EXHIBIT 4.1
[JPMORGAN LOGO] CONFORMED COPY
$273,500,000
AMENDED AND RESTATED
CREDIT AGREEMENT
dated as of
November 29, 2003
among
TBC CORPORATION
The Lenders Party Hereto,
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Documentation Agent,
SUNTRUST BANK
as Syndication Agent,
FIRST TENNESSEE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Administrative Agent
and
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK
as Co-Administrative Agent
▇.▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ SECURITIES INC.
as Sole Advisor, Lead Arranger and Bookrunner
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
ARTICLE I Definitions............................................................................................ 2
SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms........................................................................... 2
SECTION 1.02. Classification of Loans and Borrowings.................................................. 21
SECTION 1.03. Terms Generally......................................................................... 21
SECTION 1.04. Accounting Terms; GAAP.................................................................. 22
ARTICLE II The Credits........................................................................................... 22
SECTION 2.01. Revolving and Term Loan Commitments..................................................... 22
SECTION 2.02. Loans and Borrowings.................................................................... 23
SECTION 2.03. Requests for Borrowings................................................................. 24
SECTION 2.04. Swingline Loans......................................................................... 26
SECTION 2.05. Letters of Credit....................................................................... 27
SECTION 2.06. Funding of Borrowings................................................................... 31
SECTION 2.07. Interest Elections...................................................................... 32
SECTION 2.08. Termination and Reduction of Revolving Credit Commitments............................... 33
SECTION 2.09. Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt.................................................... 33
SECTION 2.10. Prepayment of Loans..................................................................... 36
SECTION 2.11. Fees.................................................................................... 37
SECTION 2.12. Interest................................................................................ 38
SECTION 2.13. Alternate Rate of Interest.............................................................. 39
SECTION 2.14. Increased Costs......................................................................... 40
SECTION 2.15. Break Funding Payments.................................................................. 41
SECTION 2.16. Taxes................................................................................... 41
SECTION 2.17. Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs............................. 42
SECTION 2.18. Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.......................................... 44
ARTICLE III Representations and Warranties....................................................................... 45
SECTION 3.01. Organization; Powers.................................................................... 45
SECTION 3.02. Authorization; Enforceability........................................................... 45
SECTION 3.03. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts.................................................... 45
SECTION 3.04. Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change......................................... 46
SECTION 3.05. Properties.............................................................................. 46
SECTION 3.06. Litigation and Environmental Matters.................................................... 47
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PAGE
SECTION 3.07. Compliance with Laws and Agreements..................................................... 47
SECTION 3.08. Investment and Holding Company Status................................................... 47
SECTION 3.09. Taxes................................................................................... 47
SECTION 3.10. ERISA................................................................................... 48
SECTION 3.11. Disclosure.............................................................................. 48
SECTION 3.12. Margin Stock............................................................................ 48
SECTION 3.13. Compliance with Conditions Precedent.................................................... 48
SECTION 3.14. Labor Matters........................................................................... 49
SECTION 3.15. Assets.................................................................................. 49
SECTION 3.16. Security Documents...................................................................... 49
SECTION 3.17. Solvency................................................................................ 49
SECTION 3.18. Certain Documents....................................................................... 49
SECTION 3.19. Regulation H............................................................................ 49
ARTICLE IV Conditions............................................................................................ 50
SECTION 4.01. Amendment and Restatement Effective Date................................................ 50
SECTION 4.02. Each Credit Event....................................................................... 52
ARTICLE V Affirmative Covenants.................................................................................. 52
SECTION 5.01. Punctual Payment........................................................................ 52
SECTION 5.02. Financial Statements and Other Information.............................................. 53
SECTION 5.03. Notices of Material Events.............................................................. 54
SECTION 5.04. Existence; Conduct of Business.......................................................... 54
SECTION 5.05. Payment of Obligations.................................................................. 54
SECTION 5.06. Maintenance of Properties; Insurance.................................................... 55
SECTION 5.07. Books and Records; Inspection Rights.................................................... 55
SECTION 5.08. Compliance with Laws.................................................................... 55
SECTION 5.09. Use of Proceeds......................................................................... 55
SECTION 5.10. Intercompany Loans/Payments............................................................. 55
SECTION 5.11. Subsidiary Guarantees and Collateral.................................................... 55
SECTION 5.12. Environmental Laws...................................................................... 56
SECTION 5.13. Additional Collateral, etc.............................................................. 57
SECTION 5.14. Title Insurance, etc.................................................................... 57
ARTICLE VI Negative Covenants.................................................................................... 58
SECTION 6.01. Indebtedness............................................................................ 58
SECTION 6.02. Liens................................................................................... 60
SECTION 6.03. Fundamental Changes..................................................................... 61
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SECTION 6.04. Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions............................... 61
SECTION 6.05. Hedging Agreements...................................................................... 63
SECTION 6.06. Transactions with Affiliates............................................................ 63
SECTION 6.07. Restrictive Agreements.................................................................. 63
SECTION 6.08. Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio............................................................. 64
SECTION 6.09. Maximum Leverage Ratio.................................................................. 64
SECTION 6.10. Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR................................................................ 65
SECTION 6.11. Asset Test.............................................................................. 65
SECTION 6.12. Disclosure.............................................................................. 66
SECTION 6.13. Sale of Assets.......................................................................... 66
SECTION 6.14. Restricted Payments..................................................................... 67
ARTICLE VII Events of Default.................................................................................... 67
ARTICLE VIII The Administrative Agent and the Co-Administrative Agent............................................ 70
ARTICLE IX Miscellaneous......................................................................................... 72
SECTION 9.01. Notices................................................................................. 72
SECTION 9.02. Waivers; Amendments..................................................................... 73
SECTION 9.03. Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver...................................................... 74
SECTION 9.04. Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments.................................. 75
SECTION 9.05. Survival................................................................................ 78
SECTION 9.06. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness................................................ 79
SECTION 9.07. Severability............................................................................ 79
SECTION 9.08. Right of Setoff......................................................................... 79
SECTION 9.09. Governing Law, Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.............................. 80
SECTION 9.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.................................................................... 80
SECTION 9.11. Headings................................................................................ 80
SECTION 9.12. Confidentiality......................................................................... 81
SECTION 9.13. Interest Rate Limitation................................................................ 81
SECTION 9.14. Effect of Amendment and Restatement of the March 2003 Credit Agreement; Consent to
Amendment of Guarantee and Collateral Agreement....................................... 81
Schedule 1.01A FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
Schedule 1.01B FORM OF INCREMENTAL FACILITY ACTIVATION NOTICE
Schedule 1.01C EXISTING LETTERS OF CREDIT
Schedule 1.01D OWNED REAL PROPERTIES
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PAGE
Schedule 2.01 COMMITMENTS
Schedule 2.02 FORM OF NEW LENDER SUPPLEMENT
Schedule 3.01 BORROWER AND SUBSIDIARIES AND JURISDICTIONS OF
ORGANIZATION
Schedule 3.15 TRADEMARKS, TRADENAMES AND SERVICE MARKS
Schedule 3.16(a) UCC FILING JURISDICTIONS
Schedule 3.16(b) MORTGAGE FILING JURISDICTIONS
Schedule 4.01(b) FORM OF OPINION LETTER
Schedule 4.01(f) GUARANTEE AND COLLATERAL AGREEMENT
Schedule 4.01(f)A FORM OF AMENDMENT TO GUARANTEE AND COLLATERAL
AGREEMENT
Schedule 5.10 CERTAIN INTERCOMPANY LOANS
Schedule 6.01 EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS
Schedule 6.01(e) GUARANTEE OBLIGATIONS OF BIG O TIRES, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES
Schedule 6.02 EXISTING LIENS
Schedule 6.04(b) CERTAIN EXISTING INVESTMENTS AND LOANS
Schedule 6.07 EXISTING RESTRICTIONS
Schedule 6.13 CERTAIN ASSET SALES
Schedule 9.06 FORM OF AMENDMENT TO INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT
iv
AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of
November 29, 2003, is among TBC Corporation, a Delaware corporation with its
principal office located at ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
(the "Borrower"), the Lenders from time to time party to this Agreement (each a
"Lender"), First Tennessee Bank National Association, a banking corporation with
its principal office located at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, as
administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the "Administrative
Agent") and JPMorgan Chase Bank, a banking corporation with an office located at
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, as co-administrative agent for the
Lenders (in such capacity the "Co-Administrative Agent").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Borrower was a party to a $160,000,000 amended
and restated credit agreement (as amended from time to time, the "2001 Credit
Agreement"), dated as of January 5, 2001 among the Borrower, certain of its
subsidiaries, as guarantors, various lenders and the agents named therein;
WHEREAS, to finance the acquisition of Merchant's,
Incorporated and its subsidiary (the "Merchant's Acquisition"), the Borrower's
working capital needs, capital expenditures, further acquisitions and for all
other general corporate purposes, the Borrower, the Lenders, the Administrative
Agent and the Co-Administrative Agent entered into the Credit Agreement, dated
as of March 31, 2003 (the "March 2003 Credit Agreement"), which refinanced,
terminated and replaced the 2001 Credit Agreement (the "Refinancing") and
established credit facilities providing for term loans, revolving loans, letters
of credit and swingline loans of up to $208,500,000 in the aggregate maximum
principal amount at any time outstanding;
WHEREAS, the Borrower intends to acquire (the "NTB
Acquisition") NTW Incorporated, a Delaware corporation ("NTB"), from Sears,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and Co. for an aggregate purchase price of up to $225,000,000;
WHEREAS, in connection with the NTB Acquisition, the Borrower
has requested that certain of the Lenders make available the Tranche C Term
Commitments (as defined below); and
WHEREAS, the Required Lenders and each Lender providing a
Tranche C Term Commitment desire to amend and restate the March 2003 Credit
Agreement to, among other things, make available to the Borrower the Tranche C
Term Commitments, to amend certain of the covenants therein and to make other
modifications as specified herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto,
such parties hereby agree that upon the effectiveness of this Agreement, the
March 2003 Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as
follows:
2
ARTICLE I
Definitions
SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the
following terms have the meanings specified below:
"ABR", when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers
to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing
interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.
"Acceptable Acquisition" has the meaning set forth in Section
6.04.
"Additional Note Agreement" means the Note Agreement dated as
of April 1, 2003 between the Borrower and Prudential, as amended by Amendment
No. 1 to Note Purchase Agreement dated as of November 29, 2003.
"Additional Prudential Notes" means the Senior Notes the
Borrower issued and Prudential purchased pursuant to the Additional Note
Agreement.
"Adjusted LIBO Rate" means, with respect to any Eurodollar
Borrowing for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards,
if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to (a) the LIBO Rate for such
Interest Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserve Rate.
"Administrative Agent" means First Tennessee Bank National
Association, in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder.
"Administrative Questionnaire" means an Administrative
Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.
"Affiliate" means, with respect to a specified Person, another
Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls
or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.
"Agreement" means this Amended and Restated Credit Agreement,
as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
"Alternate Base Rate" means, for any day, a rate per annum
equal to the highest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, and (b) the
Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 0.5%. Any change in the
Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds
Effective Rate shall be effective as of the opening of business on the effective
day of such change in the Prime Rate, or the Federal Funds Effective Rate,
respectively.
"Amendment and Restatement Effective Date" means the date on
which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in
accordance with Section 9.02).
3
"Applicable Percentage" means, with respect to any Lender, at
any time, the percentage of the total Revolving Credit Commitments represented
by such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment at such time. If the Revolving
Credit Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall
be determined based upon the principal amount of all Revolving Loans
outstanding, giving effect to any assignments and any increase pursuant to
Section 2.02(d).
"Applicable Rate" means, for any day, with respect to any ABR
Loan or Eurodollar Loan, or with respect to the commitment fees payable
hereunder, as the case may be, the applicable rate per annum, stated in basis
points, set forth below under the caption "ABR Spread", "Eurodollar Spread" or
"Commitment Fee Rate", as the case may be, based upon the Leverage Ratio as in
effect on such date:
Commitment
Leverage Ratio: ABR Spread Eurodollar Spread Fee Rate
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category 1 175.0 275.0 50.00
>3.00
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category 2
>=2.50 but <=3.00 150.0 250.0 37.50
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category 3
>=2.00 but <2.50 125.0 225.0 37.50
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category 4
>= 1.50 but <2.00 100.0 200.0 30.00
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category 5
<1.50 75.0 175.0 25.00
===================================================================================================
For purposes of the foregoing, the Leverage Ratio shall be
determined and adjusted on the first day of the month after the month in which
the Borrower provides the Financial Officer's certificate in accordance with the
provisions of Section 5.02(c) (each a "Ratio Calculation Date"). The initial
Applicable Rate shall be 150 basis points for ABR Loans and 250 basis points for
Eurodollar Borrowings, and shall not be less than such rate until the first
Ratio Calculation Date subsequent to September 30, 2003. If the Borrower fails
to provide a Financial Officer's certificate required by Section 5.02(c) on or
before the date required pursuant to such Section, the Applicable Rate shall be
based on Category 1 from such date until such time that an appropriate Financial
Officer's certificate is provided, whereupon the Applicable Rate shall then be
determined by the Leverage Ratio reflected on such Financial Officer's
certificate, until the next Ratio Calculation Date. Subject to the preceding
sentence, each determination of the Applicable Rate shall be effective from one
Ratio Calculation Date until the next Ratio Calculation Date. Any adjustment in
the Applicable Rate shall be applicable to all existing Loans as well as any new
Loans made, as long as the adjusted Applicable Rate remains in effect. For
purposes of the foregoing table:
4
< means less than
<= means less than or equal to
> means greater than
>= means equal to or greater than.
"Approved Fund" has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 9.04(b).
"Arranger" means ▇. ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities Inc. in its capacity
as arranger of the Commitments.
"Assignee" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section
9.04(b).
"Assignment and Acceptance" means an assignment and acceptance
entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose
consent is required by Section 9.04), and accepted by the Administrative Agent,
in the form of Schedule 1.01A or any other form approved by the Administrative
Agent.
"Availability Period" means the period from and including the
Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Revolving Credit Maturity
Date or the date of termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments.
"Available Revolving Credit Commitment" means, with respect to
each Lender, at any time, the amount of its Revolving Credit Commitment minus
its Revolving Credit Exposure, at such time.
"Board" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System of the United States of America.
"Borrower" has the meaning set forth in the introductory
paragraph of this Agreement.
"Borrowing" means (a) Loans that are of the same Class and
Type, that are made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of
Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect or (b) a
Swingline Loan.
"Borrowing Request" means a request by the Borrower for a
Revolving Borrowing or a Tranche C Borrowing, as the case may be, in accordance
with Section 2.03.
"Business Day" means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or
other day on which commercial banks in Memphis, Tennessee are authorized or
required by law to remain closed; provided that, when used in connection with a
Eurodollar Loan, the term "Business Day" shall also exclude any day on which
banks are not open for dealings in dollar deposits in the London interbank
market.
"Capital Expenditures" mean, for any period, expenditures
(including the aggregate amount of Capital Lease Obligations incurred during
such period) made directly or indirectly by the Borrower or any Subsidiary to
acquire or construct fixed assets, property, plant
5
and equipment (including renewals, improvements, replacements and substitutions,
but excluding repairs) during such period, computed in accordance with GAAP.
"Capital Lease Obligations" of any Person means the
obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or
other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a
combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and
accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP,
and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof
determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Change in Control" means (a) the acquisition of ownership,
directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group
(within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder as in effect on the Effective
Date) of shares representing more than 20% of the aggregate ordinary voting
power represented by the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Borrower;
(b) occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board
of directors of the Borrower by Persons who were neither (i) nominated by the
board of directors of the Borrower nor (ii) appointed by directors so nominated;
or (c) the acquisition of direct or indirect Control of the Borrower by any
Person or group.
