UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
(Mark One)
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended
or
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from ___________________ to ___________________
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Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YES ☐ ☒
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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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.
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). YES
At June 30, 2024, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the common stock of the registrant held by non-affiliates was approximately $
The number of shares of registrant’s common stock outstanding as of March 21, 2025, was
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement, relating to its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K may be forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “targets,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K include, but are not limited to statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, industry and business trends, stock compensation, business strategy, plans, market growth and our objectives for future operations.
The forward-looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are only predictions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the important factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The forward-looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are based upon information available to us as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.
You should read this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the documents that we reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and have filed as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K with the understanding that our actual future results, levels of activity, performance and achievements may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Except as required by applicable law, we do not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, whether as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise.
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BASIS OF PRESENTATION
On August 28, 2017, we executed a reorganization of our corporate structure. Our original parent company was called Lulu’s Holdings, LLC. This entity was converted to Lulu’s Holdings, L.P. (the “LP”). We formed two new subsidiaries, Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Holdings, Inc. and Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Parent, LLC, to sit between the LP and our operating company. Our operating company, previously known as Lulu’s Fashion Lounge, Inc., was converted from a California corporation to a Delaware limited liability company, Lulu’s Fashion Lounge, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Holdings, Inc. In connection with our initial public offering, the LP was liquidated. Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to the terms “Lulus,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company” refer to Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Holdings, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Our fiscal year is a “52-53 week” year ending on the Sunday closest in proximity to December 31, such that each quarterly period will be 13 weeks in length, except during a 53 week year when the fourth quarter will be 14 weeks. References herein to “fiscal 2024” and/or “2024” relate to the year ended December 29, 2024, “fiscal 2023” and/or “2023” relate to the year ended December 31, 2023 and “fiscal 2022” and/or “2022” relate to the year ended January 1, 2023. The fiscal years ended December 29, 2024, December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023 consisted of 52 weeks.
Throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we provide a number of key performance indicators used by management and typically used by our competitors in our industry. These and other key performance indicators are discussed in more detail in the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Key Operating and Financial Metrics.” In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we also reference Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin and Free Cash Flow which are non-GAAP (accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America) financial measure. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a discussion of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin and Free Cash Flow as well as a reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation to non-GAAP Free Cash Flow from net cash provided by operating activities. Net income (loss) is the most directly comparable financial measure to Adjusted EBITDA and net cash provided by operating activities is the most directly comparable financial measure to Free Cash Flow, required by, or presented in accordance with GAAP.
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SUMMARY RISK FACTORS
Our business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including those described in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. You should carefully consider these risks and uncertainties when investing in our common stock. The principal risks and uncertainties affecting our business include the following:
● | If we are not able to successfully maintain our desired merchandise assortment or manage our inventory effectively, we may be unable to attract a sufficient number of customers or sell sufficient quantities of our merchandise; |
● | Our success depends on our ability to anticipate, identify, measure, and respond quickly to new and rapidly changing fashion trends, customer preferences and demands, and other factors; |
● | We rely on consumer discretionary spending and may be adversely affected by economic downturns and other macroeconomic conditions or trends; |
● | We may be unable to maintain a high level of engagement with our customers and increase their spending with us, which could harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations; |
● | Our business depends on our ability to maintain a strong community around the Lulus brand with engaged customers and influencers; |
● | We rely on third parties to drive traffic to our platform; |
● | Use of social media, influencers, affiliate marketing, email, SMS, podcast advertisements, promotional partnerships and direct mail may adversely impact our brand and reputation or subject us to fines or other penalties; |
● | We operate in the highly competitive retail apparel industry; |
● | We may not accurately forecast income and appropriately plan our expenses; |
● | Our business is affected by seasonality, which could result in fluctuations in our results of operations; |
● | We have a history of net losses and we may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability in the future; |
● | We may not be able to successfully implement our growth strategy; |
● | Our international growth strategy will largely depend on our ability to manage the unique challenges presented by international markets; |
● | Our ability to obtain merchandise on a timely basis at competitive prices could suffer as a result of any deterioration or change in our supplier relationships or events and regulations that adversely affect our suppliers or their ability to obtain financing for their operations; |
● | Merchandise returns and damages could harm our business; |
● | System security risk issues, including any real or perceived failure to protect confidential or personal information against security breaches and disruption of our internal operations or information technology systems, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations; |
● | We rely significantly on technology and systems to support our supply chain, payments, financial reporting and other key aspects of our business; |
● | Our business relies heavily on email, SMS and other messaging services, and any restrictions on the sending of emails or messages or an inability to timely or successfully deliver such communications could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations; |
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● | Our business, including our costs and supply chain, is subject to risks associated with sourcing, manufacturing, and warehousing; |
● | We have two distribution facilities and several administrative offices and disruptions to the operations at these locations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows, and results of operations; |
● | We may incur significant charges or be adversely impacted by the consolidation and/or closure of all or part of a distribution facility; |
● | We rely on third-party suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and other suppliers, and they may not continue to produce products or provide services that are consistent with our standards or applicable regulatory requirements; |
● | Many of our third-party suppliers and manufacturers are based in China, which exposes us to risks inherent in doing business there; |
● | We rely upon independent third-party transportation providers for substantially all of our merchandise; |
● | We may be unable to protect our trademarks or other intellectual property rights; |
● | Unfavorable changes or failure by us to comply with evolving internet and e-commerce regulations could substantially harm our business and results of operations; |
● | If our suppliers fail to comply with applicable laws, including a failure to use acceptable labor practices, or if our suppliers suffer disruptions in their businesses, we could suffer adverse business consequences; |
● | U.S. import levels, tariffs, and duties may increase and could harm our business; |
● | Changes in laws, including employment laws and laws related to our merchandise, could make conducting our business more expensive or otherwise cause us to change the way we do business; |
● | A failure to comply with current laws, rules and regulations or changes to such laws, rules and regulations and other legal uncertainties may adversely affect our business, financial performance, results of operations or business growth; |
● | We may require additional capital to support business growth and this capital might not be available or may be available only by diluting existing stockholders; |
● | We expect that our stock price will fluctuate significantly; |
● | Changes in accounting standards and subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments by management related to complex accounting matters could significantly affect our financial results or financial condition; |
● | We have incurred goodwill impairment charges, and may incur goodwill or intangible asset impairment charges in the future; |
● | There are claims made against us from time to time that can result in litigation that could distract management from our business activities and result in significant liability or damage to our brand; |
● | We depend on our senior management personnel; |
● | We cannot guarantee that our 2024 Repurchase Program will enhance long-term stockholder value. Stock repurchases could also increase the volatility of the trading price of our stock and could diminish our cash reserves; |
● | We have outstanding borrowings, and we may incur additional indebtedness in the future; and |
● | The use of technology based on artificial intelligence presents risks. |
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PART I
Item 1. Business.
Our Business
Lulus is a customer-driven, primarily online, digitally-native attainable luxury fashion brand for women, offering modern, unapologetically feminine designs at attainable prices for all of life’s fashionable moments. Our goal is to become the most trusted and number one destination for dresses, helping every woman feel confident and celebrated, supporting her for all of life's occasions. Lulus primarily serves a large, diverse community of Millennial and Gen Z women, who typically meet us in their 20s and stay with us through their 30s and beyond. We focus relentlessly on giving our customers what they want by using direct consumer feedback and insights to refine product offerings and elevate the customer experience. Lulus’ world class personal stylists, bridal concierge, and customer care team share an unwavering commitment to elevating style and quality and bring exceptional customer service and personalized shopping to customers around the world.
We are focused on building authentic personal relationships with our customers and offering them coveted products they cannot purchase elsewhere. We incorporate the pulse of the consumer by engaging with her through reviews, feedback and one-on-one interactions with our style advisors, fit experts and bridal concierge across the web, social media, and the Lulus’ mobile app. Customers express their love for our brand on social media and by word-of-mouth (both in-person and online). We strive to provide opportunities for the customer to have an in-person connection with our products and the brand, through wholesale accounts with department stores and other brick and mortar retailers, in-person events, and at our showroom in Los Angeles, California.
A key differentiator of our business model from traditional fashion retail is our use of data to optimize almost all elements of our business. Nowhere is this more pronounced than in our product creation and curation cycle. Traditional merchandising approaches are risky and capital intensive, characterized by extended in-house design cycles, seasonal assortment decisions, deep buys, limited customer feedback, and high markdowns. Unlike traditional retailers, we leverage a “test, learn, and reorder” strategy to bring hundreds of new products to market almost every week; we test them in small batches, learn about customer demand and then quickly reorder winning products in higher volume to optimize profitability. This strategy allows us to rapidly convert new products into profitable sales on a consistent and repeatable basis while minimizing fashion and trend risk.
Why We Win
Customer-Driven Fashion Brand: Lulus is one of the first digitally-native fashion brands in the United States primarily serving Millennial and Gen Z women. We take pride in our ability to offer more luxurious fabrics and incorporate elevated stylistic details into our products relative to what is offered by other comparably-priced brands. Our obsessive focus on customer experience creates deep personal connections, which in turn rewards us with customer loyalty and word-of-mouth sharing of the brand.
Customer-Centric Experience: We are passionate about building a brand synonymous with exceptional customer service. We have effectively brought the boutique experience online, developing one-on-one relationships with our customers in order to learn and then address their individual needs. Our customers value Lulus for our personalized fit and styling assistance, which remains a top reason for customer contact when additional advice is required beyond that of our popular automated fit analyst tool. Further, we are able to offer standardized sizing across the Lulus assortment, simplifying the shopping experience and giving our customer confidence that she is selecting the best fit.
Leveraging Data to Best Serve our Customer: We have built a massive dataset which gives us strong insight into our customers. Millions of customers have interacted with us, leaving detailed reviews, interacting with our on-demand Style Advisors, Fit Experts, and Bridal Concierge, and completing checkout surveys. Across Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube, our over 8.8 million followers engage with us through their comments, feedback, photographs, and support of our brand. In aggregate, this data set gives us the ability to understand our customers’ preferences.
Marketing and Engagement Strategy: We strive to engage with our customer where she is, in authentic and personalized ways: through our website, mobile app, email, SMS, social media and in-person connections. This strategy helps drive brand awareness while fostering deep connections with our customers. Our authentic partnerships with brand ambassadors span the full spectrum of followership and engagement levels, from nano- and micro-influencers, to college ambassadors and celebrities, all of whom wear and genuinely love our brand.
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Data-Driven Product Creation Strategy: Our innovative product creation strategy leverages the power of our proprietary data and our “test, learn, and reorder” approach to bring new styles online almost every weekday. We are highly focused on optimization of inventory levels to meet customer demand and minimize markdowns. This efficient, data-driven process, coupled with human insight, allows us to respond to fashion trends with speed and precision while significantly reducing risk in our business.
Marketing
Our marketing strategy leverages our strong visual brand presence to build awareness and drive engagement with our large, diverse community of loyal customers. We integrate the power of data across multiple channels to offer a singular brand voice that speaks to Millennial and Gen Z women. We seek to meet the Lulus customer wherever she is, enabling her discovery of the brand and providing her opportunities to interact with others in the Lulus community. Through this engagement with our customers, we strive to build personal connections that are authentic and durable. We attract and engage customers through a combination of owned, earned and paid media.
Upon attracting a new or existing customer to our website or mobile experience, we seek to maximize conversion through a variety of strategies:
● | Brand Strength and Exclusivity: Rooted in our primarily digital-first approach, our brand's strength thrives on a profound understanding of the Lulus customer. This focus empowers us to curate exclusive collections perfectly suited for all of her life's moments. Our frequently updated catalog further enhances this experience, enabling customers to discover products that align with their needs, including our exclusive Lulus products. |
● | Product Reviews: One of the most important aspects of our digital shopping experience is our extensive database of proprietary customer product reviews, which we first enabled in 2012 and now amounts to over one million reviews. Our website has the functionality to allow customers to upload their own product photos along with their reviews, which bring the products to life on a diverse array of body types. |
● | Boutique Styling Experience: We strive to offer exceptional customer service before, during, and after each purchase. We accomplish this by continuously improving the boutique experience on our platform through features such as our product recommendation engine, targeted messaging, and with our in-house team of customer service associates who maintain deep expertise of our brand, products, and systems. |
● | Personalized and Optimized Shopping Experience: We customize and personalize our interactions with each Lulus customer by monitoring information such as how they arrive on our site, on-site behavior, and what they buy. Our customer insights, predictive capabilities, product recommendations, and custom-built website work seamlessly together to offer customers a personalized experience across desktop, mobile web, our mobile app, email, and SMS. |
These strategies work in unison to help drive order conversion. Whether they are browsing social media or providing feedback on a recent purchase, we engage with our customers across a multitude of touchpoints throughout the discovery and purchase journey.
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Our Growth Strategies
Due to the mass market appeal of our brand, we believe there is a significant opportunity to bring new customers into the Lulus community through increased brand awareness. We intend to grow awareness of the Lulus brand and attract new customers through the following strategies:
● | Increase investment in top-of-funnel marketing to boost brand visibility and attract new audiences. |
● | Enhance performance-driven digital marketing strategies to maximize reach and efficiency. |
● | Create engaging on-site experiences to improve customer interaction and drive conversions. |
● | Expand into new marketing channels to reach untapped audiences. |
● | Grow our brand ambassador program to deepen engagement and amplify brand stories. |
● | Drive organic growth through loyalty programs, customer reviews, and social content. |
● | Expand influencer partnerships across all tiers to reach diverse audiences. |
● | Host activations and events around key cultural moments to increase awareness and engagement. |
● | Deepen engagement through key wholesale collaborations, introducing Lulus to new customers, showcasing our product and expanding our retail presence. |
● | Forge strategic brand partnerships to capture new audiences, engage partner communities, and create memorable customer experiences. |
Enhance and Retain Existing Customer Relationships
We have a large Lulus community of 2.6 million Active Customers as of December 29, 2024. We continue to leverage data-driven customer insights to develop strong customer relationships and become a one-stop shop for Gen Z and Millennial women. For example, we have had success leveraging data-driven insights across categories to offer personalized suggestions and reminders at targeted points in time, and we are focused on expanding these capabilities to provide enhanced real-time recommendations and post-purchase engagement. Additionally, we continually develop and evaluate new tools and programs designed to improve the key customer metrics that drive our business, such as frequency of purchase and Average Order Value (“AOV”) through the following strategies:
● | Optimization of our website and mobile experience through continued A/B and multivariate testing; |
● | Improvement of customer segmentation and personalization features; |
● | Leveraging our multi-region distribution facilities to offer faster order delivery and developing new shipping options; |
● | Enhancement of our loyalty program, to engender even deeper brand engagement, drive repeat purchase behavior and increase wallet share; |
● | Enhancement of our customer service through the expansion of our style advisors, fit experts, and bridal concierge dedicated to creating a truly personalized boutique experience; |
● | Continued development of our attainable luxury brand positioning and content; and |
● | Incorporating new technology that enhances our customers’ experience. |
We have learned that enhancing our existing customers’ experience drives increased word-of-mouth (in-person and online) recommendations, which in turn helps grow brand awareness.
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Pursue Customer Expansion
We believe there is great potential to expand our customer base and drive growth within our existing core categories by focusing on, among other things, product size, fit, and construction. Our engagement with potential and existing customers through product reviews, exit surveys, social media, and in-person feedback helps us understand the products they are most interested in shopping for, as well as those that could be improved. Our customer data-driven product development strategy enables us to test our assortment with minimal upfront investment and risk and gives us the ability to leverage our existing categories to attract new customers and drive repeat orders.
Pursue International Expansion
While we expect the majority of our near-term customer demand to continue to come from the United States, we believe that serving international customers represents a long-term growth opportunity. To date, we have shipped our merchandise to around 150 countries, with only limited marketing spend outside of the United States, demonstrating our global appeal and broader market opportunity. We continue to focus on our platform and distribution process for international customers, allowing for a more optimized shopping experience, including more flexibility across languages and currencies. We believe that providing a localized shopping experience will significantly enhance our ability to serve customers in international markets.
Suppliers
We collaborate with a network of around 300 suppliers, who serve as our design and manufacturing partners. These suppliers often give us priority access and exclusivity to designs, given the strong relationships we have built over the last two decades. We do not have any long-term commitments requiring us to purchase minimum volumes from any supplier. We believe that continuing to enhance our localized shopping experience will improve our ability to serve customers in international markets.
Technology
The www.lulus.com website, mobile app, merchandising, customer, order, and warehouse management systems are proprietary, purpose-built solutions with the goal of delivering the best possible customer experience and operational efficiency. From payment card industry compliant checkout to the software running on handheld barcode scanners in order fulfillment, these key software processes are developed, maintained, and enhanced by our in-house engineering and data teams with the objective to exceed our customers’ expectations in a scalable way. Data-driven insights are core to what we do at Lulus. Technology drives and supports our business in several foundational areas, like our merchandising test, learn and reorder model, our cost-efficient marketing, and high operational efficiency.
Our proprietary reorder system is informed and powered by our data warehouse with predictive data modeling and business intelligence. Sales are analyzed across hundreds of product attributes and assortment architecture and trend analyses inform our buyers’ selection of new styles. Customer demand and return signal data, product profitability, seasonality, and product demand prediction are taken into consideration to advise our reorder buyers which products to reorder, when those reorders should arrive, and in what quantities.
We combine purpose-built technology systems with customer focused engineering and data teams, to provide us with deep customer behavior insights. Integrating information from many available sources, from customer actions and feedback on the platforms to predictive analysis, continuously enhances our understanding of customer preference. This understanding allows us to activate personalization across our platform and in our various marketing channels. We utilize predictive analytics and artificial intelligence to optimize our assortment and personalize the website experience through advanced search and product recommendations.
We also use our technology to optimize our operational efficiency as e-commerce fulfillment and reverse logistics are critical to profitability. We have implemented, and will continue to implement, robotics and other automation to support various processes and increase efficiency within our distribution facilities. Our business model is characterized by high SKU velocity, low to no SKU affinity, quick order-to-ship requirements, short return-to-refund timelines, and fast inventory turnover. We have built our own proprietary, integrated e-commerce backend system to minimize cost and maximize customer satisfaction.
We have built our software development and deployment cycles such that software changes can be deployed daily after being verified by fully automated testing, as well as by human functional testing. We work with reputable cloud services providers across multiple data centers, with fully redundant infrastructure within each data center, as well as with full failover capability between data centers, which allows us to serve our customers at virtually any time. Our infrastructure is fast, flexible and scalable to provide our customers with the best possible shopping experience.
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Security and Data Protection
We are committed to the security of our customers’ data and personal information. We aggregate and analyze data in order to optimize the customer experience internally, and do not monetize the information we collect by selling it to third parties for money for their own external purposes. We utilize both on-premise and cloud-based technologies and undertake technical and other administrative measures to ensure the protection of our systems and customer data. We use various in-house and third-party tools to support our security policies and procedures including multi-factor authentication, user access controls, server monitoring, network firewalls, web application firewalls, security content policies, security training, and data encryption. We also use external certified security partners to test for vulnerabilities in our software and infrastructure, and assist in our security practices, which are designed to comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. Finally, we have implemented processes and procedures to allow customers to review and remove their non-transactional account data and to opt out of the sharing or selling of their personal information.
Competition
The women’s apparel, footwear, and accessories industry is large, fragmented, highly competitive and rapidly evolving. The industry consists of various brands and retailers that employ several different operating models at varying price points, and consumers have the option to shop both offline and online. Our competition includes traditional brands and retailers who market to consumers via offline and online channels. Our competition also includes e-commerce retailers that generally operate as online department stores for third-party and/or private label brands. Further, we may face new competitors and increased competition from existing competitors as we increase our brand awareness, expand our categories, and pursue international expansion.
Competition in our industry is based on, among other things, quality, concept, price, breadth, and style of merchandise, as well as customer service, brand image, brand quality, strength of brand relationships, and ability to anticipate, identify, and respond to new and changing fashion trends. Because we are an early mover in our category, we believe we have a significant head start on becoming the go-to brand for Millennial and Gen Z consumers. As one of the first digitally-native brands, Lulus is well-positioned to capitalize on our deep digital footprint, social media infrastructure, loyal and active customer community, and product creation model. As a vertically integrated business, we retain full control of critical aspects of our business including brand, product, marketing, distribution, and customer service. Our long operating history means that we have collected a valuable dataset over the last decade while refining an efficient, scalable business model.
Seasonality
We experience moderate seasonal fluctuations in aggregate sales volume during the year. Seasonality in our business does not follow that of traditional retailers, such as a typical concentration of revenue in the holiday quarter. In 2024, consistent with most years, our net revenue was the highest during the second quarter due to the typically higher demand for event dresses in the spring and summer. Net revenue was the lowest during the fourth quarter given we are not a holiday gifting destination and event dress demand is typically lower during that time of year. The seasonality of our business has resulted in variability in our total net revenue quarter-to-quarter. We believe that this seasonality has affected and will continue to affect our results of operations. We recognized 25%, 29%, 25% and 21% of our annual net revenue during the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2024, respectively.
Trademarks and Intellectual Property
Our trademarks, including LULUS® and ®, are registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. We own additional registrations, including LULU’S®, LOVELULUS®, and COVETED CURATED COLLECTED®. We own the domain name www.lulus.com. We believe Lulus’ trademarks have significant value in the marketing of our merchandise. We also have registrations in Canada, the European Union (the “EU”), the United Kingdom, Australia, Mexico, China, and several other countries, as well as additional pending international applications. We vigorously protect our intellectual property rights.
Regulation and Legislation
We are subject to laws and regulations governing labor and employment, advertising and promotions, privacy, safety, customer protection, retailers and the promotion and sale of merchandise, and warehouse facilities. We monitor changes in these laws and believe that we are in material compliance with applicable laws.
We are also subject to a number of domestic and foreign laws and regulations that affect companies conducting business on the internet, many of which are still evolving and could be interpreted in ways that could harm our business. These laws and regulations include federal and state consumer protection laws and regulations, which address, among other things, the privacy and security of
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consumer information, sending of commercial email, usage of SMS, push notifications, and other messaging, and unfair and deceptive trade practices.
Under applicable federal and state laws and regulations addressing privacy and data security, we must provide notice to consumers of our policies with respect to the collection and use of personal information, our sharing of personal information with third parties, and notice of any changes to our data handling practices. In some instances, we may be obligated to give customers the right to prevent sharing or selling of their personal information with third parties. Under applicable federal and state laws, we also are required to adhere to a number of requirements when sending commercial email, SMS and other messages to consumers, including identifying advertising and promotional emails as such, ensuring that subject lines are not deceptive, giving consumers an opportunity to opt-out of further communications and clearly disclosing our name and physical address in each commercial email. Regulation of privacy and data security matters is an evolving area, with new laws and regulations enacted frequently. For example, California enacted the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) which has been significantly amended and expanded by the California Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”) and which, among other things, requires certain disclosures to California consumers, and affords such consumers new abilities to opt out of certain sales and sharing of personal information, including with regard to targeted advertising activities. Additionally, eighteen U.S. states have enacted data privacy legislation that has gone into effect, with another state law going into effect in 2026, and eleven states with privacy laws under consideration. In addition, under applicable federal and state unfair competition laws, including the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act and Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) regulations, we must, and our network of influencers may be required to, accurately identify product offerings, not make misleading claims on our websites or in advertising, and use qualifying disclosures where and when appropriate. The growth and demand for e-commerce could result in more stringent domestic and foreign consumer protection laws that impose additional compliance burdens on companies that transact substantial business on the internet.
Our international business is subject to additional laws and regulations, including environmental laws and restrictions on imports from, exports to, and services provided to persons located in certain countries and territories, as well as foreign laws and regulations addressing topics such as advertising and marketing practices, customs duties and taxes, privacy, data protection, information security and consumer rights, any of which might apply by virtue of our sales in foreign countries and territories or our contacts with consumers in such foreign countries and territories. For example, the United States and China, where certain of our products are manufactured, have recently engaged in an escalating trade war, which has led to each side imposing tariffs that could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations or cause us to relocate manufacturing to other countries and territories, which could disrupt our operations. The United States has imposed or threatened to impose tariffs on other countries as well, which could result in the adoption of retaliatory tariffs by those countries, including Canada and Mexico. In addition, the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), the UK General Data Protection Regulation (“UK GDPR”), the UK Data Protection Act 2018, and the Swiss Data Protection Act (“FADP”) impose stringent requirements regarding the collection, handling, use and transfer of personal data of individuals located in the European Economic Area (“EEA”) and provide for substantial penalties for noncompliance. These regulations impact the use of cookies, tracking technologies and other e-marketing efforts, and there have been significant recent European court and regulatory decisions in this area, including through privacy activists. More generally, many foreign jurisdictions have laws, regulations, or other requirements relating to privacy, data protection, and consumer protection, and countries and territories are adopting new legislation or other obligations with increasing frequency. Many of these laws may require disclosure to and consent from consumers for the use of data for various purposes, including marketing, which may reduce our ability to market our products. In addition, in June 2023, the EU's new Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 restricting sale in the EU of products that may cause deforestation or the degradation of forests entered into force. Initially, the regulation was set to apply from December 30, 2024, for large and medium-sized companies, and from June 30, 2025, for small and micro-sized enterprises. However, in response to concerns from global producers and internal EU stakeholders regarding preparedness and potential trade impacts, the European Union agreed to delay the implementation by one year. The new compliance dates are December 30, 2025, for large and medium-sized companies, and June 30, 2026, for small and micro-sized enterprises. The regulation requires that certain commodities such as cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, soya, wood, and rubber, and certain products derived therefrom, that are placed on the EU market, or exported from the EU market, no longer contribute to deforestation or forest degradation or do not originate from recently deforested land. The EU regulation contains requirements including due diligence and traceability obligations necessitating the linking of certain commodities and certain derived products to their place of production. We do not know of any existing environmental law, regulation nor condition that reasonably would be expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, capital expenditures, or operating results. However, future changes to environmental laws or regulations may impact our operations and could result in increased costs.
In many jurisdictions, there is great uncertainty whether or how existing laws governing issues such as property ownership, sales and other taxes, libel and personal privacy apply to the internet and e-commerce. New legislation or regulation, the application of laws and regulations from jurisdictions whose laws do not currently apply to our business or the application of existing laws and regulations to the internet and e-commerce could result in significant additional obligations on our business or may necessitate changes to our business practices. These obligations or required changes could have an adverse effect on our cash flows and results of operations. Further, any actual or alleged failure to comply with any of these laws or regulations by us, our suppliers or our network of influencers
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could hurt our reputation, brand and business, force us to incur significant expenses in defending against proceedings or investigations, distract our management, increase our costs of doing business, result in a loss of customers and suppliers and may result in the imposition of monetary penalties. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Regulation, Taxation and Litigation — Unfavorable changes or failure by us to comply with evolving internet and e-commerce regulations could substantially harm our business and results of operations.”
Environmental, Social, and Governance (“ESG”)
At Lulus, we believe in being responsible business stewards and strive to understand the impact that our business has on our employees, customers, and the planet. We will look for opportunities to play a constructive role in addressing the ESG challenges of the fashion industry while working towards creating long-term value for our Company and our stakeholders.
Governance. Lulus’ ESG efforts are overseen by our Board of Directors through our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Our General Counsel works with internal stakeholders, including a cross-functional ESG Steering Committee, as well as with outside specialists, to set and implement our ESG strategy. Our ESG strategy and initiatives are discussed regularly at the Board of Directors level.
Approach. In 2022, we engaged a third-party ESG consultant to conduct a materiality assessment. Working with internal and external stakeholders, this process helped us to identify the priority material topics that our stakeholders care about. These priority material topics inform our efforts around ESG matters. We have also worked with a third-party greenhouse gas (“GHG”) consulting firm to assess our annual Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions for each year since 2021. Gathering this data will enable us to set a baseline for our GHG Scope 1 and 2 emissions and create a plan for improvement. As socially responsible sourcing is a priority topic of interest to our stakeholders, we have established a Vendor and Supplier Code of Conduct which sets forth our expectations for working conditions in all factories producing Lulus products. Our Vendor and Supplier Code of Conduct can be accessed on our investor relations website, which is located at https://investors.lulus.com. We also provide training to our vendors and employees on responsible sourcing and production practices. In 2022, we engaged an outside supply chain risk management and audit company to evaluate our supply chain risks and develop an oversight and auditing program, which started conducting third-party audits in 2023. Lulus’ vendors and suppliers are subject to audit, at Lulus’ request, and are required to comply with all Lulus or third-party requests on behalf of Lulus to inspect or audit their facilities and records.
Recent Developments
Board Leadership Changes
On March 20, 2025, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) approved the appointment of current director, Ms. Dara Bazzano, as the new Chair of the Board, effective March 31, 2025. Mr. John Black, the current Chair of the Board, will continue to serve as a director and on the Board’s Audit Committee. On March 20, 2025, the Board also approved the appointment of Mr. Black to the Board’s Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, effective March 31, 2025.
Human Capital Resources
Employees and Demographics. Our employees, also known as the “LuCrew” are integral to our success, and we strive to prioritize our employees’ development, growth, and wellbeing. As of December 29, 2024, we had 580 full-time and part-time employees. We use contingent labor in varying levels throughout the year to augment our workforce. None of our employees are represented by a labor union, and we have had no labor-related work stoppages. We believe that we have good relationships with our employees.
Company Culture and Values. We are proud of our strong culture, which is embodied by our workforce. Our culture is defined by our core values: “All Voices, All In, Always Evolving.”
● | “All Voices” means every voice, at every level, is valued and encouraged. We are a team made up of individuals, and self-expression is welcome. We treat each other with respect. We listen actively and are open and honest with each other. |
● | “All In” means we are “all in” on ensuring the best possible customer experience, from placing the order to opening the package upon delivery, and every interaction along the way. We pitch in to support our team members and get the job done. |
● | “Always Evolving” means we are digital-native, changing and evolving along with our customers and technology. We are never satisfied with the status quo. We constantly seek to improve ourselves, our product, and our Company. We take pride in the growth of our teams, promoting top performers and infusing our Company with new and fresh ideas from outside hires. |
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We strive to embody these core values in our connections with our customers as well as our employees. Our core values form an integral part of our employee experience and expectations. Employees are introduced to these core values during orientation, and they are a component of employees’ performance evaluation. We also honor “Core Values Champions” in our monthly company newsletter and in our “All Voices” company meetings.
All Voices. Our core value of “All Voices” recognizes the importance of respecting each other’s backgrounds and self-expression, and ensuring that both internally and in our public materials we reflect the customer base that we serve. We are dedicated to fostering a culture of belonging, where every team member can show up as their authentic self and thrive. During 2024, we continued to dedicate internal resources to talent, culture and learning to help further the evolution of our All Voices core value as we continue to drive momentum in genuine ways. We held meaningful learning sessions, events sponsored by our multiple Employee Resource Groups (“ERGs”), and shared resources in our monthly employee newsletter. The ERGs create opportunities for employees to share their perspectives, connect with each other on a deeper level, and are intended to promote a culture that is open, inclusive and respectful. These groups have also contributed to greater understanding Companywide of different perspectives, with meetings, celebrations, and learning experiences open to the entire Company. Our ERGs continue to play a vital role in helping Lulus identify nonprofits to support. In 2024, we partnered with Gyrl Wonder and The Trevor Project, contributing monetarily and actively participating in their initiatives. Additionally, we provided clothing donations to various organizations, and our ERGs organized meaningful volunteer events at local organizations within our communities.
Leadership and Development. Central to our “Always Evolving” core value is a dedication to developing our LuCrew members by providing them with skills and development opportunities. We have internal resources dedicated to employee learning and development. We continue to offer a targeted leadership fundamentals training series for our new and emerging leaders, as well as other opportunities for cross-functional knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Compensation and Benefits. Our compensation and benefits are designed to enable us to attract, motivate, and retain qualified and dedicated talent. We regularly evaluate wages and salary bands to be competitive with the market. We also offer competitive employee benefits including life and health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), paid time off, paid sick leave, and 401(k) plan with a Company match. In 2022, we implemented an Employee Stock Purchase Program, and in 2023, we implemented paid parental leave and doubled the paid time off provided to entry level employees. We recognize milestone anniversaries both in our newsletter and with individual gifts. Almost all of our corporate and customer service employees have the option of working on a hybrid basis, and some of our locations are pet-friendly.
Health and Safety. The health and safety of our employees is core to our Lulus values. Each of our Distribution Centers has a safety team and safety captains dedicated to maintaining a safe workplace. We continue to take proactive and precautionary steps to protect the health and safety of our employees. In addition, we provide several channels for employees to make suggestions or report concerns related to health and safety. In support of our employees’ mental health, we have an Employee Assistance Program that provides all employees up to three visits per year with a licensed professional counselor.
Available Information
Our investor relations website is investors.lulus.com. In addition to the information about us contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, information about us can be found on our website. Our website and information included in or linked to our website are not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, are available free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Additionally the SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information. The address of the SEC’s website is www.sec.gov.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Our operations and financial results are subject to various risks and uncertainties including these described below. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, together with the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently deem immaterial, may also become important factors that adversely affect our business. If any of the following risks or others not specified below materialize, our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity could be materially and adversely affected. In that case, the market price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. See “Forward-Looking Statements.”
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Risks Related to Our Business
Our business depends on our ability to maintain a strong community around the Lulus brand with engaged customers and influencers. We may not be able to maintain and enhance our existing brand community if we receive customer complaints, negative publicity or otherwise fail to live up to consumers’ expectations, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We believe that maintaining our brand image, particularly with our core target customers, is important to maintaining and expanding our customer base and sales. Maintaining and enhancing our brand image may require us to make additional investments in areas such as merchandising, marketing, online operations, online displays and other promotions, and employee training. These investments may be substantial and may not ultimately be successful. If we are unable to maintain or enhance our brand image, brand awareness, and reputation, our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Our ability to identify new styles and maintain and enhance our existing brand is critical to retaining and expanding our base of customers. A significant portion of our customers’ experience depends on third parties outside of our control, including suppliers and logistics providers such as UPS and the U.S. Postal Service. If these third parties do not meet our or our customers’ expectations or if they increase their rates, our business may suffer irreparable damage or our costs may increase. In addition, maintaining and enhancing relationships with third-party brands may require us to make substantial investments, and these investments may not be successful. Also, if we fail to promote and maintain our brand, or if we incur excessive expenses in this effort, our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be materially adversely affected. We anticipate that, as our market becomes increasingly competitive, maintaining, and enhancing our brand may become increasingly difficult and expensive.
Customer complaints or negative publicity about our website or mobile app, products, merchandise quality, product delivery times, customer data handling and security practices or customer support, especially on social media, blogs, and in reviews, could rapidly and severely diminish consumer use of our website or mobile app and customer and supplier confidence in us, and result in harm to our brand. We believe that much of the growth in our customer base to date has originated from word-of-mouth, including social media and our influencer-driven marketing strategy. If we are not able to develop and maintain positive relationships with our network of influencers or our online customer community, our ability to promote and maintain or enhance awareness of Lulus and leverage social media platforms to drive visits to www.lulus.com or our mobile app may be adversely affected.
Our efforts to acquire or retain customers may not be successful, which could prevent us from maintaining or increasing our sales.
Our success depends on our ability to acquire customers in a cost-effective manner. In order to expand our customer base, we must appeal to and acquire customers who have historically used other means of commerce in shopping for apparel and may prefer alternatives to our offerings, such as traditional brick-and-mortar retailers and the websites and mobile apps of our competitors. We have made significant investments related to customer acquisition and expect to continue to spend significant amounts to acquire additional customers. For example, we engage in social media marketing campaigns and maintain relationships with thousands of social media and celebrity influencers. Such campaigns can be expensive and may not result in cost-effective acquisition of customers. We cannot assure that the benefit of acquiring new customers will exceed the cost. If we fail to deliver a quality shopping experience, or if consumers do not perceive the products we offer to be of high value and quality, we may not be able to acquire new customers. If we are unable to acquire or retain customers who purchase products in numbers sufficient to grow our business, we may not be able to generate the scale necessary to drive beneficial network effects with our suppliers, our net revenue may decrease, and our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
We also seek to engage with our customers and build awareness of our brands through sponsoring unique events and experiences, such as in-person influencer events or pop-ups, which are experiences we create for our customers and influencers. We anticipate that our marketing initiatives may become increasingly expensive as competition increases and generating a meaningful return on those initiatives may be difficult. If our marketing efforts are not successful in promoting awareness of our brands and products, driving customer engagement or attracting new customers, or if we are not able to effectively manage our marketing expenses, our business, financial condition, and results of operations will be adversely affected.
We obtain a significant amount of traffic via social networking platforms or other online channels used by our current and prospective customers. As e-commerce and social networking platforms continue to rapidly evolve, we must continue to maintain and establish relationships with these channels and may be unable to develop or maintain these relationships on acceptable terms. We also acquire and retain customers through paid search/product listing ads, paid social, retargeting, affiliate marketing, personalized email, direct mail marketing and in-person experiences. If we are unable to cost-effectively drive traffic to our website or mobile app, our ability to acquire new customers and our financial condition would suffer.
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We may be unable to maintain a high level of engagement with our customers and increase their spending with us, which could harm our business, financial condition, cash flows, or results of operations.
A high proportion of our net revenue comes from repeat purchases by existing customers, especially those existing customers who are highly engaged and purchase a significant amount of merchandise from us. If existing customers no longer find our merchandise appealing, they may make fewer purchases and may stop shopping with us. Even if our existing customers find our merchandise appealing, if customer buying preferences change, they may decide to purchase less merchandise over time. Additionally, if customers who purchase a significant amount of merchandise from us were to make fewer purchases or stop shopping with us, then our sales may decline. A decrease in the number of our customers or a decrease in their spending on the merchandise we offer could negatively impact our business, financial condition, cash flows, and results of operations. Further, we believe that our future success will depend in part on our ability to increase sales to our existing customers over time and, if we are unable to do so, our business may suffer.
Our success depends on our ability to anticipate, identify, measure, and respond quickly to new and rapidly changing fashion trends, customer preferences and demands and other factors.
Our core market of apparel, footwear, and accessories for women is subject to new and rapidly changing fashion trends, constantly evolving consumer preferences and demands, and a modest brand loyalty. Accordingly, our success is dependent on our ability to anticipate, identify, measure and respond to the latest fashion trends and customer demands, and to translate such trends and demands into appropriate, desirable product offerings in a timely manner. A select team of our employees is primarily responsible for performing this analysis and making initial product decisions, and they rely on feedback on fashion trends from a variety of sources, which may not accurately predict evolving fashion trends. Our failure to anticipate, identify or react swiftly and appropriately to new and changing styles, trends or desired customer preferences or to accurately anticipate and forecast demand for certain product offerings is likely to lead to lower demand for our merchandise, which could cause, among other things, sales declines, excess inventories, a greater number of markdowns and lower margins. Further, if we are not able to anticipate, identify and respond to changing fashion trends and customer preferences, we may lose customers and market share to our competitors who are able to better anticipate, identify and respond to such trends and preferences. In addition, because our success depends on our brand image, our business could be materially adversely affected if new product offerings are not accepted by our customers. We cannot assure investors that our new product offerings will be met with the same level of acceptance as our past product offerings or that we will be able to adequately respond to fashion trends or the preferences of our customers in a timely manner or at all. If we do not accurately anticipate, identify, forecast, or analyze fashion trends and sales levels, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows, and results of operations.
We rely on third parties to drive traffic to our platform, which could negatively affect our business, financial condition, cash flows, and results of operations.
Our success depends on our ability to attract customers cost effectively. With respect to our marketing channels, we rely heavily on relationships with providers of online services, search engines, social media, directories, and other websites and e-commerce businesses to provide content, advertising banners, and other links that direct customers to our websites and retail store. We rely on these relationships to provide significant traffic to our website. In particular, we rely primarily on digital platforms, such as Google and Facebook, as important marketing channels. Digital channels change their algorithms periodically, and our rankings in organic searches and visibility in social media feeds may be adversely affected by those changes, as has occurred from time to time, requiring us to increase our spending on paid marketing to offset the loss in traffic. Search engine companies may also determine that we are not in compliance with their guidelines and consequently penalize us in their algorithms as a result. Even with an increase in marketing spend to offset any loss in search engine optimization traffic as a result of algorithm changes, the recovery period in organic traffic may span multiple quarters or years. If digital platforms change or penalize us with their algorithms, terms of service, display and featuring of search results, or if competition increases for advertisements, we may be unable to cost-effectively attract customers.
Our relationships with digital platforms are not covered by long-term contractual agreements and do not require any specific performance commitments. In addition, many of the platforms and agencies with whom we have advertising arrangements provide advertising services to other companies, including retailers with whom we compete. As competition for online advertising has increased, the cost for some of these services has also increased. A significant increase in the cost of the marketing providers upon which we rely could adversely impact our ability to attract customers cost effectively and harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
Additionally, our ability to connect with customers remains highly reliant on key digital platforms. For example, we have cultivated a significant presence on TikTok, particularly among Gen Z customers, making any potential restriction or ban of this platform a considerable risk to maintaining that connection, engaging with customers and promoting our brand. For example, on April 24, 2024, then-President Biden signed into law certain measures requiring TikTok’s Chinese-based parent company to sell TikTok to a non-
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Chinese owner by January 2025 or face a total ban in the United States. On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order to delay the ban until April 2025. If the TikTok ban is enforced or if there are other significant changes or disruptions, including restrictions or bans affecting other major social media platforms or digital advertising channels, our marketing effectiveness and customer acquisition efforts could be meaningfully hindered, potentially making it harder to achieve our strategic goals.
Lastly, in response to changes in advertising and consumer privacy requirements, our advertising partners may change the types of information we can use for targeted advertising, and this could affect our ability to advertise effectively and efficiently.
Certain of our key operating metrics are subject to inherent challenges in measurement and real or perceived inaccuracies in such metrics may harm our reputation and negatively affect our business.
We track certain key operating metrics using internal data analytics tools, which have certain limitations. In addition, we rely on data received from third parties, including third-party platforms, to track certain performance indicators. We also aggregate and collate the data for analysis and reporting which is subject to error or unintended mistakes. Data from both such sources may include information subject to errors or unintended mistakes relating to fraudulent accounts and interactions with our sites or the social media accounts of our influencers (including as a result of the use of bots or other automated or manual mechanisms to generate false impressions that are delivered through our sites or their accounts). We have only limited abilities to verify data from our sites or third parties and perpetrators of fraudulent impressions may change their tactics and may become more sophisticated, which would make it still more difficult to detect such activity.
Our methodologies for tracking metrics may also change over time, which could result in changes to the metrics we report. If we undercount or overcount performance due to the internal data analytics tools we use, issues with the data received from third parties, errors or unintended mistakes, or if our internal data analytics tools contain algorithmic or other technical errors, the data we report may not be accurate or comparable with prior periods.
In addition, limitations, changes or errors with respect to how we measure data may affect our understanding of certain details of our business, which could affect our longer-term strategies. If our performance metrics are not accurate representations of the reach or monetization of our brand, if we discover material inaccuracies in our metrics or the data on which such metrics are based, or if we can no longer calculate any of our key performance metrics with a sufficient degree of accuracy and cannot find an adequate replacement for the metric, our business, financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected.
Use of social media, influencers, affiliate marketing, email, SMS, podcast advertisements, promotional partnerships and direct mail may adversely impact our brand and reputation or subject us to fines or other penalties.
We use social media including Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube, as well as affiliate marketing, email, SMS, podcast advertisements, promotional partnerships and direct mail as part of our multi-channel approach to marketing, and we encourage our customers to use social media while shopping. We utilize various marketing-related contests and giveaways that are subject to applicable laws. We also maintain relationships with thousands of social media influencers, who serve as our brand ambassadors, and engage in sponsorship initiatives. Laws and regulations governing the use of these platforms and other digital marketing channels are rapidly evolving. It may become more difficult for us or our partners to comply with such laws, and future data privacy laws and regulations or industry standards may restrict or limit our ability to use some or all of the marketing strategies on which we currently rely. The failure by us, our employees or third parties acting at our direction to abide by applicable laws and regulations in the use of these platforms could adversely impact our reputation or subject us to fines or other penalties. In addition, our employees or third parties acting at our direction, including our large network of social media brand ambassadors, may knowingly or inadvertently make use of social media in ways that could lead to the loss or infringement of intellectual property, as well as the public disclosure of proprietary, confidential or sensitive personal information of our business, employees, customers, or others. Any such inappropriate use of social media tools could also cause business interruptions and reputational damage.
Customers value readily available information concerning retailers and their goods and services and often act on such information without further investigation and without regard to its accuracy. Information concerning us, whether accurate or not, may be posted on social media platforms at any time and may have a disproportionately adverse impact on our brand, reputation, or business. The harm may be immediate without affording us an opportunity for redress or correction and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
In addition, an increase in the use of social media for product promotion and marketing may cause an increase in the burden on us to monitor compliance of such materials and increase the risk that such materials could contain problematic product or marketing claims
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in violation of applicable regulations. For example, in some cases, the FTC has sought enforcement action where an endorsement has failed to clearly and conspicuously disclose a financial relationship between an influencer and an advertiser.
Negative commentary regarding us, our products, or influencers and other third parties who are affiliated with us may also be posted on social media platforms and may have an adverse impact to our reputation or business. Influencers with whom we maintain relationships could engage in behavior or use their platforms to communicate directly with our customers in a manner that reflects poorly on our brand and may be attributed to us or otherwise adversely affect us. It is not possible to prevent such behavior, and the precautions we take to detect this activity may not be effective in all cases. Our target customers often value readily available information and often act on such information without further investigation and without regard to its accuracy. The harm may be immediate, without affording us an opportunity for redress or correction.
If we are unable to continue connecting with our target customer base through effective marketing channels, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We utilize a diverse array of marketing channels to engage our audience and drive traffic to the platform. These include organic content creation, affiliate marketing, email campaigns, SMS outreach, direct mail, paid search, and social media marketing. We have also cultivated promotional partnerships to enhance our reach and impact. In addition to our robust digital strategy, we executed our first national out-of-home campaign in 2024, incorporating out-of-home outdoor advertising, mailers, and connected TV placements. This marked a significant milestone in our efforts to diversify our marketing approach and connect with consumers through a broader range of touchpoints.
This integrated approach demonstrates our commitment to reducing reliance on any single channel while ensuring adaptability in a dynamic marketing landscape. Despite these efforts, our ability to connect with customers remains highly reliant on key digital platforms. For example, we have cultivated a significant presence on TikTok, particularly among Gen Z customers, making any potential restriction or ban of this platform a considerable risk to maintaining that connection, engaging with customers and promoting our brand. For example, on April 24, 2024, then-President Biden signed into law certain measures requiring TikTok’s Chinese-based parent company to sell TikTok to a non-Chinese owner by January 2025 or face a total ban in the United States. On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order to delay the ban until April 2025. If the TikTok ban is enforced or if there are other significant changes or disruptions, including restrictions or bans, affecting other major social media platforms or digital advertising channels, it could materially hinder our marketing effectiveness and customer acquisition efforts, potentially making it harder to achieve our strategic goals.
Additionally, the social media platforms we rely on for marketing purposes are dependent on third-party mobile operating systems, such as iOS and Android, which we do not control. Changes to these systems could adversely affect our ability to engage with customers, potentially impacting our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We may not accurately forecast income and appropriately plan our expenses.
We base our current and future expense levels on our operating forecasts and estimates of future income. Income and results of operations are difficult to forecast because they generally depend on the volume, timing and value of the orders we receive, and return rates, all of which are uncertain. In addition, we cannot be certain that the same growth rates, trends and other key performance metrics are meaningful predictors of future growth. Additionally, our business is affected by general economic and business conditions around the world. A softening in income, whether caused by changes in customer preferences or a weakening in global economies, may result in decreased net revenue levels, and we may be unable to adjust our spending in a timely manner to compensate for any unexpected shortfall in income. This inability could cause our net income/(loss) after tax in a given quarter to be higher or lower than expected. We also make certain assumptions when forecasting the amount of expense we expect related to our future share based payments, which includes the expected volatility of our share price and the expected life of share awards granted. These assumptions are partly based on historical results. If actual results differ from our estimates, our net income in a given quarter may be lower than expected or our net loss in a given quarter may be higher than expected.
Our business depends on the transportation of a large number of products. Our ability to accurately forecast and plan expenses could be adversely impacted by limitations on fuel supplies or increases in fuel prices that result in higher costs of transportation and distribution of our products. Although we are able to update our forecasts and estimates based on current data and modify the pricing of our products accordingly, there is often a lag before such modified pricing is reflected in our operating results, and there is a limit to how much of any fuel price or other distribution cost increases we can pass onto our customers. Any such limits may adversely affect our results of operations.
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If we fail to provide high-quality customer support or have significant changes to policies and/or services, third party or otherwise, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our ongoing customer support is important to the successful marketing and sale of our merchandise. Providing this support requires that our customer support personnel have fashion, retail, technical, and other knowledge and expertise, making it difficult for us to hire qualified personnel and scale our support operations. The demand on our customer support organization will increase as we expand our business and pursue new customers, and such increased support could require us to devote significant development services and support personnel, which could strain our team and infrastructure and reduce our profit margins. If we do not help our customers quickly resolve issues and provide effective ongoing customer support, our ability to sell additional merchandise to existing and future customers could suffer and our reputation would be harmed. If we modify our customer service policies or services, this may result in customer dissatisfaction and our ability to expand our business may be impaired. If we are unable to hire and retain customer support personnel capable of consistently providing customer support at a high level, as demonstrated by their enthusiasm for our culture, understanding of our customers, and knowledge of the merchandise that we offer, our ability to expand our business may be impaired.
International trade disputes and tariffs imposed by the U.S. Government or a global trade war could adversely impact our business.
As a result of the recent U.S. elections, we are in a period of transition in both the White House and Congress. The U.S. government has indicated its intent to adopt a new approach to trade policy and in some cases to renegotiate, or potentially terminate, certain existing bilateral or multi-lateral trade agreements. It has also initiated tariffs on certain foreign goods and has raised the possibility of imposing significant additional tariff increases or expanding the tariffs to capture other types of goods. In February 2025, President Trump signed executive orders imposing tariffs on almost all imports from Canada, Mexico and China. Tariffs on China became effective in February 2025 and increased in March 2025. Certain tariffs on Canada and Mexico became effective in March 2025.
We cannot predict the extent to which the U.S. or other countries will impose quotas, duties, tariffs, taxes or other similar restrictions upon the import or export of our products in the future, nor can we predict future trade policy or the terms of any renegotiated trade agreements and their impact on our business. Such tariffs could have a significant impact on our business, as a large portion of the merchandise we offer for sale is manufactured in China or Mexico. While we will attempt to renegotiate prices with suppliers and to continue to diversify our supply chain, such efforts may not yield immediate results or be effective, which could negatively impact our margins. We may also consider increasing prices to our customers, but this could reduce the competitiveness of our products and adversely affect sales. The adoption and expansion of trade restrictions, the occurrence of a trade war, or other governmental action related to tariffs or trade agreements or policies has the potential to adversely impact demand for our products, our costs, our consumers, our suppliers, and the U.S. economy, which in turn could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Our business is affected by seasonality, which could result in fluctuations in our results of operations.
We experience moderate fluctuations in aggregate sales volume during the year. Historically, our net revenue has typically been highest in our second fiscal quarter and lowest in our fourth fiscal quarter. The seasonality of our business has resulted in variability in our total net revenue quarter-to-quarter. In addition, our customers may change their order patterns and buying habits, including frequency of purchase and/or number of items per order. As a result, we may not be able to accurately predict our quarterly sales. Accordingly, our results of operations are likely to fluctuate significantly from period to period. This seasonality, along with other factors that are beyond our control, including general economic conditions, changes in consumer preferences, weather conditions, including the effects of climate change, the availability of import quotas, transportation disruptions and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, could adversely affect our business and cause our results of operations to fluctuate.
We are subject to payment-related risks that could increase our operating costs, expose us to fraud or theft, subject us to potential liability and potentially disrupt our business.
We accept payments online via credit and debit cards, Lulus gift cards, Lulus online credit, buy now pay later options, and other digital wallet services, which subject us to certain regulations and risk of fraud, and we may in the future offer new payment options to customers that would be subject to additional regulations and risks. We pay interchange and other fees in connection with credit card payments, which may increase over time and adversely affect our results of operations. Certain payment processors may seek to implement reserves against our processed transactions which could negatively impact our cash flows should we continue to offer these payment methods to our customers. While we use third parties to process credit and debit card payments, we are subject to payment card association operating rules and certification requirements, including the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard and rules governing electronic funds transfers. If we fail to comply with applicable rules (such as the new PCI DSS 4.0 requirements coming into effect in 2025) and regulations or experience a security breach involving payment card information, we may be subject to fines,
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assessments and/or higher transaction fees and may lose our ability to accept online payments or other payment card transactions. If any of these events were to occur, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Our cash could be adversely affected if the financial institutions in which we hold our cash fail.
We maintain domestic cash deposits in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insured banks. The domestic bank deposit balances may exceed the FDIC insurance limits. These balances could be impacted if one or more of the financial institutions in which we deposit monies fails or is subject to other adverse conditions in the financial or credit markets.
We may incur significant losses from customer and or credit card fraud and theft.
We have in the past incurred and may in the future incur losses from various types of fraud and theft, including stolen credit card numbers, claims that a customer did not authorize a purchase, merchant fraud, and customers who have closed bank accounts or have insufficient funds in open bank accounts to satisfy payments, and any such losses may be significant. In addition to the direct costs of such losses, if the fraud is related to credit card transactions and becomes excessive, it could potentially result in us paying higher fees or losing the right to accept credit cards for payment. In addition, under current credit card practices, we are liable for fraudulent credit card transactions because we do not obtain a cardholder’s signature. Although we have measures in place to detect and reduce the occurrence of fraudulent activity, those measures may not always be effective. Our failure to adequately prevent fraudulent transactions and theft could damage our reputation, result in litigation or regulatory action and lead to expenses that could substantially impact our results of operations.
Risks Related to Our Indebtedness
We have outstanding borrowings and we may incur additional indebtedness in the future, which may require us to use a portion of our cash flow to service debt and limit our financial and operating flexibility.
In November 2021, we entered into a Credit Agreement (the “2021 Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America (the “lender”) to provide a Revolving Facility (the “2021 Revolving Facility”) that provided for borrowings up to $50.0 million with a maturity date of November 15, 2024.
On July 22, 2024, we entered into an amendment to the 2021 Credit Agreement (the “First Credit Amendment”) which extended the maturity date to August 15, 2025 and reduced the Revolving Commitment (as defined in the 2021 Credit Agreement) to $15.0 million, with a further reduction to $10.0 million on March 31, 2025. The First Credit Amendment also reduced the previous letters of credit sublimit from $7.5 million to $5.0 million.
On November 12, 2024, we entered into a second amendment to the 2021 Credit Agreement (the “Second Credit Amendment”) which extended our reporting deadline for our financial statements and covenant compliance certificate for the third quarter 2024 to December 16, 2024, and required us to test the financial covenants no later than December 16, 2024. The Second Credit Amendment prohibited us from requesting any additional borrowing or letter of credit extension until the financial statements and the compliance certificate for the third quarter of 2024 were delivered. We successfully delivered the third quarter financial statements and the compliance certificate on December 16, 2024.
On December 13, 2024, we entered into a third amendment to the 2021 Credit Agreement (the “Third Credit Amendment”). The Third Credit Amendment provided a limited waiver for us to comply with the financial covenants for the period of four fiscal quarters ended on or about September 30, 2024. Under the Third Credit Amendment, we are required to, among other things, not permit unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, as determined on a consolidated basis and tested weekly, to be less than certain specified minimum amounts. The Third Credit Amendment also requires the payment of certain consent fees and increases the interest rates payable under the as amended 2021 Credit Agreement for periods commencing on or after December 13, 2024 and February 1, 2025, as described in Note 5, Debt. Pursuant to the Third Credit Amendment, there was no financial covenant test for the quarter ended September 29, 2024.
As of December 29, 2024, we had total cash and cash equivalents of $4.5 million and $13.1 million in outstanding amounts under the 2021 Credit Agreement, as amended, classified within total current liabilities. During 2024, we borrowed $33.1 million under the 2021 Credit Agreement, as amended, and repaid $28.0 million of the outstanding balance.
On March 27, 2025, we entered into a fourth amendment to the 2021 Credit Agreement (the “Fourth Credit Amendment”). The Fourth Credit Amendment provided a limited waiver for us to comply with the financial covenants for the period of four fiscal quarters
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ended on or about December 31, 2024. It also suspends measurement of the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio and Consolidated Fixed Charge Covenant Ratio for the fiscal quarter ending on or about March 31, 2025. The Fourth Credit Amendment includes a timeline of milestones for a refinancing transaction with a third-party lender and limits our ability to further enter into certain transactions, including certain liens, dispositions, investments, debt and restricted payments. The Fourth Credit Amendment also requires the payment of the remaining portion of the consent fee payable under the Third Credit Amendment and increases the interest rates payable under the 2021 Credit Agreement, as amended, for periods commencing on or after March 27, 2025, as described in Note 5, Debt. Although we have secured these limited waivers, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to satisfy all of the necessary conditions or that we will not incur another covenant violation in the future.
We are actively seeking alternative debt financing and continuing to take certain cash conservation measures, including adjustments to marketing and other fixed and variable costs and capital spend to meet our obligations as needed. As the ability to raise additional debt financing is outside of management’s control, we cannot conclude that management’s plans will be effectively implemented within twelve months from the date the consolidated financial statements are issued. Accordingly, we have concluded that these plans do not alleviate substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not reflect any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Risks Related to Our Growth
The estimates of market opportunity and forecasts of market growth included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K may prove to be inaccurate, and even if the markets in which we compete achieve the forecasted growth, our business may not grow at similar rates, or at all.
Market opportunity estimates and growth forecasts included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are subject to significant uncertainty and are based on assumptions and estimates which may not prove to be accurate. The estimates and forecasts included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K relating to size and expected growth of our target market may prove to be inaccurate. Even if the markets in which we compete meet the size estimates and growth forecasts included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our business may not grow at similar rates, or at all. Our growth is subject to many factors, including our success in implementing our business strategy, which is subject to many risks and uncertainties.
Our past results may not be indicative of future results.
Our past results, including periods of rapid growth of our net revenue and profitability and periods of macroeconomic pressure and corresponding decreases in net revenue and profitability, should not be considered as indicative of our future performance. We operate in a rapidly evolving industry that may not develop in a manner favorable to our business. You should consider our business and prospects in light of the risks and challenges we may encounter.
Our future success will depend in large part upon our ability to, among other things:
● | cost-effectively acquire new customers and engage with and retain existing customers; |
● | adequately and effectively staff our distribution facilities; |
● | manage our inventory effectively; |
● | anticipate and respond to macroeconomic changes; |
● | increase our market share; |
● | increase consumer awareness of our brand and maintain our reputation; |
● | successfully expand our offering and geographic reach; |
● | offer an assortment of merchandise that is attractive to our customers; |
● | compete effectively; |
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● | avoid interruptions in our business from information technology downtime, cybersecurity breaches, or labor stoppages; |
● | effectively manage our growth; |
● | hire, integrate, and retain talented people at all levels of our organization; |
● | maintain the quality of our technology infrastructure; |
● | expand internationally; |
● | develop new features to enhance the customer experience on our sites; and |
● | add new suppliers and deepen our relationships with existing suppliers. |
If we fail to address the risks and challenges that we face, including those associated with the challenges listed above as well as those described elsewhere in this “Risk Factors” section, our business and our operating results will be adversely affected.
We have a history of net losses and we may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability in the future.
We have incurred net losses for the past two years and we may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability in the future. We incurred net losses of $55 million and $19 million in the fiscal years ended December 29, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Even as we try to manage our expenses and expand revenue, these efforts may be more costly than we expect and may not result in increased revenue or growth or margin improvements in our business in the future. Any failure to increase our revenue sufficiently to keep pace with our expenses could prevent us from achieving or maintaining profitability or positive cash flow on a consistent basis. If we are unable to successfully address these risks and challenges as we encounter them, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be adversely affected. If we are unable to generate adequate revenue growth and manage our expenses, we may continue to incur significant losses in the future and may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability.
We may not be able to successfully implement our growth strategy.
Our future growth, profitability and cash flows depend upon our ability to successfully implement our business strategy, which, in turn, is dependent upon a number of factors, including our ability to:
● | grow our brand awareness and attract new customers; |
● | enhance and retain our existing customer relationships; |
● | pursue category expansion; and |
● | pursue international expansion. |
We cannot assure that we can successfully achieve any or all of the above initiatives in the manner or time period that we expect. Further, achieving these objectives will require investments which may result in short-term costs without generating any net revenue and, therefore, may be dilutive to our earnings. We cannot provide any assurance that we will realize, in full or in part, the anticipated benefits we expect our strategy will achieve. The failure to realize those benefits could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our current growth plans may place a strain on our existing resources and could cause us to encounter challenges we have not faced before.
As we expand, our operations will become more complex. We have grown rapidly, with our net revenue increasing from $133 million in 2016 to $316 million in 2024, with variability in the years between primarily attributed to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing pent-up demand period followed by a period of macroeconomic pressures and more muted consumer spending. We expect our future growth to bring new challenges. Among other difficulties that we may encounter, this growth may place a strain on our existing infrastructure, including our consolidated distribution facilities, information technology systems, financial controls, merchandising, and operations personnel. It may be expensive for us to adequately staff in light of rapidly changing staffing needs. We may also place increased demands on our suppliers, to the extent we increase the size of our merchandise orders. The increased
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demands that our growth plans may place on our infrastructure may cause us to operate our business less efficiently or effectively, which could cause a deterioration in the performance of our business. New order delivery times could lengthen as a result of the strains that growth may place on our existing resources, and our growth may make it otherwise difficult for us to respond quickly to changing trends, customer preferences and other factors. This could impair our ability to continue to offer on-trend merchandise which could result in excess inventory, greater markdowns, loss of market share and decreased sales which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
In addition, our growth may place increased demands on our existing operational, managerial, administrative, and other resources. Specifically, our inventory management systems, personnel and processes will need to continue to evolve to keep pace with our growth strategy. We cannot anticipate all of the demands that our expanding operations will impose on our business, and our failure to appropriately address these demands could have an adverse effect on business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We may not be able to manage our growth effectively, and such growth may adversely affect our corporate culture.
We have expanded our operations and anticipate expanding further in the future as we pursue our growth strategies. Such expansion increases the complexity of our business and places a significant strain on our management, operations, technical systems, financial resources, and internal control over financial reporting functions. Our current and planned personnel, systems, procedures, and controls may not be adequate to support and effectively manage our future operations. It is also possible that we may not continue to grow as expected, which may result in the need to reduce resources. Any reductions to current personnel, systems, procedures, and controls may not be adequate to support and effectively manage our business and future operations.
In addition, we announced cost reduction measures that included workforce reductions in the past, such as our announcement in December 2024, and we may make similar announcements in the future. Any such restructuring plans, reductions in force or other cost reduction measures could divert management attention, adversely affect employee morale and turnover, and damage our reputation as an employer, which could increase the difficulty of attracting, retaining and motivating qualified personnel and maintaining our corporate culture. Further, our reduced headcount following such restructuring plans and any further turnover may increase the difficulty of executing on our plans, including due to the loss of historical, technical or other expertise, and challenges of covering leaves of absence with a reduced headcount, which may have an adverse effect on our business, prospects and results of operations.
Our collaborative culture is important to us, and we believe it has been a major contributor to our success. We may have difficulties maintaining our culture or adapting it sufficiently to meet the needs of our future and evolving operations if we continue to grow, including as we expand internationally, or if our growth slows. In addition, our ability to maintain our culture as a public company, with the attendant changes in policies, practices, corporate governance, and management requirements may be challenging. Failure to maintain our culture could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
As we continue to pursue our international growth strategy, our success will largely depend on our ability to manage the unique challenges presented by international markets
We intend to continue to increase sales of our products to customers located outside the United States. Further, we may establish additional relationships in other countries to grow our operations. The substantial up-front investment required, the lack of consumer awareness of our products in jurisdictions outside of the United States, differences in consumer preferences and trends between the United States and other jurisdictions, the risk of inadequate intellectual property protections and differences in packaging, labeling, privacy, consumer protection, advertising, ESG and related laws, rules and regulations are all substantial matters that need to be evaluated prior to doing business in new territories. We cannot assure that our international efforts will be successful. International sales and increased international operations may be subject to risks such as:
● | difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations; |
● | burdens of complying with a wide variety of laws and regulations, including more stringent regulations relating to data privacy and security, particularly in the EU; |
● | adverse tax effects and foreign exchange controls making it difficult to repatriate earnings and cash; |
● | political, economic instability, terrorism and wars, such as the current situation with Ukraine and Russia and increased tensions between Taiwan and China; |
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● | global macroeconomic conditions, including inflation, labor shortages, supply chain shortages, or other economic, political or legal uncertainties or adverse developments; |
● | natural disasters; |
● | trade restrictions; |
● | differing employment practices and laws and labor disruptions; |
● | differing consumer protection and product laws; |
● | the imposition of government controls; |
● | an inability to use or to obtain adequate intellectual property protection for our key brands and products; |
● | tariffs and customs duties and the classifications of our goods by applicable governmental bodies; |
● | a legal system subject to undue influence or corruption; |
● | a business culture in which illegal sales practices may be prevalent; |
● | logistics and sourcing; |
● | military conflicts; and |
● | acts of terrorism. |
The occurrence of any of these risks could negatively affect our international business and consequently our overall business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Risks Related to Our Industry
The global apparel industry is subject to intense pricing pressure.
The apparel industry is characterized by low barriers to entry for both suppliers and marketers, global sourcing through suppliers located throughout the world, trade liberalization, continuing movement of product sourcing to lower cost countries, regular promotional activity and the ongoing emergence of new competitors with widely varying strategies and resources. These factors have contributed, and may continue to contribute in the future, to intense pricing pressure and uncertainty throughout the supply chain. Pricing pressure has been exacerbated by the availability of raw materials in recent years. Additionally, inflation and supply chain constraints could increase pricing pressure on our business. This pressure could have adverse effects on our business and financial condition, including:
● | reduced gross margins across our product lines and distribution channels; |
● | increased supplier demands for allowances, incentives, and other forms of economic support; and |
● | increased pressure on us to reduce our product costs and operating expenses. |
We operate in the highly competitive retail apparel industry, and the size and resources of some of our competitors may allow them to compete more effectively than we can, which could adversely impact our growth and market share, and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We operate in the highly competitive retail apparel industry. We compete on the basis of a combination of factors, including our quality, concept, price, breadth, and style of merchandise, as well as our online experience and level of customer service, our brand image, and our ability to anticipate, identify and respond to new and changing fashion trends and customer demands. While we believe that we compete primarily with national and international apparel retailers and e-commerce businesses that specialize in women’s apparel, footwear, and accessories, we also face competition from Chinese e-commerce platforms, national and regional department stores, specialty retailers, fast-fashion retailers, value retailers, and mass merchants. In addition, our expansion into markets served by
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our competitors and entry of new competitors or expansion of existing competitors into our markets could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We also compete with a wide variety of large and small retailers and e-commerce businesses for customers, suppliers, influencers and personnel. The competitive landscape we face, particularly among apparel retailers, is subject to rapid change as new competitors emerge and existing competitors change their offerings. We cannot assure investors that we will be able to continue to compete successfully and navigate the shifts in the competitive landscape in our markets.
Many of our existing and potential competitors are, and many of our potential competitors may be, larger and have greater name recognition and access to greater financial, marketing and other resources than us. Therefore, these competitors may be able to adapt to changes in trends and customer desires more quickly, devote greater resources to the marketing and sale of their products, generate greater brand recognition or adopt more aggressive pricing policies than we can. Many of our competitors also utilize advertising and marketing media which we have not historically used, including advertising via newspapers, magazines, and television, which may provide them with greater brand recognition than we have. As a result, we may lose market share, which could reduce our sales and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our competitors may also sell certain products or substantially similar products through outlet centers or discount stores, increasing the competitive pressure for those products. We cannot assure investors that we will continue to be able to compete successfully against existing or future competitors. Our expansion into markets served by our competitors and entry of new competitors or expansion of existing competitors into our markets could have a material adverse effect on us. Competitive forces and pressures may intensify as our presence in the retail marketplace grows.
We do not possess exclusive rights to many of the elements that comprise our online experience and merchandise offerings. Some apparel retailers offer a personalized shopping experience that in certain ways is similar to the one we strive to provide to our customers. Our competitors may seek to emulate facets of our business strategy, including “test, learn, and reorder,” speed-to-market and online experience, which could result in a reduction of any competitive advantage or special appeal that we might possess. In addition, some of our merchandise offerings are sold to us on a non-exclusive basis. As a result, our current and future competitors, especially those with greater financial, marketing, or other resources, may be able to duplicate or improve upon some or all of the elements of our online experience or merchandise offerings that we believe are important in differentiating our website and our customers’ shopping experience. If our competitors were to duplicate or improve upon some or all of the elements of our online experience or product offerings, our competitive position could suffer, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We rely on consumer discretionary spending and may be adversely affected by economic downturns and other macroeconomic conditions or trends.
Our business and results of operations are subject to global economic conditions and their impact on consumer discretionary spending. Customer purchases of discretionary retail items and specialty retail products, which include our apparel, footwear, and accessories, may be adversely affected by economic conditions such as employment levels, salary and wage levels, the availability of customer credit, inflation, high interest rates, high tax rates, high fuel prices, and customer confidence with respect to current and future economic conditions. Customer purchases may decline during recessionary periods or at other times when unemployment is higher, fuel prices are higher or disposable income is lower. During 2023 and 2024, we experienced reductions in net revenue due to challenging macroeconomic conditions where consumers generally lowered their spending levels. These risks may be exacerbated for retailers like us that focus significantly on selling discretionary fashion merchandise to customers who seek value. Customer willingness to make discretionary purchases may decline, may stall or may be slow to increase due to national and regional economic conditions.
Our sales may be particularly susceptible to economic and other conditions in certain regions, states or countries. Considerable uncertainty and volatility remains in the national and global economy, and any further or future slowdowns or disruptions in the economy could adversely affect online shopping traffic and customer discretionary spending and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In addition, we may not be able to grow net revenue if there is a continued decline in customer spending.
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Risks Related to Our Merchandise and Inventory
If we are not able to successfully maintain our desired merchandise assortment or manage our inventory effectively, we may be unable to attract a sufficient number of customers or sell sufficient quantities of our merchandise, which could result in excess inventories, markdowns, and foregone sales.
We offer our customers a broad merchandise assortment with new styles introduced virtually every day in small batches. This enables us to learn about customer demand using our proprietary reorder algorithm, which allows us to reorder winning products in higher volume. We cannot assure investors that we will be able to continue to stock a broad assortment of merchandise at our current frequency. If we are unable to offer a broad merchandise assortment or manage our inventory effectively, customers may choose to visit our website less frequently, our brand could be impaired, we could lose sales, and our ability to compete successfully and our market share may decline. Further, any failure to manage our merchandise assortment could lead to excess inventories which could lead to markdowns. We have experienced logistics issues that have adversely affected our ability to manage our inventory in the past and may experience such issues in the future. If we are unable to successfully maintain our desired merchandise assortment, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our ability to obtain merchandise on a timely basis at competitive prices could suffer as a result of any deterioration or change in our supplier relationships or events that adversely affect our suppliers or their ability to obtain financing for their operations.
We have many important supplier relationships. We do not own or operate any manufacturing facilities. Instead, we purchase nearly all of our merchandise from third-party suppliers. During 2024, our top 11 suppliers accounted for approximately 50% of our purchases, with no single supplier accounting for more than 8.6% of our purchases. During 2023, our top 11 suppliers accounted for approximately 50% of our purchases, with no single supplier accounting for more than 9.1% of our purchases. Our business and financial performance depend in large part on our ability to evaluate merchandise quickly for style and then modify if needed or to improve the quality, look, and fit of the item. We must also be able to quickly source merchandise and place orders in order to successfully execute our strategy of rapidly responding to evolving fashion trends. Merchandise may not be available to meet our fashion needs on a timely basis, at competitive prices, or at all. Due to the nature of our product strategy, we do not have long-term commitments with any of our suppliers, and we generally operate without any contractual assurances of continued supply, pricing, or access to new products. Our standard terms and conditions do not commit us or our suppliers to any particular quantities, which are established on a purchase order basis.
Our supplier relationships, and therefore our business, could be materially adversely affected if our suppliers:
● | raise the prices they charge us; |
● | change pricing terms to require us to pay upfront or upon delivery; |
● | reduce our access to styles, brands, and merchandise by entering into broad exclusivity arrangements with our competitors or otherwise in the marketplace; |
● | sell similar merchandise to our competitors with similar or better pricing, many of whom already purchase merchandise in significantly greater volume and, in some cases, at lower prices than we do; |
● | lengthen their lead times; |
● | decrease the quality of their merchandise; |
● | initiate or expand sales of apparel, footwear, and accessories to retail customers directly through their own stores, catalogs, or on the internet and compete with us directly; or |
● | otherwise choose to discontinue selling merchandise to us. |
The success of our business is driven in part by the price-value proposition we offer our customers. If the costs of the raw materials, for example cotton, synthetics, and trim, or other inputs, such as energy costs or prevailing wages, used in producing our merchandise increase, our suppliers may look to pass these cost increases along to us. The price and availability of such raw materials may fluctuate significantly, depending on many factors which are outside of our control, including commodity prices, crop yields, and weather patterns.
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In addition, the costs of other inputs are also outside of our control. If our suppliers attempt to pass any cost increases on to us and we refuse to pay the increases, we could lose those suppliers, resulting in the risk that we could not fill our purchase orders in a timely manner or at all. If we pay the increases, we could either attempt to raise retail prices for our merchandise, which could adversely affect our sales and our brand image, or choose not to raise prices, which could adversely affect the profitability of our merchandise sales. As a result, any increase in the cost of raw materials or other inputs could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We historically have established good working relationships with many suppliers, some of which have more limited resources, production capacities and operating histories than others. Market and economic events that adversely impact our suppliers could impair our ability to obtain merchandise in sufficient quantities. Such events include difficulties or problems associated with our suppliers’ business, finances, ability to import or ship merchandise as a result of strikes, labor disruptions or other events, costs, production, insurance, and reputation. We cannot assure investors that we will be able to acquire desired merchandise in sufficient quantities on acceptable terms or at all in the future, especially if we need significantly greater amounts of inventory in connection with the growth of our business, or that we will be able to get such merchandise delivered to our distribution facilities on a timely basis. We may need to develop new relationships, as our current suppliers may be unable to supply us with needed quantities and we may not be able to find similar merchandise on the same terms. If we are unable to acquire suitable merchandise in sufficient quantities, at acceptable prices with adequate delivery times due to the loss of or a deterioration or change in our relationship with one or more of our key suppliers or if events harmful to our suppliers occur, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
If new trade restrictions are imposed or existing trade restrictions become more burdensome, our ability to source imported merchandise efficiently and cost effectively could be materially adversely affected.
A majority of our inventory is produced by foreign manufacturers, including those based in China, which is either directly imported by domestic importers or imported by us from foreign suppliers. While we believe this is the best strategic business model for the time being, our dependence on foreign supply sources is subject to risks associated with international trade conflicts, particularly with respect to export and import controls and laws, global sourcing and manufacturing which could result in disruptions to our operations.
Suppliers, to the extent they obtain merchandise from outside of the United States, are subject to trade restrictions, including tariffs, safeguards, or quotas, changes to which could increase the cost or reduce the supply of merchandise available to us. In February 2025, the new U.S. presidential administration announced the imposition of tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China, and those countries subsequently announced retaliatory tariffs in response. Some of the tariffs have gone into effect, while certain others have been temporarily stayed, resulting in uncertainty. If allowed to become or remain effective, these or any new or increased tariffs or resultant trade wars could have an adverse effect on us or on our suppliers, which could lead to significant increases in the costs of materials, and as a result could negatively impact our results of operations, cash flow and financial condition.
These and other trade restrictions could have a significant impact on our suppliers’ sourcing patterns in the future. The extent of this impact, if any, and the possible effect on our purchasing patterns and costs, cannot be determined at this time. We cannot predict whether any of the countries in which our suppliers’ merchandise is currently manufactured or may be manufactured in the future will be subject to additional trade restrictions imposed by the United States or foreign governments, nor can we predict the likelihood, type or effect of any restrictions. Trade restrictions, including increased tariffs or quotas, embargoes, safeguards, and customs restrictions against items we offer, as well as U.S. or foreign labor strikes, work stoppages or boycotts, could increase the cost or reduce the supply of merchandise to our suppliers, and we would expect the costs to be passed along in increased prices to us, which we may be unable to pass on to our customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Merchandise returns and damages could harm our business.
We allow our customers to return merchandise, subject to our return policy. If merchandise return economics become more costly, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be harmed. Further, we modify our policies relating to returns or damages from time to time, which may result in customer dissatisfaction or an increase in the number of merchandise returns or damaged products. Supplier non-compliance can also result in increased returns or damages. From time to time, our products are damaged or lost in transit or damaged by customers, which can increase return rates and inventory write-offs and harm our brand. Competitive pressures could cause us to alter our shipping policies, which could also result in customer dissatisfaction or an increase in the number of merchandise returns or damaged products. Due to our customer friendly return policy and consumer behavior, we have experienced and may in the future experience heightened levels of returns, which have and may continue to negatively impact our operating results and financial position. We have also experienced and may in the future experience increased levels of returns due to changes in consumer shopping behavior and discretionary spending as a result of changes in macroeconomic conditions or consumer confidence, including
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levels of unemployment, the size and timing of federal stimulus programs, salaries and wage rates, high inflation, high interest rates, recession or fears of recession, housing costs, energy and fuel costs, the resumption of student loan repayments, income tax rates and the timing of tax refunds, consumer perceptions of personal well-being and security, availability of consumer credit and consumer debt levels.
Risks Related to Our Technology Infrastructure
System security risk issues, including any real or perceived failure to protect confidential or personal information against security breaches and disruption of our internal operations or information technology systems, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
External parties, such as experienced computer programmers and hackers, or even internal users (including both employees and non-employees with authorized access), may be able to penetrate or create systems disruptions or cause shutdowns of our networks, systems and applications or those of third-party companies with which we have contracted to provide services. We collect and use personal information about our employees, customers and others, and sometimes rely upon third-party service providers to maintain or process data on our behalf and to provide security for the information in their possession. Any real or perceived compromise of such information could deter customers from using our platform, subject us to governmental investigations and/or enforcement actions, fines and penalties, litigation, claims and other liabilities, and harm our reputation, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, we could incur significant expenses or disruptions of our operations in connection with system failures, timeliness of applying updates to vulnerable systems or other factors within or beyond our control. Such failures or breaches in our information systems could also result in the disclosure, misappropriation, modification or misuse of or unauthorized access to our confidential, proprietary, or personal information, disruption of our operations or damage to our networks and systems. An increasing number of websites, including several large internet companies, have disclosed breaches of their security, some of which have involved increasingly sophisticated and highly targeted attacks on portions of their sites. For example, online businesses have been targeted with attacks aimed at compromising the security of payment card information submitted by customers for online purchases, including by injecting malicious code or scripts on website pages or by gaining unauthorized access to payment systems. As an online retailer, we may be targeted with similar attempts.
Although we take steps to protect our networks, systems, applications and data, including the implementation of additional security measures from time to time, we or our service providers may be unable to anticipate, defend against, or timely identify and respond to such activity, including but not limited to hacking, malware, viruses, social engineering (such as phishing or other scams), extortion, account takeover attacks, denial or degradation of service attacks, supply chain attacks, computer and network vulnerabilities or the negligence and malfeasance of individuals with authorized access to our data. In addition, sophisticated hardware and operating system software and applications that we buy or license from third parties may contain defects in design or manufacture, including “bugs” and other problems that could unexpectedly interfere with the security and operation of the systems. The costs to us to eliminate or alleviate security problems, viruses and bugs, or any problems associated with the outsourced services provided to us, could be significant, and efforts to address these problems could result in interruptions, delays or cessation of service that may impede our sales, distribution, or other critical functions and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, many states and countries have enacted laws or regulations that require companies to notify individuals about certain types of security incidents or breaches, and any such disclosures or a failure to disclose may lead to negative publicity and may deter customers from shopping with us or result in a claim that we failed to meet the requirements of applicable regulations. It is also possible that security breaches affecting our competitors or others in our industry could also result in negative publicity that indirectly harms our reputation. Increasing public, industry, and governmental focus on privacy and data security may continue to lead to additional guidance or legislative and regulatory action, and the increased emphasis on privacy may lead customers to request that we take additional measures to enhance security or restrict the manner in which we collect and use customer information to gather insights into customer behavior and craft our marketing programs. As a result, we may have to modify our business systems and practices with the goal of further improving data security, which could result in reduced net revenue, increased expenditures and operating complexity. Any compromise of our security or security breach could result in a violation of applicable privacy and other laws, significant legal and financial exposure or damage to our reputation, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our existing general liability and cybersecurity insurance may not cover any, or cover only a portion of any, potential claims or expenses related to security breaches that affect us or may not be adequate to indemnify us for all or any portion of liabilities that may be imposed. In addition, we cannot assure investors that the limitations on liability in our contracts would be enforceable or adequate or would otherwise protect us from any such liabilities with respect to any particular claim. Any imposition of liability that is not covered
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by insurance or is in excess of insurance coverage would increase our operating expenses and reduce our net income, if any, or increase our net loss.
We continually update, augment and add technology systems, which could potentially disrupt our operations and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Over the years, we have found a balance between developing proprietary applications that are optimized for and tailored to our business and customers’ needs on the one hand, and best-in-class third-party solutions on the other hand. We periodically evaluate whether our proprietary application solutions can be replaced by either more advanced or more cost effectively scaled third-party solutions. While currently our order and warehouse management systems are developed in-house, when suitable third-party solutions become available, we might replace our internal systems depending on the growth and the demands of the business.
For example, we implemented a data warehouse solution that in near real-time integrates data from our proprietary software applications and third-party software applications to unlock the various data silos and allow for holistic business intelligence analysis and reporting. The actionable insights we have been able to gather from these analytics have allowed us to detect and act on trends sooner, identify improvement opportunities and implement predictive analysis models to gain efficiencies.
Additionally, from time to time, our systems require modifications and updates, including by adding new hardware, software, and applications; maintaining, updating, or replacing legacy programs; and integrating new service providers, and adding enhanced or new functionality. Although we are actively selecting systems, open source software and vendors and implementing procedures to enable us to maintain the integrity of our systems when we modify them, there are inherent risks associated with modifying or replacing systems, and with new or changed relationships, including accurately capturing and maintaining data, realizing the expected benefit of the change and managing the potential disruption of the operation of the systems as the changes are implemented. The failure of our information systems, open source software and the third-party systems we rely on to perform as designed, or our failure to implement and operate them effectively, could disrupt our business or subject us to liability and thereby harm our profitability.
The risks associated with the above systems changes, as well as any failure of such systems to operate effectively, could disrupt and adversely impact the promptness and accuracy of our merchandise distribution, transaction processing, financial accounting and reporting, and our internal controls over financial reporting, the efficiency of our operations and our ability to properly forecast earnings and cash requirements. We could be required to make significant additional expenditures to remediate any such failures or problems in the future.
We may not be able to successfully implement these new systems or, if implemented, we may still face unexpected disruptions or cost overruns in the future, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We rely significantly on technology and systems to support our supply chain, payments, financial reporting and other key aspects of our business. Any failure, inadequacy, interruption or security failure of those systems could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation and brand, financial condition, and results of operations.
The satisfactory performance, reliability and availability of our sites, transaction-processing systems and technology infrastructure are critical to our reputation and our ability to acquire and retain customers, as well as maintain adequate customer service levels. Our ability to effectively manage our business depends significantly on our information systems and platforms provided by third parties, which we use primarily to manage items, purchase orders, stock ledgers and allocation and supply chain planning. To manage the growth of our operations and personnel, we will need to continue to improve and expand our operational and financial systems, transaction processing and internal controls and business processes; in doing so, we could encounter transitional issues and incur substantial additional expenses. If we are unable to maintain our current relationships with these service providers, there is no assurance that we will be able to locate replacements on a timely basis or on acceptable terms. The failure of our information systems to operate effectively, problems with transitioning to upgraded or replacement systems or expanding them, or a breach in security of these systems, could materially adversely affect the promptness and accuracy of our merchandise distribution, transaction processing, financial accounting and reporting, the efficiency of our operations and our ability to properly forecast earnings and cash requirements. We could be required to make significant additional expenditures to remediate any such failure, problem or breach. Any such events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Further, we house many of our systems offsite at third-party data centers. Our data centers may be subject to cyber-attacks or other technology-related incidents, and also break-ins, sabotage and intentional acts of vandalism that could cause disruptions in our ability to serve our customers and protect data. Some of our systems are not fully redundant, and our disaster recovery planning cannot account
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for all eventualities. The occurrence of a natural disaster, intentional sabotage or other anticipated problems could result in lengthy interruptions to our service. Any errors or vulnerability in our systems or damage to or failure of our systems, or a third-party data center hosting our data, could result in interruptions in our operations and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
In addition, we may now and in the future implement new systems to increase efficiencies and profitability. We may encounter transitional issues and incur substantial additional expenses in connection with any implementation or change to existing processes, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our business relies heavily on email, SMS and other messaging services, and any restrictions on the sending of emails or messages or an inability to timely deliver such communications could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our business is highly dependent upon email, SMS and other messaging services for promoting our brand and platform. We send promotional email and SMS messages to inform customers of new products, shipping specials and other offers, and transactional emails and SMS messages to communicate updates to customer orders and returns or to respond to customer outreach. We believe these messages are an important part of our customer experience. If we are unable to successfully deliver emails, SMS or other messages to our subscribers, or if subscribers decline to open or read our messages, our net revenue and profitability would be materially adversely affected. Changes in how web, mail and carrier services block, organize and prioritize messaging may reduce the number of subscribers who receive or open our messages. For example, Google’s Gmail service has a feature that organizes incoming emails into categories (for example, primary, social and promotions). Such categorization or similar inbox organizational features may result in our emails being delivered in a less prominent location in a subscriber’s inbox or viewed as “spam” by our subscribers and may reduce the likelihood of that subscriber reading our emails. Actions by third parties to block, impose restrictions on or charge for the delivery of email, SMS or other messages could also adversely impact our business. From time to time, email service providers or other third parties may block bulk email transmissions or otherwise experience technical difficulties that could result in our inability to successfully deliver emails or other messages to customers. Changes in the laws or regulations that limit our ability to send such communications or impose additional requirements upon us in connection with sending such communications would also materially adversely impact our business. Our use of email, SMS and other messaging services to send communications to customers may also result in legal claims against us, which may cause us increased expense, and if successful, might result in fines or orders with costly reporting and compliance obligations or might limit or prohibit our ability to send email, SMS or other messages. We also rely on social media platforms to communicate with our customers and to encourage our customers to engage with our brand. Changes to the terms of these social media platforms to limit promotional communications or our ability or our customers’ ability to send communications through their services, disruptions or downtime experienced by these social media platforms, or decline in the use of or engagement with social media platforms by consumers could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Some of our software and systems contain open source software, which may pose particular risks to our proprietary applications.
