case of Material Real Property constituting distribution centers owned by the Loan Parties after the Effective Date, ninety (90) days (or such longer period as the Collateral Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) after the Effective Date and (z) in the case of Material Real Property (other than distribution centers) owned by the Loan Parties on the Effective Date, ninety (90) days (or such longer period as the Collateral Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) after the first anniversary of the Effective Date; provided that, any Designated Sale-Leasebackfee-owned real property; provided that, any Excluded Real Property shall not be subject to the requirements of this clause (b); in each case together with:

 

(i)                                     evidence that counterparts of the Mortgage have been duly executed, acknowledged and delivered and that such Mortgages are in form suitable for filing or recording in all filing or recording offices that the Collateral Agent deems reasonably necessary or desirable in order to create a valid and subsisting perfected Lien on the property and/or rights described therein in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties and that all filing and recording taxes and fees have been paid or otherwise provided for in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent;

 

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(ii)                                  solely with respect to any Material Real Property, a fully paid American Land Title Association Lender’s Extended Coverage title insurance policy or the equivalent or other form available in each applicable jurisdiction (the “Mortgage Policies”) in form and substance, with endorsements available in the applicable jurisdiction and in amount, reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent (not to exceed the lesser of (i) the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of the real properties covered thereby and (ii) the aggregate amounts of Loans and Incremental Loans), issued, coinsured and reinsured by title insurers reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent, insuring the Mortgage to be a valid Liens on the property described therein, subject only to Liens permitted by Section 9.1, and providing for such other affirmative insurance (including endorsements for future advances under the Loan Documents) and such coinsurance and direct access reinsurance as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request and is available in the applicable jurisdiction;

 

(iii)                               an opinion of local counsel for the Loan Parties in the state in which the Material RealMortgaged Property is located, with respect to the enforceability and perfection of the Mortgages and any related fixture filing in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; and

 

(iv)                              such other evidence that all other actions that the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent reasonably deems necessary or desirable in order to create a valid Lien on the property described in the Mortgage has been taken; and

 

(v)                                 a life of loan flood hazard determination with respect to all such Mortgaged Property and, if such real property is located in a special flood hazard area, evidence of flood insurance in such amounts as are required by applicable law.

 

(c)                                  As promptly as practicable, and in any event within the time periods after the Effective Date specified in Schedule 8.13 or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its discretion, the Loan Parties shall deliver the documents or take the actions specified in Schedule 8.13, in each case except to the extent otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent in its discretion.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions set forth in this Article VIII are solely for the benefit of the First Lien Term Loan Lender Parties, other than Sections 8.3, 8.5, 8.11 and 8.13, which shall also apply to any Lender holding Tranche B-2 Loans after giving effect to the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

Until the Discharge of Obligations, solely for the benefit of the First Lien Term Loan Lender Parties, Holdings and the Borrower shall not, nor shall the Borrower permit any Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

SECTION 9.1                                             Liens.  Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than the following:

 

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(a)                                 (i) Liens created pursuant to any Loan Document(x) any Loan Document or securing any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, (ii) Liens on the Collateral securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.3(x) and related Indebtedness under Section 9.3(y), so long as such Liens are subject to the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement and (iii) Junior Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.3(q) and related Indebtedness under Section 9.3(y), so long as such Liens are subject to the Notes Intercreditor Agreement;

 

(b)                                 Liens existing on the date hereofEffective Date and set forth on Schedule 9.1(b);

 

(c)                                  Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges that are not overdue for a period of more than thirty (30) days or that are not subject to penalties for non-payment or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate actions for which appropriate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP;

 

(d)                                 statutory or common law Liens of landlords, carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen, repairmen, construction contractors or other like Liens or other customary Liens in favor of landlords, so long as, in each case, such Liens secure amounts not overdue for a period of more than thirty (30) days or, if more than thirty (30) days overdue, are unfiled and no other action has been taken to enforce such Lien or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate actions, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;

 

(e)                                  (i) pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation or (ii) deposits in the ordinary course of business securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance to Holdings, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(f)                                   (i) good faith deposits to secure the performance of bids, tenders, contracts and leases (other than Indebtedness for borrowed money), public or statutory obligations, surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds, performance bonds, other obligations of a like nature (including those to secure health, safety and environmental obligations) and deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business and (ii) Liens in favor of issuers of performance and surety bonds or bid bonds or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of a Loan Party in the ordinary course of business;

 

(g)                                  easements, rights-of-way, restrictions (including zoning restrictions), encroachments, protrusions and other similar encumbrances, minor survey exceptions and title defects affecting real property or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties, in each case, that were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and that, in the aggregate, do not in any case materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or

 

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materially impair the use of the property for its intended purpose, and any other exceptions to title on the Mortgage Policies accepted by the Collateral Agent in accordance with this Agreement;

 

(h)                                 Liens arising from judgments or orders for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under Section 10.1(g) and notices of lis pendens and associated rights related to litigation being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been made;

 

(i)                                     Liens securing obligations in respect of Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.3(e) (provided that such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness, replacements thereof and improvements, additions and accessions to such property and the proceeds and the products thereof and customary security deposits; provided that individual financings of equipment provided by one lender or lessor may be cross collateralized to other financings of equipment provided by such lender or lessor);

 

(j)                                    leases, licenses, subleases or sublicenses granted to others in the ordinary course of business (including with respect to real property) which do not (i) interfere in any material respect with the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) secure any Indebtedness;

 

(k)                                 Liens (i) in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business and (ii) on specific items of inventory or other goods (and the proceeds of the foregoing) of any Loan Party securing such Loan Party’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances or letters of credit issued or created for the account of such Loan Party to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or such other goods in the ordinary course of business;

 

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

 

(m)                             Liens (i) on, or consisting of, cash advances in favor of the seller of any property to be acquired in an Investment permitted pursuant to Sections 9.2(i), (m), (r) or (s) to be applied against the purchase price for such Investment or (ii) consisting of an agreement to Dispose of any property in a Disposition permitted under Section 9.5, in each case, solely to the extent such Investment or Disposition, as the case may be, would have been permitted on the date of the creation of such Lien;

 

(n)                                 Liens on property of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor securing Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary incurred pursuant to Section 9.3(r);

 

(o)                                 Liens in favor of Holdings, the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(p)                                 Liens existing on property or shares of stock of a Person at the time of its acquisition or existing on the property of any Person at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (other than by designation as a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 8.3), in each case after the Effective Date; provided that (i) such Lien does not extend to or cover

 

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any other assets or property or shares of stock (other than (A) the proceeds or products thereof, (B) improvements, additions and accessions to such property, and (C) after-acquired property of such acquired Restricted Subsidiary to the extent that such property is of a type covered by such Lien at such time of acquisition), and (ii) any Indebtedness secured thereby is permitted under Sections 9.3(e), (i) or (u);

 

(q)                                 any interest or title of a lessor, sublessor, licensor or sublicensor or secured by a lessor’s, sublessor’s, licensor’s or sublicensor’s interest under leases (other than Capitalized Leases) or licenses entered into by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

(r)                                    Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sale of goods entered into by Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

(s)                                   Liens solely on, or consisting of, any cash earnest money deposits made by Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Acquisition permitted under this Agreement or any other Investment or any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted hereunder;

 

(t)                                    ground leases in respect of real property on which facilities owned or leased by Holdings, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries are located;

 

(u)                                 purported Liens evidenced by the filing of precautionary UCC and PPSA financing statements or similar public filings;

 

(v)                                 Liens securing obligations in respect of Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.3(p)(i) and obligations in respect of any Secured Hedge Agreement and any Cash Management Obligation (in each case, as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement) permitted under Section 9.3(p)(ii) (or, in each case, any Permitted Refinancing in respect thereof, and subject to (x) the Intercreditor Agreement, or, in the case of any Permitted Refinancing thereof, another intercreditor agreement containing terms, taken as a whole, that are at least as favorable to the Secured Parties as those contained in the Intercreditor Agreement, taken as a whole and (y) to the extent applicable, the Notes Intercreditor Agreement);

 

(w)                               Liens (i) of a collecting bank arising under Section 4-208 of the UCC on the items in the course of collection, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodities brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and (iii) in favor of a banking or other financial institution arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits or other funds maintained with a financial institution (including the right of set off) and that are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry;

 

(x)                                 any zoning, building code or similar law or right reserved to or vested in any Governmental Authority to control or regulate the use of any real property that does not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

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(y)                                 the modification, replacement, renewal or extension (or successive modifications, replacements, renewals or extensions), in whole or in part, of any Lien permitted by clauses (b) and (p) of this Section 9.1; provided that (i) the Lien does not extend to any additional property other than (A) after-acquired property that is affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien or financed by Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.3(e), and (B) proceeds and products thereof, and (ii) the renewal, extension or refinancing of the obligations secured or benefited by such Liens is permitted by Section 9.3;

 

(z)                                  rights of set-off against credit balances of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with Credit Card Issuers or Credit Card Processors (each as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement) or amounts owing by such Credit Card Issuers or Credit Card Processors to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, but not rights of set-off against any other property or assets of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the Credit Card Agreements (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement), as in effect on the date hereofEffective Date, to secure the obligations of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to the Credit Card Issuers or Credit Card Processors as a result of fees and chargebacks;

 

(aa)                          without duplication of any other clause of this Section 9.1, other Liens securing obligations outstanding in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $25,000,000 at any time outstanding;

 

(bb)                          Liens that are contractual rights of setoff (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks or other deposit-taking financial institutions in the ordinary course of business and not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness or (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of Holdings, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(cc)                            Liens on the Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries or Joint Ventures; provided that any such Lien is in favor of a creditor or partner of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture, as applicable;

 

(dd)                          Liens of the Escrow Agent on the Escrowed Funds and any Lien contemplated under the Escrow Agreement; and

 

(ee)                            customary Liens granted to an indenture trustee or similar representative to secure fees, expenses and other amounts owed to such Person under the terms of the related indenture or other definitive documentation.

 

SECTION 9.2                                             Investments.

 

Make or hold any Investments, except, subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 9.14:

 

(a)                                 Investments by Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in assets that are, and the use of, cash and Cash Equivalents;

 

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(b)                                 loans or advances to officers, directors, employees and consultants of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (i) for reasonable business-related travel, entertainment, relocation and similar ordinary business purposes, (ii) in connection with such Person’s purchase of Equity Interests of the Borrower or Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) and (iii) for any other purpose, in an aggregate principal amount outstanding under this clause (iii) not to exceed $5,000,0001,000,000 (or, upon and after the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, $2,500,000);

 

(c)                                  Investments (i) by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Loan Party in the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Loan Party, (ii) by any Non-Loan Party in any other Non-Loan Party that is a Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) by any Non-Loan Party in the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Loan Party and (iv) without duplication of any other clauses of this Section 9.2, by any Loan Party in any Non-Loan Party that is a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (A) any such Investments made pursuant to this clause (iv) in the form of intercompany loans shall be evidenced by notes that have been pledged to the extent required by the Collateral Documents, the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement, Section 8.11 or Section 8.13 (individually or pursuant to a global note) to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Lenders (it being understood and agreed that any Investments permitted under this clause (iv) that are not so evidenced as of the Effective Date are not required to be so evidenced and pledged until the date that is sixty (60) days after the Effective Date (or such later date as may be consented to by the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed))) and (B) the aggregate amount of Investments made pursuant to this clause (iv) shall not exceed $15,000,0005,000,000 at any time outstanding (determined at the time such Investment was made);

 

(d)                                 Investments consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business, and Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors and other credits to suppliers in the ordinary course of business;

 

(e)                                  Investments consisting of Liens, Indebtedness, fundamental changes, Dispositions and Restricted Payments permitted under Sections 9.1, 9.3 (other than 9.3(c)(ii) or (d)), 9.4 (other than 9.4(c)(ii), (d) or (e)), 9.5 (other than 9.5(d)(ii) or (e)) and 9.6 (other than 9.6(d) or (g)(iv)), respectively;

 

(f)                                   Investments existing on the date hereofEffective Date or made pursuant to legally binding commitment in existence on the Effective Date, in each case, set forth on Schedule 9.2(f) and any modification, replacement, renewal, reinvestment or extension of any of the foregoing; provided that the amount of any Investment permitted pursuant to this Section 9.2(f) is not increased from the amount of such Investment on the Effective Date except pursuant to the terms of such Investment as of the Effective Date (including the terms of any legally binding commitment in respect thereof in effect as of the Effective Date) or as otherwise permitted by another clause of this Section 9.2;

 

(g)                                  Investments in Swap Contracts permitted under Section 9.3;

 

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(h)                                 promissory notes and other non-cash consideration that is permitted to be received in connection with Dispositions permitted by Section 9.5;

 

(i)                                     Permitted Acquisitions; provided that, prior to the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, (i) no extensions of credit under the ABL Facility shall be utilized to finance any Permitted Acquisition and (ii) no Permitted Acquisition of Subsidiaries that do not become Guarantors or assets that do not become Collateral (other than assets of the type constituting “Excluded Property” or a similar term under any Collateral Document) shall be permitted;

 

(j)                                    Investments made to effect the Transaction;

 

(k)                                 Investments (including debt obligations and Equity Interests) received in connection with the bankruptcy, workout, recapitalization or reorganization of suppliers and customers or in settlement of delinquent obligations of, or other disputes with, customers, suppliers or other issuer of an Investment or upon the foreclosure with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

 

(l)                                     loans and advances to Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) in lieu of, and not in excess of the amount of (after giving effect to any other loans, advances or Restricted Payments in respect thereof), Restricted Payments to the extent permitted to be made to Holdings (or such direct or indirect parent) in accordance with Section 9.6(f) or (g);

 

(m)                             without duplication of any other clauses of this Section 9.2, other Investments that do not exceed when combined with all Restricted Payments made under Section 9.6(k), the greater of $40,000,000 and 2.0% of Total Assets (determined as of the date such Investment was made)$5,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding;

 

(n)                                 advances of payroll payments to employees in the ordinary course of business;

 

(o)                                 Investments to the extent that payment for such Investments is made solely with Qualified Equity Interests of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof);

 

(p)                                 Investments held by a Restricted Subsidiary acquired after the Effective Date or of a Person merged into the Borrower or merged or consolidated with a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 9.4 after the Effective Date to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger or consolidation;

 

(q)                                 Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of UCC Article 3 endorsements for collection or deposit and UCC Article 4 customary trade arrangements with customers consistent with past practices;

 

(r)                                    without duplication of any other clause of this Section 9.2, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may make other Investments fromout of the Available Amount as long as the Payment Conditions are satisfied with respect thereto;

 

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(s)                                   Investments made by any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to the extent such Investments are financed with the proceeds received by such Restricted Subsidiary from an Investment made pursuant to clauses (c)(iv), (i) or (m) of this Section 9.2.

 

(t)                                    Guarantees by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of leases (other than Capitalized Leases) or of other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(u)                                 Investments consisting of cash earnest money deposits made in accordance with Section 9.1(s);

 

(v)                                 Investments in Joint Ventures in an aggregate amount outstanding at any time under this clause (v) not to exceed $15,000,0002,500,000;

 

(w)                               Investments consisting of the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons;

 

(x)                                 Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials, services or equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(y)                                 to the extent constituting an Investment, the exercise by Holdings of its rights under the Shareholders Agreement.

 

SECTION 9.3                                             Indebtedness.

 

Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness or issue any Disqualified Equity Interest, other than, subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 9.14:

 

(a)                                 Indebtedness under the Loan Documents and Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness;

 

(b)                                 (i) Indebtedness existing on the date hereofEffective Date set forth on Schedule 9.3(b) and any Permitted Refinancing thereof and (ii) intercompany Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereofEffective Date; provided that all such Indebtedness of any Loan Party owed to any Non-Loan Party shall be subject to the Intercompany Subordination Agreement;

 

(c)                                  (i) Guarantees by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries otherwise permitted hereunder (other than Guarantees by a Loan Party of Indebtedness of a Non-Loan Party and except that a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party may not, by virtue of this Section 9.3(c), Guarantee Indebtedness that such Restricted Subsidiary could not otherwise incur under this Section 9.3); provided that (A) no Guarantee by any Restricted Subsidiary of any Junior Financing shall be permitted unless such Restricted Subsidiary shall have also provided a Guarantee of the Obligations substantially on the terms set forth in the Guaranty, and (B) if the Indebtedness being Guaranteed is subordinated to the Obligations, such Guarantee shall be subordinated to the Guaranty on terms (taken as a whole) at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the subordination terms of such Indebtedness (taken as a whole), and (ii) any Guarantee by a Loan

 

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Party of Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that would have been permitted as an Investment by such Loan Party in such Restricted Subsidiary under Section 9.2(c);

 

(d)                                 Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries owing to the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary to the extent constituting an Investment permitted by Section 9.2; provided that all such Indebtedness of any Loan Party owed to any Person that is not a Loan Party shall be subject to the Intercompany Subordination Agreement;

 

(e)                                  (i) Capitalized Lease Obligations of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, (ii) mortgage financings and other purchase money obligations or Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) Disqualified Equity Interests issued by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case, incurred to finance the acquisition, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement of property, real or personal, and whether through the direct purchase of property or the Equity Interests of any Person owning such property; provided that such Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests is incurred prior to or within two hundred seventy (270) days after the applicable acquisition, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement; provided further that the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness and Disqualified Equity Interests at any one time outstanding incurred pursuant to this clause (e) (and any Permitted Refinancing thereof) shall not exceed the greater of $50,000,000 and 2.75% of Total Assets (measured at the time of incurrence); provided, further, that the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness incurred on behalf of or representing Guarantees of Indebtedness of Joint Ventures of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary under this clause (e) shall not exceed $10,000,000 at any time outstanding;

 

(f)                                   Indebtedness in respect of Swap Contracts that are not for speculative purposes and that are designed to hedge against Holdings’, the Borrower’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s exposure to interest rates, foreign exchange rates or commodities pricing risks;

 

(g)                                  Indebtedness representing deferred compensation to employees of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(h)                                 Indebtedness to future, current or former officers, directors, managers, consultants and employees of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) and its Restricted Subsidiaries, their respective estates, spouses or former spouses, in each case, to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower) permitted by Section 9.6(f);

 

(i)                                     Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in an Acquisition permitted under this Agreement, any other Investment expressly permitted hereunder or any Disposition, in each case to the extent constituting indemnification obligations or obligations in respect of purchase price (including earn-outs) or other similar adjustments; provided, in the case of any Disposition, any such Indebtedness shall at no time exceed the gross proceeds, including the Fair Market Value of non-cash proceeds (measured at the time received and without giving effect to any subsequent changes in value), actually received by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such Disposition;

 

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(j)                                    Indebtedness consisting of obligations of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries under deferred compensation or other similar arrangements with employees incurred by such Person in connection with the Transaction and Acquisitions expressly permitted under this Agreement or any other Investment expressly permitted hereunder;

 

(k)                                 Cash Management Obligations and other Indebtedness in respect of netting services, automatic clearinghouse arrangements, overdraft protections, employee credit card programs and other cash management and similar arrangements in the ordinary course of business and any Guarantees thereof;

 

(l)                                     Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference at any time outstanding not to exceed the greater of $75,000,000 and 4.0% of Total Assets (measured at the time of incurrence);

 

(m)                             Indebtedness consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take-or-pay obligations contained in ordinary course supply arrangements;

 

(n)                                 Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees, bankers’ acceptances, warehouse receipts or similar instruments issued or created in the ordinary course of business, including in respect of workers compensation claims, health, disability or other benefits to employees, former employees or their families or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or letters of credit in connection with the maintenance, or pursuant to the requirements, of environmental or other permits or licenses from Governmental Authorities, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers compensation claims;

 

(o)                                 obligationsIndebtedness (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bank guarantees) in respect of performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and performance and completion guarantees and similar obligations provided by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry practice;

 

(p)                                 (i) Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $225,000,000200,000,000 at any time outstanding under the ABL Facility and (ii) the amount of obligations in respect of (ii)(A) obligations under Secured Hedge Agreements and (B) Cash Management Obligations (in the case of each of the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement) at any time outstanding and not incurred in violation of Section 9.3(f), in each case and, in respect of clauses (i) and (ii), any Permitted Refinancing thereof;

 

(q)                                 (i) Indebtedness in respect of the Senior Notes (including any guarantees thereof) and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing thereof;

 

(r)                                    Indebtedness incurred by a Non-Loan Party which, when aggregated with the principal amount of all other Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (r) and then outstanding, does not exceed $25,000,000, at any one time outstanding;

 

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(s)                                   other unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor; provided that (i) the maturity date and Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Indebtedness are at least ninety-one (91) days after the Latest Maturity Date determined at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness (and any Permitted Refinancing thereof); (ii) no Event of Default exists immediately prior to, or would thereafter result from, the incurrence of such Indebtedness; (iii) the Total Leverage Ratio as of the end of the most recently ended Test Period for which financial statements have been or are required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or (b) shall not be greater than 4.50 to 1.00 after giving Pro Forma Effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness as if such Indebtedness had been incurred as of the first day of such period; and (iv) the terms and conditions of such Indebtedness (except (A) as otherwise provided in clause (i) above, (B) with respect to pricing (including interest rate, fees, funding discounts and other pricing terms), prepayment or other premiums, optional prepayment or redemption terms and subordination, and (C) for covenants or other provisions applicable only to periods after the Latest Maturity Date determined at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness) are (taken as a whole) are no more favorable to the lenders or holders providing such Indebtedness than those under the Loan Documents, taken as a whole (provided that a certificate of a Responsible Officer delivered to the Administrative Agent at least five (5) Business Days prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such Indebtedness or drafts of the material documentation relating thereto, stating that the Borrower has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the requirement of this clause (iv) shall be conclusive evidence that such terms and conditions satisfy such requirement unless the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower within such five (5) Business Day period that it disagrees with such determination (including a reasonably detailed description of the basis upon which it disagrees));

 

(t)                                    Indebtedness in respect of letters of credit issued for the account of any of the Subsidiaries of Holdings to finance the purchase of inventory so long as (x) such Indebtedness is unsecured and (y) the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness does not exceed $7,500,000 at any time;

 

(u)                                 Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests (i) of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred to finance any Acquisition permitted under this Agreement and any Permitted Refinancing thereof, (ii) of any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after the date hereofEffective Date, which Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests is existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, and is not incurred in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary that is non-recourse to the Borrower, Holdings or any other Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Subsidiary of such Person that is a Subsidiary on the date such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary) and is either (A) unsecured or (B) secured only by Liens on the assets of such Restricted Subsidiary permitted under Section 9.1(p) and, in each case, any Permitted Refinancing thereof, and (iii) of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred or assumed in connection with any Acquisition permitted under this Agreement that is secured only by Liens permitted under Section 9.1(p) (and any Permitted Refinancing of any of the foregoing), so long as the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests and all Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests resulting from any Permitted Refinancing thereof at any time outstanding pursuant to this clause (u)(iii) does not exceed $35,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding together with all other Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests incurred or assumed by Non-Loan Parties under this Section 9.3(u);

 

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(v)                                 Indebtedness due to any landlord in connection with the financing by such landlord of leasehold improvements;

 

(w)                               Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary supported by, and recourse only to, a letter of credit permitted under this Section 9.3, in a principal amount not in excess of the face amount of such letter of credit;

 

(x)                                 (i) Indebtedness in respect of the Second Lien Facility incurred or deemed incurred on the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date plus (A) the aggregate principal amount of any Tranche B-2 Loans converted into and /or exchanged for loans under the Second Lien Facility in accordance with Section 12.2(k)(i)(y) and (B) any Permitted Refinancing of any Tranche B-2 Loans into loans under the Second Lien Facility, and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing thereof; and

 

(y)                                 (x) all premiums (if any), interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges and additional, capitalized or contingent interest on obligations described in clauses (a) through (wx) above.

 

The accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value and the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests, as applicable, the accretion of original issue discount, fees or expenses, the accretion of liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies shall not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests for purposes of this Section 9.3.

 

SECTION 9.4                                             Fundamental Changes.  Merge, amalgamate, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate with or into or wind up or convert into another Person, or Dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person, except that:

 

(a)                                 Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into, or convert or wind up into the Borrower (including a merger, the purpose of which is to reorganize the Borrower into a new jurisdiction); provided that (x) the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person, (y) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, conversion or winding up does not result in the Borrower ceasing to be organized under the Laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and (z) in the case of a merger, consolidation or amalgamation of Holdings with and into or converting or winding up into the Borrower, Holdings shall not be an obligor in respect of any Indebtedness that is not permitted to be Indebtedness of the Borrower under this Agreement, shall have no direct Subsidiaries at the time of such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, conversion or winding up other than the Borrower and, after giving effect to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, conversion or winding up, the direct parent of the Borrower shall expressly assume all the obligations of Holdings under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which Holdings is a party pursuant to a supplement hereto or thereto in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

 

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(b)                                 (i) any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into or convert or wind up into any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party, (ii) any Restricted Subsidiary may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into or convert or wind up into any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a Loan Party, (iii) any merger, consolidation, amalgamation, conversion or winding up the sole purpose of which is to reincorporate or reorganize a Loan Party in another jurisdiction in the United States shall be permitted and (iv) any Restricted Subsidiary may wind up, liquidate, convert or dissolve or change its legal form if the Borrower determines in good faith that such action is in the best interests of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries and is not materially disadvantageous to the LendersFirst Lien Term Loan Lender Parties; provided, in the case of clauses (ii) through (iv) of this paragraph (b), that (A) no Event of Default shall result therefrom, (B) no Change of Control shall result therefrom and (C) the surviving Person (or, with respect to clause (iv), the Person who receives the assets of such dissolving or liquidated Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor) shall be a Loan Party;

 

(c)                                  any Restricted Subsidiary may Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to the Borrower or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor in such a transaction is a Loan Party, then (i) the transferee must be a Loan Party or (ii) such Investment must be a permitted Investment in a Restricted Subsidiary which is not a Loan Party in accordance with Section 9.2 (other than clause (e) thereof) and must be a permitted Disposition in accordance with Section 9.5;

 

(d)                                 so long as no Default would exist immediately after giving effect thereto, the Borrower may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into, or convert into, any other Person; provided that (i) the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving corporation or (ii) if the Person formed by or surviving any such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or conversion is not the Borrower (any such Person, the “Successor Borrower”), (A) the Successor Borrower shall be an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof, (B) the Successor Borrower shall expressly assume all the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a party pursuant to a supplement hereto or thereto in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (C) each Guarantor, unless it is the other party to such merger, consolidation or amalgamation, shall have by a supplement to the Guaranty confirmed that its Guarantee of the Obligations shall apply to the Successor Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement, (D) each Loan Party, unless it is the other party to such merger, consolidation or amalgamation, shall have by a supplement to the Security Agreement confirmed that its obligations thereunder shall apply to the Successor Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement, (E) each mortgagor of a Mortgaged Property, unless it is the other party to such merger, consolidation or amalgamation, shall have by an amendment to or restatement of the applicable Mortgage (or other instrument reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent) confirmed that its obligations thereunder shall apply to the Successor Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement, and (F) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or conversion and such supplement to this Agreement or any Collateral Document comply with this Agreement; provided, further, that if the foregoing are satisfied, the Successor Borrower will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Borrower under this Agreement;

 

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(e)                                  so long as no Default would exist immediately after giving effect thereto, any Restricted Subsidiary may merge, consolidate, amalgamate with or into, or convert or wind up into any other Person in order to effect an Investment permitted pursuant to Section 9.2 (other than Section 9.2(e)); provided that the continuing or surviving Person shall be the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, which together with each of the Restricted Subsidiaries, shall have complied with the applicable requirements of Sections 8.11 and 8.13;

 

(f)                                   the Transaction may be consummated; and

 

(g)                                  so long as no Default would exist immediately after giving effect thereto, a merger, dissolution, liquidation, consolidation, amalgamation, conversion, winding up or Disposition, the purpose of which is to effect a Disposition permitted pursuant to Section 9.5 (other than Section 9.5(e)).

 

SECTION 9.5                                             Dispositions.  Make any Disposition, except:

 

(a)                                 Dispositions of obsolete, worn out or damaged property or equipment, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in the ordinary course of business;

 

(b)                                 Dispositions of inventory and goods held for sale in the ordinary course of business;

 

(c)                                  Dispositions of property to the extent that (i) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property or (ii) the proceeds of such Disposition are promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement property; provided that to the extent the property being transferred constitutes Term Priority Collateral, such replacement property shall constitute Term Priority Collateral;

 

(d)                                 Dispositions of property to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor of such property is a Loan Party (i) the transferee thereof must be a Loan Party, (ii) to the extent constituting a Disposition to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, such Disposition must be a permitted Investment in a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in accordance with Section 9.2 (other than Section 9.2(e)) or (iii) to the extent constituting a Disposition to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, such Disposition is for fair value (as determined by the Person making such Disposition in good faith) and any promissory note or other non-cash consideration received in respect thereof is a permitted Investment in a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in accordance with Section 9.2 (other than Section 9.2(e) or (h));

 

(e)                                  Dispositions permitted by Section 9.2 (other than Section 9.2(e)), Section 9.4 (other than Section 9.4(g)) and Section 9.6 (other than Section 9.6(d)) and Liens permitted by Section 9.1 (other than Section 9.1(m)(ii));

 

(f)                                   Dispositions of property pursuant to Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transactions;

 

(g)                                  any issuance or sale of Equity Interests in, or issuance or sale of Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

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(h)                                 leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses (including the provision of software under an open source license), in each case in the ordinary course of business and which do not materially interfere with the business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

(i)                                     Dispositions of property subject to Recovery Events;

 

(j)                                    Dispositions of property (other than in connection with any sale and leaseback transaction) not otherwise permitted under this Section 9.5; provided that: (i) at the time of such Disposition (other than any such Disposition made pursuant to a legally binding commitment entered into at a time when no Default would exist immediately after giving effect thereto), no Default would exist immediately after giving effect to such Disposition; and (ii) the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries shall receive not less than 75% of such consideration in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents (in each case, free and clear of all Liens at the time received, other than Liens permitted by Section 9.1); provided, however, that for the purposes of this clause (ii), (A) any liabilities (as shown on the Borrower’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet provided hereunder or in the footnotes thereto) of the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated in right of payment to the payment in cash of the Obligations (other than contingent indemnification and reimbursement obligations as to which no claim has been asserted by the Person entitled thereto), that are assumed by the transferee with respect to the applicable Disposition and for which the Borrower and all of the Restricted Subsidiaries shall have been validly released by all applicable creditors in writing, (B) any securities received by such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by such Restricted Subsidiary into cash (to the extent of the cash received) within one hundred eighty (180) days following the closing of the applicable Disposition and (C) any Designated Non-Cash Consideration received in respect of such Disposition having an aggregate Fair Market Value as determined by the Borrower in good faith, taken together with all other Designated Non-Cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (C) that is at that time outstanding, not in excess of the greater of $25,000,000 and 1.5% of Total Assets (measured at the time such Designated Non-Cash Consideration is received), with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value, shall be deemed to be cash;

 

(k)                                 Dispositions of Investments in Joint Ventures to the extent required by, or made pursuant to customary buy/sell arrangements between, the Joint Venture parties set forth in Joint Venture arrangements and similar binding arrangements;

 

(l)                                     bulk sales or other Dispositions of the inventory of a Loan Party not in the ordinary course of business in connection with Store closings, at arm’s length;

 

(m)                             the unwinding of any Swap Contract;

 

(n)                                 the lapse or abandonment in the ordinary course of business of any registrations or applications for registration of any IP Rights that are immaterial to the business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

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(o)                                 to the extent allowable under Section 1031 of the Code (or comparable or successor provision) of comparable or greater market value or usefulness to the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, any exchange of like property (excluding any boot thereon permitted by such provision) for use in any business conducted by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries that is not in contravention of Section 9.7;

 

(p)                                 Dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with the collection or compromise thereof other than in connection with a financing transaction;

 

(q)                                 sales or other Dispositions by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of assets in connection with the closing or sale of a Store in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries which consist of leasehold interests in the premises of such Store, the equipment and fixtures located at such premises and the books and records relating directly to the operations of such Store; provided that as to each and all such sales and closings, (A) no Event of Default shall result therefrom and (B) each such sale shall be on commercially reasonable prices and terms in a bona fide arm’s length transaction; and

 

(r)                                    Dispositions of cash and Cash Equivalents;

 

provided that any Disposition of any property pursuant to this Section 9.5 (except pursuant to Sections 9.5(a), (d)(i), (e), (i), (k), (m), (n), (o) and (p) and except for Dispositions from the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Loan Party to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Loan Party), shall be for no less than the Fair Market Value of such property at the time of such Disposition as determined by the Borrower in good faith.  To the extent any Collateral is Disposed of as expressly permitted by this Section 9.5 to any Person other than a Loan Party, such Collateral shall be sold free and clear of the Liens created by the Loan Documents, and, if requested by the Administrative Agent, upon the certification by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower that such Disposition is permitted by this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to take any actions deemed appropriate in order to effect the foregoing.

 

SECTION 9.6                                             Restricted Payments.  Declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except, subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 9.14:

 

(a)                                 each Restricted Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to the Borrower and to its other Restricted Subsidiaries (and, in the case of a Restricted Payment by a non-wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary, to the Borrower and any of its other Restricted Subsidiaries and to each other owner of Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary based on their relative ownership interests of the relevant class of Equity Interests);

 

(b)                                 the Borrower and each of the Restricted Subsidiaries may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in the Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests not otherwise permitted by Section 9.3) of such Person;

 

(c)                                  Restricted Payments used to fund the Transaction and the payment of any fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transaction or owed by the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiaries to Affiliates, and any other payments made, including any such payments made to any direct or indirect parent of the

 

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Borrower to enable it to make payments in connection with the consummation of the Transaction or as contemplated by the Acquisition Documents, whether payable on the Effective Date or thereafter, in each case, to the extent permitted by Section 9.8 and set forth on Schedule 9.6(c);

 

(d)                                 to the extent constituting Restricted Payments, Holdings, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may enter into and consummate transactions expressly permitted by any provision of Section 9.2 (other than Section 9.2(e) or (l)) or 9.4 (other than a merger, amalgamation or consolidation of Holdings and the Borrower));

 

(e)                                  repurchases of Equity Interests in Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries deemed to occur upon the non-cash exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants;

 

(f)                                   the Borrower may pay (or make Restricted Payments to allow Holdings or any direct or indirect parent thereof to pay) for the repurchase, retirement or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests of Holdings (or of any direct or indirect parent of Holdings) held directly or indirectly by any future, present or former employee, director or consultant (or any spouses, former spouses, successors, executors, administrators, estate or tax planning entities, heirs, legatees or distributees of any of the foregoing) of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower) or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or any agreement or arrangement with any employee, director or consultant of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower) or any of its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount after the Effective Date together with the aggregate amount of loans and advances to Holdings made pursuant to Section 9.2(l) in lieu of Restricted Payments permitted by this clause (f) not to exceed $10,000,000(x) prior to the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, $2,000,000 in any calendar year (with any unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to the immediately succeeding calendar year subject to a maximum (without giving effect to the following proviso) of $4,000,000 in any calendar year) or (y) from and after the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, $3,500,000 in any calendar year (with any unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to the two immediately succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum (without giving effect to the following proviso) of $30,000,00010,000,000 in any calendar year); provided, that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed the sum of:

 

(i)                                     the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Borrower, any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower (to the extent contributed to the Borrower) or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries after the Effective Date, other than in connection with, or pursuant to, the Equity Contribution; plus

 

(ii)                                  the cash proceeds received by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries from the sale of Qualified Equity Interests (other than any amount designated as a Cure Amount (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement) or any amount increasing the Available Amount) of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower (to the extent contributed to the Borrower) to members of management, directors or consultants of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower that

 

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occurs after the Effective Date; provided that any such equity contribution made by, or Net Cash Proceeds received from, the Sponsors in connection with the exchange or refinancing of the Tranche B-2 Loans or the Senior Notes shall not be included under this clause (ii) until on or following the 12 month anniversary of the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date; plus

 

(iii)                               the amount of any cash bonuses otherwise payable to members of management, directors or consultants of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or any of the Borrower’s direct or indirect parents in connection with the Transaction that are foregone in return for the receipt of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any of its direct or indirect parents; minus

 

(iv)                              the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments previously made with the cash proceeds described in foregoing clauses (i), (ii), and (iii);

 

(g)                                  the Borrower may make Restricted Payments to Holdings or to any direct or indirect parent of Holdings:

 

(i)                                     the proceeds of which will be used to pay (or make Restricted Payments to allow any direct or indirect parent thereof to pay) foreign, federal, state or local income taxes (as the case may be) imposed directly on such parentHoldings or such parent in respect of income of the Borrower and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries, including any Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of which a consolidated, combined, unitary or affiliated return is filed by Holdings (or such direct or indirect parent) that includes the Borrower and/or any of its Subsidiaries, to the extent such income tax liability does not exceed the lesser of (A) the taxes that would have been payable by the Borrower and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries as a stand-alone group and (B) the actual tax liability of Holdings’ consolidated, combined, unitary or affiliated group (or, if Holdings is not the parent of the actual group, the taxes that would have been paid by Holdings, the Borrower and/or the Borrower’s Restricted Subsidiaries as a stand-alone group), reduced by any such taxes paid or to be paid directly by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(ii)                                  the proceeds of which shall be used to pay (or make Restricted Payments to allow any direct or indirect parent thereof to pay) operating costs and expenses of Holdings or its direct or indirect parents incurred in the ordinary course of business and other corporate overhead costs and expenses, which are incurred in the ordinary course of business to the extent attributable to the ownership or operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

 

(iii)                               the proceeds of which shall be used to pay (or make Restricted Payments to allow any direct or indirect parent thereof to pay) franchise taxes and other fees, taxes and expenses required to maintain its (or any of such direct or indirect parent’s) corporate existence to the extent attributable to the ownership or operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

 

(iv)                              to finance any Investment permitted to be made pursuant to Section 9.2; provided that (A) such Restricted Payment shall be made concurrently with the closing of such Investment (and no earlier than one (1) Business Day prior to the closing of such Investment), (B) such parent shall, immediately following the closing thereof, cause (1) all

 

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property acquired (whether assets or Equity Interests) to be contributed to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary or (2) the merger, consolidation, amalgamation, conversion, winding up or Disposition (to the extent permitted in Section 9.4) of the Person formed or acquired into the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in order to consummate such Investment, in each case, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 8.11, 8.13 and 9.2, (C) such direct or indirect parent company and its Affiliates (other than the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary) receives no consideration or other payment in connection with such transaction, except to the extent the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary could have given such consideration or made such payment in compliance with Section 9.8, (D) any property received by the Borrower shall not increase the Available Amount pursuant to clause (c) of the definition thereof and (E) such Investment shall be deemed to be made by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to a provision of Section 9.2 (other than clause (o) thereof);

 

(v)                                 the proceeds of which shall be used to pay (or make Restricted Payments to allow any direct or indirect parent thereof to pay) fees and expenses (other than to Affiliates) related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering of such parent;

 

(vi)                              the proceeds of which (A) shall be used to pay customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to officers and employees of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent company of Holdings to the extent such salaries, bonuses and other benefits are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries or (B) shall be used to make payments permitted under Sections 9.8(c), (g) and (i) (but only to the extent such payments have not been and are not expected to be made by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary); and

 

(vii)                           the proceeds of which shall be used to pay interest and/or principal on Indebtedness the proceeds of which Indebtedness have been contributed to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and that has been guaranteed by, or is otherwise considered Indebtedness of, the Borrower incurred in accordance with Section 9.3 and any such interest in respect of such Indebtedness paid or required to be paid by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is included in Consolidated Interest Expense;

 

(h)                                 Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries may pay cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional Equity Interests upon the exercise of options or warrants or the conversion or exchange of Equity Interests of any such Person or such Person’s direct or indirect parents;

 

(i)                                     the declaration and payment of dividends on the Borrower’s common stock (or a dividend or other distribution to any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower to fund the payment by such direct or indirect parent of the Borrower of dividends on such entity’s common stock) following the first public offering of the Borrower’s common stock or the common stock of any of its direct or indirect parents after the Effective Date, of up to 6.0% per annum of the net proceeds received by or contributed to the Borrower in or from any such public offering, other than public offerings with respect to the Borrower’s common stock registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8 and other than any public sale constituting an Excluded Contribution;[reserved];

 

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(j)                                    repurchases of Equity Interests (i) deemed to occur upon the non-cash exercise of options by the delivery of Equity Interests in satisfaction of the exercise price of such options or (ii) in consideration of withholding or similar Taxes payable directly or indirectly by any future, present or former employee, director, manager or consultant (or any spouses, former spouses, successors, executors, administrators, estate or tax planning entities, heirs, legatees or distributes of any of the foregoing), including deemed repurchases in connection with the exercise of stock options;

 

(k)                                 without duplication of any other clauses of this Section 9.6, other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount, when combined with any Investments made under Section 9.2(m), not to exceed the greater of $40,000,000 and 2.0% of Total Assets (measured at the time made);[reserved];

 

(l)                                     so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, Restricted Payments out of the Available Amount so long as the Payment Conditions shall have been satisfied with respect thereto;

 

(m)                             Restricted Payments made with the proceeds of Excluded Contributions; provided that (i) the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payments does not exceed $10,000,000 in any Fiscal Year, (ii) no Event of Default would result immediately thereafter from the making of any such Restricted Payment, (iii) each such Restricted Payment shall be made within one year following the receipt of the related Excluded Contributions, and (iv) there is no increase in the Revolving Credit Outstandings (under and as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement) immediately after giving effect thereto.[reserved];

 

(n)                                 Restricted Payments by the Borrower, including to a direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, for the purpose of funding the repurchase of Equity Interests pursuant to the Rollover Investor Put in an aggregate amount not to exceed $37,500,000; [reserved];

 

(o)                                 the payment of any dividend or distribution within sixty (60) days after the date of declaration thereof, if at the date of declaration (i) such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Agreement and (ii) no Event of Default occurred and was continuing;

 

(p)                                 payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders pursuant to applicable Law, pursuant to or in connection with the Acquisition Documents; and

 

(q)                                 the distribution, by dividend or otherwise, of Equity Interests of, or Indebtedness owed to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary by, Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

SECTION 9.7                                             Change in Nature of Business.  Engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business conducted by Holdings, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on the Effective Date or any business reasonably related or ancillary thereto.

 

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SECTION 9.8                                             Transactions with Affiliates.  Enter into any transaction of any kind with any Affiliate (other than Holdings) of the Borrower, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, other than:

 

(a)                                 transactions between or among the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or any entity that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction;

 

(b)                                 transactions on terms not materially less favorable to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary as would be obtainable by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate;

 

(c)                                  the execution of the Transaction and the payment of fees and expenses related to the Transaction, other than in connection with any Sponsor Management Agreement and the Lease Letter Agreement;

 

(d)                                 the issuance of Equity Interests of Holdings to any officer, director, employee or consultant of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings in connection with the Transaction;

 

(e)                                  the entering into of any Sponsor Management Agreement or any other agreement (and any amendment or modification of any such agreement) to pay, and the payment of management, consulting, monitoring, advisory, termination and other fees, indemnities, expenses and reimbursements to the Sponsors pursuant to any Sponsor Management Agreement (plus any unpaid management, consulting, monitoring, advisory and other fees, indemnities, expenses and reimbursements accrued in any prior year) and any Sponsor Termination Fees pursuant to any Sponsor Management Agreement in an aggregate amount not in excess of $5,000,000 in any fiscal year; provided that during any period in which an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would immediately thereafter result from the making of such payment, the annual fixed management fee and any termination fees pursuant to any Sponsor Management Agreement may accrue, but not be paid, and following the waiver or cure of such Event of Default, such accrued management fee may be paid to the Sponsors; provided, further, that any payment not made in any Fiscal Year may be carried forward and paid in any succeeding Fiscal Year;

 

(f)                                   the issuance of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock option and stock ownership plans or similar employee benefit plans approved by the Board of Directors of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower or of a Restricted Subsidiary, as appropriate, in good faith;

 

(g)                                  the payment of reasonable and customary fees and reimbursement of expenses paid to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, directors, officers, employees and consultants of Holdings, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings;

 

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(h)                                 any agreement, instrument or arrangement as in effect as of the Effective Date and set forth on Schedule 9.8(h), or any amendment thereto (so long as any such amendment, taken together with all other amendments thereto since the Effective Date, is not more adverse to the LendersFirst Lien Term Loan Lender Parties in any material respect as compared to the applicable agreement as in effect on the Effective Date) or any transaction contemplated thereby as determined in good faith by the Borrower;

 

(i)                                     Investments permitted under Section 9.2;

 

(j)                                    Restricted Payments permitted under Section 9.6;

 

(k)                                 payments by the Borrower and any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to the Sponsors made for any financial advisory, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities (including in connection with acquisitions or divestitures), which payments are approved by the majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Borrower in good faith;

 

(l)                                     transactions in which the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, delivers to the Administrative Agent a letter from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that such transaction is fair to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or meets the requirements of clause (b) of this Section 9.8;

 

(m)                             the issuance of Qualified Equity Interests of Holdings to any Permitted Holder or to any member of the Management Group;

 

(n)                                 payments to or from, and transactions with, Joint Ventures (other than Joint Ventures in which any Affiliate of the Borrower (other than the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries) has an ownership or control interest) in the ordinary course of business to the extent otherwise permitted under Section 9.2;

 

(o)                                 employment and severance arrangements between the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries and their respective officers, employees or consultants in the ordinary course of business;

 

(p)                                 the existence of, or the performance by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of, the Acquisition Documents, any stockholders or similar agreement (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of the Effective Date (other than any Sponsor Management Agreement) and any amendment thereto or similar transactions, arrangements or agreements which it may enter into thereafter; provided, however, that the existence of, or the performance by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under, any future amendment to any such existing transaction, arrangement or agreement or under any similar transaction, arrangement or agreement entered into after the Effective Date shall only be permitted by this clause (p) to the extent that the terms of any such existing transaction, arrangement or agreement together with all amendments thereto, taken as a whole, or new agreement are not otherwise more disadvantageous to the LendersFirst Lien Term Loan Lender Parties in any

 

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material respect than the original transaction, arrangement or agreement as in effect on the Effective Date in the reasonable determination of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower;

 

(q)                                 transactions with customers, clients, suppliers or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, or transactions otherwise relating to the purchase or sale of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Agreement, which are fair to the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the reasonable determination of the Board of Directors or the senior management of the Borrower, or are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party;

 

(r)                                    the entering into of any tax sharing agreement or arrangement and payments made with respect thereto, in each case between or among the Borrower (and/or any direct or indirect parent thereof) and its Subsidiaries; provided that in each case the amount of such payments in any taxable year does not exceed the amount that the Borrower, its Restricted Subsidiaries and its Unrestricted Subsidiaries (to the extent of the amount received from Unrestricted Subsidiaries) would be required to pay in respect of foreign, federal, state and local taxes for such taxable year were the Borrower, its Restricted Subsidiaries and its Unrestricted Subsidiaries (to the extent described above) to pay such taxes separately from any such direct or indirect parent company of the Borrower;

 

(s)                                   transactions between the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries and any Person other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary which would constitute a transaction with an Affiliate solely because a director of such Person is also a director of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower; provided, however, that such director abstains from voting as a director of the Borrower or such direct or indirect parent, as the case may be, on any matter involving such other Person;

 

(t)                                    any contribution to the capital of the Borrower;

 

(u)                                 the existence of, or the performance by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of, the Lease Letter Agreement; and

 

(v)                                 pledges of Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

SECTION 9.9                                             Burdensome Agreements.  Enter into or permit to exist any Contractual Obligation (other than this Agreement or any other Loan Document) that prohibits, restricts, imposes any condition on or limits the ability of (a) any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to make Restricted Payments to (directly or indirectly) or to make or repay loans or advances to any Loan Party or to Guarantee the Obligations of any Loan Party under the Loan Documents or (b) any Loan Party to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Liens on property of such Person for the benefit of the Lenders with respect to the Facility and the Obligations under the Loan Documents; provided that the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) shall not apply to Contractual Obligations that:

 

(i)                                     (x) exist on the date hereofEffective Date (including the Acquisition Documents) and (to the extent not otherwise permitted by this Section 9.9) are listed on Schedule 9.9 hereto and (y) to the extent Contractual Obligations permitted by clause (x) are set

 

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forth in an agreement evidencing Indebtedness, are set forth in any agreement evidencing any permitted modification, replacement, renewal, extension or refinancing of such Indebtedness so long as such modification, replacement, renewal, extension or refinancing does not expand the scope of such Contractual Obligation;

 

(ii)                                  are binding on a Restricted Subsidiary at the time such Restricted Subsidiary first becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, so long as such Contractual Obligations were not entered into in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and such Contractual Obligations are not applicable to any other Person, or the properties of any other Person, other than the Person and its Subsidiaries, or the property (and the proceeds and products thereof) of the Person and its Subsidiaries, so acquired;

 

(iii)                               represent Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party that is permitted by Section 9.3, so long as such Contractual Obligations will not materially affect the Borrower’s ability to make anticipated principal or interest payments on the Loans (as determined in good faith by the Borrower);

 

(iv)                              are customary restrictions that arise in connection with (x) any Lien permitted by Section 9.1 or any document or restriction governing or evidencing such permitted Lien, and relate only to the property subject to such Lien or (y) any Disposition permitted by Section 9.5 applicable pending such Disposition solely to the assets subject to such Disposition;

 

(v)                                 are customary provisions in Joint Venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to Joint Ventures permitted under Section 9.2 and applicable solely to such Joint Venture entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(vi)                              are negative pledges and restrictions on Liens in favor of any holder of Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.3 but solely to the extent any negative pledge or restriction on Lien relates to the property financed by or the subject of such Indebtedness (and excluding in any event any Indebtedness constituting any Junior Financing) and the proceeds and products thereof and, in the case of the ABL Facility and any Permitted Refinancing thereof, permit the Liens securing the Obligations without restriction (subject to the Intercreditor Agreement and, to the extent such agreement is then effective, the Notes Intercreditor Agreement, if applicable);

 

(vii)                           are customary restrictions on leases, subleases, licenses or asset sale agreements otherwise permitted hereby so long as such restrictions relate to the assets subject thereto;

 

(viii)                        comprise restrictions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 9.3 to the extent that such restrictions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness;

 

(ix)                              are customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(x)                                 are customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xi)                              are restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xii)                           are restrictions contained in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, the Second Lien Facility Documentation, the ABL Facility Documentation, the Senior Notes Indenture or the Senior Notes, and any Permitted Refinancing of any of the foregoing;

 

(xiii)                        comprise restrictions imposed by any agreement governing Indebtedness entered into after the Effective Date and permitted under Section 9.3 that are, taken as a whole, in the good faith judgment of the Borrower, no more restrictive with respect to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary than customary market terms for Indebtedness of such type (and, in any event, are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than the restrictions contained in this Agreement, taken as a whole), so long as the Borrower shall have determined in good faith that such restrictions will not affect its obligation or ability to make any payments required hereunder;

 

(xiv)                       exist under or by reason of applicable Law;

 

(xv)                          exist under or by reason of any Contractual Obligation of a Person acquired by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in an Acquisition permitted under this Agreement which was in existence at the time of such Acquisition (but not created in contemplation thereof or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person and its Subsidiaries, or the property or assets of the Person and its Subsidiaries, so acquired;

 

(xvi)                       are restrictions contained in Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreements (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereofEffective Date) and other standard documentation that any Issuer (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereofEffective Date) requires to be executed by any Loan Party with respect to the issuance of any Letter of Credit (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereofEffective Date);

 

(xvii)                    are restrictions contained in the Escrow Agreement;

 

(xviii)                 are restrictions contained in the Shareholders Agreement; or

 

(xix)                       are imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (i) through (xviii) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Borrower, no more restrictive with respect to such dividend and other restrictions than those contained in the dividend or other restrictions prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.

 

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For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 9.9, the subordination of loans or advances made to Holdings, the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary to other Indebtedness incurred by Holdings, the Borrower or any such Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advance.

 

SECTION 9.10                                      Fiscal Year.

 

Make any change in its Fiscal Year; provided, however, that (a) any Restricted Subsidiary acquired after the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date may change its Fiscal Year to conform to the Fiscal Year of Holdings and the Borrower and (b) Holdings, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may, upon written notice to the Administrative Agent, change their Fiscal Year to any other fiscal year reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders), in which case the Borrower and the Administrative Agent will, and are hereby authorized by the Lenders to, make any adjustments to this Agreement that the Borrower and the Administrative Agent mutually agree, acting reasonably, are necessary to reflect such change in fiscal year.

 

SECTION 9.11                                      Prepayments, Etc. of Junior Financing.

 

Prepay, redeem, purchase, defease or otherwise satisfy prior to the scheduled maturity thereof in any manner any Junior Financing (it being understood that payments of regularly scheduled principal and interest and mandatory offers to repay any Junior Financing or mandatory prepayments of principal, premium and interest shall be permitted), except (i) so long as the Payment Conditions are satisfied after giving effect theretono Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, any prepayment, redemption, purchase, defeasance or other satisfaction of any Junior Financing may be made out of the Available Amount; (ii) [Reserved]upon and after the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, the payment, redemption, purchase or defeasance of the Senior Notes held by Persons that are not Affiliates of the Borrower prior to the stated maturity thereof in a principal face amount not to exceed $12,500,000 together with any interest accrued thereon; (iii) the conversion (or exchange) of any Junior Financing to Qualified Equity Interests or Indebtedness of any of Holdings’ direct or indirect parents; (iv) the prepayment of Junior Financing of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary owed to Holdings, the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary; (v) any Permitted Refinancing of any Junior Financing; (vi) any prepayment, redemption, purchase, defeasance or other satisfaction with the Net Cash Proceeds of any Permitted Equity Issuance; and (vii) the prepayment of Junior Financing incurred pursuant to clauses  (e), (f),(h), (k) and (u) of Section 9.3; and (viii) any prepayment, redemption, purchase, defeasance or other satisfaction with the Net Cash Proceeds of any Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transactions; provided that after giving pro forma effect thereto, the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio would not exceed 2.75 to 1.00.provided, that prepayments of Junior Financing incurred pursuant to (A) clause (h) of Section 9.3 shall not exceed (x) prior to the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, $2,000,000 in any calendar year (with any unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to the immediately succeeding calendar year subject to a maximum of $4,000,000 in any calendar year) or (y) from and after the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, $3,500,000 in any calendar year (with any unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to the two immediately succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum of $10,000,000 in any calendar year) and (B) clause (u) of Section 9.3 shall not exceed (x) prior to the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, $2,500,000 in any calendar year

 

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or (y) from and after the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, $10,000,000 in any calendar year.

 

SECTION 9.12                                      Modification of Agreements.

 

Amend, modify or change in any manner materially adverse to the interest of the LendersFirst Lien Term Loan Lender Parties (i) any term or condition of any Junior Financing Documentation (other than as a result of a Permitted Refinancing thereof and in any event (x) excluding the ABL Facility and any Permitted Refinancing thereof and any Indebtedness under the Loan Documents, (y) with respect to the Second Lien Facility, amendments, modifications or changes (I) permitted under the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall be permitted and (II) that would not be permitted in connection with a Permitted Refinancing of the Second Lien Facility (or any Permitted Refinancing thereof), shall not be permitted, and (z) with respect to any secured Permitted Refinancing in respect of the Senior Notes, amendments, modifications or changes permitted under the Notes Intercreditor Agreement will be permitted), (ii) any Constituent Documents of Holdings, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries, (iii) any Sponsor Management Agreement and (iv) the Shareholders Agreement, in each case, without the consent of the Administrative Agent (not to be unreasonably withheld,  delayed or conditioned).

 

SECTION 9.13                                      Holdings.  In the case of Holdings, conduct, transact or otherwise engage in any business or operations other than the following (and activities or operations incidental thereto):  (i) its ownership of the Equity Interests of the Borrower, (ii) the maintenance of its legal existence (including the ability to incur fees, costs and expenses relating to such maintenance), (iii) the performance of its obligations with respect to the Loan Documents, any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, the Second Lien Facility, the Second Lien Facility Documentation, the ABL Facility, the ABL Facility Documentation, any Senior Notes, or (or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof), the Senior Notes Indenture, the Lease Letter Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement, the Acquisition Documents or the other agreements contemplated by the Second Lien Facility, the ABL Facility, the Senior Notes (or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof), the Senior Notes Indenture and the Acquisition Documents, (iv) any public offering of its common stock or any other issuance of its Equity Interests or making payments or restricted payments with any amounts received in any transaction permitted under Section 9.6, (v) the issuance of Qualified Equity Interests, (vi) making contributions to the capital of its Subsidiaries, (vii) guaranteeing the obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries solely to the extent such obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are not prohibited hereunder, (viii) participating in tax, accounting and other administrative matters as a member of the consolidated group of Holdings, any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, and the Borrower, (ix) holding any cash or property received in connection with Restricted Payments made by the Borrower in accordance with Section 9.6 pending application or further distribution thereof by Holdings, (x) providing indemnification to officers and directors, (xi) the performance of its obligations with respect to the documentation for any Indebtedness of Holdings permitted under Section 9.3, (xii) any other actions expressly permitted to be undertaken by Holdings under any of the Loan Documents or the Acquisition Documents; and (xiii) activities or operations incidental to the businesses or activities described in clauses (i) to (xii) of this Section 9.13.

 

SECTION 9.14              [Reserved].  For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions set forth in this Article IX are solely for the benefit of the First Lien Term Loan Lender Parties and do

 

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not apply to any Lender holding Tranche B-2 Loans after giving effect to the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date.

 

ARTICLE X

 

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

SECTION 10.1                                      Events of Default.  Each of the events referred to in clauses (a) through (l) of this Section 10.1 shall constitute an “Event of Default

 

(a)                                 Non-Payment.  The Borrower fails to pay (i) when due, any amount of principal of any Loan, or (ii) within five (5) Business Days after the same becomes due, any interest on any Loan or any other amount payable hereunder or with respect to any other Loan Document; or

 

(b)                                 Specific CovenantsTheSolely for the benefit of the First Lien Term Loan Lender Parties, the Borrower, any Restricted Subsidiary or, in the case of Section 9.13, Holdings, fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in (A) Section 7.2(a) or Section 8.1(a) (solely with respect to the Borrower), (B) Section 7.3(a), (C) Section 8.9 or (CD) Article IX; or

 

(c)                                  Other Defaults.

 

(i)                                     Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement (not specified in Section 10.1(a) or (b) above) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed and such failure continues for thirty (30) days after receipt by the Borrower of written notice thereof from the Administrative Agent; or

 

(ii)                                  Solely for the benefit of the First Lien Term Loan Lender Parties, the Senior Notes outstanding as of the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date, with a stated maturity date prior to the date that is 91 days after the Scheduled Termination Date with respect to First Lien Term Loans that have not been extended pursuant to Section 2.13 (any such Indebtedness, “Stub Indebtedness”) that remain outstanding at any time following the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, have not been repaid, converted, redeemed, repurchased or refinanced in full on or before the stated maturity date thereof, or the stated maturity date therefor extended on or before such date to a date that is at least 91 days after the Scheduled Termination Date, pursuant to one or more transactions permitted under this Agreement; or

 

(d)                                 Representations and Warranties.  Any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by any Loan Party herein, in any other Loan Document, or in any document required to be delivered in connection herewith or therewith shall be untrue in any material respect when made or deemed made; or

 

(e)                                  Cross-DefaultAnySolely for the benefit of the First Lien Term Loan Lender Parties, any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary (i) fails to make any payment beyond the applicable grace period, if any, whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise, in respect of (x) any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness hereunder) having an aggregate outstanding principal amount (individually or in the aggregate

 

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with all other Indebtedness as to which such a failure shall exist) of not less than $25,000,000,25,000,000 or (y) any Stub Indebtedness, or (ii) fails to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness, or any other event occurs (other than, with respect to Indebtedness consisting of Swap Contracts, termination events or equivalent events pursuant to the terms of such Swap Contracts and not as a result of any default thereunder by any Loan Party) the effect of which default or other event is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity; provided that this clause (e)(ii) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due or subject to a mandatory offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, if such sale or transfer is permitted hereunder and under the documents providing for such Indebtedness; provided further that such failure is unremedied and is not waived by the holders of such Indebtedness prior to any termination of the Aggregate Commitments or acceleration of the Loans pursuant to Section 10.2; and, provided, further, that no such event under the ABL Facility (other than a payment default or any default relating to insolvency or any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law) shall constitute an Event of Default under this Section 10.1(e) until the earliest to occur of (x) the date that is thirty (30) days after such event or circumstance (but only if such event or circumstance has not been waived or cured), (y) the acceleration of the Indebtedness under the ABL Facility and (z) the exercise of any remedies by the ABL Facility Administrative Agent or collateral agent or any lenders under the ABL Facility in respect of any Collateral; or

 

(f)                                   Insolvency Proceedings, Etc. Holdings, the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary institutes or consents to the institution of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator, administrator, administrative receiver or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator, administrator, administrative receiver or similar officer is appointed without the application or consent of such Person and the appointment continues undischarged or unstayed for sixty (60) calendar days; or any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law relating to any such Person or to all or any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of such Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for sixty (60) calendar days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding; or

 

(g)                                  JudgmentsThereSolely for the benefit of the First Lien Term Loan Lender Parties, there is entered against any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary a final judgment or order for the payment of money in an aggregate amount exceeding $25,000,000 (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer has been notified of such judgment or order and has not denied or failed to acknowledge coverage thereof) and such judgment or order shall not have been satisfied, vacated, discharged or stayed or bonded pending an appeal for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days; or

 

(h)                                 ERISASolely for the benefit of the First Lien Term Loan Lender Parties (i)  An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or would reasonably be expected to result in liability of any Loan Party or their

 

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respective ERISA Affiliates under Title IV of ERISA in an aggregate amount which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) any Loan Party or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its Withdrawal Liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

(i)                                     Invalidity of Loan Documents.  Any material provision of any Loan Document at any time after its execution and delivery by any Loan Party and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder (including as a result of a transaction permitted under Section 9.4 or 9.5) or the Discharge of Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect; or any Loan Party contests in writing the validity or enforceability of any provision of any such Loan Document; or any Loan Party denies in writing that it has any or further liability or obligation under any such Loan Document (other than as a result of the Discharge of Obligations), or purports in writing to revoke or rescind any such Loan Document; or

 

(j)                                    Collateral Documents.  Any Collateral Document after delivery thereof pursuant to Section 4.1 or 8.11 shall for any reason (other than pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof including as a result of a transaction permitted under Section 9.4 or 9.5) cease to create, or any Lien purported to be created by any Collateral Document shall be asserted in writing by any Loan Party not to be, a valid and perfected Lien, with the priority required by the Collateral Documents (or other security purported to be created on the applicable Collateral) on and security interest in any material portion of the Collateral purported to be covered thereby, subject to Liens permitted under Section 9.1, except (x) to the extent that any such loss of perfection or priority results from acts or omissions of the Collateral Agent, any co-agent or sub-agent of the Collateral Agent appointed in accordance with Article XI or any Lender, including the failure of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent to maintain possession of certificates actually delivered to it representing securities pledged under the Collateral Documents or to file UCC continuation statements, or (y) as to Collateral consisting of real property to the extent that such losses are covered by a lender’s title insurance policy and such insurer has not denied coverage; provided that, for purposes of this paragraph (j), the Guaranty shall be deemed not to be a Collateral Document; or

 

(k)                                 Junior Financing Documentation(i) AnySolely for the benefit of the First Lien Term Loan Lender Parties (i) any of the Obligations of the Loan Parties under the Loan Documents for any reason shall cease to be “Senior Indebtedness” (or any comparable term) or “Senior Secured Financing” (or any comparable term) under, and as defined in any Junior Financing Documentation governing Junior Financing subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations under the Loan Documents with an aggregate principal amount of not less than $25,000,000 or (ii) the subordination provisions set forth in any Junior Financing Documentation governing Junior Financing subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations under the Loan Documents with an aggregate principal amount of not less than $25,000,000 shall, in whole or in part, cease to be effective or cease to be legally valid, binding and enforceable against the holders of any such Junior Financing, if applicable; or

 

(l)                                     Change of ControlThereSolely for the benefit of the First Lien Term Loan Lender Parties, there occurs any Change of Control.

 

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SECTION 10.2                                      Remedies upon Event of Default.

 

(a)                                 If any Event of Default (other than as set forth in the proviso hereto) occurs and is continuing, the Administrative Agent may with the consent of, and shall at the request of, the Requisite Lenders take any or all of the following actions by notice to the Borrower:

 

(i)                                     declare the Commitments of each Lender to be terminated, whereupon such Commitments shall be terminated;

 

(ii)                                  declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower; and

 

(iii)                               exercise on behalf of itself and the Lenders all rights and remedies available to it and the Lenders under the Loan Documents or applicable Law;

 

provided that upon the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, the Commitments of each Lender shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, in each case without further act of the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

 

(b)                                 The Borrower hereby irrevocably waives the right to direct the application of any and all payments in respect of the Obligations and any proceeds of Collateral after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default.

 

SECTION 10.3                                      Application of Funds.  After the occurrence and during the continuance of the exercise of remedies following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default provided for in Section 10.2 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable as set forth in the proviso to Section 10.2), any amounts received on account of the Obligations shall be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:

 

First, ratably, pay any reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, indemnities, or out-of-pocket expense reimbursements then due to the Administrative Agent from the Borrower (other than in connection with Cash Management Obligations or Obligations in respect of Secured Hedge Agreements);

 

Second, ratably, to pay any reasonable and documented fees or out-of-pocket fees or expense reimbursements then due to the Lenders from the Borrower (other than in connection with Cash Management Obligations or Obligations in respect of Secured Hedge Agreements);

 

Third, to pay interest due and payable in respect of any Loans, ratably;

 

Fourth, to pay principal on the Loans and to pay any amounts owing with respect to Obligations in respect of Secured Hedge Agreements, ratably;

 

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Fifth, to pay any amounts owing with respect to Cash Management Obligations, ratably;

 

Sixth, to the payment of any other Obligation due to the Administrative Agent or any Lender by the Borrower;

 

Seventh, as provided for under the Intercreditor Agreement, the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Notes Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable; and

 

Eighth, after all of the Obligations have been paid in full, to the Borrower or as the Borrower shall direct or as otherwise required by Law.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if sufficient funds are not available to fund all payments to be made in respect of any Secured Obligation described in any of clauses First through Seventh above, the available funds being applied with respect to any such Secured Obligation (unless otherwise specified in such clause) shall be allocated to the payment of such Secured Obligation ratably, based on the proportion of the Administrative Agent’s and each Lender’s interest in the aggregate outstanding Secured Obligations described in such clauses.  The order of priority set forth in clauses First through Sixth above may be changed only with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent in addition to that of all Lenders.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

 

SECTION 11.1                                      Appointment and Authorization.

 

(a)                                 Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints Royal Bank of Canada to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.  The provisions of this Article XI (other than Sections 11.6 and 11.11) are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, and the Borrower shall not have rights as a third party beneficiary of any such provision.

 

(b)                                 The Administrative Agent shall also act as the “collateral agent” under the Loan Documents, and each of the Lenders (including in its capacities as a potential Hedge Bank and/or Cash Management Bank) hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to act as the agent of (and to hold any security interest created by the Collateral Documents for and on behalf of or in trust for) such Lender for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any of the Loan Parties to secure any of the Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto.  In this connection, the Administrative Agent, as “collateral agent” and any co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 11.5 for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under the Collateral Documents, or for exercising any rights and remedies thereunder at the direction of the Administrative Agent, shall be entitled to the benefits of all provisions of this

 

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Article XI and Article XII (including Sections 11.3, 11.13, 12.3, 12.4 and 12.5, as though such co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact were the “collateral agent” under the Loan Documents) as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Lenders hereby expressly authorize the Administrative Agent to execute any and all documents (including releases) with respect to the Collateral and the rights of the Secured Parties with respect thereto (including the Intercreditor Agreement, the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Notes Intercreditor Agreement), as contemplated by and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Collateral Documents and acknowledge and agree that any such action by any Agent shall bind the Lenders.

 

(c)                                  Each Lender and prospective Lender shall, promptly following a request by the Administrative Agent, provide all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent reasonably requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

SECTION 11.2                                      Rights as a Lender.  Any Person serving as an Agent (including as Administrative Agent) hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include each Person serving as an Agent hereunder in its individual capacity.  Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not an Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.  The Lenders acknowledge that, pursuant to such activities, any Agent or its Affiliates may receive information regarding any Loan Party or any of its Affiliates (including information that may be subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of such Loan Party or such Affiliate) and acknowledge that no Agent shall be under any obligation to provide such information to them.

 

SECTION 11.3                                      Exculpatory Provisions.  Neither the Administrative Agent nor any other Agent shall have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, an Agent (including the Administrative Agent):

 

(a)                                 shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the use of the term “agent” herein and in the other Loan Documents with reference to any Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law and instead, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties;

 

(b)                                 shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that such Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Requisite Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly

 

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provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that no Agent shall be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose such Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law; and

 

(c)                                  shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by any Person serving as an Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.

 

The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Requisite Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 12.1 and 12.2) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, in connection with its duties expressly set forth herein.  The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender.

 

No Agent-Related Person shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any recital, statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Collateral Documents, (v) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral, or (vi) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent, or (vii) to inspect the properties, books or records of any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof.

 

SECTION 11.4                                      Reliance by the Administrative Agent.

 

The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person.  The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon.  In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender prior to the making of such Loan.  The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

 

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The Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under any Loan Document unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Requisite Lenders as it deems appropriate and, if it so requests, it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.  The Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document in accordance with a request or consent of the Requisite Lenders (or such greater number or percentage of Lenders as may be expressly required hereby in any instance) and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders; provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or in the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable Law.

 

SECTION 11.5                                      Delegation of Duties.  The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Documents by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Agent-Related Persons.  The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Agent-Related Persons of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

 

SECTION 11.6                                      Resignation of Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent.  The Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders and the Borrower.  Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Requisite Lenders shall have the right, with the consent of the Borrower at all times other than during the existence of an Event of Default (which consent of the Borrower shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), to appoint a successor, which shall be a Lender or a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such Lender or bank with an office in the United States.  If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Requisite Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, may on behalf of the Lenders, with the consent of the Borrower at all times other than during the existence of an Event of Default (which consent of the Borrower shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), appoint a successor Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that if the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (1) the retiring Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Lenders under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent or such Collateral Agent, as applicable, is appointed) and (2) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender

 

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directly, until such time as the Requisite Lenders with the consent of the Borrower at all times other than during the existence of an Event of Default (which consent of the Borrower shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above in this Section 11.6.  Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, hereunder and upon the execution and filing or recording of such financing statements, or amendments thereto, and such amendments or supplements to the Mortgages, and such other instruments or notices, as may be necessary or desirable, or as the Requisite Lenders may request, in order to (i) continue the perfection of the Liens granted or purported to be granted by the Collateral Documents or (ii) otherwise ensure that the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement is satisfied, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, and the retiring Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section).  The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor.  After the retiring Administrative Agent’s or Collateral Agent’s, as applicable, resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Sections 12.3, 12.4 and 12.5 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, its sub agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, was acting as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable.

 

SECTION 11.7                                      Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders; Disclosure of Information by Agents.  Each Lender acknowledges that no Agent-Related Person has made any representation or warranty to it, and that no act by any Agent hereafter taken, including any consent to and acceptance of any assignment or review of the affairs of any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by any Agent-Related Person to any Lender as to any matter, including whether Agent-Related Persons have disclosed material information in their possession.  Each Lender represents to each Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent-Related Person and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries, and all applicable bank or other regulatory Laws relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, and made its own decision to enter into this Agreement and to extend credit to the Borrower and the other Loan Parties hereunder.  Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Agent-Related Persons 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 investigations as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties.  Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by any Agent herein, such Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition or

 

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creditworthiness of any of the Loan Parties or any of their respective Affiliates which may come into the possession of any Agent-Related Person.

 

SECTION 11.8                                      No Other Duties; Other Agents, Arrangers, Managers, Etc.  Each of BMO Capital Markets· and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. is hereby appointed as a Co-Syndication Agent hereunder, and each Lender hereby authorizes Eacheach of BMO Capital Markets and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. to act as a Co-Syndication Agent in accordance with the terms hereof and the other Loan Documents.  Each Agent hereby agrees to act in its capacity as such upon the express conditions contained herein and the other Loan Documents, as applicable.  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the Joint Bookrunners, Arrangers or other Agents listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or a Lender hereunder and such Persons shall have the benefit of this Article XI.  Without limiting the foregoing, none of the Lenders or other Persons so identified shall have or be deemed to have any agency or fiduciary or trust relationship with any Lender, Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries.  Each Lender acknowledges that it has not relied, and will not rely, on any of the Lenders or other Persons so identified in deciding to enter into this Agreement or in taking or not taking action hereunder.  Each Co-Syndication Agent, without consent of or notice to any party hereto, may assign any and all of its rights or obligations hereunder to any of its Affiliates.  Each Co-Syndication Agent and any other Agent may resign from such role at any time, with immediate effect, by giving prior written notice thereof to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower.

 

SECTION 11.9                                      Intercreditor AgreementAgreements.

 

(a)                                 The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent are authorized to enter into the Intercreditor Agreement, and the parties hereto acknowledge that the Intercreditor Agreement is binding upon them.  Each Lender (a) hereby consents to the subordination of the Liens on the Collateral securing the Obligations on the terms set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement, (b) hereby agrees that it will be bound by and will take no actions contrary to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and (c) hereby authorizes and instructs the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent to enter into the Intercreditor Agreement and to subject the Liens on the Collateral securing the Obligations to the provisions thereof.  The foregoing provisions are intended as an inducement to the Secured Parties to extend credit to the Borrower and such Secured Parties are intended third-party beneficiaries of such provisions and the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(b)                                 The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent are authorized to enter into the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, and the parties hereto acknowledge that the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement is binding upon them.  Each Lender (a) hereby agrees that it will be bound by and will take no actions contrary to the provisions of the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and (b) hereby authorizes and instructs the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent to enter into the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor

 


·· BMO Capital Markets is a brand name for the capital markets activities of Bank of Montreal and its affiliates.

 

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Agreement and to subject the Liens on the Collateral securing the Obligations to the provisions thereof.  The foregoing provisions are intended as an inducement to the Secured Parties to extend credit to the Borrower and such Secured Parties are intended third-party beneficiaries of such provisions and the provisions of the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(c)                                  The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent are authorized to enter into the Notes Intercreditor Agreement, and the parties hereto acknowledge that the Notes Intercreditor Agreement is binding upon them.  Each Lender (a)  hereby agrees that it will be bound by and will take no actions contrary to the provisions of the Notes Intercreditor Agreement and (b) hereby authorizes and instructs the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent to enter into the Notes Intercreditor Agreement and to subject the Liens on the Collateral securing the Obligations to the provisions thereof.  The foregoing provisions are intended as an inducement to the Secured Parties to extend credit to the Borrower and such Secured Parties are intended third-party beneficiaries of such provisions and the provisions of the Notes Intercreditor Agreement.

 

SECTION 11.10                               Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim.  In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

 

(a)                                 to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.9, 12.3  and 12.4) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

 

(b)                                 to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and

 

(c)                                  any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Agents and their respective agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.9, 12.3 and 12.4.

 

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.

 

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SECTION 11.11                               Collateral and Guaranty Matters.

 

Each of the Lenders (including in its capacities as a potential or actual Cash Management Bank and a potential Hedge Bank) irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, and each of the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent agrees that it will:

 

(a)                                 release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent under any Loan Document (i) upon the Discharge of Obligations, (ii) at the time the property subject to such Lien is transferred or to be transferred as part of or in connection with any transfer permitted hereunder or under any other Loan Document (including in connection with a Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction) to any Person other than Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Guarantors, (iii) subject to Section 12.1, if the release of such Lien is approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Requisite Lenders, or (iv) if the property subject to such Lien is owned by a Guarantor, upon release of such Guarantor from its obligations under its Guaranty pursuant to clause (c) below;

 

(b)                                 release or subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by Section 9.1(i);

 

(c)                                  release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty if (i) in the case of any Subsidiary, such Person ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of a transaction or designation permitted hereunder or (ii) in the case of Holdings, as a result of a transaction permitted hereunder; provided that no such release shall occur if such Guarantor continues to be a guarantor in respect of the Second Lien Facility, ABL Facility, Senior Notes, any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness or any Junior Financing; and

 

(d)                                 if any Guarantor shall cease to be a Material Subsidiary (as certified in writing by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower), and the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that it wishes such Guarantor to be released from its obligations under the Guaranty and provides the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent such certifications or documents with respect thereto as either such Agent shall reasonably request, (i) release such Subsidiary from its obligations under the Guaranty and (ii) release any Liens granted by such Subsidiary or Liens on the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary; provided that no such release shall occur if such Subsidiary continues to be a guarantor in respect of the Second Lien Facility, ABL Facility, the Senior Notes, any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness or any other Junior Financing.

 

Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Requisite Lenders will confirm in writing the Collateral Agent’s authority to release or subordinate its security interest in particular types or items of property, or to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty pursuant to this Section 11.11.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in each case as specified in this Section 11.11, the applicable Agent will (and each Lender irrevocably authorizes the applicable Agent to), at the Borrower’s expense, promptly execute and deliver to the applicable Loan Party such documents as

 

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such Loan Party may reasonably request to evidence the release or subordination of such item of Collateral from the assignment and security interest granted under the Collateral Documents, or to evidence the release of such Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents and this Section 11.11.  In connection with the delivery of any such release or subordination documentation by the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 11.11, the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent, prior to the date of the proposed release or subordination, a written request for release or subordination identifying the relevant Guarantor and/or Collateral and the terms of the sale or other disposition or transaction in reasonable detail, including such other information as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request, together with a certification by the Borrower stating that such transaction is in compliance with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

SECTION 11.12                               Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements.

 

(a)                                 Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein or in any Guaranty or any Collateral Document, no Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank that obtains the benefits of Section 10.3, any Guaranty or any Collateral by virtue of the provisions hereof or of any Guaranty or any Collateral Document shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document or otherwise in respect of the Collateral (including the release or impairment of any Collateral) other than solely in its capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article XI to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements unless the Administrative Agent has received written notice of such Obligations, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank, as the case may be.

 

(b)                                 Each Secured Party hereby agrees that the benefit of the provisions of the Loan Documents directly relating to the Collateral or any Lien granted thereunder shall extend to and be available to any Secured Party that is not an Agent or a Lender party hereto as long as, by accepting such benefits, such Secured Party agrees, as among the Administrative Agent and all other Secured Parties, that such Secured Party is bound by (and, if requested by the Administrative Agent, shall confirm such agreement in a writing in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) this Article XI and Sections 3.1, Sections 12.4, 12.6, 12.16, 12.19 and 12.22 and the12.22, the Intercreditor Agreement, the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Notes Intercreditor Agreement, and the decisions and actions of any Agent and the Requisite Lenders (or, where expressly required by the terms of this Agreement, a greater proportion of the Lenders or other parties hereto as required herein) to the same extent a Lender is bound; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) such Secured Party shall be bound by Sections 12.3, 12.4 and 12.5 only to the extent of liabilities, reimbursement obligations, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses, or disbursements with respect to or otherwise relating to the Liens and Collateral held for the benefit of such Secured Party, in which case the obligations of such Secured Party thereunder shall not be limited by any concept of pro rata share or similar concept, (y) each of the Agents and the Lenders party hereto shall be entitled to act at its sole discretion, without regard to the interest of such

 

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Secured Party, regardless of whether any Obligation to such Secured Party thereafter remains outstanding, is deprived of the benefit of the Collateral, becomes unsecured or is otherwise affected or put in jeopardy thereby, and without any duty or liability to such Secured Party or any such Obligation and (z) such Secured Party shall not have any right to be notified of, consent to, direct, require or be heard with respect to, any action taken or omitted in respect of the Collateral or under any Loan Document.

 

SECTION 11.13                               Indemnification of Agents.

 

Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Lenders shall indemnify upon demand the Administrative Agent and each other Agent-Related Person (solely to the extent any such Agent-Related Person was performing services on behalf of the Administrative Agent) (to the extent not reimbursed by or on behalf of any Loan Party and without limiting the obligation, if any, of any Loan Party to do so), pro rata, and hold harmless the Administrative Agent and each other Agent-Related Person (solely to the extent any such Agent-Related Person was performing services on behalf of the Administrative Agent) from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities incurred by it; provided that no Lender shall be liable for the payment to any Agent-Related Person of any portion of such Indemnified Liabilities resulting from such Agent-Related Person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that no action taken in accordance with the directions of the Requisite Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be required by the Loan Documents) shall be deemed to constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct for purposes of this Section 11.13.  In the case of any investigation, litigation or proceeding giving rise to any Indemnified Liabilities, this Section 11.13 applies whether any such investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by any Lender or any other Person.  Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender shall reimburse the Administrative Agent upon demand for its ratable share of any costs or out-of-pocket expenses (including Attorney Costs) incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, amendment or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or responsibilities under, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any document contemplated by or referred to herein, to the extent that the Administrative Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses by or on behalf of the Borrower, provided that such reimbursement by the Lenders shall not affect the Borrower’s continuing reimbursement obligations (if any) with respect thereto, provided further that the failure of any Lender to indemnify or reimburse the Administrative Agent shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation in respect thereof.  The undertaking in this Section 11.13 shall survive termination of the Aggregate Commitments, the payment of all other Obligations and the resignation of the Administrative Agent.

 

ARTICLE XII

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 12.1                                      Amendments, Etc.  Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, no amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by the Borrower or any other Loan Party therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Requisite Lenders and the Borrower or the

 

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applicable Loan Party, as the case may be, and acknowledged by the Administrative Agent and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided that, no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:

 

(a)                                 extend or increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby (it being understood that (i) a waiver of any condition precedent set forth in Section 4.1 or Section 4.2 or (ii) the waiver of any Default, mandatory prepayment or mandatory reduction of the Commitments, in each case, shall not constitute an extension or increase of any Commitment of any Lender);

 

(b)                                 postpone any date scheduled for, or reduce the amount of, any payment of principal or interest under Section 2.6 or 2.8 without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby (it being understood that (i) any change to the definitions of Total Leverage Ratio or Senior Secured Leverage Ratio or Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio or, in each case, in the component definitions thereof, (ii) a waiver of any condition precedent set forth in Section 4.1 or Section 4.2, (iii) the waiver of any Default, mandatory prepayment or mandatory reduction of the Commitments or, (iv) a waiver of applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates, (v) a modification to or waiver of the Specified Exchange Threshold or (vi) a modification to or waiver of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, in each case, shall not constitute a postponement of any date scheduled for the payment of principal or interest or a reduction in the amount of any payment of interest); provided that only the consent of the Requisite Lenders shall be necessary to amend the definition of “Default Rate” or to waive any obligation of any Loan Party to pay interest at the Default Rate) or to amend the definition of “Specified Exchange Threshold” or “Term/Notes Refinancing Date”;

 

(c)                                  reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan, or (subject to clause (i) of the second proviso to this Section 12.1) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby (it being understood that (i) any change to the definitions of Total Leverage Ratio or Senior Secured Leverage Ratio or Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio or, in each case, in the component definitions thereof, (ii) a waiver of any condition precedent set forth in Section 4.1 or Section 4.2, (iii) the waiver of any Default, mandatory prepayment or mandatory reduction of the Commitments or (iv) a waiver of applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates, in each case, shall not constitute a reduction in the rate of interest); provided that only the consent of the Requisite Lenders shall be necessary to amend the definition of “Default Rate” or to waive any obligation of any Loan Party to pay interest at the Default Rate;

 

(d)                                 change any provision of this Section 12.1, the definition of “Requisite Lenders”, “Requisite Class Lenders” or any other provision specifying the number of Lenders or portion of the Loans or Commitments required to take any action under the Loan Documents, without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby;

 

(e)                                  other than in a transaction permitted under Section 9.4 or 9.5 or pursuant to Section 11.11,,11.11, release all or substantially all of the Collateral in any transaction or series of related transactions (except as expressly permitted by the Collateral Documents or this Agreement), without the written consent of each Lender;

 

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(f)                                   other than in a transaction permitted under Section 9.4 or 9.5 or pursuant to Section 11.11,,11.11, release all or substantially all of the Guarantors (except as expressly permitted by the Guaranty or this Agreement), without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby;

 

(g)                                  without the prior written consent of all Lenders directly and adversely affected thereby, (i) subordinate the Obligations hereunder to any other Indebtedness, or (ii) except as provided by operation of applicable Law or in the Intercreditor Agreement, the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the Notes Intercreditor Agreement or pursuant to Section 11.11, subordinate the Liens granted hereunder or under the other Loan Documents to any other Lien; or

 

(h)                                 change the order of the application of funds specified in Section 10.3 without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;

 

and provided further that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of, or any fees or other amounts payable to, the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (ii) Section 12.2(g) may not be amended, waived or otherwise modified without the consent of each Granting Lender all or any part of whose Loans are being funded by an SPC at the time of such amendment, waiver or other modification; (iii) the consent of Requisite Class Lenders shall be required with respect to any amendment that by its terms directly and adversely affects the rights of such Class in respect of payments hereunder in a manner different than such amendment affects other Classes; (iv) no Lender consent is required to effect any amendment or supplement to the Intercreditor Agreement, (A) that is for the purpose of adding the holders of Indebtedness incurred or issued pursuant to a Permitted Refinancing of the ABL Facility (or any agent or trustee of such holders) as parties thereto, as expressly contemplated by the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and permitted under Section 9.3(p) (it being understood that any such amendment or supplement may make such other changes to the Intercreditor Agreement as, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, are required to effectuate the foregoing and provided that such other changes are not adverse, in any material respect, to the interests of the Lenders) or (B) that is expressly contemplated by Sections 5.2(c) or 7.4 of the Intercreditor Agreement with respect to a Permitted Refinancing of the ABL Facility permitted under Section 9.3(p) (or the comparable provisions, if any, of any successor intercreditor agreement with respect to a Permitted Refinancing of the ABL Facility permitted under Section 9.3(p)); provided further that no such agreement shall, pursuant to this clause (iv), amend, modify or otherwise directly and adversely affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, and (v) only the consent of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower is required to effect any amendment or supplement of the Fee Letter.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 12.1 or otherwise in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (i) this Agreement and any other Loan Document may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified to effect the provisions of Sections 2.12, 2.13 and 2.14, (ii) this Agreement and any other Loan Document may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, or any provision thereof waived, with the consent of the

 

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Administrative Agent and the Borrower without the need to obtain the consent of any Lender, if such amendment, supplement, modification or waiver is delivered in order to (A) cure ambiguities, omissions, mistakes or defects or (B) cause any Collateral Document to be consistent with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (iii) without the consent of any Lender, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent or any other collateral agent may enter into any amendment, supplement or modification of any Loan Document, or enter into any new agreement or instrument, to effect the granting, perfection, protection, expansion or enhancement of any security interest of the Secured Parties in any Collateral or additional property to become Collateral for the benefit of the Secured Parties or as required by local law to give effect to, or protect any security interests for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in any property or so that the security interests therein comply with applicable law or this Agreement or in each case to otherwise enhance the rights or benefits of any Lender under any Loan Document.  The Agent shall make available to the Lenders copies of each such amendment or other modification to this Agreement.

 

If any Lender does not consent to a proposed amendment, waiver, consent or release with respect to any Loan Document that requires the consent of each Lender or each affected Lender and that has been approved by the Requisite Lenders, the Borrower may replace such non-consenting Lender in accordance with Section 3.7; provided that such amendment, waiver, consent or release can be effected as a result of the assignment contemplated by such Section (together with all other such assignments required by the Borrower to be made pursuant to this paragraph).

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 12.1, in connection with any “Requisite Lenders” or “Requisite Class Lenders” votes, Lenders that are Debt Fund Affiliates shall not be permitted, in the aggregate, to account for more than 49.9% of the amounts includable in determining whether the “Requisite Lenders” or “Requisite Class Lenders” have consented to any amendment, modification, waiver, consent or other action that is subject to such vote.

 

SECTION 12.2                                      Successors and Assigns.

 

(a)                                 Successors and Assigns Generally.  The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that neither Holdings nor the Borrower may, except as permitted by Section 9.4, assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section, or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of subsection (f) of this Section, or (iv) to an SPC in accordance with the provisions of subsection (g) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void).  Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the

 

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Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(b)                                 Assignments by Lenders.  Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

 

(i)                                     Minimum Amounts.

 

(A)                               in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment and the Loans of any Class at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and

 

(B)                               in any case not described in subsection (b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment or, the principal outstanding balance of the 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 or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $1,000,000 unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default under Section 10.1(a) or (f), has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned); provided, however, that concurrent assignments to members of an Assignee Group and concurrent assignments from members of an Assignee Group to a single Eligible Assignee (or to an Eligible Assignee and members of its Assignee Group) will be treated as a single assignment for purposes of determining whether such minimum amount has been met;

 

(ii)                                  Proportionate Amounts.  Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned;

 

(iii)                               Required Consents.  No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition:

 

(A)                               (i) with respect to any assignment of any First Lien Term Loans, the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) shall be required unless (1) an Event of Default under Section 10.1(a) or Section 10.1(f), has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment, or (2) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to an assignment (including any consent required under subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section) unless it shall have objected thereto by written notice (including via e-mail) to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received written notice thereof from the Administrative Agent, and (ii) with respect to any assignment of any Tranche B-2 Loans, the consent of the Borrower in its sole discretion shall be required;

 

(B)                               the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) shall be required if such

 

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assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender; provided, however, that the consent of the Administrative Agent shall not be required for any assignment to an Affiliated Lender or a Person that upon effectiveness of an assignment would be an Affiliated Lender, except for the separate consent rights of the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 12.2(h)(iv).

 

(iv)                              Assignment and Assumption.  The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment.  The Eligible Assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent (x) an Administrative Questionnaire and (y) all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent reasonably requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act.  All assignments shall be by novation.

 

(v)                                 No Assignment to Certain Persons.  No such assignment shall be made to (A) Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries except as permitted under Section 2.3(d), (B) subject to Section 12.2(h) and (k), any of the Borrower’s Affiliates, (C) a natural person or (D) a Disqualified Lender.

 

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to clause (c) of this Section (and, in the case of an Affiliated Lender or a Person that, after giving effect to such assignment, would become an Affiliated Lender, to the requirements of Section 12.2(h)), from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.1, 3.4, 3.5, 12.3, 12.4 and 12.5 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment).  Upon request, and the surrender by the assigning Lender of its Note, the Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender.  Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with subsection (d) of this Section.

 

(c)                                  Register.  The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at the Administrative Agent’s Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts (and related interest amounts) of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”).  The entries in the Register shall, subject to Section 12.2(h), be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Agents and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all

 

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purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, any Agent and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.  This Section 12.2(c) and Section 2.7 shall be construed so that all Loans are at all times maintained in “registered form” within the meaning of Sections 163(f), 871(h)(2) and 881(c)(2) of the Code and any related Treasury regulations (or any other relevant or successor provisions of the Code or of such Treasury regulations).

 

(d)                                 Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person or the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Agents and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement.

 

Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any  provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first proviso to Section 12.1 (other than clause (d) thereof) that directly and adversely affects such Participant.  Subject to subsection (e) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.1 (subject to the requirements of Sections 3.1(b), (c) or (d), as applicable), Section 3.4 and Section 3.5 (through the applicable Lender) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section.  To the extent permitted by applicable Law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 12.6 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 12.7 as though it were a Lender.

 

(e)                                  Limitations upon Participant Rights.  A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 3.1, 3.4 or 3.5 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 express prior written consent to such sale.  A Participant shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 3.1 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant (provided, that the receipt of such notice without more shall not be deemed to imply or constitute the Borrower’s consent to such sale for purposes of this Section or Section 3.1(e)) and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply and does in fact comply with Section 3.1 as though it were a Lender.  Each Lender that sells a participation shall (acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower) maintain a register complying with the requirements of Sections 163(f), 871(h) and 881(c)(2) of the Code and the Treasury regulations issued thereunder on which is entered the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under this Agreement (the “Participant Register”).  A Lender shall be obligated to disclose the Participant Register to any Person (including for the avoidance of doubt the Borrower and the Administrative Agent) to the extent such disclosure is necessary to

 

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establish that any Loan or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury regulations.  The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.