"Change in Law" means (a) the adoption of any law, rule or
regulation after the Effective Date, (b) any change in any law, rule or
regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental
Authority after the Effective Date or (c) compliance by any Lender (or, for
purposes of Section 2.14(b), by any lending office of such Lender or by such
Lender's holding company, if any) with any request, guideline or directive
(whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or
issued after the Effective Date.
"Class", when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing,
refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are
Revolving Loans, Term Loans or Swingline Loans.
"Co-Administrative Agent" means JPMorgan Chase Bank in its
capacity as co-administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
from time to time.
"Collateral Agent" has the meaning assigned to such term in
the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.
"Commitment" means, with respect to each Lender, the
commitment of such Lender to make Loans of a given Class, and to acquire
participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans, hereunder, as such
commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.08 and (b)
reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such
Lender pursuant to Section 9.04. The initial amount of each Lender's Commitment
to make Loans of a given Class is set forth on Schedule 2.01, or in the
Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its
Commitment, as applicable. The aggregate amount of the Lenders' initial
Commitments was $273,500,000, and the aggregate amount of the Lenders'
Commitments on the Amendment and Restatement Effective Date
6
(including the principal balance of the Tranche A Term Loans and Tranche B Term
Loans outstanding on such date, the Tranche C Term Commitments and the Revolving
Credit Commitments) is approximately $[271,167,164].
"Conduit Lender" means any special purpose corporation
organized and administered by any Lender for the purpose of making Loans
otherwise required to be made by such Lender and designated by such Lender in a
written instrument; provided, that the designation by any Lender of a Conduit
Lender shall not relieve the designating Lender of any of its obligations to
fund a Loan under this Agreement if, for any reason, its Conduit Lender fails to
fund any such Loan, and the designating Lender (and not the Conduit Lender)
shall have the sole right and responsibility to deliver all consents and waivers
required or requested under this Agreement with respect to its Conduit Lender,
and provided, further, that no Conduit Lender shall (a) be entitled to receive
any greater amount pursuant to Section 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 or 9.03 than the
designating Lender would have been entitled to receive in respect of the
extensions of credit made by such Conduit Lender or (b) be deemed to have any
Commitment.
"Consolidated Funded Indebtedness" means all Funded
Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries after eliminating
inter-company items, including any Funded Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to
and under this Agreement, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in
accordance with GAAP.
"Consolidated Interest Expense" means for any period for which
such amount is being determined, the interest expense of the Borrower and the
Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in
accordance with GAAP, including (i) the amortization of debt discounts to the
extent included in interest expense in accordance with GAAP, (ii) the
amortization of all fees (including fees with respect to Hedging Agreements)
payable in connection with the incurrence of Indebtedness to the extent included
in interest expense in accordance with GAAP and (iii) the portion of any rents
payable under Capital Lease Obligations allocable to interest expense in
accordance with GAAP.
"Consolidated Net Income" means the net income of the Borrower
and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, after taxes and after extraordinary items as
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
"Consolidated Subsidiaries" means Subsidiaries whose accounts
are consolidated with the accounts of the Borrower in the Borrower's
consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP.
"Consolidated Total Liabilities" means, at any date the
consolidated total liabilities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such date
determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Control" means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the
power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a
Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or
otherwise. "Controlling" and "Controlled" have meanings correlative thereto.
7
"Default" means any event or condition which constitutes an
Event of Default or which solely upon notice, lapse of time or both would,
unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.
"dollars" or "$" refers to lawful money of the United States
of America.
"EBITDA" means the sum of the following items measured for
each Fiscal Quarter:
(i) Consolidated Net Income, plus
(ii) depreciation, amortization, and all other non-cash
charges, plus
(iii) income taxes to the extent they reduce Consolidated
Net Income, plus
(iv) Consolidated Interest Expense.
In addition, (a) EBITDA shall include, on a pro forma basis for each Fiscal
Quarter (including any pro forma cost savings to the extent the same could be
reflected in pro forma financial statements contained in filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to its Regulation S-X), the
foregoing information with respect to each Person that was either acquired in an
Acceptable Acquisition or disposed of as permitted by this Agreement during such
Fiscal Quarter, determined as if the Acquisition or disposition had taken place
on the first day of such Fiscal Quarter; and (b) whenever in this Agreement
EBITDA is determined for a period of four Fiscal Quarters, it shall include, on
a pro forma basis for such period (including any pro forma cost savings), the
foregoing information with respect to each Person that was either acquired in an
Acceptable Acquisition or disposed of as permitted by this Agreement during such
period, determined as if the Acceptable Acquisition or disposition had taken
place on the first day of such four Fiscal Quarter period.
"Effective Date" means March 31, 2003.
"Environmental Laws" means all laws, rules, regulations,
codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding
agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority,
relating in any way to the environment, preservation or reclamation of natural
resources, the management, release or threatened release of any Hazardous
Material or to health and safety matters.
"Environmental Liability" means any liability, contingent or
otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental
remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower or any Subsidiary
directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any
Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage,
treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous
Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into
the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement
pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the
foregoing.
"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended from time to time.
8
"ERISA Affiliate" means any trade or business (whether or not
incorporated) that, together with the Borrower, is treated as a single employer
under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302
of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under
Section 414 of the Code.
"ERISA Event" means (a) any "reportable event", as defined in
Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a
Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) the
existence with respect to any Plan of an "accumulated funding deficiency" (as
defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not
waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(d) of the Code or Section 303(d)
of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with
respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA
Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the
termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate
from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to
terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f)
the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability
with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or
Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of
any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Borrower or any
ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability
or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent
or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Borrower's termination of the TBC Corporation Retirement
Plan, and the Borrower's incurrence of liability under Title IV of ERISA with
respect to such termination, shall not constitute an ERISA Event if, after
giving effect to the termination and any liability incurred by the Borrower in
connection therewith, the Borrower remains in compliance with the financial
covenants set forth in Sections 6.08 through 6.11, inclusive.
"Eurodollar", when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing,
refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing
interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.
"Event of Default" has the meaning assigned to such term in
Article VII.
"Excluded Foreign Subsidiary" means any Foreign Subsidiary in
respect of which either (a) the pledge of all of the Capital Stock of such
Subsidiary as Collateral or (b) the guaranteeing by such Subsidiary of the
Obligations, would, in the good faith judgment of the Borrower, result in
adverse tax consequences to the Borrower.
"Excluded Taxes" means, with respect to the Administrative
Agent, any Lender, the Issuing Bank or any other recipient of any payment to be
made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder, (a) income or
franchise taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income by the United States
of America, or by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such recipient is
organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any
Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, (b) any branch
profits taxes imposed by the United States of America or any similar tax imposed
by any other jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located and (c) in the case
of a Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the
Borrower under Section 2.18(b)), any withholding tax that is imposed on amounts
9
payable to such Foreign Lender at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party
to this Agreement (or designates a new lending office) or is attributable to
such Foreign Lender's failure to comply with Section 2.16(e), except to the
extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the
time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive
additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such withholding tax
pursuant to Section 2.16(a).
"Existing Letters of Credit" means any letter of credit listed
on Schedule 1.01C.
"Existing Note Agreement" has the meaning assigned thereto in
the definition of "Prudential Debt".
"Facility Obligations" means, in each case, whether now in
existence or hereafter arising, (i) the principal of, and interest and premium,
if any, on, the Loans; (ii) the LC Exposure; and (iii) all other Indebtedness,
covenants, duties and obligations (including contingent obligations) now or at
any time or times hereafter owing by Borrower to Administrative Agent, the
Co-Administrative Agent or any Lender under or pursuant to this Agreement or any
of the other Loan Documents, whether evidenced by any note or other writing,
whether arising from any extension of credit, opening of a Letter of Credit,
acceptance, loan, Guarantee, indemnification or otherwise and whether direct or
indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, primary or secondary, or
joint or several, including all interest, charges, expenses, fees or other sums
chargeable to Borrower or any Guarantor under this Agreement or under any of the
other Loan Documents.
"Federal Funds Effective Rate" means, for any day, the
weighted average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the
rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal
Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next
succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such
rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average
(rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for
such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three
Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.
"Financial Officer" means the chief financial officer,
principal accounting officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer (to the extent
authorized to act) or controller of the Borrower.
"Fiscal Quarter" means each fiscal quarter-year period of the
Borrower, ending on the last day of each March, June, September and December.
"Fiscal Year" means the fiscal year of the Borrower, which is
the calendar year.
"Foreign Lender" means any Lender that is organized under the
laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is located. For
purposes of this definition, the United States of America, each State thereof
and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single
jurisdiction.
"Funded Indebtedness" means any outstanding Indebtedness of a
Person for borrowed money, including all such Indebtedness of the Person to the
Lenders and other
10
financial institutions, domestic or foreign, and all secured and unsecured notes
payable, all industrial revenue bonds, all Capital Lease Obligations and other
similar debt obligations and the current maturities thereof, but excluding all
Guarantees of Funded Indebtedness. (Checks that have not been presented for
payment shall not constitute Funded Indebtedness.)
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States of America.
"Governmental Authority" means the government of the United
States of America, any other nation or 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.
"Grantors" means the Borrower and its Subsidiaries that are
parties to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.
"Guarantee" of or by any Person (the "guarantor") means any
obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor 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 the guarantor, 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 thereof, (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 thereof, (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 or (d) as an account party
in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such
Indebtedness or obligation; provided, that the term Guarantee shall not include
endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.
"Guarantee and Collateral Agreement" means the Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement executed and delivered by the Borrower and each Grantor on
the Effective Date, a copy of which is attached hereto as Schedule 4.01(f), as
the same has been amended as of the Amendment and Restatement Effective Date and
may be further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
"Guarantor" means a Person liable pursuant to a Guarantee of
any of the Facility Obligations, which Guarantee is in form satisfactory to the
Required Lenders (the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement being in such a form).
"Hazardous Materials" means all explosive or radioactive
substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other
pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos
containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or
medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated
pursuant to any Environmental Law.
11
"Hedging Agreement" means any interest rate protection
agreement, foreign currency exchange agreement, commodity price protection
agreement or other interest or currency exchange rate or commodity price hedging
arrangement.
"Incremental Facility Activation Notice" means a notice
substantially in the form of Schedule 1.01B.
"Incremental Facility Closing Date" means any Business Day
designated as such in an Incremental Facility Activation Notice.
"Indebtedness" of any Person means, without duplication, (a)
all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or
advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds,
debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person
upon which interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such
Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to
property acquired by such Person, (e) all obligations of such Person in respect
of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding current
accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (f) all
Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness
has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on
property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness
secured thereby has been assumed, (g) all Guarantees by such Person of
Indebtedness of others, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (i)
all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in
respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty, (j) all obligations,
contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers' acceptances and
(k) all obligations of such Person related to synthetic leases. The Indebtedness
of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any
partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person
is liable therefor as a result of such Person's ownership interest in or other
relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such
Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.
"Indemnified Taxes" means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.
"Information Memorandum" means the Confidential Information
Memorandum dated October 2003 relating to the Borrower and the Transactions.
"Intercompany Loan" means any Indebtedness for borrowed money
loaned by the Borrower to any of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, by any
Wholly-Owed Subsidiary to the Borrower or by any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary to
another Wholly-Owned Subsidiary.
"Intercreditor Agreement" means the Intercreditor Agreement
among Prudential, each Lender, the Administrative Agent, the Co-Administrative
Agent and the Collateral Agent, dated as of March 31, 2003, as the same may be
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
"Interest Election Request" means a request by the Borrower to
convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.07.
12
"Interest Payment Date" means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan
and Swingline Loan, the last day of each March, June, September and December and
(b) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of the Interest Period
applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a
Eurodollar Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months'
duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at
intervals of three months' duration after the first day of such Interest Period.
"Interest Period" means with respect to any Eurodollar
Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the
numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or
six months thereafter, as the Borrower may elect; provided, that (i) if any
Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest
Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, unless such next
succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case
such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day and (ii) any
Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or
on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last
calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of
the last calendar month of such Interest Period. For purposes hereof, the date
of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and
thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or
continuation of such Borrowing.
"Issuing Bank" means First Tennessee Bank National Association
and JPMorgan Chase Bank, each in its capacity as the issuer of Letters of Credit
hereunder, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.05(i).
The Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of
Credit to be issued by Affiliates of the Issuing Bank, in which case the term
"Issuing Bank" shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of
Credit issued by such Affiliate.
"Joint Venture" means a joint venture formed to provide
distribution for the products of the Borrower, Big O Tires, Inc. or any other
Subsidiary, which joint venture is accounted for under GAAP as an investment and
not as a Subsidiary or as an acquisition or a capital expenditure.
"LC Disbursement" means a payment made by any Issuing Bank
pursuant to a Letter of Credit.
"LC Exposure" means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate
undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the
aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or
on behalf of the Borrower at such time. The LC Exposure of any Lender at any
time shall be the aggregate of the Lender's participations under Section 2.05(e)
in the outstanding Letters of Credit at such time, including its aggregate
participations in Letters of Credit with respect to which one or more LC
Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower.
"Lenders" means the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01 and any
other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and
Acceptance, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant
to an Assignment and Acceptance. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term
"Lenders" includes the Swingline Lender.
13
"Letter of Credit" means any letter of credit issued pursuant
to this Agreement.
"Leverage Ratio" at any time means the ratio of Consolidated
Funded Indebtedness as of the end of the most recent Fiscal Quarter to the
aggregate EBITDA for the four Fiscal Quarter period ended with the most recent
Fiscal Quarter, and includes any adjustments based on Acceptable Acquisitions
and dispositions as provided in the definition of EBITDA.
"LIBO Rate" means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing
for any Interest Period, the rate appearing on Page 3750 of the Telerate Service
(or on any successor or substitute page of such Service, or any successor to or
substitute for such Service, providing rate quotations comparable to those
currently provided on such page of such Service, as determined by the
Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of
interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the London interbank market) at
approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the
commencement of such Interest Period, as the rate for dollar deposits with a
maturity comparable to such Interest Period. In the event that such rate is not
available at such time for any reason, then the "LIBO Rate" with respect to such
Eurodollar Borrowing for such Interest Period shall be the rate at which dollar
deposits of $5,000,000 and for a maturity comparable to such Interest Period are
offered by the principal London office of JPMorgan Chase Bank in immediately
available funds in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m.,
London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest
Period.
"Lien" means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage,
deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security
interest in, on or of such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under
any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or
any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the
foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any
purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such
securities.
"Loan Documents" means this Agreement, the Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement, any Mortgage and any other Guarantee of any of the
Facility Obligations that may from time to time be in effect.
"Loans" means the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower
pursuant to this Agreement.
"Long-Term Indebtedness" means any Indebtedness that, in
accordance with GAAP, constitutes (or, when incurred, constituted) a long-term
liability.
"March 2003 Credit Agreement" has the meaning assigned thereto
in the recitals hereto.
"Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on
(a) the business, assets, operations, prospects or condition, financial or
otherwise, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (b) the
validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents
or the rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent of the Lenders hereunder
or thereunder.
14
"Material Indebtedness" means Indebtedness (other than the
Loans and Letters of Credit) or obligations in respect of one or more Hedging
Agreements, of any one or more of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an
aggregate principal amount exceeding $5,000,000. For purposes of determining
Material Indebtedness, the "principal amount" of the obligations of the Borrower
or any Subsidiary in respect of any Hedging Agreement at any time shall be the
maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the
Borrower or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Hedging Agreement
were terminated at such time.