We utilize open source software in the applications we have developed to operate our business and will use open source software in the future. Such open source software is generally licensed by its authors or other third parties under open source licenses and is typically freely accessible, usable, and modifiable. Pursuant to such open source licenses, we may be subject to certain conditions, including requirements that we offer our proprietary software that incorporates the open source software for no cost, that we make available source code for modifications or derivative works we create based upon, incorporating or using the open source software, and that we license such modifications or derivative works under the terms of the particular open source license. We may face claims from third parties claiming ownership of, or demanding the release or license of, the open source software or derivative works that we developed from such software (which could include our proprietary source code), or otherwise seeking to enforce the terms of the applicable open source license. These claims could result in litigation and could require us to purchase a costly license, publicly release the affected portions of our source code, or cease offering the implicated software unless and until we can re-engineer it to avoid infringement. We also may be required to re-engineer products if the license terms for incorporated open source software change. The re-engineering process of some or all of our software could require significant additional research and development resources, and we may not be able to complete it successfully. In addition, use of open source software can lead to greater risks than use of third-party commercial software because open source licensors generally do not provide warranties or controls on the origin of the software. Use of open source software may also present additional security risks because the public availability of such software may make it easier for hackers and other third parties to determine how to breach our website and systems that rely on open source software. These risks could be difficult to eliminate or manage and, if not addressed, could adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial conditions.
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The use of technology based on artificial intelligence presents risks relating to confidentiality, creation of inaccurate and flawed outputs and emerging regulatory risk, any or all of which may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
We use or may in the future use artificial intelligence (“AI”) and machine learning in our business to, among other things, facilitate personalized customer journeys, predict shopping behaviors, optimize marketing, generate data aggregation, summarizations and insights, and streamline workflows. Issues relating to our use or potential use of new and evolving AI technologies may cause us to experience brand or reputational harm, competitive harm, customer loss, legal liability or new or enhanced governmental or regulatory scrutiny, and to incur additional costs to resolve such issues. For example, sensitive, proprietary, or confidential information of the Company and employees could be leaked, disclosed, or revealed as a result of or in connection with the use of generative AI technologies by our employees or vendors. Any such information input into a third-party generative AI or machine learning platform could be revealed to others, including if information is used to train the third party's generative AI or machine learning models. Additionally, where a generative AI or machine learning model ingests personal information and makes connections using such data, those technologies may reveal other sensitive, proprietary, or confidential information generated by the model. Moreover, generative AI or machine learning models may create incomplete, inaccurate, offensive or otherwise flawed outputs, some of which may appear correct. Further, AI algorithms are based on machine learning and predictive analytics, which can include unexpected biases and lead to discriminatory outcomes. Due to these issues, these models could lead us to make flawed decisions that could result in adverse consequences to us. In addition, uncertainty in the legal regulatory regime relating to AI may require significant resources to modify and maintain business practices to comply with applicable law, the nature of which cannot be determined at this time. Several jurisdictions have already proposed or enacted laws governing AI. Other jurisdictions may decide to adopt similar or more restrictive legislation that may render the use of such technologies challenging. These obligations may prevent or limit our ability to use AI in our business, lead to regulatory fines or penalties, or require us to change our business practices. If we cannot use AI, or that use is restricted, our business may be less efficient, or we may be at a competitive disadvantage. Any of these factors could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Government regulation of the Internet and eCommerce is evolving and unfavorable changes or failure by us to comply with these regulations could substantially harm our business and results of operations.
We are subject to regulations and laws specifically governing the Internet and eCommerce. Existing and future regulations and laws could impede the growth of the Internet, eCommerce or mobile commerce. These regulations and laws may involve online payments, taxes, tariffs, privacy, data protection, data security, anti-spam, content protection, website accessibility, Internet neutrality, artificial intelligence, automated decision making, electronic contracts and communications, consumer protection, website accessibility, Internet neutrality and gift cards. Additional examples include intermediary liability protections, online platform liability, content moderation, online child safety, packaging and recycling requirements, seller certification and representative requirements, and know-your-customer/business regulations.
These laws and regulations are continuously evolving, and compliance is costly and can require changes to our business practices and significant management time and effort. We strive to comply with all applicable laws, and compliance is often complex and/or operationally challenging. In addition, applicable laws may conflict with other rules or our practices and by complying with the laws or regulations of one jurisdiction, we may find that we are violating the laws or regulations of another jurisdiction. We cannot be sure that our practices have complied, comply or will comply fully with all such laws and regulations. Any failure, or perceived failure, by us to comply with any of these laws or regulations could result in damage to our reputation, a loss in business and proceedings or actions against us by governmental entities or others. Any such proceeding or action could hurt our reputation, force us to spend significant amounts in defense of these proceedings, distract our management, increase our costs of doing business, decrease the use of our sites by consumers and suppliers and may result in the imposition of monetary liability.
Risks Related to the Supply of Our Products
Our business, including our costs and supply chain, is subject to risks associated with sourcing, manufacturing, and warehousing.
We currently source nearly all of the merchandise we offer from third-party suppliers, and as a result we may be subject to price fluctuations or demand disruptions. Our results of operations would be negatively impacted by increases in the prices of our merchandise, and we have no guarantees that prices will not rise. We are working to strategically establish more direct sourcing relationships with factories, which adds risks related to shipping, importation, and payment terms. In addition, as we expand into new categories and product types, we expect that we may not have strong purchasing power in these new areas, which could lead to higher prices than we have historically seen in our current categories. We may not be able to pass increased prices on to customers, which could adversely affect our results of operations. Moreover, in the event of a significant disruption in the supply of the fabrics or raw materials used in the manufacture of the merchandise we offer, the suppliers we work with might not be able to locate alternative suppliers of materials
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of comparable quality at an acceptable price. For example, natural disasters could increase raw material costs, impacting pricing with certain of our suppliers, or cause shipping delays for certain of our merchandise. We may not be able to maintain the quality expectations of customers due to disruptions in the supply of the fabrics or raw materials used in the manufacture of our products. Global climate change is resulting in certain types of natural disasters occurring more frequently or with more intense effects. Any delays, interruption, damage to, or increased costs in the manufacture of the merchandise we offer could result in higher prices to acquire the merchandise or non-delivery of merchandise altogether and could adversely affect our results of operations.
We believe that we have strong supplier relationships, and we work continuously with our suppliers to manage cost increases. Our overall profitability depends, in part, on the success of our ability to mitigate rising costs or shortages of raw materials used to manufacture our merchandise. Cotton, synthetics and other raw materials used to manufacture our merchandise are subject to availability constraints and price volatility impacted by a number of factors, including supply and demand for fabrics, weather, government regulations, economic climate, and other unpredictable factors. In addition, our sourcing costs may fluctuate due to labor conditions, transportation, or freight costs, energy prices, currency fluctuations, or other unpredictable factors. The cost of labor at many of our third-party suppliers has been increasing in recent years, and we believe it is unlikely that such cost pressures will abate.
Most of our merchandise is shipped from our suppliers by ocean vessel. If a disruption occurs in the operation of ports through which our merchandise is imported, we may incur increased costs related to air freight or use of alternative ports. Shipping by air is significantly more expensive than shipping by ocean and our margins and profitability could be reduced. Shipping to alternative ports could also lead to delays in receipt of our merchandise. We rely on third-party shipping companies to deliver our merchandise to us. Failures by these shipping companies to deliver our merchandise to us or lack of capacity in the shipping industry could lead to delays in receipt of our merchandise or increased expense in the delivery of our merchandise. Any of these developments could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
In addition, we cannot guarantee that merchandise we receive from suppliers will be of sufficient quality or free from damage, or that such merchandise will not be damaged during shipping, while stored in one of our distribution facilities, or when returned by customers. Further, as we establish more direct sourcing relationships, we will become increasingly responsible for any product quality issues that arise. While we take measures to ensure merchandise quality and avoid damage, including evaluating supplier product samples, conducting inventory inspections and inspecting returned product, we cannot control merchandise while it is out of our possession or prevent all damage while in our distribution facilities. We may incur additional expenses and our reputation could be harmed if customers and potential customers believe that our merchandise is not of sufficiently high quality or may be damaged.
We have two distribution facilities and disruptions to the operations at these locations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We have one distribution facility located in California and one in Pennsylvania. We previously had a distribution facility in Chico, California and a separate consolidation center in Ontario, California, but we have consolidated the functions of these two facilities into our Ontario, California facility, which now serves as both a consolidation and distribution center. The decision to consolidate reflects the Company’s strategy of cost reduction and simplification. The charges related to the closure of the Chico, California distribution facility and consolidation of our California facilities were not significant in 2024, and we do not anticipate they will be significant for 2025. All of our merchandise is shipped from our suppliers to one of our distribution facilities and then packaged and shipped from our distribution facilities to our customers. The success of our business depends on our timely receipt of merchandise so we can continuously bring new, on-trend products online for sale. The success of our business also depends on customer orders being timely processed and delivered to meet promised delivery dates and satisfy our customers. The efficient flow of our merchandise requires that we have adequate capacity and uninterrupted service in our distribution facilities to support both our current level of operations and the anticipated increased levels that may follow from our growth plans. We may be unable to achieve the anticipated benefits from consolidating our distribution facilities in California within the expected timeframe or at all. Additionally, we may experience unanticipated challenges or difficulties in such consolidation that may result in a loss of continuity, require a significant amount of management and other employees' time and focus, or otherwise adversely affect our business, operating results, competitive position or financial condition. We may be unable to accommodate future growth using our existing distribution facilities. In such case, we will either need to expand and upgrade our existing distribution facilities or open additional distribution facilities. Upgrading our existing distribution facilities or transferring our operations to a facility with greater capacity will require us to incur additional costs, which could be significant, and may require us to secure additional favorable real estate or may require us to obtain additional financing. Appropriate locations or financing for the purchase or lease of such additional real estate may not be available at reasonable costs or at all. Our failure to provide adequate order fulfillment, secure additional distribution capacity when necessary, or retain a suitable third-party logistics provider could impede our growth plans. Further increasing this capacity could increase our costs, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Alternatively, based on our assessments and if required by business conditions, we may make capital investments to move or close all or part of additional distribution facilities in the future. These changes could result
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in significant future charges or disruptions in our operations, and we may not achieve the expected benefits from these changes, which could result in an adverse impact on our operating results, cash flows and financial condition.
In addition, if we encounter difficulties associated with our distribution facilities or if they were to shut down or be unable to operate for any reason, including because of fire, natural disaster, power outage, or other event, we could face inventory shortages, resulting in “out-of-stock” conditions on our website, and delays in shipments, resulting in significantly higher costs and longer lead times distributing our merchandise. In addition, operations and distribution staff would need to find an alternative location, causing further disruption to our business and operations and increased costs associated with opening a new location.
If we encounter difficulties or disasters with our distribution facilities or corporate offices, our disaster recovery, business continuity and document retention plans may be inadequate or insufficient and our critical systems, operations and information may not be restored in a timely manner, or at all, and this could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We rely on third-party suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and other suppliers, and they may not continue to produce products or provide services that are consistent with our standards or applicable regulatory requirements, which could harm our brand, cause consumer dissatisfaction, and require us to find alternative suppliers of our products or services.
We do not own or operate any manufacturing facilities. We use multiple third-party suppliers who source from manufacturers based primarily in China and, to a lesser extent, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, India, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Nicaragua, Spain, United States, Vietnam, El Salvador and Greece, to source and manufacture many of our products under our owned brand and third-party brands. We are also working to strategically establish more direct sourcing relationships with manufacturers overseas. We engage our third-party suppliers and manufacturers on a purchase order basis combined with customary terms and conditions and are not party to any long-term contracts containing purchase obligations. The ability of these third parties to supply and manufacture our products may be affected by competing orders placed by other clients and the demands of those clients. If we experience significant increases in demand or need to replace a significant number of existing suppliers or manufacturers, we cannot assure that additional supply and manufacturing capacity will be available when required on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all, or that any supplier or manufacturer will allocate sufficient capacity to us in order to meet our requirements.
In addition, quality control problems, such as the use of materials and delivery of products that do not meet our quality control standards and specifications or comply with applicable laws or regulations, could harm our business. We do not regularly inspect our suppliers and quality control problems could result in regulatory action, such as restrictions on importation, products of inferior quality or product stock outages or shortages, harming our sales, and creating inventory write-downs for unusable products.
Countries from which we or our vendors obtain products may, from time to time, impose new or adjust prevailing quotas or other restrictions on exported products, and the United States may impose new duties, quotas and other restrictions on imported products. This could disrupt the supply of such products to us and adversely affect our operations. The United States Congress periodically considers other restrictions on the importation of products obtained for us. The cost of such products may increase for us if applicable duties are raised or import quotas with respect to such products are imposed or made more restrictive.
We have developed strategies to try to mitigate the impact of current and potential future tariffs, including collaborative efforts with our vendor partners and suppliers. There can be no assurance that the imposed tariffs will not be increased, expanded or extended. The impact of these tariffs on current and future fiscal years could have a material adverse effect on our cost of goods sold and results of operations.
Further, our third-party manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors may:
● | have economic or business interests or goals that are inconsistent with ours; |
● | take actions contrary to our instructions, requests, policies or objectives; |
● | be unable or unwilling to fulfill their obligations under relevant purchase orders, including obligations to meet our production deadlines, quality standards, pricing guidelines and product specifications, and to comply with applicable regulations, including those regarding the safety and quality of products; |
● | have financial difficulties; |
● | encounter raw material or labor shortages; |
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● | encounter increases in raw material or labor costs which may affect our procurement costs; |
● | disclose our confidential information or intellectual property to competitors or third parties; |
● | engage in activities or employ practices that may harm our reputation; and |
● | work with, be acquired by, or come under control of, our competitors. |
Many of our third-party suppliers and manufacturers are based in China, which exposes us to risks inherent in doing business there.
We primarily use third-party suppliers and manufacturers based in China. This sourcing concentration increases our dependence of these suppliers and exposes us to the risks of doing business in China. We may have greater risks than our peers due to the concentration of our suppliers and manufacturers in China. With the rapid development of the Chinese economy, the cost of labor has increased and may continue to increase in the future. Our results of operations will be materially and adversely affected if the labor costs of our third-party suppliers increase significantly.
In addition, our suppliers may not be able to find a sufficient number of qualified workers due to the intensely competitive and fluid market for skilled labor in China. Sourcing products from China exposes us to political, legal and economic risks. In particular, the political, legal and economic climate in China, both nationally and regionally, is fluid and unpredictable. Our ability to operate in China may be adversely affected by changes in U.S. and Chinese laws and regulations such as those related to, among other things, taxation, import and export tariffs, custom duties, environmental regulations, land use rights, intellectual property, currency controls, network security, sanctions, embargoes, employee benefits and other matters. In addition, we may not obtain or retain the requisite legal permits to continue to operate in China, and costs or operational limitations may be imposed in connection with obtaining and complying with such permits. In addition, Chinese trade regulations are in a state of flux, and we may become subject to other forms of taxation, tariffs and duties in these jurisdictions.
Furthermore, the third parties we rely on in China may disclose our confidential information or intellectual property to competitors or third parties, which could result in the illegal distribution and sale of counterfeit versions of our products. If any of these events occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
We plan to increase the number of direct sourcing relationships with manufacturers overseas but have limited experience in this type of sourcing arrangement, which may expose us to new risks and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
In an effort to address some of the challenges with our current supply chain, including pricing, competing orders placed by other clients, and risks of doing business in China, we are working to strategically establish more direct sourcing relationships with manufacturers overseas. We have limited experience with direct sourcing relationships. We may not be successful in establishing direct sourcing relationships, and we may not successfully identify the correct suppliers or countries in which to establish relationships or correct business or legal terms to govern the relationships. If we engage suppliers whose materials and/or delivery of products do not meet our quality control standards and specifications or comply with applicable laws or regulations, our operating results and reputation could be materially adversely impacted. We may not be successful in obtaining the margin benefits we are anticipating from direct sourcing, and may experience difficulties with order quantities, payment terms, and shipping and customs complexities. If any of these events occur, our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.
Any failure by us or our suppliers to comply with product safety, labor or other laws, our Vendor and Supplier Code of Conduct, or our standard terms and conditions, or to provide safe factory conditions for their workers may damage our reputation and brand and harm our business.
The merchandise we sell to our customers is subject to regulation by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and similar state and international regulatory authorities. As a result, such merchandise could be in the future subject to recalls and other remedial actions. Product safety, labeling, and licensing concerns may require us to voluntarily remove selected merchandise from our inventory. Such recalls or voluntary removal of merchandise can result in, among other things, lost sales, diverted resources, potential harm to our reputation, and increased customer service costs and legal expenses, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Additionally, we are subject to regulations related to the manufacture of the merchandise that we sell. For example, in California, we are subject to record keeping and wage guarantor obligations pursuant to SB 62 (the “Garment Worker Protection Act”), for certain
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items that we contract to manufacture, as well as AB 701 (the “Warehouse Quotas Law”), which requires us to ensure that quotas do not interfere with warehouse worker meal and rest periods under California’s wage orders.
Failure by us or our third-party suppliers to comply with such laws and regulations, as well as with ethical, social, product, labor and environmental standards, or related political considerations, could result in the cancellation of orders by customers and termination of relationships, among other things. Some of the merchandise we sell may expose us to product liability claims and litigation or regulatory action relating to personal injury or environmental or property damage. Although we maintain liability insurance, we cannot be certain that our coverage will be adequate for liabilities actually incurred or that insurance will continue to be available to us on economically reasonable terms or at all. In addition, some of our agreements with our suppliers may not indemnify us from product liability for a particular supplier’s merchandise or our suppliers may not have sufficient resources or insurance to satisfy their indemnity and defense obligations.
We purchase our merchandise from numerous domestic and international suppliers. Our standard vendor terms and conditions require suppliers to comply with applicable laws and to warrant that the products are made without use of child labor, convict labor, indentured or bonded labor, or labor obtained through human trafficking. Our Vendor and Supplier Code of Conduct, which our vendors contractually agree to, further sets forth our baseline expectations for safe and humane factory conditions. Failure of our suppliers to comply with applicable laws, regulations and contractual requirements or to provide safe and humane factory conditions and oversight at their facilities could damage our reputation and brand and lead to legal claims against us, resulting in increased legal expenses and costs. Further, damage to our reputation or loss of consumer confidence for any of these or other reasons could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, as well as require additional resources to rebuild our reputation.
Our current and future products may experience quality problems from time to time that could result in negative publicity, litigation, product recalls and warranty claims, which could result in decreased net revenue and harm to our brand.
We cannot assure that we will be able to detect, prevent or fix all defects that may affect our merchandise. Inconsistency of legislation and regulations may also affect the costs of compliance with such laws and regulations. Such problems could hurt the image of our brand, which is critical to maintaining and expanding our business. Any negative publicity or lawsuits filed against us related to the perceived quality of our products could harm our brand and decrease demand for our products.
We rely upon independent third-party transportation providers for substantially all of our merchandise shipments and any disruptions or increased transportation costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We currently rely upon independent third-party transportation providers for substantially all of our merchandise shipments, including shipments to all of our distribution facilities and our customers. Our shipments are subject to risks, including increases in fuel prices, which would increase our distribution costs, and employee strikes and inclement weather, which may impact the third party’s ability to provide delivery services that adequately meet our needs. For example, it can take as long as six to seven days to get shipments from our distribution facilities. If we change shipping companies, we could face logistical difficulties that could adversely impact deliveries and we would incur costs and expend resources in connection with such change. Moreover, we may not be able to obtain terms as favorable as those received from the independent third-party transportation providers we currently use, which would increase our costs. Historically, the shipping and handling fees we charge our customers are intended to partially offset the related shipping and handling expenses. Pure-play and omni-channel retailers are increasing their focus on delivery services, as customers are increasingly seeking faster, guaranteed delivery times and low-price or free shipping. To remain competitive, we may be required to offer discounted, free or other more competitive shipping options to our customers, including expedited delivery services, which may result in declines in our shipping and handling fees and increased shipping and handling expense. Any increase in shipping costs or any other significant shipping difficulties or disruptions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Risks Related to Regulation, Taxation and Litigation
We may be subject to liability and other risks if we, our suppliers or the manufacturers of our merchandise infringe upon the trademarks, copyrights or other intellectual property rights of third parties, including the risk that we could acquire merchandise from our suppliers without the full right to sell it.
We purchase merchandise that may be subject to copyrights, design patents, trademark, trade dress or otherwise may incorporate protected intellectual property. Typically we are not involved in the manufacture of any of the merchandise that we purchase from our suppliers for sale to our customers, and we do not independently investigate whether our suppliers or the manufacturers with whom they do business hold intellectual property rights to the merchandise we purchase. Third parties have and may bring legal claims, or threaten
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to bring legal claims, against us that their intellectual property rights are being infringed or violated by our use of intellectual property if our suppliers or the manufacturers of our merchandise infringe upon the intellectual property rights of third parties. Litigation or threatened litigation, regardless of merit, could be costly, time consuming to defend, require us to redesign or rebrand our products or packaging, if feasible, distract our senior management from operating our business and require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements in order to obtain the right to use a third party’s intellectual property. Any such royalty or licensing agreements, if required, may not be available to us on acceptable terms or at all. If we were to be found liable for any such infringement, we could be required to pay substantial damages which our indemnifying suppliers may not be able to fully pay, and could be subject to injunctions preventing further infringement. In addition, any payments we are required to make and any injunctions with which we are required to comply as a result of infringement claims could be costly. While our standard vendor terms and conditions require our suppliers to indemnify us against third-party intellectual property claims, certain agreements with our suppliers may not indemnify us from intellectual property claims for a particular supplier’s merchandise or our suppliers may not have sufficient resources or insurance to satisfy their indemnity and defense obligations. Any legal claims or litigation could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
If a third party claims to have licensing rights with respect to merchandise we purchased from a supplier, or if we acquire unlicensed merchandise, we may be obligated to remove this merchandise from our platform, incur costs associated with this removal if the distributor or supplier is unwilling or unable to reimburse us and be subject to liability under various civil and criminal causes of action, including actions to recover unpaid royalties and other damages and injunctions. Additionally, we could need to purchase new merchandise to replace any we remove. Any such events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Laws and regulations relating to the liability of providers of online services for the activities of their marketers or their social media creators and the content of their marketers' listings are currently unsettled. We could be subject to claims for defamation, negligence, copyright or trademark infringement, or claims based on other theories relating to the information we publish on our websites, or the information published across social media. These types of claims have been brought, sometimes successfully, against online services including us in the past. We may not successfully avoid civil or criminal liability for unlawful activities carried out by our marketers or our creators. Our potential liability for unlawful activities of our marketers or our creators or the content of our marketers' listings could require us to implement measures to reduce our exposure to such liability, which may require us, among other things, to spend substantial resources or to reevaluate marketing efforts. Our insurance may not adequately protect us against these types of claims and the defense of such claims may divert the attention of our management from our operations. If we are subject to such lawsuits, it may adversely affect our business.
We may be unable to protect our trademarks or other intellectual property rights.
We believe that our trademarks are integral to our business and our success in building our brand image and customer loyalty. We rely on trademark registrations and common law trademark rights to protect the distinctiveness of our brand and have registered, or have applied to register, those trademarks that we believe are important to our business with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and in many foreign countries. We cannot assure that our applications will be approved or that these registrations will prevent imitation of our name, merchandising concept, website design or merchandise or the infringement of our other intellectual property rights by others. Third parties may also oppose our trademark applications or otherwise challenge our use of the trademarks. In certain cases, the merchandise we sell is purchased on a non-exclusive basis from suppliers that also sell to our competitors. While we use our brand name on these items, our competitors may seek to replicate aspects of our business strategy and online experience, thereby diluting the experience we offer and adversely affecting our brand and competitive position. Imitation of our name, concept, website design or merchandise in a manner that projects lesser quality or carries a negative connotation of our brand image could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We cannot be certain that the actions we have taken to establish, police and protect our trademarks or our resources will be adequate to prevent imitation of our merchandise by others or to prevent others from seeking to block sales of our merchandise as a violation of the trademarks or proprietary rights of others. If disputes arise in the future, we may not be able to successfully resolve these types of conflicts to our satisfaction. In the event that our trademarks are successfully challenged, we could be forced to rebrand our products, which could result in loss of brand recognition and could require us to devote resources to advertising and marketing new brands. Although we cannot currently estimate the likelihood of success of any such lawsuit or ultimate resolution of such a conflict, such a conflict, regardless of outcome, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Litigation may be necessary to protect our trademarks and other intellectual property rights or to enforce these rights. Any litigation or claims brought by us could result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
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We are subject to data security and privacy risks that could negatively affect our results, operations or reputation.
We collect personal information and other data from our employees, customers, prospective customers and others to provide products and services, to support, expand and improve our business, and to tailor our marketing and advertising efforts. We may also share customers’ personal information with certain third parties as authorized by the customer or as described in our privacy policy. Sophisticated hackers and cybercriminals employ advanced techniques, including social engineering and automated attacks, which may evade detection for extended periods. A breach of our networks, or those of our service providers or vendors, could result in the loss of confidential business and financial data, misappropriation of personal information of customers or employees, and disruption of business operations. Such incidents could materially adversely affect our business through impaired customer relationships, loss of sales and customers, potential fines and lawsuits, significant legal and remediation costs, and damage to our brand.
In addition, we are subject to an increasingly complex, and sometimes conflicting, set of legal obligations related to data protection, privacy and information security in the United States, Europe, Canada and other countries where we do business, and there will continue to be new proposed laws and regulations and changes to existing legal frameworks that govern how we collect, use, share, and process personal data. In the United States, eighteen states have enacted comprehensive consumer privacy laws, with another state law going into effect in 2026, and eleven states with privacy laws under consideration. The California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) (as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”)), the most stringent state privacy law, grants California residents data privacy rights that include, among other things, the right to request a copy from a covered company of the personal information collected about them, the right to request deletion of such personal information, the right to request to opt-out of certain sales of such personal information as well as a private right of action for certain data breaches. The European Union adopted the General Data Protection Regulation (the “”GDPR”) and the United Kingdom enacted the UK General Data Protection Regulation (which implements the GDPR into UK law); both of which impose significant compliance requirements, including extensive documentation requirements and granting certain rights to individuals to control how businesses collect, use, disclose, retain and leverage information about them or how they obtain consent from them. In Canada, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (“PIPEDA”), and various provincial laws require companies to give detailed privacy notices to consumers; obtain consent to use personal information, with limited exceptions; allow individuals to access and correct their personal information; and report certain data breaches.
Any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with rapidly evolving data protection laws and regulations, policies (including our own stated privacy policies), legal obligations, contractual obligations or industry standards, or any security incident that results in the unauthorized release or transfer of personally identifiable information or other customer data, may result in governmental investigations and/or enforcement actions, litigation (including customer class actions), claims by our customers and other third parties, fines, penalties and other liabilities, damage to our reputation or adverse publicity, and could cause our customers to lose trust in us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and prospects.
If our suppliers fail to comply with applicable laws, including a failure to use acceptable labor practices, or if our suppliers suffer disruptions in their businesses, we could suffer adverse business consequences.
Our suppliers source the merchandise we sell from manufacturers both inside and outside of the United States. Although our suppliers are required to comply with all applicable laws, including labor and employment, immigration, customs, environmental and product safety, we do not own, supervise or control our suppliers or the manufacturers that produce the merchandise we sell. In the past, we have purchased merchandise from our suppliers solely within the United States. Over the course of the last past few years, we have increased and expect to further increase direct purchases from suppliers outside the United States, which may expose us to additional risks. The violation, or perception of any violation, of any labor, immigration, product safety, or other laws by any of our suppliers, their U.S. and non-U.S. manufacturers, or our direct suppliers, such as use of forced or child labor, or the divergence of the labor practices followed by any of our suppliers or these manufacturers from those generally accepted in the United States, could damage our brand image or subject us to boycotts by our customers or activist groups which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Any event causing a sudden disruption of manufacturing or imports, including the imposition of additional import restrictions, could interrupt, or otherwise disrupt the shipment of finished products to us by our suppliers. Political and financial instability outside the United States, strikes, adverse weather conditions or natural disasters that may occur or acts of war or terrorism in the United States or worldwide, may affect the production, shipment or receipt of merchandise. These factors, which are beyond our control, may require us to modify our current business practices or incur increased costs and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
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Changes in laws, including employment laws and laws related to our merchandise, could make conducting our business more expensive or otherwise cause us to change the way we do business, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We are subject to numerous laws and regulations, including labor and employment, truth-in-advertising, California’s Proposition 65 and other environmental laws and regulations, customer protection and zoning and occupancy laws and ordinances that regulate retailers generally or govern the promotion and sale of merchandise and the operation of warehouse facilities. If these regulations were to change or were violated by our management, employees, or suppliers, the costs of certain goods could increase, or we could experience delays in shipments of our goods, be subject to fines or penalties or suffer reputational harm, which could reduce demand for our merchandise and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In addition to increased regulatory compliance requirements, changes in laws could make the ordinary conduct of our business more expensive or require us to change the way we do business.
Laws related to employee benefits and treatment of employees, including laws related to limitations on employee hours, immigration laws, child labor laws, supervisory status, leaves of absence, wages, pay transparency, mandated health benefits or overtime pay, could also increase compensation and benefits costs. Moreover, changes in product safety or other customer protection laws, could lead to increased costs to us for some merchandise, or additional labor costs associated with readying merchandise for sale. It is often difficult for us to plan and prepare for potential changes to applicable laws, and future actions or increased costs related to these changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Amendments to existing tax laws, rules or regulations or enactment of new unfavorable tax laws, rules or regulations could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Many of the underlying laws, rules or regulations imposing taxes and other obligations were established before the growth of the internet and e-commerce. Tax authorities in non-U.S. jurisdictions and at the U.S. federal, state and local levels continue to review the appropriate treatment of companies engaged in internet commerce and consider changes to existing tax or other laws that could regulate our transmissions and/or levy sales, income, consumption, use or other taxes relating to our activities, and/or impose obligations on us to collect such taxes. We cannot predict whether such changes will occur, nor the effect of current attempts to impose taxes on commerce over the internet. If such tax or other laws, rules or regulations were amended, or if new unfavorable laws, rules or regulations were enacted, the results could increase our tax payments or other obligations, prospectively or retrospectively, subject us to interest and penalties, decrease the demand for our services if we pass on such costs to the consumer, result in increased costs to update or expand our technical or administrative infrastructure or effectively limit the scope of our business activities if we decided not to conduct business in particular jurisdictions. As a result, these changes may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
In addition, various governments and intergovernmental organizations could introduce proposals for tax legislation, or adopt tax laws, that may have a significant adverse effect on our worldwide effective tax rate, or increase our tax liabilities, the carrying value of deferred tax assets, or our deferred tax liabilities. For example, the U.S. federal government could enact significant changes to the taxation of business entities including, among others, a permanent increase in the corporate income tax rate, an increase in the tax rate applicable to the global intangible low-taxed income and elimination of certain exemptions, and the imposition of minimum taxes or surtaxes on certain types of income. It is possible that other jurisdictions in which we operate or do business could enact tax legislation that could adversely affect us through increasing our tax liabilities.
The application of indirect taxes could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The application of indirect taxes, such as sales and use tax, value-added tax, provincial taxes, goods and services tax, business tax and gross receipt tax, to our business and to our retailers and brands is a complex and evolving issue. Significant judgment is required to evaluate applicable tax obligations. As a result, amounts recorded may be subject to adjustments by the relevant tax authorities. In many cases, the ultimate tax determination is uncertain because it is not clear how new and existing statutes might apply to our business or to the businesses of our retailers and brands. One or more states, the federal government or other countries may seek to impose additional reporting, record-keeping or indirect tax collection obligations on businesses like ours that facilitate e-commerce. For example, state and local taxing authorities in the United States and taxing authorities in other countries have identified e-commerce platforms as a means to calculate, collect and remit indirect taxes for transactions taking place over the internet. Multiple U.S. states have enacted related legislation and other states are now considering similar legislation. Such legislation could require us to incur substantial costs in order to comply, including costs associated with legal advice, tax calculation, collection, remittance and audit requirements, which could make selling in such markets less attractive and could adversely affect our business. In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court held in South Dakota v. Wayfair that a U.S. state may require an online retailer to collect sales taxes imposed by that
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state, even if the retailer has no physical presence in that state, thus permitting a wider enforcement of such sales tax collection requirements. Most U.S. states have enacted new sales tax laws requiring remote vendors and online marketplaces to collect, remit and report sales tax. While we now collect, remit, and report sales tax in all states where we have assessed such obligation, it is still possible that one or more jurisdictions could assert that we have a liability from previous periods that could result in additional liabilities.
U.S. import taxation levels may increase and could harm our business.
Increases in taxes imposed on goods imported to the United States have been proposed by U.S. lawmakers and the President of the United States and, if enacted, may impede our growth and negatively affect our results of operations. The majority of our inventory is made outside of the United States and would be subject to increased taxation if new taxes on imports were imposed. Such taxes would increase the cost of our inventory and would raise retail prices of our merchandise to the extent we pass the increased costs on to customers, which could adversely affect our results of operations.
A failure to comply with current laws, rules and regulations or changes to such laws, rules and regulations and other legal uncertainties may adversely affect our business, financial performance, results of operations or business growth.
Our business and financial performance could be adversely affected by unfavorable changes in or interpretations of existing laws, rules, and regulations or the promulgation of new laws, rules and regulations applicable to us and our businesses, including those relating to the internet and e-commerce, including geo-blocking and other geographically based restrictions, internet advertising and price display, customer protection, anti-corruption, antitrust and competition, economic and trade sanctions, tax, banking, data security, data protection, and privacy. As a result, regulatory authorities could prevent or temporarily suspend us from carrying on some or all of our activities or otherwise penalize us if our practices were found not to comply with applicable regulatory or licensing requirements or any binding interpretation of such requirements. Unfavorable changes or interpretations could severely damage our reputation and our relationship with our customers, third party partners and investors as well as decrease demand for our services, limit marketing methods and capabilities, affect our margins, increase costs or subject us to additional liabilities.
For example, there are, and will likely continue to be, an increasing number of laws and regulations pertaining to the internet and e-commerce that may relate to liability for information retrieved from or transmitted over the internet, display of certain taxes and fees, online editorial and customer-generated content, user privacy, data security, behavioral targeting and online advertising, taxation, liability for third-party activities and the quality of services. Furthermore, the growth and development of e-commerce may prompt calls for more stringent customer protection laws and more aggressive enforcement efforts, which may impose additional burdens on online businesses generally.
Likewise, the SEC, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Controls (“OFAC”), the U.S. Department of State, as well as other foreign regulatory authorities continue to enforce economic and trade regulations and anti-corruption laws, across industries. U.S. trade sanctions relate to transactions with designated foreign countries and territories, as well as specifically targeted individuals and entities that are identified on U.S. and other blacklists, and those owned by them or those acting on their behalf. Anti-corruption laws, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”), generally prohibit direct or indirect corrupt payments to government officials and, under certain laws, private persons to obtain or retain business or an improper business advantage.
Although we have policies and procedures in place designed to promote compliance with laws and regulations, our employees, partners, or agents could take actions in contravention of our policies and procedures or violate applicable laws or regulations. As regulations continue to develop and regulatory oversight continues to focus on these areas, we cannot guarantee that our policies and procedures will ensure compliance at all times with all applicable laws or regulations. In the event our controls should fail, or we are found to be not in compliance for other reasons, we could be subject to monetary damages, civil and criminal monetary penalties, withdrawal of business licenses or permits, litigation, and damage to our reputation and the value of our brand.
As we expand our operations in existing and new jurisdictions internationally, we will need to increase the scope of our compliance programs to address the risks relating to the potential for violations of the FCPA and other anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws. Further, the promulgation of new laws, rules and regulations, or the new interpretation of existing laws, rules and regulations, in each case that restrict or otherwise unfavorably impact the ability or manner in which we or our retailers and brands conduct business could require us to change certain aspects of our business, operations and commercial relationships to ensure compliance, which could decrease demand for services, reduce net revenue, increase costs or subject us to additional liabilities.
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Regulations related to conflict minerals may cause us to incur additional expenses and could limit the supply and increase the costs of certain metals used in the manufacturing of our products.
We are subject to requirements under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, which requires us to conduct due diligence on and disclose whether or not our products sold during the prior fiscal year contained conflict minerals. These requirements could adversely affect the sourcing, availability, and pricing of the materials used in the manufacture of components used in our products. In addition, we incur additional costs to comply with the disclosure requirements, including costs related to conducting diligence procedures to determine the sources of minerals that may be used or necessary to the production of our products and, if applicable, potential changes to products, processes, or sources of supply as a consequence of such due diligence activities. It is also possible that we may face reputational harm if we determine that certain of our products contain minerals not determined to be conflict free or if we are unable to alter our products, processes, or sources of supply to avoid such materials.
Risks Related to Our Company and Our Ownership Structure
Operating and managing a public company presents new challenges.
We are subject to various regulatory requirements, including those of the SEC and Nasdaq. These requirements include record keeping, financial reporting and corporate governance rules and regulations. While certain members of our management team have experience managing a public company, we do not have the resources typically found in a public company. Our internal infrastructure may not be adequate to support our increased reporting obligations, and we may be unable to hire, train, or retain necessary staff and may be reliant on engaging outside consultants or professionals to overcome our lack of experience or personnel. If our internal infrastructure is inadequate, we are unable to engage outside consultants or are otherwise unable to fulfill our public company obligations, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We may require additional capital to support business growth and this capital might not be available or may be available only by diluting existing stockholders.
We may need to raise additional funds, and we may not be able to obtain additional debt or equity financing on favorable terms or at all. If we raise additional equity financing, stockholders may experience significant dilution of their ownership interests. If we raise additional debt financing, we may be required to accept terms that restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness, force us to maintain specified liquidity or other ratios or restrict our ability to pay dividends or make acquisitions. If we need additional capital and cannot raise it on acceptable terms, or at all, our ability to continue to support our business growth and to respond to business challenges could be significantly limited and our business and prospects could fail or be adversely affected.
Concentration of ownership among our existing executive officers, directors and principal stockholders may prevent new investors from influencing significant corporate decisions.
As of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our executive officers, directors, and principal stockholders own, in the aggregate, approximately 74% of our outstanding common stock. These stockholders will be able to exercise significant control over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, amendment of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, and approval of significant corporate transactions and will have significant control over our management and policies. This concentration of influence could be disadvantageous to other stockholders with interests different from those of our officers, directors, and principal stockholders and could have an adverse effect on the price of our common stock.
In addition, these stockholders could take actions that have the effect of delaying or preventing a change-in-control of us or discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares, which could prevent stockholders from receiving a premium for their shares. These actions may be taken even if other stockholders oppose them.
Anti-takeover provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws and under Delaware law could make an acquisition of us more difficult, limit attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management and limit the market price of our common stock.
Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control or changes in our management. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws include provisions that:
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● | authorize our Board of Directors to issue, without further action by the stockholders, up to 10,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock; |
● | subject to certain exceptions, including that entities affiliated with H.I.G Capital, LLC (“H.I.G.”), Institutional Venture Partners (“IVP”) and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (“CPPIB”) hold at least 50% of our common stock, require that any action to be taken by our stockholders be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting and not by written consent; |
● | specify that special meetings of our stockholders can be called only by a majority of our Board of Directors, the Chair of our Board of Directors or our Chief Executive Officer; |
● | establish an advance notice procedure for stockholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting, including proposed nominations of persons for election to our Board of Directors; |
● | establish that our Board of Directors is divided into three classes, with each class serving three-year staggered terms; |
● | prohibit cumulative voting in the election of directors; and |
● | provide that vacancies on our Board of Directors may be filled only by a majority of directors then in office, even though less than a quorum. |
These provisions may frustrate or prevent any attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management by making it more difficult for stockholders to replace members of our Board of Directors, which is responsible for appointing the members of our management.
In addition, because we are incorporated in Delaware, we have opted out of the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), which generally prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any of a broad range of business combinations with any “interested” stockholder (any stockholder with 15% or more of our capital stock) for a period of three years following the date on which the stockholder became an “interested” stockholder. However, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains a provision that provides us with protections similar to Section 203 of the DGCL and prevent us from engaging in a business combination with a person who acquires at least 15% of our common stock for a period of three years from the date such person acquired such common stock, unless board or stockholder approval is obtained prior to the acquisition, except that it provides that H.I.G. or any affiliate thereof, or any person or entity to which any of the foregoing stockholders transfers shares of our voting stock (subject to specified exceptions), in each case regardless of the total percentage of our voting stock owned by such stockholder or such person or entity, shall not be deemed an “interested stockholder” for purposes of this provision of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and therefore not subject to the restrictions set forth in this provision.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation designates the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and the federal district courts of the United States as the sole and exclusive forums for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with the Company or our directors, officers, or other employees.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for any (1) derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (2) action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors or officers to the Company or our stockholders, (3) action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer of the Company arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws, or (4) action asserting a claim against us or any director or officer of the Company governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Additionally, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation further provides that the federal district courts of the United States will be the exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause or causes of action arising under the Securities Act, including all causes of action asserted against a defendant to such complaint. The choice of forum provisions would not apply to claims or causes of action brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction, as Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all claims brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Accordingly, actions by our stockholders to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder must be brought in federal court. We note that there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce the choice of forum provision with respect to claims under the federal securities laws, and that investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
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Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the forum provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. This choice-of-forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers, or other employees, which may discourage such lawsuits. Alternatively, if a court were to find this provision of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation inapplicable or unenforceable with respect to one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations and result in a diversion of the time and resources of our management and Board of Directors. These provisions may also result in increased costs for investors seeking to bring a claim against us or any of our directors, officers, or other employees.
Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Holdings, Inc. is a holding company with no operations of its own and, as such, it depends on its subsidiaries for cash to fund its operations and expenses, including future dividend payments, if any.
As a holding company, our principal source of cash flow will be distributions or payments from our operating subsidiaries. Therefore, our ability to fund and conduct our business, service our debt, and pay dividends, if any, in the future will depend on the ability of our subsidiaries and intermediate holding companies to make upstream cash distributions or payments to us, which may be impacted, for example, by their ability to generate sufficient cash flow or limitations on the ability to repatriate funds whether as a result of currency liquidity restrictions, monetary or exchange controls, or otherwise. Our operating subsidiaries and intermediate holding companies are separate legal entities, and although they are directly or indirectly wholly owned and controlled by us, they have no obligation to make any funds available to us, whether in the form of loans, dividends, or otherwise.
Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock
We have received notice of delisting from Nasdaq.
On February 27, 2025, we received a letter from The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC ("Nasdaq"), notifying us we had fallen below compliance with respect to the continued listing standard set forth in Rule 5550(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules because the closing bid price of our common stock over the previous 30 consecutive trading-day period had fallen below $1.00 per share. In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), we have a period of 180 calendar days from the date of notification, or until August 26, 2025], to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement. During this period, our common stock will continue to trade on the Nasdaq Global Market. If at any time before August 26, 2025, the bid price of our common stock closes at or above $1.00 per share for a minimum of 10 consecutive trading days (which period may be extended to greater than 10 consecutive trading days at the sole discretion of Nasdaq), Nasdaq will provide written notification that we have achieved compliance with this minimum bid price requirement. In the event we do not regain compliance by August 26, 2025, we may be eligible for an additional 180 calendar day compliance period to demonstrate compliance with the bid price requirement. To qualify for the additional 180-day period, we will be required to meet the continued listing standards for Nasdaq, with the exception of the bid price requirement, and will need to provide written notice to Nasdaq of our intention to cure the deficiency during the second compliance period by effecting a reverse stock split, if necessary. If we do not qualify for the second compliance period or fail to regain compliance during the second 180-day period, then Nasdaq will notify us of its determination to delist our common stock.
If Nasdaq delists our shares of common stock from trading on its exchange for failure to meet Nasdaq’s listing standards, we and our stockholders could face significant material adverse consequences including:
● | a limited availability of market quotations for our shares; |
● | reduced liquidity for our shares; |
● | a determination that our common stock is a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in our common stock to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our shares; |
● | a limited amount of news and analyst coverage; and |
● | a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future. |
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We expect that our stock price will fluctuate significantly, which could cause the value of investments in our common stock to decline, and investors may not be able to resell their shares at a price at or above the price for which they purchased them.
Securities markets worldwide have experienced, and are likely to continue to experience, significant price and volume fluctuations. The market volatility, as well as general economic, market or political conditions, could reduce the market price of our common stock regardless of our results of operations. The trading price of our common stock is likely to be volatile and subject to significant price fluctuations, as observed in the last few years, in response to many factors, including:
● | market conditions or trends in our industry or the economy as a whole and, in particular, in the retail sales environment; |
● | changes in our merchandise mix and supplier base; |
● | timing of promotional events; |
● | changes in key personnel; |
● | entry into new markets; |
● | changes in customer preferences and fashion trends; |
● | announcements by us or our competitors of new product offerings or significant acquisitions, divestitures, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, or capital commitments; |
● | actions by competitors; |
● | inventory shrinkage beyond our historical average rates; |
● | changes in operating performance and stock market valuations of other retail companies; |
● | investors’ perceptions of our prospects and the prospects of the retail industry; |
● | fluctuations in quarterly results of operations, as well as differences between our actual financial results and results of operations and those expected by investors; |
● | the public’s response to press releases or other public announcements by us or third parties, including our filings with the SEC and/or negative earnings or other announcements by us or other retail apparel companies; |
● | announcements, media reports, or other public forum comments related to litigation, claims, or reputational charges against us; |
● | guidance, if any, that we provide to the public, any changes in this guidance, or our failure to meet this guidance; |
● | changes in financial estimates or ratings by any securities analysts who follow our common stock, our failure to meet these estimates, or the failure of those analysts to initiate or maintain coverage of our common stock; |
● | the development and sustainability of an active trading market for our common stock; |
● | downgrades in our credit ratings or the credit ratings of our competitors; |
● | investor perceptions of the investment opportunity associated with our common stock relative to other investment alternatives; |
● | future sales of our common stock by our officers, directors, and significant stockholders; |
● | global macroeconomic conditions, including inflation, labor shortages, supply chain shortages, or other economic, political or legal uncertainties or adverse developments; |
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● | political unrest, terrorism and wars, such as the current situation with Ukraine and Russia and increased tensions between Taiwan and China, which could delay or disrupt our business, and if such political unrest escalates or spills over to or otherwise impacts additional regions it could heighten many of the other risk factors included in this Item 1A; |
● | other events or factors, including those resulting from system failures and disruptions, earthquakes, hurricanes, other natural disasters, pandemics, or responses to these events; and |
● | changes in accounting principles. |
These and other factors may cause the market price and demand for shares of our common stock to fluctuate substantially, which may limit or prevent investors from readily selling their shares of our common stock and may otherwise negatively affect the liquidity of our common stock. As a result of these factors, our quarterly and annual results of operations and sales may fluctuate significantly. Accordingly, results for any one quarter are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any other quarter or for any year and sales for any particular future period may decrease. In the future, our results of operations may fall below the expectations of securities analysts and investors. In that event, the price of our common stock would likely decrease. In the past, when the market price of a stock has been volatile, security holders have often instituted class action litigation against the company that issued the stock. If we become involved in this type of litigation, regardless of the outcome, we could incur substantial legal costs and our management’s attention could be diverted from the operation of our business, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Future sales of our common stock in the public market could cause the market price of our common stock to decrease significantly.
Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market by our existing stockholders, upon the exercise of stock options granted in the future or by persons who acquired shares in our initial public offering (“IPO”) may cause the market price of our common stock to decrease significantly. The perception that such sales could occur could also depress the market price of our common stock. Any such sales could also create public perception of difficulties or problems with our business and might also make it more difficult for us to raise capital through the sale of equity securities in the future at a time and price that we deem appropriate.
Certain of our outstanding shares of common stock are “restricted securities,” as defined under Rule 144 under the Securities Act and eligible for sale in the public market subject to the requirements of Rule 144.
As restrictions on resale expire or as shares are registered, our share price could drop significantly if the holders of these restricted or newly registered shares sell them or are perceived by the market as intending to sell them. These sales might also make it more difficult for us to raise capital through the sale of equity securities in the future at a time and at a price that we deem appropriate.
We cannot guarantee that our 2024 Repurchase Program will enhance long-term stockholder value. Stock repurchases could also increase the volatility of the trading price of our stock and could diminish our cash reserves.
Although our board of directors has authorized the 2024 Repurchase Program, the program does not obligate us to repurchase any specific dollar amount or to acquire any specific number of shares of common stock. The actual timing, number, and value of shares repurchased in the future will be determined by the Company in its discretion and will depend on a number of factors, including stock price, trading volume, market conditions, applicable legal requirements, our capital needs, and whether there is a better alternative use of capital. The 2024 Repurchase Program has no expiration date but it may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time, and we cannot guarantee that we will purchase shares up to the full dollar amount authorized by the 2024 Repurchase Program or that it will enhance long-term stockholder value. The failure to repurchase common stock after we have announced our intention to do so may negatively impact our reputation and investor confidence in us and may negatively affect our stock price. Furthermore, our execution of the share repurchase program could affect the trading price of our common stock and increase volatility, and any announcement of a termination of the 2024 Repurchase Program may result in a decrease in the trading price of our common stock. In addition, the 2024 Repurchase Program could diminish our cash reserves.
We do not intend to pay dividends on our common stock and, consequently, the ability of common stockholders to achieve a return on investment will depend on appreciation, if any, in the price of our common stock.
Investors should not rely on an investment in our common stock to provide dividend income. Because we do not expect to pay any cash dividends for the foreseeable future, investors may be forced to sell their shares in order to realize a return on their investment, if any. We do not anticipate that we will pay any dividends to holders of our common stock for the foreseeable future. Any payment of
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cash dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on our financial condition, capital requirements, legal requirements, earnings, and other factors. Consequently, investors in our common stock should not rely on dividends in order to receive a return on their investment. Accordingly, investors must rely on sales of their common stock after price appreciation, which may never occur, as the only way to realize any return on their investment. As a result, investors seeking cash dividends should not purchase our common stock.
General Risk Factors
Changes in accounting standards and subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments by management related to complex accounting matters could significantly affect our financial results or financial condition.
Generally accepted accounting principles and related accounting pronouncements, implementation guidelines and interpretations with regard to a wide range of matters that are relevant to our business, including but not limited to revenue recognition, leases, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, inventory, income taxes and litigation, are highly complex and involve many subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments. Changes in these rules or their interpretation or changes in underlying assumptions, estimates or judgments could significantly change or increase volatility of our reported or expected financial performance or financial condition. Refer to Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, in the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a description of recent accounting pronouncements.
We have incurred goodwill impairment charges, and may incur goodwill or intangible asset impairment charges in the future, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations
We evaluate indefinite-lived intangible assets, including goodwill and our tradename, for possible impairment annually, on the first day of the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that an impairment may have occurred. We evaluate long-lived assets for impairment periodically whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. During the fourth quarter of 2024 we concluded that a sustained decline in our stock price coupled with continuing net losses were significant enough factors to warrant a quantitative assessment utilizing a combination of (i) the guideline public company method applying revenue and EBITDA multiples of similar companies and (ii) the discounted cash flow method. The fair value determination used in the impairment assessment requires estimates of the fair values based on present value or other valuation techniques or a combination thereof, necessitating subjective judgments and assumptions by management. These estimates and assumptions could result in significant differences to the amounts reported if underlying circumstances were to change.
As a result of the goodwill impairment test conducted in the fourth quarter ended December 29, 2024, we concluded that the carrying value of our single reporting unit exceeded the fair value, and a goodwill impairment charge of $28.4 million was recorded, while $7.0 million of goodwill remained on our consolidated balance sheet. No goodwill impairment was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2023.
It is possible that we could incur another impairment charge for goodwill or intangible assets in future periods if (i) overall economic conditions in fiscal 2025 or future years vary from our current assumptions; (ii) business conditions or strategies change from our current assumptions; (iii) there is further deterioration to our stock price; (iv) investors require higher rates of return on equity investments in the marketplace; or (v) enterprise values of comparable publicly traded companies, or of actual sales transactions of comparable companies, were to decline, resulting in lower comparable multiples of revenues and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and, accordingly, lower implied values of goodwill and intangible assets. Any future impairment charge for goodwill or intangible assets could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
There are claims made against us from time to time that can result in litigation that could distract management from our business activities and result in significant liability or damage to our brand.
As a growing company with expanding operations, we increasingly face the risk of litigation and other claims against us. Litigation and other claims may arise in the ordinary course of our business and include employee claims, commercial disputes, intellectual property issues, data protection and privacy claims, customer protection claims, and product-oriented allegations. These claims can raise complex factual and legal issues that are subject to risks and uncertainties and could require significant management time and allocation. Litigation and other claims and regulatory proceedings against us could result in unexpected expenses and liabilities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
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We depend on our senior management personnel and may not be able to retain or replace these individuals or recruit additional personnel, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our future success is substantially dependent on the continued service of our senior management. Changes in management, however, have the potential to disrupt our business, and any such disruption could adversely affect our operations, growth, financial condition and results of operations. Further, new members of management and the Board of Directors may have different perspectives on our operations and opportunities for our business, which may cause us to change our business plan or vision for our company. The loss of services of these individuals or any other of our key employees could impair our ability to manage our business effectively, as we may not be able to find suitable individuals to replace them on a timely basis or at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In addition, any departures of key personnel could be viewed in a negative light by investors and analysts, which could cause our common stock price to decline. We do not maintain key person insurance on any employee.
In addition to our senior management and the Board of Directors, we have other employees in positions responsible for our merchandising, marketing, software development, accounting, finance, information technology, and operations departments, that, if vacant, could cause a temporary disruption in our operations until such positions are filled, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Our success depends in part upon our ability to attract, motivate, and retain a sufficient number of employees who understand our business, customers, brand and corporate culture. Our planned growth will require us to hire and train even more personnel to manage such growth. If we are unable to hire and retain personnel capable of consistently performing at a high level, our ability to expand our business may be impaired.
If securities analysts or industry analysts downgrade our shares, publish negative research or reports, or do not publish reports about our business, our share price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our common stock is influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us, our business and our industry. If one or more analysts adversely change their recommendation regarding our shares or our competitors’ stock, our share price would likely decline. If one or more analysts cease coverage of us or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our share price or trading volume to decline. As a result, the market price for our common stock may decline and shares of our common stock may not be resold at or above the price at which they were purchased.
Our results of operations could be adversely affected by natural disasters, public health crises, political crises, or other catastrophic events.
Our principal office, our studio and one of our distribution facilities are located in California, an area which has a history of wildfires, and are thus vulnerable to damage. We also have a second distribution facility in Pennsylvania. Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and other adverse weather and climate conditions; unforeseen public health crises, such as pandemics and epidemics; political crises, such as terrorist attacks, war, and other political instability; or other catastrophic events, whether occurring in the United States or internationally, could disrupt our operations in any of our offices and distribution facilities or the operations of one or more of our third-party providers or suppliers. For example, in January 2025, there were major wildfires in the Los Angeles area that impacted some of our employees. There have also been wildfires near our principal office. In particular, these types of events could impact our merchandise supply chain, including our ability to ship merchandise to customers from or to the impacted region, our suppliers’ ability to ship merchandise or our ability to operate our platform. In addition, these types of events could negatively impact customer spending in the impacted regions. Sales of certain seasonal apparel items are dependent in part on the weather and may decline when weather conditions do not favor the use of this apparel. To the extent any of these events occur, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Climate change and increased focus by governmental and non-governmental organizations, customers, consumers and investors on sustainability issues, including those related to climate change, may adversely affect our business and financial results and damage our reputation.
Our business and results of operations could be adversely affected by climate change and the adoption of new climate change related laws, policies and regulations. Growing concerns about climate change and greenhouse gas emissions have led to the adoption of various regulations and policies, including the Paris Agreement negotiated at the 2015 United Nations Conference on Climate Change. Climate change may impact our business in numerous ways. For example, governments may impose additional legal requirements and/or impose new taxes to finance efforts to reduce the impact of climate change, which may increase shipping and freight costs and prices for our products. We also face the risk that governmental or non-governmental organizations may increase their focus on the fashion sector and
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implement greater environmental regulation on the fashion sector in the United States or the fashion sector in other markets. For example, the fashion industry’s process for dying fabrics uses large quantities of water, and the disposition of the waste water is often regulated and may affect the environment. Increased scrutiny and regulation of this practice may adversely affect our business. If we or our suppliers are required to comply with new or additional legislation and regulations to mitigate or reduce the potential impact of climate change, or if we choose to take voluntary steps to mitigate or reduce our impact on climate change, we may experience increases in raw material costs, energy, production, transportation, capital expenditures, insurance premiums and deductibles, which could adversely impact our business or results of operations. Inconsistency of legislation and regulations among jurisdictions may also adversely affect the costs of compliance with such laws and regulations. Any assessment of the potential impact of future climate change legislation, regulations, or industry standards, as well as any international treaties and accords, is uncertain given the breadth of potential regulatory change in the countries in which we operate. Additionally, some scientists have concluded that increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere may produce climate changes that have significant physical effects, such as increased frequency and severity of storms, droughts, floods and other climatic events. Increased frequency of extreme weather could cause increased incidence of disruption to the production and distribution of our products and an adverse impact on consumer demand and spending. If any such climate changes or additional climate change were to occur, they could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Increased scrutiny and changing expectations from investors, customers, employees and others regarding our environmental, social and governance practices and reporting could cause us to incur additional costs, devote additional resources and expose us to additional risks, which could adversely impact our reputation, customer acquisition and retention, access to capital and employee retention.
Companies across industries are facing increasing scrutiny related to their environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) practices and reporting. Certain investors, customers, employees and other stakeholders have focused on ESG practices and placed importance on the implications and social cost of their investments, purchases and other interactions with companies. With this increased focus and demand, public reporting regarding ESG practices has become more broadly expected and required in certain circumstances.
Conversely, in recent years “anti-ESG” sentiment has gained momentum across the U.S., with several states and Congress having proposed or enacted “anti-ESG” policies, legislation, or initiatives or issued related legal opinions, and the Trump Administration having recently issued an executive order opposing diversity equity and inclusion (“DEI”) initiatives in the private sector. Such anti-ESG and anti-DEI-related policies, legislation, initiatives, litigation, legal opinions and scrutiny could result in additional compliance obligations becoming the subject of investigations and enforcement actions or sustaining reputational harm. If our ESG practices and reporting do not meet investor, customer or employee expectations, which continue to evolve, our brand, reputation and customer retention may be negatively impacted.
Our ability to achieve any ESG objective or goal, including with respect to GHG emissions, and accurately and transparently report our progress is subject to numerous operational, financial, legal and other risks, many of which are dependent on the actions of third parties and outside of our control. Examples of such risks include:
● | the availability and cost of low- or non-carbon-based energy sources; |
● | the evolving regulatory requirements affecting ESG standards or disclosures; |
● | the availability of suppliers that can meet our ESG standards; |
● | our ability to recruit, develop and retain talent in our labor markets; and |
● | the success of our organic growth and acquisitions or dispositions of businesses or operations. |
If we fail, or are perceived to be failing, to meet the objectives, goals or standards included in any sustainability disclosure or the expectations of our various stakeholders or if we are perceived to have not responded appropriately by certain parties, it could negatively impact our reputation, customer acquisition and retention, access to capital and employee retention. In addition, in recent years, investor advocacy groups and certain institutional investors have placed importance on ESG matters. If, as a result of their assessment of our ESG practices, certain investors are unsatisfied with our actions or progress, they may reconsider their investment in our company. As the nature, scope and complexity of ESG reporting, diligence and disclosure requirements evolve, including California’s disclosure requirements regarding, among other matters, GHG emissions, we may have to undertake additional costs to control, assess and report on ESG metrics. Any failure or perceived failure, whether or not valid, to pursue or fulfill our ESG goals, targets and objectives or to satisfy various ESG reporting standards within the timelines we announce, or at all, could increase the risk of litigation.
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We are an emerging growth company and smaller reporting company, and the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies and smaller reporting companies may make our common stock less attractive to investors.
We are an emerging growth company as defined in the JOBS Act and a smaller reporting company as defined in the rules under the Exchange Act. Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised financial accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the extended transition period for adopting new or revised financial accounting standards under the JOBS Act as an emerging growth company.
For as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company and/or a smaller reporting company, we may also take advantage of other exemptions from certain reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies, including not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, exemption from any rules that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board requiring mandatory audit firm rotations or a supplement to the report of independent registered public accounting firm, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and any golden parachute arrangements, and reduced financial reporting requirements. Investors may find our common stock less attractive because we will rely on these exemptions, which could result in a less active trading market for our common stock, increased price fluctuation, and a decrease in the trading price of our common stock.
We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of our IPO, (2) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.235 billion, (3) the last day of the fiscal year in which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer,” as defined in the rules under the Exchange Act, or (4) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period. We will remain a smaller reporting company until our outstanding common stock held by nonaffiliates has a value of $250 million or more at the end of a second fiscal quarter.
Failure to achieve and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
As a privately held company, we were not required to evaluate our internal control over financial reporting in a manner that meets the standards of publicly traded companies required by Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (“Section 404”). Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, starting with the second annual report that we file with the SEC as a public company, and generally requires in the same report a report by our independent registered public accounting firm on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. However, under the JOBS Act, our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act until we are no longer an emerging growth company. We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years subsequent to becoming a public company.
Once we are no longer an emerging growth company, our independent registered public accounting firm will be required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting on an annual basis. The rules governing the standards that must be met for our management to assess our internal control over financial reporting are complex and require significant documentation, testing and possible remediation and the incurrence of significant additional expenditures. Testing and maintaining internal controls may divert our management’s attention from other matters that are important to our business.
The process of designing and implementing effective internal controls is a continuous effort that requires us to anticipate and react to changes in our business and the economic and regulatory environments and to expend significant resources to maintain a system of internal controls that is adequate to satisfy our reporting obligations as a public company. If we are unable to establish or maintain appropriate internal financial reporting controls and procedures, it could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations on a timely basis, result in material misstatements in our consolidated financial statements and harm our results of operations.
In connection with the implementation of the necessary procedures and practices related to internal control over financial reporting, we may identify deficiencies that we may not be able to remediate in time to meet the deadline imposed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for compliance with the requirements of Section 404. In addition, we may encounter problems or delays in completing the remediation of any deficiencies identified by our independent registered public accounting firm in connection with the issuance of their attestation report. Our testing, or the subsequent testing by our independent registered public accounting firm, may reveal deficiencies in our internal controls over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses. We may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404. If we are unable to conclude that we have effective internal control over financial reporting, investors may lose confidence in our reported financial information, which
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could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our common stock, and we could become subject to litigation or investigations by Nasdaq, the SEC, or other regulatory authorities, which could require additional financial and management resources.
The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources, divert management’s attention and affect our ability to attract and retain executive management and qualified board members.
As a publicly traded company, we have incurred and will continue to incur significant legal, accounting, and other expenses that we were not required to incur in the recent past, particularly after we are no longer an emerging growth company as defined under the JOBS Act. We are required to file with the SEC annual and quarterly information and other reports that are specified in Section 13 of the Exchange Act. We are also required to ensure that we have the ability to prepare financial statements that are fully compliant with all SEC reporting requirements on a timely basis. We are also subject to other reporting and corporate governance requirements, including the requirements of Nasdaq, and certain provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder, which impose significant compliance obligations upon us. As a public company, among other things, we have to:
● | prepare and distribute periodic public reports and other stockholder communications in compliance with our obligations under the federal securities laws and applicable Nasdaq rules; |
● | maintain our majority independent Board of Directors and maintain certain committees of the board; |
● | maintain comprehensive financial reporting and disclosure compliance functions; |
● | maintain our investor relations function; |
● | maintain and enhance as necessary internal policies, including those relating to disclosure controls and procedures; and |
● | involve and retain to a greater degree outside counsel and accountants in the activities listed above. |
These changes have required a significant commitment of additional resources and many of our competitors have complied with these obligations longer than we have. We may not be successful in continuing to comply with these obligations and the significant commitment of resources required for complying with them could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In addition, if we fail to comply with the requirements with respect to our internal accounting and audit functions, our ability to report our results of operations on a timely and accurate basis could be impaired and we could suffer adverse regulatory consequences or violate Nasdaq listing standards. There could also be a negative reaction in the financial markets due to a loss of investor confidence in us and the reliability of our consolidated financial statements, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
The changes necessitated by becoming a public company has required a significant commitment of resources and management oversight that has increased and may continue to increase our costs and might place a strain on our systems and resources. As a result, our management’s attention might be diverted from other business concerns. If we fail to maintain an effective internal control environment or to comply with the numerous legal and regulatory requirements imposed on public companies, we could make material errors in, and be required to restate, our consolidated financial statements. Any such restatement could result in a loss of public confidence in the reliability of our consolidated financial statements and sanctions imposed on us by the SEC.
Short sellers of our stock may be manipulative and may drive down the market price of our common stock.
Short selling is the practice of selling securities that the seller does not own, but rather has borrowed or intends to borrow from a third party with the intention of buying identical securities at a later date to return to the lender. A short seller hopes to profit from a decline in the value of the securities between the sale of the borrowed securities and the purchase of the replacement shares, as the short seller expects to pay less in that purchase than it received in the sale. It is therefore in the short seller’s interest for the price of the stock to decline, and some short sellers publish, or arrange for the publication of, opinions or characterizations regarding the relevant issuer, often involving misrepresentations of the issuer’s business prospects and similar matters calculated to create negative market momentum, which may permit them to obtain profits for themselves as a result of selling the stock short.
As a public entity, we may be the subject of concerted efforts by short sellers to spread negative information in order to gain a market advantage. In addition, the publication of misinformation may also result in lawsuits, the uncertainty and expense of which could adversely impact our business, financial condition, and reputation. There are no assurances that we will not face short sellers' efforts or similar tactics in the future, and the market price of our common stock may decline as a result of their actions.
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A global health emergency, epidemic or pandemic could have a material adverse effect on our business.
A global health emergency, epidemic or pandemic could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition due to the occurrence of some or all of the following events or circumstances, among others:
● | our and our third-party suppliers’, logistics providers’, and other business partners’ inability to manage our or their business effectively; |
● | tightening of available credit; |
● | decrease in customer demand for our products; |
● | temporary inventory shortages caused by difficulties in predicting demand for our products and services and longer lead-times due to import/export conditions such as port congestion, and local government orders; and |
● | incurrence of significant increases to employee healthcare and benefits costs. |
In addition, it remains uncertain how a global health emergency, an epidemic, or pandemic could impact our supply chain, consumer demand for our products and services, and consumer preferences generally.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Not applicable.
Item 1C. Cybersecurity
We have a cross-departmental approach to addressing cybersecurity risk, including input from our Board of Directors (the “Board”), Audit Committee, employees and third-party experts. The Board, Audit Committee, and senior management devote significant resources to cybersecurity and risk management processes to adapt to the changing cybersecurity landscape and respond to emerging threats in a timely and effective manner.
We continue to prioritize our investments in IT security, including additional end-user training, using layered defenses, identifying and protecting critical assets, strengthening monitoring and alerting capabilities and engaging experts.
Our Board previously had a Technology and Innovation Committee which oversaw jointly, alongside the Audit Committee, matters of technology, innovation, cybersecurity and information security. The Technology and Innovation Committee was dissolved in September 2024 as part of the Company’s Board restructuring and its responsibilities were redistributed to the
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In the fiscal year ended December 29, 2024, we did not identify any cybersecurity threats that have
Item 2. Properties
We do not own any real property. Our corporate headquarters are located in a leased facility in Chico, California. We also operate a leased facility primarily used for office and studio space in Los Angeles, California, and we also lease additional office and retail spaces in Chico, California and Los Angeles, California. We operate two leased distribution facilities: a facility located in Easton, Pennsylvania; and a facility located in Ontario, California. In early 2025 we recently consolidated two of our distribution facilities by moving operations from our former distribution facility in Chico, California to our existing distribution facility in Ontario, California. We carefully evaluate our leased space needs and adjust our leases accordingly as they approach renewal or expiration.
See Note 6, Leases, of the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information on our leases.
Square Footage | ||||
Location |
| Type |
| (approximate) |
Chico, California | Retail space | 5,600 | ||
Los Angeles, California | Retail space | 6,400 | ||
Chico, California | Corporate headquarters | 7,600 | ||
Los Angeles, California | Office and studio space | 26,800 | ||
Chico, California | Distribution facility and office space | 100,000 | ||
Ontario, California | Distribution facility | 140,400 | ||
Easton, Pennsylvania | Distribution facility | 258,200 |
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
We are from time to time subject to various legal proceedings and claims, including employment claims, wage and hour claims, intellectual property claims, contractual and commercial disputes and other matters that arise in the ordinary course of our business. While the outcome of these and other claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that the outcome of these matters will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows, or results of operations. We are not presently a party to any legal proceedings that we believe would, if determined adversely to us, materially and adversely affect our future business, financial condition, cash flows, or results of operations.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
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PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
Market Information
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq and began trading under the symbol “LVLU” on November 11, 2021. Prior to that date, there was no public trading market for our common stock.
Holders of Record
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock. As of March 26, 2025, there were 16 registered stockholders of record of our common stock. The actual number of stockholders is greater than this number and includes stockholders whose shares are held in street name by brokers and other nominees, and stockholders whose shares may be held in trust by other entities.
Dividends
We currently intend to retain all available funds and future earnings, if any, to fund the development and expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination regarding the declaration and payment of dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on then-existing conditions, including our financial condition, operating results, contractual restrictions, capital requirements, business prospects and other factors our Board of Directors may deem relevant. Our future ability to pay cash dividends on our capital stock is limited by the terms of our 2021 Revolving Facility, as amended, and may be limited by any future debt instruments or preferred securities.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities; Use of Proceeds from Registered Securities
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
None
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
A summary of our common stock repurchases during the thirteen weeks ended December 29, 2024 is set forth in the table below.
Total Number of | Maximum Dollar Value | ||||||||||
Total Number | Weighted | Shares Purchased | of Shares that May Yet | ||||||||
| of Shares |
| Average Price | as Part of the | Be Purchased Under | ||||||
Period | Purchased (1) | Paid Per Share | Publicly Announced Plan | the Plan | |||||||
October 1, 2024 through October 31, 2024 | (49,287) | $ | 1.63 | (49,287) | $ | 2,144,117 | |||||
November 1, 2024 through November 30, 2024 | (38,574) | $ | 1.48 | (38,574) | $ | 2,087,194 | |||||
December 1, 2024 through December 29, 2024 | (73,317) | $ | 1.13 | (73,317) | $ | 2,004,263 |
(1) | On May 8, 2024, the Company's Board of Directors announced that it authorized a stock repurchase program allowing the Company to repurchase up to an aggregate amount of $2.5 million of its shares of common stock (the "2024 Repurchase Program"). The 2024 Repurchase Program is open-ended in term and may be modified, suspended or terminated by the Company’s Board of Directors at any time. All shares repurchased during the thirteen and fifty-two weeks ended December 29, 2024 were repurchased in open market transactions pursuant to 10b5-1 purchase plans entered into by the Company. |
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Item 6. [Reserved]
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statements based upon current plans, expectations and beliefs involving risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and other factors set forth in other parts of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Discussion of the year-to-year comparisons between 2023 and 2022 can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Overview
Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Holdings, Inc., a Delaware Corporation (“Lulus”, “we”, “our”, or the “Company”) is a customer-driven, primarily online, digitally-native attainable luxury fashion brand for women, offering modern, unapologetically feminine designs at attainable prices for all of life’s fashionable moments. Our goal is to become the most trusted and number one destination for dresses, helping every woman feel confident and celebrated, supporting her for all of life's occasions. Lulus primarily serves a large, diverse community of Millennial and Gen Z women, who typically meet us in their 20s and stay with us through their 30s and beyond. We focus relentlessly on giving our customers what they want by using direct consumer feedback and insights to refine product offerings and elevate the customer experience. Lulus’ world class personal stylists, bridal concierge, and customer care team share an unwavering commitment to elevating style and quality and bring exceptional customer service and personalized shopping to customers around the world.
Impact of Macroeconomic Trends on Business
Changing macroeconomic factors, including inflation, interest rates, student loan repayment resumption, tariffs or bans, world events, wars and domestic and international conflicts, existing and future laws and regulations, directives (including executive orders), and overall consumer confidence with respect to current and future economic conditions have directly impacted our sales in fiscal 2024 as discretionary consumer spending levels and shopping behavior fluctuate with these factors. We have responded to these factors by taking appropriate pricing, promotional and other actions to stimulate customer demand. These factors are expected to continue to have an impact on our business, results of operations, our growth and financial condition.
Liquidity
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. During 2024 and 2023, the Company incurred net losses of $55.3 million and $19.3 million, respectively, and net income of $3.7 million in 2022. As of December 29, 2024, we had total cash and cash equivalents of $4.5 million and $13.1 million in outstanding amounts under the 2021 Credit Agreement, as amended, classified within total current liabilities. During 2024, we borrowed $33.1 million under the 2021 Credit Agreement, as amended, and repaid $28.0 million of the outstanding balance. For further information on the 2021 Credit Agreement, as amended, see Note 5, Debt of the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We are actively seeking alternative debt financing and will continue to take certain cash conservation measures, including adjustments to marketing and other fixed and variable costs and capital spend to meet our obligations as needed. As the ability to raise additional debt financing is outside of management’s control, we cannot conclude that management’s plans will be effectively implemented within twelve months from the date the consolidated financial statements are issued. Accordingly, we have concluded that these plans do not alleviate substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not reflect any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
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Goodwill impairment
As of the annual goodwill impairment assessment date for fiscal year 2024 the Company performed a qualitative assessment of its goodwill and determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the reporting unit. During the fourth quarter the Company concluded that a sustained decline in its stock price coupled with continuing net losses were significant enough factors to warrant a quantitative assessment utilizing a combination of (i) the guideline public company method applying revenue and EBITDA multiples of similar companies and (ii) the discounted cash flow method. The fair value determination used in the impairment assessment requires estimates of the fair values based on present value or other valuation techniques or a combination thereof, necessitating subjective judgments and assumptions by management. These estimates and assumptions could result in significant differences to the amounts reported if underlying circumstances were to change.
As a result of the goodwill impairment test conducted in the fourth quarter ended December 29, 2024, we concluded that the carrying value of the Company’s single reporting unit exceeded the fair value, and a goodwill impairment charge of $28.4 million was recorded, while $7.0 million of goodwill remained on our consolidated balance sheet. No goodwill impairment was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2023, and January 1, 2023.
Key Operating and Financial Metrics
We collect and analyze operating and financial data to assess the performance of our business and optimize resource allocation. The following table sets forth our key performance indicators for the periods presented (in thousands, except for percentages and Average Order Value).
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
Gross Margin |
|
| 41.2 | % | 41.7 | % | 43.5 | % | ||
Net income (loss) | $ | (55,286) | $ | (19,334) | $ | 3,725 | ||||
Adjusted EBITDA (1) | $ | (9,738) | $ | 3,231 | $ | 29,096 | ||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin (1) |
| (3.1) | % |
| 0.9 | % |
| 6.6 | % | |
Active Customers | 2,620 | 2,830 | 3,223 |
| ||||||
Average Order Value | $ | 137 | $ | 133 | $ | 131 |
(1) | For a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure and why we consider them useful, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” |
Active Customers
We define Active Customers as the number of customers who have made at least one purchase across our platform in the prior 12-month period. Active Customer count is measured as of the last day of the relevant period. We consider the number of Active Customers to be a key performance metric on the basis that it is directly related to consumer awareness of our brand, our ability to attract visitors to our primarily digital platform, and our ability to convert visitors to paying customers. Active Customers counts are based on de-duplication logic using customer account and guest checkout name, address, and email information.
Average Order Value
We define Average Order Value (“AOV”) as the sum of the total gross sales before returns across our platform in a given period, plus shipping revenue, less discounts and markdowns, divided by the Total Orders Placed (as defined below) in that period. AOV reflects average basket size of our customers. AOV may fluctuate as we continue investing in the development and introduction of new Lulus merchandise and as a result of our promotional discount activity.
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Total Orders Placed
We define Total Orders Placed as the number of customer orders placed across our platform during a particular period. An order is counted on the day the customer places the order. We do not adjust the number of Total Orders Placed for any cancellation or return that may have occurred subsequent to a customer placing an order. We consider Total Orders Placed as a key performance metric on the basis that it is directly related to our ability to attract and retain customers as well as drive purchase frequency. Total Orders Placed, together with AOV, is an indicator of the net revenue we expect to generate in a particular period.
Gross Margin
We define Gross Margin as gross profit as a percentage of our net revenue. Gross profit is equal to our net revenue less cost of revenue. Certain of our competitors and other retailers may report cost of revenue differently than we do. As a result, the reporting of our gross profit and Gross Margin may not be comparable to other companies.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We report our financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). However, management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with additional useful information in evaluating our performance and that excluding certain items that may vary substantially in frequency and magnitude period-to-period from net income (loss) provides useful supplemental measures that assist in evaluating our ability to generate earnings and to more readily compare these metrics between past and future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures may be different than similarly titled measures used by other companies.
Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, and Free Cash Flow
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that we calculate as net income (loss) before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization adjusted to exclude the effects of equity-based compensation and goodwill impairment. Adjusted EBITDA is a key measure used by management to evaluate our operating performance, generate future operating plans and make strategic decisions regarding the allocation of capital.
To supplement our audited consolidated financial statements which are prepared in accordance with GAAP, we use “Adjusted EBITDA”, “Adjusted EBITDA Margin” (collectively referred to as “Adjusted EBITDA”) and “Free Cash Flow” which are non-GAAP financial measures. Our non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as substitutes for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. There are several limitations related to the use of our non-GAAP financial measures as compared to the closest comparable GAAP measures. Some of these limitations include:
● | Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments; |
● | Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs; |
● | Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debt; |
● | Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect our tax expense or the cash requirements to pay our taxes; |
● | Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect certain non-routine expenses that may represent a reduction in cash available to us; |
● | although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future and such measures do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements; |
● | Free Cash Flow does not represent the total residual cash flow available for discretionary purposes; and |
● | other companies in our industry may calculate such measures differently than we do, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures. |
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Due to these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, and Free Cash Flow should not be considered as measures of discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using these non-GAAP measures only supplementally. As noted in the table below, Adjusted EBITDA includes adjustments to exclude the impact of depreciation and amortization, interest expense, income taxes, equity-based compensation and goodwill impairment. It is reasonable to expect that some of these items will occur in future periods. However, we believe these adjustments are appropriate because the amounts recognized can vary significantly from period to period, do not directly relate to the ongoing operations of our business and may complicate comparisons of our internal results of operations and results of operations of other companies over time. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA includes adjustments for other items that we do not expect to regularly record. Each of the normal recurring adjustments and other adjustments described in this paragraph and in the following reconciliation table help management with a measure of our core operating performance over time by removing items that are not related to day-to-day operations. Adjusted EBITDA Margin is a non-GAAP financial measure that we calculate as Adjusted EBITDA (as defined above) as a percentage of our net revenue.
The following table provides a reconciliation for Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin:
2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| |||||||||
(52 weeks) | (52 weeks) | (53 weeks) |
| |||||||||
(in thousands) |
| |||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (55,286) |
| $ | (19,334) |
| $ | 3,725 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization |
| 5,480 |
| 4,819 |
| 4,134 | ||||||
Interest expense |
| 1,271 |
| 1,728 |
| 1,103 | ||||||
Income tax provision (benefit) |
| 2,333 |
| (1,676) |
| 4,047 | ||||||
Equity-based compensation expense (1) |
| 8,090 |
| 17,694 |
| 16,087 | ||||||
Goodwill impairment | 28,374 | — | — | |||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (9,738) | $ | 3,231 | $ | 29,096 | ||||||
Net loss margin | (17.5) | % | (5.4) | % | 0.8 | % | ||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
| (3.1) | % |
| 0.9 | % |
| 6.6 | % |
(1) | 2024 includes equity-based compensation expense for performance stock units (“PSUs”) and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) granted during the period and prior periods, equity-based awards granted in prior periods, as well as forfeitures partially offset by accelerated vesting expense associated with the resignation of directors during the period. 2023 includes equity-based compensation expense for PSUs and RSUs granted during the period, accelerated expense associated with the voluntary forfeiture of stock options, and equity-based awards granted in prior periods. 2022 includes equity-based compensation expense for RSU awards granted during the period, as well as equity-based awards granted in prior periods. |
Free Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure that we calculate as net cash provided by operating activities less cash used for capitalized software development costs and purchases of property and equipment. We believe free cash flow is an important metric because it represents a measure of how much cash from operations we have available for discretionary and non-discretionary items after the deduction of capital expenditures.
A reconciliation to non-GAAP Free Cash Flow from net cash provided by operating activities for the periods presented is as follows (in thousands):
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 2,601 | $ | 15,421 | $ | 6,199 | ||
Capitalized software development costs | (1,574) | (2,055) | (2,500) | |||||
Purchases of property and equipment | (1,300) | (1,880) | (2,511) | |||||
Free Cash Flow | $ | (273) | $ | 11,486 | $ | 1,188 |
Factors Affecting Our Performance
Our financial condition and results of operations have been, and will continue to be, affected by a number of factors that present significant opportunities for us but also pose risks and challenges, including what is discussed below. See Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Customer Acquisition
Our business performance depends in part on our continued ability to cost-effectively acquire new customers. We define customer acquisition cost (“CAC”) as our brand and performance marketing expenses attributable to acquiring new customers, including, but not limited to, agency costs and marketing team costs but excluding any applicable equity-based compensation, divided by the number of customers who placed their first order with us in a given period. As a primarily digital brand, our marketing strategy is primarily focused on brand awareness marketing and digital advertising in channels like search, social, and programmatic – platforms that enable us to engage our customer where she spends her time, and in many cases also quickly track the success of our marketing, which allows us to adjust and optimize our marketing spend.
Customer Retention
Our continued success depends in part on our ability to retain and drive repeat purchases from our existing customers. We monitor retention across our entire customer base. Our goal is to attract and convert visitors into Active Customers and foster relationships that drive repeat purchases. During the trailing 12 months ended December 29, 2024, we served 2.6 million Active Customers compared to 2.8 million for the trailing 12 months ended December 31, 2023.
Inventory Management
We utilize a data-driven strategy that leverages our proprietary reorder algorithm to manage inventory as efficiently as possible. Our “test, learn, and reorder” approach consists of limited inventory purchases followed by the analysis of proprietary data including real-time transaction data and customer feedback, which then informs our selection and customization of popular merchandise prior to reordering in larger quantities. While our initial orders are limited in size and financial risk and our supplier partners are highly responsive, we nonetheless purchase inventory in anticipation of future demand and therefore are exposed to potential shifts in customer preferences and price sensitivity over time. As we continue to grow, we will adjust our inventory purchases to align with the current needs of the business.
Investment in Our Operations and Infrastructure
We will continue to invest in our operations and infrastructure to facilitate further operational efficiencies and growth of our business, while managing expenses to align with our net revenue expectations and goals to return to profitability. We will continue to diligently evaluate any new investments or capital spending initiatives as we believe that a disciplined approach to capital spending will enable us to generate positive returns on our investments over the long term.
Components of Our Results of Operations
Net Revenue
Net revenue consists primarily of gross sales, net of merchandise returns, international duties and taxes, and promotional discounts and markdowns, generated from the sale of apparel, footwear, and accessories. Net revenue excludes sales taxes assessed by governmental authorities. We recognize net revenue at the point in time when control of the ordered product is transferred to the customer, which we determine to have occurred upon shipment.