 

(f)                                   Any Lender may, at any time, pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

 

(g)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a “Granting Lender”) may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (an “SPC”) the option to provide all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make pursuant to this Agreement; provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPC to fund any Loan, and (ii) if an SPC elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to make all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof or, if it fails to do so, to make such payment to the Administrative Agent as is required under Section 2.10(e).  Each party hereto hereby agrees that (i) neither the grant to any SPC nor the exercise by any SPC of such option shall increase the costs or expenses or otherwise increase or change the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement (including its obligations under Sections 3.1, 3.4 and 3.5), (ii) no SPC shall be liable for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Agreement for which a Lender would be liable, and (iii) the Granting Lender shall for all purposes, including the approval of any amendment, waiver or other modification of any provision of any Loan Document, remain the lender of record hereunder.  The making of a Loan by an SPC hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were made by such Granting Lender.  In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other senior debt of any SPC, it will not institute against, or join any other Person in instituting against, such SPC any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, or liquidation proceeding under the laws of the United States or any State thereof.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any SPC may (i) with notice to, but without prior consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and with the payment of a processing fee of $3,500 (which processing fee may be waived by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), assign all or any portion of its right to receive payment with respect to any Loan to the Granting Lender and (ii) disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information relating to its funding of Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety or Guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPC.

 

(h)                                 Any Lender may, at any time, assign all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to a Person who is or will become, after such assignment, an Affiliated Lender through (x) Dutch auctions open to all Lenders in accordance with procedures of

 

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the type described in Section 2.3(d) or (y) open market purchase on a non-pro rata basis, in each case subject to the following limitations:

 

(i)                                     Affiliated Lenders will not receive information provided solely to Lenders by the Administrative Agent or any Lender and will not be permitted to attend or participate in meetings attended solely by the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, other than the right to receive notices of prepayments and other administrative notices in respect of its Loans or Commitments required to be delivered to Lenders pursuant to Article II;

 

(ii)                                  no Affiliated Lender shall have any right, (A) to require any Agent or other Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or (B) to make or bring (or participate in, other than as a passive participant or recipient of its pro rata benefits of) any claim, in its capacity as a Lender, against any Agent or Lender with respect to any duties or obligations, or alleged duties or obligations, of such Agent or Lender under the Loan Documents;

 

(iii)                               each Affiliated Lender that (A) purchases any Loans pursuant to this clause (h) shall represent and warrant to the seller and (B) sells any Loan hereunder shall represent and warrant to the buyer, in each case, that it does not possess material nonpublic information with respect to Holdings and its Subsidiaries or the securities of any of them that has not been disclosed to the Lenders generally (other than Lenders who elect not to receive such information);

 

(iv)                              (A) the aggregate principal amount of Loans held at any one time by Affiliated Lenders shall not exceed 25% of the original principal amount of all Loans at such time outstanding (such percentage, the “Affiliated Lender Cap”), (B) unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the Requisite Lenders, regardless of whether consented to by the Administrative Agent or otherwise, no assignment which would result in Affiliated Lenders holding in excess of such Affiliated Lender Cap shall be effective with respect to such excess amount of the Loans (and such excess assignment shall be and be deemed null and void); provided that each of the parties hereto agrees and acknowledges that the Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any losses, damages, penalties, claims, demands, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever incurred or suffered by any Person in connection with any compliance or non-compliance with this clause (h)(iiiiv) or any purported assignment exceeding such 25% limitation or for any assignment being deemed null and void hereunder and (C) in the event of an acquisition pursuant to the last sentence of this clause (h)(iv) which would result in the Affiliated Lender Cap being exceeded, the most recent assignment to an Affiliate of any Sponsor involved in such acquisition shall be unwound and deemed null and void to the extent that the Affiliated Lender Cap would otherwise be exceeded; and

 

(v)                                 as a condition to each assignment pursuant to this clause (h), (A) the Administrative Agent shall have been provided a notice in the form of Exhibit S to this Agreement in connection with each assignment to an Affiliated Lender or a Person that upon effectiveness of such assignment would constitute an Affiliated Lender, and (without limitation of the provisions of clause (iiiiv) above) shall be under no obligation to record such assignment in the Register until three (3) Business Days after receipt of such notice and (B) the Administrative Agent shall have consented to such assignment (which consent shall not be withheld unless the

 

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Administrative Agent reasonably believes that such assignment would violate clause (h)(iiiiv) of this Section 12.2).

 

Each Affiliated Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent promptly (and in any event within 10 Business Days) if it acquires any Person who is also a Lender, and each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent promptly (and in any event within 10 Business Days) if it becomes an Affiliated Lender.  Such notice shall contain the type of information required and be delivered to the same addressee as set forth in Exhibit S.

 

(i)                                     Notwithstanding anything in Section 12.1 or the definition of “Requisite Lenders” to the contrary, for purposes of determining whether the Requisite Lenders have (i) consented (or not consented) to any amendment, modification, waiver, consent or other action with respect to any of the terms of any Loan Document or any departure by any Loan Party therefrom, or subject to Section 12.2(j), any plan of reorganization pursuant to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, (ii) otherwise acted on any matter related to any Loan Document, or (iii) directed or required the Administrative Agent or any Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) with respect to or under any Loan Document, (x) no Affiliated Lender shall have any right to consent (or not consent), otherwise act or direct or require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to take (or refrain from taking) any such action, (y) all Loans held by any Affiliated Lenders shall be deemed to be not outstanding for all purposes of calculating whether the Requisite Lenders have taken any actions; and (z) all Loans held by Affiliated Lenders shall be deemed to be not outstanding for all purposes of calculating whether all Lenders have taken any action unless the action in question adversely affects such Affiliated Lender in a material respect in its capacity as a Lender as compared to other Lenders.

 

(j)                                    Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents to the contrary, each Affiliated Lender hereby agrees that, if a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law shall be commenced by or against the Borrower or any other Loan Party at a time when such Lender is an Affiliated Lender, such Affiliated Lender irrevocably authorizes and empowers the Administrative Agent to vote on behalf of such Affiliated Lender with respect to the Loans held by such Affiliated Lender in any manner in the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion, unless the Administrative Agent instructs such Affiliated Lender to vote, in which case such Affiliated Lender shall vote with respect to the Loans held by it as the Administrative Agent directs; provided that such Affiliated Lender shall be entitled to vote in accordance with its sole discretion (and not in accordance with the direction of the Administrative Agent) in connection with any plan of reorganization to the extent any such plan of reorganization proposes to treat any Obligations held by such Affiliated Lender in a manner that is less favorable in any material respect to such Affiliated Lender than the proposed treatment of similar Obligations held by Lenders that are not Affiliates of the Borrower.

 

For avoidance of doubt, the foregoing limitations in clauses (h)(ii) through (v), (i), and (j) shall not be applicable to Debt Fund Affiliates.

 

(k)                                 Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,

 

(i)                                     in connection with any assignment of Tranche B-2 Loans, including pursuant to Section 3.7 with respect to Non-Consenting Lenders, the Borrower

 

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and the parties to such assignment may elect for the assignee thereof to receive (x) an equal amount of First Lien Term Loans pursuant to documentation reasonably acceptable to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the parties to such assignment and following the settlement of such assignment, such assignment shall be deemed, automatically and without further act by any Person, to constitute a simultaneous (I) Borrowing by the Borrower of additional First Lien Term Loans from the assignee of such assigned Loans and (II) prepayment of such Tranche B-2 Loans, with the accrued and unpaid interest on such Tranche B-2 Loans being payable by the Borrower on the effective date of such assignment, or (y) an equal or lesser principal amount of obligations under the Second Lien Facility pursuant to documentation reasonably acceptable to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Second Lien Administrative Agent and the parties to such assignment and following the settlement of such assignment, (I) such assigned Loans shall be deemed to be additional Indebtedness incurred under the Second Lien Facility for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (II) such assigned Loan immediately prior to such settlement, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, shall automatically be deemed repaid in full and no longer outstanding under this Agreement;

 

(ii)                                  no Agent-Related Person shall be responsible or have any liability for, or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into, monitor or enforce, compliance with the provisions hereof relating to Disqualified Lenders; further, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no Agent-Related Person shall (x) be obligated to ascertain, monitor or inquire as to whether any Lender or Participant or prospective Lender or Participant is a Disqualified Lender or (y) have any liability with respect to or arising out of any assignment or participation of Loans, or disclosure of confidential information, to any Disqualified Lender; and

 

(iii)                               in no event shall the Administrative Agent be obligated to ascertain, monitor or inquire as to whether any Lender is an Affiliated Lender, nor shall the Administrative Agent be obligated to monitor the aggregate amount of the Loans held by Affiliated Lenders.

 

SECTION 12.3                                      Costs and Expenses.  The Borrower agrees (a) if the Effective Date occurs, to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent upon presentation of a summary statement for all reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation, syndication and execution of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any amendment, waiver, consent or other modification of the provisions hereof and thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated thereby are consummated), and the consummation and administration of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including (i) all Attorney Costs of Paul Hastings LLP and, if reasonably necessary, a single firm of local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction material to the interests of the Lenders taken as a whole (which may include a single special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions), and (ii) reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred in connection with field examinations and inventory appraisals (including desktop appraisals), and (b) to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for all reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement of any rights or remedies under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (including all such reasonable,

 

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documented and invoiced out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred during any legal proceeding, including any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, and including all Attorney Costs of a single firm of counsel to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders taken as a whole (and, if reasonably necessary, a single firm of local counsel in any relevant material jurisdiction (which may include a single special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions).  The agreements in this Section 12.3 shall survive the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and repayment of all other Obligations.  All amounts due under this Section 12.3 shall be paid promptly following receipt by the Borrower of an invoice relating thereto setting forth such expenses in reasonable detail.  If any Loan Party fails to pay when due any costs, expenses or other amounts payable by it hereunder or under any Loan Document, such amount may be paid on behalf of such Loan Party by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.

 

SECTION 12.4                                      Indemnities.  The Borrower shall indemnify and hold harmless the Agents, each Lender and their respective Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, controlling persons and other representatives and the successors and permitted assigns of each of the foregoing (collectively the “Indemnitees”) from and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages, claims, and reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket fees and expenses (including Attorney Costs) of any kind or nature whatsoever which may at any time be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any such Indemnitee in any way relating to or arising out of or in connection with (but limited, in the case of Attorney Costs, to the reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket fees, disbursements and other charges of a single firm of counsel to all Indemnitees taken as a whole and, if necessary, a single firm of local counsel for all Indemnitees taken as a whole in each appropriate jurisdiction (which may include a single firm of special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions), and solely in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, where the Indemnitee affected by such conflict informs the Borrower and thereafter retains its own counsel, one additional firm of counsel for each group of affected Indemnitees similarly situated taken as a whole) (i) the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance or administration of any Loan Document or any other agreement, letter or instrument delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated thereby or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, (ii) any Commitment or Loan or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom, or (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property currently or formerly owned or operated by the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other Loan Party, or any Environmental Liabilities, in each case, arising out of the activities or operations of the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other Loan Party, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory (including any investigation of, preparation for, or defense of any pending or threatened claim, investigation, litigation or proceeding) and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto (all the foregoing, collectively, the “Indemnified Liabilities”); provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such liabilities, losses, damages, claims, costs, expenses or disbursements resulted from (A) (x) the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or of any Related Indemnified Person or (y) a breach of any obligations under any Loan Document by such Indemnitee or of any Related Indemnified Person, in each case, as determined by a final, non appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction or (B) any dispute solely between or among Indemnitees other than any claims against an Indemnitee in its capacity or in fulfilling its role as an administrative agent or arranger or any similar role under the Facility (excluding their role as a Lender) and other than any claims arising out of any act or omission of the Borrower or

 

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any of its Affiliates.  To the extent that the undertakings to indemnify and hold harmless set forth in this Section 12.4 may be unenforceable in whole or in part because they are violative of any applicable law or public policy, the Borrower shall contribute the maximum portion that it is permitted to pay and satisfy under applicable law to the payment and satisfaction of all Indemnified Liabilities incurred by the Indemnitees or any of them.  No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of any information or other materials obtained through IntraLinks or other similar information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement, nor shall any Indemnitee or any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or arising out of its activities in connection herewith or therewith (whether before or after the Effective Date) (other than, in the case of any Loan Party, in respect of any such damages incurred or paid by an Indemnitee to a third party).  In the case of an investigation, litigation or other proceeding to which the indemnity in this Section 12.4 applies, such indemnity shall be effective whether or not such investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by any Loan Party, its directors, stockholders or creditors or an Indemnitee or any other Person, whether or not any Indemnitee is otherwise a party thereto and whether or not any of the transactions contemplated hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents is consummated.  All amounts due under this Section 12.4 shall be paid within twenty (20) Business Days after written demand thereof from the Administrative Agent or the Indemnitee entitled thereto.  The agreements in this Section 12.4 shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.  This Section 12.4 shall not apply to Taxes, or amounts excluded from the definition of Taxes pursuant to clauses (i) through (viii) of the first sentence of Section 3.1(a), that are imposed with respect to payments to or for account of any Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document, which shall be governed by Section 3.1.  This Section 12.4 also shall not apply to Other Taxes or to taxes covered by Section 3.4.

 

SECTION 12.5                                      Limitation of Liability.  The Loan Parties agree that no Indemnitee shall have any liability (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) to any Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries or any of their respective equity holders or creditors for or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and in the other Loan Documents, except to the extent such liability is determined in a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Indemnitee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct or bad faith or breach by such Indemnitee of its material obligations under this Agreement.  In no event, shall any Loan Party, any Affiliate thereof, any other party hereto or any Indemnitee be liable on any theory of liability for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (including any loss of profits, business or anticipated savings), other than, in the case of any Loan Party, in respect of any such damages incurred or paid by an Indemnitee to a third party.  Each party hereto hereby waives, releases and agrees (each for itself and on behalf of its Subsidiaries) not to sue upon any such claim for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, whether or not accrued and whether or not known or suspected to exist in its favor.

 

SECTION 12.6                                      Right of Setoff.

 

If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, after obtaining the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to

 

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set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower or any other Loan Party  against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower or such other Loan Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrower or such Loan Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lender different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness.  The rights of each Lender and its Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender or its Affiliates may have.  Each Lender agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

 

SECTION 12.7                                      Sharing of Payments.

 

If, other than as expressly provided elsewhere herein, any Lender shall obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on account of the Loans made by it (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise of any right of set-off, or otherwise) in excess of its ratable share (or other share contemplated hereunder) thereof, such Lender shall immediately (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase from the other Lenders such participations in the Loans made by them as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess payment of principal of or interest on such Loans pro rata with each of them; provided that if all or any portion of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from the purchasing Lender under any of the circumstances described in Section 12.13 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the purchasing Lender in its discretion), such purchase shall to that extent be rescinded and each other Lender shall repay to the purchasing Lender the purchase price paid therefor, together with an amount equal to such paying Lender’s ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such paying Lender’s required repayment to (ii) the total amount so recovered from the purchasing Lender) of any interest or other amount paid or payable by the purchasing Lender in respect of the total amount so recovered, without further interest thereon.  For avoidance of doubt, the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to (A) any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement as in effect from time to time or (B) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans to any assignee or participant permitted hereunder.  The Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another Lender may, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, exercise all its rights of payment (including the right of set-off, but subject to Section 12.6) with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.  The Administrative Agent will keep records (which shall be conclusive and binding in the absence of manifest error) of participations purchased under this Section 12.7 and will in each case notify the Lenders following any such purchases or repayments.  Each Lender that purchases a participation pursuant to this Section 12.7 shall from and after such purchase have the right to give all notices, requests, demands, directions and other communications under this Agreement with respect to the portion of the Obligations purchased to the same extent as though the purchasing Lender were the original owner of the Obligations purchased.

 

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SECTION 12.8                                      Notices and Other Communications; Facsimile Copies.

 

(a)                                 General.  Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in subsection (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopier as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:

 

(i)                                     if to Holdings, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 12.8; and

 

(ii)                                  if to any other Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire.

 

Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by telecopier shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient).  Notices and other communications delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subsection (b) below shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b).

 

(b)                                 Electronic Communications.  Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender pursuant to Article II if such Lender has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication.  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.  The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Arrangers will make available to the Lenders materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks or another similar electronic system (the “Platform”) and (b) certain of the Lenders (each, a “Public Lender”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities.  The Borrower hereby agrees that (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent

 

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such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 12.16); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Side Information”; and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Side Information.”  Upon request by any Lender to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may provide such Lender with a copy of the list of Disqualified Lenders.

 

(c)                                  Receipt.  Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.

 

(d)                                 The Platform.  THE “PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.”  THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS.  NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM.  In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Agent-Related Persons or any Arranger (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to Holdings, the Borrower, any Lender or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrower’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Borrower Materials through the Internet, except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Agent Party; provided, however, that in no event shall any Agent Party have any liability to Holdings, the Borrower, any Lender or any other Person under this Section 12.8 for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages).

 

(e)                                  Change of Address.  Each of Holdings, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.  Each other Lender may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.  In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent from time to time to ensure that the Administrative Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, telecopier number

 

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and electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender.  Furthermore, each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws, to make reference to Borrower Materials that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal or state securities laws.

 

(f)                                   Reliance by Administrative Agent and Lenders.  The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic Committed Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof.  The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent each Lender and the Agent-Related Persons of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower; provided that such indemnity shall not be available to the extent that such losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulted from (x) the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Person or (y) a breach of any obligations under any Loan Document by such Person, in each case, as determined by a final, non appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.

 

SECTION 12.9                                      No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.

 

No failure by any Lender or the Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.  The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided, and provided under each other Loan Document, are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by Law.

 

SECTION 12.10                               Binding Effect.  This Agreement shall become effective when (i) it shall have been executed by the Borrower, Holdings and the Administrative Agent and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have been notified by each Lender (and the Administrative Agent, in turn, shall have notified the Borrower thereof) that each such Lender has executed it and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, Holdings, each Agent and each Lender and their respective successors and assigns.

 

SECTION 12.11                               Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Service of Process.

 

(a)                                 THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN

 

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CONTRACT TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT (EXCEPT AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK; PROVIDED THAT THE INTERPRETATION OF ANY PROVISION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT, INCLUDING THE DETERMINATION OF THE ACCURACY OF ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OR THE SATISFACTION OF ANY CONDITION CONTAINED THEREIN (INCLUDING ANY DETERMINATION OR DISPUTE CONCERNING A “CLOSING DATE MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT”) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND SECTION 9.08 OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT SHALL GOVERN WITH RESPECT THERETO.

 

(b)                                 THE BORROWER, HOLDINGS, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH LENDER EACH IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR FEDERAL COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW.  EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES THAT THE AGENTS AND LENDERS RETAIN THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST ANY LOAN PARTY IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION SOLELY IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHTS UNDER ANY COLLATERAL DOCUMENT OR THE ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT.

 

(c)                                  THE BORROWER, HOLDINGS, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH LENDER EACH IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (b) OF THIS SECTION.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

 

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(d)                                 EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 12.8.  NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

 

SECTION 12.12                               Waiver of Jury Trial.  EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY).  EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

SECTION 12.13                               Marshaling; Payments Set Aside.  None of the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall be under any obligation to marshal any assets in favor of the Loan Parties or any other party or against or in payment of any or all of the Obligations.  To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower is made to any Agent or any Lender, or any Agent or any Lender exercises its right of set-off, and such payment or the proceeds of such set-off or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by such Agent or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such set-off had not occurred, and (b) each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share of any amount so recovered from or repaid by any Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect.

 

SECTION 12.14                               Execution In Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.  This Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy or other electronic imaging means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 12.15                               Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents.  The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any

 

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Assignment and Assumption or in any amendment or other modification hereof (including waivers and consents) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

 

SECTION 12.16                               Confidentiality.  Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information in accordance with its customary procedures (as set forth below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’ respective employees, legal counsel, independent auditors, professionals and other experts or agents who need to know such Information and who are informed of the confidential nature of such Information are subject to customary confidentiality obligations of professional practice or agree to be bound by the terms of this Section 12.16 (or provisions at least as restrictive as those of this Section 12.16, taken as a whole) (with each such Administrative Agent and Lender responsible for such Person’s compliance with this paragraph), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners) in which case the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree (except with respect to any audit or examination conducted by bank accountants or any governmental bank regulatory authority exercising examination or regulatory authority), to the extent practicable and not prohibited by applicable Law, to notify the Borrower promptly thereof prior to disclosure by such Person, (c) pursuant to the order of any court or administrative agency or in any pending legal, judicial or administrative proceeding, or otherwise as required by applicable law or compulsory legal process based on the advice of counsel (in which case the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as applicable, agrees (except with respect to any audit or examination conducted by bank accountants or any governmental bank regulatory authority exercising examination or regulatory authority), to the extent practicable and not prohibited by applicable Law, to inform the Borrower promptly thereof prior to disclosure), (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions at least as restrictive as those of this Section 12.16, taken as a whole, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or any Eligible Assignee invited to be an Additional Lender or (ii) any actual or prospective direct or indirect counterparty to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations, in each case who agree to be bound by the terms of this Section 12.16 (or provisions at least as restrictive as those of this Section 12.16, taken as a whole), (g) with the written consent of the Borrower; (h) to any rating agency in connection with obtaining ratings for the Borrower, the Facility, the ABL Facility or the Senior Notes; or (i) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or improper disclosure by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any of their respective Affiliates or any related parties thereto in violation of any confidentiality obligations owing to the Borrower, the Company, any Permitted Holder or any of their respective Affiliates or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof, and which source is not known by such Agent or Lender to be subject to a

 

185



 

confidentiality restriction in respect thereof in favor of the Borrower, the Company, any Permitted Holder or any of their respective Affiliates.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may Information be shared with a Person that is a Disqualified Lender at the time such disclosure was made.

 

For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof relating to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof or their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, it being understood that all information received from or on behalf of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary after the date hereofEffective Date shall be deemed confidential unless such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as not being confidential.  Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so in accordance with its customary procedures if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

 

Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders acknowledges that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning any Loan Party or a Subsidiary thereof, as the case may be, (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws.

 

SECTION 12.17                               Use of Name, Logo, etc.  Each Loan Party consents to the publication in the ordinary course by Administrative Agent or the Arrangers of customary advertising material relating to the financing transactions contemplated by this Agreement using such Loan Party’s name, product photographs, logo or trademark.  Such consent shall remain effective until revoked by such Loan Party in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers.

 

SECTION 12.18                               USA PATRIOT Act Notice.  Each Lender that is subject to the USA PATRIOT Act and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of each Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify each Loan Party in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act.  The Borrower shall, promptly following a request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent or such Lender requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

SECTION 12.19                               No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility.  In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), each of the Borrower and Holdings acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries’ understanding, that: (i)

 

186



 

(A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Agents and the Arrangers are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrower, Holdings and their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Agents and the Arrangers, on the other hand, (B) each of the Borrower and Holdings has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) each of the Borrower and Holdings is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) the Agents, the Arrangers and each Lender is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Borrower, Holdings or any of their respective Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) none of the Agents, the Arrangers nor any Lender has any obligation to the Borrower, Holdings or any of their respective Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Agents, the Arrangers, the Lender and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower, Holdings their respective Affiliates, and none of the Agents, the Arrangers nor any Lender has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower, Holdings or any of their respective Affiliates.  To the fullest extent permitted by law, each of the Borrower and Holdings hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Agents, the Arrangers nor any Lender with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.

 

SECTION 12.20                               Severability.  If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions.  The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

SECTION 12.21                               Survival of Representations and Warranties.  All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof.  Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall continue in full force and effect until the Discharge of Obligations.

 

SECTION 12.22                               Lender Action.  Each Lender agrees that it shall not take or institute any actions or proceedings, judicial or otherwise, for any right or remedy against any Loan Party under any of the Loan Documents (including the exercise of any right of set-off, rights on account of any banker’s lien or similar claim or other rights of self-help), or institute any actions or proceedings, or otherwise commence any remedial procedures, with respect to any Collateral or any other property of any such Loan Party (including, without limitation, with respect to any Secured Hedge Agreement), without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (which

 

187



 

shall not be withheld in contravention of Section 11.4).  The provision of this Section 12.22 are for the sole benefit of the Lenders and shall not afford any right to, or constitute a defense available to, any Loan Party.

 

SECTION 12.23                               Interest Rate Limitation.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “Maximum Rate”).  If any Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower.  In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by an Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

 

SECTION 12.24                               Amendments to the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Notes Intercreditor Agreement.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (i) no Lender consent is required to effect any amendment or supplement to the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, (A) that is for the purpose of adding the holders of Indebtedness incurred or issued pursuant to a Permitted Refinancing of the Second Lien Facility (or any agent or trustee of such holders) as parties thereto, as expressly contemplated by the terms of the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and permitted under Section 9.3(x) (it being understood that any such amendment or supplement may make such other changes to the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement as, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, are required to effectuate the foregoing and provided that such other changes are not adverse, in any material respect, to the interests of the Lenders) or (B) that is expressly contemplated by Section 5.03 of the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement with respect to a Permitted Refinancing of the Second Lien Facility permitted under Section 9.3(x) (or the comparable provisions, if any, of any successor intercreditor agreement with respect to a Permitted Refinancing of the Second Lien Facility permitted under Section 9.3(x)); provided further that no such agreement shall, pursuant to this clause (i), amend, modify or otherwise directly and adversely affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as applicable and (ii) no Lender consent is required to effect any amendment or supplement to the Notes Intercreditor Agreement, (A) that is for the purpose of adding the holders of Indebtedness incurred or issued pursuant to a Permitted Refinancing of the Senior Notes (or any agent or trustee of such holders) as parties thereto, as expressly contemplated by the terms of the Notes Intercreditor Agreement and permitted under Section 9.3(q) (it being understood that any such amendment or supplement may make such other changes to the Notes Intercreditor Agreement as, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, are required to effectuate the foregoing and provided that such other changes are not adverse, in any material respect, to the interests of the Lenders) or (B) that is expressly contemplated by Section 5.03 of the Notes Intercreditor Agreement with respect to a Permitted Refinancing of the Senior Notes permitted under Section 9.3(q) (or the comparable provisions, if any, of any successor intercreditor agreement with respect to a Permitted Refinancing of the Senior Notes permitted under Section 9.3(q)); provided further that no such

 

188



 

agreement shall, pursuant to this clause (ii), amend, modify or otherwise directly and adversely affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as applicable.

 

SECTION 12.25                               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.

 

[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.]

 

189



 

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

 

 

NUMBER MERGER SUB, INC. (which on the Effective Date shall be merged with and into 99¢ Only Stores, with 99¢ Only Stores surviving such merger as the Borrower),

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

NUMBER HOLDINGS, INC., as Holdings,

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

190



 

The undersigned hereby confirms that, as a result of its merger with Number Merger Sub, Inc., it hereby assumes all of the rights and obligations of Number Merger Sub, Inc. under this Agreement (in furtherance of, and not in lieu of, any assumption or deemed assumption as a matter of law) and hereby is joined to this Agreement as the Borrower thereunder.

 

 

 

 

 

99¢ ONLY STORES

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

191



 

 

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, as a Lender

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

192



 

 

LENDERS

 

 

 

[        ]

 

193



 

Exhibit B-1

 

Form of First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement

 

Exhibit B-2

 

Form of Notes Intercreditor Agreement

 



 

Exhibit C

 

SCHEDULE 5.11

 

SUBSIDIARIES

 

Name of Loan Party

 

Jurisdiction

Number Holdings, Inc.

 

Delaware

99 Cents Only Stores LLC

 

California

99 Cents Only Stores Texas, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

EQUITY INTERESTS REQUIRED TO BE PLEDGED

 

Loan Party
Pledgor

 

Pledgor
Jurisdiction

 

Issuer

 

Issuer
Jurisdiction

 

Number of
Shares
Owned/Class

 

Percent
Owned

 

Certificate
Number

Number Holdings, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

99 Cents Only Stores LLC

 

California

 

100/ Membership Units

 

100%

 

1

99 Cents Only Stores LLC

 

California

 

99 Cents Only Stores Texas, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

100/Common Stock

 

100%

 

3

99 Cents Only Stores LLC

 

California

 

Number Holdings, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

10,000/Class A

 

100%

 

A-1

99 Cents Only Stores LLC

 

California

 

Bargain Wholesale LLC

 

Delaware

 

N/A

 

100%

 

uncertificated

 



 

Exhibit D

 

SCHEDULE 12.8

 

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT’S OFFICE, CERTAIN ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES

 

If to Holdings or the Borrower, to:

99 Cents Only Stores LLC

4000 Union Pacific Avenue

City of Commerce, CA 90023

Facsimile: (323) 307-9659
Email: Felicia.Thornton@99only.com

Attention: Felicia Thornton

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Proskauer Rose LLP

2049 Century Park East, 32nd Floor

Los Angeles, CA 90067

Facsimile: (310) 557-2193

Attention: Michael A. Woronoff, Esq.

 

If to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent:

Royal Bank of Canada

RBC Agency Services Group

200 Bay Street, 12th Floor, South Tower

Toronto, Ontario M5J 2W7

Attention: Manager, Agency Services

Email: susan.khokher@rbccm.com

Telecopy: (416) 842-4023

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Paul Hastings LLP

200 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10166

Attention: Michael Baker

Email: michaelbaker@paulhastings.com

Telephone: (212) 318-6855

Telecopy: (212) 230-7855

 



 

Exhibit E

Form of Conversion Notice

 

Date:              , 2017

 

Royal Bank of Canada, as Administrative Agent

RBC Agency Services Group

4th Floor, 20 King Street West

Toronto, Ontario M5H 1C4

Attention:

Manager, Agency Service Group

Facsimile:

(416) 842-4023

 

99 Cents Only Stores LLC

4000 Union Pacific Avenue

City of Commerce, CA 90023

Attention:

Felicia N. Thornton

 

Conversion Notice

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to Amendment No. 3 (the “Amendment”) to that certain $525,000,000 Credit Agreement, dated as of January 13, 2012 (as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the Term Credit Agreement, dated as of April 4, 2012 and Amendment No. 2 to the Term Credit Agreement, dated as of October 8, 2013, the “Existing Credit Agreement”; and as amended by the Amendment and as otherwise may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among 99 Cents Only Stores LLC (the “Borrower”), Number Holdings, Inc., the lenders party thereto, Royal Bank of Canada, as administrative agent, and the other agents party thereto.  Unless otherwise specified herein, capitalized terms used but not defined herein are used as defined in the Amendment.

 

By delivery of this Conversion Notice, each of the undersigned (each a “Converting Lender”) (a) hereby consents to the Amendment and the amendment of the Existing Credit Agreement contemplated thereby, (b) without limiting the generality of the foregoing, hereby authorizes and directs the Administrative Agent to execute and deliver the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and (c) hereby irrevocably elects, upon the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date, to convert an outstanding amount of Tranche B-2 Loans of such Converting Lender to an equal outstanding amount of First Lien Term Loans under the Credit Agreement.

 

By executing and delivering this Conversion Notice, each Converting Lender hereby agrees as follows:

 



 

(a)                                 such Converting Lender hereby agrees (i) to convert the outstanding amount of Tranche B-2 Loans of such Converting Lender to an equal outstanding amount of First Lien Term Loans under the Credit Agreement;

 

(b)                                 such Converting Lender irrevocably acknowledges and unconditionally agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, the Amendment and the other Loan Documents as a Lender as of the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date;

 

(c)                                  this Conversion Notice shall be deemed to be such Converting Lender’s written consent to the Amendment for purposes of Section 12.1 of the Existing Credit Agreement;

 

(d)                                 on or following the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date, such Converting Lender shall deliver to the Administrative Agent any Note held by such Converting Lender under the Existing Credit Agreement against delivery by the Borrower of a replacement Note in favor of such Converting Lender evidencing the principal amount of such Converting Lender’s First Lien Term Loans in accordance with Section 2.7 of the Credit Agreement; and

 

(e)                                  such Converting Lender hereby waives any compensation that may be required to be made pursuant to Section 3.5 of the Credit Agreement with respect to (i) any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Eurocurrency Rate Loan on a day prior to the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan or (ii) any assignment of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan on a day prior to the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 3.7 of the Credit Agreement.

 

Delivery of an executed signature page to this Conversion Notice by facsimile or other electronic means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed signature page of this Conversion Notice.

 

This Conversion Notice shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the state of New York.

 

The agreements contained herein shall be binding upon the undersigned, its successors and assigns.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 



 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

                                                ,

 

as a Converting Lender

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                ,

 

as a Converting Lender

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                ,

 

as a Converting Lender

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 


EX-10.3 4 a17-26148_1ex10d3.htm EX-10.3

Exhibit 10.3

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Dated as of November 7, 2017

 

among

 

99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC,

as the Borrower,

 

NUMBER HOLDINGS, INC.,

as Holdings,

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

as Administrative Agent,

 

and

 

THE OTHER LENDERS PARTY HERETO

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

ARTICLE I

Definitions, Interpretation and Accounting Terms

2

SECTION 1.1

Defined Terms

2

SECTION 1.2

Other Interpretive Provisions

59

SECTION 1.3

Accounting Terms

60

SECTION 1.4

Rounding

60

SECTION 1.5

References to Agreements, Laws, Etc.

60

SECTION 1.6

Times of Day

60

SECTION 1.7

Pro Forma Calculations

60

ARTICLE II

The Facility

62

SECTION 2.1

The Loans

62

SECTION 2.2

Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans

62

SECTION 2.3

Optional Prepayments

64

SECTION 2.4

Mandatory Prepayments

71

SECTION 2.5

Reduction and Termination of Commitments

75

SECTION 2.6

Repayment of Loans

75

SECTION 2.7

Evidence of Indebtedness

75

SECTION 2.8

Interest

77

SECTION 2.9

Fees

78

SECTION 2.10

Payments and Computations

78

SECTION 2.11

Determination of Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate

79

SECTION 2.12

[Reserved]

79

SECTION 2.13

Extensions of Loans

80

SECTION 2.14

Refinancing Amendments

83

SECTION 2.15

Loan Repricing Protection

84

ARTICLE III

TAXES, INCREASED COSTS PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

85

SECTION 3.1

Taxes

85

SECTION 3.2

Illegality

91

SECTION 3.3

Inability to Determine Rates

92

SECTION 3.4

Increased Cost and Reduced Return; Capital Adequacy; Reserves on Eurocurrency Rate Loans

92

 

i



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

SECTION 3.5

Funding Losses

94

SECTION 3.6

Matters Applicable to All Requests for Compensation

94

SECTION 3.7

Replacement of Lenders under Certain Circumstances

95

SECTION 3.8

Survival

96

ARTICLE IV

Conditions Precedent

96

SECTION 4.1

Conditions Precedent to Initial Borrowing

96

SECTION 4.2

Conditions Precedent to Each Loan

98

ARTICLE V

Representations and Warranties

99

SECTION 5.1

Existence, Qualification and Power; Compliance with Laws

99

SECTION 5.2

Authorization; No Contravention

99

SECTION 5.3

Governmental Authorization

100

SECTION 5.4

Binding Effect

100

SECTION 5.5

Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect

100

SECTION 5.6

Litigation

101

SECTION 5.7

Ownership of Property; Liens

101

SECTION 5.8

Environmental Matters

101

SECTION 5.9

Taxes

102

SECTION 5.10

ERISA Compliance

102

SECTION 5.11

Subsidiaries

103

SECTION 5.12

Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act

103

SECTION 5.13

Disclosure

104

SECTION 5.14

Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc.

104

SECTION 5.15

Solvency

104

SECTION 5.16

Subordination of Junior Financing

104

SECTION 5.17

USA PATRIOT Act

104

SECTION 5.18

Collateral Documents

106

SECTION 5.19

Use of Proceeds

106

SECTION 5.20

Insurance

106

ARTICLE VI

[Reserved]

106

ARTICLE VII

Reporting Covenants

106

 

ii



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

SECTION 7.1

Financial Statements, Etc.

106

SECTION 7.2

Certificates; Other Information

108

SECTION 7.3

Notices

110

ARTICLE VIII

Affirmative Covenants

111

SECTION 8.1

Preservation of Existence, Etc.

111

SECTION 8.2

Compliance with Laws, Etc.

111

SECTION 8.3

Designation of Subsidiaries

111

SECTION 8.4

Payment of Taxes, Etc.

113

SECTION 8.5

Maintenance of Insurance

113

SECTION 8.6

Inspection Rights

114

SECTION 8.7

Books and Records

114

SECTION 8.8

Maintenance of Properties

114

SECTION 8.9

Use of Proceeds

114

SECTION 8.10

Compliance with Environmental Laws

115

SECTION 8.11

Covenant to Guarantee Obligations and Give Security

115

SECTION 8.12

Interest Rate Protection

117

SECTION 8.13

Further Assurances and Post-Closing Covenants

117

ARTICLE IX

Negative Covenants

118

SECTION 9.1

Liens

118

SECTION 9.2

Investments

122

SECTION 9.3

Indebtedness

125

SECTION 9.4

Fundamental Changes

129

SECTION 9.5

Dispositions

131

SECTION 9.6

Restricted Payments

133

SECTION 9.7

Change in Nature of Business

137

SECTION 9.8

Transactions with Affiliates

137

SECTION 9.9

Burdensome Agreements

140

SECTION 9.10

Fiscal Year

142

SECTION 9.11

Prepayments, Etc. of Junior Financing

143

SECTION 9.12

Modification of Agreements

143

 

iii



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

SECTION 9.13

Holdings

144

SECTION 9.14

Capital Expenditures

144

ARTICLE X

Events of Default

145

SECTION 10.1

Events of Default

145

SECTION 10.2

Remedies upon Event of Default

148

SECTION 10.3

Application of Funds

148

ARTICLE XI

The Administrative Agent

149

SECTION 11.1

Appointment and Authorization

149

SECTION 11.2

Rights as a Lender

150

SECTION 11.3

Exculpatory Provisions

150

SECTION 11.4

Reliance by the Administrative Agent

152

SECTION 11.5

Delegation of Duties

153

SECTION 11.6

Resignation of Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent

154

SECTION 11.7

Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders; Disclosure of Information by Agents

155

SECTION 11.8

[Reserved]

155

SECTION 11.9

Intercreditor Agreement

155

SECTION 11.10

Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim

156

SECTION 11.11

Collateral and Guaranty Matters

157

SECTION 11.12

[Reserved]

158

SECTION 11.13

Indemnification of Agents

158

ARTICLE XII

Miscellaneous

159

SECTION 12.1

Amendments, Etc.

159

SECTION 12.2

Successors and Assigns

162

SECTION 12.3

Costs and Expenses

167

SECTION 12.4

Indemnities

168

SECTION 12.5

Limitation of Liability

169

SECTION 12.6

Right of Setoff

169

SECTION 12.7

Sharing of Payments

170

SECTION 12.8

Notices and Other Communications; Facsimile Copies

170

 

iv



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

SECTION 12.9

No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies

172

SECTION 12.10

Binding Effect

173

SECTION 12.11

Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Service of Process

173

SECTION 12.12

Waiver of Jury Trial

173

SECTION 12.13

Marshaling; Payments Set Aside

175

SECTION 12.14

Execution In Counterparts

175

SECTION 12.15

Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents

175

SECTION 12.16

Confidentiality

176

SECTION 12.17

Use of Name, Logo, etc.

177

SECTION 12.18

USA PATRIOT Act Notice

179

SECTION 12.19

No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility

179

SECTION 12.20

Severability

179

SECTION 12.21

Survival of Representations and Warranties

180

SECTION 12.22

Lender Action

180

SECTION 12.23

Interest Rate Limitation

180

 

v



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULES

 

Schedule I

-

Term Commitments

 

Schedule II

-

Subsidiary Guarantors

 

Schedule 1.1A

-

Certain Security Interests and Guarantees

 

Schedule 1.7(b)

-

Adjustments to Consolidated EBITDA

 

Schedule 5.10(a)

-

ERISA Compliance

 

Schedule 5.11

-

Subsidiaries and Other Equity Investments

 

Schedule 8.13

-

Post-Closing Items

 

Schedule 9.1(b)

-

Existing Liens

 

Schedule 9.2(f)

-

Existing Investments

 

Schedule 9.3(b)

-

Existing Indebtedness

 

Schedule 9.6(c)

-

Permitted Restricted Payments

 

Schedule 9.8(h)

-

Existing Transactions with Affiliates

 

Schedule 9.9

-

Burdensome Agreements

 

Schedule 12.8

-

Administrative Agent’s Office, Certain Addresses for Notices

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBITS

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

-

Form of Acceptance and Prepayment Notice

 

Exhibit B

-

Form of Assignment and Assumption 

 

Exhibit C

-

Form of Committed Loan Notice

 

Exhibit D

-

Form of Compliance Certificate

 

Exhibit E

-

Form of Discount Range Prepayment Notice

 

Exhibit F

-

Form of Discount Range Prepayment Offer

 

Exhibit G

-

Form of Guaranty

 

Exhibit H

-

Form of Intercompany Subordination Agreement

 

Exhibit I

-

Form of Intercreditor Agreement

 

Exhibit J

-

Form of Security Agreement

 

Exhibit K

-

Form of Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice

 

Exhibit L

-

Form of Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer

 

Exhibit M

-

Form of Specified Discount Prepayment Notice

 

Exhibit N

-

Form of Specified Discount Prepayment Response

 

Exhibit O

-

Form of Note

 

Exhibit P

-

Form of Non-Bank Certificate

 

Exhibit Q

-

Form of Opinion of Proskauer Rose LLP, Counsel for the Loan Parties

 

Exhibit R

-

Form of Solvency Certificate

 

Exhibit S

-

[Reserved]

 

Exhibit T

-

Form of Mortgage

 

Exhibit U-1

-

Form of First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement

 

Exhibit U-2

-

Form of Notes Intercreditor Agreement

 

 

vi



 

This SECOND LIEN CREDIT AGREEMENT is entered into as of November 7, 2017, among 99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC, a California limited liability company (the “Borrower”), NUMBER HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”), WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent (in such capacity, including any successor thereto, the “Administrative Agent”) and as collateral agent (in such capacity, including any successor thereto, the “Collateral Agent”) under the Loan Documents, and each lender from time to time party hereto (collectively, the “Lenders” and individually, a “Lender”).

 

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS

 

WHEREAS, (x) Holdings, the Borrower, the lenders party thereto, Royal Bank of Canada, as administrative agent and as collateral agent, and the other agents party thereto, are parties to that certain First Lien Credit Agreement (as defined hereafter), (y) Holdings, the Borrower, the lenders party thereto, Royal Bank of Canada, as administrative agent and as collateral agent, and the other agents party thereto, are parties to that certain ABL Facility Credit Agreement (as defined hereafter) and (z) Holdings, the Borrower and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, are parties to that certain Senior Notes Indenture (as defined hereafter).

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower (a) intends to reallocate 100% of the principal amount of Tranche B-2 Loans, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, held by Affiliates of the Borrower to the Facility (as defined hereafter) hereunder; (b) intends to establish a new class of Loans (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement), which would refinance or replace not less than 85% of the principal amount of Loans (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement) under the First Lien Credit Agreement not held by Affiliates of the Borrower and extend the Scheduled Termination Date (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement) thereof; (c) may pursue a transaction to refinance or extend the maturity of the Borrower’s Senior Notes; and (d) intends to amend the First Lien Credit Agreement and the ABL Facility Credit Agreement in connection with the foregoing and to make certain other modifications as more particularly set forth in the amendments to such agreements.

 

WHEREAS, each Lender party hereto has indicated its willingness to reallocate 100% of its Tranche B-2 Loans, together with all capitalized interest and OID thereon and fees and expenses related thereto, to the Facility hereunder on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

 

In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

 



 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS, INTERPRETATION AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

 

SECTION 1.1                                             Defined Terms.

 

As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):

 

ABL Facility Administrative Agent” means Royal Bank of Canada in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent under the ABL Facility Credit Agreement, or any successor administrative agent and collateral agent under the ABL Facility Credit Agreement.

 

ABL Facility Credit Agreement” means that certain asset-based credit agreement dated as of January 13, 2012, among the Borrower, Holdings, the lenders party thereto, the ABL Facility Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent, as amended on April 4, 2012, October 8, 2013, August 24, 2015, April 8, 2016, September 6, 2017, and November 7, 2017, and as the same may be further amended, restated, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced, from time to time, in whole or in part, in one or more agreements (in each case with the same or new lenders, institutional investors or agents), including any agreement extending the maturity thereof or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness thereunder or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof, and in each case any Permitted Refinancing thereof, in each case as and to the extent permitted by this Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

ABL Facility” means the asset-based credit facilities under the ABL Facility Credit Agreement.

 

ABL Facility Documentation” means the ABL Facility Credit Agreement and all security agreements, guarantees, pledge agreements and other agreements or instruments executed in connection therewith.

 

ABL Facility Lenders” means the lenders from time to time party to the ABL Facility Credit Agreement.

 

Acceptable Discount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iv)(B).

 

Acceptable Prepayment Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iv)(C).

 

Acceptance and Prepayment Notice” means a notice of the Borrower’s acceptance of the Acceptable Discount in substantially the form of Exhibit A.

 

Acceptance Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iv)(B).

 

ACOF III” means Ares Corporate Opportunities Fund III, L.P., and its Affiliates.

 

2



 

Acquisition” means the purchase or other acquisition by any Person of property and assets or businesses of any other Person or of assets constituting a business unit, a line of business or division of any Person, a Store or Equity Interests in any Person that, upon the consummation thereof, will be or become part of a direct or indirect wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary of such Person (including as a result of a merger, consolidation or amalgamation).

 

Additional Lender” means, at any time, any bank, financial institution or other institutional lender or investor that, in any case, is not an existing Lender and that agrees to provide any portion of any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment in accordance with Section 2.14.

 

Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate” means with respect to any Eurocurrency Rate Loan for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum equal to the greater of (a) the Eurocurrency Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by the Statutory Reserve Rate and (b) 1.00% per annum. The Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate will be adjusted automatically as to all Eurocurrency Rate Loans then outstanding as of the effective date of any change in the Statutory Reserve Rate.

 

Administrative Agent” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

Administrative Agent’s Office” means the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 12.8, or such other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Lenders.

 

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

 

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

 

Agent Parties” has the meaning specified in Section 12.8(d).

 

Agent-Related Persons” means the Agents, together with their respective Affiliates, and the officers, directors, employees, agents, attorney-in-fact, partners and trustees of such Persons and of such Persons’ Affiliates.

 

Agents” means, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each co-agent or sub-agent (if any) appointed by the Administrative Agent from time to time pursuant to Section 11.5.

 

Aggregate Commitments” means the Commitments of all the Lenders.

 

Agreement” means this Credit Agreement, as amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

3



 

All-In Yield” means, as to any Indebtedness, the yield thereon, whether in the form of interest rate, margin, OID, upfront fees or a Eurocurrency Rate greater than 1.00% (with such increased amount being equated to interest margins for purposes of determining any increase to the Applicable Margin, and without taking into account any fluctuations in the Eurocurrency Rate), or otherwise; provided that OID and upfront fees (which shall be deemed to constitute like amounts of OID) shall be equated to interest rate margins assuming a 4-year life to maturity, and shall be calculated in a manner consistent with generally accepted financial practices); provided, further, that “All-In Yield” shall not include arrangement fees, structuring fees, underwriting fees or similar fees paid to arrangers for such Indebtedness.

 

Amendment No. 3 to the First Lien Credit Agreement” means Amendment No. 3 to the First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of November 7, 2017, among the Borrower, Holdings, the lenders party thereto, the First Lien Administrative Agent and the Lenders party or consenting in writing thereto.

 

Amendment No. 6 to the ABL Facility Credit Agreement” means Amendment No. 6 to the ABL Facility Credit Agreement, dated as of November 7, 2017, among the Borrower, Holdings, the lenders party thereto, the ABL Facility Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent.

 

Annual Financial Statements” means the audited Consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower as of the Friday closest to each of January 31, 2016 and 2017, and the related Consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the Borrower for the Fiscal Years then ended.

 

Applicable Discount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iii)(B).

 

Applicable Margin” means a percentage per annum equal to (i) for Eurocurrency Rate Loans, 8.50%, and (ii) for Base Rate Loans, 7.50%.

 

Appropriate Lender” means, at any time, with respect to Loans of any Class, the Lenders of such Class.

 

Approved Fund” means, with respect to any Lender, any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) such Lender, (b) an Affiliate of such Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages such Lender.

 

Asset Sale” means any Disposition of any property by any Loan Party other than any Disposition of any property permitted by Section 9.5(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (g), (h), (i), (k), (m), (n), (o), (p) and (r).

 

Assignee Group” means two or more Eligible Assignees that are Affiliates of one another or two or more Approved Funds managed by the same investment advisor.

 

Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee, and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit B or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

4



 

Attorney Costs” means all reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of any law firm or other external legal counsel.

 

Auction Agent” means any financial institution or advisor employed by the Borrower (whether or not the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent) to act as an arranger in connection with any Discounted Loan Prepayment pursuant to Section 2.3(d); provided that the Borrower shall not designate the Administrative Agent as the Auction Agent without the written consent of the Administrative Agent (it being understood that the Administrative Agent shall be under no obligation to agree to act as the Auction Agent); provided, further, that neither the Borrower nor any of its Affiliates may act as the Auction Agent.

 

Available Amount” means, at any time (the “Reference Date”), the sum of (without duplication):

 

(a)                                 [reserved]; plus

 

(b)                                 [reserved]; plus

 

(c)                                  the amount of any capital contributions made in cash or Cash Equivalents to the Borrower or Net Cash Proceeds from the issuance or sale of Qualified Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower (other than any amount designated as a Cure Amount (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement), or an Excluded Contribution or any amount (x) increasing Restricted Payment capacity under clause (ii) of the proviso of Section 9.6(f) or (y) applied to (1) prepay Indebtedness under Sections 9.11(iii) or 9.11(vi) or (2) finance Capital Expenditures under clause (viii) of the proviso to the definition thereof) received by the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof and contributed by such parent, directly or indirectly, to the Borrower) during the period from and including the Business Day immediately following the Effective Date through and including the Reference Date; provided that any such equity contribution made by, or Net Cash Proceeds received from, the Sponsors in connection with the exchange or refinancing of the First Lien Stub Term Loans or the Senior Notes shall not be included in the Available Amount until on or following the 12 month anniversary of the Effective Date; plus

 

(d)                                 in the event that the Available Amount has been reduced as a result of an Investment made pursuant to Section 9.2(r), to the extent not already reflected as a return of capital with respect to such Investment for purposes of determining the amount of such Investment or required to be applied to prepay Loans in accordance with Section 2.4(b), the aggregate amount of all Net Cash Proceeds received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the Disposition of any such Investment, and the aggregate amount of all returns, profits, dividends, other distributions and similar amounts received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in cash or Cash Equivalents in respect of such Investment, in each case, from and including the Business Day immediately following the Effective Date through and including the Reference Date; plus

 

(e)                                  [reserved]; minus

 

5



 

(f)                                   the aggregate amount, without duplication, of any Investment made pursuant to Section 9.2(r), any Restricted Payment made pursuant to Section 9.6(l) or any payment made pursuant to Section 9.11(i) during the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the Reference Date. It is understood and agreed that any and all Retained Declined Proceeds shall be disregarded for purposes of calculating the Available Amount.

 

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

 

Bail-In Legislation” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

Bankruptcy Code” means the Bankruptcy Code in Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, modified, succeeded or replaced from time to time.

 

Base Rate” means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1%, (b) the rate of interest last published by the Wall Street Journal (or if such publication ceases to publish such rate of interest, another national publication or national service selected by the Administrative Agent) as the “prime rate”, and (c) the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate on such day for an Interest Period of one (1) month plus 1.00% (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day). Any change in the Base Rate as the result of any change in the “prime rate” shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the announcement of such change.

 

Base Rate Loan” means any Loan during any period in which it bears interest based on the Base Rate.

 

Beneficial Owner” has the meaning given to such term in Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5 under the Exchange Act. “Beneficially Owned” has the meaning correlative thereto.

 

Board of Directors” means, as to any Person, the board of directors or managers, as applicable, of such Person (or, if such Person is a partnership, the board of directors or other governing body of the general partner of such Person) or any duly authorized committee thereof.

 

Bona Fide Debt Fund Affiliate” means any debt fund or investment vehicle that is an Affiliate of any Disqualified Lender described in clause (i) or (ii) of the definition thereof (a) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of business and (b) with respect to which no personnel involved in the investment in, or management of, the relevant Disqualified Lender described in clause (i) or (ii) of the definition thereof (1) makes (or has the right to make or participate with others in making) investment decisions on behalf of, or otherwise cause the direction of the investment policies of, such debt fund or investment vehicle or (2) has access to

 

6



 

any information (other than information that is publicly available) relating to Holdings, the Borrower and/or their respective Subsidiaries.

 

Borrower” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

Borrower Materials” has the meaning specified in Section 12.8(b).

 

Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment” means the offer by the Borrower to make a voluntary prepayment of Loans at a specified discount to par pursuant to Section 2.3(d)(ii).

 

Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers” means the solicitation by the Borrower of offers for, and the corresponding acceptance by a Lender of, a voluntary prepayment of Loans at a specified range of discounts to par pursuant to Section 2.3(d)(iii).

 

Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers” means the solicitation by the Borrower of offers for, and the subsequent acceptance, if any, by a Lender of, a voluntary prepayment of Loans at a discount to par pursuant to Section 2.3(d)(iv).

 

Borrowing” means a borrowing (or deemed borrowing) consisting of Loans of the same Class and Type made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period.

 

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, Los Angeles, California or in New
York, New York with respect to Obligations is located and if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in Dollars in respect of any such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, or any other dealings in Dollars to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, means any such day on which dealings in deposits in Dollars are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank Eurocurrency market.

 

Capital Expenditures” means, for any period, the aggregate of (a) all amounts that would be reflected as additions to property, plant or equipment on a Consolidated statement of cash flows of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP and (b) the value of all assets under Capitalized Leases incurred by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries during such period that, in conformity with GAAP, are or are required to be included as capital expenditures on a Consolidated statement of cash flows of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the term “Capital Expenditures” shall not include: (i) expenditures made in connection with the replacement, substitution, restoration or repair of assets to the extent financed with (x) insurance proceeds paid on account of the loss of or damage to the assets being replaced, substituted, restored or repaired or (y) awards of compensation arising from the taking by eminent domain or condemnation of the assets being replaced, (ii) the purchase price of equipment that is purchased simultaneously with the trade-in

 

7



 

of existing equipment to the extent that the gross amount of such purchase price is reduced by the credit granted by the seller of such equipment for the equipment being traded in at such time, (iii) the purchase of plant, property or equipment or software to the extent financed with the proceeds of Dispositions of Collateral that are not required to be applied to prepay the Loans pursuant to Section 2.4(b) (including any Retained Declined Proceeds in respect thereof) or prepay loans under the First Lien Facility pursuant to the First Lien Credit Agreement or the ABL Facility pursuant to the ABL Facility Credit Agreement, (iv) expenditures that are accounted for as capital expenditures by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and that actually are paid for, or reimbursed to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in cash or Cash Equivalents, by a Person other than the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and for which neither the Borrower nor any Restricted Subsidiary has provided or is required to provide or incur, directly or indirectly, any consideration or obligation (other than rent) in respect of such expenditures to such Person or any other Person (whether before, during or after such period), (v) expenditures to the extent constituting any portion of an Acquisition permitted under this Agreement (but shall include Capital Expenditures made with the cash proceeds of such Acquisition by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a recipient thereof), (vi) the purchase price of equipment purchased during such period to the extent the consideration therefor consists of any combination of (A) used or surplus equipment traded in at the time of such purchase and (B) the proceeds of a concurrent sale of used or surplus equipment, in each case, in the ordinary course of business, (vii) expenditures relating to the construction, acquisition, replacement, reconstruction, development, refurbishment, renovation or improvement of any property which has been transferred to a Person other than the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary during the same Fiscal Year in which such expenditures were made pursuant to a Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction to the extent of the cash proceeds received by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to such Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction; or (viii) expenditures financed with the proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interests of Holdings, any direct or indirect parent thereof, or a capital contribution to the Borrower or Indebtedness permitted to be incurred hereunder.

 

Capitalized Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a Capitalized Lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

Capitalized Leases” means all leases that have been or are required to be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capitalized leases; provided that for all purposes hereunder the amount of obligations under any Capitalized Lease shall be the amount thereof accounted for as a liability in accordance with GAAP.

 

Cash Collateral Account” means an account subject to the sole dominion and control of the Collateral Agent.

 

Cash Equivalents” means:

 

(a)                                 Dollars, Canadian dollars, pounds sterling, euros or in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary, such local currencies held by it from time to time in the ordinary course of business and not for speculation;

 

8



 

(b)                                 readily marketable direct obligations issued or directly and fully and unconditionally guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof the securities of which are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of such government with maturities of two (2) years or less from the date of acquisition;

 

(c)                                  certificates of deposit, time deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, or bankers’ acceptances, in each case, with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any commercial bank having capital and surplus of not less than $250,000,000 and whose long-term debt is rated at least “A-2” or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s or at least “A” or the equivalent thereof by S&P (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized rating agency);

 

(d)                                 repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (b) and (c) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (c) above;

 

(e)                                  commercial paper issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Borrower) rated at least P-1 by Moody’s or A-1 by S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another internationally recognized rating agency), in each case maturing within 12 months after the date of acquisition thereof;

 

(f)                                   readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States or any political subdivision thereof having one of the two highest rating categories obtainable from either Moody’s or S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another internationally recognized rating agency), in each case with maturities of two (2) years or less from the date of acquisition;

 

(g)                                  Indebtedness issued by Persons (other than the Sponsors or any of their Affiliates) with a rating of at least A-2 by Moody’s or A by S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another internationally recognized rating agency), in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition;

 

(h)                                 investment funds investing at least 95% of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (a) through (g) above; and

 

(i)                                     auction rate securities held by the Borrower on the Effective Date in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000.

 

Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty (excluding the taking effect after the date of this Agreement of a law, rule, regulation or treaty adopted prior to the date of this Agreement), (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the

 

9



 

making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority. It is understood and agreed that (i) (x) the Dodd—Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Pub.L. 111-203, H.R. 4173), all Laws relating thereto, all interpretations and applications thereof and any compliance by a Lender with any request or directive relating thereto and (y) all rules or directives and any compliance by a Lender with any requests or guidelines promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall, in each case, for the purposes of this Agreement, be deemed to be adopted subsequent to the Effective Date and (ii) for purposes of this Agreement, the adoption of a successor provision that is substantially equivalent to the promulgation of Treasury regulations in respect of or the issuance of official interpretations of FATCA shall be deemed not an occurrence described in the preceding sentence.

 

Change of Control” means the earliest to occur of:

 

(a)                                 at any time prior to the consummation of a Qualifying IPO: any Person or group of Persons (other than Permitted Holders) acquiring, beneficially, directly or indirectly, greater than 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power for the election of directors represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Holdings (in each case, determined on a fully diluted basis but not giving effect to contingent voting rights that have not vested); or

 

(b)                                 at any time upon or after the consummation of a Qualifying IPO (1) any Person (other than a Permitted Holder) or (2) Persons (other than one or more Permitted Holders) constituting a “group” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such Person and its Subsidiaries, and any Person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan), becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of Equity Interests representing more than thirty-five percent (35%) of the aggregate ordinary voting power for the election of directors represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Holdings (in each case, determined on a fully diluted basis but not giving effect to contingent voting rights that have not vested) and the percentage of aggregate ordinary voting power for the election of directors so held is greater than the percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power for the election of directors represented by the Equity Interests of Holdings Beneficially Owned, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate by the Permitted Holders (in each case, determined on a fully diluted basis but not giving effect to contingent voting rights that have not vested);

 

unless, in the case of either clause (a) or (b) above, the Permitted Holders have, at such time, the right or the ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election at least a majority of the Board of Directors of Holdings; or

 

(c)                                  any “Change of Control” (or any comparable term) in any document pertaining to the First Lien Facility (or any Permitted Refinancing thereof), the ABL Facility (or any Permitted Refinancing thereof), the Senior Notes or the Senior Notes Indenture, any indenture governing notes issued in a Permitted Refinancing of the Senior Notes, or any documents governing any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness (or any Permitted Refinancing thereof); or

 

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(d)                                 the Borrower ceases to be a direct Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Holdings (or any successor (a “Permitted Holdings Successor”) of Holdings that (A) becomes the direct parent of the Borrower and owns no other direct Subsidiaries and (B) has expressly assumed (and is in compliance with) all the obligations of Holdings under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which Holdings is a party pursuant to a supplement hereto or thereto in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Requisite Lenders); provided that ACOF III or one or more of its designees may own up to 20% of the Class B Equity Interests (determined on a fully diluted basis but not giving effect to contingent voting rights that have not vested), so long as Holdings has collaterally assigned (subject to the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement) its call rights set forth in the Shareholders Agreement with respect to such Class B Equity Interests to the Collateral Agent to secure the Secured Obligations.

 

Classwhen used in reference to (a) any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Initial Loans, Other Loans or Extended Loans, (b) any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a Commitment in respect of Initial Loans, Other Commitment (and, in the case of an Other Commitment, the Class of Loans to which such Commitment relates), or a Commitment in respect of a Class of Loans to be made pursuant to an Extension Amendment and (c) any Lender, refers to whether such Lender has a Loan or Commitment with respect to a particular Class of Loans or Commitments.  Other Commitments, Other Loans and Extended Loans that have different terms and conditions shall be construed to be in different Classes.  For the avoidance of doubt, Initial Loans and any Converted First Lien Stub Loans shall be deemed to be the same Class for purposes hereof.

 

Class B Equity Interests” means the Class B Common Stock of the Borrower.

 

Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Collateral” means all the “Collateral” (or equivalent term) as defined in any Collateral Document and shall include the Mortgaged Properties.

 

Collateral Agent” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

Collateral and Guarantee Requirement” means, at any time, the requirement that:

 

(a)                                 the Collateral Agent and the Lenders shall have received each Collateral Document required to be delivered on the Effective Date pursuant to Section 4.1(a)(iv) or pursuant to Section 8.11 or Section 8.13 at such time, duly executed by each Loan Party thereto;

 

(b)                                 all Obligations shall have been unconditionally guaranteed by Holdings, each wholly-owned Material Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not an Excluded Subsidiary, including those Subsidiaries that are listed on Schedule II hereto and any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that Guarantees the Senior Notes, any Indebtedness

 

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incurred by the Borrower pursuant to the First Lien Facility or the ABL Facility, any Junior Financing or any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness (or, in each case, any Permitted Refinancing thereof) (each such guarantor, a “Guarantor”);

 

(c)                                  the Obligations and the Guaranty shall have been secured by a perfected security interest (subject, as to priority, only to (i) non-consensual Liens permitted by Section 9.1, (ii) Liens permitted under Section 9.1 (including under clauses (a)(ii) and (v) thereof) securing the Obligations (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement) and the Obligations (as defined under the ABL Facility Credit Agreement) or any Permitted Refinancing thereof (in each case, subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the Notes Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable) and (iii) Liens permitted under Section 9.1(p), and any modification, replacement, renewal or extension of any such Liens to the extent permitted under Section 9.1(y)) in (A) the Equity Interests of the Borrower (other than any Class B Equity Interests owned by ACOF III or one or more of its designees as permitted hereunder; provided that Holdings shall collaterally assign (subject to the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement) its call rights set forth in the Shareholders Agreement with respect to such Class B Equity Interests to the Collateral Agent to secure the Secured Obligations), (B) all Equity Interests of each Domestic Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Domestic Subsidiary described in the following clause (C)(1)) and that is a direct Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor and (C) 65% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of (1) each Domestic Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary and a direct Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor and that is a disregarded entity for United States Federal income tax purposes substantially all of the assets of which consist of Equity Interests in one or more Foreign Subsidiaries and (2) each Foreign Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary and a direct Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor  (it being understood, for the avoidance of doubt, that each of the preceding clauses (1) and (2) shall be interpreted as intended to prevent the application of Section 956 of the Code to Holdings, the Borrower and any of their respective Subsidiaries as a result of the Obligations, the Secured Obligations and the Guaranty); provided that Holdings, the Borrower and their respective Subsidiaries shall not be required to enter into any pledge or other collateral agreements governed by foreign Law; and

 

(d)                                 except to the extent otherwise provided hereunder, including subject to Liens permitted by Section 9.1, or under any Collateral Document, the Obligations and the Guaranty shall have been secured by a perfected security interest (to the extent such security interest may be perfected by delivering certificated securities, filing financing statements under the UCC or making any necessary filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or United States Copyright Office) in substantially all tangible and intangible personal property Collateral of the Borrower and each Guarantor, in each case, as, and with the priority, required by the Collateral Documents, in each case subject to exceptions and limitations otherwise set forth in this Agreement and the Collateral Documents; provided that any such security interests in Collateral shall be subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Notes Intercreditor Agreement.

 

The foregoing definition shall not require (i) Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries to enter into any Collateral Documents (or any foreign equivalent thereof), or any other pledge or collateral documents, governed or purported to be governed by

 

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foreign Law or (ii) the creation or perfection of pledges of or security interests in, or the obtaining of title insurance, surveys, abstracts or appraisals with respect to, particular assets if and for so long as, in the reasonable judgment of both the Collateral Agent (at the direction of the Requisite Lenders) and the Borrower, the cost, difficulty, burden or consequences of creating or perfecting such pledges or security interests in such assets or obtaining title insurance, surveys, abstracts or appraisals in respect to such assets shall be excessive in relation to the benefit to the Lenders to be afforded thereby.

 

Subject to the immediately preceding paragraph, the Collateral Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders) may grant extensions of time for the creation or perfection of security interests in or the obtaining of title insurance and surveys with respect to particular assets (including extensions beyond (x) the Effective Date or, if later, the date required by the proviso at the end of Section 4.1(a) or Section 8.13 for the creation or perfection of security interests in the assets of the Loan Parties on such date, or (y) the closing date of any Acquisition permitted by this Agreement or, if later, the date required by Section 8.11 or Section 8.13 for the creation or perfection of security interests in the assets acquired in such Acquisition on such date) where it reasonably determines, in consultation with the Borrower, that creation or perfection cannot reasonably be accomplished without undue effort, difficulty, burden or expense by the time or times at which it would otherwise be required by this Agreement or the Collateral Documents.

 

Notwithstanding anything herein or in the other Loan Documents to the contrary, delivery by the Loan Parties to the Agents of securities Collateral shall be subject to Section 5.01(d) of the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Collateral Documents” means, collectively, the Security Agreement, the Intellectual Property Security Agreements, the Mortgages, each of the mortgages, collateral assignments, the Security Agreement Supplements, security agreements, pledge agreements or other similar agreements delivered to the Agents and the Lenders pursuant to Section 4.1(a)(iv), Section 8.11 or Section 8.13, the Guaranty, the Intercreditor Agreement, the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the Notes Intercreditor Agreement and each of the other agreements, instruments or documents executed and delivered by one or more Loan Parties that creates or purports to create a Lien or Guarantee in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties to secure or Guarantee the Obligations.

 

Commitment” means, as to each Lender, its obligation to make a Loan to the Borrower hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum principal amount of the Loan to be made by such Lender under this Agreement, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.5 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to (i) assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, (ii) a Refinancing Amendment or (iii) an Extension Amendment.  The initial amount of each Lender’s Commitment is set forth on Schedule I under the caption “Commitment” or, otherwise, in the Assignment and Assumption, Refinancing Amendment or Extension Amendment pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Commitment, as the case may be.

 

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Committed Loan Notice” means a notice of (a) a Borrowing, (b) a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or (c) a continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, pursuant to Section 2.2(a), which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit C.

 

Company Parties” means the collective reference to Holdings and its Subsidiaries, including the Borrower, and “Company Party” means any one of them.

 

Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D and which certificate shall in any event be a certificate of the chief financial officer (a) certifying as to whether to such chief financial officer’s knowledge an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and, if applicable, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (b) setting forth a reasonably detailed calculation, in the case of financial statements delivered under Section 7.1, beginning with the financial statements for the Fiscal Year of the Borrower ending on or around January 31, 2018, of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year and (c) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations, in the case of financial statements delivered under Section 7.1, beginning with the financial statements for the Fiscal Year of the Borrower ending on January 31, 2018, of the Net Cash Proceeds received during the applicable period by or on behalf of, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Disposition subject to prepayment pursuant to Section 2.4(b)(i).

 

Consolidated” means, with respect to any Person, the consolidation of accounts of such Person and any other Person in accordance with GAAP, and shall not include any Unrestricted Subsidiary, but the interest of such Person in an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be accounted for as an Investment.  Unless the context otherwise requires “Consolidated” refers to the consolidated of accounts of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.  “Consolidation” has a correlative meaning.

 

Consolidated Current Assets” means, as at any date of determination, the total assets of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis that may properly be classified as current assets in conformity with GAAP, excluding cash and Cash Equivalents, and excluding the effects of adjustments pursuant to GAAP resulting from the application of recapitalization accounting or purchase accounting, as the case may be, in relation to the Transaction or any consummated acquisition.

 

Consolidated Current Liabilities” means, as at any date of determination, the total liabilities of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis that may properly be classified as current liabilities in conformity with GAAP, excluding (a) the current portion of any Funded Debt, (b) the current portion of interest, (c) accruals for current or deferred taxes based on income or profits, (d) accruals of any costs or expenses related to restructuring reserves, disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations or business optimization (including consolidation initiatives, accrued severance and facility closure costs), (e) revolving loans, swingline loans and letter of credit obligations under the ABL Facility or any other revolving credit facility, (f) the current portion of any Capitalized Lease Obligation, (g) deferred revenue arising from cash receipts that are earmarked for specific projects, (h) liabilities in respect of unpaid earn-outs, (i) the current portion of deferred acquisition costs and (j) the current portion of any other long-term liabilities, and, furthermore, excluding the effects of adjustments

 

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pursuant to GAAP resulting from the application of recapitalization accounting or purchase accounting, as the case may be, in relation to the Transaction or any consummated acquisition.

 

Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation and amortization expense, including the amortization of key money and other intangible assets and deferred financing fees and amortization of unrecognized prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses related to pensions and other post-employment benefits, of such Person and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a Consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period:

 

(1)                                 increased, in each case to the extent deducted (and not added back) or, in the case of clause (l) not already included, in Consolidated Net Income, and in each case, without duplication, by:

 

(a)                                 provision for taxes based on income or profits or capital, including state, franchise, excise and similar taxes and foreign withholding taxes of such Person paid or accrued, including any penalties and interest relating to any tax examinations; plus

 

(b)                                 Fixed Charges of such Person for such period (including (i) net losses on Swap Contracts or other derivative instruments entered into for the purpose of hedging interest rate risk and (ii) expenses of surety bonds in connection with financing activities, in each case, to the extent included in Fixed Charges), together with items excluded from the definition of “Consolidated Interest Expense” pursuant to clauses (a) through (c) thereof; plus

 

(c)                                  Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense of such Person for such period; plus

 

(d)                                 extraordinary, non-recurring, unusual and exceptional losses, charges and expenses; plus

 

(e)                                  losses, charges and expenses relating to the Transaction; business optimization (including consolidation initiatives), relocation or integration; consolidation or closing of stores, distribution centers or other facilities or exiting lines of business; acquisitions after the Effective Date; initiatives aimed at profitability improvement; strategic initiatives; personnel relocation, restructuring, redundancy, severance, termination, settlement or judgment; one-time compensation charges; and the amount of any signing, retention and completion bonuses; plus

 

(f)                                   losses, charges and expenses attributable to Disposed or discontinued operations and losses, charges and expenses related to the disposal of Disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations; plus

 

(g)                                  losses, charges and expenses attributable to asset Dispositions or the sale or other disposition of any Equity Interests of any Person other than in the ordinary

 

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course of business, as determined in good faith by a Responsible Officer or the Board of Directors of the Borrower; plus

 

(h)                                 losses, charges and expenses attributable to the early extinguishment or conversion of Indebtedness, Swap Contracts or other derivative instruments (including deferred financing expenses written off and premiums paid); plus

 

(i)                                     the amount of any minority interest expense consisting of Subsidiary income attributable to minority equity interests of third parties in any non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary; plus

 

(j)                                    the amount of management, monitoring, consulting and advisory fees (including termination fees) and related indemnities, charges and expenses paid or accrued to or on behalf of any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower or any of the Permitted Holders, in each case to the extent permitted under Section 9.8; plus

 

(k)                                 losses, charges and expenses related to internal software development that are expensed but could have been capitalized under alternative accounting policies in accordance with GAAP; plus

 

(l)                                     the amount of net cost savings and synergies projected by the Borrower in good faith to be realized as a result of specified actions taken or expected to be taken prior to or during or after such period (which cost savings or synergies shall be subject only to certification by management of the Borrower and shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis as though such cost savings or synergies had been realized on the first day of such period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions; provided that (A) such cost savings or synergies are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable, and (B) such actions have been taken or are to be taken within twelve (12) months after the date of determination to take such action; and provided, further that the aggregate amount added back to pursuant to this clause (l) in any four-quarter period shall not exceed the greater of (i) $25,000,000 and (ii) 15% of Consolidated EBITDA for such period (calculated after giving effect to all adjustments pursuant to this definition, including this clause (l)); plus

 

(m)                             losses, charges and expenses related to the pre-opening and opening of Stores, distribution centers or other facilities; provided that the aggregate amount added back to Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to this clause (m) in any four-quarter period shall not exceed $12,500,000 for such period; plus

 

(n)                                 losses, charges and expenses related to payments made to option holders of the Borrower or any of its direct or indirect parents in connection with, or as a result of, any distribution being made to equityholders of such Person or any of its direct or indirect parents, which payments are being made to compensate such option holders as though they were equityholders at the time of, and entitled to share in, such distribution, in each case to the extent permitted under the Senior Notes Indenture; plus

 

(o)                                 with respect to any Joint Venture that is not a Restricted Subsidiary, an amount equal to the proportion of those items described in clauses (a), (b) and (c)

 

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above relating to such Joint Venture corresponding to the Borrower’s and the Restricted Subsidiaries’ proportionate share of such Joint Venture’s Consolidated Net Income (determined as if such Joint Venture were a Restricted Subsidiary); plus

 

(p)                                 cash receipts (or any netting arrangements resulting in reduced cash expenditures) not included in Consolidated EBITDA or Consolidated Net Income in any period to the extent non-cash gains relating to such cash receipts or netting arrangement were deducted in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clause (2) below for any prior period and not added back; plus

 

(q)                                 any other non-cash losses, charges and expenses, including any write offs or write downs, reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period, excluding any such loss, charge or expense that represents an accrual or reserve for a cash expenditure for a future period; and

 

(2)                                 decreased by (without duplication) non-cash gains increasing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period, excluding any non-cash gains that represent the reversal of any accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges that were deducted (and not added back) in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA for any prior period.

 

Consolidated Indebtedness” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on such date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, consisting of Indebtedness of the types described in clauses (a) and (f) of the definition of “Indebtedness”; provided that Consolidated Indebtedness shall not include (a) any letter of credit, except to the extent of unreimbursed obligations in respect of drawn letters of credit (provided that any unreimbursed amount under commercial letters of credit shall not be counted as Consolidated Indebtedness until three Business Days after such amount is drawn (it being understood that any borrowing, whether automatic or otherwise, to fund such reimbursement shall be counted)) and (b) obligations under Swap Contracts.

 

Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

 

(a)                                 Consolidated interest expense of such Person and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent such expense was deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income (including amortization of original issue discount, the interest component of Capitalized Lease Obligations, and net payments and receipts (if any) pursuant to interest rate Swap Contracts and excluding additional interest in respect of the Senior Notes, amortization of deferred financing fees, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses and expensing of any bridge, commitment or other financing fees); plus

 

(b)                                 Consolidated capitalized interest of such Person and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued; plus

 

(c)                                  any amounts paid or payable pursuant to Section 9.6(g)(vii); minus

 

(d)                                 interest income for such period.

 

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For purposes of this definition, interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by the Borrower to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a Consolidated basis, and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that, without duplication:

 

(a)                                 the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles shall be excluded;

 

(b)                                 the net after-tax effect of extraordinary, non-recurring, unusual and exceptional gains, losses, charges and expenses shall be excluded;

 

(c)                                  the net after-tax effect of any losses, charges and expenses related to the Transaction; business optimization (including consolidation initiatives), relocation or integration; consolidation or closing of Stores, distribution centers or other facilities or exiting lines of business; acquisitions after the Effective Date; initiatives aimed at profitability improvement; strategic initiatives; personnel relocation, restructuring, redundancy, severance, termination, settlement or judgment; one-time compensation charges; and the amount of any signing, retention and completion bonuses; shall in each case be excluded;

 

(d)                                 the net after-tax effect of gains, losses, charges and expenses attributable to disposed or discontinued operations and any net after-tax gains, losses, charges and expenses related to the disposal of disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations shall be excluded;

 

(e)                                  the net after-tax effect of gains, losses, charges and expenses attributable to asset Dispositions or the sale or other Disposition of any Equity Interests of any Person other than in the ordinary course of business, as determined in good faith by a Responsible Officer or the Board of Directors of the Borrower, shall be excluded;

 

(f)                                   the net after-tax effect of gains, losses, charges and expenses attributable to the early extinguishment or conversion of Indebtedness, Swap Contracts or other derivative instruments (including deferred financing expenses written off and premiums paid) shall be excluded;

 

(g)                                  the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary, or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be excluded; provided that Consolidated Net Income of the Borrower shall be increased by the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments that (i) are actually paid to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period in cash, or (ii) as reasonably determined in good faith by a Responsible Officer or the Board of Directors of the Borrower could have been so paid to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period;

 

(h)                                 [reserved];

 

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(i)                                     the effects of adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries) in any line item in such Person’s Consolidated financial statements pursuant to GAAP resulting from the application of recapitalization accounting or purchase accounting, as the case may be, in connection with the Transaction, any acquisition or any joint venture investments or the amortization or write off of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded;

 

(j)                                    impairment charges, asset write offs and write downs, including impairment charges, asset write offs and write downs related to goodwill, intangible assets, long-lived assets, investments in debt and equity securities or as a result of a change in law or regulation, in each case pursuant to GAAP, and the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to GAAP shall be excluded;

 

(k)                                 (i) non-cash compensation charges and expenses, including any such charges and expenses arising from grants of stock appreciation or similar rights, phantom equity, stock options, restricted stock or other rights or equity incentive programs and (ii) non-cash deemed finance charges in respect of any pension liabilities or other provisions shall be excluded;

 

(l)                                     (i) charges and expenses pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement, any stock subscription or shareholder agreement or any distributor equity plan or agreement and (ii) charges, expenses, accruals and reserves in connection with the rollover, acceleration or payout of Equity Interests held by management of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, in the case of each of (i) and (ii), to the extent that (in the case of any cash charges and expenses) such charges, expenses, accruals and reserves are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower or Net Cash Proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests and except to the extent that such proceeds do not increase the amount available under clause (c) of the definition of Available Amount) of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower shall be excluded;

 

(m)                             charges, expenses and fees incurred, or any amortization thereof, in connection with any Equity Offering, acquisition, Investment, recapitalization, asset Disposition, incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness, issuance of Equity Interests, refinancing transaction or amendment or modification of any debt instrument (in each case, including any such transaction consummated prior to the Effective Date and any such transaction undertaken but not completed) and any non-recurring charges and expenses (including non-recurring merger expenses) incurred as a result of any such transaction shall be excluded;

 

(n)                                 accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted, in each case within 12 months of the subject transaction, as a result of the Transaction or any acquisition, Investment, asset Disposition, write down or write off (including the related tax benefit) in accordance with GAAP (including any adjustment of estimated payouts on earn-outs) or charges as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies shall be excluded;

 

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(o)                                 to the extent covered by insurance and actually reimbursed, or, so long as the Borrower has made a good faith determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer and only to the extent that (i) such coverage is not denied by the applicable carrier or indemnifying party in writing within 180 days and (ii) such amount is in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such determination (with a deduction in the applicable future period for any amount so added back to the extent not so reimbursed within 365 days), losses, charges, expenses, accruals and reserves with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be excluded;

 

(p)                                 losses, charges and expenses that are covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any acquisition, Investment or asset Disposition, to the extent actually reimbursed, or, so long as the Borrower has made a determination that a reasonable basis exists for indemnification or reimbursement and only to the extent that such amount is in fact indemnified or reimbursed within 365 days of such determination (with a deduction in the applicable future period for any amount so added back to the extent not so indemnified or reimbursed within such 365 days), shall be excluded;

 

(q)                                 (i) non-cash or unrealized gains or losses in respect of obligations under Swap Contracts or any ineffectiveness recognized in earnings related to qualifying hedge transactions or the fair value of changes therein recognized in earnings for derivatives that do not qualify as hedge transactions, in each case, in respect of obligations under Swap Contracts, and (ii) gains or losses resulting from currency translation gains or losses related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness (including gains or losses resulting from (A) Swap Contracts for currency exchange risk and (B) intercompany Indebtedness) and all other foreign currency translation gains or losses to the extent such gains or losses are non-cash items shall be excluded; and

 

(r)                                    deferred tax expenses associated with tax deductions or net operating losses arising as a result of the Transaction, or the release of any valuation allowance related to such item, shall be excluded.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of determining the Available Amount (other than clause (d) of the definition thereof), there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any income arising from any sale or other disposition of Restricted Investments made by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repurchases and redemptions of Restricted Investments from the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repayments of loans and advances which constitute Restricted Investments by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, any sale of the stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any distribution or dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, in each case only to the extent such amounts increase the Available Amount pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof.

 

Consolidated Senior Secured Net Debt” means, as of any date of determination, Consolidated Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected on the Borrower’s Consolidated balance sheet that is secured by a Lien less the amount of cash and Cash Equivalents in excess of any Restricted Cash that would be stated on the Borrower’s Consolidated balance sheet as of such date of determination, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000,000.

 

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Consolidated Total Net Debt” means, as of any date of determination, Consolidated Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected on the Borrower’s Consolidated balance sheet less the amount of cash and Cash Equivalents in excess of any Restricted Cash that would be stated on the Borrower’s Consolidated balance sheet as of such date of determination, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000,000.

 

Consolidated Working Capital” means, as at any date of determination, the excess of Consolidated Current Assets over Consolidated Current Liabilities.

 

Constituent 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.

 

Contract Consideration” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Excess Cash Flow”.

 

Contractual Obligation” means, 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” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise.  “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.  For the avoidance of doubt, none of the Agents or their respective lending affiliates shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries.

 

Converted First Lien Stub Loans” has the meaning specified in Section 2.12(a).

 

Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness” means any (a) Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt, (b) Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt, (c) Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt or (d) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment, in each case, issued, incurred or otherwise obtained (including by means of the extension or renewal of existing Indebtedness) in exchange for, or to extend, renew, replace or refinance, in whole or part, (1) existing Loans, (2) existing Extended Loans of any given Extension Series or (3) existing Other Loans (including, in each case, any successive Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness) (“Refinanced Debt”); provided that (i) such exchanging, extending, renewing, replacing or refinancing Indebtedness is in an original aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) not greater than the aggregate principal amount of the Refinanced Debt except by an amount equal to unpaid accrued or capitalized interest thereon,

 

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any make-whole payments and premium (including tender premium) thereon, any swap breakage costs and other termination costs related to Swap Contracts and other customary fees and expenses (including upfront fees and OID) in connection with such exchange, modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal, replacement or extension, (ii) such Indebtedness has a maturity not earlier than, and a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than, the Refinanced Debt, (iii) the terms and conditions of such Indebtedness (except (A) as otherwise provided in clause (ii) above, (B) with respect to pricing (including interest rate, fees, funding discounts and other pricing terms), prepayment or other premiums, optional prepayment or redemption terms and subordination, and (C) for covenants or other provisions applicable only to periods after the Latest Maturity Date determined at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness) are substantially identical to, or (taken as a whole) are no more favorable to the lenders or holders providing such Indebtedness, than those applicable to the Refinanced Debt being refinanced, taken as a whole (provided that a certificate of a Responsible Officer delivered to the Administrative Agent at least five (5) Business Days prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such Indebtedness or drafts of the material documentation relating thereto, stating that the Borrower has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the requirement of this clause (iii) shall be conclusive evidence that such terms and conditions satisfy such requirement unless the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of the Requisite Lenders) notifies the Borrower within such five (5) Business Day period that it disagrees with such determination (including a reasonably detailed description of the basis upon which it disagrees)), and (iv) such Refinanced Debt shall be repaid, defeased or satisfied and discharged, and all accrued interest, fees and premiums (if any) in connection therewith shall be paid with 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds of the applicable Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, on the date such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is issued, incurred or obtained.

 

Credit Extension” means a Borrowing.

 

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

 

Declined Proceeds” has the meaning specified in Section 2.4(f).

 

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

 

Default Rate” means an interest rate equal to the Base Rate, plus 2.0% per annum; provided that with respect to the outstanding principal amount of any Loan, the Default Rate shall be an interest rate equal to the interest rate (including any Applicable Margin) otherwise applicable to such Loan (giving effect to Section 2.2, if applicable) plus 2.0% per annum, in each case, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

 

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Designated Non-Cash Consideration” means the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of non-cash consideration received by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with a Disposition pursuant to Section 9.5(j) that is designated as Designated Non-Cash Consideration pursuant to a certificate of a Responsible Officer, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration.

 

Discharge of Obligations” means the time at which all the Secured Obligations (other than contingent indemnification and reimbursement obligations as to which no claim has been asserted by the Person entitled thereto) have been paid in full in cash and all Commitments have been terminated.

 

Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.3(d)(ii)(B).

 

Discount Range” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.3(d)(iii)(A).

 

Discount Range Prepayment Amount” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.3(d)(iii)(A).

 

Discount Range Prepayment Notice” means a written notice of a Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers made pursuant to Section 2.3(d)(iii)(A) substantially in the form of Exhibit E.

 

Discount Range Prepayment Offer” means the irrevocable written offer by a Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit F, submitted in response to an invitation to submit offers following the Auction Agent’s receipt of a Discount Range Prepayment Notice.

 

Discount Range Prepayment Response Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.3(d)(iii)(A).

 

Discount Range Proration” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.3(d)(iii)(C).

 

Discounted Loan Prepayment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.3(d)(i).

 

Discounted Prepayment Determination Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.3(d)(iv)(C).

 

Discounted Prepayment Effective Date” means in the case of a Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment, Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offer or Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offer, five (5) Business Days following the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date, the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date or the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date, as applicable, in accordance with Section 2.3(d)(ii)(A), Section 2.3(d)(iii)(A) or Section 2.3(d)(iv)(A), respectively, unless a shorter period is agreed to between the Borrower and the Auction Agent.

 

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Disposition” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction and any sale or issuance of Equity Interests in a Subsidiary) of any property by any Person, including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.  “Dispose” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing.

 

Disqualified Equity Interests” means any Equity Interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security or other Equity Interests into which it is convertible or for which it is redeemable or exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (except as a result of a change of control or asset sale to the extent that (i) such Equity Interest provides that such Equity Interest shall not be required to be repurchased or redeemed until the Latest Maturity Date has occurred, determined as of the time of issuance of such Equity Interest, or (ii) such repurchase or redemption is otherwise permitted by this Agreement (including as a result of a waiver hereunder)) or (b) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than (i) solely for Qualified Equity Interests, (ii) as a result of a change of control or asset sale to the extent that such Equity Interest provides that such Equity Interest shall not be required to be repurchased or redeemed until the Latest Maturity Date has occurred, determined as of the time of issuance of such Equity Interest, or (iii) such repurchase or redemption is otherwise permitted by this Agreement (including as a result of a waiver hereunder)), in whole or in part, (c) provides for the scheduled payments of dividends in cash, or (d) is or becomes convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness or any other Equity Interests that would constitute Disqualified Equity Interests, in each case, prior to the date that is ninety-one (91) days after the Latest Maturity Date of the Loans determined as of the time of issuance of such Equity Interest; provided that if such Equity Interests are issued pursuant to any equity or incentive compensation or benefit plan or arrangement of Holdings, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, such Equity Interests shall not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests solely because they may be required to be repurchased by Holdings, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s termination, death or disability.

 

Disqualified Lenders” means (i) any person identified by the Borrower in writing that is or becomes a competitor of the Borrower and/or any its Subsidiaries, (ii) any Person that is identified in writing to the Administrative Agent prior to the Effective Date and (iii) an Affiliate of any Person described in clauses (i) or (ii) above that is either (x) reasonably identifiable on the basis of such Affiliate’s name or (y) identified in writing by the Borrower from time to time, other than, in either case, any Bona Fide Debt Fund Affiliate (except to the extent expressly identified pursuant to clause (ii) above); provided that no written notice delivered pursuant to the foregoing clauses (i) or (iii) shall apply retroactively to cause any Person that has previously acquired an assignment or participation interest in the Facility to become a Disqualified Lender.

 

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

 

Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the Laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

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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.

 

ECF Percentage” has the meaning specified in Section 2.4(a).

 

Effective Date” means the date on which the conditions precedent in Section 4.1 were satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 12.1.

 

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

 

Eligible Assignee” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 12.2(b)(iii) and (v) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 12.2(b)(iii)).

 

Environmental Claim means any and all administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violation, investigations (other than reports prepared for internal purposes by or on behalf of any Loan Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (a) in the ordinary course of such Person’s business or (b) as required in connection with a financing transaction or an acquisition or disposition of real estate) or proceedings with respect to any Environmental Liability (hereinafter “Claims”), including (i) any and all Claims by governmental or regulatory authorities for enforcement, cleanup, removal, response, remedial or other actions or damages pursuant to any Environmental Law and (ii) any and all Claims by any third party seeking damages, contribution, indemnification, cost recovery, compensation or injunctive relief pursuant to any Environmental Law.

 

Environmental Laws” means any and all applicable Laws relating to the protection of the environment or, to the extent relating to exposure to Hazardous Materials, human health.

 

Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities) of any Loan Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries directly or indirectly resulting from or based

 

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upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any written contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed on any Loan Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

Environmental Permit” means any permit, approval, identification number, license or other authorization required under any Environmental Law in connection with the operation of the business or the real property of each Loan Party and each of the Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Equity Interests” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares, interests, rights, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests or units in) such Person and all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase, acquisition or exchange from such Person of any of the foregoing (including through convertible securities).

 

Equity Offering” means any public or private sale after the Effective Date of common stock of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, as applicable (other than Disqualified Equity Interests), other than:

 

(a)                                 public offerings with respect to the Borrower’s or such direct or indirect parent’s common stock registered on Form S-8;

 

(b)                                 issuances to any Subsidiary of the Borrower; and

 

(c)                                  any such public or private sale that constitutes an Excluded Contribution.

 

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

 

ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that together with any Loan Party is treated as a single employer within the meaning of Section 414 of the Code or Section 4001 of ERISA.

 

ERISA Event” means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) a withdrawal by any Loan Party or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations that is treated as a termination under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by any Loan Party or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates from a Multiemployer Plan, written notification of any Loan Party or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or written notification that a Multiemployer Plan is insolvent or is in reorganization within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA; (d) the filing under Section 4041(c) of ERISA of a notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan, the treatment of a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan amendment as a termination under Sections 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, or

 

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the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (e) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan, other than for the payment of plan contributions or PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon any Loan Party or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates, (f) the application for a minimum funding waiver under Section 302(c) of ERISA with respect to a Pension Plan, (g) the imposition of a lien under Section 303(k) of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan or (h) a determination that any Pension Plan is in “at risk” status (within the meaning of Section 303 of ERISA).

 

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

 

Eurocurrency Rate” means, for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, the rate per annum equal to LIBOR calculated and published by ICE Benchmark Administration, as published on LIBOR01 Page as of 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for deposits in Dollars (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period; provided that if at any time the Eurocurrency Rate shall be less than zero the Eurocurrency Rate shall instead be deemed to be zero.  If such rate is not available at such time for any reason (including if the Administrative Agent determines that LIBOR has been discontinued), then the “Eurocurrency Rate” for such Interest Period shall be a comparable or successor rate approved by the Administrative Agent, with the consent of the Borrower, applied in a manner consistent with market practice.

 

Eurocurrency Rate Loan” means a Loan that bears interest at a rate based on the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate.

 

Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 10.1.