"Merchant's Acquisition" has the meaning assigned thereto in
the recitals hereto.
"Moody's" means ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Investors Service, Inc.
"Mortgage" means any mortgage referred to in Section 4.01(g)
and any mortgage executed and delivered after the Effective Date pursuant to
Section 5.13(a).
"Mortgage Amendment" has the meaning set forth in Section
4.01(g).
"Mortgaged Property" means the real property owned by the
Borrower, located at ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and containing
approximately 475,000 square feet of executive office space and warehouse
facilities, and any other real property as to which the Collateral Agent for the
benefit of the Lenders shall be granted a Mortgage pursuant to Section 5.13(a).
"Multiemployer Plan" means a multiemployer plan as defined in
Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
"Net Proceeds" means, with respect to any event, (a) the cash
proceeds received in respect of such event, including (i) any cash received in
respect of any non-cash proceeds, but only as and when received, (ii) in the
case of a casualty or other insured damage, insurance proceeds, and (iii) in the
case of a condemnation or similar event, condemnation awards and similar
payments, net of (b) the sum of (i) all reasonable fees and out-of-pocket
expenses paid by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to third parties in
connection with such event, (ii) in the case of a sale, transfer or other
disposition of an asset (including pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction
permitted under Section 6.13(d) or a casualty or a condemnation or similar
proceeding), the amount of all payments required to be made by the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries as a result of such event to repay Indebtedness (other than
Loans, the Prudential Debt and the Additional Prudential Notes) secured by such
asset or otherwise subject to mandatory prepayment as a result of such event (to
the extent such repayment is permitted hereunder), and (iii) the amount of all
taxes paid (or reasonably estimated to be payable) by the Borrower or any
Subsidiary, and the amount of any reserves established by the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries to fund contingent liabilities or contingent obligations reasonably
estimated to be available, in each case during the year that such event occurred
or the next succeeding year and that are directly attributable to such event (as
determined reasonably and in good faith by the chief financial officer of the
Borrower), provided that the amount of any subsequent reduction of any such
reserve (other than in connection with a payment in respect of any such
liability) shall be deemed to be Net Proceeds of a Prepayment Event occurring on
the date of such reduction.
"New Lender" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(e).
15
"New Lender Supplement" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.02(e).
"NTB" has the meaning assigned thereto in the recitals hereto.
"NTB Acquisition" has the meaning assigned thereto in the
recitals hereto.
"NTB Acquisition Agreement" means the Stock Purchase
Agreement, dated as of September 21, 2003, by and between the Borrower and
Sears, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and Co.
"NTB Acquisition Documentation" means, collectively, the NTB
Acquisition Agreement and all schedules, exhibits and annexes thereto and all
side letters and agreements affecting the terms thereof or entered into in
connection therewith.
"NTB Sale and Leaseback" means the sale, for an aggregate
price not to exceed $140,000,000, and the leasing back of up to eighty-nine
properties acquired by the Borrower in connection with the NTB Acquisition.
"Other Taxes" means any and all present or future stamp or
documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar
levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery
or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement.
"Participant" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.04(c).
"PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred
to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.
"Permitted Encumbrances" means:
(a) Liens imposed by law for taxes that are not yet due
or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.05;
(b) carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', materialmen's,
repairmen's and other like Liens imposed by law, arising in the
ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not
overdue by more than 30 days or are being contested in compliance with
Section 5.05;
(c) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of
business in compliance with workers' compensation, unemployment
insurance and other social security laws or regulations;
(d) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade
contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds,
performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case
in the ordinary course of business;
(e) judgment liens in respect of judgments that do not
constitute an Event of Default under clause (k) of Article VII;
16
(f) easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and
similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the
ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations
and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property
or interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the Borrower or
any Subsidiary; and
(g) Liens of landlords on fixtures and leasehold
improvements granted or arising in the ordinary course of business;
provided that the term "Permitted Encumbrances" shall not include any Lien
securing Indebtedness.
"Permitted Investments" means:
(a) direct obligations of, or obligations the principal
of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United
States of America (or by any agency thereof to the extent such
obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United
States of America), in each case maturing within one year from the date
of acquisition thereof;
(b) investments in commercial paper maturing within 270
days from the date of acquisition thereof and having, at such date of
acquisition, the highest credit rating obtainable from S&P or from
▇▇▇▇▇'▇;
(c) investments in certificates of deposit, banker's
acceptances and time deposits maturing within 180 days from the date of
acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money
market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any Lender or any
domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the
United States of America or any State thereof which, in any case, has a
combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than
$500,000,000; and
(d) fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a
term of not more than 30 days for securities described in clause (a)
above and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the
criteria described in clause (c) above.
"Person" means any natural person, corporation, limited
liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership,
Governmental Authority or other entity.
"Plan" means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a
Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section
412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Borrower or
any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section
4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an "employer" as defined in Section 3(5) of
ERISA.
"Prepayment Event" means:
(a) any sale and leaseback transaction permitted pursuant
to Section 6.13(d), or any other sale, transfer, or other disposition
of any property or asset of the Borrower or
17
any Subsidiary, other than dispositions permitted pursuant to Section
6.13(a), (b), (c) (e) (f) , (g) or (h);
(b) any casualty or other insured damage to, or any
taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar
proceeding of, any property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary,
but only to the extent that the Net Proceeds therefrom, together with
any other such Net Proceeds received after the Amendment and
Restatement Effective Date, exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate and have
not been applied to repair, restore or replace such property or asset
or to acquire other real property, equipment or other tangible assets
to be used in the business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary within one
year after such event; or
(c) the incurrence by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of
any Indebtedness, other than Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01.
"Prime Rate" means the rate of interest per annum publicly
announced from time to time by JPMorgan Chase Bank as its prime rate in effect
at its principal office in New York City; each change in the Prime Rate shall be
effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced as being
effective.
"Properties" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.06(b).
"Prudential Consents" has the meaning set forth in Section
4.01(i).
"Prudential" means The Prudential Insurance Company of
America together with any of its affiliates, managed accounts and funds from
time to time holding Prudential Debt or Additional Prudential Notes.
"Prudential Debt" means Borrower's obligations pursuant to a
certain Second Amended and Restated Note Agreement dated as of April 1, 2003
between Borrower and The Prudential Insurance Company of America, as amended by
Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended and Restated Note Agreement dated as of
November 29, 2003 (the "Existing Note Agreement"), governing the terms of the
Borrower's (i) 8.30% Series A Senior Notes due July 10, 2003, (ii) 8.62% Series
B Senior Notes due July 10, 2005 and (iii) 8.81% Series C Senior Notes due July
10, 2008.
"Register" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.04(b).
"Reimbursement Obligation" means the obligation of the
Borrower to reimburse any Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.05(e) for amounts
drawn under Letters of Credit.
"Related Parties" means, with respect to any specified Person,
such Person's Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees,
agents and advisors of such Person and such Person's Affiliates.
"Required Lenders" means, at any time, Lenders having
aggregate Revolving Credit Exposures, Term Loan Exposures and unused Revolving
Credit Commitments
18
representing more than 51% of the sum of the total Revolving Credit Exposures,
Term Loan Exposures and unused Revolving Credit Commitments at such time.
"Restricted Payment" means any dividend or other distribution
(whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any shares of
any class of capital stock of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any payment
(whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or
similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement,
acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such shares of capital stock of
the Borrower or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such shares of
capital stock of the Borrower.
"Revolving Credit Commitment" means, with respect to each
Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make Revolving Loans and to acquire
participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans hereunder, as such
commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.08, (b)
reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such
Lenders pursuant to Section 9.04 and (c) increased from time to time pursuant to
Section 2.02(d). The initial amount of each Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment
is set forth on Schedule 2.01, or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to
which such Lender shall have assumed its Revolving Credit Commitment, as
applicable. The initial aggregate amount of the Lenders' Revolving Credit
Commitments on the Effective Date was $121,500,000 and on the Amendment and
Restatement Effective Date is $121,500,000.
"Revolving Credit Exposure" means, with respect to any Lender
at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amounts of such Lender's
Revolving Loans and its LC Exposure and Swingline Exposure at such time.
"Revolving Credit Maturity Date" means April 1, 2008.
"Revolving Loan" means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.03.
"S&P" means Standard & Poor's.
"Scheduled Payments" means, for any period, the sum (without
duplication) of the aggregate amount of scheduled principal payments made during
such period in respect of Long-Term Indebtedness of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries (other than payments made by the Borrower or any Subsidiary to the
Borrower or a Subsidiary).
"Solvent", when used with respect to any Person, means that,
as of any date of determination, (a) the amount of the "present fair saleable
value" of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, exceed the amount of
all "liabilities of such Person, contingent or otherwise", as of such date, as
such quoted terms are determined in accordance with applicable federal and state
laws governing determinations of the insolvency of debtors, (b) the present fair
saleable value of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, be greater
than the amount that will be required to pay the liability of such Person on its
debts as such debts become absolute and matured, (c) such Person will not have,
as of such date, an unreasonably small amount of capital with which to conduct
its business, and (d) such Person will be able to pay its debts as they mature.
For purposes of this definition, (i) "debt" means liability on a "claim", and
(ii) "claim" means any (x) right to payment, whether or not such a right is
reduced to judgment, liquidated,
19
unliquidated, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed,
legal, equitable, secured or unsecured or (y) right to an equitable remedy for
breach of performance if such breach gives rise to a right to payment, whether
or not such right to an equitable remedy is reduced to judgment, fixed,
contingent, matured or unmatured, disputed, undisputed, secured or unsecured.
"Statutory Reserve Rate" means a fraction (expressed as a
decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which
is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages
(including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed
as a decimal established by the Board to which the Administrative Agent is
subject for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as "Eurocurrency
Liabilities" in Regulation D of the Board). Such reserve percentages shall
include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D. Eurodollar Loans shall be
deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve
requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets
that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D or
any comparable regulation. The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted
automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve
percentage.
"subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person (the "parent")
at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership,
association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with
those of the parent in the parent's consolidated financial statements if such
financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as
well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership,
association or other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests
representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting
power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership
interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of
such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of
the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent, except
that no Joint Venture in which the entire amount invested by the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries complies with Section 6.04(d), shall be deemed to be a
subsidiary.
"Subsidiary" means any subsidiary of the Borrower; provided,
however, that in no event shall TBC de Mexico be considered to be a Subsidiary
for purposes hereof (but, to the extent required by GAAP, shall be consolidated
in the consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and as such included in
the calculation of the covenants in Sections 6.08, 6.09 and 6.10) until such
time, if any, as Borrower's interest in TBC de Mexico exceeds 60%, Borrower is
required by GAAP to consolidate TBC de Mexico into Borrower's consolidated
financial statements, and Borrower's equity investment in TBC de Mexico exceeds
$2,500,000.
"Substantial Portion" means, with respect to the property of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, property which (i) represents more than 10%
of the consolidated assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as would be
shown in the consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as at the beginning of the twelve-month period ending at the end of
the month in which such determination is made, or (ii) is responsible for more
than 10% of the consolidated net sales or of the Consolidated Net Income of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries as reflected in the financial statements referred
to in clause (i) above.
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"SunTrust" means SunTrust Capital Markets, Inc.
"SunTrust Sale and Leaseback" means the sale, for an aggregate
price of $5,840,000, and the leasing back of eight retail stores previously
owned by Merchant's, Incorporated, pursuant to the Purchase Agreements and Lease
Agreements, each dated as of September 30, 2003 among Merchant's, Incorporated
and various affiliates of SunTrust Equity Funding, LLC.
"Swingline Exposure" means, at any time, the aggregate
principal amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time. The Swingline
Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the
total Swingline Exposure at such time.
"Swingline Lender" means First Tennessee Bank National
Association, in its capacity as lender of Swingline Loans hereunder.
"Swingline Loan" means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.04.
"Taxes" means any and all present or future taxes, levies,
imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental
Authority.
"Term Loan Exposure" means, with respect to any Lender at any
time, the sum of the outstanding principal amounts of such Lender's Term Loans
at such time.
"Term Loan Maturity Date" means April 1, 2008.
"Term Loans" means, collectively, the Tranche A Term Loans,
the Tranche B Term Loans and the Tranche C Term Loans.
"Tranche A Term Commitment" means as to any Lender the
obligation of such Lender, if any, to make a Tranche A Term Loan to the Borrower
in a principal amount not to exceed the amount set forth under the heading
"Tranche A Term Commitment" opposite such Lender's name on Schedule 2.01.
"Tranche A Term Lender" means each Lender that holds a Tranche
A Term Loan.
"Tranche A Term Loan" means a Loan made pursuant to Section
2.01(b).
"Tranche B Term Commitment" means as to any Lender the
obligation of such Lender, if any, to make a Tranche B Term Loan to the Borrower
in a principal amount not to exceed the amount set forth under the heading
"Tranche B Term Commitment" opposite such Lender's name on Schedule 2.01.
"Tranche B Term Exposure" means, with respect to any Lender at
any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amounts of such Lender's Tranche
B Term Loans.
"Tranche B Term Lender" means each Lender that holds a Tranche
B Term Loan.
"Tranche B Term Loan" means a Loan made pursuant to Section
2.01(c).
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"Tranche B Term Loan Availability Period" means the period
from and including the Effective Date until September 30, 2003.
"Tranche C Term Commitment" means as to any Lender the
obligation of such Lender, if any, to make a Tranche C Term Loan to the Borrower
in a principal amount not to exceed the amount set forth under the heading
"Tranche C Term Commitment" opposite such Lender's name on Schedule 2.01.
"Tranche C Term Lender" means each Lender that has a Tranche C
Term Commitment or that holds a Tranche C Term Loan.
"Tranche C Term Loan" means a Loan made pursuant to Section
2.01(d).
"Transactions" means the execution, delivery and performance
by the Borrower of the Loan Documents, the borrowing of Loans, the use of the
proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder and the
execution, delivery and performance by the Guarantors of the Facility
Obligations.
"2001 Credit Agreement" has the meaning assigned thereto in
the recitals hereto.
"Type", when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing,
refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising
such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the
Alternate Base Rate.
"Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" of a Person means any Subsidiary all
of whose outstanding voting securities, or ownership interests having ordinary
voting power, are at the time owned (i) directly by such Person, (ii) directly
and indirectly by such Person and one or more of such Person's Wholly-Owned
Subsidiaries or (iii) by one or more of such Person's Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.
"Withdrawal Liability" means liability to a Multiemployer Plan
as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as
such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.
SECTION 1.02. Classification of Loans and Borrowings. For
purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class
(e.g., a "Revolving Loan") or by Type (e.g., a "Eurodollar Loan") or by Class
and Type (e.g., a "Eurodollar Revolving Loan"). Borrowings also may be
classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a "Revolving Borrowing") or by Type
(e.g., a "Eurodollar Borrowing") or by Class and Type (e.g., a "Eurodollar
Revolving Borrowing").
SECTION 1.03. Terms Generally. 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 (a) any definition of or
reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be
construed as referring to such
22
agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such
amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference
herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person's successors and
assigns, (c) the words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder", and words of similar
import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to
any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections
and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and
Schedules to, this Agreement and (e) 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, contract rights and all other real and personal property.
SECTION 1.04. Accounting Terms; GAAP. Except as otherwise
expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall
be construed, and all financial information and reports provided pursuant to
this Agreement shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from
time to time; provided that, if the Borrower notifies the Co-Administrative
Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to
eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Effective Date in GAAP or
in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the
Co-Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders request
an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether
any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the
application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of
GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become
effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended
in accordance herewith.