Net revenue is impacted by our number of customers and their spending habits, AOV, product assortment and availability, and marketing and promotional activities. During any given period, we may seek to increase sales by increasing promotional discounts, and in other periods we may instead seek to increase sales by increasing our selling and marketing expenses. We consider both actions together, so increased promotional discounts in a period, which would reduce net revenue accordingly in such period, might also result in lower selling and marketing expenses in such period. Similarly, if we increase selling and marketing expenses in a given period, promotional discounts may be correspondingly reduced, thereby improving net revenue.
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Cost of Revenue and Gross Profit
Cost of revenue consists of the product costs of merchandise sold to customers; shipping and handling costs, including all inbound, outbound, and return shipping expenses; rent, insurance, business property tax, utilities, depreciation and amortization, and repairs and maintenance related to our distribution facilities; and charges related to inventory shrinkage, damages, and our allowance for excess or obsolete inventory. Cost of revenue is primarily driven by growth in orders placed by customers, the mix of the product available for sale on our site, and transportation costs related to inventory receipts from our suppliers. We expect our cost of revenue to fluctuate as a percentage of net revenue primarily due to how we manage our inventory and merchandise mix.
Gross profit is equal to our net revenue less cost of revenue. We calculate Gross Margin as gross profit as a percentage of our net revenue. Our Gross Margin varies across Lulus, exclusive to Lulus, and third-party branded products. Exclusive to Lulus consists of products that we develop with design partners and have exclusive rights to sell across our platform, but that do not bear the Lulus brand. Gross Margin on sales of Lulus and exclusive to Lulus merchandise is generally higher than Gross Margin on sales of third-party branded products, which we offer for customers to “round out” the shopping basket. As we continue to optimize our distribution capabilities and gain more negotiation leverage with suppliers as we scale, our Gross Margin may fluctuate from period to period depending on the interplay of these factors.
Selling and Marketing Expenses
Our selling and marketing expenses consist primarily of payment processing fees, advertising, targeted online performance marketing and customer order courtesy adjustments. Selling and marketing expenses also include our spend on brand marketing channels, including compensation and free products to social media influencers, events, and other forms of online and offline marketing related to growing and retaining the customer base. As discussed in “Net Revenue” above, in any given period, the amount of our selling and marketing expense can be affected by the use of promotional discounts in such period.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of payroll and benefits costs, including equity-based compensation for our employees involved in general corporate functions including finance, merchandising, marketing, and technology, as well as costs associated with the use by these functions of facilities and equipment, including depreciation, rent, and other occupancy expenses. General and administrative expenses are primarily driven by increases in headcount required to support business growth and to meet our obligations as a public company.
Since our IPO, we have incurred significant legal, accounting, and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. We expect that compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, as well as rules and regulations subsequently implemented by the SEC, will increase our legal and financial compliance costs and will make some activities more time-consuming and costly.
Goodwill impairment
Goodwill as described in Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, is stated at the excess of the acquisition price over the fair value of net assets acquired in a purchase acquisition and is not amortized. The Company reviews its goodwill for impairment at least annually (on the first day of the fourth quarter) or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may be impaired. If the carrying value of the goodwill exceeds the fair value, the Company recognizes goodwill impairment.
Interest Expense
Interest expense consists of interest expense related to the 2021 Revolving Facility, as amended.
Benefit (Provision) for Income Taxes
The benefit (provision) for income taxes represents federal, state, and local income taxes. The effective rate differs from the statutory rate primarily due to non-deductible equity-based compensation expenses, non-deductible officer compensation, and state taxes. Our effective tax rate will change from quarter to quarter based on recurring and nonrecurring factors including, but not limited to, the geographical mix of earnings, enacted tax legislation, state and local income taxes, the impact of permanent tax adjustments, tax audit settlements, and the interaction of various tax strategies.
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We regularly assess the realizability of deferred tax assets (“DTAs”) and record a valuation allowance to reduce the DTAs to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In assessing the realizability of our DTAs, we weigh all available positive and negative evidence. This evidence includes, but is not limited to, historical earnings, scheduled reversal of taxable temporary differences, tax planning strategies and projected future taxable income. Due to the weight of objectively verifiable negative evidence, we established a valuation allowance of $14.9 million as of December 29, 2024. The significant piece of objectively verifiable negative evidence evaluated was the recent cumulative losses. Our ability to use our DTAs depends on the amount of taxable income in future periods.
Our Results of Operations
The following tables set forth our consolidated results of operations for the years presented and as a percentage of net revenue:
2024 | 2023 | 2024 VS 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
(in thousands, except percentages) | |||||||||||
Net revenue | $ | 315,887 | $ | 355,175 |
| (11) | % | $ | 439,652 | ||
Cost of revenue |
| 185,639 |
| 206,949 | (10) |
|
| 248,206 | |||
Gross profit |
| 130,248 |
| 148,226 | (12) |
|
| 191,446 | |||
Selling and marketing expenses |
| 72,927 |
| 76,312 | (4) |
|
| 83,559 | |||
General and administrative expenses |
| 81,334 |
| 92,129 | (12) |
|
| 99,148 | |||
Goodwill impairment | 28,374 | - | NM | - | |||||||
Income (loss) from operations |
| (52,387) |
| (20,215) | 159 |
|
| 8,739 | |||
Interest expense |
| (1,271) |
| (1,728) | (26) |
|
| (1,103) | |||
Other income, net |
| 705 |
| 933 | (24) |
|
| 136 | |||
Income (loss) before income taxes |
| (52,953) |
| (21,010) | 152 |
|
| 7,772 | |||
Income tax benefit (provision) |
| (2,333) |
| 1,676 | NM |
|
| (4,047) | |||
Net income (loss) | $ | (55,286) | $ | (19,334) | 186 | % | $ | 3,725 |
NM – not meaningful
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
Net revenue | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | |||
Cost of revenue |
| 59 | 58 |
| 56 | ||||
Gross profit |
| 41 | 42 |
| 44 | ||||
Selling and marketing expenses |
| 23 | 22 |
| 19 | ||||
General and administrative expenses |
| 26 | 26 |
| 23 | ||||
Goodwill impairment | 9 | — | — | ||||||
Income (loss) from operations |
| (17) | (6) |
| 2 | ||||
Interest expense |
| — | — |
| — | ||||
Other income, net |
| — | — |
| — | ||||
Income (loss) before income taxes |
| (17) | (6) |
| 2 | ||||
Income tax benefit (provision) |
| (1) | — |
| (1) | ||||
Net income (loss) | (18) | % | (6) | % | 1 | % |
Comparisons for the Fiscal Years Ended December 29, 2024 and December 31, 2023
Net Revenue
Net revenue decreased in 2024 by $39.3 million, or 11%, compared to 2023. The decrease was primarily due to a decline of 12% in Total Orders Placed, along with higher return rates partially offset by higher AOV compared to 2023.
Cost of Revenue
Cost of revenue decreased in 2024 by $21.3 million, or 10% compared to 2023, which was primarily driven by the impact of lower revenue.
Gross Profit
Gross profit decreased in 2024 by $18.0 million or 12% compared to 2023 which was primarily driven by the impact of the lower volume of sales.
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Selling and Marketing Expenses
Selling and marketing expenses decreased in 2024 by $3.4 million, or 4% compared to 2023, due to lower performance and awareness marketing spend of $3.1 million and lower merchant processing fees of $0.7 million, partly due to the lower volume of sales. This was partially offset by $0.4 million higher other marketing costs.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses decreased in 2024 by $10.8 million, or 12%, compared to 2023. The decrease was primarily due to a $9.6 million decrease in equity-based compensation, a $2.7 million decrease in wages and payroll taxes, primarily driven by lower variable headcount associated with lower sales volume and operational efficiencies as well as reduced fixed headcount resulting from our cost reductions. There was also a $1.5 million decrease in directors and officers liability insurance and legal and professional fees, and a $0.1 million decrease in state taxes. This was partially offset by increased employee benefits of $1.4 million driven by higher medical claims costs, accrued bonuses of $0.6 million for eligible non-leadership employees and a $1.2 million increase in software, occupancy, depreciation and amortization.
Goodwill Impairment
Goodwill impairment increased by $28.4 million in 2024 compared to zero in 2023. The increase was due to sustained decline in the Company’s stock price coupled with continuing net losses which were significant enough factors to warrant a quantitative assessment under the annual goodwill impairment test conducted in the fourth quarter of 2024 which concluded that the carrying value of the Company’s single reporting unit exceeded the fair value. Therefore, a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $28.4 million was recorded during the fourth quarter ended December 29, 2024, while $7.0 million goodwill remained on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.
Interest Expense
Interest expense decreased in 2024 by $0.5 million, or 26%, compared to 2023. The decrease is attributable to lower average borrowings, partially offset by higher interest rates.
Income Tax Benefit (Provision)
Our income tax provision in 2024 increased by $4.0 million to $2.3 million tax expense, compared to a tax benefit of $1.7 million in 2023. The increase was primarily due to the establishment of a valuation allowance that was recorded against federal and state DTAs.
Quarterly Trends and Seasonality
We experience moderate seasonal fluctuations in aggregate sales volume during the year. Seasonality in our business does not follow that of traditional retailers, such as a typical concentration of revenue in the holiday quarter. Our net revenue is typically highest in the second and third quarters due to the highest demand for event dresses in the spring and summer. Net revenue is typically the lowest in the first and fourth quarters when event dresses are less in demand. The seasonality of our business has resulted in variability in our total net revenue quarter-to-quarter. We believe that this seasonality has affected and will continue to affect our results of operations. We recognized 25%, 29%, 25% and 21% of our annual net revenue during the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2024, respectively.
Our quarterly gross profit fluctuates primarily based on how we manage our inventory and merchandise mix and has typically been in line with fluctuations in net revenue. When quarterly gross profit fluctuations have deviated relative to the fluctuations in sales, these situations have been driven by non-recurring, external factors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Selling and marketing expenses generally fluctuate with net revenue. Further, in any given period, the amount of our selling and marketing expense can be affected by the use of promotional discounts in such period. In addition, we may increase or decrease marketing spend to assist with optimizing inventory mix and quantities.
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of payroll and benefit costs and vary quarter to quarter due to changes in the number of seasonal workers to meet demand based on our seasonality.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are cash generated from operating activities and borrowings under our 2021 Revolving Facility, as amended. Our primary requirements for liquidity and capital are inventory purchases, payroll and general operating expenses, capital expenditures associated with our distribution facilities, capitalized software and debt service requirements.
Credit Facilities
In November 2021, we entered into the 2021 Credit Agreement with Bank of America to provide the 2021 Revolving Facility that provided for borrowings up to $50.0 million with a maturity date of November 15, 2024.
On July 22, 2024, we entered into the First Credit Amendment which extended the maturity date to August 15, 2025 and reduced the Revolving Commitment (as defined in the 2021 Credit Agreement) to $15.0 million, with a further reduction to $10.0 million on March 31, 2025. The First Credit Amendment also reduced the previous letters of credit sublimit from $7.5 million to $5.0 million.
On November 12, 2024, we entered into the Second Credit Amendment which extended our reporting deadline for our financial statements and covenant compliance certificate for the third quarter 2024 to December 16, 2024, and required us to test the financial covenants no later than December 16, 2024. The Second Credit Amendment prohibited us from requesting any additional borrowing or letter of credit extension until the financial statements and the compliance certificate for the third quarter of 2024 were delivered. We successfully delivered the third quarter financial statements and the compliance certificate on December 16, 2024.
On December 13, 2024, we entered into the Third Credit Amendment. The Third Credit Amendment provided a limited waiver for us to comply with the financial covenants for the period of four fiscal quarters ended on or about September 30, 2024. Under the Third Credit Amendment, we are required to, among other things, not permit unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, as determined on a consolidated basis and tested weekly, to be less than certain specified minimum amounts. The Third Credit Amendment also requires the payment of certain consent fees and increases the interest rates payable under the as amended 2021 Credit Agreement for periods commencing on or after December 13, 2024 and February 1, 2025, as described in Note 5, Debt. Pursuant to the Third Credit Amendment, there was no financial covenant test for the quarter ended September 29, 2024.
On March 27, 2025, we entered into the Fourth Credit Amendment to the 2021 Credit Agreement. The Fourth Credit Amendment provided a limited waiver for us to comply with the financial covenants for the period of four fiscal quarters ended on or about December 31, 2024. It also suspends measurement of the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio and Consolidated Fixed Charge Covenant Ratio for the fiscal quarter ending on or about March 31, 2025. The Fourth Credit Amendment prohibits the Company from requesting any further borrowings under the 2021 Credit Agreement, as amended. The Fourth Credit Amendment includes a timeline of milestones for a refinancing transaction with a third-party lender, and limits our ability to further enter into certain transactions, including certain liens, dispositions, investments, debt and restricted payments. The Fourth Credit Amendment also requires the payment of the remaining portion of the consent fee payable under the Third Credit Amendment and increases the interest rates payable under the 2021 Credit Agreement, as amended, for periods commencing on or after March 27, 2025, as described in Note 5, Debt. Although we have secured these limited waivers, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to satisfy all of the necessary conditions or that we will not incur another covenant violation in the future.
During 2024, we borrowed $33.1 million under the 2021 Credit Agreement, as amended, and repaid $28.0 million of the outstanding balance. As of December 29, 2024, we had $0.5 million letters of credit outstanding. For further information on the 2021 Credit Agreement, as amended, see Note 5, Debt of the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Availability and Use of Cash
As of December 29, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of $4.5 million and no restricted cash. During the year ended December 29, 2024, we took certain cost reduction and cash conservation measures, including headcount reductions, adjustments to marketing spend, and other fixed, variable, and capital spend. We will continue to take certain cost reduction and cash conservation measures to meet our obligations as needed. As the ability to raise additional debt financing is outside of our control, we cannot conclude that our plans will be effectively implemented within twelve months from the date the consolidated financial statements are issued. Accordingly, we have concluded that these plans do not alleviate substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not reflect any adjustments relating to the outcome of this uncertainty. Actual results of operations will depend on numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control as further discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Repurchases Pursuant to the 2024 Repurchase Program
On May 3, 2024, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to repurchase up to $2.5 million of our common stock (the “2024 Repurchase Program”). During 2024, we repurchased 339,321 shares of common stock in open market transactions pursuant to 10b5-1 purchase plans. As of December 29, 2024, there was $2.0 million available under the 2024 Repurchase Program authorization.
The actual timing, number, and value of shares repurchased in the future will be determined at our discretion and will continue to depend on a number of factors, including market conditions, applicable legal requirements, our capital needs, and whether there is a better alternative use of capital. Repurchases will continue to be funded from our existing cash and cash equivalents, or future cash flow. The 2024 Repurchase Program may be modified, suspended, or terminated at any time. For further information on the 2024 Repurchase Program, see Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, of the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Cash Flow Analysis
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the periods indicated:
2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |||||
(in thousands) | |||||||||
Net cash provided by: | |||||||||
Operating activities | $ | 2,601 | $ | 15,421 | $ | 6,199 | |||
Investing activities | (2,874) | (4,003) | (5,123) | ||||||
Financing activities | 2,227 | (19,131) | (2,765) | ||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,954 | $ | (7,713) | $ | (1,689) |
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities consists primarily of net income (loss) adjusted for certain non-cash items, including depreciation, amortization, equity-based compensation, the effect of changes in working capital and other activities.
During 2024, net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $12.8 million, as compared to 2023. The decrease was primarily due to an increase of $36.0 million in our net loss after adjusting for an increase in non-cash items of $26.5 million related to goodwill impairment, depreciation, amortization, equity-based compensation, and other activities, a $6.3 million increase in inventory purchases due to less inventory carried over from prior year in 2024, an increase of $3.6 million in income tax refund receivable due to the finalization of a multi-year state income tax audit, a decrease of $1.4 million in accounts payable related to the timing of payments related to our credit card payables, a $0.2 million decrease related to operating lease liabilities, and a $0.1 million increase related to assets for recovery. This was partially offset by $4.0 million in accrued expenses and other current liabilities primarily driven by an increase in our stored-value card liability, a $3.0 million decrease in prepaids and other current assets driven by lower prepaid marketing and prepaid supplies costs due to lower sales, a $1.0 million decrease in accounts receivable driven by lower sales and a $0.3 million increase related to other noncurrent liabilities driven by increased non-current deferred tax liabilities.
Investing Activities
Our primary investing activities have consisted of purchases of equipment to support our overall business growth and internally developed software for the continued development of our proprietary technology infrastructure. Purchases of property and equipment may vary from period to period due to the timing of the expansion of our operations. We have no material commitments for capital expenditures.
During 2024, as compared to 2023, net cash used in investing activities decreased by $1.1 million. This was attributable to $0.6 million lower capital expenditures for furniture, leasehold improvements, equipment, and construction in progress for our general operations and $0.5 million less invested in capitalized software development costs.
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Financing Activities
Financing activities consist primarily of borrowings and repayments related to our 2021 Revolving Facility, as amended.
During 2024, net cash provided by financing activities increased by $21.3 million compared to 2023. The increase was primarily due to higher borrowings of $20.1 million on our 2021 Revolving Facility, as amended, a $2.0 million decrease in repayments on our 2021 Revolving Facility, as amended, and a $0.4 million decrease in withholding tax payments related to vesting of RSUs, partially offset by a $0.5 million increase related to the 2024 Repurchase Program, a $0.4 million increase in finance lease payments, and a $0.3 million decrease in proceeds received from issuance of common stock under our employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”).
Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments
Our most significant contractual obligations relate to our 2021 Revolving Facility, as amended and operating lease obligations on our distribution facilities and corporate offices. For information on our 2021 Revolving Facility, as amended, see Note 5, Debt, and for information on our contractual obligations for operating leases, see Note 6, Leases, of the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We recently consolidated two of our distribution facilities by moving operations from our former distribution facility in Chico, California to our existing distribution facility in Ontario, California, in accordance with a transition plan designed to minimize disruption to the business and its customers. Lulus recorded an immaterial amount of exit costs in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2024 and expects to record approximately $0.5 million to $1.0 million of exit costs in the first fiscal quarter of 2025. These are primarily non-cash expenses associated with the accelerated amortization of a right-of-use asset for the leased distribution facility and accelerated depreciation of fixed assets located in the distribution facility. In addition to these non-cash expenses, we incurred travel costs and some inefficiency and redundancies in our labor costs during the first quarter of 2025 as we completed consolidation of the facilities.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, costs and expenses and related disclosures. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ significantly from our estimates. To the extent that there are differences between our estimates and actual results, our future financial statement presentation, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows will be affected.
We believe that the assumptions and estimates associated with revenue recognition, equity-based compensation, and income taxes have the greatest potential impact on our consolidated financial statements. Therefore, we consider these to be our critical accounting policies and estimates. For further information on all of our significant accounting policies, please see Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, of the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Revenue Recognition
While our revenue recognition does not involve significant judgment, it represents an important accounting policy. We generate revenue from the sale of merchandise products sold directly to end customers. We recognize revenue when the product is transferred to the customer, which is generally upon shipment. We estimate a reserve of future returns based on historical return rates. There is judgment in utilizing historical trends for estimating future returns. Our refund for sales returns is included in returns reserve and asset for recovery on the consolidated balance sheets and represents the expected value of the refund that will be due to our customers.
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Leases
On January 3, 2022, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 842, Leases (“ASC 842”). We elected the practical expedient package, which among other practical expedients, includes the option to retain the historical classification of leases entered into prior to January 3, 2022, and allows entities to recognize lease payments on a straight-line basis over the lease term for leases with a term of 12 months or less. We also elected the practical expedient to combine lease and non-lease components. We determine if an arrangement contains a lease at inception based on whether we have the right to control the asset during the contract period and other facts and circumstances.
We are the lessee in a lease contract when we obtain the right to control the asset. Operating leases are included in lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets, lease liabilities, current and lease liabilities, noncurrent in our consolidated balance sheets. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at lease inception or modification, with ROU assets recorded based on the corresponding lease liability at lease inception or modification adjusted for payments made to the lessor at or before the lease commencement date, initial direct costs incurred and any tenant incentives allowed for under the lease. We determine the lease term by assuming the exercise of renewal options that are reasonably certain. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit interest rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate (“IBR”) to determine the present value of lease payments. The determination of the IBR requires judgment and is primarily based on publicly-available information for companies within similar industries and with similar credit profiles. We adjust the rate for the impact of collateralization, the lease term and other specific terms included in each lease arrangement. The IBR is determined at the lease commencement and is subsequently reassessed upon a modification to the lease arrangement. Refer to Note 6, Leases, of the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Equity-Based Compensation
Equity-based compensation is measured at the grant date or modification date (“measurement date”) for all equity-based awards made to employees and nonemployees based on the estimated fair value of the awards. Equity-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period the employee or non-employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, which is generally the vesting period. We recognize forfeitures as they occur.
Under an employment agreement entered into with former CEO, David McCreight in 2021 (the “McCreight IPO Employment Agreement”), Mr. McCreight received two bonuses in the form of fully-vested shares of our common stock equal to $3.0 million each ($6.0 million in aggregate) on March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2023. We initially concluded that the two bonuses were liability-classified upon issuance. Upon the completion of the IPO, the two bonuses became equity-classified as they no longer met the criteria for liability classification and $2.9 million was reclassified from accrued expenses and other current liabilities and other noncurrent liabilities to additional paid-in capital in 2021. Under a new employment agreement with Mr. McCreight effective in November 2022, when he transitioned to the role of Executive Chairman, (the “Executive Chairman Employment Agreement”), Mr. McCreight received one bonus equal to $2.0 million in March 2023 and one bonus equal to $1.0 million in March 2024, both in the form of RSUs that vested in four and two quarterly installments from March 2023 and March 2024, respectively, through December 2023 and June 2024, respectively. Under the Executive Chairman Employment Agreement, Mr. McCreight was entitled to receive a grant of RSUs equivalent to $2.0 million. We initially concluded that the award was subject to the guidance within ASC 718 and was liability-classified upon issuance. On March 17, 2023, the number of RSUs associated with the award became determinable, and the award became equity-classified as it no longer met the criteria for liability classification. Mr. McCreight’s 836,820 RSUs were granted in two parts, with 613,116 RSUs granted on March 17, 2023 and 223,704 RSUs granted on April 30, 2023, the combination of which vested in equal, quarterly installments on the date immediately following the last day of each calendar quarter, starting April 1, 2023. On March 5, 2023, Mr. McCreight received a grant of 25,873 RSUs pursuant to the McCreight IPO Employment Agreement. These RSUs vested in 12 equal installments from April 30, 2023 through March 31, 2024.
During the thirteen weeks ended April 2, 2023, we entered into employment agreements with Crystal Landsem, the Chief Executive Officer, (the “CEO Employment Agreement”) and Tiffany Smith, the Chief Financial Officer, (the “CFO Employment Agreement”), under which 1,811,572 and 161,088 RSUs were granted, respectively. Under the CEO Employment Agreement, Ms. Landsem received a grant of 1,811,572 RSUs, which vest in quarterly installments beginning on June 30, 2023 through December 31, 2026 and are subject to continued service requirements. Under the CEO Employment Agreement, Ms. Landsem also received a grant of 1,811,571 PSUs on March 5, 2023 which vest in three equal annual installments of 603,857 PSUs subject to the achievement of trailing ten day volume-weighted average price targets of our common stock and her continued employment on the vesting dates. Under the CFO Employment Agreement, Ms. Smith received 161,088 RSUs, granted in two parts, with 118,025 and 43,063 RSUs granted on March 17, 2023 and April 30, 2023, respectively, which in combination vest over a three-year period, and are subject to continued service requirements.
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During the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024, we entered into a second amendment to the employment agreement with Mark Vos, the President and Chief Information Officer, (the “2024 President & CIO Employment Agreement”) under which 660,000 RSUs were initially granted, subject to various vesting schedules as set forth in the 2024 President & CIO Employment Agreement. On February 16, 2024, Ms. Smith received 175,000 RSUs, which vest over a three-year service period, and Laura Deady, the Chief Merchandising Officer, received 152,273 RSUs pursuant to her employment agreement entered into in December 2023 (“CMO Employment Agreement”), which vest over a three-year service period.
During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2024, we granted 76,821 and 2,028,166 RSUs, respectively, to certain executives (inclusive of the aforementioned RSU grants to Mr. Vos, Ms. Smith and Ms. Deady) and employees, which are subject to various vesting schedules as set forth in the applicable employment agreement or RSU Award Agreements. During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2024, we granted 10,014 and 459,748 RSUs, respectively, to certain directors which vested immediately or pursuant to our Non-Employee Director Compensation Program. During the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2024, we reduced the size of our Board and accelerated the vesting of a total of 54,398 RSUs which had been previously granted to directors. A total of 163,166 RSUs were forfeited by the same directors in connection with their resignations.
The fair value of grants of restricted stock or RSUs is based on the fair value of our common stock underlying the award on the measurement date. For stock option awards, we apply the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value. The model utilizes the estimated per share fair value of our underlying common stock at the measurement date, the expected or contractual term of the option, the expected stock price volatility, risk-free interest rates, and the expected dividend yield of the common stock.
We base estimates of expected volatility on the historical volatility of comparable companies from a representative peer group selected based on industry, financial, and market capitalization data.
Determining the grant date fair value of options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model requires us to make assumptions and judgments. These estimates involve inherent uncertainties and, if different assumptions had been used, stock-based compensation expense could have been materially different from the amounts recorded.
Income Taxes
We compute our provision for income taxes using the asset and liability method, under which DTA and DTLs are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and for operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. DTAs and DTLs are measured using the currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in effect for the years in which they are expected to be realized or settled.
DTAs are evaluated for future realization and reduced by a valuation allowance to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. We consider many factors when assessing the likelihood of future realization, including our recent cumulative loss, earnings expectations in earlier future years, and other relevant factors.
As of December 29, 2024, we had approximately $24.4 million in gross DTAs and $10.3 million in gross DTLs, which resulted in a net DTA of $14.1 million. These DTAs include approximately $2.7 million related to net operating loss carryforwards that can be used to offset taxable income in future periods and reduce our income taxes payable in those future periods. Some of these net operating loss carryforwards will expire if they are not used within certain periods. At this time, based on evidence currently available, we consider it more likely than not that we will not have sufficient taxable income in the future that will allow us to realize the DTAs. Due to the weight of objectively verifiable negative evidence, we established a valuation allowance of $14.9 million during the current year, which adversely affected our results of operations and statement of financial conditions.
Goodwill Impairment Assessment
Goodwill is stated at the excess of the acquisition price over the fair value of net assets acquired in a purchase acquisition and is not amortized. Goodwill arose from the LP’s purchase of 100% of the outstanding common stock of Lulus LLC on July 25, 2014, and the Company has one reporting unit. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment on the first day of the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that an impairment may have occurred.
When testing goodwill for impairment, the Company first performs an assessment of qualitative factors (“Step 0 Test”). The qualitative assessment includes assessing the totality of relevant events and circumstances that affect the fair value or carrying value of the reporting unit. These events and circumstances include macroeconomic conditions, industry and competitive environment conditions, overall financial performance, reporting unit specific events and market considerations. The Company also considers recent
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valuations of the reporting unit, including the magnitude of the difference between the most recent fair value estimate and the carrying value, as well as both positive and adverse events and circumstances, and the extent to which each of the events and circumstances identified may affect the comparison of a reporting unit’s fair value with its carrying value. If the qualitative assessment results in a conclusion that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds the carrying value, then no further testing is performed for that reporting unit.
As of the annual goodwill impairment assessment date for fiscal year 2024 the Company performed a qualitative assessment of its goodwill and determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the reporting unit. During the fourth quarter the Company concluded that a sustained decline in its stock price coupled with continuing net losses, were significant enough factors to warrant a quantitative assessment utilizing a combination of (i) the guideline public company method applying revenue and EBITDA multiples of similar companies and (ii) the discounted cash flow method. The fair value determination used in the impairment assessment requires estimates of the fair values based on present value or other valuation techniques or a combination thereof, necessitating subjective judgments and assumptions by management. These estimates and assumptions could result in significant differences to the amounts reported if underlying circumstances were to change.
As a result of the goodwill impairment test conducted in the fourth quarter ended December 29, 2024, we concluded that the carrying value of the Company’s single reporting unit exceeded the fair value, and a goodwill impairment charge of $28.4 million was recorded, while $7.0 million of goodwill remained on our consolidated balance sheet. No goodwill impairment was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2023, and January 1, 2023.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies—Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements, of the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information about recent accounting pronouncements, the timing of their adoption, and our assessment, to the extent we have made one, of their potential impact on our financial position and our results of operations.
JOBS Act Accounting Election
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act. Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We have elected to use this extended transition period until we are no longer an emerging growth company or until we affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period. Accordingly, our consolidated financial statements and our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Our operations are solely based within the United States and the majority of our sales are within the United States. We are exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of our business, including the effects of foreign currency fluctuations, interest rate changes and inflation. Information relating to quantitative and qualitative disclosures about these market risks is set forth below.
Interest Rate Sensitivity
Cash and cash equivalents are held primarily in money market funds and cash deposits. The fair value of our cash and cash equivalents would not be significantly affected by either an increase or decrease in interest rates due mainly to the short-term nature of these instruments. Interest on any borrowings incurred pursuant to our 2021 Revolving Facility, as amended, accrue at a floating rate based on a formula tied to certain market rates at the time of incurrence; however, we do not expect that any change in prevailing interest rates will have a material impact on our results of operations.
Foreign Currency Risk
All of our domestic sales and operating expenses are denominated in U.S. dollars, and therefore, our income/(loss) before income taxes is not currently subject to foreign currency risk.
Inflation
We have experienced inflationary pressures in our supply chain and in our operating costs, as well as impacts related to our customers’ spending levels, which fluctuate with inflation. We continue to monitor the impact of inflation in order to minimize its effects through pricing strategies, productivity improvements and cost reductions. If our costs were to become subject to significant inflationary pressures, we may not be able to fully offset such higher costs through price increases. Our inability or failure to do so could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
LULU’S FASHION LOUNGE HOLDINGS, INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page | |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID No. | 69 |
Financial Statements: | |
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 29, 2024 and December 31, 2023 | 70 |
71 | |
72 | |
73 | |
75 |
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the stockholders and the Board of Directors of Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Holdings, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 29, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 29, 2024, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 29, 2024, and December 31, 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended December 29, 2024, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Going Concern
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company has experienced recurring net losses and has insufficient access to liquidity that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans regarding these matters are also described in Note 1. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
March 27, 2025
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2017.
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LULU’S FASHION LOUNGE HOLDINGS, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
| December 29, |
| December 31, | |||
2024 | 2023 | |||||
Assets | ||||||
Current assets: |
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Cash and cash equivalents | $ | | $ | | ||
Accounts receivable |
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Inventory, net |
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Assets for recovery |
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Income tax refund receivable, net |
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Prepaids and other current assets |
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Total current assets |
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Property and equipment, net |
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Goodwill |
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Tradename |
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Intangible assets, net |
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Lease right-of-use assets | | | ||||
Other noncurrent assets |
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Total assets | $ | | $ | | ||
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity |
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Current liabilities: |
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Accounts payable | $ | | $ | | ||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
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Returns reserve |
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Stored-value card liability |
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Revolving line of credit | | | ||||
Lease liabilities, current | | | ||||
Total current liabilities |
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Lease liabilities, noncurrent | | | ||||
Other noncurrent liabilities |
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Total liabilities |
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Commitments and Contingencies (Note 7) |
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Stockholders' equity: |
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Preferred stock: $ |
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Common stock: $ |
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Additional paid-in capital |
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Accumulated deficit |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Treasury stock, at cost, | ( | — | ||||
Total stockholders' equity |
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Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | | $ | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
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LULU’S FASHION LOUNGE HOLDINGS, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Fiscal Years Ended | |||||||||
December 29, |
| December 31, | January 1, | ||||||
2024 | 2023 | 2023 | |||||||
(52 weeks) | (52 weeks) | (52 weeks) | |||||||
Net revenue | $ | |
| $ | | $ | | ||
Cost of revenue | |
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Gross profit | |
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Selling and marketing expenses | |
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General and administrative expenses | |
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Goodwill impairment | | — | — | ||||||
Income (loss) from operations | ( |
| ( | | |||||
Interest expense | ( | ( | ( | ||||||
Other income, net | | | | ||||||
Income (loss) before benefit (provision) for income taxes | ( |
| ( | | |||||
Income tax benefit (provision) | ( | | ( | ||||||
Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) | ( |
| ( | | |||||
Basic earnings (loss) per share | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | | |||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | | |||
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding |
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Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
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LULU’S FASHION LOUNGE HOLDINGS, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’
Equity
(in thousands, except share amounts)
Additional | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Common Stock | Paid-In | Accumulated | Treasury Stock | Stockholders' | |||||||||||||||
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Capital |
| Deficit |
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Equity | ||||||
Balance as of January 2, 2022 | | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | — | $ | — | $ | | |||||||
Issuance of common stock for vesting of restricted stock units (RSUs), net of forfeiture | | | ( | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock for special compensation award | | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Shares withheld for withholding tax on RSUs | ( | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||
Offering costs related to IPO | — | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||
Settlement of distributions payable to former Class P unit holders | — | — | | — | — | — | | ||||||||||||
Forfeited shares of restricted stock | ( | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Equity-based compensation | — | — | | — | — | — | | ||||||||||||
Net income and comprehensive income | — | — | — | | — | — | | ||||||||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2023 | | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | — | $ | — | $ | | |||||||
Issuance of common stock for vesting of RSUs, net of forfeiture | | | — | — | — | — | | ||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock for special compensation award | | — | | — | — | — | | ||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock for employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) | | — | | — | — | — | | ||||||||||||
Shares withheld for withholding tax on RSUs | ( | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||
Forfeited shares of restricted stock | ( | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Equity-based compensation | — | — | | — | — | — | | ||||||||||||
Net (loss) and comprehensive (loss) | — | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2023 | | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | — | $ | — | $ | | |||||||
Issuance of common stock for vesting of RSUs, net of forfeiture | | | — | — | — | — | | ||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock for ESPP | | — | | — | — | — | | ||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock under 2023 MBO Bonus Plan | | — | | — | — | — | | ||||||||||||
Shares withheld for withholding tax on RSUs | ( | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||
Shares withheld for withholding tax on 2023 MBO Bonus Plan | ( | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||
Equity-based compensation | — | — | | — | — | — | | ||||||||||||
Repurchase of common stock | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
Net (loss) and comprehensive (loss) | — | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||
Balance as of December 29, 2024 | | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | ( | $ | ( | $ | | |||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements
.
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LULU’S FASHION LOUNGE HOLDINGS, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
Fiscal Years Ended | |||||||||
December 29, | December 31, | January 1, | |||||||
2024 |
| 2023 | 2023 | ||||||
(52 weeks) | (52 weeks) | (52 weeks) | |||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities |
|
|
|
| |||||
Net income (loss) | $ | ( |
| $ | ( | $ | | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: |
|
| |||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
| |
| | | ||||
Noncash lease expense | | | | ||||||
Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs |
| |
| | | ||||
Loss on disposal of property and equipment |
| |
| | | ||||
Equity-based compensation expense |
| | | | |||||
Deferred income taxes |
| |
| ( | | ||||
Goodwill impairment | | — | — | ||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
| |||||||
Accounts receivable |
| |
| | | ||||
Inventories |
| |
| | ( | ||||
Assets for recovery |
| |
| | ( | ||||
Income taxes (receivable) payable |
| ( |
| | ( | ||||
Prepaid and other current assets |
| |
| ( | | ||||
Accounts payable |
| |
| | | ||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
| |
| | | ||||
Operating lease liabilities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||
Other noncurrent liabilities |
| |
| ( | | ||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
| |
| | | ||||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities |
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Capitalized software development costs |
| ( |
| ( | ( | ||||
Purchases of property and equipment |
| ( |
| ( | ( | ||||
Other |
| — |
| ( | ( | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
| ( |
| ( | ( | ||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities |
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Proceeds from borrowings on revolving line of credit |
| |
| | | ||||
Repayments on revolving line of credit |
| ( |
| ( | ( | ||||
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) | | | — | ||||||
Principal payments on finance lease obligations | ( | ( | ( | ||||||
Payment of offering costs related to the IPO | — | — | ( | ||||||
Withholding tax payments related to vesting of RSUs and 2023 Bonus Plan | ( | ( | ( | ||||||
Repurchase of common stock | ( | — | — | ||||||
Other |
| — |
| ( | ( | ||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
| |
| ( | ( | ||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
| |
| ( | ( | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
| |
| | | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||
(Continued) |
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LULU’S FASHION LOUNGE HOLDINGS, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
Fiscal Years Ended | |||||||||
December 29, | December 31, | January 1, | |||||||
2024 |
| 2023 | 2023 | ||||||
(52 weeks) | (52 weeks) | (52 weeks) | |||||||
Supplemental Disclosure | |||||||||
Cash paid (refunded) during the period for: | |||||||||
Income taxes, net | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | | |||
Interest | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||
Operating leases | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||
Finance leases | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||
Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities |
|
|
| ||||||
Addition of right-of-use assets, including prepaid rent, net of deferred rent recorded upon adoption of ASC 842 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | | |||
Addition of lease liabilities recorded upon adoption of ASC 842 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | | |||
Right-of-use assets acquired under operating lease obligations | $ | — | $ | | $ | | |||
Remeasurement of operating lease right-of-use assets for lease modification | $ | — | $ | — | $ | | |||
Assets acquired under finance lease obligations | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||
Prepaid rent reclassified to lease right-of-use assets | $ | — | $ | — | $ | | |||
Purchases of property and equipment included in accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||
(Concluded) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
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1.Description of Business, Organization and Liquidity
Organization and Business
Pursuant to a reorganization, Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Holdings, Inc., a Delaware Corporation (“Lulus”, “we”, “our”, or the “Company”), was formed on August 25, 2017 as a holding company and its primary asset is an indirect membership interest in Lulu’s Fashion Lounge, LLC (“Lulus LLC”). Prior to the Company’s initial public offering, the Company was majority-owned by Lulu’s Holdings, L.P. (the “LP”). In connection with the Company’s initial public offering, the LP was liquidated.
Lulus LLC was founded in 1996, starting as a vintage boutique in Chico, California that began selling online in 2005 and transitioned to a purely online business in 2008. The LP was formed in 2014 as a holding company and purchased
Impact of Macroeconomic Trends on Business
Changing macroeconomic factors, including inflation, interest rates, student loan repayment resumption, tariffs or bans, world events, wars and domestic and international conflicts, existing and future laws and regulations, directives (including executive orders), and overall consumer confidence with respect to current and future economic conditions have directly impacted our sales in fiscal 2024 as discretionary consumer spending levels and shopping behavior fluctuate with these factors. We have responded to these factors by taking appropriate pricing, promotional and other actions to stimulate customer demand. These factors are expected to continue to have an impact on our business, results of operations, our growth and financial condition.
Liquidity
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. During 2024 and 2023, the Company incurred net losses of $
We are actively seeking alternative debt financing and continuing to take certain cash conservation measures, including adjustments to marketing and other fixed and variable costs and capital spend to meet our obligations as needed. As the ability to raise additional debt financing is outside of management’s control, we cannot conclude that management’s plans will be effectively implemented within twelve months from the date the consolidated financial statements are issued. Accordingly, we have concluded that these plans do not alleviate substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not reflect any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
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2.Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Fiscal Year
The Company’s fiscal year consists of a 52-week or 53-week period ending on the Sunday nearest December 31. The fiscal years ending December 29, 2024 (“2024”), ended December 31, 2023 (“2023) and ended January 1, 2023 (“2022”) consisted of 52-weeks.
The consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, after elimination of all intercompany balances and transactions. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The significant estimates and assumptions made by management relate to sales return reserves and related assets for recovery, lease right-of-use assets and related lease liabilities, income tax valuation allowance and fair value of equity awards. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Company adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Changes in those estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the consolidated financial statements in future periods. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could materially differ from those estimates and assumptions.
Concentration of Credit Risks
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash. Such amounts may exceed federally insured limits. The Company reduces credit risk by depositing its cash with major credit-worthy financial institutions within the United States. To date, the Company has not experienced any losses on its cash deposits. As of December 29, 2024 and December 31, 2023,
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable consist primarily of receivables from credit card processing agencies and wholesale customers. Based on historical collections from these agencies and wholesale customers, an immaterial allowance for doubtful accounts was deemed necessary as of December 29, 2024 and
Inventory
Inventory consists of finished goods, which are recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost determined using the first-in-first-out method. The cost of inventory consists of merchandise costs and inbound freight costs. Inventory levels are reviewed to identify slow-moving merchandise, and promotions and markdowns are used to clear merchandise. In the period in which the Company determines estimated selling price, less costs to sell, is below cost, or identifies excess, obsolete, or unsalable items, the Company writes its inventory down to its net realizable value.
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Property and Equipment, net
Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which range from
Goodwill and Tradename
Goodwill is stated at the excess of the acquisition price over the fair value of net assets acquired in a purchase acquisition and is not amortized. Goodwill arose from the LP’s purchase of
When testing goodwill for impairment, the Company first performs an assessment of qualitative factors (“Step 0 Test”). The qualitative assessment includes assessing the totality of relevant events and circumstances that affect the fair value or carrying value of the reporting unit. These events and circumstances include macroeconomic conditions, industry and competitive environment conditions, overall financial performance, reporting unit specific events and market considerations. The Company also considers recent valuations of the reporting unit, including the magnitude of the difference between the most recent fair value estimate and the carrying value, as well as both positive and adverse events and circumstances, and the extent to which each of the events and circumstances identified may affect the comparison of a reporting unit’s fair value with its carrying value. If the qualitative assessment results in a conclusion that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds the carrying value, then no further testing is performed for that reporting unit.
As of the annual goodwill impairment assessment date for fiscal year 2024 the Company performed a qualitative assessment of its goodwill and determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the reporting unit. During the fourth quarter the Company concluded that a sustained decline in its stock price coupled with continuing net losses were significant enough factors to warrant a quantitative assessment utilizing a combination of (i) the guideline public company method applying revenue and EBITDA multiples of similar companies and (ii) the discounted cash flow method. The fair value determination used in the impairment assessment requires estimates of the fair values based on present value or other valuation techniques or a combination thereof, necessitating subjective judgments and assumptions by management. These estimates and assumptions could result in significant differences to the amounts reported if underlying circumstances were to change.
As a result of the goodwill impairment test conducted in the fourth quarter ended December 29, 2024, we concluded that the carrying value of the Company’s single reporting unit exceeded the fair value, and a goodwill impairment charge of $
When testing the tradename for impairment, the Company first performs an assessment of qualitative factors. If qualitative factors indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the tradename is less than its carrying amount, the Company tests the tradename for impairment at the asset level. The Company determines the fair value of the tradename and compares it to the carrying value. If the carrying value of the tradename exceeds the fair value, the Company recognizes an impairment loss in an amount equal to the excess.
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The Company performed the qualitative assessment of its tradename for fiscal year 2024 and concluded that a sustained decline in its stock price coupled with continuing net losses were significant enough factors to warrant a quantitative assessment in the fourth quarter of 2024. The Company utilized the income-based relief-from-royalty method to value the trademark intangible assets. Under this method, revenues expected to be generated by the trademark are multiplied by a selected royalty rate. The royalty rate was selected based on consideration of i) royalty rates received by market participants in industries similar to the Company’s and ii) the current operating performance of the reporting unit. The estimated after-tax royalty revenue stream is then discounted to present value using the reporting unit’s WACC plus a spread that factors in the risk of the intangible asset.
The results of the quantitative assessment indicated that the fair value of the tradename exceeded the carrying value of the reporting unit and there was no impairment. There were
Intangible Assets, net
Intangible assets, net consists of capitalized internal-use software development, which is amortized over a
Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the assets. The Company reviews intangible assets for impairment under the long-lived asset model described below.
Long-Lived Asset Impairment
The Company evaluates long-lived assets, including lease right-of-use assets, for impairment periodically whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. In evaluating long-lived assets for recoverability, the Company uses its best estimate of future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and eventual disposition. To the extent that projected undiscounted future net cash flows attributable to the asset are less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the difference between the carrying value of such asset and its estimated fair value. There was
Leases
Contracts that have been determined to convey the right to use an identified asset are evaluated for classification as an operating or finance lease. For the Company’s operating and finance leases, the Company records a lease liability based on the present value of the lease payments at lease inception. The present value of lease payments is determined by using the interest rate implicit in the lease, if that rate is readily determinable; otherwise, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate (“IBR”). The determination of the IBR requires judgment and is primarily based on publicly-available information for companies within similar industries and with similar credit profiles. The Company adjusts the rate for the impact of collateralization, the lease term and other specific terms included in each lease arrangement. The IBR is determined at the lease commencement and is subsequently reassessed upon a modification to the lease arrangement. The right-of-use asset is recorded based on the corresponding lease liability at lease inception, adjusted for payments made to the lessor at or before the commencement date, initial direct costs incurred and any tenant incentives allowed for under the lease. The Company does not include optional renewal terms or early termination provisions unless the Company is
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reasonably certain such options would be exercised at the inception of the lease. Lease right-of-use assets, current portion of lease liabilities, and lease liabilities, net of current portion are included on the consolidated balance sheets.
Fixed lease expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis, unless the right-of-use assets have been impaired, over the reasonably assured lease term based on the total lease payments and is included in operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Fixed and variable lease expense on operating leases is recognized within operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Finance lease expenses are recognized on a straight-line basis. Fixed and variable expenses are captured within interest expense and depreciation expense, which has components within general and administrative expenses and cost of revenue. The Company’s non-lease components are primarily related to maintenance, insurance and taxes, which varies based on future outcomes and is thus recognized in lease expense when incurred.
Revenue Recognition
The Company generates revenue primarily from the sale of merchandise products directly to end customers. The sale of products is a distinct performance obligation, and revenue is recognized at a point in time when control of the promised product is transferred to customers, which the Company determined occurs upon shipment based on its evaluation of the related shipping terms. Revenue is recognized in an amount that reflects the transaction price consideration that the Company expects to receive in exchange for those products. The Company’s payment terms are typically at the time of order processing and shipment.
The Company elected to exclude from revenue taxes assessed by governmental authorities, including value-added and other sales-related taxes, that are imposed on and concurrent with revenue-producing activities. The Company has elected to apply the practical expedient, relative to e-commerce sales, which allows an entity to account for shipping and handling as fulfillment activities, and not a separate performance obligation. Accordingly, the Company recognizes revenue for only
Revenue from merchandise product sales is reported net of sales returns, which includes an estimate of future returns based on historical return rates, with a corresponding reduction to cost of sales. There is judgment in utilizing historical trends for estimating future returns. The Company’s refund liability for sales returns is included in the returns reserve on its consolidated balance sheets and represents the expected value of the refund that will be due to the Company’s customers. The Company also has a corresponding asset for recovery that represents the expected net realizable value of the merchandise inventory to be returned.
The Company sells stored-value gift cards to customers and offers online store credit for certain returns and promotions. Such stored-value cards and credits do not have an expiration date. The Company recognizes revenue when the card or credit is redeemed by the customer. The Company has determined that sufficient evidence exists to support an estimate for stored-value card breakage. Subject to requirements to remit balances to governmental agencies, breakage is recognized as revenue in proportion to the pattern of rights exercised by the customer, which is substantially within
The Company has
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The following table summarizes the significant changes in the contract liabilities balances during 2024, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):
Deferred |
| Stored-Value | ||||
| Revenue |
| Cards | |||
Balance as of January 2, 2022 | $ | | $ | | ||
Revenue recognized that was included in contract liability balance at the beginning of the period |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Increase due to cash received, excluding amounts recognized as revenue (including breakage) during the period |
| |
| | ||
Balance as of January 1, 2023 | | | ||||
Revenue recognized that was included in contract liability balance at the beginning of the period |
| ( | ( | |||
Increase due to cash received, excluding amounts recognized as revenue (including breakage) during the period |
| | | |||
Balance as of December 31, 2023 | | | ||||
Revenue recognized that was included in contract liability balance at the beginning of the period |
| ( | ( | |||
Increase due to cash received, excluding amounts recognized as revenue (including breakage) during the period |
| | | |||
Balance as of December 29, 2024 | $ | | $ | |
Cost of Revenue
Cost of revenue consists of the product costs of merchandise sold to customers; shipping and handling costs including all inbound, outbound, and return shipping expenses; rent, insurance, business property tax, utilities, depreciation and amortization, and repairs and maintenance related to the Company’s distribution facilities; and charges related to inventory shrinkage, damages and the allowance for excess or obsolete inventory.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of payroll and benefits costs, including equity-based compensation for the Company’s employees involved in general corporate functions including finance, merchandising, marketing, and technology, as well as costs associated with the use by these functions of facilities and equipment, including depreciation and amortization, rent and other occupancy expenses.
Selling and Marketing Expenses
Selling and marketing expenses consist primarily of customer service, payment processing fees, advertising, targeted online performance marketing and search engine optimization costs. Selling and marketing expenses also include spend on brand marketing channels, including cash and free clothing compensation to influencers, events and other forms of online and offline marketing related to growing and retaining the customer base. Advertising costs included in selling and marketing expenses were $
Equity-Based Compensation
The Company grants stock-based awards to certain employees, officers, directors, and other nonemployee service providers. Equity-based compensation is measured at the grant date or modification date for all equity-based awards made to employees and non-employees based on the estimated fair value of the awards. Equity-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period the employee or non-employee is required to provide service in exchange
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for the award, which is generally the vesting period. The Company classifies equity-based compensation expense as general and administrative expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
The Company has elected to recognize forfeitures by reducing the equity-based compensation expense in the same period as the forfeitures occur.
The fair value of grants of restricted stock or restricted stock units (“RSUs”) is based on the fair value of the Company’s common stock underlying the award on the grant date or modification date. For stock option awards, the Company applies the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value. The model utilizes the estimated per share fair value of the Company’s underlying common stock at the grant date, the expected or contractual term of the option, the expected stock price volatility, risk-free interest rates, and the expected dividend yield of the common stock.
The Company bases its estimate of expected volatility on the historical volatility of comparable companies from a representative peer group selected based on industry, financial, and market capitalization data. The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury implied yield at the date of grant. The Company has elected to use the “simplified method” to determine the expected term which is the midpoint between the vesting date and the end of the contractual term because it has insufficient history upon which to base an assumption about the term; the Company believes the simplified method approximates a term if it were to be based on expected life. The expected dividend yield is
Determining the grant date fair value of options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model requires management to make assumptions and judgments. These estimates involve inherent uncertainties and, if different assumptions had been used, stock-based compensation expense could have been materially different from the amounts recorded.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets (“DTAs”) and deferred tax liabilities (“DTLs”) are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and for operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. DTAs and DTLs are measured using the currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in effect for the years in which they are expected to be realized or settled.
DTAs are evaluated for future realization and reduced by a valuation allowance to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. The Company considers many factors when assessing the likelihood of future realization, including recent cumulative losses, earnings expectations in earlier future years, and other relevant factors.
The Company believes that it is more likely than not that forecasted income, together with future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and results of recent operations, will not be sufficient to fully recover the DTAs. Due to the weight of objectively verifiable negative evidence, the company established a valuation allowance of $
The Company recognizes tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the consolidated financial statements from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, if any, as income tax expense.
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Net Income (Loss) Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders
The Company calculates basic and diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders in conformity with the two-class method required for participating securities as the application of the if converted method is not more dilutive. The two-class method requires income (loss) available to common stockholders for the period to be allocated between common stock and participating securities based upon their respective rights to receive dividends as if all income for the period had been distributed.
The Company considers its redeemable preferred stock and convertible preferred stock to be participating securities. In accordance with the two-class method, net income (loss) is adjusted for earnings allocated to these participating securities and the related number of outstanding shares of the participating securities, which include contractual participation rights in undistributed earnings, have been excluded from the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders. The redeemable preferred stock and convertible preferred stock contractually entitle the holders of such shares to participate in dividends but do not contractually require the holders of such shares to participate in the Company’s losses. As such, where applicable, net losses were not allocated to these securities.
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders is computed using net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders represents net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, including the effects of any dilutive securities outstanding.
The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted weighted average shares used to compute net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders:
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
Weighted average shares used to compute net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders – Basic | | | | |||
Dilutive securities: | ||||||
Unvested restricted stock | - | - | | |||
Unvested Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | - | - | | |||
Special compensation awards | - | - | | |||
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) shares | - | - | | |||
Weighted average shares used to compute net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders – Diluted | | | |
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The following securities were excluded from the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders for the fiscal years presented because including them would have been anti-dilutive (on an as-converted basis):
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
Stock options | | | | |||
Unvested restricted stock | — | | | |||
Unvested RSUs | | | | |||
PSUs | | | — | |||
ESPP shares | | | — | |||
2023 Bonus Plan | — | | — | |||
Total | | | |
2024 Stock Repurchase Program
On May 3, 2024, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to repurchase up to $
The table below summarizes the share repurchase activity during the fifty-two weeks ended December 29, 2024 under our 2024 Repurchase Program. As of December 29, 2024, $
Maximum Dollar Value | |||||||||||
Total Number | Weighted | Aggregate | of Shares that May Yet | ||||||||
| of Shares |
| Average Price | Purchase | Be Purchased Under | ||||||
Period | Purchased (1) | Paid Per Share | Price (2) | the Plan | |||||||
Thirteen weeks ended June 30, 2024 | | $ | $ | | $ | | |||||
Thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2024 | | $ | $ | | $ | | |||||
Thirteen weeks ended December 29, 2024 | | $ | $ | | $ | | |||||
Total | | $ | |
(1) | The shares of common stock were purchased in open market transactions pursuant to 10b5-1 purchase plans entered into by the Company. |
(2) | Amount includes broker commissions. |
Redeemable Preferred Stock
The Company has elected to record its redeemable preferred stock at the greater of its redemption value or the issuance date fair value, net of issuance costs, as it is probable of becoming redeemable due to the passage of time. Any change to the carrying value of redeemable preferred stock recognized in each period is recorded to additional paid-in capital, or in the absence of additional paid-in capital, recorded to accumulated deficit.
The issuance date fair value of the redeemable preferred stock shares purchased by entities related to current employees, board members, and service providers was higher than the consideration paid and such excess was recorded as equity-based compensation. The excess of the fair value over consideration paid for redeemable preferred stock shares
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purchased by an existing convertible preferred stockholder was accounted for as a deemed dividend and recorded in additional paid-in capital.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as a change in equity of a business enterprise during a period, resulting from transactions from non-owner sources. To date, the Company has not had any transactions that are required to be reported in comprehensive income (loss) other than the net income (loss) incurred from operations. Thus, comprehensive income (loss) is the same as net income (loss) for the periods presented.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
The Company is an emerging growth company, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards issued subsequent to the enactment of the JOBS Act until such time as those standards apply to private companies. The Company has elected to use this extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until the earlier of the date that it (i) is no longer an emerging growth company or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opts out of the extended transition period provided in the JOBS Act. As a result, these consolidated financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with the new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.
In November 2023, FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which improves segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosure requirements for significant segment expenses. The improved disclosure requirements apply to all public entities that are required to report segment information, including those with only one reportable segment. The Company adopted the guidance in the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2024 and there was no impact on the Company’s reportable segments identified. Additional required disclosures have been added in Note 14, Segment Reporting.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2023, FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which amends existing income tax disclosure guidance, primarily requiring more detailed disclosure for income taxes paid and the effective tax rate reconciliation. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted and can be applied on either a prospective or retroactive basis. We are currently evaluating this pronouncement to determine its impact on our income tax disclosures.
In March 2024, FASB issued ASU 2024-01, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope Application of Profits Interest and Similar Awards, which is intended to reduce complexity in determining whether a profits interest award is subject to the guidance in Topic 718 and existing diversity in practice. ASU 2024-01 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted and can be applied on either a prospective or retroactive basis. We are currently evaluating this pronouncement to determine its impact on our stock compensation.
In March 2024, FASB issued ASU 2024-02, Codification Improvements—Amendments to Remove References to the Concepts Statements, which is intended to simplify the Codification and draw a distinction between authoritative and nonauthoritative literature. ASU 2024-02 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted and can be applied on either a prospective or retroactive basis. We are currently evaluating this pronouncement to determine its impact on our stock compensation.
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In November 2024, FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40), which is intended to disclose specific information about certain costs and expenses in the notes to its financial statements for interim and annual reporting periods. ASU 2024-03 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption of ASU 2024-03 is permitted. We are currently evaluating this pronouncement to determine its impact on our financial statements and related disclosures.
In November 2024, FASB issued ASU 2024-04, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20): Induced Conversions of Convertible Debt Instruments, which amends ASC 470-20 to clarify the requirements related to accounting for the settlement of a debt instrument as an induced conversion. ASU 2024-04 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2025 (and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods). Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of a reporting period if the entity has also adopted ASU 2020-06 for that period. We are currently evaluating this pronouncement to determine its impact on our financial statements and related disclosures.
3.Fair Value Measurements
The Company discloses and recognizes the fair value of its assets and liabilities using a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The guidance establishes three levels of the fair value hierarchy as follows:
Level 1—Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.
Level 2—Inputs are observable, unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, unadjusted quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the related assets or liabilities.
Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities that are supported by little or no market data.
The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts payable, accrued expenses, revolving line of credit, goodwill and tradename. As of December 29, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate fair value due to their short-term maturities. The fair value of the Company’s 2021 Credit Agreement, as amended, provides for borrowings up to $
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recorded for the years ended December 31, 2023, and January 1, 2023. As of December 29, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the carrying values of goodwill are million and $
4.Balance Sheet Components
Property and Equipment, net
Property and equipment, net consisted of the following (in thousands) as of:
| Estimated Useful Lives |
| December 29, |
| December 31, | |||
in Years | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
Leasehold improvements | $ | | $ | | ||||
Equipment |
| |
| | ||||
Furniture and fixtures |
| |
| | ||||
Construction in progress |
| — |
| | ||||
Total property and equipment |
| |
| | ||||
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization |
| ( | ( | |||||
Property and equipment, net | $ | | $ | |
Depreciation of property and equipment was $
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands) as of:
| December 29, | December 31, | ||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||
Accrued compensation and benefits | $ | | $ | | ||
Accrued marketing |
| |
| | ||
Accrued inventory |
| |
| | ||
Accrued freight | | | ||||
Other |
| |
| | ||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | $ | | $ | |
5.Debt
Credit Facility
On November 15, 2021, the Company entered into the 2021 Credit Agreement with Bank of America (the “lender”) to provide the 2021 Revolving Facility that provided for borrowings up to $
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15, 2024. All borrowings under the 2021 Credit Agreement accrued interest at a rate equal to, at the Company’s option, either (x) the term daily SOFR plus the applicable SOFR adjustment plus a margin of
On July 22, 2024, the Company entered into the First Credit Amendment which extended the maturity date from November 15, 2024, to August 15, 2025, and reduced the 2021 Revolving Facility from $
The First Credit Amendment revised the applicable interest rates for borrowings for the period commencing on July 22, 2024, through (but excluding) November 15, 2024, as follows: at the Company’s option, the base rate plus
As of September 29, 2024, the Company was not in compliance with its preliminary financial covenants for the third quarter 2024 as required by its First Credit Amendment. On November 12, 2024, the Company entered into the Second Credit Amendment that extended the Company's reporting deadline for its financial statements and covenant compliance certificate for the third quarter 2024 to December 16, 2024, and required us to test the financial covenants no later than December 16, 2024. It also requires that the consolidated total leverage ratio and consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio financial covenants for the third quarter 2024 be tested on the earlier of the date the Company delivers the financial statements and compliance certificate for the third quarter of 2024 or December 16, 2024. The Second Credit Amendment provides that the failure to deliver the financial statements and compliance certificate for the third quarter 2024 within the original time period required by the First Credit Amendment will not constitute an event of default.
The Second Credit Amendment prohibits the Company from requesting any additional borrowing or letter of credit extension until the financial statements and the compliance certificate for the third quarter of 2024 have been delivered. The Second Credit Amendment also revised the applicable interest rates for borrowings for the period commencing on November 12, 2024 as follows: at the Company’s option, the base rate plus
On December 13, 2024, the Company entered into the Third Credit Amendment. The Third Credit Amendment provided a limited waiver to the provision under the First Credit Amendment that requires the Company to comply with the financial covenants for the period of four fiscal quarters ended on or about September 30, 2024. Under the third amendment, the Company will be required to, among other things, not permit unrestricted cash and cash equivalents as determined on a consolidated basis and tested weekly to be less than certain specified minimum amounts. The Third Credit Amendment also requires the payment of certain consent fees and increases the interest rates payable under the First Credit Amendment for periods commencing on or after December 13, 2024 and February 1, 2025, respectively, as follows: (a) in the case of Base Rate Loans, the Base Rate plus (i)
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on February 1, 2025 (increased from a margin of
Pursuant to the Third Credit Amendment, there was no financial covenant test for the quarter ended September 29, 2024. From the execution of the Third Credit Amendment on December 13, 2024 through December 29, 2024, the Company maintained cash and cash equivalents above the specified weekly minimum balances.
On March 27, 2025, the Company entered into a fourth amendment to the 2021 Credit Agreement (the “Fourth Credit Amendment”). The Fourth Credit Amendment provided a limited waiver for the Company to comply with the financial covenants for the period of four fiscal quarters ended on or about December 31, 2024. It also suspends measurement of the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio and Consolidated Fixed Charge Covenant Ratio for the fiscal quarter ending on or about March 31, 2025. Pursuant to the Fourth Credit Amendment, the Revolving Commitment reduces from $
During 2024, the Company borrowed $
Amounts borrowed under the 2021 Credit Agreement, as amended, are collateralized by all assets of the Company and contains various financial and non-financial covenants for reporting, protecting and obtaining adequate insurance coverage for assets collateralized and for coverage of business operations, and complying with requirements, including the payment of all necessary taxes and fees for all federal, state and local government entities.
Debt Discounts and Issuance Costs
Debt discounts and issuance costs are deferred and amortized over the life of the related loan using the effective interest method. The associated expense is included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Debt issuance costs related to the 2021 Credit Agreement, as amended, are included in prepaids and other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets. As of December 29, 2024, and December 31, 2023, unamortized debt issuance costs recorded within prepaids and other current assets were $
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6.Leases
The Company is a lessee under various lease agreements. The determination of whether an arrangement contains a lease, and the lease classification is made at lease commencement (date upon which the Company takes possession of the asset). At lease commencement, the Company also measures and recognizes a right-of-use asset, representing the Company’s right to use the underlying asset, and a lease liability, representing the Company’s obligation to make lease payments under the terms of the arrangement. The lease term is defined as the noncancelable portion of the lease term plus any periods covered by an option to extend the lease if it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised. For the purposes of recognizing right-of-use assets and lease liabilities associated with the Company’s leases, the Company has elected the practical expedient of not recognizing a right-of-use asset or lease liability for short-term leases, which are leases with a term of 12 months or less. The Company has multiple finance leases and operating leases that are combined and included in the lease right-of-use assets, lease liabilities, current, and lease liabilities, noncurrent on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
The Company primarily leases its distribution facilities, corporate offices and retail stores under operating lease agreements expiring on various dates through December 2031, most of which contain options to extend. In addition to payment of base rent, the Company is also required to pay property taxes, insurance, and common area maintenance expenses. The Company records lease expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. As of December 29, 2024, the Company had immaterial remaining obligations for the base rent related to the short-term leases.
The Company also leases equipment under finance lease agreements expiring on various dates through April 2029.
As of December 29, 2024, the future minimum lease payments for the Company’s operating and finance leases for each of the next five fiscal years, and thereafter, were as follows (in thousands):
Fiscal Year: |
| Operating Leases | Finance Leases | Total | |||||
2025 | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||
2026 |
| | | | |||||
2027 |
| | | | |||||
2028 |
| | | | |||||
2029 |
| | | | |||||
Thereafter | | — | | ||||||
Total undiscounted lease payment | | | | ||||||
Present value adjustment | ( | ( | ( | ||||||
Total lease liabilities | | | | ||||||
( | ( | ( | |||||||
$ | | $ | | $ | |
Under the terms of the remaining lease agreements, the Company is also responsible for certain variable lease payments that are not included in the measurement of the lease liability, including non-lease components such as common area maintenance fees, taxes, and insurance.
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The following information represents supplemental disclosure of lease costs, components of the statement of cash flows related to operating and finance leases and components of right-of-use assets (in thousands):
December 29,2024 | |||
Finance lease cost | |||
Amortization of ROU assets | $ | | |
Interest on lease liabilities | | ||
Operating lease cost | | ||
Variable lease cost | | ||
Total lease cost | $ | | |
Lease cost included in cost of revenue | $ | | |
Lease cost included in general and administrative expenses | $ | | |
Weighted-average remaining lease term - finance leases | |||
Weighted-average remaining lease term - operating leases | |||
Weighted-average discount rate - finance leases | |||
Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases |
7.Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation and Other
From time to time, the Company may be a party to litigation and subject to claims incurred in the ordinary course of business, including personal injury and indemnification claims, labor and employment claims, threatened claims, breach of contract claims, and other matters. The Company accrues a liability when management believes information available prior to the issuance of the consolidated financial statements indicates it is probable a loss has been incurred as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company adjusts its accruals to reflect the impact of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel, and other information and events pertaining to a particular case. Legal costs are expensed as incurred. Although the results of litigation and claims are inherently unpredictable, management concluded that it was not probable that it had incurred a material loss during the periods presented related to such loss contingencies. Therefore, the Company has not recorded a reserve for any contingencies.
During the normal course of business, the Company may be a party to claims that are not covered by insurance. While the ultimate liability, if any, arising from these claims cannot be predicted with certainty, management does not believe that the resolution of any such claims would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. As of December 29, 2024, the Company was not aware of any currently pending legal matters or claims, individually or in the aggregate, that are expected to have a material adverse impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Indemnification
The Company also maintains director and officer insurance, which may cover certain liabilities arising from its obligation to indemnify the Company’s directors. To date, the Company has not incurred any material costs and has not accrued any liabilities in the consolidated financial statements as a result of these provisions.
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8.Preferred Stock
Pursuant to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, the Company is authorized to issue
9.Common Stock
The Company has authorized the issuance of
10.Equity-Based Compensation
Omnibus Equity Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In connection with the closing of the IPO, the Company adopted the Omnibus Equity Plan and the ESPP.
Under the Omnibus Equity Plan, incentive awards may be granted to employees, directors, and consultants of the Company. The Company initially reserved
Under the ESPP, the Company initially reserved
On April 1, 2022, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Form S-8”) with the SEC for the purpose of registering an additional
On March 8, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the Fiscal 2023 Bonus Plan (the “2023 Bonus Plan”) that granted RSUs to eligible employees on April 1, 2024, in lieu of a cash bonus. On April 1, 2024,
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awarded to eligible employees under the 2023 Bonus Plan, and all such RSUs vested fully on that date subject to any forfeitures.
On June 29, 2023, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8 with the SEC for the purpose of registering an additional
As of December 29, 2024, the Company had
The Company’s initial ESPP offering period commenced on August 26, 2022. The ESPP consists of consecutive, overlapping
The Company recognizes equity-based compensation expense related to shares issued pursuant to the ESPP on a graded vesting approach over each offering period. During 2024, equity-based compensation expense related to the ESPP was immaterial. During 2024 and 2023, the Company issued
The Company used the Black-Scholes model to estimate the fair value of the purchase rights under the ESPP. During 2024, the Company utilized the following assumptions:
Expected term (in years) | ||||
Expected volatility | % | |||
Risk-free interest rate | % | |||
Dividend yield | - | |||
Weighted average fair value per share of ESPP awards granted | $ |
2021 Equity Plan
During April 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the 2021 Equity Plan. The 2021 Equity Plan provided for the issuance of incentive stock options, restricted stock, RSUs and other stock-based and cash-based awards to the Company’s employees, directors, and consultants. The maximum aggregate number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2021 Equity Plan was
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Former CEO Stock Options and Special Compensation Awards
In April 2021, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement (the “McCreight IPO Employment Agreement”) with the former CEO, David McCreight, and granted stock options under the 2021 Equity Plan to purchase
Under the McCreight IPO Employment Agreement, Mr. McCreight received
Stock Options
A summary of stock option activity in 2024 is as follows:
Weighted- | Weighted- | |||||||||
Average | Average | |||||||||
| Exercise |
| Remaining |
| Aggregate | |||||
| Options | Price per | Contractual | Intrinsic | ||||||
Outstanding | Option | Life (years) | Value | |||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2023 | | $ | | |||||||
Granted |
| — | — |
| — | |||||
Forfeited | — | — | — | |||||||
Outstanding as of December 29, 2024 |
| | $ | |
| |||||
Exercisable as of December 29, 2024 |
| | $ | |
| $ | — | |||
Vested and expected to vest as of December 29, 2024 |
| | $ | |
| $ | — |
There were
The following table presents the range of assumptions used to estimate the fair value of options granted during 2021:
Fair value of common stock | $ | | ||
Expected term (in years) |
| |||
Expected volatility |
| | % | |
Risk-free rate |
| | % | |
Dividend yield |
| | % |
Fair Value of Common Stock – Given the absence of a public market prior to the IPO, the Board of Directors, with the assistance of a third-party valuation specialist, determined the fair value of the Company’s common stock at the time of the grant of stock options by considering a number of objective and subjective factors, including the Company’s actual operating and financial performance, market conditions and performance of comparable publicly-traded companies,
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developments and milestones in the Company, the likelihood of achieving a liquidity event and transactions involving the Company’s common stock, among other factors. The fair value of the underlying common stock was determined by the Board of directors. The Company has not granted any stock options subsequent to the IPO.
Risk-Free Interest Rate - The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the time the options are granted for zero coupon U.S. Treasury notes with maturities approximately equal to the expected term of the option.
Expected Term - The expected term is based upon the Company’s consideration of the historical life of options, the vesting period of the option granted, and the contractual period of the option granted. The Company has a limited history of granting options, accordingly, the expected life was calculated using the simplified method.
Volatility - As the Company was not publicly traded prior to the IPO, the expected volatility for the Company’s stock options was determined by using an average of historical volatilities of selected industry peers deemed to be comparable to the Company’s business corresponding to the expected term of the awards.
Dividend Yield - The expected dividend rate is
During 2024 and 2023, equity-based compensation expense of
Restricted Stock and RSUs
Immediately before the completion of the IPO, the LP was liquidated and the unit holders of the LP received shares of the Company’s common stock in exchange for their units of the LP. The Class P unit holders received
The following table summarizes the rollforward of unvested restricted stock in 2024:
Unvested | Weighted- | ||||
Restricted | Average Fair | ||||
| Stock |
| Value per Share | ||
Balance at December 31, 2023 |
| | $ | | |
Restricted stock granted | — | — | |||
Restricted stock vested |
| ( |
| | |
Restricted stock forfeited |
| ( | $ | | |
Balance at December 29, 2024 |
| — | |||
|
The fair value of restricted stock vested during 2024 was $
During the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024, the Company entered into a second amendment to the employment agreement with Mark Vos, the President and Chief Information Officer, (the “2024 President & CIO Employment Agreement”) under which
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received
During the year ended 2024, the Company granted
The following table summarizes the rollforward of unvested RSUs in 2024:
Weighted- | |||||
Unvested | Average Fair | ||||
RSUs | Value per Share | ||||
Balance at December 31, 2023 | | $ | | ||
RSUs granted | | | |||
RSUs vested | ( | | |||
RSUs forfeited | ( |
| | ||
Balance at December 29, 2024 | | $ | | ||
The fair value of RSUs vested during 2024 was $
The Company recognized a tax benefit of $
Performance Stock Units (“PSUs”)
Under Crystal Landsem’s 2023 employment agreement (“the CEO Employment Agreement”), Ms. Landsem received a grant of
The Company recognized equity-based compensation expense of $
The following table summarizes the rollforward of unvested PSUs during 2024:
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Weighted- | |||||
Unvested | Average Fair | ||||
PSUs | Value per Share | ||||
Balance at December 31, 2023 | | $ | | ||
PSUs granted | | | |||
PSUs vested | — | — | |||
PSUs forfeited | — |
| — | ||
Balance at December 29, 2024 | | $ | | ||
Class P Units
During 2021, the LP modified the vesting schedule related to
Class P - Distributions
Distributions payable to former Class P unit holders (“FCPUs”) triggered upon the completion of the Company’s 2021 IPO were determined to be settled in 2022 as a result of agreements reached with the FCPUs, and were recorded as an increase to additional paid-in capital. The agreements provided for contingent payments to the FCPUs of up to $
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11.Income Taxes
All of the Company’s income (loss) before income taxes is from the United States. The following table presents the components of the income tax benefit (provision) (in thousands):
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | ||||
Current: |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Federal | $ | — | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||
State |
| |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Total current benefit (provision) |
| |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Deferred: |
| ||||||||
Federal |
| ( | | ( | |||||
State | ( | | ( | ||||||
Total deferred benefit (provision) |
| ( |
| |
| ( | |||
Income tax benefit (provision) | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( |
The following table presents a reconciliation of the statutory federal rate to the Company’s effective tax rate:
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
Federal statutory rate |
| | % |
| | % |
| | % |
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit |
| |
| ( |
| | |||
Non-deductible equity-based compensation expense |
| ( |
| ( |
| | |||
IRC Section 162(m) limitation | ( | ( | | ||||||
Change in uncertain tax position |
| |
| ( |
| | |||
Change in valuation allowance | ( | — | — | ||||||
Prior year adjustments |
| — |
| — |
| ( | |||
Federal 2018 amended return | — | — | ( | ||||||
Goodwill impairment | ( | — | — | ||||||
Other |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Effective tax rate |
| ( | % |
| | % |
| | % |
The 2022 equity-based compensation shortfall rate impact associated with Executive Chairman has been reclassified from non-deductible equity-based compensation expense rate impact to non-deductible officer compensation rate impact in the table above to conform to the current year presentation.
Deferred income taxes reflect the net effects of (a) temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amount used for income tax purposes, and (b) operating losses and tax credit carryforwards.
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The following table presents the significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities (in thousands) as of:
December 29, | December 31, | |||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||
Deferred tax assets: |
|
|
|
| ||
Accruals and allowances | $ | | $ | | ||
Interest disallowance |
| |
| | ||
Inventory capitalization and other adjustments |
| |
| | ||
Deferred revenue |
| |
| | ||
Equity-based compensation | | | ||||
Net operating losses and tax credit carryforwards |
| |
| | ||
R&D capitalization | | | ||||
Lease liabilities | | | ||||
Other |
| — |
| | ||
Gross deferred tax assets |
| |
| | ||
Deferred tax liabilities: |
|
|
|
| ||
Depreciation and amortization |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Lease right-of-use asset | ( | ( | ||||
Other |
| ( |
| — | ||
Gross deferred tax liabilities |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Valuation Allowance | ( | — | ||||
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) | $ | ( | $ | |
Net DTLs are included in other noncurrent liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 29, 2024 and net DTAs are included in other noncurrent assets on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023.
The tax benefit of net operating losses, temporary differences and credit carryforwards is required to be recorded as an asset to the extent that management assesses the realization is “more likely than not.” Realization of the future tax benefit is dependent on the Company’s ability to generate sufficient taxable income within the carryforward period. A valuation allowance is recognized if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not that some portion, or all, of the DTA will not be realized. Management must analyze all available positive and negative evidence regarding realization of the DTAs and assess the likelihood of sufficient future taxable income. The Company has provided a valuation allowance on our federal and state DTAs as we have determined that it is more-likely-than-not that they are not realizable based upon the available evidence such as cumulative taxable income and estimated future taxable income.
As of December 29, 2024, we had approximately $
As of December 29, 2024, the Company has federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of $
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million of a Federal disallowed interest expense carryforward under Section 163(j) of the Internal Revenue Code, which can be carried forward indefinitely.
Utilization of our net operating loss carryforwards, interest expense carryforwards, and tax credits may be subject to an annual limitation due to ownership changes that may have occurred or that could occur in the future, as required by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code and similar state provisions. These ownership change limitations may limit the amount of net operating loss carryforwards or interest expense carryforwards and tax credits that can be utilized annually to offset future taxable income and tax, respectively.
As of December 29, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company’s uncertain tax positions and related accrued interest and penalties were not material. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the financial statements as a component of income tax expense. The Company does not anticipate that the uncertain tax positions balance as of December 29, 2024, will change significantly over the next twelve months.
The Company’s federal and state income tax returns are generally not subject to examination by taxing authorities for fiscal years before 2021 and 2020, respectively.
12.Related Party Transactions
Significant Shareholder Relationships
The Company identified
Operating Leases
Until June 2021, the Company leased operations and warehouse spaces from a limited partner of the LP and a Series B Preferred Stockholder of the Company. After June 2021, the Company continued to lease a retail space from this limited partner and Series B Preferred Stockholder. Following the liquidation of the LP and the redemption of the Series B Preferred Stock in November 2021, the Company leased this retail space from the same party, who remains related as a common stockholder of the Company. The lease expired on October 31, 2022. The associated rent expense incurred was immaterial in each of the fiscal years 2024, 2023 and 2022.
13.Defined Contribution Plans
The Company sponsors a participant-directed 401(k) profit sharing plan for employees who have been working at the Company for at least
14.Segment Reporting
The Company identifies operating segments based on whether the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, who is the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), regularly reviews operating results of particular components of the Company’s activities and allocates resources and assesses performance based on those results. The Company has
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reportable segment related to the sale of merchandise directly to end customers. Sales to wholesale customers are not significant. All long-lived assets are located in the United States and substantially all revenue is attributable to customers based in the United States. International sales are not significant.
The accounting policies of the
The table below is a summary of the segment profit or loss, including significant segment expenses (in thousands):
Fiscal Years Ended | ||||||||
December 29, |
| December 31, | January 1, | |||||
2024 | 2023 | 2023 | ||||||
(52 weeks) | (52 weeks) | (52 weeks) | ||||||
Net revenue | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||
Less: | ||||||||
Cost of revenue | | | | |||||
Employee expenses (excluding equity-based compensation expense) | | | | |||||
Equity-based compensation expense | | | | |||||
Advertising expenses | | | | |||||
Goodwill impairment | | — | — | |||||
Other net costs (1) | | | | |||||
Depreciation and amortization (2) | | | | |||||
Interest expense | | | | |||||
Income tax provision (benefit) | | ( | | |||||
Segment net loss | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | | ||
Reconciliation of loss: | ||||||||
Adjustments and reconciling items | — | — | — | |||||
Consolidated net loss | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | | ||
(1) |
(2) | Excludes depreciation expense related to distribution facilities recorded in cost of revenue. |
15.Subsequent Events
Nasdaq Notice
On February 27, 2025, the Company received a notice from Nasdaq's Listing Qualifications department indicating that the Company is not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement of $1.00 per share set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1) based upon the closing bid price for the 30 consecutive business days ended February 26, 2025. The Nasdaq notice does not impact the Company's listing at this time and the Company's stock will continue to trade on Nasdaq while the Company works to regain compliance with the Nasdaq minimum bid price requirement. Please refer to the risk factor "We have received notice of delisting from Nasdaq." for further information.
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Fourth Credit Amendment
On March 27, 2025, we entered into the Fourth Credit Amendment to the 2021 Credit Agreement. The Fourth Credit Amendment provided a limited waiver for the Company to comply with the financial covenants for the period of four fiscal quarters ended on or about December 31, 2024. It also suspends measurement of the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio and Consolidated Fixed Charge Covenant Ratio for the fiscal quarter ending on or about March 31, 2025. Pursuant to the Fourth Credit Amendment, the Revolving Commitment reduces from $
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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Limitations on effectiveness of controls and procedures
In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as of December 29, 2024. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 29, 2024, such that the information required to be included in our SEC reports is: (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms relating to the Company, including our consolidated subsidiaries; and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the preparation of reliable financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. We continue to review our internal control over financial reporting and may from time to time make changes aimed at enhancing their effectiveness and to ensure that our systems evolve with our business.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on that evaluation under the COSO criteria, management determined that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 29, 2024.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report on internal controls over financial reporting by our independent registered accounting firm. Our independent registered accounting firm will not be required to opine on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 until we are no longer an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act.
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Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended December 29, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information
Fourth Credit Amendment
On March 27, 2025, we entered into the Fourth Credit Amendment to the 2021 Credit Agreement. The Fourth Credit Amendment provided a limited waiver for the Company to comply with the financial covenants for the period of four fiscal quarters ended on or about December 31, 2024. It also suspends measurement of the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio and Consolidated Fixed Charge Covenant Ratio for the fiscal quarter ending on or about March 31, 2025. Pursuant to the Fourth Credit Amendment, the Revolving Commitment reduces from $10 million to $7.5 million on April 30, 2025 and to $6 million on May 31, 2025. The Fourth Credit Amendment prohibits the Company from requesting any further borrowings under the 2021 Credit Agreement, as amended. The Fourth Credit Amendment includes a timeline of milestones for a refinancing transaction with a third-party lender and contemplates a refinancing on or before June 15, 2025, and limits the Company’s ability to further enter into certain transactions, including certain liens, dispositions, investments, debt and restricted payments. The Fourth Credit Amendment also requires the payment of the remaining portion of the consent fee payable under the Third Credit Amendment and increases the interest rates payable under the 2021 Credit Agreement, as amended, for periods commencing on or after March 27, 2025, as follows: (a) in the case of Base Rate Loans, the Base Rate plus (i) 5% (increased from a margin of 4%), (b) in the case of Term SOFR Loans, Term SOFR (subject to a credit spread adjustment of 10 basis points) plus (i) 6% (increased from a margin of 5%), and (c) the Letter of Credit Fee of (i) 6% (increased from 5%) (all capitalized terms used herein are defined in the 2021 Revolving Facility, as amended).
The foregoing description of the Fourth Credit Amendment is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Fourth Credit Amendment, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.36 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Securities Trading Plans of Directors and Executive Officers
During the fourth quarter of 2024, no director or officer of the Company
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
Not applicable.
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PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance
We have adopted a written code of ethics, titled “Code of Business Conduct and Ethics,” that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and controller, or persons performing similar functions. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our Investor Relations website, which is located at https://investors.lulus.com. We intend to post on our website all disclosures that are required by law or Nasdaq listing standards concerning any amendments to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
We have also adopted an Insider Trading Compliance Policy, which applies to all of our directors, officers and employees. We believe our Insider Trading Compliance Policy is reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules, and regulations, and Nasdaq listing standards applicable to the Company. A copy of our Insider Trading Compliance Policy is filed as Exhibit 19 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K
The remaining information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Company’s Proxy Statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Company’s Proxy Statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Company’s Proxy Statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Company’s Proxy Statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Information about aggregate fees billed to us by our principal accountant,
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PART IV
Item 15. Exhibit and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) | The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K: |
(1) | The consolidated financial statements are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under, Part II, “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” |
(2) | The financial statement schedules are omitted because they are either not applicable, or the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto under Part II, “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K |
(3) | The exhibits listed in the following Exhibit Index are filed, furnished or incorporated by reference as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. |
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Incorporated by Reference | Filed/ | |||||||||||||
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Exhibit Number |
| Exhibit Description |
| Form |
| File No. |
| Exhibit |
| Filing Date |
| Furnished Herewith | ||
3.1 | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Holdings, Inc. | 10-Q | 001-41059 | 3.1 | 12/16/2021 | |||||||||
3.2 | Amended and Restated Bylaws of Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Holdings, Inc. | 10-Q | 001-41059 | 3.2 | 12/16/2021 | |||||||||
4.1 | S-1/A | 333-260194 | 4.1 | 11/01/2021 | ||||||||||
4.2 | S-1 | 333-260194 | 4.2 | 10/12/2021 | ||||||||||
4.3 | 10-K | 001-41059 | 4.3 | 03/31/2022 | ||||||||||
10.1+ | Omnibus Equity Plan and Form of Stock Option Agreement and Restricted Stock Unit Agreement | 10-K | 001-41059 | 10.1 | 03/31/2022 | |||||||||
10.2+ | S-1/A | 333-260194 | 10.2 | 11/01/2021 | ||||||||||
10.3+ | Form of Stock Award Agreement (Evidencing Common Stock Received in Respect of Class P Units). | S-1/A | 333-260194 | 10.3 | 11/01/2021 | |||||||||
10.4+ | S-1 | 333-260194 | 10.4 | 10/12/2021 | ||||||||||
10.5+ | S-1 | 333-260194 | 10.5 | 10/12/2021 | ||||||||||
10.6+ | S-1/A |
| 333-260194 | 10.8 | 11/01/2021 | |||||||||
10.7 | S-1/A | 333-260194 | 10.14 | 11/01/2021 |
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Incorporated by Reference | Filed/ | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Exhibit Number |
| Exhibit Description |
| Form |
| File No. |
| Exhibit |
| Filing Date |
| Furnished Herewith | ||
10.8 | S-1/A | 333-260194 | 10.15 | 11/01/2021 | ||||||||||
10.9 | S-1/A | 333-260194 | 10.17 | 11/01/2021 | ||||||||||
10.10 | S-1/A | 333-260194 | 10.18 | 11/01/2021 | ||||||||||
10.11+ | 10-Q | 001-41059 | 10.9 | 12/16/2021 | ||||||||||
10.12+ | 10-Q | 001-41059 | 10.10 | 12/16/2021 | ||||||||||
10.13 | 10-Q | 001-41059 | 10.2 | 5/17/2022 | ||||||||||
10.14 | 10-Q | 001-41059 | 10.3 | 5/17/2022 | ||||||||||
10.15 | 10-Q | 001-41059 | 10.8 | 5/17/2022 | ||||||||||
10.16 | 10-Q | 001-41059 | 10.9 | 5/17/2022 | ||||||||||
10.17+ | 8-K | 001-41059 | 10.1 | 2/14/2023 | ||||||||||
10.18+ | 8-K | 001-41059 | 10.1 | 03/06/2023 |
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Incorporated by Reference | Filed/ | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Exhibit Number |
| Exhibit Description |
| Form |
| File No. |
| Exhibit |
| Filing Date |
| Furnished Herewith | ||
10.19+ | 8-K | 001-41059 | 10.2 | 03/06/2023 | ||||||||||
10.20+ | 8-K | 001-41059 | 10.2 | 03/09/2023 | ||||||||||
10.21+ | 10-K | 001-41059 | 10.26+ | 03/14/2023 | ||||||||||
10.22 | 10-K | 001-41059 | 10.27 | 03/14/2023 | ||||||||||
10.23 | 10-K | 001-41059 | 10.28 | 03/14/2023 | ||||||||||
10.24 | 10-K | 001-41059 | 10.29 | 03/14/2023 | ||||||||||
10.25 | 10-K | 001-41059 | 10.30 | 03/14/2023 | ||||||||||
10.26 | 10-K | 001-41059 | 10.31 | 03/14/2023 | ||||||||||
10.27 | 10-Q | 001-41059 | 10.1 | 08/08/2023 | ||||||||||
10.28 | Amendment to Lulu's Fashion Lounge Holdings, Inc. Omnibus Equity Plan | 8-K | 001-41059 | 10.1 | 06/14/2023 | |||||||||
10.29 | 8-K | 001-41059 | 10.1 | 01/10/2024 | ||||||||||
10.30 | Form of Performance Stock Unit Award Grant Notice and Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement. | 8-K | 001-41059 | 10.2 | 01/10/2024 | |||||||||
10.31 | 10-K | 001-41059 | 10.37 | 03/06/2024 |
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Incorporated by Reference | Filed/ | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Exhibit Number |
| Exhibit Description |
| Form |
| File No. |
| Exhibit |
| Filing Date |
| Furnished Herewith | ||
10.32 | 8-K | 001-41059 | 10.1 | 07/25/2024 | ||||||||||
10.33 | 10-Q | 001-41059 | 10.2 | 11/13/2024 | ||||||||||
10.34 | Third Amendment to Lulu's Fashion Lounge Holdings, Inc. Non-Employee Director Compensation Program. | 10-Q | 001-41059 | 10.3 | 11/13/2024 | |||||||||
10.35 | 8-K | 001-41059 | 10.1 | 12/16/2024 | ||||||||||
10.36 | * | |||||||||||||
19 | ||||||||||||||
21.1 | * | |||||||||||||
23.1 | * | |||||||||||||
31.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a). | * | ||||||||||||
31.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a). | * | ||||||||||||
32.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. | ** | ||||||||||||
32.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. | ** | ||||||||||||
97 | ||||||||||||||
101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document | * | ||||||||||||
101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | * | ||||||||||||
101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | * | ||||||||||||
101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | * |
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Incorporated by Reference | Filed/ | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Exhibit Number |
| Exhibit Description |
| Form |
| File No. |
| Exhibit |
| Filing Date |
| Furnished Herewith | ||
101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | * | ||||||||||||
101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | * | ||||||||||||
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (as formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) | * |
*Filed herewith.