 

Excess Cash Flow” means, for any period, an amount equal to the excess of:

 

(1)               the Consolidated Net Income of the Borrower for such period, increased, in each case, without duplication, by

 

(a)               an amount equal to the amount of all non-cash charges (including depreciation and amortization) to the extent deducted in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income, but excluding any such non-cash charges representing an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period,

 

(b)   decreases in Consolidated Working Capital for such period,

 

(c)                an amount equal to the aggregate net non-cash loss on Dispositions by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries during such period (other than Dispositions in the ordinary course of business) to the extent deducted in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income,

 

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(d)               the amount deducted as tax expense in determining Consolidated Net Income to the extent in excess of cash taxes paid in such period, and

 

(e)                cash receipts in respect of Swap Contracts during such fiscal year to the extent not otherwise included in such Consolidated Net Income; over

 

(2)               the sum, in each case, without duplication, of:

 

(a)               an amount equal to the amount of all non-cash credits included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income (but excluding any non-cash credit to the extent representing the reversal of an accrual or reserve described in clause (1)(a) above) and cash charges excluded by virtue of clauses (a) through (r) of the definition of Consolidated Net Income,

 

(b)               without duplication of amounts deducted pursuant to clause (k) below in prior fiscal years, the amount of Capital Expenditures, Acquisitions and acquisitions of intellectual property accrued or made in cash during such period, except to the extent financed with the proceeds of Indebtedness (except to the extent such Indebtedness has been repaid),

 

(c)                the aggregate amount of all principal payments of Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries (including (i) the principal component of payments in respect of Capitalized Leases, (ii) the amount of any mandatory prepayment of Loans pursuant to Section 2.4(b) to the extent required due to a Disposition that resulted in an increase to such Consolidated Net Income and not in excess of the amount of such increase, (iii) the amount of any voluntary prepayments of Loans made pursuant to Section 2.3(d) (in an amount equal to the discounted amount actually paid in respect of the principal amount of such Loans), (iv) the amount of any voluntary prepayments of First Lien Term Loans made pursuant to Section 2.3(d) of the First Lien Credit Agreement (in an amount equal to the discounted amount actually paid in respect of the principal amount of such First Lien Term Loans) and (v) the amount of any prepayments in respect of the FILO Loan (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement), but excluding (A) all other prepayments of Loans (other than voluntary prepayments made pursuant to Section 2.3(d)), (B) all prepayments in respect of any revolving credit facility (other than the FILO Loan (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement), except to the extent there is an equivalent permanent reduction in commitments thereunder and (C) payments of any subordinated Indebtedness except to the extent permitted to be paid pursuant to Section 9.11) made during such period, in each case except to the extent financed with the proceeds of other Indebtedness of the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiaries, and in each case excluding any prepayments or repayments of the First Lien Facility made in connection with the exchange or refinancing of Loans (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement) for or with First Lien Term Loans (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement) or the Facility pursuant to Amendment No. 3 to the First Lien Credit Agreement,

 

(d)               an amount equal to the aggregate net non-cash gain on Dispositions by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries during such period (other than Dispositions in the ordinary course of business) to the extent included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income and the net cash loss on Dispositions to the extent otherwise added to arrive at Consolidated Net Income,

 

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(e)                increases in Consolidated Working Capital for such period,

 

(f)                 cash payments by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of long-term liabilities of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness) to the extent such payments are not expensed during such period or are not deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income,

 

(g)                without duplication of amounts deducted pursuant to clauses (h) and (k) below in prior Fiscal Years, the aggregate amount of cash consideration paid by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with Investments (including Acquisitions) under Section 9.2 (excluding items eliminated in Consolidation) and financed with internally generated cash flow of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries,

 

(h)               the amount of Restricted Payments paid during such period pursuant to Sections 9.6(f), (g), (h), (i) and (k) in each case to the extent such Restricted Payments were financed with internally generated cash flow of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries,

 

(i)                   the aggregate amount of expenditures actually made by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in cash during such period (including expenditures for the payment of financing fees) to the extent that such expenditures are not expensed during such period or are not deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income,

 

(j)                  the aggregate amount of any premium, make-whole or penalty payments actually paid in cash by Holdings, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries during such period that are made in connection with any prepayment, early extinguishment or conversion of Indebtedness to the extent such payments are not expensed during such period or are not deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income,

 

(k)               without duplication of amounts deducted from Excess Cash Flow in prior periods, the aggregate consideration required to be paid in cash by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to binding contracts (the “Contract Consideration”) entered into prior to or during such period relating to Acquisitions, Capital Expenditures or acquisitions of intellectual property to be consummated or made during the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower following the end of such period; provided that, to the extent the aggregate amount of internally generated cash flow actually utilized to finance such Permitted Acquisitions, Capital Expenditures or acquisitions of intellectual property during such period of four consecutive fiscal quarters is less than the Contract Consideration, the amount of such shortfall shall be added to the calculation of Excess Cash Flow at the end of such period of four consecutive fiscal quarters,

 

(l)                   the amount of cash taxes (including penalties and interest) paid or tax reserves set aside or payable (without duplication) in such period to the extent they exceed the amount of tax expense deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period,

 

(m)           cash expenditures in respect of Swap Contracts during such fiscal year to the extent not deducted in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income,

 

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(n)               the aggregate amount of Consolidated Net Income attributable to investments in Joint Ventures or Excluded Subsidiaries, except to the extent actually paid to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in the form of a cash dividend or cash distribution,

 

(o)               the aggregate amount of cash fees, costs and expenses in connection with, and any payments of, Transaction Expenses, to the extent not expensed and not deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income,

 

(p)               the aggregate amount of any non-cash gain recognized as a result of any Asset Sale or Recovery Event pursuant to Section 2.4 that resulted in an increase to Consolidated Net Income (up to the amount of such increase), and

 

(q)                                 cash indemnity payments received pursuant to indemnification provisions in any Acquisition or any other Investment permitted under this Agreement, in each case that resulted in an increase to Consolidated Net Income (up to the amount of such increase).

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Excluded Contributions” means the Cash Equivalents or other assets (valued at their Fair Market Value as determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors of the Borrower) received by the Borrower after the Effective Date from:

 

(a)                                 contributions to its common equity capital, and

 

(b)                                 the sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Borrower or to any Subsidiary management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement) of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of the Borrower,

 

in each case other than any amount designated as a Cure Amount (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement) or any amount (w) increasing the Available Amount pursuant to clause (c) of the definition thereof, (x) increasing Restricted Payment capacity under clause (ii) of the proviso of Section 9.6(f), (y) applied to prepay Indebtedness under Sections 9.11(iii) or 9.11(vi) or (z) applied to finance Capital Expenditures under clause (viii) of the proviso to the definition thereof, and in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to a certificate from a Responsible Officer of the Borrower executed on or promptly after the date such capital contributions are made or the date such Equity Interests are sold, as the case may be; provided that any such equity contribution made by, or Net Cash Proceeds received from, the Sponsors in connection with the exchange or refinancing of the First Lien Stub Term Loans or the Senior Notes shall not be an Excluded Contribution until on or following the 12 month anniversary of the Effective Date.

 

Excluded Real Property” means fee-owned real property that the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary intends to Dispose of in a Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction or Asset Sale, to the extent that (x) the Borrower designates such fee-owned real property, in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on or prior to the Effective Date, as “Excluded Real Property” (which designation may be included in the perfection certificate delivered by the Borrower on the Effective Date) and (y) the Loan Parties Dispose of such fee-owned real

 

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property in a transaction permitted hereunder prior to the expiration of the 90-day period (or such longer period as the Required Lenders may agree in their reasonable discretion) following the first anniversary of the Effective Date.

 

Excluded Subsidiary” means (a) any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower or a Guarantor, (b)  any direct or indirect Domestic Subsidiary of Holdings if substantially all of its assets consist of Equity Interests or Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests of one or more direct or indirect Foreign Subsidiaries, (c) Immaterial Subsidiaries, (d) any direct or indirect Domestic Subsidiary that is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary of Holdings, (e) any Subsidiary that is prohibited or restricted by applicable Law or Contractual Obligation existing on the Effective Date or on the date any such Subsidiary is acquired or organized (so long as, in the case of an acquisition of a Subsidiary, such prohibition did not arise as part of such acquisition) from providing a Guaranty or if such Guaranty would require governmental (including regulatory) consent, approval, license or authorization, (f) any other Subsidiary with respect to which the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of the Requisite Lenders) and the Borrower reasonably agree that the cost, difficulty, burden or consequences (including any adverse tax consequences) to the Borrower of providing the Guaranty is excessive in relation to the benefit to the Lenders to be obtained therefrom and (f) each Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

Exempt Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction” means a Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction involving a sale and leaseback of any asset acquired by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after January 13, 2012.

 

Existing Tranche” has the meaning specified in Section 2.13(a).

 

Extended Loans” has the meaning specified in Section 2.13(a).

 

Extended Notes” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Term/Notes Refinancing Date”.

 

Extending Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.13(b).

 

Extension” means any establishment of Extended Loans pursuant to Section 2.13 and the applicable Extension Amendment.

 

Extension Amendment” has the meaning specified in Section 2.13(d).

 

Extension Election” has the meaning specified in Section 2.13(b).

 

Extension Request” has the meaning specified in Section 2.13(a).

 

Extension Series” has the meaning specified in Section 2.13(a).

 

Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset or property, the price which could be negotiated in an arm’s-length transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction.

 

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Facility” means the Initial Loans, any Extended Loans or any Other Loans, as the context may require.

 

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code as in effect on the Effective Date or any successor provision that is substantively the equivalent thereof and not materially more onerous to comply with (and, in each case, any regulations promulgated thereunder or official interpretations thereof).

 

Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum, not less than zero, equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day on which such rate is published.

 

Federal Reserve Board” means the Board of Governors of the United States Federal Reserve System, or any successor thereto.

 

Fee Letter” means the letter agreement dated November 7, 2017, among the Borrower and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent.

 

FILO Agent” means TPG Specialty Lending, Inc., as agent for the FILO Lenders (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement) under the ABL Facility Credit Agreement, or any successor agent under the ABL Facility Credit Agreement.

 

Financial Statements” means the financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries delivered in accordance with Sections 7.1(a) and 7.1(b).

 

First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement” means the intercreditor agreement dated as of November 7, 2017 among Holdings, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the First Lien Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit U-1 hereto, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance therewith and herewith.

 

First Lien Administrative Agent” means Royal Bank of Canada in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent under the First Lien Credit Agreement, or any successor administrative agent and collateral agent under the First Lien Credit Agreement.

 

First Lien Credit Agreement” means that certain credit agreement dated as of January 13, 2012, among the Borrower, Holdings, the lenders party thereto and the First Lien Administrative Agent, as amended on April 4, 2012, October 8, 2013 and November 7, 2017, and as the same may be further amended, restated, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced, from time to time, in whole or in part, in one or more agreements (in each case with the same or new lenders, institutional investors or agents), including any agreement extending the maturity thereof or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness thereunder or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or

 

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altering the maturity thereof and in each case any Permitted Refinancing thereof, in each case as and to the extent permitted by this Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement, the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Notes Intercreditor Agreement.

 

“First Lien Facility” means the term credit facilities under the First Lien Credit Agreement and any Permitted Refinancing thereof.

 

“First Lien Facility Documentation” means the First Lien Credit Agreement and all security agreements, guarantees, pledge agreements and other agreements or instruments executed in connection therewith.

 

First Lien Lenders” means the lenders from time to time party to the First Lien Credit Agreement.

 

First Lien Stub Term Loans” means any Tranche B-2 Loans outstanding on, and after giving effect to, the Effective Date.

 

Fiscal Quarter” means the quarterly period of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries ending on the Friday closest to the last day in April, July, October or January of each calendar year.

 

Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries ending on the Friday closest to January 31 in the following calendar year.

 

Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

 

(a)                                 Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period, and

 

(b)                                 all cash dividend payments (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Equity Interests of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Foreign Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 3.1(b).

 

Foreign Subsidiary” means any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

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

 

Funded Debt” means, as of any date of determination, all Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for borrowed money that matures more than one year from such date of determination or matures within one year from such date that is renewable or extendable, 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

 

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during a period of more than one year from such date, including Indebtedness in respect of the Loans.

 

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, as in effect from time to time; provided, however, that (a) if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Effective Date in GAAP or in the application thereof (including through the adoption of IFRS) on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Requisite 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 (including through the adoption of IFRS), 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, (b) unless any such notice delivered pursuant to clause (a) above has been withdrawn, the Borrower and the requisite Lenders under Section 12.1 shall negotiate in good faith to amend the provisions of this Agreement that relate to the operation of such provision with the intent of having the respective positions of the Borrower and the Lenders after such change in GAAP or the application thereof conform as nearly to their respective positions as of the Effective Date, and (c) GAAP as applied herein with respect to accounting for leases (including Capitalized Leases, Capitalized Lease Obligations and Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transactions) shall be GAAP as in effect on the Effective Date.

 

Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

 

Granting Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 12.2(g).

 

Guarantee” means, as to any Person, without duplication, (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness of or other monetary obligation payable or performable by another Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other monetary obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or monetary other obligation of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other monetary obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other monetary obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other monetary obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness or other monetary obligation of any other

 

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Person, whether or not such Indebtedness or monetary other obligation is assumed by such Person (or any right, contingent or otherwise, of any holder of such Indebtedness to obtain any such Lien); provided that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit, indemnity obligations in effect on the Effective Date or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations entered into following the Effective Date in the ordinary course of business in connection with any acquisition or disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement (other than such obligations with respect to Indebtedness).  The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith.  The term “Guarantee” as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

 

Guarantors” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement”.  For avoidance of doubt, the Borrower may cause any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor to Guarantee the Obligations by causing such Restricted Subsidiary to execute a supplement to the Guaranty in substantially the form attached thereto, and any such Restricted Subsidiary shall be a Guarantor hereunder and thereunder for all purposes.

 

Guaranty” means (a) the guaranty made by Holdings and the other Guarantors in favor of the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties pursuant to clause (b) of the definition of “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement,” substantially in the form of Exhibit G, and (b) each other guaranty and guaranty supplement delivered pursuant to Section 8.11.

 

Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes, all hazardous or toxic substances, and all wastes or pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, friable asbestos or friable asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas and infectious or medical wastes in each case that are regulated pursuant to any applicable Environmental Law.

 

Holdings” has the meaning specified in the preamble to this Agreement and shall include any Permitted Holdings Successor.

 

Identified Participating Lenders” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iii)(C).

 

Identified Qualifying Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iv)(C).

 

IFRS” means international accounting standards within the meaning of the IAS Regulation 1606/2002 to the extent applicable to the relevant financial statements.

 

Immaterial Subsidiary” means, with respect to the Borrower, any Subsidiary thereof that is not a Material Subsidiary.

 

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Indebtedness” means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following:

 

(a)                                 all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments;

 

(b)                                 the maximum amount (after giving effect to any prior drawings or reductions that may have been reimbursed) of all letters of credit (including standby and commercial) or bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person;

 

(c)                                  net obligations of such Person under any Swap Contract;

 

(d)                                 all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than (i) trade accounts and accrued expenses payable in the ordinary course of business, (ii) any earn-out obligation until both (A) such obligation is not paid within thirty (30) days after becoming due and payable and (B) such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP, and (iii) accruals for payroll and other liabilities accrued in the ordinary course of business);

 

(e)                                  indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned by such Person (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements and mortgage, industrial revenue bond, industrial development bond and similar financings), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse;

 

(f)                                   all Capitalized Lease Obligations;

 

(g)                                  all obligations of such Person in respect of Disqualified Equity Interests; and

 

(h)                                 all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.

 

For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person (A) shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or Joint Venture (other than a Joint Venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, except to the extent such Person’s liability for such Indebtedness is otherwise limited and only to the extent such Indebtedness would be included in the calculation of Consolidated Total Net Debt and (B) in the case of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties, shall exclude loans and advances made by Loan Parties having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any roll over or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary course of business solely to the extent that such intercompany loans and advances are evidenced by one or more notes in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of the Requisite Lenders) and pledged as Collateral.  The amount of any net obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date.  The amount of Indebtedness of any Person for purposes of clause (e) shall be deemed to be equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate unpaid amount of such Indebtedness and

 

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(ii) the Fair Market Value (as determined by such Person in good faith) of the property encumbered thereby.

 

Indemnified Liabilities” has the meaning specified in Section 12.4.

 

Indemnitees” has the meaning specified in Section 12.4.

 

Independent Financial Advisor” means an accounting, appraisal, investment banking firm or consultant of nationally recognized standing that is, in the good faith judgment of the Borrower, qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged and that is independent of the Borrower and its Affiliates.

 

Information” has the meaning specified in Section 12.16.

 

Initial Loan” means a Loan made (or deemed made) pursuant to Section 2.1.

 

Intellectual Property Security Agreements” has the meaning specified in the Security Agreement.

 

Intercompany Subordination Agreement” means an agreement executed by each Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower, in substantially the form of Exhibit H.

 

Intercreditor Agreement” means the intercreditor agreement dated as of the January 13, 2012 among Holdings, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the First Lien Administrative Agent and the ABL Facility Administrative Agent, as amended on the Effective Date, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit I, and as may be further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance therewith and herewith.

 

Interest Period” means, as to each Eurocurrency Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such Eurocurrency Rate Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency Rate Loan and ending on the date one, two, three or six months thereafter, or to the extent consented to by each applicable Lender, nine or twelve months (or such period of less than one month as may be consented to by each applicable Lender), as selected by the Borrower in its Committed Loan Notice; provided that:

 

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

 

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

 

(c)                                  no Interest Period shall extend beyond the applicable Scheduled Termination Date of the Class of Loans of which the Eurocurrency Rate Loan is a part.

 

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Investment” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person in any other Person, in the form of (a) the purchase or other acquisition (including without limitation by merger or otherwise) of Equity Interests or debt or other securities of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of Indebtedness of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person (excluding, in the case of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, intercompany loans, advances, or Indebtedness having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any roll-over or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary course of business) or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions, including without limitation by merger or otherwise) of all or substantially all of the property and assets or business of another Person or assets constituting a business unit, line of business or division of such Person.  For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment at any time shall be the amount actually invested (measured at the time made), without adjustment for subsequent changes in the value of such Investment, net of any return representing a return of capital with respect to such Investment.

 

IP Rights” has the meaning specified in Section 5.14.

 

IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

 

Joint Venture” means a business enterprise comprised of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries and one or more Persons, whether in the form of a partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other entity or joint ownership or operating arrangement, in which 50% or less of the partnership interests, outstanding voting stock or other Equity Interests is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Borrower and/or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Junior Financing” means (a) the Senior Notes and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, (b) any Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt or Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt, (c) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 9.3(s) and (d) any Indebtedness of a Loan Party that is subordinated to the Obligations expressly by its terms (other than Indebtedness between or among any of Holdings, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries).

 

Junior Financing Documentation” means any documentation governing any Junior Financing.

 

Junior Lien” means any Lien that ranks (i) prior to the Discharge of Obligations, junior to the Liens securing all or any portion of the Obligations, and (ii) prior to the Discharge of Obligations (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement) and the Discharge of Obligations (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement),, junior to the Liens securing all or any portion of the Obligations (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement) and junior to the Liens securing all or any portion of the Obligations (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement).

 

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Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement” means a “junior lien” intercreditor agreement among the Administrative Agent, the First Lien Administrative Agent, the ABL Facility Administrative Agent and one or more Senior Representatives for holders of Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders), the First Lien Administrative Agent and the ABL Facility Administrative Agent and the Borrower.

 

Latest Maturity Date” means, at any date of determination, the latest Scheduled Termination Date applicable to any Loan or Commitment hereunder at such time, including the latest termination date of any Other Loan or Other Commitment or any Extended Loans, as applicable, as extended in accordance with this Agreement from time to time.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Latest Maturity Date shall be determined without giving effect to clause (a)(i) of the “Scheduled Termination Date”.

 

Laws” means, collectively, all international, foreign, federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities and executive orders, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority.

 

Lease Letter Agreement” means the Letter Agreement, dated October 11, 2011, among Holdings, Number Merger Sub, Inc., which merged with and into the Borrower, and each landlord party thereto, as amended, modified or supplemented in a manner that is not more disadvantageous to the Lenders in any material respect as determined by the Borrower in good faith, together with all transactions effected pursuant thereto.

 

Lender” means each financial institution or other entity that (a) is listed on the signature pages hereof as a “Lender” or (b) from time to time becomes a party hereto by execution of an Assignment and Assumption or, in connection with an Extended Loans, an Extension Amendment, or in connection with a Permitted Refinancing, a Refinancing Amendment.

 

Lending Office” means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender described as such in such Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, and any Capitalized Lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing); provided, that in no event shall an operating lease in and of itself be deemed a Lien.

 

Loan” means an extension of credit by a Lender to the Borrower under Article II.

 

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Loan Documents” means, collectively, (a) this Agreement, (b) the Notes, (c) any Extension Amendment and any Refinancing Amendment, (d) the Fee Letter, (e) the Collateral Documents (including the Guaranty) and (f) each other agreement or document that the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall designate in writing as a Loan Document.

 

Loan Parties” means, collectively, (a) Holdings, (b) the Borrower and (c) each other Guarantor.

 

Management Group” means the group consisting of the directors, executive officers and other management personnel of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent thereof, as the case may be, on the Effective Date together with (1) any new directors whose election by the applicable boards of directors or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, as applicable, was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, as applicable, then still in office who were either directors on the Effective Date or whose election or nomination was previously so approved and (2) executive officers and other management personnel of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, as applicable, who served or were hired at a time when the directors on the Effective Date together with the directors so approved constituted a majority of the directors of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, as applicable.

 

Margin Stock” has the meaning set forth in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the United States Federal Reserve System, or any successor thereto.

 

Master Agreement” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Swap Contract.”

 

Material Adverse Effect” means any event, circumstance or condition that has had a materially adverse effect on (a) the business, operations, assets or financial condition of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Loan Parties (taken as a whole) to perform their respective payment obligations under any Loan Document to which any of the Loan Parties is a party or (c) the rights and remedies of the Lenders, the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document.

 

Material Domestic Subsidiary” means, at any date of determination, each of the Borrower’s Domestic Subsidiaries (a) whose Total Assets at the last day of the most recent Test Period for which financial statements have been or are required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or (b) were equal to or greater than 2.5% of Total Assets at such date or (b) whose gross revenues for such Test Period were equal to or greater than 2.5% of the Consolidated gross revenues of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that if, at any time and from time to time after the Effective Date, Domestic Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors solely because they do not meet the thresholds set forth in clauses (a) or (b) comprise in the aggregate more than 5.0% of Total Assets as of the end of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter of the Borrower for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 or more than 5.0% of the Consolidated gross revenues of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for the period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters ending as of the last day of such Fiscal Quarter, then the

 

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Borrower shall, not later than forty-five (45) days after the date by which financial statements for such quarter are required to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement (or such longer period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders) in its reasonable discretion), (i) designate in writing to the Administrative Agent one or more of such Domestic Subsidiaries as “Material Domestic Subsidiaries” to the extent required such that the foregoing condition ceases to be true and (ii) comply with the provisions of Sections 8.11 and 8.13 applicable to such Subsidiary.

 

Material Foreign Subsidiary” means, at any date of determination, each of the Borrower’s Foreign Subsidiaries (a) whose Total Assets at the last day of the most recent Test Period for which financial statements have been or are required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or (b) were equal to or greater than 2.5% of Total Assets at such date or (b) whose gross revenues for such Test Period were equal to or greater than 2.5% of the Consolidated gross revenues of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Material Real Property” means any fee owned real property owned by any Loan Party with a Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of at least $5,000,000.

 

Material Subsidiary” means any Material Domestic Subsidiary or any Material Foreign Subsidiary.

 

Maximum Rate” has the meaning specified in Section 12.23.

 

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

 

Mortgage Policies” has the meaning specified in Section 8.13(b)(ii) hereof.

 

Mortgaged Properties” means owned real property of the Loan Parties, in each case to the extent subject to a Mortgage.

 

Mortgages” means, collectively, (a) mortgages or deeds of trust in the form of Exhibit T (subject to such conforming changes as shall be necessary to reflect local law requirements), or (b) the deeds of trust, trust deeds, hypothecs and mortgages executed and delivered by the Loan Parties in favor or for the benefit of the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Lenders in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (acting at the direction of the Requisite Lenders), and any other mortgages executed and delivered pursuant to Sections 8.11 or 8.13.

 

Multiemployer Plan” means any multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA and subject to Title IV of ERISA, to which any Loan Party or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five plan years has made or been obligated to make contributions.

 

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Net Cash Proceeds” means:

 

(a)                                 with respect to the Disposition of any asset by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or with respect to any Recovery Event, the excess, if any, of (i) the sum of cash and Cash Equivalents received in connection with such Disposition (including any cash and Cash Equivalents received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so received) or Recovery Event, as the case may be, over (ii) the sum of (A) the principal amount, premium or penalty, if any, interest and other amounts on any Indebtedness that is secured by the asset subject to such Disposition or Recovery Event, as the case may be, and that is required to be repaid in connection with such Disposition or Recovery Event (other than Indebtedness under the Loan Documents, the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness or the ABL Facility Documentation or any Permitted Refinancing of the Indebtedness under the ABL Facility Documentation or Indebtedness under the First Lien Facility Documentation or any Permitted Refinancing thereof), (B)  distributions permitted to be made pursuant to Section 9.6(g)(i) or (g)(ii) and taxes paid or reasonably estimated to be payable in connection therewith (including taxes imposed on the distribution or repatriation of any such Net Cash Proceeds), (C) in the case of any Disposition by a non-wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary or Recovery Event with respect to assets of a non-wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary, the pro rata portion of the Net Cash Proceeds thereof (calculated without regard to this clause (C)) attributable to minority interests and not available for distribution to or for the account of the Borrower or a wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary as a result thereof, (D) any reserve for adjustment in respect of (x) the sale price of such asset or assets established in accordance with GAAP and (y) any liabilities associated with such asset or assets and retained by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary after such Recovery Event or Disposition, as the case may be, including pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction, it being understood that “Net Cash Proceeds” shall include the amount of any reversal (without the satisfaction of any applicable liabilities in cash in a corresponding amount) of any reserve described in this clause (D) and (E) the out-of-pocket fees and expenses (including attorneys’ fees, investment banking fees, survey costs, title insurance premiums, and related search and recording charges, transfer taxes, deed or mortgage recording taxes, other customary expenses and brokerage, consultant and other customary fees) actually incurred by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with any of the foregoing; and

 

(b)                                 (i) with respect to the incurrence or issuance of any Indebtedness by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or any Permitted Equity Issuance by the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, the excess, if any, of (A) the sum of the cash and Cash Equivalents received in connection with such incurrence or issuance over (B) the investment banking fees, underwriting discounts, commissions, costs and other out-of-pocket expenses and other customary expenses, incurred by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such incurrence or issuance and (ii) with respect to any Permitted Equity Issuance by any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, the amount of cash from such Permitted Equity Issuance contributed to the capital of the Borrower.

 

Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.

 

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Non-Bank Certificate” has the meaning specified in Section 3.1(b).

 

Non-Consenting Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 3.7.

 

Non-Exempt Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction” means a Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction involving a sale and leaseback of any asset owned by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as of January 13, 2012.

 

Non-Loan Party” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party.

 

Note” means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to the order of any Lender in a principal amount equal to the amount of such Lender’s Commitment evidencing the aggregate Indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from the Loans of a given Class owing to such Lender.

 

Notes Intercreditor Agreement” means (a) an intercreditor agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit U-2 hereto, (b) another intercreditor agreement not materially less favorable to the Lenders vis-à-vis such Junior Liens than the form of intercreditor agreement attached as Exhibit U-2 hereto (as determined by the Borrower in good faith) or (c) another intercreditor agreement the terms of which are consistent with market terms governing security arrangements for the sharing of liens on a junior basis at the time such intercreditor agreement is proposed to be established in light of the type of Indebtedness to be secured by such liens, as determined by the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders) and the Borrower in the exercise of reasonable judgment.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Notes Intercreditor Agreement is a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Obligations” means all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Loan Party arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Obligations of the Loan Parties under the Loan Documents (and any of their Subsidiaries to the extent they have obligations under the Loan Documents to which such Subsidiaries are party) include the obligation (including guarantee obligations) to pay principal, interest, reimbursement obligations, charges, expenses, fees, Attorney Costs, indemnities and other amounts payable by any Loan Party under any Loan Document.

 

OFAC” has the meaning specified in Section 5.17(b).

 

Offered Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iv)(A).

 

Offered Discount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iv)(A).

 

OID” means “original issue discount” within the meaning of Section 1273 of the Code.

 

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Other Commitments” means one or more Classes of loan commitments hereunder that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

 

Other Loans” means one or more Classes of loans that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

 

Other Taxes” has the meaning specified in Section 3.1(f).

 

Overnight Rate” means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Rate and (b) an overnight rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

 

Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement” means a “pari passu” intercreditor agreement among the Administrative Agent  and one or more Senior Representatives for holders of Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction, or with the consent, of the Requisite Lenders) and the Borrower.

 

Participant” has the meaning specified in Section 12.2(d).

 

Participant Register” has the meaning specified in Section 12.2(e).

 

Participating Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iii)(B).

 

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

 

Pension Plan” means any “employee pension benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA and is sponsored or maintained by any Loan Party or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates or to which any Loan Party or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates contributes or has an obligation to contribute, or in the case of a multiple employer or other plan described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA, has made contributions in the preceding five plan years.

 

Permitted Acquisition” means any Acquisition by Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that, with respect to each such Acquisition:

 

(i)                           (A) each applicable Loan Party and any newly created or acquired Subsidiary (and, to the extent required under the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement and Section 8.11, the Subsidiaries of such created or acquired Subsidiary) shall be Guarantors and shall comply with the requirements of Section 8.11 and 8.13, within the times specified therein (for the avoidance of doubt, this clause (i) shall not override any provisions of the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement or Section 8.11, subject to the limit in clause (iii) below); (B) the Board of Directors of such acquired Person or its selling equity holders in existence at the time such purchase or acquisition is commenced shall have approved such purchase or other acquisition, and (C) the acquired property, assets, business or Person is in a business permitted under Section 9.7;

 

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(ii)                        the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent (and the Borrower shall have used commercially reasonable efforts to deliver no later than five (5) Business Days before the date on which any such purchase or other acquisition is consummated), on behalf of the Lenders, a certificate of a Responsible Officer, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, certifying that all of the requirements set forth in this definition have been satisfied or will be satisfied in accordance with the requirements of this definition;

 

(iii)                     with respect to Acquisitions of Subsidiaries that do not become Guarantors, the consideration shall not exceed the greater of (1) $50,000,000 and (2) 2.75% of Total Assets (in each case, measured at the time of consummation of the subject Acquisition), in the aggregate with respect to all such Acquisitions;

 

(iv)                    no Event of Default exists immediately prior to, or would thereafter result from, the consummation of such Acquisition; and

 

(v)                       immediately after giving effect to such Acquisition on a Pro Forma Basis, the Total Leverage Ratio shall not be greater than 4.50 to 1.00.

 

Permitted Equity Issuance” means any sale or issuance of any Qualified Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower (in which case the Net Cash Proceeds have been received by the Borrower as cash common equity), in each case to the extent permitted hereunder.

 

Permitted Holder” means any of the Sponsors.

 

Permitted Holdings Successor” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Change of Control”.

 

Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt” means any secured Indebtedness issued or incurred by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor in the form of one or more series of Junior Lien secured notes or loans; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is secured by the Collateral on a Junior Lien basis (subject to Liens permitted under Section 9.1) with the Obligations and is not secured by any property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary other than the Collateral, (ii) such Indebtedness constitutes Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, (iii) such Indebtedness does not mature or have scheduled amortization or scheduled payments of principal and is not subject to mandatory redemption, repurchase, prepayment or sinking fund obligation (other than customary offers to repurchase or mandatory prepayments upon a change of control, asset sale or other Disposition or casualty event or incurrence of indebtedness that is not permitted thereunder and customary acceleration rights after an event of default) prior to the Latest Maturity Date, determined at the time such Indebtedness is incurred, (iv) the security agreements relating to such Indebtedness are substantially the same as the Collateral Documents (with such differences as are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders)), (v) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiary Guarantors and (vi) a Senior Representative acting on behalf of the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become party to or otherwise subject to the provisions of the Junior Lien

 

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Intercreditor Agreement; provided that if such Indebtedness is the initial Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt incurred by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor, then Holdings, the Borrower, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Administrative Agent and the Senior Representative for such Indebtedness shall have executed and delivered a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.  Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt will include any Registered Equivalent Notes issued in exchange therefor.

 

Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt” means any secured Indebtedness issued or incurred by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor in the form of one or more series of senior secured notes or loans; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis (but without regard to the control of remedies) with the Obligations and is not secured by any property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary other than the Collateral, (ii) such Indebtedness constitutes Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, (iii) such Indebtedness does not mature or have scheduled amortization or scheduled payments of principal and is not subject to mandatory redemption, repurchase, prepayment or sinking fund obligation (other than customary offers to repurchase or mandatory prepayments upon a change of control, asset sale or other Disposition, casualty event or incurrence of indebtedness that is not permitted thereunder and customary acceleration rights after an event of default) prior to the Latest Maturity Date determined at the time such Indebtedness is incurred, (iv) the security agreements relating to such Indebtedness are substantially the same as the Collateral Documents (with such differences as are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders)), (v) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiary Guarantors and (vi) a Senior Representative acting on behalf of the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become party to or otherwise subject to the provisions of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement; provided that if such Indebtedness is the initial Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt incurred by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor, then the Borrower, Holdings, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Administrative Agent and the Senior Representative for such Indebtedness shall have executed and delivered a Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.  Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt will include any Registered Equivalent Notes issued in exchange therefor.

 

Permitted Refinancing” means, with respect to any Person, any modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension of, any Indebtedness (including any such Indebtedness incurred or issued pursuant to a Permitted Refinancing) of such Person with Indebtedness of such Person or Disqualified Equity Interests of such Person, or of any Disqualified Equity Interests (including any such Disqualified Equity Interests incurred or issued pursuant to a Permitted Refinancing) of such Person with Disqualified Equity Interests (any such resulting Indebtedness, “Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness”); provided that (a) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of any such Indebtedness or the liquidation preference of any such Disqualified Equity Interests does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness or the liquidation preference of any such Disqualified Equity Interests so modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended except by an amount equal to unpaid accrued or capitalized interest thereon, any make-whole payments and premium (including tender premiums) thereon, any swap breakage costs and other termination costs related to Swap Contracts, plus OID and upfront fees plus other fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension and

 

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by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder, (b) other than with respect to a Permitted Refinancing in respect of Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Sections 9.3(b), (e), (p), (u) and (x), such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension has a final maturity date equal to or later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended, (c) other than with respect to a Permitted Refinancing in respect of Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Sections 9.3(e), at the time thereof, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (d) if such Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed, replaced or extended is Junior Financing, (i) to the extent such Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed, replaced or extended is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations, such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal, replacement or extension is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations on terms (taken as a whole) at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended (or are otherwise acceptable to the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders)), (ii) the terms and conditions (including, if applicable, as to collateral but excluding (a) as to subordination, pricing (including interest rate, fees, funding discounts and other pricing terms, in each case other than the per annum rate of interest payable in cash, which shall not be so excluded), premiums, no call periods, liquidation preferences and optional prepayment or redemption provisions, and (b) covenants and other provisions applicable only to periods after the Latest Maturity Date, determined at the date of incurrence of such Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests) of any such modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests, taken as a whole, are not materially less favorable to the Loan Parties or the Lenders than the terms and conditions of the Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended; provided that (I) the Senior Notes may be refinanced with Indebtedness secured by Junior Liens on the Collateral, provided that such Liens are subject to the Notes Intercreditor Agreement, (II) notwithstanding anything in this definition to the contrary, the stated interest rate payable in cash for any secured Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the Senior Notes shall not exceed 11% per annum and (III) a certificate of a Responsible Officer delivered to the Administrative Agent at least five (5) Business Days prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests, together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests or drafts of the documentation relating thereto, stating that the Borrower has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirement shall be conclusive evidence that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirement unless the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders) notifies the Borrower within such five Business Day period that it disagrees with such determination (including a description of the basis upon which it disagrees) and (iii) such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension is incurred by the Person who is the obligor of the Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended and no additional obligors become liable for such Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests, (e) in the case of any Permitted Refinancing in respect of the ABL Facility, such Permitted Refinancing is secured only by assets pursuant to one or more security agreements subject to the Intercreditor Agreement (or another intercreditor agreement containing terms (taken as a whole) that are at

 

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least as favorable to the Secured Parties as those contained in the Intercreditor Agreement, (f) in the case of any Permitted Refinancing in respect of the First Lien Facility, such Permitted Refinancing is secured only by assets pursuant to one or more security agreements subject to the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement (in each case, or another intercreditor agreement containing terms (taken as a whole) that are at least as favorable to the Secured Parties as those contained in the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement or the Intercreditor Agreement, as the case may be) and (g) in the case of any secured Permitted Refinancing in respect of the Senior Notes, such Permitted Refinancing is secured only by assets pursuant to one or more security agreements subject to the Notes Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction” means any sale and leaseback transaction of any assets of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a transaction or series of transactions in which the Borrower or any such Restricted Subsidiary receives Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower)  for each such sale; provided, that (a) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing immediately prior to such sale or would occur as a result of such sale, (b) the lease pertaining to such assets is an operating lease for purposes of GAAP or a Capitalized Lease to the extent permitted under Section 9.3(e), and (c) the Net Cash Proceeds from such transaction are used by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary to prepay outstanding Indebtedness (including any Junior Financing) or reinvested in accordance with Section 2.4(b).

 

Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt” means any unsecured Indebtedness issued or incurred by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor in the form of one or more series of unsecured notes or loans; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is not secured by any property or assets of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) such Indebtedness constitutes Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, (iii) such Indebtedness does not mature or have scheduled amortization prior to the Latest Maturity Date, determined at the time such Indebtedness is incurred (other than customary offers to repurchase or mandatory prepayments upon a change of control, asset sale or other Disposition, casualty event or incurrence of indebtedness that is not permitted thereunder and customary acceleration rights after an event of default), and (iv) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Subsidiaries other than the Subsidiary Guarantors.  Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt will include any Registered Equivalent Notes issued in exchange therefor.

 

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

 

PIK Interest” means interest paid in kind on the Loans.

 

Plan” means any material “employee benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA), established by any Loan Party or, with respect to any such plan that is subject to Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA, any of their respective ERISA Affiliates.

 

Pledged Debt” has the meaning specified in the Security Agreement.

 

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Pledged Equity” has the meaning specified in the Security Agreement.

 

Preferred Stock” means any Equity Interest with preferential right of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.

 

Prepayment Premium” means in connection with (a) any optional prepayment of Initial Loans or Converted First Lien Stub Loans made pursuant to Section 2.3(a), (b) any mandatory prepayment of the Initial Loans or Converted First Lien Stub Loans made pursuant to Section 2.4(c), (c) any mandatory assignment of Initial Loans or Converted First Lien Stub Loans made pursuant to Section 3.7, (d) any payment, refinancing or amendment of Initial Loans or Converted First Lien Stub Loans made in connection with a Repricing Transaction and (e) any payment (or deemed payment) of the Initial Loans or Converted First Lien Stub Loans following the acceleration thereof for any reason as contemplated by Section 2.15, a premium equal to the amount set forth below:

 

(i)                                     after the Effective Date but before the second anniversary of the Effective Date, 2.0% of the principal amount of the Initial Loans or Converted First Lien Stub Loans to be prepaid, refinanced or repriced;

 

(ii)                                  on or after the second anniversary of the Effective Date and before the third anniversary of the Effective Date, 1.0% of the principal amount of the Initial Loans or Converted First Lien Stub Loans to be prepaid, refinanced or repriced; and

 

(iii)                               thereafter, 0% of the principal amount of the Initial Loans or Converted First Lien Stub Loans to be prepaid, refinanced or repriced.

 

Pro Forma Balance Sheet” has the meaning specified in Section 5.5(a)(ii).

 

Pro Forma Basis” and “Pro Forma Effect” mean, with respect to compliance with any test or covenant or calculation hereunder, the determination or calculation of such test, covenant or ratio (including in connection with Specified Transactions) in accordance with Section 1.7.

 

Pro Forma Financial Statements” has the meaning specified in Section 5.5(a)(ii).

 

Projections” shall have the meaning specified in Section 7.1(d).

 

Public Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 12.8(b).

 

Qualified Equity Interests” means any Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests.

 

Qualifying IPO” means the issuance by Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings of its common Equity Interests in an underwritten primary public offering (other than a public offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8) pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the SEC in accordance with the Securities Act (whether alone or in connection with a secondary public offering).

 

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Qualifying Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iv)(C).

 

Quarterly Financial Statements” means the unaudited Consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the most recent Fiscal Quarters after the date of the Annual Financial Statements and ended at least forty-five (45) days before the Effective Date.

 

Ratable Portion”, “Pro Rata Share”, “ratable share” or (other than in the expression “equally and ratably”) “ratably” means, with respect to any Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (a) the Commitment and, if applicable and without duplication, Loans of such Class of such Lender by (b) the aggregate Commitments and, if applicable and without duplication, Loans of all Lenders of such Class.

 

Recovery Event” means the receipt by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any cash insurance proceeds (other than proceeds of business interruption insurance) or condemnation awards payable by reason of theft, loss, physical destruction, damage, taking or any other similar event with respect to any property or assets of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries included in the Collateral.

 

Reference Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Available Amount.”

 

Refinanced Debt” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness.”

 

Refinancing Amendment” means an amendment to this Agreement executed by each of (a) the Borrower and Holdings, (b) the Administrative Agent and (c) each Lender that agrees to provide any portion of the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness being incurred pursuant thereto, in accordance with Section 2.14.

 

Register” has the meaning specified in Section 12.2(c).

 

Registered Equivalent Notes” means, with respect to any notes originally issued in a Rule 144A or other private placement transaction under the Securities Act, substantially identical notes (having the same Guarantees) issued in a dollar-for-dollar exchange therefor pursuant to an exchange offer registered with the SEC.

 

Rejection Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 2.4(f).

 

Related Indemnified Person” of an Indemnitee means (a) any controlling person (including any member or other equity holders) or controlled affiliate of such Indemnitee, (b) the respective directors, officers, or employees of such Indemnitee or any of its controlling persons or controlled affiliates and (c) the respective agents, advisors or other representatives of such Indemnitee or any of its controlling persons or controlled affiliates, in the case of this clause (c), acting at the instructions of such Indemnitee, controlling person or such controlled affiliate; provided that each reference to a controlled affiliate or controlling person in this definition shall pertain to a controlled affiliate or controlling person involved in the negotiation or syndication of the Facility, the ABL Facility, the First Lien Facility or the Senior Notes.

 

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

 

Reportable Event” means, with respect to any Pension Plan, any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, other than events for which the thirty (30) day notice period has been waived.

 

Repricing Transaction” means (a) any prepayment or repayment of all or any portion of the Initial Loans or Converted First Lien Stub Loans with the proceeds of, or any conversion of, the Initial Loans or Converted First Lien Stub Loans, as applicable, into other Loans for the primary purpose of prepaying, repaying or replacing such Initial Loans or Converted First Lien Stub Loans and having or resulting in an All-In Yield less than the All-In Yield of the Initial Loans or Converted First Lien Stub Loans being prepaid or repaid or (b) any amendment to all or any portion of the Initial Loans or Converted First Lien Stub Loans that, directly or indirectly, reduces the All-In Yield of such Initial Loans or Converted First Lien Stub Loans; provided that a Repricing Transaction shall not include any such prepayment, repayment, replacement, conversion or amendment made in connection with a Change of Control.

 

Requisite Class Lenders” means, with respect to any Class on any date of determination, Lenders having more than fifty percent (50%) of (i) the outstanding Loans under such Class and (ii) the aggregate unused Commitments under such Class.

 

Requisite Lenders” means, collectively, Lenders having more than fifty percent (50%) of the sum of the (a) outstanding Loans and (b) aggregate unused Commitments.

 

Responsible Officer” means the chief executive officer, president, vice president, chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer or other similar officer or Person performing similar functions of a Loan Party and, as to any document delivered on the Effective Date, any secretary or assistant secretary of a Loan Party.  Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.  Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Responsible Officer” shall refer to a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

 

Restricted Cash” means cash and Cash Equivalents that (a) would be listed as “restricted” on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (b) are subject to any Liens, except for Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.3 that is secured by such cash or Cash Equivalents.

 

Restricted Investment” means any Investment other than one permitted under Section 9.2 hereof.

 

Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interest of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including

 

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any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interest, or on account of any return of capital to the Borrower’s or Holdings’ stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent Persons thereof).

 

Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

Restricted Subsidiary Disposition” has the meaning specified in Section 2.4(g).

 

Restricted Subsidiary Recovery Event” has the meaning specified in Section 2.4(j).

 

Retained Declined Proceeds” has the meaning specified in Section 2.4(f).

 

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC and any successor thereto.

 

Same Day Funds” means disbursements and payments in immediately available funds.

 

Scheduled Debt Payments” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of all regularly scheduled amortization payments of principal on Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis for such period (including the principal component of payments due on Capitalized Leases during such period); provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt, any payments made pursuant to a mandatory prepayment, mandatory redemption or like provision shall not constitute Scheduled Debt Payments.

 

Scheduled Termination Date” means (a) with respect to Initial Loans that have not been extended pursuant to Section 2.13, the earlier of (i) 91 days after the Scheduled Termination Date (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement) with respect to First Lien Term Loans (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement) therein and (ii) April 14, 2022, (b) with respect to any tranche of Extended Loans or New Loans, the final maturity date as specified in the applicable Extension Amendment accepted by the respective Lender or Lenders and (c) with respect to any Other Loans, the final maturity date as specified in the applicable Refinancing Amendment.

 

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

 

Secured Obligations” means, in the case of the Borrower, the Obligations, including, without limitation, each extension of credit under this Agreement and all obligations of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries which arise under the Loan Documents (including the Guaranty),  whether outstanding on the date of this Agreement or extended or arising from time to time after the date of this Agreement.

 

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Secured Parties” means, collectively, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each co-agent or sub-agent (if any) appointed by the Administrative Agent from time to time pursuant to Section 11.5.

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Security Agreement” means, collectively, the Security Agreement executed by the Loan Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit J, together with each Security Agreement Supplement executed and delivered pursuant to Section 8.11.

 

Security Agreement Supplement” has the meaning specified in the Security Agreement.

 

Senior Notes” means up to $250,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Borrower’s senior unsecured notes due 2019 and any Registered Equivalent Notes having terms, taken as a whole, that are on substantially identical terms and issued pursuant to the Senior Notes Indenture in exchange for the initial, unregistered senior unsecured notes, and in any case any Permitted Refinancing thereof.

 

Senior Notes Indenture” means the Indenture for the Senior Notes, dated December 29, 2011, between the Borrower and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented, replaced or refinanced to the extent not prohibited by this Agreement.

 

Senior Notes Issue Date” means December 29, 2011.

 

Senior Representative” means, with respect to any series of Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt or Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt, the trustee, administrative agent, collateral agent, security agent or similar agent under the indenture or agreement pursuant to which such Indebtedness is issued, incurred or otherwise obtained, as the case may be, and each of their successors in such capacities.

 

Senior Secured Leverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Test Period for which financial statements are required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or (b), the ratio of (a) Consolidated Senior Secured Net Debt of the Borrower as of the last day of such Test Period to (b) Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower for such Test Period.

 

Shareholders Agreement” means the Voting Agreement, dated as of January 13, 2012, among the Borrower, Holdings and ACOF III.

 

Solicited Discount Proration” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iv)(C).

 

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iv)(A).

 

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice” means a written notice of the Borrower of Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers made pursuant to Section 2.3(d)(iv)(A) substantially in the form of Exhibit K.

 

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Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer” means the irrevocable written offer by each Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit L, submitted following the Administrative Agent’s receipt of a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice.

 

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iv)(A).

 

Solvent” and “Solvency” mean, with respect to any Person on any date of determination, that on such date (a) the fair value of the assets of such Person exceeds its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, (b) the present fair saleable value of the property of such Person is greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of its debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured, (c) such Person is able to pay its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such liabilities become absolute and matured and (d) such Person is not engaged in, and is not about to engage in, business for which it has unreasonably small capital.  The amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, would reasonably be expected to become an actual and matured liability.

 

SPC” has the meaning specified in Section 12.2(g).

 

Specified Discount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(ii)(A).

 

Specified Discount Prepayment Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(ii)(A).

 

Specified Discount Prepayment Notice” means a written notice of the Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment made pursuant to Section 2.3(d)(ii)(A) substantially in the form of Exhibit M.

 

Specified Discount Prepayment Response” means the irrevocable written response by each Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit N, to a Specified Discount Prepayment Notice.

 

Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(ii)(A).

 

Specified Discount Proration” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(ii)(C).

 

Specified Exchange Threshold” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Term/Notes Refinancing Date”.

 

Specified Transaction” means (i) any Investment that results in a Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) any designation of a Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary, (iii) any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or discontinued operation (as determined in accordance with GAAP), in each case with respect to an operating unit of a business that the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary has made, or (iv) any incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness, Restricted

 

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Payment or Investment that by the terms of this Agreement requires such test to be calculated on a “Pro Forma Basis” or after giving “Pro Forma Effect.”

 

Sponsor” means any of (a) ACOF III, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, and any of their respective Affiliates and funds or partnerships managed or advised by any of them or any of their respective Affiliates, but not including any portfolio company of any of the foregoing and (b) any Person that forms a group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) with ACOF III, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board or any of their respective Affiliates and funds or partnerships managed or advised by any of them or any of their respective Affiliates, but not including any portfolio company of any of the foregoing.

 

Sponsor Management Agreement” means any management services agreement by and among ACOF Operating Manager III, LLC and/or Canada Pension Plan Investment Board or certain of the management companies associated with each of them or their advisors and Holdings and/or the Borrower, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms.

 

Sponsor Termination Fees” means the one-time payment under any Sponsor Management Agreement of a termination fee to one or more of the Sponsors in the event of either a Change of Control or the completion of a Qualifying IPO.

 

Statutory Reserve Rate” means, with respect to any currency, a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by any Governmental Authority of the United States or of the jurisdiction of such currency or any jurisdiction in which Loans in such currency are made to which banks in such jurisdiction are subject for any category of deposits or liabilities customarily used to fund loans in such currency or by reference to which interest rates applicable to Loans in such currency are determined.  Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D.  Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurodollar funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D or any comparable regulation.  The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

 

Store” means any retail store (which includes any real property, fixtures, equipment, inventory and other property related thereto) operated, or to be operated, by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Stub Notes Indebtedness” has the meaning specified in Section 10.1(c)(ii).

 

Submitted Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iii)(A).

 

Submitted Discount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(d)(iii)(A).

 

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Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (a) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Equity Interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or Controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, and (b) any partnership, joint venture or limited liability company of which (i) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general and limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise, and (ii) such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise Controls such entity.  Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

 

Subsidiary Guarantor” means any Guarantor other than Holdings.

 

Successor Borrower” has the meaning specified in Section 9.4(d).

 

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

 

Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).

 

Taxes” has the meaning specified in Section 3.1(a).

 

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Term/Notes Refinancing Date” means the first date on which (a) the “Term/Notes Refinancing Date” (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement (as in effect on the Effective Date after giving effect to Amendment No. 6 to the ABL Facility Credit Agreement)) has occurred and (b) at least 95% (such percentage, the “Specified Exchange Threshold”) of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes outstanding as of the Effective Date has been converted, redeemed, repurchased or refinanced pursuant to one or more transactions permitted under this Agreement, such that the stated maturity date (including any scheduled principal payment date) in respect of such Senior Notes that have been so converted, redeemed, repurchased or refinanced (and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof) is at least 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date (the “Extended Notes”).

 

Term Priority Collateral” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Termination Date” means the earliest of (a) the Scheduled Termination Date and (b) the date on which the Obligations become due and payable pursuant to Section 10.2.

 

Test Period” in effect at any time means the most recent period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters of the Borrower ended on or prior to such time (taken as one accounting period).  A Test Period may be designated by reference to the last day thereof (e.g., the “April 28, 2017 Test Period” refers to the period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters of the Borrower ended April 28, 2017), and a Test Period shall be deemed to end on the last day thereof.

 

Total Assets” means the total assets of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of the Borrower delivered pursuant to Sections 7.1(a) or 7.1(b) or, for the period prior to the time any such statements are so delivered pursuant to Sections 7.1(a) or 7.1(b), the Pro Forma Financial Statements.

 

Total Leverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Test Period for which financial statements are required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or (b), the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Net Debt of the Borrower as of the last day of such Test Period to (b) Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower for such Test Period.

 

Tranche B-2 Loans” has the meaning assigned to such term in the First Lien Credit Agreement.

 

Transaction” means, collectively, (a) the execution and delivery of Amendment No. 3 to the First Lien Credit Agreement and the effectiveness thereof, (b) the execution and delivery of Amendment No. 6 to the ABL Facility Credit Agreement and the effectiveness thereof , (c)  the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the borrowing (or deemed borrowing) of the Loans on the Effective Date, (d) the consummation of any other transactions in connection with the foregoing, and (e) the payment of the fees and expenses incurred in connection with any of the foregoing.

 

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Transaction Expenses” means any fees or expenses incurred or paid by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the Transaction, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

 

Type” means, with respect to a Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a Eurocurrency Rate Loan.

 

UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code or any successor provision thereof as the same may from time to time be in effect in the State of New York or the Uniform Commercial Code or any successor provision thereof (or similar code or statute) of another jurisdiction, to the extent it may be required to apply to any item or items of Collateral.

 

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

 

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower designated by the Board of Directors of the Borrower as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 8.3 subsequent to the Effective Date, in each case, until such Person ceases to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Borrower in accordance with Section 8.3 or ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Borrower.

 

U.S. Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 3.1(d).

 

USA PATRIOT Act” means The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Title III of Pub. L. No. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), as amended or modified from time to time.

 

Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, at any date, the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the sum of the product of the number of years from the date of determination to the date of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Disqualified Equity Interests or Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment, by (b) the sum of all such payments.

 

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” of a Person means a Subsidiary of such Person, all of the outstanding Equity Interests of which (other than (x) director’s qualifying shares and (y) nominal shares issued to foreign nationals to the extent required by applicable Law) are  owned by such Person and/or by one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

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

 

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.

 

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SECTION 1.2                                             Other Interpretive Provisions.  With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:

 

(a)                                 The meanings of defined terms are equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of the defined terms.

 

(b)                                 (i)                                     The words “herein,” “hereto,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document shall refer to such Loan Document as a whole and not to any particular provision thereof.

 

(ii)                                  References in this Agreement to an Exhibit, Schedule, Article, Section, clause or sub-clause refer (A) to the appropriate Exhibit or Schedule to, or Article, Section, clause or sub-clause in this Agreement or (B) to the extent such references are not present in this Agreement, to the Loan Document in which such reference appears,

 

(iii)                               The term “including” is by way of example and not limitation, subject, in the case of computations of time periods, to clause (d) below,

 

(iv)                              The term “documents” includes any and all instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, notices, reports, financial statements and other writings, however evidenced, whether in physical or electronic form,

 

(v)                                 Unless otherwise expressly indicated herein, the words “above” and “below”, when following a reference to a clause or a sub-clause of any Loan Document, refer to a clause or sub-clause within, respectively, the same Section or clause; and

 

(vi)                              The words “assets” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect.

 

(c)                                  The terms “Lender” and “Administrative Agent” include, without limitation, their respective successors.

 

(d)                                 In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including”, the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding” and the word “through” means “to and including.”

 

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

 

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SECTION 1.3                                             Accounting Terms.  All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein.

 

SECTION 1.4                                             Rounding.  Any financial ratios required to be satisfied in order for a specific action to be permitted under this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).

 

SECTION 1.5                                             References to Agreements, Laws, Etc.  Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (a) references to Constituent Documents, agreements (including the Loan Documents) and other contractual instruments shall be deemed to include all appendices, exhibits and schedules thereto and all subsequent amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications thereto (but only to the extent that such amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications are permitted by any Loan Document); and (b) references to any Law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting such Law.

 

SECTION 1.6                                             Times of Day.  Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).

 

SECTION 1.7                                             Pro Forma Calculations.

 

(a)                                 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, subject to Section 1.7(f), the Total Leverage Ratio and the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio shall be calculated in the manner prescribed by this Section 1.7.

 

(b)                                 For purposes of calculating the Total Leverage Ratio and the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio, Specified Transactions (and the incurrence or repayment of any Indebtedness in connection therewith) that have been made, in each case without duplication, (i) during the applicable Test Period or (ii) subsequent to such Test Period and prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation of any such ratio is made shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Specified Transactions (and any increase or decrease in Consolidated EBITDA and the component financial definitions used therein attributable to any Specified Transaction) had occurred on the first day of the applicable Test Period.  If since the beginning of any applicable Test Period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged, or consolidated with or into the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries since the beginning of such Test Period shall have made any Specified Transaction that would have required adjustment pursuant to this Section 1.7, then the Total Leverage Ratio and the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio shall be calculated to give pro forma effect thereto for such period as if the Specified Transaction had occurred on the first day of the applicable Test Period in accordance with this Section 1.7.  Any such pro forma calculation may include adjustments appropriate, in the reasonable good faith determination of the Borrower as set forth in a certificate from a Responsible Officer, to reflect, in each case

 

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without duplication, (i) operating expense reductions and other operating improvements, synergies or cost savings reasonably expected to result from such relevant pro forma event (including, to the extent applicable, the Transaction) based on actions already taken and for which the full run-rate effect of such actions is expected to be realized within eighteen (18) months of such action, and (ii) all adjustments of the nature set forth in Schedule 1.7(b) to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to the relevant Test Period.

 

(c)                                  In the event that the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs (including by assumption or guarantees) or repays (including by redemption, repayment, retirement or extinguishment) any Indebtedness included in the calculations of the Total Leverage Ratio and the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio, as the case may be (in each case, other than Indebtedness incurred or repaid under any revolving credit facility in the ordinary course of business for working capital purposes), (i) during the applicable Test Period or (ii) subsequent to the end of the applicable Test Period and prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation of any such ratio is made, then the Total Leverage Ratio and the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness, to the extent required, as if the same had occurred on the first day of the applicable Test Period.

 

(d)                                 Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Borrower to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.  For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a Pro Forma Basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period.  Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurodollar interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be determined to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Borrower may designate.

 

(e)                                  Any amount in a currency other than Dollars will be converted to Dollars based on the average exchange rate for such currency for the most recent twelve month period immediately prior to the date of determination in a manner consistent with that used in calculating Consolidated EBITDA for the applicable period.

 

(f)                                   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, when calculating the Total Leverage Ratio for the purposes of the ECF Percentage of Excess Cash Flow, the events described in this Section 1.7 subsequent to the end of the applicable Test Period shall not be given pro forma effect or calculated on a pro forma basis.

 

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ARTICLE II

 

THE FACILITY

 

SECTION 2.1                                             The Loans.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender party hereto as of the Effective Date hereby reallocates 100% of its Tranche B-2 Loans under the First Lien Facility outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date, including all accrued and unpaid interest and OID thereon and any fees and expenses related thereto, to a Loan hereunder in an initial principal amount as set forth on Schedule I, on the Effective Date.  Amounts borrowed (or deemed borrowed) under this Section 2.1 and repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.  Initial Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurocurrency Rate Loans, as further provided herein.

 

SECTION 2.2                                             Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans.

 

(a)                                 Each Borrowing (other than the deemed Borrowing made on the Effective Date), each conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, and each continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, which shall be by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a written Committed Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.  Each such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than (i) 1:00 p.m. three (3) Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans or any conversion of Base Rate Loans to Eurocurrency Rate Loans, and (ii) 12:00 noon one Business Day prior to the requested date of Borrowing with respect to any Borrowing of or conversion to a Base Rate Loan.  Each Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.  Each Borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof.  Each Committed Loan Notice (whether telephonic or written) shall specify (i) whether the Borrower is requesting a Borrowing, a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, (ii) the requested date of the Borrowing, conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the principal amount of Loans to be borrowed, converted or continued, (iv) the Class and Type of Loans to be borrowed or to which existing Loans are to be converted and (v) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period with respect thereto.  If the Borrower fails to specify a Type of Loan in a Committed Loan Notice or fails to give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the applicable Loans shall be made as, or converted to, Base Rate Loans.  Any such automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the applicable Eurocurrency Rate Loans.  If the Borrower requests a Borrowing of, conversion to, or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans in any such Committed Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one (1) month.

 

(b)                                 Following receipt of a Committed Loan Notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of its Pro Rata Share of the applicable Class of Loans, and if no timely notice of a conversion or continuation is provided by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the details of any automatic

 

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conversion to Base Rate Loans or continuation of Loans described in Section 2.2(a).  In the case of each Borrowing, each Appropriate Lender shall make the amount of its Loan available to the Administrative Agent in Same Day Funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in the applicable Committed Loan Notice.  Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.2 for any Borrowing after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all funds so received available to the Borrower in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of the Administrative Agent with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the Administrative Agent by the Borrower.

 

(c)                                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent or the Requisite Lenders (with notice also being provided to the Administrative Agent) may require by notice to the Borrower that no conversion in whole or in part of Base Rate Loans to Eurocurrency Rate Loans, and no continuation in whole or in part of Eurocurrency Rate Loans upon the expiration of any applicable Interest Period shall be permitted at any time at which (i) an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or (i) the continuation of, or conversion into, a Eurocurrency Rate Loan would violate any provision of Section 3.3.

 

(d)                                 The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for Eurocurrency Rate Loans upon determination of such interest rate.  At any time when Base Rate Loans are outstanding, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of any change in the “prime rate” used in determining the Base Rate.

 

(e)                                  After giving effect to all Borrowings, all conversions of Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than ten (10) Interest Periods in effect unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent; provided that after the establishment of any new Class of Loans pursuant to an Extension Amendment or Refinancing Amendment, the number of Interest Periods otherwise permitted by this Section 2.2(e) shall increase by three (3) Interest Periods for each applicable Class so established.

 

(f)                                   The failure of any Lender to make the Loan to be made by it as part of any Borrowing shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation, if any, hereunder to make its Loan on the date of such Borrowing, but no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make the Loan to be made by such other Lender on the date of any Borrowing.

 

(g)                                  Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such Pro Rata Share available to the Administrative Agent on the date of such Borrowing in accordance with paragraph (b) above, and the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be required to), in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower on such date a corresponding amount.  If the Administrative Agent shall have so made funds available, then, to the extent that such Lender

 

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shall not have made such portion available to the Administrative Agent, each of such Lender and the Borrower severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount together with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is made available to the Borrower until the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at (i) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable at the time to the Loans comprising such Borrowing and (ii) in the case of such Lender, the Overnight Rate plus any administrative, processing, or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the foregoing.  A certificate of the Administrative Agent submitted to any Lender with respect to any amounts owing under this Section 2.2(g) shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.  If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period.  If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.  Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

 

SECTION 2.3                                             Optional Prepayments.

 

(a)                                 The Borrower may, upon written notice to the Administrative Agent, at any time or from time to time voluntarily prepay Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty (except for the Prepayment Premium, if any, as set forth in Section 2.15); provided that (1) such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 noon (A) three (3) Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of Eurocurrency Rate Loans and (B) one Business Day prior to the date of prepayment of Base Rate Loans; (2) any partial prepayment of Eurocurrency Rate Loans of any applicable Class shall be in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof or, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding; and (3) any prepayment of Base Rate Loans of any applicable Class shall be in a principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof or, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding.  Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Class(es) and Type(s) of Loans to be prepaid and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein.  The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Appropriate Lender of its receipt of each such notice, and of the amount of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of such prepayment.  Any prepayment of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest thereon, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.5 and the Prepayment Premium (if any).  Each prepayment of the Loans pursuant to this Section 2.3 shall be paid to the Appropriate Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Share.

 

(b)                                 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Borrower may rescind any notice of prepayment under Section 2.3 if such prepayment would have resulted from a refinancing of all of the applicable Facility, which refinancing shall not be consummated or shall otherwise be delayed.

 

(c)                                  Voluntary prepayments of any Class of Loans permitted hereunder shall be applied to the remaining scheduled installments of principal thereof pursuant to Section

 

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2.6 in a manner determined at the discretion of the Borrower and specified in the notice of prepayment (and absent such direction, in direct order of maturity).

 

(d)                                 Notwithstanding anything in any Loan Document to the contrary, so long as (x) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (y) no proceeds of Loans under the ABL Facility are used for this purpose, the Borrower may prepay the outstanding Loans (which shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be automatically and permanently canceled immediately upon acquisition by the Borrower) (or Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries may purchase such outstanding Loans and immediately cancel them) on the following basis:

 

(i)                           Any Company Party shall have the right to make a voluntary prepayment of Loans at a discount to par pursuant to a Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment, Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers or Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers (any such prepayment, the “Discounted Loan Prepayment”), in each case made in accordance with this Section 2.3(d); provided that no Company Party shall initiate any action under this Section 2.3(d) in order to make a Discounted Loan Prepayment unless (A) at least ten (10) Business Days shall have passed since the consummation of the most recent Discounted Loan Prepayment as a result of a prepayment made by a Company Party on the applicable Discounted Prepayment Effective Date; or (B) at least three (3) Business Days shall have passed since the date the Company Party was notified that no Lender was willing to accept any prepayment of any Loan at the Specified Discount, within the Discount Range or at any discount to par value, as applicable, or in the case of Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers, the date of any Company Party’s election not to accept any Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers.

 

(ii)

 

(A)                               Subject to the proviso to subsection (i) above, any Company Party may from time to time offer to make a Discounted Loan Prepayment by providing the Auction Agent with five (5) Business Days’ notice in the form of a Specified Discount Prepayment Notice; provided that (1) any such offer shall be made available, at the sole discretion of the Company Party, to (x) each Lender and/or (y) each Lender with respect to any Class of Loans on an individual tranche basis, (2) any such offer shall specify the aggregate principal amount offered to be prepaid (the “Specified Discount Prepayment Amount”) with respect to each applicable tranche, the tranche or tranches of Loans subject to such offer and the specific percentage discount to par (the “Specified Discount”) of such Loans to be prepaid (it being understood that different Specified Discounts and/or Specified Discount Prepayment Amounts may be offered with respect to different tranches of Loans and, in such event, each such offer will be treated as a separate offer pursuant to the terms of this Section), (3) the Specified Discount Prepayment Amount shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $10,000,000 and whole increments of $1,000,000 (or such lesser amounts as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of the Requisite Lenders)) in excess thereof and (4) each such offer shall remain outstanding through the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date.  The Auction Agent will promptly provide each Appropriate Lender with a copy of such Specified Discount Prepayment Notice and a form of the Specified Discount Prepayment Response to be completed and returned by each such Lender to the Auction Agent (or its

 

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delegate) by no later than 5:00 p.m., on the third (3rd) Business Day after the date of delivery of such notice to such Lenders (the “Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date”).

 

(B)                               Each Lender receiving such offer shall notify the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date whether or not it agrees to accept a prepayment of any of its applicable then outstanding Loans at the Specified Discount and, if so (such accepting Lender, a “Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender”), the amount and the tranches of such Lender’s Loans to be prepaid at such offered discount.  Each acceptance of a Discounted Loan Prepayment by a Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender shall be irrevocable.  Any Lender whose Specified Discount Prepayment Response is not received by the Auction Agent by the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date shall be deemed to have declined to accept the applicable Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment.

 

(C)                               If there is at least one Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender, the relevant Company Party will make a prepayment of outstanding Loans pursuant to this paragraph (ii) to each Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender in accordance with the respective outstanding amount and tranches of Loans specified in such Lender’s Specified Discount Prepayment Response given pursuant to subsection (B) above; provided that, if the aggregate principal amount of Loans accepted for prepayment by all Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders exceeds the Specified Discount Prepayment Amount, such prepayment shall be made pro rata among the Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders in accordance with the respective principal amounts accepted to be prepaid by each such Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender and the Auction Agent (in consultation with such Company Party and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its reasonable discretion) will calculate such proration (the “Specified Discount Proration”).  The Auction Agent shall promptly, and in any case within three (3) Business Days following the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date, notify (1) the relevant Company Party and the Administrative Agent of the respective Lenders’ responses to such offer, the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date and the aggregate principal amount of the Discounted Loan Prepayment and the tranches to be prepaid, (2) each Lender of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, and the aggregate principal amount and the tranches of Loans to be prepaid at the Specified Discount on such date and (3) each Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender of the Specified Discount Proration, if any, and confirmation of the principal amount, tranche and Type of Loans of such Lender to be prepaid at the Specified Discount on such date.  Each determination by the Auction Agent of the amounts stated in the foregoing notices to the Company Party and such Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error.  The payment amount specified in such notice to the Company Party shall be due and payable by such Company Party on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in accordance with subsection (vi) below (subject to subsection (x) below).

 

(iii)

 

(A)                               Subject to the proviso to subsection (i) above, any Company Party may from time to time solicit Discount Range Prepayment Offers by providing the Auction Agent with five (5) Business Days’ notice in the form of a Discount Range Prepayment Notice; provided that (1) any such solicitation shall be extended, at the sole discretion of such Company Party, to (x) each Lender and/or (y) each Lender with respect to any

 

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Class of Loans on an individual tranche basis, (2) any such notice shall specify the maximum aggregate principal amount of the relevant Loans (the “Discount Range Prepayment Amount”), the tranche or tranches of Loans subject to such offer and the maximum and minimum percentage discounts to par (the “Discount Range”) of the principal amount of such Loans with respect to each relevant tranche of Loans willing to be prepaid by such Company Party (it being understood that different Discount Ranges and/or Discount Range Prepayment Amounts may be offered with respect to different tranches of Loans and, in such event, each such offer will be treated as separate offer pursuant to the terms of this Section), (3) the Discount Range Prepayment Amount shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $10,000,000 and whole increments of $1,000,000 (or such lesser amounts as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of the Requisite Lenders)) in excess thereof and (4) each such solicitation by the Borrower shall remain outstanding through the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date.  The Auction Agent will promptly provide each Appropriate Lender with a copy of such Discount Range Prepayment Notice and a form of the Discount Range Prepayment Offer to be submitted by a responding Lender to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by no later than 5:00 p.m., on the third (3rd) Business Day after the date of delivery of such notice to such Lenders (the “Discount Range Prepayment Response Date”).  Each Lender’s Discount Range Prepayment Offer shall be irrevocable and shall specify a discount to par within the Discount Range (the “Submitted Discount”) at which such Lender is willing to allow prepayment of any or all of its then outstanding Loans of the applicable tranche or tranches and the maximum aggregate principal amount and tranches of such Lender’s Loans (the “Submitted Amount”) such Lender is willing to have prepaid at the Submitted Discount.  Any Lender whose Discount Range Prepayment Offer is not received by the Auction Agent by the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date shall be deemed to have declined to accept a Discounted Loan Prepayment of any of its Loans at any discount to their par value within the Discount Range.

 

(B)                               The Auction Agent shall review all Discount Range Prepayment Offers received on or before the applicable Discount Range Prepayment Response Date and shall determine (in consultation with such Company Party and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) the Applicable Discount and Loans to be prepaid at such Applicable Discount in accordance with this subsection (iii). The relevant Company Party agrees to accept on the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date all Discount Range Prepayment Offers received by Auction Agent by the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date, in the order from the Submitted Discount that is the largest discount to par to the Submitted Discount that is the smallest discount to par, up to and including the Submitted Discount that is the smallest discount to par within the Discount Range (such Submitted Discount that is the smallest discount to par within the Discount Range being referred to as the “Applicable Discount”) which yields a Discounted Loan Prepayment in an aggregate principal amount equal to the lower of (1) the Discount Range Prepayment Amount and (2) the sum of all Submitted Amounts.  Each Lender that has submitted a Discount Range Prepayment Offer to accept prepayment at a discount to par that is larger than or equal to the Applicable Discount shall be deemed to have irrevocably consented to prepayment of Loans equal to its Submitted Amount (subject to any required proration pursuant to the following subsection (C)) at the Applicable Discount (each such Lender, a “Participating Lender”).

 

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(C)                               If there is at least one Participating Lender, the relevant Company Party will prepay the respective outstanding Loans of each Participating Lender in the aggregate principal amount and of the tranches specified in such Lender’s Discount Range Prepayment Offer at the Applicable Discount; provided that if the Submitted Amount by all Participating Lenders offered at a discount to par greater than the Applicable Discount exceeds the Discount Range Prepayment Amount, prepayment of the principal amount of the relevant Loans for those Participating Lenders whose Submitted Discount is a discount to par greater than or equal to the Applicable Discount (the “Identified Participating Lenders”) shall be made pro rata among the Identified Participating Lenders in accordance with the Submitted Amount of each such Identified Participating Lender, and the Auction Agent (in consultation with such Company Party and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) will calculate such proration (the “Discount Range Proration”).  The Auction Agent shall promptly, and in any case within five (5) Business Days following the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date, notify (1) the relevant Company Party and the Administrative Agent of the respective Lenders’ responses to such solicitation, the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, the Applicable Discount, and the aggregate principal amount of the Discounted Loan Prepayment and the tranches to be prepaid, (2) each Lender of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, the Applicable Discount, and the aggregate principal amount and tranches of Loans to be prepaid at the Applicable Discount on such date, (3) each Participating Lender of the aggregate principal amount and tranches of such Lender to be prepaid at the Applicable Discount on such date, and (4) if applicable, each Identified Participating Lender of the Discount Range Proration.  Each determination by the Auction Agent of the amounts stated in the foregoing notices to the relevant Company Party and Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error.  The payment amount specified in such notice to the Company Party shall be due and payable by such Company Party on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in accordance with subsection (vi) below (subject to subsection (x) below).

 

(iv)

 

(A)                               Subject to the proviso to subsection (i) above, any Company Party may from time to time solicit Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers by providing the Auction Agent with five (5) Business Days’ notice in the form of a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice; provided that (1) any such solicitation shall be extended, at the sole discretion of such Company Party, to (x) each Lender and/or (y) each Lender with respect to any Class of Loans on an individual tranche basis, (2) any such notice shall specify the maximum aggregate amount of the Loans (the “Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount”) and the tranche or tranches of Loans the Borrower is willing to prepay at a discount (it being understood that different Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amounts may be offered with respect to different tranches of Loans and, in such event, each such offer will be treated as separate offer pursuant to the terms of this Section), (3) the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $10,000,000 and whole increments of $1,000,000 (or such lesser amounts as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of the Requisite Lenders)) in excess thereof and (4) each such solicitation by the Borrower shall remain outstanding through the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date.  The Auction Agent will promptly provide each Appropriate Lender with a copy of such Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice and a form of the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer to be submitted by

 

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a responding Lender to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by no later than 5:00 p.m., on the third (3rd) Business Day after the date of delivery of such notice to such Lenders (the “Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date”).  Each Lender’s Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer shall (x) be irrevocable, (y) remain outstanding until the Acceptance Date, and (z) specify both a discount to par (the “Offered Discount”) at which such Lender is willing to allow prepayment of its then outstanding Loan and the maximum aggregate principal amount and tranches of such Loans (the “Offered Amount”) such Lender is willing to have prepaid at the Offered Discount.  Any Lender whose Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer is not received by the Auction Agent by the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date shall be deemed to have declined prepayment of any of its Loans at any discount.

 

(B)                               The Auction Agent shall promptly provide the relevant Company Party with a copy of all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers received on or before the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date.  Such Company Party shall review all such Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers and select the largest of the Offered Discounts specified by the relevant responding Lenders in the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers that is acceptable to the Company Party (the “Acceptable Discount”), if any.  If the Company Party elects to accept any Offered Discount as the Acceptable Discount, then as soon as practicable after the determination of the Acceptable Discount, but in no event later than by the third (3rd) Business Day after the date of receipt by such Company Party from the Auction Agent of a copy of all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers pursuant to the first sentence of this subsection (B) (the “Acceptance Date”), the Company Party shall submit an Acceptance and Prepayment Notice to the Auction Agent setting forth the Acceptable Discount.  If the Auction Agent shall fail to receive an Acceptance and Prepayment Notice from the Company Party by the Acceptance Date, such Company Party shall be deemed to have rejected all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers.

 

(C)                               Based upon the Acceptable Discount and the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers received by Auction Agent by the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date, within three (3) Business Days after receipt of an Acceptance and Prepayment Notice (the “Discounted Prepayment Determination Date”), the Auction Agent will determine (in consultation with such Company Party and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) the aggregate principal amount and the tranches of Loans (the “Acceptable Prepayment Amount”) to be prepaid by the relevant Company Party at the Acceptable Discount in accordance with this Section 2.3(d)(iv)(C).  If the Company Party elects to accept any Acceptable Discount, then the Company Party agrees to accept all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers received by Auction Agent by the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date, in the order from largest Offered Discount to smallest Offered Discount, up to and including the Acceptable Discount.  Each Lender that has submitted a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer with an Offered Discount that is greater than or equal to the Acceptable Discount shall be deemed to have irrevocably consented to prepayment of Loans equal to its Offered Amount (subject to any required pro-rata reduction pursuant to the following sentence) at the Acceptable Discount (each such Lender, a “Qualifying Lender”).  The Company Party will prepay outstanding Loans pursuant to this subsection (iv) to each Qualifying Lender in the aggregate principal amount and of the tranches specified in such Lender’s Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer at the Acceptable Discount; provided that if the aggregate Offered Amount by all Qualifying Lenders whose Offered Discount is greater than or equal to the Acceptable Discount exceeds the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount, prepayment of the principal amount of the Loans for those Qualifying Lenders whose Offered Discount is greater than or equal to the

 

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Acceptable Discount (the “Identified Qualifying Lenders”) shall be made pro rata among the Identified Qualifying Lenders in accordance with the Offered Amount of each such Identified Qualifying Lender and the Auction Agent (in consultation with such Company Party and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) will calculate such proration (the “Solicited Discount Proration”).  On or prior to the Discounted Prepayment Determination Date, the Auction Agent shall promptly notify (1) the relevant Company Party and the Administrative Agent of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date and Acceptable Prepayment Amount comprising the Discounted Loan Prepayment and the tranches to be prepaid, (2) each Lender of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, the Acceptable Discount, and the Acceptable Prepayment Amount of all Loans and the tranches to be prepaid to be prepaid at the Applicable Discount on such date, (3) each Qualifying Lender of the aggregate principal amount and the tranches of such Lender to be prepaid at the Acceptable Discount on such date, and (4) if applicable, each Identified Qualifying Lender of the Solicited Discount Proration.  Each determination by the Auction Agent of the amounts stated in the foregoing notices to such Company Party and Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error.  The payment amount specified in such notice to such Company Party shall be due and payable by such Company Party on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in accordance with subsection (vi) below (subject to subsection (x) below).

 

(v)                       In connection with any Discounted Loan Prepayment, the Company Parties and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that the Auction Agent may require as a condition to any Discounted Loan Prepayment, the payment of customary fees and expenses from a Company Party in connection therewith.

 

(vi)                    If any Loan is prepaid in accordance with subsections (ii) through (iv) above, a Company Party shall prepay such Loans on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date.  The relevant Company Party shall make such prepayment to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders, Participating Lenders, or Qualifying Lenders, as applicable, at the Administrative Agent’s Office in immediately available funds not later than 11:00 a.m. on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date and all such prepayments shall be applied to the remaining principal installments of the relevant tranche of Loans on a pro-rata basis across such installments.  The Loans so prepaid shall be accompanied by all accrued and unpaid interest on the par principal amount so prepaid up to, but not including, the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date.  Each prepayment of the outstanding Loans pursuant to this Section 2.3(d) shall be paid to the Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders, Participating Lenders, or Qualifying Lenders, as applicable, and shall be applied to the relevant Loans of such Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Share.  The aggregate principal amount of the tranches and installments of the relevant Loans outstanding shall be deemed reduced by the full par value of the aggregate principal amount of the tranches of Loans prepaid on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in any Discounted Loan Prepayment.  In connection with each prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.3(d), the relevant Company Party shall make a representation to the Lenders that it does not possess material non-public information with respect to Holdings and its Subsidiaries or the securities of any of them that has not been disclosed to the Lenders generally (other than Lenders who elect not to receive such information).

 

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(vii)                 To the extent not expressly provided for herein, each Discounted Loan Prepayment shall be consummated pursuant to procedures consistent with the provisions in this Section 2.3(d), established by the Auction Agent acting in its reasonable discretion and as reasonably agreed by the Borrower.

 

(viii)              Notwithstanding anything in any Loan Document to the contrary, for purposes of this Section 2.3(d), each notice or other communication required to be delivered or otherwise provided to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) shall be deemed to have been given upon Auction Agent’s (or its delegate’s) actual receipt during normal business hours of such notice or communication; provided that any notice or communication actually received outside of normal business hours shall be deemed to have been given as of the opening of business on the next Business Day.

 

(ix)                    Each of the Company Parties and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that the Auction Agent may perform any and all of its duties under this Section 2.3(d) by itself or through any Affiliate of the Auction Agent and expressly consents to any such delegation of duties by the Auction Agent to such Affiliate and the performance of such delegated duties by such Affiliate.  The exculpatory provisions pursuant to this Agreement shall apply to each Affiliate of the Auction Agent and its respective activities in connection with any Discounted Loan Prepayment provided for in this Section 2.3(d) as well as activities of the Auction Agent.

 

(x)                       Each Company Party shall have the right, by written notice to the Auction Agent, to revoke in full (but not in part) its offer to make a Discounted Loan Prepayment and rescind the applicable Specified Discount Prepayment Notice, Discount Range Prepayment Notice or Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice therefor at its discretion at any time on or prior to the applicable Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date (and if such offer is revoked pursuant to the preceding clauses, any failure by such Company Party to make any prepayment to a Lender, as applicable, pursuant to this Section 2.3(d) shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default under Section 10.1 or otherwise).

 

SECTION 2.4                                             Mandatory Prepayments.

 

(a)                                 Subject to Section 2.4(i), within five (5) Business Days after financial statements are required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a), the Borrower shall prepay an aggregate principal amount of Loans equal to (i) (A) with respect to each Fiscal Year ending on or prior to January 26, 2018, 50% of Excess Cash Flow, if any, for the Fiscal Year covered by such financial statements and (B) with respect to each Fiscal Year ending after January 26, 2018, 100% (such percentages described in the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), as each may be reduced as described below, the “ECF Percentage”) of Excess Cash Flow, if any, for the Fiscal Year covered by such financial statements minus (ii) the sum of (A) all voluntary prepayments of Loans during such Fiscal Year pursuant to Section 2.3(a) and the applicable Prepayment Premium, if any, (B) all voluntary prepayments of Loans during such Fiscal Year pursuant to Section 2.3(a) of the First Lien Credit Agreement and the applicable Prepayment Premium (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement), if any, and (C) all voluntary prepayments of loans under the ABL Facility during such Fiscal Year to the extent accompanied by a corresponding permanent reduction in the commitments, as applicable, under the ABL

 

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Facility and the applicable FILO Prepayment Premium (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement), if any, in the case of each of the immediately preceding clauses (A), (B) and (C), to the extent such prepayments are not funded with the proceeds of Indebtedness and excluding prepayments or repayments of the First Lien Facility made in connection with the exchange or conversion of such loans for or with or into the First Lien Term Loans (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement) or the Loans pursuant to Amendment No. 3 to the First Lien Credit Agreement or deemed repaid under Section 2.5(c) of the First Lien Credit Agreement; provided that with respect to each Fiscal Year ending on or prior to January 26, 2018, (1) the ECF Percentage shall be 25% if the Total Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the Fiscal Year covered by such financial statements was less than or equal to 4.00 to 1.00 and greater than 3.00 to 1.00 and (2) the ECF Percentage shall be 0% if the Total Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the Fiscal Year covered by such financial statements was less than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00.

 

(b)

 

(i)                           Subject to Section 2.4(i), not later than ten (10) Business Days after the date of the realization or receipt by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of Net Cash Proceeds of any Asset Sale or Recovery Event, subject to clause (ii) below, the Borrower shall prepay an aggregate principal amount of Loans equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds realized or received; provided, that if at the time that any such prepayment would be required, the Borrower is required to offer to repurchase Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt (or any Permitted Refinancing thereof that is secured on a pari passu basis with the Obligations) pursuant to the terms of the documentation governing such Indebtedness with the net proceeds of such Asset Sale or Recovery Event (such Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt (or Permitted Refinancing thereof) required to be offered to be so repurchased, “Other Applicable Indebtedness”), then the Borrower may apply such Net Cash Proceeds on a pro rata basis (determined on the basis of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans and Other Applicable Indebtedness at such time; provided that the portion of such net proceeds allocated to the Other Applicable Indebtedness shall not exceed the amount of such net proceeds required to be allocated to the Other Applicable Indebtedness pursuant to the terms thereof, and the remaining amount, if any, of such net proceeds shall be allocated to the Loans in accordance with the terms hereof) to the prepayment of the Loans and to the repurchase or prepayment of Other Applicable Indebtedness, and the amount of prepayment of the Loans that would have otherwise been required pursuant to this Section 2.4(b) shall be reduced accordingly; provided, further, that to the extent the holders of Other Applicable Indebtedness decline to have such indebtedness repurchased or prepaid, the declined amount shall promptly (and in any event within ten (10) Business Days after the date of such rejection) be applied to prepay the Loans in accordance with the terms hereof; provided, further, that no prepayment shall be required pursuant to this Section 2.4(b)(i) with respect to such portion of such Net Cash Proceeds that the Borrower shall have, on or prior to such date, given written notice to the Administrative Agent of its intent to reinvest in accordance with Section 2.4(b)(ii). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, the provisions of this Section 2.4(b)(i) shall not apply to any Net Cash Proceeds realized or received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary from any Exempt Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction.

 

(ii)                        Subject to Section 2.4(i), with respect to up to $5,000,000 in the aggregate of Net Cash Proceeds realized or received by the Borrower or any of its

 

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Restricted Subsidiaries following the Effective Date from any Asset Sale (including Non-Exempt Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transactions) or Recovery Event, at the option of the Borrower, the Borrower may reinvest all or any portion of such Net Cash Proceeds in assets useful for its business within 450 days following receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds; provided that if any Net Cash Proceeds are no longer intended to be or cannot be so reinvested at any time after delivery of a notice of intent to reinvest by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent, and subject to clause (d) of this Section 2.4, an amount equal to any such Net Cash Proceeds shall be applied within five (5) Business Days after the Borrower reasonably determines that such Net Cash Proceeds are no longer intended to be or cannot be so reinvested to the prepayment of the Loans as set forth in this Section 2.4.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, the provisions of this Section 2.4(b)(ii) shall not restrict in any manner the application or use of any Net Cash Proceeds realized or received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary from any Exempt Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction.

 

(c)                                  Subject to Section 2.4(i), if the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs or issues any Indebtedness (i) not expressly permitted to be incurred or issued pursuant to Section 9.3 or (ii) that constitutes Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, the Borrower shall prepay an aggregate principal amount of Loans equal to 100% of all Net Cash Proceeds received therefrom and the Prepayment Premium, if applicable, on or prior to the date which is five (5) Business Days after the receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds.

 

(d)                                 (i) Except as may otherwise be set forth in any Refinancing Amendment or Extension Amendment, each prepayment of Loans pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be applied ratably to each Class of Loans then outstanding (provided, that any prepayment of Loans with the Net Cash Proceeds of Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness shall be applied solely to each applicable Class of Refinanced Debt) and (ii) each such prepayment shall be paid to the Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares of such prepayment.  Prepayments of Obligations under this Section 2.4(d) shall be applied to the payment scheduled to be made on the Termination Date.

 

(e)                                  All prepayments under this Section 2.4 shall be accompanied by all accrued interest thereon, together with, in the case of any such prepayment of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan on a date prior to the last day of an Interest Period therefor, any amounts owing in respect of such Eurocurrency Rate Loan pursuant to Section 3.5.

 

(f)                                   In the event the First Lien Lenders decline prepayments of the First Lien Facility pursuant to Section 2.4(f) of the First Lien Credit Agreement, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent in writing of any mandatory prepayment of Loans required to be made at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date of such prepayment.  Each such notice shall specify the date of such prepayment and provide a reasonably detailed calculation of the amount of such prepayment. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Appropriate Lender of the contents of the Borrower’s prepayment notice and of such Appropriate Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the prepayment.  Each Appropriate Lender may reject all or a portion of its Pro Rata Share of any mandatory prepayment (such declined amounts, the “Declined Proceeds”) of Loans required to be made pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 2.4 by providing written notice (each, a “Rejection Notice”) to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower no later than 5:00 p.m. three (3) Business Days after the date of such Lender’s receipt of notice from the

 

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Administrative Agent regarding such prepayment.  Each Rejection Notice from a given Lender shall specify the principal amount of the mandatory prepayment of Loans to be rejected by such Lender.  If a Lender fails to deliver a Rejection Notice to the Administrative Agent within the time frame specified above or such Rejection Notice fails to specify the principal amount of the Loans to be rejected, any such failure will be deemed an acceptance of the total amount of such mandatory repayment of Loans.  Any Declined Proceeds, to the extent that such rejected amounts are not required to be offered to prepay or redeem any other Indebtedness, may be retained by the Borrower (“Retained Declined Proceeds”).

 

(g)                                  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 2.4, (i) to the extent any of or all the Net Cash Proceeds of any Asset Sale by a Restricted Subsidiary (a “Restricted Subsidiary Disposition”), the Net Cash Proceeds of any Recovery Event from a Restricted Subsidiary giving rise to a prepayment pursuant to Section 2.4(b)(ii) (a “Restricted Subsidiary Recovery Event”), or Excess Cash Flow are prohibited or delayed by applicable local law from being repatriated to the United States, the portion of such Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow so affected will not be required to be applied to repay Loans at the times provided in Section 2.4(a), or the Borrower shall not be required to make a prepayment at the time provided in Section 2.05(b), as the case may be, and instead, such amounts may be retained by the applicable Restricted Subsidiary so long, but only so long, as the applicable local law will not permit repatriation to the United States (the Borrower hereby agreeing to cause the applicable Restricted Subsidiary to promptly take all commercially reasonable actions available under applicable local law to permit such repatriation), and once such repatriation of any of such affected Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow is permitted under the applicable local law, such repatriation will be promptly effected and such repatriated Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow will be promptly (and in any event not later than three (3) Business Days after such repatriation) applied (net of additional taxes payable or reserved against as a result thereof) to the repayment of the Loans pursuant to this Section 2.4 to the extent provided herein and (ii) to the extent that the Borrower has determined in good faith that repatriation of any of or all the Net Cash Proceeds of any Restricted Subsidiary Disposition, any Restricted Subsidiary Recovery Event or Excess Cash Flow would have an adverse tax cost consequence (taking into account any foreign tax credit or benefit actually realized in connection with such repatriation) with respect to such Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow, the Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow so affected may be retained by the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, provided that, if not applied, or repatriated and applied, to prepayments pursuant to this Section 2.4 within twelve (12) months after the date on which such Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow so retained would otherwise have been required to be applied to prepayments pursuant to this Section 2.4, such Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow shall be applied (x) by the Borrower to such prepayments as if such Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow had been received by the Borrower rather than such Restricted Subsidiary, less the amount of additional taxes that would have been payable or reserved against if such Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow had been repatriated (or, if less, the Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow that would be calculated if received by such Restricted Subsidiary) or (y) to the repayment of Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

(h)                                 Notwithstanding any of the other provisions of this Section 2.4, so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, if any prepayment of Eurocurrency Rate Loans is required to be made under this Section 2.4 prior to the last day of the

 

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Interest Period therefor, in lieu of making any payment pursuant to this Section 2.4 in respect of any such Eurocurrency Rate Loan prior to the last day of the Interest Period therefor, the Borrower may, in its sole discretion, deposit an amount sufficient to make any such prepayment otherwise required to be made thereunder together with accrued interest to the last day of such Interest Period into a Cash Collateral Account until the last day of such Interest Period, at which time the Administrative Agent shall be authorized (without any further action by or notice to or from the Borrower or any other Loan Party) to apply such amount to the prepayment of such Loans in accordance with this Section 2.4.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Administrative Agent shall also be authorized (without any further action by or notice to or from the Borrower or any other Loan Party) to apply such amount to the prepayment of the outstanding Loans in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Section 2.4.

 

(i)                                     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, no prepayment of Loans shall be required pursuant to this Section 2.4 (other than any such prepayment declined pursuant to Section 2.4(f) of the First Lien Credit Agreement), prior to the Discharge (as defined in the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement) of the Obligations (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement).

 

SECTION 2.5                                             Reduction and Termination of Commitments; Etc.

 

(a)                                 The Borrower may, upon at least three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, terminate in whole or reduce in part ratably the unused Commitments of any Class, in each case, without premium or penalty other than any amount required to be paid by the Borrower pursuant to Section 3.5; provided, however, that each partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount of not less than $5,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof or, if less, the entire amount thereof.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower may in writing rescind or postpone any notice of termination of the Commitments if such termination would have resulted from a refinancing of all of the applicable Facility, which refinancing shall not be consummated or otherwise shall be delayed.

 

(b)                                 The Commitment of each Lender shall be automatically and permanently reduced to $0 upon the making of such Lender’s Loans pursuant to Section 2.1.

 

SECTION 2.6                                             Repayment of Loans.  The Borrower shall make on the Termination Date, a single payment comprised of all principal and interest not previously paid on the Initial Loans.  Such payment shall be applied to the Initial Loans ratably.

 

SECTION 2.7                                             Evidence of Indebtedness.

 

(a)                                 The Loans made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and evidenced by one or more entries in the Register maintained by the Administrative Agent, acting solely for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 5f.103-1(c), as non-fiduciary agent for the Borrower, in each case in the ordinary course of business.  The accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be prima facie evidence absent manifest error of the amount of the Loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon.  Any failure to so

 

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record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations.  In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.

