EXHIBIT 4.6
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of October 23, 1997
by and among
THE PANTRY, INC.,
THE GUARANTORS named herein
and
CIBC WOOD GUNDY SECURITIES CORP.
and
FIRST UNION CAPITAL MARKETS CORP.
as Initial Purchasers
__________________________
$200,000,000
10 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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1. Definitions.................................................... 1
2. Exchange Offer................................................. 5
3. Shelf Registration............................................. 9
4. Additional Interest............................................ 10
5. Registration Procedures........................................ 13
6. Registration Expenses.......................................... 23
7. Indemnification................................................ 24
8. Rules 144 and 144A............................................. 28
9. Underwritten Registrations..................................... 28
10. Miscellaneous.................................................. 29
(a) Remedies................................................... 29
(b) No Inconsistent Agreements................................. 30
(c) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Notes.................... 29
(d) Amendments and Waivers..................................... 29
(e) Notices.................................................... 31
(f) Successors and Assigns..................................... 31
(g) Counterparts............................................... 32
(h) Headings................................................... 32
(i) Governing Law.............................................. 32
(j) Severability............................................... 32
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Page
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(k) Notes Held by any Issuer or Its Affiliates................ 32
(l) Third Party Beneficiaries................................. 32
(m) Entire Agreement.......................................... 33
(n) Joint and Several Obligations............................. 33
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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and
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entered into as of October 23, 1997, by and among The Pantry, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), the Guarantors (as defined) and CIBC Wood Gundy
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Securities Corp. and First Union Capital Markets Corp. (the "Initial
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Purchasers").
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This Agreement is entered into in connection with the Purchase
Agreement, dated as of October 17, 1997, by and among the Company, the
Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers (the "Purchase Agreement") relating to the
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sale by the Company to the Initial Purchasers of $200,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of the Company's 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007
(the "Notes") and the unconditional senior subordinated Guarantee thereof by the
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Guarantors on a joint and several basis (the "Guarantee"). In order to induce
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the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Issuers have
agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement for the
benefit of the holders of Registrable Notes (as defined), including, without
limitation, the Initial Purchasers. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement is a condition to the Initial Purchasers' obligation to purchase the
Notes under the Purchase Agreement.
The parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions
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As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
Additional Interest: See Section 4(a).
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Advice: See the last paragraph of Section 5.
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Agreement: See the first introductory paragraph to this
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Agreement.
Applicable Period: See Section 2(b).
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Business Day: A day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday, or a day on
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which banking institutions in New York, New York are required to be closed.
Closing Date: The Closing Date as defined in the Purchase
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Agreement.
Commission: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Company: See the first introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
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Effectiveness Date: The 150th day after the Issue Date.
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Effectiveness Period: See Section 3(a).
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Event Date: See Section 4(b).
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Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
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the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
Exchange Notes: See Section 2(a).
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Exchange Offer: See Section 2(a).
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Exchange Registration Statement: See Section 2(a).
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Filing Date: The 60th day after the Issue Date.
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Guarantee: See the second introductory paragraph to this Agreement
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Guarantors: Sandhills, Inc. and Lil' Champs Food Stores, Inc.
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Holder: Any registered holder of Registrable Notes.
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Indemnified Person: See Section 7(c).
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Indemnifying Person: See Section 7(c).
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Indenture: The Indenture, dated as of October 23, 1997, by and
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among the Company, the Guarantors and United States Trust Company of New York as
trustee, pursuant to which the Notes are being issued, as amended or
supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
Initial Purchasers: See the first introductory paragraph to
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this Agreement.
Initial Shelf Registration: See Section 3(a).
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Inspectors: See Section 5(o).
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Issue Date: October 23, 1997.
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Issuers: The Company and the Guarantors, collectively.
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NASD: National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
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Notes: See the second introductory paragraph to this
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Agreement.
Participant: See Section 7(a).
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Participating Broker-Dealer: See Section 2(b).
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Person: Any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability
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company, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated
organization or government (including any agency or political subdivision
thereof).
Private Exchange: See Section 2(b).
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Private Exchange Notes: See Section 2(b).
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Prospectus: The prospectus included in any Registration Statement
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(including, without limitation, any prospectus subject to completion and a
prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus
filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A
promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any
prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion
of the Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement, and all other
amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including post-effective
amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be
incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.
Purchase Agreement: See the second introductory paragraph to
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this Agreement.
Records: See Section 5(o).
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Registrable Notes: Each Note upon original issuance thereof and at
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all times subsequent thereto, each Exchange Note as to which Section 2(c)(iv)
hereof is applicable upon original issuance thereof and at all times subsequent
thereto and each Private Exchange Note upon original issuance thereof and at all
times subsequent thereto, until, in the case of any such Note, Exchange Note or
Private Exchange Note, as the case may be, the
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earliest to occur of (i) a Registration Statement (other than, with respect to
any Exchange Note as to which Section 2(c)(iv) hereof is applicable) covering
such Note, Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note, as the case may be, has been
declared effective by the Commission and such Note, Exchange Note or Private
Exchange Note, as the case may be, has been disposed of in accordance with such
effective Registration Statement, (ii) such Note, Exchange Note or Private
Exchange Note, as the case may be, is sold in compliance with Rule 144, (iii) in
the case of any Note, such Note has been exchanged pursuant to the Exchange
Offer for an Exchange Note or Exchange Notes which may be resold without
restriction under federal securities laws, or (iv) such Note, Exchange Note or
Private Exchange Note, as the case may be, ceases to be outstanding for purposes
of the Indenture.
Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Company,
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including, but not limited to, the Exchange Registration Statement, that covers
any of the Registrable Notes pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement,
including the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration
statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits, and all material
incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such
registration statement.
Rule 144: Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be
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amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule 144A) or
regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission providing for offers and sales of
securities made in compliance therewith resulting in offers and sales by
subsequent holders that are not affiliates of an issuer of such securities being
free of the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act.
Rule 144A: Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be
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amended from time to time, or any similar rule
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(other than Rule 144) or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission.
Rule 415: Rule 415 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be
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amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted
by the Commission.
Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules
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and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
Shelf Notice: See Section 2(c).
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Shelf Registration: See Section 3(b).
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Subsequent Shelf Registration: See Section 3(b).
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TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
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Trustee: The trustee under the Indenture and, if existent, the
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trustee under any indenture governing the Exchange Notes and Private Exchange
Notes (if any).
Underwritten registration or underwritten offering: A registration in
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which securities of one or more of the Issuers are sold to an underwriter for
reoffering to the public.