**Furnished herewith.
+Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
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| LULU’S FASHION LOUNGE HOLDINGS, INC. | |
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Date: March 27, 2025 |
| By: | /s/ Crystal Landsem |
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| Crystal Landsem |
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| Chief Executive Officer |
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| (Principal Executive Officer) |
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Date: March 27, 2025 |
| By: | /s/ Tiffany R. Smith |
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| Tiffany R. Smith |
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| Chief Financial Officer |
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| (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature | Title | Date | |
/s/ Crystal Landsem | Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | March 27, 2025 | |
Crystal Landsem | and Director | ||
/s/ Tiffany R. Smith | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and | March 27, 2025 | |
Tiffany R. Smith | Accounting Officer) | ||
/s/John Black | Director and Board Chair | March 27, 2025 | |
John Black | |||
/s/ Dara Bazzano | Director | March 27, 2025 | |
Dara Bazzano | |||
/s/ Evan Karp | Director | March 27, 2025 | |
Evan Karp | |||
/s/ Anisa Kumar | Director | March 27, 2025 | |
Anisa Kumar | |||
/s/ Kelly McCarthy | Director | March 27, 2025 | |
Kelly McCarthy | |||
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Exhibit 10.36
FOURTH AMENDMENT CREDIT AGREEMENT
THIS FOURTH AMENDMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of March 27, 2025, is entered into among LULU’S FASHION LOUNGE, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Parent, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Holdings”), the other Guarantors party hereto, the Lenders party hereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”), Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Borrower, Holdings, the other Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer, are parties that that certain Credit Agreement dated as of November 15, 2021 (as amended, modified, supplemented, increased, extended, restated, renewed, refinanced and replaced from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”); and
WHEREAS, the Credit Parties have requested certain modifications to the Credit Agreement and Lenders constituting Required Lenders have agreed to the requested modifications on the terms and conditions herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
AGREEMENT
1.Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Credit Agreement.
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2.Estoppel. Each Credit Party hereby acknowledges and agrees that, as of March 26, 2025: (a) the Outstanding Amount of the Revolving Loans was not less than $13,090,000.00; (ii) the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans was not less than $0.00; and (iii) the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations was not less than $500,000.00, each of which constitutes a valid and subsisting obligation of the Credit Parties owed to the Lenders that is not subject to any credits, offsets, defenses, claims, counterclaims or adjustments of any kind.
3.Reaffirmation. Each Credit Party hereby (a) ratifies and reaffirms all of its payment and performance obligations, contingent or otherwise, under each Loan Document to which it is a party, and (b) to the extent such Person granted Liens on any of its property pursuant to any such Loan Document as security for or otherwise guaranteed the Obligations under or with respect to the Loan Documents, ratifies and reaffirms such guarantee and grant of Liens and confirms and agrees that such Liens hereafter secure all of the Obligations as amended hereby. Each Credit Party consents to this Agreement and acknowledges that each and every Loan Document to which it is party remains in full force and effect and is hereby ratified and reaffirmed. Except as expressly provided herein, the execution of this Agreement shall not operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, constitute a waiver of any provision of any Loan Document or serve to effect a novation of any of the Obligations.
4.Limited Waiver. The Lenders constituting Required Lenders hereby waive the requirements of Sections 7.16(a) and 7.16(b) of the Credit Agreement solely with respect to the period of four Fiscal Quarters ended on or about December 31, 2024 (the “Specified Reporting Period”). The foregoing waiver (the “Limited Waiver”) relates only to the requirement to comply with Sections 7.16(a) and 7.16(b) of the Credit Agreement for the Specified Reporting Period and not with respect to any other period. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has consented to any other transaction or waived any other covenant, Default or Event of Default. The Limited Waiver does not imply or in any way obligate the Administrative Agent or any Lender to consent to any other transaction or waive any other covenant, Default or Event of Default that may now exist or may hereafter arise. The Limited Waiver does not affect or impair the Administrative Agent’s or any Lender’s rights or remedies under the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents except with respect to the Limited Waiver. In the event the Administrative Agent or any Lender subsequently agrees to consider any further consent, waiver or amendment with respect to any Loan Document, neither this Agreement nor any other conduct of the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall be of any force or effect on the Administrative Agent’s or any Lender’s consideration or decision with respect thereto. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any further obligation whatsoever to consider or agree to any further consent (or any amendment or waiver) with respect to any Loan Document. The Limited Waiver does not create or contribute to a course of dealing, performance or conduct among the parties.
5.No Further Borrowings. The Borrower hereby acknowledges and agrees that, from and after the Effective Date: (a) the Availability Period is terminated, (b) no Borrowings shall be made and (c) none of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders or the L/C Issuer shall have any obligation to honor any Loan Notice for a Borrowing, any Letter of Credit Application or any Swing Line Loan Notice.
6.Amendments to Credit Agreement. Effective as of the Effective Date, the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to delete the stricken text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: stricken text) and to add the double-underlined text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: double underlined text) as
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set forth on the pages of the Credit Agreement attached as Annex A hereto. For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood and agreed that nothing in this Section 6 amends or modifies the exhibits or schedules to the Credit Agreement.
7.Fees and Expenses. Without in any way limiting the obligations of the Credit Parties under the Loan Documents, the Credit Parties shall on the Effective Date, and thereafter promptly, and in any event within five (5) Business Days of demand therefor, reimburse the Administrative Agent for all of its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, the reasonable and documented fees and out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent’s counsel, Moore & Van Allen PLLC (“MVA”), and the Administrative Agent’s financial advisor, Gulf Atlantic Capital Corporation (“GACC”).
8.Conditions Precedent. This Agreement shall be effective on the date first written above (the “Effective Date”), subject to:
(a)receipt by the Administrative Agent of counterparts of this Agreement duly executed by the Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent and each Lender;
(b)receipt by the Administrative Agent of all remaining amounts owed in respect of the “Amendment and Waiver Fee” under and as defined in the Third Amendment, dated as of December 13, 2024, entered into among the Credit Parties, the Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders;
(c)receipt by the Administrative Agent of reimbursement for all reasonable and documented fees and expenses of the Administrative Agent incurred in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents through the Effective Date, including, without limitation, the reasonable and documented fees, costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent’s counsel, MVA, and financial advisor, GACC, in each case to the extent invoiced on or prior to the Effective Date; and
(d)receipt by the Administrative Agent of such certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or other certificates of a Responsible Officer for each Credit Party as the Administrative Agent may 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 transactions contemplated hereby.
9.Release of Claims. In consideration of the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ willingness to enter into this Agreement and provide the limited waiver set forth in Section 4 above, each Credit Party hereby releases and forever discharges the Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender, the L/C Issuer, each Lender, and each of their respective predecessors, successors, assigns, and Related Parties (each and every of the foregoing, a “Released Party”) from any and all claims, counterclaims, demands, damages, debts, suits, liabilities, actions, and causes of action of any nature whatsoever, in each case through the date hereof, whether arising at law or in equity, whether known or unknown, whether liability be direct or indirect, whether liquidated or unliquidated, whether absolute or contingent, whether foreseen or unforeseen, and whether or not heretofore asserted, which any Credit Party may have or claim to have against any Released Party.
As to each and every claim released hereunder, each Credit Party hereby represents that it has received the advice of legal counsel with regard to the releases contained herein, and having been so advised, specifically waives the benefit of the provisions of Section 1542 of the Civil Code of California, which provides as follows:
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“A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS THAT THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE AND THAT, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY.”
By executing this Agreement, each Credit Party intends to: (a) waive and relinquish any and all rights and benefits which they may have under Section 1542 of the Civil Code or California; and (b) assume the risk of releasing any existing, but as of yet unknown, claims.
10.No Action, Claims. Each Credit Party represents, warrants, acknowledges and confirms that, as of the Effective Date, it has no knowledge of any action, cause of action, claim, demand, damage or liability of whatever kind or nature, in law or in equity, against any Released Party arising from any action by such Persons, or failure of such Persons to act, under or in connection with any of the Loan Documents.
11.Representations and Warranties of the Credit Parties. Each Credit Party hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and Lenders that:
(a)After giving effect to this Agreement, no Default or Event of Default exists.
(b)After giving effect to this Agreement, the representations and warranties of the Credit Parties set forth in the Loan Documents are true, correct and complete on and as of the Effective Date to the same extent as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties specifically relate to an earlier date.
(c)It has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement.
(d)This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each Credit Party and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable Debtor Relief Laws and to general principles of equity or principles of good faith and fair dealing.
(e)No approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is necessary or required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by the Credit Parties of this Agreement other than those that have already been obtained and are in full force and effect.
(f)The execution and delivery of this Agreement does not (i) contravene the terms of its Organization Documents or (ii) violate any applicable Law.
(g)No Credit Party has modified its Organization Documents since such documents were most recently delivered to the Administrative Agent (except to the extent the Credit Parties have subsequently delivered true and correct copies of any such modifications to the Administrative Agent) and such Organization Documents remain in full force and effect.
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12.No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement and the rights and benefits hereof shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, and the obligations hereof shall be binding upon each Credit Party. No other Person shall have or be entitled to assert rights or benefits under this Agreement, other than non-party Persons that are Released Parties with respect to Section 9 and Section 10 hereof.
13.Incorporation of Agreement. Except as specifically modified herein, the terms of the Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect. The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Agreement shall not operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of the Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer or any Lender under the Loan Documents, or constitute a waiver or amendment of any provision of the Loan Documents, except as expressly set forth herein. The breach of any provision or representation under this Agreement shall constitute an immediate Event of Default, and this Agreement shall constitute a Loan Document. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, if any provision contained in this Agreement is in conflict with, or inconsistent with, any provision in any Loan Document, the provision contained in this Agreement shall govern and control.
14.Entirety. This Agreement, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents embody the entire agreement among the parties hereto and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, if any, relating to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents represent the final agreement between the parties and may not be contradicted by evidence of prior, contemporaneous or subsequent oral agreements of the parties.
15.Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of executed counterparts of this Agreement by facsimile or other secure electronic format (.pdf) shall be effective as an original.
16.Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Venue; Service of Process; Waiver of Jury Trial. The GOVERNING LAW, SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION, WAIVER OF VENUE, SERVICE OF PROCESS and Waiver of Jury Trial provisions set forth in Sections 11.14 and 11.15 of the Credit Agreement are hereby incorporated herein, mutatis mutandis.
17.Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.
18.Headings. The headings of the sections hereof are provided for convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement.
19.Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall 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.
20.Further Assurances. Each of the parties hereto agrees to execute and deliver, or to cause to be executed and delivered, all such instruments as may reasonably be requested to effectuate the intent and purposes, and to carry out the terms, of this Agreement.
[signature pages follow]
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Each of the parties hereto has caused a counterpart of this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.
BORROWER: | LULU’S FASHION LOUNGE, LLC, | |
| a Delaware limited liability company | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Crystal Landsem |
| Name: | Crystal Landsem |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
HOLDINGS: | LULU’S FASHION LOUNGE PARENT, LLC, | |
| a Delaware limited liability company | |
| | |
| By: | Crystal Landsem |
| Name: | Crystal Landsem |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
[Signature pages continue.]
LULU’S FASHION LOUNGE, LLC
FOURTH AMENDMENT SIGNATURE PAGE
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT: | BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent | |
| | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Susanne M. Perkins |
| Name: | Susanne M. Perkins |
| Title: | Senior Vice President |
LENDERS: | BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., | |
| as a Lender, L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Susanne M. Perkins |
| Name: | Susanne M. Perkins |
| Title: | Senior Vice President |
[Signature pages end.]
Annex A
Conformed Credit Agreement
See attached.
Amended Credit Agreement
CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of November 15, 2021
(as amended by the First Amendment dated as of July 22, 2024, the Second Amendment dated as of November 12, 2024, the Third Amendment dated as of December 13, 2024 and the Fourth Amendment dated as of March 27, 2025)
among
LULU’S FASHION LOUNGE, LLC,
as the Borrower,
Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Parent, LLC,
as Holdings,
CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES OF THE BORROWER PARTY HERETO,
as the Guarantors,
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer,
and
THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO
BOFA SECURITIES, INC.,
as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| | Page |
Article I DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS | 1 | |
1.01 | Defined Terms | 1 |
1.02 | Other Interpretive Provisions | 38 |
1.03 | Accounting Terms | 39 |
1.04 | Rounding | 40 |
1.05 | Times of Day | 40 |
1.06 | Letter of Credit Amounts | 40 |
1.07 | UCC Terms | 4041 |
1.08 | Rates | 4041 |
Article II COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS | 41 | |
2.01 | Loans | 41 |
2.02 | Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans | 41 |
2.03 | Letters of Credit | 43 |
2.04 | Swing Line Loans | 52 |
2.05 | Prepayments | 5455 |
2.06 | Termination or Reduction of Revolving Commitments | 56 |
2.07 | Repayment of Loans | 5657 |
2.08 | Interest and Default Rate | 57 |
2.09 | Fees | 5758 |
2.10 | Computation of Interest and Fees | 58 |
2.11 | Evidence of Debt | 5859 |
2.12 | Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback | 59 |
2.13 | Sharing of Payments by Lenders | 61 |
2.14 | Cash Collateral | 62 |
2.15 | Defaulting Lenders | 63 |
2.16 | Incremental Facilities | 65 |
Article III TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY | 67 | |
3.01 | Taxes | 67 |
3.02 | Illegality | 7071 |
3.03 | Inability to Determine Rates | 71 |
3.04 | Increased Costs | 73 |
3.05 | Compensation for Losses | 7475 |
3.06 | Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders | 75 |
3.07 | Survival | 7576 |
Article IV CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS | 7576 | |
4.01 | Conditions of Initial Credit Extension. | 7576 |
4.02 | Conditions to all Credit Extensions | 7778 |
Article V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES | 78 | |
5.01 | Corporate Existence and Power | 7879 |
5.02 | Corporate Authorization; No Contravention | 79 |
5.03 | Governmental Authorization | 79 |
5.04 | Binding Effect | 7980 |
5.05 | Litigation. | 7980 |
5.06 | No Default. | 80 |
5.07 | ERISA Compliance. | 80 |
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5.08 | Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations. | 80 |
5.09 | Ownership of Property; Liens. | 8081 |
5.10 | Taxes. | 8081 |
5.11 | Financial Condition. | 81 |
5.12 | Environmental Matters. | 81 |
5.13 | Regulated Entities. | 82 |
5.14 | [Reserved]. | 82 |
5.15 | Labor Relations. | 82 |
5.16 | Intellectual Property. | 82 |
5.17 | Brokers’ Fees; Transaction Fees. | 8283 |
5.18 | Insurance. | 8283 |
5.19 | Subsidiaries; Loan Parties. | 83 |
5.20 | Collateral Representations. | 83 |
5.21 | [Reserved]. | 8384 |
5.22 | Status of Holdings. | 8384 |
5.23 | Full Disclosure. | 84 |
5.24 | Sanctions Concerns and Anti-Corruption Laws. | 84 |
5.25 | Affected Financial Institutions | 8485 |
5.26 | Covered Entities | 8485 |
Article VI AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS | 85 | |
6.01 | Financial Statements | 85 |
6.02 | Certificates; Other Information | 86 |
6.03 | Notices | 8788 |
6.04 | Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc | 8889 |
6.05 | Maintenance of Property | 89 |
6.06 | Maintenance of Insurance | 89 |
6.07 | Payment of Taxes. | 90 |
6.08 | Compliance with Laws | 90 |
6.09 | Inspection of Property and Books and Records | 90 |
6.10 | Use of Proceeds | 9091 |
6.11 | [Reserved]. | 91 |
6.12 | Compliance with ERISA. | 91 |
6.13 | Further Assurances. | 91 |
6.14 | Environmental Matters. | 92 |
6.15 | Hazardous Materials. | 9293 |
6.16 | Status of Holdings. | 9293 |
6.17 | Anti-Corruption Laws; Sanctions | 93 |
6.18 | Post-Closing Covenant | 93 |
6.19 | Refinancing Transaction Milestones | 94 |
Article VII NEGATIVE COVENANTS | 9394 | |
7.01 | Limitation on Liens | 9394 |
7.02 | Disposition of Assets | 9697 |
7.03 | Fundamental Changes. | 9899 |
7.04 | Loans and Investments | 9899 |
7.05 | Limitation on Indebtedness | 100101 |
7.06 | Transactions with Affiliates | 103104 |
7.07 | Restricted Payments. | 104105 |
7.08 | Change in Business | 107 |
7.09 | Amendments to Organization Documents | 107 |
7.10 | Changes in Fiscal Year. | 107 |
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7.11 | Amendments to Junior Indebtedness[Reserved]. | 108 |
7.12 | No Negative Pledges | 108 |
7.13 | Subsidiaries. [Reserved]. | 107109 |
7.14 | [Reserved]. | 107109 |
7.15 | Use of Proceeds | 107109 |
7.16 | Financial CovenantCovenants | 107109 |
7.17 | Sanctions | 108110 |
7.18 | Anti-Corruption Laws | 108110 |
| | |
Article VIII EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES | 108110 | |
8.01 | Events of Default | 108110 |
8.02 | Remedies upon Event of Default | 110112 |
8.03 | Application of Funds | 111113 |
8.04 | Equity Cure | 112114 |
| | |
Article IX ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT | 113115 | |
9.01 | Appointment and Authority | 113115 |
9.02 | Rights as a Lender | 116 |
9.03 | Exculpatory Provisions | 114116 |
9.04 | Reliance by Administrative Agent | 115117 |
9.05 | Delegation of Duties | 115117 |
9.06 | Resignation of Administrative Agent | 118 |
9.07 | Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Other Lenders | 117119 |
9.08 | No Other Duties, Etc | 118120 |
9.09 | Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim; Credit Bidding | 118120 |
9.10 | Collateral and Guaranty Matters | 119121 |
9.11 | Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements | 120122 |
9.12 | Certain ERISA Matters | 123 |
9.13 | Recovery of Erroneous Payments | 124 |
| | |
Article X CONTINUING GUARANTY | 122124 | |
10.01 | Guaranty | 122124 |
10.02 | Rights of Lenders | 124 |
10.03 | Certain Waivers | 123125 |
10.04 | Obligations Independent | 123125 |
10.05 | Subrogation | 123125 |
10.06 | Termination; Reinstatement | 125 |
10.07 | Stay of Acceleration | 124126 |
10.08 | Condition of Borrower | 124126 |
10.09 | Appointment of Borrower | 124126 |
10.10 | Right of Contribution | 124126 |
10.11 | Keepwell | 126 |
| | |
Article XI MISCELLANEOUS | 125127 | |
11.01 | Amendments, Etc | 125127 |
11.02 | Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communications | 127129 |
11.03 | No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement | 129131 |
11.04 | Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver | 130132 |
11.05 | Payments Set Aside | 133 |
11.06 | Successors and Assigns | 132134 |
11.07 | Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality | 136138 |
11.08 | Right of Setoff | 140 |
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11.09 | Interest Rate Limitation | 138140 |
11.10 | Integration; Effectiveness | 140 |
11.11 | Survival of Representations and Warranties | 141 |
11.12 | Severability | 139141 |
11.13 | Replacement of Lenders | 139141 |
11.14 | Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc | 140142 |
11.15 | Waiver of Jury Trial | 141143 |
11.16 | [Reserved] | 144 |
11.17 | No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility | 144 |
11.18 | Electronic Execution; Electronic Records; Counterparts | 142144 |
11.19 | USA Patriot Act Notice | 143145 |
11.20 | Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions | 145 |
11.21 | Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs | 144146 |
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SCHEDULES | |
Schedule 1.01(a) | Certain Addresses for Notices |
Schedule 1.01(b) | Revolving Commitments and Applicable Percentages |
Schedule 5.19(a) | Subsidiaries |
Schedule 5.19(b) | Credit Parties |
Schedule 5.20 | Intellectual Property |
Schedule 7.01 | Existing Liens |
Schedule 7.04 | Existing Investments |
Schedule 7.05 | Existing Indebtedness |
Schedule 7.06 | Existing Transactions with Affiliates |
Schedule 7.12 | Existing Burdensome Agreements |
EXHIBITS | |
Exhibit A | Form of Administrative Questionnaire |
Exhibit B | Form of Assignment and Assumption |
Exhibit C | Form of Compliance Certificate |
Exhibit D | Form of Joinder Agreement |
Exhibit E | Form of Loan Notice |
Exhibit F | Form of Note |
Exhibit G | Form of Secured Party Designation Notice |
Exhibit H | Form of Swing Line Loan Notice |
Exhibit I | Forms of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates |
Exhibit J | Form of Notice of Loan Prepayment |
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CREDIT AGREEMENT
This CREDIT AGREEMENT is entered into as of November 15, 2021, among LULU’S FASHION LOUNGE, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Parent, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Holdings”), the other Guarantors (defined herein), the Lenders (defined herein), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer.
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS:
WHEREAS, the Credit Parties (as hereinafter defined) have requested that the Lenders, the Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuer make loans and other financial accommodations to the Credit Parties in an aggregate amount of up to $15,000,000.
WHEREAS, the Lenders, the Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuer have agreed to make such loans and other financial accommodations to the Credit Parties on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:
Article I
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
1.01Defined Terms.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
“Acquired EBITDA” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the penultimate paragraph of the definition of Consolidated EBITDA.
“Acquired Entity or Business” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the penultimate paragraph of the definition of Consolidated EBITDA.
“Acquisition” means any transaction or series of related transactions for the purpose of or resulting, directly or indirectly, in (a) the acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of a Person, or of any business or division of a Person, (b) the acquisition of in excess of 50% of the Stock and Stock Equivalents of any Person or otherwise causing any Person to become a Subsidiary of a Credit Party, or (c) a merger or consolidation or any other combination with another Person.
“Additional Secured Obligations” means (a) all obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements and (b) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with enforcement and collection of the foregoing, including the fees, charges and disbursements of counsel, in each case whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest, expenses and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Credit Party or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest, expenses and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding; provided that Additional Secured Obligations of a Guarantor shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to such Guarantor.
| LULU’S FASHION LOUNGE, LLC |
CREDIT AGREEMENT | |
“Administrative Agent” means Bank of America in its capacity as administrative agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.
“Administrative Agent’s Office” means the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 1.01(a), 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 substantially the form of Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
“Affected Financial Institution” means (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person; provided, however, that no Secured Party shall be an Affiliate of any Credit Party or of any Subsidiary of any Credit Party solely by reason of the provisions of the Loan Documents. For purposes of this definition, “control” means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
“Aggregate Commitments” means the Revolving Commitments of all the Lenders.
“Agreement” means this Credit Agreement, including all schedules, exhibits and annexes hereto.
“Applicable Percentage” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Aggregate Commitments represented by such Lender’s Revolving Commitment at such time, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.15. If the Revolving Commitment of all of the Lenders to make Revolving Loans and the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02, or if the Revolving Commitments have expired, then the Applicable Percentage of each Lender shall be determined based on the Applicable Percentage of such Lender most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments and to any Lender’s status as a Defaulting Lender at the time of determination. The Applicable Percentage of each Lender is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 1.01(b) or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto or in any Incremental Facility Amendment.
“Applicable Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to:
(a)during the period commencing on the First Amendment Effective Date through (but excluding) November 12, 2024: (i) in the case of Base Rate Loans, 1.25%, (ii) in the case of Term SOFR Loans, 2.25%, (iii) in the case of the Letter of Credit Fee, 2.25% and (iv) in the case of the Commitment Fee, 0.375%;
(b)during the period commencing on November 12, 2024 through (but excluding) December 13, 2024: (i) in the case of Base Rate Loans, 2.75%, (ii) in the case of Term SOFR Loans, 3.75%, (iii) in the case of the Letter of Credit Fee, 3.75% and (iv) in the case of the Commitment Fee, 0.375%;
(c)during the period commencing on December 13, 2024 through (but excluding) February 1, 2025: (i) in the case of Base Rate Loans, 3.25%, (ii) in the case of Term SOFR Loans, 4.25%, (iii) in the case of the Letter of Credit Fee, 4.25% and (iv) in the case of the Commitment Fee, 0.375%; and
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(d)from and after February 1, 2025 through (but excluding) the Fourth Amendment Effective Date: (i) in the case of Base Rate Loans, 4.00%, (ii) in the case of Term SOFR Loans, 5.00%, (iii) in the case of the Letter of Credit Fee, 5.00% and (iv) in the case of the Commitment Fee, 0.375%. ; and
(e)from and after the Fourth Amendment Effective Date: (i) in the case of Base Rate Loans, 5.00%, (ii) in the case of Term SOFR Loans, 6.00%, (iii) in the case of Letter of Credit Fees, 6.00% and (iv) in the case of the Commitment Fee, 0.00%.
“Appropriate Lender” means, at any time, (a) with respect to the Revolving Commitments, a Lender that has a Revolving Commitment or holds a Loan at such time, (b) with respect to the Letter of Credit Sublimit, (i) the L/C Issuer and (ii) if any Letters of Credit have been issued pursuant to Section 2.03, the Lenders and (c) with respect to the Swing Line Sublimit, (i) the Swing Line Lender and (ii) if any Swing Line Loans are outstanding pursuant to Section 2.04(a), the Lenders.
“Approved Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.
“Arranger” means BofA Securities, Inc., in its capacity as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner.
“Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 11.06(b)), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit B or any other form (including an electronic documentation form generated by use of an electronic platform) approved by the Administrative Agent.
“Audited Financial Statements” has the meaning specified in Section 5.11(a).
“Auto-Extension Letter of Credit” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b).
“Auto-Reinstatement Letter of Credit” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b).
“Availability Period” means the period from and including the Closing Date to the earliest of (a) the MaturityFourth Amendment Effective Date, (b) the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments pursuant to Section 2.06, and (c) the date of termination of the Revolving Commitment of each Lender to make Revolving Loans and of the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions pursuant to Section 8.02.
“Available Amount” shall mean, at any time of determination (the applicable “Reference Date”) an amount (in no event less than zero) equal to, without duplication:
(a) the sum of:
(i)the cumulative amount of Net Issuance Proceeds of Excluded Equity Issuances and capital contributions (other than Specified Equity Contributions) received by the Borrower after the Closing Date and prior to the Reference Date;
(ii)the Net Incurrence Proceeds of Indebtedness and Net Issuance Proceeds of Disqualified Stock that have been incurred or issued after the Closing Date and prior to the Reference Date (other than Specified Equity Contributions) and exchanged or converted into Qualified Stock of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent company thereof);
3
(iii)[reserved];
(iv)the Net Proceeds of any sale of any Investment originally made using the Available Amount; and
(v)without duplication to clause (iv), cash returns, profits, distributions and similar amounts received on Investments (other than in respect of intercompany investments) originally made using the Available Amount to the extent not included in Consolidated Net Income;
minus
(b) that portion of the Available Amount that has been applied to make Investments pursuant to Section 7.04(x).
“Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected Financial Institution.
“Bail-In Legislation” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law, rule, regulation or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule, and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).
“Bank of America” means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.
“Bankruptcy Code” means the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978.
“Base Rate” means for any day a fluctuating rate of interest per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its “prime rate,” and (c) Term SOFR plus 1.00%, subject to the interest rate floors set forth therein; provided that if the Base Rate shall be less than 0.00%, such rate shall be deemed 0.00% for purposes of this Agreement. The “prime rate” is a rate set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of America’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in such prime rate announced by Bank of America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change. If the Base Rate is being used as an alternate rate of interest pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof, then the Base Rate shall be the greater of clauses (a) and (b) above and shall be determined without reference to clause (c) above.
“Base Rate Loan” means a Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.
“Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.
“Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.
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“Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in and subject to Section 4975 of the Code or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.
“BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.
“Borrower” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.
“Borrower Materials” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02(i).
“Borrowing” means a Revolving Borrowing or a Swing Line Borrowing, as the context may require.
“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, the state where the Administrative Agent’s Office is located.
“Capital Expenditures” means, for any period, all amounts that would be reflected as additions to property, plant or equipment on a consolidated statement of cash flows of Holdings and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP (including amounts expended or capitalized under Capital Leases), but excluding (a) any expenditure constituting a Permitted Acquisition, (b) expenditures (x) made with tenant improvement allowances provided, or reimbursed in cash, by landlords under leases or (y) in respect of equipment that is purchased simultaneously with the trade-in of existing equipment, fixed assets or improvements (but any out-of-pocket payments made in cash in connection therewith shall be Capital Expenditures), or the credit granted by the seller of such equipment for the trade-in of such equipment, fixed assets or improvements, and (c) any such expenditure made to restore, replace or rebuild property subject to any damage, loss, destruction, taking by eminent domain or condemnation, to the extent such expenditure is made with insurance proceeds, compensation or condemnation awards or damage recovery proceeds relating to any such damage, loss, destruction or taking or condemnation.
“Capital Lease” means, with respect to any Person, any lease of, or other arrangement conveying the right to use, any Property by such Person as lessee that has been or is required to be accounted for as a capital lease on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP.
“Capital Lease Obligations” all monetary obligations of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of any Credit Party under any Capital Lease.
“Captive Insurance Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is subject to regulation as an insurance company (or any Subsidiary thereof).
“Cash Collateralize” means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of one or more of the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender (as applicable) or the Lenders, as Collateral for L/C Obligations, the Obligations in respect of Swing Line Loans, or obligations of the Lenders to fund participations in respect of L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans (as the context may require), (a) cash or deposit account balances, (b) backstop letters of credit entered into on terms, from issuers and in amounts satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer, and/or (c) if the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender shall agree, in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case, in Dollars and pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender (as
5
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 Equivalents” means (a) any readily-marketable securities (i) issued by, or directly, unconditionally and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States federal government or (ii) issued by any agency or instrumentality of the United States federal government the obligations of which are fully backed by the full faith and credit of the United States federal government, (b) any readily-marketable direct obligations issued by any other agency of the United States federal government, any territory, commonwealth or state of the United States or the District of Columbia or any political subdivision of any such territory, commonwealth or state or any public instrumentality thereof, in each case having a rating of at least “A-l” from S&P or at least “P-l” from Moody’s (or an equivalent rating by any other nationally recognized statistical rating agency selected by the Borrower), (c) any commercial paper or fixed or variable notes which are rated at least “A-l” by S&P or “P-l” by Moody’s (or an equivalent rating by any other nationally recognized statistical rating agency selected by the Borrower) and issued by any Person organized under the laws of any territory, commonwealth or state of the United States or the District of Columbia, (d) any Dollar-denominated time deposit, insured certificate of deposit, overnight bank deposit or bankers’ acceptance issued or accepted by (i) any Lender or (ii) any commercial bank that (A) is organized under the laws of the United States, any state, territory or commonwealth thereof or the District of Columbia or which is the principal banking subsidiary of a bank holding company organized under the laws of any of the foregoing or any U.S. branch of a foreign bank, (B) is “adequately capitalized” (as defined in the regulations of its primary federal banking regulators) and (C) has Tier 1 capital (as defined in such regulations) in excess of $250,000,000 (each such bank, an “Approved Bank”), (e) securities with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit issued by any Approved Bank, (f) obligations of other Persons with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, rated at least AA by S&P and Aa2 by Moody’s and (g) Investments in any United States money market fund that (i) has at least 95% of its assets invested continuously in the types of investments referred to in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) above with maturities as set forth in the proviso below and (ii) has net assets in excess of $500,000,000; provided, however, that the maturities of all obligations specified in any of clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) above shall not exceed 366 days.
“Cash Flow Forecast” shall have the meaning provided to such term in Section 6.01(c).
“Cash Management Agreement” means any agreement to provide treasury or cash management services, including deposit accounts, overnight draft, credit cards, debit cards, p-cards (including purchasing cards and commercial cards), funds transfer, automated clearinghouse, zero balance accounts, returned check concentration, controlled disbursement, lockbox, account reconciliation and reporting and trade finance services and other cash management services.
“Cash Management Bank” means any Person in its capacity as a party to a Cash Management Agreement that, (a) at the time it enters into a Cash Management Agreement with a Credit Party or any Subsidiary, is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, or (b) at the time it (or its Affiliate) becomes a Lender, is a party to a Cash Management Agreement with a Credit Party or any Subsidiary, in each case in its capacity as a party to such Cash Management Agreement (even if such Person ceases to be a Lender or such Person’s Affiliate ceased to be a Lender); provided, however, that for any of the foregoing to be included as a “Secured Cash Management Agreement” on any date of determination by the Administrative Agent, the applicable Cash Management Bank (other than the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent) must have delivered a Secured Party Designation Notice to the Administrative Agent prior to such date of determination.
“Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the Closing Date, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation
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or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith or in the implementation thereof and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.
“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following: (a) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than (x) the Permitted Holders, (y) any employee benefit plan of Parent and its Subsidiaries and any Person acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any employee benefit plan of Parent or its Subsidiaries or any Permitted Holders and (z) any “group” which includes the Permitted Holders (provided that in the case of any such “group,” the Permitted Holders hold at least a majority of the then issued and outstanding Voting Stock of such “group”), is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of a percentage of the issued and outstanding Voting Stock of Parent representing more than (1) thirty-five percent of the issued and outstanding Voting Stock of Parent (on a fully diluted basis) and (2) the percentage of the issued and outstanding Voting Stock of Parent (on a fully diluted basis) that is beneficially owned (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, by the Permitted Holders and, if applicable, any “group” which includes the Permitted Holders (provided that in the case of any such “group,” the Permitted Holders hold at least a majority of the then issued and outstanding Voting Stock of such “group”), (b) the occupation at any time of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors (or similar governing body) of Parent by Persons who were not (i) directors (or similar Persons) of Parent on the date of this Agreement, (ii) nominated or approved by the board of directors (or similar governing body) of Parent or (iii) appointed by directors (or similar Persons) so nominated or approved, (c) Parent shall cease to own and control, directly or indirectly, legally and beneficially all of the economic and voting rights associated with ownership of all outstanding Stock of Holdings or (d) Holdings shall cease to directly own and control legally and beneficially all of the economic and voting rights associated with ownership of all outstanding Stock of the Borrower.
“Closing Date” means November 15, 2021.
“Closing Date Fee Letter” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Fee Letter”.
“CME” means CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
“Collateral” means all property that is or is intended under the terms of the Collateral Documents to be subject to Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.
“Collateral Documents” means, collectively, the Security Agreement, each Joinder Agreement, each of the collateral assignments, security agreements, pledge agreements or other similar agreements delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.13, and each of the other agreements, instruments or documents that creates or purports to create a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.
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“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.
“Communication” means this Agreement, any Loan Document and any document, any amendment, approval, consent, information, notice, certificate, request, statement, disclosure or authorization related to any Loan Document.
“Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C.
“Conforming Changes” means, with respect to the use, administration of or any conventions associated with SOFR or any proposed Successor Rate or Term SOFR, as applicable, any conforming changes to the definitions of “Base Rate”, “SOFR”, “Term SOFR” and “Interest Period”, timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest and other technical, administrative or operational matters (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the definitions of “Business Day” and “U.S. Government Securities Business Day”, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices and length of lookback periods) as may be appropriate, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, to reflect the adoption and implementation of such applicable rate(s) and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent determines that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or that no market practice for the administration of such rate exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent determines is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and any other Loan Document).
“Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.
“Consolidated Asset Coverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) the sum of (i) 90% of the net book value in accordance with GAAP of billed credit card accounts receivable of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as of the last day of the most recently ended month prior to such date for which financial statements are internally available to Holdings plus (ii) 50% of the net book value in accordance with GAAP of inventory of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as of the last day of the most recently ended month prior to such date for which financial statements are internally available to Holdings to (b) Consolidated Total Debt of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as of such date. As of any date of determination, the Total Revolving Outstandings for purposes of the determination of the Consolidated Asset Coverage Ratio shall be the Total Revolving Outstandings on such date of determination (after giving effect to any requested Credit Extension, as applicable).
“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 deferred financing fees or costs and the amortization of OID resulting from the issuance of Indebtedness at less than par, amortization of intangible assets and amortization of unrecognized prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses related to pensions and other post-employment benefits, of such Person and its Subsidiaries) of such Person and its 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:
(a)increased (without duplication, including for purposes of determining Consolidated Net Income) by the following, in each case (other than clause (xii)) to the extent
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deducted (and not added back or excluded) in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period:
(i)provision for taxes based on income or profits or capital, including, without limitation, federal, provincial, state, franchise and similar taxes and foreign withholding taxes of such Person paid or accrued during such period (including penalties, interest, costs and expenses related to such taxes or arising from any tax examinations or Restricted Payments permitted pursuant to Section 7.07(c)); plus
(ii)Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period; plus
(iii)Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense of such Person for such period; plus
(iv)any out-of-pocket fees, payments, expenses or charges (including legal, tax, structuring and other costs and expenses, but excluding depreciation and amortization expense) related to: (a) the Transactions, including any payments and expenses, or any amortization thereof, related to the Transactions that are incurred within twelve months after the Closing Date and (b) any proposed or actual equity offering, Investment, acquisition (including costs and expenses in connection with the de-listing of public targets and compliance with public company requirements), disposition, dividend, restricted payment or recapitalization or the incurrence and/or repayment of Indebtedness (including any incremental facility, any refinancing of any such Indebtedness, any letter of credit fees and/or breakage costs) (in each of the foregoing whether or not consummated or successful), including (1) such fees, expenses or charges related to the Loans, the Loan Documents and any credit facilities, (2) any amendment, restatement, extension, increase or other modification of the Loans, the Loan Documents and any credit facilities, (3) any charges, non-recurring acquisition costs or contingent transaction costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction and (4) one-time expenses related to enhanced accounting function or other transaction costs, including those associated with becoming standalone entity or public company; plus
(v)the amount (together with any fees, expenses or other charges in connection therewith) of any out-of-pocket deferred compensation, severance, signing bonuses, stay bonus, retention, recruiting and relocation costs, integration costs, transition costs, costs incurred in connection with any non-recurring strategic initiatives and intellectual property development, project startup costs and other restructuring charges, costs associated with establishing new facilities or reserves, any other one-time costs incurred in connection with acquisitions and costs related to the closure and/or consolidation of facilities in the good faith determination of the Borrower and as certified by the Borrower’s chief financial officer, chief executive officer, controller or other comparable executive; provided that, the aggregate amount pursuant to this clause (v), together with the aggregate amount pursuant to clause (xii) below, the aggregate amount of inventory disposition expense pursuant to clause (xxi) below, and all other adjustments expressly subject to the Subject Adjustment Cap, shall not exceed the Subject Adjustment Cap; plus
(vi)losses, charges, expenses or reserves related to litigation (including threatened litigation) or any investigation or proceeding (or any threatened investigation or proceeding) by a regulatory, governmental or law enforcement body (including any attorney general), or any settlement with respect to any of the foregoing; provided that the
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aggregate amount added pursuant to this clause (vi) shall not exceed $3,500,000 in any period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters; plus
(vii)losses, charges, expenses or reserves related to public company registration, listing, compliance, reporting and related expenses; plus
(viii)non-cash stock option and other equity-based compensation; plus
(ix)(A) compensation and fees paid to directors of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries permitted hereunder in an aggregate cash amount not to exceed $2,000,000 in any Fiscal Year, (B) expense reimbursements for travel and other expenses paid to directors of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries permitted hereunder and (C) indemnifications of directors, officers and comparable managers of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries permitted hereunder, plus
(x)to the extent covered by insurance or reimbursed, or, so long as the Borrower has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer within 365 days of the date of the underlying loss, losses or expenses with respect to liability or casualty event (provided that (A) if not so reimbursed or received by Holdings, the Borrower or such Subsidiary within such 365 day period, such expenses or losses shall be subtracted from Consolidated EBITDA in the subsequent calculation period or (B) if reimbursed or received by Holdings, the Borrower or such Subsidiary in a subsequent period, (1) such amount shall not be permitted to be added back in determining Consolidated EBITDA for such subsequent period and (2) Consolidated EBITDA shall be decreased for such subsequent period by an amount, if any, by which such reimbursement is less than the accrued amounts added back pursuant to this clause); plus
(xi)the amount of any earn out obligation which was reserved or paid during such period and deducted in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income for such period, to the extent such earn-out obligations are permitted hereunder; plus
(xii)the amount of cost savings, operating expense reductions, other operating improvements, initiatives and synergies which are projected by the Borrower in good faith to be reasonably anticipated to be realizable within eighteen (18) months of the date of the underlying transaction or initiatives (which will be added to Consolidated EBITDA as so projected until fully realized and calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings, operating expense reductions, other operating improvements, initiatives and 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 all steps have been taken or are reasonably expected to be taken for realizing such cost savings and such cost savings are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable (in the good faith determination of the Borrower and certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower); provided further that, the aggregate amount pursuant to this clause (xii), together with the aggregate amount pursuant to clause (v) above, the aggregate amount of inventory disposition expense pursuant to clause (xxi) below and all other adjustments expressly subject to the Subject Adjustment Cap, shall not exceed the Subject Adjustment Cap; plus
(xiii)non-cash costs or losses related to hedging obligations; plus
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(xiv)non-cash foreign exchange losses resulting from the impact of foreign currency changes on the valuation of assets or liabilities; plus
(xv)[reserved]; plus
(xvi)any purchase accounting adjustments incurred in connection with any Permitted Acquisition; plus
(xvii)(A) non-cash costs and expenses relating to any equity-based compensation or equity-based incentive plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, in each case, of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary for such period and (B) any costs or expense incurred by Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such cost or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of Holdings or the Borrower or Net Issuance Proceeds of an issuance of equity interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of Holdings or the Borrower; plus
(xviii)all costs or losses (whether cash or non-cash) (without duplication) resulting from the early termination or extinguishment of Indebtedness; plus
(xix)cash expenses of Holdings, the Borrower and their Subsidiaries incurred during such period to the extent (x) deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income and (y) reimbursed in cash by any person (other than any of Holdings, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries or any owners, directly or indirectly, of equity interests, respectively, therein) during such period (or reasonably expected to be so reimbursed within 365 days of the end of such period to the extent not accrued) pursuant to an indemnity or guaranty or any other reimbursement agreement in favor of Holdings, the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries to the extent such reimbursement has not been accrued (provided that (A) if not so reimbursed or received by Holdings, the Borrower or such Subsidiary within such 365-day period, such expenses or losses shall be subtracted from Consolidated EBITDA in the subsequent calculation period or (B) if reimbursed or received by Holdings, the Borrower or such Subsidiary in a subsequent period, (1) such amount shall not be permitted to be added back in determining Consolidated EBITDA for such subsequent period and (2) Consolidated EBITDA shall be decreased for such subsequent period by an amount, if any, by which such reimbursement is less than the accrued amounts added back pursuant to this clause); plus
(xx)to the extent deducted (and any reimbursement therefor not already added back) in determining Consolidated Net Income, the aggregate amount of expenses or losses incurred by Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary relating to business interruption to the extent covered by insurance and (x) actually reimbursed or otherwise paid to Holdings, the Borrower or such Subsidiary or (y) so long as such amount for any calculation period is reasonably expected to be received by Holdings, the Borrower or such Subsidiary in a subsequent calculation period and within one year of the date of the underlying loss (provided that (A) if not so reimbursed or received by Holdings, the Borrower or such Subsidiary within such 365 day period, such expenses or losses shall be subtracted from Consolidated EBITDA in the subsequent calculation period or (B) if reimbursed or received by Holdings, the Borrower or such Subsidiary in a subsequent period, (1) such amount shall not be permitted to be added back in determining Consolidated EBITDA for
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such subsequent period and (2) Consolidated EBITDA shall be decreased for such subsequent period by an amount, if any, by which such reimbursement is less than the accrued amounts added back pursuant to this clause); plus
(xxi)losses, charges and expenses attributable to (x) asset sales or other dispositions or the repurchase, redemption, sale or disposition of any equity interests of any Person other than in the ordinary course of business and (y) repurchases or redemptions of any equity interests of Holdings from existing or former directors, officers or employees of Holdings, the Borrower or their Subsidiaries, their estates, beneficiaries under their estates, transferees, spouses or former spouses; provided that the aggregate amount of all expenses attributable to dispositions of inventory pursuant to this clause (xxi), together with the aggregate amount pursuant to clause (v) above, the aggregate amount pursuant to clause (xii) above and all other adjustments expressly subject to the Subject Adjustment Cap, shall not exceed the Subject Adjustment Cap; plus
(xxii)payments to employees, directors or officers of Holdings, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries paid in connection with dividends that are otherwise permitted hereunder to the extent such payments are not made in lieu of, or as a substitution for, ordinary salary or ordinary payroll payments; plus
(xxiii)the aggregate amount of all other non-cash items otherwise reducing Consolidated Net Income other than (x) non-cash items that represent a cash item in such period or any future period (or an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period) and (y) non-cash items that consist of a write-down or write-off of current assets; plus
(xxiv)unamortized fees, costs and expenses paid in cash in connection with the repayment of Indebtedness of Holdings or its Subsidiaries to persons that are not Affiliates of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries;
(b)[reserved];
(c)increased (without duplication) by the amount of any Specified Equity Contribution solely for purposes of determining compliance with the Financial Covenants;
(d)[reserved];
(e)decreased (without duplication) to the extent included in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period, by non-cash gains increasing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period, but excluding (x) any non-cash gains to the extent they represent the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced Consolidated EBITDA in any prior period and (y) any non-cash gains with respect to cash actually received in a prior period so long as such cash did not increase Consolidated EBITDA in such prior period; provided that, to the extent non-cash gains are deducted pursuant to this clause (e) for any previous period and not otherwise added back to Consolidated EBITDA, Consolidated EBITDA shall be increased by the amount of any cash receipts (or any netting arrangements resulting in reduced cash expenses) in respect of such non-cash gains received in subsequent periods to the extent not already included therein;
(f)decreased (without duplication) by non-cash gains related to hedging obligations;
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(g)decreased (without duplication) by non-cash gains resulting from the impact of foreign currency changes on the valuation of assets or liabilities;
(h)decreased (without duplication) by gains attributable to (x) asset sales or other dispositions or the repurchase, redemption, sale or disposition of any equity interests of any Person other than in the ordinary course of business and (y) repurchases or redemptions of any equity interests of Holdings from existing or former directors, officers or employees of Holdings, the Borrower or their Subsidiaries, their estates, beneficiaries under their estates, transferees, spouses or former spouses; and
(i)decreased (without duplication) by any gains (whether cash or non-cash) resulting from the early termination or extinguishment of Indebtedness.
For the avoidance of doubt, Consolidated EBITDA shall be determined on a Pro Forma Basis, and there shall be included in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period, without duplication, on a Pro Forma Basis, the Acquired EBITDA of any Person, all or substantially all of the assets of a Person, or any business unit, line of business or division of any Person acquired by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party during such period (but not the acquired EBITDA of any related Person, property, business or assets to the extent not so acquired), to the extent not subsequently sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party during such period (each such Person, property, business or asset acquired and not subsequently so disposed of, an “Acquired Entity or Business”) based on the actual and audited (if available) acquired EBITDA of such Acquired Entity or Business for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such acquisition) (“Acquired EBITDA”).
Unless the context shall otherwise require, references herein to Consolidated EBITDA shall be to Consolidated EBITDA of Holdings.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, for purposes of determining Consolidated EBITDA under this Agreement for any period that includes the Fiscal Quarters ended January 3, 2021, April 4, 2021, July 4, 2021 or October 3, 2021, Consolidated EBITDA for such Fiscal Quarter shall be $(98,000), $5,390,000, $17,774,000 and $11,885,000, respectively, subject to adjustments pursuant to clause (a)(xii) above for events and transactions not otherwise reflected in the foregoing amounts.
“Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person as of any date, the ratio of (a) (i) Consolidated EBITDA, less (ii) the aggregate amount of all Consolidated Capital Expenditures for the most recently completed period of four consecutive fiscal quarters (other than those financed with long term indebtedness (other than revolving indebtedness)), less (iii) the aggregate amount of federal, state, local and foreign income taxes paid in cash and Permitted Tax Distributions, in each case, for the most recently completed period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, less (iv) Restricted Payments paid in cash under Section 7.07(b) or Section 7.07(n) during the most recently completed period of four consecutive fiscal quarters to (b) the sum of (i) Consolidated Interest Expense to the extent paid in cash, plus (ii) Consolidated Scheduled Funded Debt Payments. Unless the context shall otherwise require, references herein to the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be to the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of Holdings.
“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period, determined in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of the foregoing, interest expense shall be determined after giving effect to any net payments made or received by such Person and its Subsidiaries pursuant to interest rate swap obligations with respect to Indebtedness.
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“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the net income of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that, without duplication (including for purposes of determining Consolidated EBITDA),
(a)non-cash extraordinary, non-recurring or unusual gains, losses, charges or expenses shall be excluded,
(b)the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles and changes as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies during such period shall be excluded to the extent not otherwise reflected in a change to the Financial Covenants,
(c)net income for such period of any Subsidiary shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary of such income is not permitted by operation of the terms of its Organization Documents or any agreement, instrument or Law applicable to such Subsidiary during such period, except that Holdings equity in any net loss of any such Subsidiary for such period shall be included in determining Consolidated Net Income,
(d)the net income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary, 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 are actually paid to Holdings or a Subsidiary thereof from a Person that is not such a Subsidiary in respect of such period (and in the case of a dividend or other distribution to a Subsidiary, such Subsidiary is not precluded from further distributing such amount to Holdings as described in clause (c) of this proviso),
(e)[reserved],
(f)[reserved], and
(g)any impairment charge or asset write-off or write-down, including impairment charges or asset write-offs or write-downs related to 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.
For the avoidance of doubt, Consolidated Net Income shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis. Unless the context shall otherwise require, references to Consolidated Net Income herein shall mean Consolidated Net Income of Holdings.
“Consolidated Scheduled Funded Debt Payments” means, for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of Holdings, the sum of all scheduled principal payments in respect of Consolidated Total Debt due and payable in cash during such period. The amount of Consolidated Scheduled Funded Debt Payments for any period shall be determined without giving effect to any reduction of scheduled payments of principal resulting from the application of any voluntary prepayments made during the applicable period.
“Consolidated Total Assets” means, as of any date of determination, the total property and assets of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP, as set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and its Subsidiaries most recently delivered (or required to be delivered) pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b), as applicable (on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to any Permitted
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Acquisitions or any other Investments or Dispositions permitted hereunder or by the other Loan Documents).
“Consolidated Total Debt” means, with respect to any Person as of any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Indebtedness of such Person of a type described in clause (a), (b), (c) (solely to the extent of amounts that are drawn but not reimbursed), (f) and (g) of the definition of Indebtedness and all Guarantees with respect to any such Indebtedness, in each case of such Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. For the avoidance of doubt, Consolidated Total Debt shall exclude the undrawn portion of the Revolving Commitments hereunder.
“Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person as of any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Debt of such Person as of such date, less an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate amount of Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents of such Person as of such date and (ii) $5,000,000 to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for such Person for the last period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on or before such date. Unless the context shall otherwise require, references herein to the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio shall be to the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio of Holdings.
“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.
“Copyrights” means all rights, title and interests (and all related IP Ancillary Rights) arising under any requirement of Law in or relating to copyrights and all mask work, database and design rights, whether or not registered or published, all registrations and recordations thereof and all applications in connection therewith.
“Covered Entity” means any of the following: (a) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (b) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (c) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).
“Credit Extension” means each of the following: (a) a Borrowing and (b) an L/C Credit Extension.
“Credit Parties” means, collectively, the Borrower and each Guarantor.
“Daily Simple SOFR” with respect to any applicable determination date means the SOFR published on such date on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s website (or any successor source).
“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.
“Default” means any event or circumstance that constitutes an Event of Default or that, with the passing of time or the giving of notice or both pursuant to Article VIII hereof, would (if not cured or otherwise remedied during such time) constitute an Event of Default.
“Default Rate” means (a) with respect to any Obligation for which a rate is specified, a rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) in excess of the rate otherwise applicable thereto and (b) with respect to any Obligation for which a rate is not specified or available, a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus
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the Applicable Rate for Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans plus two percent (2%), in each case, to the fullest extent permitted by Law.
“Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.
“Defaulting Lender” means, subject to Section 2.15(b), any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within two (2) Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans) within two (2) Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lender’s obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within three (3) Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity or (iii) become the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any Stock in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above, and the effective date of such status, shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.15(b)) as of the date established therefor by the Administrative Agent in a written notice of such determination, which shall be delivered by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower, the L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender and each other Lender promptly following such determination.
“Designated Jurisdiction” means any country or territory to the extent that such country or territory is the subject of any Sanction.
“Disposition” means the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of Property, including, without limitation, any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any or any rights and claims associated therewith.
“Disqualified Stock” means any Stock that is not Qualified Stock.
“Dollar” and “$” mean lawful money of the United States.
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“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.
“Electronic Record” and “Electronic Signature” shall have the meanings assigned to them, respectively, by 15 USC §7006, as it may be amended from time to time.
“Eligible Assignee” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 11.06 (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 11.06(b)(iii)).
“Environmental Laws” means all Laws and Permits imposing liability or standards of conduct for or relating to the regulation and protection of the environment and natural resources, and including public notification requirements and environmental transfer of ownership, notification or approval statutes.
“Environmental Liabilities” means all Liabilities (including costs of Remedial Actions, natural resource damages and costs and expenses of investigation and feasibility studies) that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any Credit Party as a result of, or related to, any claim, suit, action, investigation, proceeding or demand by any Person, whether based in contract, tort, implied or express warranty, strict liability, criminal or civil statute or common law or otherwise, arising under any Environmental Law or in connection with any environmental condition or with any Release and resulting from the ownership, lease, sublease or other operation or occupation of property by any Credit Party, whether on, prior or after the date hereof.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
“ERISA Affiliate” means, collectively, any Credit Party and any Person under common control or treated as a single employer with, any Credit Party, within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code, or, solely with respect to Section 412 of the Code, Section 414 (m) or (o) of the Code.
“ERISA Event” means any of the following: (a) a reportable event described in Section 4043(c) of ERISA (unless the 30-day notice requirement has been duly waived under the applicable regulations) with respect to a Title IV Plan; (b) the withdrawal of any ERISA Affiliate from a Title IV 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; (c) the complete or partial withdrawal of any ERISA Affiliate from any Multiemployer Plan; (d) with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the receipt by any Credit Party of notice from the Multiemployer Plan of the Multiemployer Plan’s filing of a notice of insolvency or termination (or treatment of a plan amendment as termination) under Section 4041A of ERISA; (e) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Title IV Plan under Section 4041(c) of ERISA; (f) the institution of proceedings to
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terminate a Title IV Plan by the PBGC or the receipt by any Credit Party of notice of the institution of proceedings to terminate a Multiemployer Plan by the PBGC; (g) the failure of a Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate to make any required contribution to any Title IV Plan or Multiemployer Plan when due and (h) the occurrence of any other event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Title IV Plan or the receipt by any Credit Party of a notice of the occurrence of any such event with respect to a Multiemployer Plan or for the imposition of any material liability upon any Credit Party with respect to a Title IV Plan under Title IV of ERISA other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent.
“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.
“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 8.01.
“Event of Loss” means, with respect to any Property, any of the following: (a) any loss, destruction or damage of such Property; or (b) any condemnation, seizure or taking, by exercise of the power of eminent domain or otherwise, of such Property, or confiscation of such Property or the requisition of the use of such Property by a Governmental Authority or pursuant to applicable Law.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Excluded Assets” means (a)(i) any fee-owned real property and all leasehold, subleasehold and other similar interests in real property (with no requirement to obtain leasehold mortgages, landlord waivers, consents, estoppels, or collateral access letters), (ii) (x) motor vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title and (y) letter of credit rights (other than those that constitute supporting obligations as to included Collateral and/or to the extent that perfection can be accomplished through the filing of a UCC financing statement) and commercial tort claims with a value of less than $2,000,000, (iii) pledges and security interests currently prohibited by applicable law, rule or regulation (to the extent such law, rule or regulation is effective under applicable anti-assignment provisions of the UCC), other than proceeds and receivables thereof; (iv) any lease, license or other agreement or any property subject to a purchase money security interest or similar arrangement, in each case in existence on the Closing Date or upon the Acquisition of the relevant Subsidiary party thereto, to the extent that a grant of a security interest therein would violate or invalidate such lease, license or agreement or purchase money arrangement or create a right of termination in favor of any other party thereto (other than the Borrower or a Guarantor) after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of the UCC or other applicable law, the assignment of which is expressly deemed effective under the UCC notwithstanding such prohibition, and other than proceeds and receivables thereof, (v) any governmental licenses or state or local franchises, charters and authorizations to the extent creation of a security interest thereon is prohibited or restricted thereby (after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provision of the UCC) (but not proceeds of the foregoing), for so long as the applicable franchise, charter, or authorization prohibits the creation of a security interest therein, (vi) any United States intent-to-use application for registration of a Trademark, prior to the filing and acceptance of a “Statement of Use” or an “Amendment to Allege Use” with respect thereto, solely to the extent that, and solely during the period in which, the grant of a security interest therein would impair the validity or enforceability of such intent-to-use Trademark application or any registration that issues therefrom under applicable federal Law; (vii) those assets as to which the Administrative Agent and the Borrower reasonably agree (1) a security interest over which could reasonably be expected to result in material adverse Tax consequences or (2) that the cost of obtaining such a security interest or perfection thereof are excessive in relation to the benefit to the Secured Parties of the security to be afforded thereby; and (viii) any non-U.S. assets or assets that require action under the law of any non-U.S. jurisdiction to create or perfect a security interest in such assets (and no security agreements or pledge agreements
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governed under the laws of any non-U.S. jurisdiction shall be required), other than in respect of any Intellectual Property owned by a Credit Party and registered in any non-U.S. jurisdiction, to the extent not constituting an Excluded Asset pursuant to clause (vi) or (vii) above; provided, however, that “Excluded Assets” shall not include any proceeds, products, substitutions or replacements of Excluded Assets (unless such proceeds, products, substitutions or replacements would otherwise constitute Excluded Assets under the definition thereof).
“Excluded Equity Issuance” means an issuance of Stock or Stock Equivalents (other than Disqualified Stock) by a Credit Party (excluding (x) Specified Equity Contributions and (y) issuances of Stock or Stock Equivalents by a Credit Party to another Credit Party).
“Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guaranty of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a Lien 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 thereof) by virtue of such Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act (determined after giving effect to Section 10.11 and any other “keepwell”, support or other agreement for the benefit of such Guarantor and any and all guarantees of such Guarantor’s Swap Obligations by other Credit Parties) at the time the Guaranty of such Guarantor, or grant by such Guarantor of a Lien, becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a Master Agreement governing more than one Swap Contract, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to Swap Contracts for which such Guaranty or Lien is or becomes excluded in accordance with the first sentence of this definition.
“Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to any Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its Lending Office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Revolving Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Revolving Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 11.13) or (ii) such Lender changes its Lending Office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Sections 3.01(b) or (d), amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its Lending Office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 3.01(f) and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed pursuant to FATCA.
“Facility Termination Date” means the date as of which all of the following shall have occurred: (a) the Aggregate Commitments have terminated, (b) all Obligations have been paid in full (other than contingent indemnification obligations), and (c) all Letters of Credit have terminated or expired (other than Letters of Credit as to which other arrangements with respect thereto satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer shall have been made).
“FASB ASC” means the Accounting Standards Codification of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.
“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply
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with) and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version described above) and any intergovernmental agreement (and related fiscal or regulatory legislation, or related official rules or practices) implementing the foregoing.
“Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum calculated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depository institutions (as determined in such manner as the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shall set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as the federal funds effective rate; provided that if the Federal Funds Rate as so determined would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.
“Fee Letter” means, collectively, (a) the letter agreement, dated as of September 30, 2021, between the Borrower and Bank of America (the “Closing Date Fee Letter”) and (b) the First Amendment Fee Letter.
“Financial Covenants” means the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.16.
“First Amendment Effective Date” means July 22, 2024.
“First Amendment Fee Letter” means the letter agreement, dated as of the First Amendment Effective Date, between the Borrower and Bank of America.
“Fiscal Quarter” means any of the quarterly accounting periods of Holdings and its Subsidiaries ending on or about March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year.
“Fiscal Year” means any of the annual accounting periods of Holdings and its Subsidiaries ending on or about December 31 of each year.
“Foreign Lender” means (a) if the Borrower is a U.S. Person, a Lender that is not a U.S. Person, and (b) if the Borrower is not a U.S. Person, a Lender that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes. For purposes of this definition, the United States, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.
“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.
“Fourth Amendment Effective Date” means March 27, 2025.
“FRB” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.
“Fronting Exposure” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender that is a Lender, (a) with respect to the L/C Issuer, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the outstanding L/C Obligations other than L/C Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) with respect to the Swing Line Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of Swing Line Loans other than Swing Line Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof.
“Fund” means any Person (other than a natural Person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities.
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“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth from time to time in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or agencies with similar functions of comparable stature and authority within the accounting profession) including, without limitation, the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied and subject to Section 1.03.
“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, without limitation, any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).
“Guarantee” of or by any Person shall mean any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such person, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment of such Indebtedness or other obligation or (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation; provided that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.
“Guaranteed Obligations” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.01.
“Guarantors” means, collectively, (a) Holdings, (b) the Subsidiaries of the Borrower as are or may from time to time become parties to this Agreement pursuant to Section 6.13 and (c) with respect to Additional Secured Obligations owing by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries and any Swap Obligation of a Specified Credit Party (determined before giving effect to Sections 10.01 and 10.11) under the Guaranty, the Borrower.
“Guaranty” means, collectively, the Guarantee made by the Guarantors under Article X in favor of the Secured Parties, together with each other guaranty delivered pursuant to Section 6.13.
“Hazardous Material” means any substance, material or waste that is classified or regulated under any Environmental Law as hazardous, toxic, a contaminant or a pollutant or by other words of similar meaning, including without limitation, petroleum or any fraction thereof, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls and radioactive substances.
“Hedge Bank” means any Person in its capacity as a party to a Swap Contract that, (a) at the time it enters into a Swap Contract not prohibited under Articles VI or VII, is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, or (b) at the time it (or its Affiliate) becomes a Lender, is a party to a Swap Contract not prohibited under Articles VI or VII, in each case, in its capacity as a party to such Swap Contract (even if such Person ceases to be a Lender or such Person’s Affiliate ceased to be a Lender); provided in the case of a Secured Hedge Agreement with a Person who is no longer a Lender (or Affiliate of a Lender), such Person shall be considered a Hedge Bank only through the stated termination date (without extension or renewal) of such Secured Hedge Agreement; provided, further that for any of the foregoing to be included as a “Secured Hedge Agreement” on any date of determination by the Administrative Agent, the applicable Hedge Bank
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(other than the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent) must have delivered a Secured Party Designation Notice to the Administrative Agent prior to such date of determination.
“Holdings” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.
“Immaterial Subsidiary” means, as of any date, any Subsidiary that (a) did not, as of the last day of the most recent Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have been delivered, have assets with a value in excess of 2.5% of the Consolidated Total Assets or revenues representing in excess of 2.5% of total revenues of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered, calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; and (b) taken together with all Immaterial Subsidiaries as of the last day of the most recent Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have been delivered, did not have assets with a value in excess of 5.0% of Consolidated Total Assets or revenues representing in excess of 5.0% of total revenues of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such four-quarter period.
“Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, any of the following, whether or not matured: (a) all indebtedness for borrowed money, (b) all obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments, (c) all reimbursement obligations with respect to amounts funded under (i) letters of credit, bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances or (ii) surety, customs, reclamation or performance bonds (in the case of each of (i) and (ii), not related to judgments or litigation or the purchase or sale of inventory in the ordinary course of business), (d) all obligations to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding any earn-out obligation until such obligation is due and unpaid for five (5) Business Days), other than trade payables and accrued liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business, (e) all obligations created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to property purchased by such Person, regardless of whether the rights and remedies of the seller or lender under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property; provided that the amount of such Indebtedness shall be the lesser of the unpaid principal amount of such Indebtedness and the fair market value of the relevant property, as determined in good faith by such Person, (f) all obligations under Capital Leases, (g) all obligations, whether or not contingent, to repay, mandatorily purchase, redeem, retire, or otherwise acquire for value (other than (x) in exchange for Stock and except as a result of a change of control, asset sale or other disposition or Event of Loss, (y) customary acceleration rights after an event of default so long as such acquisition is subject to the prior occurrence of the Facility Termination Date or (z) in respect of Stock or Stock Equivalents issued to any plan for the benefit of any employee, director, manager, consultant, or independent contractor of such Person or by any such plan to such employee, director, manager or consultant, required to be repurchased in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of the termination, death or disability of such employee, director, manager, consultant or independent contractor) any of its own Stock or Stock Equivalents prior to the date that is 91 days following the Maturity Date as of the date of issuance of such Stock or Stock Equivalents, valued at, in the case of redeemable preferred Stock, the greater of the voluntary liquidation preference and the involuntary liquidation preference of such Stock plus accrued and unpaid dividends, and (h) all Guarantees for obligations of any other Person constituting Indebtedness of such other Person of the type referred to in clauses (a) through (g) above (the amount of which shall be equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or, if less, the portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee obligation 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); provided, however, that the items above shall constitute “Indebtedness” of such Person solely to the extent (including, without limitation, Swap Contracts) (x) such Person is liable for any part of any such item, or (y) any such item is secured by a Lien on such Person’s property. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the following constitute Indebtedness: (w) obligations under any derivative transaction or hedging agreement, (x) operating leases, (y) customary obligations under employment agreements and deferred compensation or severance and (z) deferred revenue and deferred tax liabilities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term
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“Indebtedness” shall not include contingent post-closing purchase price adjustments, deferred compensation, non-compete or consulting obligations to which the seller in an acquisition or investment may become entitled.
“Indemnified Taxes” means all (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Credit Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a), Other Taxes.
“Indemnitee” has the meaning specified in Section 11.04(b).
“Information” has the meaning specified in Section 11.07(a).
“Initial Public Offering” means an underwritten initial public offering by Parent of its Stock 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 Securities and Exchange Commission in accordance with the Securities Act (whether alone or in connection with a secondary public offering) or in a firm commitment underwritten offering (or series of related offerings of securities to the public pursuant to a final prospectus) made pursuant to the Securities Act.
“Insolvency Proceeding” means (a) any case, action or proceeding before any court or other Governmental Authority relating to bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, liquidation, receivership, dissolution, winding-up or relief of debtors, or (b) any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, composition, marshaling of assets for creditors, or other, similar arrangement in respect of its creditors generally or any substantial portion of its creditors; in each case in (a) and (b) above, undertaken under any applicable U.S. federal, state or foreign law, including the Bankruptcy Code.
“Inspections” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.09.
“Intellectual Property” means all rights, title and interests in or relating to intellectual property and industrial property arising under any requirement of Law and all IP Ancillary Rights relating thereto, including all Copyrights, Patents, Software, Trademarks, Internet Domain Names, Trade Secrets and IP Licenses.
“Interest Payment Date” means, (a) as to any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and the Maturity Date; provided, however, that if any Interest Period for a Term SOFR Loan exceeds three months, the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such Interest Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates; and (b) as to any Base Rate Loan (including a Swing Line Loan), the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date.
“Interest Period” means as to each Term SOFR Loan, the period commencing on the date such Term SOFR Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a Term SOFR Loan and ending on the date one, three or six months thereafter, as selected by the Borrower in its Loan Notice, or such other period that is twelve months or less requested by the Borrower and consented to by all the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (in the case of each requested Interest Period, subject to availability); provided that:
(i)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, in the case of a Term SOFR Loan, such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day;
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(ii)any Interest Period pertaining to a Term SOFR Loan 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
(iii) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date.
“Internet Domain Name” means all right, title and interest (and all related IP Ancillary Rights) arising under any requirement of Law in or relating to internet domain names.
“Investment” has the meaning specified in Section 7.04.
“IP Ancillary Rights” means, with respect to any Intellectual Property, as applicable, all foreign counterparts to, and all divisionals, reversions, continuations, continuations-in-part, reissues, reexaminations, renewals and extensions of, such Intellectual Property, and, in each case, all rights to obtain any other IP Ancillary Right.
“IP License” means all Contractual Obligations (and all related IP Ancillary Rights), whether written or oral, granting any right, title and interest in or relating to any Intellectual Property.
“IRS” means the Internal Revenue Service of the United States and any successor thereto.
“ISP” means the International Standby Practices, International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the applicable time).
“Issuer Documents” means with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Application, and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by the L/C Issuer and the Borrower (or any Subsidiary) or in favor of the L/C Issuer and relating to such Letter of Credit.
“Joinder Agreement” means a joinder agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit D executed and delivered in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.13.
“Latest Maturity Date” means, at any date of determination, the latest maturity or expiration date applicable to any Loan or Revolving Commitment hereunder at such time.
“Laws” means, collectively, all international, foreign, federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, 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, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.
“L/C Advance” means, with respect to each Lender, such Lender’s funding of its participation in any L/C Borrowing in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.
“L/C Borrowing” means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made or refinanced as a Revolving Borrowing.
“L/C Commitment” means, with respect to the L/C Issuer, the commitment of the L/C Issuer to issue Letters of Credit hereunder. The initial amount of the L/C Issuer’s Letter of Credit Commitment is set
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forth on Schedule 1.01(b). The L/C Commitment of the L/C Issuer may be modified from time to time by agreement between the L/C Issuer and the Borrower, and notified to the Administrative Agent.
“L/C Credit Extension” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the increase of the amount thereof.
“L/C Issuer” means Bank of America in its capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, or any successor issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder.
“L/C Obligations” means, as at any date of determination, the aggregate amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all Unreimbursed Amounts (including all L/C Borrowings). For purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06. For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.
“Lender” means each of the Persons identified as a “Lender” on the signature pages hereto, each other Person that becomes a “Lender” in accordance with this Agreement and, their successors and assigns and, unless the context requires otherwise, includes the Swing Line Lender.
“Lender Party” and “Lender Recipient Party” means collectively, the Lenders, the Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuer.
“Lending Office” means, as to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender, the office or offices of such Person described as such in such Person’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as such Person may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent; which office may include any Affiliate of such Person or any domestic or foreign branch of such Person or such Affiliate.
“Letter of Credit” means any standby letter of credit issued hereunder.
“Letter of Credit Application” means an application and agreement for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit in the form from time to time in use by the L/C Issuer.
“Letter of Credit Expiration Date” means the day that is seven (7) days prior to the Maturity Date (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day).
“Letter of Credit Fee” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(l).
“Letter of Credit Sublimit” means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $5,000,000 and (b) the Aggregate Commitments. The Letter of Credit Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Aggregate Commitments.
“Liabilities” means all claims, actions, suits, judgments, damages, losses (other than lost profits), liability, obligations, fines, penalties, sanctions, charges, disbursements and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including without limitation, those incurred upon any appeal or in connection with the preparation for and/or response to any subpoena or request for document production relating thereto), in each case of any kind or nature (including interest accrued thereon or as a result thereto and fees, charges and disbursements of financial, legal and other advisors and consultants in connection therewith), whether joint or several, whether or not indirect, contingent, consequential, actual, punitive, treble or otherwise.
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“Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, collateral assignment, charge, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or otherwise), or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including those created by, arising under or evidenced by any conditional sale contract or other title retention agreement, and the interest of a lessor under a Capital Lease and any synthetic or other financing lease, in each case, having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing), but, in each case, not including, with respect to the assets leased thereunder, the interest of a lessor under an operating lease.
“Liquidity” shall have the meaning provided to such term in Section 7.16(c).
“Loan” means an extension of credit by a Lender to the Borrower under Article II in the form of a Revolving Loan or a Swing Line Loan.
“Loan Documents” means, collectively, (a) this Agreement, (b) the Notes, (c) the Collateral Documents, (d) each Fee Letter, (e) each Issuer Document, (f) each Joinder Agreement, (g) any agreement creating or perfecting rights in Cash Collateral pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.14, (h) each Compliance Certificate, (i) each Loan Notice and (j) all other agreements between or among the Administrative Agent or any Lender, on the one hand, and any Credit Party, on the other hand (but specifically excluding any Secured Hedge Agreement or any Secured Cash Management Agreement) and any amendments, modifications or supplements thereto or to any other Loan Document or waivers hereof or to any other Loan Document; provided, however, that for purposes of Section 11.01, “Loan Documents” shall mean this Agreement and the Collateral Documents.
“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 Term SOFR Loans, pursuant to Section 2.02(a), which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit E or such other form as may be approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.
“Margin Stock” means “margin stock” as such term is defined in Regulation T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board.
“Master Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Swap Contract.”
“Material Adverse Effect” means any event, change or condition that, individually or in the aggregate, has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, (a) a material adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or results of operations of Holdings, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (b) a material and adverse effect on the rights and remedies, taken as a whole, of the Lenders or the Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents.
“Material Domestic Subsidiary” means each Domestic Subsidiary other than an Immaterial Subsidiary.
“Maturity Date” means August 15, 2025; provided, however, that if such date is not a Business Day, the Maturity Date shall be the next preceding Business Day.
“Minimum Collateral Amount” means, at any time, (a) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances, an amount equal to 103% of the Fronting Exposure of the L/C Issuer with respect to Letters of Credit issued and outstanding at such time and (b) otherwise, an amount determined by the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer in their sole discretion.
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“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.
“Multiemployer Plan” means any multiemployer plan, as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, as to which any Credit Party incurs or otherwise has any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise, including on account of an ERISA Affiliate.
“Multiple Employer Plan” means a Plan which has two or more contributing sponsors (including the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate) at least two of whom are not under common control, as such a plan is described in Section 4064 of ERISA.
“Net Incurrence Proceeds” means, in respect of any incurrence of Indebtedness, the cash proceeds (including cash proceeds as and when received in respect of non-cash proceeds received or receivable in connection with such incurrence), received from such incurrence, net of attorneys’ fees, investment banking and advisory fees, accountants’ fees, underwriting discounts and commissions and other fees, costs and expenses paid or incurred in connection therewith (including any swap breakage costs and other termination costs related to swap and hedging agreements and any other fees and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith) in favor of any Person that is not a Credit Party or a Subsidiary of a Credit Party, in each case, as determined in good faith by the Borrower.
“Net Issuance Proceeds” means, in respect of any issuance of equity or incurrence of Indebtedness, cash proceeds (including cash proceeds as and when received in respect of non-cash proceeds received or receivable in connection with such issuance), net of underwriting discounts or arrangement or other similar fees and out-of-pocket costs and expenses paid or incurred in connection therewith in favor of any Person not an Affiliate of the Borrower.
“Net Proceeds” means proceeds in cash, checks or other cash equivalent financial instruments (including Cash Equivalents) as and when received by the Credit Party or Subsidiary of a Credit Party making a Disposition, net of the sum of, without duplication: (i) the direct costs relating to such Disposition (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees and investment banking and advisory fees and other fees and expenses incurred in connection with such Disposition), in each case excluding amounts payable to a Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party, (ii) Taxes (including, without limitation, sale, transfer, use or other transaction Taxes and deed or mortgage recording Taxes) paid or reasonably estimated to be payable as a direct result thereof, and the amount of any distributions made to permit any direct or indirect parent entity of such Credit Party or Subsidiary to pay Taxes attributable to such Disposition, (iii) principal, interest and premiums and penalties and other amounts required to be paid on Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the asset which is the subject of such Disposition, (iv) [reserved], and (v) the amount of any reserve established in accordance with GAAP (provided that such reserved amounts shall be Net Proceeds to the extent and at the time of any reversal (without the satisfaction of any applicable liabilities in a corresponding amount) of any such reserve).
“Non-Consenting Lender” means any Lender that does not approve any consent, waiver or amendment that (a) requires the approval of all Lenders or all affected Lenders in accordance with the terms of Section 11.01 and (b) has been approved by the Required Lenders.
“Non-Defaulting Lender” means, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.
“Non-Extension Notice Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b).
“Non-Reinstatement Deadline” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b).
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“Note” means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of a Lender evidencing Loans made by such Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit F.
“Notice of Loan Prepayment” means a notice of prepayment with respect to a Loan, which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit J or such other form as may be approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer.
“Obligations” means (a) all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Credit Party arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit and (b) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with enforcement and collection of the foregoing, including the fees, charges and disbursements of counsel, in each case whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest, expenses and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Credit Party or any Affiliate thereof pursuant to any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest, expenses and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding; provided that, without limiting the foregoing, the Obligations of a Guarantor shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to such Guarantor.
“OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.
“OID” means original issue discount.
“Organization Documents” means, (a) for any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation, the bylaws, any certificate of determination or instrument relating to the rights of preferred shareholders of such corporation, and any shareholder rights agreement, (b) for any partnership, the partnership agreement and, if applicable, certificate of limited partnership, (c) for any limited liability company, the operating agreement and articles or certificate of formation or organization or (d) any other document setting forth the manner of election or duties of the officers, directors, managers or other similar persons, or the designation, amount or relative rights, limitations and preference of the Stock of a Person.
“Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).
“Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 3.06).
“Outstanding Amount” means (a) with respect to Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any Borrowings and prepayments or repayments of Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans, as the case may be, occurring on such date; and (b) with respect to any L/C Obligations on any date, the amount of such L/C Obligations on such date after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension occurring on such date and any other changes in
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the aggregate amount of the L/C Obligations as of such date, including as a result of any reimbursements by the Borrower of Unreimbursed Amounts.
“Parent” means Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Holdings, Inc.
“Parent Intercompany Advances” means loans and advances made to any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower.
“Participant” has the meaning specified in Section 11.06(d).
“Participant Register” has the meaning specified in Section 11.06(d).
“Patents” means all rights, title and interests (and all related IP Ancillary Rights) arising under any requirement of Law in or relating to letters patent and applications therefor.
“Patriot Act” has the meaning specified in Section 11.19.
“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
“Pension Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (including a Multiple Employer Plan or a Multiemployer Plan) that is maintained or is contributed to by the Borrower and any ERISA Affiliate or with respect to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has any liability and is either covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code.
“Permits” means, with respect to any Person, any permit, approval, authorization, license, registration, certificate, concession, grant, franchise, variance or permission from, and any other Contractual Obligations with, any Governmental Authority, in each case to the extent having the force of law and applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.
“Permitted Acquisition” means (i) any Acquisition by a Credit Party (other than Holdings) or a Subsidiary of a Credit Party of (A) substantially all of the assets of a Target or (B) 100% of the Stock and Stock Equivalents of a Target (including Acquisitions by merger), or (ii) any merger or consolidation or any other combination with any Person in a transaction in which the surviving Person is the Borrower or is or becomes a Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower, in each case, to the extent that each of the following conditions shall have been satisfied:
(a)after giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be engaged in a business of the type that they are permitted to be engaged in pursuant to Section 7.08 of this Agreement;
(b)absent the consent of Required Lenders, no Event of Default shall then exist or would exist before and after giving effect to such Acquisition and any Indebtedness assumed or incurred in connection therewith;
(c)[reserved];
(d)the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including any new Subsidiary) shall execute and deliver any agreements, instruments and other documents required by Section 6.13 or by any of the Collateral Documents, to the extent and when required by the terms thereof;
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(e)(i) the Target of such Permitted Acquisition shall be organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, (ii) any Person acquired pursuant to such Permitted Acquisition shall become a Credit Party and (iii) any assets acquired pursuant to such Permitted Acquisition shall be owned by a Credit Party (including by any Person who becomes a Credit Party in connection with such transaction);
(f)such Permitted Acquisition shall not be “hostile” (i.e., the management and board of directors of the Target shall not have publicly opposed such Permitted Acquisition);
(g)after giving effect to the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition, the aggregate amount of Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, together with the aggregate amount available to be drawn under the Revolving Commitments, shall be no less than $5,000,000;
(h)the Target of such Permitted Acquisition shall not have had negative Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended period of four fiscal quarters for which financial statements of the Target are available prior to such transaction;
(i)the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a reasonably detailed summary of the results of its and its advisors’ due diligence with respect to the Target or assets acquired pursuant to such Permitted Acquisition; and
(j)the Borrower shall be in compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis, with the Financial Covenants, recomputed as of the last day of the most recently ended period of four Fiscal Quarters for which financial statements have been delivered or were required to have been delivered hereunder.
“Permitted Holders” means (a) HIG Capital, LLC and funds or partnerships (other than portfolio companies) managed by it or any of its Affiliates, (b) the management of Holdings and the Borrower that are co-investors in Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) as of the Closing Date, (c) Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board and (d) Institutional Venture Partners XV, L.P., Institutional Venture Partners XV Executive Fund, L.P. and Institutional Venture Partners XVI, L.P.
“Permitted Liens” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01.
“Permitted Refinancing” means Indebtedness constituting a refinancing, refunding, extension, modification, renewal, replacement or extension of Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.05 (other than Section 7.05(a)) (for the avoidance of doubt, including any refinancing, refunding, extension, modification, renewal, replacement or extension of any Permitted Refinancing), that (a) has an aggregate outstanding principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) not greater than the aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness being refinanced, extended, renewed, replaced, except any amount equal to accrued and unpaid interest, premium, penalty thereon, plus OID and upfront fees plus other fees and expenses, (b) has a weighted average maturity (measured as of the date of such refinancing, refunding, extension, modification, renewal, replacement or extension) and maturity no shorter than that of the Indebtedness being refinanced, refunded, extended, modified, renewed or replaced (excluding the effects of minimal amortization and any voluntary prepayments of Indebtedness), (c) is not secured by a Lien on any assets other than the collateral securing (or assets that would secure pursuant to an after-acquired property clause) the Indebtedness being refinanced, refunded, modified, extended, renewed or extended, and (d) the obligors of which are the same as the obligors of the Indebtedness being refinanced, refunded, replaced, modified, renewed or extended.
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“Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation (including a business trust and a public benefit corporation), joint stock company, estate, association, firm, enterprise, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated association, joint venture and any other entity or Governmental Authority.
“Plan” means any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA (including a Pension Plan), maintained for employees of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or any such Plan to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is required to contribute on behalf of any of its employees.
“Platform” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02(i).
“Pledged Equity” has the meaning specified in the Security Agreement.
“Pro Forma” or “Pro Forma Basis” means, with respect to compliance with the Financial Covenants or any financial covenant or test hereunder that is by the terms hereof required to be calculated on a “Pro Forma Basis”, that all Pro Forma Events (excluding any dispositions in the ordinary course of business) shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day of the applicable period of measurement of such test or covenant and shall be determined subject to pro forma adjustments which are attributable to such event or events (which, in the case of pro forma adjustments to Consolidated EBITDA, (x) shall be limited to pro forma adjustments consistent with add backs permitted in computing Consolidated EBITDA, (y) shall not be duplicative of amounts added back in computing Consolidated EBITDA and (z) shall be included in, and subject to, any applicable caps on amounts added back in computing Consolidated EBITDA).