 

(b)                                 (i) Entries made in good faith by the Administrative Agent in the Register pursuant to Section 2.7(a) and by each Lender in its account or accounts pursuant to Section 2.7(a) shall be prima facie evidence of the amount of principal and interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to, in the case of the Register, each Lender and, in the case of such account or accounts, such Lender, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, absent manifest error; provided that the failure of the Administrative Agent or such Lender to make an entry, or any finding that an entry is incorrect, in the Register or such account or accounts shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

(ii)                        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Loans (including the Notes, if any, evidencing such Loans) are registered obligations and the right, title, and interest of the Lenders and their assignees in and to such Loans shall be transferable only upon notation of such transfer in the Register.  A Note shall only evidence the Lender’s or a registered assignee’s right, title and interest in and to the related Loan, and in no event is any such Note to be considered a bearer instrument or obligation.  This Section 2.7(b) and Section 12.2 shall be construed so that the Loans are at all times maintained in “registered form” within the meaning of Sections 163(f), 871(h)(2) and 881(c)(2) of the Code and any related regulations (or any successor provisions of the Code or such regulations).

 

(c)                                  The entries made in the Register and in the accounts therein maintained pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) above and Section 12.2 hereof shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided, however, that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligations of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with their terms.  In addition, the Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Lender for all purposes of this Agreement.  Information contained in the Register with respect to any Lender shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, such Lender (as to its interest only) at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

 

(d)                                 Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement, in the event that any Lender requests that the Borrower execute and deliver a Note payable to such Lender in order to evidence the Indebtedness owing to such Lender by the Borrower hereunder, the Borrower shall promptly execute and deliver such Note to such Lender evidencing the Loans of such Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit O.  Each Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, Type (if applicable), amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto; provided that the failure to do so shall in no way affect the obligations of the Borrower or any other Loan Party under any Loan Document.

 

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SECTION 2.8                                             Interest.

 

(a)                                 Rate of Interest.  All Loans and the outstanding amount of all other Obligations owing under the Loan Documents shall bear interest, in the case of any Class of Loans, on the unpaid principal amount thereof from the date such Loans are made and, in the case of such other Obligations, from the date such other Obligations are due and payable until, in all cases, paid in full, except as otherwise provided in clause (c) below, as follows:

 

(i)                           if a Base Rate Loan or such other Obligation (except as otherwise provided in this Section 2.8(a)), at a rate per annum equal to the sum of (A) the Base Rate as in effect from time to time and (B) the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans, in each case in the form of PIK Interest; and

 

(ii)                        if a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, at a rate per annum equal to the sum of (A) the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate determined for the applicable Interest Period and (B) the Applicable Margin applicable to Eurocurrency Rate Loans in effect from time to time during such Interest Period, in each case in the form of PIK Interest.

 

(b)                                 Interest Payments.  (i) Accrued PIK Interest on each Base Rate Loan shall be payable in arrears on the first Business Day of each Fiscal Quarter, commencing on the first such day following the making of such Base Rate Loan by automatically adding such accrued PIK Interest to the outstanding principal amount of such Loan and (ii) accrued PIK Interest on each Eurocurrency Rate Loan shall be payable in arrears on the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and, if such Interest Period has a duration of more than three (3) months, on each date during such Interest Period occurring every three (3) months from the first day of such Interest Period by automatically adding such accrued PIK Interest to the outstanding principal amount of such Loan.  PIK Interest which is added to the outstanding principal amount of the Loans shall thereafter bear interest in accordance with this Section 2.8 and otherwise be treated as Loans for purposes of this Agreement.  All accrued and unpaid PIK Interest shall be payable in full on the Termination Date.

 

(c)                                  Default Interest.  Following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default under Section 10.1(a) or Section 10.1(f), the Borrower shall pay interest on past due amounts hereunder at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws; provided that prior to a Discharge (as defined in the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement) of the Obligations (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement), such interest shall be in the form of PIK Interest.  Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.

 

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SECTION 2.9                                             Fees.  The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent such fees as are required under the Fee Letter, and any such other fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing, in each case in the amounts and at the times so specified.  Except as otherwise provided in any written agreement among the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.

 

SECTION 2.10                                      Payments and Computations.

 

(a)                                 All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff.  The Borrower shall make each payment and prepayment hereunder (including fees and expenses) not later than 2:00 p.m. on the day when due, in Dollars, in each case to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders (or other party entitled to payment hereunder) to which such payment is owed, at the applicable Administrative Agent’s Office for payment and in Same Day Funds without condition or deduction for any defense, recoupment, set-off or counterclaim.  The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its Pro Rata Share (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender’s Lending Office.  All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 2:00 p.m. shall, unless determined otherwise by the Administrative Agent in its sole reasonable discretion, in each case be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue.

 

(b)                                 All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 days or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed.  All other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year).  Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid; provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall bear interest for one (1) day.  Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

 

(c)                                  Whenever any payment hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day other than a Business Day, the due date for such payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of payment of interest or fees, as the case may be; provided, however, that if such extension would cause payment of interest on or principal of any Eurocurrency Rate Loan to be made in the next calendar month, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day.  All repayments of any Loans shall be applied as follows:  first, to repay any such Loans outstanding as Base Rate Loans and then, to repay any such Loans outstanding as Eurocurrency Rate Loans, with those Eurocurrency Rate Loans, as applicable, having earlier expiring Interest Periods being repaid prior to those having later expiring Interest Periods.

 

(d)                                 Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower to the Lenders prior to the date on which any payment is due hereunder that the

 

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Borrower will not make such payment in full, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment in full to the Administrative Agent on such date and the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be so required to), in reliance upon such assumption, cause to be distributed to each Lender on such due date an amount equal to the amount then due such Lender.  If and to the extent that the Borrower shall not have made such payment to the Administrative Agent in Same Day Funds in Dollars, then each Lender shall repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the portion of such assumed payment that was made available to such Lender in Same Day Funds in Dollars, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such amount was made available to such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent in Same Day Funds in Dollars at the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect.

 

(e)                                  Except for payments and other amounts received by the Administrative Agent and applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.3 below (or required to be applied in accordance with Section 2.4), all payments and any other amounts received by the Administrative Agent from or for the benefit of the Borrower shall be applied as follows: first, to pay principal of, and interest on, any portion of the Loans the Administrative Agent may have advanced pursuant to the express provisions of this Agreement on behalf of any Lender, for which the Administrative Agent has not then been reimbursed by such Lender or the Borrower, second, to pay all other Obligations then due and payable and third, as the Borrower so designates.  Payments in respect of Loans received by the Administrative Agent shall be distributed to each Lender in accordance with such Lender’s Ratable Portion; and all payments of fees and all other payments in respect of any other Obligation shall be allocated among such of the Lenders as are entitled thereto and, for such payments allocated to the Lenders, in proportion to their respective Ratable Portions.

 

SECTION 2.11                                      Determination of Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate.  The Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate for each Interest Period for Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be determined by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the procedures set forth in the definition of “Eurocurrency Rate”.  The Administrative Agent’s determination shall be presumed to be correct and binding on the Loan Parties, absent manifest error.

 

SECTION 2.12                                      Converted First Lien Stub Loans.

 

(a)                                 The Borrower and any Lender may at any time or from time to time after the Effective Date elect to refinance all or any portion of the First Lien Stub Term Loans by incurring or advancing, as applicable, additional Loans under this Agreement, including, but not limited to, pursuant to Section 12.2(k) of the First Lien Credit Agreement, pursuant to documentation reasonably acceptable to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and such Lender.  Following the settlement of such refinancing, the aggregate outstanding obligations with respect to such First Lien Stub Term Loan shall be added to the principal balance of the Loans then outstanding under this Agreement and will, for all purposes of this Agreement, constitute outstanding principal on the Loans (such Loans, the “Converted First Lien Stub Loans”).

 

(b)                                 On the date any Converted First Lien Stub Term Loans are issued hereunder pursuant to the foregoing clause, to the extent such Loans are designated Eurocurrency

 

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Rate Loans in writing to the Administrative Agent on or prior to such date, there shall commence automatically on such date an initial Interest Period with respect to such Converted First Lien Stub Loans, which Interest Period shall end on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Initial Loans then in effect.  During such initial Interest Period of Converted First Lien Stub Term Loans designated as Eurocurrency Rate Loans, the Eurocurrency Rate applicable to the Initial Loans then in effect shall be applicable to such Converted First Lien Stub Term Loans.

 

SECTION 2.13                                      Extensions of Loans.

 

(a)                                 Extension of Loans.  The Borrower may at any time and from time to time request that all or a portion of the Loans of a given Class (each, an “Existing Tranche”) be amended to extend the Scheduled Termination Date with respect to all or a portion of any principal amount of such Loans (any such Loans which have been so amended, “Extended Loans”) and to provide for other terms consistent with this Section 2.13; provided that there shall be no more than three (3) Classes of Loans outstanding pursuant to this Section 2.13 at any time.  In order to establish any Extended Loans, the Borrower shall provide a notice in writing to the Administrative Agent (who shall provide a copy of such notice to each of the Lenders under the applicable Existing Tranche) (each, an “Extension Request”) setting forth the proposed terms (which shall be determined in consultation with the Administrative Agent) of the Extended Loans to be established, which shall (x) be identical as offered to each Lender under such Existing Tranche (including as to the proposed interest rates and fees payable) and offered pro rata to each Lender under such Existing Tranche and (y) be identical to the Loans under the Existing Tranche from which such Extended Loans are to be amended, except that: (i) the Scheduled Termination Date of the Extended Loans shall be later than the Scheduled Termination Date of the Loans of such Existing Tranche, (ii) the Extension Amendment may provide for other covenants and terms that apply solely to any period after the Latest Maturity Date that is in effect on the effective date of the Extension Amendment (immediately prior to the establishment of such Extended Loans); and (iii) all borrowings of the Loans and repayments thereof shall be made on a pro rata basis (except for (I)  payments of interest and fees at different rates on Extended Loans and (II) repayments required upon the Termination Date of the non-extending Loans); provided, further, that (A) the conditions precedent to a Borrowing set forth in Section 4.2 shall be satisfied or duly waived as of the date of such Extension Amendment and at the time when any Extended Loans, (B) in no event shall the final maturity date of any Extended Loans of a given Extension Series at the time of establishment thereof be earlier than the then Latest Maturity Date of any other Loans hereunder, (C) any such Extended Loans (and the Liens securing the same) shall be permitted by the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Notes Intercreditor Agreement (in each case to the extent any such agreement is then in effect) and (D) all documentation in respect of the such Extension Amendment shall be consistent with the foregoing.  Any Extended Loans amended pursuant to any Extension Request shall be designated a series (each, an “Extension Series”) of Extended Loans for all purposes of this Agreement; provided that any Extended Loans amended from an Existing Tranche may, to the extent provided in the applicable Extension Amendment, be designated as an increase in any previously established Extension Series with respect to such Existing Tranche.  Each Extension Series of Extended Loans incurred under this Section 2.13 shall be in an aggregate principal amount equal to not less than $10,000,000.

 

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(b)                                 Extension Request.  The Borrower shall provide the applicable Extension Request at least five (5) Business Days (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders)) prior to the date on which Lenders under the Existing Tranche are requested to respond, and shall agree to such procedures, if any, as may be established by, or acceptable to, the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders), in each case acting reasonably, to accomplish the purposes of this Section 2.13.  No Lender shall have any obligation to agree to provide any Extended Loans pursuant to any Extension Request.  Any Lender (each, an “Extending Lender”) wishing to have all or a portion of its Loans under the Existing Tranche subject to such Extension Request amended into Extended Loans shall notify the Administrative Agent in writing (each, an “Extension Election”) on or prior to the date specified in such Extension Request of the amount of its Loans under the Existing Tranche which it has elected to request be amended into Extended Loans (subject to any minimum denomination requirements imposed by the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of the Requisite Lenders)).  In the event that the aggregate principal amount of Loans under the Existing Tranche in respect of which applicable Lenders shall have accepted the relevant Extension Request exceeds the amount of Extended Loans requested to be extended pursuant to the Extension Request, Loans subject to Extension Elections shall be amended to reflect allocations of the Extended Loans, which Extended Loans shall be allocated as agreed by Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders) and the Borrower.

 

(c)                                  New Lenders.  Following any Extension Request made by the Borrower in accordance with Sections 2.13(a) and 2.13(b), if the Lenders shall have declined to agree during the period specified in Section 2.13(b) above to provide Extended Loans in an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount requested by the Borrower in such Extension Request, the Borrower may request that Lenders and/or banks, financial institutions or other institutional lenders or investors other than the Lenders (in such capacities, the “New Lenders”), which New Lenders may elect to provide an Extended Loan hereunder (each, a “New Loan”); provided that such Extended Loans of such New Lenders (i) shall be in an aggregate principal amount for all such New Lenders not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of Extended Loans so declined to be provided by the existing Lenders and (ii) shall be on identical terms to the terms applicable to the terms specified in the applicable Extension Request (and any Extended Loans provided by existing Lenders in respect thereof); provided further that, as a condition to the effectiveness of any Extended Loans of any New Lender, the Administrative Agent shall have consented (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) to each New Lender if such consent would be required under Section 12.2(b)(iii) for an assignment of Loans to such Person.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Extended Loans provided by New Lenders shall be pro rata to each New Lender.  The Extended Loans of New Lenders will be incorporated as Loans hereunder in the same manner in which Extended Loans of existing Lenders are incorporated hereunder pursuant to this Section 2.13, and for the avoidance of doubt, all Borrowings and repayments of Loans from and after the effectiveness of such Extension Amendment shall be made pro rata across all Classes of Loans including such New Lenders (based on the outstanding principal amounts of the respective Classes of Loans) except for (x) payments of interest and fees at different rates for each Class of

 

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Loans (and related outstanding amounts thereof) and (y) repayments required on the Termination Date for any particular Class of Loans.

 

(d)                                 Extension Amendment.  Extended Loans and New Loans shall be established pursuant to an amendment (each, an “Extension Amendment”) to this Agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each Extending Lender and each New Lender, if any, providing an Extended Loan or a New Loan, as applicable, thereunder, which shall be consistent with the provisions set forth in Sections 2.13(a), (b) and (c) above (and shall not require the consent of any other Person).  The effectiveness of any Extension Amendment shall be subject to the satisfaction on the date thereof of each of the conditions set forth in Sections 4.2(a) and (b) and, to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of the Requisite Lenders) or the Lenders, receipt by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of (i) legal opinions, board resolutions and officers’ certificates consistent with those delivered on the Effective Date (other than changes to such legal opinion resulting from a Change in Law, change in fact or change to counsel’s form of opinion) or otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of the Requisite Lenders) and (ii) reaffirmation agreements and/or such amendments to the Collateral Documents as may be reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent (acting at the direction of the Requisite Lenders) in order to ensure that the Extended Loans or the New Loans, as the case may be, are provided with the benefit of the applicable Loan Documents (including, in the case of the Mortgages, mortgage amendments and date down endorsements with respect to the applicable title insurance policies).  The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Extension Amendment.  Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that this Agreement and the other Loan Documents may be amended pursuant to an Extension Amendment, without the consent of any other Person other than the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders), the Borrower and the Lenders providing the applicable Extended Loans, to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to (i) reflect the existence and terms of the Extended Loans or the New Loans, as the case may be, incurred pursuant thereto, (ii) make such other changes to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (without the consent of the Requisite Lenders) and (iii) effect such other amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders) and the Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section, and the Requisite Lenders hereby expressly authorize and direct the Administrative Agent to enter into any such Extension Amendment.

 

(e)                                  No conversion of Loans pursuant to any Extension in accordance with this Section 2.13 shall constitute a voluntary or mandatory payment or prepayment for purposes of this Agreement.

 

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SECTION 2.14                                      Refinancing Amendments.  After the Effective Date, the Borrower may obtain, from any Lender or any Additional Lender, Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of all or any portion of the Loans then outstanding under this Agreement in each case pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment; provided that there shall be no obligors in respect of any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness that are not Loan Parties; provided, further that the terms and conditions applicable to such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness may provide for any additional or different financial or other covenants or other provisions that are agreed between the Borrower and the Lenders thereof and applicable only during periods after the Latest Maturity Date that is in effect on the date such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is issued, incurred or obtained.  Any Other Loans may participate on a pro rata basis or on a less than pro rata basis (but not on a greater than pro rata basis) in any voluntary or mandatory prepayments hereunder, as specified in the applicable Refinancing Amendment.  The effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment shall be subject to the satisfaction on the date thereof of each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.2(a) and (b) and, to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of the Requisite Lenders), receipt by the Administrative Agent and Lenders of customary legal opinions, board resolutions, officers’ certificates and/or reaffirmation agreements consistent with those delivered on the Effective Date under Section 4.1 (other than changes to such legal opinions resulting from a change in law, change in fact or change to counsel’s form of opinion) or otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of the Requisite Lenders) (including, in the case of the Mortgages, mortgage amendments and date down endorsements with respect to the applicable title insurance policies). Each incurrence of Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness under this Section 2.14 shall be in an aggregate principal amount of not less than $25,000,000.  The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Refinancing Amendment.  Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that, upon the effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to reflect the existence and terms of the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness incurred pursuant thereto (including any amendments necessary to treat the Loans and Commitments subject thereto as Other Loans and/or Other Commitments).  Any Refinancing Amendment may, without the consent of any Person other than the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of the Requisite Lenders), the Borrower and the Lenders providing the applicable Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of the Requisite Lenders) and the Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.14.  This Section 2.14 shall supersede any provisions in Section 12.7 or 12.1 to the contrary.  It is understood that (x) any Lender approached to provide all or a portion of Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness may elect or decline, in its sole discretion, to provide such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness (it being understood that there is no obligation to approach any existing Lenders to provide any Other Commitment), and (y) the Administrative Agent shall have consented (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) to such Person’s providing such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness if such consent would be required under Section 12.2 for an assignment of Loans or Commitments to such Person.

 

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SECTION 2.15                                      Prepayment Premium.  Each optional prepayment of Initial Loans or Converted First Lien Stub Loans made after the Effective Date pursuant to Section 2.3(a), each mandatory prepayment of the Initial Loans made after the Effective Date pursuant to Section 2.4(c), each mandatory assignment of Initial Loans or Converted First Lien Stub Loans made after the Effective Date pursuant to Section 3.7, each payment, refinancing or repricing of Initial Loans or Converted First Lien Stub Loans made after the Effective Date in connection with any Repricing Transaction and each payment (or deemed payment) of Initial Loans or Converted First Lien Stub Loans following the acceleration thereof for any reason (including, but not limited to, any optional or mandatory payment after the occurrence of an Event of Default or after acceleration of the Loans including in connection with any proceeding subject to Debtor Relief Laws), shall be accompanied by the Prepayment Premium, if applicable.

 

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that if the Obligations are accelerated for any reason, including because of default, the commencement of any insolvency proceeding or other proceeding pursuant to any Debtor Relief Laws, sale, disposition or encumbrance (including that by operation of law or otherwise), the Prepayment Premium, if any, determined as of the date of acceleration will also be due and payable as though said indebtedness was voluntarily prepaid as of such date and shall constitute part of the Obligations, in view of the impracticability and extreme difficulty of ascertaining actual damages and by mutual agreement of the parties as to a reasonable calculation of each Lender’s lost profits as a result thereof.  Any Prepayment Premium payable in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence shall be presumed to be the liquidated damages sustained by each Lender as the result of the early termination and the Borrower agrees that it is reasonable under the circumstances currently existing.  The Prepayment Premium, if any, shall also be payable (i) in the event the Obligations are satisfied or released by foreclosure (whether by power of judicial proceeding or otherwise), deed in lieu of foreclosure or by any other means and/or (ii) upon the satisfaction, release, payment, restructuring, reorganization, replacement, reinstatement, defeasance or compromise of any of the Obligations in any insolvency proceeding or other proceeding pursuant to any Debtor Relief Laws, foreclosure (whether by power of judicial proceeding or otherwise), deed in lieu of foreclosure or by any other means or the making of a distribution of any kind in any insolvency proceeding or other proceeding pursuant to any Debtor Relief Laws to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Lenders, in full or partial satisfaction of the Obligations.  THE BORROWER EXPRESSLY WAIVES THE PROVISIONS OF ANY PRESENT OR FUTURE STATUTE OR LAW THAT PROHIBITS OR MAY PROHIBIT THE COLLECTION OF THE FOREGOING PREPAYMENT PREMIUM IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH ACCELERATION INCLUDING IN CONNECTION WITH ANY VOLUNTARY OR INVOLUNTARY ACCELERATION OF THE OBLIGATIONS PURSUANT TO ANY INSOLVENCY PROCEEDING OR OTHER PROCEEDING PURSUANT TO ANY DEBTOR RELIEF LAWS OR PURSUANT TO A PLAN OF REORGANIZATION.  The Borrower expressly agrees that:  (A) the Prepayment Premium is reasonable and is the product of an arm’s length transaction between sophisticated business people, ably represented by counsel; (B) the Prepayment Premium shall be payable notwithstanding the then prevailing market rates at the time payment is made; (C) there has been a course of conduct between Lenders and the Borrower giving specific consideration in this transaction for such agreement to pay the Prepayment Premium; and (D) the Borrower shall be estopped hereafter from claiming differently than as agreed to in this Section.  The Borrower

 

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expressly acknowledges that its agreement to pay such amount to the Lenders as herein described is a material inducement to the Lenders to make the Loans.

 

ARTICLE III

 

TAXES, INCREASED COSTS PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

 

SECTION 3.1                                             Taxes.

 

(a)                                 Except as required by law, any and all payments by the Borrower or any Guarantor to or for the account of any Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, assessments, fees, withholdings or similar charges, and all liabilities (including additions to tax, penalties and interest) with respect thereto, excluding, in the case of each Agent and each Lender, (i) taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated, and including branch profits and similar taxes), and franchise or similar taxes, in each case (A) imposed by the jurisdiction under the laws of which it is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located or (B) taxes imposed by reason of any connection between such Agent or Lender and the taxing jurisdiction imposing such tax (other than a connection arising solely by executing or entering into any Loan Document, receiving payments thereunder or having been a party to, performed its obligations under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced, any Loan Documents), (ii) subject to Section 3.1(e), any U.S. federal tax that is (or would be) required to be withheld with respect to amounts payable hereunder in respect of an interest arising under any Loan Document that is assigned to an Eligible Assignee (pursuant to an assignment under Section 12.2) on the date such assignee becomes an Eligible Assignee to the extent such tax is in excess of the tax that would have been applicable had such assigning Lender not assigned its interest arising under any Loan Document (unless such assignment is made at the express written request of the Borrower), (iii) in the case of any Foreign Lender, any U.S. federal withholding taxes imposed as a result of the failure of any Agent or Lender to comply with the provisions of Sections 3.1(b) and 3.1(c), (iv) in the case of any U.S. Lender, any U.S. federal withholding taxes imposed as a result of the failure of any Agent or Lender to comply with the provisions of Section 3.1(d), (v) any taxes imposed on any amount payable to or for the account of any Agent or Lender as a result of the failure of such recipient to comply with its obligations under Section 3.1(l), (vi) amounts excluded pursuant to Section 3.1(e) hereto, and (vii) penalties and interest on the foregoing amounts (all such non excluded taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, assessments, fees, withholdings or similar charges and liabilities being hereinafter referred to as “Taxes”).  If the Borrower, Guarantor or other applicable withholding agent is required to deduct any Taxes or Other Taxes (as defined below) from or in respect of any sum payable under any Loan Document to any Agent or any Lender, (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.1(a)), each of such Agent and such Lender receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower, Guarantor or other applicable withholding agent shall make such deductions, (iii) the Borrower, Guarantor or other applicable withholding agent shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxing authority, and (iv) within thirty (30) days after the date of such payment (or, if receipts or evidence are not available

 

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within thirty (30) days, as soon as practicable thereafter), the Borrower or Guarantor shall furnish to such Agent or Lender (as the case may be) the original or a facsimile copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof to the extent such a receipt has been made available to the Borrower or Guarantor (or other evidence of payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent).  If the Borrower or Guarantor fails to pay any Taxes or Other Taxes when due to the appropriate taxing authority or fails to remit to any Agent or any Lender the required receipts or other required documentary evidence that has been made available to the Borrower or Guarantor, the Borrower or Guarantor shall indemnify such Agent and such Lender for any incremental Taxes that may become payable by such Agent or such Lender arising out of such failure.

 

(b)                                 To the extent it is legally able to do so, each Agent or Lender (including an Eligible Assignee to which a Lender assigns its interest in accordance with Section 12.2) that is not a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code (each, a “Foreign Lender”) agrees to complete and deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which the Agent or Lender (or Eligible Assignee) becomes a party hereto, two (2) accurate, complete and original signed copies of whichever of the following is applicable:  (i) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits under an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party, an IRS Form W-8BEN-E certifying that it is entitled to such benefits; (ii) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming that the income receivable pursuant to any Loan Document is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, an IRS Form W-8ECI certifying to this effect; (iii) if the Foreign Lender is claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under either Section 871(h) or Section 881(c) of the Code and is not (A) a bank described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a 10-percent shareholder described in Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, or (C) a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower within the meaning of Section 864(d) of the Code, a certificate to that effect in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit P (a “Non-Bank Certificate”) and an IRS Form W-8BEN-E, certifying that the Foreign Lender is not a United States person; (iv) to the extent a Lender is not the beneficial owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes, an IRS Form W-8IMY (or any successor form thereto) of the Lender, accompanied by, as and to the extent applicable, an IRS Form W-8BEN or an IRS Form W-8BEN-E, an IRS Form W-8ECI, Non-Bank Certificate, an IRS Form W-9, additional IRS Forms W-8IMY (further accompanied by required attachments thereto) and any other required supporting information from each beneficial owner (it being understood that a Lender need not provide certificates or supporting documentation from beneficial owners if (x) the Lender is a “qualified intermediary” or “withholding foreign partnership” for U.S. federal income tax purposes and (y) such Lender is as a result able to establish, and does establish, that payments to such Lender are, to the extent applicable, entitled to an exemption from or, if an exemption is not available, a reduction in the rate of, U.S. federal withholding taxes without providing such certificates or supporting documentation); or (v) any other form prescribed by applicable requirements of U.S. federal income tax law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable requirements of law to permit the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made except and solely for the purposes of this clause (v) to the extent, in the Agent or Lender’s reasonable judgment, such completion, execution, or submission would subject such Agent or

 

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Lender to any material unreimbursed costs or expenses or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Agent or Lender.

 

(c)                                  In addition, each such Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, (i) promptly submit to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two (2) accurate, complete and original signed copies of such other or additional forms or certificates (or such successor forms or certificates as shall be adopted from time to time by the relevant taxing authorities) as may then be applicable or available to secure an exemption from or reduction in the rate of U.S. federal withholding tax (A) on or before the date that such Lender’s most recently delivered form, certificate or other evidence expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any material respect, (B) after the occurrence of a change in the Foreign Lender’s circumstances requiring a change in the most recent form, certificate or evidence previously delivered by it to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (C) from time to time thereafter if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, and (ii) promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of any change in the Foreign Lender’s circumstances which would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or reduction.

 

(d)                                 Each Agent or Lender that is a “United States person” (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) (each a “U.S. Lender”) agrees to complete and deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two (2) original copies of accurate, complete and signed IRS Form W-9 or successor form certifying that such Agent or Lender is not subject to United States backup withholding (i) on or prior to the Effective Date (or on or prior to the date it becomes a party to this Agreement), (ii) on or before the date that such form expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any material respect, (iii) after the occurrence of a change in the Agent’s or Lender’s circumstances requiring a change in the most recent form previously delivered by it to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (iv) from time to time thereafter if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent.

 

(e)                                  Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary (but subject to the succeeding sentence), if a Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent is subject to any U.S. federal tax that is required to be withheld with respect to amounts payable hereunder at a rate in excess of zero percent at the time such Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent becomes a party to this Agreement or otherwise acquires an interest in the Loan, or pursuant to a law or other legal requirement in effect at such time, such tax (including additions to tax, penalties and interest imposed with respect to such tax) shall be considered excluded from Taxes (unless and until such time as such Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent subsequently provides forms and certifications that establish to the reasonable satisfaction of Borrower and the Administrative Agent that such Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent is subject to a lower rate of tax, at which time tax at such lower rate (including additions to tax, penalties and interest imposed with respect to such tax) shall be considered so excluded for periods during which such forms and certifications remain valid and are sufficient, under the law in effect at the time such forms and certifications are provided (including any law with a delayed effective date), to establish that such Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent is subject to such lower rate of tax) except, in the case of an Eligible Assignee, to the extent the Lender’s assignor was entitled to additional amounts or indemnity payments immediately prior to the assignment.  Further, the Borrower shall not be required pursuant to this Section 3.1 to pay any additional amount to, or to indemnify, any Lender,

 

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Eligible Assignee or Agent, as the case may be, to the extent that such Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent becomes subject to Taxes subsequent to the Effective Date (or, if later, the date such Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent becomes a party to this Agreement or otherwise acquires an interest in the Loan) solely as a result of a change in the place of organization or place of doing business of such Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent (or any applicable beneficial owner), a change in the Lending Office of such Lender or Eligible Assignee (or any applicable beneficial owner) (other than at the written request of the Borrower to change such Lending Office), or a change that results in such Lender or Eligible Assignee (or any applicable beneficial owner) being described in clauses (A), (B) or (C) of Section 3.1(b)(iii), occurring after the date that such Lender, Eligible Assignee or Agent becomes a party to this Agreement or otherwise acquires an interest in the Loan.  If an Eligible Assignee acquires an additional interest in a Loan after the date on which it became a party to this Agreement or previously acquired an interest in any Loan, the provisions of this Section 3.1(e) shall apply to such additional interest as of the date such additional interest was acquired.

 

(f)                                   The Borrower agrees to pay any and all present or future stamp, court or documentary taxes and any other excise, property, intangible or mortgage recording taxes or charges or similar levies which arise from any payment made under any Loan Document or from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document (including additions to tax, penalties and interest related thereto) excluding, in each case, such amounts that result from an Assignment and Assumption, grant of a participation, transfer or assignment to or designation of a new applicable Lending Office or other office for receiving payments under any Loan Document, except to the extent that any such Assignment and Assumption, grant of a participation, transfer, assignment or designation is requested in writing by the Borrower subsequent to the Effective Date (all such non-excluded taxes described in this Section 3.1(f) being hereinafter referred to as “Other Taxes”).

 

(g)                                  If any Taxes or Other Taxes are directly asserted against any Agent or Lender with respect to any payment received by such Agent or Lender in respect of any Loan Document, such Agent or Lender may pay such Taxes or Other Taxes and the Borrower will promptly indemnify and hold harmless such Agent or Lender for the full amount of such Taxes and Other Taxes (and any Taxes and Other Taxes imposed on amounts payable under this Section 3.1), and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted.  Payments under this Section 3.1(g) shall be made within ten (10) days after the date Borrower receives written demand for payment from such Agent or Lender.

 

(h)                                 A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 3.1 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless (i) the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s express written consent to such participation at the time such participation is sold to such Participant or (ii) such entitlement to a greater payment results from a change in any law after the sale of the participation takes place.

 

(i)                                     If the Borrower determines in good faith that a reasonable basis exists for contesting any taxes for which indemnification has been demanded hereunder, the relevant Lender or the relevant Agent, as applicable, shall cooperate with the Borrower in a

 

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reasonable challenge of such taxes if so requested by the Borrower, provided that (a) such Lender or Agent determines in its reasonable discretion that it would not be prejudiced by cooperating in such challenge, (b) the Borrower pays all related expenses of such Agent or Lender and (c) the Borrower indemnifies such Lender or Agent for any liabilities or other costs incurred by such party in connection with such challenge.

 

(j)                                    If any Agent or any Lender has received or is entitled to receive a refund in respect of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrower or Holdings, as the case may be or with respect to which the Borrower or Holdings, as the case may be has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.1, it shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain such refund (to the extent not yet received) (provided that doing so would not otherwise materially disadvantage the Agent or Lender) and it shall promptly remit such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrower or Holdings, as the case may be under this Section 3.1 with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that the Borrower or Holdings, as the case may be, upon the written request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower or Holdings (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority), as the case may be, to the Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event the Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority (provided that such Lender or the Administrative Agent may delete any information therein that such Lender or the Administrative Agent deems confidential in its reasonable discretion).  The Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, shall provide the Borrower with a copy of any notice of assessment or other evidence reasonably available of the requirement to repay such refund received from the relevant Governmental Authority.  This subsection shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that is reasonably deems confidential) to the Borrower, Holdings or any other Person.

 

(k)                                 Each Lender agrees that, upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 3.1(a) or (g) with respect to such Lender, it will, if requested by the Borrower, use commercially reasonable efforts (subject to legal and regulatory restrictions) to mitigate the effect of any such event, including by designating another Lending Office for any Loan affected by such event and by completing and delivering or filing any tax-related forms which such Lender is legally able to deliver and which would reduce or eliminate any amount of Taxes or Other Taxes required to be deducted or withheld or paid by the Borrower; provided that such efforts are made at the Borrower’s expense and on terms that, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, cause such Lender and its Lending Office(s) to suffer no material economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage, and provided further that nothing in this Section 3.1(k) shall affect or postpone any of the Obligations of the Borrower or the rights of such Lender pursuant to Section 3.1(a) or (g).

 

(l)                                     If a payment made to a recipient under any Loan Document would be subject to United States federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such recipient were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA, such recipient shall deliver

 

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to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times prescribed by FATCA and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such documentation prescribed by FATCA requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their respective obligations under FATCA, to determine that such recipient has or has not complied with such recipient’s obligations under FATCA and, as necessary, to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment.

 

(m)                             Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent may deduct and withhold any taxes required by any Laws to be deducted and withheld from any payment under any of the Loan Documents, subject to the provisions of this Section 3.1.

 

(n)                                 With respect to any Lender’s claim for compensation under this Section 3.1, the Borrower shall not be required to compensate such Lender for any amount incurred more than one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower in writing of the event that gives rise to such claim; provided that, if the circumstance giving rise to such claim is retroactive, then such 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

 

(o)                                 The agreements in this Section 3.1 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

 

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SECTION 3.2                     Illegality.  If any Lender reasonably determines that any Law has made it unlawful or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful for any Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Loans (and, in the reasonable opinion of such Lender (subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender), the designation of a different applicable Lending Office or the assignment by such Lender of its rights hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates would either not avoid such unlawfulness or would be disadvantageous to such Lender in any economic, legal or regulatory respect) whose interest is determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurocurrency Rate or Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the London interbank market, then, on notice thereof within a reasonable time thereafter (if by telephone, confirmed in writing) by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, (i) any obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurocurrency Rate, or to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurocurrency Rate Loans, shall be suspended, and (ii) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender making or maintaining Base Rate Loans the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate, the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate, in each case until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist (which notice such Lender agrees to give at such time when such circumstances no longer exist).  Upon receipt of such notice within a reasonable time thereafter, (x) the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, and shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, convert all Eurocurrency Rate Loans of such Lender to Base Rate Loans (and the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Rate Loans, to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Rate Loans, and (y) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate with respect to any Base Rate Loans, the Administrative Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Base Rate applicable to such Lender without reference to the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate component thereof until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal  for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurocurrency Rate.  Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.

 

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SECTION 3.3                     Inability to Determine Rates.  If the Requisite Lenders reasonably determine that for any reason in connection with any request for a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, or a conversion to or continuation thereof that (a) deposits in Dollars are not being offered to banks in the applicable offshore interbank market for such currency for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, (b) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the Eurocurrency Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurocurrency Rate Loan or in connection with an existing or proposed Base Rate Loan, or (c) the Eurocurrency Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurocurrency Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender.  Thereafter, (x) each Eurocurrency Rate Loan shall automatically, on the last day of the current Interest Period for such Loan, convert into a Base Rate Loan, (y) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be suspended, and (z) in the event of a determination described in the preceding sentence with respect to the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate, the utilization of the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate component in determining the Base Rate shall be suspended, in each case until the Administrative Agent (upon the instruction of the Requisite Lenders) notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist (which notice the Administrative Agent agrees to give at such time when such circumstances no longer exist).  Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein.

 

SECTION 3.4                     Increased Cost and Reduced Return; Capital Adequacy; Reserves on Eurocurrency Rate Loans.

 

(a)                                 Increased Costs Generally.  If any Change in Law shall:

 

(i)                           impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate);

 

(ii)                        subject any Lender to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement or any Eurocurrency Rate Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender in respect thereof (except for Taxes covered by Section 3.1 and any taxes and other amounts described in clauses (i) through (viii) of the first sentence of Section 3.1(a) that are imposed with respect to payments for or on account of any Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document, and except for Other Taxes); or

 

(iii)                     impose on any Lender or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or Eurocurrency Rate Loans made by such Lender that is not otherwise accounted for in the definition of Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate or this clause (a);

 

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Loan the interest on which is determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate

 

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(or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender, or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, from time to time within fifteen (15) days after demand by such Lender setting forth in reasonable detail such increased costs (with a copy of such demand to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

(b)                                 Capital Requirements.  If any Lender reasonably determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lender’s holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by such Lender to a level below that which such Lender or such Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy or liquidity), then from time to time promptly following demand of such Lender setting forth in reasonable detail the charge and the calculation of such reduced rate of return (with a copy of such demand to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

 

(c)                                  Certificates for Reimbursement.  A certificate of a Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this Section 3.4 and delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.

 

(d)                                 Delay in Requests.  Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.4 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.4 for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower in writing of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

 

(e)                                  Without duplication of any reserves specified in the definition of “Eurocurrency Rate”, the Borrower shall pay to each Lender, as long as such Lender shall be required to comply with any reserve ratio requirement or analogous requirement of any central banking or financial regulatory authority imposed in respect of the maintenance of the Aggregate Commitments or the funding of the Eurocurrency Rate Loans, such additional costs (expressed as a percentage per annum and rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest five decimal places) equal to the actual costs allocated to such Commitment or Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error), which shall be due and payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan, provided

 

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the Borrower shall have received at least fifteen (15) days’ prior notice (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of such additional costs from such Lender.  If a Lender fails to give notice fifteen (15) days prior to the relevant interest payment date, such additional costs shall be due and payable fifteen (15) days from receipt of such notice.

 

SECTION 3.5                     Funding Losses.  Upon written demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) from time to time, which demand shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis for requesting such amount, the Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:

 

(a)                                 any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Eurocurrency Rate Loan on a day prior to the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise);

 

(b)                                 any failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Eurocurrency Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower; or

 

(c)                                  any assignment of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan on a day prior to the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 3.7;

 

including any loss or expense (excluding loss of anticipated profits or margin) actually incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained.

 

SECTION 3.6                     Matters Applicable to All Requests for Compensation.

 

(a)                                 Designation of a Different Lending Office.  If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.4, or the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.1, or if any Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 3.2, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.1 or 3.4, as the case may be, in the future, or eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 3.2, as applicable, and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender in any material economic, legal or regulatory respect.

 

(b)                                 Suspension of Lender Obligations.  If any Lender requests compensation by the Borrower under Section 3.4, the Borrower may, by notice to such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), suspend the obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurocurrency Rate Loans from one Interest Period to another Interest Period, or to convert Base Rate Loans into Eurocurrency Rate Loans, until the event or condition giving rise to such request ceases to be in effect (in which case the provisions of Section 3.6(c) shall be

 

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applicable); provided that such suspension shall not affect the right of such Lender to receive the compensation so requested.

 

(c)                                  Conversion of Eurocurrency Rate Loans.  If any Lender gives notice to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) that the circumstances specified in Sections 3.2, 3.3 or 3.4 hereof that gave rise to the conversion of such Lender’s Eurocurrency Rate Loans no longer exist (which such Lender agrees to do promptly upon such circumstances ceasing to exist) at a time when Eurocurrency Rate Loans made by other Lenders are outstanding, such Lender’s Base Rate Loans shall be automatically converted, on the first day(s) of the next succeeding Interest Period(s) for such outstanding Eurocurrency Rate Loans, to the extent necessary so that, after giving effect thereto, all Loans of a given Class held by the Lenders of such Class holding Eurocurrency Rate Loans and by such Lender are held pro rata (as to principal amounts, interest rate basis, and Interest Periods) in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares.

 

SECTION 3.7                     Replacement of Lenders under Certain Circumstances.  If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.4 or ceases to make Eurocurrency Rate Loans as a result of any condition described in Section 3.2 or Section 3.4, (ii) the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.1, (iii) any Lender is a Non-Consenting Lender or (iv) any other circumstance exists hereunder that gives the Borrower the right to replace a Lender as a party hereto, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 12.2), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to one or more Eligible Assignees that shall assume such obligations (any of which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that:

 

(a)                                 the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee (if any) specified in Section 12.2(b)(iv) and the Prepayment Premium (if any) specified in Section 2.15;

 

(b)                                 such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 3.5) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);

 

(c)                                  such Lender being replaced pursuant to this Section 3.7 shall (i) execute and deliver an Assignment and Assumption with respect to such Lender’s Commitment and outstanding Loans, and (ii) deliver any Notes evidencing such Loans to the Borrower or Administrative Agent (or a lost or destroyed note indemnity in lieu thereof); provided that the failure of any such Lender to execute an Assignment and Assumption or deliver such Notes shall not render such sale and purchase (and the corresponding assignment) invalid and such assignment shall be recorded in the Register and the Notes shall be deemed to be canceled upon such failure;

 

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(d)                                 the Eligible Assignee shall become a Lender hereunder and the assigning Lender shall cease to constitute a Lender hereunder with respect to such assigned Loans, Commitments and participations, except with respect to indemnification provisions under this Agreement, which shall survive as to such assigning Lender;

 

(e)                                  in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 3.4 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 3.1, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter; and

 

(f)                                   such assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws.

 

In the event that (i) the Borrower or the Administrative Agent has requested that the Lenders consent to a departure or waiver of any provisions of the Loan Documents or agree to any amendment thereto, (ii) the consent, waiver or amendment in question requires the agreement of each Lender, all affected Lenders or all the Lenders or all affected Lenders with respect to a certain Class or Classes of the Loans and (iii) the Requisite Lenders or the requisite Lenders of the applicable Class or Classes of the Loans, have agreed to such consent, waiver or amendment, then any Lender who does not agree to such consent, waiver or amendment shall be deemed a “Non-Consenting Lender.”

 

A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

 

SECTION 3.8                     Survival.  All of the Borrower’s obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of the Aggregate Commitments, repayment of all other Obligations hereunder and resignation of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

SECTION 4.1                     Conditions Precedent to Initial Borrowing.  The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans shall be subject to the satisfaction or due waiver in accordance with Section 12.1 of each of the following conditions precedent, except as otherwise agreed between the Borrower and the Requisite Lenders or the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders):

 

(a)                                 The Administrative Agent’s and the Requisite Lender’s receipt of the following, each of which shall be originals or facsimiles (followed promptly by originals) unless otherwise specified, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the signing Loan Party each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Requisite Lenders or the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders):

 

(i)                           executed counterparts of this Agreement and the Guaranty;

 

(ii)                        a Note executed by the Borrower in favor of each Lender that has requested a Note at least two (2) Business Days in advance of the Effective Date;

 

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(iii)                     the Fee Letter, duly executed by each party thereto;

 

(iv)                    each Collateral Document set forth on Schedule 1.1A required to be executed on the Effective Date as indicated on such schedule, duly executed by each Loan Party thereto, together with:

 

(A)                               [reserved];

 

(B)                               [reserved]; and

 

(C)                               evidence that all other actions, recordings and filings that the Requisite Lenders, Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders) and/or the Collateral Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders) has reasonably requested to be taken, completed or otherwise provided for to satisfy the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement shall have been taken, completed or otherwise provided for in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Requisite Lenders or the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders);

 

(v)                       such certificates of good standing from the applicable secretary of state of the state of organization of each Loan Party, certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or other certificates of Responsible Officers of each Loan Party as the Requisite Lenders may reasonably require evidencing the identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible Officer thereof authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party or is to be a party on the Effective Date;

 

(vi)                    an opinion from Proskauer Rose, LLP, counsel to the Loan Parties substantially in the form of Exhibit Q;

 

(vii)                 a solvency certificate from the chief financial officer of the Borrower (as of the Effective Date and after giving effect to the Transaction) substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit R; and

 

(viii)              evidence that all insurance (excluding title insurance) required to be maintained pursuant to the Loan Documents has been obtained and is in effect as of the Effective Date and that the Collateral Agent has been named as loss payee and/or additional insured, as applicable, under each insurance policy with respect to such insurance as to which the Collateral Agent (i) is entitled under the Loan Documents to be so named, and (ii) shall have requested to be so named;

 

(b)                                 All fees and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses required to be paid on or before the Effective Date hereunder and invoiced at least one (1) Business Day before the Effective Date shall have been paid in full in cash.

 

(c)                                  All conditions to effectiveness contained in Section 2 of Amendment No. 6 to the ABL Credit Agreement shall have been, or concurrently with the effectiveness of this Agreement shall be, satisfied (or waived).

 

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(d)                                 All conditions to effectiveness contained in Section 3 of Amendment No. 3 to the First Lien Credit Agreement shall have been, or concurrently with the effectiveness of this Agreement shall be, satisfied (or waived).

 

(e)                                  The First Amendment to Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “First Amendment to Intercreditor Agreement”), among Holdings, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the First Lien Administrative Agent and the ABL Facility Administrative Agent shall have been duly executed and delivered by each party thereto, and shall be in full force and effect and (ii) the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall have been duly executed and delivered by each party thereto, and shall be in full force and effect.

 

(f)                                   The Lenders shall have received a completed “Life of-Loan” Federal Emergency Management Agency Standard Flood Hazard Determination with respect to each Mortgaged Property.

 

(g)                                  The Administrative Agent and Lenders shall have received all documentation and other information reasonably requested in writing by them at least four (4) days prior to the Effective Date in order to allow the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to comply with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

Without limiting the generality of the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 9.3, for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 4.1, each Lender shall be deemed to have consented to, approved, accepted or be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to the Lenders unless an officer of the Administrative Agent responsible for the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the Borrowing on the Effective Date specifying its objection thereto and such Lender shall not have made available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s Ratable Portion of such Borrowing.

 

SECTION 4.2                     Conditions Precedent to Each Loan.  The obligation of each Lender to honor a Committed Loan Notice after the Effective Date is subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)                                 Request for Borrowing.  With respect to any Loan, the Administrative Agent shall have timely received a duly executed Committed Loan Notice.

 

(b)                                 Representations and Warranties; No Defaults.  The following statements shall be true on the date of such Loan, both immediately before and immediately after giving effect thereto and, if applicable, giving effect to the application of the proceeds of such Loan by, or at the direction of, the Borrower:

 

(i)                           The representations and warranties of the Borrower and each other Loan Party contained in Article V or any other Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Borrowing; provided that, to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, they shall be

 

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true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date; provided, further that, any representation and warranty that is qualified as to “materiality,” “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language shall be true and correct (after giving effect to any qualification therein) in all respects on such respective dates; and

 

(ii)                        no Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Credit Extension or from the application (or deemed application) of the proceeds therefrom by, or at the direction of, the Borrower.

 

Each submission by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent of a Committed Loan Notice (other than a Committed Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type or a continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans) shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower that the conditions specified in clause (b) above have been satisfied or duly waived on and as of the date of the making of such Loan.

 

ARTICLE V

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

To induce the Lenders and the Administrative Agent to enter into this Agreement, each of Holdings and the Borrower represents and warrants each of the following to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, on and as of the Effective Date and after giving effect to the making (or deemed making) of the Loans and the other financial accommodations on the Effective Date and on and as of each date as required by Section 4.2(b)(i):

 

SECTION 5.1                     Existence, Qualification and Power; Compliance with Laws.  Each Loan Party and each of the Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Material Subsidiary (a) is a Person duly organized or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization (to the extent such concept exists in such jurisdiction), (b) has all corporate or other organizational power and authority to (i) own its assets and carry on its business and (ii) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (c) is duly qualified and in good standing (to the extent such concept exists) under the Laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, (d) is in compliance with all applicable Laws, orders, writs, injunctions and orders and (e) has all requisite governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to operate its business as currently conducted; except in each case referred to in clause (c), (d) or (e), to the extent that failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.2                     Authorization; No Contravention.

 

(a)                                 The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which such Person is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action by such Person; and

 

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(b)                                 Neither the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which such Person is a party nor the consummation of the Transaction will (i) contravene the terms of any of such Person’s Constituent Documents, (ii) result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien upon any of the property or assets of such Person or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than as permitted by Section 9.1) under (A) any Contractual Obligation to which such Person is a party or by which such Person or its properties are bound or (B) any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which such Person or its property is subject; or (iii) violate any applicable Law; except with respect to any breach, contravention or violation (but not creation of Liens) referred to in clauses (ii) and (iii), to the extent that such breach, contravention or violation would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.3                     Governmental Authorization.  No material approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, any Loan Party of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except for (i) filings necessary to create and perfect the Liens on the Collateral granted by the Loan Parties in favor of the Secured Parties, (ii) the approvals, consents, exemptions, authorizations, actions, notices and filings that have been duly obtained, taken, given or made and are in full force and effect and (iii) those approvals, consents, exemptions, authorizations or other actions, notices or filings, the failure of which to obtain or make would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.4                     Binding Effect.  This Agreement and each other Loan Document to which a Loan Party is a party has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto.  This Agreement and each other Loan Document to which a Loan Party is a party constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan Party that is party thereto in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by Debtor Relief Laws and by general principles of equity and principles of good faith and fair dealing.

 

SECTION 5.5                     Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect.

 

(a)                                 (i)  The Annual Financial Statements and the Quarterly Financial Statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and their results of operations for the respective periods covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods covered thereby, (A) except as otherwise expressly noted therein and (B) subject, in the case of the Quarterly Financial Statements, to changes resulting from normal year end adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

 

(b)                                 Since the Effective Date, there has been no event or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(c)                                  All Projections delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(d) have been prepared in good faith on the basis of the assumptions stated therein, which assumptions were believed to be reasonable at the time made, it being understood that projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts, are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, and actual results may vary materially from such Projections.

 

SECTION 5.6                     Litigation.  There are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, overtly threatened in writing, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, by or against Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.7                     Ownership of Property; Liens.  Each Loan Party and each of the Restricted Subsidiaries has good record and marketable title in fee simple to, or valid leasehold interests in, or easements or other limited property interests in, all real property necessary in the ordinary conduct of its business, free and clear of all Liens except for (i) Liens permitted by Section 9.1 and (ii) where the failure to have such title or other interest would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.8                     Environmental Matters.

 

(a)                                 Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all Environmental Laws (including having obtained all Environmental Permits) and (ii) none of the Loan Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries is subject to any pending, or to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened Environmental Claim or any other Environmental Liability that remains outstanding or unresolved.

 

(b)                                 None of the Loan Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries has treated, stored, transported or disposed of Hazardous Materials at or from any currently or formerly operated real estate or facility relating to its business in a manner that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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SECTION 5.9                     Taxes.  Except would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, Holdings, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries have timely filed all Federal and state and other tax returns and reports required to be filed under applicable Law, and have timely paid all Federal and state and other taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges (including satisfying their withholding tax obligations) levied or imposed on their properties, income or assets that have become due and payable, except those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate actions diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves (in the good faith judgment of management of Holdings, the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiaries) have been provided in accordance with GAAP.

 

SECTION 5.10              ERISA Compliance.

 

(a)                                 Except as set forth in Schedule 5.10(a) or as would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, each Plan is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other federal or state Laws.

 

(b)                                 (i) No ERISA Event has occurred within the one-year period prior to the date on which this representation is made or deemed made; (ii) no Pension Plan has failed to satisfy the minimum funding standards (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) applicable to such Pension Plan; (iii) none of the Loan Parties or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability (and no event has occurred which, with the giving of notice under Section 4219 of ERISA, would result in such liability) under Sections 4201 et seq. or 4243 of ERISA with respect to a Multiemployer Plan; (iv) none of the Loan Parties or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has engaged in a transaction that is subject to Sections 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA; and (v) neither any Loan Party nor any ERISA Affiliate has been notified by the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan that such Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization (within the meaning of Section 4242 of ERISA), insolvent (within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA) or has been determined to be in “endangered” or critical status (within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA) and no such Multiemployer Plan is expected to be in reorganization, insolvent or endangered or critical status, except, with respect to each of the foregoing clauses of this Section 5.10(b), as would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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SECTION 5.11              Subsidiaries.  As of the Effective Date, neither Holdings nor any other Loan Party has any Subsidiaries other than those specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.11, and all of the outstanding Equity Interests in the Borrower and the Subsidiaries (in each case, to the extent constituting Collateral) have been validly issued and are fully paid and (if applicable) nonassessable, and all Equity Interests owned by Holdings or any other Loan Party are owned free and clear of all security interests of any person except (i) those created under the Collateral Documents, under the ABL Facility Documentation (which Liens shall be subject to the Intercreditor Agreement) or under the First Lien Facility Documentation (which Liens shall be subject to the Intercreditor Agreement and the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement) and (ii) any other Lien that is permitted under Section 9.1.  As of the Effective Date, Schedule 5.11 (a) sets forth the name and jurisdiction of each Subsidiary, (b) sets forth the ownership interest of Holdings, the Borrower and any other Subsidiary in each Subsidiary, including the percentage of such ownership and (c) identifies each Subsidiary the Equity Interests of which are required to be pledged on the Effective Date pursuant to the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement.

 

SECTION 5.12              Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act.

 

(a)                                 As of the Effective Date, none of the Collateral is comprised of any Margin Stock.  No Loan Party is engaged, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the Federal Reserve Board), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock, and no proceeds of any Borrowings will be used for any purpose that violates Regulation U.

 

(b)                                 Neither the Borrower nor any Guarantor is an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

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SECTION 5.13              Disclosure.  None of the written information and written data heretofore or contemporaneously furnished in writing by or on behalf of any Loan Party to any Agent or any Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder or any other Loan Document when furnished and when taken as a whole contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein, when taken as a whole, in the light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not materially misleading; it being understood that for purposes of this Section 5.13, such information and data shall not include projections and pro forma financial information (including financial estimates, financial models, forecasts and other forward-looking information) or information of a general economic or general industry nature.

 

SECTION 5.14              Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc.  The Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to, or a valid license or right to use, all patents, patent rights, trademarks, servicemarks, trade names, copyrights, technology, software, know-how database rights, rights of privacy and publicity, licenses and other intellectual property rights that are necessary for the operation of their respective businesses as currently conducted and as proposed to be conducted (collectively, “IP Rights”), except where the failure to have any such title, license or other rights would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  To the knowledge of the Borrower, the operation of the respective businesses of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries as currently conducted does not infringe upon, misuse, misappropriate or violate any rights held by any Person except for such infringements, misuses, misappropriations or violations that would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.15              Solvency.  On the Effective Date after giving effect to the Transaction, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a Consolidated basis, are Solvent.

 

SECTION 5.16              Subordination of Junior Financing.  The Obligations are “Designated Senior Debt,” “Senior Debt,” “Senior Indebtedness,” “Guarantor Senior Debt” or “Senior Secured Financing” (or any comparable term) under, and as defined in, any indenture or document governing any applicable Junior Financing Documentation in respect of Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations.

 

SECTION 5.17              USA PATRIOT Act.  (a) To the extent applicable, each of Holdings, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is in compliance, in all material respects, with (i) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, and each of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) and any other enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto and (ii) the USA PATRIOT Act.  No part of the proceeds of the Loans will be used by Holdings, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

 

(b)                                 None of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any director, officer, agent, employee or Affiliate of the Borrower or

 

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any Restricted Subsidiary, (i) is a person on the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” or (ii) is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”); and the Borrower will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the Loans or otherwise knowingly make available such proceeds to any person, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

 

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SECTION 5.18              Collateral Documents.  As of the Effective Date, except as otherwise contemplated hereby or under any other Loan Documents, the provisions of the Collateral Documents, together with such filings and other actions required to be taken hereby or by the applicable Collateral Documents (including the filings of appropriate financing statements with the office of the Secretary of State of the state of organization of each Loan Party, the filing of appropriate assignments or notices with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the U.S. Copyright Office, and the proper recordation of Mortgages and fixture filings with respect to fee-owned real properties, in each case in favor of the Collateral Agent and the delivery to Collateral Agent of any Pledged Debt and any Pledged Equity required to be delivered pursuant to the applicable Collateral Documents), are effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a legal, valid and enforceable Lien (subject to Liens permitted by Section 9.1 and subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Notes Intercreditor Agreement) on all right, title and interest of the respective Loan Parties in the Collateral described therein, to the extent that a security interest therein can be perfected by the foregoing actions.

 

SECTION 5.19              Use of Proceeds.  The proceeds (or deemed proceeds) of the initial Borrowings shall be used to consummate the Transactions and for general corporate purposes.

 

SECTION 5.20              Insurance.  The insurance maintained by the Loan Parties complies with the requirements set forth in Section 8.5.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

[RESERVED]

 

ARTICLE VII

 

REPORTING COVENANTS

 

Until the Discharge of Obligations, Holdings and the Borrower shall, and shall (except in the case of the covenants set forth in Sections 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3) cause each of the Restricted Subsidiaries to:

 

SECTION 7.1                     Financial Statements, Etc.  Deliver to the Administrative Agent for prompt further distribution to each Lender each of the following and shall take the following actions:

 

(a)                                 within ninety (90) days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Borrower (beginning with the Fiscal Year ending January 26, 2018), a Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Year, and the related Consolidated statements of income or operations and cash flows for such Fiscal Year together with related notes thereto and management’s discussion and analysis describing results of operations, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of Ernst & Young LLP or any other independent registered public

 

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accounting firm of nationally recognized standing, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception (other than a going concern or like qualification or exception resulting solely from an upcoming maturity date under the Facility, the First Lien Facility, the ABL Facility or the Senior Notes (or in each case any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof) occurring within one year from the time such opinion is delivered) or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit;

 

(b)                                 within forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three (3) Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year of the Borrower (beginning with the Fiscal Quarter ending April 27, 2018), a condensed Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Quarter, and the related (i) condensed Consolidated statements of income or operations for such Fiscal Quarter and for the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended and (ii) condensed Consolidated statements of cash flows for the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding Fiscal Quarter of the previous Fiscal Year and the corresponding portion of the previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail and certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as fairly presenting in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes, together with management’s discussion and analysis describing results of operations;

 

(c)                                  within thirty (30) days after the end of each of the first two (2) months of each Fiscal Quarter of the Borrower beginning with the Fiscal Quarter ending April 27, 2018), a Consolidated (and consolidating to the extent prepared by the Borrower) balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such month, and the related Consolidated (and consolidating to the extent prepared by the Borrower) statements of income or operations, for such month, in the form prepared by management of the Borrower;

 

(d)                                 within ninety (90) days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Borrower (beginning with the Fiscal Year ending January 26, 2018), a reasonably detailed Consolidated budget for the following Fiscal Year as customarily prepared by management of the Borrower for its internal use (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 operations or income and projected cash flow and setting forth the material underlying assumptions applicable thereto) in each case on a fiscal quarter basis (collectively, the “Projections”), which Projections shall in each case be accompanied by a certificate of a Responsible Officer stating that such Projections have been prepared in good faith on the basis of the assumptions stated therein, which assumptions were believed to be reasonable at the time made, it being understood that actual results may vary from such Projections and that such variations may be material;

 

(e)                                  concurrently with the delivery of each set of Consolidated financial statements referred to in Sections 7.1(a) and 7.1(b) above, the related consolidating financial statements reflecting the adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such Consolidated financial statements; and

 

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(f)                                   quarterly, at a time mutually agreed with the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders) that is promptly after the delivery of the information required pursuant to clause (a) above and the information delivered pursuant to clause (b) above for each Fiscal Quarter, participate in a conference call for Lenders to discuss the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the most recently-ended period for which financial statements have been delivered, which requirement may be satisfied by including the Lenders on quarterly conference calls with the First Lien Lenders, ABL Facility Lenders or the noteholders in respect of the Senior Notes (or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof).

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 7.1 may be satisfied with respect to financial information of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries by furnishing (A) the applicable financial statements of any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower that holds all of the Equity Interests of the Borrower or (B) the Borrower’s or such entity’s Form 10-K or 10-Q, as applicable, filed with the SEC; provided that, with respect to each of clauses (A) and (B), (i) to the extent such information relates to a parent of the Borrower, such information is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to the Borrower (or such parent), on the one hand, and the information relating to the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand and (ii) to the extent such information is in lieu of information required to be provided under Section 7.1(a), such materials are accompanied by a report and an opinion of Ernst & Young LLP or any other independent registered public accounting firm of nationally recognized standing, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception (other than a going concern or like qualification or exception resulting solely from an upcoming maturity date under the Facility, the ABL Facility, the First Lien Facility, the Senior Notes or other Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.3 occurring within one year from the time such opinion is delivered) or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit.

 

Any financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to Sections 7.1(a) and (b) shall not be required to contain all purchase or recapitalization accounting adjustments relating to the Transaction to the extent it is not practicable to include any such adjustments in such financial statements.

 

SECTION 7.2                     Certificates; Other Information.  Deliver to the Administrative Agent for prompt further distribution to each Lender:

 

(a)                                 concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Section 7.1(a) and Section 7.1(b), a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by the chief financial officer of the Borrower;

 

(b)                                 promptly after the same are publicly available, copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports, proxy statements and registration statements which Holdings or the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary files with the SEC or with any Governmental Authority that may be substituted therefor or with any national securities exchange, as the case may be (other than amendments to any registration statement (to the extent

 

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such registration statement, in the form it became effective, is delivered to the Administrative Agent), exhibits to any registration statement and, if applicable, any registration statement on Form S-8), and in any case not otherwise required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to any other clause of this Section 7.2;

 

(c)                                  promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any material statements or material reports furnished to any holder of any class or series of debt securities of any Loan Party having an aggregate outstanding principal amount greater than $25,000,000 or pursuant to the terms of the First Lien Credit Agreement, the ABL Facility Credit Agreement the Senior Notes Indenture (or in each case any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof), in each case, so long as the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereunder is greater than $25,000,000 and not otherwise required to be furnished to the Administrative Agent pursuant to any other clause of this Section 7.2;

 

(d)                                 together with the delivery of each Compliance Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 7.2(a), (i) a report setting forth the information required by Section 3.03(c) of the Security Agreement (or confirming that there has been no change in such information since the Effective Date or the date of the last such report), (ii) a description of each event, condition or circumstance during the last Fiscal Quarter covered by such Compliance Certificate requiring a mandatory prepayment under Section 2.4 and (iii) a list of each Subsidiary of the Borrower that identifies each Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary at the end of such Fiscal Year or Fiscal Quarter, as the case may be or a confirmation that there is no change in such information since the later of the Effective Date and the end of the preceding Fiscal Year or Fiscal Quarter, as applicable;

 

(e)                                  on the date on which the delivery of financial statements is required to be made pursuant to Section 7.1(a), the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent a summary, in reasonable detail, of all material insurance coverage required to be maintained by the Loan Parties pursuant to Section 8.5;

 

(f)                                   [reserved]; and

 

(g)                                  promptly, such additional information regarding the business, legal, financial or corporate affairs of any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary, or compliance by any such Person with the terms of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, as the Administrative Agent may from time to time on its own behalf or on behalf of any Lender reasonably request in writing.

 

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or (b) or Section 7.2(b) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 12.8 and so notifies the Administrative Agent; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on IntraLinks/IntraAgency or another relevant website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that:  (i) upon written request by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the

 

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Administrative Agent for further distribution to each Lender until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is received by the Borrower from the Administrative Agent and (ii) the Borrower shall notify (which may be by facsimile or electronic mail) the Administrative Agent of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents.  Each Lender shall be solely responsible for timely accessing posted documents or requesting delivery of paper copies of such documents from the Administrative Agent and maintaining its copies of such documents.

 

SECTION 7.3                     Notices.  Promptly after a Responsible Officer obtains actual knowledge thereof, notify the Administrative Agent:

 

(a)                                 of the occurrence of any Default; and

 

(b)                                 of (i) any dispute, litigation, investigation or proceeding between any Loan Party and any arbitrator or Governmental Authority, (ii) the filing or commencement of, or any material development in, any litigation or proceeding against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, including pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws or in respect of IP Rights, the occurrence of any noncompliance by any Loan Party or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with, or liability under, any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit, or (iii) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, in any such case referred to in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii), has resulted or would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Each notice pursuant to this Section 7.3 shall be accompanied by a written statement of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

 

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

Until the Discharge of Obligations, Holdings and the Borrower shall, and shall cause each of the Restricted Subsidiaries to:

 

SECTION 8.1                     Preservation of Existence, Etc.  (a) Preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and (b) take all reasonable action to obtain, preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its the rights, licenses, permits, privileges, franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names material to the conduct of its business, except in the case of clause (a) or (b) to the extent (other than with respect to the preservation of the existence of Holdings and the Borrower) that failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect or pursuant to any merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution or Disposition permitted by Article IX.

 

SECTION 8.2                     Compliance with Laws, Etc.  Comply in all material respects with its Constituent Documents and the requirements of all Laws (including, without limitation, ERISA and the USA PATRIOT Act), and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or to its business or property, except if the failure to comply therewith would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 8.3                     Designation of Subsidiaries.  The Board of Directors of the Borrower may at any time designate any Subsidiary of the Borrower (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary of the Borrower) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, the Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; provided that (i) before and after such designation, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) before and after such designation, the Total Leverage Ratio shall not be greater than 4.50 to 1.00 after giving Pro Forma Effect thereto, and (iii) no Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if, after such designation, it would be a “Restricted Subsidiary” for the purpose of the First Lien Facility, the ABL Facility, the Senior Notes or any other Junior Financing or any other Indebtedness of any Loan Party.  The designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall constitute an Investment by the Borrower therein at the date of designation in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value as determined by the Borrower in good faith of the Borrower’s or its Subsidiary’s (as applicable) Investment therein.  The Board of Directors of the Borrower may at any time designate or re-designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Borrower to be a Restricted Subsidiary, so long as such designation or re-designation would not result in an Event of Default.  The designation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary shall constitute the incurrence at the time of designation of any Indebtedness or Liens of such Subsidiary existing at such time and a return on any Investment by the Borrower in such Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to the preceding sentence in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value as determined by the Borrower in good faith at the date of such designation of the Borrower’s or its Subsidiary’s (as applicable) Investment in such Subsidiary.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Unrestricted Subsidiary that has been re-designated a Restricted Subsidiary may not be subsequently re-designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, unless such re-designation would not result in an Event of Default.

 

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SECTION 8.4                     Payment of Taxes, Etc.  Pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy, before they become delinquent, all material liabilities in respect of taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits or in respect of its property, except, in each case, to the extent (i) any such tax, assessment, charge or levy is being contested in good faith and by appropriate actions for which appropriate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP or (ii) the failure to pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy the same would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 8.5                     Maintenance of Insurance.  Maintain with insurance companies that the Borrower believes (in the good faith judgment of its management) are financially sound and reputable at the time the relevant coverage is placed or renewed, insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in at least such amounts (after giving effect to any self-insurance the Borrower believes (in the good faith judgment of its management) as is reasonable and prudent in light of the size and nature of its business), and will furnish to the Administrative Agent (for further delivery to the Lenders), upon written request from the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of the Requisite Lenders), information presented in reasonable detail as to the insurance so required to be carried.  Each such policy of insurance shall, within 45 days of the Effective Date (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent, acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders, may reasonably agree), as appropriate, (i) name the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, as an additional insured thereunder as its interests may appear with respect to any such required general liability insurance and/or (ii) in the case of each casualty insurance policy, contain a loss payable clause or endorsement that names the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Lenders as the loss payee thereunder.

 

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SECTION 8.6                     Inspection Rights.  Permit officers, employees and designated representatives of the Administrative Agent and each Lender to visit and inspect any of its properties, to examine its corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its directors, officers, and independent public accountants (subject to such accountants’ customary policies and procedures), all at the reasonable expense of the Borrower and at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably desired, upon reasonable advance notice to the Borrower; provided that, excluding any such visits and inspections during the continuation of an Event of Default, only the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders may exercise rights under this Section 8.6 and the Administrative Agent shall not exercise such rights more often than two (2) times during any calendar year, and only one (1) such time shall be at the Borrower’s expense; provided further that when an Event of Default exists, the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any of their respective representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Borrower at any time during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice.  The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall give the Borrower the opportunity to participate in any discussions with the Borrower’s independent public accountants.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 8.6, none of Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries will be required to disclose, permit the inspection, examination or making copies or abstracts of, or discussion of, any document, information or other matter that (a) in respect of which disclosure to the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or their respective representatives or contractors) is prohibited by Law or any bona fide arm’s length third party contract or (b) is subject to attorney-client or similar privilege or constitutes attorney work product.

 

SECTION 8.7                     Books and Records.  Maintain proper books of record and account (a) in which entries that are full, true and correct in all material respects shall be made of all material financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of Holdings, the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, and (b) that permit financial statements in conformity with GAAP to be derived therefrom.

 

SECTION 8.8                     Maintenance of Properties.  Except if the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, keep and maintain all of its material properties and equipment used in the operation of its business in good working order, repair and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted and casualty or condemnation excepted.

 

SECTION 8.9                     Use of Proceeds.  Use the proceeds of the Loans only in compliance with (and not in contravention of) applicable Laws and each Loan Document.

 

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SECTION 8.10              Compliance with Environmental Laws.  Except, in each case, to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, (a) comply, and take all commercially reasonable actions to cause any lessees, tenants and subtenants to comply with all applicable Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits; (b) obtain and renew all Environmental Permits necessary for its operations and properties; and, (c) in each case to the extent required by applicable Environmental Laws, conduct any investigation, study, sampling and testing, and undertake any cleanup, removal, remedial or other action necessary to remove and clean up all Hazardous Materials from any of its properties, in accordance with the requirements of all applicable Environmental Laws.

 

SECTION 8.11              Covenant to Guarantee Obligations and Give Security.  At the Borrower’s expense, subject to the provisions of the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement and any applicable limitation in any Collateral Document, take all action necessary or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders) to ensure that the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement is satisfied, including:

 

(a)                                 (x) upon the formation or acquisition of any new Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Material Domestic Subsidiary (in each case, other than an Excluded Subsidiary, but including any Subsidiary that ceases to constitute an Excluded Subsidiary) by any Loan Party, the designation in accordance with Section 8.3 of any existing Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Material Domestic Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or any Subsidiary becoming a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Material Domestic Subsidiary, (y) upon the acquisition of any material assets (including fee-owned real property) by the Borrower or any other Loan Party or (z) with respect to any Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Loan Party, for any material assets held by such Subsidiary (in each case, other than (1) assets constituting Collateral under a Collateral Document that becomes subject to the Lien created by such Collateral Document upon acquisition thereof (without limitation of the obligations to perfect such Lien), and (2) Excluded Property (as defined in the Security Agreement)):

 

(i)                           within forty-five (45) days after such formation, acquisition or designation or such longer period as the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders) may agree in its reasonable discretion, cause each such Material Domestic Subsidiary that is required to become a Guarantor under the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to furnish to the Collateral Agent a description of the fee-owned real properties owned by such Material Domestic Subsidiary in detail reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders);

 

(ii)                        within forty-five (45) days after such formation, acquisition or designation or such longer period as the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders) may agree in its reasonable discretion, cause each such Material Domestic Subsidiary that is required to become a Guarantor pursuant to the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to duly execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent, Security Agreement Supplements, Intellectual Property Security Agreements and other security agreements and documents, as reasonably requested by and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the

 

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Requisite Lenders) (consistent with the Security Agreement, Intellectual Property Security Agreements and other Collateral Documents in effect on the Effective Date), in each case granting Liens required by the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement; provided that Holdings, the Borrower and any of their respective Subsidiaries shall not be required to enter into any Collateral Documents or other pledge or security agreements governed or purported to be governed by foreign law;

 

(iii)                     within forty-five (45) days after such formation, acquisition or designation or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders) in its reasonable discretion, cause each such Material Domestic Subsidiary that is required to become a Guarantor pursuant to the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to deliver (A) any and all certificates representing Equity Interests (to the extent certificated) that are required to be pledged pursuant to the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement, accompanied by undated stock powers or other appropriate instruments of transfer executed in blank (or any other documents customary under local law) and (B) instruments evidencing the intercompany Indebtedness held by such Material Domestic Subsidiary and required to be pledged pursuant to the Collateral Documents, indorsed in blank to the Collateral Agent; provided that no such Material Domestic Subsidiary shall be required to enter into any Collateral Documents or other pledge or security agreements governed or purported to be governed by foreign law;

 

(iv)                    within forty-five (45) days after such formation, acquisition or designation or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion, take and cause the applicable Material Domestic Subsidiary and each direct or indirect parent of the applicable Material Domestic Subsidiary that is required to become a Guarantor pursuant to the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to take whatever action (including the filing of UCC financing statements and delivery of stock and membership interest certificates to the extent certificated) may be necessary in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent to vest in the Collateral Agent (or in any representative of the Collateral Agent designated by it) valid Liens required by the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement, enforceable against all third parties in accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by Debtor Relief Laws and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law); provided that no such Material Domestic Subsidiary shall be required to enter into any Collateral Documents or other pledge or security documents governed or purported to be governed by foreign law; and

 

(v)                       within forty-five (45) days after the written request therefor by the Administrative Agent (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders) in its reasonable discretion), deliver to the Administrative Agent a signed copy of a legal opinion, addressed to the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, of counsel for the Loan Parties reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent as to such matters set forth in this Section 8.11(a) as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request; and

 

(vi)                    (a) within the time periods set forth in Section 8.13(b), take, or cause the relevant Loan Party to take, the actions set forth in Section 8.13(b) with respect to fee-owned real property owned as of the Effective Date and (b) after the Effective Date,

 

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promptly after the acquisition of any fee-owned real property by any Loan Party other than Holdings, if such fee-owned real property shall not already be subject to a perfected Lien pursuant to Section 8.13, the Borrower shall give notice thereof to the Collateral Agent and will take, or cause the relevant Loan Party to take, the actions set forth in Section 8.13(b) with respect to such fee-owned real property.

 

SECTION 8.12              [Reserved].

 

SECTION 8.13              Further Assurances and Post-Closing Covenants.  Subject to the provisions of the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement and any applicable limitations in any Collateral Document and in each case at the reasonable expense of the Loan Parties:

 

(a)                                 Promptly upon reasonable request by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent or as may be required by applicable law (i) correct any material defect or error that is discovered in the execution, acknowledgment, filing or recordation of any Collateral Document or other document or instrument relating to any Collateral, and (ii) do, execute, acknowledge, deliver, record, re-record, file, re-file, register and re-register any and all such further acts, deeds, certificates, assurances and other instruments as the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent may reasonably request from time to time, in order to grant, preserve and perfect the security interests created or intended to be created by the Collateral Documents.

 

(b)                                 In the case of fee-owned real property, provide the Collateral Agent with a Mortgage with respect to such fee-owned real property within (x) in the case of fee-owned real property owned by the Loan Parties on the Effective Date, ninety (90) days (or such longer period as the Collateral Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders) may agree in its reasonable discretion) after the Effective Date or the date, if later on, which any such property ceases to be Excluded Real Property and (y) in the case of fee-owned real property acquired by the Loan Parties after the Effective Date, ninety (90) days (or such longer period as the Collateral Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders) may agree in its reasonable discretion) after the acquisition of such fee-owned real property; provided that, any Excluded Real Property shall not be subject to the requirements of this clause (b); in each case together with:

 

(i)                           evidence that counterparts of the Mortgage have been duly executed, acknowledged and delivered and that such Mortgages are in form suitable for filing or recording in all filing or recording offices that the Collateral Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders) deems reasonably necessary or desirable in order to create a valid and subsisting perfected Lien on the property and/or rights described therein in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties and that all filing and recording taxes and fees have been paid or otherwise provided for in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders);

 

(ii)                        solely with respect to any Material Real Property, a fully paid American Land Title Association Lender’s Extended Coverage title insurance policy or the equivalent or other form available in each applicable jurisdiction (the “Mortgage Policies”) in form and substance, with endorsements available in the applicable jurisdiction and in amount,

 

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reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders) (not to exceed the lesser of (i) the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of the real properties covered thereby and (ii) the aggregate amounts of Loans (including any interest capitalized thereon)), issued, coinsured and reinsured by title insurers reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders), insuring the Mortgage to be a valid Liens on the property described therein, subject only to Liens permitted by Section 9.1, and providing for such other affirmative insurance (including endorsements for future advances under the Loan Documents) and such coinsurance and direct access reinsurance as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request (acting at the direction of the Requisite Lenders) and is available in the applicable jurisdiction;

 

(iii)                     an opinion of local counsel for the Loan Parties in the state in which the Mortgaged Property is located, with respect to the enforceability and perfection of the Mortgages and any related fixture filing in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

 

(iv)                    such other evidence that all other actions that the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent (in either case, acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders) reasonably deems necessary or desirable in order to create a valid Lien on the property described in the Mortgage has been taken; and

 

(v)                       a life of loan flood hazard determination with respect to all such Mortgaged Property and, if such real property is located in a special flood hazard area, evidence of flood insurance in such amounts as are required by applicable law.

 

(c)                                  As promptly as practicable, and in any event within the time periods after the Effective Date specified in Schedule 8.13 or such later date as the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders) may agree in its discretion, the Loan Parties shall deliver the documents or take the actions specified in Schedule 8.13, in each case except to the extent otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders).

 

ARTICLE IX

 

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

Until the Discharge of Obligations, Holdings and the Borrower shall not, nor shall the Borrower permit any Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

SECTION 9.1                     Liens.  Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than the following:

 

(a)                                 (i) Liens created pursuant to (x) any Loan Document or securing any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, (ii) Liens on the Collateral securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.3(x) and related Indebtedness under Section 9.3(y), so

 

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long as such Liens are subject to the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement and (iii) Junior Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.3(q) and related Indebtedness under Section 9.3(y), so long as such Liens are subject to the Notes Intercreditor Agreement;

 

(b)                                 Liens existing on the Effective Date and set forth on Schedule 9.1(b);

 

(c)                                  Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges that are not overdue for a period of more than thirty (30) days or that are not subject to penalties for non-payment or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate actions for which appropriate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP;

 

(d)                                 statutory or common law Liens of landlords, carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen, repairmen, construction contractors or other like Liens or other customary Liens in favor of landlords, so long as, in each case, such Liens secure amounts not overdue for a period of more than thirty (30) days or, if more than thirty (30) days overdue, are unfiled and no other action has been taken to enforce such Lien or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate actions, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;

 

(e)                                  (i) pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation or (ii) deposits in the ordinary course of business securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance to Holdings, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(f)                                   (i) good faith deposits to secure the performance of bids, tenders, contracts and leases (other than Indebtedness for borrowed money), public or statutory obligations, surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds, performance bonds, other obligations of a like nature (including those to secure health, safety and environmental obligations) and deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business and (ii) Liens in favor of issuers of performance and surety bonds or bid bonds or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of a Loan Party in the ordinary course of business;

 

(g)                                  easements, rights-of-way, restrictions (including zoning restrictions), encroachments, protrusions and other similar encumbrances, minor survey exceptions and title defects affecting real property or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties, in each case, that were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and that, in the aggregate, do not in any case materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or materially impair the use of the property for its intended purpose, and any other exceptions to title on the Mortgage Policies accepted by the Collateral Agent in accordance with this Agreement;

 

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(h)                                 Liens arising from judgments or orders for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under Section 10.1(g) and notices of lis pendens and associated rights related to litigation being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been made;

 

(i)                                     Liens securing obligations in respect of Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.3(e) (provided that such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness, replacements thereof and improvements, additions and accessions to such property and the proceeds and the products thereof and customary security deposits; provided that individual financings of equipment provided by one lender or lessor may be cross collateralized to other financings of equipment provided by such lender or lessor);

 

(j)                                    leases, licenses, subleases or sublicenses granted to others in the ordinary course of business (including with respect to real property) which do not (i) interfere in any material respect with the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) secure any Indebtedness;

 

(k)                                 Liens (i) in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business and (ii) on specific items of inventory or other goods (and the proceeds of the foregoing) of any Loan Party securing such Loan Party’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances or letters of credit issued or created for the account of such Loan Party to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or such other goods in the ordinary course of business;

 

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

 

(m)                             Liens (i) on, or consisting of, cash advances in favor of the seller of any property to be acquired in an Investment permitted pursuant to Sections 9.2(i), (m), (r) or (s) to be applied against the purchase price for such Investment or (ii) consisting of an agreement to Dispose of any property in a Disposition permitted under Section 9.5, in each case, solely to the extent such Investment or Disposition, as the case may be, would have been permitted on the date of the creation of such Lien;

 

(n)                                 Liens on property of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor securing Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary incurred pursuant to Section 9.3(r);

 

(o)                                 Liens in favor of Holdings, the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(p)                                 Liens existing on property or shares of stock of a Person at the time of its acquisition or existing on the property of any Person at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (other than by designation as a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 8.3), in each case after the Effective Date; provided that (i) such Lien does not extend to

 

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or cover any other assets or property  or shares of stock (other than (A) the proceeds or products thereof, (B) improvements, additions and accessions to such property, and (C) after-acquired property of such acquired Restricted Subsidiary to the extent that such property is of a type covered by such Lien at such time of acquisition), and (ii) any Indebtedness secured thereby is permitted under Sections 9.3(e), (i) or (u);

 

(q)                                 any interest or title of a lessor, sublessor, licensor or sublicensor or secured by a lessor’s, sublessor’s, licensor’s or sublicensor’s interest under leases (other than Capitalized Leases) or licenses entered into by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

(r)                                    Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sale of goods entered into by Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

(s)                                   Liens solely on, or consisting of, any cash earnest money deposits made by Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Acquisition permitted under this Agreement or any other Investment or any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted hereunder;

 

(t)                                    ground leases in respect of real property on which facilities owned or leased by Holdings, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries are located;

 

(u)                                 purported Liens evidenced by the filing of precautionary UCC and PPSA financing statements or similar public filings;

 

(v)                                 Liens securing obligations in respect of Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.3(p)(i) and obligations in respect of any Secured Hedge Agreement and any Cash Management Obligation (in each case, as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement) permitted under Section 9.3(p)(ii) (or, in each case, any Permitted Refinancing in respect thereof, and subject to (x) the Intercreditor Agreement, or, in the case of any Permitted Refinancing thereof, another intercreditor agreement containing terms, taken as a whole, that are at least as favorable to the Secured Parties as those contained in the Intercreditor Agreement, taken as a whole and (y) to the extent applicable, the Notes Intercreditor Agreement);

 

(w)                               Liens (i) of a collecting bank arising under Section 4-208 of the UCC on the items in the course of collection, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodities brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and (iii) in favor of a banking or other financial institution arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits or other funds maintained with a financial institution (including the right of set off) and that are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry;

 

(x)                                 any zoning, building code or similar law or right reserved to or vested in any Governmental Authority to control or regulate the use of any real property that does not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

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(y)                                 the modification, replacement, renewal or extension (or successive modifications, replacements, renewals or extensions), in whole or in part, of any Lien permitted by clauses (b) and (p) of this Section 9.1; provided that (i) the Lien does not extend to any additional property other than (A) after-acquired property that is affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien or financed by Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.3(e), and (B) proceeds and products thereof, and (ii) the renewal, extension or refinancing of the obligations secured or benefited by such Liens is permitted by Section 9.3;

 

(z)                                  rights of set-off against credit balances of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with Credit Card Issuers or Credit Card Processors (each as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement) or amounts owing by such Credit Card Issuers or Credit Card Processors to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, but not rights of set-off against any other property or assets of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the Credit Card Agreements (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement), as in effect on the Effective Date, to secure the obligations of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to the Credit Card Issuers or Credit Card Processors as a result of fees and chargebacks;

 

(aa)                          without duplication of any other clause of this Section 9.1, other Liens securing obligations outstanding in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $25,000,000 at any time outstanding;

 

(bb)                          Liens that are contractual rights of setoff (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks or other deposit-taking financial institutions in the ordinary course of business and not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness or (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of Holdings, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(cc)                            Liens on the Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries or Joint Ventures; provided that any such Lien is in favor of a creditor or partner of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture, as applicable;

 

(dd)                          [reserved]; and

 

(ee)                            customary Liens granted to an indenture trustee or similar representative to secure fees, expenses and other amounts owed to such Person under the terms of the related indenture or other definitive documentation.

 

SECTION 9.2                     Investments.

 

Make or hold any Investments, except:

 

(a)                                 Investments by Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in assets that are, and the use of, cash and Cash Equivalents;

 

(b)                                 loans or advances to officers, directors, employees and consultants of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof), the Borrower or any of the Restricted

 

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Subsidiaries (i) for reasonable business-related travel, entertainment, relocation and similar ordinary business purposes, (ii) in connection with such Person’s purchase of Equity Interests of the Borrower or Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) and (iii) for any other purpose, in an aggregate principal amount outstanding under this clause (iii) not to exceed $1,000,000 (or, upon and after the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, $2,500,000);

 

(c)                                  Investments (i) by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Loan Party in the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Loan Party, (ii) by any Non-Loan Party in any other Non-Loan Party that is a Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) by any Non-Loan Party in the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Loan Party and (iv) without duplication of any other clauses of this Section 9.2, by any Loan Party in any Non-Loan Party that is a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (A) any such Investments made pursuant to this clause (iv) in the form of intercompany loans shall be evidenced by notes that have been pledged to the extent required by the Collateral Documents, the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement, Section 8.11 or Section 8.13 (individually or pursuant to a global note) to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Lenders and (B) the aggregate amount of Investments made pursuant to this clause (iv) shall not exceed $5,000,000 at any time outstanding (determined at the time such Investment was made);

 

(d)                                 Investments consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business, and Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors and other credits to suppliers in the ordinary course of business;

 

(e)                                  Investments consisting of Liens, Indebtedness, fundamental changes, Dispositions and Restricted Payments permitted under Sections 9.1, 9.3 (other than 9.3(c)(ii) or (d)), 9.4 (other than 9.4(c)(ii), (d) or (e)), 9.5 (other than 9.5(d)(ii) or (e)) and 9.6 (other than 9.6(d) or (g)(iv)), respectively;

 

(f)                                   Investments existing on the Effective Date or made pursuant to legally binding commitment in existence on the Effective Date, in each case, set forth on Schedule 9.2(f) and any modification, replacement, renewal, reinvestment or extension of any of the foregoing; provided that the amount of any Investment permitted pursuant to this Section 9.2(f) is not increased from the amount of such Investment on the Effective Date except pursuant to the terms of such Investment as of the Effective Date (including the terms of any legally binding commitment in respect thereof in effect as of the Effective Date) or as otherwise permitted by another clause of this Section 9.2;

 

(g)                                  Investments in Swap Contracts permitted under Section 9.3;

 

(h)                                 promissory notes and other non-cash consideration that is permitted to be received in connection with Dispositions permitted by Section 9.5;

 

(i)                                     Permitted Acquisitions; provided that, prior to the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, (i) no extensions of credit under the ABL Facility shall be utilized to finance any Permitted Acquisition and (ii) no Permitted Acquisition of Subsidiaries that do not become

 

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Guarantors or assets that do not become Collateral (other than assets of the type constituting “Excluded Property” or a similar term under any Collateral Document) shall be permitted;

 

(j)                                    Investments made to effect the Transaction;

 

(k)                                 Investments (including debt obligations and Equity Interests) received in connection with the bankruptcy, workout, recapitalization or reorganization of suppliers and customers or in settlement of delinquent obligations of, or other disputes with, customers, suppliers or other issuer of an Investment or upon the foreclosure with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

 

(l)                                     loans and advances to Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) in lieu of, and not in excess of the amount of (after giving effect to any other loans, advances or Restricted Payments in respect thereof), Restricted Payments to the extent permitted to be made to Holdings (or such direct or indirect parent) in accordance with Section 9.6(f) or (g);

 

(m)                             without duplication of any other clauses of this Section 9.2, other Investments that do not exceed when combined with all Restricted Payments made under Section 9.6(k), $5,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding;

 

(n)                                 advances of payroll payments to employees in the ordinary course of business;

 

(o)                                 Investments to the extent that payment for such Investments is made solely with Qualified Equity Interests of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof);

 

(p)                                 Investments held by a Restricted Subsidiary acquired after the Effective Date or of a Person merged into the Borrower or merged or consolidated with a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 9.4 after the Effective Date to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger or consolidation;

 

(q)                                 Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of UCC Article 3 endorsements for collection or deposit and UCC Article 4 customary trade arrangements with customers consistent with past practices;

 

(r)                                    without duplication of any other clause of this Section 9.2, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may make other Investments out of the Available Amount;

 

(s)                                   Investments made by any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to the extent such Investments are financed with the proceeds received by such Restricted Subsidiary from an Investment made pursuant to clauses (c)(iv), (i) or (m) of this Section 9.2.

 

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(t)                                    Guarantees by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of leases (other than Capitalized Leases) or of other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(u)                                 Investments consisting of cash earnest money deposits made in accordance with Section 9.1(s);

 

(v)                                 Investments in Joint Ventures in an aggregate amount outstanding at any time under this clause (v) not to exceed $2,500,000;

 

(w)                               Investments consisting of the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons;

 

(x)                                 Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials, services or equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(y)                                 to the extent constituting an Investment, the exercise by Holdings of its rights under the Shareholders Agreement.

 

SECTION 9.3                     Indebtedness.