2. Exchange Offer
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(a) Each of the Issuers agrees to file with the Commission, no later
than the Filing Date, an offer to exchange (the "Exchange Offer") any and all of
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the Registrable Notes (other than Private Exchange Notes, if any) for a like
aggregate principal amount of debt securities of the Company, guaranteed by the
Guarantors, which are identical in all material respects to the Notes (the
"Exchange Notes") (and which are entitled to the benefits of
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the Indenture or a trust indenture which is identical in all material respects
to the Indenture (other than such changes to the Indenture or any such identical
trust indenture as are necessary to comply with any requirements of the
Commission to effect or maintain the qualification thereof under the TIA) and
which, in either case, has been qualified under the TIA), except that the
Exchange Notes shall have been registered pursuant to an effective Registration
Statement under the Securities Act, shall not contain terms regarding Additional
Interest or registration rights and shall contain no restrictive legend thereon.
The Exchange Offer shall be registered under the Securities Act on the
appropriate form (the "Exchange Registration Statement") and shall comply with
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all applicable tender offer rules and regulations under the Exchange Act. Each
of the Issuers agrees to use its best efforts to (x) cause the Exchange
Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act on or
before the Effectiveness Date; (y) keep the Exchange Offer open for at least 30
days (or longer if required by applicable law) after the date that notice of the
Exchange Offer is first mailed to Holders; and (z) consummate the Exchange Offer
on or prior to the 60th day following the date on which the Exchange
Registration Statement is declared effective. If after such Exchange
Registration Statement is initially declared effective by the Commission, the
Exchange Offer or the issuance of the Exchange Notes thereunder is interfered
with by any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the
Commission or any other governmental agency or court, such Exchange Registration
Statement shall be deemed not to have become effective for purposes of this
Agreement. Each Holder who participates in the Exchange Offer will be required
to represent that any Exchange Notes received by it will be acquired in the
ordinary course of its business, that at the time of the consummation of the
Exchange Offer such Holder will have no arrangement or understanding with any
Person to participate in and is not engaged in and does not intend to engage in
the distribution of the Exchange Notes, that such
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Holder is not an affiliate of any Issuer within the meaning of the Securities
Act (or if it is an affiliate, it will comply with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable)
and if such Holder is a Broker Dealer, that will receive Exchange Notes for its
own account that were acquired as a result of market-making activities (or other
trading activities), it must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of Exchange Notes, and any additional representations
that in the written opinion of counsel to the Company are necessary under then-
existing interpretations of the Commission in order for the Exchange
Registration Statement to be declared effective. Upon consummation of the
Exchange Offer in accordance with this Section 2, the provisions of this
Agreement shall continue to apply, mutatis mutandis, solely with respect to
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Registrable Notes that are Private Exchange Notes and Exchange Notes held by
Participating Broker-Dealers, and the Issuers shall have no further obligation
to register Registrable Notes (other than Private Exchange Notes and other than
in respect of any Exchange Notes as to which clause 2(c)(iv) hereof applies)
pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement.
(b) The Issuers shall include within the Prospectus contained in the
Exchange Registration Statement a section entitled "Plan of Distribution,"
reasonably acceptable to the Initial Purchasers, which shall contain a summary
statement of the positions taken or policies made by the Staff of the Commission
with respect to the potential "underwriter" status of any broker-dealer that is
the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of
Exchange Notes received by such broker-dealer in the Exchange Offer (a
"Participating Broker-Dealer"), whether such positions or policies have been
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publicly disseminated by the Staff of the Commission or such positions or
policies, in the judgment of the Initial Purchasers, represent the prevailing
views of the Staff of the Commission. Such "Plan of Distribution" section shall
also allow, to the
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extent permitted by applicable policies and regulations of the Commission, the
use of the Prospectus by all Persons subject to the prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act, including, to the extent so permitted, all
Participating Broker-Dealers, and include a statement describing the manner in
which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Notes.
Each of the Issuers shall use its best efforts to keep the Exchange
Registration Statement effective and to amend and supplement the Prospectus
contained therein, in order to permit such Prospectus to be lawfully delivered
by all Persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act for such period of time as such Persons must comply with such requirements
in connection with offers and sales of the Exchange Notes, provided that such
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period shall not exceed 180 days (or such longer period if extended pursuant to
the last paragraph of Section 5) (the "Applicable Period").
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If, upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, any Initial Purchaser
holds any Notes acquired by it and having the status of an unsold allotment in
the initial distribution, the Issuers upon the request of any such Initial
Purchaser shall, simultaneously with the delivery of the Exchange Notes in the
Exchange Offer, issue and deliver to such Initial Purchaser, in exchange (the
"Private Exchange") for the Notes held by such Initial Purchaser, a like
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principal amount of debt securities of the Company that are identical in all
material respects to the Exchange Notes except for the existence of restrictions
on transfer thereof under the Securities Act and securities laws of the several
states of the U.S. (the "Private Exchange Notes") (and which are issued pursuant
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to the same indenture as the Exchange Notes). The Private Exchange Notes shall
bear the same CUSIP number as the Exchange Notes. Interest on the Exchange
Notes and Private Exchange Notes will accrue from the last interest payment date
on which interest was paid on the
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Notes surrendered in exchange therefor or, if no interest has been paid on the
Notes, from the Issue Date.
In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Issuers shall:
(1) mail to each Holder a copy of the Prospectus forming part of
the Exchange Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter of
transmittal and related documents;
(2) utilize the services of a depositary for the Exchange Offer
with an address in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, which
may be the Trustee or an affiliate thereof;
(3) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Registrable Notes at any
time prior to the close of business, New York time, on the last Business
Day on which the Exchange Offer shall remain open; and
(4) otherwise comply in all material respects with all applicable
laws.
As soon as practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer or the
Private Exchange, as the case may be, the Issuers shall:
(1) ACCEPT FOR EXCHANGE ALL REGISTRABLE NOTES VALIDLY TENDERED AND NOT
VALIDLY WITHDRAWN PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER OR THE PRIVATE EXCHANGE;
(2) deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Registrable Notes
so accepted for exchange; and
(3) cause the Trustee to authenticate and deliver promptly to each
Holder tendering such Registrable Notes,
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Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, equal in
principal amount to the Notes of such Holder so accepted for exchange.
The Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes may be issued under
(i) the Indenture or (ii) an indenture identical in all material respects to the
Indenture, which in either event will provide that the Exchange Notes will not
be subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in the Indenture and that the
Exchange Notes, the Private Exchange Notes and the Notes, if any, will vote and
consent together on all matters as one class and that none of the Exchange
Notes, the Private Exchange Notes or the Notes, if any, will have the right to
vote or consent as a separate class on any matter.