“Pro Forma Event” means (a) [reserved], (b) any Permitted Acquisition or similar Investment that is otherwise permitted by this Agreement, (c) [reserved], (d) any Disposition, (e) any disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or all the equity interests of any Subsidiary of Holdings (or any business unit, line of business or division of Holdings or any of the Subsidiaries of Holdings for which financial statements are available) not prohibited by this Agreement, (f) discontinued divisions or lines of business or operations, (g) any other similar events occurring or transactions consummated during the period (including any Indebtedness incurred, repaid or assumed in connection with such Permitted Acquisition, Investment or Disposition) or (h) the Transactions.
“Projections” means the financial performance projections delivered by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the Closing Date.
“Property” means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, and whether tangible or intangible.
“PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.
“Public Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02(i).
“QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).
“QFC Credit Support” has the meaning specified in Section 11.21.
“Qualified ECP Guarantor” means, at any time, each Credit Party with total assets exceeding $10,000,000 or that qualifies at such time as an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act and can cause another Person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” at such time under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
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“Qualified Stock” means Stock that does not provide for required cash distributions or dividends or mandatory redemptions (other than (x) in exchange for other Qualified Stock or (y) as a result of a change of control event or asset sale or other disposition, Event of Loss and customary acceleration rights after an event of default, so long as any rights of the holders thereof to require the redemption thereof upon the occurrence of such a change of control event or asset sale or other disposition or Event of Loss are subject to the prior occurrence of the Facility Termination Date) prior to the 91st day following the Maturity Date as of the date of issuance of such Qualified Stock; provided that if such Stock is issued to any plan for the benefit of any employee, director, manager, consultant, or independent contractor of such Person or by any such plan to such employee, director, manager or consultant, such Stock shall not fail to constitute Qualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of the termination, death or disability of such employee, director, manager, consultant or independent contractors.
“Real Estate” means any real property owned, leased or subleased by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of any Credit Party.
“Recipient” means the Administrative Agent, any Lender, or the L/C Issuer.
“Reference Date” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the definition of Available Amount.
“Refinancing Lender” shall have the meaning provided to such term in Section 6.19(a).
“Refinancing Term Sheet” shall have the meaning provided to such term in Section 6.19(a).
“Refinancing Transaction” means a transaction in the form of an issuance of Indebtedness from one or more Credit Parties that generates Net Cash Proceeds sufficient (together with cash on the balance sheet utilized for such purpose) for the payment in full in cash of the Obligations.
“Register” has the meaning specified in Section 11.06(c).
“Regulation U” means Regulation U of the FRB, as in effect from time to time and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.
“Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, advisors, consultants, service providers and representatives of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.
“Release” means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, escape, injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, dumping, leaching or migration of Hazardous Material into or through the environment.
“Remedial Action” means all actions required under applicable Law to (a) clean up, remove, treat or in any other way address any Hazardous Material in the indoor or outdoor environment, (b) prevent or minimize any Release so that a Hazardous Material does not migrate or endanger or threaten to endanger public health or welfare or the indoor or outdoor environment or (c) perform pre remedial studies and investigations and post-remedial monitoring and care with respect to any Hazardous Material.
“Request for Credit Extension” means (a) with respect to a Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Revolving Loans, a Loan Notice, (b) with respect to an L/C Credit Extension, a Letter of Credit Application, and (c) with respect to a Swing Line Loan, a Swing Line Loan Notice.
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“Required Lenders” means, (a) at any time that there are two (2) or fewer unaffiliated Lenders, all Lenders and (b) at any time that there are more than two (2) unaffiliated Lenders, Lenders having Total Credit Exposures representing more than 50% of the Total Credit Exposures of all Lenders. The Total Credit Exposure of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in determining Required Lenders at any time; provided that, the amount of any participation in any Swing Line Loan and Unreimbursed Amounts that such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund that have not been reallocated to and funded by another Lender shall be deemed to be held by the Lender that is the Swing Line Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, in making such determination.
“Rescindable Amount” has the meaning as defined in Section 2.12(b)(ii).
“Resignation Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.06(a).
“Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.
“Responsible Officer” means the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or controller of a Credit Party, solely for purposes of the delivery of certificates pursuant to Section 4.01(b), the secretary or any assistant secretary of a Credit Party and, solely for purposes of notices given pursuant to Article II, any other officer or employee of the applicable Credit Party so designated by any of the foregoing officers in a notice to the Administrative Agent or any other officer or employee of the applicable Credit Party designated in or pursuant to an agreement between the applicable Credit Party and the Administrative Agent. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Credit Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Credit Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Credit Party. To the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, each Responsible Officer will provide an incumbency certificate and to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, appropriate authorization documentation, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
“Restricted Payment” has the meaning specified in Section 7.07.
“Revolving Borrowing” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Revolving Loans of the same Type and, in the case of Term SOFR Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01.
“Revolving Commitment” means, as to each Lender, its obligation to (a) make Revolving Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01, (b) purchase participations in L/C Obligations, and (c) purchase participations in Swing Line Loans, in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 1.01(b) under the caption “Revolving Commitment” or opposite such caption in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement. The Revolving Commitments of all of the Lenders as of the First Amendment Effective Date shall be $15,000,000.
“Revolving Exposure” means, as to any Lender at any time, the aggregate principal amount at such time of its outstanding Revolving Loans and such Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans at such time.
“Revolving Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.
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“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of S&P Global Inc., and any successor thereto.
“Sanction(s)” means any sanction administered or enforced by the United States Government (including, without limitation, OFAC), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury (“HMT”) or other relevant sanctions authority.
“Scheduled Unavailability Date” has the meaning specified in Section 3.03(b).
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.
“Secured Cash Management Agreement” means any Cash Management Agreement between the any Credit Party and any of its Subsidiaries and any Cash Management Bank.
“Secured Hedge Agreement” means any interest rate, currency, foreign exchange, or commodity Swap Contract required by or not prohibited under Article VI or VII between any Credit Party and any of its Subsidiaries and any Hedge Bank.
“Secured Obligations” means all Obligations and all Additional Secured Obligations.
“Secured Parties” means, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the L/C Issuer, the Hedge Banks, the Cash Management Banks, the Indemnitees and each co-agent or sub-agent appointed by the Administrative Agent from time to time pursuant to Section 9.05.
“Secured Party Designation Notice” means a notice from any Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender substantially in the form of Exhibit G.
“Securities Act” means Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Security Agreement” means the security and pledge agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, executed in favor of the Administrative Agent by each of the Credit Parties.
“SOFR” means the Secured Overnight Financing Rate as administered by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator).
“SOFR Adjustment” means 0.10% (10 basis points).
“Software” means (a) all computer programs, including source code and object code versions, (b) all data, databases and compilations of data, whether machine readable or otherwise, and (c) all documentation, training materials and configurations related to any of the foregoing.
“Specified Credit Party” means any Credit Party that is not then an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act (determined prior to giving effect to Section 10.11).
“Specified Equity Contributions” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.04.
“Stock” means all shares of capital stock (whether denominated as common stock or preferred stock), equity interests, beneficial, partnership or membership interests, joint venture interests, participations or other ownership or profit interests in or equivalents (regardless of how designated) of or in a Person (other than an individual), whether voting or non-voting.
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“Stock Equivalents” means all securities convertible into or exchangeable for Stock or any other Stock Equivalent and all warrants, options or other rights to purchase, subscribe for or otherwise acquire any Stock or any other Stock Equivalent, whether or not presently convertible, exchangeable or exercisable.
“Subject Adjustment Cap” means, (a) for any period ending on or prior to March 31, 2025, the greater of (i) $3,000,000 and (ii) 35% of Consolidated EBITDA for such period prior to giving effect to all adjustments expressly subject to the Subject Adjustment Cap for the applicable period and (b) for ending any period thereafter, 35% of Consolidated EBITDA for such period prior to giving effect to all adjustments expressly subject to the Subject Adjustment Cap for the applicable period.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, association or other entity, the management of which is, directly or indirectly, controlled by, or of which an aggregate of more than 50% of the voting Stock is, at the time, owned or controlled directly or indirectly by, such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person. Unless otherwise specified, any reference in this Agreement to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries shall be a reference to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of Holdings.
“Successor Rate” has the meaning specified in Section 3.03(b).
“Supported QFC” has the meaning specified in Section 11.21.
“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 Obligations” means with respect to any Guarantor any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
“Swing Line Borrowing” means a borrowing of a Swing Line Loan pursuant to Section 2.04.
“Swing Line Commitment” means, as to any Lender (a) the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 1.01(b) hereof or (b) if such Lender has entered into an Assignment and Assumption or has otherwise assumed a Swing Line Commitment after the Closing Date, the amount set forth for such Lender as its Swing Line Commitment in the Register maintained by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 11.06(c).
“Swing Line Lender” means Bank of America in its capacity as provider of Swing Line Loans, or any successor swing line lender hereunder.
“Swing Line Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.04(a).
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“Swing Line Loan Notice” means a notice of a Swing Line Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.04(b), which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit H or such other form as approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.
“Swing Line Sublimit” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $0 and (b) the Aggregate Commitments. The Swing Line Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Aggregate Commitments.
“Target” means any Person or business unit or asset group of any Person acquired or proposed to be acquired in an Acquisition after the Closing Date.
“Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
“Term SOFR” means:
(a)for any Interest Period with respect to a Term SOFR Loan, the rate per annum equal to the Term SOFR Screen Rate two U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period with a term equivalent to such Interest Period; provided that if the rate is not published prior to 11:00 a.m. on such determination date then Term SOFR means the Term SOFR Screen Rate on the first U.S. Government Securities Business Day immediately prior thereto, in each case, plus the SOFR Adjustment for such Interest Period; and
(b)for any interest calculation with respect to a Base Rate Loan on any date, the rate per annum equal to the Term SOFR Screen Rate two U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such date with a term of one month commencing that day; provided that if the rate is not published prior to 11:00 a.m. on such determination date then Term SOFR means the Term SOFR Screen Rate on the first U.S. Government Securities Business Day immediately prior thereto, in each case, plus the SOFR Adjustment for such term;
provided that if the Term SOFR determined in accordance with either of the foregoing clauses (a) or (b) of this definition would otherwise be less than 0.00%, the Term SOFR shall be deemed 0.00% for purposes of this Agreement.
“Term SOFR Loan” means a Loan that bears interest at a rate based on clause (a) of the definition of Term SOFR.
“Term SOFR Replacement Date” has the meaning specified in Section 3.03(b).
“Term SOFR Screen Rate” means the forward-looking SOFR term rate administered by CME (or any successor administrator satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) and published on the applicable Reuters screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time).
“Total Consideration” means (without duplication), with respect to a Permitted Acquisition, the sum of (a) cash paid as consideration to the seller in connection with such Permitted Acquisition, (b) indebtedness payable to the seller in connection with such Permitted Acquisition (excluding earn-out payments), (c) the present value of future payments which are required to be made over a period of time and are not contingent upon Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries meeting financial performance objectives
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(exclusive of salaries paid in the ordinary course of business) (discounted at the Base Rate), and (d) the amount of indebtedness assumed in connection with such Permitted Acquisition minus (e) the aggregate principal amount of equity contributions made to Holdings the proceeds of which are used substantially contemporaneously with such contribution to fund all or a portion of the cash purchase price (including deferred payments) of such Permitted Acquisition and (f) any cash and Cash Equivalents on the balance sheet of the Target (immediately prior to its acquisition) acquired as part of the applicable Permitted Acquisition (to the extent such Target becomes a Credit Party and complies with the requirements of Section 7.08); provided that Total Consideration shall not include any consideration or payment paid by Holdings or its Subsidiaries directly in the form of equity interests of Holdings or the entity consummating an initial public offering (other than Disqualified Stock).
“Total Credit Exposure” means, as to any Lender at any time, the unused Revolving Commitments and Revolving Exposure of such Lender at such time.
“Total Revolving Outstandings” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Revolving Loans, Swing Line Loans and L/C Obligations.
“Transactions” means, collectively, (a) the entering into the Loan Documents by the Credit Parties, the Borrowings hereunder on the Closing Date and the application of the proceeds thereof as contemplated hereby, (b) the repayment in full of all existing Indebtedness for borrowed money of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness permitted to exist pursuant to Section 7.05) and the termination of all security interests related thereto, (c) the consummation of the Initial Public Offering and (d) the payment of the fees, premiums (if any), and expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of the foregoing.
“Trade Secrets” means all right, title and interest (and all related IP Ancillary Rights) arising under any requirement of Law in or relating to trade secrets.
“Trademark” means all rights, title and interests (and all related IP Ancillary Rights) arising under any requirement of Law in or relating to trademarks, trade names, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, service marks, logos and other source or business identifiers and, in each case, all goodwill associated therewith, all registrations and recordations thereof and all applications in connection therewith.
“Type” means, with respect to a Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a Term SOFR Loan.
“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York; provided that, if perfection or the effect of perfection or non-perfection or the priority of any security interest in any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, “UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection, effect of perfection or non-perfection or priority.
“UK Financial Institution” means any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended form time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any person subject to IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.
“UK Resolution Authority” means the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.
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“United States” and “U.S.” mean the United States of America.
“Unreimbursed Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(f).
“Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents” means (a) any unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents and (b) cash and Cash Equivalents that are restricted solely as a result of the Loan Documents.
“U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any day except for (a) a Saturday, (b) a Sunday or (c) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States government securities.
“U.S. Person” means any Person that is a “United States Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
“U.S. Special Resolution Regimes” has the meaning specified in Section 11.21.
“U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(f)(ii)(B)(3).
“Voting Stock” means, with respect to any Person, Stock issued by such Person the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such Person, even though the right to so vote has been suspended by the happening of such contingency.
“Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary” of a Person means any Domestic Subsidiary of such Person, all of the Stock and Stock Equivalents of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares required by law) are owned by such Person, either directly or through one or more Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiaries of such Person.
“Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule, and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers.
1.02Other Interpretive Provisions.
With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:
(a)The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other
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document (including the Loan Documents and any Organization Document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, amended and restated, modified, extended, restated, replaced or supplemented from time to time (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (iii) the words “hereto,” “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Preliminary Statements, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Preliminary Statements, Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory rules, regulations, orders and provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law, rule or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law, rule or regulation as amended, modified, extended, restated, replaced or supplemented from time to time, and (vi) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
(b)In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including;” the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding;” and the word “through” means “to and including.”
(c)Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
(d)Any reference herein to a merger, transfer, consolidation, amalgamation, assignment, sale, disposition or transfer, or similar term, shall be deemed to apply to a division of or by a limited liability company, or an allocation of assets to a series of a limited liability company (or the unwinding of such a division or allocation), as if it were a merger, transfer, consolidation, amalgamation, assignment, sale, disposition or transfer, or similar term, as applicable, to, of or with a separate Person. Any division of a limited liability company shall constitute a separate Person hereunder (and each division of any limited liability company that is a Subsidiary, joint venture or any other like term shall also constitute such a Person or entity).
1.03Accounting Terms.
(a)Generally. All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the Audited Financial Statements, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining compliance with any covenant (including the computation of any financial covenant) contained herein, (i) Indebtedness of Holdings and its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be carried at 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof, and the effects of FASB ASC 825 and FASB ASC 470–20 on financial liabilities shall be disregarded, (ii) all liability amounts shall be determined excluding any liability relating to any operating lease, all asset amounts shall be determined excluding any right-of-use assets relating to any operating lease, all amortization amounts shall be determined excluding any amortization of a right-of-use asset relating to any operating lease, and all interest amounts shall be determined excluding any deemed interest comprising a portion of
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fixed rent payable under any operating lease, in each case to the extent that such liability, asset, amortization or interest pertains to an operating lease under which the covenantor or a member of its consolidated group is the lessee and would not have been accounted for as such under GAAP as in effect on December 31, 2015, and (iii) all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to any election under FASB ASC Topic 825 “Financial Instruments” (or any other financial accounting standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness of Holdings or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein. For purposes of determining the amount of any outstanding Indebtedness, no effect shall be given to any election by the Borrower to measure an item of Indebtedness using fair value (as permitted by Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 825–10–25 (formerly known as FASB 159) or any similar accounting standard).
(b)Changes in GAAP. If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrower or the Required Lenders shall so request, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.
(c)Pro Forma Treatment. Each Pro Forma Event that is consummated during any period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters shall, for purposes of determining compliance with the Financial Covenants, be given Pro Forma effect as of the first day of such period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters.
1.04Rounding.
Any financial ratios required to be maintained by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).
1.05Times of Day.
Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).
1.06Letter of Credit Amounts.
Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided, however, that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Issuer Document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.
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1.07UCC Terms.
Terms defined in the UCC in effect on the Closing Date and not otherwise defined herein shall, unless the context otherwise indicates, have the meanings provided by those definitions. Subject to the foregoing, the term “UCC” refers, as of any date of determination, to the UCC then in effect.
1.08Rates.
The Administrative Agent does not warrant, nor accept responsibility, nor shall the Administrative Agent have any liability with respect to the administration, submission or any other matter related to any reference rate referred to herein, the selection of rates, any related spread or adjustment or with respect to any rate that is an alternative or replacement for or successor to any of such rates (including, without limitation, any Successor Rate) (or any component of any of the foregoing) or the effect of any of the foregoing, or of any Conforming Changes. The Administrative Agent and its affiliates or other related entities may engage in transactions or other activities that affect any reference rate referred to herein, or any alternative, successor or replacement rate (including, without limitation, any Successor Rate) (or any component of any of the foregoing) or any related spread or other adjustments thereto, in each case, in a manner adverse to the Borrower. The Administrative Agent may select information sources or services in its reasonable discretion to ascertain any reference rate referred to herein or any alternative, successor or replacement rate (including, without limitation, any Successor Rate) (or any component of any of the foregoing), in each case pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall have no liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other person or entity for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential damages, costs, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise and whether at law or in equity), for any error or other action or omission related to or affecting the selection, determination, or calculation of any rate (or component thereof) provided by any such information source or service.
Article II
COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS
2.01Loans.
Revolving Borrowings. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make loans (each such loan, a “Revolving Loan”) to the Borrower, in Dollars, from time to time, on any Business Day during the Availability Period, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment; provided, however, that after giving effect to any Revolving Borrowing, (i) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Commitments, and (ii) the Revolving Exposure of any Lender shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Commitment. Within the limits of each Lender’s Revolving Commitment, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow Revolving Loans, prepay under Section 2.05, and reborrow under this Section 2.01. Revolving Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Term SOFR Loans, as further provided herein; provided, however, any Revolving Borrowings made on the Closing Date or any of the two Business Days following the Closing Date shall be made as Base Rate Loans unless the Borrower delivers a funding indemnity letter not less than two Business Days prior to the date of such Revolving Borrowing.
2.02Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans.
(a)Notice of Borrowing. Each Borrowing, each conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, and each continuation of Term SOFR Loans shall be made upon the Borrower’s
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irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, which may be given by: (i) telephone or (ii) a Loan Notice; provided that any telephonic notice must be confirmed immediately by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Loan Notice. Each such Loan Notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 noon (A) two Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Term SOFR Loans or of any conversion of Term SOFR Loans to Base Rate Loans, and (B) on the requested date of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans; provided, however, that if the Borrower wishes to request Term SOFR Loans having an Interest Period other than one, three or six months in duration as provided in the definition of “Interest Period,” the applicable notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 noon four Business Days prior to the requested date of such Borrowing, conversion or continuation, whereupon the Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice to the Lenders of such request and determine whether the requested Interest Period is acceptable to all of them. Not later than 12:00 noon, three Business Days before the requested date of such Borrowing, conversion or continuation, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower (which notice may be by telephone) whether or not the requested Interest Period has been consented to by all the Lenders and the Administrative Agent. Each Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Term SOFR Loans shall be in a principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof. Except as provided in Sections 2.03(c) and 2.04(b), each Borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof. Each Loan Notice and each telephonic notice shall specify (I) whether the Borrower is requesting a Borrowing, a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation of Term SOFR 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 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 Loan Notice or if the Borrower fails to give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the applicable Loans shall be made as, or converted to, Base Rate Loans. Any such automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the applicable Term SOFR Loans. If the Borrower requests a Borrowing of, conversion to, or continuation of Term SOFR Loans in any such Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Swing Line Loan may not be converted to a Term SOFR Loan.
(b)Advances. Following receipt of a Loan Notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Appropriate Lender of the amount of its Applicable Percentage of the applicable Loans, and if no timely notice of a conversion or continuation is provided by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Appropriate Lender of the details of any automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans described in Section 2.02(a). In the case of a Borrowing, each Lender shall make the amount of its Loan available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office not later than 2:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in the applicable Loan Notice. Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (and, if such Borrowing is the initial Credit Extension, Section 4.01), the Administrative Agent shall make all funds so received available to the Borrower in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of Bank of America with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the Administrative Agent by the Borrower; provided, however, that if, on the date a Loan Notice with respect to a Revolving Borrowing is given by the Borrower, there are L/C Borrowings outstanding, then the proceeds of such Revolving Borrowing, first, shall be applied to the payment in full of any such L/C Borrowings, and second, shall be made available to the Borrower as provided above.
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(c)Term SOFR Loans. Except as otherwise provided herein, a Term SOFR Loan may be continued or converted only on the last day of an Interest Period for such Term SOFR Loan. During the existence of a Default, no Loans may be requested as, converted to or continued as Term SOFR Loans without the consent of the Required Lenders, and the Required Lenders may demand that any or all of the outstanding Term SOFR Loans be converted immediately to Base Rate Loans.
(d)Interest Rates. Each determination of an interest rate by the Administrative Agent pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrower and the Lenders in the absence of manifest error.
(e)Interest Periods. After giving effect to all Borrowings, all conversions of Committed Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than ten Interest Periods in effect with respect to Loans.
(f)Cashless Settlement Mechanism. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Lender may exchange, continue or rollover all or the portion of its Loans in connection with any refinancing, extension, loan modification or similar transaction permitted by the terms of this Agreement, pursuant to a cashless settlement mechanism approved by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, and such Lender.
(g)Conforming Changes. With respect to SOFR or Term SOFR, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided that, with respect to any such amendment effected, the Administrative Agent shall post each such amendment implementing such Conforming Changes to the Borrower and the Lenders reasonably promptly after such amendment becomes effective.
2.03Letters of Credit.
(a)The Letter of Credit Commitment. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, in addition to the Loans provided for in Section 2.01, the Borrower may request that the L/C Issuer, in reliance on the agreements of the Lenders set forth in this Section 2.03, issue, at any time and from time to time during the Availability Period, Letters of Credit denominated in Dollars for its own account or the account of any of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries in such form as is acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer in its reasonable determination. Letters of Credit issued hereunder shall constitute utilization of the Revolving Commitments.
(b)Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Extension, Reinstatement or Renewal.
(i)To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment of the terms and conditions, extension of the terms and conditions, extension of the expiration date, or reinstatement of amounts paid, or renewal of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall deliver (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the L/C Issuer) to the L/C Issuer and to the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 noon at least two (2) Business Days (or such later date and time as the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer may agree in a particular instance in their sole discretion) prior to the proposed issuance date or date of amendment, as the case may be a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, extended, reinstated or renewed, and specifying the date of issuance,
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amendment, extension, reinstatement or renewal (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with clause (d) of this Section 2.03), the amount of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof, the purpose and nature of the requested Letter of Credit and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, extend, reinstate or renew such Letter of Credit. If requested by the L/C Issuer, the Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application and reimbursement agreement on the L/C Issuer’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application and reimbursement agreement or other agreement submitted by the Borrower to, or entered into by the Borrower with, the L/C Issuer relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control.
(ii)If the Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application (or the amendment of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the L/C Issuer may, in its sole discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic extension provisions (each, an “Auto-Extension Letter of Credit”); provided that any such Auto-Extension Letter of Credit shall permit the L/C Issuer to prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the “Non-Extension Notice Date”) in each such twelve-month period to be agreed upon by the Borrower and the L/C Issuer at the time such Letter of Credit is issued. Unless otherwise directed by the L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the L/C Issuer for any such extension. Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the L/C Issuer to permit the extension of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiration date not later than the date permitted pursuant to Section 2.03(d); provided, that the L/C Issuer shall not (A) permit any such extension if (1) the L/C Issuer has determined that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation, at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its extended form under the terms hereof (except that the expiration date may be extended to a date that is no more than one (1) year from the then-current expiration date) or (2) it has received notice (which may be in writing or by telephone (if promptly confirmed in writing)) on or before the day that is seven (7) Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date from the Administrative Agent that the Required Lenders have elected not to permit such extension or (B) be obligated to permit such extension if it has received notice (which may be in writing or by telephone (if promptly confirmed in writing)) on or before the day that is seven (7) Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date from the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied, and in each such case directing the L/C Issuer not to permit such extension.
(iii)If the Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer may, in its sole discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that permits the automatic reinstatement of all or a portion of the stated amount thereof after any drawing thereunder (each, an “Auto-Reinstatement Letter of Credit”). Unless otherwise directed by the L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the L/C Issuer to permit such reinstatement. Once an Auto-Reinstatement Letter of Credit has been issued, except as provided in the following sentence, the Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the L/C Issuer to reinstate all or a portion of the stated amount thereof in accordance with the provisions of such Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such Auto-Reinstatement Letter of Credit permits the L/C Issuer to decline
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to reinstate all or any portion of the stated amount thereof after a drawing thereunder by giving notice of such non-reinstatement within a specified number of days after such drawing (the “Non-Reinstatement Deadline”), the L/C Issuer shall not permit such reinstatement if it has received a notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is seven (7) Business Days before the Non-Reinstatement Deadline (A) from the Administrative Agent that the Required Lenders have elected not to permit such reinstatement or (B) from the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied (treating such reinstatement as an L/C Credit Extension for purposes of this clause) and, in each case, directing the L/C Issuer not to permit such reinstatement.
(c)Limitations on Amounts, Issuance and Amendment. A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, extended, reinstated or renewed only if (and upon issuance, amendment, extension, reinstatement or renewal of each Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, extension, reinstatement or renewal (x) the aggregate amount of the outstanding Letters of Credit issued by the L/C Issuer shall not exceed its L/C Commitment, (y) the aggregate L/C Obligations shall not exceed the L/C Sublimit and (z) the Revolving Exposure of any Lender shall not exceed its Revolving Commitment.
(i)The L/C Issuer shall not be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if:
(A)any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the L/C Issuer from issuing the Letter of Credit, or any Law applicable to the L/C Issuer or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the L/C Issuer shall prohibit, or request that the L/C Issuer refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or the Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer with respect to the Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the L/C Issuer is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date and which the L/C Issuer in good faith deems material to it;
(B)the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the L/C Issuer applicable to letters of credit generally;
(C)except as otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer, the Letter of Credit is in an initial stated amount less than $100,000;
(D)any Lender is at that time a Defaulting Lender, unless the L/C Issuer has entered into arrangements, including the delivery of Cash Collateral, satisfactory to the L/C Issuer (in its sole discretion) with the Borrower or such Lender to eliminate the L/C Issuer’s actual or potential Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.15(a)(iv)) with respect to the Defaulting Lender arising from either the Letter of Credit then proposed to be issued or that Letter of Credit and all other L/C Obligations as to which the L/C Issuer has actual or potential Fronting Exposure, as it may elect in its sole discretion; or
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(E)the Letter of Credit contains any provisions for automatic reinstatement of the stated amount after any drawing thereunder.
(ii)The L/C Issuer shall be under no obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if (A) the L/C Issuer would have no obligation at such time to issue the Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof, or (B) the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to the Letter of Credit.
(d)Expiration Date. Each Letter of Credit shall have a stated expiration date no later than the earlier of (ix) the date twelve (12) months after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any extension of the expiration date thereof, whether automatic or by amendment, twelve months after the then-current expiration date of such Letter of Credit) and (x) the date that is five (5) Business Days prior to the Maturity Date.
(e)Participations.
(i)By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount or extending the expiration date thereof), and without any further action on the part of the L/C Issuer or the Lenders, the L/C Issuer hereby grants to each Lender, and each Lender hereby acquires from the L/C Issuer, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this clause (e) in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute, unconditional and irrevocable and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, extension, reinstatement or renewal of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Revolving Commitments.
(ii)In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Lender hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for account of the L/C Issuer, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each L/C Disbursement made by the L/C Issuer not later than 2:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in the notice provided by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.03(f) until such L/C Disbursement is reimbursed by the Borrower or at any time after any reimbursement payment is required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason, including after the Maturity Date. Such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each such payment shall be made in the same manner as provided in Section 2.02 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.02 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Lenders pursuant to this Section 2.03), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the L/C Issuer the amounts so received by it from the Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.03(f), the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the L/C Issuer or, to the extent that the Lenders have made payments pursuant to this clause (e) to reimburse the L/C Issuer, then to such Lenders and the L/C Issuer as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Lender pursuant to this clause (e) to reimburse the L/C Issuer for any L/C Disbursement shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such L/C Disbursement.
(iii)Each Lender further acknowledges and agrees that its participation in each Letter of Credit will be automatically adjusted to reflect such Lender’s Applicable
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Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit at each time such Lender’s Revolving Commitment is amended as a result of an assignment in accordance with Section 11.06 or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement.
(iv)If any Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.03(e), then, without limiting the other provisions of this Agreement, the L/C Issuer shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the L/C Issuer at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the L/C Issuer in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the L/C Issuer in connection with the foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Revolving Loan included in the relevant Revolving Borrowing or L/C Advance in respect of the relevant L/C Borrowing, as the case may be. A certificate of the L/C Issuer submitted to any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (e)(iv) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(f)Reimbursement. If the L/C Issuer shall make any L/C Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse the L/C Issuer in respect of such L/C Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such L/C Disbursement not later than 1:00 p.m. on (i) the Business Day that the Borrower receives notice of such L/C Disbursement, if such notice is received prior to 11:00 a.m. or (ii) the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is not received prior to such time, provided that, if such L/C Disbursement is not less than $1,000,000, the Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.02 or Section 2.04 that such payment be financed with a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans or Swing Line Loan 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 Borrowing of Base Rate Loans or Swing Line Loan. If the Borrower fails to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the applicable L/C Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrower in respect thereof (the “Unreimbursed Amount”) and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. Promptly upon receipt of such notice, each Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Applicable Percentage of the Unreimbursed Amount pursuant to Section 2.03(e)(ii), subject to the amount of the unutilized portion of the aggregate Revolving Commitments. Any notice given by the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.03(f) may be given by telephone if immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.
(g)Obligations Absolute. The Borrower’s obligation to reimburse L/C Disbursements as provided in clause (f) of this Section 2.03 shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of:
(i)any lack of validity or enforceability of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any Letter of Credit, or any term or provision herein or therein;
(ii)the existence of any claim, counterclaim, setoff, defense or other right that Holdings or any Subsidiary may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee
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of such Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the L/C Issuer or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or by such Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transaction;
(iii)any draft, demand, certificate or other document presented under such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement in such draft or other document being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; or any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under such Letter of Credit;
(iv)waiver by the L/C Issuer of any requirement that exists for the L/C Issuer’s protection and not the protection of the Borrower or any waiver by the L/C Issuer which does not in fact materially prejudice the Borrower;
(v)honor of a demand for payment presented electronically even if such Letter of Credit required that demand be in the form of a draft;
(vi)any payment made by the L/C Issuer in respect of an otherwise complying item presented after the date specified as the expiration date of, or the date by which documents must be received under such Letter of Credit if presentation after such date is authorized by the UCC, the ISP or the UCP, as applicable;
(vii)payment by the L/C Issuer under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply strictly with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment made by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit to any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law; or
(viii)any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section 2.03, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower’s obligations hereunder.
(h)Examination. The Borrower shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and each amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of noncompliance with the Borrower’s instructions or other irregularity, the Borrower will immediately notify the L/C Issuer. The Borrower shall be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the L/C Issuer and its correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.
(i)Liability. None of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the L/C Issuer, or any of their Related Parties shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit by the L/C Issuer or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms, any error in translation or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the L/C Issuer; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the L/C Issuer from liability to the Borrower to the extent
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of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable Law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by the L/C Issuer’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the L/C Issuer (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), the L/C Issuer shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination, and that:
(i)the L/C Issuer may replace a purportedly lost, stolen, or destroyed original Letter of Credit or missing amendment thereto with a certified true copy marked as such or waive a requirement for its presentation;
(ii)the L/C Issuer may accept documents that appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and may make payment upon presentation of documents that appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit and without regard to any non-documentary condition in such Letter of Credit;
(iii)the L/C Issuer shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to decline to accept such documents and to make such payment if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit; and
(iv)this sentence shall establish the standard of care to be exercised by the L/C Issuer when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof (and the parties hereto hereby waive, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, any standard of care inconsistent with the foregoing).
Without limiting the foregoing, none of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the L/C Issuer, or any of their Related Parties shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of (A) any presentation that includes forged or fraudulent documents or that is otherwise affected by the fraudulent, bad faith, or illegal conduct of the beneficiary or other Person, (B) the L/C Issuer declining to take-up documents and make payment, (1) against documents that are fraudulent, forged, or for other reasons by which that it is entitled not to honor or (2) following a Borrower’s waiver of discrepancies with respect to such documents or request for honor of such documents or (C) the L/C Issuer retaining proceeds of a Letter of Credit based on an apparently applicable attachment order, blocking regulation, or third-party claim notified to the L/C Issuer.
(j)Applicability of ISP. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the L/C Issuer and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued by it, the rules of the ISP shall apply to each Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the L/C Issuer shall not be responsible to the Borrower for, and the L/C Issuer’s rights and remedies against the Borrower shall not be impaired by, any action or inaction of the L/C Issuer required or permitted under any law, order, or practice that is required or permitted to be applied to any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, including the Law or any order of a jurisdiction where the L/C Issuer or the beneficiary is located, the practice stated in the ISP, or in the decisions, opinions, practice statements, or official commentary of the ICC Banking Commission, the Bankers Association for Finance and Trade – International Financial Services Association (BAFT-IFSA), or the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, whether or not any Letter of Credit chooses such law or practice.
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(k)Benefits. The L/C Issuer shall act on behalf of the Lenders with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith, and the L/C Issuer shall have all of the benefits and immunities (i) provided to the Administrative Agent in Article IX with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by the L/C Issuer in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or proposed to be issued by it and Issuer Documents pertaining to such Letters of Credit as fully as if the term “Administrative Agent” as used in Article IX included the L/C Issuer with respect to such acts or omissions, and (ii) as additionally provided herein with respect to the L/C Issuer.
(l)Letter of Credit Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage a Letter of Credit fee (the “Letter of Credit Fee”) for each Letter of Credit equal to the Applicable Rate for Term SOFR Loans times the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any standby Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06. Letter of Credit Fees shall be (i) payable on the first Business Day following the end of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit and (ii) accrued through and including the last day of each calendar quarter in arrears. If there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the daily amount available to be drawn under each Letter of Credit shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists, all Letter of Credit Fees shall accrue at the Default Rate.
(m)Fronting Fee and Documentary and Processing Charges Payable to L/C Issuer. The Borrower shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account a fronting fee with respect to each Letter of Credit, at the rate specified in the Closing Date Fee Letter, computed on the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit on a quarterly basis in arrears. Such fronting fee shall be due and payable no later than the tenth Business Day after the end of each March, June, September and December in the most recently- ended quarterly period (or portion thereof, in the case of the first payment), commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Maturity Date and thereafter on demand. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06. In addition, the Borrower shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account, in Dollars the customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of the L/C Issuer relating to letters of credit as from time to time in effect. Such customary fees and standard costs and charges are due and payable on demand and are nonrefundable.
(n)Disbursement Procedures. The L/C Issuer for any Letter of Credit shall, within the time allowed by applicable Laws or the specific terms of the Letter of Credit following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under such Letter of Credit. The L/C Issuer shall promptly after such examination notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing of such demand for payment if the L/C Issuer has made or will make an L/C Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse the L/C Issuer and the Lenders with respect to any such L/C Disbursement.
(o)Interim Interest. If the L/C Issuer for any standby Letter of Credit shall make any L/C Disbursement, then, unless the Borrower shall reimburse such L/C Disbursement in full on the
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date such L/C Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such L/C Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such L/C Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to Base Rate Loans; provided that if the Borrower fails to reimburse such L/C Disbursement when due pursuant to clause (f) of this Section 2.03, then Section 2.08(b) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this clause (o) shall be for account of the L/C Issuer, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Lender pursuant to clause (f) of this Section 2.03 to reimburse the L/C Issuer shall be for account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.
(p)Replacement of the L/C Issuer. The L/C Issuer may be replaced at any time by written agreement between the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced L/C Issuer and the successor L/C Issuer. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of the L/C Issuer. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(m). From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor L/C Issuer shall have all the rights and obligations of an L/C Issuer under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued by it thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “L/C Issuer” shall be deemed to include such successor or any previous L/C Issuer, or such successor and all previous L/C Issuer, as the context shall require. After the replacement of the L/C Issuer hereunder, the replaced L/C Issuer shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an L/C Issuer under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.
(q)Cash Collateralization.
(i)If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that the Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Lenders with L/C Obligations representing more than 50% of the total L/C Obligations) demanding the deposit of Cash Collateral pursuant to this clause (q), the Borrower shall immediately deposit into an account established and maintained on the books and records of the Administrative Agent (the “Collateral Account”) an amount in cash equal to 103% of the total L/C Obligations as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon, provided that the obligation to deposit such Cash Collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower described in clause (f) of Section 8.01. Such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. In addition, and without limiting the foregoing or clause (d) of this Section 2.03, if any L/C Obligations remain outstanding after the expiration date specified in said clause (d), the Borrower shall immediately deposit into the Collateral Account an amount in cash equal to 103% of such L/C Obligations as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon.
(ii)The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over the Collateral Account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the Borrower’s risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in the Collateral Account. Moneys in the Collateral Account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the L/C Issuer for L/C Disbursements
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for which it has not been reimbursed, together with related fees, costs, and customary processing charges, and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower for the L/C Obligations at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Lenders with L/C Obligations representing more than 50% of the total L/C Obligations), be applied to satisfy other obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of Cash Collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower within three (3) Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived.
(r)Letters of Credit Issued for Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder is in support of any obligations of, or is for the account of, a Subsidiary, the Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse, indemnify and compensate the L/C Issuer hereunder for any and all drawings under such Letter of Credit as if such Letter of Credit had been issues solely for the account of the Borrower. The Borrower irrevocably waives any and all defenses that might otherwise be available to it as a guarantor or surety of any or all of the obligations of such Subsidiary in respect of such Letter of Credit. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of the Borrower, and that the Borrower’s business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries.
(s)Conflict with Issuer Documents. In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Issuer Document, the terms hereof shall control.
2.04Swing Line Loans.
(a)The Swing Line. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swing Line Lender, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in this Section 2.04, may in its sole discretion make loans to the Borrower (each such loan, a “Swing Line Loan”). Each such Swing Line Loan may be made, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein to the Borrower, in Dollars, from time to time on any Business Day during the Availability Period in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of the Swing Line Sublimit; provided, however, that (i) after giving effect to any Swing Line Loan, (A) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Commitments at such time and (B) the Revolving Exposure of any Lender at such time shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Commitment, (ii) the Borrower shall not use the proceeds of any Swing Line Loan to refinance any outstanding Swing Line Loan, and (iii) the Swing Line Lender shall not be under any obligation to make any Swing Line Loan if it shall determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that it has, or by such Credit Extension may have, Fronting Exposure. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.04, prepay under Section 2.05, and reborrow under this Section 2.04. Each Swing Line Loan shall bear interest only at a rate based on the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate. Immediately upon the making of a Swing Line Loan, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Swing Line Lender a risk participation in such Swing Line Loan in an amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage times the amount of such Swing Line Loan.
(b)Borrowing Procedures.
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Each Swing Line Borrowing shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent, which may be given by: (ii) telephone or (iii) a Swing Line Loan Notice; provided that any telephonic notice must be confirmed immediately by delivery to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent of a Swing Line Loan Notice. Each such Swing Line Loan Notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 2:00 p.m. on the requested borrowing date, and shall specify (A) the amount to be borrowed, which shall be a minimum of $100,000, and (B) the requested date of the Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day). Promptly after receipt by the Swing Line Lender of any Swing Line Loan Notice, the Swing Line Lender will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has also received such Swing Line Loan Notice and, if not, the Swing Line Lender will notify the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) of the contents thereof. Unless the Swing Line Lender has received notice (by telephone or in writing) from the Administrative Agent (including at the request of any Lender) prior to 3:00 p.m. on the date of the proposed Swing Line Borrowing (1) directing the Swing Line Lender not to make such Swing Line Loan as a result of the limitations set forth in the first proviso to the first sentence of Section 2.04(a), or (2) that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Article IV is not then satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swing Line Lender may make the amount of its Swing Line Loan available to the Borrower at its office by crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of the Swing Line Lender in immediately available funds.
(c)Refinancing of Swing Line Loans.
(i)The Swing Line Lender at any time in its sole discretion may request, on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby irrevocably authorizes the Swing Line Lender to so request on its behalf), that each Lender make a Base Rate Loan in an amount equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the amount of Swing Line Loans then outstanding. Such request shall be made in writing (which written request shall be deemed to be a Loan Notice for purposes hereof) and in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.02, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified therein for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the unutilized portion of the Aggregate Commitments and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02. The Swing Line Lender shall furnish the Borrower with a copy of the applicable Loan Notice promptly after delivering such notice to the Administrative Agent. Each Lender shall make an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the amount specified in such Loan Notice available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds (and the Administrative Agent may apply Cash Collateral available with respect to the applicable Swing Line Loan) for the account of the Swing Line Lender at the Administrative Agent’s Office not later than 2:00 p.m. on the day specified in such Loan Notice, whereupon, subject to Section 2.04(c)(ii), each Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Loan to the Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the Swing Line Lender.
(ii)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, if for any reason any Swing Line Loan cannot be refinanced by such a Revolving Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.04(c)(i) (including, without limitation, the failure to satisfy the conditions set forth in Section 4.02), the request for Base Rate Loans submitted by the Swing Line Lender as set forth herein shall be deemed to be a request by the Swing Line Lender that each of the Lenders fund its risk participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan and each Lender’s payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line
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Lender pursuant to Section 2.04(c)(i) shall be deemed payment in respect of such participation.
(iii)If any Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.04(c) by the time specified in Section 2.04(c)(i), the Swing Line Lender shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the Swing Line Lender at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Swing Line Lender in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Swing Line Lender in connection with the foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Revolving Loan included in the relevant Revolving Borrowing or funded participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan, as the case may be. A certificate of the Swing Line Lender submitted to any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (c)(iii) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(iv)Each Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Loans or to purchase and fund risk participations in Swing Line Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the Swing Line Lender, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided, however, that each Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than delivery by the Borrower of a Loan Notice). No such funding of risk participations shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to repay Swing Line Loans, together with interest as provided herein.
(d)Repayment of Participations.
(i)At any time after any Lender has purchased and funded a risk participation in a Swing Line Loan, if the Swing Line Lender receives any payment on account of such Swing Line Loan, the Swing Line Lender will distribute to such Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof in the same funds as those received by the Swing Line Lender.
(ii)If any payment received by the Swing Line Lender in respect of principal or interest on any Swing Line Loan is required to be returned by the Swing Line Lender under any of the circumstances described in Section 11.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Swing Line Lender in its discretion), each Lender shall pay to the Swing Line Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate. The Administrative Agent will make such demand upon the request of the Swing Line Lender. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
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(e)Interest for Account of Swing Line Lender. the Swing Line Lender shall be responsible for invoicing the Borrower for interest on the Swing Line Loans. Until each Lender funds its Base Rate Loan or risk participation pursuant to this Section 2.04 to refinance such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of any Swing Line Loan, interest in respect of such Applicable Percentage shall be solely for the account of the Swing Line Lender.
(f)Payments Directly to Swing Line Lender. The Borrower shall make all payments of principal and interest in respect of the Swing Line Loans directly to the Swing Line Lender.
2.05Prepayments.
(a)Optional.
(i)The Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent pursuant to delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Notice of Loan Prepayment, at any time or from time to time voluntarily prepay Revolving Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty subject to Section 3.05; provided that, unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent, (A) such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 noon (1) two (2) Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of Term SOFR Loans and (2) on the date of prepayment of Base Rate Loans; (B) any prepayment of Term SOFR Loans shall be in a principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof; and (C) any prepayment of Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof or, in each case, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding. Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment, the Type(s) of Loans to be prepaid and, if Term SOFR Loans are to be prepaid, the Interest Period(s) of such Loans. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of each such notice, and of the amount of such Lender’s ratable portion of such prepayment (based on such Lender’s Applicable Percentage). If such notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein; provided that, subject to Section 3.05, a notice of prepayment delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit or debt facilities or other refinancing arrangements or other conditions, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by written notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any prepayment of a Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with, in the case of a Term SOFR Loan, any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05. Subject to Section 2.15, such prepayments shall be paid to the Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages.
(ii)The Borrower may, upon notice to the Swing Line Lender pursuant to delivery to the Swing Line Lender of a Notice of Loan Prepayment (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at any time or from time to time, voluntarily prepay Swing Line Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that, unless otherwise agreed by the Swing Line Lender, (A) such notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 2:00 p.m. on the date of the prepayment, and (B) any such prepayment shall be in a minimum principal amount of $100,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess hereof (or, if less, the entire principal thereof then outstanding). Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment. If such notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall make such prepayment and the
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payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein.
(b)Mandatory. If for any reason the Total Revolving Outstandings at any time exceed the Aggregate Commitments at such time, the Borrower shall immediately prepay Revolving Loans, Swing Line Loans and L/C Borrowings and/or Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations in an aggregate amount equal to such excess; provided, however, that the Borrower shall not be required to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations pursuant to this Section 2.05(b) unless, after the prepayment of the Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans, the Total Revolving Outstandings exceed the Aggregate Commitments at such time. Prepayments made pursuant to this Section 2.05(b), first, shall be applied ratably to the L/C Borrowings and the Swing Line Loans, second, shall be applied to the outstanding Revolving Loans, and, third, shall be used to Cash Collateralize the remaining L/C Obligations. Upon the drawing of any Letter of Credit that has been Cash Collateralized, the funds held as Cash Collateral shall be applied (without any further action by or notice to or from the Borrower or any other Credit Party or any Defaulting Lender that has provided Cash Collateral) to reimburse the L/C Issuer or the Lenders, as applicable. Within the parameters of the applications set forth above, prepayments pursuant to this Section 2.05(b) shall be applied first to Base Rate Loans and then to Term SOFR Loans in direct order of Interest Period maturities. All prepayments under this Section 2.05(b) shall be subject to Section 3.05, but otherwise without premium or penalty, and shall be accompanied by interest on the principal amount prepaid through the date of prepayment.
2.06Termination or Reduction of Revolving Commitments.
(a)Optional. The Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, terminate (in whole or in part) the Revolving Commitments, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit, or from time to time permanently reduce the Revolving Commitments, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit; provided that (i) any such notice shall be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 noon five (5) Business Days prior to the date of termination or reduction, (ii) any such partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount of $10,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (iii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce (A) the Revolving Commitments if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Total Revolving Outstandings would exceed the Aggregate Commitments, (B) the Letter of Credit Sublimit if, after giving effect thereto, the Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations not fully Cash Collateralized hereunder would exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit, or (C) the Swing Line Sublimit if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Outstanding Amount of Swing Line Loans would exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit. A notice of termination or reduction of the Revolving Commitments delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit or debt facilities or other refinancing arrangements or other conditions, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by written notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied.
(b)Mandatory.
(i)If after giving effect to any reduction or termination of Revolving Commitments under Section 2.06(a), the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit exceeds the Aggregate Commitments at such time, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit, as the case may be, shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such excess.
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(ii)The Revolving Commitments of all of the Lenders shall be automatically and permanently reduced to $10,000,000 on March 31, 2025.
(iii)The Revolving Commitments of all of the Lenders shall be automatically and permanently reduced to $7,500,000 on April 30, 2025.
(iv)The Revolving Commitments of all of the Lenders shall be automatically and permanently reduced to $6,000,000 on May 31, 2025.
(c)Application of Revolving Commitment Reductions; Payment of Fees. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Lenders of any termination or reduction of the Letter of Credit Sublimit, Swing Line Sublimit or the Revolving Commitment under this Section 2.06. Upon any reduction of the Revolving Commitments, the Revolving Commitment of each Lender shall be reduced by such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the amount of such reduction. All fees accrued until the effective date of any termination of the Revolving Commitments shall be paid on the effective date of such termination.
2.07Repayment of Loans.
(a)Revolving Loans. The Borrower shall repay to the Lenders on the Maturity Date the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans outstanding on such date.
(b)Swing Line Loans. The Borrower shall repay each Swing Line Loan on the earlier to occur of (i) the date ten (10) Business Days after such Loan is made and (ii) the Maturity Date.
2.08Interest and Default Rate.
(a)Interest. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.08(b), (i) each Term SOFR Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period from the applicable Borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to Term SOFR for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Rate; (ii) each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable Borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate; and (iii) each Swing Line Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable Borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate. To the extent that any calculation of interest or any fee required to be paid under this Agreement shall be based on (or result in) a calculation that is less than zero, such calculation shall be deemed zero for purposes of this Agreement.
(b)Default Rate.
(i)If any amount of principal of any Loan is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
(ii)If any amount (other than principal of any Loan) payable by the Borrower under any Loan Document is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, then upon the request of the Required Lenders such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
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(iii)Upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists (including a payment default), all outstanding Obligations (including Letter of Credit Fees) may accrue at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
(iv)Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.
(c)Interest Payments. Interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.
2.09Fees.
In addition to certain fees described in clauses (l) and (m) of Section 2.03:
(a)Commitment Fee. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage, a commitment fee (the “Commitment Fee”) equal to the Applicable Rate times the actual daily amount by which the Revolving Commitments exceed the sum of (i) the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Loans and (ii) the Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.15. For the avoidance of doubt, the Outstanding Amount of Swing Line Loans shall not be counted towards or considered usage of the Revolving Commitments for purposes of determining the commitment fee. The commitment fee shall accrue at all times during the Availability Period, including at any time during which one or more of the conditions in Article IV is not met, and shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and on the last day of the Availability Period. The commitment fee shall be calculated quarterly in arrears, and if there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the actual daily amount shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect.
(b)Other Fees.
(i)The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for its own account fees in the amounts and at the times specified in any Fee Letter. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.
(ii)The Borrower shall pay to the Lenders such fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing in the amounts and at the times so specified (including in any Fee Letter). Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.
2.10Computation of Interest and Fees.
All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans (including Base Rate Loans determined by reference to Term SOFR) shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a three hundred sixty (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
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which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid, provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.12(a), bear interest for one (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.
2.11Evidence of Debt.
(a)Maintenance of Accounts. The Credit Extensions made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender in the ordinary course of business. The Administrative Agent shall maintain the Register in accordance with Section 11.06(c). The accounts or records maintained by each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Credit Extensions made by the Lenders to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the Register, the Register shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender made through the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Administrative Agent) a Note, which shall evidence such Lender’s Loans in addition to such accounts or records. 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.
(b)Maintenance of Records. In addition to the accounts and records referred to in Section 2.11(a), each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Lender of participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by the Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Lender in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.
2.12Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback.
(a)General. All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made free and clear of and without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrower hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the Administrative Agent’s Office in Dollars and in immediately available funds not later than 3:00 p.m. on the date specified herein. The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its Applicable Percentage (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender’s Lending Office. All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 3:00 p.m. shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. Except as otherwise specifically provided for in this Agreement, if any payment to be made by the Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.
(b)
(i)Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date
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of any Borrowing of Term SOFR Loans (or, in the case of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, prior to 1:00 p.m. on the date of such Borrowing) that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.02 (or, in the case of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, that such Lender has made such share available in accordance with and at the time required by Section 2.02) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing, and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans. If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.
(ii)Payments by Borrower; Presumptions by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount due.
With respect to any payment that the Administrative Agent makes for the account of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer hereunder as to which the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that any of the following applies (such payment referred to as the “Rescindable Amount”) : (1) the Borrower has not in fact made such payment; (2) the Administrative Agent has made a payment in excess of the amount so paid by the Borrower (whether or not then owed); or (3) the Administrative Agent has for any reason otherwise erroneously made such payment; then each of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the Rescindable Amount so distributed to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.
A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or the Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this clause (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.
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(c)Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent. If any Lender makes available to the Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Article II, and such funds are not made available to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent because the conditions to the applicable Credit Extension set forth in Article IV are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.
(d)Obligations of Lenders Several. The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Revolving Loans, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans and to make payments pursuant to Section 11.04(c) are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan, to fund any such participation or to make any payment under Section 11.04(c) on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan, to purchase its participation or to make its payment under Section 11.04(c).
(e)Funding Source. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.
(f)Pro Rata Treatment. Except to the extent otherwise provided herein: (i) each Borrowing (other than Swing Line Borrowings) shall be made from the Appropriate Lenders, each payment of fees under Section 2.09 and clauses (l) and (m) of Section 2.03 shall be made for account of the Appropriate Lenders, and each termination or reduction of the amount of the Revolving Commitments shall be applied to the respective Revolving Commitments of the Lenders, pro rata according to the amounts of their respective Revolving Commitments; (ii) each Borrowing shall be allocated pro rata among the Lenders according to the amounts of their respective Revolving Commitments (in the case of the making of Revolving Loans) or their respective Loans that are to be included in such Borrowing (in the case of conversions and continuations of Loans); (iii) each payment or prepayment of principal of Loans by the Borrower shall be made for account of the Appropriate Lenders pro rata in accordance with the respective unpaid principal amounts of the Loans held by them; and (iv) each payment of interest on Loans by the Borrower shall be made for account of the Appropriate Lenders pro rata in accordance with the amounts of interest on such Loans then due and payable to the respective Appropriate Lenders.
2.13Sharing of Payments by Lenders.
If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of (a) Obligations due and payable to such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time in excess of its ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such Obligations due and payable to such Lender at such time to (ii) the aggregate amount of the Obligations due and payable to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time) of payments on account of the Obligations due and payable to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time obtained by all the Lenders at such time or (b) Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time in excess of its ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to such Lender at such time to (ii) the aggregate amount of the Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time) of payments on account of the Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time obtained by all of the Lenders at such time, then, in each case under clauses (a) and (b) above, the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (A) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (B) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and sub-participations in L/C Obligations and Swing
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Line Loans of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of Obligations then due and payable to the Lenders or owing (but not due and payable) to the Lenders, as the case may be, provided that:
(i)if any such participations or sub-participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations or sub-participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and
(ii)the provisions of this Section 2.13 shall not be construed to apply to (A) any payment made by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including the application of funds arising from the existence of a Defaulting Lender), (B) the application of Cash Collateral provided for in Section 2.14, or (C) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or sub-participations in L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans to any assignee or participant, other than an assignment to any Credit Party or any Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this Section 2.13 shall apply).
Each Credit Party consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable Law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against such Credit Party rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Credit Party in the amount of such participation.
2.14Cash Collateral.
(a)Obligation to Cash Collateralize. At any time there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, within one Business Day following the written request of the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuer’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender (determined after giving effect to Section 2.15(a)(iv) and any Cash Collateral provided by such Defaulting Lender) in an amount not less than the Minimum Collateral Amount.
(b)Grant of Security Interest. The Borrower, and to the extent provided by any Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender, hereby grants to (and subjects to the control of) the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders, and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein, and all other property so provided as Collateral pursuant hereto, and in all proceeds of the foregoing, all as security for the obligations to which such Cash Collateral may be applied pursuant to Section 2.14(c). If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer as herein provided, other than Liens permitted under Section 7.01(m), or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the Minimum Collateral Amount, the Borrower 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 (determined in the case of Cash Collateral provided pursuant to Section 2.15(a)(v), after giving effect to Section 2.15(a)(v) and any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender). All Cash Collateral (other than credit support not constituting funds subject to deposit) shall be maintained in blocked, non-interest bearing deposit accounts at Bank of America. The Borrower shall pay on demand therefor from time to time all customary account opening, activity and other administrative fees and charges in connection with the maintenance and disbursement of Cash Collateral.
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(c)Application. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under any of this Section 2.14 or Sections 2.03, 2.05, 2.15 or 8.02 in respect of Letters of Credit shall be held and applied to the satisfaction of the specific L/C Obligations, obligations to fund participations therein (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Lender that is 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.
(d)Release. Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce Fronting Exposure or to secure other obligations shall be released promptly following (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure or other obligations giving rise thereto (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender (or, as appropriate, its assignee following compliance with Section 11.06(b)(vi))) or (ii) the determination by the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided, however, (A) any such release shall be without prejudice to, and any disbursement or other transfer of Cash Collateral shall be and remain subject to, any other Lien conferred under the Loan Documents and the other applicable provisions of the Loan Documents, and (B) the Person providing Cash Collateral and the L/C Issuer may agree that Cash Collateral shall not be released but instead held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations.
2.15Defaulting 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. Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definition of “Required Lenders” and Section 11.01.
(ii)Defaulting Lender Waterfall. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VIII or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 11.08 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender hereunder; third, to Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuer’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.14; 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 such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (A) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (B) Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuer’s future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with Section 2.14; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result
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of such 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 such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise as may be required under the Loan Documents in connection with any Lien conferred thereunder or directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or L/C Borrowings in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and L/C Obligations owed to, all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or L/C Obligations owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Revolving Commitments hereunder without giving effect to Section 2.15(a)(iv). Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.15(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.
(iii)Certain Fees.
(A)Fees. No Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any fee payable under Section 2.09(a) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender).
(B)Letter of Credit Fees. Each Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive Letter of Credit Fees for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its Applicable Percentage of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.14.
(C)Defaulting Lender Fees. With respect to any Letter of Credit Fee not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (B) above, the Borrower shall (1) pay to each Non-Defaulting Lender that portion of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (iv) below, (2) pay to the L/C Issuer the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such L/C Issuer’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (3) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.
(iv)Reallocation of Applicable Percentages to Reduce Fronting Exposure. All or any part of such Defaulting Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans shall be reallocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment) but only to the extent that such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Revolving Exposure of any Non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such Non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment. Subject to Section 11.20, no reallocation
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hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation.
(v)Cash Collateral, Repayment of Swing Line Loans. If the reallocation described in clause (a)(iv) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under applicable Law, (A) first, prepay Swing Line Loans in an amount equal to the Swing Line Lender’s Fronting Exposure and (B) second, Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuer’s Fronting Exposure in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.14.
(b)Defaulting Lender Cure. If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuer agree in writing that a Lender is no longer 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 at par that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans to be held pro rata by the Lenders in accordance with their Revolving Commitments (without giving effect to Section 2.15(a)(iv)), whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.
(c)New Swing Line Loans/Letters of Credit. So long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, (i) the Swing Line Lender shall not be required to fund any Swing Line Loans unless it is satisfied that it will have no Fronting Exposure after giving effect to such Swing Line Loan and (ii) the L/C Issuer shall not be required to issue, extend, increase, reinstate or renew any letter of Credit unless it is satisfied that it will have no Fronting Exposure after giving effect thereto.
2.16Incremental Facilities.
The Borrower may from time to time, upon notice to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders), increase the Aggregate Commitments (each such increase, an “Incremental Facility”) by an agreement in writing entered into by the Credit Parties, the Administrative Agent and each Person (including any existing Lender) that agrees to provide a portion of such Incremental Facility (each an “Incremental Facility Amendment”); provided that:
(a)the aggregate principal amount of all such Incremental Facilities shall not exceed $10,000,000;
(b)each Incremental Facility shall be in an aggregate principal amount of at least $5,000,000 (or, if less, the remaining amount available under Section 2.16(a)) and integral multiples of $2,500,000 in excess thereof;
(c)(i) no Event of Default shall exist on the effective date of such Incremental Facility or would exist after giving effect to such Incremental Facility and (ii) after giving effect on a Pro
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Forma Basis to any such Incremental Facility (assuming the full amount of any Incremental Facility is fully drawn), the Loan Parties would be in compliance with the Financial Covenants, recomputed as of the last day of the most recently ended period of four Fiscal Quarters for which financial statements have been delivered or were required to have been delivered hereunder;
(d)no existing Lender shall be under any obligation to provide any portion of an Incremental Facility and any such decision whether to provide any portion of an Incremental Facility shall be in such Lender's sole and absolute discretion;
(e)each Person providing any portion of an Incremental Facility shall qualify as an Eligible Assignee;
(f)the representations and warranties of the Borrower and each other Credit Party contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall (i) with respect to representations and warranties that contain a materiality qualification, be true and correct on and as of the date of such Incremental Facility and (ii) with respect to representations and warranties that do not contain a materiality qualification, be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Incremental Facility, and except that for purposes of this clause (f), the representations and warranties contained in Section 5.11(a) shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01;
(g)the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the following, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:
(i)a certificate of each Credit Party dated as of the date of such Incremental Facility signed by a Responsible Officer of such Credit Party (A) certifying and attaching resolutions adopted by the board of directors or equivalent governing body of such Credit Party approving such Incremental Facility and (B) in the case of the Borrower, certifying to the matters set forth in clauses (c) and (f); and
(ii)opinions of legal counsel to the Credit Parties, addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender (including each Person providing an commitment in respect of such Incremental Facility), dated as of the effective date of such Incremental Facility; and
(h)each Incremental Facility shall have the same terms (including interest rate and interest rate margins but excluding upfront fees payable solely to the Lenders providing such Incremental Facility) applicable to the Revolving Loans;
(i)if any Revolving Loans are outstanding on the date of such Incremental Facility, (x) each Lender providing such Incremental Facility shall make Revolving Loans, the proceeds of which shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to prepay Revolving Loans of the existing Lenders, in an amount necessary such that after giving effect thereto the outstanding Revolving Loans are held ratably among all of the Lenders and (y) the Borrower shall pay an amount required pursuant to Section 3.05 as a result of any such prepayment of Revolving Loans of existing Lenders; and
(j)the existing Lenders shall on the effective date of such Incremental Facility be deemed to have made such assignments (which assignments shall not be subject to the requirements set forth in Section 11.06(b)) of the outstanding participation interests in Letters of Credit and
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Swing Line Loans to the Lenders providing such Incremental Facility and the Administrative Agent may make such adjustments to the Register as are necessary so that, after giving effect to such assignments and adjustments, each Lender (including the Lenders providing such Incremental Facility) will hold participation interests in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans equal to its pro rata share thereof.
The commitments to and credit extensions under each Incremental Facility shall constitute Revolving Commitments and Credit Extensions under, and shall be entitled to all the benefits afforded by, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and shall, without limiting the foregoing, benefit equally and ratably from the Guarantees and security interests created by the Collateral Documents. The Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to enter into, and the Lenders agree that this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be amended by, each Incremental Facility Amendment to the extent the Administrative Agent and the Credit Parties deem necessary in order to establish the applicable Incremental Facility and to effect such other changes agreed by the Credit Parties and the Persons providing such Incremental Facility and approved by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Incremental Facility Amendment.
Article III
TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY
3.01Taxes.
(a)Defined Terms. For purposes of this Section 3.01, the term “Law” includes FATCA and the term “Lender” includes any L/C Issuer.
(b)Payments Free of Taxes; Obligation to Withhold; Payments on Account of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Credit Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable Laws. If any applicable Laws (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable withholding agent) require the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by the applicable withholding agent, then the applicable withholding agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the applicable Credit Party shall be increased as necessary so that after any required withholding or the making of all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.01) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.
(c)Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower. The Borrower shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.
(d)Tax Indemnifications.
(i)Each of the Credit Parties shall, and does hereby, jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient, and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 3.01) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient, and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or
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with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(ii)Each Lender shall, and does hereby, severally indemnify and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten (10) days after demand therefor, (A) the Administrative Agent against any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that any Credit Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Credit Parties to do so), (B) the Administrative Agent against any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 11.06(d) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (C) the Administrative Agent against any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this clause (d)(ii).
(e)Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Credit Party to a Governmental Authority, as provided in this Section 3.01, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of any return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(f)Status of Lenders; Tax Documentation.
(i)Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable Law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 3.01(f)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.
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(ii)Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is a U.S. Person,
(A)any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of IRS Form W–9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;
(B)any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:
(1)in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed copies of IRS Form W–8BEN–E (or W–8BEN, as applicable) establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W–8BEN–E (or W–8BEN, as applicable) establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;
(2)executed copies of IRS Form W–8ECI;
(3)in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit I–1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed copies of IRS Form W–8BEN–E (or W–8BEN, as applicable); or
(4)to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed copies of IRS Form W–8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W–8ECI, IRS Form W–8BEN–E (or W–8BEN, as applicable), a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit I–2 or Exhibit I–3, IRS Form W–9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit I–4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;
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(C)any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies (or originals, as required) of any other form prescribed by applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
(D)if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for the purposes of this clause (f)(ii)(D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
(iii)Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered pursuant to this Section 3.01 expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
(g)Treatment of Certain Refunds. Unless required by applicable Laws, at no time shall the Administrative Agent have any obligation to file for or otherwise pursue on behalf of a Lender, or have any obligation to pay to any Lender, any refund of Taxes withheld or deducted from funds paid for the account of such Lender. If any Recipient determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by any Credit Party or with respect to which any Credit Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.01, it shall pay to such Credit Party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by such Credit Party under this Section 3.01 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) incurred by such Recipient, as the case may be, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that each Credit Party, upon the request of the Recipient, agrees to repay the amount paid over to such Credit Party (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Recipient in the event the Recipient is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this clause (g), in no event will the applicable Recipient be required to pay any amount to such Credit Party pursuant to this clause (g) the payment of which would place the Recipient in a less favorable net after-Tax position than such Recipient would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving
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rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This clause (g) shall not be construed to require any Recipient to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to any Credit Party or any other Person.
(h)Survival. Each party’s obligations under this Section 3.01 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Revolving Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other Obligations.
3.02Illegality.
If any Lender 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 whose interest is determined by reference to SOFR or Term SOFR, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon SOFR or Term SOFR, then, upon notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower (through the Administrative Agent), (a) any obligation of such Lender to make or continue Term SOFR Loans or to convert Base Rate Loans to Term SOFR Loans shall be suspended, and (b) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender making or maintaining Base Rate Loans the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the Term SOFR 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 Term SOFR component of the Base Rate, in each case until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, (i) the Borrower shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, convert all Term SOFR Loans of such Lender to Base Rate Loans (the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Term SOFR component of the Base Rate), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Term SOFR Loan to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Term SOFR Loan and (ii) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon SOFR, the Administrative Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Base Rate applicable to such Lender without reference to the Term SOFR 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 SOFR. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05.
3.03Inability to Determine Rates.
(a)If in connection with any request for a Term SOFR Loan or a conversion of Base Rate Loans to Term SOFR Loans or a continuation of any of such Loans, as applicable, (i) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that (A) no Successor Rate has been determined in accordance with Section 3.03(b), and the circumstances under clause (i) of Section 3.03(b) or the Scheduled Unavailability Date has occurred, or (B) adequate and reasonable means do not otherwise exist for determining Term SOFR for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Term SOFR Loan or in connection with an existing or proposed Base Rate Loan, or (ii) the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders determine that for any reason that Term SOFR for any requested Interest Period with
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respect to a proposed Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender.
Thereafter, (x) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Term SOFR Loans, or to convert Base Rate Loans to Term SOFR Loans, shall be suspended (to the extent of the affected Term SOFR Loans or Interest Periods), and (y) in the event of a determination described in the preceding sentence with respect to the Term SOFR component of the Base Rate, the utilization of the Term SOFR component in determining the Base Rate shall be suspended, in each case until the Administrative Agent (or, in the case of a determination by the Required Lenders described in clause (ii) of this Section 3.03(a), until the Administrative Agent upon instruction of the Required Lenders) revokes such notice.
Upon receipt of such notice, (i) the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, or conversion to, or continuation of Term SOFR Loans (to the extent of the affected Term SOFR Loans or Interest Periods) 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 and (ii) any outstanding Term SOFR Loans shall be deemed to have been converted to Base Rate Loans immediately at the end of their respective applicable Interest Period.
(b)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Documents, if the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error), or the Borrower or Required Lenders notify the Administrative Agent (with, in the case of the Required Lenders, a copy to the Borrower) that the Borrower or Required Lenders (as applicable) have determined, that:
(i)adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining one month, three month and six month interest periods of Term SOFR, including, without limitation, because the Term SOFR Screen Rate is not available or published on a current basis and such circumstances are unlikely to be temporary; or
(ii)CME or any successor administrator of the Term SOFR Screen Rate or a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent or such administrator with respect to its publication of Term SOFR, in each case acting in such capacity, has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which one month, three month and six month interest periods of Term SOFR or the Term SOFR Screen Rate shall or will no longer be made available, or permitted to be used for determining the interest rate of U.S. dollar denominated syndicated loans, or shall or will otherwise cease, provided that, at the time of such statement, there is no successor administrator that is satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, that will continue to provide such interest periods of Term SOFR after such specific date (the latest date on which one month, three month and six month interest periods of Term SOFR or the Term SOFR Screen Rate are no longer available permanently or indefinitely, the “Scheduled Unavailability Date”);
then, on a date and time determined by the Administrative Agent (any such date, the “Term SOFR Replacement Date”), which date shall be at the end of an Interest Period or on the relevant interest payment date, as applicable, for interest calculated and, solely with respect to clause (ii) above, no later than the Scheduled Unavailability Date, Term SOFR will be replaced hereunder and under any Loan Document with Daily Simple SOFR plus the SOFR Adjustment for any payment period for interest calculated that can be determined by the Administrative Agent, in each case, without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document (the “Successor Rate).
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The Administrative Agent will promptly (in one or more notices) notify the Borrower and each Lender of the implementation of any Successor Rate.
If the Successor Rate is Daily Simple SOFR plus the SOFR Adjustment, all interest payments will be payable on a quarterly basis.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (i) if the Administrative Agent determines that Daily Simple SOFR is not available on or prior to the Term SOFR Replacement Date, or (ii) if the events or circumstances of the type described in Section 3.03(b)(i) or (ii) have occurred with respect to the Successor Rate then in effect, then in each case, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may amend this Agreement solely for the purpose of replacing Term SOFR or any then current Successor Rate in accordance with this Section 3.03 at the end of any Interest Period, relevant interest payment date or payment period for interest calculated, as applicable, with an alternative benchmark rate giving due consideration to any evolving or then existing convention for similar U.S. dollar denominated credit facilities syndicated and agented in the United States for such alternative benchmark. and, in each case, including any mathematical or other adjustments to such benchmark giving due consideration to any evolving or then existing convention for similar U.S. dollar denominated credit facilities syndicated and agented in the United States for such benchmark. For the avoidance of doubt, any such proposed rate and adjustments, shall constitute a “Successor Rate”. Any such amendment shall become effective at 5:00 p.m. on the fifth Business Day after the Administrative Agent shall have posted such proposed amendment to all Lenders and the Borrower unless, prior to such time, Lenders comprising the Required Lenders have delivered to the Administrative Agent written notice that such Required Lenders object to such amendment.
The Administrative Agent will promptly (in one or more notices) notify the Borrower and each Lender of the implementation of any Successor Rate.
Any Successor Rate shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided that to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, such Successor Rate shall be applied in a manner as otherwise reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent.
Notwithstanding anything else herein, if at any time any Successor Rate as so determined would otherwise be less than 0.00%, the Successor Rate will be deemed to be 0.00% for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
In connection with the implementation of a Successor Rate, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement; provided that, with respect to any such amendment effected, the Administrative Agent shall post each such amendment implementing such Conforming Changes to the Borrower and the Lenders reasonably promptly after such amendment becomes effective.
For purposes of this Section 3.03, those Lenders that either have not made, or do not have an obligation under this Agreement to make, the relevant Loans in Dollars shall be excluded from any determination of Required Lenders.
3.04Increased Costs.
(a)Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:
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(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 or the L/C Issuer;
(ii)subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or
(iii)impose on any Lender or the L/C Issuer or any applicable interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or Term SOFR Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making, continuing or converting to or maintaining any Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender or the L/C Issuer of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or the L/C Issuer hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
(b)Capital Requirements. If any Lender or the L/C Issuer determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or the L/C Issuer or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Revolving Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the L/C Issuer, to a level below that which such Lender or the L/C Issuer or such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer or such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.
(c)Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender or the L/C Issuer setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in clause (a) or (b) of this Section 3.04 and delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.
(d)[Reserved].
(e)Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the L/C Issuer to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.04 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s right to demand such compensation, provided that
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the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.04 for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than nine (9) months prior to the date that such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the nine (9) month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).
3.05Compensation for Losses.
Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) from time to time, the Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:
(a)any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the relevant 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 Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower; or
(c)any assignment of a Term SOFR Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 11.13;
including any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained but excluding any loss of anticipated profits. The Borrower shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing.
3.06Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.
(a)Designation of a Different Lending Office. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or requires the Borrower to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender, the L/C Issuer, or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 3.01, or if any Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 3.02, then at the request of the Borrower, such Lender or the L/C Issuer shall, as applicable, use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.04, as the case may be, in the future, or eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 3.02, as applicable, and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender or the L/C Issuer in connection with any such designation or assignment.
(b)Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or if the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01 and, in each
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case, such Lender has declined or is unable to designate a different lending office in accordance with Section 3.06(a), the Borrower may replace such Lender in accordance with Section 11.13.
3.07Survival.
All of the Borrower’s obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of the Aggregate Commitments, repayment of all other Obligations hereunder, resignation of the Administrative Agent and the Facility Termination Date.
Article IV
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS
4.01Conditions of Initial Credit Extension.
The obligation of the L/C Issuer and each Lender to make its initial Credit Extension hereunder is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:
(a)Execution of Credit Agreement; Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) counterparts of this Agreement, executed by a Responsible Officer of each Credit Party and a duly authorized officer of each Lender, (ii) for the account of each Lender requesting a Note, a Note executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, and (iii) counterparts of the Security Agreement, executed by a Responsible Officer of the applicable Credit Parties and a duly authorized officer of each other Person party thereto, as applicable.
(b)Officer’s Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received an officer’s certificate dated the Closing Date, certifying as to the Organization Documents of each Credit Party (which, to the extent filed with a Governmental Authority, shall be certified as of a recent date by such Governmental Authority), the resolutions of the governing body of each Credit Party, the good standing, existence or its equivalent of each Credit Party and of the incumbency (including specimen signatures) of the Responsible Officers of each Credit Party.
(c)Legal Opinions of Counsel. The Administrative Agent shall have received an opinion of counsel for the Credit Parties, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent.
(a)Personal Property Collateral. The Administrative Agent shall have received, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:
(i)(A) searches of UCC filings in the jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, as applicable, of each Credit Party and each jurisdiction where any Collateral is located or where a filing would need to be made in order to perfect the Administrative Agent’s security interest in the Collateral, copies of the financing statements on file in such jurisdictions and evidence that no Liens exist other than Permitted Liens and (B) tax lien and judgment searches;
(ii)searches of ownership of Intellectual Property in the appropriate governmental offices and such patent/trademark/copyright filings as requested by the Administrative Agent in order to perfect the Administrative Agent’s security interest in the Intellectual Property;
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(iii)completed UCC financing statements for each appropriate jurisdiction as is necessary, in the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion, to perfect the Administrative Agent’s security interest in the Collateral;
(iv)stock or membership certificates, if any, evidencing the Pledged Equity and undated stock or transfer powers duly executed in blank, in each case, to the extent such Pledged Equity is certificated; and
(v)subject to Section 6.18, to the extent required to be delivered, filed, registered or recorded pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Collateral Documents, all instruments, documents and chattel paper in the possession of any of the Credit Parties, together with allonges or assignments as may be necessary or appropriate to create and perfect the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ security interest in the Collateral.
(d)Evidence of Insurance. The Administrative Agent shall have received certificates of insurance evidencing liability and property insurance meeting the requirements set forth herein or in the Collateral Documents or as required by the Administrative Agent.
(e)Existing Indebtedness of the Credit Parties. All of the existing Indebtedness for borrowed money of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness permitted to exist pursuant to Section 7.05) shall be repaid in full and all security interests related thereto shall be terminated on or prior to the Closing Date.
(f)Successful IPO. The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to it of the substantially concurrent consummation of an Initial Public Offering resulting in gross cash proceeds to Parent of at least $85 million
(g)Maximum Amount of Borrowings on the Closing Date. The aggregate principal amount of all Borrowings by the Borrower on the Closing Date shall not exceed $25 million.
(h)Anti-Money-Laundering; Beneficial Ownership. Upon the reasonable request of any Lender, the Borrower shall have provided to such Lender, and such Lender shall be reasonably satisfied with, the documentation and other information so requested in connection with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money-laundering rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the Patriot Act, and any Credit Party that qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation shall have delivered to each Lender that so requests, a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to such Credit Party.
(i)Fees. Receipt by the Administrative Agent for the account of the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders of any fees required under the Loan Documents to be paid on or before the Closing Date.
(j)Attorney Costs. The Borrower shall have paid all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent (directly to such counsel if requested by the Administrative Agent) to the extent due under the Loan Documents and invoiced at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date.
Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 9.03(c), for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 4.01, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender
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unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.
4.02Conditions to all Credit Extensions.
The obligation of each Lender and the L/C Issuer to honor any Request for Credit Extension (other than a Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type, or a continuation of Term SOFR Loans) is subject to the following conditions precedent:
(a)Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Borrower and each other Credit Party contained in Article V or any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall (i) with respect to representations and warranties that contain a materiality qualification, be true and correct on and as of the date of such Credit Extension and (ii) with respect to representations and warranties that do not contain a materiality qualification, be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Credit Extension, and except that for purposes of this Section 4.02, the representations and warranties contained in Sections 5.11(a) shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to Sections 6.01(a) and (b), respectively.
(b)Default. No Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Credit Extension or from the application of the proceeds thereof.
(c)Request for Credit Extension. The Administrative Agent and, if applicable, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender shall have received a Request for Credit Extension in accordance with the requirements hereof.
(d)Consolidated Asset Coverage Ratio. After giving effect to such proposed Credit Extension on a Pro Forma Basis, the Consolidated Asset Coverage Ratio, determined on a consolidated basis for Holdings and its Subsidiaries, is at least 1.50:1.0, recalculated as of the last day of the most recently ended month for which financial statements are internally available to Holdings
(e)The Borrower shall have delivered the financial statements required by Section 6.01(a) and the related Compliance Certificate required by Section 6.02(b) for the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2024 demonstrating compliance with the Financial Covenants for the period of four Fiscal Quarters then ended.
Each Request for Credit Extension (other than a Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type, or a continuation of Term SOFR Loans) submitted by the Borrower shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Credit Extension.
Article V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Each Credit Party represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, as of the Closing Date and as of the date of each Credit Extension (other than a Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type, or a continuation of Term SOFR Loans), that:
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5.01Corporate Existence and Power.
Each Credit Party and each of their respective Subsidiaries:
(a)is a corporation, company, limited liability company or limited partnership, as applicable, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing, in each case, under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, organization or formation, as applicable;
(b)has the 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 as a foreign corporation, company, limited liability company, partnership or limited partnership, as applicable, and licensed and in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the applicable jurisdiction), under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of Property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license; and
(d)is in compliance with all applicable Laws,
except, in each case referred to in clauses (a) (in the case of Persons other than Holdings and the Borrower), (b)(i), (c) and (d), to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
5.02Corporate Authorization; No Contravention.
The execution, delivery and performance by each of the Credit Parties party hereto of this Agreement and by each Credit Party of any other Loan Document to which such Person is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, and do not and will not:
(a)contravene the terms of any of that Person’s Organization Documents;
(b)conflict with or result in any material breach or contravention of any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority to which such Person or its Property is subject, except for conflicts, breaches or contraventions that would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(c)result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any property of any Credit Party, except Liens created by the Loan Documents and Permitted Liens; or
(d)violate any applicable Laws, except to the extent such violation would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
5.03Governmental Authorization.
No 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 Credit Party party to this Agreement, any other Loan Document to which such Credit Party is a party except for (a) recordings, registrations and filings in connection with the Liens granted to the Administrative Agent under the Collateral Documents, (b) those obtained or made on or prior to the Closing Date and that remain in full force and effect, (c) those required in the ordinary course of
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business, and (d) those which, if not obtained or made, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.04Binding Effect.
This Agreement and each other Loan Document to which any Credit Party is a party, when executed and delivered by such Credit Party, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of each such Person which is a party thereto, enforceable against such Person in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
5.05Litigation.
There are no actions, suits or proceedings at law or in equity by or before any Governmental Authority now pending or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened in writing against or affecting any Credit Party, any Subsidiary of any Credit Party or any of their respective businesses, properties or rights that would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
5.06No Default.
No Default or Event of Default is continuing or would result immediately thereafter from the incurring of any Obligations by any Credit Party or the grant or perfection of the Administrative Agent’s Liens on the Collateral.
5.07ERISA Compliance.
Except for those that would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (a) each Benefit Plan is in compliance with applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Law, (b) there are no existing or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, pending (or threatened in writing) claims (other than routine claims for benefits in the normal course), actions, lawsuits or proceedings or investigations by any Governmental Authority involving any Benefit Plan to which any Credit Party incurs or otherwise has or would reasonably be expected to have an obligation or any Liability, and (c) no ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur in connection with which any liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of a Credit Party remain outstanding.
5.08Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations.
The proceeds of the Loans shall be used solely for the purposes permitted by Section 6.10. No Credit Party and no Subsidiary of any Credit Party is engaged, either principally or in the ordinary course of its business, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock. None of the proceeds from the Loans have been or will be used directly for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock, for the purpose of reducing or retiring any indebtedness which was originally incurred to purchase or carry any Margin Stock, or for any other purpose which would cause any of the Loans to be considered a “purpose credit” within the meaning of Regulation U or X of the Federal Reserve Board, in each case in violation of such Regulation U or X.
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5.09Ownership of Property; Liens.
Each of the Credit Parties and each of their respective Subsidiaries is the lawful owner of, has good title to or has valid leasehold interests in, all properties and other assets (real or personal, tangible, intangible or mixed), in each instance, (a) material to their respective businesses and necessary for the ordinary conduct of their respective businesses and (b) subject to no Liens, other than Permitted Liens; except to the extent that the failure to have such title, possession or interest would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided, however, that the representations and warranties in this Section 5.09 shall not apply to Intellectual Property, the treatment of which is separately handled in Section 5.16.
5.10Taxes.
All federal and other material Tax returns required to be filed by or on behalf of each Credit Party have been timely filed. All Taxes, assessments and other governmental charges payable by or on behalf of or required to be withheld and paid over by or on behalf of each Credit Party have been paid (other than Taxes, assessments and other governmental charges which are not delinquent), except (a) those that are being contested in good faith and by proper legal proceedings and as to which appropriate reserves have been provided for in accordance with GAAP or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.11Financial Condition.
(a)Each of (i) the audited consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and its Subsidiaries dated January 3, 2021, and the related audited consolidated statements of income or operations, members’ equity and cash flows for the Fiscal Year ended on or about that date (the “Audited Financial Statements”) and (ii) subject to the absence of footnote disclosure and year-end audit adjustments, the unaudited interim consolidated balance sheets of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Quarter ended on or about June 30, 2021 and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income and cash flows for such fiscal quarter then ended, copies of which have already been provided to the Administrative Agent, present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial condition of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and for the periods indicated.
(b)[Reserved].
(c)Since January 3, 2021, there has been no event or condition that has had, or that would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.
(d)All financial performance projections delivered to the Administrative Agent, including the Projections, have been prepared in good faith and are based on assumptions believed by the Borrower to be reasonable in light of current market conditions at the time of preparation thereof (it being understood and agreed by the Administrative Agent and Lenders that projections are not to be viewed as facts or a guarantee of financial performance, are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies many of which are beyond the Borrower’s control, that the actual results during the period or periods covered by such projections may differ from the projected results and that such differences may be material).
5.12Environmental Matters.
Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, (a) the operations of each Credit Party and each Subsidiary of each Credit Party
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are and have been in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, including obtaining, maintaining and complying with all Permits required by any applicable Environmental Law, (b) no Credit Party and no Subsidiary of any Credit Party is party to, and no Credit Party and no Subsidiary of any Credit Party and, to the knowledge of the Responsible Officers of the Credit Parties, no Real Estate currently or previously owned, leased, subleased or operated by or for any such Person is subject to or the subject of, any Contractual Obligation or any pending (or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened in writing) order, action, investigation, suit, proceeding, audit, claim, demand, dispute or notice of violation or of potential liability or similar notice relating in any manner to any Environmental Law, (c) no Lien in favor of any Governmental Authority securing, in whole or in part, Environmental Liabilities has attached to any Property of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of any Credit Party and, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, no facts, circumstances or conditions exist that would reasonably be expected to result in any such Lien attaching to any such Property, (d) no Credit Party and no Subsidiary of any Credit Party has caused or suffered to occur a Release of Hazardous Materials at, to or from any Real Estate owned or leased by such Credit Party, (e) all Real Estate currently (or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, previously) owned, leased, subleased, operated or otherwise occupied by or for any such Credit Party and each Subsidiary of each Credit Party is free of contamination by any Hazardous Materials and (f) no Credit Party and no Subsidiary of any Credit Party (i) is or has been engaged in, or has permitted any current or former tenant to engage in, operations in violation of any Environmental Law or (ii) knows of any facts, circumstances or conditions reasonably constituting notice of a violation of any Environmental Law by any Credit Party or Subsidiary of a Credit Party, including receipt of any information request or notice of potential responsibility under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act or similar Environmental Laws.