 

Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness or issue any Disqualified Equity Interest, other than:

 

(a)                                 Indebtedness under the Loan Documents and Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness;

 

(b)                                 (i) Indebtedness existing on the Effective Date set forth on Schedule 9.3(b) and any Permitted Refinancing thereof and (ii) intercompany Indebtedness outstanding on the Effective Date; provided that all such Indebtedness of any Loan Party owed to any Non-Loan Party shall be subject to the Intercompany Subordination Agreement;

 

(c)                                  (i) Guarantees by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries otherwise permitted hereunder (other than Guarantees by a Loan Party of Indebtedness of a Non-Loan Party and except that a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party may not, by virtue of this Section 9.3(c), Guarantee Indebtedness that such Restricted Subsidiary could not otherwise incur under this Section 9.3); provided that (A) no Guarantee by any Restricted Subsidiary of any Junior Financing shall be permitted unless such Restricted Subsidiary shall have also provided a Guarantee of the Obligations substantially on the terms set forth in the Guaranty, and (B) if the Indebtedness being Guaranteed is subordinated to the Obligations, such Guarantee shall be subordinated to the Guaranty on terms (taken as a whole) at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the subordination terms of such Indebtedness (taken as a whole), and (ii) any Guarantee by a Loan Party of Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that would have been permitted as an Investment by such Loan Party in such Restricted Subsidiary under Section 9.2(c);

 

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(d)                                 Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries owing to the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary to the extent constituting an Investment permitted by Section 9.2; provided that all such Indebtedness of any Loan Party owed to any Person that is not a Loan Party shall be subject to the Intercompany Subordination Agreement;

 

(e)                                  (i) Capitalized Lease Obligations of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, (ii) mortgage financings and other purchase money obligations or Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) Disqualified Equity Interests issued by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case, incurred to finance the acquisition, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement of property, real or personal, and whether through the direct purchase of property or the Equity Interests of any Person owning such property; provided that such Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests is incurred prior to or within two hundred seventy (270) days after the applicable acquisition, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement; provided further that the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness and Disqualified Equity Interests at any one time outstanding incurred pursuant to this clause (e) (and any Permitted Refinancing thereof) shall not exceed the greater of $50,000,000 and 2.75% of Total Assets (measured at the time of incurrence); provided, further, that the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness incurred on behalf of or representing Guarantees of Indebtedness of Joint Ventures of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary under this clause (e) shall not exceed $10,000,000 at any time outstanding;

 

(f)                                   Indebtedness in respect of Swap Contracts that are not for speculative purposes and that are designed to hedge against Holdings’, the Borrower’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s exposure to interest rates, foreign exchange rates or commodities pricing risks;

 

(g)                                  Indebtedness representing deferred compensation to employees of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(h)                                 Indebtedness to future, current or former officers, directors, managers, consultants and employees of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) and its Restricted Subsidiaries, their respective estates, spouses or former spouses, in each case, to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower) permitted by Section 9.6(f);

 

(i)                                     Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in an Acquisition permitted under this Agreement, any other Investment expressly permitted hereunder or any Disposition, in each case to the extent constituting indemnification obligations or obligations in respect of purchase price (including earn-outs) or other similar adjustments; provided, in the case of any Disposition, any such Indebtedness shall at no time exceed the gross proceeds, including the Fair Market Value of non-cash proceeds (measured at the time received and without giving effect to any subsequent changes in value), actually received by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such Disposition;

 

(j)                                    Indebtedness consisting of obligations of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries under deferred compensation or other similar arrangements with

 

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employees incurred by such Person in connection with the Transaction and Acquisitions expressly permitted under this Agreement or any other Investment expressly permitted hereunder;

 

(k)                                 other Indebtedness in respect of netting services, automatic clearinghouse arrangements, overdraft protections, employee credit card programs and other cash management and similar arrangements in the ordinary course of business and any Guarantees thereof;

 

(l)                                     Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference at any time outstanding not to exceed the greater of $75,000,000 and 4.0% of Total Assets (measured at the time of incurrence);

 

(m)                             Indebtedness consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take-or-pay obligations contained in ordinary course supply arrangements;

 

(n)                                 Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees, bankers’ acceptances, warehouse receipts or similar instruments issued or created in the ordinary course of business, including in respect of workers compensation claims, health, disability or other benefits to employees, former employees or their families or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or letters of credit in connection with the maintenance, or pursuant to the requirements, of environmental or other permits or licenses from Governmental Authorities, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers compensation claims;

 

(o)                                 Indebtedness (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bank guarantees) in respect of performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and performance and completion guarantees and similar obligations provided by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry practice;

 

(p)                                 (i) Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $200,000,000 at any time outstanding under the ABL Facility and (ii) the amount of obligations in respect of (ii)(A) obligations under Secured Hedge Agreements and (B) Cash Management Obligations (in the case of each of the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement) at any time outstanding and not incurred in violation of Section 9.3(f), in each case and, in respect of clauses (i) and (ii), any Permitted Refinancing thereof;

 

(q)                                 (i) Indebtedness in respect of the Senior Notes (including any guarantees thereof) and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing thereof;

 

(r)                                    Indebtedness incurred by a Non-Loan Party which, when aggregated with the principal amount of all other Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (r) and then outstanding, does not exceed $25,000,000, at any one time outstanding;

 

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(s)                                   other unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor; provided that (i) the maturity date and Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Indebtedness are at least ninety-one (91) days after the Latest Maturity Date determined at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness (and any Permitted Refinancing thereof); (ii) no Event of Default exists immediately prior to, or would thereafter result from, the incurrence of such Indebtedness; (iii) the Total Leverage Ratio as of the end of the most recently ended Test Period for which financial statements have been or are required to have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or (b) shall not be greater than 4.50 to 1.00 after giving Pro Forma Effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness as if such Indebtedness had been incurred as of the first day of such period; and (iv) the terms and conditions of such Indebtedness (except (A) as otherwise provided in clause (i) above, (B) with respect to pricing (including interest rate, fees, funding discounts and other pricing terms), prepayment or other premiums, optional prepayment or redemption terms and subordination, and (C) for covenants or other provisions applicable only to periods after the Latest Maturity Date determined at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness) are (taken as a whole) are no more favorable to the lenders or holders providing such Indebtedness than those under the Loan Documents, taken as a whole (provided that a certificate of a Responsible Officer delivered to the Administrative Agent at least five (5) Business Days prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such Indebtedness or drafts of the material documentation relating thereto, stating that the Borrower has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the requirement of this clause (iv) shall be conclusive evidence that such terms and conditions satisfy such requirement unless the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of the Requisite Lenders) notifies the Borrower within such five (5) Business Day period that it disagrees with such determination (including a reasonably detailed description of the basis upon which it disagrees));

 

(t)                                    Indebtedness in respect of letters of credit issued for the account of any of the Subsidiaries of Holdings to finance the purchase of inventory so long as (x) such Indebtedness is unsecured and (y) the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness does not exceed $7,500,000 at any time;

 

(u)                                 Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests (i) of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred to finance any Acquisition permitted under this Agreement and any Permitted Refinancing thereof, (ii) of any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after the Effective Date, which Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests is existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, and is not incurred in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary that is non-recourse to the Borrower, Holdings or any other Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Subsidiary of such Person that is a Subsidiary on the date such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary) and is either (A) unsecured or (B) secured only by Liens on the assets of such Restricted Subsidiary permitted under Section 9.1(p) and, in each case, any Permitted Refinancing thereof, and (iii) of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred or assumed in connection with any Acquisition permitted under this Agreement that is secured only by Liens permitted under Section 9.1(p) (and any Permitted Refinancing of any of the foregoing), so long as the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests and all Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests resulting from any Permitted Refinancing thereof at any time outstanding pursuant to this clause (u)(iii) does not exceed $35,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding

 

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together with all other Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests incurred or assumed by Non-Loan Parties under this Section 9.3(u);

 

(v)                                 Indebtedness due to any landlord in connection with the financing by such landlord of leasehold improvements;

 

(w)                               Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary supported by, and recourse only to, a letter of credit permitted under this Section 9.3, in a principal amount not in excess of the face amount of such letter of credit;

 

(x)                                 (i) Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $460,000,000 at any time outstanding under the First Lien Facility and (ii) the amount of obligations in respect of (ii)(A) obligations under Secured Hedge Agreements and (B) Cash Management Obligations (in the case of each of the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement) at any time outstanding and not incurred in violation of Section 9.3(f), in each case and, in respect of clauses (i) and (ii), any Permitted Refinancing thereof; and

 

(y)                                 all premiums (if any), interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges and additional, capitalized or contingent interest on obligations described in clauses (a) through (x) above.

 

The accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value and the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests, as applicable, the accretion of original issue discount, fees or expenses, the accretion of liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies shall not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests for purposes of this Section 9.3.

 

SECTION 9.4                     Fundamental Changes.  Merge, amalgamate, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate with or into or wind up or convert into another Person, or Dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person, except that:

 

(a)                                 Holdings or any Restricted Subsidiary may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into, or convert or wind up into the Borrower (including a merger, the purpose of which is to reorganize the Borrower into a new jurisdiction); provided that (x) the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person, (y) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, conversion or winding up does not result in the Borrower ceasing to be organized under the Laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and (z) in the case of a merger, consolidation or amalgamation of Holdings with and into or converting or winding up into the Borrower, Holdings shall not be an obligor in respect of any Indebtedness that is not permitted to be Indebtedness of the Borrower under this Agreement, shall have no direct Subsidiaries at the time of such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, conversion or winding up other than the Borrower and, after giving effect to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, conversion or winding up, the direct parent of the Borrower shall expressly assume all the obligations of Holdings under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to

 

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which Holdings is a party pursuant to a supplement hereto or thereto in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of the Requisite Lenders);

 

(b)                                 (i) any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into or convert or wind up into any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party, (ii) any Restricted Subsidiary may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into or convert or wind up into any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a Loan Party, (iii) any merger, consolidation, amalgamation, conversion or winding up the sole purpose of which is to reincorporate or reorganize a Loan Party in another jurisdiction in the United States shall be permitted and (iv) any Restricted Subsidiary may wind up, liquidate, convert or dissolve or change its legal form if the Borrower determines in good faith that such action is in the best interests of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders; provided, in the case of clauses (ii) through (iv) of this paragraph (b), that (A) no Event of Default shall result therefrom, (B) no Change of Control shall result therefrom and (C) the surviving Person (or, with respect to clause (iv), the Person who receives the assets of such dissolving or liquidated Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor) shall be a Loan Party;

 

(c)                                  any Restricted Subsidiary may Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to the Borrower or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor in such a transaction is a Loan Party, then (i) the transferee must be a Loan Party or (ii) such Investment must be a permitted Investment in a Restricted Subsidiary which is not a Loan Party in accordance with Section 9.2 (other than clause (e) thereof) and must be a permitted Disposition in accordance with Section 9.5;

 

(d)                                 so long as no Default would exist immediately after giving effect thereto, the Borrower may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into, or convert into, any other Person; provided that (i) the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving corporation or (ii) if the Person formed by or surviving any such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or conversion is not the Borrower (any such Person, the “Successor Borrower”), (A) the Successor Borrower shall be an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof, (B) the Successor Borrower shall expressly assume all the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a party pursuant to a supplement hereto or thereto in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders), (C) each Guarantor, unless it is the other party to such merger, consolidation or amalgamation, shall have by a supplement to the Guaranty confirmed that its Guarantee of the Obligations shall apply to the Successor Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement, (D) each Loan Party, unless it is the other party to such merger, consolidation or amalgamation, shall have by a supplement to the Security Agreement confirmed that its obligations thereunder shall apply to the Successor Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement, (E) each mortgagor of a Mortgaged Property, unless it is the other party to such merger, consolidation or amalgamation, shall have by an amendment to or restatement of the applicable Mortgage (or other instrument reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders)) confirmed that its obligations thereunder shall apply to the Successor Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement, and (F) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an officer’s certificate and an opinion

 

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of counsel, each stating that such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or conversion and such supplement to this Agreement or any Collateral Document comply with this Agreement; provided, further, that if the foregoing are satisfied, the Successor Borrower will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Borrower under this Agreement;

 

(e)                                  so long as no Default would exist immediately after giving effect thereto, any Restricted Subsidiary may merge, consolidate, amalgamate with or into, or convert or wind up into any other Person in order to effect an Investment permitted pursuant to Section 9.2 (other than Section 9.2(e)); provided that the continuing or surviving Person shall be the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, which together with each of the Restricted Subsidiaries, shall have complied with the applicable requirements of Sections 8.11 and 8.13;

 

(f)                                   the Transaction may be consummated; and

 

(g)                                  so long as no Default would exist immediately after giving effect thereto, a merger, dissolution, liquidation, consolidation, amalgamation, conversion, winding up or Disposition, the purpose of which is to effect a Disposition permitted pursuant to Section 9.5 (other than Section 9.5(e)).

 

SECTION 9.5                     Dispositions.  Make any Disposition, except:

 

(a)                                 Dispositions of obsolete, worn out or damaged property or equipment, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in the ordinary course of business;

 

(b)                                 Dispositions of inventory and goods held for sale in the ordinary course of business;

 

(c)                                  Dispositions of property to the extent that (i) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property or (ii) the proceeds of such Disposition are promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement property; provided that to the extent the property being transferred constitutes Term Priority Collateral, such replacement property shall constitute Term Priority Collateral;

 

(d)                                 Dispositions of property to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor of such property is a Loan Party (i) the transferee thereof must be a Loan Party, (ii) to the extent constituting a Disposition to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, such Disposition must be a permitted Investment in a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in accordance with Section 9.2 (other than Section 9.2(e)) or (iii) to the extent constituting a Disposition to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, such Disposition is for fair value (as determined by the Person making such Disposition in good faith) and any promissory note or other non-cash consideration received in respect thereof is a permitted Investment in a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in accordance with Section 9.2 (other than Section 9.2(e) or (h));

 

(e)                                  Dispositions permitted by Section 9.2 (other than Section 9.2(e)), Section 9.4 (other than Section 9.4(g)) and Section 9.6 (other than Section 9.6(d)) and Liens permitted by Section 9.1 (other than Section 9.1(m)(ii));

 

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(f)                                   Dispositions of property pursuant to Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transactions;

 

(g)                                  any issuance or sale of Equity Interests in, or issuance or sale of Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

(h)                                 leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses (including the provision of software under an open source license), in each case in the ordinary course of business and which do not materially interfere with the business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

(i)                                     Dispositions of property subject to Recovery Events;

 

(j)                                    Dispositions of property (other than in connection with any sale and leaseback transaction) not otherwise permitted under this Section 9.5; provided that: (i) at the time of such Disposition (other than any such Disposition made pursuant to a legally binding commitment entered into at a time when no Default would exist immediately after giving effect thereto), no Default would exist immediately after giving effect to such Disposition; and (ii) the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries shall receive not less than 75% of such consideration in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents (in each case, free and clear of all Liens at the time received, other than Liens permitted by Section 9.1); provided, however, that for the purposes of this clause (ii), (A) any liabilities (as shown on the Borrower’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet provided hereunder or in the footnotes thereto) of the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated in right of payment to the payment in cash of the Obligations (other than contingent indemnification and reimbursement obligations as to which no claim has been asserted by the Person entitled thereto), that are assumed by the transferee with respect to the applicable Disposition and for which the Borrower and all of the Restricted Subsidiaries shall have been validly released by all applicable creditors in writing, (B) any securities received by such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by such Restricted Subsidiary into cash (to the extent of the cash received) within one hundred eighty (180) days following the closing of the applicable Disposition and (C) any Designated Non-Cash Consideration received in respect of such Disposition having an aggregate Fair Market Value as determined by the Borrower in good faith, taken together with all other Designated Non-Cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (C) that is at that time outstanding, not in excess of the greater of $25,000,000 and 1.5% of Total Assets (measured at the time such Designated Non-Cash Consideration is received), with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value, shall be deemed to be cash;

 

(k)                                 Dispositions of Investments in Joint Ventures to the extent required by, or made pursuant to customary buy/sell arrangements between, the Joint Venture parties set forth in Joint Venture arrangements and similar binding arrangements;

 

(l)                                     bulk sales or other Dispositions of the inventory of a Loan Party not in the ordinary course of business in connection with Store closings, at arm’s length;

 

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(m)                             the unwinding of any Swap Contract;

 

(n)                                 the lapse or abandonment in the ordinary course of business of any registrations or applications for registration of any IP Rights that are immaterial to the business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

(o)                                 to the extent allowable under Section 1031 of the Code (or comparable or successor provision) of comparable or greater market value or usefulness to the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, any exchange of like property (excluding any boot thereon permitted by such provision) for use in any business conducted by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries that is not in contravention of Section 9.7;

 

(p)                                 Dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with the collection or compromise thereof other than in connection with a financing transaction;

 

(q)                                 sales or other Dispositions by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of assets in connection with the closing or sale of a Store in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries which consist of leasehold interests in the premises of such Store, the equipment and fixtures located at such premises and the books and records relating directly to the operations of such Store; provided that as to each and all such sales and closings, (A) no Event of Default shall result therefrom and (B) each such sale shall be on commercially reasonable prices and terms in a bona fide arm’s length transaction; and

 

(r)                                    Dispositions of cash and Cash Equivalents;

 

provided that any Disposition of any property pursuant to this Section 9.5 (except pursuant to Sections 9.5(a), (d)(i), (e), (i), (k), (m), (n), (o) and (p) and except for Dispositions from the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Loan Party to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Loan Party), shall be for no less than the Fair Market Value of such property at the time of such Disposition as determined by the Borrower in good faith.  To the extent any Collateral is Disposed of as expressly permitted by this Section 9.5 to any Person other than a Loan Party, such Collateral shall be sold free and clear of the Liens created by the Loan Documents, and, if requested by the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of the Requisite Lenders), upon the certification by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower that such Disposition is permitted by this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to take any actions deemed appropriate in order to effect the foregoing.

 

SECTION 9.6                     Restricted Payments.  Declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except:

 

(a)                                 each Restricted Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to the Borrower and to its other Restricted Subsidiaries (and, in the case of a Restricted Payment by a non-wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary, to the Borrower and any of its other Restricted Subsidiaries and to each other owner of Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary based on their relative ownership interests of the relevant class of Equity Interests);

 

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(b)                                 the Borrower and each of the Restricted Subsidiaries may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in the Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests not otherwise permitted by Section 9.3) of such Person;

 

(c)                                  Restricted Payments used to fund the Transaction and the payment of any fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transaction or owed by the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiaries to Affiliates, and any other payments made, including any such payments made to any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower to enable it to make payments in connection with the consummation of the Transaction, whether payable on the Effective Date or thereafter, in each case, to the extent permitted by Section 9.8 and set forth on Schedule 9.6(c);

 

(d)                                 to the extent constituting Restricted Payments, Holdings, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may enter into and consummate transactions expressly permitted by any provision of Section 9.2 (other than Section 9.2(e) or (l)) or 9.4 (other than a merger, amalgamation or consolidation of Holdings and the Borrower));

 

(e)                                  repurchases of Equity Interests in Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries deemed to occur upon the non-cash exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants;

 

(f)                                   the Borrower may pay (or make Restricted Payments to allow Holdings or any direct or indirect parent thereof to pay) for the repurchase, retirement or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests of Holdings (or of any direct or indirect parent of Holdings) held directly or indirectly by any future, present or former employee, director or consultant (or any spouses, former spouses, successors, executors, administrators, estate or tax planning entities, heirs, legatees or distributees of any of the foregoing) of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower) or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or any agreement or arrangement with any employee, director or consultant of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower) or any of its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount after the Effective Date together with the aggregate amount of loans and advances to Holdings made pursuant to Section 9.2(l) in lieu of Restricted Payments permitted by this clause (f) not to exceed (x) prior to the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, $2,000,000 in any calendar year (with any unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to the immediately succeeding calendar year subject to a maximum (without giving effect to the following proviso) of $4,000,000 in any calendar year) or (y) from and after the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, $3,500,000 in any calendar year (with any unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to the two immediately succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum (without giving effect to the following proviso) of $10,000,000 in any calendar year); provided, that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed the sum of:

 

(i)                           the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Borrower, any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower (to the extent contributed to the Borrower) or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries after the Effective Date; plus

 

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(ii)                        the cash proceeds received by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries from the sale of Qualified Equity Interests (other than any amount designated as a Cure Amount (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement) or any amount increasing the Available Amount) of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower (to the extent contributed to the Borrower) to members of management, directors or consultants of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower that occurs after the Effective Date; provided that any such equity contribution made by, or Net Cash Proceeds received from, the Sponsors in connection with the exchange or refinancing of the First Lien Stub Term Loans or the Senior Notes shall not be included under this clause (ii) until on or following the 12 month anniversary of the Effective Date; plus

 

(iii)                     the amount of any cash bonuses otherwise payable to members of management, directors or consultants of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or any of the Borrower’s direct or indirect parents in connection with the Transaction that are foregone in return for the receipt of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any of its direct or indirect parents; minus

 

(iv)                    the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments previously made with the cash proceeds described in foregoing clauses (i), (ii), and (iii);

 

(g)                                  the Borrower may make Restricted Payments to Holdings or to any direct or indirect parent of Holdings:

 

(i)                           the proceeds of which will be used to pay (or make Restricted Payments to allow any direct or indirect parent thereof to pay) foreign, federal, state or local income taxes (as the case may be) imposed directly on Holdings or such parent in respect of income of the Borrower and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries, including any Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of which a consolidated, combined, unitary or affiliated return is filed by Holdings (or such direct or indirect parent) that includes the Borrower and/or any of its Subsidiaries, to the extent such income tax liability does not exceed the lesser of (A) the taxes that would have been payable by the Borrower and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries as a stand-alone group and (B) the actual tax liability of Holdings’ consolidated, combined, unitary or affiliated group (or, if Holdings is not the parent of the actual group, the taxes that would have been paid by Holdings, the Borrower and/or the Borrower’s Restricted Subsidiaries as a stand-alone group), reduced by any such taxes paid or to be paid directly by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(ii)                        the proceeds of which shall be used to pay (or make Restricted Payments to allow any direct or indirect parent thereof to pay) operating costs and expenses of Holdings or its direct or indirect parents incurred in the ordinary course of business and other corporate overhead costs and expenses, which are incurred in the ordinary course of business to the extent attributable to the ownership or operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

 

(iii)                     the proceeds of which shall be used to pay (or make Restricted Payments to allow any direct or indirect parent thereof to pay) franchise taxes and other fees, taxes and expenses required to maintain its (or any of such direct or indirect parent’s)

 

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corporate existence to the extent attributable to the ownership or operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

 

(iv)                    to finance any Investment permitted to be made pursuant to Section 9.2; provided that (A) such Restricted Payment shall be made concurrently with the closing of such Investment (and no earlier than one (1) Business Day prior to the closing of such Investment), (B) such parent shall, immediately following the closing thereof, cause (1) all property acquired (whether assets or Equity Interests) to be contributed to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary or (2) the merger, consolidation, amalgamation, conversion, winding up or Disposition (to the extent permitted in Section 9.4) of the Person formed or acquired into the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in order to consummate such Investment, in each case, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 8.11, 8.13 and 9.2, (C) such direct or indirect parent company and its Affiliates (other than the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary) receives no consideration or other payment in connection with such transaction, except to the extent the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary could have given such consideration or made such payment in compliance with Section 9.8, (D) any property received by the Borrower shall not increase the Available Amount pursuant to clause (c) of the definition thereof and (E) such Investment shall be deemed to be made by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to a provision of Section 9.2 (other than clause (o) thereof);

 

(v)                       the proceeds of which shall be used to pay (or make Restricted Payments to allow any direct or indirect parent thereof to pay) fees and expenses (other than to Affiliates) related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering of such parent;

 

(vi)                    the proceeds of which (A) shall be used to pay customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to officers and employees of Holdings or any direct or indirect parent company of Holdings to the extent such salaries, bonuses and other benefits are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries or (B) shall be used to make payments permitted under Sections 9.8(c), (g) and (i) (but only to the extent such payments have not been and are not expected to be made by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary); and

 

(vii)                 the proceeds of which shall be used to pay interest and/or principal on Indebtedness the proceeds of which Indebtedness have been contributed to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and that has been guaranteed by, or is otherwise considered Indebtedness of, the Borrower incurred in accordance with Section 9.3 and any such interest in respect of such Indebtedness paid or required to be paid by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is included in Consolidated Interest Expense;

 

(h)                                 Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries may pay cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional Equity Interests upon the exercise of options or warrants or the conversion or exchange of Equity Interests of any such Person or such Person’s direct or indirect parents;

 

(i)                                     [reserved];

 

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(j)                                    repurchases of Equity Interests (i) deemed to occur upon the non-cash exercise of options by the delivery of Equity Interests in satisfaction of the exercise price of such options or (ii) in consideration of withholding or similar Taxes payable directly or indirectly by any future, present or former employee, director, manager or consultant (or any spouses, former spouses, successors, executors, administrators, estate or tax planning entities, heirs, legatees or distributes of any of the foregoing), including deemed repurchases in connection with the exercise of stock options;

 

(k)                                 [reserved];

 

(l)                                     so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, Restricted Payments out of the Available Amount;

 

(m)                             [reserved];

 

(n)                                 [reserved];

 

(o)                                 the payment of any dividend or distribution within sixty (60) days after the date of declaration thereof, if at the date of declaration (i) such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Agreement and (ii) no Event of Default occurred and was continuing;

 

(p)                                 payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders pursuant to applicable Law; and

 

(q)                                 the distribution, by dividend or otherwise, of Equity Interests of, or Indebtedness owed to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary by, Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

SECTION 9.7                     Change in Nature of Business.  Engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business conducted by Holdings, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on the Effective Date or any business reasonably related or ancillary thereto.

 

SECTION 9.8                     Transactions with Affiliates.  Enter into any transaction of any kind with any Affiliate (other than Holdings) of the Borrower, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, other than:

 

(a)                                 transactions between or among the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or any entity that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction;

 

(b)                                 transactions on terms not materially less favorable to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary as would be obtainable by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate;

 

(c)                                  the execution of the Transaction and the payment of fees and expenses related to the Transaction;

 

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(d)                                 the issuance of Equity Interests of Holdings to any officer, director, employee or consultant of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings in connection with the Transaction;

 

(e)                                  the entering into of any Sponsor Management Agreement or any other agreement (and any amendment or modification of any such agreement) to pay, and the payment of management, consulting, monitoring, advisory, termination and other fees, indemnities, expenses and reimbursements to the Sponsors pursuant to any Sponsor Management Agreement (plus any unpaid management, consulting, monitoring, advisory and other fees, indemnities, expenses and reimbursements accrued in any prior year) and any Sponsor Termination Fees pursuant to any Sponsor Management Agreement in an aggregate amount not in excess of $5,000,000 in any fiscal year; provided that during any period in which an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would immediately thereafter result from the making of such payment, the annual fixed management fee and any termination fees pursuant to any Sponsor Management Agreement may accrue, but not be paid, and following the waiver or cure of such Event of Default, such accrued management fee may be paid to the Sponsors; provided, further, that any payment not made in any Fiscal Year may be carried forward and paid in any succeeding Fiscal Year;

 

(f)                                   the issuance of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock option and stock ownership plans or similar employee benefit plans approved by the Board of Directors of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower or of a Restricted Subsidiary, as appropriate, in good faith;

 

(g)                                  the payment of reasonable and customary fees and reimbursement of expenses paid to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, directors, officers, employees and consultants of Holdings, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings;

 

(h)                                 any agreement, instrument or arrangement as in effect as of the Effective Date and set forth on Schedule 9.8(h), or any amendment thereto (so long as any such amendment, taken together with all other amendments thereto since the Effective Date, is not more adverse to the Lenders in any material respect as compared to the applicable agreement as in effect on the Effective Date) or any transaction contemplated thereby as determined in good faith by the Borrower;

 

(i)                                     Investments permitted under Section 9.2;

 

(j)                                    Restricted Payments permitted under Section 9.6;

 

(k)                                 payments by the Borrower and any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to the Sponsors made for any financial advisory, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities (including in connection with acquisitions or divestitures), which payments are approved by the majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Borrower in good faith;

 

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(l)                                     transactions in which the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, delivers to the Administrative Agent a letter from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that such transaction is fair to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or meets the requirements of clause (b) of this Section 9.8;

 

(m)                             the issuance of Qualified Equity Interests of Holdings to any Permitted Holder or to any member of the Management Group;

 

(n)                                 payments to or from, and transactions with, Joint Ventures (other than Joint Ventures in which any Affiliate of the Borrower (other than the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries) has an ownership or control interest) in the ordinary course of business to the extent otherwise permitted under Section 9.2;

 

(o)                                 employment and severance arrangements between the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries and their respective officers, employees or consultants in the ordinary course of business;

 

(p)                                 the existence of, or the performance by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of, any stockholders or similar agreement (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of the Effective Date (other than any Sponsor Management Agreement) and any amendment thereto or similar transactions, arrangements or agreements which it may enter into thereafter; provided, however, that the existence of, or the performance by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under, any future amendment to any such existing transaction, arrangement or agreement or under any similar transaction, arrangement or agreement entered into after the Effective Date shall only be permitted by this clause (p) to the extent that the terms of any such existing transaction, arrangement or agreement together with all amendments thereto, taken as a whole, or new agreement are not otherwise more disadvantageous to the Lenders in any material respect than the original transaction, arrangement or agreement as in effect on the Effective Date in the reasonable determination of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower;

 

(q)                                 transactions with customers, clients, suppliers or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, or transactions otherwise relating to the purchase or sale of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Agreement, which are fair to the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the reasonable determination of the Board of Directors or the senior management of the Borrower, or are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party;

 

(r)                                    the entering into of any tax sharing agreement or arrangement and payments made with respect thereto, in each case between or among the Borrower (and/or any direct or indirect parent thereof) and its Subsidiaries; provided that in each case the amount of such payments in any taxable year does not exceed the amount that the Borrower, its Restricted Subsidiaries and its Unrestricted Subsidiaries (to the extent of the amount received from Unrestricted Subsidiaries) would be required to pay in respect of foreign, federal, state and local

 

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taxes for such taxable year were the Borrower, its Restricted Subsidiaries and its Unrestricted Subsidiaries (to the extent described above) to pay such taxes separately from any such direct or indirect parent company of the Borrower;

 

(s)                                   transactions between the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries and any Person other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary which would constitute a transaction with an Affiliate solely because a director of such Person is also a director of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower; provided, however, that such director abstains from voting as a director of the Borrower or such direct or indirect parent, as the case may be, on any matter involving such other Person;

 

(t)                                    any contribution to the capital of the Borrower;

 

(u)                                 the existence of, or the performance by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of, the Lease Letter Agreement; and

 

(v)                                 pledges of Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

SECTION 9.9                     Burdensome Agreements.  Enter into or permit to exist any Contractual Obligation (other than this Agreement or any other Loan Document) that prohibits, restricts, imposes any condition on or limits the ability of (a) any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to make Restricted Payments to (directly or indirectly) or to make or repay loans or advances to any Loan Party or to Guarantee the Obligations of any Loan Party under the Loan Documents or (b) any Loan Party to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Liens on property of such Person for the benefit of the Lenders with respect to the Facility and the Obligations under the Loan Documents; provided that the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) shall not apply to Contractual Obligations that:

 

(i)                           (x) exist on the Effective Date and (to the extent not otherwise permitted by this Section 9.9) are listed on Schedule 9.9 hereto and (y) to the extent Contractual Obligations permitted by clause (x) are set forth in an agreement evidencing Indebtedness, are set forth in any agreement evidencing any permitted modification, replacement, renewal, extension or refinancing of such Indebtedness so long as such modification, replacement, renewal, extension or refinancing does not expand the scope of such Contractual Obligation;

 

(ii)                        are binding on a Restricted Subsidiary at the time such Restricted Subsidiary first becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, so long as such Contractual Obligations were not entered into in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and such Contractual Obligations are not applicable to any other Person, or the properties of any other Person, other than the Person and its Subsidiaries, or the property (and the proceeds and products thereof) of the Person and its Subsidiaries, so acquired;

 

(iii)                     represent Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party that is permitted by Section 9.3, so long as such Contractual Obligations will not materially affect the Borrower’s ability to make anticipated principal or interest payments on the Loans (as determined in good faith by the Borrower);

 

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(iv)                    are customary restrictions that arise in connection with (x) any Lien permitted by Section 9.1 or any document or restriction governing or evidencing such permitted Lien, and relate only to the property subject to such Lien or (y) any Disposition permitted by Section 9.5 applicable pending such Disposition solely to the assets subject to such Disposition;

 

(v)                       are customary provisions in Joint Venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to Joint Ventures permitted under Section 9.2 and applicable solely to such Joint Venture entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(vi)                    are negative pledges and restrictions on Liens in favor of any holder of Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.3 but solely to the extent any negative pledge or restriction on Lien relates to the property financed by or the subject of such Indebtedness (and excluding in any event any Indebtedness constituting any Junior Financing) and the proceeds and products thereof and, in the case of the ABL Facility and any Permitted Refinancing thereof, permit the Liens securing the Obligations without restriction (subject to the Intercreditor Agreement and, to the extent such agreement is then effective, the Notes Intercreditor Agreement, if applicable);

 

(vii)                 are customary restrictions on leases, subleases, licenses or asset sale agreements otherwise permitted hereby so long as such restrictions relate to the assets subject thereto;

 

(viii)              comprise restrictions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 9.3 to the extent that such restrictions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness;

 

(ix)                    are customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(x)                       are customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xi)                    are restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xii)                 are restrictions contained in Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, the First Lien Facility Documentation, the ABL Facility Documentation, the Senior Notes Indenture or the Senior Notes, and any Permitted Refinancing of any of the foregoing;

 

(xiii)              comprise restrictions imposed by any agreement governing Indebtedness entered into after the Effective Date and permitted under Section 9.3 that are, taken as a whole, in the good faith judgment of the Borrower, no more restrictive with respect to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary than customary market terms for Indebtedness of such type (and, in any event, are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than the restrictions contained in this Agreement, taken as a whole), so long as the Borrower shall have determined in good

 

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faith that such restrictions will not affect its obligation or ability to make any payments required hereunder;

 

(xiv)             exist under or by reason of applicable Law;

 

(xv)                exist under or by reason of any Contractual Obligation of a Person acquired by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in an Acquisition permitted under this Agreement which was in existence at the time of such Acquisition (but not created in contemplation thereof or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person and its Subsidiaries, or the property or assets of the Person and its Subsidiaries, so acquired;

 

(xvi)             are restrictions contained in Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreements (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement as in effect on the Effective Date) and other standard documentation that any Issuer (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement as in effect on the Effective Date) requires to be executed by any Loan Party with respect to the issuance of any Letter of Credit (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement as in effect on the Effective Date);

 

(xvii)          [reserved];

 

(xviii)       are restrictions contained in the Shareholders Agreement; or

 

(xix)             are imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (i) through (xviii) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Borrower, no more restrictive with respect to such dividend and other restrictions than those contained in the dividend or other restrictions prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.

 

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 9.9, the subordination of loans or advances made to Holdings, the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary to other Indebtedness incurred by Holdings, the Borrower or any such Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advance.

 

SECTION 9.10                                      Fiscal Year.

 

Make any change in its Fiscal Year; provided, however, that (a) any Restricted Subsidiary acquired after the Effective Date may change its Fiscal Year to conform to the Fiscal Year of Holdings and the Borrower and (b) Holdings, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may, upon written notice to the Administrative Agent, change their Fiscal Year to any other fiscal year reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders), in which case the Borrower and the Administrative Agent will, and are hereby authorized by the Lenders to, make any adjustments to

 

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this Agreement that the Borrower and the Administrative Agent mutually agree, acting reasonably, are necessary to reflect such change in fiscal year.

 

SECTION 9.11                                      Prepayments, Etc. of Junior Financing.

 

Prepay, redeem, purchase, defease or otherwise satisfy prior to the scheduled maturity thereof in any manner any Junior Financing (it being understood that payments of regularly scheduled principal and interest and mandatory offers to repay any Junior Financing or mandatory prepayments of principal, premium and interest shall be permitted), except (i) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, any prepayment, redemption, purchase, defeasance or other satisfaction of any Junior Financing may be made out of the Available Amount; (ii) upon and after the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, the payment, redemption, purchase or defeasance of the Senior Notes held by Persons that are not Affiliates of the Borrower prior to the stated maturity thereof in a principal face amount not to exceed $12,500,000 together with any interest accrued thereon; (iii) the conversion (or exchange) of any Junior Financing to Qualified Equity Interests or Indebtedness of any of Holdings’ direct or indirect parents; (iv) the prepayment of Junior Financing of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary owed to Holdings, the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary; (v) any Permitted Refinancing of any Junior Financing; (vi) any prepayment, redemption, purchase, defeasance or other satisfaction with the Net Cash Proceeds of any Permitted Equity Issuance; and (vii) the prepayment of Junior Financing incurred pursuant to clauses  (e), (f),(h), (k) and (u) of Section 9.3; provided, that prepayments of Junior Financing incurred pursuant to (A) clause (h) of Section 9.3 shall not exceed (x) prior to the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, $2,000,000 in any calendar year (with any unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to the immediately succeeding calendar year subject to a maximum of $4,000,000 in any calendar year) or (y) from and after the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, $3,500,000 in any calendar year (with any unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to the two immediately succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum of $10,000,000 in any calendar year) and (B) clause (u) of Section 9.3 shall not exceed (x) prior to the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, $2,500,000 in any calendar year or (y) from and after the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, $10,000,000 in any calendar year.

 

SECTION 9.12                                      Modification of Agreements.

 

Amend, modify or change in any manner materially adverse to the interest of the Lenders (i) any term or condition of any Junior Financing Documentation (other than as a result of a Permitted Refinancing thereof and in any event (x) excluding the ABL Facility and any Permitted Refinancing thereof and any Indebtedness under the Loan Documents and (y) with respect to any secured Permitted Refinancing in respect of the Senior Notes, amendments, modifications or changes permitted under the Notes Intercreditor Agreement will be permitted), (ii) any Constituent Documents of Holdings, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries, (iii) any Sponsor Management Agreement and (iv) the Shareholders Agreement, in each case, without the consent of the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction of, or with the consent of, the Requisite Lenders).

 

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SECTION 9.13                                      Holdings.  In the case of Holdings, conduct, transact or otherwise engage in any business or operations other than the following (and activities or operations incidental thereto):  (i) its ownership of the Equity Interests of the Borrower, (ii) the maintenance of its legal existence (including the ability to incur fees, costs and expenses relating to such maintenance), (iii) the performance of its obligations with respect to the Loan Documents, any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, the First Lien Facility, the First Lien Facility Documentation, the ABL Facility, the ABL Facility Documentation, any Senior Notes (or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof), the Senior Notes Indenture, the Lease Letter Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement, the other agreements contemplated by the First Lien Facility, the ABL Facility, the Senior Notes (or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof), the Senior Notes Indenture, (iv) any public offering of its common stock or any other issuance of its Equity Interests or making payments or restricted payments with any amounts received in any transaction permitted under Section 9.6, (v) the issuance of Qualified Equity Interests, (vi) making contributions to the capital of its Subsidiaries, (vii) guaranteeing the obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries solely to the extent such obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are not prohibited hereunder, (viii) participating in tax, accounting and other administrative matters as a member of the consolidated group of Holdings, any direct or indirect parent of Holdings, and the Borrower, (ix) holding any cash or property received in connection with Restricted Payments made by the Borrower in accordance with Section 9.6 pending application or further distribution thereof by Holdings, (x) providing indemnification to officers and directors, (xi) the performance of its obligations with respect to the documentation for any Indebtedness of Holdings permitted under Section 9.3, (xii) any other actions expressly permitted to be undertaken by Holdings under any of the Loan Documents; and (xiii) activities or operations incidental to the businesses or activities described in clauses (i) to (xii) of this Section 9.13.

 

SECTION 9.14                                      Anti-Layering.  Create or incur any Indebtedness for borrowed money (other than the Obligations) which is secured by a Lien on the Collateral, which Lien is subordinated in right of priority to the Lien securing the First Lien Facility, unless the Lien securing such Indebtedness for borrowed money is also subordinated in right of priority in the same manner, and to the same extent, to the Lien securing the Obligations. Notwithstanding  the foregoing, this Section 9.14 shall not prohibit (a) any portion of the Obligations (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement) from being subordinated (by operation of a “waterfall” provision or otherwise) in right of payment to any other portion of the Obligations (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement), (b) the granting of liens to secure any portion of the Obligations (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement) which is subordinated and junior in priority to the liens of any other portion of the Obligations (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement), in each case whether in effect on the Effective Date or entered into thereafter, (c) any portion of such Obligations (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement) being incurred by a Subsidiary of the Borrower so long as such Indebtedness for borrowed money is otherwise permitted to be incurred by such  Subsidiary  under Section 9.3 and such Subsidiary is a Guarantor hereunder or (d) any portion of such Obligations (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement) from being unsecured or secured by different collateral.

 

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ARTICLE X

 

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

SECTION 10.1                                      Events of Default.  Each of the events referred to in clauses (a) through (l) of this Section 10.1 shall constitute an “Event of Default

 

(a)                                 Non-Payment.  The Borrower fails to pay (i) when due, any amount of principal of any Loan, or (ii) within five (5) Business Days after the same becomes due, any interest on any Loan or any other amount payable hereunder or with respect to any other Loan Document; or

 

(b)                                 Specific Covenants.  The Borrower, any Restricted Subsidiary or, in the case of Section 9.13, Holdings, fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in (A) Section 7.2(a) or Section 8.1(a) (solely with respect to the Borrower), (B) Section 7.3(a), (C) Section 8.9 or (D) Article IX; or

 

(c)                                  Other Defaults.

 

(i)                                     Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement (not specified in Section 10.1(a) or (b) above) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed and such failure continues for thirty (30) days after receipt by the Borrower of written notice thereof from the Administrative Agent; or

 

(ii)                                  The Senior Notes outstanding as of the Effective Date, with a stated maturity date prior to the date that is 91 days after the Scheduled Termination Date (any such Indebtedness, “Stub Notes Indebtedness”) that remain outstanding at any time following the occurrence of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, have not been repaid, converted, redeemed, repurchased or refinanced in full on or before the stated maturity date thereof, or the stated maturity date therefor extended on or before such date to a date that is at least 91 days after the Scheduled Termination Date, pursuant to one or more transactions permitted under this Agreement; or

 

(d)                                 Representations and Warranties.  Any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by any Loan Party herein, in any other Loan Document, or in any document required to be delivered in connection herewith or therewith shall be untrue in any material respect when made or deemed made; or

 

(e)                                  Cross-Default.  Any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary (i) fails to make any payment beyond the applicable grace period, if any, whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise, in respect of (x) any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness hereunder) having an aggregate outstanding principal amount (individually or in the aggregate with all other Indebtedness as to which such a failure shall exist) of not less than $25,000,000 or (y) any Stub Notes Indebtedness, or (ii) fails to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness, or any other event occurs (other than, with respect to Indebtedness consisting of Swap Contracts, termination events or equivalent events pursuant to the terms of such Swap Contracts and not as a result of any default thereunder by any Loan Party) the effect of which default or other event is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or

 

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an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity; provided that this clause (e)(ii) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due or subject to a mandatory offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, if such sale or transfer is permitted hereunder and under the documents providing for such Indebtedness; provided further that such failure is unremedied and is not waived by the holders of such Indebtedness prior to any termination of the Aggregate Commitments or acceleration of the Loans pursuant to Section 10.2; and, provided, further, that no such event under the ABL Facility (other than a payment default or any default relating to insolvency or any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law) shall constitute an Event of Default under this Section 10.1(e) until the earliest to occur of (x) the date that is thirty (30) days after such event or circumstance (but only if such event or circumstance has not been waived or cured), (y) the acceleration of the Indebtedness under the ABL Facility and (z) the exercise of any remedies by the ABL Facility Administrative Agent or collateral agent or any lenders under the ABL Facility in respect of any Collateral; or

 

(f)                                   Insolvency Proceedings, Etc. Holdings, the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary institutes or consents to the institution of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator, administrator, administrative receiver or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator, administrator, administrative receiver or similar officer is appointed without the application or consent of such Person and the appointment continues undischarged or unstayed for sixty (60) calendar days; or any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law relating to any such Person or to all or any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of such Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for sixty (60) calendar days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding; or

 

(g)                                  Judgments.  There is entered against any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary a final judgment or order for the payment of money in an aggregate amount exceeding $25,000,000 (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer has been notified of such judgment or order and has not denied or failed to acknowledge coverage thereof) and such judgment or order shall not have been satisfied, vacated, discharged or stayed or bonded pending an appeal for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days; or

 

(h)                                 ERISA.  (i)  An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or would reasonably be expected to result in liability of any Loan Party or their respective ERISA Affiliates under Title IV of ERISA in an aggregate amount which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) any Loan Party or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its Withdrawal Liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

(i)                                     Invalidity of Loan Documents.  Any material provision of any Loan Document at any time after its execution and delivery by any Loan Party and for any

 

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reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder (including as a result of a transaction permitted under Section 9.4 or 9.5) or the Discharge of Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect; or any Loan Party contests in writing the validity or enforceability of any provision of any such Loan Document; or any Loan Party denies in writing that it has any or further liability or obligation under any such Loan Document (other than as a result of the Discharge of Obligations), or purports in writing to revoke or rescind any such Loan Document; or

 

(j)                                    Collateral Documents.  Any Collateral Document after delivery thereof pursuant to Section 4.1 or 8.11 shall for any reason (other than pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof including as a result of a transaction permitted under Section 9.4 or 9.5) cease to create, or any Lien purported to be created by any Collateral Document shall be asserted in writing by any Loan Party not to be, a valid and perfected Lien, with the priority required by the Collateral Documents (or other security purported to be created on the applicable Collateral) on and security interest in any material portion of the Collateral purported to be covered thereby, subject to Liens permitted under Section 9.1, except (x) to the extent that any such loss of perfection or priority results from acts or omissions of the Collateral Agent, any co-agent or sub-agent of the Collateral Agent appointed in accordance with Article XI or any Lender, including the failure of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent to maintain possession of certificates actually delivered to it representing securities pledged under the Collateral Documents, (y) to the extent that any UCC continuation statements are not filed while the Obligations are outstanding or (z) as to Collateral consisting of real property to the extent that such losses are covered by a lender’s title insurance policy and such insurer has not denied coverage; provided that, for purposes of this paragraph (j), the Guaranty shall be deemed not to be a Collateral Document; or

 

(k)                                 Junior Financing Documentation.  (i) Any of the Obligations of the Loan Parties under the Loan Documents for any reason shall cease to be “Senior Indebtedness” (or any comparable term) or “Senior Secured Financing” (or any comparable term) under, and as defined in any Junior Financing Documentation governing Junior Financing subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations under the Loan Documents with an aggregate principal amount of not less than $25,000,000 or (ii) the subordination provisions set forth in any Junior Financing Documentation governing Junior Financing subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations under the Loan Documents with an aggregate principal amount of not less than $25,000,000 shall, in whole or in part, cease to be effective or cease to be legally valid, binding and enforceable against the holders of any such Junior Financing, if applicable; or

 

(l)                                     Change of Control.  There occurs any Change of Control.

 

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SECTION 10.2                                      Remedies upon Event of Default.

 

(a)                                 If any Event of Default (other than as set forth in the proviso hereto) occurs and is continuing, the Administrative Agent may with the consent of, and shall at the request of, the Requisite Lenders take any or all of the following actions by notice to the Borrower:

 

(i)                                     declare the Commitments of each Lender to be terminated, whereupon such Commitments shall be terminated;

 

(ii)                                  declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower; and

 

(iii)                               exercise on behalf of itself and the Lenders all rights and remedies available to it and the Lenders under the Loan Documents or applicable Law;

 

provided that upon the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, the Commitments of each Lender shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, in each case without further act of the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

 

(b)                                 The Borrower hereby irrevocably waives the right to direct the application of any and all payments in respect of the Obligations and any proceeds of Collateral after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default.

 

SECTION 10.3                                      Application of Funds.  After the occurrence and during the continuance of the exercise of remedies following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default provided for in Section 10.2 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable as set forth in the proviso to Section 10.2), any amounts received on account of the Obligations shall be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:

 

First, ratably, pay any reasonable and documented fees, indemnities, or out-of-pocket expense reimbursements then due to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent from the Borrower;

 

Second, ratably, to pay any reasonable and documented fees or out-of-pocket expense reimbursements then due to the Lenders from the Borrower;

 

Third, to pay interest due and payable in respect of any Loans, ratably;

 

Fourth, to pay principal on the Loans;

 

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Fifth, to pay the Obligations in respect of any Prepayment Premium then due and payable to the Lenders;

 

Sixth, to the payment of any other Obligation due to the Administrative Agent or any Lender by the Borrower;

 

Seventh, as provided for under the Intercreditor Agreement, the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Notes Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable; and

 

Eighth, after all of the Obligations have been paid in full, to the Borrower or as the Borrower shall direct or as otherwise required by Law.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if sufficient funds are not available to fund all payments to be made in respect of any Secured Obligation described in any of clauses First through Seventh above, the available funds being applied with respect to any such Secured Obligation (unless otherwise specified in such clause) shall be allocated to the payment of such Secured Obligation ratably, based on the proportion of the Administrative Agent’s and each Lender’s interest in the aggregate outstanding Secured Obligations described in such clauses.  The order of priority set forth in clauses First through Eighth above may be changed only with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent in addition to that of all Lenders.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

 

SECTION 11.1                                      Appointment and Authorization.

 

(a)                                 Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints Wilmington Trust, National Association to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.  The provisions of this Article XI (other than Sections 11.6 and 11.11) are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, and the Borrower shall not have rights as a third party beneficiary of any such provision.

 

(b)                                 The Administrative Agent shall also act as the “Collateral Agent” under the Loan Documents, and each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to act as the Collateral Agent of (and to hold any security interest created by the Collateral Documents for and on behalf of or in trust for) such Lender for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing (at the direction of the Requisite Lenders) any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any of the Loan Parties to secure any of the Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto.  The Administrative Agent, as “Collateral Agent” and any co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 11.5 for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under the Collateral Documents, or for exercising any rights and remedies thereunder at the direction of the

 

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Administrative Agent, shall be entitled to the benefits of all provisions of this Article XI and Article XII (including Sections 11.3, 11.13, 12.3, 12.4 and 12.5, as though such co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact were the “Collateral Agent” under the Loan Documents) as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto.  In furtherance of the foregoing, each reference to the Administrative Agent in Article XI and Article XII hereof is deemed a reference to the Administrative Agent, and also to the Administrative Agent as Collateral Agent.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Lenders hereby expressly authorize and direct the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to execute any and all documents (including releases) with respect to the Collateral and the rights of the Secured Parties with respect thereto (including the Intercreditor Agreement, the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Notes Intercreditor Agreement), as contemplated by and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Collateral Documents and acknowledge and agree that any such action by any Agent shall bind the Lenders.

 

(c)                                  Each Lender and prospective Lender shall, promptly following a request by the Administrative Agent, provide all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent reasonably requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

SECTION 11.2                                      Rights as a Lender.  Any Person serving as an Agent (including as Administrative Agent) hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include each Person serving as an Agent hereunder in its individual capacity.  Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not an Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.  The Lenders acknowledge that, pursuant to such activities, any Agent or its Affiliates may receive information regarding any Loan Party or any of its Affiliates (including information that may be subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of such Loan Party or such Affiliate) and acknowledge that no Agent shall be under any obligation to provide such information to them.

 

SECTION 11.3                                      Exculpatory Provisions.  Neither the Administrative Agent nor any other Agent shall have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, and the duties of the Administrative Agent and each other Agent shall be solely administrative in nature.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, an Agent (including the Administrative Agent):

 

(a)                                 shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the use of the term “agent” herein and in the other Loan Documents with reference to any Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law and instead, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties;

 

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(b)                                 shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that such Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Requisite Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that no Agent shall be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose such Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law; and

 

(c)                                  shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by any Person serving as an Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.

 

(d)                                 The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible or have any liability for, or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into, monitor or enforce, compliance with the provisions hereof relating to Disqualified Lenders.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall not (x) be obligated to ascertain, monitor or inquire as to whether any Lender or Participant or prospective Lender or Participant is a Disqualified Lender or (y) have any liability with respect to or arising out of any assignment or participation of Loans, or disclosure of confidential information, to any Disqualified Lender.

 

Neither the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Requisite Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 12.1 and 12.2) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence, intentional fraud, bad faith or willful misconduct as determined by the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, in connection with its duties expressly set forth herein.  The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given to the Administrative Agent in writing by the Borrower or a Lender.

 

No Agent-Related Person shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any recital, statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Collateral Documents, (v) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral, or (vi) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent, or (vii) to inspect the properties, books or records of any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof.

 

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SECTION 11.4                                      Reliance by the Administrative Agent.

 

The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person.  The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon.  In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender prior to the making of such Loan.  The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

 

The Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under any Loan Document unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Requisite Lenders as it deems appropriate and, if it so requests, it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.  The Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document in accordance with a request or consent of the Requisite Lenders (or such greater number or percentage of Lenders as may be expressly required hereby in any instance) and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders; provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or in the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable Law.

 

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SECTION 11.5                                      Delegation of Duties.  The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Documents by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Agent-Related Persons.  The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Agent-Related Persons of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents that it selects in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 11.5 in the absence of the Administrative Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

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SECTION 11.6                                      Resignation of Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent.  The Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders and the Borrower.  Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Requisite Lenders shall have the right, with the consent of the Borrower at all times other than during the existence of an Event of Default (which consent of the Borrower shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), to appoint a successor, which shall be a Lender or a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such Lender or bank with an office in the United States.  If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Requisite Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, may on behalf of the Lenders, with the consent of the Borrower at all times other than during the existence of an Event of Default (which consent of the Borrower shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), appoint a successor Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that if the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (1) the retiring Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Lenders under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent or such Collateral Agent, as applicable, is appointed) and (2) except for any indemnity payments owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender directly, until such time as the Requisite Lenders with the consent of the Borrower at all times other than during the existence of an Event of Default (which consent of the Borrower shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above in this Section 11.6.  Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, hereunder and upon the execution and filing or recording of such financing statements, or amendments thereto, and such amendments or supplements to the Mortgages, and such other instruments or notices, as may be necessary or desirable, or as the Requisite Lenders may request, in order to (i) continue the perfection of the Liens granted or purported to be granted by the Collateral Documents or (ii) otherwise ensure that the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement is satisfied, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, and the retiring Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section).  The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor.  After the retiring Administrative Agent’s or Collateral Agent’s, as applicable, resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Sections 12.3, 12.4 and 12.5 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, its sub agents and their

 

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respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, was acting as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable.

 

SECTION 11.7                                      Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders; Disclosure of Information by Agents.  Each Lender acknowledges that no Agent-Related Person has made any representation or warranty to it, and that no act by any Agent hereafter taken, including any consent to and acceptance of any assignment or review of the affairs of any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by any Agent-Related Person to any Lender as to any matter, including whether Agent-Related Persons have disclosed material information in their possession.  Each Lender represents to each Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent-Related Person and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries, and all applicable bank or other regulatory Laws relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, and made its own decision to enter into this Agreement and to extend credit to the Borrower and the other Loan Parties hereunder.  Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Agent-Related Persons 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 investigations as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties.  Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by any Agent herein, such Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of any of the Loan Parties or any of their respective Affiliates which may come into the possession of any Agent-Related Person.

 

SECTION 11.8                                      [Reserved].

 

SECTION 11.9                                      Intercreditor Agreements.

 

(a)                                 The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent are authorized to enter into the Intercreditor Agreement, and the parties hereto acknowledge that the Intercreditor Agreement is binding upon them.  Each Lender (a) hereby consents to the subordination of the Liens on the Collateral securing the Obligations on the terms set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement, (b) hereby agrees that it will be bound by and will take no actions contrary to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and (c) hereby authorizes and instructs the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent to enter into the Intercreditor Agreement and to subject the Liens on the Collateral securing the Obligations to the provisions thereof.  The foregoing provisions are intended as an inducement to the Secured Parties to extend credit to the Borrower and such Secured Parties are intended third-party beneficiaries of such provisions and the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

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(b)                                 The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent are authorized to enter into the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, and the parties hereto acknowledge that the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement is binding upon them.  Each Lender (a) hereby agrees that it will be bound by and will take no actions contrary to the provisions of the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and (b) hereby authorizes and instructs the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent to enter into the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and to subject the Liens on the Collateral securing the Obligations to the provisions thereof.  The foregoing provisions are intended as an inducement to the Secured Parties to extend credit to the Borrower and such Secured Parties are intended third-party beneficiaries of such provisions and the provisions of the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(c)                                  The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent are authorized to enter into the Notes Intercreditor Agreement, and the parties hereto acknowledge that the Notes Intercreditor Agreement is binding upon them.  Each Lender (a)  hereby agrees that it will be bound by and will take no actions contrary to the provisions of the Notes Intercreditor Agreement and (b) hereby authorizes and instructs the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent to enter into the Notes Intercreditor Agreement and to subject the Liens on the Collateral securing the Obligations to the provisions thereof.  The foregoing provisions are intended as an inducement to the Secured Parties to extend credit to the Borrower and such Secured Parties are intended third-party beneficiaries of such provisions and the provisions of the Notes Intercreditor Agreement.

 

SECTION 11.10                               Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim.  In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered (but shall not be required to), by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

 

(a)                                 to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.9, 12.3 and 12.4) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

 

(b)                                 to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and

 

(c)                                  any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the

 

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Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Agents and their respective agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.9, 12.3 and 12.4.

 

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.

 

SECTION 11.11                               Collateral and Guaranty Matters.

 

Each of the Lenders irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, and each of the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent agrees that it will:

 

(a)                                 release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent under any Loan Document (i) upon the Discharge of Obligations, (ii) at the time the property subject to such Lien is transferred or to be transferred as part of or in connection with any transfer permitted hereunder or under any other Loan Document (including in connection with a Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction) to any Person other than Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Guarantors, (iii) subject to Section 12.1, if the release of such Lien is approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Requisite Lenders, or (iv) if the property subject to such Lien is owned by a Guarantor, upon release of such Guarantor from its obligations under its Guaranty pursuant to clause (c) below;

 

(b)                                 release or subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by Section 9.1(i);

 

(c)                                  release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty if (i) in the case of any Subsidiary, such Person ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of a transaction or designation permitted hereunder or (ii) in the case of Holdings, as a result of a transaction permitted hereunder; provided that no such release shall occur if such Guarantor continues to be a guarantor in respect of the First Lien Facility, ABL Facility, Senior Notes, any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness or any Junior Financing; and

 

(d)                                 if any Guarantor shall cease to be a Material Subsidiary (as certified in writing by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower), and the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that it wishes such Guarantor to be released from its obligations under the Guaranty and provides the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent such certifications or documents with respect thereto as either such Agent shall reasonably request, (i) release such Subsidiary from its obligations under the Guaranty and (ii) release any Liens granted by such Subsidiary or Liens on the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary; provided that no such release shall occur if such Subsidiary continues to be a guarantor in respect of the First Lien Facility, ABL Facility, the Senior Notes, any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness or any other Junior Financing.

 

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Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Requisite Lenders will confirm in writing the Collateral Agent’s authority to release or subordinate its security interest in particular types or items of property, or to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty pursuant to this Section 11.11.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in each case as specified in this Section 11.11, the applicable Agent will (and each Lender irrevocably authorizes the applicable Agent to), at the Borrower’s expense, promptly execute and deliver to the applicable Loan Party such documents as such Loan Party may reasonably request to evidence the release or subordination of such item of Collateral from the assignment and security interest granted under the Collateral Documents, or to evidence the release of such Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents and this Section 11.11.  In connection with the delivery of any such release or subordination documentation by the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 11.11, the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent, prior to the date of the proposed release or subordination, a written request for release or subordination identifying the relevant Guarantor and/or Collateral and the terms of the sale or other disposition or transaction in reasonable detail, including such other information as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request, together with a certification by the Borrower stating that such transaction is in compliance with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

SECTION 11.12                               [Reserved].

 

SECTION 11.13                               Indemnification of Agents.

 

Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Lenders shall indemnify upon demand the Administrative Agent and each other Agent-Related Person (solely to the extent any such Agent-Related Person was performing services on behalf of the Administrative Agent) (to the extent not reimbursed by or on behalf of any Loan Party and without limiting the obligation, if any, of any Loan Party to do so), pro rata, and hold harmless the Administrative Agent and each other Agent-Related Person (solely to the extent any such Agent-Related Person was performing services on behalf of the Administrative Agent) from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities incurred by it; provided that no Lender shall be liable for the payment to any Agent-Related Person of any portion of such Indemnified Liabilities resulting from such Agent-Related Person’s own gross negligence, intentional fraud, bad faith or willful misconduct, as determined by the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that no action taken in accordance with the directions of the Requisite Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be required by the Loan Documents) shall be deemed to constitute gross negligence, intentional fraud, bad faith or willful misconduct for purposes of this Section 11.13.  In the case of any investigation, litigation or proceeding giving rise to any Indemnified Liabilities, this Section 11.13 applies whether any such investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by any Lender or any other Person.  Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender shall reimburse the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, respectively, upon demand for its ratable share of any costs or out-of-pocket expenses (including Attorney Costs) incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, amendment or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or

 

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responsibilities under, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any document contemplated by or referred to herein, to the extent that the Administrative Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses by or on behalf of the Borrower, provided that such reimbursement by the Lenders shall not affect the Borrower’s continuing reimbursement obligations (if any) with respect thereto, provided further that the failure of any Lender to indemnify or reimburse the Administrative Agent shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation in respect thereof.  The undertaking in this Section 11.13 shall survive termination of the Aggregate Commitments, the payment of all other Obligations, the resignation of the Administrative Agent, and termination of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE XII

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 12.1                                      Amendments, Etc.  Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, no amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by the Borrower or any other Loan Party therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Requisite Lenders and the Borrower or the applicable Loan Party, as the case may be, and acknowledged by the Administrative Agent and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided that, no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:

 

(a)                                 extend or increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby (it being understood that (i) a waiver of any condition precedent set forth in Section 4.1 or Section 4.2 or (ii) the waiver of any Default, mandatory prepayment or mandatory reduction of the Commitments, in each case, shall not constitute an extension or increase of any Commitment of any Lender);

 

(b)                                 postpone any date scheduled for, or reduce the amount of, any payment of principal or interest under Section 2.6 or 2.8 without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby (it being understood that (i) any change to the definitions of Total Leverage Ratio or Senior Secured Leverage Ratio or, in each case, in the component definitions thereof, (ii) a waiver of any condition precedent set forth in Section 4.1 or Section 4.2, (iii) the waiver of any Default, mandatory prepayment or mandatory reduction of the Commitments, (iv) a waiver of applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates, (v) a modification to or waiver of the Specified Exchange Threshold or (vi) a modification to or waiver of the Term/Notes Refinancing Date, in each case, shall not constitute a postponement of any date scheduled for the payment of principal or interest or a reduction in the amount of any payment of interest); provided that only the consent of the Requisite Lenders shall be necessary to amend the definition of “Default Rate” or to waive any obligation of any Loan Party to pay interest at the Default Rate) or to amend the definition of “Specified Exchange Threshold” or “Term/Notes Refinancing Date”;

 

(c)                                  reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan, or (subject to clause (i) of the second proviso to this Section 12.1) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby (it being understood that (i) any change to

 

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the definitions of Total Leverage Ratio or Senior Secured Leverage Ratio or, in each case, in the component definitions thereof, (ii) a waiver of any condition precedent set forth in Section 4.1 or Section 4.2, (iii) the waiver of any Default, mandatory prepayment or mandatory reduction of the Commitments or (iv) a waiver of applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates, in each case, shall not constitute a reduction in the rate of interest); provided that only the consent of the Requisite Lenders shall be necessary to amend the definition of “Default Rate” or to waive any obligation of any Loan Party to pay interest at the Default Rate;

 

(d)                                 change any provision of this Section 12.1, the definition of “Requisite Lenders”, “Requisite Class Lenders” or any other provision specifying the number of Lenders or portion of the Loans or Commitments required to take any action under the Loan Documents without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby;

 

(e)                                  other than in a transaction permitted under Section 9.4 or 9.5 or pursuant to Section 11.11, release all or substantially all of the Collateral in any transaction or series of related transactions (except as expressly permitted by the Collateral Documents or this Agreement), without the written consent of each Lender;

 

(f)                                   other than in a transaction permitted under Section 9.4 or 9.5 or pursuant to Section 11.11, release all or substantially all of the Guarantors (except as expressly permitted by the Guaranty or this Agreement), without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby;

 

(g)                                  without the prior written consent of all Lenders directly and adversely affected thereby, (i) subordinate the Obligations hereunder to any other Indebtedness, or (ii) except as provided by operation of applicable Law or in the Intercreditor Agreement, the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the Notes Intercreditor Agreement or pursuant to Section 11.11, subordinate the Liens granted hereunder or under the other Loan Documents to any other Lien; or

 

(h)                                 change the order of the application of funds specified in Section 10.3 without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;

 

and provided further that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of, or any fees or other amounts payable to, the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (ii) Section 12.2(g) may not be amended, waived or otherwise modified without the consent of each Granting Lender all or any part of whose Loans are being funded by an SPC at the time of such amendment, waiver or other modification; (iii) the consent of Requisite Class Lenders shall be required with respect to any amendment that by its terms directly and adversely affects the rights of such Class in respect of payments hereunder in a manner different than such amendment affects other Classes; (iv) no Lender consent is required to effect any amendment or supplement to the Intercreditor Agreement, (A) that is for the purpose of adding the holders of Indebtedness incurred or issued pursuant to a Permitted Refinancing of the ABL Facility (or any agent or trustee of such holders) as parties thereto, as expressly contemplated by the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and permitted under Section 9.3(p) (it being understood that any such amendment or supplement may make such other

 

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changes to the Intercreditor Agreement as, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, are required to effectuate the foregoing and provided that such other changes are not adverse, in any material respect, to the interests of the Lenders) or (B) that is expressly contemplated by Sections 5.2(c) or 7.4 of the Intercreditor Agreement with respect to a Permitted Refinancing of the ABL Facility permitted under Section 9.3(p) (or the comparable provisions, if any, of any successor intercreditor agreement with respect to a Permitted Refinancing of the ABL Facility permitted under Section 9.3(p)); provided further that no such agreement shall, pursuant to this clause (iv), amend, modify or otherwise directly and adversely affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, (v) no Lender consent is required to effect any amendment or supplement to the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, (A) that is for the purpose of adding the holders of Indebtedness incurred or issued pursuant to a Permitted Refinancing of the First Lien Facility (or any agent or trustee of such holders) as parties thereto, as expressly contemplated by the terms of the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and permitted under Section 9.3(x) (it being understood that any such amendment or supplement may make such other changes to the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement as, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, are required to effectuate the foregoing and provided that such other changes are not adverse, in any material respect, to the interests of the Lenders) or (B) that is expressly contemplated by Section 5.03 of the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement with respect to a Permitted Refinancing of the First Lien Facility permitted under Section 9.3(x) (or the comparable provisions, if any, of any successor intercreditor agreement with respect to a Permitted Refinancing of the First Lien Facility permitted under Section 9.3(x)); provided further that no such agreement shall, pursuant to this clause (v), amend, modify or otherwise directly and adversely affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, (vi) no Lender consent is required to effect any amendment or supplement to the Notes Intercreditor Agreement, (A) that is for the purpose of adding the holders of Indebtedness incurred or issued pursuant to a Permitted Refinancing of the Senior Notes (or any agent or trustee of such holders) as parties thereto, as expressly contemplated by the terms of the Notes Intercreditor Agreement and permitted under Section 9.3(q) (it being understood that any such amendment or supplement may make such other changes to the Notes Intercreditor Agreement as, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, are required to effectuate the foregoing and provided that such other changes are not adverse, in any material respect, to the interests of the Lenders) or (B) that is expressly contemplated by Section 5.03 of the Notes Intercreditor Agreement with respect to a Permitted Refinancing of the Senior Notes permitted under Section 9.3(q) (or the comparable provisions, if any, of any successor intercreditor agreement with respect to a Permitted Refinancing of the Senior Notes permitted under Section 9.3(q)); provided further that no such agreement shall, pursuant to this clause (vi), amend, modify or otherwise directly and adversely affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as applicable and (vii) only the consent of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower is required to effect any amendment or supplement of the Fee Letter.

 

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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 12.1 or otherwise in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (i) this Agreement and any other Loan Document may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified to effect the provisions of Sections 2.13 and 2.14, (ii) this Agreement and any other Loan Document may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, or any provision thereof waived, with the consent of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower without the need to obtain the consent of any Lender, if such amendment, supplement, modification or waiver is delivered in order to (A) cure ambiguities, omissions, mistakes or defects or (B) cause any Collateral Document to be consistent with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (iii) without the consent of any Lender, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent or any other collateral agent may enter into any amendment, supplement or modification of any Loan Document, or enter into any new agreement or instrument, to effect the granting, perfection, protection, expansion or enhancement of any security interest of the Secured Parties in any Collateral or additional property to become Collateral for the benefit of the Secured Parties or as required by local law to give effect to, or protect any security interests for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in any property or so that the security interests therein comply with applicable law or this Agreement or in each case to otherwise enhance the rights or benefits of any Lender under any Loan Document.  The Agent shall make available to the Lenders copies of each such amendment or other modification to this Agreement.

 

If any Lender does not consent to a proposed amendment, waiver, consent or release with respect to any Loan Document that requires the consent of each Lender or each affected Lender and that has been approved by the Requisite Lenders, the Borrower may replace such non-consenting Lender in accordance with Section 3.7; provided that such amendment, waiver, consent or release can be effected as a result of the assignment contemplated by such Section (together with all other such assignments required by the Borrower to be made pursuant to this paragraph).

 

SECTION 12.2                                      Successors and Assigns.

 

(a)                                 Successors and Assigns Generally.  The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that neither Holdings nor the Borrower may, except as permitted by Section 9.4, assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section, or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of subsection (f) of this Section, or (iv) to an SPC in accordance with the provisions of subsection (g) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void).  Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

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(b)                                 Assignments by Lenders.  Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

 

(i)                           Minimum Amounts.

 

(A)                               in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment and the Loans of any Class at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and

 

(B)                               in any case not described in subsection (b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment or, the principal outstanding balance of the 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 or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $1,000,000 unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default under Section 10.1(a) or (f), has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned); provided, however, that concurrent assignments to members of an Assignee Group and concurrent assignments from members of an Assignee Group to a single Eligible Assignee (or to an Eligible Assignee and members of its Assignee Group) will be treated as a single assignment for purposes of determining whether such minimum amount has been met;

 

(ii)                        Proportionate Amounts.  Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned;

 

(iii)                     Required Consents.  No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition:

 

(A)                               the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) shall be required unless (1) an Event of Default under Section 10.1(a) or Section 10.1(f), has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment, or (2) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to an assignment (including any consent required under subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section) unless it shall have objected thereto by written notice (including via e-mail) to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received written notice thereof from the Administrative Agent;

 

(B)                               the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) shall be required if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender.

 

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(iv)                    Assignment and Assumption.  The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment.  The Eligible Assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent (x) an Administrative Questionnaire and (y) all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent reasonably requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act.  All assignments shall be by novation.

 

(v)                       No Assignment to Certain Persons.  No such assignment shall be made to (A) Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries except as permitted under Section 2.3(d), (B) a natural person or (C) a Disqualified Lender.

 

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to clause (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.1, 3.4, 3.5, 12.3, 12.4 and 12.5 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment).  Upon request, and the surrender by the assigning Lender of its Note, the Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender.  Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with subsection (d) of this Section.

 

(c)                                  Register.  The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at the Administrative Agent’s Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts (and related interest amounts) of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”).  The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Agents and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, any Agent and any Lender (as to its interest only), at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.  This Section 12.2(c) and Section 2.7 shall be construed so that all Loans are at all times maintained in “registered form” within the meaning of Sections 163(f), 871(h)(2) and 881(c)(2) of the Code and any related Treasury regulations (or any other relevant or successor provisions of the Code or of such Treasury regulations).

 

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(d)                                 Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person or the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Agents and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement.

 

Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any  provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first proviso to Section 12.1 (other than clause (d) thereof) that directly and adversely affects such Participant.  Subject to subsection (e) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.1 (subject to the requirements of Sections 3.1(b), (c) or (d), as applicable), Section 3.4 and Section 3.5 (through the applicable Lender) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section.  To the extent permitted by applicable Law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 12.6 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 12.7 as though it were a Lender.

 

(e)                                  Limitations upon Participant Rights.  A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 3.1, 3.4 or 3.5 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 express prior written consent to such sale.  A Participant shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 3.1 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant (provided, that the receipt of such notice without more shall not be deemed to imply or constitute the Borrower’s consent to such sale for purposes of this Section or Section 3.1(e)) and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply and does in fact comply with Section 3.1 as though it were a Lender.  Each Lender that sells a participation shall (acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower) maintain a register complying with the requirements of Sections 163(f), 871(h) and 881(c)(2) of the Code and the Treasury regulations issued thereunder on which is entered the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under this Agreement (the “Participant Register”).  A Lender shall be obligated to disclose the Participant Register to any Person (including for the avoidance of doubt the Borrower and the Administrative Agent) to the extent such disclosure is necessary to establish that any Loan or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury regulations.  The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.

 

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(f)                                   Any Lender may, at any time, pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

 

(g)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a “Granting Lender”) may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (an “SPC”) the option to provide all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make pursuant to this Agreement; provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPC to fund any Loan, and (ii) if an SPC elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to make all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof or, if it fails to do so, to make such payment to the Administrative Agent as is required under Section 2.10(e).  Each party hereto hereby agrees that (i) neither the grant to any SPC nor the exercise by any SPC of such option shall increase the costs or expenses or otherwise increase or change the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement (including its obligations under Sections 3.1, 3.4 and 3.5), (ii) no SPC shall be liable for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Agreement for which a Lender would be liable, and (iii) the Granting Lender shall for all purposes, including the approval of any amendment, waiver or other modification of any provision of any Loan Document, remain the lender of record hereunder.  The making of a Loan by an SPC hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were made by such Granting Lender.  In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other senior debt of any SPC, it will not institute against, or join any other Person in instituting against, such SPC any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, or liquidation proceeding under the laws of the United States or any State thereof.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any SPC may (i) with notice to, but without prior consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and with the payment of a processing fee of $3,500 (which processing fee may be waived by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), assign all or any portion of its right to receive payment with respect to any Loan to the Granting Lender and (ii) disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information relating to its funding of Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety or Guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPC.

 

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SECTION 12.3                                      Costs and Expenses.  The Borrower agrees to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent for all reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation, documentation, syndication and execution of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and any amendment, waiver, consent or other modification of the provisions hereof and thereof, and the consummation and administration of the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents, including (i) all Attorney Costs of Duane Morris LLP and, if reasonably necessary, a single firm of local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction material to the interests of the Lenders taken as a whole (which may include a single special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions), and (ii) reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred in connection with field examinations and inventory appraisals (including desktop appraisals), and to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for all reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement of any rights or remedies under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (including all such reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred during any legal proceeding, including any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, and including all Attorney Costs of a single firm of counsel to the Administrative Agent and a single firm of counsel to the Lenders taken as a whole (and, if reasonably necessary, a single firm of local counsel in any relevant material jurisdiction (which may include a single special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions).  The agreements in this Section 12.3 shall survive the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and repayment of all other Obligations.  All amounts due under this Section 12.3 shall be paid promptly following receipt by the Borrower of an invoice relating thereto setting forth such expenses in reasonable detail.

 

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SECTION 12.4                                      Indemnities.  The Borrower shall indemnify and hold harmless the Agents, each Lender and their respective Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, controlling persons and other representatives and the successors and permitted assigns of each of the foregoing (collectively the “Indemnitees”) from and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages, claims, and reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket fees and expenses (including Attorney Costs) of any kind or nature whatsoever which may at any time be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any such Indemnitee in any way relating to or arising out of or in connection with (but limited, in the case of Attorney Costs, to the reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket fees, disbursements and other charges of a single firm of counsel to all Indemnitees taken as a whole and, if necessary, a single firm of local counsel for all Indemnitees taken as a whole in each appropriate jurisdiction (which may include a single firm of special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions), and solely in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, where the Indemnitee affected by such conflict informs the Borrower and thereafter retains its own counsel, one additional firm of counsel for each group of affected Indemnitees similarly situated taken as a whole) (i) the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance or administration of any Loan Document or any other agreement, letter or instrument delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated thereby or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, (ii) any Commitment or Loan or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom, or (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property currently or formerly owned or operated by the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other Loan Party, or any Environmental Liabilities, in each case, arising out of the activities or operations of the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other Loan Party, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory (including any investigation of, preparation for, or defense of any pending or threatened claim, investigation, litigation or proceeding) and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto (all the foregoing, collectively, the “Indemnified Liabilities”); provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such liabilities, losses, damages, claims, costs, expenses or disbursements resulted from (A) the gross negligence, intentional fraud, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or of any Related Indemnified Person, as determined by a final, non appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction or (B) any dispute solely between or among Indemnitees other than any claims against an Indemnitee in its capacity or in fulfilling its role as an administrative or collateral agent or arranger or any similar role under the Facility (excluding their role as a Lender) and other than any claims arising out of any act or omission of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates.  To the extent that the undertakings to indemnify and hold harmless set forth in this Section 12.4 may be unenforceable in whole or in part because they are violative of any applicable law or public policy, the Borrower shall contribute the maximum portion that it is permitted to pay and satisfy under applicable law to the payment and satisfaction of all Indemnified Liabilities incurred by the Indemnitees or any of them.  No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of any information or other materials obtained through IntraLinks or other similar information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement, nor shall any Indemnitee or any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or arising out of its activities in connection herewith or therewith (whether before or after the Effective Date) (other than, in the case of any Loan Party, in respect of any such damages incurred or paid by an Indemnitee to a third party).  In the case of

 

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an investigation, litigation or other proceeding to which the indemnity in this Section 12.4 applies, such indemnity shall be effective whether or not such investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by any Loan Party, its directors, stockholders or creditors or an Indemnitee or any other Person, whether or not any Indemnitee is otherwise a party thereto and whether or not any of the transactions contemplated hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents is consummated.  All amounts due under this Section 12.4 shall be paid within twenty (20) Business Days after written demand therefor from the Indemnitee entitled thereto.  The agreements in this Section 12.4 shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments, the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations, and the termination of this Agreement.  This Section 12.4 shall not apply to Taxes, or amounts excluded from the definition of Taxes pursuant to clauses (i) through (viii) of the first sentence of Section 3.1(a), that are imposed with respect to payments to or for account of any Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document, which shall be governed by Section 3.1.  This Section 12.4 also shall not apply to Other Taxes or to taxes covered by Section 3.4.

 

SECTION 12.5                                      Limitation of Liability.  The Loan Parties agree that no Indemnitee shall have any liability (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) to any Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries or any of their respective equity holders or creditors for or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and in the other Loan Documents, except to the extent such liability is determined in a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Indemnitee’s gross negligence, intentional fraud or willful misconduct or bad faith.  In no event shall any Loan Party, any Affiliate thereof, any other party hereto or any Indemnitee be liable on any theory of liability for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (including any loss of profits, business or anticipated savings), other than, in the case of any Loan Party, in respect of any such damages incurred or paid by an Indemnitee to a third party.  Each party hereto hereby waives, releases and agrees (each for itself and on behalf of its Subsidiaries) not to sue upon any such claim for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, whether or not accrued and whether or not known or suspected to exist in its favor; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the rights to indemnification of any Indemnitee under Section 12.4 where a third party asserts claims for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages against such Indemnitee except to the extent such liability is determined in a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Indemnitee’s gross negligence, intentional fraud or willful misconduct or bad faith.

 

SECTION 12.6                                      Right of Setoff.

 

If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, after obtaining the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower or any other Loan Party  against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower or such other Loan Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this

 

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Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrower or such Loan Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lender different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness.  The rights of each Lender and its Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender or its Affiliates may have.  Each Lender agrees to notify the Borrower and promptly after any such setoff and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

 

SECTION 12.7                                      Sharing of Payments.

 

If, other than as expressly provided elsewhere herein, any Lender shall obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on account of the Loans made by it (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise of any right of set-off, or otherwise) in excess of its ratable share (or other share contemplated hereunder) thereof, such Lender shall immediately (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase from the other Lenders such participations in the Loans made by them as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess payment of principal of or interest on such Loans pro rata with each of them; provided that if all or any portion of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from the purchasing Lender under any of the circumstances described in Section 12.13 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the purchasing Lender in its discretion), such purchase shall to that extent be rescinded and each other Lender shall repay to the purchasing Lender the purchase price paid therefor, together with an amount equal to such paying Lender’s ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such paying Lender’s required repayment to (ii) the total amount so recovered from the purchasing Lender) of any interest or other amount paid or payable by the purchasing Lender in respect of the total amount so recovered, without further interest thereon.  For avoidance of doubt, the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to (A) any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement as in effect from time to time or (B) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans to any assignee or participant permitted hereunder.  The Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another Lender may, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, exercise all its rights of payment (including the right of set-off, but subject to Section 12.6) with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.  The Administrative Agent will keep records (which shall be conclusive and binding in the absence of manifest error) of participations purchased under this Section 12.7 and will in each case notify the Lenders following any such purchases or repayments.  Each Lender that purchases a participation pursuant to this Section 12.7 shall from and after such purchase have the right to give all notices, requests, demands, directions and other communications under this Agreement with respect to the portion of the Obligations purchased to the same extent as though the purchasing Lender were the original owner of the Obligations purchased.

 

SECTION 12.8                                      Notices and Other Communications; Facsimile Copies.

 

(a)                                 General.  Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in subsection (b) below),

 

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all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopier as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:

 

(i)                                     if to Holdings, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 12.8; and

 

(ii)                                  if to any other Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire.

 

Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by telecopier shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient).  Notices and other communications delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subsection (b) below shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b).

 

(b)                                 Electronic Communications.  Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender pursuant to Article II if such Lender has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication.  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.  Upon request by any Lender to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may provide such Lender with a copy of the list of Disqualified Lenders.

 

(c)                                  Receipt.  Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.

 

(d)                                 [Reserved].

 

(e)                                  Change of Address.  Each of Holdings, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and

 

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other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.  Each other Lender may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.  In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent from time to time to ensure that the Administrative Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, telecopier number and electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender.  Furthermore, each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws, to make reference to Borrower Materials that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal or state securities laws.

 

(f)                                   Reliance by Administrative Agent and Lenders.  The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic Committed Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof.  The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent each Lender and the Agent-Related Persons of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower; provided that such indemnity shall not be available to the extent that such losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulted from (x) the gross negligence, intentional fraud, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Person or (y) a breach of any obligations under any Loan Document by such Person, in each case, as determined by a final, non appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.

 

SECTION 12.9                                      No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.

 

No failure by any Lender or the Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.  The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided, and provided under each other Loan Document, are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by Law.

 

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SECTION 12.10                               Binding Effect.  This Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Borrower, Holdings, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, Holdings, each Agent and each Lender and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

SECTION 12.11                               Electronic Systems.

 

(i)    Each Loan Party agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make Communications (as defined below) available to the Lenders by posting the Communications on Debt Domain, Intralinks, Syndtrak, ClearPar or a substantially similar Electronic System.

 

(ii)    Any Electronic System used by the Administrative Agent is provided “as is” and “as available.” The Agent Parties (as defined below) do not warrant the adequacy of such Electronic Systems and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in the Communications. No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third-party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by any Agent Party in connection with the Communications or any Electronic System. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to the Borrower or the other Loan Parties, any Lender, or any other Person or entity for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrower’s, any Loan Party’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Communications through an Electronic System. “Communications” means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed by the Administrative Agent, or any Lender by means of electronic communications pursuant to this Section, including through an Electronic System.

 

SECTION 12.12                               Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Service of Process.

 

(a)                                 THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT (EXCEPT AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

(b)                                 THE BORROWER, HOLDINGS, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH LENDER EACH IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR FEDERAL COURTS OF THE UNITED

 

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STATES OF AMERICA SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW.  EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES THAT THE AGENTS AND LENDERS RETAIN THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST ANY LOAN PARTY IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION SOLELY IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHTS UNDER ANY COLLATERAL DOCUMENT OR THE ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT.

 

(c)                                  THE BORROWER, HOLDINGS, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH LENDER EACH IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (b) OF THIS SECTION.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

 

(d)                                 EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 12.8.  NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

 

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SECTION 12.13                               Waiver of Jury Trial.  EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY).  EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

SECTION 12.14                               Marshaling; Payments Set Aside.  None of the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall be under any obligation to marshal any assets in favor of the Loan Parties or any other party or against or in payment of any or all of the Obligations.  To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower is made to any Agent or any Lender, or any Agent or any Lender exercises its right of set-off, and such payment or the proceeds of such set-off or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by such Agent or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such set-off had not occurred, and (b) each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share of any amount so recovered from or repaid by any Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect.

 

SECTION 12.15                               Execution In Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.  This Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy or other electronic imaging means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

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SECTION 12.16                               Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents.  The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption or in any amendment or other modification hereof (including waivers and consents) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

 

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SECTION 12.17                               Confidentiality.  Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information in accordance with its customary procedures (as set forth below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’ respective employees, legal counsel, independent auditors, professionals and other experts or agents who need to know such Information and who are informed of the confidential nature of such Information are subject to customary confidentiality obligations of professional practice or agree to be bound by the terms of this Section 12.16 (or provisions at least as restrictive as those of this Section 12.16, taken as a whole) (with each such Administrative Agent and Lender responsible for such Person’s compliance with this paragraph), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners) in which case the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree (except with respect to any audit or examination conducted by bank accountants or any governmental bank regulatory authority exercising examination or regulatory authority), to the extent practicable and not prohibited by applicable Law, to notify the Borrower promptly thereof prior to disclosure by such Person, (c) pursuant to the order of any court or administrative agency or in any pending legal, judicial or administrative proceeding, or otherwise as required by applicable law or compulsory legal process based on the advice of counsel (in which case the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as applicable, agrees (except with respect to any audit or examination conducted by bank accountants or any governmental bank regulatory authority exercising examination or regulatory authority), to the extent practicable and not prohibited by applicable Law, to inform the Borrower promptly thereof prior to disclosure), (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions at least as restrictive as those of this Section 12.16, taken as a whole, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or any Eligible Assignee invited to be an Additional Lender or (ii) any actual or prospective direct or indirect counterparty to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations, in each case who agree to be bound by the terms of this Section 12.16 (or provisions at least as restrictive as those of this Section 12.16, taken as a whole), (g) with the written consent of the Borrower; or (h) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or improper disclosure by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any of their respective Affiliates or any related parties thereto in violation of any confidentiality obligations owing to the Borrower, any Permitted Holder or any of their respective Affiliates or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof, and which source is not known by such Agent or Lender to be subject to a confidentiality restriction in respect thereof in favor of the Borrower, any Permitted Holder or any of their respective Affiliates.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may Information be shared with a Person that is a Disqualified Lender at the time such disclosure was made.

 

For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof relating to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof or their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the

 

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Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, it being understood that all information received from or on behalf of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary after the Effective Date shall be deemed confidential unless such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as not being confidential.  Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so in accordance with its customary procedures if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

 

Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders acknowledges that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning any Loan Party or a Subsidiary thereof, as the case may be, (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws.

 

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SECTION 12.18                               Use of Name, Logo, etc.  Each Loan Party consents to the publication in the ordinary course by Administrative Agent of customary advertising material relating to the financing transactions contemplated by this Agreement using such Loan Party’s name, product photographs, logo or trademark.  Such consent shall remain effective until revoked by such Loan Party in writing to the Administrative Agent.

 

SECTION 12.19                               USA PATRIOT Act Notice.  Each Lender that is subject to the USA PATRIOT Act and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of each Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify each Loan Party in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act.  The Borrower shall, promptly following a request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent or such Lender requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

SECTION 12.20                               No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility.  In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), each of the Borrower and Holdings acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries’ understanding, that: (i) (A) the services provided by the Agents regarding this Agreement are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrower, Holdings and their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Agents, on the other hand, (B) each of the Borrower and Holdings has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) each of the Borrower and Holdings is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) each Lender is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Borrower, Holdings or any of their respective Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) none of the Agents nor any Lender has any obligation to the Borrower, Holdings or any of their respective Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Agents, the Lender and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower, Holdings their respective Affiliates, and none of the Agents, nor any Lender has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower, Holdings or any of their respective Affiliates.  To the fullest extent permitted by law, each of the Borrower and Holdings hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Agents or any Lender with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.

 

179



 

SECTION 12.21                               Severability.  If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions.  The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

SECTION 12.22                               Survival of Representations and Warranties.  All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof.  Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall continue in full force and effect until the Discharge of Obligations.

 

SECTION 12.23                               Lender Action.  Each Lender agrees that it shall not take or institute any actions or proceedings, judicial or otherwise, for any right or remedy against any Loan Party under any of the Loan Documents (including the exercise of any right of set-off, rights on account of any banker’s lien or similar claim or other rights of self-help), or institute any actions or proceedings, or otherwise commence any remedial procedures, with respect to any Collateral or any other property of any such Loan Party, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (which shall not be withheld in contravention of Section 11.4).  The provision of this Section 12.22 are for the sole benefit of the Lenders and shall not afford any right to, or constitute a defense available to, any Loan Party.

 

SECTION 12.24                               Interest Rate Limitation.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “Maximum Rate”).  If any Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower.  In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by an Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

 

180



 

SECTION 12.25                               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.

 

[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.]

 

181



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective authorized officers as of the date first above written.

 

 

NUMBER HOLDINGS, INC.,

 

as Holdings

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Felicia Thornton

 

Name:

Felicia Thornton

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC,

 

as the Borrower

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Felicia Thornton

 

Name:

Felicia Thornton

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

99 CENTS ONLY STORES TEXAS, INC.,

 

as a Guarantor

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Felicia Thornton

 

Name:

Felicia Thornton

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to Second Lien Credit Agreement]

 



 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joshua G. James

 

Name:

Joshua G. James

 

Title:

Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Second Lien Credit Agreement]

 



 

 

AF III HOLDINGS A S.À R.L.,

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael Thomas

 

Name:

Michael Thomas

 

Title:

Class A Manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Paul Galliver

 

Name:

Paul Galliver

 

Title:

Class B Manager

 

[Signature Page to Second Lien Credit Agreement]

 



 

 

CANADA PENSION PLAN INVESTMENT BOARD,

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Pierre Lavallée

 

Name:

Pierre Lavallée

 

Title:

Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Ryan Selwood

 

Name:

Ryan Selwood

 

Title:

Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page to Second Lien Credit Agreement]

 


EX-10.4 5 a17-26148_1ex10d4.htm EX-10.4

Exhibit 10.4

 

Execution Version

 

 

 

SECOND LIEN SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

dated as of November 7, 2017

 

among

 

99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC,
as the Borrower,

 

NUMBER HOLDINGS, INC.
as Holdings,

 

THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO FROM TIME TO TIME,
and
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Collateral Agent

 

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

Article I

Definitions

 

1

 

 

 

 

Section 1.01

Credit Agreement

 

1

Section 1.02

Other Defined Terms

 

1

 

 

 

 

Article II

Pledge of Securities

 

6

 

 

 

 

Section 2.01

Pledge

 

6

Section 2.02

Delivery of the Pledged Collateral

 

8

Section 2.03

Representations, Warranties and Covenants

 

9

Section 2.04

Certification of Limited Liability Company and Limited Partnership Interests

 

11

Section 2.05

Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations

 

11

Section 2.06

Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest

 

12

Section 2.07

Collateral Agent Not a Partner or Limited Liability Company Member

 

14

 

 

 

 

Article III

Security Interests in Personal Property

 

14

 

 

 

 

Section 3.01

Security Interest

 

14

Section 3.02

Representations and Warranties

 

17

Section 3.03

Covenants

 

22

Section 3.04

Other Actions

 

24

 

 

 

 

Article IV

Special Provisions Concerning IP Collateral

 

25

 

 

 

 

Section 4.01

Grant of License to Use Intellectual Property

 

25

Section 4.02

Protection of Collateral Agent’s Security

 

26

 

 

 

 

Article V

[Reserved]

 

28

 

 

 

 

Article VI

Remedies

 

28

 

 

 

 

Section 6.01

Remedies Upon Default

 

28

Section 6.02

Application of Proceeds

 

31

 

 

 

 

Article VII

Indemnity, Subrogation and Subordination

 

31

 

 

 

 

Article VIII

Miscellaneous

 

32

 

 

 

 

Section 8.01

Notices

 

32

Section 8.02

Waivers; Amendment

 

32

Section 8.03

Collateral Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification

 

33

Section 8.04

Successors and Assigns

 

35

 

i



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

Section 8.05

Survival of Agreement

 

35

Section 8.06

Counterparts; Effectiveness; Several Agreement

 

35

Section 8.07

Severability

 

36

Section 8.08

GOVERNING LAW, ETC

 

36

Section 8.09

WAIVER OF RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY

 

37

Section 8.10

Headings

 

37

Section 8.11

Security Interest Absolute

 

37

Section 8.12

Termination or Release

 

37

Section 8.13

Additional Restricted Subsidiaries

 

38

Section 8.14

Collateral Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact

 

38

Section 8.15

General Authority of the Collateral Agent

 

39

Section 8.16

Collateral Agent’s Duties

 

39

Section 8.17

Recourse; Limited Obligations

 

40

Section 8.18

Mortgages

 

40

Section 8.19

Intercreditor Agreement

 

40

Section 8.20

Right of Setoff

 

42

 

ii



 

SCHEDULES

 

Schedule I

Subsidiary Guarantors

Schedule II

Pledged Equity; Pledged Debt

Schedule III

Commercial Tort Claims

Schedule IV

UCC Filing Offices

 

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit I

Form of Security Agreement Supplement

Exhibit II

Form of Perfection Certificate

Exhibit III

Form of Trademark Security Agreement

Exhibit IV

Form of Patent Security Agreement

Exhibit V

Form of Copyright Security Agreement

 

iii


 


 

This SECOND LIEN SECURITY AGREEMENT, dated as of November 7, 2017 (this “Agreement”), among 99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC, a California limited liability company (the “Borrower”), NUMBER HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”), the Subsidiary Guarantors set forth on Schedule I hereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Collateral Agent for the Secured Parties.

 

Reference is made to the Second Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of November 7, 2017 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented and/or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among the Borrower, Holdings, the Lenders party thereto from time to time, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders and Collateral Agent for the Secured Parties.

 

The Lenders have agreed to extend credit to the Borrower on the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement.  The obligations of the Lenders to extend such agreements relating to credit are conditioned upon, among other things, the execution and delivery of this Agreement by each Grantor (as defined below).  The Grantors are affiliates of one another, will derive substantial direct and indirect benefits from the extensions of credit to the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement and are willing to execute and deliver this Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to extend such credit.  The Intercreditor Agreement governs the relative rights and priorities of the Term Secured Parties and the ABL Secured Parties (as defined below) in respect of the Term Priority Collateral (as defined below) and the ABL Priority Collateral (as defined below) (and with respect to certain other matters as described therein), and the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement governs the relative rights and priorities of the Secured Parties and the First Lien Secured Parties (as defined below) (and with respect to certain other matters as described therein).  Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

Definitions

 

Section 1.01                             Credit Agreement.

 

(a)                                 Capitalized terms used in this Agreement, including the preamble and introductory paragraphs hereto, and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings specified in the Credit Agreement.

 

(b)                                 Unless otherwise defined in this Agreement or in the Credit Agreement, terms defined in Article 8 or 9 of the UCC (as defined below) are used in this Agreement as such terms are defined in such Article 8 or 9.

 

(c)                                  The rules of construction specified in Article I of the Credit Agreement also apply to this Agreement.

 

Section 1.02                             Other Defined Terms.  As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

ABL Agent” has the meaning assigned that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

1



 

ABL Priority Collateral” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

ABL Secured Parties” has the meaning assigned that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Accommodation Payment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.

 

Account Debtor” means any Person who is or who may become obligated to any Grantor under, with respect to or on account of an Account.

 

After-Acquired Intellectual Property” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.02(f).

 

Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph hereto.

 

Allocable Amount” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.

 

Article 9 Collateral” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01(a).