(c) If, (i) because of any change in law or in currently prevailing
interpretations of the staff of the Commission, the Company is not permitted to
effect an Exchange Offer, (ii) the Exchange Offer is not consummated within 210
days of the Issue Date, (iii) any holder of Private Exchange Notes holding at
least $1 million of Private Exchange Notes so requests within 120 days of the
consummation of the Exchange Offer or (iv) in the case of Holders holding at
least $1 million of Exchange Notes that participate in the Exchange Offer (and
tender their Registrable Notes prior to the expiration thereof), such Holders do
not receive Exchange Notes on the date of the exchange that may be sold without
restriction under federal securities laws (other than due solely to (i) the
status of such Holders as affiliates of any Issuer within the meaning of the
Securities Act and/or (ii) restrictions relating to any requirement to deliver a
prospectus upon resale, which requirement may be fulfilled by delivery of a
Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement) and so
notifies the Company within 30 days following the consummation of the Exchange
Offer (and providing a reasonable basis for their conclusions), in the case of
each of clauses (i)-(iv), then the Issuers shall promptly deliver to the Holders
and the Trustee written notice
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thereof (the "Shelf Notice") and shall file a Shelf Registration pursuant to
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Section 3.
3. Shelf Registration
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If a Shelf Notice is delivered as contemplated by Section 2(c), then:
(a) Shelf Registration. The Issuers shall as promptly as reasonably
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practicable file with the Commission a Registration Statement for an offering to
be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 covering all of the then
Registrable Notes (the "Initial Shelf Registration"). If the Issuers shall not
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have yet filed the Exchange Registration Statement, each of the Issuers shall
file with the Commission the Initial Shelf Registration on or prior to the
Filing Date and shall use its best efforts to cause such Initial Shelf
Registration to be declared effective under the Securities Act on or prior to
the Effectiveness Date. Otherwise, each of the Issuers shall file with the
Commission the Initial Shelf Registration within 30 days of the delivery of the
Shelf Notice and shall use its best efforts to cause such Shelf Registration to
be declared effective under the Securities Act, if an Exchange Registration
Statement has not yet been declared effective, on or prior to the Effectiveness
Date or, in any other instance, as soon as practicable after the filing thereof
and in no event later than 90 days after filing of the initial Shelf
Registration Statement. The Initial Shelf Registration shall be on Form S-1 or
another appropriate form permitting registration of such Registrable Notes for
resale by Holders in the manner or manners designated by them (including,
without limitation, one or more underwritten offerings). The Issuers shall not
permit any securities other than the Registrable Notes to be included in any
Shelf Registration. Each of the Issuers shall use its best efforts to keep the
Initial Shelf Registration continuously effective under the Securities Act until
the date which is 24 months from the effective date of such Initial
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Shelf Registration (or, if Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act is amended to
permit unlimited resales by non-affiliates within a lesser period, such lesser
period) (subject to extension pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 5
hereof) (the "Effectiveness Period") or such shorter period ending when (i) all
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Registrable Notes covered by the Initial Shelf Registration have been sold in
the manner set forth and as contemplated in the Initial Shelf Registration or
(ii) a Subsequent Shelf Registration covering all of the Registrable Notes has
been declared effective under the Securities Act.
(b) Subsequent Shelf Registrations. If the Initial Shelf Registration
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or any Subsequent Shelf Registration ceases to be effective for any reason at
any time during the Effectiveness Period (other than because of the sale of all
of the securities registered thereunder), each of the Issuers shall use its best
efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the
effectiveness thereof, and in any event shall within 30 days of such cessation
of effectiveness amend the Shelf Registration in a manner to obtain the
withdrawal of the order suspending the effectiveness thereof, or file an
additional "shelf" Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 415 covering all of
the Registrable Notes (a "Subsequent Shelf Registration"). If a Subsequent
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Shelf Registration is filed, each of the Issuers shall use its best efforts to
cause the Subsequent Shelf Registration to be declared effective as soon as
practicable after such filing and to keep such Subsequent Shelf Registration
continuously effective for a period equal to the number of days in the
Effectiveness Period less the aggregate number of days during which the Initial
Shelf Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registrations was previously
continuously effective. As used herein the term "Shelf Registration" means the
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Initial Shelf Registration and any Subsequent Shelf Registration.
(c) Supplements and Amendments. Each of the Issuers shall promptly
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supplement and amend any Shelf Registration if required by the
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rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used for
such Shelf Registration, if required by the Securities Act, or if reasonably
requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Registrable Notes covered by such Shelf Registration or by any underwriter of
such Registrable Notes, in each case, with each Issuer's consent, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
4. Additional Interest
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(a) The Issuers and the Initial Purchasers agree that the Holders of
Registrable Notes will suffer damages if the Issuers fail to fulfill their
obligations under Section 2 or Section 3 hereof and that it would not be
feasible to ascertain the extent of such damages with precision. Accordingly,
each of the Issuers agrees to pay, as liquidated damages, additional interest on
the Registrable Notes ("Additional Interest") under the circumstances and to the
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extent set forth below (each of which shall be given independent effect) (a
"Registration Default"):
(i) if (A) neither the Exchange Registration Statement nor the
Initial Shelf Registration has been filed on or prior to the Filing Date or
(B) notwithstanding that the Issuers have consummated or will consummate an
Exchange Offer, the Issuers are required to file a Shelf Registration and
such Shelf Registration is not filed on or prior to the 30th day after
delivery of the Shelf Notice, then, in the case of subclause (A),
commencing on the day after the Filing Date or, in the case of subclause
(B), commencing on the 31st day following delivery of the Shelf Notice,
Additional Interest shall accrue on the Registrable Notes over and above
the stated interest at a rate of 0.50% per annum for the first 90 days
immediately following the Filing Date or such 30th day, as the case may be,
such Additional Interest rate increasing by an additional 0.25% per annum
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at the beginning of each subsequent 90-day period during which a
Registration Default remains uncured;
(ii) if (A) neither the Exchange Registration Statement nor the
Initial Shelf Registration is declared effective on or prior to the
Effectiveness Date or (B) notwithstanding that the Issuers have consummated
or will consummate an Exchange Offer, the Issuers are required to file a
Shelf Registration and such Shelf Registration is not declared effective by
the Commission on or prior to the 90th day following the date such Shelf
Registration was required to be filed, then, in the case of subclause (A),
commencing on the day after such Effectiveness Date or, in the case of
subclause (B), commencing on the 91st day following the date such Shelf
Registration was required to be filed, Additional Interest shall accrue on
the Registrable Notes over and above the stated interest at a rate of 0.50%
per annum for the first 90 days immediately following the day after the
Effectiveness Date or such 91st day, as the case may be, such Additional
Interest rate increasing by an additional 0.25% per annum at the beginning
of each subsequent 90-day period during which a Registration Default
remains uncured; and
(iii) if (A) the Company has not exchanged Exchange Notes for all
Notes validly tendered in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer
on or prior to 60 days after the date on which the Exchange Registration
Statement was declared effective, (B) the Exchange Registration Statement
ceases to be effective prior to consummation of the Exchange Offer or (C)
if applicable, a Shelf Registration has been declared effective and such
Shelf Registration ceases to be effective at any time during the
Effectiveness Period, then Additional Interest shall accrue on the
Registrable Notes over and above the stated interest at a rate of 0.50% per
annum for the first 90 days commencing on the (x) 61st day after such
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effective date in the case of (A) above or (y) the day such Exchange
Registration Statement or Shelf Registration ceases to be effective in the
case of (B) and (C) above, such Additional Interest rate increasing by an
additional 0.25% per annum at the beginning of each such subsequent 90-day
period during which a Registration Default remains uncured;
provided, however, that the Additional Interest rate on the Registrable Notes
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may not exceed in the aggregate 2.0% per annum; provided further that (1) upon
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the filing of the Exchange Registration Statement or each Shelf Registration (in
the case of (i) above), (2) upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Registration
Statement or each Shelf Registration, as the case may be (in the case of (ii)
above), or (3) upon the exchange of Exchange Notes for all Registrable Notes
tendered (in the case of (iii)(A) above) or upon the effectiveness of an
Exchange Registration Statement or Shelf Registration which had ceased to remain
effective (in the case of (iii)(B) and (C) above), Additional Interest on any
Registrable Notes then accruing Additional Interest as a result of such clause
(or the relevant subclause thereof), as the case may be, shall cease to accrue.