5.13Regulated Entities.
Neither any Credit Party nor any Subsidiary of any Credit Party is required to be registered as an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940.
5.14[Reserved].
5.15Labor Relations.
There are no strikes, work stoppages, slowdowns or lockouts existing or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, pending (or threatened in writing) against or involving any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of any Credit Party, except for those that would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. As of the Closing Date, (a) there is no collective bargaining or similar agreement with any union, labor organization, works council or similar representative covering any employee of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of any Credit Party, (b) to the knowledge of any Credit Party, no petition for certification or election of any such representative is existing or pending with respect to any employee of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of any Credit Party and (c) to the knowledge of any Credit Party, no such representative has sought certification or recognition with respect to any employee of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of any Credit Party.
5.16Intellectual Property.
Each Credit Party and each Subsidiary of each Credit Party owns, or is licensed to use, all material Intellectual Property necessary to conduct its business as currently conducted. To the knowledge of each Credit Party, (a) the conduct and operations of the businesses of each Credit Party and each Subsidiary of each Credit Party do not infringe, misappropriate, dilute, violate or otherwise impair any Intellectual Property owned by any other Person and (b) no other Person is non-frivolously contesting any right, title
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or interest of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of any Credit Party in, or relating to, any material Intellectual Property necessary to conduct its business as currently conducted.
5.17Brokers’ Fees; Transaction Fees.
Except as previously disclosed in writing by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent, and except for fees payable to the Administrative Agent and Lenders, none of the Credit Parties nor any of their respective Subsidiaries has any obligation to any Person in respect of any finder’s, broker’s or investment banker’s fee in connection with the Loan Documents.
5.18Insurance.
Each of the Credit Parties and each of their respective Subsidiaries and their respective Properties are insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies which are not Affiliates of the Borrower, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are required by Section 6.06. As of the Closing Date, a true and complete listing of such insurance, including issuers, coverages and deductibles, has been provided to the Administrative Agent.
5.19Subsidiaries; Loan Parties.
(a)Subsidiaries. Set forth on Schedule 5.19(a), is the following information which is true and complete in all respects as of the Closing Date: (i) a complete and accurate list of all Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date, (ii) the number of shares of each class of Stock in each Subsidiary outstanding, (iii) the number and percentage of outstanding shares of each class of Stock owned by the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries and (iv) the class or nature of such Stock (i.e., voting, non-voting, preferred, etc.). The outstanding Stock in all Subsidiaries are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and are owned free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens arising by operation of law). There are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, rights or other agreements or commitments (other than stock options granted to employees or directors and directors’ qualifying shares) of any nature relating to the Stock of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof, except as contemplated in connection with the Loan Documents.
(b)Credit Parties. Set forth on Schedule 5.19(b) is a complete and accurate list of all Credit Parties, showing as of the Closing Date (as to each Credit Party) (i) the exact legal name, (ii) any former legal names of such Credit Party in the five years prior to the Closing Date, (iii) the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, as applicable, (iv) the type of organization, (v) the address of its chief executive office, (vi) U.S. federal taxpayer identification number; and (vii) the organization identification number.
5.20Collateral Representations.
(a)Collateral Documents. The Security Agreement, upon execution and delivery thereof by the parties thereto, will create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the Collateral and the proceeds thereof and (i) when the Pledged Collateral (as defined in the Security Agreement) is delivered to the Administrative Agent, the Lien created under the Security Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected first priority Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Credit Parties in such Pledged Collateral, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person, other than with respect to Permitted Liens arising by operation of law, and (ii) when the financing statements in appropriate form are filed in the offices specified in the Security Agreement, the Lien created under the Security Agreement will constitute a fully perfected Lien
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on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Credit Parties in the Collateral described in such statements (other than Copyrights and Collateral requiring perfection by control under the UCC), in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person, other than with respect to Permitted Liens.
(b)Intellectual Property. Set forth on Schedule 5.20, as of the Closing Date and as of the last date such Schedule was required to be updated in accordance with Sections 6.02, is a list of all registered or issued Intellectual Property (including all applications for registration and issuance) owned by each of the Credit Parties or that each of the Credit Parties has the right to (including the name/title, current owner, registration or application number, and registration or application date and such other information as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent).
5.21[Reserved].
5.22Status of Holdings.
Holdings has not engaged in any business activities and does not own any Property other than as permitted under Section 6.16.
5.23Full Disclosure.
(a)All written information (other than projections, other forward-looking information and general economic or industry-specific information) furnished by or on behalf of any Credit Party to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in connection with the Loan Documents, when taken as a whole, when furnished, does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein not materially misleading in light of the circumstances under which such statements are made (after giving effect to all supplements and updates thereto from time to time). All projections that are part of such information (including those set forth in any projections delivered subsequent to the Closing Date) have been prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time of preparation thereof (it being understood and agreed that projections are not to be viewed as facts or a guarantee of financial performance, are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Credit Parties’ control, that actual results may differ from projected results, and that such differences may be material).
(b)The information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification, if applicable, is true and correct in all respects.
5.24Sanctions Concerns and Anti-Corruption Laws.
(a)Sanctions Concerns. No Credit Party, nor any Subsidiary, nor, to the knowledge of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries, any director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or representative thereof, is an individual or entity that is, or is owned or controlled by one or more individuals or entities that are (i) currently the subject or target of any Sanctions, (ii) included on OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals or HMT’s Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets, or any similar list enforced by any other relevant sanctions authority or (iii) located, organized or resident in a Designated Jurisdiction. The Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries have conducted their businesses in compliance with all applicable Sanctions and have instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such Sanctions.
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(b)Anti-Corruption Laws. The Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries have conducted their business in compliance in all material respects with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010 and other applicable anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions, and have instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.
5.25Affected Financial Institutions.
No Credit Party is an Affected Financial Institution.
5.26Covered Entities.
No Credit Party is a Covered Entity.
Article VI
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Each Credit Party covenants and agrees that on the Closing Date and thereafter until the Facility Termination Date:
6.01Financial Statements.
The Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent (which shall make the same available to the Lenders):
(a)not later than 120 days after the end of each Fiscal Year, a copy of the audited consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Year and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, members’ equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case for each Fiscal Year in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, and accompanied by (x) the report of an independent certified public accounting firm of recognized national standing, which report shall (i) contain an opinion stating that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition as of the dates and for the periods indicated and in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) not include any explanatory note or like exception or qualification expressing substantial doubt as to “going concern” status (except to the extent such explanatory note, exception or qualification is due solely to (1) the scheduled maturity of any Indebtedness (or the scheduled termination of any commitments to provide Indebtedness) occurring within one year from the date of such report or (2) any prospective default under any financial maintenance covenant (including the Financial Covenants)) and (y) a customary “management discussion and analysis” narrative report with respect to such financial statements.
(b)not later than 45 days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter of each Fiscal Year (commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ended on or about September 30, 2021), a copy of the internally prepared unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and its Subsidiaries and the related consolidated statements of income and cash flows as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and for the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended, all certified on behalf of Holdings and its Subsidiaries by a Responsible Officer of Holdings as fairly presenting, in all material respects, in accordance with GAAP, the financial condition and results of operations of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, subject to normal year-end adjustments and absence of footnote disclosures, accompanied by a
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customary “management discussion and analysis” narrative report with respect to such financial statements.
(c)not later than 5:00 p.m. on each Friday commencing November 22, 2024, (A) a rolling 13-week forecast of cash flows for Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of the last day of the immediately preceding week (each a “Cash Flow Forecast”) and (B) for each week after the first week, a variance report showing a comparison of the previous week’s actual cash flows for Holdings and its Subsidiaries to the most recent Cash Flow Forecast for such period.
(d)not later than 5:00 pm Eastern on the first Business Day of each week, commencing with December 23, 2024 and through March 3, 2025, true and complete copies of all bank statements together with an aging of all outstanding payables, in each case as of the immediately preceding Business Day, certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and in form and detail reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 6.01 may be satisfied with respect to financial statements of Holdings and its Subsidiaries by furnishing (A) the applicable financial statements of any direct or indirect parent company of Holdings or (B) Holdings’ (or any direct or indirect parent company thereof), as applicable, Form 10-K or 10-Q, as applicable, that is responsive in all material respects to the requirements of the applicable form and filed with the SEC; provided that, with respect to each of clauses (A) and (B) of this paragraph, to the extent such information relates to a direct or indirect parent company of Holdings, such information is accompanied by other information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such parent, on the one hand, and the information relating to Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand. Documents required to be delivered pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 6.01, and clause (e) of Section 6.02, may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, subject to the second proviso below, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the earliest date on which (i) the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet, (ii) such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on any Platform, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access or (iii) such documents are publicly available on the SEC’s website on the internet at www.sec.gov; provided that: (x) the Credit Parties shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon its request to the Borrower to deliver such paper copies until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and (y) the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender (by fax transmission or e-mail transmission) of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by e-mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents. The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or to maintain paper copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Credit Parties with any such request by a Lender for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.
6.02Certificates; Other Information.
The Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent (which shall make the same available to the Lenders):
(a)together with each delivery of financial statements pursuant to Sections 6.01(a) and 6.01(b), comparisons with the corresponding figures for the previous Fiscal Year;
(b)concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a) and (b), a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by the chief executive officer,
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chief financial officer, treasurer or controller which is a Responsible Officer of Holdings. Delivery of the Compliance Certificate may be by electronic communication including fax or email and shall be deemed to be an original and authentic counterpart thereof for all purposes;
(c)[reserved];
(d)[reserved];
(e)promptly upon their becoming available and without duplication of any obligations with respect to any such information that is otherwise required to be delivered under the provisions of any Loan Document, copies of all financial statements sent or made available generally by Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent company thereof) to its public security holders acting in such capacity;
(f)promptly following the Administrative Agent’s or any Lender’s reasonable written request therefor, solely to the extent readily available to the Credit Parties, such additional financial information related to this Section 6.02 or Section 6.03 regarding the Credit Parties as the Administrative Agent or such Lender may from time to time reasonably request; provided that the Credit Parties shall not be obligated to provide such information to the extent such disclosure, would, in the good faith determination of the Credit Parties, violate attorney-client privilege or applicable confidentiality requirements, constitutes attorney work product or trade secrets or proprietary information or otherwise prohibited by law or fiduciary duty from disclosing; provided that if any Credit Party does not provide information in reliance on the exclusions in this sentence, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent that such information is being withheld and the reason therefor;
(g)Concurrently with the delivery of the Compliance Certificate referred to in Section 6.02(b), an update to Schedule 5.20 to this Agreement (which may be attached to the Compliance Certificate) to the extent required to make the representation related to such Schedule true and correct as of the date of such Compliance Certificate;
(h)Promptly following any request therefor, information and documentation reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for purposes of compliance with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money-laundering rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the Patriot Act; and
(i)To the extent any Credit Party qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, an updated Beneficial Ownership Certification promptly following any change in the information provided in the Beneficial Ownership Certification delivered to any Lender in relation to such Credit Party that would result in a change to the list of beneficial owners identified in such certification.
Each Credit Party hereby acknowledges that (i) the Administrative Agent and/or an Affiliate thereof may, but shall not be obligated to, make available to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Credit Parties hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks, Syndtrak, ClearPar or a substantially similar electronic transmission system (the “Platform”) and (ii) certain of the Lenders (each, a “Public Lender”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Credit Parties or their Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities. Each Credit Party hereby agrees that so long as Holdings (or any parent company) is the issuer of any outstanding debt or Stock that are
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registered or issued pursuant to a private offering or is actively contemplating issuing any such securities it will use commercially reasonable efforts to identify that portion of the Borrower Materials that may be distributed to the Public Lenders and that (A) all such Borrower Materials 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; (B) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Credit Parties shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, any Affiliate thereof, the Arranger, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to the Credit Parties or their 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 11.07); (C) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Side Information;” and (D) the Administrative Agent and any Affiliate thereof and the Arranger 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.”
6.03Notices.
The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (and the Administrative Agent shall promptly forward such notices to the Lenders) promptly after a Responsible Officer becomes aware of each of the following:
(a)the occurrence or existence of any Default or Event of Default;
(b)together with each delivery of the Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 6.02(b), a written calculation of the Available Amount;
(c)any dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension which may exist at any time between any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of any Credit Party and any Governmental Authority which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(d)the commencement of any litigation or proceeding affecting any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of any Credit Party or their respective property that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(e)(i) the receipt by any Credit Party of any notice of violation of or potential liability or similar notice under Environmental Law, (ii)(A) unpermitted Releases, (B) the existence of any condition that would reasonably be expected to result in violations of, or Liabilities under, any Environmental Law or (C) the commencement of, or any material change to, any action, investigation, suit, proceeding, audit, claim, demand or dispute alleging a violation of or Liability under any Environmental Law, (iii) the receipt by any Credit Party of notification that any Property of any Credit Party is subject to any Lien in favor of any Governmental Authority securing, in whole or in part, Environmental Liabilities and (iv) any proposed acquisition or lease of Real Estate which, in each case with respect to clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(f)(i) any filing by any ERISA Affiliate of any notice of any reportable event under Section 4043(c) of ERISA (unless the 30-day notice requirement has been duly waived under the applicable regulations) or intent to terminate any Title IV Plan, and shall include a copy of such notice, (ii) that a request for a minimum funding waiver under Section 412 of the Code has been filed with respect to any Title IV Plan, or receipt by any ERISA Affiliate of notice of the filing of any such request with respect to a Multiemployer Plan, and shall include in such notice a description
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of such waiver request and any action that any ERISA Affiliate proposes to take with respect thereto, together with a copy of any notice filed by a Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate with the PBGC or the IRS pertaining thereto, and (iii) that an ERISA Event will or has occurred, and shall include in such notice a description of such ERISA Event, and any action that any ERISA Affiliate proposes to take with respect thereto, together with a copy of any notices received by a Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate from or filed by a Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate with the PBGC, IRS, or any Multiemployer Plan pertaining thereto, which, in each case with respect to clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(g)the occurrence or existence of any Material Adverse Effect; and
(h)within fifteen (15) Business Days following such change (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree), any change in any Credit Party’s legal name, state of organization or organizational existence.
Each notice pursuant to this Section shall be accompanied by a statement by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and, if relevant, stating what action the Borrower or other Person proposes to take with respect thereto and at what time.
6.04Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc.
Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to:
(a)preserve and maintain in full force and effect its organizational existence and good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation, as applicable, except as (i) permitted by Section 7.02 or 7.03, or (ii) other than in the case of Holdings or the Borrower, as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; and
(b)preserve and maintain in full force and effect all rights, privileges, qualifications, permits, licenses and franchises necessary in the normal conduct of its business, except as (i) permitted by Section 7.02 or 7.03, or (ii) as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
6.05Maintenance of Property.
Each Credit Party shall maintain and preserve, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain and preserve, all its material tangible Property which is necessary to its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear and casualty and condemnation excepted, and shall make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and replacements thereof except (a) as permitted by Section 7.02 or 7.03, (b) to the extent that any such Properties are obsolete, are being replaced or, in the good faith judgment of such Credit Party, are no longer useful or desirable in the conduct of the business of the Credit Parties, or (c) where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
6.06Maintenance of Insurance.
(a)The Borrower will 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 or with a Captive Insurance Subsidiary, insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against
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by Persons engaged in the same or similar businesses, of such types and in such amounts (after giving effect to any self-insurance reasonable and customary for similarly situated Persons engaged in the same or similar businesses as Holdings and its Subsidiaries) as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons, and will furnish to the Lenders, upon reasonable written request from the Administrative Agent, information presented in reasonable detail as to the insurance so carried.
(b)Subject to Section 6.18, the Borrower will cause the Administrative Agent to be named as lenders’ loss payable, loss payee or mortgagee, as its interest may appear, and/or additional insured with respect of any such insurance providing liability coverage or coverage in respect of any Collateral, and cause, unless otherwise agreed to by the Administrative Agent, each provider of any such insurance to agree, by endorsement upon the policy or policies issued by it or by independent instruments furnished to the Administrative Agent that it will give the Administrative Agent thirty (30) days prior written notice before any such policy or policies shall be altered or cancelled (or ten (10) days prior notice in the case of cancellation due to the nonpayment of premiums).
(c)Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default resulting from the failure of the Borrower to provide the Administrative Agent with evidence of the insurance coverage required by this Agreement, the Administrative Agent may purchase insurance at the Borrower’s expense to protect the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ interests. The Borrower may later cancel any insurance purchased by the Administrative Agent, but only after providing the Administrative Agent with evidence that the Borrower has obtained insurance as required by this Agreement. If the Administrative Agent purchases insurance for the Collateral, to the fullest extent provided by law, the Borrower will be responsible for the costs of that insurance, including interest and other charges imposed by the Administrative Agent in connection with the placement of the insurance, until the effective date of the cancellation or expiration of the insurance. The costs of the insurance may be added to the Obligations. The costs of the insurance may be more than the cost of insurance the Borrower is able to obtain on its own.
6.07Payment of Taxes.
Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay, discharge and perform, before the same shall become delinquent or in default (giving effect to any applicable periods of grace), all United States federal and all other material Tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges or levies upon it or its Property, unless the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings which stay the enforcement of any Lien and for which adequate reserves if required in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by such Person.
6.08Compliance with Laws.
Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all applicable Law of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over it or its business, except where the failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to have, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
6.09Inspection of Property and Books and Records.
Each Credit Party shall maintain and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, books of record and account, in such a manner as to permit it to report its financial transactions and matters involving the assets or business of such Person in accordance with GAAP in all material respects consistently applied; provided that such Credit Party or Subsidiary may estimate GAAP results in good faith if the financial
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statements with respect to a Permitted Acquisition are not maintained in accordance with GAAP, and may make such further adjustments as are reasonably necessary in connection with consolidation of such financial statements with those of the Credit Parties. Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, with respect to each real property owned or leased by it, during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice: (a) provide access to such property to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and any of their respective Related Parties and (b) permit the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and any of their respective Related Parties to review, inspect and make copies from all of such Credit Party’s books and records (collectively, “Inspections”), in the case of any Lender, in each instance, at such Lender’s expense, and in the case of the Administrative Agent, in each instance, at the Credit Parties’ expense; provided that each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to only one such Inspection per calendar year or more frequently if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
6.10Use of Proceeds.
The Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Credit Extensions (a) on the Closing Date, to refinance certain existing Indebtedness of the Borrower and (b) after the Closing Date, for working capital and general corporate purposes (including, without limitation, for capital expenditures, acquisitions, investments, restricted payments and any other transaction not prohibited by the Loan Documents); provided that in no event shall the proceeds of the Credit Extensions be used in contravention of any Law or of any Loan Document.
6.11[Reserved].
6.12Compliance with ERISA.
The Borrower shall not allow an ERISA Affiliate to cause or suffer to exist (a) any event that would result immediately thereafter in the imposition of a Lien that primes the Liens securing the Obligations on any asset of a Credit Party with respect to any Title IV Plan or Multiemployer Plan or (b) any other ERISA Event that would, in the aggregate for clauses (a) and (b), have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.13Further Assurances.
(a)[Reserved.]
(b)Promptly following the written request by the Administrative Agent, the Credit Parties shall (i) correct any material defect or error that may be discovered in any Loan Document or in the execution, acknowledgment, filing or recordation thereof, 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 any Lender through the Administrative Agent, may reasonably require from time to time in order to (A) carry out more effectively the purposes of the Loan Documents, (B) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, subject any Credit Party’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ properties, assets, rights or interests (other than Excluded Assets) to the Liens now or hereafter intended to be covered by any of the Collateral Documents, (C) perfect and maintain the validity, effectiveness and priority of any of the Collateral Documents and any of the Liens intended to be created thereunder, in each case, to the extent required by the Loan Documents, and (D) assure, convey, grant, assign, transfer, preserve and protect the rights granted or now or hereafter intended to be granted to the Secured Parties under any Loan Document or under any other instrument executed in connection with any Loan Document to which any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries is or is to be a party, in each case, to the extent required by the Loan Documents, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to do so.
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(c)Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and except as otherwise approved in writing by Required Lenders, the Credit Parties will:
(i)cause each of their Material Domestic Subsidiaries whether newly formed, after acquired or otherwise existing to promptly (and in any event within thirty (30) days after such Material Domestic Subsidiary is formed or acquired (or such longer period of time as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion)) become a Guarantor hereunder by way of execution of a Joinder Agreement. In connection with the foregoing, the Credit Parties shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, with respect to each new Guarantor to the extent applicable, such Organization Documents, resolutions and favorable opinions of counsel, all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and such other documents or agreements as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request;
(ii)cause (i) 100% of the issued and outstanding Stock and Stock Equivalents of each Domestic Subsidiary and (ii) 65% (or such greater percentage that could not reasonably be expected to cause any material adverse tax consequences, as determined by the Borrower in good faith) of the issued and outstanding Stock and Stock Equivalents entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) and 100% of the issued and outstanding Stock and Stock Equivalents not entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) of each Foreign Subsidiary directly owned by any Credit Party to be subject at all times to a first priority, perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Collateral Documents (subject to Permitted Liens arising by operation of law), and, in connection with the foregoing, deliver to the Administrative Agent such other documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, including any filings and deliveries to perfect such Liens all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (but excluding legal opinions with respect thereto); and
(iii)cause all personal property (other than Excluded Assets) of each Credit Party to be subject at all times to first priority, perfected Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent to secure the Obligations pursuant to the Collateral Documents (subject to Permitted Liens) and, in connection with the foregoing, deliver to the Administrative Agent such other documentation as the Administrative Agent may request including filings and deliveries.
6.14Environmental Matters.
Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with, and maintain Real Estate under its control, whether owned, leased, subleased or otherwise operated or occupied by it, in compliance with, all applicable Environmental Laws or that is required by orders and directives of any Governmental Authority applicable to such Credit Party, Subsidiary or Real Estate, except where the failure to comply with such Environmental Law, order or directive would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. If an Event of Default caused by reason of breach of any representation set forth in Section 5.12 or breach of this Section 6.14 is continuing for more than 45 days without the Credit Parties commencing activities reasonably likely to cure such Default in accordance with Environmental Laws, then each Credit Party shall, promptly upon receipt of written request from the Administrative Agent, cause the performance of, and allow the Administrative Agent and its Related Parties access to such Real Estate for the purpose of conducting, such environmental audits and assessments, including subsurface sampling of soil and groundwater, and cause the preparation of such reports, in each case as the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request. Such audits,
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assessments and reports, to the extent not conducted by the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties, shall be conducted and prepared by reputable environmental consulting firms reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and shall be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.
6.15Hazardous Materials.
Each Credit Party shall not allow or cause, and each Credit Party shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to allow or cause, any Release of any Hazardous Material at, to or from any Real Estate owned or leased by such Credit Party or such Subsidiary of a Credit Party that would violate any Environmental Law, or form the basis for any Environmental Liabilities, other than such violations and Environmental Liabilities that would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.16Status of Holdings.
Holdings shall only engage in business activities and own Property in connection with or consisting of (a) ownership of Stock and Stock Equivalents of, and other Investments in, the Borrower, and Subsidiaries other than the Borrower that will be promptly contributed to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, and Parent Intercompany Advances, in each case, to the extent permitted hereunder, (b) ownership of cash and Cash Equivalents, (c) creation of Permitted Liens, (d) activities and contractual rights incidental to the maintenance of its legal existence and public company status (including, without limitation, the ability to incur fees, costs and expenses necessary to such maintenance), (e) the performance of its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and any financing activities, the issuance of Stock, performance of obligations under equityholder agreements, payment of dividends and other Restricted Payments, making contributions to the capital of its Subsidiaries and guaranteeing the obligations of its Subsidiaries and making Investments, in each such case solely to the extent permitted under this Agreement, (f) participating in Tax, accounting and other administrative matters as a member of a consolidated, unitary, affiliated or other similar group of companies, (g) holding any cash or property received in connection with Restricted Payments permitted under Section 7.07 pending application thereof, (h) providing fees, expenses and indemnification to officers, directors, managers and employees, (i) activities relating to the Initial Public Offering or other issuance of Stock or Stock Equivalents of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent company thereof) and (j) activities incidental to the businesses or activities described in the foregoing clauses (a) through (i).
6.17Anti-Corruption Laws; Sanctions.
Each Credit Party shall, and each Credit Party shall cause its Subsidiaries to, conduct its business in compliance in all material respects with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010 and other applicable anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions and with all applicable Sanctions, and maintain policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws and Sanctions.
6.18Post-Closing Covenant.
(a)Within 30 days of the Closing Date (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion), the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent insurance endorsements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent meeting the requirements set forth in Section 6.06(b).
(b)Within 10 days of the Closing Date (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion), the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative
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Agent the instruments, documents and chattel paper, together with allonges or assignments, in each case required to be delivered pursuant to Section 4.01(c)(v), to the extent such instruments, documents or chattel paper are in the possession of the existing agent under the credit facilities being repaid on the Closing Date.
6.19Refinancing Transaction Milestones.
(a)On or before April 30, 2025, the Credit Parties shall receive at least one bona fide term sheet (a “Refinancing Term Sheet”) from a reputable financial institution with the financial capacity and wherewithal to consummate a Refinancing Transaction, as determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion (it being understood and agreed that Eclipse Business Capital is acceptable to the Administrative Agent) (a “Refinancing Lender”) that contemplates the consummation of a Refinancing Transaction that would result in the payment in full of the Obligations on or before June 15, 2025. The Credit Parties shall deliver copies of all Refinancing Term Sheets to the Administrative Agent promptly (and in any event within one (1) Business Day) of their receipt thereof.
(b)On or before April 30, 2025, the Credit Parties shall have engaged an inventory appraiser reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (it being understood and agreed that Tiger Group is reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) on terms and with a scope of engagement reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (it being understood and agreed that the terms and scope of the engagement for the last appraisal of the Credit Parties’ inventory by Tiger Group are reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent).
(c)On or before May 23, 2025, the Credit Parties shall (i) select and identify to the Administrative Agent the Refinancing Lender to provide the Refinancing Transaction and (ii) deliver to the Administrative Agent definitive documentation for a Refinancing Transaction with such Refinancing Lender (which definitive documentation may be in draft form and unexecuted).
(d)On or before June 15, 2025, the Credit Parties shall consummate the Refinancing Transaction that results in the payment in full of the Obligations.
(e)Each of the deadlines in this Section 6.19 may be extended by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion in writing (including via email) to the Borrower or its counsel.
Article VII
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
Each Credit Party covenants and agrees that on the Closing Date and thereafter until the Facility Termination Date:
7.01Limitation on Liens.
No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any part of its Property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than the following (“Permitted Liens”):
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(a)any Lien existing on the Property of a Credit Party or a Subsidiary of a Credit Party on the First Amendment Effective Date and set forth on Schedule 7.01 and any modification, replacement, renewal or extension thereof; provided that (i) such Lien does not extend to any additional property other than after-acquired property that is affixed to or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien and (ii) the principal amount secured or benefited thereby (excluding any increase in principal as a result of interest paid in kind and capitalized interest) is not increased;
(b)any Lien created under any Loan Document or otherwise in favor of the Administrative Agent or any Lender and securing any of the Secured Obligations (including Additional Secured Obligations);
(c)Liens for Taxes, fees, assessments or other governmental charges or levies (i) which are not delinquent (after giving effect to any applicable grace period) or remain payable without penalty or (ii) which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves if required in accordance with GAAP are being maintained;
(d)(i) Liens in respect of Property of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party imposed by Law or contract (other than Liens set forth in clause (c) above), which were incurred in the ordinary course of business and do not secure Indebtedness, and (ii) carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, landlords’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, laborer’s or supplier’s Liens or other similar Liens securing obligations and liabilities with respect to which the failure to make payment would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(e)Liens, other than Liens imposed by ERISA, consisting of pledges or deposits required in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, employment insurance and other social security legislation or to secure the performance of or obligations with respect to tenders, statutory obligations, surety (other than as set forth in clause (f) below), stay, customs and appeals bonds, bids, leases, governmental contract, public or private utilities, trade contracts, performance and return of money bonds, completion guarantees and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money) or to secure liability to insurance carriers;
(f)Liens consisting of judgment or judicial attachment liens (other than for payment of Taxes, assessments or other governmental charges) that do not result in an Event of Default under Section 8.01(h) or securing appeal or other surety bonds relating to such a judgment;
(g)survey exceptions and title exceptions (including, without limitation, any title exceptions listed on a title policy), easements, servitudes, covenants, licenses, encroachments, protrusions, rights of way, zoning and other restrictions, minor defects or other irregularities in title, and other similar encumbrances and Liens securing obligations under operating reciprocal easement or similar agreements with respect to Real Estate which do not, in any case, interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the businesses of the applicable Credit Party or Subsidiary;
(h)Liens on any Property acquired or held by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party securing Indebtedness (and Permitted Refinancings of such Indebtedness) incurred or assumed for the purpose of financing (or refinancing) all or any part of the cost of acquiring, repairing, improving, installing or designing such Property and permitted under Section 7.05(d) or Section 7.05(v); provided that (i) any such Lien attaches to such Property concurrently with or within 90 days after such incurrence or assumption, (ii) such Lien attaches solely to the Property so acquired, repaired, improved, subject to installation or designed and the proceeds thereof, and
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(iii) the principal amount of the debt secured thereby (excluding any increase in principal as a result of interest paid in kind and capitalized interest) does not exceed 100% of the cost of such Property; provided that, in each case, individual financings provided by one such lender or lessor (other than lessors of real property) may be cross-collateralized to other outstanding financings provided by such purchase money lender or lessor (or their respective affiliates);
(i)Liens securing Capital Lease Obligations permitted under Section 7.05(d) or Section 7.05(v);
(j)any interest or title of a lessor, sublessor, licensor or sublicensor under any lease, sublease, license or sublicense permitted by this Agreement (other than Capital Lease Obligations) and all encumbrances and Liens on the title of any lessor or sublessor thereof;
(k)Liens arising from the filing of precautionary UCC financing statements with respect to any lease, license, sublease or sublicense permitted by this Agreement or any consignment of goods;
(l)non-exclusive licenses and sublicenses (or grant of any other right with respect to Intellectual Property) granted by a Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party and leases or subleases (by a Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party as lessor or sublessor) to third parties that, in the reasonable business judgment of a Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party, is not materially interfering with the business of the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries;
(m)Liens in favor of collecting banks arising by operation of law;
(n)Liens (including the right of set-off) in favor of a bank or other depository institution (i) arising as a matter of law or pursuant to customary deposit account agreements and other similar agreements, in each case, encumbering deposits, (ii) on cash deposits to secure ACH/EDI transactions in the ordinary course of business and (iii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(o)Liens arising out of consignment, conditional sale or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(p)Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law which secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;
(q)Liens in favor of any Credit Party;
(r)Liens consisting of an agreement to dispose of any property in a disposition permitted by Section 7.02 (other than Section 7.02(d) as it relates to this Section 7.01), solely to the extent such permitted disposition would have been permitted on the date of the creation of such Lien;
(s)[reserved];
(t)ground leases in respect of real property on which facilities owned or leased by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party are located;
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(u)Liens on insurance proceeds and the unearned portion of insurance premiums incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the financing of insurance premiums;
(v)[reserved];
(w)[reserved];
(x)Liens consisting of earnest money deposits of cash or Cash Equivalents made by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement with respect to an Acquisition or other Investment or other transition permitted hereunder;
(y)Liens consisting of customary security deposits under operating leases entered into by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower in the ordinary course of business;
(z)Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is acquired in an Acquisition or other Investment permitted hereunder or merged with or into or consolidated or amalgamated with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (and not created in anticipation or contemplation thereof) in a transaction permitted under this Agreement, and any modification, replacement, renewal or extension thereof; provided that such Liens do not extend to property not subject to such Liens at the time of such Acquisition, Investment, merger, consolidated or amalgamation (other than improvements thereon);
(aa)Liens on, or rights of setoff against, cash deposits or credit balances (or other amounts owing by such credit or debit card issuers or credit or debit card processors to any) of the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries in favor of credit or debit card issuers or credit or debit card processors in the ordinary course of business to secure the obligations of the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries to such credit or debit card issuers and credit or debit card processors as a result of fees or chargebacks;
(bb)[reserved];
(cc)Liens that are contractual rights of set-off relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers in the ordinary course of business;
(dd)[reserved];
(ee)Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations in an aggregate amount not to exceed $4,000,000 at any time outstanding[reserved];
(ff)[reserved]; and
(gg)Liens on the Collateral securing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 7.05(ff); provided that such Liens are at all times subject to a customary intercreditor agreement reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent providing for the subordination of such Liens to the Liens on the Collateral securing the Obligations.
7.02Disposition of Assets.
No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, assign, lease, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of (whether in one or a series of transactions) any
97
Property (including the Stock of any Subsidiary of any Credit Party, whether in a public or private offering or otherwise, and accounts and notes receivable, with or without recourse), except:
(a)(i) dispositions of inventory in the ordinary course of business, (ii) dispositions of worn out, obsolete or surplus personal property, or any property no longer useful in the conduct of the business of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries and (iii) any abandonment, cancellation or lapse of any Intellectual Property that is both (x) not material and (y) no longer commercially practicable, necessary or desirable to maintain or useful in the conduct of the business of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries;
(b) dispositions not otherwise permitted hereunder which are made for fair market value; provided that (i) at the time of any disposition, no Event of Default shall exist or shall result from such disposition, (ii) to the extent the purchase price therefor is in excess of $1,000,000, 75% of the aggregate sales price from such disposition shall be paid in cash or Cash Equivalents (or marketable securities or other Property that is converted to cash or Cash Equivalents within 45 days of receipt thereof) and (iii) the aggregate book value of all Property subject to such dispositions in any Fiscal Year shall not exceed 5% of Consolidated Total Assets as of the last day of the immediately preceding Fiscal Year; provided that any portion of such cap that is not utilized in any Fiscal Year shall be carried over to and permitted to be utilized in the immediately succeeding Fiscal Year;
(b)[reserved];;
(c)(i) dispositions of cash and Cash Equivalents; provided that for the avoidance of doubt, this clause (c) shall not independently permit any Investment, any transaction with any Affiliate, or any Restricted Payment which is otherwise prohibited hereunder by Sections 7.04, 7.06 or 7.07 and (ii) conversions of Cash Equivalents into cash or other Cash Equivalents;
(d)transactions permitted under Section 7.01 (other than Section 7.01(r) as it relates to this Section 7.02), 7.03, 7.07 or 7.13;
(e)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;
(f)sales, discounting or forgiveness of accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business or in connection with the collection or compromise thereof;
(g)[reserved];
(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;
(i)[reserved];
(j)any disposition by any Credit Party to any other Credit Party;
(k)[reserved];
(l)[reserved];
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(m)the termination or unwinding of any Swap Contract with a net termination value payable by a Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party not in excess of $1,000,000;
(n)dispositions as a direct result of an Event of Loss and the disposition of Property damaged as a result thereof;
(o)[reserved];
(p)dispositions made in order to comply with an order of any Governmental Authority or any applicable requirement of Law not to exceed $5,000,000 during the term of this Agreement; and
(q)dispositions not otherwise permitted hereunder provided that the aggregate book value of all Property subject to such dispositions shall not exceed $10,000,000 during the term of this Agreement[reserved].
7.03Fundamental Changes.
No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Subsidiaries to, merge, consolidate with or into, or convey, transfer, lease or otherwise 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 (1) any Credit Party (other than Holdings) may merge with or dissolve or liquidate into any other Credit Party; provided, that if the Borrower is a party to such transaction, the Borrower shall be the surviving or continuing entity of such transaction, (2) any Subsidiary of any Credit Party may merge with, or dissolve or liquidate into, any Credit Party; provided that a Credit Party shall be the continuing or surviving entity of such transaction, and (3) to effectuate a transaction by the Borrower or any Subsidiary permitted by Section 7.02 (other than Section 7.02(d)) or 7.04; provided that in any such transaction involving the Borrower, the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving entity.
7.04Loans and Investments.
No Credit Party shall and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Subsidiaries to (i) purchase or acquire any Stock or Stock Equivalents, or any debt instruments or other debt securities of, or any equity interest in, another Person or (ii) make any Acquisitions, or any other acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of another Person, or of any business or division of any Person, including without limitation, by way of merger, consolidation or other combination or (iii) make or purchase any advance, loan, extension of credit or capital contribution to another Person including the Borrower, any Affiliate of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower (the items described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) are referred to as “Investments”) except for:
(a)Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents;
(b)Investments by (i) Holdings in Credit Parties and (ii) any Credit Party (other than Holdings) to or in any other Credit Party (other than Holdings);
(c)loans and advances to officers, directors, managers, employees, members of management and consultants of Holdings and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount, together with the aggregate principal amount of any loans and advances then outstanding pursuant to clause (f) of this Section 7.04, not to exceed $1,000,000 at any time outstanding;[reserved];
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(d)Investments received as the non-cash portion of consideration received in connection with transactions permitted pursuant to Section 7.02(b);
(e)Investments accepted (in the reasonable business judgment of the applicable Credit Party) in connection with the settlement or enforcement of delinquent accounts receivable or disputes with suppliers or customers or in connection with the bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of suppliers or customers or upon the foreclosure or enforcement of any Lien in favor of a Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party;
(f) (i) Investments consisting of non-cash loans made to officers, directors, managers, employees and consultants of a Credit Party or its Subsidiaries which are used by such Persons to purchase simultaneously Stock or Stock Equivalents of Holdings or a direct or indirect parent thereof and (ii) cash loans and advances to officers, directors, employees, members of management and consultants of Holdings and its Subsidiaries to fund purchases of Stock or Stock Equivalents of Holdings (or its direct or indirect parent entities), provided that the loans and advances pursuant to this clause (f), together with the aggregate principal amount of any loans and advances then outstanding pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 7.04, shall not exceed $1,000,000 in aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding;
(f)[reserved];
(g)Investments existing on, or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on, the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 7.04 and any modification, replacement, renewal or extension thereof; provided that the amount of the original Investment is not increased except by the terms of such Investment or as otherwise permitted by this Section;
(h)Permitted Acquisitions;
(i)advances to suppliers and service providers in the ordinary course of business; provided that, with respect to any such advance to an Affiliate, such advance shall be subject to Section 7.06;
(j)Investments consisting of endorsements for collection or deposit;
(k)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;
(l)[reserved];
(m)(i) Investments in deposit accounts maintained in the ordinary course of business and (ii) Investments relative to Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.05(l);
(n)deposits of cash made in the ordinary course of business to secure performance of (i) operating leases and (ii) other contractual obligations other than in respect of Indebtedness for borrowed money (including, without limitation, utility services, reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit, surety bonds and performance bonds);
(o)Investments held by a Person acquired in a Permitted Acquisition or other Acquisition permitted hereunder, to the extent that such Investments were not made in
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contemplation of or in connection with such Permitted Acquisition or other Acquisition and were in existence on the date of such Permitted Acquisition or other Acquisition;
(p)earnest money deposits, cash advances and escrows of property made in connection with any letter of intent or agreement to make an Investment not prohibited hereunder;
(q)Investments to the extent payment therefor is made substantially contemporaneously with the receipt of, and funded entirely with the, proceeds of the sale or issuance of Stock of, or an equity contribution to, Holdings; provided, to the extent such Investment is made in connection with an Acquisition, such Acquisition shall not be hostile;[reserved];
(r)Parent Intercompany Advances to the extent any such Parent Intercompany Advance (i) is made in lieu of a Restricted Payment permitted pursuant to an applicable basket in Section 7.07 (other than Section 7.07(h)), (ii) if made as a Restricted Payment, would be permitted pursuant to Section 7.07 (other than Section 7.07(h)), and (iii) when made, reduces on a dollar for dollar basis the availability to make Restricted Payments under the applicable basket in Section 7.07;
(s)Investments in Swap Contracts entered into for bona fide hedging purposes and not for speculation;
(t)Investments in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $10,000,000 during the term of the Agreement[reserved];
(u)[reserved];
(v)Investments consisting of (i) guarantees constituting Indebtedness that are incurred in accordance with Section 7.05 and (ii) guarantees not constituting Indebtedness that are provided in the ordinary course of business;
(w)[reserved]; and
(x)Investments using the Available Amount; provided that as of the date such Investment is made, the amount of such Investment does not exceed the Available Amount as of such date and no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result immediately thereafter therefrom;[reserved].
provided, for purposes of this Section 7.04, that the amount of any Investments (other than Permitted Acquisitions) shall be determined net of all actual after-Tax cash returns on such Investments, whether as principal, interest, dividends, distributions, proceeds or otherwise, to the extent not so included in the determination of the Available Amount.
7.05Limitation on Indebtedness.
No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume, permit to exist, or otherwise become or remain liable with respect to, any Indebtedness, except:
(a)Indebtedness constituting the Obligations;
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(b)Indebtedness of the Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries of the type described in clause (h) of the definition of Indebtedness in respect of Indebtedness of a Credit Party or Subsidiary of a Credit Party otherwise permitted hereunder; provided that, if the Indebtedness being Guaranteed is subordinated to the Obligations, such Guarantee shall be subordinated to the Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as those contained in the subordination of such Indebtedness;
(c)Indebtedness existing on the First Amendment Effective Date and set forth on Schedule 7.05 and Permitted Refinancings thereof;
(d)Indebtedness incurred prior to the Fourth Amendment Effective Date in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $10,000,000 at any time outstanding, consisting of (i) Indebtedness incurred for the purpose of financing (or refinancing) all or any part of the cost of acquiring, repairing, improving, installing or designing Property, and Capital Lease Obligations and Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted by Section 7.01(h) and (ii) Permitted Refinancings thereof;
(e)unsecured intercompany Indebtedness to the extent the corresponding Investment is permitted pursuant to Section 7.04;
(f)[reserved];
(g)[reserved];
(h)to the extent constituting Indebtedness, deferred compensation and similar obligations to current and former officers, directors, managers, employees and consultants of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $1,000,000 at any time outstanding;
(i)to the extent constituting Indebtedness, obligations with respect to cash management services and other Indebtedness in respect of netting services, overdraft protections and similar arrangements, in each case in connection with deposit accounts;
(j)[reserved];
(k)Indebtedness consisting of the financing of insurance premiums in the ordinary course of business;
(l)(i) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument or payment item drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business and (ii) Indebtedness consisting of endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business;
(m)Indebtedness arising from agreements providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, or guarantees or letters of credit, surety bonds or performance bonds securing any obligations of any of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries pursuant to such agreements, in any case incurred in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Stock of any of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries (other than Guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Stock of any of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries for the purpose of financing such acquisition) or any Investment or Permitted Acquisition otherwise permitted hereunder;
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(n)Indebtedness which may exist or be deemed to exist pursuant to or in connection with statutory, surety, stay, customs, appeal or similar bonds, completion guaranties or other similar obligations in the ordinary course of business;
(o)Indebtedness in respect of credit cards, credit card processing services, debit cards, stored value cards, purchase cards (including so-called “procurement cards” or “P-cards”) or other similar arrangements in the ordinary course of business;
(p)unsecured Indebtedness owing to current and former officers, directors, managers, employees and consultants (or any current or former spouses or domestic partners, family members, trusts or other estate planning vehicles or estates or heirs of any of the foregoing) incurred in connection with the repurchase or redemption of Stock that has been issued to such Persons, so long as the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness outstanding at any one time does not exceed $1,000,000 (plus the amount of any increase in principal resulting from interest paid in kind or capitalized interest);
(q)unsecured Indebtedness and earnouts owing to sellers of assets or Stock to any of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries that is incurred prior to the Fourth Amendment Effective Date and in connection with the consummation of one or more Permitted Acquisitions or other Investments permitted hereunder so long as the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness and earn-outs at any one time outstanding do not exceed $5,000,000 (plus the amount of any increase in principal resulting from interest paid in kind or capitalized interest, in each case, in accordance with the subordination provisions applicable thereto), in each case subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations under the Loan Documents in a manner and pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and Permitted Refinancings thereof;
(r)[reserved];
(s)[reserved];
(t)[reserved];
(u)Indebtedness owed to any landlord in connection with the financing by such landlord of leasehold improvements in the ordinary course of business;
(v)Indebtedness with a principal amount not exceeding $8,000,000 (plus the amount of any increase in principal resulting from interest paid in kind or capitalized interest, in each case, in respect of Indebtedness originally permitted to be incurred pursuant to this subsection (v)) in the aggregate at any time outstanding;[reserved];
(w)[reserved];
(x)[reserved];
(y)[reserved];
(z)solely to the extent constituting Indebtedness, (i) unfunded pension fund and other employee benefit plan obligations and liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business to the extent that they are permitted to remain unfunded under applicable Law and (ii) Indebtedness incurred or created in the ordinary course of business in respect of workers’ compensation claims,
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health, disability or other employee benefits, salary, wages or other compensation or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claim;
(aa)[reserved];
(bb)[reserved];
(cc)Indebtedness consisting of any increase in the principal amount of any Indebtedness described in clauses (a) through (bb) of this Section 7.05 resulting from interest paid-in-kind or continuously capitalized interest;
(dd)all premiums (if any), interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges and additional or contingent interest on obligations described in clauses (a) through (cc) of this Section 7.05;
(ee)[reserved]; and
(ff)(i) Indebtedness incurred or assumed by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party prior to the Fourth Amendment Effective Date in a Permitted Acquisition or any other similar Investment permitted hereunder; provided that (w) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as of the date the definitive agreement for such Acquisition or Investment is executed, (x) if such Indebtedness is assumed, such Indebtedness shall not have been incurred in contemplation of such Acquisition or Investment, (y) the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness incurred or assumed under this clause (ff) at any one time outstanding shall not exceed $1,000,000 and (z) with respect to any such Indebtedness that is incurred, such Indebtedness (A) shall be unsecured or secured solely by Liens on the Collateral on a junior basis to the Obligations, and, to the extent so secured, the beneficiaries thereof (or an agent on their behalf) shall have entered into a customary intercreditor agreement reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent providing for the subordination of the Liens securing such Indebtedness to the Liens on the Collateral securing the Obligations, (B) shall not mature or have scheduled amortization prior to the date that is 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date, (C) shall not have mandatory prepayment, redemption or offer to purchase events more onerous than those set forth in this Agreement, (D) shall be on terms no more restrictive (taken as a whole) to the Credit Parties than the Loan Documents (except to the extent (1) a substantially similar change is made to the Loan Documents or (2) such terms are applicable only to periods after the Latest Maturity Date at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness) and (E) if such Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations, the subordination provisions thereof shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing thereof; provided that, with respect to any Indebtedness incurred (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, assumed) under this clause (ff), any such Permitted Refinancing thereof shall in any event satisfy the terms of sub-clauses (z)(A), (z)(B), (z)(C), (z)(D) and (z)(E) above.
7.06Transactions with Affiliates.
No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any transaction with any Affiliate involving aggregate consideration in excess of $500,000 for any transaction or series of related transactions, except:
(a)transactions with Affiliates otherwise permitted by this Agreement (including without limitation the Transactions);
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(b)transactions of the type described on Schedule 7.06;
(c)transactions between or among Credit Parties;
(d)employment and severance arrangements between the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries and their respective directors, managers, officers and employees and transactions pursuant to stock option plans and employee benefit plans and similar arrangements in the ordinary course of business;
(e)the payment of customary fees, compensation, and reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket costs to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, directors, managers, officers, employees and consultants of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent company of Holdings), the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business to the extent attributable to the operation of, or actual services rendered to, the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, payment of directors’ fees and reimbursement of actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending board of director meetings and related actual out-of-pocket costs and expenses);
(f)upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to such Credit Party or such Subsidiary than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate of such Credit Party or such Subsidiary;
(g)[reserved];
(h)[reserved];
(i)any transaction with an Affiliate where the only consideration paid by any Credit Party is Qualified Stock of Holdings;
(j)[reserved]; and
(k)issuance of Stock and Stock Equivalents by Holdings.
7.07Restricted Payments.
No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) declare or make any dividend payment or other distribution of assets, properties, cash, rights, obligations or securities on account of any of its Stock or Stock Equivalents and (ii) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for value any of its Stock or Stock Equivalents now or hereafter outstanding (the items described in clauses (i) and (ii) above are referred to as “Restricted Payments”) except that any Subsidiary of the Borrower may make Restricted Payments to the Borrower and any Subsidiary of the Borrower, and except that:
(a)the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in their respective Qualified Stock or Stock Equivalents in respect of Qualified Stock;
(b)[reserved];
(b) the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries may make (and may make distributions to Holdings or any direct or indirect parent of Holdings to permit Holdings or such parent to make), and Holdings may use cash on hand to make, payments and distributions to current
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and former officers, directors, managers, employees and consultants (or any current or former spouses or domestic partners, family members, trusts or other estate planning vehicles or estates or heirs of any of the foregoing) of any of the Credit Parties (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) and their Subsidiaries (i) on account of redemptions of Stock and Stock Equivalents held by such Persons and (ii) in the form of forgiveness of Indebtedness of such Persons on account of purchases of Stock and Stock Equivalents held by such Persons; provided that both of the following conditions are satisfied:
(i) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would arise as a result of such Restricted Payment; and
(ii) the sum of the aggregate amount of any such cash redemptions pursuant to this clause (b) does not exceed $5,000,000 during any Fiscal Year (with any unutilized portion of such cap being carried over to the immediately succeeding Fiscal Year);
(c)the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries may make payments to or on behalf of Holdings (and any entity that owns directly or indirectly 100% of the equity interests in Holdings) in an amount sufficient to permit Holdings (or such other entity, as applicable) to pay its licensing fees, franchise Taxes and other similar fees, Taxes and expenses, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business to maintain its legal existence;
(d)to the extent any Credit Party or its Subsidiaries is a member of a consolidated, unitary, combined or similar tax group in which a parent entity is the common parent (or any of the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries is an entity treated as disregarded from any such member or disregarded from a parent entity for income tax purposes), such Credit Party or its Subsidiaries may make cash payments to such parent entity (or to such Credit Party’s direct or indirect owner for payment to such parent entity), to enable such parent entity to pay Taxes for which such parent entity is liable as a result of its status as the common parent or otherwise as a result of its direct or indirect ownership of the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries, up to an amount not to exceed the amount of any such Taxes that the Credit Party and its relevant Subsidiaries would have been required to pay on a separate group basis if the Credit Party and such Subsidiaries had paid tax as a consolidated, unitary, combined or similar tax group consisting only of the Credit Party and its relevant Subsidiaries, and for the avoidance of doubt, reduced by any such portion of such Taxes paid by the relevant Credit Party or its Subsidiaries directly to the relevant taxing authority (“Permitted Tax Distributions”);
(e) Restricted Payments made in cash in connection with the Initial Public Offering as contemplated by the registration statement on Form S-1 declared effective by the SEC and payment of transaction fees and expenses related thereto;
(e)[reserved];
(f)payments by the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries to or on behalf of any direct or indirect parent entities may be made in an amount sufficient to pay out-of-pocket legal, administrative, accounting, public company registration, listing, compliance, reporting and filing costs and other expenses in the nature of overhead in the ordinary course of business of such direct or indirect parent entities, in each case, to the extent such costs or expenses are attributable to such parent entity’s ownership of Holdings and its Subsidiaries;
(g)[reserved];
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(h)the Borrower may make distributions to Holdings which are immediately used by Holdings (or paid by Holdings to permit any direct or indirect parent entities of Holdings) to make cash payments in lieu of issuing fractional shares of Stock of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent entities of Holdings), in an aggregate amount for such distributions to Holdings not to exceed $1,000,000;[reserved];
(i)the Borrower may make distributions to Holdings which are immediately used by Holdings to finance any Investment otherwise specifically permitted to be made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 7.04 (other than Section 7.04(r)); provided that (i) such distribution shall be made substantially concurrently with the closing of such Investment and (ii) Holdings shall, immediately following the closing thereof, cause (A) all property acquired (whether assets or capital stock) to be contributed to the Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries or (B) the merger (to the extent specifically permitted herein) of the Person formed or acquired into the Borrower or a Credit Party other than Holdings in order to consummate such Permitted Acquisition;
(j)[reserved];
(k)[reserved];
(l)[reserved];
(m)Restricted Payments payable solely in Qualified Stock and Stock Equivalents in respect of Qualified Stock may be made; and
(n)other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000 during the term of this Agreement[reserved].
7.08Change in Business.
No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in any line of business substantially different from those lines of business carried on by it on the Closing Date, other than lines of business ancillary thereto and reasonable extensions of such lines of business.
7.09Amendments to Organization Documents.
Except as expressly permitted under Section 7.03, no Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Subsidiaries to, amend any of its Organization Documents in any manner that could reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect the interests of the Administrative Agent or any Lender in their capacities as such; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, it is expressly understood and agreed that the conversion of any of the Credit Parties to or from a corporation or to or from a limited liability company, subject to written notice to the Administrative Agent of such conversion pursuant to Section 6.03(h), shall be deemed not to be materially adverse to the interests of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders.
7.10Changes in Fiscal Year.
No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Subsidiaries to, change the Fiscal Year or method for determining Fiscal Quarters of any Credit Party (other than to conform to that of Holdings).
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7.11[Reserved].
7.12No Negative Pledges.
No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual restriction or encumbrance of any kind on the ability of any Credit Party or Subsidiary of a Credit Party to pay dividends or make any other distribution on any of such Credit Party’s or Subsidiary’s Stock or Stock Equivalents or to pay fees, including management fees, or make other payments and distributions to the Borrower or any other Credit Party or (ii) enter into, assume or become subject to any Contractual Obligation prohibiting or otherwise restricting the existence of any Lien upon any of its assets in favor of the Administrative Agent, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), the following: (1) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (2) in connection with any document or instrument governing Liens permitted pursuant to Sections 7.01(a), 7.01(h), 7.01(i), 7.01(r), 7.01(x), 7.01(y), 7.01(z), 7.01(aa), or 7.01(ee); provided that any such restriction contained therein relates only to the asset or assets subject to such permitted Liens, (3) any other agreement that does not restrict in any manner (directly or indirectly) Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents on any Collateral securing the Obligations and does not require the direct or indirect granting of any Lien securing any Indebtedness or other obligation by virtue of the granting of Liens on or pledge of property of any Credit Party to secure the Obligations or (4) any prohibition or limitation that (a) exists pursuant to applicable Law, (b) consists of customary restrictions and conditions contained in any agreement relating to the disposition of any property permitted under Section 7.02 pending the consummation of such disposition, (c) restricts subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of a Credit Party or (d) is imposed by any amendments or refinancings that are otherwise permitted by the Loan Documents of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clause (3); provided that such amendments and refinancings are no more materially restrictive with respect to such prohibitions and limitations than those prior to such amendment or refinancing.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 7.12 shall not prohibit restrictions, encumbrances, and prohibitions existing under or by reason of (i) Law, (ii) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (iii) [reserved], (iv) [reserved], (v) [reserved], (vi) the documentation for any Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.05(d), 7.05(q) or 7.05(v), (vii) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of a Credit Party, (viii) customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business, (ix) any holder of a Permitted Lien restricting the transfer or assignment of the property subject thereto, (x) customary restrictions and conditions contained in any agreement relating to a disposition permitted by Section 7.02 pending the consummation of such disposition, (xi) any obligations binding on a Credit Party or a Subsidiary of a Credit Party (other than Holdings and the Borrower) at the time such Person becomes a Credit Party or Subsidiary of a Credit Party, so long as such obligations were not entered into in contemplation of such Person becoming a Credit Party or Subsidiary of a Credit Party, (xii) customary provisions in partnership agreements, limited liability company agreements and other Organization Documents, joint venture agreements, asset sale and stock sale agreements and other similar agreements, leases, subleases, licenses and sublicenses entered into in the ordinary course of business that restrict the transfer of ownership interests in such partnership, limited liability company or similar Person, (xiii) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by suppliers or landlords under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, (xiv) any instrument governing Indebtedness assumed in connection with any Permitted Acquisition or other Investment permitted hereunder, which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties of any Person, other than the Person or the properties of the Person so acquired or the properties so acquired, (xv) documentation existing as of the Closing Date and listed on Schedule 7.12 or (xvi) any encumbrances or restrictions imposed by any amendments or refinancings that are otherwise permitted by the Loan Documents of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (iii), (iv), (v), (ix) or (xiv)
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above; provided that such amendments or refinancings are no more materially restrictive with respect to such encumbrances and restrictions than those prior to such amendment or refinancing.
7.13[Reserved].
7.14[Reserved].
7.15Use of Proceeds.
Use the proceeds of any Credit Extension, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, to purchase or carry Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose.
7.16Financial Covenants.
(a)Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio. The Credit Parties shall not permit the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio, determined on a consolidated basis for Holdings and its Subsidiaries as of the end of any period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters, to be greater than the ratio set forth below opposite such period:
Period | Maximum Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio |
Fiscal Quarter ending on or about December 31, 2021 through and including the Fiscal Quarter ending on or about March 31, 2023 | 2.50:1.0 |
Fiscal Quarter ending on or about June 30, 2023 and each fiscal quarterFiscal Quarter ending thereafter (excluding the Fiscal Quarter ending on or about March 31, 2025) | 2.00:1.0 |
(b)Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. The Credit Parties shall not permit the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, determined on a consolidated basis for Holdings and its Subsidiaries as of the end of any period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters, commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2024 (but excluding the Fiscal Quarter ending on or about March 31, 2025), to be less than 1.15:1.0.
(c)Liquidity. The Credit Parties shall not permit Liquidity, determined on a consolidated basis for Holdings and its Subsidiaries as of the last Business Day of each week commencing with the week ending December 20, 2024, to be less than (i) for the weeks ending December 20, 2024, December 27, 2024 and January 3, 2025, $1,500,000, (ii) for the weeks ending January 10, 2025 and January 17, 2025, $1,000,000, (iii) for the weeks ending January 24, 2025, January 31, 2025, February 7, 2025 and February 14, 2025, $2,000,000 and (iv) for the weeksweek ending February 21, 2025 and February 28, 2025for each week ending thereafter, $4,000,000.
As used herein, “Liquidity” means, with respect to any Person as of any date, the aggregate amount of Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents of such Person as of such date, in each case that is not subject to any Lien, other than Permitted Liens.
(d)Capital Expenditures. During the Fiscal Quarter ending on or about June 30, 2025, the Credit Parties shall not incur, commit to or otherwise make Capital Expenditures in an amount exceeding $500,000 in the aggregate; provided, capitalized software
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development costs in accordance with GAAP shall be excluded from calculation of the foregoing cap.
7.17Sanctions.
Directly or indirectly, use any Credit Extension or the proceeds of any Credit Extension, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such Credit Extension or the proceeds of any Credit Extension to any Person, to fund any activities of or business with any Person, that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of Sanctions, or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any Person (including any Person participating in the transaction, whether as Lender, Arranger, Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer, Swing Line Lender, or otherwise) of Sanctions.
7.18Anti-Corruption Laws.
Directly or indirectly, use any Credit Extension or the proceeds of any Credit Extension for any purpose which would breach the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010 and other anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions.
Article VIII
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
8.01Events of Default.
Any of the following shall constitute an event of default (each, an “Event of Default”):
(a)Non-Payment. Any Credit Party fails (i) to pay when and as required to be paid herein, any amount of principal of any Loan or any L/C Obligation or deposit any funds as Cash Collateral in respect of L/C Obligations, (ii) to pay within three (3) Business Days after the date due, interest on any Loan or any regularly scheduled fee or (iii) to pay within thirty (30) days after the date due, any other amount payable hereunder or pursuant to any other Loan Document;
(b)Representation or Warranty. Any representation, warranty or certification by or on behalf of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries made herein, in any other Loan Document or in any certificate required to be delivered under this Agreement or any other Loan Document by such Person, or their respective Responsible Officers, in each case, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect (without duplication of other materiality qualifiers contained therein) on or as of the date made;
(c)Specific Defaults. Any Credit Party fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of (i) Section 6.03(a), Section 6.04(a) (solely with respect to the Borrower), Section 6.10 or Article VII hereof (provided that (x) an Event of Default under Section 6.03(a) shall be cured upon the cure of the underlying Default with respect to which notice was required to have been delivered and (y) an Event of Default under Section 7.16 is subject to cure pursuant to Section 8.04) or (ii) Section 6.01, Section 6.02 (other than Section 6.02(e) or Section 6.02(f)), Section 6.03 (other than Section 6.03(a)), Section 6.04(a) (other than with respect to the Borrower) or Section 6.06 and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five (5) Business Days after the earlier of (x) the date upon which written notice thereof is given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent or Required Lender or (y) the date on which any Responsible Officer of a Credit Party has knowledge of such failure; or
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(d)Other Defaults. Any Credit Party fails to perform or observe any other term, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after the earlier of (x) the date on which any Responsible Officer of a Credit Party has knowledge of such failure and (y) the date upon which written notice thereof is given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent or Required Lenders; or
(e)Cross-Default. Any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of any Credit Party (A) fails to make any payment in respect of any Indebtedness (other than (x) Indebtedness owing by any Credit Party or such Subsidiary to any other Credit Party or any of their Subsidiaries and (y) the Obligations) having an aggregate outstanding principal amount of more than $5,000,000 when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) (it being understood and agreed that, for the avoidance of doubt, separate tranches of debt documented under a single credit agreement, loan agreement or other similar agreement shall be treated as a single facility) and such failure continues unremedied after the applicable grace or notice period, if any, specified in the document relating thereto on the date of such failure; or (B) fails to perform or observe any other condition or covenant, or any other event shall occur or condition exist, under any agreement or instrument relating to any such Indebtedness, if the effect of such failure, event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or beneficiary or beneficiaries of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause such Indebtedness to be declared to be due and payable prior to its stated maturity (other than as a result of the sale, transfer or other disposition (including, without limitation, as a result of a casualty or condemnation event or other Event of Loss) of an asset securing such Indebtedness) after giving effect to all applicable grace or notice periods (without regard to any subordination terms with respect thereto); or
(f)Insolvency; Voluntary Proceedings. Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary: (i) commences any Insolvency Proceeding with respect to itself; or (ii) takes any action to effectuate or authorize any of the foregoing; or
(g)Involuntary Proceedings. (i) Any involuntary Insolvency Proceeding is commenced or filed against Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar process, is issued or levied against a substantial part of any such Person’s Property, and any such proceeding or petition shall not be dismissed, or such writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar process shall not be released, dismissed, vacated or fully bonded within 60 days after commencement, filing or levy; (ii) Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary admits the material allegations of a petition against it in any Insolvency Proceeding, or an order for relief (or similar order under non-U.S. law) is ordered in any Insolvency Proceeding; or (iii) Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary acquiesces in the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, mortgagee in possession (or agent therefor), or other similar Person for itself or a substantial portion of its Property or business; or
(h)Monetary Judgments. There is entered into against one or more of the Credit Parties one or more final and non-appealable judgments, non-interlocutory orders, decrees or arbitration awards of a court or administrative body of competent jurisdiction, in each case, for the payment of money in an amount of $5,000,000 or more (excluding amounts covered by (i) insurance to the extent the relevant independent third-party insurer has not denied coverage therefor in writing or (ii) other third-party indemnities), and the same shall remain undischarged, unsatisfied, unvacated, unstayed and unbounded for a period of 60 consecutive days after the entry thereof; or
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(i)ERISA. Any ERISA Event occurs that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred after the Closing Date, has resulted in, or would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect; or
(j)Collateral. (i) Any guaranty or other material provision of any Loan Document shall for any reason (other than pursuant to the terms thereof or hereof) cease to be valid and binding on or enforceable against any Credit Party party thereto or any Credit Party shall so state in writing or bring an action to limit its obligations or liabilities thereunder; or (ii) any Collateral Document shall for any reason (other than pursuant to the terms thereof or hereof) cease to create a valid, perfected, first-priority security interest in any material portion of the Collateral purported to be covered thereby or such security interest shall for any reason (other than (y) the failure of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to take any action within its control or (z) any such loss fully covered by a title insurance policy regarding real property owned in fee benefiting the Administrative Agent or the Secured Parties) cease to be a perfected (to the extent perfection is required pursuant to the terms thereof) security interest with the priority required thereby subject only to Permitted Liens (and the qualifications with respect to perfection set forth in the Loan Documents); or
(k)Change of Control. A Change of Control occurs.
Without limiting the provisions of Article IX, if a Default shall have occurred under the Loan Documents, then such Default will continue to exist until it either is cured (to the extent specifically permitted) in accordance with the Loan Documents or is otherwise expressly waived by Administrative Agent (with the approval of requisite Appropriate Lenders (in their sole discretion)) as determined in accordance with Section 11.01; and once an Event of Default occurs under the Loan Documents, then such Event of Default will continue to exist until it is expressly waived by the requisite Appropriate Lenders or by the Administrative Agent with the approval of the requisite Appropriate Lenders, as required hereunder in Section 11.01.
8.02Remedies upon Event of Default.
If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall, at the request of, or may, with the consent of, the Required Lenders, take any or all of the following actions:
(a)declare the Revolving Commitment of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions to be terminated, whereupon such commitments and obligation shall be terminated;
(b)declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower;
(c)require that the Borrower Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (in an amount equal to the Minimum Collateral Amount with respect thereto); and
(d)exercise on behalf of itself, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer all rights and remedies available to it, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer under the Loan Documents or applicable Law or equity;
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provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, the Revolving Commitment of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, and the obligation of the Borrower to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations as aforesaid shall automatically become effective, in each case without further act of the Administrative Agent or any Lender.
8.03Application of Funds.
(a)After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 8.02 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable and the L/C Obligations have automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set forth in the proviso to Section 8.02) or if at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all Secured Obligations then due hereunder, any amounts received on account of the Secured Obligations shall, subject to the provisions of Sections 2.14 and 2.15, be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:
First, to payment of that portion of the Secured Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent and amounts payable under Article III) payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;
Second, to payment of that portion of the Secured Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal, interest and Letter of Credit Fees) payable to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders and the L/C Issuer arising under the Loan Documents and amounts payable under Article III) ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this Second clause payable to them;
Third, to payment of that portion of the Secured Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid Letter of Credit Fees and interest on the Loans, L/C Borrowings and other Secured Obligations arising under the Loan Documents, ratably among the Lenders and the L/C Issuer in proportion to the respective amounts described in this Third clause payable to them;
Fourth, to payment of that portion of the Secured Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans, L/C Borrowings and Secured Obligations then owing under Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Cash Management Agreements and to the to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer, to Cash Collateralize that portion of L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit to the extent not otherwise Cash Collateralized by the Borrower pursuant to Sections 2.03 and 2.14, in each case ratably among the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the L/C Issuer, the Hedge Banks and the Cash Management Banks in proportion to the respective amounts described in this Fourth clause held by them; and
Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Secured Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Law.
(b)Subject to Sections 2.03 and 2.14, amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to the Fourth clause above shall be applied
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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 Secured Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above. Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to any Guarantor shall not be paid with amounts received from such Guarantor or its assets, but appropriate adjustments shall be made with respect to payments from other Credit Parties to preserve the allocation to Secured Obligations otherwise set forth above in this Section 8.03.
(c)Notwithstanding the foregoing, Secured Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements shall be excluded from the application described above if the Administrative Agent has not received a Secured Party Designation Notice, 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. Each Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank not a party to this Agreement that has given the notice contemplated by the preceding sentence shall, by such notice, be deemed to have acknowledged and accepted the appointment of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms of Article IX for itself and its Affiliates as if a “Lender” party hereto.
8.04Equity Cure.
(a)In the event the Credit Parties fail to comply with any Financial Covenant as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter, any cash equity contribution to the Borrower (funded with proceeds of common equity issued by Holdings or Qualified Stock (or other equity issued by Holdings having terms reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) made after the date on which financial statements are required to be delivered for such Fiscal Quarter and on or prior to the day that is ten (10) Business Days after the day on which financial statements are required to be delivered for such Fiscal Quarter (the “Anticipated Cure Deadline”) will, at the irrevocable election of the Borrower as of the date such proceeds are received by the Borrower, be included in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA for the purposes of determining compliance with the applicable Financial Covenant at the end of such Fiscal Quarter and any subsequent period that includes such Fiscal Quarter (any such equity contribution so included in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA, a “Specified Equity Contribution”).
(b)If, after giving effect to the Specified Equity Contribution, the Credit Parties shall then be in compliance with the Financial Covenants, the Credit Parties shall be deemed to have satisfied the Financial Covenants 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 breach or default of such covenants that had occurred shall be deemed cured for this purposes of this Agreement.
(c)Upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of written notice from the Borrower on or prior to the Anticipated Cure Deadline of its intent to effectuate a Specified Equity Contribution in respect of such Fiscal Quarter until the day that is fifteen (15) Business Days after the day on which financial statements are required to be delivered for such Fiscal Quarter, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any right to accelerate any Loans held by them or to exercise any other rights or remedies available under the Loan Documents or applicable law against the Collateral (including, without limitation, any right to foreclose on or take possession of Collateral) solely on the basis of an allegation of an Event of Default having occurred and being continuing under Section 8.01 due to failure by the Credit Parties to comply with the applicable Financial Covenant, unless such failure is not cured pursuant to the Specified Equity Contribution on or prior
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to the Anticipated Cure Deadline; it being understood and agreed that there shall be no Borrowings of Loans permitted or Letters of Credit issued or received hereunder until the Specified Equity Contribution has actually been received by the Borrower.
(d)Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) a Specified Equity Contribution may not be made in any two consecutive Fiscal Quarters, (ii) the amount of any Specified Equity Contribution will be no greater than the amount required to cause the Credit Parties to be in compliance with the applicable Financial Covenant(s), (iii) all Specified Equity Contributions will be counted solely for purposes of the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA as it relates to the Financial Covenants and shall not be included for all other purposes, including calculating basket levels, pricing and other items governed by reference to Consolidated EBITDA and (iv) there shall be no more than three Specified Equity Contributions made in the aggregate after the Closing Date.
Article IX
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
9.01Appointment and Authority.
(a)Appointment. Each of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints, designates and authorizes Bank of America to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article IX (other than Sections 9.06, 9.10 and 9.11) are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, and neither the Borrower nor any other Credit Party shall have rights as a third-party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.
(b)Collateral Agent. The Administrative Agent shall also act as the “collateral agent” under the Loan Documents, and each of the Lenders (including in its capacities as a potential Hedge Bank, and a potential Cash Management Bank) and the L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to act as the agent of such Lender and the L/C Issuer for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any of the Credit Parties to secure any of the Secured Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. In this connection, the Administrative Agent, as “collateral agent” and any co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 9.05 for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under the 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 IX and Article XI (including Section 11.04(c), as though such co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact were the “collateral agent” under the Loan Documents) as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto.
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9.02Rights as a Lender.
The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial, advisory, underwriting or other business with any Credit Party or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders or to provide notice to or consent of the Lenders with respect thereto.
9.03Exculpatory Provisions.
(a)The Administrative Agent or the Arranger, as applicable, shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, and its duties hereunder shall be administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent or the Arranger, as applicable, and its Related Parties:
(i)shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;
(ii)shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents); provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable Law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law; and
(iii)shall not have any duty or responsibility to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, to any Lender or the L/C Issuer any credit or other information concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of any of the Credit Parties or any of their Affiliates that is communicated to, or in the possession of, the Administrative Agent, Arranger or any of their Related Parties in any capacity, except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent herein.
(b)Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary), or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 11.01 and 8.02) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have
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knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given in writing to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or the L/C Issuer.
(c)Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties have any duty or obligation to any Lender or participant or any other Person to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the 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.
9.04Reliance by Administrative Agent.
The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall be fully protected in relying and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, communication, 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 be fully protected in relying and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance, extension, renewal or increase of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or the L/C Issuer unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or the L/C Issuer prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Credit Parties), 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. For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in Section 4.01, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objections.
9.05Delegation of Duties.
The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article IX shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the Revolving Commitments as well as activities as Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and non-appealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.
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9.06Resignation of Administrative Agent.
(a)Notice. The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Resignation Effective Date”), then the retiring Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) on behalf of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that in no event shall any successor Administrative Agent be a Defaulting Lender. Whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date.
(b)Defaulting Lender. If the Person serving as Administrative Agent is a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof, the Required Lenders may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, by notice in writing to the Borrower and such Person remove such Person as Administrative Agent and, in consultation with the Borrower, appoint a successor. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Removal Effective Date”), then such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date.
(c)Effect of Resignation or Removal. With effect from the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date (as applicable) (i) the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed) and (ii) except for any indemnity payments or other amounts then owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent, all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and the L/C Issuer directly, until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or removed) Administrative Agent (other than as provided in Section 3.01(g) and other than any rights to indemnity payments or other amounts owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent as of the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date, as applicable), and the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section 9.06). The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring or removed Administrative Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article XI and Section 11.04 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring or removed Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them (A) while the retiring or removed Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent and (B) after such resignation or removal for as long as any of them continues to act in any capacity
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hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, including, without limitation, (1) acting as collateral agent or otherwise holding any collateral security on behalf of any of the Secured Parties and (2) in respect of any actions taken in connection with transferring the agency to any successor Administrative Agent.
(d)L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender. Any resignation or removal by Bank of America as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 9.06 shall also constitute its resignation as L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender. If Bank of America resigns as the L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as the L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c). If Bank of America resigns as Swing Line Lender, it shall retain all the rights of Swing Line Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swing Line 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 Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(c). Upon the appointment by the Borrower of a successor L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder (which successor shall in all cases be a Lender other than a Defaulting Lender), (i) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as applicable, (ii) the retiring L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and (iii) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue Letters of Credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to Bank of America to effectively assume the obligations of Bank of America with respect to such Letters of Credit.
9.07Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Other Lenders.
Each Lender and the L/C Issuer expressly acknowledges that none of the Administrative Agent nor the Arranger has made any representation or warranty to it, and that no act by the Administrative Agent or the Arranger hereafter taken, including any consent to, and acceptance of any assignment or review of the affairs of any Credit Party or any Affiliate thereof, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Administrative Agent or the Arranger to any Lender or the L/C Issuer as to any matter, including whether the Administrative Agent or the Arranger have disclosed material information in their (or their Related Parties’) possession. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer represents to the Administrative Agent and the Arranger that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis of, appraisal of, and investigation into, the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries, and all applicable bank or other regulatory Laws relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, and made its own decision to enter into this Agreement and to extend credit to the Borrower hereunder. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder, and to make such investigations as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Credit Parties. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer represents and warrants that (i) the Loan Documents set forth the terms of a commercial lending facility and (ii) it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans in the ordinary course and is entering into this Agreement as a Lender or L/C Issuer for the purpose
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of making, acquiring or holding commercial loans and providing other facilities set forth herein as may be applicable to such Lender or L/C Issuer, and not for the purpose of purchasing, acquiring or holding any other type of financial instrument, and each Lender and the L/C Issuer agrees not to assert a claim in contravention of the foregoing. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer represents and warrants that it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to make, acquire and/or hold commercial loans and to provide other facilities set forth herein, as may be applicable to such Lender or such L/C Issuer, and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to make, acquire and/or hold such commercial loans or to provide such other facilities, is experienced in making, acquiring or holding such commercial loans or providing such other facilities.
9.08No Other Duties, Etc.
Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the titles 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 Arranger, a Lender or the L/C Issuer hereunder.
9.09Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim; Credit Bidding.
(a)In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Credit Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or L/C Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(i)to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, L/C Obligations and all other Secured 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 L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.03(l) and (m), 2.09 and 11.04) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(ii)to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and the L/C 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 L/C Issuer, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.09 and 11.04.
(b)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 the L/C Issuer any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Secured Obligations or the
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rights of any Lender or the L/C Issuer to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or the L/C Issuer or in any such proceeding.
(c)The Secured Parties hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at the direction of the Required Lenders, to credit bid all or any portion of the Secured Obligations (including accepting some or all of the Collateral in satisfaction of some or all of the Secured Obligations pursuant to a deed in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise) and in such manner purchase (either directly or through one or more acquisition vehicles) all or any portion of the Collateral (i) at any sale thereof conducted under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, including under Sections 363, 1123 or 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, or any similar Laws in any other jurisdictions to which a Credit Party is subject, (ii) at any other sale or foreclosure or acceptance of collateral in lieu of debt conducted by (or with the consent or at the direction of) the Administrative Agent (whether by judicial action or otherwise) in accordance with any applicable Law. In connection with any such credit bid and purchase, the Secured Obligations owed to the Secured Parties shall be entitled to be, and shall be, credit bid on a ratable basis (with Secured Obligations with respect to contingent or unliquidated claims receiving contingent interests in the acquired assets on a ratable basis that would vest upon the liquidation of such claims in an amount proportional to the liquidated portion of the contingent claim amount used in allocating the contingent interests) in the asset or assets so purchased (or in the Stock or debt instruments of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles that are used to consummate such purchase). In connection with any such bid (A) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to form one or more acquisition vehicles to make a bid, (B) to adopt documents providing for the governance of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles (provided that any actions by the Administrative Agent with respect to such acquisition vehicle or vehicles, including any disposition of the assets or Stock thereof shall be governed, directly or indirectly, by the vote of the Required Lenders, irrespective of the termination of this Agreement and without giving effect to the limitations on actions by the Required Lenders contained in Section 11.01 of this Agreement), (C) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to assign the relevant Secured Obligations to any such acquisition vehicle pro rata by the Lenders, as a result of which each of the Lenders shall be deemed to have received a pro rata portion of any Stock and/or debt instruments issued by such an acquisition vehicle on account of the assignment of the Secured Obligations to be credit bid, all without the need for any Secured Party or acquisition vehicle to take any further action, and (D) to the extent that Secured Obligations that are assigned to an acquisition vehicle are not used to acquire Collateral for any reason (as a result of another bid being higher or better, because the amount of Secured Obligations assigned to the acquisition vehicle exceeds the amount of debt credit bid by the acquisition vehicle or otherwise), such Secured Obligations shall automatically be reassigned to the Lenders pro rata and the Stock and/or debt instruments issued by any acquisition vehicle on account of the Secured Obligations that had been assigned to the acquisition vehicle shall automatically be cancelled, without the need for any Secured Party or any acquisition vehicle to take any further action.
9.10Collateral and Guaranty Matters.
(a)Each of the Lenders (including in its capacities as a potential Cash Management Bank and a potential Hedge Bank) and the L/C Issuer irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion,
(i)to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document (i) upon the Facility Termination Date, (ii) that is sold or otherwise disposed of or to be sold or otherwise disposed of as part of or in connection with any sale or other disposition permitted hereunder or under any other
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Loan Document, or (iii) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders in accordance with Section 11.01;
(ii)to subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by Section 7.01(i); and
(iii)to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents.
(b)Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release or subordinate its interest in particular types or items of property, or to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty pursuant to this Section 9.10. In each case as specified in this Section 9.10, the Administrative Agent will, at the Borrower’s expense, execute and deliver to the applicable Credit Party such documents as such Credit Party may reasonably request to evidence the release of such item of Collateral from the assignment and security interest granted under the Collateral Documents or to subordinate its interest in such item, or to release such Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents and this Section 9.10.
(c)The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have a duty to ascertain or inquire into any representation or warranty regarding the existence, value or collectability of the Collateral, the existence, priority or perfection of the Administrative Agent’s Lien thereon, or any certificate prepared by any Credit Party in connection therewith, nor shall the Administrative Agent be responsible or liable to the Lenders for any failure to monitor or maintain any portion of the Collateral.
9.11Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements.
Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein or in the Guaranty or any Collateral Document, no Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank that obtains the benefit of the provisions of Section 8.03, the Guaranty or any Collateral by virtue of the provisions hereof 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) (or to notice of or to consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of the provisions hereof or of the Guaranty or any Collateral Document) other than in its capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article IX to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Secured Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements except to the extent expressly provided herein and unless the Administrative Agent has received a Secured Party Designation Notice of such Secured 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. The Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Secured Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements in the case of a Facility Termination Date.
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9.12Certain ERISA Matters.
(a)Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Credit Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:
(i)such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise) of one or more Benefit Plans with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Revolving Commitments, or this agreement,
(ii)the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84–14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95–60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90–1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91–38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96–23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Revolving Commitments and this Agreement,
(iii)(A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84–14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Revolving Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Revolving Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84–14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84–14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Revolving Commitments and this Agreement, or
(iv)such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.
(b)In addition, unless either (1) clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or (2) a Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant in accordance with clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Credit Party, that the Administrative Agent is not a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender involved in such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Revolving Commitments and this Agreement (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related hereto or thereto).
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9.13Recovery of Erroneous Payments.
Without limitation of any other provision in this Agreement, if at any time the Administrative Agent makes a payment hereunder in error to any Lender Recipient Party, whether or not in respect of an Obligation due and owing by the Borrower at such time, where such payment is a Rescindable Amount, then in any such event, each Lender Recipient Party receiving a Rescindable Amount severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the Rescindable Amount received by such Lender Recipient Party in immediately available funds in the currency so received, with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such Rescindable Amount is received by it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation. Each Lender Recipient Party irrevocably waives any and all defenses, including any “discharge for value” (under which a creditor might otherwise claim a right to retain funds mistakenly paid by a third party in respect of a debt owed by another) or similar defense to its obligation to return any Rescindable Amount. The Administrative Agent shall inform each Lender Recipient Party promptly upon determining that any payment made to such Lender Recipient Party comprised, in whole or in part, a Rescindable Amount.
Article X
CONTINUING GUARANTY
10.01Guaranty.
Each Guarantor hereby absolutely and unconditionally, jointly and severally guarantees, as primary obligor and as a guaranty of payment and performance and not merely as a guaranty of collection, prompt payment when due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, upon acceleration, demand or otherwise, and at all times thereafter, of any and all Secured Obligations (for each Guarantor, subject to the proviso in this sentence, its “Guaranteed Obligations”); provided that (a) the Guaranteed Obligations of a Guarantor shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to such Guarantor and (b) the liability of each Guarantor individually with respect to this Guaranty shall be limited to an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render its obligations hereunder subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States or any comparable provisions of any applicable state law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Guaranteed Obligations shall include any such indebtedness, obligations, and liabilities, or portion thereof, which may be or hereafter become unenforceable or compromised or shall be an allowed or disallowed claim under any proceeding or case commenced by or against any debtor under any Debtor Relief Laws. The Administrative Agent’s books and records showing the amount of the Obligations shall be admissible in evidence in any action or proceeding, and shall be binding upon each Guarantor, and conclusive for the purpose of establishing the amount of the Secured Obligations. This Guaranty shall not be affected by the genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of the Secured Obligations or any instrument or agreement evidencing any Secured Obligations, or by the existence, validity, enforceability, perfection, non-perfection or extent of any collateral therefor, or by any fact or circumstance relating to the Secured Obligations which might otherwise constitute a defense to the obligations of the Guarantors, or any of them, under this Guaranty, and each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any defenses it may now have or hereafter acquire in any way relating to any or all of the foregoing.
10.02Rights of Lenders.
Each Guarantor consents and agrees that the Secured Parties may, at any time and from time to time, without notice or demand, and without affecting the enforceability or continuing effectiveness hereof: (a) amend, extend, renew, compromise, discharge, accelerate or otherwise change the time for payment or
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the terms of the Secured Obligations or any part thereof; (b) take, hold, exchange, enforce, waive, release, fail to perfect, sell, or otherwise dispose of any security for the payment of this Guaranty or any Secured Obligations; (c) apply such security and direct the order or manner of sale thereof as the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders in their sole discretion may determine; and (d) release or substitute one or more of any endorsers or other guarantors of any of the Secured Obligations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Guarantor consents to the taking of, or failure to take, any action which might in any manner or to any extent vary the risks of such Guarantor under this Guaranty or which, but for this provision, might operate as a discharge of such Guarantor.
10.03Certain Waivers.
Each Guarantor waives (a) any defense arising by reason of any disability or other defense of the Borrower or any other guarantor, or the cessation from any cause whatsoever (including any act or omission of any Secured Party) of the liability of the Borrower or any other Credit Party; (b) any defense based on any claim that such Guarantor’s obligations exceed or are more burdensome than those of the Borrower or any other Credit Party; (c) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting any Guarantor’s liability hereunder; (d) any right to proceed against the Borrower or any other Credit Party, proceed against or exhaust any security for the Secured Obligations, or pursue any other remedy in the power of any Secured Party whatsoever; (e) any benefit of and any right to participate in any security now or hereafter held by any Secured Party; and (f) to the fullest extent permitted by law, any and all other defenses or benefits that may be derived from or afforded by applicable Law limiting the liability of or exonerating guarantors or sureties. Each Guarantor expressly waives all setoffs and counterclaims and all presentments, demands for payment or performance, notices of nonpayment or nonperformance, protests, notices of protest, notices of dishonor and all other notices or demands of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the Secured Obligations, and all notices of acceptance of this Guaranty or of the existence, creation or incurrence of new or additional Secured Obligations.
10.04Obligations Independent.
The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder are those of primary obligor, and not merely as surety, and are independent of the Secured Obligations and the obligations of any other guarantor, and a separate action may be brought against each Guarantor to enforce this Guaranty whether or not the Borrower or any other person or entity is joined as a party.
10.05Subrogation.