ARTICLE II
The Credits
SECTION 2.01. Revolving and Term Loan Commitments. (a) Subject
to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender agrees to make
Revolving Loans to the Borrower from time to time during the Availability Period
in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (i) such Lender's
Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment or
(ii) the sum of the total Revolving Credit Exposures exceeding the total
Revolving Credit Commitments. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the
terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and
reborrow Revolving Loans. Revolving Loans outstanding under the March 2003
Credit Agreement on the Amendment and Restatement Effective Date shall continue
to constitute Revolving Loans hereunder from and after the Amendment and
Restatement Effective Date.
(b) The parties hereto acknowledge that each Tranche A
Term Lender made a Tranche A Term Loan to the Borrower on the Effective Date in
an amount equal to the Tranche A Term Commitment of such Lender. Once a Tranche
A Term Loan is repaid or prepaid, it may not be reborrowed.
(c) The parties hereto acknowledge that each Tranche B
Term Lender made Tranche B Term Loans to the Borrower during the Tranche B Term
Loan Availability Period in
23
an aggregate principal amount equal to the Tranche B Term Commitment of such
Lender. Once a Tranche B Term Loan is repaid or prepaid, it may not be
reborrowed.
(d) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein,
each Tranche C Term Lender agrees to make a Tranche C Term Loan to the Borrower
on the Amendment and Restatement Effective Date or within three Business Days
thereafter in the amount so designated after such Lender's name in Schedule 2.01
not to exceed the Tranche C Term Commitment of such Lender. Once a Tranche C
Term Loan is repaid or prepaid, it may not be reborrowed.
SECTION 2.02. Loans and Borrowings. (a) Each Loan shall be
made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans made by the Lenders ratably in
accordance with their respective Commitments to make Loans of the applicable
Class, provided that Borrowings of Revolving Loans shall consist of Loans made
by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Available Revolving
Credit Commitments. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be
made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder;
provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be
responsible for any other Lender's failure to make Loans as required.
(b) Subject to Section 2.13, (i) each Revolving Borrowing
shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans as the Borrower may
request in accordance herewith and (ii) each Term Borrowing shall be comprised
entirely of ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans as the Borrower may request in
accordance herewith. Each Lender at its option may make any Eurodollar Loan by
causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such
Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation
of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.
(c) At the commencement of each Interest Period for any
Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount
that is an integral multiple of $100,000 and not less than $1,000,000. At the
time that each ABR Revolving Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an
aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $100,000 and not less than
$100,000; provided that an ABR Revolving Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount
that is equal to the entire unused balance of the total Revolving Credit
Commitments, or that is required to finance the reimbursement of an LC
Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.05(e). Each Swingline Loan shall be in
an amount that is an integral multiple of $100,000 and not less than $100,000.
At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurodollar Term Borrowing,
such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of
$100,000 and not less than $1,000,000. Borrowings of more than one Type may be
outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more
than a total of twelve Eurodollar Borrowings outstanding.
(d) The Borrower and any one or more Lenders (including
New Lenders) may from time to time agree that without the consent of the other
Lenders hereunder such Lenders shall increase the amount of such Lenders'
Revolving Commitments (or in the case of New Lenders establish Revolving
Commitments) by executing and delivering to the Co-Administrative Agent an
Incremental Facility Activation Notice specifying (i) the respective amounts of
such increases (or such new Revolving Commitments) and (ii) the applicable
Incremental Facility Closing Date, provided, that (A) no Default or Event of
Default has
24
occurred and is continuing or would result after giving effect to the increase
of the Revolving Commitments or the intended application of the proceeds
therefrom, (B) the Applicable Rate determined as of the applicable Incremental
Facility Closing Date shall not be greater than the Applicable Rate then in
effect for Revolving Loans, (C) the aggregate Revolving Commitments after giving
effect to any increase pursuant to this Section 2.02(d) shall not exceed
$150,000,000 and (D) each increase in the Revolving Commitments pursuant to this
Section 2.02(d) shall be in a minimum amount of at least $5,000,000. Any
incremental Revolving Commitments shall be governed by this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents. No Lender shall have any obligation to participate in any
increase described in this paragraph unless it agrees in writing to do so in its
sole discretion.
(e) Any additional bank, financial institution or other
entity that, with the consent of the Borrower and the Co-Administrative Agent
(which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), elects to become a "Lender"
under this Agreement in connection with any transaction described in Section
2.02(d) shall execute a New Lender Supplement (each, a "New Lender Supplement"),
substantially in the form of Schedule 2.02, whereupon such bank, financial
institution or other entity (a "New Lender") shall become a Lender for all
purposes and shall be bound by and entitled to the benefits of this Agreement.
(f) The Borrower shall borrow Revolving Loans under the
increased Revolving Commitments from each Lender participating in any increase
in the Revolving Commitments pursuant to Section 2.2(d) (i) on the relevant
Incremental Facility Closing Date, if ABR Revolving Loans are then outstanding,
in an amount of ABR Loans that will result in each such participating Lender
having ABR Loans outstanding in a principal amount equal to its Applicable
Percentage of the total outstanding principal amount of ABR Loans and (ii) on
such Incremental Facility Closing Date, if a Eurodollar Borrowing is being
continued for another Interest Period on such date, and in and on any later date
on which a Eurodollar Borrowing outstanding on such Incremental Facility Closing
Date is being continued for another Interest Period, in each case in an amount
that will result in each such participating Lender having Eurodollar Revolving
Loans made by it included in such Eurodollar Borrowing in a principal amount
equal to its Applicable Percentage of the total outstanding principal amount of
Eurodollar Loans included in such Eurodollar Borrowing.
(g) Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled (i) to request, or to elect to
convert or continue, any Borrowing of Revolving Loans if the Interest Period
requested with respect thereto would end after the Revolving Credit Maturity
Date or (ii) to convert or continue any Borrowing of Term Loans if the Interest
Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Term Loan Maturity
Date.
SECTION 2.03. Requests for Borrowings. (a) To request a
Revolving Borrowing, the Borrower shall give to the Administrative Agent
irrevocable notice which notice must be received by the Administrative Agent (1)
in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 11:30 a.m., Memphis,
Tennessee time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed Revolving
Borrowing or (2) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:30 a.m.,
Memphis, Tennessee time, on the Business Day of the proposed Revolving
Borrowing; provided that any such notice of an ABR Revolving Borrowing to
finance any Reimbursement
25
Obligation may be given no later than 10:00 am, Memphis, Tennessee time on the
date of the proposed Borrowing. Each such Borrowing Request shall specify the
following information:
(i) the aggregate amount of the requested Revolving
Borrowing;
(ii) the date of such Revolving Borrowing, which shall be
a Business Day;
(iii) whether such Revolving Borrowing is to be an ABR
Borrowing, or a Eurodollar Borrowing;
(iv) in the case of a Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, the
initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a
period contemplated by the definition of the term "Interest Period";
and
(v) the location and number of the Borrower's account to
which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the
requirements of Section 2.06.
If no election as to the Type of Revolving Borrowing is specified, then the
requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is
specified with respect to any requested Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, then the
Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month's
duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with
this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details
thereof and of the amount of such Lender's Loan to be made as part of the
requested Borrowing.
(b) To request a Term Borrowing, the Borrower shall give
to the Administrative Agent irrevocable notice which notice must be received by
the Administrative Agent (1) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later
than 11:30 a.m., Memphis, Tennessee time, three Business Days before the date of
the proposed Borrowing or (2) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than
11:30 a.m., Memphis, Tennessee time, on the Business Day of the proposed Term
Borrowing. Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the
following information:
(i) the aggregate amount of the requested Term Borrowing;
(ii) the date of such Term Borrowing, which shall be a
Business Day;
(iii) whether such Term Borrowing is to be an ABR
Borrowing, or a Eurodollar Borrowing;
(iv) in the case of a Eurodollar Term Borrowing, the
initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a
period contemplated by the definition of the term "Interest Period";
and
(v) the location and number of the Borrower's account to
which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the
requirements of Section 2.06.
If no election as to the Type of Term Borrowing is specified, then the requested
Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with
respect to any requested
26
Eurodollar Term Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an
Interest Period of one month's duration. Promptly following receipt of a
Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent
shall advise each Term Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such
Lender's Term Loan to be made as part of the requested Term Borrowing.
SECTION 2.04. Swingline Loans. (a) Subject to the terms and
conditions set forth herein, the Swingline Lender agrees to make Swingline Loans
to the Borrower from time to time during the Availability Period, in an
aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i)
the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans exceeding the
lesser of 15% of the Revolving Credit Commitments or $20,000,000 or (ii) the sum
of the total Revolving Credit Exposures exceeding the total Revolving Credit
Commitments; provided that the Swingline Lender shall not be required to make a
Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan. Within the foregoing
limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower
may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans.
(a) To request a Swingline Loan, the Borrower shall
notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (confirmed by
telecopy), not later than 12:00 p.m., Memphis, Tennessee time, on the day of a
proposed Swingline Loan. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify
the requested date (which shall be a Business Day) and amount of the requested
Swingline Loan. The Administrative Agent will promptly advise the Swingline
Lender of any such notice received from the Borrower. The Swingline Lender shall
make each Swingline Loan available to the Borrower by means of a credit to the
general deposit account of the Borrower with the Swingline Lender (or, in the
case of a Swingline Loan made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement
as provided in Section 2.05(e), by remittance to the Issuing Bank) by 3:00 p.m.,
Memphis, Tennessee time, on the requested date of such Swingline Loan.
(b) The Swingline Lender may by written notice given to
the Administrative Agent not later than 10:00 a.m., Memphis, Tennessee time, on
any Business Day require the Lenders to acquire participations on such Business
Day in all or a portion of the Swingline Loans outstanding. Such notice shall
specify the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans in which Lenders will
participate. Promptly upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent will
give notice thereof to each Lender, specifying in such notice such Lender's then
Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each Lender hereby
absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of notice as provided above,
to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Swingline Lender,
such Lender's then Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each
Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations in
Swingline Loans pursuant to this paragraph is absolute and unconditional and
shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence
and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Revolving Credit
Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset,
abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each Lender shall comply with
its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately available
funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made
by such Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment
obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to
the Swingline Lender the amounts so received by it from the Lenders. The
27
Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower of any participations in any
Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this paragraph, and thereafter payments in
respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not
to the Swingline Lender. Any amounts received by the Swingline Lender from the
Borrower (or other party on behalf of the Borrower) in respect of a Swingline
Loan after receipt by the Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of
participations therein shall be promptly remitted to the Administrative Agent;
any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted
by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders that shall have made their payments
pursuant to this paragraph and to the Swingline Lender, as their interests may
appear. The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this
paragraph shall not relieve the Borrower of any default in the payment thereof.
SECTION 2.05. Letters of Credit. (a) General. Subject to the
terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may request the issuance of
Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower, but in the name of the
Borrower or any Subsidiary as may be specified by the Borrower, in a form
reasonably acceptable to each Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time
during the Availability Period. 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 or other agreement submitted by the Borrower to,
or entered into by the Borrower with, any Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of
Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control. Any Letters of
Credit outstanding under the March 2003 Credit Agreement on the Amendment and
Restatement Effective Date shall continue to constitute Letters of Credit
hereunder from and after the Amendment and Restatement Effective Date.
(b) Existing Letters of Credit. From and after the
Effective Date, the Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed outstanding
pursuant to, and shall constitute "Letters of Credit" for all purposes of, this
Agreement.
(c) Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension,
Certain Conditions. To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the
amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the
Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by electronic
communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by such Issuing
Bank) to any Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (reasonably in advance of
the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension) a notice
requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of
Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the date of issuance,
amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on
which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (d)
of this Section), the amount of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of
the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to
prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit. If requested by such
Issuing Bank, the Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on
such Issuing Bank's standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of
Credit. A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if
(and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of each Letter of Credit the
Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to
such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (i) the LC Exposure shall not
exceed the lesser of 20% of the Revolving Credit Commitments or $25,000,000 and
(ii) the sum of the total Revolving Credit Exposures shall not exceed the total
Revolving Credit Commitments.
28
(d) Expiration Date. Each Letter of Credit shall expire
at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date one year
after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any
renewal or extension thereof, one year after such renewal or extension) and (ii)
the date that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Credit Maturity Date.
(e) Participations. By the issuance of a Letter of Credit
(or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and
without any further action on the part of the Issuing Bank or the Lenders, each
Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Lender, and each Lender hereby acquires from
such Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such
Lender's Applicable Percentage as may be adjusted from time to time to reflect
assignments or transfers of Revolving Credit Commitments and any increase in the
Revolving Credit Commitment pursuant to Section 2.02(d), of the aggregate amount
available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in
furtherance of the foregoing, each Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally
agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of such Issuing Bank,
such Lender's Applicable Percentage, determined as of the date the Letter of
Credit was issued, of each LC Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank and not
reimbursed by the Borrower on the date due as provided in paragraph (f) of this
Section, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Borrower
for any reason. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to
acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of
Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any
circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any
Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or
termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments, and that each such payment
shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction
whatsoever.
(f) Reimbursement Obligation. If any Issuing Bank shall
make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall
reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount
equal to such LC Disbursement not later than 12:00 noon, Memphis, Tennessee
time, on the date that such LC Disbursement is made, if the Borrower shall have
received notice of such LC Disbursement prior to 10:00 a.m., Memphis, Tennessee
time, on such date, or, if such notice has not been received by the Borrower
prior to such time on such date, then not later than 12:00 noon, Memphis,
Tennessee time, on (i) the Business Day that the Borrower receives such notice,
if such notice is received prior to 10:00 a.m., Memphis, Tennessee time, on the
day of receipt, 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
on the day of receipt; provided that if such LC Disbursement is not less than
$100,000, the Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth
herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 or 2.04 that such payment be
financed with an ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline 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 ABR Revolving
Borrowing or Swingline Loan. If the Borrower fails to make such payment when
due, the Issuing Bank shall notify the Administrative Agent thereof and the
Administrative Agent shall then notify each Lender of the applicable LC
Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrower in respect thereof and such
Lender's Applicable Percentage thereof. Promptly following receipt of such
notice from the Administrative Agent, each Lender shall pay to the
Administrative Agent such Applicable Percentage of the payment then due from the
Borrower, in
29
the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such
Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment
obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to
such Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Lenders. Promptly
following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrower
pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such
payment to such Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Lenders have made payments
pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders
and such Issuing Bank as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a
Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse any Issuing Bank for any LC
Disbursement (other than the funding of ABR Revolving Loans or a Swingline Loan
as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the
Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.
(g) Obligations Absolute. The Borrower's obligation to
reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in paragraph (f) of this Section 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 any
Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any
draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged,
fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or
inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by the Issuing Bank under a Letter of
Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply
with the terms of such Letter of Credit, or (iv) any other event or circumstance
whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for
the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or
provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower's obligations hereunder. Neither
the Administrative Agent, the Lenders nor any Issuing Bank, nor 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 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 or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of any
Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse any
Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent 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 such Issuing Bank'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 wilful misconduct on the part of any
Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), such
Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination.
In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the
parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their
face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, each
Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon
such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of
any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment
upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the
terms of such Letter of Credit.
30
(h) Disbursement Procedures. Each Issuing Bank shall, in
accordance with standard banking practice following its receipt thereof, examine
all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of
Credit. Each Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent, any
other Issuing Bank and the Borrower by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such
demand for payment and whether such Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC
Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving
such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such
Issuing Bank and the Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement. On the
Business Day three Business Days prior to the last day of March, June, September
and December of each year and at such other times as the Administrative Agent
shall request, each Issuing Bank shall report to the Administrative Agent all
Letters of Credit issued by it during the then current calendar quarter and the
average daily undrawn and unexpired amounts for all Letters of Credit for each
day in such calendar quarter.