(b) The Issuers shall notify the Trustee within one business day after
each and every date on which an event occurs in respect of which Additional
Interest is required to be paid (an "Event Date"). Any amounts of Additional
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Interest due pursuant to (a)(i), (a)(ii) or (a)(iii) of this Section 4 will be
payable in cash semi-annually on each regular interest payment date specified in
the Indenture (to the Holders of Registrable Notes of record on the regular
record date therefor (specified in the Indenture) immediately preceding such
dates), commencing with the first such regular interest payment date occurring
after any such Additional Interest commences to accrue. The amount of
Additional Interest will be determined by multiplying the applicable Additional
Interest rate by the principal amount of
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the Notes subject thereto, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is
the number of days such Additional Interest rate was applicable during such
period (determined on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day
months), and the denominator of which is 365.
5. Registration Procedures
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In connection with the filing of any Registration Statement pursuant
to Sections 2 or 3 hereof, each Issuer shall use its best efforts effect such
registrations to permit the sale of such securities covered thereby in
accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition thereof, and
pursuant thereto and in connection with any Registration Statement filed by each
Issuer hereunder, each Issuer shall:
(a) Prepare and file with the Commission prior to the Filing Date, the
Exchange Registration Statement or if the Exchange Registration Statement is not
filed or is unavailable, a Shelf Registration as prescribed by Section 2 or 3,
and use its best efforts to cause each such Registration Statement to become
effective and remain effective as provided herein; provided that, if (1) a Shelf
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Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2) a Prospectus contained in an
Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 is required to be
delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks
to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period and has advised the Company
that it is a Participating Broker-Dealer, before filing any Registration
Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Issuers
shall, if requested, furnish to and afford the Holders of the Registrable Notes
to be registered pursuant to such Shelf Registration or each such Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, covered by such Registration Statement, their
counsel and the managing underwriters, if any (with respect to a Shelf
Registration), a reasonable opportunity to review copies of all such documents
(including copies of any documents to be
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incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits thereto) proposed to be filed
(in each case at least five Business Days prior to such filing). The Issuers
shall not file any such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments
or supplements thereto if the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement, or any
such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their counsel, or the
managing underwriters, if any, (with respect to a Shelf Registration) shall
reasonably object.
(b) Prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-
effective amendments to each Shelf Registration or Exchange Registration
Statement, as the case may be, as may be necessary to keep such Registration
Statement continuously effective for the Effectiveness Period or the Applicable
Period, as the case may be; cause the related Prospectus to be supplemented by
any Prospectus supplement required by applicable law, and as so supplemented to
be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force) under
the Securities Act; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act applicable to it with respect to the disposition of all securities
covered by such Registration Statement as so amended or in such Prospectus as so
supplemented and with respect to the subsequent resale of any securities being
sold by a Participating Broker-Dealer covered by any such Prospectus. The
Issuers shall be deemed not to have used their best efforts to keep a
Registration Statement effective during the Applicable Period if they
voluntarily take any action that would result in selling Holders of the
Registrable Notes covered thereby or Participating Broker-Dealers seeking to
sell Exchange Notes not being able to sell such Registrable Notes or such
Exchange Notes during that period unless such action is required by applicable
law, rule or regulation or unless the Issuers comply with this Agreement,
including, without limitation, the provisions of paragraph 5(k) hereof and the
last paragraph of Section 5.
-19-
(c) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2)
a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant to
Section 2 is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any
Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the
Applicable Period from whom the Company has received notice that it will be a
Participating Broker-Dealer, notify the selling Holders of Registrable Notes,
and each such Participating Broker-Dealer, their counsel and the managing
underwriters, if any (with respect to a Shelf Registration), promptly (but in
any event within five Business Days), and confirm such notice in writing, (i)
when a Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has
been filed, and, with respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective
amendment, when the same has become effective (including in such notice a
written statement that any Holder may, upon request, obtain, without charge, one
conformed copy of such Registration Statement or post-effective amendment
including financial statements and schedules, documents incorporated or deemed
to be incorporated by reference and exhibits), (ii) of the issuance by the
Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration
Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary
prospectus or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iii) if at
any time when a prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered in
connection with sales of the Registrable Notes the representations and
warranties of any Issuer contained in any agreement (including any underwriting
agreement contemplated by Section 5(n) hereof) cease to be true and correct in
any material respect, (iv) of the receipt by any Issuer of any notification with
respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification
of a Registration Statement or any of the Registrable Notes or the Exchange
Notes to be sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer for offer or sale in any
jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such
purpose, (v) of the happening of any event, the existence of any condition or
any information becoming
-20-
known that makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or related
Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by
reference untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any
changes in, or amendments or supplements to, such Registration Statement,
Prospectus or documents so that, in the case of the Registration Statement, it
will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, and that in the case of the Prospectus, it will not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and
(vi) of the Issuers' reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to
a Registration Statement would be appropriate.
(d) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2)
a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant to
Section 2 is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any
Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the
Applicable Period, use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any order
suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or of any order
preventing or suspending the use of a Prospectus or suspending the qualification
(or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Notes or the
Exchange Notes to be sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer, for sale in any
jurisdiction, and, if any such order is issued, to use its best efforts to
obtain the withdrawal of any such order at the earliest possible date.