No Guarantor shall exercise any right of subrogation, contribution, indemnity, reimbursement or similar rights with respect to any payments it makes under this Guaranty until all of the Secured Obligations and any amounts payable under this Guaranty have been indefeasibly paid and performed in full and the Revolving Commitments are terminated. If any amounts are paid to a Guarantor in violation of the foregoing limitation, then such amounts shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties and shall forthwith be paid to the Secured Parties to reduce the amount of the Secured Obligations, whether matured or unmatured.
10.06Termination; Reinstatement.
This Guaranty is a continuing and irrevocable guaranty of all Secured Obligations now or hereafter existing and shall remain in full force and effect until the Facility Termination Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Guaranty shall continue in full force and effect or be revived, as the case may be, if any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower or a Guarantor is made, or any of the Secured Parties exercises its right of setoff, in respect of the Secured Obligations and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or
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any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by any of the Secured Parties in their discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws or otherwise, all as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred and whether or not the Secured Parties are in possession of or have released this Guaranty and regardless of any prior revocation, rescission, termination or reduction. The obligations of each Guarantor under this Section 10.06 shall survive termination of this Guaranty.
10.07Stay of Acceleration.
If acceleration of the time for payment of any of the Secured Obligations is stayed, in connection with any case commenced by or against a Guarantor or the Borrower under any Debtor Relief Laws, or otherwise, all such amounts shall nonetheless be payable by each Guarantor, jointly and severally, immediately upon demand by the Secured Parties.
10.08Condition of Borrower.
Each Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that it has the sole responsibility for, and has adequate means of, obtaining from the Borrower and any other guarantor such information concerning the financial condition, business and operations of the Borrower and any such other guarantor as such Guarantor requires, and that none of the Secured Parties has any duty, and such Guarantor is not relying on the Secured Parties at any time, to disclose to it any information relating to the business, operations or financial condition of the Borrower or any other guarantor (each Guarantor waiving any duty on the part of the Secured Parties to disclose such information and any defense relating to the failure to provide the same).
10.09Appointment of Borrower.
Each of the Credit Parties hereby appoints the Borrower to act as its agent for all purposes of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and all other documents and electronic platforms entered into in connection herewith and agrees that (a) the Borrower may execute such documents and provide such authorizations on behalf of such Credit Parties as the Borrower deems appropriate in its sole discretion and each Credit Party shall be obligated by all of the terms of any such document and/or authorization executed on its behalf, (b) any notice or communication delivered by the Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer or a Lender to the Borrower shall be deemed delivered to each Credit Party and (c) the Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer or the Lenders may accept, and be permitted to rely on, any document, authorization, instrument or agreement executed by the Borrower on behalf of each of the Credit Parties.
10.10Right of Contribution.
The Guarantors agree among themselves that, in connection with payments made hereunder, each Guarantor shall have contribution rights against the other Guarantors as permitted under applicable Law.
10.11Keepwell.
Each Credit Party that is a Qualified ECP Guarantor at the time the Guaranty or the grant of a Lien under the Loan Documents, in each case, by any Specified Credit Party becomes effective with respect to any Swap Obligation, hereby jointly and severally, absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support to each Specified Credit Party with respect to such Swap Obligation as may be needed by such Specified Credit Party from time to time to honor all of its obligations under the Loan Documents in respect of such Swap Obligation (but, in each case, only up to the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering such Qualified ECP Guarantor’s obligations
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and undertakings under this Article X voidable under applicable Law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations and undertakings of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section 10.11 shall remain in full force and effect until the Secured Obligations have been indefeasibly paid and performed in full. Each Credit Party intends this Section 10.11 to constitute, and this Section 10.11 shall be deemed to constitute, a guarantee of the obligations of, and a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of, each Specified Credit Party for all purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act.
Article XI
MISCELLANEOUS
11.01Amendments, Etc.
(a)Subject to Sections 3.03(b) and the last paragraph of this Section 11.01, 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 Credit Party therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Required Lenders (or by the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders) and the Borrower or the applicable Credit Party, as the case may be, and acknowledged by the Administrative Agent, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, however, that no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:
(i)extend or increase the Revolving Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Revolving Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 8.02) without the written consent of such Lender (it being understood and agreed that a waiver of any condition precedent in Section 4.02 or of any Default or a mandatory reduction in Revolving Commitments is not considered an extension or increase in Revolving Commitments of any Lender);
(ii)postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment (excluding mandatory prepayments) of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under such other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender entitled to such payment;
(iii)reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or L/C Borrowing, or (subject to clause (D) of the second proviso to this Section 11.01(a)) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender entitled to such amount; provided, however, that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary (i) to amend the definition of “Default Rate” or to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest or Letter of Credit Fees at the Default Rate or (ii) to amend any financial covenant hereunder (or any defined term used therein) even if the effect of such amendment would be to reduce the rate of interest on any Loan or L/C Borrowing or to reduce any fee payable hereunder;
(iv)change (i) Section 8.03 or Section 2.13 in a manner that would have the effect of altering the ratable reduction of Revolving Commitments, pro rata payments or pro rata sharing of payments required hereunder without the written consent of each Lender, (ii) Section 2.12(f) in a manner that would alter the pro rata application required thereby without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby, (iii) or subordinate, or have the effect of subordinating, the Obligations hereunder to any other
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Indebtedness or other obligation, or (iv) or subordinate, or have the effect of subordinating, the Liens securing the Obligations to any Lien securing other Indebtedness or other obligations (except as expressly permitted by Section 9.10, as in effect on the Closing Date), in each case, without the written consent of each Lender;
(v)change any provision of this Section 11.01 or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision of any Loan Document specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or thereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender;
(vi)release, or have the effect of releasing, all or substantially all of the Collateral in any transaction or series of related transactions, without the written consent of each Lender;
(vii)release, or have the effect of releasing, all or substantially all of the value of the Guaranty, without the written consent of each Lender, except to the extent the release of any Subsidiary from the Guaranty is permitted pursuant to Section 9.10 (in which case such release may be made by the Administrative Agent acting alone); or
(viii)release the Borrower or permit the Borrower to assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents without the consent of each Lender;
provided, further, that (A) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the L/C Issuer in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the L/C Issuer under this Agreement or any Issuer Document relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by it; (B) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Swing Line Lender in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Swing Line Lender under this Agreement; (C) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; and (D) any Fee Letter may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto.
(b)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (i) 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 (A) the Revolving Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (B) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender, that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender disproportionately adversely relative to other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender; (ii) each Lender is entitled to vote as such Lender sees fit on any bankruptcy reorganization plan that affects the Loans, and each Lender acknowledges that the provisions of Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States supersedes the unanimous consent provisions set forth herein and (iii) the Required Lenders shall determine whether or not to allow a Credit Party to use cash collateral in the context of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding and such determination shall be binding on all of the Lenders.
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(c)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this Agreement may be amended and restated without the consent of any Lender (but with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent) if, upon giving effect to such amendment and restatement, such Lender shall no longer be a party to this Agreement (as so amended and restated), the Revolving Commitments of such Lender shall have terminated, such Lender shall have no other commitment or other obligation hereunder and shall have been paid in full all principal, interest and other amounts owing to it or accrued for its account under this Agreement.
(d)Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, if the Administrative Agent and the Borrower acting together identify any ambiguity, omission, mistake, typographical error or other defect in any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (including the schedules and exhibits thereto), then the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall be permitted to amend, modify or supplement such provision to cure such ambiguity, omission, mistake, typographical error or other defect, and such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement.
11.02Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communications.
(a)Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in clause (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 fax transmission or e-mail transmission 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 any other Credit Party, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, to the address, fax number, e-mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 1.01(a); and
(ii)if to any other Lender, to the address, fax number, e-mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire (including, as appropriate, notices delivered solely to the Person designated by a Lender on its Administrative Questionnaire then in effect for the delivery of notices that may contain material non-public information relating to the Borrower).
Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by fax transmission 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 clause (b) below shall be effective as provided in such clause (b).
(b)Electronic Communications.
(i)Notices and other communications to the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuer hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail, FPML messaging, and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to an electronic communications agreement (or such other procedures approved by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion); provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender, the Swing Line Lender or the L/C Issuer
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pursuant to Article II if such Lender, the Swing Line Lender or the L/C Issuer, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article II by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender, the L/C Issuer or the Borrower may each, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
(ii)Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (A) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgment from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement) and (B) notices and other communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received by the intended recipient 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 address or other written acknowledgement) indicating that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that for both clauses (A) and (B), if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice, email or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient.
(c)The Platform. THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to Holdings, the Borrower, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrower’s, any Credit Party’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Borrower Materials or notices through the Platform, any other electronic platform or electronic messaging service, or through the Internet.
(d)Change of Address, Etc. Each of Holdings, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender may change its address, fax number or telephone number or e-mail address for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Each other Lender may change its address, fax number or telephone number or e-mail address for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender. 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, fax number and e-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 (1) 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
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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.
(e)Reliance by Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer and Lenders. The Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including, without limitation, telephonic or electronic notices, Loan Notices, Letter of Credit Applications, Notice of Loan Prepayment and Swing Line Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of any Credit Party even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Credit Parties shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of a Credit Party; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Person, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Person. 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.
11.03No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement.
(a)No failure by any Lender, the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document 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.
(b)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents against the Credit Parties or any of them shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 8.02 for the benefit of all the Lenders and the L/C Issuer; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit (a) the Administrative Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Administrative Agent) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (b) the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender from exercising the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (c) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 11.08 (subject to the terms of Section 2.13), or (d) any Lender from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a proceeding relative to any Credit Party under any Debtor Relief Law; and provided, further, that if at any time there is no Person acting as Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (i) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.02 and (ii) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (b), (c) and (d) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 2.13, any Lender may, with the
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consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by the Required Lenders.
11.04Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.
(a)Costs and Expenses. The Credit Parties shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates ((x) limited, in the case of counsel, to the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of a single firm of primary counsel, and, if reasonably necessary, a single firm of local counsel in each relevant material jurisdiction, in each case to such Persons taken as a whole and (y) including due diligence expenses), in connection with the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the L/C Issuer in connection with the issuance, amendment, extension, reinstatement or renewal of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer), in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section 11.04, or (B) in connection with Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.
(b)Indemnification by the Credit Parties. The Credit Parties shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Lender and the L/C Issuer, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (limited, in the case of counsel, to a single firm of primary counsel for all Indemnitees, taken as a whole and, if necessary, a single firm of local counsel in each relevant material jurisdiction for all Indemnitees, taken as a whole (and, in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, of one other firm of primary counsel for all similarly situated affected Indemnitees and, if necessary, one other firm of local counsel for all similarly situated affected Indemnitees in each appropriate jurisdiction)), incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any Person (including the Borrower or any other Credit Party) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby (including, without limitation, the Indemnitee’s reliance on any Communication executed using an Electronic Signature, or in the form of an Electronic Record), the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or, in the case of the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and its Related Parties only, the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including in respect of any matters addressed in Section 3.01), (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the L/C Issuer to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned, leased or operated by a Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to a Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Borrower or
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any other Credit Party, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee. Without limiting the provisions of Section 3.01(c), this Section 11.04(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.
(c)Reimbursement by Lenders. To the extent that the Credit Parties for any reason fail to indefeasibly pay any amount required under clauses (a) or (b) of this Section 11.04 to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought based on each Lender’s share of the Total Credit Exposure at such time) of such unpaid amount (including any such unpaid amount in respect of a claim asserted by such Lender), such payment to be made severally among them based on such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought), provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender in connection with such capacity. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause (c) are subject to the provisions of Section 2.12(d).
(d)Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, no Credit Party shall assert, and each Credit Party hereby waives, and acknowledges that no other Person shall have, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee referred to in clause (b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnitee through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
(e)Payments. All amounts due under this Section 11.04 shall be payable not later than ten (10) Business Days after demand therefor.
(f)Survival. The agreements in this Section 11.04 and the indemnity provisions of Section 11.02(e) shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.
11.05Payments Set Aside.
To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower is made to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender exercises
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its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender and the L/C Issuer severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate. The obligations of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
11.06Successors and Assigns.
(a)Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and thereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except neither the Borrower nor any other Credit Party may 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 Section 11.06(b), (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.06(d), or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of Section 11.06(e) (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 Section 11.06(d) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer 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 and the other Loan Documents (including all or a portion of its Revolving Commitment(s) and the Loans (including for purposes of this clause (b), participations in L/C Obligations and in Swing Line 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 Commitment and/or the Loans at the time owing to it or contemporaneous assignments to related Approved Funds (determined after giving effect to such assignments) that equal at least the amount specified in clause (b)(i)(B) of this Section 11.06 in the aggregate or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and
(B)in any case not described in clause (b)(i)(A) of this Section 11.06, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the Revolving Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning
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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, in the case of any assignment, unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
(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 and the other Loan Documents with respect to the Loans and/or the Revolving Commitment assigned, except that this clause (b)(ii) shall not apply to the Swing Line Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of Swing Line Loans.
(iii)Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by clause (b)(i)(B) of this Section 11.06 and, in addition:
(A)the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (1) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (2) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within five (5) Business Days after having received notice thereof;
(B)the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect of any Revolving Commitment if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender with a Revolving Commitment, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender; and
(C)the consent of the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender shall be required for any assignment.
(iv)Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount of $3,500; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment. The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.
(v)No Assignment to Certain Persons. No such assignment shall be made (A) to the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries, (B) to any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (B), or (C) to a natural Person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated by or for the primary benefit of one or more natural Persons).
(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
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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 sub-participations, 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 (A) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon) and (B) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line 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 clause (b)(vi), then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.
(vii)Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 11.06(c), from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04, 3.05 and 11.04 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment); provided, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender. Upon request, the Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this clause (b) 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 Section 11.06(d).
(c)Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower (and such agency being solely for Tax purposes), shall maintain at the Administrative Agent’s Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it (or the equivalent thereof in electronic form) and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Revolving Commitments of, and principal amounts (and interest amounts) of the Loans and L/C Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender (with respect to such Lender’s interest only), at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(d)Participations.
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(i)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 a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of one or more natural Persons, 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 Commitment and/or the Loans (including such Lender’s participations in L/C Obligations and/or Swing Line 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 Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section 11.04(c) without regard to the existence of any participations.
(ii)Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first proviso to Section 11.01 that affects such Participant. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04 and 3.05 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 3.01(e) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 3.01(e) shall be delivered to the Lender who sells the participation)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to clause (b) of this Section 11.06; provided that such Participant (A) shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 3.06 and 11.13 as if it were an assignee under clause (b) of this Section 11.06 and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 3.01 or 3.04, with respect to any participation, than the Lender from whom it acquired the applicable participation would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 3.06 with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 11.08 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.13 as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and interest amounts) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103–1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such
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participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.
(e)Certain Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note or Notes, 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.
(f)Resignation as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender after Assignment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time Bank of America assigns all of its Revolving Commitment and Revolving Loans pursuant to clause (b) above, Bank of America may, (i) upon thirty (30) days’ notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Lenders, resign as L/C Issuer and/or (ii) upon thirty (30) days’ notice to the Borrower, resign as Swing Line Lender. In the event of any such resignation as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, the Borrower shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders a successor L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder; provided, however, that no failure by the Borrower to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of Bank of America as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be. If Bank of America resigns as L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c)). If Bank of America resigns as Swing Line Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swing Line Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swing Line 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 Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(c). Upon the appointment of a successor L/C Issuer and/or Swing Line Lender, (A) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, and (B) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to Bank of America to effectively assume the obligations of Bank of America with respect to such Letters of Credit.
11.07Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality.
(a)Treatment of Certain Information. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (i) to its Affiliates, its auditors and its Related Parties (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (ii) to the extent required or requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over such Person or its Related Parties (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (iii) to the extent required by applicable Laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (iv) to any other party hereto, (v) 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, (vi) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 11.07, to (A) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective
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assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement or any Eligible Assignee invited to be a Lender pursuant to Section 11.01 or (B) any actual or prospective party (or its Related Parties) to any swap, derivative or other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to the Borrower and its obligations, this Agreement or payments hereunder, (vii) on a confidential basis to (A) any rating agency in connection with rating Holdings or its Subsidiaries or the credit facilities provided hereunder or (B) the provider of any Platform or other electronic delivery service used by the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and/or the Swing Line Lender to deliver Borrower Materials or notices to the Lenders or (viii) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the application, issuance, publishing and monitoring of CUSIP numbers or other market identifiers with respect to the credit facilities provided hereunder, or (ix) with the consent of the Borrower or to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 11.07, (xi) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower or (xii) is independently discovered or developed by a party hereto without utilizing any Information received from the Borrower or violating the terms of this Section 11.07. For purposes of this Section 11.07, “Information” means all information received from Holdings or any Subsidiary relating to Holdings or any Subsidiary or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by Holdings or any Subsidiary, provided that, in the case of information received from Holdings or any Subsidiary after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 11.07 shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information. In addition, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may disclose the existence of this Agreement and information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry and service providers to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in connection with the administration of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the Revolving Commitments.
(b)Non-Public Information. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer acknowledges that (i) the Information may include material non-public information concerning a Credit Party or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (ii) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (iii) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable Law, including United States federal and state securities Laws.
(c)Press Releases. The Credit Parties and their Affiliates agree that they will not in the future issue any press releases or other public disclosure using the name of the Administrative Agent or any Lender or their respective Affiliates or referring to this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, unless (and only to the extent that) the Credit Parties or such Affiliate is required to do so under law and then, in any event the Credit Parties or such Affiliate will consult with such Person before issuing such press release or other public disclosure.
(d)Customary Advertising Material. The Credit Parties consent to the publication by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of customary advertising material relating to the transactions contemplated hereby using the name, product photographs, logo or trademark of the Credit Parties.
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11.08Right of Setoff.
If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, the L/C Issuer and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, after obtaining the prior written consent of the Required Lenders, 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, the L/C Issuer or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower or any other Credit Party against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower or such Credit Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender, the L/C Issuer or such Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, the L/C Issuer or Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrower or such Credit Party may be contingent or unmatured, secured or unsecured, or are owed to a branch, office or Affiliate of such Lender or the L/C Issuer different from the branch, office or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (a) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.15 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders, and (b) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Secured Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender, the L/C Issuer and their respective Affiliates under this Section 11.08 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, the L/C Issuer or their respective Affiliates may have under applicable Law. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.
11.09Interest 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 the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable 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.
11.10Integration; Effectiveness.
This Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer, constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.
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11.11Survival of Representations and Warranties.
All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding.
11.12Severability.
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 11.12, if and to the extent that the enforceability of any provisions in this Agreement relating to Defaulting Lenders shall be limited by Debtor Relief Laws, as determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, as applicable, then such provisions shall be deemed to be in effect only to the extent not so limited.
11.13Replacement of Lenders.
(a)If the Borrower is entitled to replace a Lender pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.06, or if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender or a Non-Consenting Lender or if 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 11.06), all of its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Sections 3.01 and 3.04) and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that:
(i)the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee (if any) specified in Section 11.06(b);
(ii)such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to 100% of the outstanding principal of its Loans and L/C Advances, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 3.05) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);
(iii)in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 3.04 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 3.01, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter;
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(iv)such assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws; and
(v)in the case of an assignment resulting from a Lender becoming a Non-Consenting Lender, the applicable assignee shall have consented to the applicable amendment, waiver or consent.
(b)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.
(c)Each party hereto agrees that (i) an assignment required pursuant to this Section 11.13 may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the assignee and (ii) the Lender required to make such assignment need not be a party thereto in order for such assignment to be effective and shall be deemed to have consented to an be bound by the terms thereof; provided, that, following the effectiveness of any such assignment, the other parties to such assignment agree to execute and deliver such documents necessary to evidence such assignment as reasonably requested by the applicable Lender, provided further that any such documents shall be without recourse to or warranty by the parties thereto.
(d)Notwithstanding anything in this Section 11.13 to the contrary, (A) the Lender that acts as the L/C Issuer may not be replaced hereunder at any time it has any Letter of Credit outstanding hereunder unless arrangements satisfactory to such Lender (including the furnishing of a backstop standby letter of credit in form and substance, and issued by an issuer, reasonably satisfactory to the L/C Issuer or the depositing of Cash Collateral into a Cash Collateral account in amounts and pursuant to arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the L/C Issuer) have been made with respect to such outstanding Letter of Credit and (B) the Lender that acts as the Administrative Agent may not be replaced hereunder except in accordance with the terms of Section 9.06.
11.14Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.
(a)GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (EXCEPT, AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT (EXCEPT, AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
(b)SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. THE BORROWER AND EACH OTHER CREDIT PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT COMMENCE ANY ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING OF ANY KIND OR DESCRIPTION, WHETHER IN LAW OR EQUITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT OR OTHERWISE, AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER, THE L/C ISSUER, OR ANY RELATED PARTY OF THE FOREGOING IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATING HERETO OR THERETO, IN ANY FORUM OTHER THAN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO
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IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR THE L/C ISSUER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE BORROWER OR ANY OTHER CREDIT PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.
(c)WAIVER OF VENUE. THE BORROWER AND EACH OTHER CREDIT PARTY 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 CLAUSE (b) OF THIS SECTION 11.14. THE BORROWER AND EACH OTHER CREDIT PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.
(d)SERVICE OF PROCESS. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 11.02. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.
11.15Waiver 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 11.15.
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11.16[Reserved].
11.17No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility.
In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Borrower, Holdings and each other Credit Party acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Affiliates’ understanding, that: (a) (i) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders and their respective Affiliates are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrower, Holdings, each other Credit Party and their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders and their respective Affiliates, on the other hand, (ii) each of the Borrower, Holdings and the other Credit Parties has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (iii) the Borrower, Holdings and each other Credit Party is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (b) (i) the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and each Lender and each of their respective Affiliates each 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, any other Credit Party or any of their respective Affiliates, or any other Person and (ii) neither the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, nor any Lender nor any of their respective Affiliates has any obligation to the Borrower, Holdings, any other Credit Party or any of their respective Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (c) the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower, Holdings, the other Credit Parties and their respective Affiliates, and neither the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, nor any Lender nor any of their respective Affiliates has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower, Holdings, any other Credit Party or any of their respective Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, each of the Borrower, Holdings and each other Credit Party hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, the Lenders and their respective Affiliates with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transactions contemplated hereby.
11.18Electronic Execution; Electronic Records; Counterparts.
This Agreement, any Loan Document and any other Communication, including Communications required to be in writing, may be in the form of an Electronic Record and may be executed using Electronic Signatures. Each of the Credit Parties and each of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender, and each Lender (collectively, each a “Loan Party”) agrees that any Electronic Signature on or associated with any Communication shall be valid and binding on such Person to the same extent as a manual, original signature, and that any Communication entered into by Electronic Signature, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Person enforceable against such Person in accordance with the terms thereof to the same extent as if a manually executed original signature was delivered. Any Communication may be executed in as many counterparts as necessary or convenient, including both paper and electronic counterparts, but all such counterparts are one and the same Communication. For the avoidance of doubt, the authorization under this paragraph may include, without limitation, use or acceptance of a manually signed paper Communication which has been converted into electronic form (such as scanned into PDF format), or an electronically signed Communication converted into another format, for transmission, delivery and/or retention. The Administrative Agent and each of the Loan Parties may, at its option, create one or more copies of any Communication in the form of an imaged Electronic Record (“Electronic Copy”), which shall be deemed created in the ordinary course of such Person’s business, and destroy the original paper document. All Communications in the form of an
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Electronic Record, including an Electronic Copy, shall be considered an original for all purposes, and shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a paper record. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, neither the Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer nor Swing Line Lender is under any obligation to accept an Electronic Signature in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by such Person pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided, further, without limiting the foregoing, (a) to the extent the Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer and/or Swing Line Lender has agreed to accept such Electronic Signature, the Administrative Agent and each of the Loan Parties shall be entitled to rely on any such Electronic Signature purportedly given by or on behalf of any Credit Party and/or any Loan Party without further verification and (b) upon the request of the Administrative Agent or any Loan Party, any Electronic Signature shall be promptly followed by such manually executed counterpart.
Neither the Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer nor Swing Line Lender shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into the sufficiency, validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document (including, for the avoidance of doubt, in connection with the Administrative Agent’s, L/C Issuer’s or Swing Line Lender’s reliance on any Electronic Signature transmitted by telecopy, emailed .pdf or any other electronic means). The Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender shall be entitled to rely on, and shall incur no liability under or in respect of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by acting upon, any Communication (which writing may be a fax, any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution or signed using an Electronic Signature) or any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be genuine and signed or sent or otherwise authenticated (whether or not such Person in fact meets the requirements set forth in the Loan Documents for being the maker thereof).
Each of the Credit Parties and each Loan Party hereby waives (i) any argument, defense or right to contest the legal effect, validity or enforceability of this Agreement, any other Loan Document based solely on the lack of paper original copies of this Agreement, such other Loan Document, and (ii) waives any claim against the Administrative Agent, each Loan Party and each Related Party for any liabilities arising solely from the Administrative Agent’s and/or any Loan Party’s reliance on or use of Electronic Signatures, including any liabilities arising as a result of the failure of the Loan Parties to use any available security measures in connection with the execution, delivery or transmission of any Electronic Signature.
11.19USA Patriot Act Notice.
Each Lender that is subject to the Patriot Act and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower and the other Credit Parties that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107–56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Patriot Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower and each other Credit Party, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and each other Credit Party and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the Borrower and each other Credit Party in accordance with the Patriot Act. The Borrower and each other Credit Party shall, promptly following a request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide all such other documentation and 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 Patriot Act.
11.20Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions.
Solely to the extent any Lender or L/C Issuer that is an Affected Financial Institution is a party to this Agreement and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Lender or L/C Issuer that is an Affected Financial Institution arising under any Loan
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Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable 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 the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any Lender or L/C Issuer that is an Affected Financial Institution; and
(b)the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:
(i)a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;
(ii)a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent 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 the applicable Resolution Authority.
11.21Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs.
To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for any Swap Contract or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support”, and each such QFC, a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States): In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Loan Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.
[SIGNATURE PAGES REDACTED]
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Exhibit 19
Insider Trading Compliance Policy
Preventing insider trading is necessary to comply with securities laws and to preserve the reputation and integrity of Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Holdings, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) as well as that of all persons affiliated with the Company. “Insider trading” occurs when any person purchases or sells a security while in possession of inside information relating to the security. As explained in Section III below, “inside information” is information that is both “material” and “non-public.” Insider trading is a crime. The penalties for violating insider trading laws include imprisonment, disgorgement of profits, civil fines, and significant criminal fines. Insider trading is also prohibited by this Insider Trading Compliance Policy (this “Policy”), and violation of this Policy may result in Company-imposed sanctions, up to and including termination of employment for cause.
This Policy applies to all officers, directors and employees of the Company. Individuals subject to this Policy are responsible for ensuring that members of their households also comply with this Policy. This Policy also applies to any entities controlled by individuals subject to the Policy, including any corporations, partnerships or trusts (such entities, together with all officers, directors and employees of the Company, are referred to as the “Covered Persons”), and transactions by these entities should be treated for the purposes of this Policy and applicable securities laws as if they were for the individual’s own account. This Policy extends to all activities within and outside an individual’s Company duties. Every officer, director and employee must review this Policy. Questions regarding the Policy should be directed to the Company’s General Counsel.
No officer, director or employee shall purchase or sell any type of Company security while in possession of material, non-public information relating to the Company security. Similarly, when an officer, director or employee possesses material, non-public information about any publicly traded company that they acquired through their role at the Company, including but not limited to a customer or partner of the Company or an economically-linked company such as a competitor of the Company, the securities laws and the Company prohibit such officer, director or employee from buying or selling securities in that company.
These prohibitions do not apply to the following “Permitted Transactions”:
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In addition, no officer, director or employee shall directly or indirectly communicate (or “tip”) material, non-public information to anyone outside of the Company (except in accordance with the Company’s policies regarding the protection or authorized external disclosure of Company information) or to anyone within the Company other than on a need-to-know basis.
“Insider trading” refers to the purchase or sale of a security while in possession of “material,” “non-public” information relating to the security or its issuer.
“Securities” include stocks, bonds, notes, debentures, options, warrants and other convertible securities, as well as derivative instruments.
“Purchase” and “sale” are defined broadly under the federal securities law.
“Purchase” includes not only the actual purchase of a security, but any contract to purchase or otherwise acquire a security. “Sale” includes not only the actual sale of a security, but any contract to sell or otherwise dispose of a security. These definitions extend to a broad range of transactions, including conventional cash-for-stock transactions, conversions, the exercise of stock options, and acquisitions and exercises of warrants or puts, calls or other derivative securities.
It is generally understood that insider trading includes the following:
● | Trading by insiders while in possession of material, non-public information; |
● | Trading by persons other than insiders while in possession of material, non-public information, if the information either was given in breach of an insider’s fiduciary duty to keep it confidential or was misappropriated; and |
● | Communicating or tipping material, non-public information to others, including recommending the purchase or sale of a security while in possession of such information. |
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What Facts are Material?
The materiality of a fact depends upon the circumstances. A fact is considered “material” if there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider it important in making a decision to buy, sell or hold a security, or if the fact is likely to have a significant effect on the market price of the security. Material information can be positive or negative and can relate to virtually any aspect of a company’s business or to any type of security, debt or equity.
Examples of material information include (but are not limited to) information about: dividends; corporate earnings or earnings forecasts; possible mergers, acquisitions, tender offers or dispositions; major new products or product developments; important business developments such as developments regarding strategic collaborations or developments with major customers and suppliers; development regarding the Company’s intellectual property portfolio; significant incidents involving cybersecurity or data protection; management or control changes; significant borrowing or financing developments including pending public sales or offerings of debt or equity securities; defaults on borrowings; bankruptcies; and significant litigation or regulatory actions. Moreover, material information does not have to be related to a company’s business. For example, the contents of a forthcoming newspaper column that is expected to affect the market price of a security can be material.
A good general rule of thumb: When in doubt, do not trade. Please contact the General Counsel if you have any questions about whether information is material.
What is Non-Public?
Information is “non-public” if it is not available to the general public. In order for information to be considered public, it must be widely disseminated in a manner making it generally available to investors through such media as Dow Jones, Business Wire, Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, or United Press International, a broadcast on widely available radio or television programs, publication in a widely available newspaper, magazine or news web site, a Regulation FD-compliant conference call, or public disclosure documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) that are available on the SEC’s website.
The circulation of rumors, even if accurate and reported in the media, does not constitute effective public dissemination. In addition, even after a public announcement, a reasonable period of time must lapse in order for the market to react to the information. Generally, one should allow two full trading days following publication as a reasonable waiting period before such information is deemed to be public. If, for example, the Company were to make an announcement on a Monday prior to 9:30 a.m. Eastern time, the information would be deemed public after the close of trading on Tuesday. If an announcement were made on a Monday after 9:30 a.m. Eastern time, the information would be deemed public after the close of trading on Wednesday. If you have any question as to whether information is publicly available, please direct an inquiry to the General Counsel.
Who is an Insider?
“Insiders” include officers, directors and employees of a company and anyone else who has material non-public information about a company. Insiders have independent fiduciary duties to their company and its stockholders not to trade on material, non-public information relating to the company’s securities. All officers, directors and employees of the Company should consider themselves insiders with respect to material, non-public information about the Company’s business, activities and securities. Individuals subject to this Policy are responsible for ensuring that members of their households also comply with this Policy. This Policy also applies to any entities controlled by individuals subject to the Policy, including any corporations, partnerships or trusts, and transactions by these entities should be treated for the purposes of this Policy and applicable securities laws as if they were for the individual’s own account.
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Trading by Persons Other than Insiders
Insiders may be liable for communicating or tipping material, non-public information to a third party (“tippee”), and insider trading violations are not limited to trading or tipping by insiders. Persons other than insiders also can be liable for insider trading, including tippees who trade on material, non-public information tipped to them or individuals who trade on material, non-public information that has been misappropriated.
Tippees inherit an insider’s duties and are liable for trading on material, non-public information illegally tipped to them by an insider. Similarly, just as insiders are liable for the insider trading of their tippees, so are tippees who pass the information along to others who trade. In other words, a tippee’s liability for insider trading is no different from that of an insider. Tippees can obtain material, non-public information by receiving overt tips from others or through, among other things, conversations at social, business, or other gatherings.
Penalties for Engaging in Insider Trading
Penalties for trading on or tipping material, non-public information can extend significantly beyond any profits made or losses avoided, both for individuals engaging in such unlawful conduct and their employers. The SEC and Department of Justice have made the civil and criminal prosecution of insider trading violations a top priority. Enforcement remedies available to the government or private plaintiffs under the federal securities laws include:
● | SEC administrative sanctions; |
● | Securities industry self-regulatory organization sanctions; |
● | Civil injunctions; |
● | Damage awards to private plaintiffs; |
● | Disgorgement of all profits; |
● | Civil fines for the violator of up to three times the amount of profit gained or loss avoided; |
● | Civil fines for the employer or other controlling person of a violator (i.e., where the violator is an employee or other controlled person); |
● | Criminal fines for individual violators; and |
● | Jail sentences of up to 20 years. |
In addition, insider trading could result in serious sanctions by the Company, including dismissal. Insider trading violations are not limited to violations of the federal securities laws. Other federal and state civil or criminal laws, such as the laws prohibiting mail and wire fraud and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), also may be violated in connection with insider trading.
Size of Transaction and Reason for Transaction Do Not Matter
The size of the transaction or the amount of profit received does not have to be significant to result in prosecution. The SEC has the ability to monitor even the smallest trades, and the SEC performs routine market surveillance. Brokers and dealers are required by law to inform the SEC of
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any possible violations by people who may have material, non-public information. The SEC aggressively investigates even small insider trading violations.
Examples of Insider Trading
Examples of insider trading cases include actions brought against corporate officers, directors, and employees who traded in a company’s securities after learning of significant confidential corporate developments; friends, business associates, family members and other tippees of such officers, directors, and employees who traded in the securities after receiving such information; government employees who learned of such information in the course of their employment; and other persons who misappropriated, and took advantage of, confidential information from their employers.
The following are illustrations of insider trading violations. These illustrations are hypothetical and, consequently, not intended to reflect on the actual activities or business of the Company or any other entity.
Trading by Insider
An officer of X Corporation learns that earnings to be reported by X Corporation will increase dramatically. Prior to the public announcement of such earnings, the officer purchases X Corporation’s stock. The officer, an insider, is liable for all profits as well as penalties of up to three times the amount of all profits. The officer also is subject to, among other things, criminal prosecution, including up to $5,000,000 in additional fines and 20 years in jail. Depending upon the circumstances, X Corporation and the individual to whom the officer reports also could be liable as controlling persons.
Trading by Tippee
An officer of X Corporation tells a friend that X Corporation is about to publicly announce that it has signed an agreement for a major acquisition. This tip causes the friend to purchase X Corporation’s stock in advance of the announcement. The officer is jointly liable with his friend for all of the friend’s profits, and each is liable for all civil penalties of up to three times the amount of the friend’s profits. The officer and his friend are also subject to criminal prosecution and other remedies and sanctions, as described above.
Prohibition of Records Falsification and False Statements
Section 13(b)(2) of the 1934 Act requires companies subject to the Act to maintain proper internal books and records and to devise and maintain an adequate system of internal accounting controls. The SEC has supplemented the statutory requirements by adopting rules that prohibit (1) any person from falsifying records or accounts subject to the above requirements and (2) officers or directors from making any materially false, misleading, or incomplete statement to any accountant in connection with any audit or filing with the SEC. These provisions reflect the SEC’s intent to discourage officers, directors and other persons with access to the Company’s books and records from taking action that might result in the communication of materially misleading financial information to the investing public.
The following procedures have been established, and will be maintained and enforced, by the Company to prevent insider trading. Every officer, director and designated employee is required to follow these procedures.
Pre-Clearance of All Trades by All Officers, Directors and Certain Employees
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To provide assistance in preventing inadvertent violations of applicable securities laws and to avoid the appearance of impropriety in connection with the purchase and sale of the Company’s securities, all transactions in the Company’s securities (including without limitation, acquisitions and dispositions of Company stock (including by gift), the exercise of stock options and the sale of Company stock issued upon exercise of stock options) by officers, directors and such other employees as are designated from time to time by the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or General Counsel as being subject to this pre-clearance process (each, a “Pre-Clearance Person”) must be pre-cleared by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, or in her absence, the General Counsel. The foregoing pre-clearance requirements do not apply to purchases of the Company’s securities under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan on the applicable Exercise Date (as defined in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan). Pre-clearance does not relieve anyone of his or her responsibility under SEC rules. For the avoidance of doubt, any designation by the Board of Directors of the employees who are subject to pre-clearance may be updated from time to time by the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or the General Counsel.
A request for pre-clearance may be oral or in writing (including without limitation by e-mail), should be made at least two (2) business days in advance of the proposed transaction and should include the identity of the Pre-Clearance Person, the type of proposed transaction (for example, an open market purchase, a privately negotiated sale, an option exercise, etc.), the proposed date of the transaction and the number of shares, options or other securities to be involved. In addition, unless otherwise determined by the Chief Financial Officer (or in her absence, the General Counsel), the Pre-Clearance Person must execute a certification (in the form approved by the General Counsel) that he, she or it is not aware of material, non-public information about the Company. The Chief Financial Officer (or in her absence, the General Counsel) shall have sole discretion to decide whether to clear any contemplated transaction, provided that the Chief Executive Officer shall have sole discretion to decide whether to clear transactions by the Chief Financial Officer or persons or entities subject to this policy as a result of their relationship with the Chief Financial Officer. In the Chief Financial Officer’s absence, the Chief Executive Officer shall also have sole discretion to decide to clear transactions by the General Counsel or persons or entities subject to this policy as a result of their relationship with the General Counsel. All trades that are pre-cleared must be effected within five business days of receipt of the pre-clearance unless a specific exception has been granted by the Chief Financial Officer or in her absence, the General Counsel (or the Chief Executive Officer, in the case of the Chief Financial Officer or persons or entities subject to this policy as a result of a their relationship with the Chief Financial Officer as well as in the case of the General Counsel or persons subject to this policy as a result of their relationship with the General Counsel, if the Chief Financial Officer is absent). A pre-cleared trade (or any portion of a pre-cleared trade) that has not been effected during the five business day period must be pre-cleared again prior to execution. Notwithstanding receipt of pre-clearance, if the Pre-Clearance Person becomes aware of material, non-public information or becomes subject to a black-out period before the transaction is effected, the transaction may not be completed.
Black-Out Periods
No officer, director or other employee designated from time to time by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or the General Counsel as being subject to quarterly blackout periods shall purchase or sell any security of the Company during the period beginning at 11:59 p.m., Eastern time, on the 14th calendar day before the end of any fiscal quarter of the Company and ending upon the completion of the second full trading day after the public release of earnings data for such fiscal quarter or during any other trading suspension period declared by the Company, except for purchases and sales made pursuant to the permitted transactions described in Section II.
For the avoidance of doubt, any designation by the Board of Directors of the employees who are subject to quarterly black-out periods may be updated from time to time by the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or General Counsel.
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Exceptions to the black-out period policy may be approved only by the General Counsel (or, in the case of an exception for the General Counsel or persons or entities subject to this policy as a result of their relationship with the General Counsel, the Chief Financial Officer or, in the case of exceptions for directors or persons or entities subject to this policy as a result of their relationship with a director, the Board of Directors or the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors).
From time to time, the Company, through the Board of Directors, the Company’s disclosure committee, General Counsel or Chief Financial Officer, may recommend that officers, directors, employees or others suspend trading in the Company’s securities because of developments that have not yet been disclosed to the public. Subject to the exceptions noted above, all of those affected should not trade in the Company’s securities while the suspension is in effect, and should not disclose to others that we have suspended trading. Any trading suspension will remain effective until revoked by the General Counsel.
Post-Termination Transactions
If an individual is in possession of material, non-public information when his or her service terminates, that individual may not trade in the Company’s securities until that information has become public or is no longer material.
Information Relating to the Company
Access to material, non-public information about the Company, including the Company’s business, earnings or prospects, should be limited to officers, directors and employees of the Company on a need-to-know basis. In addition, such information should not be communicated to anyone outside the Company under any circumstances (except in accordance with the Company’s policies regarding the protection or authorized external disclosure of Company information) or to anyone within the Company on an other than need-to-know basis.
In communicating material, non-public information to employees of the Company, all officers, directors and employees must take care to emphasize the need for confidential treatment of such information and adherence to the Company’s policies with regard to confidential information.
Inquiries from third parties, such as industry analysts or members of the media, about the Company should be directed to the Chief Financial Officer or the General Counsel.
Limitations on Access to Company Information
The following procedures are designed to maintain confidentiality with respect to the Company’s business operations and activities.
All officers, directors and employees should take all steps and precautions necessary to restrict access to, and secure, material, non-public information by, among other things:
● | Maintaining the confidentiality of Company-related transactions; |
● | Conducting their business and social activities so as not to risk inadvertent disclosure of confidential information. Review of confidential documents in public places should be conducted so as to prevent access by unauthorized persons; |
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● | Restricting access to documents and files (including computer files) containing material, non-public information to individuals on a need-to-know basis (including maintaining control over the distribution of documents and drafts of documents); |
● | Promptly removing and cleaning up all confidential documents and other materials from conference rooms following the conclusion of any meetings; |
● | Disposing of all confidential documents and other papers, after there is no longer any business or other legally required need, through shredders when appropriate; |
● | Restricting access to areas likely to contain confidential documents or material, non-public information; |
● | Safeguarding laptop computers, mobile devices, tablets, memory sticks, CDs and other items that contain confidential information; and |
● | Avoiding the discussion of material, non-public information in places where the information could be overheard by others such as in elevators, restrooms, hallways, restaurants, airplanes or taxicabs. |
Personnel involved with material, non-public information, to the extent feasible, should conduct their business and activities in areas separate from other Company activities.
The Company has determined that there is a heightened legal risk and/or the appearance of improper or inappropriate conduct if the persons subject to this Policy engage in certain types of transactions. Therefore, officers, directors and employees shall comply with the following policies with respect to certain transactions in the Company securities:
Short Sales
Short sales of the Company’s securities evidence an expectation on the part of the seller that the securities will decline in value, and therefore signal to the market that the seller has no confidence in the Company or its short-term prospects. In addition, short sales may reduce the seller’s incentive to improve the Company’s performance. For these reasons, short sales of the Company’s securities are prohibited by this Policy. In addition, as noted below, Section 16(c) of the 1934 Act absolutely prohibits Section 16 reporting persons (i.e., directors, certain officers and the Company’s 10% stockholders) from making short sales of the Company’s equity securities, i.e., sales of shares that the insider does not own at the time of sale, or sales of shares against which the insider does not deliver the shares within 20 days after the sale.
Options
A transaction in options is, in effect, a bet on the short-term movement of the Company’s stock and therefore creates the appearance that an officer, director or employee is trading based on inside information. Transactions in options, whether traded on an exchange, on any other organized market or on an over-the-counter market, also may focus an officer’s, director’s or employee’s attention on short-term performance at the expense of the Company’s long-term objectives. Accordingly, transactions in puts, calls or other derivative securities involving the Company’s equity securities, on an exchange, on any other organized market or on an over-the-counter market, are prohibited by this Policy.
Hedging Transactions
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Purchasing financial instruments, such as prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars, and exchange funds, or otherwise engaging in transactions that hedge or offset, or are designed to hedge or offset, any decrease in the market value of the Company’s equity securities, may cause an officer, director, or employee to no longer have the same objectives as the Company’s other stockholders. Therefore, all such transactions involving the Company’s equity securities, whether such securities were granted as compensation or are otherwise held, directly or indirectly, are prohibited by this Policy.
Purchases of the Company’s Securities on Margin; Pledging the Company’s Securities to Secure Margin or Other Loans
Purchasing on margin means borrowing from a brokerage firm, bank or other entity in order to purchase the Company’s securities (other than in connection with a cashless exercise of stock options through a broker under the Company’s equity plans). Margin purchases of the Company’s securities are prohibited by this Policy. Pledging the Company’s securities as collateral to secure loans is also prohibited. This prohibition means, among other things, that you cannot hold the Company’s securities in a “margin account” (which would allow you to borrow against your holdings to buy securities).
Nothing in this Policy is intended to limit the ability of a venture capital partnership or other similar entity with which a director is affiliated to distribute Company securities to its partners, members or other similar persons. It is the responsibility of each affected director and the affiliated entity, in consultation with their own counsel (as appropriate), to determine the timing of any distributions, based on all relevant facts and circumstances and applicable securities laws.
Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans
1.Overview
Rule 10b5-1 presents an opportunity for insiders to establish arrangements to sell (or purchase) Company stock without the restrictions of trading windows and black-out periods, even when there is undisclosed material information. Rule 10b5-1 will protect directors, officers and employees from insider trading liability under Rule 10b5-1 for transactions under a previously established contract, plan or instruction to trade in the Company’s stock (a “Trading Plan”) entered into in good faith and in accordance with the terms of Rule 10b5-1 and all applicable state laws and will be exempt from the trading restrictions set forth in this Policy. The initiation of, and any modification to, any such Trading Plan will be deemed to be a transaction in the Company’s securities, and such initiation or modification is subject to all limitations and prohibitions relating to transactions in the Company’s securities. Each such Trading Plan, and any modification or termination thereof, must be submitted to and pre-approved by the Company’s General Counsel or Chief Financial Officer, or such other person as the Board of Directors may designate from time to time (the “Authorizing Officer”), who may impose such conditions on the implementation and operation of the Trading Plan as the Authorizing Officer deems necessary or advisable. However, compliance of the Trading Plan to the terms of Rule 10b5-1 and the execution of transactions pursuant to the Trading Plan are the sole responsibility of the person initiating the Trading Plan, not the Company or the Authorizing Officer.
Trading Plans do not exempt individuals from complying with Section 16 short-swing profit rules or liability. Furthermore, Trading Plans only provide an “affirmative defense” in the event there is an insider trading lawsuit. It does not prevent someone from bringing a lawsuit.
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A director, officer or employee may enter into or modify a Trading Plan only when he or she is not in possession of material, non-public information, and only during a trading window period outside of the trading black-out period. Although transactions effected under a Trading Plan will not require further pre-clearance at the time of the trade, any transaction (including the quantity and price) made pursuant to a Trading Plan of a Section 16 reporting person must be reported to the Company promptly on the day of each trade to permit the Company’s filing coordinator to assist in the preparation and filing of a required Form 4.
However, the ultimate responsibility, and liability, for timely filing remains with the Section 16 reporting person. The Company reserves the right from time to time to suspend, discontinue or otherwise prohibit any transaction in the Company’s securities, even pursuant to a previously approved Trading Plan, if the Authorizing Officer or the Board of Directors, in its discretion, determines that such suspension, discontinuation or other prohibition is in the best interests of the Company. Any Trading Plan submitted for approval hereunder should explicitly acknowledge the Company’s right to prohibit transactions in the Company’s securities. Failure to discontinue purchases and sales as directed shall constitute a violation of the terms of this Section VI and result in a loss of the exemption set forth herein.
Officers, directors and employees may adopt Trading Plans with brokers that outline a pre-set plan for trading of the Company’s stock, including the exercise of options. Trades pursuant to a Trading Plan generally may occur at any time subject to the applicable cooling-off period between the establishment of a Trading Plan and commencement of any transactions under such plan. Trades by officers and directors pursuant to a Trading Plan may occur the later of (1) 90 days following the Trading Plan’s adoption or modification; or (2) two business days following the disclosure in a periodic report of the Company’s financial results for the fiscal quarter in which the Trading Plan was adopted or modified (but not to exceed 120 days following plan adoption or modification). Trades by employees (who are not officers or directors) pursuant to a Trading Plan may occur 30 days following the Trading Plan's adoption or modification. An individual may not adopt more than one Trading Plan unless permitted under Rule 10b5-1. A modification or change to the amount, price, or timing of the purchase or sale of the securities (or a modification or change to a written formula or algorithm, or computer program that affects the amount, price, or timing of the purchase or sale of the securities) underlying a Trading Plan is deemed a termination of such Trading Plan, and the adoption of a new Trading Plan under SEC rules, and will trigger a new cooling-off period. Please review the following description of how a Trading Plan works.
Pursuant to Rule 10b5-1, an individual’s purchase or sale of securities will not be “on the basis of” material, non-public information if:
● | First, before becoming aware of the information, the individual enters into a binding contract to purchase or sell the securities, provides instructions to another person to sell the securities or adopts a written plan for trading the securities (i.e., the Trading Plan). |
● | Second, if the person who entered into a Trading Plan is a director or officer of the Company, such director or officer included a representation in the Trading Plan certifying that, on the date of adoption of the Trading Plan: |
(1) The individual director or officer is not aware of any material nonpublic information about the security or issuer; and
(2) The individual director or officer is adopting the Trading Plan in good faith and not as part of a plan or scheme to evade the prohibitions of Rule 10b5-1.
● | Third, the Trading Plan must either: |
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● | specify the amount of securities to be purchased or sold, the price at which the securities are to be purchased or sold and the date on which the securities are to be purchased or sold; |
● | include a written formula or computer program for determining the amount, price and date of the transactions; or |
● | prohibit the individual from exercising any subsequent influence over the purchase or sale of the Company’s stock under the Trading Plan in question. |
● | Fourth, the purchase or sale must occur pursuant to the Trading Plan and the individual must not enter into a corresponding hedging transaction or alter or deviate from the Trading Plan. |
For clarity, the requirements of this Section VI.A do not apply to any Trading Plan entered into by a venture capital partnership or other similar entity with which a director is affiliated. It is the responsibility of each such venture capital partnership or other entity, in consultation with their own counsel (as appropriate), to comply with applicable securities laws in connection with any Trading Plan.
2.Termination of and Amendments to Trading Plans
Termination of Trading Plans should occur only in unusual circumstances. Effectiveness of any termination or amendment of a Trading Plan will be subject to the prior review and approval of the Authorizing Officer. Termination is effected upon written notice to the broker. Once a Trading Plan has been terminated, the participant should wait at least 30 calendar days before trading outside of a Trading Plan.
A person acting in good faith may amend a prior Trading Plan so long as such amendments are made outside of a quarterly trading black-out period and at a time when the Trading Plan participant does not possess material, non-public information. Plan amendments not subject to a new cooling off period as described in Section 1. above must not take effect for at least 30 calendar days after the plan amendments are made.
Under certain circumstances, a Trading Plan must be terminated. This may include circumstances such as the announcement of a merger or the occurrence of an event that would cause the transaction either to violate the law or to have an adverse effect on the Company. The Authorizing Officer or administrator of the Company’s stock plans is authorized to notify the broker in such circumstances, thereby insulating the insider in the event of terminated.
3.Discretionary Plans
Although non-discretionary Trading Plans are preferred, discretionary Trading Plans, where the discretion or control over trading is transferred to a broker, are permitted if pre-approved by the Authorizing Officer.
The Authorizing Officer of the Company must pre-approve any Trading Plan, arrangement or trading instructions, etc., involving potential sales or purchases of the Company’s stock or option exercises, including but not limited to, blind trusts, discretionary accounts with banks or brokers, or limit orders. The actual transactions effected pursuant to a pre-approved Trading Plan will not be subject to further pre-clearance for transactions in the Company’s stock once the Trading Plan or other arrangement has been pre-approved.
4.Reporting (if Required)
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If required, an SEC Form 144 will be filled out and filed by the individual/brokerage firm in accordance with the existing rules regarding Form 144 filings. A footnote at the bottom of the Form 144 should indicate that the trades “are in accordance with a Trading Plan that complies with Rule 10b5-1 and expires ____.” For Section 16 reporting persons, Form 4s should be filed before the end of the second business day following the date that the broker, dealer or plan administrator informs the individual that a transaction was executed, provided that the date of such notification is not later than the second business day following the trade date. A similar footnote should be placed at the bottom of the Form 4 as outlined above.
5. Options
Exercises of options for cash may be executed at any time. “Cashless exercise” option exercises through a broker are not permitted during black-out periods. However, the Company will permit same day sales under Trading Plans. If a broker is required to execute a cashless exercise in accordance with a Trading Plan, then the Company must have exercise forms attached to the Trading Plan that are signed, undated and with the number of shares to be exercised left blank. Once a broker determines that the time is right to exercise the option and dispose of the shares in accordance with the Trading Plan, the broker will notify the Company in writing and the administrator of the Company’s stock plans will fill in the number of shares and the date of exercise on the previously signed exercise form. The insider should not be involved with this part of the exercise.
6. Trades Outside of a Trading Plan
During an open trading window, trades differing from Trading Plan instructions that are already in place are allowed as long as the Trading Plan continues to be followed.
7.Public Announcements
The Company will make all required public announcements and disclosures that Trading Plans are being implemented in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 and that transactions have been executed under Trading Plans, as may be required by applicable securities laws, in Forms 10-K, 10-Q and Section 16 reports. It may also make public announcements or respond to inquiries from the media as transactions are made under a Trading Plan.
8.Prohibited Transactions
The transactions prohibited under Section V of this Policy, including among others short sales and hedging transactions, may not be carried out through a Trading Plan or other arrangement or trading instruction involving potential sales or purchases of the Company’s securities.
None of the Company, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or the General Counsel, the Authorizing Officer or the Company’s other employees or any other person will have any liability for any delay in reviewing, or refusal of, a Trading Plan submitted pursuant to this Section VI or a request for pre-clearance submitted pursuant to Section IV of this Policy. Notwithstanding any review of a Trading Plan pursuant to this Section VI or pre-clearance of a transaction pursuant to Section IV of this Policy, none of the Company, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the General Counsel, the Authorizing Officer, the Company’s other employees or any other person assumes any liability for the legality or consequences of such Trading Plan or transaction to the person engaging in or adopting such Trading Plan or transaction.
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The trading prohibitions and restrictions set forth in this Policy do not apply to the decision to enroll in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the periodic contributions by employees which are used to purchase Company securities on the applicable Exercise Date (as defined in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan) because they are transactions between participating employees and the Company itself. If a participating employee is enrolled in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, such employee is permitted to change the contribution rate or withdraw from the Employee Stock Purchase Plan pursuant to the terms of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, so long as the pre-clearance requirements set forth above in Section IV.A are followed and such change or withdrawal does not take place during a black-out period if such employee is an officer or designated employee under Section IV.B. For clarification purposes, sales of Company securities purchased through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan are subject to the terms of this Policy.
After reading this Policy and on an annual basis, all officers, directors and employees should execute and return to the Company’s General Counsel the Certification of Compliance form attached hereto as “Attachment A.”
Last Updated: November 1, 2024
* * * * *
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ATTACHMENT A
CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE
RETURN UPON YOUR INITIAL RECEIPT AND REVIEW OF THE INSIDER TRADING COMPLIANCE POLICY AND THEN BY DECEMBER 31ST OF EACH YEAR GOING FORWARD
TO: | Naomi Beckman-Straus, General Counsel |
FROM: | [EMPLOYEE NAME] |
RE: | INSIDER TRADING COMPLIANCE POLICY OF LULU’S FASHION LOUNGE HOLDINGS, INC. |
I have received, reviewed and understand the above-referenced Insider Trading Compliance Policy and undertake, as a condition to my present and continued employment (or, if I am not an employee, affiliation with) Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries, to comply fully with the policies and procedures contained therein.
__________________________________________
SIGNATUREDATE
___________________________
TITLE
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Exhibit 21.1
Subsidiaries of Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Holdings, Inc.
Pursuant to Item 601(b)(21) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), we have omitted certain subsidiaries which, considered in the aggregate as a single subsidiary, would not constitute a “significant subsidiary” (as defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act).
Legal Name |
| State or Other Jurisdiction of |
Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Parent, LLC | Delaware | |
Lulu’s Fashion Lounge, LLC | Delaware |
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos. 333-260985, 333-264070 and 333-273013 on Form S-8 of our report dated March 27, 2025, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Holdings, Inc. appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2024.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
San Francisco, California
March 27, 2025
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION
I, Crystal Landsem, certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Holdings, Inc.; |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
4. | The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have: |
(a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
(b) | [Omitted]; |
(c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
(d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. | The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
(a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
(b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: March 27, 2025 | By: | /s/ Crystal Landsem |
Crystal Landsem | ||
Chief Executive Officer | ||
(Principal Executive Officer) |
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION
I, Tiffany Smith, certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Holdings, Inc.; |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
4. | The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have: |
(a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
(b) | [Omitted]; |
(c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
(d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. | The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
(a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
(b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: March 27, 2025 | By: | /s/ Tiffany R. Smith |
Tiffany R. Smith | ||
Chief Financial Officer | ||
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) for the period ended December 29, 2024 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1) | The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and |
(2) | The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. |
Date: March 27, 2025 | By: | /s/ Crystal Landsem |
Crystal Landsem | ||
Chief Executive Officer | ||
(Principal Executive Officer) |
Exhibit 32.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) for the period ended December 29, 2024 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1) | The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and |
(2) | The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. |
Date: March 27, 2025 | By: | /s/ Tiffany R. Smith |
Tiffany R. Smith | ||
Chief Financial Officer | ||
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
Exhibit 97
Policy for the Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation
_________________________________________________________
Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) has adopted this Policy for the Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation (the “Policy”), effective as of November 3, 2023 (the “Effective Date”). Capitalized terms used in this Policy but not otherwise defined herein are defined in Section 1.
The purpose of this Policy is to describe the circumstances in which the Covered Officers will be required to repay or return Erroneously Awarded Compensation to the Company. Each Covered Officer shall be required to sign and return to the Company the Acknowledgment Form attached hereto as Exhibit A pursuant to which such Executive Officer will agree to be bound by the terms and comply with this Policy.
For purposes of this Policy, the following definitions apply:
“Applicable Rules” means Section 10D of the Exchange Act, Rule 10D-1 promulgated thereunder, the listing rules of the Exchange, and any applicable rules, standards or other guidance adopted by the SEC or the Exchange.
“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board.
“Covered Officer” means any current or former “officer” as defined in Exchange Act Rule 16a-1, and any other senior executives as determined by the Committee.
“Effective Date” means the date stated in the first paragraph of this Policy.
“Erroneously Awarded Compensation” means the amount of Incentive-Based Compensation received that exceeds the amount of Incentive-Based Compensation that otherwise would have been received had it been determined based on the Restatement, computed without regard to any taxes paid. In the case of Incentive-Based Compensation based on stock price or total shareholder return, where the amount of erroneously awarded compensation is not subject to mathematical recalculation directly from the information in the Restatement, the amount will reflect a reasonable estimate of the effect of the Restatement on the stock price or total shareholder return upon which the Incentive-Based Compensation was received, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The Company will maintain documentation of the determination of that reasonable estimate and provide the documentation to the Exchange as required by the Exchange.
“Exchange” means the Nasdaq Stock Market or any other national securities exchange on which the Company’s securities are then listed.
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“Exchange Act” means the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.
“Financial Reporting Measure” means any measure that is determined and presented in accordance with the accounting principles used in preparing the Company’s financial statements, and any measures that are derived wholly or in part from those measures, whether or not the measure is presented within the financial statements or included in a filing with the SEC. Stock price and total shareholder return are financial reporting measures.
“Incentive‐Based Compensation” means any compensation that is awarded, earned or vested based in whole or in part on the attainment of a Financial Reporting Measure. Base salaries, bonuses or equity awards paid solely upon satisfying one or more subjective standards, strategic or operational measures, or continued employment are not considered incentive-based compensation, unless the awards were granted, paid or vested based in part on a Financial Reporting Measure.
“Restatement” means an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the Company with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, including any required accounting restatement that corrects errors (1) that are material to previously issued financial statements, or (2) that are not material to previously issued financial statements but would result in a material misstatement if the errors were left uncorrected in the current report or the error correction was recognized in the current period.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Three-Year Period” means with respect to a Restatement, the three completed fiscal years immediately preceding the date that the Board, a committee of the Board, or the officer or officers of the Company authorized to take such action if Board action is not required, concludes, or reasonably should have concluded, that the Company is required to prepare such Restatement, or, if earlier, the date on which a court, regulator or other legally authorized body directs the Company to prepare such Restatement. The “Three-Year Period” also includes any transition period (that results from a change in the Company’s fiscal year) within or immediately following the three completed fiscal years identified in the preceding sentence. However, a transition period between the last day of the Company’s previous fiscal year end and the first day of its new fiscal year that comprises a period of nine to 12 months shall be deemed a completed fiscal year.
This Policy shall apply to current and former Covered Officers of the Company.
This Policy shall apply to Incentive-Based Compensation received on or after October 2, 2023. For purposes of this Policy, the date on which Incentive-Based Compensation is “received” shall be determined under the Applicable Rules, which generally provide that Incentive-Based Compensation is “received” in the Company’s fiscal period during which the relevant Financial Reporting Measure is attained or satisfied, without regard to whether the grant, vesting or payment of the Incentive-Based Compensation occurs after the end of that period.
In the event that the Company is required to prepare a Restatement, the Company shall recover, reasonably promptly, the portion of any Incentive-Based Compensation that is Erroneously Awarded
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Compensation, unless the Committee has determined that recovery would be impracticable. Recovery shall be required in accordance with the preceding sentence regardless of whether the applicable Covered Officer engaged in misconduct or otherwise caused or contributed to the requirement for the Restatement and regardless of whether or when restated financial statements are filed by the Company. Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation shall be made on a pre-tax basis without regard to any taxes paid thereon by the applicable Covered Officer. For clarity, the recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation under this Policy will not give rise to any person’s right to voluntarily terminate employment for “good reason,” or due to a “constructive termination” (or any similar term of like effect) under any plan, program or policy of or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliates.
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The Committee shall, in its sole discretion, determine the manner of recovery of any Erroneously Awarded Compensation, which may include, without limitation, requiring reimbursement of cash Incentive-Based Compensation, seeking recovery of any gain realized on the vesting, exercise, settlement, sale, transfer or other disposition of any equity-based awards; to the extent permitted by law, an offset of the Erroneously Awarded Compensation against other compensation payable by the Company or an affiliate of the Company to such person; cancelling outstanding vested or unvested equity awards; and/or taking any other remedial and recovery action permitted by law, as determined by the Committee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise prohibited by the Applicable Rules, to the extent this Policy provides for recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation already recovered by the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or Other Recovery Arrangements, the amount of Erroneously Awarded Compensation already recovered by the Company from the recipient of such Erroneously Awarded Compensation may be credited to the amount of Erroneously Awarded Compensation required to be recovered pursuant to this Policy from such person.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee, in its discretion, may choose to forgo recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation under the following circumstances, on condition that the Committee (or a majority of the independent members of the Board) has made a determination that recovery would be impracticable because:
● | the direct expense paid to a third party to assist in enforcing this Policy would exceed the recoverable amounts, and in which case the Company has made a reasonable attempt to recover the Erroneously Awarded Compensation, has documented that attempt and has (to the extent required) provided that documentation to the Exchange; |
● | recovery would violate home country law where the law was adopted prior to November 28, 2022, and in which case the Company provides an opinion of home country counsel to that effect to the Exchange that is acceptable to the Exchange; or |
● | recovery would likely cause an otherwise tax-qualified retirement plan, under which benefits are broadly available to employees of the Company, to fail to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. |
This Policy shall be administered, interpreted and construed by the Committee, which is authorized to make all determinations necessary, appropriate or advisable for such purpose. The Board may re-vest in itself the authority to administer, interpret and construe this Policy in accordance with applicable law, and in such event references herein to the “Committee” shall be deemed to be references to the Board. Subject to any permitted review by the applicable national securities exchange or association pursuant to the Applicable Rules, all determinations and decisions made by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of this Policy shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company and its affiliates, equityholders and employees. The Committee may delegate administrative duties with respect to this Policy to one or more directors or employees of the Company, as permitted under applicable law, including any Applicable Rules.
This Policy is intended to comply with Section 10D of the Exchange Act, Rule 10D-1 thereunder, and the applicable rules of the Exchange and will be interpreted and administered consistent with that intent.
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The Company shall not indemnify or insure any person against the loss of any Erroneously Awarded Compensation pursuant to this Policy, nor shall the Company directly or indirectly pay or reimburse any person for any premiums for third-party insurance policies that such person may elect to purchase to fund such person’s potential obligations under this Policy. None of the Company, an affiliate of the Company or any member of the Committee or the Board shall have any liability to any person as a result of actions taken under this Policy.
This Policy does not preclude the Company from taking any other action to enforce a Covered Officer’s obligations to the Company or limit any other remedies that the Company may have available to it and any other actions that the Company may take, including termination of employment, institution of civil proceedings, or reporting of any misconduct to appropriate government authorities. This Policy is in addition to the requirements of Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that are applicable to the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer. Any right of recovery under this Policy is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other remedies or rights of recovery that may be available to the Company and any of its subsidiaries under applicable law, regulation or rule or under the terms of any similar policy in any employment agreement, offer letter, compensation plan, equity award agreement, or similar agreement and any other legal remedies available to the Company or any of its subsidiaries. The Committee may require that any employment agreement, offer letter, compensation plan, equity award agreement, or any other agreement entered into on or after the Effective Date will, as a condition to the grant of any benefit thereunder, require a Covered Officer to agree to abide by the terms of this Policy.
The Company will comply with the disclosure, documentation and records requirements related to this Policy under Applicable Rules and applicable SEC filings.
The provisions in this Policy are intended to be applied to the fullest extent of the law; provided, however, to the extent that any provision of this Policy is found to be unenforceable or invalid under any applicable law, such provision will be applied to the maximum extent permitted, and shall automatically be deemed amended in a manner consistent with its objectives to the extent necessary to conform to any limitations required under applicable law.
The Board or the Committee may amend, modify or terminate this Policy in whole or in part at any time and from time to time in its sole discretion. This Policy will terminate automatically when the Company does not have a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange or association.
Effective: November 3, 2023
* * * * *
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EXHIBIT A
Attestation and Acknowledgement of Policy for the Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation
By my signature below, I acknowledge and agree that:
● | I have received and read the attached Policy for the Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation (this “Policy”). |
● | I hereby agree to abide by all of the terms of this Policy both during and after my employment with the Company, including, without limitation, by promptly repaying or returning any Erroneously Awarded Compensation to the Company as determined in accordance with this Policy. |
Signature:_____________________
Printed Name:__________________
Date:_________________________
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Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares |
Dec. 29, 2024 |
Dec. 31, 2023 |
---|---|---|
Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ 0.001 | $ 0.001 |
Preferred stock, shares authorized | 10,000,000 | 10,000,000 |
Preferred stock issued | 0 | 0 |
Preferred stock outstanding | 0 | 0 |
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ 0.001 | $ 0.001 |
Common stock, shares authorized | 250,000,000 | 250,000,000 |
Common stock, shares issued | 42,068,124 | 40,618,206 |
Common stock, shares outstanding | 42,068,124 | 40,618,206 |
Treasury stock, shares | 339,321 | 0 |
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) |
12 Months Ended | ||
---|---|---|---|
Dec. 29, 2024 |
Dec. 31, 2023 |
Jan. 01, 2023 |
|
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) | |||
Net revenue | $ 315,887,000 | $ 355,175,000 | $ 439,652,000 |
Cost of revenue | 185,639,000 | 206,949,000 | 248,206,000 |
Gross profit | 130,248,000 | 148,226,000 | 191,446,000 |
Selling and marketing expenses | 72,927,000 | 76,312,000 | 83,559,000 |
General and administrative expenses | 81,334,000 | 92,129,000 | 99,148,000 |
Goodwill impairment | 28,374,000 | 0 | 0 |
Income (loss) from operations | (52,387,000) | (20,215,000) | 8,739,000 |
Other income (expense), net: | |||
Interest expense | (1,271,000) | (1,728,000) | (1,103,000) |
Other income, net | 705,000 | 933,000 | 136,000 |
Income (loss) before benefit (provision) for income taxes | (52,953,000) | (21,010,000) | 7,772,000 |
Income tax benefit (provision) | (2,333,000) | 1,676,000 | (4,047,000) |
Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) | $ (55,286,000) | $ (19,334,000) | $ 3,725,000 |
Basic earnings (loss) per share (In dollars per share) | $ (1.33) | $ (0.48) | $ 0.1 |
Diluted earning (loss) per share (In dollars per share) | $ (1.33) | $ (0.48) | $ 0.1 |
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding (In shares) | 41,468,903 | 39,879,121 | 38,583,854 |
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding (In shares) | 41,468,903 | 39,879,121 | 38,853,393 |
Description of Business, Organization and Liquidity |
12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 29, 2024 | |
Description of Business, Organization and Liquidity | |
Description of Business, Organization and Liquidity | 1.Description of Business, Organization and Liquidity Organization and Business Pursuant to a reorganization, Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Holdings, Inc., a Delaware Corporation (“Lulus”, “we”, “our”, or the “Company”), was formed on August 25, 2017 as a holding company and its primary asset is an indirect membership interest in Lulu’s Fashion Lounge, LLC (“Lulus LLC”). Prior to the Company’s initial public offering, the Company was majority-owned by Lulu’s Holdings, L.P. (the “LP”). In connection with the Company’s initial public offering, the LP was liquidated. Lulus LLC was founded in 1996, starting as a vintage boutique in Chico, California that began selling online in 2005 and transitioned to a purely online business in 2008. The LP was formed in 2014 as a holding company and purchased 100% of Lulus LLC’s outstanding common stock in 2014. The Company, based in Chico, California, through Lulus LLC, is a customer-driven, digitally-native, attainable luxury fashion brand for women, offering modern, unapologetically feminine designs at accessible prices for all of life’s fashionable moments. Impact of Macroeconomic Trends on Business Changing macroeconomic factors, including inflation, interest rates, student loan repayment resumption, tariffs or bans, world events, wars and domestic and international conflicts, existing and future laws and regulations, directives (including executive orders), and overall consumer confidence with respect to current and future economic conditions have directly impacted our sales in fiscal 2024 as discretionary consumer spending levels and shopping behavior fluctuate with these factors. We have responded to these factors by taking appropriate pricing, promotional and other actions to stimulate customer demand. These factors are expected to continue to have an impact on our business, results of operations, our growth and financial condition. Liquidity The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. During 2024 and 2023, the Company incurred net losses of $55.3 million and $19.3 million, respectively, and net income of $3.7 million in 2022. As of December 29, 2024, we had total cash and cash equivalents of $4.5 million and $13.1 million in outstanding amounts under the 2021 Credit Agreement, as amended, classified within total current liabilities. During 2024, we borrowed $33.1 million under the 2021 Credit Agreement, as amended, and repaid $28.0 million of the outstanding balance. See Note 5, Debt of the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements for further information on the 2021 Credit Agreement, as amended. We are actively seeking alternative debt financing and continuing to take certain cash conservation measures, including adjustments to marketing and other fixed and variable costs and capital spend to meet our obligations as needed. As the ability to raise additional debt financing is outside of management’s control, we cannot conclude that management’s plans will be effectively implemented within twelve months from the date the consolidated financial statements are issued. Accordingly, we have concluded that these plans do not alleviate substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not reflect any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
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Significant Accounting Policies |
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Significant Accounting Policies | 2.Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation and Fiscal Year The Company’s fiscal year consists of a 52-week or 53-week period ending on the Sunday nearest December 31. The fiscal years ending December 29, 2024 (“2024”), ended December 31, 2023 (“2023) and ended January 1, 2023 (“2022”) consisted of 52-weeks. The consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, after elimination of all intercompany balances and transactions. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The significant estimates and assumptions made by management relate to sales return reserves and related assets for recovery, lease right-of-use assets and related lease liabilities, income tax valuation allowance and fair value of equity awards. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Company adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Changes in those estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the consolidated financial statements in future periods. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could materially differ from those estimates and assumptions. Concentration of Credit Risks Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash. Such amounts may exceed federally insured limits. The Company reduces credit risk by depositing its cash with major credit-worthy financial institutions within the United States. To date, the Company has not experienced any losses on its cash deposits. As of December 29, 2024 and December 31, 2023, no single customer represented greater than 10% of the Company’s accounts receivable balance. No single customer accounted for greater than 10% of the Company’s net revenue during 2024, 2023 and 2022. Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable consist primarily of receivables from credit card processing agencies and wholesale customers. Based on historical collections from these agencies and wholesale customers, an immaterial allowance for doubtful accounts was deemed necessary as of December 29, 2024 and zero as of December 31, 2023. Inventory Inventory consists of finished goods, which are recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost determined using the first-in-first-out method. The cost of inventory consists of merchandise costs and inbound freight costs. Inventory levels are reviewed to identify slow-moving merchandise, and promotions and markdowns are used to clear merchandise. In the period in which the Company determines estimated selling price, less costs to sell, is below cost, or identifies excess, obsolete, or unsalable items, the Company writes its inventory down to its net realizable value. Property and Equipment, net Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which range from to seven years. Improvements that extend the life of a specific asset are capitalized, while normal maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. When assets are sold or otherwise retired, their cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the consolidated balance sheet with any resulting gain or loss reflected in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).Goodwill and Tradename Goodwill is stated at the excess of the acquisition price over the fair value of net assets acquired in a purchase acquisition and is not amortized. Goodwill arose from the LP’s purchase of 100% of the outstanding common stock of Lulus LLC on July 25, 2014 and the Company has one reporting unit. The Company’s tradename is an indefinite-lived intangible asset and is not amortized. The Company reviews its goodwill and tradename for impairment at least annually (on the first day of the fourth quarter) or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may be impaired. When testing goodwill for impairment, the Company first performs an assessment of qualitative factors (“Step 0 Test”). The qualitative assessment includes assessing the totality of relevant events and circumstances that affect the fair value or carrying value of the reporting unit. These events and circumstances include macroeconomic conditions, industry and competitive environment conditions, overall financial performance, reporting unit specific events and market considerations. The Company also considers recent valuations of the reporting unit, including the magnitude of the difference between the most recent fair value estimate and the carrying value, as well as both positive and adverse events and circumstances, and the extent to which each of the events and circumstances identified may affect the comparison of a reporting unit’s fair value with its carrying value. If the qualitative assessment results in a conclusion that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds the carrying value, then no further testing is performed for that reporting unit. As of the annual goodwill impairment assessment date for fiscal year 2024 the Company performed a qualitative assessment of its goodwill and determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the reporting unit. During the fourth quarter the Company concluded that a sustained decline in its stock price coupled with continuing net losses were significant enough factors to warrant a quantitative assessment utilizing a combination of (i) the guideline public company method applying revenue and EBITDA multiples of similar companies and (ii) the discounted cash flow method. The fair value determination used in the impairment assessment requires estimates of the fair values based on present value or other valuation techniques or a combination thereof, necessitating subjective judgments and assumptions by management. These estimates and assumptions could result in significant differences to the amounts reported if underlying circumstances were to change. As a result of the goodwill impairment test conducted in the fourth quarter ended December 29, 2024, we concluded that the carrying value of the Company’s single reporting unit exceeded the fair value, and a goodwill impairment charge of $28.4 million was recorded, while million of goodwill remained on our consolidated balance sheet. No goodwill impairment was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2023, and January 1, 2023.When testing the tradename for impairment, the Company first performs an assessment of qualitative factors. If qualitative factors indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the tradename is less than its carrying amount, the Company tests the tradename for impairment at the asset level. The Company determines the fair value of the tradename and compares it to the carrying value. If the carrying value of the tradename exceeds the fair value, the Company recognizes an impairment loss in an amount equal to the excess. The Company performed the qualitative assessment of its tradename for fiscal year 2024 and concluded that a sustained decline in its stock price coupled with continuing net losses were significant enough factors to warrant a quantitative assessment in the fourth quarter of 2024. The Company utilized the income-based relief-from-royalty method to value the trademark intangible assets. Under this method, revenues expected to be generated by the trademark are multiplied by a selected royalty rate. The royalty rate was selected based on consideration of i) royalty rates received by market participants in industries similar to the Company’s and ii) the current operating performance of the reporting unit. The estimated after-tax royalty revenue stream is then discounted to present value using the reporting unit’s WACC plus a spread that factors in the risk of the intangible asset. The results of the quantitative assessment indicated that the fair value of the tradename exceeded the carrying value of the reporting unit and there was no impairment. There were no additions to, disposals of, or impairments of the tradename during 2024, 2023 and 2022. There was no accumulated impairment of the tradename as of December 29, 2024 and December 31, 2023. Intangible Assets, net Intangible assets, net consists of capitalized internal-use software development, which is amortized over a 3-year period. The Company capitalizes certain costs in connection with obtaining or developing software for internal use. Additionally, the Company capitalizes qualifying costs incurred for upgrades and enhancements that result in additional functionality to existing software. Amortization of such costs begins when the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. Costs related to design or maintenance are expensed as incurred. Intangible asset amortization expense was $2.1 million, $1.9 million and $1.7 million during 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the assets. The Company reviews intangible assets for impairment under the long-lived asset model described below. No impairment of intangible assets was recorded during the years presented. Long-Lived Asset Impairment The Company evaluates long-lived assets, including lease right-of-use assets, for impairment periodically whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. In evaluating long-lived assets for recoverability, the Company uses its best estimate of future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and eventual disposition. To the extent that projected undiscounted future net cash flows attributable to the asset are less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the difference between the carrying value of such asset and its estimated fair value. There was no impairment recorded during the years presented. Leases Contracts that have been determined to convey the right to use an identified asset are evaluated for classification as an operating or finance lease. For the Company’s operating and finance leases, the Company records a lease liability based on the present value of the lease payments at lease inception. The present value of lease payments is determined by using the interest rate implicit in the lease, if that rate is readily determinable; otherwise, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate (“IBR”). The determination of the IBR requires judgment and is primarily based on publicly-available information for companies within similar industries and with similar credit profiles. The Company adjusts the rate for the impact of collateralization, the lease term and other specific terms included in each lease arrangement. The IBR is determined at the lease commencement and is subsequently reassessed upon a modification to the lease arrangement. The right-of-use asset is recorded based on the corresponding lease liability at lease inception, adjusted for payments made to the lessor at or before the commencement date, initial direct costs incurred and any tenant incentives allowed for under the lease. The Company does not include optional renewal terms or early termination provisions unless the Company is reasonably certain such options would be exercised at the inception of the lease. Lease right-of-use assets, current portion of lease liabilities, and lease liabilities, net of current portion are included on the consolidated balance sheets. Fixed lease expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis, unless the right-of-use assets have been impaired, over the reasonably assured lease term based on the total lease payments and is included in operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Fixed and variable lease expense on operating leases is recognized within operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Finance lease expenses are recognized on a straight-line basis. Fixed and variable expenses are captured within interest expense and depreciation expense, which has components within general and administrative expenses and cost of revenue. The Company’s non-lease components are primarily related to maintenance, insurance and taxes, which varies based on future outcomes and is thus recognized in lease expense when incurred. Revenue Recognition The Company generates revenue primarily from the sale of merchandise products directly to end customers. The sale of products is a distinct performance obligation, and revenue is recognized at a point in time when control of the promised product is transferred to customers, which the Company determined occurs upon shipment based on its evaluation of the related shipping terms. Revenue is recognized in an amount that reflects the transaction price consideration that the Company expects to receive in exchange for those products. The Company’s payment terms are typically at the time of order processing and shipment. The Company elected to exclude from revenue taxes assessed by governmental authorities, including value-added and other sales-related taxes, that are imposed on and concurrent with revenue-producing activities. The Company has elected to apply the practical expedient, relative to e-commerce sales, which allows an entity to account for shipping and handling as fulfillment activities, and not a separate performance obligation. Accordingly, the Company recognizes revenue for only one performance obligation, the sale of the product, at shipping point (when the customer gains control). Shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight are accounted for as fulfillment costs and are included in cost of goods sold. The Company has elected to apply the practical expedient to expense costs as incurred for incremental costs to obtain a contract when the amortization period would have been one year or less. Revenue from merchandise product sales is reported net of sales returns, which includes an estimate of future returns based on historical return rates, with a corresponding reduction to cost of sales. There is judgment in utilizing historical trends for estimating future returns. The Company’s refund liability for sales returns is included in the returns reserve on its consolidated balance sheets and represents the expected value of the refund that will be due to the Company’s customers. The Company also has a corresponding asset for recovery that represents the expected net realizable value of the merchandise inventory to be returned. The Company sells stored-value gift cards to customers and offers online store credit for certain returns and promotions. Such stored-value cards and credits do not have an expiration date. The Company recognizes revenue when the card or credit is redeemed by the customer. The Company has determined that sufficient evidence exists to support an estimate for stored-value card breakage. Subject to requirements to remit balances to governmental agencies, breakage is recognized as revenue in proportion to the pattern of rights exercised by the customer, which is substantially within thirty-six months from the date of issuance. The amount of breakage recognized in revenue during 2024, 2023 and 2022 was not material. The Company has two types of contractual liabilities: (i) cash collections from its customers prior to delivery of products purchased (“deferred revenue”), which are initially recorded within accrued expenses and recognized as revenue when the products are shipped, (ii) unredeemed gift cards and online store credits, which are initially recorded as a stored-value card liability and are recognized as revenue in the period they are redeemed. The following table summarizes the significant changes in the contract liabilities balances during 2024, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):
Cost of Revenue Cost of revenue consists of the product costs of merchandise sold to customers; shipping and handling costs including all inbound, outbound, and return shipping expenses; rent, insurance, business property tax, utilities, depreciation and amortization, and repairs and maintenance related to the Company’s distribution facilities; and charges related to inventory shrinkage, damages and the allowance for excess or obsolete inventory. General and Administrative Expenses General and administrative expenses consist primarily of payroll and benefits costs, including equity-based compensation for the Company’s employees involved in general corporate functions including finance, merchandising, marketing, and technology, as well as costs associated with the use by these functions of facilities and equipment, including depreciation and amortization, rent and other occupancy expenses. Selling and Marketing Expenses Selling and marketing expenses consist primarily of customer service, payment processing fees, advertising, targeted online performance marketing and search engine optimization costs. Selling and marketing expenses also include spend on brand marketing channels, including cash and free clothing compensation to influencers, events and other forms of online and offline marketing related to growing and retaining the customer base. Advertising costs included in selling and marketing expenses were $55.4 million, $58.5 million, and $64.4 million in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Equity-Based Compensation The Company grants stock-based awards to certain employees, officers, directors, and other nonemployee service providers. Equity-based compensation is measured at the grant date or modification date for all equity-based awards made to employees and non-employees based on the estimated fair value of the awards. Equity-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period the employee or non-employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, which is generally the vesting period. The Company classifies equity-based compensation expense as general and administrative expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The Company has elected to recognize forfeitures by reducing the equity-based compensation expense in the same period as the forfeitures occur. The fair value of grants of restricted stock or restricted stock units (“RSUs”) is based on the fair value of the Company’s common stock underlying the award on the grant date or modification date. For stock option awards, the Company applies the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value. The model utilizes the estimated per share fair value of the Company’s underlying common stock at the grant date, the expected or contractual term of the option, the expected stock price volatility, risk-free interest rates, and the expected dividend yield of the common stock. The Company bases its estimate of expected volatility on the historical volatility of comparable companies from a representative peer group selected based on industry, financial, and market capitalization data. The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury implied yield at the date of grant. The Company has elected to use the “simplified method” to determine the expected term which is the midpoint between the vesting date and the end of the contractual term because it has insufficient history upon which to base an assumption about the term; the Company believes the simplified method approximates a term if it were to be based on expected life. The expected dividend yield is 0.0% as the Company has not paid and does not anticipate paying dividends on its common stock. Determining the grant date fair value of options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model requires management to make assumptions and judgments. These estimates involve inherent uncertainties and, if different assumptions had been used, stock-based compensation expense could have been materially different from the amounts recorded. Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets (“DTAs”) and deferred tax liabilities (“DTLs”) are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and for operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. DTAs and DTLs are measured using the currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in effect for the years in which they are expected to be realized or settled. DTAs are evaluated for future realization and reduced by a valuation allowance to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. The Company considers many factors when assessing the likelihood of future realization, including recent cumulative losses, earnings expectations in earlier future years, and other relevant factors. The Company believes that it is more likely than not that forecasted income, together with future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and results of recent operations, will not be sufficient to fully recover the DTAs. Due to the weight of objectively verifiable negative evidence, the company established a valuation allowance of $14.9 million during 2024, which adversely affected our results of operations and statement of financial conditions. The Company recognizes tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the consolidated financial statements from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, if any, as income tax expense. Net Income (Loss) Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders The Company calculates basic and diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders in conformity with the two-class method required for participating securities as the application of the if converted method is not more dilutive. The two-class method requires income (loss) available to common stockholders for the period to be allocated between common stock and participating securities based upon their respective rights to receive dividends as if all income for the period had been distributed. The Company considers its redeemable preferred stock and convertible preferred stock to be participating securities. In accordance with the two-class method, net income (loss) is adjusted for earnings allocated to these participating securities and the related number of outstanding shares of the participating securities, which include contractual participation rights in undistributed earnings, have been excluded from the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders. The redeemable preferred stock and convertible preferred stock contractually entitle the holders of such shares to participate in dividends but do not contractually require the holders of such shares to participate in the Company’s losses. As such, where applicable, net losses were not allocated to these securities. Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders is computed using net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders represents net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, including the effects of any dilutive securities outstanding. The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted weighted average shares used to compute net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders:
The following securities were excluded from the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders for the fiscal years presented because including them would have been anti-dilutive (on an as-converted basis):
2024 Stock Repurchase Program On May 3, 2024, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to repurchase up to $2.5 million of our common stock (the “2024 Repurchase Program”). The actual timing, number, and value of shares repurchased in the future will be determined by the Company in its discretion and will continue to depend on a number of factors, including market conditions, applicable legal requirements, our capital needs, and whether there is a better alternative use of capital. The table below summarizes the share repurchase activity during the fifty-two weeks ended December 29, 2024 under our 2024 Repurchase Program. As of December 29, 2024, $2.0 million remained available under the 2024 Repurchase Program authorization.