(i) Interim Interest. If any Issuing Bank shall make any
LC Disbursement, then, unless the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement
in full on the date such LC Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof
shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC
Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such
LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Revolving Loans;
provided that, if the Borrower fails to reimburse such LC Disbursement when due
pursuant to paragraph (f) of this Section, then Section 2.12(d) shall apply.
Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of such
Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by
any Lender pursuant to paragraph (f) of this Section to reimburse such Issuing
Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.
(j) Replacement of the Issuing Bank. Each Issuing Bank
may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the
Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank.
The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of any
Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the
Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced
Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.11(b). From and after the effective date of
any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights
and obligations of the Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters
of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term
"Issuing Bank" shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous
Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the
context shall require. After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the
replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all
the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank 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.
(k) Cash Collateralization. If any Event of Default shall
occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that the Borrower receives notice
from the Co-Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of
the Loans has been accelerated, Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater
than 51% of the total LC Exposure) demanding the deposit of cash collateral
pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrower shall deposit in an account with the
Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the
benefit of
31
the Lenders, an amount in cash equal to the LC Exposure 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 (h) or (i) of Article VII. 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. The Administrative Agent shall
have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of
withdrawal, over such 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 such account. Moneys in such account shall be
applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse each Issuing Bank for LC
Disbursements for which it has not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so
applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of
the Borrower for the LC Exposure at such time. 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 Business Days after all Events of
Default have been cured or waived.
SECTION 2.06. Funding of Borrowings. (a) Provided that it has
received timely advice of the related Borrowing Request as required by the last
sentence of Section 2.03(a) or of Section 2.03(b), each Lender shall make each
Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of
immediately available funds by 2:00 p.m., Memphis, Tennessee time, to the
account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such
purpose by notice to the Lenders; provided that Swingline Loans shall be made as
provided in Section 2.04. The Administrative Agent will make each Borrowing
available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like
funds, to an account of the Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent in
Memphis, Tennessee and designated by the Borrower in the applicable Borrowing
Request; provided that ABR Revolving Loans made to finance the reimbursement of
an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(e) shall be remitted by the
Administrative Agent to the Issuing Bank.
(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received
notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any 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 paragraph (a) of this
Section 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 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 (i) in the case of such Lender, the Interest Rate applicable to the
Borrowing or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to
ABR Loans. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then
such amount shall constitute such Lender's Loan included in such Borrowing.
32
SECTION 2.07. Interest Elections. (a) Each Revolving or Term
Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing
Request and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, shall have an initial
Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the Borrower
may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such
Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods
therefor, all as provided in this Section. The Borrower may elect different
options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which
case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the
Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion
shall be considered a separate Borrowing. This Section shall not apply to
Swingline Borrowings, which may not be converted or continued.
(b) To make an election pursuant to this Section, the
Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone by
the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the
Borrower were requesting a Revolving Borrowing of the Type resulting from such
election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such telephonic
Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly
by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest
Election Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by
the Borrower.
(c) Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request
shall specify the following information:
(i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request
applies and, if different options are being elected with
respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to
be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the
information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv)
below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);
(ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to
such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;
(iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR
Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing; and
(iv) if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurodollar Borrowing,
the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving
effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated
by the definition of the term "Interest Period".
If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but does
not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have
selected an Interest Period of one month's duration.
(d) Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election
Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details
thereof and of such Lender's portion of each resulting Borrowing.
(e) If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest
Election Request with respect to a Eurodollar Borrowing prior to the end of the
Interest Period applicable thereto, then,
33
unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest
Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding
any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders,
so notifies the Borrower, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i)
no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as Eurodollar
Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurodollar Borrowing shall be converted
to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.
SECTION 2.08. Termination and Reduction of Revolving Credit
Commitments. (a) Unless previously terminated, the Revolving Credit Commitments
shall terminate on the Revolving Credit Maturity Date.
(b) The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time
to time reduce, the Revolving Credit Commitments; provided that (i) each
reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitments shall be in an amount that is an
integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000, (ii) the Borrower
shall not terminate or reduce the Revolving Credit Commitments if, after giving
effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Revolving Loans in accordance with
Section 2.10, the sum of the Revolving Credit Exposures would exceed the total
Revolving Credit Commitments.
(c) The Borrower shall notify the Co-Administrative Agent
of any election to terminate or reduce the Revolving Credit Commitments under
paragraph (b) of this Section at least three Business Days prior to the
effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and
the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the
Co-Administrative Agent shall advise the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of
the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this
Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination delivered by
the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of
other credit facilities, in which case such notice may be revoked by the
Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified
effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction
shall be permanent. Each reduction shall be made ratably among the Lenders in
accordance with their respective Revolving Credit Commitments.
SECTION 2.09. Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt. (a) The
Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent
for the account of each Lender, on the Revolving Credit Maturity Date, the then
unpaid principal amount of each of the Revolving Loans and (ii) to the Swingline
Lender the then unpaid principal amount of the Swingline Loans on the earlier of
the Revolving Credit Maturity Date or the first date after such Swingline Loans
are made that is the 15th or last day of a calendar month; provided that on each
date that a Revolving Borrowing is made, the Borrower shall repay all Swingline
Loans then outstanding.
(b) The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay
to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Tranche A Term Lenders the
unpaid principal of all Tranche A Term Loans, on the dates and in the amounts
set forth below, with the entire unpaid principal balance due and payable on the
Term Loan Maturity Date:
34
Date Payment Amount
---- --------------
9/30/03 $1,662,836.00
12/31/03 1,662,836.00
3/31/04 1,662,836.00
6/30/04 3,563,220.00
9/30/04 3,563,220.00
12/31/04 3,563,220.00
3/31/05 3,563,220.00
6/30/05 3,563,220.00
9/30/05 3,563,220.00
12/31/05 3,563,220.00
3/31/06 3,563,220.00
6/30/06 3,563,220.00
9/30/06 3,563,220.00
12/31/06 3,563,220.00
3/31/07 3,563,220.00
6/30/07 3,563,220.00
9/30/07 3,563,220.00
12/31/07 3,563,220.00
(c) (i) The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to
pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Tranche B Term Lenders
the unpaid principal of all Tranche B Term Loans, on the dates and in an
aggregate amount equal to the percentage set forth below opposite such
installment date multiplied by $25,000,000, with the entire unpaid principal
balance due and payable on the Term Loan Maturity Date:
Date Percentage
---- ----------
9/30/03 2.6800%
12/31/03 2.6800%
3/31/04 2.6800%
6/30/04 5.7475%
9/30/04 5.7475%
12/31/04 5.7475%
3/31/05 5.7475%
6/30/05 5.7475%
9/30/05 5.7475%
12/31/05 5.7475%
3/31/06 5.7475%
6/30/06 5.7475%
9/30/06 5.7475%
12/31/06 5.7475%
3/31/07 5.7475%
6/30/07 5.7475%
9/30/07 5.7475%
12/31/07 5.7475%
35
(iii) The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay
to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Tranche C Lenders the unpaid
principal of all Tranche C Term Loans, on the dates set forth below, with the
entire unpaid principal balance due and payable on the Term Loan Maturity Date:
Date Payment Amount
---- --------------
6/30/04 $1,742,000
9/30/04 1,742,000
12/31/04 1,742,000
3/31/05 3,735,634
6/30/05 3,735,634
9/30/05 3,735,634
12/31/05 3,735,634
3/31/06 3,735,634
6/30/06 3,735,634
9/30/06 3,735,634
12/31/06 3,735,634
3/31/07 3,735,634
6/30/07 3,735,634
9/30/07 3,735,634
12/31/07 3,735,634
(d) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its
usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the
Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including
the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time
to time hereunder.
(e) The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in
which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Class and
Type thereof and the Interest Period, if any, applicable thereto, (ii) the
amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable
from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum
received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders
and each Lender's share thereof.
(f) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant
to paragraph (d) or (e) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence of the
existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the
failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or
any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower
to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(g) Any Lender may request that Loans made by it be
evidenced by a promissory note only in order to facilitate pledges of the Loans
in accordance with Section 9.04(d). In such event, the Borrower shall prepare,
execute and deliver to such Lender a
36
promissory note payable to the order of such Lender (or, if requested by such
Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form approved by the
Co-Administrative Agent. Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note
and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to
Section 9.04(d) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form
payable to the order of the payee named therein (or, if such promissory note is
a registered note, to such payee and its registered assigns).
SECTION 2.10. Prepayment of Loans. (a) The Borrower shall have
the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or
in part, subject to prior notice in accordance with paragraph (b) of this
Section.
(b) The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent
(and, in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender) by
telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of
prepayment of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 11:30 a.m., Memphis,
Tennessee time, three Business Days before the date of prepayment, or (ii) in
the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:30 a.m., Memphis,
Tennessee time, or (iii) in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, not
later than 11:30 a.m., Memphis, Tennessee time, on the Business Day of
prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable, shall identify the
Borrowing(s) being prepaid and shall specify the prepayment date and the
principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid; provided
that, if a notice of prepayment is given in connection with a conditional notice
of termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments as contemplated by Section
2.08, then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice of
termination is revoked in accordance with Section 2.08. Promptly following
receipt of any such notice relating to a Borrowing, the Administrative Agent
shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any
Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an
advance of a Revolving Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02.
Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in
the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to
the extent required by Section 2.12.
(c) Borrower shall prepay the principal of the Term
Loans, of the Prudential Debt and of the Additional Prudential Notes, upon
notice and otherwise in compliance with Section 2.10(b) and/or the Revolving
Credit Commitments shall be reduced in accordance with Section 2.08, as follows:
(i) In the event that and on each occasion on
which any Net Proceeds are received by or on behalf of the
Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of any Prepayment Event,
the Borrower shall, within three Business Days after such Net
Proceeds are received, prepay the principal of the Term Loans,
the Prudential Debt and the Additional Prudential Notes and/or
the Revolving Credit Commitments shall be subject to automatic
reduction, in an aggregate amount equal to such Net Proceeds,
such prepayment and/or reduction to be effected in each case
in the manner and to the extent specified in clause (ii) of
this paragraph.
(ii) Order of Application. Prepayments and/or
reductions of Revolving Credit Commitments pursuant to this
paragraph shall be applied as follows:
37
first, (A) to prepay the Term Loans, the Prudential
Debt and the Additional Prudential Notes and
second, after the payment in full of the Term Loans,
the Prudential Debt and the Additional Prudential Notes, to reduce the aggregate
amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments (and to the extent that, after giving
effect to such reduction, the total Revolving Credit Exposures would exceed the
Revolving Credit Commitments, the Borrower shall, first, prepay Revolving Credit
Loans and second, provide cover for LC Exposure as specified in Section 2.05(k)
in an aggregate amount equal to such excess).
Any prepayment of the Term Loans, the Prudential Debt and the Additional
Prudential Notes pursuant to this paragraph shall be applied (x) to each Term
Loan, the Prudential Debt and the Additional Prudential Notes, pro rata in the
same proportions as the then balance of each Term Loan, the Prudential Debt and
the Additional Prudential Notes bears to the total balance of all Term Loans
plus the Prudential Debt and the Additional Prudential Notes, provided that if
prepayment is waived with respect to the Prudential Debt and/or the Additional
Prudential Notes, the amounts that would have been payable absent such waiver
shall be reallocated on a pro rata basis among the Term Loans and any
non-waiving note holders, and (xx) with respect to each, to the last maturing
installments thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall not be
required to apply any prepayment to the Prudential Debt or the Additional
Prudential Notes if such prepayment is not required pursuant to the terms
thereof and would cause the Borrower to incur any prepayment premium or penalty
and, in each event, any amount which would otherwise have been used to make a
prepayment of the Prudential Debt or the Additional Prudential Notes shall
instead be used, first, to prepay the Term Loans and, second, to reduce the
aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitments (and to the extent that, after
giving effect to such reduction, the total Revolving Credit Exposures would
exceed the Revolving Credit Commitments, the Borrower shall, first, prepay
Revolving Credit Loans and second, provide cover for LC Exposure as specified in
Section 2.05(k) in an aggregate amount equal to such excess).
SECTION 2.11. Fees. (a) The Borrower agrees to pay to the
Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee, which
shall accrue at the Applicable Rate on the average daily amount of the Available
Revolving Credit Commitment of such Lender during the period from and including
the Effective Date to but excluding the date on which such Revolving Credit
Commitment terminates; provided that, (i) if such Lender continues to have any
Revolving Credit Exposure after its Revolving Credit Commitment terminates, then
such commitment fee shall continue to accrue on the daily amount of such
Lender's Revolving Credit Exposure from and including the date on which its
Revolving Credit Commitment terminates to but excluding the date on which such
Lender ceases to have any Revolving Credit Exposure; and (ii) the commitment fee
payable to the Swingline Lender shall accrue on the average daily amount of its
Available Revolving Credit Commitment minus the average daily principal balance
of the Swingline Loans during such period. Accrued commitment fees shall be
payable in arrears on the last day of March, June, September and December of
each year and, with respect to commitment fees payable pursuant to clause (y)
above, on the date on which the Revolving Credit Commitments terminate,
commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date; provided
that any commitment fees payable pursuant to clause (y) above and accruing after
the date on which the Revolving Credit
38
Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. All commitment fees shall be
computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual
number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).
(b) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative
Agent, for the account of each Lender, a participation fee with respect to its
participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at the same Applicable
Rate as interest on Eurodollar Loans on the average daily amount of such
Lender's LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed
LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but
excluding the later of the date on which such Lender's Revolving Credit
Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC
Exposure, and (ii) to each Issuing Bank a fronting fee, which shall accrue at
the rate of 12.5 basis points per annum on the average daily amount of such
Issuing Bank's LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to
unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the
Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the
Revolving Credit Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any LC
Exposure, as well as such Issuing Bank's standard fees with respect to the
issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing
of drawings thereunder. Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and
including the last day of March, June, September and December of each year shall
be payable on the third Business Day following such last day, commencing on the
first such date to occur after the Effective Date; provided that all such fees
shall be payable on the date on which the Revolving Credit Commitments terminate
and any such fees accruing after the date on which the Revolving Credit
Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to any
Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within 10 days after
demand. All participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis
of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed
(including the first day but excluding the last day).
(c) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative
Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times
separately agreed upon between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
(d) All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates
due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to such
Issuing Bank, in the case of fees payable to it) for distribution, in the case
of Letter of Credit participation fees and commitment fees, to the Lenders. Fees
paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances.
SECTION 2.12. Interest. (a) The Loans comprising each ABR
Borrowing shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable
Rate.
(b) The Loans comprising each Eurodollar Borrowing shall
bear interest at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for
such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate.
(c) Swingline Loans shall bear interest at the Federal
Funds Effective Rate plus applicable Eurodollar Spread plus 15 basis points.
39
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or
interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by the Borrower
hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or
otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before
judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of
any Loan, 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the
preceding paragraphs of this Section or (ii) in the case of any other amount, 2%
plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this
Section.
(e) Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in
arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and upon termination of the
Revolving Credit Commitments; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to
paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of
any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of a Revolving
Loan prior to the end of the Availability Period) accrued interest on the
principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such
repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any
Eurodollar Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor,
accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such
conversion.
(f) All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis
of a year of 360 days, except that interest computed by reference to the
Alternate Base Rate at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime
Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap
year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed
(including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable Alternate
Base Rate, Federal Funds Effective Rate or Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be
determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be
conclusive absent demonstrable error.