(e) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 and if
reasonably requested by the managing underwriters, if any, or the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being sold in
connection with an underwritten offering, (i) as promptly as practicable
incorporate in a prospectus
-21-
supplement or post-effective amendment such information or revisions to
information therein as the managing underwriters, if any, or such Holders or
their counsel reasonably request to be included or made therein, (ii) make all
required filings of such prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment
as soon as practicable after the Issuers have received notification of the
matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment, and (iii) supplement or make amendments to such Registration
Statement.
(f) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2)
a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant to
Section 2 is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any
Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the
Applicable Period, furnish to each selling Holder of Registrable Notes and to
each such Participating Broker-Dealer who so requests and to counsel and each
managing underwriter, if any, without charge, one conformed copy of the
Registration Statement or Registration Statements and each post-effective
amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, and, if
requested, all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by
reference and all exhibits.
(g) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2)
a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant to
Section 2 is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any
Participating Broker-Dealer, deliver to each selling Holder of Registrable Notes
or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their respective
counsel, and the underwriters, if any, without charge, as many copies of the
Prospectus or Prospectuses (including each form of preliminary prospectus) and
each amendment or supplement thereto and any documents incorporated by reference
therein as such Persons may reasonably request; and, subject to the last
paragraph of this Section 5, the
-22-
Company hereby consents to the use of such Prospectus and each amendment or
supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders of Registrable Notes and each
Participating Broker-Dealer, and the underwriters or agents, if any, and dealers
(if any), in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Notes
covered by, or the sale by Participating Broker-Dealers of the Exchange Notes
pursuant to, and in the manner described in such Prospectus and any amendment or
supplement thereto.
(h) Prior to any public offering of Registrable Notes or any delivery
of a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Registration Statement by any
Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the
Applicable Period, use its best efforts to register or qualify, and cooperate
with the selling Holders of Registrable Notes and each such Participating
Broker-Dealer, the underwriters, if any, and their respective counsel in
connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from such
registration or qualification) of such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes, as
the case may be, for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of
such jurisdictions within the United States as any selling Holder, Participating
Broker-Dealer, or the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, reasonably
request in writing; provided that where Exchange Notes held by Participating
--------
Broker-Dealers or Registrable Notes are offered pursuant to an underwritten
offering, counsel to the underwriters shall, at the cost and expense of the
Issuers, perform the Blue Sky investigations and file registrations and
qualifications required to be filed pursuant to this Section 5(h); keep each
such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the
period such Registration Statement is required to be kept effective and do any
and all other acts or things reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the
disposition in such jurisdictions of the Exchange Notes by Participating Broker-
Dealers or the Registrable Notes covered by the applicable Registration
Statement; provided that no Issuer shall be required to (A) qualify as a foreign
--------
corporation in any
-23-
jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified, (B) take any action that would
subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is
not then so subject or (C) subject itself to taxation in excess of a nominal
dollar amount in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.
(i) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, cooperate
with the selling Holders of Registrable Notes and the managing underwriter or
underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of
certificates representing Registrable Notes to be sold, which certificates shall
not bear any restrictive legends and shall be in a form eligible for deposit
with The Depository Trust Company; and enable such Registrable Notes to be in
such denominations and registered in such names as the managing underwriter or
underwriters, if any, or Holders may reasonably request.
(j) Use its best efforts to cause the Registrable Notes covered by the
Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such governmental
agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers
thereof or the underwriters, if any, to consummate the disposition of such
Registrable Notes, in which case the Issuers will cooperate in all reasonable
respects with the filing of such Registration Statement and the granting of such
approvals.
(k) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2)
a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant to
Section 2 is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any
Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the
Applicable Period, upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by paragraph
5(c)(v) or 5(c)(vi) hereof, as promptly as practicable prepare and (subject to
Section 5(a) hereof) file with the Commission, at the Issuers' sole expense, a
supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a
supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to
be
-24-
incorporated therein by reference, or file any other required document so
that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Notes being
sold thereunder or to the purchasers of the Exchange Notes to whom such
Prospectus will be delivered by a Participating Broker-Dealer, any such
Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading.
(l) Use its best efforts to cause the Registrable Notes covered by a
Registration Statement to be rated with the appropriate rating agencies, if so
requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement or the managing
underwriter or underwriters, if any.
(m) Prior to the effective date of the first Registration Statement
relating to the Registrable Notes, (i) provide the Trustee with printed
certificates for the Registrable Notes in a form eligible for deposit with The
Depository Trust Company and (ii) provide a CUSIP number for the Registrable
Notes.
(n) In connection with an underwritten offering of Registrable Notes
pursuant to a Shelf Registration, enter into an underwriting agreement as is
customary in underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Notes and
take all such other actions as are reasonably requested by the managing
underwriter or underwriters in order to expedite or facilitate the registration
or the disposition of such Registrable Notes and, in such connection, (i) make
such representations and warranties to the underwriters, with respect to the
business of the Issuers and their subsidiaries and the Registration Statement,
Prospectus and documents, if any, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference therein, in each case, as are customarily made by issuers to
underwriters in
-25-
underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Notes, and confirm the
same in writing if and when requested; (ii) obtain the opinion of counsel to the
Issuers and updates thereof in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
managing underwriter or underwriters, addressed to the underwriters covering the
matters customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings of
debt securities similar to the Notes and such other matters as may be reasonably
requested by underwriters; (iii) obtain "cold comfort" letters and updates
thereof in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the managing
underwriter or underwriters from the independent certified public accountants of
the Issuers (and, if necessary, any other independent certified public
accountants of any subsidiary of any Issuer or of any business acquired by any
Issuer for which financial statements and financial data are, or are required to
be, included in the Registration Statement), addressed to each of the
underwriters, such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of the
type customarily covered in "cold comfort" letters in connection with
underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Notes and such other
matters as reasonably requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters; and
(iv) if an underwriting agreement is entered into, the same shall contain
indemnification provisions and procedures no less favorable than those set forth
in Section 7 hereof (or such other provisions and procedures acceptable to
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Registrable Notes covered
by such Registration Statement and the managing underwriter or underwriters or
agents) with respect to all parties to be indemnified pursuant to said Section.
The above shall be done at each closing under such underwriting agreement, or as
and to the extent required thereunder.