 

Bankruptcy Code” means the Bankruptcy Code in Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, modified, succeeded or replaced from time to time.

 

Bankruptcy Event of Default” means any Event of Default under Section 10.1(f) of the Credit Agreement.

 

Blue Sky Laws” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01.

 

Borrower” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

Collateral” means the Article 9 Collateral and the Pledged Collateral.

 

Company” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preliminary statement hereto.

 

Copyright License” means any written agreement, now or hereafter in effect, naming any Grantor as licensor and granting any right to any third party under any Copyright now or hereafter owned by such Grantor or that such Grantor otherwise has the right to license, or naming any Grantor as licensee and granting any right to such Grantor under any Copyright now or hereafter owned by any third party, and all rights of such Grantor under any such agreement.

 

Copyrights” means all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by or assigned to any Grantor:  (a) all copyright rights in any work subject to the copyright laws of the United States or any other country, whether as author, assignee, transferee or otherwise, whether registered or unregistered and whether published or unpublished, (b) all registrations and applications for registration of any such copyright in the United States or any other country, including registrations, recordings, supplemental registrations and pending applications for registration in the United States Copyright Office, including those listed on Schedule 7(c) to the

 

2



 

Perfection Certificate and all:  (i) rights and privileges arising under applicable Law with respect to such Grantor’s use of such copyrights, (ii) reissues, renewals, and extensions thereof and amendments thereto, (iii) income, fees, royalties, damages, claims and payments now or hereafter due and/or payable with respect thereto, including damages and payments for past, present or future infringements thereof, (iv) rights corresponding thereto throughout the world and (v) rights to sue for past, present or future infringements thereof.

 

Credit Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preliminary statement of this Agreement.

 

Discharge of ABL Obligations” has the meaning assigned that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Discharge of First Lien Obligations” has the meaning assigned to the term “Discharge of Senior Obligations” as defined in the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Discharge of Secured Obligations” means the time at which all the Secured Obligations (other than contingent indemnification and reimbursement obligations as to which no claim has been asserted by the Person entitled thereto) have been paid in full in cash and all Commitments have been terminated.

 

Domain Names” means all Internet domain names and associated URL addresses in or to which any Grantor now or hereafter has any right, title or interest.

 

Effective Date Grantor” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.02 of this Agreement.

 

Equipment” shall mean (x) any “equipment” as such term is defined in Article 9 of the UCC and in any event, shall include, but shall not be limited to, all machinery, equipment, furnishings, appliances, furniture, fixtures, tools, and vehicles now or hereafter owned by any Grantor in each case, regardless of whether characterized as equipment under the UCC and (y) and any and all additions, substitutions and replacements of any of the foregoing and all accessions thereto, wherever located, whether or not at any time of determination incorporated or installed therein or attached thereto, and all replacements therefore, together with all attachments, components, parts, equipment and accessories installed thereon or affixed thereto.

 

Excluded Equity Interests” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01 of this Agreement.

 

Excluded Property” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01 of this Agreement.

 

Excluded Securities” means (i) Pledged Securities and Pledged Debt, in each case, that is promptly deposited into an investment or securities account, (ii) checks received in the ordinary course of business, (iii) Pledged Securities issued in connection with the extension of trade credit by such Grantor, and (iv) any uncertificated securities, but only for so long as such Securities remain uncertificated.

 

3



 

First Lien Agent” has the meaning assigned to the term “Administrative Agent” as defined in the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

First Lien Documentation” has the meaning assigned to the term “Senior Debt Documents” as defined in the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

First Lien Secured Parties” has the meaning assigned to the term “Credit Agreement Secured Parties” as defined in the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

General Intangibles” has the meaning provided in Article 9 of the UCC and shall in any event include all choses in action and causes of action and all other intangible personal property of every kind and nature (other than Accounts) now owned or hereafter acquired by any Grantor, as the case may be, including corporate or other business records, indemnification claims, contract rights (including rights under leases, whether entered into as lessor or lessee, Swap Contracts and other agreements), rights to the payment of money, rights to the payment of insurance claims, rights to the payment of proceeds, goodwill, registrations, franchises, tax refund claims and any letter of credit, guarantee, claim, security interest or other security held by or granted to any Grantor.

 

Grantor” means the Borrower and each Guarantor.

 

Holdings” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preliminary statement hereto.

 

Intellectual Property” means all intellectual and similar property of every kind and nature now owned, licensed or hereafter acquired by any Grantor, including Patents, Copyrights, Licenses, Trademarks, Domain Names and Trade Secrets.

 

Intellectual Property Security Agreement” means an agreement providing for a grant of a Security Interest in certain IP Collateral in the form of Exhibit IIIIV or V attached hereto.

 

IP Collateral” means the Collateral consisting of Intellectual Property.

 

License” means any Patent License, Trademark License, Copyright License or other license or sublicense agreement granting rights under Intellectual Property to which any Grantor is a party.

 

Notes Documentation” means any documentation governing the Senior Notes and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof.

 

Patent License” means any written agreement, now or hereafter in effect, naming any Grantor as licensor and granting to any third party any right to develop, commercialize, import, make, have made, offer for sale, use or sell any invention on which a Patent, now or hereafter owned by such Grantor, or that such Grantor otherwise has the right to license, is in existence, or naming any Grantor as licensee and granting to such Grantor any such right with respect to any invention on which a Patent, now or hereafter owned by any third party, is in existence, and all rights of such Grantor under any such agreement.

 

4



 

Patents” means all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by any Grantor:  (a) all letters patent of the United States or the equivalent thereof in any other country, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications for letters patent of the United States or the equivalent thereof in any other country, including registrations, recordings and pending applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any similar offices in any other country, including those listed on Schedule 7(a) to the Perfection Certificate, and (b) all (i) rights and privileges arising under applicable Law with respect to such Grantor’s use of any patents, (ii) inventions and improvements described and claimed therein, (iii) reissues, divisions, continuations, renewals, extensions and continuations-in-part thereof and amendments thereto, (iv) income, fees, royalties, damages, claims and payments now or hereafter due and/or payable with respect to any of the foregoing including damages and payments for past, present or future infringements thereof, (v) rights corresponding thereto throughout the world and (vi) rights to sue for past, present or future infringements thereof.

 

Perfection Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit II, completed and supplemented with the schedules and attachments contemplated thereby, and duly executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

 

Pledged Collateral” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

 

Pledged Debt” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

 

Pledged Equity” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01.

 

Pledged Securities” means any promissory notes, stock certificates, unit certificates, limited or unlimited liability membership certificates or other Securities or instruments now or hereafter included in the Pledged Collateral, including all Pledged Equity, Pledged Debt and all other certificates, instruments or other documents representing or evidencing any Pledged Collateral.

 

Securities Act” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01.

 

Security” means a “security” as such term is defined in Article 8 of the UCC and, in any event, shall include any stock, shares, partnership interests, voting trust certificates, certificates of interest or participation in any profit sharing agreement or arrangement, options, warrants, bonds, debentures, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as “securities” or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in temporary or interim certificates for the purchase or acquisition of, or any right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing.

 

Security Agreement Supplement” means an instrument substantially in the form of Exhibit I hereto.

 

Security Interest” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01(a).

 

Term Priority Collateral” has the meaning assigned that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

5



 

Term Secured Parties” has the meaning assigned that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Trademark License” means any written agreement, now or hereafter in effect, granting to any third party any right to use any Trademark now or hereafter owned by any Grantor or that any Grantor otherwise has the right to license to a third party, or granting to any Grantor any right to use any Trademark now or hereafter owned by any third party, and all rights of any Grantor under any such agreement (not including vendor or distribution agreements that allow incidental use of intellectual property rights in connection with the sale or distribution of such products or services).

 

Trademarks” means all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by any Grantor:  (a) all trademarks, service marks, trade names, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, trade dress, logos, other source or business identifiers, designs and general intangibles of like nature, the goodwill of the business symbolized thereby or associated therewith, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all registration and recording applications filed in connection therewith, including registrations and registration applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any similar offices in any State of the United States or any other country or any political subdivision thereof, and all extensions or renewals thereof, including those listed on Schedule 7(b) to the Perfection Certificate, (b) all rights and privileges arising under applicable Law with respect to such Grantor’s use of any trademarks, (c) all extensions and renewals thereof and amendments thereto, (d) all income, fees, royalties, damages and payments now and hereafter due and/or payable with respect to any of the foregoing, including damages, claims and payments for past, present or future infringements thereof, (e) all rights corresponding thereto throughout the world and (f) all rights to sue for past, present and future infringements or dilutions thereof or other injuries thereto.

 

Trade Secrets” means all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by any Grantor: confidential proprietary technical or business information, know how, data information, software, databases, and all other proprietary information and all embodiments thereof and related documentation, and books and records describing or used in connection with any of the foregoing.

 

UFCA” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.

 

UFTA” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.

 

ARTICLE II

 

Pledge of Securities

 

Section 2.01                             Pledge.  As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Secured Obligations, each Grantor hereby collaterally assigns and pledges to the Collateral Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under

 

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(a) (i) all Equity Interests held by it on the date hereof (including those Equity Interests listed on Schedule II) and (ii) any other Equity Interests obtained in the future by such Grantor and, in each case, the certificates representing all such Equity Interests (the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) collectively, the “Pledged Equity”), in each case including all dividends, distributions, return of capital, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of the Pledged Equity and all warrants, rights or options issued thereon or with respect thereto; provided that the Pledged Equity shall not include (A) more than 65% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of (x) each Foreign Subsidiary that is directly owned by the Borrower or by any Subsidiary Guarantor and (y) each Domestic Subsidiary that is directly owned by the Borrower or by any Subsidiary Guarantor and that is a disregarded entity for United States Federal income tax purposes substantially all of the assets of which consist of Equity Interests in one or more Foreign Subsidiaries, (B) any Equity Interest of any Person (other than a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is directly owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor, excluding any Equity Interests of any Unrestricted Subsidiary), to the extent restricted or not permitted by the terms of such Person’s organizational documents or other agreements (other than the Shareholders Agreement) with holders of such Equity Interests (so long as such prohibition did not arise as part of the acquisition or formation of such Person and other than to the extent that any such prohibition would be rendered ineffective pursuant to the UCC or any other applicable Law); provided that such Equity Interest shall cease to be an Excluded Equity Interest at such time as such prohibition ceases to be in effect, (C) any Equity Interest if, to the extent and for so long as the pledge of such Equity Interest hereunder is prohibited by any applicable Law (other than to the extent such prohibition would be rendered ineffective under the UCC or any other applicable Law); provided that such Equity Interest shall cease to be an Excluded Equity Interest at such time as such prohibition ceases to be in effect, (D) any Equity Interest if, to the extent and for so long as the pledge of such Equity Interest hereunder would result in (1) material adverse tax consequences (including, without limitation, as a result of the operation of Section 956 of the Code or any similar Law or regulation in any applicable jurisdiction) or (2) material adverse regulatory consequences, in each case as reasonably determined by the Borrower and with the consent of the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction, or with the consent, of the Requisite Lenders), (E) any Equity Interest that the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall have agreed in writing to treat as an Excluded Equity Interest for purposes hereof on account of the cost, difficulty, burden or consequences of pledging such Equity Interest hereunder being excessive in relation to the benefit to the Secured Parties of the security to be afforded thereby and (F) any Equity Interest in an Excluded Subsidiary (any Equity Interests excluded pursuant to clauses (A) through (F) above, the “Excluded Equity Interests”); (b)(i) the promissory notes and any instruments evidencing indebtedness owned by it (including those listed opposite the name of such Grantor on Schedule II) and (ii) any promissory notes and instruments evidencing indebtedness obtained in the future by such Grantor (the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) collectively, the “Pledged Debt”), in each case including all interest, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all Pledged Debt (except to the extent otherwise excluded from the Collateral pursuant to this Agreement); (c) all other property that may be delivered to and held by the Collateral Agent (or the First Lien Agent as the Collateral Agent’s bailee for perfection) pursuant to the terms of this Section 2.01 (except to the extent otherwise excluded from the Collateral pursuant to this Agreement); (d) subject to Section 2.06, all payments of principal or

 

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interest, dividends, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of, and all Proceeds and securities entitlements received in respect of, the securities or other property referred to in clauses (a), (b), and (c) above; and (e) subject to Section 2.06, all rights and privileges of such Grantor with respect to the securities and other property referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above (the items referred to in clauses (a) through (e) above being collectively referred to as the “Pledged Collateral”).

 

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Pledged Collateral, together with all right, title, interest, powers, privileges and preferences pertaining or incidental thereto, unto the Collateral Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, forever; subject, however, to the terms, covenants and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

Section 2.02                             Delivery of the Pledged Collateral.

 

(a)                                 Subject to Section 2.02(d), on the Effective Date (in the case of any Grantor that grants a Lien on any of its assets hereunder on the Effective Date (each an “Effective Date Grantor”)) or on the date on which it signs and delivers its first Security Agreement Supplement (in the case of any other Grantor), each Grantor shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Collateral Agent (or the First Lien Agent as the Collateral Agent’s bailee for perfection), for the benefit of the applicable Secured Parties, any and all Pledged Securities; provided that promissory notes and instruments evidencing Indebtedness shall only be so required to be delivered to the extent required pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 2.02.  Thereafter, whenever such Grantor acquires any other Pledged Security, such Grantor shall promptly deliver or cause to be delivered to the Collateral Agent (or the First Lien Agent as the Collateral Agent’s bailee for perfection) such Pledged Security as Collateral; provided that, if Section 8.11(a) of the Credit Agreement is applicable to such Grantor, such Grantor shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Collateral Agent (or the First Lien Agent as the Collateral Agent’s bailee for perfection) such Pledged Security as Collateral to the extent and within the time frames required under Section 8.11 of the Credit Agreement; provided further that, notwithstanding the foregoing, promissory notes and instruments evidencing Indebtedness shall only be so required to be delivered to the extent required pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 2.02.

 

(b)                                 As promptly as practicable (and in any event within thirty (30) days after receipt by Grantor (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree (acting at the direction, or with the consent, of the Requisite Lenders, provided in their reasonable discretion)), each Grantor will cause any Indebtedness for borrowed money having an aggregate principal amount equal to or in excess of $3,000,000 owed to such Grantor by any Person (other than a Loan Party) to be evidenced by a duly executed promissory note that is pledged and delivered to the Collateral Agent (or the First Lien Agent as the Collateral Agent’s bailee for perfection), for the benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant to the terms hereof; provided that such delivery shall not be required with respect to Excluded Securities.

 

(c)                                  Upon delivery to the Collateral Agent (or the First Lien Agent as the Collateral Agent’s bailee for perfection), (i) any certificate or promissory note representing Pledged Collateral shall be accompanied by undated stock or note powers, as applicable, duly executed in blank or other undated instruments of transfer duly-executed in blank reasonably

 

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satisfactory to the Collateral Agent and by such other instruments and documents as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request in connection with the preservation of its security interest therein and (ii) all other property comprising part of the Pledged Collateral shall be accompanied by such instruments and documents as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request.  At the time of delivery of financial statements as required by Section 7.1(a) or 7.1(b) of the Credit Agreement, the Grantors  shall deliver a schedule describing the additional Pledged Securities pledged hereunder since the date of the last schedule delivered in accordance herewith, which schedule shall be deemed to supplement Schedule II and be made a part hereof; provided that failure to provide any such schedule hereto shall not affect the validity of such pledge of such Pledged Securities.  Each schedule so delivered shall supplement any prior schedules so delivered.

 

(d)                                 Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any Effective Date Grantor does not or cannot deliver any Pledged Collateral (other than Pledged Collateral consisting of the Equity Interests of the Borrower or any wholly-owned Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower) on the Effective Date, after the use of commercially reasonable efforts to do so or without undue cost, difficulty, burden or consequence, such Effective Date Grantor shall not be required to deliver such Pledged Collateral until the date that is ninety (90) days after the Effective Date (or such longer period as (i) the Borrower, (ii) the ABL Agent, (iii) the First Lien Agent and (iv) the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction, or with the consent, of the Requisite Lenders) mutually agree in good faith).

 

(e)                                  The collateral assignment, pledge and security interest granted in Section 2.01  are granted as security only and shall not subject the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to, or in any way alter or modify, any obligation or liability of any Grantor with respect to or arising out of the Pledged Collateral.

 

Section 2.03                             Representations, Warranties and Covenants.  Each Grantor, jointly and severally, represents, warrants and covenants, as to itself and the other Grantors, to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, that:

 

(a)                                 Schedule II sets forth, as of the Effective Date and as of each date on which a supplement to Schedule II is delivered pursuant to Section 2.02(c), a true and correct list of (i) all the issued and outstanding units of each class of the Equity Interests that constitutes Pledged Equity directly owned beneficially, or of record, by such Grantor specifying the issuer and certificate number (if any) of, and the number and percentage of ownership represented by, such Pledged Equity and (ii) all the Pledged Debt owned by such Grantor (other than checks to be deposited in the ordinary course of business), including all promissory notes and instruments required to be pledged hereunder, in each case, other than Excluded Securities (without giving effect to clause (iv) thereof);

 

(b)                                 the Pledged Equity issued by such Grantor or any of its respective Subsidiaries and the Pledged Debt issued by such Grantor or any of its respective Subsidiaries have been duly and validly authorized and issued by such Grantor or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, and (i) in the case of Pledged Equity (other than Pledged Equity consisting of limited liability company interests or partnership interests or other Equity Interests of entities other than corporations which, pursuant to the relevant organizational or formation documents, cannot be

 

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fully paid and non-assessable), are fully paid and nonassessable and (ii) in the case of such Pledged Debt issued by such Grantor or any of its respective Subsidiaries, are legal, valid and binding obligations of such Grantor or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, subject to applicable Debtor Relief Laws and general principles of equity;

 

(c)                                  Such Grantor (i) holds the Pledged Securities indicated on Schedule II (as supplemented from time to time as and to the extent required pursuant to Section 2.02(c) hereof) as owned by such Grantor free and clear of all Liens, other than (A) Liens created by the Collateral Documents, subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, the ABL Facility Documentation,, subject to the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the First Lien Documentation, and, subject to the Notes Intercreditor Agreement, the Notes Documentation and (B) other Liens permitted pursuant to Section 9.1 of the Credit Agreement, (ii) except as permitted under the Credit Agreement, will make no assignment, pledge, hypothecation or transfer of, or create or permit to exist any security interest in or other Lien on, the Pledged Collateral, other than (A) Liens created by the Collateral Documents, subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, the ABL Facility Documentation, subject to the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the First Lien Documentation and, subject to the Notes Intercreditor Agreement, the Notes Documentation and (B) other Liens permitted pursuant to Section 9.1 of the Credit Agreement, and (iii) will defend its title or interest thereto or therein against any and all Liens (other than the Liens permitted pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)), however arising, of all Persons whomsoever (other than the holder of a Lien permitted pursuant to Section 9.1 of the Credit Agreement, any Secured Party, any “Secured Party” (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement) or any “Secured Party” (as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement));

 

(d)                                 except for (i) restrictions and limitations imposed by the Loan Documents, the ABL Facility Documentation, the First Lien Documentation, the Notes Documentation or securities laws generally or by Liens permitted pursuant to Section 9.1 of the Credit Agreement, (ii) restrictions and limitations permitted under Section 9.9 of the Credit Agreement and (iii) in the case of Pledged Equity of Persons that are not Subsidiaries (other than Excluded Subsidiaries), transfer restrictions that exist at the time of acquisition of Equity Interests in such Persons, the Pledged Equity is and will continue to be freely transferable and assignable, and none of the Pledged Equity is or will be subject to any option, right of first refusal, shareholders agreement, charter or by-law or other organizational document provisions or contractual restriction of any nature (other than Liens permitted under Section 9.1 of the Credit Agreement) that would prohibit, impair, delay or otherwise affect, in each case, in any manner material and adverse to the Secured Parties the pledge of such Pledged Equity hereunder, the sale or disposition thereof pursuant hereto or the exercise by the Collateral Agent of rights and remedies hereunder;

 

(e)                                  such Grantor has the power and authority to pledge the Pledged Collateral pledged by it hereunder in the manner done pursuant to Section 2.01 or required hereby;

 

(f)                                   no consent or approval of any Governmental Authority, any securities exchange or any other Person is necessary to the validity and perfection of the pledge of such Grantor in the Pledged Collateral effected pursuant to Section 2.01 (other than such as have been obtained and are in full force and effect);

 

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(g)                                  by virtue of the execution and delivery by such Grantor of this Agreement, when any Pledged Securities of such Grantor constituting “certificated securities” (within the meaning of Section 8-102(a)(4) of the New York UCC) are delivered to the Collateral Agent (or the First Lien Agent as the Collateral Agent’s bailee for perfection) in accordance with this Agreement together with undated powers or instruments of transfer duly endorsed in blank by an effective endorsement, in each case in the State of New York, the Collateral Agent will (i) for so long as such Pledged Securities and undated power or instruments of transfer are held by the Collateral Agent (or the First Lien Agent as the Collateral Agent’s bailee for perfection) in the State of New York, obtain a legal, valid and perfected lien upon and security interest (subject, as to priority, only to any nonconsensual Liens permitted pursuant to Section 9.1 of the Credit Agreement and to lien subordination as set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement and the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement) in such Pledged Securities as security for the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations, (ii) have Control pursuant to Section 8-106(a) or (b), as applicable, under the New York UCC of such Pledged Securities to the extent constituting certificated securities in registered or bearer form, and (iii) assuming that neither the Collateral Agent nor any of the Secured Parties have “notice of an adverse claim” (as defined in Section 8-105 of the UCC) with respect to such Pledged Securities at the time such Pledged Securities are delivered to the Collateral Agent, be a protected purchaser (within the meaning of Section 8-303 of the UCC) thereof; and

 

(h)                                 subject to the terms of this Agreement and to the extent permitted by applicable Law, such Grantor hereby agrees that upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, it will comply with instructions of the Collateral Agent with respect to the Equity Interests in such Grantor that constitute Pledged Equity hereunder that are not certificated without further consent by the applicable owner or holder of such Pledged Equity.

 

Section 2.04                             Certification of Limited Liability Company and Limited Partnership Interests.  Each Grantor acknowledges and agrees that, to the extent any interest in any corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership controlled by any Grantor and pledged under Section 2.01 is a “security” within the meaning of Article 8 of the UCC and is governed by Article 8 of the UCC, such interest shall be represented by a certificate.  Each Grantor further acknowledges and agrees that with respect to any interest in any limited liability company or limited partnership controlled on or after the date hereof by such Grantor and pledged hereunder that is not a “security” within the meaning of Article 8 of the UCC, such Grantor shall at no time elect to treat any such interest as a “security” within the meaning of Article 8 of the UCC, nor shall such interest be represented by a certificate, unless such election and such interest is thereafter represented by a certificate that is promptly delivered to the Collateral Agent (or the First Lien Agent as the Collateral Agent’s bailee for perfection), subject to the Intercreditor Agreement and the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

Section 2.05                             Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations.  If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Collateral Agent shall have given the Borrower written notice of its intent to exercise such rights, (a) the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, shall have the right (acting at the direction, or with the consent, of the Requisite Lenders, in their sole and absolute discretion) to cause each of the Pledged Securities to be transferred of record into the name of the Collateral Agent and (b) the Collateral Agent shall

 

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have the right to exchange the certificates representing Pledged Securities for certificates of smaller or larger denominations for any purpose consistent with this Agreement; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Bankruptcy Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Collateral Agent shall not be required to give the notice referred to above in order to exercise the rights described above.  Each Grantor will promptly give to the Collateral Agent copies of any notices material to the interests of the Lenders received by it with respect to Pledged Securities registered in the name of such Grantor.  Each Grantor will take any and all actions reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to facilitate compliance with this Section 2.05.

 

Section 2.06                             Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest.  (a)              Unless and until an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Collateral Agent shall have notified the Borrower that the rights of such Grantor under this Section 2.06 are being suspended:

 

(i)                           Each Grantor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and/or other consensual rights and powers inuring to an owner of Pledged Securities or any part thereof for any purpose consistent with or not expressly prohibited by the terms of this Agreement, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided that such rights and powers shall not be exercised in any manner that could reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the rights and remedies of any of the Collateral Agent or the other Secured Parties under this Agreement, the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document to which any Grantor is a party or the ability of the Secured Parties to exercise the same.

 

(ii)                        The Collateral Agent shall promptly execute and deliver to each Grantor, or cause to be executed and delivered to each Grantor, all such proxies, powers of attorney and other instruments as any Grantor may reasonably request in writing for the purpose of enabling such Grantor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to subparagraph (i) above, in each case as shall be specified in such request and be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (acting at the direction, or with the consent, of the Requisite Lenders).

 

(iii)                     Each Grantor shall be entitled to receive and retain any and all dividends, interest, principal and other distributions paid on or distributed in respect of the Pledged Securities, to the extent (and only to the extent) that such dividends, interest, principal and other distributions are not expressly prohibited by, the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and applicable Laws; provided that any noncash dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that would constitute Pledged Equity or Pledged Debt, whether resulting from a subdivision, combination or reclassification of the outstanding Equity Interests of the issuer of any Pledged Securities or received in exchange for Pledged Securities or any part thereof, or in redemption thereof, or as a result of any merger, consolidation, acquisition or other exchange of assets to which such issuer may be a party or otherwise, shall be and become part of the Pledged Collateral, and, if received by any Grantor, shall not be commingled by such Grantor with any of its other funds or property but shall be held separate and apart therefrom, shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties and shall be forthwith delivered to the Collateral Agent (or the First Lien Agent as the Collateral Agent’s bailee for perfection) in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent).  So long as no Event of

 

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Default has occurred and is continuing, the Collateral Agent shall promptly deliver to each Grantor (at the expense of such Grantor) any Pledged Securities in its possession if requested to be delivered to the issuer thereof in connection with any exchange or redemption of such Pledged Securities.

 

(b)                                 Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, after the Collateral Agent shall have notified the Borrower of the suspension of the rights of such Grantor under Section 2.06(a), then all rights of such Grantor to dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that such Grantor is authorized to receive pursuant to Section 2.06(a)(iii) shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Collateral Agent (or the First Lien Agent as the Collateral Agent’s bailee for perfection), which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to receive and retain such dividends, interest, principal or other distributions.  All dividends, interest, principal or other distributions received by any Grantor contrary to the provisions of this Section 2.06 shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties, shall be segregated from other property or funds of such Grantor and shall be forthwith delivered to the Collateral Agent (or the First Lien Agent as the Collateral Agent’s bailee for perfection) upon demand in the same form as so received (with any necessary stock or note powers or other instruments of transfer reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent).  Any and all money and other property paid over to or received by the Collateral Agent pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph (b) shall be retained by the Collateral Agent in an account to be established by the Collateral Agent upon receipt of such money or other property and shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.02.  After all Events of Default have been cured or waived in accordance with the Credit Agreement and the Borrower shall have delivered to the Collateral Agent a certificate to such effect (solely with respect to any Events of Default that have been cured and then only to the extent that the cure of any such Event of Default is not conditioned on the approval or satisfaction of the Collateral Agent or any other Person, as to which the parties acknowledge the Borrower is not in a position to make such certification) the Collateral Agent shall promptly repay to each Grantor (without interest) all dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that such Grantor would otherwise be permitted to retain pursuant to the terms of Section 2.06(a)(iii) in the absence of any such Event of Default and that remain in such account, and such Grantor’s right to receive and retain any and all dividends, interest, principal and other distributions paid on or distributed in respect of the Pledged Securities shall be automatically reinstated.

 

(c)                                  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, after the Collateral Agent shall have notified the Borrower of the suspension of the rights of such Grantor under Section 2.06(a), then all rights of such Grantor to exercise the voting and consensual rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to Section 2.06(a)(i), and the obligations of the Collateral Agent under Section 2.06(a)(ii), shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become, subject to the rights of the ABL Agent under the Intercreditor Agreement and the First Lien Agent under the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, vested in the Collateral Agent, which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to exercise such voting and consensual rights and powers; provided that, unless otherwise directed by the Requisite Lenders, the Collateral Agent shall have the right from time to time following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default to permit the Grantors to exercise such rights.  After all Events of Default have been cured or waived in accordance with the Credit Agreement and the Borrower shall have delivered to the Collateral Agent a certificate to such

 

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effect (solely with respect to any Events of Default that have been cured and then only to the extent that the cure of any such Event of Default is not conditioned on the approval or satisfaction of the Collateral Agent or any other Person, as to which the parties acknowledge the Borrower is not in a position to make such certification), each Grantor shall have the exclusive right to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers that such Grantor would otherwise be entitled to exercise pursuant to the terms of Section 2.06(a)(i), and the obligations of the Collateral Agent under Section 2.06(a)(ii) shall automatically be reinstated.

 

(d)                                 Any notice given by the Collateral Agent to the Borrower suspending the rights of such Grantor under this Section 2.06, (i) shall be given in writing, (ii) may be given with respect to one or more of the Grantors at the same or different times and (iii) may suspend the rights of the Grantors under Sections 2.06(a)(i) or (iii) in part without suspending all such rights (as specified by the Collateral Agent in writing) and without waiving or otherwise affecting the Collateral Agent’s rights to give additional notices from time to time suspending other rights so long as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 2.06(a), (b) or (c), if a Bankruptcy Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Collateral Agent shall not be required to give any notice referred to in said Sections in order to exercise any of its rights described in such Sections, and the suspension of the rights of each of the Grantors under each such Section shall be automatic upon the occurrence and during the continuance of such Bankruptcy Event of Default.

 

Section 2.07                             Collateral Agent Not a Partner or Limited Liability Company Member.  Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to make the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party liable as a member of any limited liability company or as a partner of any partnership and neither the Collateral Agent nor any other Secured Party by virtue of this Agreement or otherwise (except as referred to in the following sentence) shall have any of the duties, obligations or liabilities of a member of any limited liability company or as a partner in any partnership.  The parties hereto expressly agree that, unless the Collateral Agent shall become the absolute owner of Pledged Equity consisting of a limited liability company interest or a partnership interest pursuant hereto, this Agreement shall not be construed as creating a partnership or joint venture among the Collateral Agent, any other Secured Party, any Grantor and/or any other Person.

 

ARTICLE III

 

Security Interests in Personal Property

 

Section 3.01                             Security Interest.

 

(a)                                 As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Secured Obligations, each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, its successors and permitted assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest (the “Security Interest”) in, all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to or under any and all of the following assets and properties, whether now owned or at any time hereafter acquired by such Grantor or in which such Grantor now has or at any time in the future may acquire any right, title or interest (collectively, the “Article 9 Collateral”):

 

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(i)                           all Accounts;

 

(ii)                        all chattel paper;

 

(iii)                     all Documents;

 

(iv)                    all Equipment;

 

(v)                       all General Intangibles;

 

(vi)                    all instruments;

 

(vii)                 all Inventory;

 

(viii)              all investment property:

 

(ix)                    all books and records pertaining to the Article 9 Collateral;

 

(x)                       all goods and fixtures;

 

(xi)                    all money, cash, and Cash Equivalents

 

(xii)                 all letter-of-credit rights;

 

(xiii)              all commercial tort claims described on Schedule III from time to time;

 

(xiv)             all Deposit Accounts and all cash, money, Securities and other investments deposited therein;

 

(xv)                all supporting obligations;

 

(xvi)             all security entitlements in any or all of the foregoing;

 

(xvii)          all Intellectual Property and Licenses; and

 

(xviii)       to the extent not otherwise included in clauses (i) through (xvii) of this Section 3.01(a), all Proceeds and products of any and all of the foregoing and all collateral security and guarantees given by any Person with respect to any of the foregoing;

 

provided that “Collateral” shall not include any of the following assets or property, each being an “Excluded Property”:  (i) any “intent to use” trademark application or intent-to-use service mark application, solely during the period in which the grant of a security interest therein would impair the validity or enforceability of, or render void or voidable or result in the cancellation of the applicable Grantor’s right, title or interest in, such intent-to-use trademark application or intent-to-use service mark application or any Trademark issued as a result of such use trademark application or intent-to-use service mark application under applicable federal law, after which period such application shall be automatically subject to the security interest granted herein and deemed to be included in the Collateral; (ii) the Excluded Equity Interests; (iii) any asset or

 

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property with respect to which the Administrative Agent and the Borrower reasonably agree in writing that any of the cost, difficulty, burden or consequences (including adverse tax consequences) of obtaining a security interest therein are excessive in relation to the benefit to the Secured Parties of the security to be afforded thereby; (iv) any asset or property securing a purchase money obligation or Capitalized Lease Obligation permitted to be incurred under the Credit Agreement, to the extent that the terms of the agreements relating to such Lien would violate or invalidate such purchase money obligation or Capitalized Lease Obligation or create a right of termination in favor of, or require the consent of, any other party thereto (other than the Borrower or any Grantor), except to the extent such prohibition or restriction is deemed ineffective under the UCC or other applicable Law or principle of equity (except that Proceeds thereof, as and to the extent the assignment of which is expressly deemed effective under the UCC, notwithstanding such prohibition shall constitute Collateral); (v) any asset or property, if a security interest therein is prohibited by applicable Law, rule or regulation (including any requirement to obtain the consent of any Governmental Authority) other than to the extent such prohibition is rendered ineffective under the UCC or other applicable Law notwithstanding such prohibition; (vi) any rights of a Grantor arising under or evidenced by any contract, lease, instrument, license or agreement (other than the Shareholders Agreement) to the extent the security interest therein are prohibited or restricted by, or would violate or invalidate such contract, lease, instrument, license or other agreement, or create a right of termination in favor of, or require the consent of, any other party thereto (other than the Borrower or any Grantor), except to the extent such prohibition or restriction is deemed ineffective under the UCC or other applicable Law or principle of equity (except that Proceeds thereof, as and to the extent the assignment of which is expressly deemed effective under the UCC, notwithstanding such prohibition shall constitute Collateral); (vii) any governmental license or state or local franchise, charter or authorization, to the extent a security interest therein is prohibited or restricted thereby, except to the extent such prohibition or restriction is deemed ineffective under the UCC or other applicable Law or principal of equity (except that Proceeds thereof, as and to the extent the assignment of which is expressly deemed effective under the UCC, notwithstanding such prohibition shall constitute Collateral); (viii) any asset or property to the extent a security interest therein would result in (a) material adverse tax consequences (including, without limitation, as a result of the operation of Section 956 of the Code or any similar Law or regulation in any applicable jurisdiction) or (b) material adverse regulatory consequences, in each case as reasonably determined by the Borrower with the consent of the Administrative Agent (acting at the direction, or with the consent, of the Requisite Lenders); (ix)(a) payroll and other employee wage and benefit accounts, (b) tax accounts, including, without limitation, sales tax accounts, (c) escrow accounts and (d) fiduciary or trust accounts, and, in the case of clauses (a) through (d), the funds or other property held in or maintained in any such account; (x) motor vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title; and (xi) any commercial tort claim with a value not in excess of $3,000,000.  Each Grantor shall, if reasonably requested to do so by the Collateral Agent, use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any such required consent that is reasonably obtainable with respect to Collateral described in clause (vi) above which the Collateral Agent reasonably determines (acting at the direction, or with the consent, of the Requisite Lenders) to be material, with such commercially reasonable efforts to be maintained for a time period determined by the Collateral Agent (acting at the direction, or with the consent, of the Requisite Lenders) (it being agreed that commercially reasonable efforts shall not require the payment of any monetary or other consideration).

 

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(b)                                 Each Grantor hereby irrevocably authorizes the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties at any time and from time to time to file in any relevant jurisdiction any financing statements or continuation statements (including fixture filings) with respect to the Article 9 Collateral or any part thereof and amendments thereto that (i) describe the collateral covered thereby in any manner that the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent reasonably determines is necessary or advisable to ensure the perfection of the security interest in the Article 9 Collateral granted under this Agreement including indicating the Collateral as all assets or all personal property of such Grantor or words of similar effect and (ii) contain the information required by Article 9 of the UCC, of each applicable jurisdiction for the filing of any financing statement or amendment, including (A) whether such Grantor is an organization, the type of organization and any organizational identification number issued to such Grantor and (B) in the case of a financing statement filed as a fixture filing, a sufficient description of the real property to which such Article 9 Collateral relates.  Each Grantor agrees to provide such information to the Collateral Agent promptly upon receipt by such Grantor of written request therefor from the Collateral Agent.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to fixtures, the Collateral Agent shall only file financing statements in the jurisdiction of organization of a Grantor, except in connection with a Mortgage in which case such fixture filing shall be filed in the office in which the related Mortgage is recorded.

 

(c)                                  The Security Interest is granted as security only and shall not subject the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to, or in any way alter or modify, any obligation or liability of any Grantor with respect to or arising out of the Article 9 Collateral.

 

(d)                                 On the Effective Date and otherwise in accordance with Section 4.02(g), each Grantor hereby further authorizes the Collateral Agent to file an Intellectual Property Security Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit IIIIV or V, as applicable, covering relevant IP Collateral consisting of Patents (and Patents for which applications are pending), registered Trademarks (and Trademarks for which registration applications are pending) and registered Copyrights (and Copyrights for which registration applications are pending) with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or United States Copyright Office (or any successor office), as applicable, and such other documents as may be necessary or advisable for the purpose of perfecting, confirming, continuing, enforcing or protecting the Security Interest granted by such Grantor hereunder, without the signature of such Grantor, and naming such Grantor, as debtor, and the Collateral Agent, as secured party.

 

Section 3.02                             Representations and Warranties.  Each Grantor represents and warrants, as to itself and the other Grantors, to the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties that:

 

(a)                                 Each Grantor has good and valid rights (not subject to any Liens other than Liens permitted by Section 9.1 of the Credit Agreement) and/or good or marketable title in the Article 9 Collateral with respect to which it has purported to grant a Security Interest hereunder (which rights and/or title, are in any event, sufficient under Section 9-203 of the UCC), and has all necessary power and authority to grant to the Collateral Agent the Security Interest in such Article 9 Collateral pursuant hereto and to execute, deliver and perform its obligations in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, without the consent or approval of any other Person other than (i) any consent or approval that has been obtained, (ii) perfection actions with respect to Article 9 Collateral and the Pledged Collateral and (iii) as may be

 

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required under applicable Law in connection with a Disposition of Article 9 Collateral or Pledged Collateral, including Laws affecting the offering and sale of securities generally.

 

(b)                                 The Perfection Certificate delivered to the Collateral Agent on or prior to the Effective Date has been duly executed and delivered to the Collateral Agent and the information set forth therein, including the exact legal name of each Grantor and its jurisdiction of organization, taken as a whole, is correct and complete in all material respects as of the Effective Date.  The UCC financing statements (including fixture filings) prepared by the Collateral Agent based upon the information provided to the Collateral Agent in the Perfection Certificate (assuming such financing statements accurately reflect the information set forth in the Perfection Certificate as to the applicable Grantor, and such other information as is required to be contained therein as to the secured party thereunder (and, in the case of Collateral consisting of commercial tort claims, sufficient information with respect thereto as is required under the UCC)) for filing in each governmental, municipal or other office specified in Schedule IV of this Agreement (or specified by notice from the applicable Grantor to the Collateral Agent after the Effective Date in the case of filings, recordings or registrations required by Section 8.11 of the Credit Agreement and the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement), and the filings required to be made pursuant to the last sentence of this Section 3.02(b) in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office in order to perfect the Security Interest in Article 9 Collateral consisting of United States Patents and United States registered or pending intellectual property, are all the filings, recordings and registrations necessary to establish a legal, valid and perfected security interest in favor of the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties, assuming the Secured Parties have validly appointed the Collateral Agent as their agent for such purpose) in respect of all Article 9 Collateral in which the Security Interest may be perfected by such filings, recordings or registrations.  Based on the Law as in effect on the Effective Date, no further or subsequent filing, refiling, recording, rerecording, registration or reregistration with respect to Article 9 Collateral of the types described in the preceding sentence is necessary in any such jurisdiction, except as provided under applicable Law with respect to the filing of continuation statements or, in the case of commercial tort claims, the filing of financing statements.  Each Grantor represents and warrants that, as of the Effective Date, Grants of Security Interest executed by the applicable Grantor in the form attached as Exhibit IIIIV or V, as applicable, containing a description of all IP Collateral consisting of Patents (and Patents for which applications are pending), registered Trademarks (and Trademarks for which registration applications are pending) or registered Copyrights (and Copyrights for which registration applications are pending), as applicable, have been delivered to the Collateral Agent for recording by the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office, as applicable, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 261, 15 U.S.C. § 1060 or 17 U.S.C. § 205 and the regulations thereunder.

 

(c)                                  The Security Interest constitutes (i) a legal and valid security interest in all the Article 9 Collateral (other than commercial tort claims with respect to which a UCC financing statement in appropriate form for filing and in sufficient detail has not been filed in the appropriate filing office) securing the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations (with respect to the Collateral consisting of Equity Interests of Foreign Subsidiaries, to the extent the enforceability of such Security Interest is governed by the UCC and does not require the taking of any perfection steps, including the filing of financing statements (or the equivalent thereof), in any jurisdiction outside of the United States), subject to the effects of Debtor Relief Laws and

 

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general equitable principles, (ii) subject to the filings described in Section 3.02(b), a perfected security interest in all Article 9 Collateral in which a security interest may be perfected by filing a financing statement in the United States (or any political subdivision thereof) pursuant to the UCC and (iii) a security interest that shall be perfected in all Article 9 Collateral (other than with respect to any Copyright that is not material to the business of the Grantors, taken as a whole) in which a security interest may be perfected upon the due recording of the relevant Grants of Security Interest with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, as applicable, within the three (3) month period (commencing as of the date hereof) pursuant to 35 U.S.C.  § 261 or 15 U.S.C.  § 1060 or the one (1) month period (commencing as of the date hereof) pursuant to 17 U.S.C.  § 205.  The Security Interest is and shall be prior to any other Lien on any of the Article 9 Collateral, other than (i) any nonconsensual Lien that is permitted pursuant to Section 9.1 of the Credit Agreement and has priority as a matter of Law and (ii) any other Lien that is permitted pursuant to Section 9.1 of the Credit Agreement and which, in the case of Liens permitted pursuant to Section 9.1(v) of the Credit Agreement, are subject at all times to the Intercreditor Agreement, in the case of Liens permitted pursuant to Section 9.1(a)(ii) of the Credit Agreement, are subject at all times to the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and, in the case of Liens permitted pursuant to Section 9.1(a)(iii) of the Credit Agreement, are subject at all times to the Notes Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(d)                                 None of the Grantors has filed or consented to the filing, in each case, to the extent constituting Liens, of (i) any financing statement or analogous document under the UCC or any other applicable Laws covering any Article 9 Collateral, (ii) any assignment in which any Grantor assigns any Article 9 Collateral or any security agreement or similar instrument covering any Article 9 Collateral with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office, or (iii) any assignment in which any Grantor assigns any Article 9 Collateral or any security agreement or similar instrument covering any Article 9 Collateral with any foreign governmental, municipal or other office, in the case of each of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above, which financing statement or analogous document, assignment, security agreement or similar instrument is still in effect, except, in each case, for Liens expressly permitted pursuant to Section 9.1 of the Credit Agreement (or documentation, instruments, filings, registrations or recordations governing or evidencing any such Lien);

 

(e)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document:

 

(i)                           no Grantor shall be required to perfect the Security Interests granted by this Agreement or the pledges, collateral assignments or grants of security interests pursuant to Article II or Article III of this Agreement by any means other than by (A) filings in the United States pursuant to the UCC in the office of the secretary of state (or equivalent filing office) of the relevant State(s), (B) solely with respect to any properties subject to any Mortgages on Material Real Property, fixture filings pursuant to the UCC in the applicable county filing office of the relevant State(s) in which such Material Real Property is located, (C) the recording of required Mortgages on Material Real Property in the applicable county offices referred to in the foregoing clause (B), (D) filings in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office with respect to IP Collateral consisting of Patents (and Patents for which applications are pending), registered Trademarks (and Trademarks for which registration is pending) or registered Copyrights (and Copyrights for which registration

 

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applications are pending), (E) delivery to the Collateral Agent of certificated securities, to the extent delivery thereof is expressly required by the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document and (F) execution and delivery by the applicable Grantor of Deposit Account Control Agreements to the extent required by the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, no Grantor shall be required to execute or deliver any Deposit Account Control Agreements or Securities Account Control Agreements with respect to any Other Accounts (as defined in the ABL Facility Credit Agreement), except to the extent required under Section 8.12(a)(i) of the ABL Facility Credit Agreement;

 

(ii)                        any representations, warranties, covenants or other statements in this Agreement or any other Collateral Documents as to the perfection of any pledge, security interest or other Lien in or on any Collateral (as defined in the Credit Agreement), or as to the effect or non-effect of any perfection step, shall be deemed to be limited solely as to perfection effected by the perfection steps referred to in the preceding clause (i);

 

(iii)                     no Grantor shall be required to enter into any security agreement or any other pledge or collateral documents governed or purported to be governed by foreign Law or required to be filed, recorded or registered in any jurisdiction outside the United States; and

 

(iv)                    without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no Grantor shall be deemed to give any representation, warranty or covenant or make any statement in any Collateral Document as to the perfection of any pledge, security interest or Lien in or on any Collateral (as defined in the Credit Agreement) by Control except as provided in Sections 2.03(g)(ii), 2.04, 3.02(e)(i) and 3.04(b) of this Agreement, and pursuant to any Deposit Account Control Agreement.

 

(f)                                   Subject to Section 3.04(b) and Article VI hereof, it is understood and agreed that the Security Interests in cash and Cash Equivalents created hereunder shall not prevent the Grantors from knowingly using such assets in the ordinary course of their respective businesses.

 

(g)                                  All commercial tort claims of each Grantor where the amount of the damages claimed in respect of any such commercial tort claim by such Grantor is in excess of $3,000,000 in existence on the date of this Agreement (or on the date upon which such Grantor becomes a party to this Agreement) are described on Schedule III hereto.

 

(h)                                 Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, with respect to the IP Collateral:

 

(i)                           such Grantor is the owner of all right, title and interest in and to, the IP Collateral or has the right or license to use the IP Collateral subject only to the terms of the Licenses;

 

(ii)                        the operation of such Grantor’s business as currently conducted and the use of the IP Collateral by such Grantor in connection therewith do not conflict with, infringe, misappropriate, dilute, misuse or otherwise violate the intellectual property rights of any third party;

 

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(iii)                     the IP Collateral set forth on the Perfection Certificate includes all of the IP Collateral consisting of U.S. Patents (and Patents for which applications are pending), U.S. registered Trademarks (and Trademarks for which registration is pending) and U.S. registered Copyrights (and Copyrights for which registration applications are pending) owned by such Grantor as of the date hereof;

 

(iv)                    the IP Collateral is subsisting and has not been adjudged invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part, and to such Grantor’s knowledge, is valid and enforceable (within the meaning of Article 9 of the UCC), subject, in the case of any IP Collateral consisting of a License or other contractual obligations, to Debtor Relief Laws and equitable principles;

 

(v)                       such Grantor is not aware of any uses by such Grantor of any item of IP Collateral material to the business of the Grantors, taken as a whole, that could reasonably be expected to lead to such item becoming invalid or unenforceable;

 

(vi)                    no claim, action, suit, investigation, litigation or proceeding has been asserted in a writing delivered to such Grantor or is pending or threatened in a writing delivered to such Grantor against such Grantor  (A) based upon or challenging or seeking to deny or restrict the Grantor’s rights in or use of any of the IP Collateral, (B) alleging that the Grantor’s rights in or use of the IP Collateral or that any services provided by, processes used by, or products manufactured or sold by such Grantor infringe, misappropriate, dilute, misuse or otherwise violate any patent, trademark, copyright or any other proprietary right of any third party, or (C) alleging that the IP Collateral is being licensed or sublicensed in violation or contravention of the terms of any license or other agreement;

 

(vii)                 to such Grantor’s knowledge, no Person is engaging in any activity that infringes, misappropriates, dilutes, misuses or otherwise violates any material IP Collateral or the Grantor’s rights in or use thereof;

 

(viii)              the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents will not result in the termination or impairment of any of the IP Collateral;

 

(ix)                    with respect to each License constituting IP Collateral: (A) such License is valid and binding on such Grantor, subject to Debtor Relief Laws and equitable principles, and in full force and effect; (B) such Grantor has not received any written notice of termination or cancellation under such License; (C) such Grantor has not received any written notice that has not been rescinded or withdrawn of a breach or default under such License; and (D) neither such Grantor nor, to such Grantor’s knowledge, any other party to such License is in breach of default thereof in any material respect, and no event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a breach or default or permit termination, modification or acceleration under such License; and

 

(x)                       to such Grantor’s knowledge, (A) none of the material trade secrets of such Grantor constituting IP Collateral has been used, divulged, disclosed or appropriated to the detriment of such Grantor for the benefit of any other Person other than any Grantor; (B) no employee, independent contractor or agent of such Grantor has misappropriated any material trade secrets of any other Person in the course of the performance of his or her duties as an

 

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employee, independent contractor or agent of such Grantor; and (C) no employee, independent contractor or agent of such Grantor is in default or breach of any material term of any employment agreement, non-disclosure agreement, assignment or inventions agreement or similar agreement or contract relating in any way to the protection, ownership, development, use or transfer of such Grantor’s material IP Collateral.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement (including Article IV) shall (i) prohibit the acquisition or Disposition of any Intellectual Property or IP Collateral permitted (or required) to be acquired or Disposed of pursuant to the Credit Agreement, (ii) require the acquisition or disposition of any Intellectual Property or IP Collateral prohibited from being acquired or Disposed of pursuant to the Credit Agreement, or (iii) prohibit the license granted pursuant to Section 4.01.

 

Section 3.03                             Covenants.

 

(a)                                 The Borrower agrees to promptly (and in any event within thirty (30) calendar days of such event, or such later date as the Collateral Agent may agree (acting at the direction, or with the consent, of the Requisite Lenders)) notify the Collateral Agent of any change (i) in the legal name of any Grantor, (ii) in the identity or type of organization or corporate structure of any Grantor, (iii) in the jurisdiction of organization of any Grantor, (iv) in the location of any Grantor under the UCC or (v) in the organizational identification number of any Grantor.  In addition, if any Grantor does not have an organizational identification number on the Effective Date (or the date such Grantor becomes a party to this Agreement) and later obtains one, the Borrower shall promptly thereafter notify the Collateral Agent of such organizational identification number and shall take all actions reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (acting at the direction, or with the consent, of the Requisite Lenders) to the extent necessary to maintain the security interests (and the priority thereof) of the Collateral Agent in the Collateral intended to be granted hereby fully perfected and in full force and effect (it being acknowledged that no such actions shall be required to be taken in any jurisdiction in which such organization identification number is not required, under the applicable UCC, to be set forth on a financing statement).  The Loan Parties agree not to effect or permit any change referred to in the preceding sentence unless all filings, publications and registrations (other than those not required to be made under Section 3.02(e)(i)), have been made (or will be made in a timely fashion) under the UCC or other applicable Law that are required in order for the Collateral Agent to continue at all times following such change to have a valid, legal and perfected security interest to the extent required under the Loan Documents, including Section 3.02(e)(i) hereof (subject, as to priority, only to (i) any nonconsensual Lien that is permitted pursuant to Section 9.1 of the Credit Agreement and has priority as a matter of Law and (ii) any other Lien that is permitted pursuant to Section 9.1 of the Credit Agreement and has priority as a matter of Law and which, in the case of Liens permitted pursuant to Section 9.1(v) of the Credit Agreement, is subject at all times to the Intercreditor Agreement, in the case of Liens permitted pursuant to Section 9.1(a)(ii) of the Credit Agreement, are subject at all times to the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and, in the case of Liens permitted pursuant to Section 9.1(a)(iii) of the Credit Agreement, are subject at all times to the Notes Intercreditor Agreement) in all the Collateral for its own benefit and the benefit of the other Secured Parties.

 

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(b)                                 Each Grantor shall, at its own expense, take any and all commercially reasonable actions necessary to defend title to the Article 9 Collateral against all Persons, except with respect to Article 9 Collateral that such Grantor determines in its reasonable business judgment is no longer necessary or beneficial to the conduct of the business, and to defend the Security Interest of the Collateral Agent in the Article 9 Collateral and the priority thereof against any Lien not permitted pursuant to Section 9.1 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(c)                                  At the time of delivery of annual financial statements with respect to the preceding Fiscal Year pursuant to Section 7.1(a) of the Credit Agreement and delivery of the related Compliance Certificate, the Borrower shall deliver to the Collateral Agent a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth a listing of (i) any new Material Real Property owned by any Loan Party that has been acquired since the last such certificate (or since the Effective Date, in the case of the first such certificate delivered after the Effective Date), (ii) any United States Patents (and Patents for which applications are pending), United States registered Trademarks (and Trademarks for which registration is pending) and United States registered Copyrights (and Copyrights for which registration applications are pending) acquired, created, developed, or exclusively licensed by any Loan Party since the most recent list delivered pursuant to this Section 3.03(c), (or, in the case of the first such list so delivered, since the Effective Date) and (iii) any new Restricted Subsidiary since the date of the most recent list delivered pursuant to this Section 3.03(c), or confirming that there has been no change in such information since the date of such certificate or the date of the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to this Section 3.03(c).

 

(d)                                 Each Grantor agrees, at its own expense, to execute, acknowledge, deliver and cause to be duly filed all such further instruments and documents and take all such actions as the Collateral Agent may from time to time reasonably request to better assure, preserve, protect and perfect the Security Interest and the rights and remedies created hereby, including the payment of any fees and Taxes required in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the granting of the Security Interest and the filing of any financing statements (including fixture filings) or other documents in connection herewith or therewith.  If any amount payable under or in connection with any of the Article 9 Collateral (other than by a Loan Party) that equals or exceeds $3,000,000 shall be or become evidenced by any promissory note or instrument, such promissory note or instrument shall be promptly pledged and, subject to the Intercreditor Agreement and the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, delivered to the Collateral Agent (or the First Lien Agent as the Collateral Agent’s bailee for perfection), for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (acting at the direction, or with the consent, of the Requisite Lenders).

 

(e)                                  At its option, the Collateral Agent may discharge past due taxes, assessments, charges, fees, Liens, security interests or other encumbrances at any time levied or placed on the Article 9 Collateral and not permitted pursuant to Section 9.1 of the Credit Agreement, and may pay for the maintenance and preservation of the Article 9 Collateral to the extent any Grantor fails to do so as required by the Credit Agreement, this Agreement or any other Loan Document and within a reasonable period of time after the Collateral Agent has requested that it do so, and each Grantor jointly and severally agrees to reimburse the Collateral Agent within ten (10) days after demand for any payment made or any reasonable out-of-pocket expense incurred by the Collateral Agent pursuant to the foregoing authorization; provided that

 

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nothing in this paragraph shall be interpreted as (i) excusing any Grantor from the performance of, or imposing any obligation on the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party to cure or perform, any covenants or other promises of any Grantor with respect to taxes, assessments, charges, fees, Liens, security interests or other encumbrances and maintenance as set forth herein or in the other Loan Documents to which such Grantor is a party, (ii) imposing on any Grantor any obligation with respect to the maintenance and preservation of the Article 9 Collateral not otherwise imposed by the Credit Agreement, or (iii) requiring any Grantor to obtain or maintain any insurance coverage not otherwise required to be obtained or maintained by any Grantor under the Credit Agreement.

 

(f)                                   If at any time any Grantor shall take a security interest in any property (which security interest does not otherwise constitute Excluded Property) of an Account Debtor or any other Person the value of which equals or exceeds $1,500,000 (determined on a per property basis) to secure payment and performance of an Account owed by, or related contracts providing for payments by the applicable Account Debtor or other Person, such Grantor shall promptly assign such security interest to the Collateral Agent (or the First Lien Agent as the Collateral Agent’s bailee for perfection) for the benefit of the applicable Secured Parties.  Such assignment need not be filed of public record unless necessary to continue the perfected status of the security interest against creditors of and transferees from the Account Debtor or other Person granting the security interest.

 

(g)                                  Each Grantor (rather than the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party) shall remain liable (as between itself and any relevant counterparty) to observe and perform all the conditions and obligations to be observed and performed by it under each contract, agreement or instrument relating to the Article 9 Collateral, all in accordance with the terms and conditions thereof.

 

(h)                                 Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary other than the filing of a UCC financing statement, (i) no actions shall be required to perfect the security interest granted hereunder in letter-of-credit rights, (ii) no actions shall be required to perfect the security interest granted hereunder in motor vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title and (iii) no Grantor shall be required to complete any filings or other action with respect to the perfection of the security interests created hereby in any jurisdiction outside of the United States or any State thereof.

 

Section 3.04                             Other Actions.  In order to further insure the attachment, perfection and priority of, and the ability of the Collateral Agent to enforce, the Security Interest, each Grantor agrees, in each case at such Grantor’s own expense and subject to the Intercreditor Agreement and First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, to take the following actions with respect to the following Article 9 Collateral:

 

(a)                                 Instruments.  If any Grantor shall at any time hold or acquire any instruments constituting Collateral and evidencing an amount equal to or in excess of $3,000,000 (or, in the case of ABL Priority Collateral, $1,500,000) such Grantor shall promptly endorse, assign and deliver the same to the Collateral Agent (or the First Lien Agent as the Collateral Agent’s bailee for perfection) for the benefit of the applicable Secured Parties, accompanied by

 

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such undated instruments of transfer or assignment duly executed in blank as the Collateral Agent may from time to time reasonably request.

 

(b)                                 Investment Property.  Except to the extent otherwise provided in Article II, if any Grantor shall at any time hold or acquire any certificated securities (other than Excluded Securities), such Grantor shall promptly endorse, assign and deliver the same to the Collateral Agent (or the First Lien Agent as the Collateral Agent’s bailee for perfection) for the benefit of the applicable Secured Parties, accompanied by such undated instruments of transfer or assignment duly executed in blank as the Collateral Agent may from time to time reasonably request.

 

(c)                                  Commercial Tort Claims.  If any Grantor shall at any time after the date of this Agreement acquire a commercial tort claim in an amount of $3,000,000 or more, such Grantor shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent thereof at the time of delivery of financial statements as required by Section 7.1(a) or 7.1(b) of the Credit Agreement in writing and at such time provide supplements to Schedule III describing the details thereof and shall grant to the Collateral Agent (or the First Lien Agent as the Collateral Agent’s bailee for perfection) a security interest therein and in the proceeds thereof, all upon the terms of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

Special Provisions Concerning IP Collateral

 

Section 4.01                             Grant of License to Use Intellectual Property.  Without limiting the provisions of Section 3.01 hereof or any other rights of the Collateral Agent as the holder of a Security Interest in any IP Collateral, for the purpose of enabling the Collateral Agent to exercise rights and remedies under this Agreement at such time as the Collateral Agent shall be lawfully entitled to exercise such rights and remedies, each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, an irrevocable, nonexclusive license (exercisable without payment of royalty or other compensation to the Grantors) to use, license or sublicense any of the IP Collateral now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor, and wherever the same may be located (whether or not any license agreement by and between any Grantor and any other Person relating to the use of such IP Collateral may be terminated hereafter), and including in such license reasonable access to all media in which any of the licensed items may be recorded or stored and to all computer software and programs used for the compilation or printout thereof, provided, however, that any such license granted by the Collateral Agent to a third party shall include reasonable and customary terms necessary to preserve the existence, validity and value of the affected IP Collateral, including without limitation, provisions requiring the continuing confidential handling of trade secrets, requiring the use of appropriate notices and prohibiting the use of false notices, protecting and maintaining the quality standards of the Trademarks in the manner set forth below (it being understood and agreed that, without limiting any other rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent under this Agreement, any other Loan Document or applicable Law, nothing in the foregoing license grant shall be construed as granting the Collateral Agent rights in and to such IP Collateral above and beyond (x) the rights to such IP Collateral that each Grantor has reserved for itself and (y) in the case of IP Collateral that is licensed to any such Grantor by a third party, the extent to which such Grantor has the right to grant a sublicense to such IP Collateral hereunder).

 

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The use of such license by the Collateral Agent may only be exercised, at the option of the Collateral Agent, after the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default; provided that any license, sublicense or other transaction entered into by the Collateral Agent in accordance herewith shall immediately terminate at such time as the Collateral Agent is no longer lawfully entitled to exercise its rights and remedies under this Agreement and all rights that may be deemed to have vested in the Collateral Agent shall be and hereby are assigned, transferred and conveyed to the Grantors.  Nothing in this Section 4.01 shall require a Grantor to grant any license that is prohibited by any rule of law, statute or regulation, or is prohibited by, or constitutes a breach or default under or results in the termination of any contract, license, agreement, instrument or other document evidencing, giving rise to or theretofore granted, with respect to such property or otherwise unreasonably prejudices the value thereof to the relevant Grantor.  In the event the license set forth in this Section 4.01 is exercised with regard to any Trademarks, then the following shall apply:  (i) all goodwill arising from any licensed or sublicensed use of any Trademark shall inure to the benefit of the Grantor; (ii) the licensed or sublicensed Trademarks shall only be used in association with goods or services of a quality and nature consistent with the quality and reputation with which such Trademarks were associated when used by Grantor prior to the exercise of the license rights set forth herein; and (iii) at the Grantor’s request and expense, licensees and sublicensees shall provide reasonable cooperation in any effort by the Grantor to maintain the registration or otherwise secure the ongoing validity and effectiveness of such licensed Trademarks, including, without limitation the actions and conduct described in Section 4.02 below.

 

Section 4.02                             Protection of Collateral Agent’s Security.

 

(a)                                 Except to the extent permitted by Section 4.02(h) below, and except for exceptions to the following that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each Grantor agrees to take, with respect to each registration or pending application of its IP Collateral for which such Grantor has standing to do so, at its expense, all reasonable steps in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the U. S. Copyright Office to (i) maintain the validity and enforceability of any registered IP Collateral and maintain such IP Collateral in full force and effect, and (ii) pursue the registration and maintenance of each Patent, Trademark, or Copyright registration or application, now or hereafter included in such IP Collateral of such Grantor with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the U.S. Copyright Office, including, without limitation, (A) the payment of required fees and taxes, the filing of responses to office actions issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or the U.S. Copyright Office, as applicable, or (B) the filing of applications for renewal or extension, the filing of affidavits under Sections 8 and 15 of the U.S. Trademark Act, the filing of divisional, continuation, continuation-in-part, reissue and renewal applications or extensions, the payment of maintenance fees and the participation in interference, reexamination, opposition, cancellation, infringement and misappropriation proceedings, in each case with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the U.S Copyright Office.

 

(b)                                 Except to the extent permitted by Section 4.02(h) below, or except for exceptions to the following that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, no Grantor shall do or permit any act or knowingly omit to do any act whereby any of its IP Collateral may lapse, be terminated, or become invalid or unenforceable or placed in the public domain (or in case of a trade secret, lose its competitive value).

 

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(c)                                  In the event that any Grantor becomes aware that any item of the IP Collateral material to the business of the Grantors, taken as a whole, is being infringed or misappropriated by a third party, such Grantor shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent and shall take such actions, at its expense, as such Grantor reasonably deems appropriate under the circumstances to protect or enforce such IP Collateral, including, without limitation, suing for infringement or misappropriation and for an injunction against such infringement or misappropriation.

 

(d)                                 Each Grantor shall use proper statutory notice as commercially practical in connection with its use of each item of its IP Collateral that is material to the business of the Grantors, taken as a whole.  Except to the extent permitted by Section 4.02(h) below, or except for exceptions to the following that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, no Grantor shall do or permit any act or knowingly omit to do any act whereby any of its IP Collateral may lapse or become invalid or unenforceable or placed in the public domain.

 

(e)                                  Except to the extent permitted by Section 4.02(h) below, or except for exceptions to the following that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each Grantor shall take all reasonable steps to preserve and protect each item of its IP Collateral, including, without limitation, maintaining the quality of any and all products or services used or provided in connection with any of the Trademarks, consistent with the quality of the products and services as of the date hereof, and taking all reasonable steps reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to ensure that all licensed users of any of the Trademarks abide by the applicable license’s terms with respect to the standards of quality.

 

(f)                                   Each Grantor agrees that, should it obtain an ownership or other interest in any IP Collateral after the Effective Date (the “After-Acquired Intellectual Property”) (i) the provisions of this Agreement shall automatically apply thereto, and (ii) any such After-Acquired Intellectual Property and, in the case of Trademarks, the goodwill symbolized thereby, shall automatically become part of the IP Collateral subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement with respect thereto.

 

(g)                                  At the time of delivery of financial statements as required by Section 7.1(a) or 7.1(b) of the Credit Agreement, each Grantor shall sign and deliver to the Collateral Agent an appropriate Security Agreement Supplement and related Intellectual Property Security Agreement with respect to applications for registration or registrations of IP Collateral owned or exclusively licensed by it as of the last day of the applicable Fiscal Quarter, to the extent that such IP Collateral is not covered by any previous Security Agreement Supplement (and Intellectual Property Security Agreement) so signed and delivered by it.  In each case, it will promptly cooperate as reasonably necessary to enable the Collateral Agent to make any necessary recordations (subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement) with the U.S. Copyright Office or the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, as appropriate.

 

(h)                                 Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.02 or elsewhere in this Agreement (including Section 3.02), nothing in this Agreement shall prevent any Grantor from abandoning or discontinuing the use or maintenance of any or its IP Collateral, or from failing to take action to enforce license agreements or pursue actions against infringers,

 

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if such Grantor determines in its reasonable business judgment that such abandonment, discontinuance, or failure to take action is desirable in the conduct of its business.

 

ARTICLE V

 

[Reserved]

 

ARTICLE VI

 

Remedies

 

Section 6.01                             Remedies Upon Default.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, subject to the Intercreditor Agreement and the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, it is agreed that the Collateral Agent shall have the right to exercise any and all rights afforded to a secured party under this Agreement, the UCC or other applicable Law, and, subject to the Intercreditor Agreement and the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, also may, (i) require each Grantor to, and each Grantor agrees that it will at its expense and upon request of the Collateral Agent forthwith, assemble all or part of the Collateral as directed by the Collateral Agent and make it available to the Collateral Agent at a place and time to be designated by the Collateral Agent that is reasonably convenient to both parties; (ii) occupy any premises owned or, to the extent lawful and permitted (including pursuant to the terms of the applicable lease or any applicable Collateral Access Agreement), leased by any of the Grantors where the Collateral or any part thereof is assembled or located for a reasonable period in order to effectuate its rights and remedies hereunder or under Law, without obligation to such Grantor in respect of such occupation; provided that the Collateral Agent shall provide the applicable Grantor with notice thereof prior to or promptly after such occupancy; (iii) exercise any and all rights and remedies of any of the Grantors under or in connection with the Collateral, or otherwise in respect of the Collateral; provided that the Collateral Agent shall provide the applicable Grantor with notice thereof prior to or promptly after such exercise; (iv) withdraw any and all cash or other Collateral from any Approved Deposit Account and apply such cash and other Collateral to the payment of any and all Secured Obligations in the manner provided in Section 6.02 of this Agreement; (v) subject to the mandatory requirements of applicable Law and the notice requirements described below, sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Collateral securing the Secured Obligations at a public or private sale or at any broker’s board or on any securities exchange, for cash, upon credit or for future delivery as the Collateral Agent shall deem appropriate (acting at the direction, or with the consent, of the Requisite Lenders) and (vi) with respect to any IP Collateral, on receipt of written demand from the Collateral Agent, cause the Security Interest to become an assignment, transfer and conveyance of any of or all such IP Collateral (provided that no such demand may be made unless an Event of Default has occurred and has continued for thirty (30) consecutive days) by the applicable Grantors to the Collateral Agent, the Collateral Agent being free to sell, transfer, offer for sale, otherwise dispose of such IP Collateral, or license or sublicense, whether general, special or otherwise, and whether on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis, any such IP Collateral throughout the world on such terms and conditions and in such manner as the Collateral Agent shall determine (acting at the direction, or with the consent, of the Requisite Lenders), provided, however, that such terms shall include all terms and restrictions that are customarily required to ensure the continuing validity and effectiveness of the IP Collateral (if any) at issue, such as,

 

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without limitation, notice, quality control and inurement provisions with regard to Trademarks, patent designation provisions with regard to patents, and copyright notices and restrictions or decompilation and reverse engineering of copyrighted software, and confidentiality protections for trade secrets.  The Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party or any of their respective Affiliates may be the purchaser, licensee, assignee or recipient of the Collateral or any part thereof at any such sale and shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold, assigned or licensed at such sale, to use and apply any of the Secured Obligations owed to such person as a credit on account of the purchase price of the Collateral or any part thereof payable by such person at such sale.

 

Each Grantor acknowledges and recognizes that (a) the Collateral Agent may be unable to effect a public sale of all or a part of the Collateral consisting of securities by reason of certain prohibitions contained in the Securities Act of 1933, 15 U.S.C. §77, (as amended and in effect, the “Securities Act”) or the securities laws of various states (the “Blue Sky Laws”), but may be compelled to resort to one or more private sales to a restricted group of purchasers who will be obliged to agree, among other things, to acquire such securities for their own account, for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof, (b) private sales so made may be at prices and upon other terms less favorable to the seller than if such securities were sold at public sales, (c) neither the Collateral Agent nor any other Secured Party has any obligation to delay sale of any of the Collateral for the period of time necessary to permit such securities to be registered for public sale under the Securities Act or the Blue Sky Laws, and (d) private sales made under the foregoing circumstances shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner.  To the maximum extent permitted by Law, each Grantor hereby waives any claim against any Secured Party arising because the price at which any Collateral may have been sold at a private sale was less than the price that might have been obtained at a public sale, even if the Collateral Agent accepts the first offer received and does not offer such Collateral to more than one offeree.  Upon consummation of any such sale the Collateral Agent shall have the right to assign, transfer and deliver to the purchaser or purchasers thereof the Collateral so sold.  Each such purchaser at any sale of Collateral shall hold the property sold absolutely, free from any claim or right on the part of any Grantor, and each Grantor hereby waives (to the extent permitted by applicable Law) all rights of redemption, stay and appraisal which such Grantor now has or may at any time in the future have under any rule of Law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted.

 

The Collateral Agent shall give the applicable Grantors not less than ten (10) days’ written notice (which each Grantor agrees is reasonable notice within the meaning of Section 9-611 of the New York UCC or its equivalent in other jurisdictions) of the Collateral Agent’s intention to make any sale of Collateral.  Such notice, in the case of a public sale, shall state the time and place for such sale and, in the case of a sale at a broker’s board or on a securities exchange, shall state the board or exchange at which such sale is to be made and the day on which the Collateral, or portion thereof, will first be offered for sale at such board or exchange.  Any such public sale shall be held at such time or times within ordinary business hours and at such place or places as the Collateral Agent may fix and state in the notice (if any) of such sale.  The Collateral Agent may conduct one or more going out of business sales, in the Collateral Agent’s own right or by one or more agents and contractors.  Such sale(s) may be conducted upon any premises owned, leased, or occupied by any Grantor.  The Collateral Agent and any

 

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such agent or contractor, in conjunction with any such sale, may augment the Inventory with other goods (all of which other goods shall remain the sole property of the Collateral Agent or such agent or contractor).  Any amounts realized from the sale of such goods which constitute augmentations to the Inventory (net of an allocable share of the costs and expenses incurred in their disposition) shall be the sole property of the Collateral Agent or such agent or contractor and neither any Grantor nor any Person claiming under or in right of any Grantor shall have any interest therein.  At any such sale, the Collateral, or portion thereof, to be sold may be sold in one lot as an entirety or in separate parcels, as the Collateral Agent may (acting at the direction, or with the consent, of the Requisite Lenders, in their sole and absolute discretion) determine.  The Collateral Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of any Collateral if it shall determine not to do so, regardless of the fact that notice of sale of such Collateral shall have been given.  The Collateral Agent may, without notice or publication, adjourn any public or private sale or cause the same to be adjourned from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed for sale, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which the same was so adjourned.  In case any sale of all or any part of the Collateral is made on credit or for future delivery, the Collateral so sold may be retained by the Collateral Agent until the sale price is paid by the purchaser or purchasers thereof, but the Collateral Agent shall not incur any liability in case any such purchaser or purchasers shall fail to take up and pay for the Collateral so sold and, in case of any such failure, such Collateral may be sold again upon like notice.  At any public (or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, private) sale made pursuant to this Agreement, any Secured Party may bid for or purchase, free (to the extent permitted by applicable Law) from any right of redemption, stay, valuation or appraisal on the part of any Grantor (all said rights being also hereby waived and released to the extent permitted by applicable Law), the Collateral or any part thereof offered for sale and may make payment on account thereof by using any claim then due and payable to such Secured Party from any Grantor as a credit against the purchase price, and such Secured Party may, upon compliance with the terms of sale, hold, retain and dispose of such property without further accountability to any Grantor therefor.  As an alternative to exercising the power of sale herein conferred upon it, the Collateral Agent may proceed by a suit or suits at law or in equity to foreclose this Agreement and to sell the Collateral or any portion thereof pursuant to a judgment or decree of a court or courts having competent jurisdiction or pursuant to a proceeding by a court appointed receiver.  Any sale pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.01 shall be deemed, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, to conform to the commercially reasonable standards as provided in Section 9-610(b) of the UCC or its equivalent in other jurisdictions.

 

Each Grantor irrevocably makes, constitutes and appoints the Collateral Agent (and all officers, employees or agents designated by the Collateral Agent) as such Grantor’s true and lawful agent (and attorney-in-fact) during the continuance of an Event of Default and after notice to the Borrower by the Collateral Agent of its intent to exercise such rights (except in the case of a Bankruptcy Event of Default, in which case no such notice shall be required), for the purpose of, subject to the Intercreditor Agreement and the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, (i) making, settling and adjusting claims in respect of Article 9 Collateral under policies of insurance, endorsing the name of such Grantor on any check, draft, instrument or other item of payment for the proceeds of such policies of insurance, (ii) making all determinations and decisions with respect thereto and (iii) obtaining or maintaining the policies of insurance required by Section 8.5 of the Credit Agreement or to pay any premium then due in whole or in part relating thereto.  All sums disbursed by the Collateral Agent in connection with

 

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this paragraph, including reasonable out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees, court costs, expenses and other charges relating thereto, in each case to the extent payable pursuant to the Credit Agreement), shall be payable, within twenty (20) Business Days following receipt by the Grantor from the Collateral Agent of written demand therefor, by the Grantors to the Collateral Agent and shall be additional Secured Obligations secured hereby.  All powers, authorizations and agencies contained in this paragraph are coupled with an interest and are irrevocable until this Agreement is terminated and the security interests created hereby are released.

 

By accepting the benefits of this Agreement and each other Collateral Document, the Secured Parties expressly acknowledge and agree that this Agreement and each other Collateral Document may be enforced only by the action of the Collateral Agent and that no other Secured Party shall have any right individually to seek to enforce or to enforce this Agreement or to realize upon the security to be granted hereby, it being understood and agreed that such rights and remedies may be exercised by the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties upon the terms of this Agreement and the other Collateral Documents.

 

Section 6.02                             Application of Proceeds.  Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement and the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall apply the proceeds of any collection or sale of Collateral, including any Collateral consisting of cash, in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.3 of the Credit Agreement.  Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement and the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and compliance with applicable Law, the Collateral Agent (acting at the direction, or with the consent, of the Requisite Lenders in their absolute discretion) as to the time of application of any such proceeds, moneys or balances in accordance with this Agreement.  Upon any sale of Collateral by the Collateral Agent (including pursuant to a power of sale granted by statute or under a judicial proceeding), the receipt of the Collateral Agent or of the officer making the sale shall be a sufficient discharge to the purchaser or purchasers of the Collateral so sold and such purchaser or purchasers shall not be obligated to see to the application of any part of the purchase money paid over to the Collateral Agent or such officer or be answerable in any way for the misapplication thereof.  It is understood and agreed that the Grantors shall remain jointly and severally liable to the extent of any deficiency between the amount of the proceeds of the Collateral and the aggregate amount of the Secured Obligations.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

Indemnity, Subrogation and Subordination

 

Upon payment by any Grantor of any Secured Obligations, all rights of such Grantor against the Borrower or any other Grantor arising as a result thereof by way of right of subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or otherwise shall in all respects be subordinate and junior in right of payment to the Discharge of Secured Obligations.  If any amount shall be paid to the Borrower or any other Grantor in contravention of the foregoing subordination on account of (i) such subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or similar right or (ii) any such indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Grantor, such amount shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties and shall forthwith be paid to the Collateral Agent to be credited against the payment of the Secured Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan

 

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Documents.  Subject to the foregoing, including without limitation, the Discharge of Secured Obligations, to the extent that any Grantor (other than the Borrower) shall, under this Agreement or the Credit Agreement as a joint and several obligor, repay any of the Secured Obligations (an “Accommodation Payment”), then the Grantor making such Accommodation Payment shall be entitled to contribution and indemnification from, and be reimbursed by, each of the other Grantors in an amount equal to a fraction of such Accommodation Payment, the numerator of which fraction is such other Grantor’s Allocable Amount and the denominator of which is the sum of the Allocable Amounts of all of the Grantors.  As of any date of determination, the “Allocable Amount” of each Grantor shall be equal to the maximum amount of liability for Accommodation Payments which could be asserted against such Grantor hereunder and under the Credit Agreement without (a) rendering such Grantor “insolvent” within the meaning of Section 101 (31) of the Bankruptcy Code, Section 2 of the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act (“UFTA”) or Section 2 of the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act (“UFCA”), (b) leaving such Grantor with unreasonably small capital or assets, within the meaning of Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code, Section 4 of the UFTA, or Section 5 of the UFCA, or (c) leaving such Grantor unable to pay its debts as they become due within the meaning of Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or Section 4 of the UFTA, or Section 5 of the UFCA.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

Miscellaneous

 

Section 8.01                             Notices.  All communications and notices hereunder shall (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein) be in writing and given as provided in Section 12.8 of the Credit Agreement.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all communications and notices hereunder to a Grantor other than the Borrower shall be given in care of the Borrower.  All communications and notices hereunder to any Lender (other than the Collateral Agent) shall be given in care of the Collateral Agent for further distribution to the other relevant Lenders.

 

Section 8.02                             Waivers; Amendment.

 

(a)                                 No failure or delay by the Collateral Agent in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power.  The rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other rights or remedies that they would otherwise have.  No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 8.02, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of any Loan shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default or Event of Default, regardless of whether the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party may have had notice or knowledge of such Default or Event of Default at the time.

 

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(b)                                 Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement and the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Collateral Agent and the Grantor or Grantors with respect to which such waiver, amendment or modification is to apply, subject to any consent required in accordance with Section 12.1 of the Credit Agreement.

 

Section 8.03                             Collateral Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification.

 

(a)                                 Each Grantor agrees to pay or reimburse the Collateral Agent for all reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation, documentation and execution of this Agreement and any amendment, waiver, consent or other modification of the provisions hereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated thereby are consummated), and the consummation and administration of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including (A) all Attorney Costs of Duane Morris LLP and, if reasonably necessary, a single firm of local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction material to the interests of the Lenders taken as a whole (which may include a single special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions), and (B) reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred in connection with field examinations and inventory appraisals (including desktop appraisals), and to pay or reimburse the Collateral Agent for all reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement of any rights or remedies under this Agreement (including all such reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred during any legal proceeding, including any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, and including all Attorney Costs of a single firm of counsel to the Administrative Agent and all Attorney Costs of a single firm of counsel to the Lenders taken as a whole (and, if reasonably necessary, a single firm of local counsel in any relevant material jurisdiction (which may include a single special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions).  The agreements in this Section 8.03(a) shall survive the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and repayment of all other Obligations.  All amounts due under this Section 8.03(a) shall be paid promptly following receipt by a Grantor of an invoice relating thereto setting forth such expenses in reasonable detail.

 

(b)                                 Without limitation of its indemnification obligations under the other Loan Documents, each Grantor agrees to jointly and severally indemnify and hold harmless the Collateral Agent and the other Indemnitees (as defined in Section 12.4 of the Credit Agreement) from and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages, claims, and reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket fees and expenses (including Attorney Costs) of any kind or nature whatsoever which may at any time be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any such Indemnitee in any way relating to or arising out of or in connection with (but limited, in the case of Attorney Costs, to the reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket fees, disbursements and other charges of a single firm of counsel to all Indemnitees taken as a whole and, if necessary, a single firm of local counsel for all Indemnitees taken as a whole in each appropriate jurisdiction (which may include a single firm of special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions), and solely in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, where the Indemnitee affected by such conflict informs the Borrower and thereafter retains its own counsel, one additional firm of counsel for each group of affected Indemnitees similarly situated taken as a whole) (i) the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance or administration of this Agreement or any other

 

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agreement, letter or instrument delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, (ii) the ownership, delivery, lease, possession, use, operation, condition, sale, return or other disposition of Collateral, (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property currently or formerly owned or operated by any Grantor or any Subsidiary, or any Environmental Liabilities arising out of the activities or operations of any Grantor or any Subsidiary, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory (including any investigation of, preparation for, or defense of any pending or threatened claim, investigation, litigation or proceeding) and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto (all the foregoing, collectively, the “Indemnified Liabilities”); provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such liabilities, losses, damages, claims, costs, expenses or disbursements resulted from (A) the gross negligence, bad faith, intentional fraud or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or of any Related Indemnified Person, in each case, as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction or (B) are relating to disputes amongst Indemnitees other than (x) any claim against an Indemnitee or its Related Parties in its capacity or in fulfilling its role as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent and (y) any claim arising out of any act or omission of a Grantor or any of its Affiliates.  To the extent that the undertakings to indemnify and hold harmless set forth in this Section 8.03 may be unenforceable in whole or in part because they are violative of any applicable law or public policy, such Grantor shall contribute the maximum portion that it is permitted to pay and satisfy under applicable law to the payment and satisfaction of all Indemnified Liabilities incurred by the Indemnitees or any of them.  No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of any information or other materials obtained through IntraLinks or other similar information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement, nor shall any Indemnitee or any Grantor have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages relating to this Agreement or arising out of its activities in connection herewith (whether before or after the Effective Date) (other than, in the case of any Grantor, in respect of any such damages incurred or paid by an Indemnitee to a third party).  In the case of an investigation, litigation or other proceeding to which the indemnity in this Section 8.03 applies, such indemnity shall be effective whether or not such investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by any Grantor, its directors, stockholders or creditors or an Indemnitee or any other Person, whether or not any Indemnitee is otherwise a party thereto and whether or not any of the transactions contemplated hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents is consummated.  All amounts due under this Section 8.03 shall be paid within twenty (20) Business Days after written demand therefor from the Collateral Agent or the Indemnitee entitled thereto.  The agreements in this Section 8.03 shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments, the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations, and the termination of this Agreement.  This Section 8.03 shall not apply to Taxes, or amounts excluded from the definition of Taxes pursuant to clauses (i) through (viii) of the first sentence of Section 3.1(a) of the Credit Agreement, that are imposed with respect to payments to or for account of any Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document, which shall be governed by Section 3.1 of the Credit Agreement.  This Section 8.03 also shall not apply to Other Taxes or to taxes covered by Section 3.4 of the Credit Agreement.

 

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(c)                                  Any such amounts payable as provided hereunder shall be additional Secured Obligations secured hereby and by the other Collateral Documents.  The provisions of this Section 8.03 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the termination of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, the repayment of any of the Secured Obligations, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, any resignation of the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party.  All amounts due under this Section 8.03 shall be payable within twenty (20) Business Days after written demand therefor.

 

Section 8.04                             Successors and Assigns.  Whenever in this Agreement any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the successors and permitted assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of any Grantor or the Collateral Agent that are contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and permitted assigns.  Except as provided in Section 12.2 of the Credit Agreement, (i) no Grantor may assign any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the written consent of the Collateral Agent, except pursuant to a transaction permitted under Section 9.4 of the Credit Agreement, and (ii) the Collateral Agent may not assign any of its rights and obligations except in accordance with Section 11.6 of the Credit Agreement.  Any purported assignment in breach of this Section 8.04 shall be of no force and effect.

 

Section 8.05                             Survival of Agreement.  Without limitation of any provision of the Credit Agreement or Section 8.03 hereof, all covenants, agreements, indemnities, representations and warranties made by the Grantors in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the Lenders and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans, regardless of any investigation made by any such Lender or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Collateral Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or Event of Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended under the Credit Agreement, and shall continue in full force and effect until this Agreement is terminated as provided in Section 8.13 hereof, or with respect to any individual Grantor until such Grantor is otherwise released from its obligations under this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof or the terms of the Credit Agreement.

 

Section 8.06                             Counterparts; Effectiveness; Several Agreement.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.  Delivery by telecopier or by electronic .pdf copy of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Agreement.  This Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by each Effective Date Grantor (and, with respect to each Person that becomes a Grantor hereunder following the Effective Date, on the date of delivery of a Security Agreement Supplement by such Grantor) and the Collateral Agent and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each Grantor and the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns, subject to Section 8.04 hereof.  This Agreement shall be construed as a separate agreement with respect to each Grantor and may be amended, restated, modified, supplemented,

 

35



 

waived or released with respect to any Grantor without the approval of any other Grantor and without affecting the obligations of any other Grantor hereunder.

 

Section 8.07                             Severability.  If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected or impaired thereby.  The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

Section 8.08                             GOVERNING LAW, ETC.

 

(a)                                 THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

(b)                                 THE GRANTORS AND THE COLLATERAL AGENT EACH IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR FEDERAL COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW.  EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES THAT THE COLLATERAL AGENT RETAINS THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST ANY GRANTOR IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION SOLELY IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHTS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR THE ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT.

 

(c)                                  THE GRANTORS AND THE COLLATERAL AGENT EACH IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (b) OF THIS SECTION.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE

 

36



 

LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

 

Section 8.09                             WAIVER OF RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.  EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY).  EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

Section 8.10                             Headings.  Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

Section 8.11                             Security Interest Absolute.  All rights of the Collateral Agent hereunder, the Security Interest, the grant of a security interest in the Pledged Collateral and all obligations of each Grantor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document, any agreement with respect to any of the Secured Obligations or any other agreement or instrument relating to any of the foregoing, (b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Secured Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any other agreement or instrument, (c) any exchange, release or non-perfection of any Lien on other collateral, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent under or departure from any guarantee, securing or guaranteeing all or any of the Secured Obligations or (d) subject only to termination of a Grantor’s obligations hereunder in accordance with the terms of Section 8.12, but without prejudice to reinstatement rights under Section 2.04 of the Guaranty, any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Grantor in respect of the Secured Obligations or this Agreement.

 

Section 8.12                             Termination or Release.

 

(a)                                 This Agreement, the Security Interest and all other security interests granted hereby shall terminate with respect to all Secured Obligations upon a Discharge of Secured Obligations.

 

(b)                                 The Security Interest in any Collateral shall be automatically released in the circumstances set forth in Section 11.11(a) of the Credit Agreement or upon any release of the Lien on such Collateral in accordance with Sections 11.11(b) or (d) of the Credit Agreement.

 

37



 

(c)                                  In connection with any termination or release pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b), the Collateral Agent shall promptly execute and deliver to any Grantor, at such Grantor’s expense, all termination statements, instruments and other documents as shall be necessary or that such Grantor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release.  Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section 8.12 shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Collateral Agent.

 

(d)                                 The Collateral Agent shall have no liability whatsoever to any Secured Party as the result of any release of Collateral by it as permitted (or which the Collateral Agent in good faith believes to be permitted) by this Section 8.12.

 

Section 8.13                             Additional Restricted Subsidiaries.  Pursuant to Section 8.11 of the Credit Agreement, upon the formation or acquisition of any new Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Material Domestic Subsidiary (in each case, other than an Excluded Subsidiary, but including any Subsidiary that ceases to constitute an Excluded Subsidiary) by any Loan Party, the designation in accordance with Section 8.3 of the Credit Agreement, of any existing Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Material Domestic Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or any Subsidiary becoming a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Material Domestic Subsidiary, or with respect to any Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Loan Party, such Subsidiary is required to enter in this Agreement as a Grantor.  Upon execution and delivery by the Collateral Agent and a Restricted Subsidiary of a Security Agreement Supplement, such Restricted Subsidiary shall become a Grantor hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Grantor herein.  The execution and delivery of any such instrument shall not require the consent of any other Grantor hereunder.  The rights and obligations of each Grantor hereunder shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new Grantor as a party to this Agreement.

 

Section 8.14                             Collateral Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact.

 

(a)                                 Each Grantor hereby appoints the Collateral Agent the true and lawful attorney-in-fact of such Grantor solely for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Agreement and taking any action and executing any instrument that the Collateral Agent may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes hereof at any time after and during the continuance of an Event of Default, which appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest and is irrevocable until this Agreement is terminated and the security interests created hereby are released.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Collateral Agent shall have the right, subject to the Intercreditor Agreement and the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and (unless a Bankruptcy Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, in which case no such notice shall be required) delivery of notice by the Collateral Agent to the Borrower of its intent to exercise such rights, with full power of substitution either in the Collateral Agent’s name or in the name of such Grantor (i) to demand, collect, receive payment of, give receipt for and give discharges and releases of all or any of the Collateral; (ii) to sign the name of any Grantor on any invoice or bill of lading relating to any of the Collateral; (iii) to send verifications of Accounts to any Account Debtor; (iv) to commence and prosecute any and all suits, actions or proceedings at law or in equity in any court of competent jurisdiction to collect or otherwise realize on all or any of the Collateral or to enforce any rights in respect of any Collateral; (v) to settle, compromise,

 

38



 

compound, adjust or defend any actions, suits or proceedings relating to all or any of the Collateral; (vi) to notify, or to require any Grantor to notify, Account Debtors to make payment directly to the Collateral Agent and adjust, settle or compromise the amount of payment of any Account or related contracts; (vii) to make, settle and adjust claims in respect of Collateral under policies of insurance and to endorse the name of such Grantor on any check, draft, instrument or any other item of payment with respect to the proceeds of such policies of insurance and for making all determinations and decisions with respect thereto; and (viii) to use, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, make any agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with all or any of the Collateral, and to do all other acts and things necessary to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, as fully and completely as though the Collateral Agent were the absolute owner of the Collateral for all purposes; provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed as requiring or obligating the Collateral Agent to make any commitment or to make any inquiry as to the nature or sufficiency of any payment received by the Collateral Agent, or to present or file any claim or notice, or to take any action with respect to the Collateral or any part thereof or the moneys due or to become due in respect thereof or any property covered thereby.  The Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties shall be accountable only for amounts actually received as a result of the exercise of the powers granted to them herein, and neither they nor their officers, directors, employees or agents shall be responsible to any Grantor for any act or failure to act hereunder, except for their own gross negligence or willful misconduct or that of any of their Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, counsel, agents or attorneys-in-fact, in each case as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

(b)                                 All acts in accordance with this Section 8.14 and the other provisions of this Agreement of said attorney or designee are hereby ratified and approved by the Grantors.  The powers conferred on the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, under this Section 8.14 are solely to protect the Collateral Agent’s interests in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party to exercise any such powers.

 

Section 8.15                             General Authority of the Collateral Agent.  By acceptance of the benefits of this Agreement and any other Collateral Documents, each Secured Party (whether or not a signatory hereto) shall be deemed irrevocably (a) to consent to the appointment of the Collateral Agent as its agent hereunder and under such other Collateral Documents, (b) to confirm that the Collateral Agent shall have the authority to act as the exclusive agent of such Secured Party for the enforcement of any provisions of this Agreement and such other Collateral Documents against any Grantor, the exercise of remedies hereunder or thereunder and the giving or withholding of any consent or approval hereunder or thereunder relating to any Collateral or any Grantor’s obligations with respect thereto, (c) to agree that it shall not take any action to enforce any provisions of this Agreement or any other Collateral Document against any Grantor, to exercise any remedy hereunder or thereunder or to give any consents or approvals hereunder or thereunder except as expressly provided in this Agreement or any other Collateral Document and (d) to agree to be bound by the terms of this Agreement and any other Collateral Documents.

 

Section 8.16                             Collateral Agent’s Duties.  Except for the safe custody of any Collateral in its possession and the accounting for moneys actually received by it hereunder, the Collateral Agent shall have no duty as to any Collateral, as to ascertaining or taking action with respect to calls, conversions, exchanges, maturities, tenders or other matters relative to any Collateral, whether or not any Secured Party has or is deemed to have knowledge of such matters, or as to

 

39



 

the taking of any necessary steps to preserve rights against any parties or any other rights pertaining to any Collateral.  The Collateral Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of any Collateral in its possession if such Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which it accords its own property.

 

Section 8.17                             Recourse; Limited Obligations.  This Agreement is made with full recourse to each Grantor and pursuant to and upon all the warranties, representations, covenants and agreements on the part of such Grantor contained herein, in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and otherwise in writing in connection herewith or therewith, with respect to the Secured Obligations of each applicable Secured Party.  It is the desire and intent of each Grantor and each applicable Secured Party that this Agreement shall be enforced against each Grantor to the fullest extent permissible under applicable Law applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought.