SECTION 2.13. Alternate Rate of Interest. If prior to the
commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing:
(a) the Administrative Agent determines (which
determination shall be conclusive absent demonstrable error) that
adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the
Adjusted LIBO Rate for such Interest Period; or
(b) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required
Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate for such Interest Period will not
adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or
maintaining their Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest
Period; or
(c) the Administrative Agent is advised by one or more
Lender(s), but less than the Required Lenders, that the Adjusted LIBO
Rate for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect
the cost to such Lender(s) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its
Loan) included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period;
then, in the case of clause (a) or (b) above, the Administrative Agent shall
give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by telephone or telecopy as
promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies
the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice
no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the
40
conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a
Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective, and (ii) if any Borrowing Request
requests a Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR
Borrowing; and in the case of clause (c) above, the Administrative Agent shall
give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by telephone or telecopy as
promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies
the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice
no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion
of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing
shall be ineffective as to the Lender(s) giving notice under clause (c), (ii) if
any Borrowing Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Loans made by such
clause (c) Lender(s) as part of such Borrowing shall be made as ABR Loans and
(iii) the Interest Election Request or Borrowing Request shall be effective as
against the other Lenders and the affected Borrowings shall have all of the
characteristics specified in such Interest Election Request or Borrowing
Request, except that interest on the Loans made by the clause (c) Lenders shall
be computed at the ABR Rate.
SECTION 2.14. Increased Costs. (a) If any Change in Law shall:
(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve,
special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with
or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any
such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate) or any
Issuing Bank, or
(ii) impose on any Lender or any Issuing Bank, or the
London interbank market, any other condition affecting this Agreement
or Eurodollar 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 or maintaining any Eurodollar Loan (or of maintaining its
obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender or such
Issuing Bank of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or
to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or such
Issuing Bank, hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the
Borrower will pay to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such
additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing
Bank, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction
suffered.
(b) If any Lender or any Issuing Bank, determines that
any Change in Law regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of
reducing the rate of return on such Lender's capital or on the capital of such
Lender's or such Issuing Bank's, holding company, if any, as a consequence of
this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held
by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, to a
level below that which such Lender or such Issuing Bank, or such Lender's or
such Issuing Bank's, holding company could have achieved but for such Change in
Law (taking into consideration such Lender's or such Issuing Bank's policies and
the policies of such Lender's or such Issuing Bank's holding company with
respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to
such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or
amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank, or such Lender's or
such Issuing Bank's, holding company for any such reduction suffered.
41
(c) A certificate of a Lender or an Issuing Bank, setting
forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or such Issuing
Bank, or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a)
or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be
conclusive absent demonstrable error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or such
Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such
certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
(d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or any
Issuing Bank, to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not
constitute a waiver of such Lender's or such Issuing Bank's, right to demand
such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to
compensate a Lender or an Issuing Bank, pursuant to this Section for any
increased costs or reductions incurred more than 120 days prior to the date that
such Lender or such Issuing Bank, 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 such Issuing Bank's, intention to claim compensation therefor;
provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs
or reductions is retroactive, then the 120-day period referred to above shall be
extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.
SECTION 2.15. Break Funding Payments. In the event of (a) the
payment of any principal of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of an
Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of
Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day
of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert,
continue or prepay any Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered
pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section
2.10(b) and is revoked in accordance therewith), or (d) the assignment of any
Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable
thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.18, then,
in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost
and expense attributable to such event. In the case of a Eurodollar Loan, such
loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to include an amount
determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of
interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such
event not occurred, at the Adjusted LIBO Rate that would have been applicable to
such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the
then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow,
convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for
such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such
principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would
bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for dollar deposits of a
comparable amount and period from other banks in the eurodollar market. A
certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender
is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the
Borrower and shall be conclusive absent demonstrable error. The Borrower shall
pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days
after receipt thereof.
SECTION 2.16. Taxes. (a) Any and all payments by or on account
of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder shall be made free and clear of and
without deduction for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes; provided that if the
Borrower shall be required to deduct any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes from
such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that
after making all required deductions (including deductions
42
applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative
Agent, each Lender or each Issuing Bank (as the case may be) receives an amount
equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii)
the Borrower shall make such deductions and (iii) the Borrower shall pay the
full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with
applicable law.
(b) In addition, the Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes
to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
(c) The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative
Agent, each Lender and each Issuing Bank, within 10 days after written demand
therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes paid by
the Administrative Agent or such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may
be, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of the
Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document (including Indemnified Taxes
or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under
this Section) and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising
therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or
Other 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 or an Issuing Bank, or by the
Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or an Issuing
Bank, shall be conclusive absent demonstrable error.
(d) As soon as practicable after any payment of
Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority,
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 the return reporting such payment or other evidence of
such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(e) Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption
from or reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which
the Borrower is located, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party,
with respect to payments under this Agreement, shall deliver to the Borrower
(with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by
applicable law, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by
applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower as will permit such
payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate.
SECTION 2.17. Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing
of Set-offs. (a) The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it
hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC
Disbursements or of amounts payable under Section 2.14, 2.15 or 2.16, or
otherwise) prior to 12:00 noon, Memphis time, on the date when due, in
immediately available funds, without setoff or counterclaim. Any amounts
received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the
Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding
Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments
shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its offices at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, except payments to be made directly to any Issuing
Bank or Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and except that payments
pursuant to Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 9.03 shall be made directly to the
Persons entitled thereto. The
43
Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the
account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following
receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a
Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding
Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest
thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments
hereunder shall be made in dollars.
(b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and
available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal,
unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds
shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due
hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the
amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards
payment of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements, then due hereunder,
ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of
principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due to such parties.
(c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of
set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal
of or interest on any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or
Swingline Loans resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater
proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans or participations in LC
Disbursements or Swingline Loans and accrued interest thereon than the
proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater
proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans
or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans of other Lenders to the
extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the
Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and
accrued interest on their respective Loans or participations in LC Disbursements
or Swingline Loans; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased
and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such
participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent
of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph
shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to
and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment
obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a
participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or
Swingline Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or
any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this
paragraph shall apply). The Borrower 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 the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such
participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower
in the amount of such participation.
(d) 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 Issuing Banks
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 Issuing Banks, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the
Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or each of
the Issuing
44
Banks, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent
forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank
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 Effective Rate and a rate determined
by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on
interbank compensation.
(e) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required
to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.04(c), 2.05(d) or (e), 2.06(b) or
2.17(d), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding
any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the
Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender's
obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully
paid.
SECTION 2.18. Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.
(a) If any Lender exercises its rights under Section 2.13(c) or requests
compensation under Section 2.14, or if the Borrower is required to pay any
additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of
any Lender pursuant to Section 2.16, then such Lender shall use reasonable
efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans
hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its
offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such
designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce the cost referred to in
Section 2.11(c) or amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.12 or 2.14, as the case
may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed
cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The
Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any
Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.
(b) If any Lender exercises its rights under Section
2.13(c) or requests compensation under Section 2.14, or if the Borrower is
required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental
Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.16, or if any
Lender defaults in its obligation to fund Loans hereunder, 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
Section 9.04), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to
an 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 received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which
consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received
payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued
interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder,
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) and (iii)
in the case of any such assignment resulting from an exercise of rights under
Section 2.13(c) or a claim for compensation under Section 2.14 or payments
required to be made pursuant to Section 2.16, such assignment will result in
elimination of the Section 2.13(c) rights on the part of the assignee or a
reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to
make any such assignment and 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.
45
ARTICLE III
Representations and Warranties
The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders that:
SECTION 3.01. Organization; Powers.
(a) The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is a
corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other
business entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and
authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the
failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in,
and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is
required. The jurisdiction of organization of the Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries existing on the Amendment and Restatement Effective Date is
indicated on Schedule 3.01.
(b) As of the Amendment and Restatement Effective Date,
the Borrower owns the direct and indirect interests in the Subsidiaries
specified in Schedule 3.01. The Borrower's record and beneficial ownership,
direct and indirect, of each Subsidiary is free from any material restriction,
equity, security interest, or other Lien.
SECTION 3.02. Authorization; Enforceability. The Transactions
are within the Borrower's and each Grantor's corporate powers and have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate and, if required, stockholder action. This
Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents has been duly executed and
delivered by the Borrower and/or the Grantor executing the same and constitutes
a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower, and/or each such Grantor,
enforceable in accordance with its respective terms, subject to applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting
creditors' rights generally and subject to general principles of equity,
regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
SECTION 3.03. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts. The
Transactions and the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents
by the respective parties thereto (a) do not require any consent or approval of,
registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority,
except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, (b)
will not violate any applicable law or regulation or the charter, by-laws or
other organizational documents of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any
order of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not violate or result in a default
under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries or its assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to
require any payment to be made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and
(d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries except pursuant to the Loan Documents.
46
SECTION 3.04. Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change.
(a) The Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Lenders its (i) audited
consolidated and unaudited consolidating balance sheet and statements of income,
stockholders equity and cash flows as of and for the Fiscal Years ended December
31, 2001 and December 31, 2002, reported on by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
independent public accountants, and (ii) unaudited interim consolidated and
consolidating financial statements, certified by its chief financial officer,
for each Fiscal Quarter ended after the date of the latest applicable financial
statements delivered pursuant to clause (i) of this paragraph as to which such
financial statements are available. Such financial statements present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash
flows of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and for
such periods in accordance with GAAP, subject to year end audit adjustments and
the absence of footnotes in the case of the statements referred to in clause
(ii) above.
(b) Since December 31, 2002, there has been no material
adverse change in the business, assets, operations, prospects or condition,
financial or otherwise, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(c) The unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet of
the Borrower and its consolidated subsidiaries as at November 30, 2003
(including the notes thereto) (the "Pro Forma Balance Sheet"), copies of which
have heretofore been furnished to each Lender, has been prepared giving effect
(as if such events had occurred on such date) to (i) the consummation of the NTB
Acquisition, (ii) the Loans to be made and the NTB Sale and Leaseback to be
consummated on the Amendment and Restatement Effective Date and the use of
proceeds thereof and (iii) the payment of fees and expenses in connection with
the foregoing. The Pro Forma Balance Sheet has been prepared using NTB's balance
sheet as at December 28, 2002 and the Borrower's projected consolidated balance
sheet as at November 30, 2003 and, to the best of the Borrower's knowledge as of
the Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, presents fairly on a pro forma
basis the estimated financial position of Borrower and its consolidated
Subsidiaries as at November 30, 2003, assuming that the events specified in the
preceding sentence had actually occurred at such date.
SECTION 3.05. Properties. (a) The Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its real
and personal property material to its business, free and clear of all Liens
except for the Liens set forth on Schedule 6.02, for Liens permitted by Section
6.02 and for minor defects in title that do not interfere with its ability to
conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties for
their intended purposes. Schedule 1.01D lists, as of the Amendment and
Restatement Effective Date, each parcel of owned real property of the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries.
(b) The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries owns, or is
licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other
intellectual property material to its business, and the use thereof by the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries does not infringe upon the rights of any other
Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the
aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect. No material claim has been asserted and is pending by any Person
challenging or questioning the use of any such intellectual property or the
validity or effectiveness of such intellectual property, nor does the Borrower
know of any valid basis for any such claim.
47
SECTION 3.06. Litigation and Environmental Matters. (a) There
are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental
Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened
against or affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (i) as to which
there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if
adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the
aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) that involve this
Agreement or the Transactions.
(b) To the knowledge of the Borrower, the facilities and
properties owned, leased or operated by the Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries (the "Properties") do not contain, and have not previously
contained, any Hazardous Materials in amounts or concentrations or under
circumstances that constitute or constituted a violation of, or could give rise
to liability under, any Environmental Law, except for such violation or
liability that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) (i) The environmental audits regarding the real
properties which are part of the Merchant's Acquisition provided to the
Co-Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 4.01(j) of the March 2003 Credit
Agreement do not contain any finding that, individually or in the aggregate,
could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and (ii)
the Phase I environmental assessments regarding the real properties which are
part of the NTB Acquisition provided to the Co-Administrative Agent pursuant to
Section 4.01(l) do not contain any finding that, individually or in the
aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Except with respect to any matters that, individually
or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect, neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) has failed
to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any
permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has
become subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received notice of any
claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) knows of any basis for
any Environmental Liability.
SECTION 3.07. Compliance with Laws and Agreements. The
Borrower and each Subsidiary is in compliance with all laws, regulations and
orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property and all
indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property,
except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No Default
(determined after giving effect to this Agreement) has occurred and is
continuing.
SECTION 3.08. Investment and Holding Company Status. Neither
the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is (a) an "investment company" or a
company "controlled" by an "investment company" as defined in, or subject to
regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940 or (b) a "holding company"
as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Public Utility Holding
Company Act of 1935.
SECTION 3.09. Taxes. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries
has timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to
have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have
been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being
48
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Borrower or
such Subsidiary, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves to
the extent required by GAAP or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so could
not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.10. ERISA. No ERISA Event has occurred or is
reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA
Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, could reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The present value of all
accumulated benefit obligations under each Plan (based on the assumptions used
for purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87) did not, as
of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts,
exceed by more than $2,000,000 the fair market value of the assets of such Plan,
and the present value of all accumulated benefit obligations of all underfunded
Plans (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 87) did not, as of the date of the most recent
financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed by more than $2,000,000 the
fair market value of the assets of all such underfunded Plans.
SECTION 3.11. Disclosure. The Borrower has disclosed to the
Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which
it or any of its Subsidiaries or NTB is subject, and all other matters known to
it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the reports, financial statements,
certificates or other information furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to
the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of
this Agreement or delivered hereunder (as modified or supplemented by other
information so furnished) prior to the Amendment and Restatement Effective Date
contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact
necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to
projected financial information, the Borrower represents only that such
information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be
reasonable at the time.
SECTION 3.12. Margin Stock. Neither the Borrower nor any
Subsidiary is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the
business of extending or arranging for the extension of credit for the purpose
of purchasing or carrying "margin securities" or "margin Stock" (as defined in
Regulations G and U issued by the Board). Neither the Borrower nor any
Subsidiary owns or intends to carry or purchase any "margin security" or "margin
Stock." Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary will use the proceeds of any
Loan to purchase or carry (or refinance any borrowings the proceeds of which
were used to purchase or carry) any "margin security" or "margin Stock." If
requested by any Lender or the Administrative Agent, the Borrower will furnish
to the Administrative Agent and each Lender a statement to the foregoing effect
in conformity with the requirements of FR Form G-3 or FR Form U-1, as
applicable, referred to in Regulation U.
SECTION 3.13. Compliance with Conditions Precedent. The
Borrower and each Subsidiary has (a) executed and delivered to the
Co-Administrative Agent and the Lenders the documents described in Section 4.01
hereto; (b) obtained and delivered to the Co-Administrative Agent and the
Lenders the opinions of counsel described in Section 4.01 (b); and (c) otherwise
complied with all other conditions hereto.
49
SECTION 3.14. Labor Matters. There are no strikes, lockouts or
slowdowns against the Borrower or any Subsidiary pending or, to the knowledge of
the Borrower, threatened that could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.15. Assets. (a) Schedule 3.15 to the March 2003
Credit Agreement accurately describes the name and registration number of all
federally registered trademarks, tradenames and service marks of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date, and (b) Schedule 3.15 hereto
accurately describes, as of the Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, the
name and registration number of all federally registered trademarks, tradenames
and service marks of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries acquired after the
Effective Date.