(o) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2)
a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant to
Section 2 is required to be delivered under
-26-
the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange
Notes during the Applicable Period, make available for inspection by any selling
Holder of such Registrable Notes being sold, and each Participating Broker-
Dealer, any underwriter participating in any such disposition of Registrable
Notes, if any, and one counsel for the selling Holders and one counsel for the
underwriters (collectively, the "Inspectors"), at the offices where normally
----------
kept, during reasonable business hours, all financial and other records,
pertinent corporate documents and properties of each Issuer and its subsidiaries
(collectively, the "Records") as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to
-------
exercise any applicable due diligence responsibilities, and cause the officers,
directors and employees of each Issuer and its subsidiaries to supply all
information reasonably requested by any such Inspector in connection with such
Registration Statement. Records which an Issuer determines, in good faith, to be
confidential and any Records which it notifies the Inspectors are confidential
shall not be disclosed by the Inspectors unless (i) the disclosure of such
Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in such
Registration Statement, (ii) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to
a subpoena or other order from a court of competent jurisdiction only after the
Inspector has given the Company notice of such requirement or (iii) the
information in such Records has been made generally available to the public
other than as a result of a disclosure or failure to safeguard by such
Inspector. Each selling Holder of such Registrable Notes and each Participating
Broker-Dealer will be required to enter into a customary confidentiality
agreement and shall agree that information obtained by it and its agents as a
result of such inspections shall be deemed confidential and shall not be used by
it as the basis for any market transactions in the securities of any Issuer
unless and until such is made generally available to the public. Each Inspector
will be required to further agree that it will, upon learning that disclosure of
such Records is sought in a court of competent
-27-
jurisdiction pursuant to clauses (ii) or (iv) of the previous sentence or
otherwise, give notice to the Issuers and allow the Issuers to undertake
appropriate action to obtain a protective order or otherwise prevent disclosure
of the Records deemed confidential at its expense.
(p) Provide an indenture trustee for the Registrable Notes or the
Exchange Notes, as the case may be, and cause the Indenture or the trust
indenture provided for in Section 2(a), as the case may be, to be qualified
under the TIA not later than the effective date of the Exchange Offer or the
first Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Notes; and in
connection therewith, cooperate with the trustee under any such indenture and
the Holders of the Registrable Notes, to effect such changes to such indenture
as may be required for such indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the
terms of the TIA; and execute, and use its best efforts to cause such trustee to
execute, all documents as may be required to effect such changes, and all other
forms and documents required to be filed with the Commission to enable such
indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner.
(q) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission
and make generally available to its securityholders earnings statements
satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158
thereunder (or any similar rule promulgated under the Securities Act) no later
than 45 days after the end of any 12-month period (or 90 days after the end of
any 12-month period if such period is a fiscal year) (i) commencing at the end
of any fiscal quarter in which Registrable Notes are sold to underwriters in a
firm commitment or best efforts underwritten offering and (ii) if not sold to
underwriters in such an offering, commencing on the first day of the first
fiscal quarter of the Company after the effective date of a Registration
Statement, which statements shall cover said 12-month periods.
-28-
(r) Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange,
obtain an opinion of counsel to the Issuers, in a form customary for
underwritten transactions, addressed to the Trustee for the benefit of all
Holders of Registrable Notes participating in the Exchange Offer or the Private
Exchange, as the case may be, that the Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange
Notes, as the case may be, the guarantees thereof and the related indenture
constitute legally valid and binding obligations of the Issuers, to the extent
they are parties, enforceable against the Issuers, to the extent they are
parties, in accordance with their respective terms.
(s) If the Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange is to be consummated,
upon delivery of the Registrable Notes by Holders to the Issuers (or to such
other Person as directed by the Company) in exchange for the Exchange Notes or
the Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, the Issuers shall ▇▇▇▇, or
caused to be marked, on such Registrable Notes that such Registrable Notes are
being cancelled in exchange for the Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange
Notes, as the case may be; in no event shall such Registrable Notes be marked as
paid or otherwise satisfied.
(t) Cooperate with each seller of Registrable Notes covered by any
Registration Statement and each underwriter, if any, participating in the
disposition of such Registrable Notes and their respective counsel in connection
with any filings required to be made with the NASD.
(u) Use its best efforts to take all other steps reasonably necessary
to effect the registration of the Registrable Notes covered by a Registration
Statement contemplated hereby.
The Issuers may require each seller of Registrable Notes as to which
any registration is being effected to furnish to the Issuers such information
regarding such seller and the distribution of such Registrable Notes as the
Issuers may, from time to time, reasonably request. The Issuers may exclude
from
-29-
such registration the Registrable Notes of any seller who fails to furnish such
information within a reasonable time after receiving such request. Each seller
as to which any Shelf Registration Statement is being effected agrees to furnish
promptly to the Issuers all information required to be disclosed in order to
make the information previously furnished to the Issuers by such seller not
materially misleading.
Each Holder of Registrable Notes and each Participating Broker-Dealer
agrees by acquisition of such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes to be sold by
such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, that, upon receipt of any
notice from the Issuers of the happening of any event of the kind described in
Section 5(c)(ii), 5(c)(iv), 5(c)(v), or 5(c)(vi), such Holder will forthwith
discontinue disposition of such Registrable Notes covered by such Registration
Statement or Prospectus or Exchange Notes to be sold by such Holder or
Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, and, in each case,
dissemination of such Prospectus until such Holder's or Participating Broker-
Dealer's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus
contemplated by Section 5(k), or until it is advised in writing (the "Advice")
------
by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and has
received copies of any amendments or supplements thereto. In the event the
Issuers shall give any such notice, each of the Effectiveness Period and the
Applicable Period shall be extended by the number of days during such periods
from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the
date when each seller of Registrable Notes covered by such Registration
Statement or Exchange Notes to be sold by such Participating Broker-Dealer, as
the case may be, shall have received (x) the copies of the supplemented or
amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(k) or (y) the Advice.
6. Registration Expenses
---------------------
-30-
(a) All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance
with this Agreement by the Issuers shall be borne by the Issuers whether or not
the Exchange Offer or a Shelf Registration is filed or becomes effective,
including, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including,
without limitation, (A) fees with respect to filings required to be made with
the NASD in connection with an underwritten offering and (B) fees and expenses
of compliance with state securities or Blue Sky laws (including, without
limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with Blue
Sky qualifications of the Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes (x) where the
holders of Registrable Notes are located, in the case of the Exchange Notes, or
(y) as provided in Section 5(h) hereof, in the case of Registrable Notes or
Exchange Notes to be sold by a Participating Broker-Dealer during the Applicable
Period)), (ii) printing expenses, including, without limitation, expenses of
printing certificates for Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes in a form eligible
for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and of printing prospectuses if
the printing of prospectuses is requested by the managing underwriter or
underwriters, if any of a Shelf Registration Statement, (iii) messenger,
telephone and delivery expenses incurred in connection with the Exchange
Registration Statement and any Shelf Registration, (iv) reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Issuers and, in the case of a Shelf
Registration only, reasonable fees and disbursements of special counsel for the
Initial Purchasers and the sellers of Registrable Notes (subject to Section
6(b)), (v) fees and disbursements of all independent certified public
accountants referred to in Section 5(n)(iii) (including, without limitation, the
expenses of any special audit and "cold comfort" letters required by or incident
to such performance), (vi) rating agency fees, (vii) Securities Act liability
insurance, if any Issuer desires such insurance, (viii) fees and expenses of all
other Persons retained by the Issuers, (ix) internal expenses of the Issuers
(including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of officers and
employees
-31-
of the Issuers performing legal or accounting duties), (x) the expense of any
annual or special audit, (xi) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with
any listing of the securities to be registered on any securities exchange, (xii)
the fees and disbursements of underwriters, if any, customarily paid by issuers
or sellers of securities (but not including any underwriting discounts or
commissions or transfer taxes, if any, attributable to the sale of the
Registrable Notes which discounts, commissions or taxes shall be paid by Holders
of such Registrable Notes) and (xiii) the expenses relating to printing, word
processing and distributing all Registration Statements and Prospectuses.