 

Section 8.18                             Mortgages.  In the event that any of the Collateral hereunder is also subject to a valid and enforceable Lien under the terms of a Mortgage and the terms thereof are inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement, then with respect to such Collateral, the terms of such Mortgage shall control in the case of fixtures and real property leases, letting and licenses of, and contracts, and agreements relating to the lease of, real property, and the terms of this Agreement shall control in the case of all other Collateral.

 

Section 8.19                             Intercreditor Agreement and First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(a)                                 Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Liens granted to the Collateral Agent under this Agreement and the exercise of the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent hereunder and under any other Collateral Document are subject to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement or the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and this Agreement or any other Collateral Document, the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement or the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable, shall govern and control.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Collateral Agent acknowledges and agrees that no Grantor shall be required to take or refrain from taking any action at the request of the Collateral Agent with respect to the Collateral if such action or inaction would be inconsistent with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement or the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(b)                                 Subject to the foregoing, (i) to the extent the provisions of this Agreement (or any other Collateral Documents) require the delivery of, or control over, ABL Priority Collateral to be granted to the Collateral Agent at any time prior to the Discharge of ABL Obligations, then delivery of such ABL Priority Collateral (or control with respect thereto, (and any related approval or consent rights)) shall instead be granted to the ABL Agent, to be held in accordance with the ABL Facility Documentation and subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, (ii) to the extent the provisions of this Agreement (or any other Collateral Documents) require delivery of, or control over, Term Priority Collateral to be granted to the Collateral Agent at any time prior to the Discharge of First Lien Obligations, then delivery of such Term Priority Collateral (or control with respect thereto, (and any related approval or consent rights)) shall

 

40



 

instead be granted to the First Lien Agent, to be held in accordance with the First Lien Documentation and the Loan Documents and subject to the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, and (iii) in the case of any provision of this Agreement (or any other Loan Documents) requiring Grantors to name the Collateral Agent as an additional insured or a loss payee under any insurance policy or a beneficiary of any letter of credit, such requirement shall have been complied with if any such insurance policy or letter of credit also names the ABL Agent as an additional insured, loss payee or beneficiary, as the case may be, in each case pursuant and subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(c)                                  Furthermore, (i) at all times prior to the Discharge of ABL Obligations the Collateral Agent is authorized by the parties hereto to effect transfers of ABL Priority Collateral at any time in its possession (and any “control” or similar agreements with respect to ABL Priority Collateral) to the ABL Agent and (ii) at all times prior to the Discharge of First Lien Obligations the Collateral Agent is authorized by the parties hereto to effect transfers of Term Priority Collateral at any time in its possession (and any “control” or similar agreements with respect to Term Priority Collateral) to the First Lien Agent.

 

(d)                                 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein but subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, in the event the ABL Facility Documentation provide for the grant of a security interest or pledge over the assets of any Grantor and such assets do not otherwise constitute Collateral under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, such Grantor shall (i) promptly grant a security interest in or pledge such assets to secure the Secured Obligations, (ii) promptly take any actions necessary to perfect such security interest or pledge to the extent set forth in the ABL Facility Documentation and (iii) take all other steps reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent in connection with the foregoing.

 

(e)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein but subject to the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, in the event the  First Lien Documentation provide for the grant of a security interest or pledge over the assets of any Grantor and such assets do not otherwise constitute Collateral under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, such Grantor shall (i) promptly grant a security interest in or pledge such assets to secure the Secured Obligations, (ii) promptly take any actions necessary to perfect such security interest or pledge to the extent set forth in the First Lien Documentation and (iii) take all other steps reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent in connection with the foregoing.

 

(f)                                   Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8.19, in the Intercreditor Agreement, nothing contained in the Intercreditor Agreement, shall be deemed to modify any of the provisions of this Agreement, which, as among the Grantors and the Collateral Agent shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.  Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8.19, in the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, nothing contained in the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, shall be deemed to modify any of the provisions of this Agreement, which, as among the Grantors and the Collateral Agent shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.

 

(g)                                  In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between any provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Credit Agreement, the provisions of the Credit Agreement shall control.

 

41



 

Section 8.20                             Right of Setoff.  If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Agents and each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, and in the case of the Lenders after obtaining the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Agent or Lender or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of any Grantor against any and all of the obligations of the Grantor now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Agent or Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of such Grantor may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Agent or Lender different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness.  The rights of each Agent and Lender and its Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Agent and Lender or its Affiliates may have.  Each Agent and Lender agrees to notify the Borrower and, in the case of Lenders and the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent promptly after any such setoff and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

42


 


 

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

 

 

99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC, as a Grantor

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Felicia Thornton

 

 

Name: Felicia Thornton

 

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

NUMBER HOLDINGS, INC., as a Grantor

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Felicia Thornton

 

 

Name: Felicia Thornton

 

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

99 CENTS ONLY STORES TEXAS, INC., as a Grantor

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Felicia Thornton

 

 

Name: Felicia Thornton

 

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

99 Cents Only –Signature Page to Term Loan Second Lien Security Agreement

 



 

 

COLLATERAL AGENT:

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as Collateral Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joshua G. James

 

 

Name: Joshua G. James

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

 

99 Cents Only –Signature Page to Term Loan Second Lien Security Agreement

 


EX-10.5 6 a17-26148_1ex10d5.htm EX-10.5

Exhibit 10.5

 

 

SECOND LIEN GUARANTY

 

dated as of

 

November 7, 2017

 

among

 

NUMBER HOLDINGS, INC.,
as Holdings,

 

THE OTHER GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO FROM TIME TO TIME,

 

and

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE I Definitions

1

 

 

 

Section 1.01

Credit Agreement Definitions

1

 

 

 

Section 1.02

Other Defined Terms

1

 

 

 

ARTICLE II Guarantee

2

 

 

 

Section 2.01

Guarantee

2

 

 

 

Section 2.02

Guarantee of Payment

2

 

 

 

Section 2.03

No Limitations

3

 

 

 

Section 2.04

Reinstatement

4

 

 

 

Section 2.05

Agreement To Pay; Subrogation

5

 

 

 

Section 2.06

Information

5

 

 

 

ARTICLE III Indemnity, Subrogation and Subordination

5

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV Miscellaneous

6

 

 

 

Section 4.01

Notices

6

 

 

 

Section 4.02

Waivers; Amendment

6

 

 

 

Section 4.03

Administrative Agent’s and Collateral Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification

7

 

 

 

Section 4.04

Successors and Assigns

8

 

 

 

Section 4.05

Survival of Agreement

9

 

 

 

Section 4.06

Counterparts; Effectiveness; Several Agreement

9

 

 

 

Section 4.07

Severability

9

 

 

 

Section 4.08

GOVERNING LAW, ETC.

9

 

 

 

Section 4.09

WAIVER OF RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY

10

 

 

 

Section 4.10

Headings

11

 

 

 

Section 4.11

Obligations Absolute

11

 

 

 

Section 4.12

Termination or Release

11

 

 

 

Section 4.13

Additional Restricted Subsidiaries

12

 

 

 

Section 4.14

Recourse; Limited Obligations

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Section 4.15

Intercreditor Agreement

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SCHEDULES

 

Schedule I

Guarantors

 

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit I

Form of Guaranty Supplement

 



 

This SECOND LIEN GUARANTY, dated as of November 7, 2017 (this “Guaranty”), is among NUMBER HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”), and the other Guarantors set forth on Schedule I hereto and WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent for the Secured Parties (as defined below).

 

Reference is made to the Second Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of November 7, 2017 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented and/or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among 99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC, a California limited liability company (the “Borrower”)), Holdings, the Lenders party thereto from time to time, and WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent for the Lenders.

 

The Lenders have agreed to extend credit to the Borrower subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement.  The obligations of the Lenders to extend such credit are conditioned upon, among other things, the execution and delivery of this Guaranty by each Guarantor (as defined below).  The Guarantors are affiliates of one another, will derive substantial direct and indirect benefits from the extensions of credit to the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement and are willing to execute and deliver this Guaranty in order to induce the Lenders to extend such credit.  The Intercreditor Agreement governs the relative rights and priorities of the Term Secured Parties (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) and the ABL Secured Parties (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) in respect of the Term Priority Collateral and the ABL Priority Collateral (and with respect to certain other matters as described therein), and the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement governs the relative rights and priorities of the Second Priority Debt Parties (as defined in the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement) and the Senior Secured Parties (as defined in the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement) in respect of the Collateral (and with respect to certain other matters as described therein).  Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

Definitions

 

Section 1.01  Credit Agreement Definitions.

 

(a)           Capitalized terms used in this Guaranty, including the preamble and introductory paragraphs hereto, and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings specified in the Credit Agreement.

 

(b)           The rules of construction specified in Article I of the Credit Agreement also apply to this Guaranty.

 

Section 1.02  Other Defined Terms.  As used in this Guaranty, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

Accommodation Payment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article III hereof.

 

Allocable Amount” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article III hereof.

 

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Credit Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preliminary statement of this Guaranty.

 

Guaranteed Obligations” mean the “Obligations” as defined in the Credit Agreement.

 

Guarantors” means, collectively, Holdings, each other Guarantor listed on Schedule I hereto and any other Person that becomes a party to this Guaranty after the Effective Date pursuant to Section 4.13 hereof; provided that if any such Guarantor is released from its obligations hereunder as provided in Section 4.12(b) hereof, such Person shall cease to be a Guarantor hereunder effective upon such release.

 

Guaranty Supplement” means an instrument substantially in the form of Exhibit I hereto.

 

Secured Parties” has the meaning provided in the Credit Agreement.

 

UFCA” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article III hereof.

 

UFTA” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article III hereof.

 

ARTICLE II

 

Guarantee

 

Section 2.01  Guarantee.

 

Each Guarantor irrevocably, absolutely and unconditionally guarantees, jointly with the other Guarantors and severally, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety, the due and punctual payment and performance of the Guaranteed Obligations, in each case, whether such Guaranteed Obligations are now existing or hereafter incurred under, arising out of or in connection with any Loan Document, and whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.  Each of the Guarantors further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended, increased or renewed, amended or modified, in whole or in part, without notice to, or further assent from, such Guarantor and that such Guarantor will remain bound upon its guarantee hereunder notwithstanding any such extension, increase, renewal, amendment or modification of any Guaranteed Obligation.  Each of the Guarantors waives promptness, presentment to, demand of payment from, and protest to, any Guarantor or any other Loan Party of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, and also waives notice of acceptance of its guarantee and notice of protest for nonpayment.

 

Section 2.02  Guarantee of Payment.

 

Each of the Guarantors further agrees that its guarantee hereunder constitutes a guarantee of payment when due (whether or not any bankruptcy or similar proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law shall have stayed the accrual of collection of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or operated as a discharge thereof) and not of collection, and waives any right to require that any resort be had by the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party to any Collateral or other security held for the payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or to any balance of any

 

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deposit account or credit on the books of the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party in favor of any other Guarantor or any other Person.  The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder are independent of the obligations of any other Guarantor or the Borrower, and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against each Guarantor whether or not action is brought against any other Guarantor or the Borrower and whether or not any other Guarantor or the Borrower be joined in any such action or actions.  Any payment required to be made by a Guarantor hereunder may be required by the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party on any number of occasions.

 

Section 2.03  No Limitations.

 

(a)           Except for termination or release of a Guarantor’s obligations hereunder as expressly provided in Section 4.12 hereof, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense or set-off, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, any impossibility in the performance of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or otherwise.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law and except for termination or release of a Guarantor’s obligations hereunder in accordance with the terms of Section 4.12 hereof (but without prejudice to Section 2.04 hereof), the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be discharged, impaired or otherwise affected by (i) the failure of the Administrative Agent, any other Secured Party or any other Person to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy under the provisions of any Loan Document or otherwise; (ii) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of, or any release from any of the terms or provisions of, any Loan Document or any other agreement, including with respect to any other Guarantor under this Guaranty; (iii) the release of, or any impairment of any security held by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party for the Guaranteed Obligations; (iv) any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the Guaranteed Obligations; (v) the failure to perfect any security interest in, or the release of, any of the Collateral held by or on behalf of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party; (vi) any change in the corporate existence, structure or ownership of any Loan Party, the lack of legal existence of the Borrower or any other Guarantor or legal obligation to discharge any of the Guaranteed Obligations by the Borrower or any other Guarantor for any reason whatsoever, including, without limitation, in any insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Loan Party; (vii) the existence of any claim, set-off or other rights that any Guarantor may have at any time against the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any other Secured Party or any other Person, whether in connection with the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any unrelated transaction; (viii) this Guaranty having been determined (on whatsoever grounds) to be invalid, non-binding or unenforceable against any other Guarantor ab initio or at any time after the Effective Date or (ix) any other circumstance (including statute of limitations), any act or omission that may in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Guarantor or otherwise operate as a defense to, or discharge of, the Borrower, any Guarantor or any other guarantor or surety as a matter of law or equity (in each case, other than the Discharge of

 

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Obligations).  Each Guarantor expressly authorizes the applicable Secured Parties, to the extent permitted by the Security Agreement, to take and hold security for the payment and performance of the Guaranteed Obligations, to exchange, waive or release any or all such security (with or without consideration), to enforce or apply such security and direct the order and manner of any sale thereof in their sole discretion or to release or substitute any one or more other guarantors or obligors upon or in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations all without affecting the obligations of any Guarantor hereunder.  Anything contained in this Guaranty to the contrary notwithstanding, the obligations of each Guarantor under this Guaranty shall be limited to an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render its obligations under this Guaranty subject to avoidance as a fraudulent transfer or conveyance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States or any comparable provisions of any similar federal or state law.

 

(b)           To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law and except for termination or release of a Guarantor’s obligations hereunder in accordance with the terms of Section 4.12 hereof (but without prejudice to Section 2.04 hereof), each Guarantor waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of the Borrower or any other Guarantor or the unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of the Borrower or any other Guarantor, other than the Discharge of Obligations.  The Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties may in accordance with the terms of the Collateral Documents, at their election, foreclose on any security held by one or more of them by one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, accept an assignment of any such security in lieu of foreclosure, compromise or adjust any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, make any other accommodation with the Borrower or any other Guarantor or exercise any other right or remedy available to them against any Guarantor, without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of any Guarantor hereunder except to the extent the Discharge of Obligations has occurred.  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, each Guarantor waives any defense arising out of any such election even though such election operates, pursuant to applicable Law, to impair or to extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of such Guarantor against the Borrower or any other Guarantor, as the case may be, or any security.  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, each Guarantor waives any and all suretyship defenses.

 

Section 2.04  Reinstatement.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Guaranty, each of the Guarantors agrees that (a) its guarantee hereunder shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party upon the bankruptcy or reorganization (or any analogous proceeding in any jurisdiction) of the Borrower or any other Guarantor or otherwise and (b) the provisions of this Section 2.04 shall survive the termination of this Guaranty.

 

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Section 2.05  Agreement To Pay; Subrogation.

 

In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right that the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party has at law or in equity against any Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Borrower or any other Guarantor to pay any Guaranteed Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, after notice of prepayment or otherwise, each Guarantor hereby promises to and will forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, to the Administrative Agent for distribution to the applicable Secured Parties in cash the amount of such unpaid Guaranteed Obligation.  Upon payment by any Guarantor of any sums to the Administrative Agent as provided above, all rights of such Guarantor against the Borrower or any other Guarantor arising as a result thereof by way of right of subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or otherwise shall in all respects be subject to Article III hereof.

 

Section 2.06  Information.

 

Each Guarantor assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of the Borrower’s and each other Guarantor’s financial condition and assets, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks that such Guarantor assumes and incurs hereunder, and agrees that none of the Administrative Agent or the other Secured Parties will have any duty to advise such Guarantor of information known to it or any of them regarding such circumstances or risks.

 

ARTICLE III

 

Indemnity, Subrogation and Subordination

 

Upon payment by any Guarantor of any Guaranteed Obligations, all rights of such Guarantor against the Borrower or any other Guarantor arising as a result thereof by way of right of subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or otherwise shall in all respects be subordinate and junior in right of payment to the Discharge of Obligations.  If any amount shall be paid to the Borrower or any other Guarantor in violation of the foregoing restrictions on account of (i) such subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or similar right or (ii) any such indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Guarantor, such amount shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties and shall forthwith be paid to the Administrative Agent to be credited against the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  Subject to the foregoing, to the extent that any Guarantor shall, under this Guaranty or the Credit Agreement as a joint and several obligor, repay any of the Guaranteed Obligations constituting Loans or other advances made to another Loan Party under the Credit Agreement (an “Accommodation Payment”), then the Guarantor making such Accommodation Payment shall be entitled to contribution and indemnification from, and be reimbursed by, each of the other Guarantors in an amount equal to a fraction of such Accommodation Payment, the numerator of which fraction is such other Guarantor’s Allocable Amount and the denominator of which is the sum of the Allocable Amounts of all of the Guarantors; provided that such rights of contribution and indemnification shall be subordinated to the Discharge of Obligations.  As of

 

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any date of determination, the “Allocable Amount” of each Guarantor shall be equal to the maximum amount of liability for Accommodation Payments which could be asserted against such Guarantor hereunder and under the Credit Agreement without (a) rendering such Guarantor “insolvent” within the meaning of Section 101 (31) of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, Section 2 of the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act (“UFTA”) or Section 2 of the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act (“UFCA”), (b) leaving such Guarantor with unreasonably small capital or assets, within the meaning of Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, Section 4 of the UFTA, or Section 5 of the UFCA, or (c) leaving such Guarantor unable to pay its debts as they become due within the meaning of Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States or Section 4 of the UFTA, or Section 5 of the UFCA.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

Miscellaneous

 

Section 4.01  Notices.

 

All communications and notices hereunder shall (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein) be in writing and given as provided in Section 12.8 of the Credit Agreement.  All communications and notice hereunder to a Guarantor other than Holdings shall be given in care of the Borrower.

 

Section 4.02  Waivers; Amendment.

 

(a)           No failure by any Secured Party to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.  The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided, and provided under each other Loan Document, are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by Law.  No waiver of any provision of any Loan Document or consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 4.02, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of an Incremental Loan, Extended Loan, Refinanced Loan or Replacement Loan in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default or Event of Default, regardless of whether any Loan Party may have had notice or knowledge of such Default or Event of Default at the time.

 

(b)           Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement and the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, neither this Guaranty nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Administrative Agent and the Loan Party or Loan Parties with respect to which such waiver, amendment or modification is to apply, subject to any consent required in accordance with Section 12.1 of the Credit Agreement.

 

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Section 4.03  Administrative Agent’s and Collateral Agent’s Fees and Expenses; Indemnification.

 

(a)           Each Guarantor, jointly with the other Guarantors and severally, agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent for its fees and expenses incurred hereunder as and to the extent provided in Section 12.3 of the Credit Agreement; provided that each reference therein to the “Borrower” shall be deemed to be a reference to “each Guarantor”.

 

(b)           Without limitation of its indemnification obligations under the other Loan Documents, each Guarantor jointly and severally agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the other Indemnitees (as defined in Section 12.4 of the Credit Agreement) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all liabilities, losses, damages, claims and reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket fees and expenses (including Attorney Costs) of any kind or nature whatsoever which may at any time be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any such Indemnitee in any way relating to or arising out of or in connection with (but limited, in the case of Attorney Costs, to the reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket fees, disbursements and other charges of a single firm of counsel to all Indemnitees taken as a whole and, if necessary, a single firm of local counsel for all Indemnitees taken as a whole in each appropriate jurisdiction (which may include a single firm of special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions), and solely in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, where the Indemnitee affected by such conflict informs the Borrower and thereafter retains its own counsel, one additional firm of counsel for each group of affected Indemnitees similarly situated taken as a whole) (i) the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance or administration of this Guaranty or any other agreement, letter or instrument delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property currently or formerly owned or operated by any Guarantor, or any Environmental Liabilities, in each case arising out of the activities or operations of a Guarantor, or, (iii) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory (including any investigation of, preparation for, or defense of any pending or threatened claim, investigation, litigation or proceeding) and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto (all of the foregoing, collectively, the “Indemnified Liabilities”); provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such liabilities, losses, damages, claims, costs, expenses or disbursements resulted from (A)(x) the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or of any Related Indemnified Person or (y) a breach of any obligations under this Guaranty by such Indemnitee or of any Related Indemnified Person, in each case,, as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction or (B) any dispute solely between or among Indemnitees other than any claims against an Indemnitee in its capacity or in fulfilling its role as an administrative agent or arranger or any similar role under the Facility (excluding their role as a Lender) and other than any claims arising out of any act or omission of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates.  To the extent that undertakings to indemnify and hold harmless set forth in this Section 4.03(b) may be unenforceable in whole or in part

 

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because they are violative of any applicable law or public policy, each Guarantor shall contribute the maximum portion that such Guarantor is permitted to pay and satisfy under applicable law to the payment and satisfaction of all Indemnified Liabilities incurred by the Indemnitees or any of them.  No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of any information or other materials obtained through IntraLinks or other similar information transmission systems in connection with this Guaranty, nor shall any Indemnitee or any Loan Party have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages relating to this Guaranty or arising out of its activities in connection herewith (whether before or after the Effective Date) (other than, in the case of any Guarantor, in respect of any such damages incurred or paid by an Indemnitee to a third party).  In the case of an investigation, litigation or other proceeding to which the indemnity in this Section 4.03(b) applies, such indemnity shall be effective whether or not such investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by any Guarantor, its directors, stockholders or creditors or an Indemnitee or any other Person, whether or not any Indemnitee is otherwise a party thereto and whether or not any of the transactions contemplated hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents is consummated.  All amounts due under this Section 4.03(b) shall be paid within twenty (20) Business Days after written demand thereof from the Administrative Agent or the Indemnitee entitled thereto.  The agreements in this Section 4.03(b) shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other Obligations.  This Section 4.03(b) shall not apply to Taxes, or amounts excluded from the definitions of Taxes pursuant to clauses (i) through (viii) of the first sentence of Section 3.1(a) of the Credit Agreement, that are imposed with respect to payments to or for account of any Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document, which shall be governed by Section 3.1 of the Credit Agreement.  This Section 4.03(b) also shall not apply to Other Taxes or to taxes covered by Section 3.4 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(c)           Any such amounts payable as provided hereunder shall be additional Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby and secured by the Collateral Documents.  The provisions of this Section 4.03 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the termination of this Guaranty or any other Loan Document, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Guaranty or any other Loan Document, any resignation of the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party.  All amounts due under this Section 4.03 shall be payable within twenty (20) Business Days following receipt by the Guarantors and the Borrower from the Administrative Agent of written demand therefor.

 

Section 4.04  Successors and Assigns.

 

Whenever in this Guaranty any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the permitted successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of any Guarantor or any Secured Party that are contained in this Guaranty shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective permitted successors and assigns.  Except as provided in Section 12.2 of the Credit Agreement, no

 

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Guarantor may assign any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the written consent of the Administrative Agent.

 

Section 4.05  Survival of Agreement.

 

All covenants, agreements, indemnities, representations and warranties made by the Guarantors in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Guaranty or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the Secured Parties and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans, regardless of any investigation made by any Secured Party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that any Secured Party may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or Event of Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, and shall continue in full force and effect until this Guaranty is terminated as provided in Section 4.12 hereof, or with respect to any individual Guarantor until such Guarantor is otherwise released from its obligations under this Guaranty in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

Section 4.06  Counterparts; Effectiveness; Several Agreement.

 

This Guaranty may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.  This Guaranty shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Guarantors, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each Guarantor, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the other Secured Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns, subject to Section 4.04 hereof.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Guaranty by telecopy or other electronic imaging means (including in .pdf format via electronic mail) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Guaranty.  This Guaranty shall be construed as a separate agreement with respect to each Guarantor and may be amended, restated, modified, supplemented, waived or released with respect to any Guarantor without the approval of any other Guarantor and without affecting the obligations of any other Guarantor hereunder.

 

Section 4.07  Severability.

 

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

 

Section 4.08  GOVERNING LAW, ETC.

 

(a)           THIS GUARANTY AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY AND

 

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THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

(b)           THE GUARANTORS, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE COLLATERAL AGENT EACH IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR FEDERAL COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW.  EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE OTHER SECURED PARTIES RETAIN THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST ANY GUARANTOR IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION SOLELY IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHTS UNDER THIS GUARANTY OR THE ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT.

 

(c)           EACH OF THE GUARANTORS, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE COLLATERAL AGENT EACH IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (b) OF THIS SECTION.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

 

Section 4.09  WAIVER OF RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

 

EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). 

 

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EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS GUARANTY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

Section 4.10  Headings.

 

Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Guaranty and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Guaranty.

 

Section 4.11  Obligations Absolute.

 

All rights of the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties hereunder and all obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document, any agreement with respect to any of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other agreement or instrument relating to any of the foregoing, (b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any other agreement or instrument, (c) any release or amendment or waiver of or consent under or departure from any guarantee guaranteeing all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations or (d) subject only to termination or release of a Guarantor’s obligations hereunder in accordance with the terms of Section 4.12 hereof, but without prejudice to reinstatement rights under Section 2.04 hereof, any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Guarantor in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations or this Guaranty.

 

Section 4.12  Termination or Release.

 

(a)           This Guaranty and the Guarantees made herein shall terminate with respect to all Guaranteed Obligations upon the Discharge of Obligations.

 

(b)           A Guarantor that is Holdings or a Restricted Subsidiary shall automatically be released in the circumstances set forth in Section 11.11 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(c)           In connection with any termination or release pursuant to clauses (a) or (b) above, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall promptly execute and deliver to any Guarantor, at such Guarantor’s expense, all documents that such Guarantor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release.  Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section 4.12 shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent.

 

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(d)           At any time that the respective Guarantor desires that the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent take any of the actions described in immediately preceding clause (c), it shall, upon request of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, deliver to the Administrative Agent an officer’s certificate certifying that the release of the respective Guarantor is permitted pursuant to clause (a) or (b) above.  The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall have no liability whatsoever to any Secured Party as a result of any release of any Guarantor by it as permitted (or which the Administrative Agent in good faith believes to be permitted) by this Section 4.12.

 

Section 4.13  Additional Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Pursuant to Section 8.11 of the Credit Agreement, certain Restricted Subsidiaries of the Loan Parties that are wholly owned Material Domestic Subsidiaries and not Excluded Subsidiaries and that were not in existence or not Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of the Credit Agreement are required to enter in this Guaranty as Guarantors upon becoming Restricted Subsidiaries (for avoidance of doubt, the Borrower may cause any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor to Guarantee the Obligations by causing such Restricted Subsidiary to execute a Guaranty Supplement in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4.13 and any such Restricted Subsidiary shall be a Guarantor hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Guarantor herein).  Upon execution and delivery by the Administrative Agent and a Restricted Subsidiary of a Guaranty Supplement, such Restricted Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Guarantor herein.  The execution and delivery of any such instrument shall not require the consent of any other Guarantor hereunder.  The rights and obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new Guarantor as a party to this Guaranty.

 

Section 4.14  Recourse; Limited Obligations.

 

This Guaranty is made with full recourse to each Guarantor and pursuant to and upon all the warranties, representations, covenants and agreements on the part of such Guarantor contained herein, in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and otherwise in writing in connection herewith or therewith.  It is the desire and intent of each Guarantor and each applicable Secured Party that this Guaranty shall be enforced against each Guarantor to the fullest extent permissible under applicable Law applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought.

 

Section 4.15  Intercreditor Agreement and First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(a)           The Guarantors, the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent acknowledge that the exercise of certain of the Collateral Agent’s and the Administrative Agent’s rights and remedies hereunder may be subject to, and restricted by, the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement.  Except as specified herein, nothing contained in the Intercreditor Agreement shall be deemed to modify any of the provisions of this Guaranty, which, as among the Guarantors, the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent shall remain in full force and effect.

 

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(b)           The Guarantors, the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent acknowledge that the exercise of certain of the Collateral Agent’s and the Administrative Agent’s rights and remedies hereunder may be subject to, and restricted by, the provisions of the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement.  Except as specified herein, nothing contained in the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall be deemed to modify any of the provisions of this Guaranty, which, as among the Guarantors, the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent shall remain in full force and effect.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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

 

 

 

GUARANTORS:

 

 

 

NUMBER HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Felicia Thornton

 

Name:

Felicia Thornton

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

99 CENTS ONLY STORES TEXAS, INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Felicia Thornton

 

Name:

Felicia Thornton

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 



 

 

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT:

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent and as Collateral Agent

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joshua G. James

 

Name:

Joshua G. James

 

Title:

Vice President

 



 

SCHEDULE I TO GUARANTY

 

GUARANTORS

 

Number Holdings, Inc.

 

99 Cents Only Stores Texas, Inc.

 


EX-10.6 7 a17-26148_1ex10d6.htm EX-10.6

Exhibit 10.6

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

TERM LOAN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

 

TERM LOAN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT, dated as of November 7, 2017 (this “Agreement”), among NUMBER HOLDINGS, INC. (“Holdings”), 99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC (the “Borrower”), the other Grantors (as defined below) party hereto,                                    ROYAL BANK OF CANADA (“Royal Bank”), as Representative for the Credit Agreement Secured Parties (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”), WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Representative for the Initial Second Priority Debt Parties (in such capacity, the “Initial Second Priority Representative”), and each additional Second Priority Representative and Senior Representative that from time to time becomes a party hereto pursuant to Section 8.09.

 

In consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Administrative Agent (for itself and on behalf of the Credit Agreement Secured Parties), the Initial Second Priority Representative (for itself and on behalf of the Initial Second Priority Debt Parties), each additional Senior Representative (for itself and on behalf of the Additional Senior Debt Parties under the applicable Additional Senior Debt Facility), the Grantors, and each additional Second Priority Representative (for itself and on behalf of the Second Priority Debt Parties under the applicable Second Priority Debt Facility) agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

Definitions

 

SECTION 1.01.                                     Certain Defined Terms.  Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement or, if defined in the New York UCC, the meanings specified therein.  As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

ABL Obligations” shall have the meaning assigned to the term “ABL Obligations” in the ABL/Term Intercreditor Agreement.

 

ABL Secured Parties” shall have the meaning assigned to the term “ABL Secured Parties” in the ABL/Term Intercreditor Agreement.

 

ABL/Term Intercreditor Agreement” means the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of January 13, 2012, as amended by Amendment No. 1, dated as of November 7, 2017, among Royal Bank, in its capacity as representative thereunder for the ABL Secured Parties, Royal Bank, in its capacity as Administrative Agent, and the other parties thereto.

 

ABL/Term/Notes Intercreditor Agreement” means the Notes Intercreditor Agreement as defined in the Credit Agreement (or similar term).

 

Additional Senior Debt” means any Indebtedness that is issued or guaranteed by any Borrower and/or any Guarantor (other than Indebtedness constituting Credit Agreement Obligations or ABL Obligations) which Indebtedness and Guarantees are secured by the Senior Collateral (or a portion thereof) on a basis that is senior to the Second Priority Debt Obligations; provided, however, that (i) such Indebtedness is permitted to be incurred, secured and guaranteed on such basis by each Senior Debt Document and Second Priority Debt Document and (ii) the Representative for the holders of such Indebtedness shall have (A) executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date hereof or become party

 



 

to this Agreement pursuant to, and by satisfying the conditions set forth in, Section 8.09 hereof and (B) to the extent applicable, executed and delivered a Pari Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Additional Senior Debt Documents” means, with respect to any series, issue or class of Additional Senior Debt, the promissory notes, indentures, credit agreements, the Senior Collateral Documents or other operative agreements evidencing or governing such Indebtedness.

 

Additional Senior Debt Facility” means each indenture, credit agreement or other governing agreement with respect to any Additional Senior Debt.

 

Additional Senior Debt Obligations” means, with respect to any series, issue or class of Additional Senior Debt, (a) all principal of, and interest (including, without limitation, any interest, fees or expenses which accrues after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, whether or not allowed or allowable as a claim in any such proceeding) payable with respect to, such Additional Senior Debt and (b) all other amounts payable by any Grantor to the related Additional Senior Debt Parties under the related Additional Senior Debt Documents, (c) any Secured Hedge Obligations secured under the Senior Collateral Documents securing the related series, issue or class of Additional Senior Debt Obligations, (d) any Secured Cash Management Obligations secured under the Senior Collateral Documents securing the related series, issue or class of Additional Senior Debt Obligations and (e) any renewals or extensions of the foregoing; provided that, Excess Senior Obligations shall be excluded from (and shall not constitute) Additional Senior Debt Obligations.

 

Additional Senior Debt Parties” means, with respect to any series, issue or class of Additional Senior Debt, the holders of such Indebtedness, the Representative with respect thereto, any trustee or agent therefor under any related Additional Senior Debt Documents and the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Borrower or any Guarantor under any related Additional Senior Debt Documents.

 

Administrative Agent” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement and shall include any successor administrative agent and collateral agent as provided in Article XI of the Credit Agreement; provided, however, that if the Credit Agreement is Refinanced, then all references herein to the Administrative Agent shall refer to the administrative agent (or trustee) under the Refinancing.

 

Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

 

Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

 

Bankruptcy Law” means the Bankruptcy Code and any similar federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

 

Borrower” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

 

Cash Management Services” means any agreement or arrangement to provide cash management services, including treasury, depository, overdraft, credit card processing, credit or debit card, purchase card, electronic funds transfer and other cash management arrangements.

 

Class Debt” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

 

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Class Debt Parties” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

 

Class Debt Representatives” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

 

Collateral” means the Senior Collateral and the Second Priority Collateral.

 

Collateral Documents” means the Senior Collateral Documents and the Second Priority Collateral Documents.

 

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

 

Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of January 13, 2012, as amended by Amendment No. 1, dated as of April 1, 2012, Amendment No. 2, dated as of October 8, 2013, and Amendment No. 3, dated as of November 7, 2017, among Holdings, the Borrower, the Subsidiaries of the Borrower from time to time party thereto, the lenders from time to time party thereto, Royal Bank, as Administrative Agent, and the other parties thereto.

 

Credit Agreement Loan Documents” means the Credit Agreement and the other “Loan Documents” as defined in the Credit Agreement (or similar term).

 

Credit Agreement Obligations” means the “Obligations” as defined in the Credit Agreement (or similar term in any Refinancing thereof); provided that, Excess Senior Obligations shall be excluded from (and shall not constitute) Credit Agreement Obligations.

 

Credit Agreement Secured Parties” means the “Secured Parties” as defined in the Credit Agreement (or similar term in any Refinancing thereof).

 

Debt Facility” means any Senior Facility and any Second Priority Debt Facility.

 

Designated Second Priority Representative” means (i) the Initial Second Priority Representative, until such time as the Second Priority Debt Facility under the Initial Second Priority Debt Documents ceases to be the only Second Priority Debt Facility under this Agreement and (ii) thereafter, the Second Priority Representative designated from time to time by the Second Priority Majority Representatives, in a written notice to the Designated Senior Representative and the Borrower hereunder, as the “Designated Second Priority Representative” for purposes hereof.  The Second Priority Representative may treat the Administrative Agent as Designated Senior Representative until such time as it receives a notice that it was replaced as Designated Senior Representative.

 

Designated Senior Representative” means (i) if at any time there is only one Senior Representative for a Senior Facility with respect to which the Discharge of Senior Obligations has not occurred, such Senior Representative and (ii) at any time when clause (i) does not apply, the Administrative Agent at such time.

 

Designated Term Debt Representative” means the Administrative Agent until it shall have notified each other Representative hereunder in writing that the Credit Agreement Obligations are Discharged, at which time the Designated Term Debt Representative shall be the “Majority Term Debt Representative”.  If at any time subsequent to an appointment of the applicable Representative as the Designated Term Debt Representative, a class or series of Senior Obligations or Second Priority Debt Obligations are incurred and become subject to the provisions of this Agreement, then the Designated

 

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Term Debt Representative thereafter shall be the applicable Representative on the terms set forth in this definition.

 

DIP Financing has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01.

 

Discharge” means, with respect to any Debt Facility, as applicable, the date on which (i) (a) the principal of and interest (including interest accruing on or after the commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, whether or not such interest would be allowed in the proceeding)  on all outstanding Indebtedness included in the Debt Facility, are paid in full in cash, (b) all other Senior Obligations or Second Priority Debt Obligations that are due and payable or otherwise accrued and owing at or prior to the time such principal and interest are paid (other than indemnification Obligations for which no claim or demand for payment, whether oral or written, has been made at such time) are paid in full in cash and (c) with respect to any Secured Hedge Obligations or Secured Cash Management Obligations secured by the Collateral Documents for such Debt Facility, either (x) such Secured Hedge Obligations or Secured Cash Management Obligations have either been paid in full and are no longer secured by the Collateral pursuant to the terms of the documentation governing such Debt Facility, (y) such Secured Hedge Obligations or Secured Cash Management Obligations shall have been cash collateralized on terms reasonably satisfactory to each applicable counterparty (or other arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the applicable counterparty shall have been made) or (z) such Secured Hedge Obligations or Secured Cash Management Obligations are no longer secured by the Collateral pursuant to the terms of the documentation governing such Debt Facility, (ii) any letters of credit issued under the Senior Facilities have terminated or have been cash collateralized or backstopped (in the amount and form required under the applicable Debt Facility) and (iii) all commitments of the Senior Secured Parties and the Second Priority Debt Parties under their respective Debt Facilities have terminated.  The term “Discharged” shall have a corresponding meaning.

 

Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Discharge of the Credit Agreement Obligations with respect to such Shared Collateral; provided that the Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations shall not be deemed to have occurred in connection with a Refinancing of such Credit Agreement Obligations with an Additional Senior Debt Facility secured by such Shared Collateral under one or more Additional Senior Debt Documents which has been designated in writing by the Administrative Agent (under the Credit Agreement so Refinanced) to the Designated Second Priority Representative as the “Credit Agreement” for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Discharge of Senior Obligations” means the date on which the Discharge of Credit Agreement Obligations and the Discharge of each Additional Senior Debt Facility has occurred.

 

Excess Second Priority Obligations” means the sum of (a) the portion of the principal amount of the loans or the notes outstanding under the Second Priority Debt Documents that is in excess of the Second Priority Cap, plus (b) the portion of interest and fees on account of such portion of the loans or the notes described in clause (a) of this definition.

 

Excess Senior Obligations” means the sum of (a) the portion of the principal amount of the loans or the notes outstanding under the Senior Debt Documents that is in excess of the Senior Cap, plus (b) the portion of interest and fees on account of such portion of the loans or the notes described in clause (a) of this definition.

 

Grantors” means Holdings, the Borrower and each Subsidiary of the Borrower which has granted a security interest pursuant to any Collateral Document to secure any Secured Obligations.

 

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Guarantor” means each “Guarantor” as defined in the Credit Agreement.

 

Initial Second Priority Collateral Documents” means the “Security Agreement” and the other “Collateral Documents” each as defined in the Initial Second Priority Debt Documents and each of the other collateral agreements, security agreements, pledge agreements, debentures and other instruments and documents executed and delivered by a Borrower or any other Grantor for purposes of providing collateral security for the Initial Second Priority Debt Obligations.

 

Initial Second Priority Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of November 7, 2017, among Holdings, the Borrower, the Subsidiaries of the Borrower from time to time party thereto, the lenders from time to time party thereto, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the other parties thereto.

 

Initial Second Priority Debt” means the Second Priority Debt incurred pursuant to the Initial Second Priority Debt Documents.

 

Initial Second Priority Debt Documents” means the Initial Second Priority Credit Agreement and any notes, security documents, pledge agreements, debentures and other operative agreements evidencing or governing such Indebtedness, including any agreement entered into for the purpose of securing the Initial Second Priority Debt Obligations.

 

Initial Second Priority Debt Obligations” means the “Obligations” as defined in the Initial Second Priority Debt Documents (or similar term in any Refinancing thereof).

 

Initial Second Priority Debt Parties” means the “Secured Parties” as defined in the Initial Second Priority Debt Documents (or similar term in any Refinancing thereof) and the Initial Second Priority Representative.

 

Initial Second Priority Representative” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding” means:

 

(1)                                 any case commenced by or against a Borrower or any other Grantor under any Bankruptcy Law, any other proceeding for the reorganization, recapitalization or adjustment or marshalling of the assets or liabilities of a Borrower or any other Grantor, any receivership or assignment for the benefit of creditors relating to the Borrower or any other Grantor or any similar case or proceeding relative to a Borrower or any other Grantor or its creditors, as such, in each case whether or not voluntary;

 

(2)                                 any liquidation, dissolution, marshalling of assets or liabilities or other winding up of or relating to a Borrower or any other Grantor, in each case whether or not voluntary and whether or not involving bankruptcy or insolvency; or

 

(3)                                 any other proceeding of any type or nature in which substantially all claims of creditors of any Borrower or any other Grantor are determined and any payment or distribution is or may be made on account of such claims.

 

Intellectual Property” means intellectual and similar property of every kind and nature now owned, licensed or hereafter acquired by any Grantor that is subject to a security interest under any Debt Facility, including inventions, designs, patents, copyrights, licenses, trademarks, trade secrets,

 

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confidential or proprietary technical and business information, know how, show how or other data or information, software, databases, all other proprietary information and all embodiments or fixations thereof and related documentation and registrations and all additions, improvements and accessions to, and books and records describing or used in connection with, any of the foregoing.

 

Joinder Agreement” means a supplement to this Agreement substantially in the form of Annex II or Annex III hereof required to be delivered by a Representative to the Designated Senior Representative pursuant to Section 8.09 hereof in order to include an additional Debt Facility hereunder and to become the Representative hereunder for the Senior Secured Parties or Second Priority Secured Parties, as the case may be, under such Debt Facility.

 

Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, and any Capitalized Lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing); provided that in no event shall an operating lease in and of itself be deemed a Lien.

 

Majority Term Debt Representative” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Representative of the series of Secured Obligations that constitutes the largest outstanding principal amount of any then outstanding series of Secured Obligations with respect to such Shared Collateral.

 

New York UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.

 

Pari Intercreditor Agreement” shall mean (a) in the case of Liens securing Senior Obligations, an intercreditor agreement between the Administrative Agent and any other Senior Debt Representative or Representatives and (b) in the case of Liens securing Second Priority Debt Obligations, an intercreditor agreement between the applicable Second Priority Representative and any other Second Priority Representative or Representatives, providing for the pari passu treatment of such Liens and in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives.

 

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

 

Pledged or Controlled Collateral” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.05(a).

 

Proceeds” means

 

(a)                                 all “proceeds,” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC, of the Collateral, and

 

(b)                                 whatever is recovered when Collateral is sold, exchanged, collected, or disposed of, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, including any additional or replacement Collateral provided during any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding and any payment or property received in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding on account of any “secured claim” (within the meaning of section 506(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or similar bankruptcy or insolvency law).

 

Recovery” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.04.

 

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Refinance” means, in respect of any indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, defease, amend, increase, modify, supplement, restructure, refund, replace or repay such indebtedness, or to issue other indebtedness or enter into alternative financing arrangements, in exchange or replacement for such indebtedness (in whole or in part), including by adding or replacing lenders, creditors, agents, borrowers and/or guarantors, and including in each case, but not limited to, after the original instrument giving rise to such indebtedness has been terminated and including, in each case, through any credit agreement, indenture or other agreement.  “Refinanced” and “Refinancing” have correlative meanings.

 

Representatives” means the Senior Representatives and the Second Priority Representatives.

 

SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any successor agency thereto.

 

Second Priority Class Debt” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

 

Second Priority Class Debt Parties” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

 

Second Priority Class Debt Representative” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

 

Second Priority Collateral” means any “Collateral” as defined in any Second Priority Debt Document or any other assets of a Borrower or any other Grantor with respect to which a Lien is granted or purported to be granted pursuant to a Second Priority Collateral Document as security for any Second Priority Debt Obligation.

 

Second Priority Collateral Documents” means the Initial Second Priority Collateral Documents and each of the collateral agreements, security agreements and other instruments and documents executed and delivered by a Borrower or any Grantor for purposes of providing collateral security for any Second Priority Debt Obligation.

 

Second Priority Cap” means the sum of (i) (1) the amount of Second Priority Debt Obligations permitted under Section 9.3(x) of the Credit Agreement as in effect on the date of this Agreement plus (2) any interest, fees or expenses paid in kind relating to the Second Priority Debt Obligations described in the foregoing clause (1) minus (3) the amount of all prepayments or other payments in each case of the principal of Second Priority Debt Obligations (but not including any prepayments or other payments of Second Priority Debt Obligations made in connection with a Refinancing thereof) plus (ii) in the case of DIP Financing provided by one or more Second Priority Debt Parties to the Borrower or any other Grantor, the principal amount in respect thereof (including any interest, fees or expenses paid in kind) that is approved by the applicable bankruptcy court.

 

Second Priority Debt” means any Indebtedness of any Borrower or any other Grantor guaranteed by the Guarantors, including the Initial Second Priority Debt, which Indebtedness and guarantees are secured by the Second Priority Collateral on a pari passu basis with the Initial Second Priority Debt Obligations and any other Second Priority Debt Obligations and the applicable Second Priority Debt Documents provide that such Indebtedness and guarantees are to be secured by such Second Priority Collateral on a subordinate basis to the Senior Debt Obligations; provided, however, that (i) such Indebtedness is permitted to be incurred, secured and guaranteed on such basis by the Senior Debt Documents and Second Priority Debt Documents and (ii) except in the case of the Initial Second Priority Debt hereunder, the Representative for the holders of such Indebtedness shall have (A) become party to

 

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this Agreement pursuant to, and by satisfying the conditions set forth in, Section 8.09 hereof and (B) to the extent applicable, executed and delivered a Pari Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Second Priority Debt Documents” means the Initial Second Priority Debt Documents and, with respect to any series, issue or class of Second Priority Debt, the promissory notes, indentures, credit agreement, the Second Priority Collateral Documents or other operative agreements evidencing or governing such Indebtedness.

 

Second Priority Debt Facility” means each indenture, credit agreement or other governing agreement with respect to any Second Priority Debt.

 

Second Priority Debt Obligations” means the Initial Second Priority Debt Obligations and, with respect to any other series, issue or class of Second Priority Debt, (a) all principal of, and interest (including, without limitation, any interest, fees or expenses which accrue after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, whether or not allowed or allowable as a claim in any such proceeding) payable with respect to, such Second Priority Debt and (b) all other amounts payable to the related Second Priority Debt Parties under the related Second Priority Debt Documents.

 

Second Priority Debt Parties” means the Initial Second Priority Debt Parties and, with respect to any other series, issue or class of Second Priority Debt, the holders of such Indebtedness, the Representative with respect thereto, any trustee or agent therefor under any related Second Priority Debt Documents and the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Borrower or any other Grantor under any related Second Priority Debt Documents.

 

Second Priority Enforcement Date” means, with respect to any Second Priority Representative, the date which is 180 consecutive days after the occurrence of both (i) an Event of Default (under and as defined in the Second Priority Debt Document for which such Second Priority Representative has been named as Representative) and (ii) the Designated Senior Representative’s receipt of written notice from such Second Priority Representative that (x) such Second Priority Representative is the Designated Second Priority Representative and that an Event of Default (under and as defined in the Second Priority Debt Document for which such Second Priority Representative has been named as Representative) has occurred and is continuing and (y) the Second Priority Debt Obligations of the series with respect to which such Second Priority Representative is the Second Priority Representative are currently due and payable in full (whether as a result of acceleration thereof or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of the applicable Second Priority Debt Document; provided that the Second Priority Enforcement Date shall not be deemed to have occurred (but the tolling of such 180 consecutive day period shall be stayed)  (1) at any time the Designated Senior Representative has commenced and is diligently pursuing any enforcement action with respect to all or a material portion of the Shared Collateral or diligently attempting to vacate any stay or prohibition against such exercise or (2) at any time the Grantor which has granted a security interest in such Shared Collateral is then a debtor under or with respect to (or otherwise subject to) any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

 

Second Priority Lien” means the Liens on the Second Priority Collateral in favor of Second Priority Debt Parties under Second Priority Collateral Documents.

 

Second Priority Majority Representatives” means Second Priority Representatives representing at least a majority of the then aggregate amount of Second Priority Debt Obligations that agree to vote together.

 

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Second Priority Representative” means (i) in the case of the Initial Second Priority Debt Obligations covered hereby, the Initial Second Priority Representative and (ii) in the case of any other Second Priority Debt Facility, the Second Priority Debt Parties thereunder, the trustee, administrative agent, collateral agent, security agent or similar agent under such Second Priority Debt Facility that is named as the Representative in respect of such Second Priority Debt Facility in the applicable Joinder Agreement.

 

Secured Cash Management Obligations” shall mean obligations in respect of Cash Management Services that are intended under the applicable Senior Priority Collateral Document to be secured by Shared Collateral.

 

Secured Hedge Obligations” shall mean obligations under Swap Contracts that are intended under the applicable Senior Priority Collateral Document to be secured by Shared Collateral.

 

Secured Obligations” means the Senior Obligations and the Second Priority Debt Obligations.

 

Secured Parties” means the Senior Secured Parties and the Second Priority Debt Parties.

 

Senior Cap” means the sum of (i)(1) $506,000,000 plus (2) Additional Senior Debt Obligations plus (3) all capitalized interest in respect of obligations described in the foregoing clauses (1) and (2) minus (4) the amount of all prepayments or other payments in each case of the principal of Senior Obligations (including any roll-up obligations in connection with DIP Financing described in clause (ii) below but not including any prepayments or other payments of Senior Obligations made in connection with a Refinancing thereof) plus (ii) in the case of DIP Financing provided by one or more Senior Secured Parties to the Borrower or any other Grantor, the principal amount in respect thereof (including any roll-up obligations and capitalized interest) that is approved by the applicable bankruptcy court.

 

Senior Class Debt” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

 

Senior Class Debt Parties” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

 

Senior Class Debt Representative” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

 

Senior Collateral” means any “Collateral” as defined in any Credit Agreement Loan Document or any other Senior Debt Document or any other assets of a Borrower or any other Grantor with respect to which a Lien is granted or purported to be granted pursuant to a Senior Collateral Document as security for any Senior Obligations.

 

Senior Collateral Documents” means the “Security Agreement” and the other “Collateral Documents” in each case as defined in the Credit Agreement or comparable term as defined in any Additional Senior Debt Documents and any other collateral agreements, security agreements and other instruments and documents executed and delivered by any Borrower or any other Grantor for purposes of providing collateral security for any Senior Obligation.

 

Senior Debt Documents” means (a) the Credit Agreement Loan Documents and (b) any Additional Senior Debt Documents.

 

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Senior Facilities” means the Credit Agreement and any Additional Senior Debt Facilities.

 

Senior Lien” means the Liens on the Senior Collateral in favor of the Senior Secured Parties under the Senior Collateral Documents.

 

Senior Obligations” means the Credit Agreement Obligations and any Additional Senior Debt Obligations; provided that, Excess Senior Obligations shall be excluded from (and shall not constitute) Senior Obligations.

 

Senior Representative” means (i) in the case of any Credit Agreement Obligations or the Credit Agreement Secured Parties, the Administrative Agent, (ii) in the case of any Additional Senior Debt Facility and the Additional Senior Debt Parties thereunder (including with respect to any Additional Senior Debt Facility initially covered hereby on the date of this Agreement), the trustee, administrative agent, collateral agent, security agent or similar agent under such Additional Senior Debt Facility that is named as the Representative in respect of such Additional Senior Debt Facility hereunder or in the applicable Joinder Agreement.

 

Senior Secured Parties” means the Credit Agreement Secured Parties and any Additional Senior Debt Parties.

 

Shared Collateral” means, at any time, Collateral in which the holders of Senior Obligations under at least one Senior Facility or the holders of Second Priority Debt Obligations under at least one Second Priority Debt Facility (or their Representatives) hold a security interest at such time (or, in the case of the Senior Facilities, are deemed pursuant to Article II to hold a security interest).

 

Specified Portion” means twenty-two percent (22%).

 

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (a) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Equity Interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or Controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, and (b) any partnership, joint venture or limited liability company of which (i) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general and limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise, and (ii) such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise Controls such entity.

 

Uniform Commercial Code” or “UCC” means, unless otherwise specified, the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.

 

SECTION 1.02.                                     Interpretive Provision.  The interpretive provisions contained in Article I of the Credit Agreement are incorporated herein, mutatis mutandis, as if a part hereof.

 

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ARTICLE II

 

Priorities and Agreements with Respect to Shared Collateral

 

SECTION 2.01.                                     Subordination.

 

Notwithstanding the date, time, manner or order of filing or recordation of any document or instrument or grant, attachment or perfection of any Liens granted to any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Parties on the Shared Collateral or of any Liens granted to any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party on the Shared Collateral (or any actual or alleged defect in any of the foregoing) and notwithstanding any provision of the UCC, any applicable law, any Second Priority Debt Document or any Senior Debt Document or any other circumstance whatsoever, each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby agrees that (a) any Lien on the Shared Collateral securing any Senior Obligations now or hereafter held by or on behalf of any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party or other agent or trustee therefor, regardless of how acquired, whether by grant, statute, operation of law, subrogation or otherwise, shall have priority over and be senior in all respects and prior to any Lien on the Shared Collateral securing any Second Priority Debt Obligations and (b) any Lien on the Shared Collateral securing any Second Priority Debt Obligations now or hereafter held by or on behalf of any Second Priority Representative, any Second Priority Debt Parties or any Second Priority Representative or other agent or trustee therefor, regardless of how acquired, whether by grant, statute, operation of law, subrogation or otherwise, shall be junior and subordinate in all respects to all Liens on the Shared Collateral securing any Senior Obligations.  All Liens on the Shared Collateral securing any Senior Obligations shall be and remain senior in all respects and prior to all Liens on the Shared Collateral securing any Second Priority Debt Obligations for all purposes, whether or not such Liens securing any Senior Obligations are subordinated to any Lien securing any other obligation of any Borrower, any Grantor or any other Person or otherwise subordinated, voided, avoided, invalidated or lapsed.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, including the next following paragraph, the relative Lien priority of the Excess Senior Obligations to the Excess Second Priority Obligations shall be the same as the relative Lien priority of the Senior Obligations to the Second Priority Debt Obligations and the provisions of this Agreement shall apply to such categories of obligations mutatis mutandis.

 

Notwithstanding the date, time, manner or order of filing or recordation of any document or instrument or grant, attachment or perfection of any Liens granted to any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Parties on the Shared Collateral or of any Liens granted to any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party on the Shared Collateral (or any actual or alleged defect in any of the foregoing) that secure Excess Senior Obligations and notwithstanding any provision of the UCC, any applicable law, any Second Priority Debt Document or any Senior Debt Document or any other circumstance whatsoever, each Senior Representative, on behalf of itself and each Senior Secured Party under its Senior Facility, hereby agrees that (a) any Lien on the Shared Collateral securing any Second Priority Debt Obligations now or hereafter held by or on behalf of any Second Priority Representative or any other Second Priority Debt Party or other agent or trustee therefor, regardless of how acquired, whether by grant, statute, operation of law, subrogation or otherwise, shall have priority over and be senior in all respects and prior to any Lien on the Shared Collateral securing any Excess Senior Obligations and (b) any Lien on the Shared Collateral securing any Excess Senior Obligations now or hereafter held by or on behalf of any Senior Representative, any Senior Secured Party or other agent or trustee therefor, regardless of how acquired, whether by grant, statute, operation of law, subrogation or otherwise, shall be junior and subordinate in all respects to all Liens on the Shared Collateral securing any Second Priority Debt Obligations.  All Liens on the Shared Collateral securing any Second Priority Debt Obligations shall be and remain senior in all respects and prior to all Liens on the Shared Collateral securing any Excess Senior Obligations for all purposes, whether or not such Liens

 

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securing any Excess Senior Obligations are subordinated to any Lien securing any other obligation of any Borrower, any Grantor or any other Person or otherwise subordinated, voided, avoided, invalidated or lapsed.

 

SECTION 2.02.                                     Nature of Senior Lender Claims.  Subject to Section 5.03, each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, acknowledges that the terms of the Senior Debt Documents and the Senior Obligations may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, and the Senior Obligations, or a portion thereof, may be Refinanced from time to time.  The Lien priorities provided for in Section 2.01 shall not be altered or otherwise affected by any amendment, supplement or other modification, or any Refinancing, of either the Senior Obligations or the Second Priority Debt Obligations, or any portion thereof.  As between the Borrower and the other Grantors and the Second Priority Debt Parties, the foregoing provisions will not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of the Borrower and the Grantors contained in any Second Priority Debt Document with respect to the incurrence of additional Senior Obligations.

 

SECTION 2.03.                                     Prohibition on Contesting Liens.  Each of the Second Priority Representatives, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that it shall not (and hereby waives any right to) contest or support any other Person in contesting, in any proceeding (including any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), the validity, extent, perfection, priority or enforceability of any Lien securing any Senior Obligations held (or purported to be held) by or on behalf of any Senior Representative or any of the other Senior Secured Parties or other agent or trustee therefor in any Senior Collateral, and each Senior Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Senior Secured Party under its Senior Facility, agrees that it shall not (and hereby waives any right to) contest or support any other Person in contesting, in any proceeding (including any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), the validity, extent, perfection, priority or enforceability of any Lien securing any Second Priority Debt Obligations held (or purported to be held) by or on behalf of any of any Second Priority Representative or any of the Second Priority Debt Parties in the Second Priority Collateral.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of any Senior Representative to enforce this Agreement (including the priority of the Liens securing the Senior Obligations as provided in Section 2.01) or any of the Senior Debt Documents.  Until the Discharge of Senior Obligations, Second Priority Representative will not assert any marshaling, appraisal, valuation, or other similar right that may otherwise be available to a junior secured creditor.

 

SECTION 2.04.                                     No New Liens.  (a)  Subject to the terms hereof, the parties hereto agree that, so long as the Discharge of Senior Obligations has not occurred, (i) none of the Grantors shall grant or permit any additional Liens on any asset or property of any Grantor to secure any Second Priority Debt Obligation unless it has granted, or substantially concurrently therewith grants, a Lien on such asset or property of such Grantor to secure the Senior Obligations; and (ii) if any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party shall hold any Lien on any assets or property of any Grantor securing any Second Priority Obligations that are not also subject to the Liens securing all Senior Obligations under the Senior Collateral Documents, such Second Priority Representative or Second Priority Debt Party (x) shall notify the Designated Senior Representative promptly upon becoming aware thereof and, unless such Grantor shall promptly grant a similar Lien on such assets or property to each Senior Representative as security for the Senior Obligations, shall assign such Lien to the Designated Senior Representative as security for all Senior Obligations for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties (but may retain a junior lien on such assets or property subject to the terms hereof) and (y) until such assignment or such grant of a similar Lien to each Senior Representative, shall be deemed to hold and have held such Lien for the benefit of each Senior Representative and the other Senior Secured Parties as security for the Senior Obligations.  To the extent that the provisions of the immediately preceding

 

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sentence are not complied with for any reason, without limiting any other right or remedy available to any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party, each Second Priority Representative agrees, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Priority Debt Parties, that any amounts received by or distributed to any Second Priority Debt Party pursuant to or as a result of any Lien granted in contravention of this Section 2.04 shall be subject to Section 4.01 and Section 4.02.

 

(b)                                 Subject to the terms hereof, the parties hereto agree that, so long as the Discharge of Second Priority Debt Obligations has not occurred, (i) none of the Grantors shall grant or permit any additional Liens on any asset or property of any Grantor to secure any Senior Obligation unless it has granted, or substantially concurrently therewith grants, a Lien on such asset or property of such Grantor to secure the Second Priority Debt Obligations and (ii) if any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party shall hold any Lien on any assets or property of any Grantor securing any Senior Obligations that are not also subject to the Liens securing all Second Priority Debt Obligations under the Second Priority Collateral Documents, such Senior Representative or Senior Secured Party shall notify the Designated Second Priority Representative promptly upon becoming aware thereof  and until a grant of a similar Lien to each Second Priority Representative, shall be deemed to hold and have held such Lien for the benefit of each Second Priority Representative and the other Second Priority Debt Parties as security for the Second Priority Debt Obligations.

 

(c)                                  The existence of a maximum claim with respect to any real property subject to a mortgage which applies to all Secured Obligations shall not be deemed to be a difference in Collateral among any series, issue or class of Senior Obligations or Second Priority Debt Obligations.

 

SECTION 2.05.                                     Perfection of Liens.  Except for the limited agreements of the Senior Representatives pursuant to Section 5.05 hereof, none of the Senior Representatives or the Senior Secured Parties shall be responsible for perfecting and maintaining the perfection of Liens with respect to the Shared Collateral for the benefit of the Second Priority Representatives or the Second Priority Debt Parties.  The provisions of this Agreement are intended solely to govern the respective Lien priorities as between the Senior Secured Parties and the Second Priority Debt Parties and shall not impose on the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives, the Second Priority Debt Parties or any agent or trustee therefor any obligations in respect of the disposition of Proceeds of any Shared Collateral which would conflict with prior perfected claims therein in favor of any other Person or any order or decree of any court or governmental authority or any applicable law.

 

SECTION 2.06.                                     Similar Liens and Agreements.  The parties hereto agree that it is their intention that the Senior Collateral and the Second Priority Collateral be identical.  In furtherance of the foregoing and of Section 8.12, the parties hereto agree, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement:

 

(a)                                 upon request by Designated Senior Representative or Designated Second Priority Representative, to cooperate in good faith (and to direct their counsel to cooperate in good faith) from time to time in order to determine the specific items included in the Senior Collateral and the Second Priority Collateral and the steps taken or to be taken to perfect their respective Liens thereon and the identity of the respective parties obligated under the Senior Debt Documents and the Second Priority Debt Documents; and

 

(b)                                 that the Senior Debt Documents and the Second Priority Debt Documents and guarantees for the Senior Debt Documents and the Second Priority Debt Documents, shall be in all material respects the same forms of documents other than with respect to the first lien and the second lien nature thereof.

 

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ARTICLE III

 

Enforcement

 

SECTION 3.01.                                     Exercise of Remedies.

 

(a)                                 So long as the Discharge of Senior Obligations has not occurred and subject to Article VI, whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced by or against a Borrower or any other Grantor, (i) neither any Second Priority Representative nor any Second Priority Debt Party will (x) exercise or seek to exercise any rights or remedies (including setoff) with respect to any Shared Collateral in respect of any Second Priority Debt Obligations, or institute any action or proceeding with respect to such rights or remedies (including any action of foreclosure), (y) contest, protest or object to any foreclosure proceeding or action brought with respect to the Shared Collateral by any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party in respect of the Senior Obligations, the exercise of any right by any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party (or any agent or sub-agent on their behalf) in respect of the Senior Obligations under any lockbox agreement, control agreement, landlord waiver or bailee’s letter or similar agreement or arrangement to which any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party either is a party or may have rights as a third party beneficiary, or any other exercise by any such party of any rights and remedies relating to the Shared Collateral under the Senior Debt Documents or otherwise in respect of the Senior Collateral or the Senior Obligations, or (z) object to the forbearance by the Senior Secured Parties from bringing or pursuing any foreclosure proceeding or action or any other exercise of any rights or remedies relating to the Shared Collateral in respect of Senior Obligations and (ii) except as otherwise provided herein, the Senior Representatives and the Senior Secured Parties shall have the exclusive right to enforce rights, exercise remedies (including setoff and the right to credit bid their debt) and make determinations regarding the release, disposition or restrictions with respect to the Shared Collateral without any consultation with or the consent of any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party; provided, however, that (A) in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding commenced by or against a Borrower or any other Grantor, any Second Priority Representative may file a claim, proof of claim or statement of interest with respect to the Second Priority Debt Obligations under its Second Priority Debt Facility, (B) any Second Priority Representative may take any action (not adverse to the prior Liens on the Shared Collateral securing the Senior Obligations or the rights of the Senior Representatives or the Senior Secured Parties to exercise remedies in respect thereof) in order to create, prove, perfect, preserve or protect (but not enforce) its rights in, and perfection and priority of its Lien on, the Shared Collateral, but no Second Priority Debt Party may receive any Proceeds thereof unless expressly permitted herein, (C) any Second Priority Representative and the Second Priority Secured Parties may exercise their rights and remedies as unsecured creditors, as and to the extent provided in Section 5.04, (D) any Second Priority Representative may exercise the rights and remedies provided for in Section 6.03 and the Second Priority Debt Parties may file any necessary, responsive or defensive pleadings in opposition to any motion, claim, adversary proceeding or other pleading made by any person objecting to or otherwise seeking the disallowance of the claims or Liens of the Second Priority Debt Parties or the avoidance of any Second Priority Lien to the extent not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement, (E) any Second Priority Debt Party may vote on any plan of reorganization, plan of liquidation, agreement for composition, or other type of plan of arrangement proposed in or in connection with any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding that conforms to and is not inconsistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Section 6.08), (F) any Second Priority Debt Party may send notices of default relating to the Second Priority Debt Obligations, (G) any Second Priority Debt Party may accelerate the Second Priority Debt Obligations, (H) any Second Priority Debt Party may join (but not exercise control except from and after the Second Priority Enforcement Date) a judicial foreclosure or lien enforcement proceeding with respect to the Collateral initiated by the Senior Secured Parties to the extent such action could not reasonably be expected to interfere in any material respect with such enforcement action, (I) any Second Priority Debt

 

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Party may bid for or purchase Collateral at any public, private or judicial foreclosure upon any Collateral initiated by any Senior Secured Party or any sale of Collateral during any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding; provided that such bid may not include a “credit bid” in respect of any Second Priority Debt Obligations unless the proceeds of such bid are otherwise sufficient to cause the Discharge of Senior Obligations and (J) from and after the Second Priority Enforcement Date, the Designated Second Priority Representative (or a person authorized by it) may exercise or seek to exercise any rights or remedies (including setoff) with respect to any Shared Collateral in respect of any Second Priority Debt Obligations, or institute any action or proceeding with respect to such rights or remedies (including any action of foreclosure).  In exercising rights and remedies with respect to the Senior Collateral, the Senior Representatives and the Senior Secured Parties may enforce the provisions of the Senior Debt Documents and exercise remedies thereunder, all in such order and in such manner as they may determine in the exercise of their sole discretion.  Such exercise and enforcement shall include the rights of an agent appointed by them to sell or otherwise dispose of Shared Collateral upon foreclosure, to incur expenses in connection with such sale or disposition and to exercise all the rights and remedies of a secured lender under the Uniform Commercial Code of any applicable jurisdiction and of a secured creditor under Bankruptcy Laws of any applicable jurisdiction.

 

(b)                                 So long as the Discharge of Senior Obligations has not occurred, except as expressly provided in Section 3.01(a) and Article VI, each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that it will not, in the context of its role as secured creditor, take or receive any Shared Collateral or any Proceeds of Shared Collateral in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy (including setoff) with respect to any Shared Collateral in respect of Second Priority Debt Obligations.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, unless and until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, except as expressly provided in Section 3.01(a), the sole right of the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties with respect to the Shared Collateral is to hold a Lien on the Shared Collateral in respect of Second Priority Debt Obligations pursuant to the Second Priority Debt Documents for the period and to the extent granted therein and to receive a share of the Proceeds thereof, if any, after the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred.

 

(c)                                  Subject to Sections 3.01(a) and 5.04 and Article VI, (i) each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that neither such Second Priority Representative nor any such Second Priority Debt Party will take any action that would hinder any exercise of remedies undertaken by any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party with respect to the Shared Collateral under the Senior Debt Documents, including any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition of the Shared Collateral, whether by foreclosure or otherwise, and (ii) each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby waives any and all rights it or any such Second Priority Debt Party may have as a junior lien creditor to object to the manner in which the Senior Representatives or the Senior Secured Parties seek to enforce or collect the Senior Obligations or the Liens granted on any of the Senior Collateral, regardless of whether any action or failure to act by or on behalf of any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party is adverse to the interests of the Second Priority Debt Parties.

 

(d)                                 Each Second Priority Representative hereby acknowledges and agrees that no covenant, agreement or restriction contained in any Second Priority Debt Document shall be deemed to restrict in any way the rights and remedies of the Senior Representatives or the Senior Secured Parties with respect to the Senior Collateral as set forth in this Agreement and the Senior Debt Documents.

 

(e)                                  Until the Discharge of Senior Obligations, except as expressly provided in Section 3.01(a), the Designated Senior Representative (or any person authorized by it) shall have the

 

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exclusive right to exercise any right or remedy with respect to the Shared Collateral and shall have the exclusive right to determine and direct the time, method and place for exercising such right or remedy or conducting any proceeding with respect thereto.  Following the Discharge of Senior Obligations or from and after the Second Priority Enforcement Date, the Designated Second Priority Representative (or any person authorized by it) who may be instructed by the Second Priority Majority Representatives shall have the exclusive right to exercise any right or remedy with respect to the Collateral, and the Designated Second Priority Representative (or any person authorized by it) who may be instructed by the Second Priority Majority Representatives shall have the exclusive right to direct the time, method and place of exercising or conducting any proceeding for the exercise of any right or remedy available to the Second Priority Debt Parties with respect to the Collateral, or of exercising or directing the exercise of any trust or power conferred on the Second Priority Representatives, or for the taking of any other action authorized by the Second Priority Collateral Documents; provided, however, that nothing in this Section shall impair the right of any Second Priority Representative or other agent or trustee acting on behalf of the Second Priority Debt Parties to take such actions with respect to the Collateral after the Discharge of Senior Obligations or from and after the Second Priority Enforcement Date as may be otherwise required or authorized pursuant to any intercreditor agreement governing the Second Priority Debt Parties or the Second Priority Debt Obligations.

 

SECTION 3.02.                                     Cooperation.  Subject to Section 3.01(a) and Article VI, each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that, unless and until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, it will not commence, or join with any Person (other than the Senior Secured Parties and the Senior Representatives upon the request of the Designated Senior Representative) in commencing, any enforcement, collection, execution, levy or foreclosure action or proceeding with respect to any Lien held by it in the Shared Collateral under any of the Second Priority Debt Documents or otherwise in respect of the Second Priority Debt Obligations.

 

SECTION 3.03.                                     Actions upon Breach.  Should any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party, contrary to this Agreement, in any way take, attempt to take or threaten to take any action with respect to the Shared Collateral (including any attempt to realize upon or enforce any remedy with respect to this Agreement) or fail to take any action required by this Agreement, any Senior Representative or other Senior Secured Party (in its or their own name or in the name of a Borrower or any other Grantor) or a Borrower may obtain relief against such Second Priority Representative or such Second Priority Debt Party by injunction, specific performance or other appropriate equitable relief.  Each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby (i) agrees that the Senior Secured Parties’ damages from the actions of the Second Priority Representatives or any Second Priority Debt Party may at that time be difficult to ascertain and may be irreparable and waives any defense that a Borrower, any other Grantor or the Senior Secured Parties cannot demonstrate damage or be made whole by the awarding of damages and (ii) irrevocably waives any defense based on the adequacy of a remedy at law and any other defense that might be asserted to bar the remedy of specific performance in any action that may be brought by any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

Payments

 

SECTION 4.01.                                     Application of Proceeds.  After an Event of Default (as defined therein) under any Senior Debt Document has occurred and until such Event of Default is cured or waived, so long as the Discharge of Senior Obligations has not occurred, the Shared Collateral or Proceeds thereof received in connection with (i) the sale or other disposition of, or collection on, such

 

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Shared Collateral upon the exercise of remedies or (ii) any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding shall be applied by the Designated Senior Representative to the Senior Obligations in such order as specified in the relevant Senior Debt Documents until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred.  Upon the Discharge of Senior Obligations, each applicable Senior Representative shall deliver promptly to the Designated Second Priority Representative any Shared Collateral or Proceeds thereof held by it in the same form as received, with any necessary endorsements, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct, to be applied by the Designated Second Priority Representative to the Second Priority Debt Obligations in such order as specified in the relevant Second Priority Debt Documents.

 

SECTION 4.02.                                     Payments Over.  Unless and until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred or, thereafter, with respect to any Excess Second Priority Obligations, any Shared Collateral or Proceeds thereof received by any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party in connection with (i) the exercise of any right or remedy (including setoff) relating to the Shared Collateral or (ii) any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, shall in each case be segregated and held in trust for the benefit of and forthwith paid over to the Designated Senior Representative for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties in the same form as received, with any necessary endorsements, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct.  The Designated Senior Representative is hereby authorized to make any such endorsements as agent for each of the Second Priority Representatives or any such Second Priority Debt Party.  This authorization is coupled with an interest and is irrevocable.

 

ARTICLE V

 

Other Agreements

 

SECTION 5.01.                                     Releases.

 

(a)                                 Subject to Article VI, each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that, if in connection with (i) any sale, transfer or other disposition of any Shared Collateral by any Grantor (other than in connection with any enforcement or exercise of rights or remedies with respect to the Shared Collateral or any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding which shall be governed by clause (ii)) permitted under the terms of the Senior Debt Documents or consented to by the holders of Senior Obligations under the Senior Debt Documents and permitted under the terms of the Second Priority Debt Documents or consented to by the holders of Second Priority Debt Obligations (other than (A) in connection with the Discharge of Senior Obligations or (B) after the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default under the Second Priority Debt Documents) or (ii) the enforcement or exercise of any rights or remedies with respect to the Shared Collateral or any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, including any sale, transfer or other disposition of Collateral so long as net proceeds of any such Collateral are applied to reduce permanently the Senior Obligations and so long as the Second Priority Debt Parties shall retain a Lien on the proceeds of any such sale, transfer or other disposition of Collateral in connection with any exercise of remedies by the Senior Secured Parties (to the extent that such proceeds are not applied to the Senior Obligations), the Designated Senior Representative, for itself and on behalf of the other Senior Secured Parties releases any of the Senior Liens on  the Shared Collateral (a “Release”), then the Liens (other than the Lien on the proceeds thereof to the extent provided above in this sentence) on such Shared Collateral securing any Second Priority Debt Obligations shall be automatically, unconditionally and simultaneously released, and each Second Priority Representative shall, for itself and on behalf of the other applicable Second Priority Class Debt Parties, promptly execute and deliver to the Designated Senior Representative and the applicable Grantors such termination statements, releases and other documents as the Designated Senior Representative or any applicable Grantor may reasonably request to effectively confirm such Release.  Similarly, if the equity interests of

 

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any Person are foreclosed upon or otherwise disposed of pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above and in connection therewith the Designated Senior Representative releases the Senior Liens on the property or assets of such Person or releases such Person from its guarantee of Senior Obligations, then the Second Priority Lien on such property or assets of such Person and such Person’s guarantee of Second Priority Debt Obligations shall be automatically released to the same extent.  Nothing in this Section 5.01(a) will be deemed to affect any agreement of a Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of the Second Priority Debt Parties under its Second Priority Debt Facility, to release the Liens on the Second Priority Collateral as set forth in the relevant Second Priority Debt Documents.

 

(b)                                 Each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Designated Senior Representative and any officer or agent of the Designated Senior Representative, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable power and authority in the place and stead of such Second Priority Representative or such Second Priority Debt Party or in the Designated Senior Representative’s own name, from time to time in the Designated Senior Representative’s discretion, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of Section 5.01(a), to take any and all appropriate action and to execute any and all documents and instruments that may be necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of Section 5.01(a), including any termination statements, endorsements or other instruments of transfer or release.

 

(c)                                  Unless and until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby consents to the application, whether prior to or after an Event of Default (as defined in any Senior Debt Document) of Proceeds of Shared Collateral released in accordance with this Section 5.01 to the repayment of Senior Obligations pursuant to the Senior Debt Documents, provided that nothing in this Section 5.01(c) shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of the Second Priority Representatives or the Second Priority Debt Parties to receive Proceeds in connection with the Second Priority Debt Obligations not otherwise in contravention of this Agreement.

 

(d)                                 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Second Priority Collateral Document, in the event the terms of a Senior Collateral Document and a Second Priority Collateral Document each require any Grantor to (i) make payment in respect of any item of Shared Collateral, (ii) deliver or afford control over any item of Shared Collateral to, or deposit any item of Shared Collateral with, (iii) register ownership of any item of Shared Collateral in the name of or make an assignment of ownership of any Shared Collateral or the rights thereunder to, (iv) cause any securities intermediary, commodity intermediary or other Person acting in a similar capacity to agree to comply, in respect of any item of Shared Collateral, with instructions or orders from, or to treat, in respect of any item of Shared Collateral, as the entitlement holder, (v) hold any item of Shared Collateral in trust for (to the extent such item of Shared Collateral cannot be held in trust for multiple parties under applicable law), (vi) obtain the agreement of a bailee or other third party to hold any item of Shared Collateral for the benefit of or subject to the control of or, in respect of any item of Shared Collateral, to follow the instructions of or (vii) obtain the agreement of a landlord with respect to access to leased premises where any item of Shared Collateral is located or waivers or subordination of rights with respect to any item of Shared Collateral in favor of, in any case, both the Designated Senior Representative and any Second Priority Representative or Second Priority Debt Party, such Grantor may, until the applicable Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, comply with such requirement under the Second Priority Collateral Document as it relates to such Shared Collateral by taking any of the actions set forth above only with respect to, or in favor of, the Designated Senior Representative.

 

SECTION 5.02.                                     Insurance and Condemnation Awards.  Unless and until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, the Designated Senior Representative and the Senior

 

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Secured Parties shall have the sole and exclusive right, subject to the rights of the Grantors under the Senior Debt Documents, (a) to adjust settlement for any insurance policy covering the Shared Collateral in the event of any loss thereunder and (b) to approve any award granted in any condemnation or similar proceeding affecting the Shared Collateral, in each case in accordance with the Senior Debt Documents.  Unless and until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, all Proceeds of any such policy and any such award, if in respect of the Shared Collateral, shall be paid (i) first, prior to the occurrence of the Discharge of Senior Obligations, to the Designated Senior Representative for the benefit of Senior Secured Parties pursuant to the terms of the Senior Debt Documents, (ii) second, after the occurrence of the Discharge of Senior Obligations, to the Designated Second Priority Representative for the benefit of the Second Priority Debt Parties pursuant to the terms of the applicable Second Priority Debt Documents, and (iii) third, if no Second Priority Debt Obligations are outstanding, to the owner of the subject property, such other Person as may be entitled thereto or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct.  If any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party shall, at any time, receive any Proceeds of any such insurance policy or any such award in contravention of this Agreement, it shall pay such Proceeds over to the Designated Senior Representative in accordance with the terms of Section 4.02.

 

SECTION 5.03.                                     Amendments to Debt Documents.

 

(a)                                 The Senior Debt Documents may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with their terms, and the Senior Debt Obligations may be Refinanced or replaced, in whole or in part, in each case, without the consent of any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party, all without affecting the Lien priorities provided for herein or the other provisions hereof; provided, however, that, without the consent of the Second Priority Majority Representatives, no such amendment, restatement, supplement, modification or Refinancing (or successive amendments, restatements, supplements, modifications or Refinancings) shall (i) contravene any provision of this Agreement or (ii) increase the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Obligations that comprise principal in respect of loans or notes outstanding under the Senior Debt Documents to an amount in excess of the Senior Cap, without, in each case, the prior written consent of the Designated Second Priority Representative.

 

(b)                                 The Second Priority Debt Documents may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with their terms, and the Second Priority Debt Obligations may be Refinanced or replaced, in whole or in part, in each case, without the consent of any Senior Class Debt Representative or any Senior Class Debt Party, all without affecting the Lien priorities provided for herein or the other provisions hereof; provided, however, that, without the consent of the Senior Priority Class Debt Representative, no such amendment, restatement, supplement, modification or Refinancing (or successive amendments, restatements, supplements, modifications or Refinancings) shall (i) contravene any provision of this Agreement, (ii) amend any term relating to payment or prepayment of the Senior Obligations in a manner adverse to the interests of the Senior Class Debt Parties or (iii) increase the aggregate principal amount of the Second Priority Debt Obligations that comprise principal in respect of loans or notes outstanding under the Second Priority Debt Documents to an amount in excess of the Second Priority Cap, without, in each case, the prior written consent of the Designated Senior Representative. Each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that each Second Priority Collateral Document under its Second Priority Debt Facility shall include the following language (or language to similar effect reasonably approved by the Designated Senior Representative):

 

“Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the liens and security interests granted to Collateral Agent pursuant to this Agreement are expressly subject and subordinate to the liens and security interests granted in favor of the Senior Secured

 

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Parties (as defined in the Term Intercreditor Agreement referred to below) and the ABL Secured Parties (as defined in the ABL/Term Intercreditor Agreement referred to below), including liens and security interests granted to Royal Bank of Canada, as administrative agent, pursuant to or in connection with (A) the Credit Agreement, dated as of January 13, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), among Number Holdings, Inc. (“Holdings”), 99 Cents Only Stores LLC (the “Borrower”), the Subsidiaries of the Borrower from time to time party thereto, the lenders from time to time party thereto and Royal Bank of Canada, as administrative agent and collateral agent and (B) the Credit Agreement, dated as of January 13, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), among Holdings, the Borrower, the Subsidiaries of the Borrower from time to time party thereto, the lenders from time to time party thereto and Royal Bank of Canada, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and (ii) the exercise of any right or remedy by Collateral Agent hereunder is subject to the limitations and provisions of (A) the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of November 7, 2017 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Term Intercreditor Agreement”), among Holdings, the Borrower, Royal Bank of Canada, as Administrative Agent, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Representative for the Initial Second Priority Debt Parties, and each additional Second Priority Representative and Senior Representative from time to time party thereto and (B) the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of January 13, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ABL/Term Intercreditor Agreement” and, together with the Term Intercreditor Agreement, the “Intercreditor Agreements”), among Holdings, the Borrower, Royal Bank of Canada, as representative for the ABL Secured Parties thereunder, Royal Bank of Canada, as representative for the Term Secured Parties thereunder, and each additional secured party and representative from time to time party thereto.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Intercreditor Agreements and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Intercreditor Agreements shall govern.”

 

The inclusion of the foregoing language in the Second Priority Collateral Documents does not modify or impair the rights of the applicable Senior Secured Parties against the applicable Grantors.  The failure to include such language in any Second Priority Collateral Document shall not give rise to any liability on the part of any party to this Agreement with respect to such Second Priority Collateral Document.

 

(c)                                  In the event that each applicable Senior Representative and/or the Senior Secured Parties enter into any amendment, waiver or consent in respect of any of the Senior Collateral Documents for the purpose of adding to or deleting from, or waiving or consenting to any departures from any provisions of, any Senior Collateral Document or changing in any manner the rights of the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Borrower or any other Grantor thereunder (including the release of any Liens in Senior Collateral) in a manner that is applicable to all Senior Facilities, then such amendment, waiver or consent shall apply automatically to any comparable provision of each comparable Second Priority Collateral Document without the consent of any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party and without any action by any Second Priority Representative, the Borrower or any other Grantor; provided, however, that (i) no such amendment, waiver or consent shall (A) remove assets subject to the Second Priority Liens or release any such Liens, except to the extent that such release is permitted or required by Section 5.01(a) and provided that there is a substantially concurrent release of the corresponding Senior Liens, (B) be adverse in any material respect to the Second Priority Debt Parties to a greater extent than to the Senior Secured Parties (other than by virtue of the relative priorities and rights provided for in this Agreement) without the prior written consent of the Designated Second Priority Representative or (C) impose additional duties that are adverse on any Second Priority Representative

 

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without its prior written consent and (ii) written notice of such amendment, waiver or consent shall have been given to each Second Priority Representative within thirty (30) days after the effectiveness of such amendment, waiver or consent; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the effectiveness and validity thereof.

 

(d)                                 The Borrower agrees to deliver to each of the Designated Senior Representative and the Designated Second Priority Representative copies of (i) any material amendments, supplements or other modifications to the material Senior Debt Documents or the material Second Priority Debt Documents and (ii) any new material Senior Debt Documents or material Second Priority Debt Documents promptly after effectiveness thereof.

 

SECTION 5.04.                                     Rights as Unsecured Creditors.  The Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties may as unsecured creditors exercise rights and remedies available to unsecured creditors generally against any Borrower and any other Grantor in accordance with the terms of the Second Priority Debt Documents and applicable law (including in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding) to the extent such exercise is not inconsistent with the other provisions of this Agreement.  Except as provided in Section 4.02, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the receipt by any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party of the required payments of principal (including required mandatory prepayments to the extent any such mandatory prepayment is declined by the Senior Secured Parties), premium, interest (including interest at the default rate), fees and other amounts due under the Second Priority Debt Documents.  In the event any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party becomes a judgment lien creditor in respect of Shared Collateral as a result of its enforcement of its rights as an unsecured creditor in respect of Second Priority Debt Obligations, such judgment lien shall be subordinated to the Liens securing Senior Obligations on the same basis as the other Liens securing the Second Priority Debt Obligations are so subordinated to such Liens securing Senior Obligations under this Agreement.  Nothing in this Agreement shall impair or otherwise adversely affect any rights or remedies the Senior Representatives or the Senior Secured Parties may have with respect to the Senior Collateral.

 

SECTION 5.05.                                     Gratuitous Bailee for Perfection.

 

(a)                                 Each Senior Representative acknowledges and agrees that if it shall at any time hold a Lien securing any Senior Obligations on any Shared Collateral that can be perfected by the possession, control, or notation, of such Shared Collateral or of any account in which such Shared Collateral is held, and if such Shared Collateral or any such account is in fact in the possession or under the control of, or notation, in the name of, such Senior Representative, or of agents or bailees of such Person (such Shared Collateral being referred to herein as the “Pledged or Controlled Collateral”), or if it shall at any time obtain any landlord waiver or bailee’s letter or any similar agreement or arrangement granting it rights or access to Shared Collateral, the applicable Senior Representative shall also hold such Pledged or Controlled Collateral, or take such actions with respect to such landlord waiver, bailee’s letter or similar agreement or arrangement, as sub-agent or gratuitous bailee (such bailment being intended, among other things, to satisfy the requirements of Section 8-301(a)(2) and 9-313(c) of the Uniform Commercial Code, to the extent applicable) for the relevant Second Priority Representatives, in each case solely for the purpose of perfecting the Liens granted under the relevant Second Priority Collateral Documents and subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 5.05.

 

(b)                                 In the event that any Senior Representative (or its agents or bailees) has Lien filings against Intellectual Property that is part of the Shared Collateral that are necessary for the perfection of Liens in such Shared Collateral, such Senior Representative agrees to hold such Liens as sub-agent and gratuitous bailee (such bailment being intended, among other things, to satisfy the requirements of Section 8-301(a)(2) and 9-313(c) of the Uniform Commercial Code, to the extent

 

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applicable) for the relevant Second Priority Representatives and any assignee thereof, solely for the purpose of perfecting the security interest granted in such Liens pursuant to the relevant Second Priority Collateral Documents, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 5.05.

 

(c)                                  Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, the Senior Representatives and the Senior Secured Parties shall be entitled to deal with the Pledged or Controlled Collateral in accordance with the terms of the Senior Debt Documents as if the Liens under the Second Priority Collateral Documents did not exist.  The rights of the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties with respect to the Pledged or Controlled Collateral shall at all times be subject to the terms of this Agreement.

 

(d)                                 The Senior Representatives and the Senior Secured Parties shall have no obligation whatsoever to the Second Priority Representatives or any Second Priority Debt Party to assure that any of the Pledged or Controlled Collateral is genuine or owned by the Grantors or to protect or preserve rights or benefits of any Person or any rights pertaining to the Shared Collateral, except as expressly set forth in this Section 5.05.  The duties or responsibilities of the Senior Representatives under this Section 5.05 shall be limited solely to holding, controlling, or being notated on, the Shared Collateral and the related Liens referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 5.05 as sub-agent and gratuitous bailee (such bailment being intended, among other things, to satisfy the requirements of Section 8-301(a)(2) and 9-313(c) of the Uniform Commercial Code, to the extent applicable) for the relevant Second Priority Representative for purposes of perfecting the Lien held by such Second Priority Representative.

 

(e)                                  The Senior Representatives shall not have by reason of the Second Priority Collateral Documents or this Agreement, or any other document, a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party, and each, Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby waives and releases the Senior Representatives from all claims and liabilities arising pursuant to the Senior Representatives’ roles under this Section 5.05 as sub-agents and gratuitous bailees with respect to the Shared Collateral.

 

(f)                                   Upon the Discharge of Senior Obligations, each applicable Senior Representative shall, at the Grantors’ sole cost and expense, (i) (A) deliver to the Designated Second Priority Representative, to the extent that it is legally permitted to do so, all Shared Collateral, including all Proceeds thereof, held or controlled by such Senior Representative or any of its agents or bailees, including the transfer of possession and control, as applicable, of the Pledged or Controlled Collateral, together with any necessary endorsements and notices to depositary banks, securities intermediaries and commodities intermediaries, and assign its rights under any landlord waiver or bailee’s letter or any similar agreement or arrangement granting it rights or access to Shared Collateral, or (B) direct and deliver such Shared Collateral as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct, (ii) notify any applicable insurance carrier that it is no longer entitled to be a loss payee or additional insured under the insurance policies of any Grantor issued by such insurance carrier, and (iii) notify any governmental authority involved in any condemnation or similar proceeding involving any Grantor that the Designated Second Priority Representative is entitled to approve any awards granted in such proceeding.  The Borrower and the other Grantors shall take such further action as is required to effectuate the transfer contemplated hereby and shall indemnify each Senior Representative for loss or damage suffered by such Senior Representative as a result of such transfer, except for loss or damage suffered by any such Person as a result of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.  The Senior Representatives have no obligations to follow instructions from any Second Priority Representative or any other Second Priority Debt Party in

 

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contravention of this Agreement.  No Senior Representative shall have any liability to any Second Priority Debt Party.

 

(g)                                  None of the Senior Representatives nor any of the other Senior Secured Parties shall be required to marshal any present or future collateral security for any obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party under the Senior Debt Documents or any assurance of payment in respect thereof or to any Second Priority Debt Party, or to resort to such collateral security or other assurances of payment in any particular order, and all of their rights in respect of such collateral security or any assurance of payment in respect thereof shall be cumulative and in addition to all other rights, however existing or arising.

 

SECTION 5.06.                                     When Discharge of Senior Obligations Deemed To Not Have Occurred.  If, at any time substantially concurrently with or after the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, the Borrower or any Subsidiary of Holdings consummates any Refinancing or incurs any Senior Obligations (other than in respect of the payment of indemnities surviving the Discharge of Senior Obligations), then such Discharge of Senior Obligations shall automatically be deemed not to have occurred for all purposes of this Agreement (other than with respect to any actions taken prior to the date of such designation as a result of the occurrence of such first Discharge of Senior Obligations) and the applicable agreement governing such Senior Obligations shall automatically be treated as a Senior Debt Document for all purposes of this Agreement, including for purposes of the Lien priorities and rights in respect of Shared Collateral set forth herein and the agent, representative or trustee for the holders of such Senior Obligations shall be the Senior Representative for all purposes of this Agreement.  Upon receipt of notice of such incurrence (including the identity of the new Senior Representative), each Second Priority Representative (including the Designated Second Priority Representative) shall promptly (a) enter into such documents and agreements (at the expense of the Borrower), including amendments or supplements to this Agreement, as the Borrower or such new Senior Representative shall reasonably request in writing in order to provide the new Senior Representative the rights of a Senior Representative contemplated hereby, (b) deliver to such Senior Representative, to the extent that it is legally permitted to do so, all Shared Collateral, including all Proceeds thereof, held or controlled by such Second Priority Representative or any of its agents or bailees, including the transfer of possession and control, as applicable, of the Pledged or Controlled Collateral, together with any necessary endorsements and notices to depositary banks, securities intermediaries and commodities intermediaries, and assign its rights under any landlord waiver or bailee’s letter or any similar agreement or arrangement granting it rights or access to Shared Collateral and (c) notify any governmental authority involved in any condemnation or similar proceeding involving a Grantor that the new Senior Representative is entitled to approve any awards granted in such proceeding.

 

SECTION 5.07.                                     Purchase Right.  Without prejudice to the enforcement of the Senior Secured Parties’ remedies, the Senior Secured Parties agree that at any time, one or more of the Second Priority Debt Parties may request, and the Senior Secured Parties hereby offer the Second Priority Debt Parties the option, to purchase all, but not less than all, of the aggregate amount of outstanding Senior Obligations outstanding at the time of purchase at par, plus any premium that would be applicable upon prepayment of the Senior Obligations and accrued and unpaid interest, fees, and expenses without warranty or representation or recourse (except for representations and warranties required to be made by assigning lenders pursuant to the Assignment and Assumption (as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement)).  If such right is exercised, the parties shall endeavor to close promptly thereafter but in any event within ten (10) Business Days of the request.  If one or more of the Second Priority Debt Parties exercise such purchase right, it shall be exercised pursuant to documentation mutually acceptable to each of the Senior Representative and the Second Priority Representative, subject to any consent rights of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement or any applicable Senior Debt Document.  If none of the Second Priority Debt Parties exercise such right, the Senior Secured Parties shall have no further obligations

 

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pursuant to this Section 5.07 for such purchase event and may take any further actions in their sole discretion in accordance with the Senior Debt Documents and this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceedings.

 

SECTION 6.01.                                     Financing Issues; Asset Sales.