SECTION 3.16. Security Documents. (a) The Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement is effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent,
for the benefit of the Lenders, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest
in the Collateral described therein and proceeds thereof. In the case of the
Pledged Stock described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, when stock
certificates representing such Pledged Stock are delivered to the Collateral
Agent, and in the case of the other Collateral described in the Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement, financing statements and other filings specified on
Schedule 3.16(a) in appropriate form having been filed in the offices specified
on Schedule 3.16(a), the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement constitutes a fully
perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of
the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in such Collateral and the proceeds thereof,
as security for the Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral
Agreement), in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person
(except, in the case of Collateral other than Pledged Stock, Liens permitted by
Section 6.02).
(b) Each Mortgage is effective to create in favor of the
Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a legal, valid and enforceable
Lien on the Mortgaged Property described therein and proceeds thereof, and each
such Mortgage has been filed in the applicable office specified on Schedule
3.16(b) and constitutes a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all
right, title and interest of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in the Mortgaged
Property and the proceeds thereof, as security for the Secured Indebtedness (as
defined in the relevant Mortgage), in each case prior and superior in right to
any other Person.
SECTION 3.17. Solvency. The Borrower is, and after giving
effect to the NTB Acquisition and the incurrence of all Indebtedness and
obligations being incurred in connection herewith and therewith will be and will
continue to be, Solvent.
SECTION 3.18. Certain Documents. The Borrower has delivered to
the Co-Administrative Agent a complete and correct copy of the NTB Acquisition
Documentation, including any amendments, supplements or modifications with
respect to any of the foregoing.
SECTION 3.19. Regulation H. No Mortgage encumbers improved
real property that is located in an area that has been identified by the
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development as an area having special flood
hazards and in which flood insurance has been made available under the National
Flood Insurance Act of 1968.
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ARTICLE IV
Conditions
SECTION 4.01. Amendment and Restatement Effective Date. This
Agreement shall become effective as of the date on which each of the following
conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02):
(a) The Co-Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall
have received from each of the Borrower, the Required Lenders, each
Tranche C Term Lender and the Co-Administrative Agent either (i) a
counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (ii)
written evidence satisfactory to the Co-Administrative Agent (which may
include telecopy transmission of a signed signature page of this
Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement.
(b) The Co-Administrative Agent shall have received a
favorable written opinion (addressed to the Co-Administrative Agent and
the Lenders and dated the Amendment and Restatement Effective Date) of
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ LLP, counsel for the Borrower, and other local counsel
for Borrower or any Subsidiary, substantially in the form of Schedule
4.01(b), and covering such other matters relating to the Borrower, the
Grantors, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the
Transactions as the Required Lenders shall reasonably request. The
Borrower hereby requests such counsel to deliver such opinion.
(c) The Co-Administrative Agent shall have received such
documents and certificates as the Co-Administrative Agent or its
counsel may reasonably request relating to the organization, existence
and good standing of the Borrower and the Grantors referred to in
Section 4.01(f), the authorization of the Transactions and any other
legal matters relating to the Borrower, such Grantors, this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents and the Transactions, all in form and
substance satisfactory to the Co-Administrative Agent and its counsel.
(d) The Co-Administrative Agent shall have received a
certificate, dated the Amendment and Restatement Effective Date and
signed by the President, a Vice President or a Financial Officer of the
Borrower, confirming compliance with the conditions set forth in
paragraphs (a) and (b) of Section 4.02.
(e) The Administrative Agent, Book Manager, Lead
Arranger, Co-Administrative Agent and each Lender shall have received
all fees and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Amendment
and Restatement Effective Date, including, to the extent invoiced,
reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses required to be
reimbursed or paid by the Borrower hereunder.
(f) The Co-Administrative Agent shall have received (i)
an Amendment to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, substantially
in the form of Schedule 4.01(f)A, executed and delivered by each
Grantor, the Co-Administrative Agent and the Required Noteholders (as
defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), and (ii) an
51
Assumption Agreement, in the form of Annex 1 to the Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement, executed and delivered by NTB.
(g) The Collateral Agent shall have received from the
relevant Grantor an amendment to the Mortgage to which such Grantor is
a party (the "Mortgage Amendment"), which amendment shall have been
signed on behalf of such Grantor and shall be in form and substance
satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.
(h) The NTB Acquisition shall have been consummated in
accordance with applicable law and the terms set forth in the NTB
Acquisition Documentation. No provisions of the NTB Acquisition
Documentation shall have been waived, amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified in any respect materially adverse to the Borrower or
the Lenders without approval of the Lenders.
(i) The amendments referred to in the definitions of
"Existing Note Agreement" and "Additional Note Agreement" shall be
effective, in each case on satisfactory terms and conditions
(collectively, the "Prudential Consents"), and the Borrower shall have
received at least $120,000,000 in gross cash proceeds from the NTB Sale
and Leaseback.
(j) All governmental and material third party approvals
necessary in connection with the NTB Acquisition, the financing
contemplated hereby and the continuing operations of the Borrower and
its subsidiaries shall have been obtained and be in full force and
effect, and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired without
any action being taken or threatened by any competent authority that
would restrain, prevent or otherwise impose adverse conditions on the
NTB Acquisition or the financing thereof.
(k) The Collateral Agent shall have received satisfactory
insurance certificates with respect to all required insurance.
(l) The Co-Administrative Agent shall have received (i)
copies of the Phase I environmental assessments completed in 2003 with
respect to the real properties that are part of the NTB Sale and
Leaseback and (ii) copies of all other existing Phase I environmental
assessments received by the Borrower in respect of the real properties
that are part of the NTB Acquisition.
(m) The Co-Administrative Agent shall have received the
results of a recent lien search in each of the jurisdictions where
assets of NTB are located, and such search shall reveal no liens on any
of the assets of NTB except for liens permitted by Section 6.02 or
discharged on or prior to the Amendment and Restatement Effective Date
pursuant to documentation satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(n) The Collateral Agent shall have received (i) the
certificates representing the shares of Capital Stock pledged pursuant
to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, together with an undated
stock power for each such certificate executed in blank by a duly
authorized officer of the pledgor thereof, and (ii) each promissory
note (if any) pledged to the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Guarantee
and Collateral Agreement
52
endorsed (without recourse) in blank (or accompanied by an executed
transfer form in blank) by the pledgor thereof.
(o) The Co-Administrative Agent shall have received (in a
form reasonably satisfactory to the Co-Administrative Agent) true and
correct copies of Prudential Consents, and such other documents or
instruments as may be reasonably requested by the Co-Administrative
Agent.
The Co-Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the
Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive
and binding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of the Lenders to
make Loans and of the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall
not become effective unless each of the foregoing conditions is satisfied (or
waived pursuant to Section 9.02) at or prior to 3:00 p.m., Memphis, Tennessee
time, on December 15, 2003 (and, in the event such conditions are not so
satisfied or waived, the Tranche C Term Commitments shall terminate at such
time).
SECTION 4.02. Each Credit Event. The obligation of each Lender
to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing and of each Issuing Bank to
issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, is subject to the
satisfaction of the following conditions:
(a) The representations and warranties of the Borrower
set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct on and as of the
date of such Borrowing, or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or
extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, as if made on such
date.
(b) At the time of and immediately after giving effect to
such Borrowing, or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of
such Letter of Credit, as applicable, no Default shall have occurred
and be continuing.
Each Borrowing and each issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of
Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the
Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a) and
(b) of this Section.
ARTICLE V
Affirmative Covenants
Until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the
principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder shall have
been paid in full, and all Letters of Credit shall have expired or terminated
and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrower covenants and
agrees with the Lenders that:
SECTION 5.01. Punctual Payment. The Borrower will punctually
pay or cause to be paid the principal and interest due in respect of each
Borrowing according to the terms hereof and the Borrower will punctually pay or
cause to be paid the commitment, Letter of Credit participation and other fees
for which it is responsible pursuant to Section 2.11 hereof.
53
SECTION 5.02. Financial Statements and Other Information. The
Borrower will furnish to each Lender:
(a) within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of
the Borrower, its audited consolidated balance sheet and related
statement of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows as of the
end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative
form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, all reported on by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or other independent public accountants of
recognized national standing (without a "going concern" or like
qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception
as to the scope of such, audit) to the effect that such consolidated
financial statements present fairly in all material respects the
financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with
GAAP consistently applied; and within 90 days after the end of each
Fiscal Year of the Borrower, its unaudited consolidating balance sheets
and related statements of operations as of the end of and for such
year, all certified by one of its Financial Officers as presenting
fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of
operations of each of the Borrower's Consolidated Subsidiaries in
accordance with GAAP consistently applied;
(b) within 45 days after the end of each of the first
three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year of the Borrower, (i) its
consolidated balance sheets and related statements of operations,
stockholders' equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such
Fiscal Quarter and the then elapsed portion of the Fiscal Year, setting
forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the
corresponding period and quarter of the previous Fiscal Year, and (ii)
its consolidating balance sheets and related statements of operations
as of the end of and for such Fiscal Quarter and the then elapsed
portion of the Fiscal Year, all certified by one of its Financial
Officers as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial
condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated and consolidating basis in
accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end
audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;
(c) concurrently with any delivery of financial
statements under clause (a) or (b) above, a certificate of a Financial
Officer of the Borrower (i) certifying as to whether a Default has
occurred and, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof
and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii)
setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance
with Sections 6.08 through 6.12 and (iii) stating whether any change in
GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since the date of the
audited financial statements referred to in Section 3.04 and, if any
such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the
financial statements accompanying such certificate;
(d) promptly after the same become publicly available,
copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other
materials filed by the Borrower or any Subsidiary with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to
any or all of the functions of said Commission, or with any
54
national securities exchange, or distributed by the Borrower to its
shareholders generally, as the case may be; and
(e) promptly following any request therefor, such other
information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial
condition of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the
terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, as the
Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.
SECTION 5.03. Notices of Material Events. The Borrower will
furnish to the Co-Administrative Agent and each Lender prompt written notice of
the following:
(a) the occurrence of any Default;
(b) the filing or commencement of any action, suit or
proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority
against or affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate
thereof that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(c) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or
together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could
reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding $2,000,000;
(d) the occurrence of the events described in the
definition of "Subsidiary" resulting in TBC de Mexico being considered
a Subsidiary for all purposes of this Agreement; and
(e) any other development that results in, or could
reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.
Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of
a Financial Officer or other executive officer of the Borrower setting forth the
details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken
or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.
SECTION 5.04. Existence; Conduct of Business. The Borrower
will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all
things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal
existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material
to the conduct of its business; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit
any merger, consolidation, conversion, restructuring, liquidation, dissolution
or other transaction permitted under Section 6.03.
SECTION 5.05. Payment of Obligations. The Borrower will, and
will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay its obligations, including Tax
liabilities, that, if not paid, could result in a Material Adverse Effect before
the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or
amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b)
the Borrower or such Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves
with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment
pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect.
55
SECTION 5.06. Maintenance of Properties; Insurance. The
Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (a) keep and maintain
all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and
condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and (b) maintain, with financially
sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in such amounts and against
such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or
similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations.
SECTION 5.07. Books and Records; Inspection Rights. The
Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of
record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made of all
dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities. The
Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit any
representatives designated by the Co-Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon
reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and
make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances
and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such
reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested.
SECTION 5.08. Compliance with Laws. The Borrower will, and
will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations
and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property,
except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 5.09. Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Term Loans
will be used for the Refinancing, the Merchant's Acquisition and the NTB
Acquisition, and the proceeds of Revolving Loans will be used for the
Refinancing and thereafter for general corporate purposes of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries, including Acceptable Acquisitions. No part of the proceeds of
any Loan will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that
entails a violation of any of the Regulations of the Board, including
Regulations U and X. Letters of Credit will be used only to support general
corporate purposes.
SECTION 5.10. Intercompany Loans/Payments. The Borrower agrees
with the Lenders that (i) any payments made by a Guarantor in reduction of its
obligation under the Guarantee executed by it, shall reduce dollar for dollar
its total obligation to the Borrower for repayment of any Intercompany Loans
owed to the Borrower, (ii) it will require that any payments made by a Guarantor
that is an indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, in reduction of its
obligation under the Guarantee executed by it, shall reduce dollar for dollar
its total obligation for repayment of any Intercompany Loans owed to another
Guarantor and (iii) except as set forth in Schedule 5.10, neither it nor any
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary will demand, enforce or accept any payments on account
of any Intercompany Loans owed to the Borrower by any Guarantor at a time when
such Guarantor is insolvent or if such payments could reasonably be expected to
render such Guarantor insolvent, to leave it with unreasonably small capital for
the business in which it is engaged and in which it intends to engage, or to
leave it unable to pay its other Indebtedness as the same matures.
SECTION 5.11. Subsidiary Guarantees and Collateral. (a) With
respect to any new Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Foreign Subsidiary)
created or acquired after the Effective Date by the Borrower or any Subsidiary
(which, for the purposes of this paragraph (a), shall include any existing
Subsidiary that ceases to be an Excluded Foreign Subsidiary), the
56
Borrower will promptly (i) execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent such
amendments to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement as the Collateral Agent
deems necessary or advisable to grant to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit
of the Lenders, a perfected first priority security interest in the Capital
Stock of such new Subsidiary that is owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary,
(ii) deliver to the Collateral Agent the certificates representing such Capital
Stock, together with undated stock powers, in blank, executed and delivered by a
duly authorized officer of the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary, (iii) cause
such new Subsidiary (A) to become a party to the Guarantee and Collateral
Agreement and (B) to take such actions necessary or advisable to grant to the
Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Lenders a perfected first priority
security interest in the Collateral described in the Guarantee and Collateral
Agreement with respect to such new Subsidiary, including the filing of Uniform
Commercial Code financing statements in such jurisdictions as may be required by
the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or by law or as may be requested by the
Collateral Agent, and (iv) if requested by the Collateral Agent, deliver to the
Collateral Agent legal opinions relating to the matters described above, which
opinions shall be in form and substance, and from counsel, reasonably
satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.
(b) With respect to any new Excluded Foreign Subsidiary
created or acquired after the Effective Date by the Borrower or any Subsidiary
(other than by any Subsidiary that is an Excluded Foreign Subsidiary), the
Borrower will promptly (i) execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent such
amendments to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement as the Collateral Agent
deems necessary or advisable to grant to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit
of the Lenders, a perfected first priority security interest in the Capital
Stock of such new Subsidiary that is owned by the Borrower or such Subsidiary
(provided that in no event shall more than 66% of the total outstanding voting
Capital Stock of any such new Subsidiary be required to be so pledged), (ii)
deliver to the Collateral Agent the certificates representing such Capital
Stock, together with undated stock powers, in blank, executed and delivered by a
duly authorized officer of the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary, and take
such other action as may be necessary or, in the opinion of the Collateral
Agent, desirable to perfect the Collateral Agent's security interest therein,
and (iii) if requested by the Collateral Agent, deliver to the Collateral Agent
legal opinions relating to the matters described above, which opinions shall be
in form and substance, and from counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the
Collateral Agent.
SECTION 5.12. Environmental Laws. (a) The Borrower will, and
will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply in all material respects with,
and ensure compliance in all material respects by all tenants and subtenants, if
any, with, all applicable Environmental Laws, and obtain and comply in all
material respects with and maintain, and ensure that all tenants and subtenants
obtain and comply in all material respects with and maintain, any and all
licenses, approvals, notifications, registrations or permits required by
applicable Environmental Laws, except where the failure to do so, individually
or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect.