(b) In connection with any Shelf Registration hereunder, the Company
and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall reimburse the Holders of the
Registrable Notes being registered in such registration for the reasonable fees
and disbursements (which fees and disbursements shall not in any event exceed
$25,000) of not more than one counsel (and any appropriate local counsel) chosen
by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable
Notes to be included in such Registration Statement. The Company and the
Guarantors shall not have any obligation to pay any underwriting fees, discounts
or commissions attributable to the sale of Registrable Securities.
7. Indemnification
---------------
(a) Each of the Issuers jointly and severally agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless each Holder of Registrable Notes and each Participating Broker-
Dealer, the officers, directors, employees and agents of each such Person, and
each Person, if any, who controls any such Person within the meaning of either
Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (each, a
"Participant"), from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and
-----------
liabilities (including, without limitation, the reasonable legal fees and other
reasonable
-32-
expenses actually incurred in connection with any suit, action or
proceeding or any claim asserted) caused by, arising out of or based upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
Registration Statement or Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Issuers
shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or caused by,
arising out of or based upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities are
caused by any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or
omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to
any Participant furnished to the Issuers in writing by or on behalf of such
Participant expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the Issuers shall
-------- -------
not be liable if such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement
or omission was contained or made in any preliminary prospectus and corrected in
the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto and the Prospectus does
not contain any other untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement
or omission of a material fact that was the subject matter of the related
proceeding and any such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense suffered or
incurred by the Participants resulted from any action, claim or suit by any
Person who purchased Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes which are the subject
thereof from such Participant and it is established in the related proceeding
that such Participant failed to deliver or provide a copy of the Prospectus (as
amended or supplemented) to such Person with or prior to the confirmation of the
sale of such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes sold to such Person if required
by applicable law, unless such failure to deliver or provide a copy of the
Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) was a result of noncompliance by the
Issuers with Section 5 of this Agreement.
-33-
(b) Each Participant will be required to agree, severally and not
jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless each Issuer, its directors and officers
and each Person who controls each Issuer within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the
foregoing indemnity from the Issuers to each Participant, but only with
reference to information relating to such Participant furnished to the Issuers
in writing by such Participant expressly for use in any Registration Statement
or Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto, or any preliminary
prospectus. The liability of any Participant under this paragraph shall in no
event exceed the proceeds received by such Participant from sales of Registrable
Notes or Exchange Notes giving rise to such obligations.
(c) If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or
regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against
any Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to either of the
two preceding paragraphs, such Person (the "Indemnified Person") shall promptly
------------------
notify the Person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "Indemnifying
------------
Person") in writing of the commencement of such action; but the omission so to
------
notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from any liability that it may
have to any indemnified party except to the extent that such omission results in
the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses.
The Indemnifying Person shall be entitled to participate therein and assume the
defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person
to represent the Indemnified Person and any others the Indemnifying Person may
reasonably designate in such proceeding and shall pay the reasonable fees and
expenses incurred by such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such
proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own
counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel and all other expenses
incurred by the Indemnified Person shall be at the expense of such Indemnified
Person unless (i) the
-34-
Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed in
writing to the contrary, (ii) the Indemnifying Person has failed within a
reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified
Person or (iii) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any
impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified
Person and such Indemnified Person shall have been advised by counsel that there
may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from or
additional to those available to any such Indemnifying Person. It is understood
that the Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or
related proceeding or separate but substantially similar proceedings in the same
jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm
(in addition to any reasonably required local counsel) for all Indemnified
Persons, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are
incurred. Any such separate firm for the Participants and such control Persons
of Participants shall be designated in writing by Participants who sold a
majority in interest of Registrable Notes sold by all such Participants and any
such separate firm for each Issuer, its directors, officers and such control
Persons of each Issuer shall be designated in writing by the Company. The
Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding
effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if
there is a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Person agrees to
indemnify any Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by
reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence,
if at any time an Indemnified Person shall have requested an Indemnifying Person
to reimburse the Indemnified Person for reasonable fees and expenses incurred by
counsel as contemplated by the third sentence of this paragraph, the
Indemnifying Person agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any
proceeding effected without its consent if (i) such settlement is entered into
more than 30 days after receipt by such Indemnifying
-35-
Person of the aforesaid request and (ii) such Indemnifying Person shall not have
reimbursed the Indemnified Person in accordance with such request prior to the
date of such settlement; provided, however, that the Indemnifying Person shall
-------- -------
not be liable for any settlement effected without its consent pursuant to this
sentence if the Indemnifying Person is contesting, in good faith, the request
for reimbursement. No Indemnifying Person shall, without the prior written
consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or
threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could
have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such
Indemnified Person, unless such settlement (A) includes an unconditional release
of such Indemnified Person, in form and substance satisfactory to such
Indemnified Person, from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of
such proceeding and (B) does not include any statement as to an admission of
fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of an Indemnified Person.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in the first and second
paragraphs of this Section 7 is unavailable to, or insufficient to hold
harmless, an Indemnified Person in respect of any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under such
paragraphs, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder and in
order to provide for just and equitable contribution, shall contribute to the
amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect
the relative fault of the Indemnifying Person or Persons on the one hand and the
Indemnified Person or Persons on the other in connection with the statements or
omissions (or alleged statements or omissions) that resulted in such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) as well as any
other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the parties
shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a
-36-
material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact
relates to information supplied by the Issuers on the one hand or by the
Participants or such other Indemnified Person, as the case may be, on the other,
the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity
to correct or prevent such statement or omission and any other equitable
considerations appropriate under the circumstances.