 

(a)              Subject to Section 6.01(c) below, until the Discharge of Senior Obligations, if an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has commenced, each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party, each as holder of a Lien on the Collateral, will not contest, protest, or object to, and each Second Priority Debt Party will be deemed to have consented to,

 

(1)                                 any use, sale, or lease of “cash collateral” (as defined in section 363(a) of the Bankruptcy Code), and

 

(2)                                 Borrower or any other Grantor obtaining financing under Section 363 or Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law (“DIP Financing”) if the Administrative Agent consents in writing to such use, sale, or lease, or DIP Financing, provided that

 

(A)                               Second Priority Representative otherwise retains its Lien on the Collateral,

 

(B)                               any Second Priority Debt Party may seek adequate protection as and to the extent permitted by Section 6.03 and, if such adequate protection is not granted, Second Priority Representative may object under this Section 6.01 solely on such basis,

 

(C)                               after taking into account the use of cash collateral and the principal amount of any DIP Financing (after giving effect to any Refinancing of Senior Obligations) on any date, the sum of the then outstanding principal amount of any Senior Obligations and any DIP Financing that in each case comprise principal in respect of loans or notes outstanding under the Senior Debt Documents or DIP Financing documentation does not exceed the Senior Cap on such date, and

 

(D)                               such DIP Financing and the Liens securing such DIP Financing are pari passu with or superior in priority to the then outstanding Senior Obligations and the Liens securing such Senior Obligations.

 

(b)                                 Subject to Section 6.01(c) below, any customary and reasonable “carve-out” or other similar administrative priority expense or claim consented to in writing by Senior Representative to be paid prior to the Discharge of Senior Obligations will be deemed for purposes of Section 6.01(a):

 

(1)                                 to be a use of cash collateral, and

 

(2)                                 not to be a principal amount of DIP Financing at the time of such consent.

 

No Second Priority Debt Party may provide DIP Financing to a Borrower or other Grantor secured by Liens equal or senior in priority to the Liens securing any Senior Obligations, or provide any DIP Financing unless no Senior Secured Party offers to provide DIP Financing to the extent permitted under Section 6.01(a) on or before the date of the hearing to approve DIP Financing.

 

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To the extent any Senior Secured Party proposes to provide DIP Financing, the Second Priority Debt Parties shall be provided a reasonable opportunity to provide up to the Specified Portion of such DIP Financing upon the terms proposed by such Senior Secured Party, provided that the Second Priority Debt Parties shall, on or after the consummation of such DIP Financing, be allowed to vote no more than the Specified Portion of the claims constituting such DIP Financing.

 

(c)                                  Nothing in this Section 6.01 or this Agreement limits or impairs the right of Second Priority Representative to object to any motion regarding DIP Financing (including a DIP Financing proposed by one or more Senior Secured Parties) or cash collateral to the extent that the DIP Financing or use of cash collateral does not meet the requirements of Section 6.01(a).

 

(d)                                 Second Priority Representative, as holder of a Lien on the Collateral and on behalf of the Second Priority Debt Parties, will not contest, protest, or object, and will be deemed to have consented pursuant to section 363(f) of the Bankruptcy Code, to a Disposition of Collateral free and clear of its Liens or other interests under section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code if Senior Representative consents in writing to the Disposition, provided that either (i) pursuant to court order, the Liens of Second Priority Debt Parties attach to the net Proceeds of the Disposition with the same priority and validity as the Liens held by Second Priority Debt Parties on such Collateral, and the Liens remain subject to the terms of this Agreement, or (ii) the Proceeds of a Disposition of Collateral received by Senior Representative in excess of those necessary to achieve the Discharge of Senior Obligations are distributed in accordance with the UCC, applicable law and this Agreement, and provided, further that the Second Priority Debt Parties are not deemed to have waived any rights to credit bid on the Shared Collateral in any such sale or disposition under Section 363(k) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision under the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable law), so long as any such credit bid provides for the Discharge of Senior Obligations.

 

SECTION 6.02.                                     Relief from the Automatic Stay.  Until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that none of them shall seek relief from the automatic stay or any other stay in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or take any action in derogation thereof, in each case in respect of any Shared Collateral, without the prior written consent of the Designated Senior Representative; provided, however, that upon the filing of any motion for relief from the automatic stay or from any injunction against foreclosure or enforcement in respect of Senior Obligations made by any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party, each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under the Second Priority Debt Facility, may similarly seek relief from stay to exercise such Second Priority Representative’s rights and remedies in a manner consistent with this Agreement.

 

SECTION 6.03.                                     Adequate Protection.  Each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that none of them shall (A) object, contest or support any other Person objecting to or contesting (a) any request by any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Parties for adequate protection, (b) any objection by any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Parties to any motion, relief, action or proceeding based on any Senior Representative’s or Senior Secured Party’s claiming a lack of adequate protection, or (c) the payment of interest and the reasonable fees costs, or charges of any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party under Section 506(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law and otherwise payable under the Senior Debt Documents or (B) assert or support any claim for costs or expenses of preserving or disposing of any Collateral under Section 506(c) of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law unless the payment of any such claim is conditioned on the occurrence of the Discharge of Senior Obligations.  Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 6.03 or in Section 6.01, in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, (i) if the Senior Secured Parties (or any subset thereof) are granted adequate

 

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protection in the form of additional or replacement collateral or superpriority claims in connection with any DIP Financing or use of cash collateral under Section 363 or 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law (other than in a role of DIP Financing provider), then each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, may seek or request adequate protection in the form of a replacement Lien or superpriority claim on such additional or replacement collateral, which Lien or superpriority claim is subordinated to the Liens securing or claims with respect to all Senior Obligations and such DIP Financing (and all obligations relating thereto and any reasonable “carve-out”) on the same basis as the other Liens securing the Second Priority Debt Obligations are so subordinated to the Liens securing Senior Obligations under this Agreement, and (ii) in the event any Second Priority Representatives, for themselves and on behalf of the Second Priority Debt Parties under their Second Priority Debt Facilities, seek or request adequate protection and such adequate protection is granted in the form of additional or replacement collateral, then such Second Priority Representatives, for themselves and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under their Second Priority Debt Facilities, agree that each Senior Representative shall also be granted a senior Lien on such additional or replacement collateral as security for the Senior Obligations and any such DIP Financing and that any Lien on such additional or replacement collateral securing the Second Priority Debt Obligations shall be subordinated to the Liens on such collateral securing the Senior Obligations and any such DIP Financing (and all obligations relating thereto and any reasonable “carve-out”) and any other Liens granted to the Senior Secured Parties as adequate protection on the same basis as the other Liens securing the Second Priority Debt Obligations are so subordinated to such Liens securing Senior Obligations under this Agreement (and, to the extent the Senior Secured Parties are not granted such adequate protection in such form, any amounts recovered by or distributed to any Second Priority Debt Party pursuant to or as a result of any Lien on such additional or replacement collateral so granted to the Second Priority Debt Parties shall be subject to Section 4.02), and (iii) in the event any Second Priority Representatives, for themselves and on behalf of the Second Priority Debt Parties under their Second Priority Debt Facilities, seek or request adequate protection and such adequate protection is granted (in each instance, to the extent such grant is otherwise permissible under the terms and conditions of this Agreement) in the form of a superpriority claim, then such Second Priority Representatives, for themselves and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under their Second Priority Debt Facilities, agree that each Senior Representative shall also be granted adequate protection in the form of a superpriority claim, which superpriority claim shall be senior to the claims of the Second Priority Debt Parties (and, to the extent the Senior Secured Parties are not granted such adequate protection in such form, any amounts recovered by or distributed to any Second Priority Debt Party pursuant to or as a result of any such superpriority claim so granted to the Second Priority Debt Parties shall be subject to Section 4.02).  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to the extent that the Senior Secured Parties are granted adequate protection in the form of payments in the amount of current post-petition fees and expenses, and/or other cash payments, then the Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, shall not be prohibited from seeking adequate protection in the form of payments in the amount of current post-petition incurred fees and expenses, and/or other cash payments (as applicable); provided that if such payments are received by any Second Priority Debt Party prior to the Discharge of Senior Obligations, then upon the effective date of any plan or the conclusion or dismissal of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, the Second Priority Debt Parties will pay over to Senior Representative pursuant to Section 4.01 an amount equal to the lesser of (x) the total amount of such payments and (y) the amount necessary to achieve the Discharge of Senior Obligations.  The Senior Debt Parties reserve the right to contest any such payments to the Second Priority Debt Parties to the extent such payments are inconsistent with the terms of this Section 6.03.

 

SECTION 6.04.                                     Preference Issues.  If any Senior Secured Party is required in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise to disgorge, turn over or otherwise pay any amount to the estate of any Borrower or any other Grantor (or any trustee, receiver or similar Person therefor),

 

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because the payment of such amount was declared to be fraudulent or preferential in any respect or for any other reason, any amount (a “Recovery”), whether received as Proceeds of security, enforcement of any right of setoff or otherwise, then the Senior Obligations shall be reinstated to the extent of such Recovery and deemed to be outstanding as if such payment had not occurred and the Senior Secured Parties shall be entitled to the benefits of this Agreement until a Discharge of Senior Obligations with respect to all such recovered amounts.  If this Agreement shall have been terminated prior to such Recovery, this Agreement shall be reinstated in full force and effect, and such prior termination shall not diminish, release, discharge, impair or otherwise affect the obligations of the parties hereto.  Each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby agrees that none of them shall be entitled to benefit from any avoidance action affecting or otherwise relating to any distribution or allocation made in accordance with this Agreement, whether by preference or otherwise, it being understood and agreed that the benefit of such avoidance action otherwise allocable to them shall instead be allocated and turned over for application in accordance with the priorities set forth in this Agreement.

 

SECTION 6.05.                                     Separate Grants of Security and Separate Classifications.  Each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, acknowledges and agrees that (a) the grants of Liens pursuant to the Senior Collateral Documents and the Second Priority Collateral Documents constitute separate and distinct grants of Liens and (b) because of, among other things, their differing rights in the Shared Collateral, the Second Priority Debt Obligations are fundamentally different from the Senior Obligations and must be separately classified in any plan of reorganization proposed, confirmed or adopted in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.  To further effectuate the intent of the parties as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, if it is held that any claims of the Senior Secured Parties and the Second Priority Debt Parties in respect of the Shared Collateral constitute a single class of claims (rather than separate classes of senior and junior secured claims), then each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby acknowledges and agrees that all distributions from the Shared Collateral shall be made as if there were separate classes of senior and junior secured claims against the Grantors in respect of the Shared Collateral, with the effect being that, to the extent that the aggregate value of the Shared Collateral is sufficient (for this purpose ignoring all claims held by the Second Priority Debt Parties), the Senior Secured Parties shall be entitled to receive, in addition to amounts distributed to them in respect of principal, pre-petition interest and other claims, all amounts owing in respect of post-petition interest, fees and expenses (whether or not allowed or allowable in such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding) before any distribution from the Shared Collateral is made in respect of the Second Priority Debt Obligations, with each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby acknowledging and agreeing to turn over to the Designated Senior Representative amounts otherwise received or receivable by them to the extent necessary to effectuate the intent of this sentence, even if such turnover has the effect of reducing the claim or recovery of the Second Priority Debt Parties.

 

SECTION 6.06.                                     Application.  This Agreement, which the parties hereto expressly acknowledge is a “subordination agreement” under Section 510(a) of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law, shall be effective before, during and after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.  The relative rights as to the Shared Collateral and Proceeds thereof shall continue after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding on the same basis as prior to the date of the petition therefor, subject to any court order approving the financing of, or use of cash collateral by, any Grantor.  All references herein to any Grantor shall include such Grantor as a debtor-in-possession and any receiver or trustee for such Grantor.

 

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SECTION 6.07.                                     506(c) and 552 Claims.  Until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that it will not assert or enforce any claim under Section 506(c) or Section 552 of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law with respect to any Shared Collateral.

 

SECTION 6.08.                                     Reorganization Securities; Voting.

 

(a)                                 If, in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, debt obligations of the reorganized debtor secured by Liens upon any property of the reorganized debtor are distributed, pursuant to a plan of reorganization or similar dispositive restructuring plan, on account of both the Senior Obligations and the Second Priority Debt Obligations, then, to the extent the debt obligations distributed on account of the Senior Obligations and on account of the Second Priority Debt Obligations are secured by Liens upon the same assets or property, the provisions of this Agreement will survive the distribution of such debt obligations pursuant to such plan and will apply with like effect to the Liens securing such debt obligations.

 

(b)                                 The Second Priority Debt Parties (whether in the capacity of a secured creditor or an unsecured creditor) may propose, vote in favor of, or otherwise directly or indirectly support any plan of reorganization of any Grantor so long as (i) such plan is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement and (ii) (x) such plan provides for the Discharge of Senior Obligations or (y) the Senior Secured Parties, as a class under any such plan, vote to accept such plan of reorganization.

 

SECTION 6.09.                                     Section 1111(b) of the Bankruptcy Code.  The Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, shall not object to, oppose, or support any objection of any election by a Senior Secured Party under Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law.  The Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, waives any claim it may hereafter have against any senior claimholder arising out of the election by any Senior Secured Party of the application of Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law

 

SECTION 6.10.                                     Post-Petition Interest.

 

(a)                                 Neither the Second Priority Representative nor any other Second Priority Debt Party shall oppose or seek to challenge any claim by the Senior Priority Representative or any other Senior Secured Party for allowance in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding of Senior Obligations consisting of claims for post-petition interest and reasonable fees or expenses subject to Section 506(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law or otherwise.

 

(b)                                 Neither the Senior Priority Representative nor any other Senior Secured Party shall oppose or seek to challenge any claim by the Second Priority Representative or any other Second Priority Debt Party for allowance in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding of Second Priority Debt Obligations consisting of claims for post-petition interest and reasonable fees or expenses subject to Section 506(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law or otherwise.

 

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ARTICLE VII

 

Reliance; Etc.

 

SECTION 7.01.                                     Reliance.  The consent by the Senior Secured Parties to the execution and delivery of the Second Priority Debt Documents to which the Senior Secured Parties have consented and all loans and other extensions of credit made or deemed made on and after the date hereof by the Senior Secured Parties to any Grantor or any Subsidiaries thereof shall be deemed to have been given and made in reliance upon this Agreement.  Each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, acknowledges that it and such Second Priority Debt Parties have, independently and without reliance on any Senior Representative or other Senior Secured Party, and based on documents and information deemed by them appropriate, made their own credit analysis and decision to enter into the Second Priority Debt Documents to which they are party or by which they are bound, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and they will continue to make their own credit decisions in taking or not taking any action under the Second Priority Debt Documents or this Agreement.

 

SECTION 7.02.                                     No Warranties or Liability.  Each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, acknowledges and agrees that neither any Senior Representative nor any other Senior Secured Party has made any express or implied representation or warranty, including with respect to the execution, validity, legality, completeness, collectibility or enforceability of any of the Senior Debt Documents, the ownership of any Shared Collateral or the perfection or priority of any Liens thereon.  The Senior Secured Parties will be entitled to manage and supervise their respective loans and extensions of credit under the Senior Debt Documents in accordance with law and as they may otherwise, in their sole discretion, deem appropriate, and the Senior Secured Parties may manage their loans and extensions of credit without regard to any rights or interests that the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties have in the Shared Collateral or otherwise, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement.  Neither any Senior Representative nor any other Senior Secured Party shall have any duty to any Second Priority Representative or Second Priority Debt Party to act or refrain from acting in a manner that allows, or results in, the occurrence or continuance of an event of default or default under any agreement with the Borrower or any Subsidiaries of the Borrower (including the Second Priority Debt Documents), regardless of any knowledge thereof that they may have or be charged with.  Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties have not otherwise made to each other, nor do they hereby make to each other, any warranties, express or implied, nor do they assume any liability to each other with respect to (a) the enforceability, validity, value or collectibility of any of the Senior Obligations, the Second Priority Debt Obligations or any guarantee or security which may have been granted to any of them in connection therewith, (b) any Grantor’s title to or right to transfer any of the Shared Collateral or (c) any other matter except as expressly set forth in this Agreement.

 

SECTION 7.03.                                     Obligations Unconditional.  All rights, interests, agreements and obligations of the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties hereunder shall remain in full force and effect irrespective of:

 

(a)                                 any lack of validity or enforceability of any Senior Debt Document or any Second Priority Debt Document;

 

(b)                                 any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other terms of, all or any of the Senior Obligations or Second Priority Debt Obligations, or any amendment or waiver or other modification, including any increase in the amount thereof, whether by course of conduct or

 

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otherwise, of the terms of the Credit Agreement or any other Senior Debt Document or of the terms of any Second Priority Debt Document; provided that (i) any such increase in the Senior Obligations that comprise principal in respect of loans or notes outstanding under the Senior Debt Documents shall not increase the sum of the outstanding principal amount under the Senior Debt Documents to an amount in excess of the Senior Cap and (ii) any such increase in the Second Priority Debt Obligations that comprise principal in respect of loans or notes outstanding under the Second Priority Debt Documents shall not increase the sum of the outstanding principal amount under the Second Priority Debt Documents to an amount in excess of the Second Priority Cap;

 

(c)                                  any exchange of any security interest in any Shared Collateral or any other collateral or any amendment, waiver or other modification, whether in writing or by course of conduct or otherwise, of all or any of the Senior Obligations or Second Priority Debt Obligations or any guarantee thereof;

 

(d)                                 the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding in respect of any Borrower or any other Grantor; or

 

(e)                                  any other circumstances that otherwise might constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, (i) any Borrower or any other Grantor in respect of the Senior Obligations (other than as set forth in Section 5.06 hereof or other payments or performance) or (ii) any Second Priority Representative or Second Priority Debt Party in respect of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 8.01.                                     Conflicts.  In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of any Senior Debt Document or any Second Priority Debt Document, the provisions of this Agreement shall govern.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the relative rights and obligations of the Administrative Agent, the Senior Representatives and the Senior Secured Parties (as amongst themselves) with respect to any Senior Collateral shall be governed by the terms of any applicable Pari Intercreditor Agreement and in the event of any conflict between any Pari Intercreditor Agreement and this Agreement with respect to such rights and obligations, the provisions of such Pari Intercreditor Agreement shall control, (ii) the relative rights and obligations of the Initial Second Priority Representative, the other Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Secured Parties (as amongst themselves) with respect to any Second Priority Collateral shall be governed by the terms of any applicable Pari Intercreditor Agreement and in the event of any conflict between any Pari Intercreditor Agreement and this Agreement with respect to such rights and obligations, the provisions of such Pari Intercreditor Agreement shall control and (iii) the relative rights and obligations of the Senior Secured Parties and the Second Priority Secured Parties, on the one hand, and the ABL Secured Parties, on the other hand, with respect to any Shared Collateral shall be governed by the terms of the ABL/Term Intercreditor Agreement and in the event of any conflict between the ABL/Term Intercreditor Agreement, this Agreement and any Pari Intercreditor Agreement with respect to such rights and obligations, the provisions of the ABL/Term Intercreditor Agreement shall control.

 

SECTION 8.02.                                     Continuing Nature of this Agreement; Severability.  Subject to Section 6.04, this Agreement shall continue to be effective until the Discharge of Senior Obligations shall have occurred.  This is a continuing agreement of Lien subordination, and the Senior Secured Parties may continue, at any time and without notice to the Second Priority Representatives or any Second Priority Debt Party, to extend credit and other financial accommodations and lend monies to or for the benefit of any Grantor or any Subsidiaries thereof constituting Senior Obligations in reliance hereon.  The terms of

 

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this Agreement shall survive and continue in full force and effect in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.  Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate 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.  The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 8.03.        Amendments; Waivers.

 

(a)                                 No failure or delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power.  The rights and remedies of the parties hereto are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have.  No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given.  No notice or demand on any party hereto in any case shall entitle such party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

(b)                                 This Agreement may be amended in writing signed by each Representative (in each case, acting in accordance with the documents governing the applicable Debt Facility) and the Grantors.  Any such amendment, supplement or waiver shall be in writing and shall be binding upon the Senior Secured Parties and the Second Priority Debt Parties and their respective successors and assigns.

 

(c)                                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any Secured Party, any Representative may become a party hereto by execution and delivery of a Joinder Agreement in accordance with Section 8.09 of this Agreement and upon such execution and delivery, such Representative and the Secured Parties and Senior Obligations or Second Priority Debt Obligations of the Debt Facility for which such Representative is acting shall be subject to the terms hereof.

 

SECTION 8.04.        Information Concerning Financial Condition of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries.  The Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Secured Parties shall each be responsible for keeping themselves informed of (a) the financial condition of any Grantor or any Subsidiary thereof and all endorsers or guarantors of the Senior Obligations or the Second Priority Debt Obligations and (b) all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Senior Obligations or the Second Priority Debt Obligations.  The Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Secured Parties shall have no duty to advise any other party hereunder of information known to it or them regarding such condition or any such circumstances or otherwise.  In the event that any Senior Representative, any Senior Secured Party, any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party, in its sole discretion, undertakes at any time or from time to time to provide any such information to any other party, it shall be under no obligation to (i) make, and the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties shall not make or be deemed to have made, any express or implied representation or warranty, including with respect to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness or validity of any such information so provided, (ii) provide any additional information or to provide any such information on any subsequent occasion, (iii) undertake any investigation or (iv) disclose any information that, pursuant to accepted or reasonable commercial finance practices, such party wishes to maintain confidential or is otherwise required to maintain confidential.

 

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SECTION 8.05.        Subrogation.  Each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby waives any rights of subrogation it may acquire as a result of any payment hereunder until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred.

 

SECTION 8.06.        Application of Payments.  Except as otherwise provided herein, all payments received by the Senior Secured Parties may be applied, reversed and reapplied, in whole or in part, to such part of the Senior Obligations as the Senior Secured Parties, in their sole discretion, deem appropriate, in accordance with the terms of the Senior Debt Documents.  Each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, assents to any such extension or postponement of the time of payment of the Senior Obligations or any part thereof and to any other indulgence with respect thereto, to any substitution, exchange or release of any security that may at any time secure any part of the Senior Obligations and to the addition or release of any other Person primarily or secondarily liable therefor.

 

SECTION 8.07.        Additional Grantors.  The Grantors agree that, if any Subsidiaries of the Borrower shall become a Grantor after the date hereof, it will promptly cause such Subsidiary to become party hereto by executing and delivering an instrument substantially in the form of Annex I.  Upon such execution and delivery, such Subsidiary will become a Grantor hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Grantor herein.  The execution and delivery of such instrument shall not require the consent of any other party hereunder except to the extent to the extent obtained on or prior to such date, and will be acknowledged by the Designated Second Priority Representative and the Designated Senior Representative.  The rights and obligations of each Grantor hereunder shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new Grantor as a party to this Agreement.

 

SECTION 8.08.        [Reserved].

 

SECTION 8.09.        Additional Debt Facilities.  To the extent, but only to the extent, permitted by the provisions of the Senior Debt Documents and the Second Priority Debt Documents, the Borrower may incur or issue and sell one or more series or classes of Second Priority Debt and one or more series or classes of Additional Senior Debt, and (a) any such additional class or series of Second Priority Debt (the “Second Priority Class Debt”) may be secured by a junior priority, subordinated Lien on Shared Collateral, in each case under and pursuant to the relevant Second Priority Collateral Documents for such Second Priority Class Debt, if and subject to the condition that the Representative of any such Second Priority Class Debt (each, a “Second Priority Class Debt Representative”), acting on behalf of the holders of such Second Priority Class Debt (such Representative and holders in respect of any Second Priority Class Debt being referred to as the “Second Priority Class Debt Parties”), becomes a party to this Agreement by satisfying conditions (i) through (iii), as applicable of this Section 8.09 and (b) any such additional class or series of Senior Facilities (the “Senior Class Debt”; and the Senior Class Debt and Second Priority Class Debt, collectively, the “Class Debt”) may be secured by a senior Lien on Shared Collateral, in each case under and pursuant to the relevant Senior Collateral Documents, if and subject to the condition that the Representative of any such Senior Class Debt (each, a “Senior Class Debt Representative”; and the Senior Class Debt Representatives and Second Priority Class Debt Representatives, collectively, the “Class Debt Representatives”), acting on behalf of the holders of such Senior Class Debt (such Representative and holders in respect of any such Senior Class Debt being referred to as the “Senior Class Debt Parties”; and the Senior Class Debt Parties and Second Priority Class Debt Parties, collectively, the “Class Debt Parties”), becomes a party to this Agreement by satisfying the conditions set forth in clauses (i) through (iii), as applicable, of this Section 8.09.  In order for a Class Debt Representative to become a party to this Agreement:

 

(i)                  such Class Debt Representative shall have executed and delivered a Joinder Agreement substantially in the form of Annex II (if such Representative is a Second Priority

 

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Class Debt Representative) or Annex III (if such Representative is a Senior Class Debt Representative) (with such changes as may be reasonably approved by the Designated Senior Representative and such Class Debt Representative) pursuant to which it becomes a Representative hereunder, and the Class Debt in respect of which such Class Debt Representative is the Representative and the related Class Debt Parties become subject hereto and bound hereby;

 

(ii)               the Borrower shall have delivered to the Designated Senior Representative a certificate from a Responsible Officer stating that the conditions set forth in this Section 8.09 are satisfied (or waived) with respect to such Class Debt and, if requested, true and complete copies of each of the material Second Priority Debt Documents or material Senior Debt Documents, as applicable, relating to such Class Debt, certified as being true and correct in all material respects by an Authorized Officer of each Borrower; and identifying the obligations to be designated as Additional Senior Debt or Second Priority Debt, as applicable, and certifying that such obligations are permitted to be incurred and secured (I) in the case of Additional Senior Debt, on a pari passu basis with the Senior Obligations, under each of the Senior Debt Documents and the Second Priority Debt Documents and (II) in the case of Second Priority Debt, on a junior basis to the Senior Obligations, under each of the Senior Debt Documents and the Second Priority Debt Documents; and

 

(iii)            the Second Priority Debt Documents or Senior Debt Documents, as applicable, relating to such Class Debt shall provide that each Class Debt Party with respect to such Class Debt will be subject to and bound by the provisions of this Agreement in its capacity as a holder of such Class Debt.

 

SECTION 8.10.        Consent to Jurisdiction; Waivers.  Each Representative, on behalf of itself and the Secured Parties of the Debt Facility for which it is acting, and each Grantor, irrevocably and unconditionally:

 

(a)                                 submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Collateral Documents to which it is a party to the exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York or the courts of the United States for the Southern District of New York, in each case sitting in New York City in the Borough of Manhattan, and appellate courts from any thereof;

 

(b)                                 consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives (to the extent permitted by applicable law) 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 or to commence or support any such action or proceeding in any other courts;

 

(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 such Person at its address set forth in Section 8.11;

 

(d)                                 agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right of any other party hereto (or any Secured Party) to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or to commence legal proceedings or otherwise proceed against Holdings or any Borrower or any other Grantor in any other jurisdiction; and

 

(e)                                  without limitation of any indemnification obligations made by a Grantor in favor of any Secured Party, waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to

 

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claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section 8.10 any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.

 

SECTION 8.11.        Notices.  All notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sent:

 

(i)                  if to any Borrower or any Grantor, to the Borrower, at its address at:

 

99 Cents Only Stores LLC

4000 Union Pacific Avenue

City of Commerce, California 90023
Attn:  Felicia Thornton, Chief Financial Officer

 

with copies to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Proskauer Rose LLP
2049 Century Park East
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Attn: Michael A. Woronoff, Esq.

 

(ii)               if to the Initial Second Priority Representative to it at:

 

Wilmington Trust, National Association

50 South Sixth Street, Suite 1290

Minneapolis, MN 55402

Attn: Josh James, Vice President

Fax: (612) 217-5651

Email: jjames@wilmingtontrust.com

 

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Duane Morris LLP

222 Delaware Avenue, Suite 1600

Wilmington, Delaware 19801

Attn: Chris Winter, Esq.

Fax:  (302) 397-2455

Email: cmwinter@duanemorris.com

 

(iii)            if to the Administrative Agent, to it at:

 

Royal Bank of Canada

RBC Agency Services Group

200 Bay Street, 12th Floor, South Tower
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2W7

Attn:  Susan Khokher

 

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

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Paul Hastings LLP
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166
Randal D. Palach, Esq.

 

(iv)           if to any other Representative, to it at the address specified by it in the Joinder Agreement delivered by it pursuant to Section 8.09.

 

Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, any notice or other communication herein required or permitted to be given shall be in writing and, may be personally served, faxed, electronically mailed or sent by courier service or U.S. mail and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered in person or by courier service, upon receipt of a fax or electronic mail or upon receipt via U.S. mail (registered or certified, with postage prepaid and properly addressed).  For the purposes hereof, the addresses of the parties hereto shall be as set forth above or, as to each party, at such other address as may be designated by such party in a written notice to all of the other parties.  As agreed to in writing among each Representative from time to time, notices and other communications may also be delivered by e-mail to the e-mail address of a representative of the applicable person provided from time to time by such person.

 

SECTION 8.12.        Further Assurances.  Each Senior Representative, on behalf of itself and each Senior Secured Party under the Senior Debt Facility for which it is acting, each Second Party Representative, on behalf of itself, and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that it will take such further action and shall execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments (in recordable form, if requested) as the other parties hereto may reasonably request to effectuate the terms of, and the Lien priorities contemplated by, this Agreement.

 

SECTION 8.13.        GOVERNING LAW; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

 

(A)                               THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

(B)                               EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE (TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW) TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

 

SECTION 8.14.        Binding on Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives, the Second Priority Debt Parties, the Borrower, the other Grantors party hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns.

 

SECTION 8.15.        Section Headings.  Section headings herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 8.16.        Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts (including by facsimile or other electronic transmission), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

 

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SECTION 8.17.        Authorization.  By its signature, each Person executing this Agreement on behalf of a party hereto represents and warrants to the other parties hereto that it is duly authorized to execute this Agreement.  The Administrative Agent represents and warrants that this Agreement is binding upon the Credit Agreement Secured Parties under the Credit Agreement Loan Documents.  The Initial Second Priority Representative represents and warrants that this Agreement is binding upon the Initial Second Priority Debt Parties under the Second Priority Debt Documents.

 

SECTION 8.18.        No Third Party Beneficiaries; Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement and the rights and benefits hereof shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties hereto and its respective successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of and bind each of the Senior Secured Parties and the Second Priority Debt Parties.  Nothing in this Agreement shall impair, as between the Borrower and the other Grantors and the Senior Representatives and the Senior Secured Parties, and as between the Borrower and the other Grantors and the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties, the obligations of the Borrower and the other Grantors, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay principal, interest, fees and other amounts as provided in the Senior Debt Documents and the Second Priority Debt Documents respectively.

 

SECTION 8.19.        Effectiveness.  This Agreement shall become effective when executed and delivered by the all parties hereto.

 

SECTION 8.20.        Administrative Agent and Representative.  (a)  It is understood and agreed that (i) the Administrative Agent is entering into this Agreement in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent under the Credit Agreement and the provisions of Article XI of the Credit Agreement shall also apply to the Administrative Agent hereunder and (ii) Wilmington Trust, National Association is entering into this Agreement in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent under the Initial Second Priority Credit Agreement and the provisions of Article XI of the Initial Second Priority Credit Agreement applicable to the Administrative Agent thereunder shall also apply to the Administrative Agent hereunder.

 

(b)                                 Each Representative and Secured Party hereby (i) appoints the Designated Term Debt Representative to act as the “Term Agent” under and as defined in the ABL/Term Intercreditor Agreement and (ii) acknowledges and agrees that the Secured Obligations constitute “Term Obligations” under and as defined in the ABL/Term Intercreditor Agreement.  Without limitation of the foregoing, each Representative and Secured Party further acknowledges and agrees that it will be bound by and will take no actions contrary to the provisions of the ABL/Term Intercreditor Agreement, consents to the subordination of Liens on the ABL Priority Collateral (as defined in the ABL/Term Intercreditor Agreement) securing the Secured Obligations on the terms set forth in the ABL/Term Intercreditor Agreement and authorizes and instructs the Designated Term Debt Representative to subject the Liens on the Shared Collateral securing the Secured Obligations to the provisions of the ABL/Term Intercreditor Agreement.  As between the Secured Parties, on one hand, and the ABL Secured Parties, on the other hand, the Designated Term Debt Representative (or any person authorized by it) shall have the exclusive right on behalf of the Secured Parties to enforce rights, exercise remedies (including setoff and the right to credit bid debt) and make determinations regarding the release, disposition or restrictions with respect to the Shared Collateral without any consultation with or the consent of any other Representative or any Secured Party, in each case to the extent that such exercise or enforcement is governed by the ABL/Term Intercreditor Agreement; provided, however, that, solely as among the Secured Parties, nothing in this Section 8.20(b) shall impair the rights or obligations of any Representative or Secured Party to take such actions with respect to the Shared Collateral in relation to the other Secured Parties as may be otherwise required or authorized pursuant to this Agreement.

 

36



 

(c)                                  Each Representative and Secured Party hereby acknowledges that one or more of the Representatives may from time to time enter into the ABL/Term/Notes Intercreditor Agreement pursuant to the Senior Debt Documents and/or the Second Priority Debt Documents, as applicable,  and in such event hereby (i) appoints the Designated Term Debt Representative to act as the “Designated Term Debt Representative” under and as defined in the ABL/Term/Notes Intercreditor Agreement and (ii) acknowledges and agrees that the Secured Obligations constitute “Senior Obligations” under and as defined in the ABL/Term/Notes Intercreditor Agreement.  Without limitation of the foregoing, each Representative and Secured Party further acknowledges and agrees that it will be bound by and will take no actions contrary to the provisions of the ABL/Term/Notes Intercreditor Agreement and authorizes and instructs the Designated Term Debt Representative to subject the Liens on the Shared Collateral securing the Secured Obligations to the provisions of the ABL/Term/Notes Intercreditor Agreement.  As between the Secured Parties, on one hand, and the ABL Secured Parties and the Junior Priority Debt Parties (as defined in the ABL/Term/Notes Intercreditor Agreement), on the other hand, the Designated Term Debt Representative (or any person authorized by it) shall have the exclusive right on behalf of the Secured Parties to enforce rights, exercise remedies (including setoff and the right to credit bid debt) and make determinations regarding the release, disposition or restrictions with respect to the Shared Collateral without any consultation with or the consent of any other Representative or any Secured Party, in each case to the extent that such exercise or enforcement is governed by the ABL/Term/Notes Intercreditor Agreement; provided, however, that, solely as among the Secured Parties, nothing in this Section 8.20(c) shall impair the rights or obligations of any Representative or Secured Party to take such actions with respect to the Shared Collateral in relation to the other Secured Parties as may be otherwise required or authorized pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(d)                                 The Designated Term Debt Representative, acting in such capacity, shall have no obligation whatsoever to any other Representative or Secured Party to protect or preserve rights or benefits of any Person or any rights pertaining to the Shared Collateral, and shall not in such capacity have any duties or responsibilities to any other Representative, Secured Party or any other Person.

 

(e)                                  The Designated Term Debt Representative shall not have by reason of this Agreement, the ABL/Term Intercreditor Agreement, the ABL/Notes/Term Intercreditor Agreement or any other document, a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Representative or any Secured Party, and each, Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Secured Party under its applicable Debt Facility, hereby waives and releases the Designated Term Debt Representative from all claims and liabilities arising from the Designated Term Debt Representative acting in such capacity.

 

SECTION 8.21.        Relative Rights.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement is intended to or will (a) (except to the extent expressly contemplated herein) amend, waive or otherwise modify the provisions of any Senior Debt Document or any Second Priority Debt Documents, or permit the Borrower or any Grantor to take any action, or fail to take any action, to the extent such action or failure would otherwise constitute a breach of, or default under, any Senior Debt Document or any Second Priority Debt Documents, (b) change the relative priorities of the Senior Obligations or the Liens granted under the Senior Collateral Documents on the Shared Collateral (or any other assets) as among the Senior Secured Parties, (c) otherwise change the relative rights of the Senior Secured Parties in respect of the Shared Collateral as among such Senior Secured Parties, (d) change the relative priorities of the Second Priority Debt Obligations or the Liens granted under the Second Priority Collateral Documents on the Shared Collateral (or any other assets) as among the Second Priority Secured Parties or (e) otherwise change the relative rights of the Second Priority Secured Parties in respect of the Shared Collateral as among such Second Priority Secured Parties.

 

37



 

SECTION 8.22.        No Effect on Other Interests.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement shall restrict or have any effect on any rights or duties any Second Priority Debt Party (including its directors, officers, employees or affiliates) may have in any capacity other than as a Second Priority Debt Party, including without limitation, its capacity as a direct or indirect holder of equity of any Grantor or Guarantor, a member of the Board of Directors of any Grantor or Guarantor, or a holder of any other obligations of Grantor or Guarantor, including, without limitation, any fiduciary obligations with respect thereto.

 

SECTION 8.23.        Survival of Agreement.  All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by any party in this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

38



 

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

 

 

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,

 

as Administrative Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Susan, Khokher

 

 

Name: Susan, Khokher

 

 

Title: Manager, Agency

 

 

 

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as Initial Second Priority Representative

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joshua G. James

 

 

Name: Joshua G. James

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

Signature Page to

[Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement]

 



 

 

99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC,

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Felicia Thornton

 

 

Name: Felicia Thornton

 

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

NUMBER HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Felicia Thornton

 

 

Name: Felicia Thornton

 

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

99 CENTS ONLY STORES TEXAS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Felicia Thornton

 

 

Name: Felicia Thornton

 

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

Signature Page to

[Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement]

 



 

ANNEX I

 

SUPPLEMENT NO. [  ], dated as of [  ], to the TERM LOAN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT, dated as of November 7, 2017 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement”), among NUMBER HOLDINGS, INC. (“Holdings”), 99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC (the “Borrower”), certain subsidiaries and affiliates of the Borrower (each a “Grantor”), ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, as Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement, WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Initial Second Priority Representative, and the additional Representatives from time to time a party thereto.

 

A.            Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement.  Section 1.02 contained in the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement is incorporated herein, mutatis mutandis, as if a part hereof.

 

B.            The Grantors have entered into the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement.  Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, certain Additional Senior Debt Documents and certain Second Priority Debt Documents, certain newly acquired or organized Subsidiaries of the Borrower are required to enter into the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement.  Section 8.07 of the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement provides that such Subsidiaries may become party to the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this Supplement.  The undersigned Subsidiary (the “New Grantor”) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Credit Agreement, the Second Priority Debt Documents and Additional Senior Debt Documents.

 

Accordingly, the Designated Senior Representative and the New Subsidiary Grantor agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.  In accordance with Section 8.07 of the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, the New Grantor by its signature below becomes a Grantor under the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Grantor, and the New Grantor hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement applicable to it as a Grantor thereunder.  Each reference to a “Grantor” in the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Grantor.  The Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

SECTION 2.  The New Grantor represents and warrants to the Designated Senior Representative and the other Secured Parties on the date hereof that this Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.

 

SECTION 3.  This Supplement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.  This Supplement shall become effective when the Designated Senior Representative shall have received a counterpart of this Supplement that bears the signature of the New Grantor.  Delivery of an executed signature page to this Supplement by facsimile transmission or other electronic method shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Supplement.

 

SECTION 4.  Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 5.  THIS SUPPLEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

Annex II-1



 

SECTION 6.  In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, no party hereto shall be required to comply with such provision for so long as such provision is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, but the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired.  The parties hereto shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 7.  All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 8.11 of the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement.  All communications and notices hereunder to the New Grantor shall be given to it in care of the Borrower as specified in the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement.

 

SECTION 8.  The Borrower agrees to reimburse the Designated Senior Representative for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Supplement, including the reasonable fees, other charges and disbursements of counsel for the Designated Senior Representative to the extent reimbursable under the Senior Debt Documents.

 

Annex I-2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Grantor, and the Designated Senior Representative have duly executed this Supplement to the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

[NAME OF NEW SUBSIDIARY GRANTOR]

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

Acknowledged by:

 

 

 

 

 

[·],

 

as Designated Senior Representative

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

[·],

 

as Designated Second Priority Representative

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Annex I-3



 

ANNEX II

 

[FORM OF] REPRESENTATIVE SUPPLEMENT NO. [  ], dated as of [  ], to the TERM LOAN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT, dated as of November 7, 2017 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement”), among NUMBER HOLDINGS, INC. (“Holdings”), 99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC (the “Borrower”), certain subsidiaries and affiliates of the Borrower (each a “Grantor”), ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, as Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement, WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Initial Second Priority Representative, and the additional Representatives from time to time a party thereto.

 

A.                                    Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement.  Section 1.02 contained in the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement is incorporated herein, mutatis mutandis, as if a part hereof.

 

B.                                    As a condition to the ability of the Borrower to incur Second Priority Debt and to secure such Second Priority Class Debt with the Second Priority Lien and to have such Second Priority Class Debt guaranteed by the Grantors on a subordinated basis, in each case under and pursuant to the Second Priority Collateral Documents, the Second Priority Class Representative in respect of such Second Priority Class Debt is required to become a Representative under, and such Second Priority Class Debt and the Second Priority Class Debt Parties in respect thereof are required to become subject to and bound by, the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement.  Section 8.09 of the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement provides that such Second Priority Class Debt Representative may become a Representative under, and such Second Priority Class Debt and such Second Priority Class Debt Parties may become subject to and bound by, the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, pursuant to the execution and delivery by the Second Priority Class Debt Representative of an instrument in the form of this Representative Supplement and the satisfaction of the other conditions set forth in Section 8.09 of the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement.  The undersigned Second Priority Class Debt Representative (the “New Representative”) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Senior Debt Documents and the Second Priority Debt Documents.

 

Accordingly, the Designated Senior Representative and the New Representative agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.  In accordance with Section 8.09 of the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, the New Representative by its signature below becomes a Representative under, and the related Second Priority Class Debt and Second Priority Class Debt Parties become subject to and bound by, the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement with the same force and effect as if the New Representative had originally been named therein as a Representative, and the New Representative, on behalf of itself and such Second Priority Class Debt Parties, hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement applicable to it as a Second Priority Representative and to the Second Priority Class Debt Parties that it represents as Second Priority Debt Parties.  Each reference to a “Representative” or “Second Priority Representative” in the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Representative.  The Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

SECTION 2.  The New Representative represents and warrants to the Designated Senior Representative and the other Secured Parties that (i) it has full power and authority to enter into this Representative Supplement, in its capacity as [agent] [trustee under [describe new facility]], (ii) this Representative Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms of such Agreement and (iii) the Second Priority Debt Documents relating to such Second Priority Class Debt provide that, upon the New Representative’s entry into this Agreement, the Second Priority Class Debt Parties in

 

Annex II-1



 

respect of such Second Priority Class Debt will be subject to and bound by the provisions of the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement as Second Priority Debt Parties.

 

SECTION 3.  This Representative Supplement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.  This Representative Supplement shall become effective when the Designated Senior Representative shall have received a counterpart of this Representative Supplement that bears the signature of the New Representative.  Delivery of an executed signature page to this Representative Supplement by facsimile transmission or other electronic method shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Representative Supplement.

 

SECTION 4.  Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 5.  THIS SUPPLEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

SECTION 6.  In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Representative Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, no party hereto shall be required to comply with such provision for so long as such provision is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, but the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired.  The parties hereto shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 7.  All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 8.11 of the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement.  All communications and notices hereunder to the New Representative shall be given to it at the address set forth below its signature hereto.

 

SECTION 8.  The Borrower agrees to reimburse the Designated Senior Representative for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Representative Supplement, including the reasonable fees, other charges and disbursements of counsel for the Designated Senior Representative to the extent reimbursable under the Senior Debt Documents.

 

Annex II-2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Representative and the Designated Senior Representative have duly executed this Representative Supplement to the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

[NAME OF NEW REPRESENTATIVE],

 

as [                 ] for the holders of [                                  ]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

Address for notices:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attention of:

 

 

 

 

 

Telecopy:

 

 

 

[•],

 

as Designated Senior Representative

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

Annex II-3



 

Acknowledged by:

 

 

 

99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

NUMBER HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

THE GRANTORS

 

LISTED ON SCHEDULE I HERETO

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Annex II-4



 

Schedule I to the
Representative Supplement to the
Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement

 

Grantors

 

[                          ]

 

Annex II-5



 

ANNEX III

 

[FORM OF] REPRESENTATIVE SUPPLEMENT NO. [  ], dated as of [  ], to the TERM LOAN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT, dated as of November 7, 2017 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement”), among NUMBER HOLDINGS, INC. (“Holdings”), 99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC (the “Borrower”), certain subsidiaries and affiliates of the Borrower (each a “Grantor”), ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, as Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement, WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Initial Second Priority Representative, and the additional Representatives from time to time a party thereto.

 

A.                                    Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement.  Section 1.02 contained in the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement is incorporated herein, mutatis mutandis, as if a part hereof.

 

B.                                    As a condition to the ability of the Borrower to incur Senior Class Debt after the date of the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement and to secure such Senior Class Debt with the Senior Lien and to have such Senior Class Debt guaranteed by the Grantors on a senior basis, in each case under and pursuant to the Senior Collateral Documents, the Senior Class Debt Representative in respect of such Senior Class Debt is required to become a Representative under, and such Senior Class Debt and the Senior Class Debt Parties in respect thereof are required to become subject to and bound by, the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement.  Section 8.09 of the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement provides that such Senior Class Debt Representative may become a Representative under, and such Senior Class Debt and such Senior Class Debt Parties may become subject to and bound by, the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, pursuant to the execution and delivery by the Senior Class Debt Representative of an instrument in the form of this Representative Supplement and the satisfaction of the other conditions set forth in Section 8.09 of the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement.  The undersigned Senior Class Debt Representative (the “New Representative”) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Senior Debt Documents and the Second Priority Debt Documents.

 

Accordingly, the Designated Senior Representative and the New Representative agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.  In accordance with Section 8.09 of the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, the New Representative by its signature below becomes a Representative under, and the related Senior Class Debt and Senior Class Debt Parties become subject to and bound by, the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement with the same force and effect as if the New Representative had originally been named therein as a Representative, and the New Representative, on behalf of itself and such Senior Class Debt Parties, hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement applicable to it as a Senior Representative and to the Senior Class Debt Parties that it represents as Senior Debt Parties.  Each reference to a “Representative” or “Senior Representative” in the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Representative.  The Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

SECTION 2.  The New Representative represents and warrants to the Designated Senior Representative and the other Secured Parties that (i) it has full power and authority to enter into this Representative Supplement, in its capacity as [agent] [trustee under [describe new facility]], (ii) this Representative Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms of such Agreement and (iii) the Senior Debt Documents relating to such Senior Class Debt provide that, upon the New Representative’s entry into this Agreement, the Senior Class Debt Parties in respect of such Senior Class

 

Annex III-1



 

Debt will be subject to and bound by the provisions of the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement as Secured Parties.

 

SECTION 3.  This Representative Supplement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.  This Representative Supplement shall become effective when the Designated Senior Representative shall have received a counterpart of this Representative Supplement that bears the signature of the New Representative.  Delivery of an executed signature page to this Representative Supplement by facsimile transmission or other electronic method shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Representative Supplement.

 

SECTION 4.  Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 5.  THIS SUPPLEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

SECTION 6.  In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Representative Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, no party hereto shall be required to comply with such provision for so long as such provision is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, but the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired.  The parties hereto shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

SECTION 7.  All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 8.11 of the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement.  All communications and notices hereunder to the New Representative shall be given to it at the address set forth below its signature hereto.

 

SECTION 8.  The Borrower agrees to reimburse the Designated Senior Representative for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Representative Supplement, including the reasonable fees, other charges and disbursements of counsel for the Designated Senior Representative to the extent reimbursable under the Senior Debt Documents.

 

Annex III-2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Representative and the Designated Senior Representative have duly executed this Representative Supplement to the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

[NAME OF NEW REPRESENTATIVE],

 

as [              ] for the holders of [                                  ]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

Address for notices:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attention of:

 

 

 

 

 

Telecopy:

 

 

 

[•],

 

as Designated Senior Representative

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

Annex III-3



 

Acknowledged by:

 

 

 

99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

NUMBER HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

THE GRANTORS

 

LISTED ON SCHEDULE I HERETO

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Annex III-4



 

Schedule I to the
Representative Supplement to the
Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement

 

Grantors

 

[               ]

 

Annex III-5


EX-10.7 8 a17-26148_1ex10d7.htm EX-10.7

Exhibit 10.7

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

FIRST AMENDMENT TO INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

 

FIRST AMENDMENT TO INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”) is entered into as of November 7, 2017 by and among (a) ROYAL BANK OF CANADA (Royal Bank”), in its capacities as administrative agent and collateral agent (together with its successors and assigns in such capacities, the “ABL Agent”) for (i) the financial institutions, lenders and investors party from time to time to the ABL Credit Agreement (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement referred to below) (such financial institutions, lenders and investors together with their respective successors, assigns and transferees, including any letter of credit issuers under the ABL Credit Agreement, the “ABL Lenders”), (ii) any ABL Cash Management Affiliates (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) and (iii) any ABL Hedging Affiliates (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) (such ABL Cash Management Affiliates and ABL Hedging Affiliates, together with the ABL Agent and the ABL Lenders and any other secured parties under any ABL Credit Agreement, the “ABL Secured Parties”), (b) Royal Bank, in its capacities as administrative agent and collateral agent (together with its successors and assigns in such capacities, the “First Lien Term Agent”) for (i) the financial institutions, lenders and investors party from time to time to the Term Credit Agreement (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) (such financial institutions, lenders and investors, together with their respective successors, assigns and transferees, the “First Lien Term Lenders”), (ii) any Term Cash Management Affiliates (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) and (iii) any Term Hedging Affiliates (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) (such Term Cash Management Affiliates and Term Hedging Affiliates, together with the First Lien Term Agent and the First Lien Term Lenders and any other secured parties under any Term Credit Agreement, the “First Lien Term Secured Parties”), and (c) Wilmington Trust, National Association, in its capacities as administrative agent and collateral agent (the “Second Lien Term Agent”) for the financial institutions, lenders and investors party from time to time to the Second Lien Term Credit Agreement (as defined below) (such financial institutions, lenders and investors together with their respective successors, assigns and transferees, the “Second Lien Term Lenders” and, together with the Second Lien Term Agent, the “Second Lien Term Secured Parties”).

 

Unless otherwise defined in this Amendment, capitalized terms used herein will have the same meaning in this Amendment as set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

WHEREAS, the ABL Agent and the First Lien Term Agent entered into that certain Intercreditor Agreement as of January 13, 2012 (as amended, supplemented, restated, and/or otherwise modified prior to the date hereof, the “Intercreditor Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, the Intercreditor Agreement provides for the respective and relative rights of the ABL Secured Parties and the First Lien Term Secured Parties;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the refinancing and restructuring of certain debt and other obligations (collectively, the “Restructuring Transactions”) of Holdings, the Borrower and the Guarantors (each as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement), (a) Holdings, the Borrower and the Guarantors are amending certain terms of each of the ABL Credit Agreement and the Term Credit Agreement, (b) Holdings, the Borrower, the Guarantors, the Second Lien Term Lenders and the Second Lien Term Agent are entering into that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as amended, supplemented, restated, and/or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Second Lien Term Credit Agreement”), and (c) a portion of the term loans outstanding on the date hereof under the Term Credit Agreement shall be reallocated to new second lien term loans made by the Second Lien Term Lenders (the “Second Lien Term Loans” and, together with all other “Obligations” or similar term as defined in the Second Lien Term Credit Agreement owed to the Second Lien Term Secured Parties or any of them, the “Second Lien Term Obligations”);

 



 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Restructuring Transactions, the First Lien Term Agent and the Second Lien Agent are entering into that certain Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (and amended, supplemented, restated and/or otherwise modified or replaced from time to time, the “Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement”), which will provide for the respective and relative rights of the First Lien Term Secured Parties and the Second Lien Term Secured Parties; and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 7.4 of the Intercreditor Agreement, the parties hereto wish to supplement and modify the Intercreditor Agreement as set forth in this Amendment to include the Second Lien Term Secured Parties as parties to the Intercreditor Agreement and to provide that the Second Lien Term Obligations shall constitute Term Obligations thereunder and to make other technical amendments to the Intercreditor Agreement to facilitate the foregoing on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

1.                                      Acknowledgements and Agreements.

 

(a)                                 Each of (i) the ABL Agent, on behalf of itself and the ABL Secured Parties, and (ii) the Term Loan Agent, on behalf of itself and the First Lien Term Secured Parties, acknowledges and agrees that (A) the Second Lien Term Lenders constitute additional “Term Lenders” under and as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement, (B) the Second Lien Term Secured Parties constitute additional “Term Secured Parties” under and as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement, (C) the Second Lien Term Obligations constitute additional “Term Obligations” under and as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement and (D) the Second Lien Term Credit Agreement constitutes an additional “Term Credit Agreement” under and as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(b)                                 The Second Lien Term Agent, for the benefit of the ABL Agent, the ABL Secured Parties, the First Lien Term Agent and the First Lien Term Secured Parties, acknowledges and agrees, on behalf of itself and the other Second Lien Term Secured Parties, that (i) it is subject to and bound by all of the obligations and agreements of the “Term Agent” under and as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement, and the First Lien Term Agent is authorized to act on its behalf in accordance with the terms thereof, (ii) the rights and obligations of the Second Lien Term Secured Parties as Term Secured Parties under the Intercreditor Agreement are subject to and bound by the rights and obligations applicable to Term Secured Parties in respect of Term Obligations under the Intercreditor Agreement, (iii) the Second Lien Term Obligations constitute “Term Obligations” under and as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement, and (iv) it will comply with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(c)                                  Each of the parties hereto further acknowledges and agrees that, from and after the date of the Discharge of Term Obligations (other than the Second Lien Term Obligations) and upon proper written notice from the First Lien Term Agent and the Second Lien Term Agent to the ABL Agent, the Second Lien Term Agent shall be deemed to be the Term Agent under the Intercreditor Agreement and shall have all of the rights and remedies afforded to the Term Agent pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement.  Until such time as the Second Lien Term Agent may become the Term Agent under the Intercreditor Agreement as provided in the preceding sentence, the Second Lien Term Agent and the other Second Lien Term Secured Parties shall only have the rights and obligations of Term Secured Parties under the Intercreditor Agreement and not the rights or the obligations of the Term Agent.

 

(d)                                 The Second Lien Term Agent, for the benefit of the First Lien Term Agent and the First Lien Term Secured Parties, acknowledges and agrees, on behalf of itself and the other Second Lien Term Secured Parties, and the First Lien Term Agent, for the benefit of the Second Lien Term Agent and the Second Lien Term Secured Parties, acknowledges and agrees, on behalf of itself and the other First Lien Term Secured Parties, that, solely as between holders of the First Lien Term Obligations, on

 

2



 

the one hand, and holders of the Second Lien Term Obligations, on the other hand, the rights and obligations of the First Lien Term Secured Parties and the Second Lien Term Secured Parties as Term Secured Parties under the Intercreditor Agreement and the First Lien Term Obligations and the Second Lien Term Obligations as Term Obligations under the Intercreditor Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement.  Neither the ABL Agent nor any of the other ABL Secured Parties are parties to or have any rights or obligations under the Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement.

 

2.                                      Representations.

 

(a)                                 The First Lien Term Agent represents and warrants to the ABL Agent and the Second Lien Term Agent that it has the requisite power and authority under the Term Documents to enter into, execute, deliver, and carry out the terms of this Amendment on behalf of itself and the First Lien Term Secured Parties and that this Amendment shall be binding obligations of the First Lien Term Agent and the First Lien Term Secured Parties, enforceable against the First Lien Term Agent and the First Lien Term Secured Parties in accordance with its terms.

 

(b)                                 The Second Lien Term Agent represents and warrants to the ABL Agent and the First Lien Term Agent that it has the requisite power and authority under the Second Lien Term Credit Agreement to enter into, execute, deliver, and carry out the terms of this Amendment on behalf of itself and the Second Lien Term Secured Parties and that this Amendment shall be binding obligations of the Second Lien Term Agent and the Second Lien Term Secured Parties, enforceable against the Second Lien Term Agent and the Second Lien Term Secured Parties in accordance with its terms.

 

(c)                                  The ABL Agent represents and warrants to the First Lien Term Agent and the Second Lien Term Agent that it has the requisite power and authority under the ABL Documents to enter into, execute, deliver, and carry out the terms of this Amendment on behalf of itself and the ABL Secured Parties and that this Amendment shall be binding obligations of the ABL Agent and the ABL Secured Parties, enforceable against the ABL Agent and the ABL Secured Parties in accordance with its terms.

 

3.                                      Notices.  The address of the Second Lien Term Agent for purposes of all notices and other communications under the Intercreditor Agreement is as set forth on its signature page hereto.

 

4.                                      No Other Changes.  Except as explicitly amended by this Amendment, all of the terms and conditions of the Intercreditor Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

5.                                      Governing Law.  THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

6.                                      Counterparts.  This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original and all of which counterparts, taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

7.                                      Miscellaneous.  The provisions of Sections 7.11, 7.12, 7.13, 7.14, 7.17 and 7.18 of the Intercreditor Agreement will apply with like effect to this Agreement.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

3



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the ABL Agent, for and on behalf of itself and the ABL Secured Parties, the First Lien Term Agent, for and on behalf of itself and the First Lien Term Secured Parties, and the Second Lien Term Agent, for and on behalf of itself and the Second Lien Term Secured Parties, have caused this Amendment to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

 

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, in its capacity as
the ABL Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Susan, Khokher

 

 

Name:

Susan, Khokher

 

 

Title:

Manager, Agency

 

Signature Page to First Amendment to Intercreditor Agreement

 



 

 

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, in its capacity as
the First Lien Term Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Susan, Khokher

 

 

Name:

Susan, Khokher

 

 

Title:

Manager, Agency

 

Signature Page to First Amendment to Intercreditor Agreement

 



 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION
, in its capacity as the Second Lien
Term Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joshua G. James

 

 

Name:

Joshua G. James

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

Notice Address:

 

 

 

50 South Sixth Street

 

Minneapolis MN 55402

 

Attn: Josh James, Vice President

 

Fax: (612) 217-5651

 

Signature Page to First Amendment to Intercreditor Agreement

 



 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

 

The Borrower and each Guarantor hereby acknowledges that it has received a copy of this Amendment as in effect on the date hereof and consents thereto, agrees to recognize all rights granted thereby to the ABL Agent, the ABL Secured Parties, the First Lien Term Agent, the First Lien Term Secured Parties, the Second Lien Term Agent and the Second Lien Term Secured Parties.  The Borrower and each Guarantor further acknowledges and agrees that it is not an intended beneficiary or third party beneficiary under this Amendment.

 

 

BORROWER:

 

 

 

99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Felicia Thornton

 

 

Name:

Felicia Thornton

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

GUARANTORS:

 

 

 

NUMBER HOLDINGS, INC.

 

99 CENTS ONLY STORES TEXAS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Felicia Thornton

 

 

Name:

Felicia Thornton

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

Signature Page to First Amendment to Intercreditor Agreement

 


EX-99.1 9 a17-26148_1ex99d1.htm EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

THE COMPANY

 

Overview

 

Business

 

With over 30 years of operating experience, we believe, based on our industry experience, that we are a leading operator of extreme value retail stores in the southwestern United States.  As of July 28, 2017, we operated 390 stores located in the states of California (283 stores), Texas (48 stores), Arizona (38 stores) and Nevada (21 stores).  Our stores offer everyday grocery, fresh consumable products and other household items as well as seasonal items that are primarily priced at 99.99¢ or less.  We also offer a growing assortment of items across the store priced above $1 that represent an extreme-value offering to our budget-conscious customers.  We carry a wide assortment of regularly available products as well as a broad variety of first-quality closeout merchandise.  In addition, we carry domestic and imported fresh produce, deli, dairy and frozen and refrigerated food products, which we believe are generally of greater value than what consumers can find elsewhere.  We believe that our differentiated merchandise mix, combined with outstanding value, enables us to appeal to a broad consumer demographic, increases our overall customer traffic and frequency of customer visits, as well as strengthens our customer loyalty.  We believe that our stores are significantly larger than those of other U.S. publicly reporting dollar store chains, which enables us to offer a wider assortment of merchandise and provide our customers with a better shopping experience.

 

As of July 28, 2017, on a trailing 52-week period, our stores open for the full year averaged net sales of $5.4 million per store and $332 per estimated saleable square foot, which we believe, based on our industry experience, is the highest among U.S. publicly reporting dollar store chains.  We opened five stores in California during fiscal 2017.  We closed six underperforming stores in fiscal 2017 upon expiration of their leases, including five in California and one in Texas.  We expect to close three stores by the end of fiscal 2018 or early fiscal 2019.  Of these three stores, one will close upon lease expiration and two will close through exercise of our early lease termination rights.  In the second half of fiscal 2018, we are currently considering opening up to three stores, all of which are expected to be opened in our existing markets.

 

We also sell merchandise through our Bargain Wholesale division to retailers, distributors and exporters.  The Bargain Wholesale division complements our retail operations by exposing us to a broader selection of opportunistic buys and generating additional sales with relatively small incremental operating expenses.  Bargain Wholesale represented 1.9% of our total sales in fiscal 2017 and 1.7% of our total sales in the first half of fiscal 2018.

 

Our Competitive Strengths

 

Differentiated Retail Concept

 

We believe our stores offer consumers an extreme value shopping experience that is unique in our industry due to:

 

·                  Our current average store size of approximately 16,000 saleable square feet, which we believe is significantly larger than stores of other U.S. publicly reporting dollar store chains, enabling us to carry a wide assortment of consumable, general merchandise and seasonal products in a clean, attractive and comfortable shopping environment;

 

·                  Our large selection of food and grocery items, which was approximately 57% of gross sales for fiscal 2017, and includes many of the fresh produce, deli, dairy and refrigerated and frozen food items which we believe generally provide greater value than consumers can find elsewhere.  We believe our extensive produce and perishable offerings drive recurring traffic from customers who rely on us for their weekly household needs and differentiate us from traditional grocery and limited-assortment grocery alternatives;

 

·                  Our wide assortment of closeout merchandise, which helps create an atmosphere of treasure-hunt excitement within our stores.  We believe that our wide assortment of closeout merchandise is a competitive advantage as many of our competitors lack the vendor relationships, management expertise or logistical capabilities to handle as large a percentage of sales as we do in closeout merchandise. In addition to closeout merchandise priced at 99.99 cents, the Company offers selected “extreme value” closeout merchandise at price points above a dollar.  Items above a dollar represent an increasing portion of our sales; and

 



 

·                  Our selection of seasonal merchandise, accounting for approximately 3.5% of sales, which we believe differentiates us against competitors and traditional grocery stores, and widens our customer base.  In the past year, our seasonal sell-through rates have been in excess of 80%.

 

We believe, based on our industry experience, that these competitive strengths enable us to have the most productive stores among U.S. publicly reporting dollar store chains when ranked by sales per store and average sales per square foot.

 

Attractive Industry Fundamentals

 

The U.S. dollar store industry is large and growing, and we believe benefits from a number of attractive industry fundamentals which will continue to support our growth, including:

 

·                  Historical and projected growth in dollar store revenues driven by the addition of new dollar stores and the increasing acceptance of dollar stores among consumers;

 

·                  Same store sales growth among U.S. publicly reporting dollar store chains, which are outperforming many other retail channels, particularly U.S. publicly reporting traditional grocery stores;

 

·                  Within the dollar store industry, the opportunity for larger chains, including 99 Cents, to grow faster than the overall industry, the balance of which we believe consists primarily of independent store operators; and

 

·                  Strong historical performance by dollar stores throughout economic cycles.

 

We believe that these attractive industry fundamentals, when combined with the large population size and favorable income and demographic attributes within our existing markets, represent growth opportunities for the Company.

 

Attractive Store Footprint

 

We have over 30 years of experience operating our stores.  We currently operate a large network of extreme-value retail stores in California and have meaningful presence in three other southwestern states, Texas, Nevada and Arizona.  Our stores are typically clustered in and around densely populated areas.  We believe that many of our stores are more convenient than traditional “big box” retailers that typically occupy larger buildings located in less urban areas as a result of their store size requirements.  We believe that the density of our store footprint is a competitive advantage and would be difficult to replicate.

 

We believe that our southwestern geographic markets have attractive attributes that support our business model.  Our markets generally have large, growing and ethnically diverse populations.  Many of the markets we serve have high proportions of low-income consumers, as well as nearby middle and upper-middle income consumers, who we believe are increasingly shopping our stores.

 

Strong Vendor Relationships and Sourcing Expertise Both Domestically and Globally

 

We believe that our sourcing expertise and our long-standing, mutually beneficial vendor relationships are competitive advantages.  Many of our vendors have been supplying products to us for over 25 years.  We are a trusted partner and a preferred buyer to our vendors, many of whom we believe contact us first when they are selling closeout inventory.  We believe we are a preferred buyer due to our ability to, among other things:

 

·                  Make immediate buying decisions;

 

·                  Acquire large volumes of inventory and take possession of goods immediately;

 

·                  Pay cash or accept abbreviated credit terms; and

 

·                  Purchase goods that have a shorter-than-normal shelf life or are off-season or near the end of a selling season.

 

We believe our vendor relationships are also strengthened by our ability to minimize channel conflict for the manufacturer as well as our ability to quickly sell products through well-maintained, attractively merchandised stores.

 



 

Strong Historical Financial Performance and Compelling Store Unit Economics

 

Our store base has historically demonstrated strong and consistent sales and profitability growth potential as well as compelling unit economics.  Our stores have posted positive same-store sales growth in nine of the past ten years with the same-store sales growth of 2.1% in fiscal 2017 and 7.9% in the first half of fiscal 2018.

 

Furthermore, our stores have low maintenance capital expenditures and low ongoing working capital needs as compared to traditional grocery stores.  In the past 24 months, we have significantly reduced our in-store inventory levels, and nearly all stores have been 4-wall cash flow positive.

 

Our Business Strategy

 

We are focused on three key strategies designed to profitably scale our business while continuing to meet the needs of our customers.

 

Enhancing the Customer Shopping Experience

 

We aim to achieve a sustainable increase in sales by enhancing the customer shopping experience, which we believe will both increase basket size with our current customers and attract new customers, including those that historically have not shopped at extreme value retailers.  Key elements of the strategy include:

 

Focus on fresh

 

We believe our fresh food offerings, including produce, deli and dairy products primarily priced at 99.99¢, represent a significant point of differentiation relative to our national dollar store and discount peers and are a key driver of sales growth.  Customer research studies that were recently conducted by leading market research firms show that a significant portion of our customers view us as their first or primary destination when shopping for fresh perishable items.  Despite the continuing food price deflation in fiscal 2017, we achieved meaningful growth of our fresh offerings through a combination of improved quality and in-stock levels on key SKUs.  This was due in part to our successful partnerships with third-party produce providers, as well as improved product availability, relative to fiscal 2016, at our traditional price point of 99.99¢.  We believe the overall strength in our fresh food offerings was a key driver of positive customer traffic in fiscal 2017.  We are currently testing and considering updates to our fresh food strategy, including further improvements to procurement, supply chain, in-store equipment and training to further improve quality and broaden our merchandise assortment.  We are also exploring the possibility of expanding our partnerships with third-party produce providers to broaden assortment and cover additional store locations.

 

Provide a fun, exciting treasure hunt experience

 

We believe another important component of our differentiated shopping experience is our ability to create a fun and exciting treasure hunt experience that offers a “wow” factor for our customers.  This is accomplished through two primary methods.  First, our assortment has consistently included a significant portion of closeout merchandise, with a focus on national branded consumer packaged goods and high-value merchandise priced significantly below the typical retail prices of our peers in the discount retail industry.  Independent customer research suggests that a sizable portion of our shoppers specifically visit our stores to hunt for these limited-time values, which in turn drives frequency, basket size and customer loyalty.  Second, we have accelerated initiatives to broaden our general merchandise assortment priced above $1 as well as our seasonal assortment.  Our over $1 general merchandise assortment is primarily comprised of high-value and high-recognition products for everyday household and recreational use, nearly always priced significantly below the everyday retail price of identical or comparable merchandise at peers in the discount retail industry.  Our seasonal assortment includes a broad selection of popular and high-value décor, wearables and packaging materials, as well as consumables developed specifically for each season and primarily priced at 99.99¢.  We believe the improvements in these assortments contributed towards our average ticket growth in fiscal 2017 and in the first half of fiscal 2018.  We also believe that these assortments, and the fun and exciting shopping experience that they create on a consistent basis, will, over time, allow us to further improve our customer loyalty as well as acquire new customers.

 

Comprehensive market refresh program

 

Beginning in fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, we launched a comprehensive refresh program in one of our key markets, the city of San Diego, in order to accelerate our efforts to enhance the customer shopping experience.  Key aspects of our market refresh program include:

 



 

1.              Upgrading our store facilities and improving cleanliness;

 

2.              Broadening our merchandise assortment, in-stock and fresh grocery offerings;

 

3.              Elevating our customer service; and

 

4.              Implementing targeted marketing campaigns to attract and retain new customers.

 

Since the completion of the San Diego refresh program in the second quarter of fiscal 2017, we have received positive customer feedback on the overall improvements and achieved strong sales momentum.

 

We believe a systematic and comprehensive refresh program conducted on a market-by-market basis, when completed expeditiously and in a cost-effective manner, can meaningfully improve the operating performance of each market and generate positive returns on the initial investment.  Accordingly, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, we commenced our second refresh program in our Phoenix market and subsequently experienced an increase in traffic and sales growth.  We continue to be encouraged by the early results of our multi-media marketing campaign to drive customer awareness in the Phoenix market that incorporated many of the same successful improvements of the San Diego market as well as further development of merchandising and marketing enhancements.

 

Early in fiscal 2018, we began the process of applying learnings from our activities in San Diego and Phoenix to our planned third refresh market, the greater Las Vegas region, a market in which we currently have 18 stores.  Similar to San Diego and Phoenix, the Las Vegas stores are undergoing a physical clean-up, among other enhancements, including the installation of additional refrigeration equipment. Activities also include improvements to the allocation and replenishment processes, most notably for fresh produce and perishable items.  In addition, all Las Vegas store shelves will be retrofitted from six and one-half feet high to five feet.  The lower shelf height has been successful in previous refresh markets as well as other stores where implemented.  We believe the lower profile shelves enhance the customer shopping experience as well as reduce theft due to the improved visibility across the sales floor.

 

We intend to continue assessing the effectiveness of our market refresh programs in fiscal 2018 and evaluate additional potential target markets in a prudent and systematic fashion.

 

Improving Operational Efficiency and Effectiveness

 

We believe a number of opportunities exist to simplify and streamline our operational processes that will enable us to expand margins and improve profitability.  In particular, we are focused on:

 

Reducing shrink and managing scrap

 

We intend to reduce our current elevated levels of shrink and scrap through initiatives designed to address all potential areas of losses, including:

 

1.              Effectively managing inventory allocation and sell-through of perishables items and establishing cold-chain management practices to minimize excess spoilage;

 

2.              Maintaining supply chain integrity, such as pallet picking and shipping accuracy;

 

3.              Improving execution of in-store merchandise receipts and product flow to ensure quality of store inventory and mitigate losses due to poor handling;

 

4.              Implementing preemptive loss prevention efforts to identify and eliminate theft; and

 

5.              Leveraging the full benefits from the implementation of our perpetual inventory system.

 

In fiscal 2017, we achieved a meaningful reduction in our shrink and scrap expenses relative to fiscal 2016, and in the first half of fiscal 2018, shrink and scrap as a percentage of sales improved 0.90% compared to the first half of fiscal 2017.  We believe opportunities exist to further reduce our shrink and scrap expenses in the remaining portion of fiscal 2018.

 



 

An important element of our effort to improve shrink and scrap is the Store Inventory Module (“SIM”), which is a system we recently introduced at the Company that provides perpetual, SKU-level visibility for inventory at the store level.  We completed the fifteen month-long implementation in early fiscal 2018 and SIM has provided additional visibility into shrink and scrap.

 

Improving merchandise flow

 

We have identified and are pursuing the following three key opportunities to simplify and streamline the flow of merchandise across our entire supply chain:

 

1.              Apply greater discipline to buying by actively managing and optimizing on-hand levels of both re-orderable and closeout merchandise, to reduce warehouse and in-store inventories, improve merchandise sell-through and reduce shrink;

 

2.              Reduce our reliance on a manual ordering process by leveraging our newly implemented automated merchandise ordering and replenishment system to ensure that the right product is replenished to the right store in the right quantities at the right time; and

 

3.              Improve our distribution efficiencies by ensuring on-time deliveries to our warehouses and our stores, in order to minimize disruptions to the merchandise flow.

 

These initiatives are designed to achieve lower overall inventory levels and reduce our handling costs and warehousing space requirements, which we expect will contribute to reductions in working capital investments and improved operating margins.  We also believe improving our merchandise flow will position us to achieve higher sales through a more robust allocations process, which will result in an improved in-stock position and fewer missed sales opportunities.

 

In fiscal 2017 and the first half of fiscal 2018, improvements in our merchandise flow and clearance of excess inventory allowed us to meaningfully reduce our inventory levels, which in turn allowed us to rationalize multiple warehouse locations.  The inventory reduction was accomplished even as we improved our overall in-stock levels of key, high-volume SKUs and positive same-store sales growth.  Furthermore, we have made and plan to make additional investments in systems and infrastructure to support these merchandising flow improvements.

 

In addition, we believe opportunities exist to further improve the overall merchandise flow in our Texas market, which will be an area of emphasis in the remaining portion of fiscal 2018 and beyond.  We intend to accomplish this through a combination of improved inbound logistics to our Katy distribution center as well as refining the regional assortment through localized buying of key re-orderable and closeout merchandise.  These improvements are designed to drive customer traffic and increase margins, and, in turn, allow us to achieve profitable growth in the Texas market.

 

Supporting a culture of safety

 

We remain committed to promoting a safe and friendly operating environment and are building a culture of safety by:

 

1.              Engaging and empowering employees daily to develop a safe operating environment, through recurring huddles, hands-on training and constant communication to reinforce our safety message and instill accountability;

 

2.              Expanding our comprehensive reporting and analytics to support problem identification and provide real time visibility;

 

3.              Investing in on-site treatment programs for better workplace care in the event of injuries; and

 

4.              Consistently evaluating and adopting best practices in safety culture and safety initiatives through a joint corporate safety steering committee, which oversees the implementation of safety improvement measures.

 

We believe we have made progress in building a culture of safety.  Workers’ compensation claims in the first fiscal half were down 17% compared to the first fiscal quarter of 2017, on top of the over 20% year-over-year reduction in total claims achieved in fiscal 2017.  The reduction in claims is one of the key drivers of the reduction of our outstanding workers’ compensation liability reserve at the end of fiscal 2017 and the first half of fiscal 2018.

 



 

Optimizing footprint

 

We conduct regular evaluations of our real estate portfolio in the ordinary course of business.  In fiscal 2017, as a part of the evaluation process, we closed six stores, including one in Texas and five in California.  In addition, we expect to close three stores by the end of fiscal 2018 or early fiscal 2019.  Of these three stores, one will close upon lease expiration and two will close through exercise of our early lease termination rights.  The relocation and closures occurred at stores with expiring leases, and did not result in any material termination charges.  We may opportunistically close or relocate additional stores in the future to improve overall profitability.

 

We opened five new stores during fiscal 2017 and we are currently considering opening up to three new stores in the second half of fiscal 2018.  We plan to continue to pursue a disciplined store growth plan in our existing markets over the near term, and will accelerate our store growth in a manageable fashion over the longer term with continued improvement of cash flow and capital availability.  We believe that this will strengthen our competitive advantage in our key geographic regions and enable us to take advantage of economies of scale in distribution, store logistics and marketing.

 

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

 

Preliminary Financial Information for Third Quarter Ended October 27, 2017

 

We are currently in the process of finalizing our unaudited consolidated financial results as of and for the third quarter of fiscal 2018 ended October 27, 2017.  Below are certain preliminary estimates as of and for the three months ended October 27, 2017, which are based on the most current information available to management as of the date of this Offering Memorandum.

 

Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2018 ended October 27, 2017, are expected to be in the range of $550 million to $555 million.  Same store sales are expected to increase in the range of 11.0% to 11.5% compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2017.

 

The estimates above are preliminary and may change.  We have provided a range for certain preliminary results described above primarily because our financial closing procedures for the quarter ended October 27, 2017 are not yet complete.  Our final results for this period may differ from these estimates, including as a result of quarter-end closing procedures or review adjustments and any such changes could be material.  In addition, these preliminary results of operations for the quarter ended October 27, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be achieved for any future period. Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, has not audited, reviewed, compiled or performed any procedures with respect to the accompanying preliminary financial data. Accordingly, Ernst & Young LLP does not express an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto.

 

Liquidity Management

 

We actively manage our liquidity, which is subject to daily fluctuations and at any given time can fall well below management’s expectations.  In addition, due to the industry in which we operate, our liquidity is often constrained on a seasonal basis.  After giving effect to the transactions and the payment of related fees and expenses, our liquidity may be further constrained during the period prior to anticipated December sales. We expect that during this period the liquidity provided by the ABL Facility, along with cash provided from operations, will be sufficient to fund the fees and expenses associated with the exchange offer and Credit Facilities Amendments and the cash required to operate our business.  However, our expectations regarding our liquidity position following the exchange offer are based on certain assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Liquidity and Covenants under the New Secured Notes Indenture.”

 



 

Risks Related to Liquidity and the Covenants under the New Secured Notes Indenture

 

Our liquidity may be constrained in the period immediately following the exchange offer and from time to time thereafter.

 

As of July 28, 2017, our liquidity was comprised of $2.5 million in cash and $37.1 million of availability under the ABL Facility (subject to the borrowing base).  We actively manage our liquidity, which is subject to daily fluctuations and at any given time and from time to time can fall below $37.1 million.  We currently expect that our liquidity will be sufficient to fund operations, including the costs associated with the Credit Facilities Amendments and exchange offer, in the period immediately following completion of the exchange offer; however, our liquidity in this period is typically constrained due to the seasonality of our business.  As a result, during certain periods of the year the ABL Facility is our primary source of liquidity.  Moreover, our expectations regarding our liquidity position following the exchange offer are based on certain assumptions regarding, among other considerations:

 

·                  the size of the borrowing base under the ABL Facility;

 

·                  the amount and timing of cash receipts and expenditures; and

 

·                  the terms of our agreements with vendors and ongoing operational performance.

 

To the extent there is a reduction in the borrowing base or an adverse change in the terms of any of the agreements with our trade creditors or any of our other assumptions prove incorrect, our liquidity could be significantly lower than our expectations.

 

We have historically and currently present our liquidity position before giving effect to the “cash dominion” threshold in our ABL Facility.  Our ABL Facility contains restrictive “cash dominion” provisions that are imposed if “excess availability” falls below the greater of (x) 15% of the maximum credit under the ABL Facility and (y) $25.0 million for five (5) consecutive Business Days. Operating under “cash dominion” would increase our reporting requirements, restrict our access to borrowings under the ABL Facility, increase operational complexities for the Company and permit the administrative agent to invoke control rights over certain of our accounts. Further, under the ABL Facility, we could be required to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.00 to 1.00 if “excess availability” falls below the greater of (i) 12.5% of the maximum credit under the ABL Facility and (y) $20.0 million.  As of July 28, 2017, our fixed charge coverage ratio was less than 1.00 to 1.00.  In sum, a decrease in excess availability due to changes in any of the factors described above, could cause our excess availability to fall below the “cash dominion” and other adverse triggering thresholds, which would subject us to additional requirements and restrict access to borrowings under the ABL Facility, which could, in turn, materially and adversely affect our liquidity and financial condition and our ability to operate our business and execute our strategic plan.

 



 

SOURCES AND USES

 

We will not receive any cash proceeds in the exchange offer.  The Existing Notes exchanged by holders in the exchange offer will be retired and cancelled and will not be reissued.

 

The following table summarizes the estimated sources and uses in connection with the exchange offer and related transactions, assuming all outstanding Existing Notes are exchanged in the exchange offer prior to the Early Tender Date, and that the exchange offer is consummated on December 14, 2017.  Actual amounts set forth in the table and accompanying footnotes will vary from estimated amounts depending on several factors, including differences between actual participation rates, tender timing and elections in the exchange offer as compared to our assumptions, our estimates of the fees and expenses as compared to actual fees and expenses, and the actual closing date of the exchange offer.

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

(In millions)

 

Sources:

 

 

 

New Secured Notes issued in the exchange offer

 

$

250.0

 

ABL Facility

 

28.4

 

Total Sources

 

$

278.4

 

 

 

 

 

Uses:

 

 

 

Accepted tenders of Existing Notes

 

$

250.0

 

Accrued and unpaid interest

 

13.6

 

Fees and expenses (1)

 

14.8

 

Total Uses

 

$

278.4

 

 


(1)         Estimated transaction costs consist of fees and expenses relating to the exchange offer and the Credit Facilities Amendments.  These payments, in addition to our typical seasonal working capital limitations, require us to draw on the ABL Facility from time to time, which may put constraints on our liquidity. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Liquidity and the Covenants under the New Secured Notes Indenture.”

 



 

CAPITALIZATION

 

The following table sets forth the cash and cash equivalents and capitalization of the Company as of July 28, 2017:

 

·                  on a historical basis; and

 

·                  on an as adjusted basis to give effect to (i) the incurrence of $25.0 million of indebtedness on September 6, 2017 under the FILO Facility described under “Description of Our Last-Out ABL Facility” and the application of the net proceeds therefrom to pay down our ABL Facility, (ii) scheduled amortization payments made on the Existing First Lien Term Loan Facility since July 28, 2017, (iii) the consummation of the Credit Facilities Amendments (assuming conversion of approximately $399.2 million of the First Lien Term Loan Facility not held by the Sponsor Affiliates into the New First Lien Term Loan Facility plus the conversion of an additional approximately $34.7 million of First Lien Term Loan Facility expected to occur following consummation of the Credit Facilities Amendments) and (iv) the consummation of the exchange offer, assuming all outstanding Existing Notes are properly tendered and accepted prior to the Early Tender Date, and the sources and uses described under “Sources and Uses.”

 

This table should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto and the other financial information included and incorporated by reference in this Offering Memorandum.

 

(in thousands)

 

Historical

 

As Adjusted

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

2,485

 

$

2,485

 

Debt:

 

 

 

 

 

Existing First Lien Term Loan Facility

 

$

590,325

 

$

25,733

 

New First Lien Term Loan Facility

 

 

433,990

 

New Second Lien Term Loan Facility

 

 

129,536

 

Existing Notes

 

250,000

 

 

New Secured Notes

 

 

250,000

(1)

ABL Facility

 

51,300

 

55,622

(2)

FILO Facility

 

 

25,000

 

Total debt, including current portion

 

891,625

 

919,881

 

Total members’ equity

 

101,896

 

101,896

 

Total capitalization

 

$

993,521

 

$

1,021,777

 

 


(1)         Includes both All PIK Notes and Cash/PIK Notes.  The amounts of All PIK Notes and Cash/PIK Notes outstanding after consummation of the exchange offer will be based on the elections made by holders of Existing Notes that participate in the exchange offer.  The Sponsor Affiliates have indicated that they will elect to receive All PIK Notes in exchange for all of their Existing Notes in the exchange offer.  As a result, we expect that at least $102 million of All PIK Notes, and no more than $148 million of Cash/PIK Notes, will be issued in the Exchange Offer.

 

(2)         Reflects (i) the repayment from the net proceeds of the FILO Facility, (ii) the payment of fees and expenses associated with the Credit Facilities Amendments and exchange offer as described under “Sources and Uses” and (iii) the payment of accrued and unpaid interest on Exchanged Notes as described under “Sources and Uses.” Management manages liquidity on an ongoing basis and from time to time draws on the ABL Facility to pay expenses and operate the business.  There can be no assurance that there will be sufficient availability under the ABL Facility.  See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Liquidity and the Covenants under the New Secured Notes Indenture.”

 


EX-99.2 10 a17-26148_1ex99d2.htm EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

 

99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC COMPLETES AMENDMENT AND EXTENSION OF TERM LOAN CREDIT FACILITY

 

Los Angeles, California, November 7, 2017 — 99 Cents Only Stores LLC (the “Company”) today announced the amendment of the Company’s existing term loan facility, which, among other things, extends the maturity date by three years from January 2019 to January 2022.

 

Under the amendment, the maturity date of the term loan facility has been extended to January 13, 2022, with a springing feature to June 1, 2019 if a certain percentage of the Company’s existing senior notes due in 2019 remain outstanding at that time.

 

In connection with the amendment, approximately $130 million of the existing first lien term loans held by the Company’s equity sponsors were converted to a new pay in kind second lien term loan facility.  The amendment increases the junior lien capacity available under the Company’s term loan facility, including for refinancing. The amendment also includes certain term lender-friendly covenant modifications and other amendments. In addition, the Company effected corresponding amendments to its ABL Facility to permit the transactions contemplated by the amendment.

 

“We are pleased to have completed the amendment and extension of our term loan, which significantly improves our liquidity and debt maturity profile, providing additional runway to execute our turnaround plan,” said Geoffrey J. Covert, President and Chief Executive Officer. “During the first half of fiscal 2018 the Company has achieved strong operating performance, with new product offerings, robust same store sales growth and Adjusted EBITDA up more than 40% compared to the same period a year ago.  This transaction reflects significant support from our stakeholders and will enable us to continue to drive operational momentum and generate profitable long-term growth.”

 

Lenders approving the proposed amendment received an upfront fee of 50 basis points at closing. The first lien term loan will bear an annual interest rate equal to LIBOR plus 500 basis points plus an additional 150 basis points to be paid in kind. The second lien term loan provides for interest to be paid in kind at an annual rate equal to LIBOR plus 850 basis points.

 

This press release is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state or other jurisdiction where such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.

 

About 99 Cents Only Stores

 

Founded in 1982, 99 Cents Only Stores LLC is the leading operator of extreme value stores in California and the Southwestern United States. The Company currently operates 391 stores located in California, Texas, Arizona and Nevada. 99 Cents Only Stores LLC offers a broad assortment of name brand and other attractively priced merchandise and compelling seasonal product offerings. For more information, visit www.99only.com.

 

Investor Contact:

 

Addo Investor Relations

Lasse Glassen

 



 

(424) 238-6249

lglassen@addoir.com

 

*  *  *

 

The Company has included statements in this release that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. As a general matter, forward-looking statements are those focused on future or anticipated events or trends, expectations and beliefs including, among other things, the Company’s expectations with respect to the amend and extend transaction described herein.  Such statements are intended to be identified by using words such as “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “will,” “project,” “plan” and similar expressions in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. Any forward-looking statements are and will be based upon the Company’s then-current expectations, estimates and assumptions regarding future events and are applicable only as of the dates of such statements. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those projected in this release for reasons, among others, including (i) the ability of the Company to extend the maturity of its other indebtedness including its notes, pursuant to any potential refinancing thereof or otherwise, (ii) the willingness of the Company’s lenders and noteholders to participate in the transactions described herein, (iii) the availability of alternative transactions, (iv) general market conditions and (v) those reasons discussed in the reports and other documents the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors” sections contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 27, 2017. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Although the Company is actively pursuing other opportunities to improve its capital structure and extend its maturity profile (including by refinancing, exchanging and/or amending the terms of its existing debt or issuing additional debt), such other alternatives may not be available to it in the foreseeable future or at all.  If the Company is unable to complete such other alternatives on favorable terms or at all due to market conditions or otherwise, its financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

 


EX-99.3 11 a17-26148_1ex99d3.htm EX-99.3

Exhibit 99.3

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

 

99 CENTS ONLY STORES LLC ANNOUNCES

EXCHANGE OFFER AND CONSENT SOLICITATION

RELATING TO 11% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2019

 

Los Angeles, California, November 7, 2017 — 99 Cents Only Stores LLC (the “Company”) today announced the launch of an exchange offer and consent solicitation (the “Exchange Offer”) to (i) exchange its existing 11% senior notes due 2019, of which there are currently $250 million aggregate principal amount outstanding (the “Existing Notes”), for either the Company’s newly issued (a) 13% All PIK Notes due 2023 (the “All PIK Notes”) or (b) 13% Cash/PIK Notes due 2023 (the “Cash/PIK Notes” and, together with the All PIK Notes, the “New Secured Notes”) at the election of each holder thereof and (ii) solicit consents to certain proposed amendments to the indenture governing the Existing Notes (the “Existing Indenture Amendments”), in each case, upon the terms and subject to the conditions as set forth in an Offering Memorandum and Consent Solicitation Statement dated November 7, 2017 (the “Offering Memorandum”) and a related Letter of Transmittal. The Exchange Offer is being made, and the New Secured Notes are being offered and issued only (a) in the United States to holders of Existing Notes who are “qualified institutional buyers” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or “accredited investors” (as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) in a private transaction in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (b) outside the United States to holders of Existing Notes who are persons other than “U.S. persons” (as defined in Rule 902 under the Securities Act) in reliance upon Regulation S under the Securities Act (collectively, “Eligible Holders”).

 

As further described in the Offering Memorandum, Eligible Holders of Existing Notes who validly tender Existing Notes prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on November 22, 2017 (the “Early Tender Date”), will receive, for each $1,000.00 principal amount of Existing Notes tendered, $1,000.00 principal amount of New Secured Notes, which includes an early tender premium of $30.00. Eligible Holders who validly tender after the Early Tender Date, but on or before the Expiration Date (as defined below), will receive, for each $1,000.00 principal amount of Existing Notes tendered, $970 principal amount of New Secured Notes. The Exchange Offer will expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on December 7, 2017, unless extended or earlier terminated (the “Expiration Date”).

 

The New Secured Notes will be secured by a perfected security interest, subject to certain exceptions and permitted senior liens, on (i) substantially all of the Company’s and each guarantor’s tangible and intangible assets and (ii) the equity interests issued by the Company’s direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries, as described in the Offering Memorandum. The New Secured Notes will be effectively senior to all of the Company’s existing and future unsecured indebtedness, including the Existing Notes, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing the New Secured Notes.

 

The Exchange Offer will be conditioned on the satisfaction, or the waiver by the Company, of certain conditions described in the Offering Memorandum.  The Company may amend or waive the conditions at any time, in its sole discretion, and may terminate, modify or withdraw the Exchange Offer at any time and for any reason, including if any of the conditions are not or will not be satisfied. The consummation of the Exchange Offer is not conditioned on a minimum aggregate principal amount of Existing Notes being tendered or the adoption of the Existing Indenture Amendments.

 

The settlement date for the Exchange Offer will occur promptly following the Expiration Date.

 

The New Secured Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or the securities laws of any state and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from the registration requirements of the

 



 

Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the New Secured Notes, nor shall there be any sale of the New Secured Notes, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

 

The Company is making the Exchange Offer only to Eligible Holders through, and pursuant to, the terms of the Offering Memorandum and related Letter of Transmittal. None of the Company, the dealer managers, the information agent, the exchange agent, the trustee with respect to the Existing Notes or the trustee with respect to the New Secured Notes or any affiliate of them makes any recommendation as to whether Eligible Holders should tender or refrain from tendering all or any portion of the principal amount of such Eligible Holder’s Existing Notes for New Secured Notes in the Exchange Offer. Eligible Holders must make their own decision as to whether to tender Existing Notes in the Exchange Offer and, if so, the principal amount of Existing Notes to tender.

 

Documents relating to the Exchange Offer will only be distributed to Eligible Holders who properly complete and return a letter of eligibility confirming that they are within the category of eligible holders for this private exchange offer. Eligible Holders who desire a copy of the letter of eligibility should contact D.F. King & Co., Inc., the information agent for the Exchange Offer, at (877) 297-1747 (U.S. toll-free) or (212) 269-5550 (collect) or access the letter of eligibility at dfking.com/99cents.

 

About 99 Cents Only Stores

 

Founded in 1982, 99 Cents Only Stores LLC is the leading operator of extreme value stores in California and the Southwestern United States. The Company currently operates 391 stores located in California, Texas, Arizona and Nevada. 99 Cents Only Stores LLC offers a broad assortment of name brand and other attractively priced merchandise and compelling seasonal product offerings. For more information, visit www.99only.com.

 

Investor Contact:

 

Addo Investor Relations

Lasse Glassen

(424) 238-6249

lglassen@addoir.com

 

*  *  *

 

The Company has included statements in this report that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. As a general matter, forward-looking statements are those focused on future or anticipated events or trends, expectations and beliefs including, among other things, the Company’s expectations with respect to the amend and extend transaction described herein.  Such statements are intended to be identified by using words such as “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “will,” “project,” “plan” and similar expressions in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. Any forward-looking statements are and will be based upon the Company’s then-current expectations, estimates and assumptions regarding future events and are applicable only as of the dates of such statements. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those projected in this release for reasons, among others, including (i) the ability of the Company to satisfy the conditions to the Exchange Offer, (ii) the availability of alternative transactions, (iii) general market conditions and (iv) those reasons discussed in the Offering Memorandum and the reports and other documents the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors” sections contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 27, 2017. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 


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