Redeemable Preferred Stock The Company has elected to record its redeemable preferred stock at the greater of its redemption value or the issuance date fair value, net of issuance costs, as it is probable of becoming redeemable due to the passage of time. Any change to the carrying value of redeemable preferred stock recognized in each period is recorded to additional paid-in capital, or in the absence of additional paid-in capital, recorded to accumulated deficit. The issuance date fair value of the redeemable preferred stock shares purchased by entities related to current employees, board members, and service providers was higher than the consideration paid and such excess was recorded as equity-based compensation. The excess of the fair value over consideration paid for redeemable preferred stock shares purchased by an existing convertible preferred stockholder was accounted for as a deemed dividend and recorded in additional paid-in capital. Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as a change in equity of a business enterprise during a period, resulting from transactions from non-owner sources. To date, the Company has not had any transactions that are required to be reported in comprehensive income (loss) other than the net income (loss) incurred from operations. Thus, comprehensive income (loss) is the same as net income (loss) for the periods presented. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements The Company is an emerging growth company, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards issued subsequent to the enactment of the JOBS Act until such time as those standards apply to private companies. The Company has elected to use this extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until the earlier of the date that it (i) is no longer an emerging growth company or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opts out of the extended transition period provided in the JOBS Act. As a result, these consolidated financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with the new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates. In November 2023, FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which improves segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosure requirements for significant segment expenses. The improved disclosure requirements apply to all public entities that are required to report segment information, including those with only one reportable segment. The Company adopted the guidance in the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2024 and there was no impact on the Company’s reportable segments identified. Additional required disclosures have been added in Note 14, Segment Reporting. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In December 2023, FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which amends existing income tax disclosure guidance, primarily requiring more detailed disclosure for income taxes paid and the effective tax rate reconciliation. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted and can be applied on either a prospective or retroactive basis. We are currently evaluating this pronouncement to determine its impact on our income tax disclosures. In March 2024, FASB issued ASU 2024-01, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope Application of Profits Interest and Similar Awards, which is intended to reduce complexity in determining whether a profits interest award is subject to the guidance in Topic 718 and existing diversity in practice. ASU 2024-01 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted and can be applied on either a prospective or retroactive basis. We are currently evaluating this pronouncement to determine its impact on our stock compensation. In March 2024, FASB issued ASU 2024-02, Codification Improvements—Amendments to Remove References to the Concepts Statements, which is intended to simplify the Codification and draw a distinction between authoritative and nonauthoritative literature. ASU 2024-02 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted and can be applied on either a prospective or retroactive basis. We are currently evaluating this pronouncement to determine its impact on our stock compensation. In November 2024, FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40), which is intended to disclose specific information about certain costs and expenses in the notes to its financial statements for interim and annual reporting periods. ASU 2024-03 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption of ASU 2024-03 is permitted. We are currently evaluating this pronouncement to determine its impact on our financial statements and related disclosures. In November 2024, FASB issued ASU 2024-04, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20): Induced Conversions of Convertible Debt Instruments, which amends ASC 470-20 to clarify the requirements related to accounting for the settlement of a debt instrument as an induced conversion. ASU 2024-04 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2025 (and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods). Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of a reporting period if the entity has also adopted ASU 2020-06 for that period. We are currently evaluating this pronouncement to determine its impact on our financial statements and related disclosures. |
Fair Value Measurements |
12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 29, 2024 | |
Fair Value Measurements | |
Fair Value Measurements | 3.Fair Value Measurements The Company discloses and recognizes the fair value of its assets and liabilities using a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The guidance establishes three levels of the fair value hierarchy as follows: Level 1—Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date. Level 2—Inputs are observable, unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, unadjusted quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the related assets or liabilities. Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities that are supported by little or no market data. The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts payable, accrued expenses, revolving line of credit, goodwill and tradename. As of December 29, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate fair value due to their short-term maturities. The fair value of the Company’s 2021 Credit Agreement, as amended, provides for borrowings up to $15.0 million, which decreases to $10.0 million on March 31, 2025 (see Note 5, Debt), approximates its carrying value as the stated interest rates reset daily at the daily secured overnight financing rate (“SOFR”) plus an applicable margin and, as such, approximate market rates currently available to the Company. As of the annual goodwill and tradename impairment assessment date for fiscal year 2024 the Company performed a qualitative assessment of its goodwill and tradename and determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the reporting unit. During the fourth quarter the Company concluded that a sustained decline in its stock price coupled with continuing net losses were significant enough factors to warrant a quantitative assessment of its goodwill and tradename. For goodwill assessment , the company utilized a combination of (i) the guideline public company method applying revenue and EBITDA multiples of similar companies and (ii) the discounted cash flow method. The fair value determination used in the impairment assessment requires estimates of the fair values based on present value or other valuation techniques or a combination thereof, necessitating subjective judgments and assumptions by management. These estimates and assumptions could result in significant differences to the amounts reported if underlying circumstances were to change. As a result of the goodwill impairment test conducted in the fourth quarter ended December 29, 2024, the Company concluded that the carrying value of the Company’s single reporting unit exceeded the fair value, and a goodwill impairment charge of $28.4 million was recorded. No goodwill impairment was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2023, and January 1, 2023. As of December 29, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the carrying values of goodwill are million and $35.4 million, respectively. For tradename assessment, the Company utilized the income-based relief-from-royalty method to value the trademark intangible assets. Under this method, revenues expected to be generated by the trademark are multiplied by a selected royalty rate. The royalty rate was selected based on consideration of i) royalty rates received by market participants in industries similar to the Company’s and ii) the current operating performance of the reporting unit. The estimated after-tax royalty revenue stream is then discounted to present value using the reporting unit’s WACC plus a spread that factors in the risk of the intangible asset. There were no additions to, disposals of, or impairments of the tradename during 2024, 2023 and 2022. There was no accumulated impairment of the tradename as of December 29, 2024, and December 31, 2023. The fair value measurement associated with the quantitative goodwill and tradename tests is based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement.
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Balance Sheet Components |
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Balance Sheet Components | 4.Balance Sheet Components Property and Equipment, net Property and equipment, net consisted of the following (in thousands) as of:
Depreciation of property and equipment was $3.4 million, $2.9 million and $2.4 million for 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands) as of:
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Debt |
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Dec. 29, 2024 | |
Debt | |
Debt | 5.Debt Credit Facility On November 15, 2021, the Company entered into the 2021 Credit Agreement with Bank of America (the “lender”) to provide the 2021 Revolving Facility that provided for borrowings up to $50.0 million with a maturity date of November 15, 2024. All borrowings under the 2021 Credit Agreement accrued interest at a rate equal to, at the Company’s option, either (x) the term daily SOFR plus the applicable SOFR adjustment plus a margin of 1.75% per annum or (y) the base rate plus a margin of 0.75% (with the base rate being the highest of the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, the prime rate and term SOFR for a period of one month plus 1.00%). On July 22, 2024, the Company entered into the First Credit Amendment which extended the maturity date from November 15, 2024, to August 15, 2025, and reduced the 2021 Revolving Facility from $50.0 million to $15.0 million, with a further reduction to $10.0 million on March 31, 2025. Under the First Credit Amendment, the Company can increase the aggregate amount of the facility by $10.0 million, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including an asset coverage ratio of at least 1.50:1.00, recalculated as of the last day of the most recently ended month for which financial statements are internally available. The First Credit Amendment also reduced the previous letters of credit sublimit from $7.5 million to $5.0 million. The First Credit Amendment revised the applicable interest rates for borrowings for the period commencing on July 22, 2024, through (but excluding) November 15, 2024, as follows: at the Company’s option, the base rate plus 1.25% (increased from 0.75%) or Term SOFR (subject to a credit spread adjustment of 10 basis points) plus 2.25% (increased from 1.75%). Additionally, the First Credit Amendment reduced the SOFR credit spread adjustment to 0.10%, which previously ranged from 0.11448% to 0.71513% depending on the SOFR tenor. The previous Commitment Fee of 37.5 basis points to be assessed on unused commitments, including the sum of outstanding borrowings and letter of credit obligations, remained unchanged under the First Credit Amendment. Capitalized terms used without definition are as defined in the First Credit Amendment. The First Credit Amendment retained the previous maximum total leverage ratio covenant of 2.00:1.00 and added a financial covenant that requires a fixed charge coverage ratio as of the end of any period of four consecutive quarters, commencing June 30, 2024, to be less than 1.15:1.00. As of September 29, 2024, the Company was not in compliance with its preliminary financial covenants for the third quarter 2024 as required by its First Credit Amendment. On November 12, 2024, the Company entered into the Second Credit Amendment that extended the Company's reporting deadline for its financial statements and covenant compliance certificate for the third quarter 2024 to December 16, 2024, and required us to test the financial covenants no later than December 16, 2024. It also requires that the consolidated total leverage ratio and consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio financial covenants for the third quarter 2024 be tested on the earlier of the date the Company delivers the financial statements and compliance certificate for the third quarter of 2024 or December 16, 2024. The Second Credit Amendment provides that the failure to deliver the financial statements and compliance certificate for the third quarter 2024 within the original time period required by the First Credit Amendment will not constitute an event of default. The Second Credit Amendment prohibits the Company from requesting any additional borrowing or letter of credit extension until the financial statements and the compliance certificate for the third quarter of 2024 have been delivered. The Second Credit Amendment also revised the applicable interest rates for borrowings for the period commencing on November 12, 2024 as follows: at the Company’s option, the base rate plus 2.75% (increased from 1.25%) or Term SOFR (subject to a credit spread adjustment of 10 basis points) plus 3.75% (increased from 2.25%). The Second Credit Amendment also added a requirement to deliver certain cash flow information on a weekly basis commencing November 22, 2024. On December 13, 2024, the Company entered into the Third Credit Amendment. The Third Credit Amendment provided a limited waiver to the provision under the First Credit Amendment that requires the Company to comply with the financial covenants for the period of four fiscal quarters ended on or about September 30, 2024. Under the third amendment, the Company will be required to, among other things, not permit unrestricted cash and cash equivalents as determined on a consolidated basis and tested weekly to be less than certain specified minimum amounts. The Third Credit Amendment also requires the payment of certain consent fees and increases the interest rates payable under the First Credit Amendment for periods commencing on or after December 13, 2024 and February 1, 2025, respectively, as follows: (a) in the case of Base Rate Loans, the Base Rate plus (i) 3.25% commencing on December 13, 2024 and (ii) 4.00% commencing on February 1, 2025 (increased from a margin of 2.75%), (b) in the case of Term SOFR Loans, Term SOFR (subject to a credit spread adjustment of 10 basis points) plus (i) 4.25% commencing on December 13, 2024 and (ii) 5.00% commencing on February 1, 2025 (increased from a margin of 3.75%), and (c) the Letter of Credit Fee of (i) 4.25% commencing on December 13, 2024 and (ii) 5.00% commencing on February 1, 2025 (increased from 3.75%) (all capitalized terms used herein are defined in the 2021 Revolving Facility, as amended). Pursuant to the Third Credit Amendment, there was no financial covenant test for the quarter ended September 29, 2024. From the execution of the Third Credit Amendment on December 13, 2024 through December 29, 2024, the Company maintained cash and cash equivalents above the specified weekly minimum balances. On March 27, 2025, the Company entered into a fourth amendment to the 2021 Credit Agreement (the “Fourth Credit Amendment”). The Fourth Credit Amendment provided a limited waiver for the Company to comply with the financial covenants for the period of four fiscal quarters ended on or about December 31, 2024. It also suspends measurement of the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio and Consolidated Fixed Charge Covenant Ratio for the fiscal quarter ending on or about March 31, 2025. Pursuant to the Fourth Credit Amendment, the Revolving Commitment reduces from $10 million to $7.5 million on April 30, 2025 and to $6 million on May 31, 2025. The Fourth Credit Amendment prohibits the Company from requesting any further borrowings under the 2021 Credit Agreement, as amended. The Fourth Credit Amendment includes a timeline of milestones for a refinancing transaction with a third-party lender and contemplates a refinancing on or before June 15, 2025, and limits the Company’s ability to further enter into certain transactions, including certain liens, dispositions, investments, debt and restricted payments. The Fourth Credit Amendment also requires the payment of the remaining portion of the consent fee payable under the Third Credit Amendment and increases the interest rates payable under the 2021 Credit Agreement, as amended, for periods commencing on or after March 27, 2025, as follows: (a) in the case of Base Rate Loans, the Base Rate plus (i) 5% (increased from a margin of 4%), (b) in the case of Term SOFR Loans, Term SOFR (subject to a credit spread adjustment of 10 basis points) plus (i) 6% (increased from a margin of 5%), and (c) the Letter of Credit Fee of (i) 6% (increased from 5%) (all capitalized terms used herein are defined in the 2021 Revolving Facility, as amended). Although the Company has secured these limited waivers, the Company cannot guarantee that it will be able to satisfy all of the necessary conditions or that it will not incur another covenant violation in the future. During 2024, the Company borrowed $33.1 million under the 2021 Credit Agreement, as amended, and repaid $28.0 million of the outstanding balance. As of December 29, 2024, the Company had $0.5 million letters of credit outstanding. The weighted average interest rate on the $13.1 million outstanding balance as of December 29, 2024, was 8.8%, and during 2024, the effective interest rate was 9.0%. As of December 29, 2024, the Company had $0.5 million letters of credit outstanding. Amounts borrowed under the 2021 Credit Agreement, as amended, are collateralized by all assets of the Company and contains various financial and non-financial covenants for reporting, protecting and obtaining adequate insurance coverage for assets collateralized and for coverage of business operations, and complying with requirements, including the payment of all necessary taxes and fees for all federal, state and local government entities. Debt Discounts and Issuance Costs Debt discounts and issuance costs are deferred and amortized over the life of the related loan using the effective interest method. The associated expense is included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Debt issuance costs related to the 2021 Credit Agreement, as amended, are included in prepaids and other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets. As of December 29, 2024, and December 31, 2023, unamortized debt issuance costs recorded within prepaids and other current assets were $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively. |
Leases |
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Leases | 6.Leases The Company is a lessee under various lease agreements. The determination of whether an arrangement contains a lease, and the lease classification is made at lease commencement (date upon which the Company takes possession of the asset). At lease commencement, the Company also measures and recognizes a right-of-use asset, representing the Company’s right to use the underlying asset, and a lease liability, representing the Company’s obligation to make lease payments under the terms of the arrangement. The lease term is defined as the noncancelable portion of the lease term plus any periods covered by an option to extend the lease if it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised. For the purposes of recognizing right-of-use assets and lease liabilities associated with the Company’s leases, the Company has elected the practical expedient of not recognizing a right-of-use asset or lease liability for short-term leases, which are leases with a term of 12 months or less. The Company has multiple finance leases and operating leases that are combined and included in the lease right-of-use assets, lease liabilities, current, and lease liabilities, noncurrent on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company primarily leases its distribution facilities, corporate offices and retail stores under operating lease agreements expiring on various dates through December 2031, most of which contain options to extend. In addition to payment of base rent, the Company is also required to pay property taxes, insurance, and common area maintenance expenses. The Company records lease expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. As of December 29, 2024, the Company had immaterial remaining obligations for the base rent related to the short-term leases. The Company also leases equipment under finance lease agreements expiring on various dates through April 2029. As of December 29, 2024, the future minimum lease payments for the Company’s operating and finance leases for each of the next five fiscal years, and thereafter, were as follows (in thousands):
Under the terms of the remaining lease agreements, the Company is also responsible for certain variable lease payments that are not included in the measurement of the lease liability, including non-lease components such as common area maintenance fees, taxes, and insurance. The following information represents supplemental disclosure of lease costs, components of the statement of cash flows related to operating and finance leases and components of right-of-use assets (in thousands):
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Commitments and Contingencies |
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Dec. 29, 2024 | |
Commitments and Contingencies | |
Commitments and Contingencies | 7.Commitments and Contingencies Litigation and Other From time to time, the Company may be a party to litigation and subject to claims incurred in the ordinary course of business, including personal injury and indemnification claims, labor and employment claims, threatened claims, breach of contract claims, and other matters. The Company accrues a liability when management believes information available prior to the issuance of the consolidated financial statements indicates it is probable a loss has been incurred as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company adjusts its accruals to reflect the impact of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel, and other information and events pertaining to a particular case. Legal costs are expensed as incurred. Although the results of litigation and claims are inherently unpredictable, management concluded that it was not probable that it had incurred a material loss during the periods presented related to such loss contingencies. Therefore, the Company has not recorded a reserve for any contingencies. During the normal course of business, the Company may be a party to claims that are not covered by insurance. While the ultimate liability, if any, arising from these claims cannot be predicted with certainty, management does not believe that the resolution of any such claims would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. As of December 29, 2024, the Company was not aware of any currently pending legal matters or claims, individually or in the aggregate, that are expected to have a material adverse impact on its consolidated financial statements. Indemnification The Company also maintains director and officer insurance, which may cover certain liabilities arising from its obligation to indemnify the Company’s directors. To date, the Company has not incurred any material costs and has not accrued any liabilities in the consolidated financial statements as a result of these provisions. |
Preferred Stock |
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Preferred Stock | 8.Preferred Stock Pursuant to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, the Company is authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock having a par value of $0.001 per share. The Company’s Board of Directors has the authority to issue preferred stock and to determine the rights, preferences, privileges, and restrictions, including voting rights, of those shares. As of December 29, 2024, no shares of preferred stock were issued and . |
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Common Stock | |
Common Stock | 9.Common Stock The Company has authorized the issuance of 250,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value ("common stock") as of December 29, 2024. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by the stockholders of the Company. Subject to the preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding share of preferred stock, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends, if any, as may be declared by the Board of Directors. No dividends have been declared to date. As of December 29, 2024, the Company has reserved 161,397 shares of common stock for issuance upon the exercise of stock options, 1,749,109 shares of common stock available for future issuance under the Lulu's Fashion Lounge Holdings, Inc. Omnibus Equity Plan (the “Omnibus Equity Plan”) and 1,310,595 shares of common stock available for future issuance under the 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”). Both equity plans are further described in Note 10, Equity-Based Compensation. |
Equity-Based Compensation |
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Equity-Based Compensation | 10.Equity-Based Compensation Omnibus Equity Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan In connection with the closing of the IPO, the Company adopted the Omnibus Equity Plan and the ESPP. Under the Omnibus Equity Plan, incentive awards may be granted to employees, directors, and consultants of the Company. The Company initially reserved 3,719,000 shares of common stock for future issuance under the Omnibus Equity Plan, including any shares subject to awards under the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Equity Plan”) that are forfeited or lapse unexercised. The number of shares reserved for issuance under the Omnibus Equity Plan will automatically increase on the first day of each fiscal year, starting in 2022 and continuing through 2031, by a number of shares equal to (a) 4% of the total number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year or (b) such smaller number of shares as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors. Under the ESPP, the Company initially reserved 743,803 shares of common stock for future issuance. The number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance will automatically increase on the first day of each fiscal year beginning in 2022 and ending in 2031, by a number of shares equal to (a) 1% of the total number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year or (b) such smaller number of shares as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors. On April 1, 2022, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Form S-8”) with the SEC for the purpose of registering an additional 5,921,056 shares of the Company’s common stock, inclusive of 1,536,845 and 384,211 shares associated with automatic increases that occurred on January 3, 2022 under the Omnibus Equity Plan and ESPP, respectively. This registration also included 3,200,000 and 800,000 shares for the Omnibus Equity Plan and the ESPP, respectively, representing two years’ worth of estimated future automatic increases in availability for these plans. On March 8, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the Fiscal 2023 Bonus Plan (the “2023 Bonus Plan”) that granted RSUs to eligible employees on April 1, 2024, in lieu of a cash bonus. On April 1, 2024, 95,912 RSUs were awarded to eligible employees under the 2023 Bonus Plan, and all such RSUs vested fully on that date subject to any forfeitures. On June 29, 2023, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8 with the SEC for the purpose of registering an additional 2,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock under the Omnibus Equity Plan corresponding to the increase in shares approved by stockholders at the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders. As of December 29, 2024, the Company had 1,749,109 and 1,310,595 shares available for issuance under the Omnibus Equity Plan and ESPP, respectively. The compensation committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) administers the Omnibus Equity Plan and determines to whom awards will be granted, the exercise price of any options, the rates at which awards vest and the other terms and conditions of the awards granted under the Omnibus Equity Plan. The Compensation Committee may or may not issue the full number of shares that are reserved for issuance. The Company’s initial ESPP offering period commenced on August 26, 2022. The ESPP consists of consecutive, overlapping 12-month offering periods that begin on each August 26 and February 26 during the term of the ESPP, and end on each August 25 and February 25 occurring 12 months later, as applicable. Each offering period is comprised of two consecutive six-month purchase periods that begin on each August 26 and February 26 within each offering period and end on each February 25 and August 25, respectively, thereafter. The duration and timing of offering periods and purchase periods may be changed by the Company’s Board of Directors or Compensation Committee at any time. The ESPP allows participants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at a 15 percent discount from the lower of the Company’s stock price on (i) the first day of the offering period or on (ii) the last day of the purchase period and includes a rollover mechanism for the purchase price if the stock price on the purchase date is less than the stock price on the offering date. The ESPP also allows participants to reduce their percentage election once during the offering period, but they cannot increase their election until the next offering period. The Company recognizes equity-based compensation expense related to shares issued pursuant to the ESPP on a graded vesting approach over each offering period. During 2024, equity-based compensation expense related to the ESPP was immaterial. During 2024 and 2023, the Company issued 109,736 shares and 100,277 shares, respectively, pursuant to the ESPP six-month purchase periods. The Company used the Black-Scholes model to estimate the fair value of the purchase rights under the ESPP. During 2024, the Company utilized the following assumptions:
2021 Equity Plan During April 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the 2021 Equity Plan. The 2021 Equity Plan provided for the issuance of incentive stock options, restricted stock, RSUs and other stock-based and cash-based awards to the Company’s employees, directors, and consultants. The maximum aggregate number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2021 Equity Plan was 925,000 shares. The Company’s Board of Directors administers the 2021 Equity Plan. The options outstanding under the 2021 Equity Plan expire ten years from the date of grant. The Company issues new common shares to satisfy stock option exercises. In connection with the closing of the IPO, no further awards will be granted under the 2021 Equity Plan. Former CEO Stock Options and Special Compensation Awards In April 2021, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement (the “McCreight IPO Employment Agreement”) with the former CEO, David McCreight, and granted stock options under the 2021 Equity Plan to purchase 322,793 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $11.35 per share, which vest based on service and performance conditions. 275,133 of these stock options have only service vesting conditions, and 47,660 of these stock options have both service and performance vesting conditions. In addition, a portion of these stock options were subject to accelerated vesting conditions upon the occurrence of certain future events, which were satisfied upon the closing of the IPO. As previously disclosed on a Form 8-K filed on February 13, 2023 (the “February 2023 8-K”), Mr. McCreight voluntarily forfeited 161,396 unvested stock options of the Company. During the thirteen weeks ended April 2, 2023, the forfeiture of 161,396 unvested stock options resulted in immediate acceleration of the remaining $1.2 million of compensation expense which was recorded to general and administrative expense. As previously disclosed in the February 2023 8-K, the Company and David McCreight also entered into the First Amendment to Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Holdings, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan Stock Option Agreement that extended the post-termination exercise period of 161,397 vested stock options from 90 days to (3) years from a termination of service other than for cause, death or disability. Under the McCreight IPO Employment Agreement, Mr. McCreight received two bonuses in the form of 208,914 fully-vested shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company recognized the final $0.4 million of equity-based compensation expense related to this award in the thirteen weeks ended April 2, 2023. Stock Options A summary of stock option activity in 2024 is as follows:
There were no options granted during 2024 and 2023. There were 322,793 options granted during 2021 with a weighted-average grant-date fair value of $16.44 per share. The following table presents the range of assumptions used to estimate the fair value of options granted during 2021:
Fair Value of Common Stock – Given the absence of a public market prior to the IPO, the Board of Directors, with the assistance of a third-party valuation specialist, determined the fair value of the Company’s common stock at the time of the grant of stock options by considering a number of objective and subjective factors, including the Company’s actual operating and financial performance, market conditions and performance of comparable publicly-traded companies, developments and milestones in the Company, the likelihood of achieving a liquidity event and transactions involving the Company’s common stock, among other factors. The fair value of the underlying common stock was determined by the Board of directors. The Company has not granted any stock options subsequent to the IPO. Risk-Free Interest Rate - The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the time the options are granted for zero coupon U.S. Treasury notes with maturities approximately equal to the expected term of the option. Expected Term - The expected term is based upon the Company’s consideration of the historical life of options, the vesting period of the option granted, and the contractual period of the option granted. The Company has a limited history of granting options, accordingly, the expected life was calculated using the simplified method. Volatility - As the Company was not publicly traded prior to the IPO, the expected volatility for the Company’s stock options was determined by using an average of historical volatilities of selected industry peers deemed to be comparable to the Company’s business corresponding to the expected term of the awards. Dividend Yield - The expected dividend rate is zero as the Company currently has no history or expectation of declaring dividends on its common stock. During 2024 and 2023, equity-based compensation expense of zero and $1.2 million, respectively, was recorded to general and administrative expense related to the stock options. As of December 29, 2024, there is zero unrecognized compensation cost related to the stock options. Restricted Stock and RSUs Immediately before the completion of the IPO, the LP was liquidated and the unit holders of the LP received shares of the Company’s common stock in exchange for their units of the LP. The Class P unit holders received 1,964,103 shares of common stock, comprised of 1,536,304 shares of vested common stock and 427,799 shares of unvested restricted stock. Any such shares of restricted stock received in respect of unvested Class P units of the LP are subject to vesting and a risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the corresponding Class P units. The Company recognized the final $0.3 million of equity-based compensation expense related to exchanged restricted stock during 2024 and had recorded $0.7 million during 2023. As of December 29, 2024, the exchanged restricted stock was settled in fully-vested shares of the Company. The following table summarizes the rollforward of unvested restricted stock in 2024:
The fair value of restricted stock vested during 2024 was $0.04 million. During the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024, the Company entered into a second amendment to the employment agreement with Mark Vos, the President and Chief Information Officer, (the “2024 President & CIO Employment Agreement”) under which 660,000 RSUs were initially granted, subject to various vesting schedules as set forth in the 2024 President & CIO Employment Agreement. On February 16, 2024, Tiffany Smith, the Chief Financial Officer, received 175,000 RSUs, which vest over a three-year service period and Laura Deady, the Chief Merchandising Officer, received 152,273 RSUs pursuant to her employment agreement entered into in December 2023 (“CMO Employment Agreement”), which vest over a three-year service period. During the year ended 2024, the Company granted 2,028,166 RSUs, to certain executives (inclusive of the aforementioned RSU grants to Mr. Vos, Ms. Deady and Ms. Smith) and employees which are subject to various vesting schedules as set forth in the applicable employment agreement or RSU Award Agreements and 459,748 RSUs to directors, which vested immediately or pursuant to the Company’s Non-Employee Director Compensation Program. During the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2024, the Company reduced the size of its Board and accelerated the vesting of a total of 54,398 RSUs which had been previously granted to directors. A total of 163,166 RSUs were forfeited by the same directors in connection with their resignations. The Company recognized equity-based compensation expense of $6.3 million and $12.4 million during the year ended 2024 and 2023, respectively, related to the RSUs. As of December 29, 2024, the unrecognized equity-based compensation expense is $6.8 million and will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.77 years. The following table summarizes the rollforward of unvested RSUs in 2024:
The fair value of RSUs vested during 2024 was $3.3 million. The Company recognized a tax benefit of $1.5 million, $1.5 million and $0.8 million related to equity-based compensation expense in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Performance Stock Units (“PSUs”) Under Crystal Landsem’s 2023 employment agreement (“the CEO Employment Agreement”), Ms. Landsem received a grant of 1,811,571 PSUs on March 5, 2023, which vest in three equal annual installments of 603,857 PSUs subject to the achievement of trailing ten-day volume-weighted average price targets of the Company’s common stock and her continued employment on the vesting dates. Under the 2024 President & CIO Employment Agreement, Mr. Vos received a grant of 300,000 PSUs on January 9, 2024, which vest subject to the achievement of trailing ten-day volume-weighted average price targets of the Company’s common stock and his continued employment on the vesting dates. Under the CMO Employment Agreement, Ms. Deady received a grant of 50,000 PSUs on February 16, 2024, which vest subject to the achievement of specified Company trailing twelve-month net revenue growth targets and her continued employment on the vesting dates. The Company recognized equity-based compensation expense of $2.0 million and $2.1 million during 2024 and 2023, respectively, related to the PSUs. As of December 29, 2024, the unrecognized equity-based compensation expense is $0.7 million for the financial milestones that were considered probable of achievement, which will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.18 years. The following table summarizes the rollforward of unvested PSUs during 2024:
Class P Units 384,522 of the outstanding Class P units included both a service condition and a performance condition, while the remainder of the Class P units only included a service condition. The performance-based vesting condition was satisfied upon completion of the IPO. Equity-based compensation expense of $1.9 million related to the Class P units was recorded to general and administrative expense in the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) during 2021. During 2021, the LP modified the vesting schedule related to 763,178 outstanding Class P units for two senior executives to accelerate vesting if the two senior executives perform service after the completion of the IPO over the subsequent period. The Company concluded that the amendment to the Class P units was a modification under ASC 718 and there was no incremental equity-based compensation expense to recognize. With the completion of the Company’s IPO, the remaining unrecognized expense associated with the restricted stock, received in exchange at the IPO for the modified Class P units, was recognized over the subsequent period through November 2022. Class P - Distributions Distributions payable to former Class P unit holders (“FCPUs”) triggered upon the completion of the Company’s 2021 IPO were determined to be settled in 2022 as a result of agreements reached with the FCPUs, and were recorded as an increase to additional paid-in capital. The agreements provided for contingent payments to the FCPUs of up to $0.6 million if certain conditions were met, which were recorded as equity-based compensation expense and accrued expenses and other current liabilities in 2022 which was subsequently reversed during 2022, when the timeframe for the payment conditions expired. |
Income Taxes |
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Income Taxes | 11.Income Taxes All of the Company’s income (loss) before income taxes is from the United States. The following table presents the components of the income tax benefit (provision) (in thousands):
The following table presents a reconciliation of the statutory federal rate to the Company’s effective tax rate:
The 2022 equity-based compensation shortfall rate impact associated with Executive Chairman has been reclassified from non-deductible equity-based compensation expense rate impact to non-deductible officer compensation rate impact in the table above to conform to the current year presentation. Deferred income taxes reflect the net effects of (a) temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amount used for income tax purposes, and (b) operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. The following table presents the significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities (in thousands) as of:
Net DTLs are included in other noncurrent liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 29, 2024 and net DTAs are included in other noncurrent assets on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023. The tax benefit of net operating losses, temporary differences and credit carryforwards is required to be recorded as an asset to the extent that management assesses the realization is “more likely than not.” Realization of the future tax benefit is dependent on the Company’s ability to generate sufficient taxable income within the carryforward period. A valuation allowance is recognized if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not that some portion, or all, of the DTA will not be realized. Management must analyze all available positive and negative evidence regarding realization of the DTAs and assess the likelihood of sufficient future taxable income. The Company has provided a valuation allowance on our federal and state DTAs as we have determined that it is more-likely-than-not that they are not realizable based upon the available evidence such as cumulative taxable income and estimated future taxable income. As of December 29, 2024, we had approximately $24.4 million in gross DTAs and $10.3 million in gross DTLs, which resulted in a net DTA of $14.1 million. These DTAs include approximately $2.7 million related to net operating loss carryforwards that can be used to offset taxable income in future periods and reduce our income taxes payable in those future periods. Some of these net operating loss carryforwards will expire if they are not used within certain periods. At this time, based on evidence currently available, we consider it more likely than not that we will not have sufficient taxable income in the future that will allow us to realize the DTAs. Due to the weight of objectively verifiable negative evidence, we established a valuation allowance of $14.9 million during the current year, which adversely affected our results of operations and statement of financial conditions. As of December 29, 2024, the Company has federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of $9.7 million and $9.5 million, respectively. The federal net operating loss can be carried forward indefinitely and the state net operating loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2028 if unused. The Company also has a state tax credit carryforward of an immaterial amount. The state tax credits will begin to expire in 2026 if unused. Lastly, the Company currently has $9.1 million of a Federal disallowed interest expense carryforward under Section 163(j) of the Internal Revenue Code, which can be carried forward indefinitely. Utilization of our net operating loss carryforwards, interest expense carryforwards, and tax credits may be subject to an annual limitation due to ownership changes that may have occurred or that could occur in the future, as required by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code and similar state provisions. These ownership change limitations may limit the amount of net operating loss carryforwards or interest expense carryforwards and tax credits that can be utilized annually to offset future taxable income and tax, respectively. As of December 29, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company’s uncertain tax positions and related accrued interest and penalties were not material. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the financial statements as a component of income tax expense. The Company does not anticipate that the uncertain tax positions balance as of December 29, 2024, will change significantly over the next twelve months. The Company’s federal and state income tax returns are generally not subject to examination by taxing authorities for fiscal years before 2021 and 2020, respectively. |
Related Party Transactions |
12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 29, 2024 | |
Related Party Transactions | |
Related Party Transactions | 12.Related Party Transactions Significant Shareholder Relationships The Company identified three shareholders with aggregate ownership interest in the Company greater than 10%. The Company reviewed the respective investment portfolio holdings of these shareholders and identified investments in other entities that the Company engages in business with. All of these business relationships were obtained without the support of these shareholders, and as such, are believed to be at terms comparable to those that would be obtained through arm’s length dealings with unrelated third parties. Operating Leases Until June 2021, the Company leased operations and warehouse spaces from a limited partner of the LP and a Series B Preferred Stockholder of the Company. After June 2021, the Company continued to lease a retail space from this limited partner and Series B Preferred Stockholder. Following the liquidation of the LP and the redemption of the Series B Preferred Stock in November 2021, the Company leased this retail space from the same party, who remains related as a common stockholder of the Company. The lease expired on October 31, 2022. The associated rent expense incurred was immaterial in each of the fiscal years 2024, 2023 and 2022. |
Defined Contribution Plans |
12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 29, 2024 | |
Defined Contribution Plans | |
Defined Contribution Plans | 13.Defined Contribution Plans The Company sponsors a participant-directed 401(k) profit sharing plan for employees who have been working at the Company for at least three months and are at least 18 years of age. Participants may make wage-deferred contributions up to the maximum allowed by law. The Company matches 100% of each participating employee’s deferral up to a maximum of 4% of eligible compensation. The Company may make additional discretionary matching contributions up to 6% of eligible compensation. The Company made matching contributions of $1.0 million, $1.1 million, and $1.0 million during 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. |
Segment Reporting |
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Segment Reporting | 14.Segment Reporting The Company identifies operating segments based on whether the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, who is the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), regularly reviews operating results of particular components of the Company’s activities and allocates resources and assesses performance based on those results. The Company has one reportable segment related to the sale of merchandise directly to end customers. Sales to wholesale customers are not significant. All long-lived assets are located in the United States and substantially all revenue is attributable to customers based in the United States. International sales are not significant. The accounting policies of the one reportable segment are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. The measurement of segment assets is reported on the consolidated balance sheet as total consolidated assets. All assets, liabilities, cash flows, revenue and expenses are reported in the Company’s one reportable segment. When evaluating the Company’s financial performance and making strategic decisions, the CODM focuses their review of expenses incurred by the nature of those expenses. The table below is a summary of the segment profit or loss, including significant segment expenses (in thousands):
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Subsequent Events |
12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 29, 2024 | |
Subsequent Events | |
Subsequent Events | 15.Subsequent Events Nasdaq Notice On February 27, 2025, the Company received a notice from Nasdaq's Listing Qualifications department indicating that the Company is not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement of $1.00 per share set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1) based upon the closing bid price for the 30 consecutive business days ended February 26, 2025. The Nasdaq notice does not impact the Company's listing at this time and the Company's stock will continue to trade on Nasdaq while the Company works to regain compliance with the Nasdaq minimum bid price requirement. Please refer to the risk factor "We have received notice of delisting from Nasdaq." for further information. Fourth Credit Amendment On March 27, 2025, we entered into the Fourth Credit Amendment to the 2021 Credit Agreement. The Fourth Credit Amendment provided a limited waiver for the Company to comply with the financial covenants for the period of four fiscal quarters ended on or about December 31, 2024. It also suspends measurement of the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio and Consolidated Fixed Charge Covenant Ratio for the fiscal quarter ending on or about March 31, 2025. Pursuant to the Fourth Credit Amendment, the Revolving Commitment reduces from $10 million to $7.5 million on April 30, 2025 and to $6 million on May 31, 2025. The Fourth Credit Amendment prohibits the Company from requesting any further borrowings under the 2021 Credit Agreement, as amended. The Fourth Credit Amendment includes a timeline of milestones for a refinancing transaction with a third-party lender and contemplates a refinancing on or before June 15, 2025, and limits the Company’s ability to further enter into certain transactions, including certain liens, dispositions, investments, debt and restricted payments. The Fourth Credit Amendment also requires the payment of the remaining portion of the consent fee payable under the Third Credit Amendment and increases the interest rates payable under the 2021 Credit Agreement, as amended, for periods commencing on or after March 27, 2025, as follows: (a) in the case of Base Rate Loans, the Base Rate plus (i) 5% (increased from a margin of 4%), (b) in the case of Term SOFR Loans, Term SOFR (subject to a credit spread adjustment of 10 basis points) plus (i) 6% (increased from a margin of 5%), and (c) the Letter of Credit Fee of (i) 6% (increased from 5%) (all capitalized terms used herein are defined in the 2021 Revolving Facility, as amended).
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Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($) $ in Thousands |
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Dec. 29, 2024 |
Dec. 31, 2023 |
Jan. 01, 2023 |
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Pay vs Performance Disclosure | |||
Net Income (Loss) | $ (55,286) | $ (19,334) | $ 3,725 |
Insider Trading Arrangements |
3 Months Ended |
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Dec. 29, 2024 | |
Trading Arrangements, by Individual | |
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted | false |
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted | false |
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated | false |
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated | false |
Insider Trading Policies and Procedures |
12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 29, 2024 | |
Insider Trading Policies and Procedures [Line Items] | |
Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Adopted | true |
Cybersecurity Risk Management and Strategy Disclosure |
12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 29, 2024 | |
Cybersecurity Risk Management, Strategy, and Governance [Line Items] | |
Cybersecurity Risk Management Processes for Assessing, Identifying, and Managing Threats [Text Block] | We have a cross-departmental approach to addressing cybersecurity risk, including input from our Board of Directors (the “Board”), Audit Committee, employees and third-party experts. The Board, Audit Committee, and senior management devote significant resources to cybersecurity and risk management processes to adapt to the changing cybersecurity landscape and respond to emerging threats in a timely and effective manner. We regularly assess the threat landscape and take a holistic view of cybersecurity risks, with a layered cybersecurity strategy based on prevention, detection and mitigation. Our information technology (“IT”) team reviews cybersecurity risks periodically, and we have a set of Company-wide policies and procedures concerning cybersecurity matters, including policies related to encryption standards, remote access, multi factor authentication, confidential information, the use of the internet, social media, email and wireless devices and incident response. These policies go through an internal review process by members of management and appropriate Board committees, as applicable. The Company’s President and Chief Information Officer, who has a Certified Chief Information Security Officer certification and over a decade of experience leading information and cyber security oversight, is responsible for developing and implementing our information security program, overseeing our IT team and reporting on cybersecurity matters to the Audit Committee. We view cybersecurity as a shared responsibility, and we consult with third-party resources and advisors as needed on information security maturity assessments, penetration testing, dark web reviews, best practices to address new challenges, and, when applicable, digital forensics. All employees are required to complete annual information security trainings and have access to more frequent online information security trainings. We continue to prioritize our investments in IT security, including additional end-user training, using layered defenses, identifying and protecting critical assets, strengthening monitoring and alerting capabilities and engaging experts. We regularly test defenses by performing simulations and drills at both a technical level (including through penetration tests) and by reviewing our operational policies and procedures with third-party experts. At the management level, our IT security team regularly monitors alerts and meets to discuss threat levels, trends and remediation. Further, we conduct periodic external penetration tests, bug bounty hackathons and maturity assessments to assess our processes and procedures and the threat landscape. These tests and assessments are useful tools for maintaining a robust cybersecurity program to protect our investors, customers, employees, vendors and intellectual property. In addition to assessing our own cybersecurity preparedness, the Audit Committee and the IT security team also consider and evaluate cybersecurity risks associated with use of third-party service providers. |
Cybersecurity Risk Management Processes Integrated [Flag] | true |
Cybersecurity Risk Management Processes Integrated [Text Block] | We regularly assess the threat landscape and take a holistic view of cybersecurity risks, with a layered cybersecurity strategy based on prevention, detection and mitigation. Our information technology (“IT”) team reviews cybersecurity risks periodically, and we have a set of Company-wide policies and procedures concerning cybersecurity matters, including policies related to encryption standards, remote access, multi factor authentication, confidential information, the use of the internet, social media, email and wireless devices and incident response. These policies go through an internal review process by members of management and appropriate Board committees, as applicable |
Cybersecurity Risk Management Third Party Engaged [Flag] | true |
Cybersecurity Risk Third Party Oversight and Identification Processes [Flag] | true |
Cybersecurity Risk Materially Affected or Reasonably Likely to Materially Affect Registrant [Flag] | false |
Cybersecurity Risk Board of Directors Oversight [Text Block] | Our Board previously had a Technology and Innovation Committee which oversaw jointly, alongside the Audit Committee, matters of technology, innovation, cybersecurity and information security. The Technology and Innovation Committee was dissolved in September 2024 as part of the Company’s Board restructuring and its responsibilities were redistributed to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee and the full Board actively participate in discussions with management and amongst themselves regarding cybersecurity risks. The Audit Committee receives quarterly cybersecurity reports, which include a review of key performance indicators, test results and related remediation, and recent threats and how the Company is managing those threats. The Audit Committee oversees cybersecurity disclosures and receives periodic reports from management and the IT team. Further, the Audit Committee periodically discusses the Company’s actions to identify and detect threats, as well as its cybersecurity strategic roadmap. |
Cybersecurity Risk Board Committee or Subcommittee Responsible for Oversight [Text Block] | Audit Committee |
Cybersecurity Risk Process for Informing Board Committee or Subcommittee Responsible for Oversight [Text Block] | The Audit Committee and the full Board actively participate in discussions with management and amongst themselves regarding cybersecurity risks. The Audit Committee receives quarterly cybersecurity reports, which include a review of key performance indicators, test results and related remediation, and recent threats and how the Company is managing those threats. The Audit Committee oversees cybersecurity disclosures and receives periodic reports from management and the IT team. Further, the Audit Committee periodically discusses the Company’s actions to identify and detect threats, as well as its cybersecurity strategic roadmap. |
Cybersecurity Risk Role of Management [Text Block] | The Company’s President and Chief Information Officer, who has a Certified Chief Information Security Officer certification and over a decade of experience leading information and cyber security oversight, is responsible for developing and implementing our information security program, overseeing our IT team and reporting on cybersecurity matters to the Audit Committee. We view cybersecurity as a shared responsibility, and we consult with third-party resources and advisors as needed on information security maturity assessments, penetration testing, dark web reviews, best practices to address new challenges, and, when applicable, digital forensics. All employees are required to complete annual information security trainings and have access to more frequent online information security trainings. We continue to prioritize our investments in IT security, including additional end-user training, using layered defenses, identifying and protecting critical assets, strengthening monitoring and alerting capabilities and engaging experts. We regularly test defenses by performing simulations and drills at both a technical level (including through penetration tests) and by reviewing our operational policies and procedures with third-party experts. At the management level, our IT security team regularly monitors alerts and meets to discuss threat levels, trends and remediation. Further, we conduct periodic external penetration tests, bug bounty hackathons and maturity assessments to assess our processes and procedures and the threat landscape. These tests and assessments are useful tools for maintaining a robust cybersecurity program to protect our investors, customers, employees, vendors and intellectual property. In addition to assessing our own cybersecurity preparedness, the Audit Committee and the IT security team also consider and evaluate cybersecurity risks associated with use of third-party service providers. |
Cybersecurity Risk Management Positions or Committees Responsible [Flag] | true |
Cybersecurity Risk Management Positions or Committees Responsible [Text Block] | President and Chief Information Officer |
Cybersecurity Risk Management Expertise of Management Responsible [Text Block] | The Company’s President and Chief Information Officer, who has a Certified Chief Information Security Officer certification and over a decade of experience leading information and cyber security oversight, is responsible for developing and implementing our information security program, overseeing our IT team and reporting on cybersecurity matters to the Audit Committee |
Cybersecurity Risk Process for Informing Management or Committees Responsible [Text Block] | We view cybersecurity as a shared responsibility, and we consult with third-party resources and advisors as needed on information security maturity assessments, penetration testing, dark web reviews, best practices to address new challenges, and, when applicable, digital forensics. All employees are required to complete annual information security trainings and have access to more frequent online information security trainings. We continue to prioritize our investments in IT security, including additional end-user training, using layered defenses, identifying and protecting critical assets, strengthening monitoring and alerting capabilities and engaging experts. We regularly test defenses by performing simulations and drills at both a technical level (including through penetration tests) and by reviewing our operational policies and procedures with third-party experts. At the management level, our IT security team regularly monitors alerts and meets to discuss threat levels, trends and remediation. Further, we conduct periodic external penetration tests, bug bounty hackathons and maturity assessments to assess our processes and procedures and the threat landscape. These tests and assessments are useful tools for maintaining a robust cybersecurity program to protect our investors, customers, employees, vendors and intellectual property. In addition to assessing our own cybersecurity preparedness, the Audit Committee and the IT security team also consider and evaluate cybersecurity risks associated with use of third-party service providers. |
Cybersecurity Risk Management Positions or Committees Responsible Report to Board [Flag] | true |
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) |
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Basis of Presentation and Fiscal Year | Basis of Presentation and Fiscal Year The Company’s fiscal year consists of a 52-week or 53-week period ending on the Sunday nearest December 31. The fiscal years ending December 29, 2024 (“2024”), ended December 31, 2023 (“2023) and ended January 1, 2023 (“2022”) consisted of 52-weeks. The consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, after elimination of all intercompany balances and transactions. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
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Use of Estimates | Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The significant estimates and assumptions made by management relate to sales return reserves and related assets for recovery, lease right-of-use assets and related lease liabilities, income tax valuation allowance and fair value of equity awards. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Company adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Changes in those estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the consolidated financial statements in future periods. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could materially differ from those estimates and assumptions. |
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Concentration of Credit Risks | Concentration of Credit Risks Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash. Such amounts may exceed federally insured limits. The Company reduces credit risk by depositing its cash with major credit-worthy financial institutions within the United States. To date, the Company has not experienced any losses on its cash deposits. As of December 29, 2024 and December 31, 2023, no single customer represented greater than 10% of the Company’s accounts receivable balance. No single customer accounted for greater than 10% of the Company’s net revenue during 2024, 2023 and 2022. |
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Accounts Receivable | Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable consist primarily of receivables from credit card processing agencies and wholesale customers. Based on historical collections from these agencies and wholesale customers, an immaterial allowance for doubtful accounts was deemed necessary as of December 29, 2024 and zero as of December 31, 2023. |
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Inventory | Inventory Inventory consists of finished goods, which are recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost determined using the first-in-first-out method. The cost of inventory consists of merchandise costs and inbound freight costs. Inventory levels are reviewed to identify slow-moving merchandise, and promotions and markdowns are used to clear merchandise. In the period in which the Company determines estimated selling price, less costs to sell, is below cost, or identifies excess, obsolete, or unsalable items, the Company writes its inventory down to its net realizable value. |
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Property and Equipment, net | Property and Equipment, net Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which range from to seven years. Improvements that extend the life of a specific asset are capitalized, while normal maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. When assets are sold or otherwise retired, their cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the consolidated balance sheet with any resulting gain or loss reflected in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). |
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Goodwill and Tradename | Goodwill and Tradename Goodwill is stated at the excess of the acquisition price over the fair value of net assets acquired in a purchase acquisition and is not amortized. Goodwill arose from the LP’s purchase of 100% of the outstanding common stock of Lulus LLC on July 25, 2014 and the Company has one reporting unit. The Company’s tradename is an indefinite-lived intangible asset and is not amortized. The Company reviews its goodwill and tradename for impairment at least annually (on the first day of the fourth quarter) or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may be impaired. When testing goodwill for impairment, the Company first performs an assessment of qualitative factors (“Step 0 Test”). The qualitative assessment includes assessing the totality of relevant events and circumstances that affect the fair value or carrying value of the reporting unit. These events and circumstances include macroeconomic conditions, industry and competitive environment conditions, overall financial performance, reporting unit specific events and market considerations. The Company also considers recent valuations of the reporting unit, including the magnitude of the difference between the most recent fair value estimate and the carrying value, as well as both positive and adverse events and circumstances, and the extent to which each of the events and circumstances identified may affect the comparison of a reporting unit’s fair value with its carrying value. If the qualitative assessment results in a conclusion that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds the carrying value, then no further testing is performed for that reporting unit. As of the annual goodwill impairment assessment date for fiscal year 2024 the Company performed a qualitative assessment of its goodwill and determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the reporting unit. During the fourth quarter the Company concluded that a sustained decline in its stock price coupled with continuing net losses were significant enough factors to warrant a quantitative assessment utilizing a combination of (i) the guideline public company method applying revenue and EBITDA multiples of similar companies and (ii) the discounted cash flow method. The fair value determination used in the impairment assessment requires estimates of the fair values based on present value or other valuation techniques or a combination thereof, necessitating subjective judgments and assumptions by management. These estimates and assumptions could result in significant differences to the amounts reported if underlying circumstances were to change. As a result of the goodwill impairment test conducted in the fourth quarter ended December 29, 2024, we concluded that the carrying value of the Company’s single reporting unit exceeded the fair value, and a goodwill impairment charge of $28.4 million was recorded, while million of goodwill remained on our consolidated balance sheet. No goodwill impairment was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2023, and January 1, 2023.When testing the tradename for impairment, the Company first performs an assessment of qualitative factors. If qualitative factors indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the tradename is less than its carrying amount, the Company tests the tradename for impairment at the asset level. The Company determines the fair value of the tradename and compares it to the carrying value. If the carrying value of the tradename exceeds the fair value, the Company recognizes an impairment loss in an amount equal to the excess. The Company performed the qualitative assessment of its tradename for fiscal year 2024 and concluded that a sustained decline in its stock price coupled with continuing net losses were significant enough factors to warrant a quantitative assessment in the fourth quarter of 2024. The Company utilized the income-based relief-from-royalty method to value the trademark intangible assets. Under this method, revenues expected to be generated by the trademark are multiplied by a selected royalty rate. The royalty rate was selected based on consideration of i) royalty rates received by market participants in industries similar to the Company’s and ii) the current operating performance of the reporting unit. The estimated after-tax royalty revenue stream is then discounted to present value using the reporting unit’s WACC plus a spread that factors in the risk of the intangible asset. The results of the quantitative assessment indicated that the fair value of the tradename exceeded the carrying value of the reporting unit and there was no impairment. There were no additions to, disposals of, or impairments of the tradename during 2024, 2023 and 2022. There was no accumulated impairment of the tradename as of December 29, 2024 and December 31, 2023. |
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Intangible Assets, net | Intangible Assets, net Intangible assets, net consists of capitalized internal-use software development, which is amortized over a 3-year period. The Company capitalizes certain costs in connection with obtaining or developing software for internal use. Additionally, the Company capitalizes qualifying costs incurred for upgrades and enhancements that result in additional functionality to existing software. Amortization of such costs begins when the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. Costs related to design or maintenance are expensed as incurred. Intangible asset amortization expense was $2.1 million, $1.9 million and $1.7 million during 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the assets. The Company reviews intangible assets for impairment under the long-lived asset model described below. No impairment of intangible assets was recorded during the years presented. |
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Long-Lived Asset Impairment | Long-Lived Asset Impairment The Company evaluates long-lived assets, including lease right-of-use assets, for impairment periodically whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. In evaluating long-lived assets for recoverability, the Company uses its best estimate of future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and eventual disposition. To the extent that projected undiscounted future net cash flows attributable to the asset are less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the difference between the carrying value of such asset and its estimated fair value. There was no impairment recorded during the years presented. |
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Leases | Leases Contracts that have been determined to convey the right to use an identified asset are evaluated for classification as an operating or finance lease. For the Company’s operating and finance leases, the Company records a lease liability based on the present value of the lease payments at lease inception. The present value of lease payments is determined by using the interest rate implicit in the lease, if that rate is readily determinable; otherwise, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate (“IBR”). The determination of the IBR requires judgment and is primarily based on publicly-available information for companies within similar industries and with similar credit profiles. The Company adjusts the rate for the impact of collateralization, the lease term and other specific terms included in each lease arrangement. The IBR is determined at the lease commencement and is subsequently reassessed upon a modification to the lease arrangement. The right-of-use asset is recorded based on the corresponding lease liability at lease inception, adjusted for payments made to the lessor at or before the commencement date, initial direct costs incurred and any tenant incentives allowed for under the lease. The Company does not include optional renewal terms or early termination provisions unless the Company is reasonably certain such options would be exercised at the inception of the lease. Lease right-of-use assets, current portion of lease liabilities, and lease liabilities, net of current portion are included on the consolidated balance sheets. Fixed lease expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis, unless the right-of-use assets have been impaired, over the reasonably assured lease term based on the total lease payments and is included in operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Fixed and variable lease expense on operating leases is recognized within operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Finance lease expenses are recognized on a straight-line basis. Fixed and variable expenses are captured within interest expense and depreciation expense, which has components within general and administrative expenses and cost of revenue. The Company’s non-lease components are primarily related to maintenance, insurance and taxes, which varies based on future outcomes and is thus recognized in lease expense when incurred. |
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Revenue Recognition | Revenue Recognition The Company generates revenue primarily from the sale of merchandise products directly to end customers. The sale of products is a distinct performance obligation, and revenue is recognized at a point in time when control of the promised product is transferred to customers, which the Company determined occurs upon shipment based on its evaluation of the related shipping terms. Revenue is recognized in an amount that reflects the transaction price consideration that the Company expects to receive in exchange for those products. The Company’s payment terms are typically at the time of order processing and shipment. The Company elected to exclude from revenue taxes assessed by governmental authorities, including value-added and other sales-related taxes, that are imposed on and concurrent with revenue-producing activities. The Company has elected to apply the practical expedient, relative to e-commerce sales, which allows an entity to account for shipping and handling as fulfillment activities, and not a separate performance obligation. Accordingly, the Company recognizes revenue for only one performance obligation, the sale of the product, at shipping point (when the customer gains control). Shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight are accounted for as fulfillment costs and are included in cost of goods sold. The Company has elected to apply the practical expedient to expense costs as incurred for incremental costs to obtain a contract when the amortization period would have been one year or less. Revenue from merchandise product sales is reported net of sales returns, which includes an estimate of future returns based on historical return rates, with a corresponding reduction to cost of sales. There is judgment in utilizing historical trends for estimating future returns. The Company’s refund liability for sales returns is included in the returns reserve on its consolidated balance sheets and represents the expected value of the refund that will be due to the Company’s customers. The Company also has a corresponding asset for recovery that represents the expected net realizable value of the merchandise inventory to be returned. The Company sells stored-value gift cards to customers and offers online store credit for certain returns and promotions. Such stored-value cards and credits do not have an expiration date. The Company recognizes revenue when the card or credit is redeemed by the customer. The Company has determined that sufficient evidence exists to support an estimate for stored-value card breakage. Subject to requirements to remit balances to governmental agencies, breakage is recognized as revenue in proportion to the pattern of rights exercised by the customer, which is substantially within thirty-six months from the date of issuance. The amount of breakage recognized in revenue during 2024, 2023 and 2022 was not material. The Company has two types of contractual liabilities: (i) cash collections from its customers prior to delivery of products purchased (“deferred revenue”), which are initially recorded within accrued expenses and recognized as revenue when the products are shipped, (ii) unredeemed gift cards and online store credits, which are initially recorded as a stored-value card liability and are recognized as revenue in the period they are redeemed. The following table summarizes the significant changes in the contract liabilities balances during 2024, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):
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Cost of Revenue | Cost of Revenue Cost of revenue consists of the product costs of merchandise sold to customers; shipping and handling costs including all inbound, outbound, and return shipping expenses; rent, insurance, business property tax, utilities, depreciation and amortization, and repairs and maintenance related to the Company’s distribution facilities; and charges related to inventory shrinkage, damages and the allowance for excess or obsolete inventory. |
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General and Administrative Expenses | General and Administrative Expenses General and administrative expenses consist primarily of payroll and benefits costs, including equity-based compensation for the Company’s employees involved in general corporate functions including finance, merchandising, marketing, and technology, as well as costs associated with the use by these functions of facilities and equipment, including depreciation and amortization, rent and other occupancy expenses. |
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Selling and Marketing Expenses | Selling and Marketing Expenses Selling and marketing expenses consist primarily of customer service, payment processing fees, advertising, targeted online performance marketing and search engine optimization costs. Selling and marketing expenses also include spend on brand marketing channels, including cash and free clothing compensation to influencers, events and other forms of online and offline marketing related to growing and retaining the customer base. Advertising costs included in selling and marketing expenses were $55.4 million, $58.5 million, and $64.4 million in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. |
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Equity-Based Compensation | Equity-Based Compensation The Company grants stock-based awards to certain employees, officers, directors, and other nonemployee service providers. Equity-based compensation is measured at the grant date or modification date for all equity-based awards made to employees and non-employees based on the estimated fair value of the awards. Equity-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period the employee or non-employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, which is generally the vesting period. The Company classifies equity-based compensation expense as general and administrative expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The Company has elected to recognize forfeitures by reducing the equity-based compensation expense in the same period as the forfeitures occur. The fair value of grants of restricted stock or restricted stock units (“RSUs”) is based on the fair value of the Company’s common stock underlying the award on the grant date or modification date. For stock option awards, the Company applies the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value. The model utilizes the estimated per share fair value of the Company’s underlying common stock at the grant date, the expected or contractual term of the option, the expected stock price volatility, risk-free interest rates, and the expected dividend yield of the common stock. The Company bases its estimate of expected volatility on the historical volatility of comparable companies from a representative peer group selected based on industry, financial, and market capitalization data. The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury implied yield at the date of grant. The Company has elected to use the “simplified method” to determine the expected term which is the midpoint between the vesting date and the end of the contractual term because it has insufficient history upon which to base an assumption about the term; the Company believes the simplified method approximates a term if it were to be based on expected life. The expected dividend yield is 0.0% as the Company has not paid and does not anticipate paying dividends on its common stock. Determining the grant date fair value of options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model requires management to make assumptions and judgments. These estimates involve inherent uncertainties and, if different assumptions had been used, stock-based compensation expense could have been materially different from the amounts recorded. |
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Income Taxes | Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets (“DTAs”) and deferred tax liabilities (“DTLs”) are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and for operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. DTAs and DTLs are measured using the currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in effect for the years in which they are expected to be realized or settled. DTAs are evaluated for future realization and reduced by a valuation allowance to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. The Company considers many factors when assessing the likelihood of future realization, including recent cumulative losses, earnings expectations in earlier future years, and other relevant factors. The Company believes that it is more likely than not that forecasted income, together with future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and results of recent operations, will not be sufficient to fully recover the DTAs. Due to the weight of objectively verifiable negative evidence, the company established a valuation allowance of $14.9 million during 2024, which adversely affected our results of operations and statement of financial conditions. The Company recognizes tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the consolidated financial statements from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, if any, as income tax expense. |
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Net Income (Loss) Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders | Net Income (Loss) Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders The Company calculates basic and diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders in conformity with the two-class method required for participating securities as the application of the if converted method is not more dilutive. The two-class method requires income (loss) available to common stockholders for the period to be allocated between common stock and participating securities based upon their respective rights to receive dividends as if all income for the period had been distributed. The Company considers its redeemable preferred stock and convertible preferred stock to be participating securities. In accordance with the two-class method, net income (loss) is adjusted for earnings allocated to these participating securities and the related number of outstanding shares of the participating securities, which include contractual participation rights in undistributed earnings, have been excluded from the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders. The redeemable preferred stock and convertible preferred stock contractually entitle the holders of such shares to participate in dividends but do not contractually require the holders of such shares to participate in the Company’s losses. As such, where applicable, net losses were not allocated to these securities. Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders is computed using net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders represents net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, including the effects of any dilutive securities outstanding. The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted weighted average shares used to compute net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders:
The following securities were excluded from the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders for the fiscal years presented because including them would have been anti-dilutive (on an as-converted basis):
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2024 Stock Repurchase Program | 2024 Stock Repurchase Program On May 3, 2024, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to repurchase up to $2.5 million of our common stock (the “2024 Repurchase Program”). The actual timing, number, and value of shares repurchased in the future will be determined by the Company in its discretion and will continue to depend on a number of factors, including market conditions, applicable legal requirements, our capital needs, and whether there is a better alternative use of capital. The table below summarizes the share repurchase activity during the fifty-two weeks ended December 29, 2024 under our 2024 Repurchase Program. As of December 29, 2024, $2.0 million remained available under the 2024 Repurchase Program authorization.
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Redeemable Preferred Stock | Redeemable Preferred Stock The Company has elected to record its redeemable preferred stock at the greater of its redemption value or the issuance date fair value, net of issuance costs, as it is probable of becoming redeemable due to the passage of time. Any change to the carrying value of redeemable preferred stock recognized in each period is recorded to additional paid-in capital, or in the absence of additional paid-in capital, recorded to accumulated deficit. The issuance date fair value of the redeemable preferred stock shares purchased by entities related to current employees, board members, and service providers was higher than the consideration paid and such excess was recorded as equity-based compensation. The excess of the fair value over consideration paid for redeemable preferred stock shares purchased by an existing convertible preferred stockholder was accounted for as a deemed dividend and recorded in additional paid-in capital. |
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Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as a change in equity of a business enterprise during a period, resulting from transactions from non-owner sources. To date, the Company has not had any transactions that are required to be reported in comprehensive income (loss) other than the net income (loss) incurred from operations. Thus, comprehensive income (loss) is the same as net income (loss) for the periods presented. |
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Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements | Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements The Company is an emerging growth company, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards issued subsequent to the enactment of the JOBS Act until such time as those standards apply to private companies. The Company has elected to use this extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until the earlier of the date that it (i) is no longer an emerging growth company or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opts out of the extended transition period provided in the JOBS Act. As a result, these consolidated financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with the new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates. In November 2023, FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which improves segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosure requirements for significant segment expenses. The improved disclosure requirements apply to all public entities that are required to report segment information, including those with only one reportable segment. The Company adopted the guidance in the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2024 and there was no impact on the Company’s reportable segments identified. Additional required disclosures have been added in Note 14, Segment Reporting. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In December 2023, FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which amends existing income tax disclosure guidance, primarily requiring more detailed disclosure for income taxes paid and the effective tax rate reconciliation. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted and can be applied on either a prospective or retroactive basis. We are currently evaluating this pronouncement to determine its impact on our income tax disclosures. In March 2024, FASB issued ASU 2024-01, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope Application of Profits Interest and Similar Awards, which is intended to reduce complexity in determining whether a profits interest award is subject to the guidance in Topic 718 and existing diversity in practice. ASU 2024-01 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted and can be applied on either a prospective or retroactive basis. We are currently evaluating this pronouncement to determine its impact on our stock compensation. In March 2024, FASB issued ASU 2024-02, Codification Improvements—Amendments to Remove References to the Concepts Statements, which is intended to simplify the Codification and draw a distinction between authoritative and nonauthoritative literature. ASU 2024-02 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted and can be applied on either a prospective or retroactive basis. We are currently evaluating this pronouncement to determine its impact on our stock compensation. In November 2024, FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40), which is intended to disclose specific information about certain costs and expenses in the notes to its financial statements for interim and annual reporting periods. ASU 2024-03 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption of ASU 2024-03 is permitted. We are currently evaluating this pronouncement to determine its impact on our financial statements and related disclosures. In November 2024, FASB issued ASU 2024-04, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20): Induced Conversions of Convertible Debt Instruments, which amends ASC 470-20 to clarify the requirements related to accounting for the settlement of a debt instrument as an induced conversion. ASU 2024-04 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2025 (and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods). Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of a reporting period if the entity has also adopted ASU 2020-06 for that period. We are currently evaluating this pronouncement to determine its impact on our financial statements and related disclosures. |
Significant Accounting Policies (Tables) |
12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dec. 29, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Significant Accounting Policies | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Summary of significant changes in contract liabilities balances | The following table summarizes the significant changes in the contract liabilities balances during 2024, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):
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Schedule of basic and diluted weighted average shares used to compute net income (loss) per share |
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Schedule of securities that were excluded from computation of diluted net income (loss) per share |
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Schedule of 2024 Stock Repurchase Program |
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Balance Sheet Components (Tables) |
12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dec. 29, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Components | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Schedule of property and equipment, net | Property and equipment, net consisted of the following (in thousands) as of:
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Schedule of accrued expenses and other current liabilities | Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands) as of:
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Leases (Tables) |
12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dec. 29, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Leases | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Schedule of future minimum lease payments for the Company's operating and financing leases | As of December 29, 2024, the future minimum lease payments for the Company’s operating and finance leases for each of the next five fiscal years, and thereafter, were as follows (in thousands):
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Schedule of supplemental disclosure of lease costs and other information | The following information represents supplemental disclosure of lease costs, components of the statement of cash flows related to operating and finance leases and components of right-of-use assets (in thousands):
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Equity-Based Compensation (Tables) |
12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dec. 29, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity-Based Compensation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Schedule of estimate fair value of purchase rights under ESPP |
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Summary of stock option activity | A summary of stock option activity in 2024 is as follows:
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Summary of assumptions used to estimate the fair value of options granted |
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Summary of restricted stock and restricted stock units |
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Summary of performance stock units |
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Income Taxes (Tables) |
12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dec. 29, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income Taxes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Schedule of components of the provision for the income tax benefit (provision) | All of the Company’s income (loss) before income taxes is from the United States. The following table presents the components of the income tax benefit (provision) (in thousands):
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Schedule of reconciliation of the statutory federal rate to the Company's effective tax rate |
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Schedule of components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities | The following table presents the significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities (in thousands) as of:
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Segment Reporting (Tables) |
12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dec. 29, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment Reporting | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Summary of segment profit or loss, including significant segment expenses | The table below is a summary of the segment profit or loss, including significant segment expenses (in thousands):
|
Description of Business, Organization and Liquidity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands |
12 Months Ended | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 29, 2024 |
Dec. 31, 2023 |
Jan. 01, 2023 |
Jul. 22, 2024 |
Nov. 15, 2021 |
Dec. 31, 2014 |
Jul. 25, 2014 |
|
Description of Business, Organization and Liquidity | |||||||
Acquired percentage of outstanding common stock of subsidiary by LP | 100.00% | 100.00% | |||||
Net Income (Loss) | $ (55,286) | $ (19,334) | $ 3,725 | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 4,460 | 2,506 | |||||
Revolving line of credit | 13,090 | 8,000 | |||||
Borrowings under credit facility | 33,090 | 13,000 | 30,000 | ||||
Line of credit repaid | 28,000 | $ 30,000 | $ 30,000 | ||||
Credit Facility | |||||||
Description of Business, Organization and Liquidity | |||||||
Principal amount of credit facility | $ 15,000 | $ 50,000 | |||||
Revolving line of credit | 13,100 | ||||||
Borrowings under credit facility | 33,100 | ||||||
Line of credit repaid | $ 28,000 | ||||||
Letters of credit | |||||||
Description of Business, Organization and Liquidity | |||||||
Principal amount of credit facility | $ 5,000 | $ 7,500 |
Significant Accounting Policies - Concentration of Credit Risks (Details) - Customer concentration risk - Maximum - customer |
12 Months Ended | ||
---|---|---|---|
Dec. 29, 2024 |
Dec. 31, 2023 |
Jan. 01, 2023 |
|
Accounts receivable | |||
Concentration Risk | |||
Number of customers | 0 | 0 | |
Concentration risk percentage | 10.00% | 10.00% | |
Revenue | |||
Concentration Risk | |||
Number of customers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Concentration risk percentage | 10.00% | 10.00% | 10.00% |
Significant Accounting Policies - Accounts Receivable (Details) $ in Millions |
Dec. 31, 2023
USD ($)
|
---|---|
Significant Accounting Policies | |
Allowance for doubtful accounts | $ 0.0 |
Significant Accounting Policies - Property and Equipment, net (Details) |
Dec. 29, 2024 |
---|---|
Minimum | |
Property and Equipment, net | |
Useful lives of the property, plant and equipment | 3 years |
Maximum | |
Property and Equipment, net | |
Useful lives of the property, plant and equipment | 7 years |
Significant Accounting Policies - Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) |
12 Months Ended | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 29, 2024
USD ($)
item
|
Dec. 31, 2023
USD ($)
|
Jan. 01, 2023
USD ($)
|
Dec. 31, 2014 |
Jul. 25, 2014 |
|
Significant Accounting Policies | |||||
Acquired percentage of outstanding common stock of subsidiary by LP | 100.00% | 100.00% | |||
Number of reporting units | item | 1 | ||||
Goodwill impairment | $ 28,374,000 | $ 0 | $ 0 | ||
Goodwill | 7,056,000 | 35,430,000 | |||
Change in value of tradename during the period | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Accumulated impairment of tradename | $ 0 | 0 | |||
Useful life | 3 years | ||||
Amortization of intangible assets | $ 2,100,000 | 1,900,000 | 1,700,000 | ||
Impairment of intangible assets, excluding goodwill | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 0 |
Significant Accounting Policies - Long-Lived Asset Impairment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions |
12 Months Ended | ||
---|---|---|---|
Dec. 29, 2024 |
Dec. 31, 2023 |
Jan. 01, 2023 |
|
Significant Accounting Policies | |||
Impairment of long-lived assets | $ 0.0 | $ 0.0 | $ 0.0 |
Significant Accounting Policies - Selling and Marketing Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions |
12 Months Ended | ||
---|---|---|---|
Dec. 29, 2024 |
Dec. 31, 2023 |
Jan. 01, 2023 |
|
Selling and Marketing Expense | |||
Significant Accounting Policies | |||
Advertising costs | $ 55.4 | $ 58.5 | $ 64.4 |
Significant Accounting Policies - Equity-Based Compensation (Details) |
12 Months Ended |
---|---|
Dec. 29, 2024 | |
Significant Accounting Policies | |
Expected dividend yield | 0.00% |
Significant Accounting Policies - Income Taxes (Details) $ in Thousands |
Dec. 29, 2024
USD ($)
|
---|---|
Significant Accounting Policies | |
Valuation allowance | $ 14,912 |
Significant Accounting Policies - Basic and Diluted Weighted Average Shares (Details) - shares |
12 Months Ended | ||
---|---|---|---|
Dec. 29, 2024 |
Dec. 31, 2023 |
Jan. 01, 2023 |
|
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method | |||
Weighted average shares used to compute net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders - Basic | 41,468,903 | 39,879,121 | 38,583,854 |
Dilutive securities: | |||
Weighted average shares used to compute net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders - Diluted | 41,468,903 | 39,879,121 | 38,853,393 |
Unvested restricted stock | |||
Dilutive securities: | |||
Dilutive securities | 55,127 | ||
Unvested Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | |||
Dilutive securities: | |||
Dilutive securities | 139,064 | ||
Special compensation awards | |||
Dilutive securities: | |||
Dilutive securities | 67,547 | ||
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) shares | |||
Dilutive securities: | |||
Dilutive securities | 7,801 |
Significant Accounting Policies - Anti-dilutive Securities (Details) - shares |
12 Months Ended | ||
---|---|---|---|
Dec. 29, 2024 |
Dec. 31, 2023 |
Jan. 01, 2023 |
|
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share | |||
Total | 6,092,761 | 5,878,741 | 1,305,172 |
Employee Stock Option | |||
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share | |||
Total | 161,397 | 161,397 | 322,793 |
Unvested restricted stock | |||
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share | |||
Total | 23,379 | 78,303 | |
Unvested Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | |||
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share | |||
Total | 3,653,726 | 3,568,406 | 904,076 |
PSUs | |||
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share | |||
Total | 2,161,571 | 1,811,571 | |
ESPP shares | |||
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share | |||
Total | 116,067 | 117,511 | |
2023 Bonus Plan | |||
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share | |||
Total | 196,477 |
Significant Accounting Policies - 2024 Stock Repurchase Program (Details) - USD ($) |
3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 29, 2024 |
Sep. 29, 2024 |
Jun. 30, 2024 |
Dec. 29, 2024 |
May 03, 2024 |
|
Significant Accounting Policies | |||||
Stock repurchase program to repurchase | $ 2,500,000 | ||||
Total Number of Shares Purchased | 161,178 | 130,293 | 47,850 | 339,321 | |
Weighted Average Price Paid Per Share | $ 1.37 | $ 1.45 | $ 1.82 | ||
Aggregate Purchase Price | $ 220,043 | $ 188,452 | $ 87,243 | $ 495,738 | |
Maximum Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan | $ 2,004,262 | $ 2,224,305 | $ 2,412,757 | $ 2,004,262 |
Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) |
12 Months Ended | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 29, 2024 |
Dec. 31, 2023 |
Jan. 01, 2023 |
Mar. 31, 2025 |
Jul. 22, 2024 |
Nov. 15, 2021 |
|
Fair Value Measurements | ||||||
Goodwill impairment | $ 28,374,000 | $ 0 | $ 0 | |||
Goodwill | $ 7,056,000 | $ 35,430,000 | ||||
Credit Facility | ||||||
Fair Value Measurements | ||||||
Revolving line of credit | $ 15,000,000 | $ 50,000,000 | ||||
Credit Facility | Subsequent event | ||||||
Fair Value Measurements | ||||||
Revolving line of credit | $ 10,000,000 |
Balance Sheet Components - Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands |
Dec. 29, 2024 |
Dec. 31, 2023 |
---|---|---|
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities | ||
Accrued compensation and benefits | $ 5,707 | $ 5,057 |
Accrued marketing | 2,364 | 5,002 |
Accrued inventory | 4,353 | 4,151 |
Accrued freight | 1,897 | 1,940 |
Other | 1,664 | 2,193 |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | $ 15,985 | $ 18,343 |
Debt - Debt Discounts and Issuance Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions |
Dec. 29, 2024 |
Dec. 31, 2023 |
---|---|---|
Other non-current assets | ||
Debt Instrument | ||
Unamortized debt issuance costs | $ 0.1 | $ 0.1 |
Leases - Lease Cost and Other Information (Details) $ in Thousands |
12 Months Ended |
---|---|
Dec. 29, 2024
USD ($)
| |
Lease cost | |
Amortization of ROU assets | $ 1,459 |
Interest on lease liabilities | 90 |
Operating lease cost | 5,731 |
Variable lease cost | 915 |
Total lease cost | $ 8,195 |
Weighted-average remaining lease term - finance leases | 20 months |
Weighted-average remaining lease term - operating leases | 64 months |
Weighted-average discount rate - finance leases | 3.88% |
Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases | 6.51% |
Cost of revenue | |
Lease cost | |
Total lease cost | $ 6,751 |
General and administrative expenses | |
Lease cost | |
Total lease cost | $ 1,444 |
Preferred Stock (Details) - $ / shares |
Dec. 29, 2024 |
Dec. 31, 2023 |
---|---|---|
Preferred Stock | ||
Preferred stock, shares authorized | 10,000,000 | 10,000,000 |
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ 0.001 | $ 0.001 |
Preferred stock issued | 0 | 0 |
Preferred stock outstanding | 0 | 0 |
Common Stock (Details) |
12 Months Ended | ||
---|---|---|---|
Dec. 29, 2024
Vote
$ / shares
shares
|
Dec. 31, 2023
$ / shares
shares
|
Nov. 15, 2021
shares
|
|
Common stock, shares authorized | 250,000,000 | 250,000,000 | |
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares | $ 0.001 | $ 0.001 | |
Number of votes per common stock | Vote | 1 | ||
Dividends declared | $ / shares | $ 0 | ||
Omnibus Equity Plan | |||
Common stock reserved for issuance | 1,749,109 | 3,719,000 | |
Employee Stock Option | |||
Common stock reserved for issuance | 161,397 | ||
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) shares | |||
Common stock reserved for issuance | 1,310,595 | 743,803 |
Equity-Based Compensation - Assumptions (Details) - Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) shares |
12 Months Ended |
---|---|
Dec. 29, 2024
$ / shares
| |
Minimum | |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award | |
Expected term (in years) | 6 months |
Expected volatility | 83.90% |
Risk-free interest rate | 4.38% |
Weighted average fair value per share of ESPP awards granted | $ 0.31 |
Maximum | |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award | |
Expected term (in years) | 1 year |
Expected volatility | 86.05% |
Risk-free interest rate | 4.91% |
Weighted average fair value per share of ESPP awards granted | $ 0.56 |
Equity-Based Compensation - 2021 Equity Plan (Details) - 2021 Equity Incentive Plan |
12 Months Ended |
---|---|
Dec. 29, 2024
shares
| |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award | |
Options expiration period | 10 years |
Maximum | |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award | |
Maximum aggregate number of shares reserved for issuance | 925,000 |
Equity-Based Compensation - Assumptions Used to Estimate the Fair Value of Options Granted (Details) |
12 Months Ended |
---|---|
Dec. 29, 2024
$ / shares
| |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |
Dividend yield | 0.00% |
Employee Stock Option | |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |
Fair value of common stock | $ 25.86 |
Expected term (in years) | 6 years 5 months 23 days |
Expected volatility | 50.62% |
Risk-free rate | 1.17% |
Dividend yield | 0.00% |
Equity-Based Compensation - Stock Options (Details) - Employee Stock Option - USD ($) |
12 Months Ended | |
---|---|---|
Dec. 29, 2024 |
Dec. 31, 2023 |
|
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | ||
Unrecognized equity-based compensation option | $ 0 | |
General and administrative expenses | ||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | ||
Equity based compensation | $ 0 | $ 1,200,000 |
Equity-Based Compensation - Class P Units (Details) - Class P Units $ in Millions |
12 Months Ended |
---|---|
Jan. 02, 2022
USD ($)
employee
shares
| |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award | |
Units outstanding | 384,522 |
Equity based compensation | $ | $ 1.9 |
Accelerate vesting shares | 763,178 |
Number of senior executives, shares accelerated vesting | employee | 2 |
Required service period after completion of IPO | 12 months |
Equity-Based Compensation - Class P Distributions (Details) $ in Millions |
12 Months Ended |
---|---|
Jan. 01, 2023
USD ($)
| |
Distribution Class P Awards | |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award | |
Equity-based compensation expense | $ 0.6 |
Income Taxes - Components of the Income Tax Benefit (Provision) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands |
12 Months Ended | ||
---|---|---|---|
Dec. 29, 2024 |
Dec. 31, 2023 |
Jan. 01, 2023 |
|
Current: | |||
Federal | $ (401) | $ (2,325) | |
State | $ 2,282 | (464) | (64) |
Total current benefit (provision) | 2,282 | (865) | (2,389) |
Deferred: | |||
Federal | (3,698) | 2,204 | (1,263) |
State | (917) | 337 | (395) |
Total deferred benefit (provision) | (4,615) | 2,541 | (1,658) |
Income tax benefit (provision) | $ (2,333) | $ 1,676 | $ (4,047) |
Income Taxes - Reconciliation of the Statutory Federal Rate (Details) |
12 Months Ended | ||
---|---|---|---|
Dec. 29, 2024 |
Dec. 31, 2023 |
Jan. 01, 2023 |
|
Reconciliation of the statutory federal rate to the Company's effective tax rate: | |||
Federal statutory rate | 21.00% | 21.00% | 21.00% |
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit | 6.30% | (0.40%) | 0.90% |
Non-deductible equity-based compensation expense | (1.20%) | (9.10%) | 13.50% |
IRC Section 162(m) limitation | (0.50%) | (3.00%) | 24.20% |
Change in uncertain tax position | 0.40% | (0.30%) | 3.90% |
Change in valuation allowance | (28.20%) | ||
Prior year adjustments | (1.00%) | ||
Federal 2018 amended return | (10.20%) | ||
Goodwill impairment | (1.90%) | ||
Other | (0.20%) | (0.20%) | (0.40%) |
Effective tax rate | (4.30%) | 8.00% | 51.90% |
Income Taxes - Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands |
Dec. 29, 2024 |
Dec. 31, 2023 |
---|---|---|
Deferred tax assets: | ||
Accruals and allowances | $ 2,774 | $ 1,603 |
Interest disallowance | 2,140 | 1,915 |
Inventory capitalization and other adjustments | 1,958 | 1,769 |
Deferred revenue | 2,730 | 2,196 |
Equity-based compensation | 1,433 | 1,165 |
Net operating losses and tax credit carryforwards | 2,679 | 592 |
R&D capitalization | 4,255 | 3,189 |
Lease liabilities | 6,469 | 7,570 |
Other | 108 | |
Gross deferred tax assets | 24,438 | 20,107 |
Deferred tax liabilities: | ||
Depreciation and amortization | (3,978) | (9,114) |
Lease right-of-use asset | (5,919) | (7,191) |
Other | (443) | |
Gross deferred tax liabilities | (10,340) | (16,305) |
Valuation Allowance | (14,912) | |
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) | $ (814) | |
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) | $ 3,802 |
Income Taxes - Carryforwards (Details) $ in Thousands |
Dec. 29, 2024
USD ($)
|
---|---|
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items] | |
Federal disallowed interest expense carryforward | $ 9,100 |
Deferred tax assets (liabilities), gross before valuation allowance | 14,100 |
Deferred tax assets, operating loss carryforwards | 2,700 |
Valuation allowance | 14,912 |
Federal | |
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items] | |
Net operating loss carryforwards | 9,700 |
State | |
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items] | |
Net operating loss carryforwards | $ 9,500 |
Related Party Transactions (Details) |
12 Months Ended |
---|---|
Dec. 29, 2024
item
| |
Related Party Transactions | |
Shareholders with ownership interest greater than 10% | 3 |
Aggregate ownership interest | 10.00% |
Defined Contribution Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions |
12 Months Ended | ||
---|---|---|---|
Dec. 29, 2024 |
Dec. 31, 2023 |
Jan. 01, 2023 |
|
Defined Contribution Plans | |||
Minimum employment period | 3 months | ||
Minimum age | 18 years | ||
Employer matching contribution, percent of match | 100.00% | ||
Employer matching contribution, percent of employees' gross pay | 6.00% | ||
Percentage of maximum annual contributions per employee | 4.00% | ||
Matching contributions made by company | $ 1.0 | $ 1.1 | $ 1.0 |
Segment Reporting (Details) |
12 Months Ended | ||
---|---|---|---|
Dec. 29, 2024
USD ($)
segment
|
Dec. 31, 2023
USD ($)
|
Jan. 01, 2023
USD ($)
|
|
Segment Reporting | |||
Number of reporting segments | segment | 1 | ||
Net revenue | $ 315,887,000 | $ 355,175,000 | $ 439,652,000 |
Less: | |||
Cost of revenue | 185,639,000 | 206,949,000 | 248,206,000 |
Goodwill impairment | 28,374,000 | 0 | 0 |
Depreciation and amortization | 5,480,000 | 4,819,000 | 4,134,000 |
Interest expense | 1,271,000 | 1,728,000 | 1,103,000 |
Income tax provision (benefit) | 2,333,000 | (1,676,000) | 4,047,000 |
Net Income (Loss) | (55,286,000) | (19,334,000) | 3,725,000 |
Operating segments | Single reportable segment | |||
Segment Reporting | |||
Net revenue | 315,887,000 | 355,175,000 | 439,652,000 |
Less: | |||
Cost of revenue | 185,639,000 | 206,949,000 | 248,206,000 |
Employee expenses (excluding equity-based compensation expense) | 53,056,000 | 53,791,000 | 60,601,000 |
Equity-based compensation expense | 8,090,000 | 17,694,000 | 16,087,000 |
Advertising expenses | 55,408,000 | 58,481,000 | 64,436,000 |
Goodwill impairment | 28,374,000 | ||
Other net costs | $ 34,257,000 | $ 35,264,000 | $ 39,428,000 |
Segment Reporting, Other Segment Item, Composition, Description | Other net costs include professional services fees, other selling costs, other general and administrative costs, technology and software costs, facilities costs, interest income, non-operating income and expenses, and other immaterial expenses that do not align with the separately presented expense categories. | Other net costs include professional services fees, other selling costs, other general and administrative costs, technology and software costs, facilities costs, interest income, non-operating income and expenses, and other immaterial expenses that do not align with the separately presented expense categories. | Other net costs include professional services fees, other selling costs, other general and administrative costs, technology and software costs, facilities costs, interest income, non-operating income and expenses, and other immaterial expenses that do not align with the separately presented expense categories. |
Depreciation and amortization | $ 2,745,000 | $ 2,278,000 | $ 2,019,000 |
Interest expense | 1,271,000 | 1,728,000 | 1,103,000 |
Income tax provision (benefit) | 2,333,000 | (1,676,000) | 4,047,000 |
Net Income (Loss) | $ (55,286,000) | $ (19,334,000) | $ 3,725,000 |
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