(e) The parties agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation
--- ----
(even if the Participants were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any
other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable
considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The amount
paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses, claims,
damages and liabilities referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall
be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any reasonable
legal or other expenses actually incurred by such Indemnified Person in
connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, in no event shall a
Participant be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by
which proceeds received by such Participant from sales of Registrable Notes,
Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, exceeds the amount
of any damages that such Participant has otherwise been required to pay by
reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning
of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from
any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
(f) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this
Section 7 will be in addition to any liability which the Indemnifying Persons
may otherwise have to the Indemnified Persons referred to above.
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8. Rules 144 and 144A
------------------
Each of the Issuers covenants that it will file the reports required
to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules
and regulations adopted by the Commission thereunder in a timely manner and, if
at any time it is not required to file such reports, it will, upon the request
of any Holder of Registrable Notes, make publicly available other information so
long as necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144 and Rule 144A under the
Securities Act. Each of the Issuers further covenants, for so long as any
Registrable Notes remain outstanding, to make available to any Holder or
beneficial owner of Registrable Notes in connection with any sale thereof and
any prospective purchaser of such Registrable Notes from such Holder or
beneficial owner, the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the
Securities Act in order to permit resales of such Registrable Notes pursuant to
Rule 144A.
9. Underwritten Registrations
--------------------------
If any of the Registrable Notes covered by any Shelf Registration are
to be sold in an underwritten offering, the investment banker or investment
bankers and manager or managers that will manage the offering will be selected
by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Registrable
Notes included in such offering and reasonably acceptable to the Issuers.
No Holder of Registrable Notes may participate in any underwritten
registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder's
Registrable Notes on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements
approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b)
completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities,
underwriting agreements and other
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documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
10. Miscellaneous
-------------
(a) Remedies. In the event of a breach by any Issuer of any of its
--------
obligations under this Agreement, each Holder of Registrable Notes and each
Participating Broker-Dealer holding Exchange Notes, in addition to being
entitled to exercise all rights provided herein, in the Indenture or, in the
case of an Initial Purchaser, in the Purchase Agreement, or granted by law,
including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its
rights under this Agreement. Each Issuer agrees that monetary damages would not
be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of
any of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby further agrees that, in the
event of any action for specific performance in respect of such breach, it shall
waive the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.
(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. None of the Issuers has entered, as
--------------------------
of the date hereof, and none of the Issuers shall enter, after the date of this
Agreement, into any agreement with respect to any of its securities that is
inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Notes in this
Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. None of the
Issuers has entered and none of the issuers shall enter into any agreement with
respect to any of its securities which will grant to any Person piggy-back
rights with respect to a Registration Statement.
(c) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Notes. None of the Issuers
---------------------------------------
shall, directly or indirectly, take any action with respect to the Registrable
Notes as a class that would adversely affect the ability of the Holders of
Registrable Notes to include such Registrable Notes in a registration undertaken
pursuant to this Agreement.
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(d) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not
----------------------
be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from
the provisions hereof may not be given, other than with the prior written
consent of (A) the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the then outstanding Registrable Notes and (B) in circumstances that
would adversely affect Participating Broker-Dealers, the Participating Broker-
Dealers holding not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Exchange Notes held by all Participating Broker-Dealers; provided, however, that
-------- -------
Section 7 and this Section 10(d) may not be amended, modified or supplemented
without the prior written consent of each Holder and each Participating Broker-
Dealer (including any person who was a Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer of
Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes, as the case may be, disposed of pursuant to
any Registration Statement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent
to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates
exclusively to the rights of Holders of Registrable Notes whose securities are
being tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer or sold pursuant to a Registration
Statement and that does not directly or indirectly affect, impair, limit or
compromise the rights of other Holders of Registrable Notes may be given by
Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable
Notes being tendered or being sold by such Holders pursuant to such Registration
Statement.
(e) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or
-------
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered first-
class mail, next-day air courier or telecopier:
1. if to a Holder of Registrable Notes or any Participating
Broker-Dealer, at the most current address of such Holder or Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, set forth on the records of the
registrar under the Indenture, with a copy in like manner to the Initial
Purchasers as follows:
-40-
CIBC WOOD GUNDY SECURITIES CORP.
FIRST UNION CAPITAL MARKETS CORP.
c/o CIBC Wood Gundy Securities Corp.
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No.: (212)
Attention: Corporate Finance
Department
with a copy to:
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
2. if to the Initial Purchasers, at the address specified in
Section 10(e)(1);
3. if to the Company, as follows:
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
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with copies to:
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business days
after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; one business day
after being timely delivered to a next-day air courier guaranteeing overnight
delivery; and when receipt is acknowledged by the addressee, if telecopied.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee under the
Indenture at the address specified in such Indenture.
(f) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
----------------------
of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto
and the Holders; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not inure to the
-------- -------
benefit of or be binding upon a successor or assign of a Holder unless and to
the extent such successor or assign holds Registrable Notes.
(g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
------------
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(h) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
--------
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
-42-
(i) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
-------------
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS
MADE AND PERFORMED WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF
CONFLICTS OF LAW. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES TO SUBMIT TO THE
JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.
(j) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of
------------
this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid,
illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions,
covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and
effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties
hereto shall use their best efforts to find and employ an alternative means to
achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such
term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared
to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining
terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that
may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
(k) Notes Held by any Issuer or Its Affiliates. Whenever the consent
------------------------------------------
or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Notes is
required hereunder, Registrable Notes held by any Issuer or its affiliates (as
such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) shall not be counted
in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such
required percentage.
(l) Third Party Beneficiaries. Holders of Registrable Notes and
-------------------------
Participating Broker-Dealers are intended third party beneficiaries of this
Agreement and this Agreement may be enforced by such Persons.
-43-
(m) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Purchase
----------------
Agreement and the Indenture, is intended by the parties as a final and exclusive
statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of
the subject matter contained herein and therein and any and all prior oral or
written agreements, representations, or warranties, contracts, understandings,
correspondence, conversations and memoranda among the Initial Purchasers on the
one hand and the Issuers on the other, or between or among any agents,
representatives, parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors in interest or
successors in interest with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof are
merged herein and replaced hereby.
(n) Joint and Several Obligations. All of the obligations of the
-----------------------------
Issuers hereunder shall be joint and several obligations of each of them.
-44-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement
as of the date first written above.
THE PANTRY, INC.
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
By:____________________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
Title: Senior V.P., Finance & CFO
LIL' CHAMPS FOOD STORES, INC.
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
By:____________________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
Title: Executive V.P. & Assistant
Secretary
CIBC WOOD GUNDY SECURITIES CORP.
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
By:____________________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Managing Director
FIRST UNION CAPITAL MARKETS CORP.
/s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
By:____________________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Director
-45-
SANDHILLS, INC.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
---------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
Title: Vice President