(b) The Borrower will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, conduct and complete all investigations, studies, sampling and
testing, and all remedial, removal and other actions required under
Environmental Laws and promptly comply in all material respects with all lawful
orders and directives of all Governmental Authorities regarding Environmental
Laws,
57
except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 5.13. Additional Collateral, etc. (a) With respect to
any fee interest in any real property having a value (together with improvements
thereof) of at least $10,000,000 acquired after the Effective Date by the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any such real property subject
to a Lien expressly permitted by Section 6.02(d)), if requested by the
Collateral Agent, the Borrower shall, or shall cause its Subsidiary to, promptly
(i) execute and deliver a first priority Mortgage, in favor of the Collateral
Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, covering such real property, (ii) provide
the Lenders with (x) title and extended coverage insurance covering such real
property in an amount at least equal to the purchase price of such real property
(or such other amount as shall be reasonably specified by the Collateral Agent)
as well as a current ALTA survey thereof, together with a surveyor's certificate
and (y) any consents or estoppels reasonably deemed necessary or advisable by
the Collateral Agent in connection with such Mortgage, each of the foregoing in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent and (iii)
deliver to the Collateral Agent legal opinions relating to the matters described
above, which opinions shall be in form and substance, and from counsel,
reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.
(b) With respect to any property acquired after the
Effective Date by any of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries (other than (x) any
property described in paragraph (a) or Section 5.11, (y) any property subject to
a Lien expressly permitted by Section 6.02(d) and (z) properly acquired by any
Excluded Foreign Subsidiary) as to which the Collateral Agent, for the benefit
of the Lenders, does not have a perfected Lien, if requested by the Collateral
Agent, the Borrower shall promptly (i) execute and deliver to the Collateral
Agent such amendments to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or such other
documents as the Collateral Agent deems necessary or advisable to grant to the
Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a security interest in such
property and (ii) take all actions necessary or advisable to grant to the
Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a perfected first priority
security interest in such property, including the filing of Uniform Commercial
Code financing statements in such jurisdictions as may be required by the
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or by law or as may be requested by the
Collateral Agent.
SECTION 5.14. Title Insurance, etc(a) . (a) If requested by
the Collateral Agent, the Borrower will provide to the Collateral Agent and the
title insurance company issuing the policy referred to in paragraph (b) below
(the "Title Insurance Company") maps or plats of an as-built survey of the sites
of the Mortgaged Properties, and such maps or plats shall be certified to the
Collateral Agent and the Title Insurance Company in a manner satisfactory to
them, dated a date satisfactory to the Collateral Agent and the Title Insurance
Company by an independent professional licensed land surveyor satisfactory to
the Collateral Agent and the Title Insurance Company, which maps or plats and
the surveys on which they are based shall be made in accordance with the Minimum
Standard Detail Requirements for Land Title Surveys jointly established and
adopted by the American Land Title Association and the American Congress on
Surveying and Mapping in 1992, and, without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, there shall be surveyed and shown on such maps, plats or surveys the
following: (A) the locations on such sites of all the buildings, structures and
other improvements and the established building setback lines; (B) the lines of
streets abutting the sites and width thereof; (C) all access and other
58
easements appurtenant to the sites; (D) all roadways, paths, driveways,
easements, encroachments and overhanging projections and similar encumbrances
affecting the site, whether recorded, apparent from a physical inspection of the
sites or otherwise known to the surveyor; (E) any encroachments on any adjoining
property by the building structures and improvements on the sites; (F) if the
site is described as being on a filed map, a legend relating the survey to said
map; and (G) the flood zone designations, if any, in which any Mortgaged
Property is located.
(b) If requested by the Collateral Agent, the Borrower
will provide to the Collateral Agent in respect of each Mortgaged Property a
mortgagee's title insurance policy (or policies) or marked up unconditional
binder for such insurance. Each such policy shall (A) be in an amount
satisfactory to the Collateral Agent; (B) be issued at ordinary rates; (C)
insure that the Mortgage insured thereby creates a valid first Lien on such
Property free and clear of all defects and encumbrances, except as disclosed
therein; (D) name the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Lenders as the
insured thereunder; (E) be in the form of ALTA Loan Policy - 1970 (Amended
10/17/70 and 10/17/84) (or equivalent policies); (F) contain such endorsements
and affirmative coverage as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request and (G)
be issued by title companies satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (including any
such title companies acting as co-insurers or reinsurers, at the option of the
Collateral Agent). The Collateral Agent shall have received evidence
satisfactory to it that all premiums in respect of each such policy, all charges
for mortgage recording tax, and all related expenses, if any, have been paid.
(c) If requested by the Collateral Agent, the Borrower
will provide to the Collateral Agent (A) a policy of flood insurance that (1)
covers any parcel of improved real property that is encumbered by any Mortgage
(2) is written in an amount not less than the outstanding principal amount of
the indebtedness secured by such Mortgage that is reasonably allocable to such
real property or the maximum limit of coverage made available with respect to
the particular type of property under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968,
whichever is less, and (3) has a term ending not later than the maturity of the
Indebtedness secured by such Mortgage and (B) confirmation that the Borrower has
received the notice required pursuant to Section 208(e)(3) of Regulation H of
the Board.
ARTICLE VI
Negative Covenants
Until the Commitments have expired or terminated and the
principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder have been
paid in full, and all Letters of Credit have expired or been terminated and all
LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrower covenants and agrees
with the Lenders that:
SECTION 6.01. Indebtedness. The Borrower will not, nor will it
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any
Indebtedness, except:
(a) Indebtedness created hereunder, and Guarantees
executed pursuant to this Agreement;
59
(b) Indebtedness and Guarantees existing on the Effective
Date and set forth in Schedule 6.01 and extensions, renewals and
replacements of any such Indebtedness that do not increase the
outstanding principal amount thereof over the amount set forth on
Schedule 6.01;
(c) Indebtedness owed to the Borrower or to any
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary by any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, that in each
case is permitted under Sections 6.04(c), and Indebtedness owed by the
Borrower or by any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary to any Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary, that in each case is permitted under Section 6.04(h);
(d) Guarantees and Indebtedness arising in connection
with the SunTrust Sale and Leaseback;
(e) Guarantee obligations entered into by Big O Tires,
Inc. or its Subsidiaries on behalf of its franchisees, other than those
existing Guarantee obligations listed on Schedule 6.01(e), provided
that the aggregate principal amount of such guaranteed obligations
arising after the Effective Date plus the aggregate principal amount of
loans permitted under Section 6.04(i) at no time exceeds $20,000,000;
(f) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary which becomes such as
a result of an Acceptable Acquisition, including such Indebtedness that
is assumed or becomes the subject of a Guarantee, but not any
extensions, renewals or replacements thereof; provided, that any such
Indebtedness is not created in contemplation of or in connection with
such Acceptable Acquisition;
(g) Guarantees by any of the Borrower or any Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary of Indebtedness of any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, provided
such Subsidiary Indebtedness is permitted pursuant to this Section;
(h) other Indebtedness which does not have an aggregate
principal amount exceeding $25,000,000 at any time outstanding;
(i) Guarantee obligations entered into by (x) the
Borrower or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, of obligations of any
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary to Persons other than their Affiliates, which
obligations are incurred by them in the ordinary course of business and
do not constitute Indebtedness, such as trade accounts payable,
customer advances, accrued expenses and lease payments that do not
constitute Indebtedness, and (y) the Borrower or any Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary, of obligations of Persons other than Subsidiaries and their
Affiliates, provided that the aggregate principal amount of the
guaranteed obligations under this clause (y) plus the aggregate amount
of the investments permitted under Section 6.04(d) at no time exceeds
$20,000,000;
(j) Guarantees and Indebtedness arising in connection
with the NTB Sale and Leaseback;
(k) Guarantees and Indebtedness arising in connection
with sale and leaseback transactions permitted under Section 6.13(d);
and
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(l) Capital Lease Obligations in respect of property
acquired in the NTB Acquisition and set forth on Schedule 6.01.
SECTION 6.02. Liens. The Borrower will not, nor will it permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on
any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or assign or sell
any income or revenues (including accounts receivable) or rights in respect of
any thereof, except:
(a) Permitted Encumbrances;
(b) any Lien on any property or asset of the Borrower or
any Subsidiary existing on the Effective Date and set forth in Schedule
6.02, provided that , if such Lien is not released within sixty days
after the Effective Date, (i) such Lien shall not apply to any other
property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary and (ii) such Lien
shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the Effective
Date and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not
increase the outstanding principal amount thereof over the amount set
forth on Schedule 6.02;
(c) any Lien existing on any property or asset prior to
the acquisition thereof by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or existing
on any property or asset of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after
the Effective Date prior to the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary;
provided that (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in
connection with such acquisition or such Person becoming a Subsidiary,
as the case may be, (ii) such Lien shall not apply to any other
property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary; (iii) such Lien
secures Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(h) and (iv) such Lien
shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date of
such acquisition or the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary, as the
case may be;
(d) Liens on fixed or capital assets acquired by the
Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided that (i) such Liens secure
Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(h), (ii) such Liens and the
Indebtedness secured thereby are incurred prior to such acquisition or
simultaneously therewith, (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does
not exceed 100% of the cost of acquiring such fixed or capital assets,
(iv) such security interests shall not apply to any other property or
assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary; and (v) the aggregate
Indebtedness secured by all such Liens does not exceed $5,000,000;
(e) Liens arising in connection with (i) the SunTrust
Sale and Leaseback permitted under Section 6.01(d), (ii) the NTB Sale
and Leaseback permitted under Section 6.01(j) or (iii) other sale and
leaseback transactions permitted under Section 6.13(d); and
(f) a security interest granted by Tire Kingdom, Inc. to
Michelin Tire Corporation, as secured party, with respect to all
inventory previously and hereafter purchased from Michelin Tire
Corporation by Tire Kingdom, Inc. and all proceeds thereof, provided
that the aggregate amount of obligations secured thereby at no time
exceeds $30,000,000.
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SECTION 6.03. Fundamental Changes. (a) The Borrower will not,
nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, merge into or with or consolidate
with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or with it or
consolidate with it, or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (in one
transaction or in a series of transactions) any of the stock of its Subsidiaries
(in each case, whether now owned or hereafter acquired), or liquidate or
dissolve, except that, if at the time thereof and immediately after giving
effect thereto no Default shall have occurred and be continuing (i) any
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary may merge into the Borrower or into another Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary; (ii) any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary may sell, transfer, lease or
otherwise dispose of any portion of its assets to the Borrower or to another
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary; (iii) any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary may liquidate or
dissolve if the Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation or
dissolution is in the best interests of the Borrower and is not materially
disadvantageous to the Lenders; (iv) Acceptable Acquisitions shall be permitted;
(v) the disposal of Northern States Tire, Inc. and the ownership interests of
the Borrower or any of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries in STI Acquisition LLC
shall be permitted, whether by sale of assets or stock, or by merger,
consolidation, dissolution or liquidation; and (vi) any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary
may change its form of entity to, or otherwise convert to another form of
entity, which is also a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary and is a Grantor and Guarantor
under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, or engage in any other
restructuring, provided that no assets of or ownership interests in any such
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary shall be transferred to a Person which is not also a
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary and a Grantor and Guarantor under the Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement.
(b) The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, engage to any material extent in any business not reasonably
related to (i) the distribution of tires and other products in the automotive
replacement market, (ii) providing financing to the Borrower and its other
Subsidiaries, or (iii) owning and licensing intellectual property used by the
Borrower or its other Subsidiaries.
SECTION 6.04. Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and
Acquisitions. The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, purchase, hold or acquire (including pursuant to any merger with any Person
that was not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary prior to such merger) any capital stock,
evidences of Indebtedness or other securities (including any option, warrant or
other right to acquire any of the foregoing) of, make or permit to exist any
loans or advances to, Guarantee any obligations of, or make or permit to exist
any investment or any other interest in, any other Person, or purchase or
otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of transactions) any assets of
any other Person constituting a business unit, except:
(a) Permitted Investments;
(b) the Merchant's Acquisition; capital investments in
any Subsidiary (provided that the Subsidiary is in existence on the Effective
Date or becomes a Subsidiary at any time after the Effective Date in a manner
which complies with all other provisions of this Agreement without giving effect
to this clause (b)); and other investments and loans as otherwise described in
Schedule 6.04(b);
(c) loans or advances made by the Borrower or any
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary to any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary;
62
(d) loans and advances to, purchases of equity interests
in and contributions to the capital of Joint Ventures and other
Persons, not otherwise permitted pursuant to this Section, provided
that the aggregate amount of such investments, plus the aggregate
amount of the obligations guaranteed pursuant to Section 6.01(i)(y),
shall not exceed $20,000,000 at any one time; (Joint Venture profits
and losses that are passed through to its equity holders shall not be
included in the calculation of the aggregate amount of such
investments);
(e) investments in evidences of Indebtedness representing
amounts formerly constituting accounts receivable owed to the Borrower or any
Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;
(f) Guarantees permitted under Section 6.01;
(g) Acceptable Acquisitions. "Acceptable Acquisition"
means any separate individual Acquisition completed after the Effective Date
which has been either (a) approved by the Board of Directors of the corporation,
or the comparable or appropriate body of any other Person, which is the subject
of such Acquisition or (b) recommended by such Board to the shareholders of such
corporation, or by such other body to the equity holders of such other Person,
and in each case (i) the Acquisition target is a Person which is engaged in the
replacement tire industry, (ii) the aggregate consideration for the Acquisitions
shall not exceed $40,000,000 in any one calendar year, (iii) the aggregate
consideration for all Acquisitions completed after the Effective Date shall not
exceed $75,000,000, provided that this amount shall be increased on an annual
basis by 25% of the Borrower's Consolidated Net Income for each completed fiscal
year commencing with its 2003 fiscal year and (iv) the Acquisition is made under
circumstances in which no Default or Event of Default will either exist or
result therefrom, and in which pro forma financial statements and projections
including the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and the Person and/or assets to be
acquired, covering the most recent 12 month period for which financial
statements are available and the twelve months following the Acquisition, would
show that no Default or Event of Default will result from the Acquisition and
that Borrower will have unused Revolving Credit Commitments upon consummation of
such Acquisition aggregating not less than $20,000,000. As used in this
paragraph, "Acquisition" means any transaction pursuant to which the Borrower or
any of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries (a) acquires all of the outstanding equity
securities of any Person other than the Borrower or any Person which is then a
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, or (b) otherwise makes any Person a
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, in any case pursuant to a merger,
purchase of assets or any reorganization, or (c) purchases all or substantially
all of the business or assets of any Person other than a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary
of the Borrower or of any business unit or line of business of any such Persons;
(h) Intercompany Loans made to the Borrower or any
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary by any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary;
(i) loans by Big O Tires, Inc. or its Wholly-Owned
Subsidiaries to Big O franchisees, provided that the aggregate principal amount
of such loans arising after the Effective Date plus the aggregate amount of the
obligations guaranteed pursuant to Section 6.01(e) at no time exceeds
$20,000,000. Investments in evidences of Indebtedness permitted under
63
Section 6.04(e) and Big O franchisee loans that have been sold to third parties
shall be excluded from the loans and obligations required to be within the
$20,000,000 limit; and
(j) the NTB Acquisition.
SECTION 6.05. Hedging Agreements. The Borrower will not, nor
will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any Hedging Agreement,
other than Hedging Agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business to
hedge or mitigate risks to which the Borrower or such Subsidiary is exposed in
the conduct of its business or the management of its liabilities.
SECTION 6.06. Transactions with Affiliates. The Borrower will
not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any transaction
(including, without limitation, the purchase or sale of any property or service)
with or make any payment or transfer to, any of its Affiliates except in the
ordinary course of business and pursuant to the reasonable requirements of the
Borrower's or such Subsidiary's business and upon fair and reasonable terms no
less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary than the Borrower or such
Subsidiary would obtain in a comparable arms-length transaction; provided that
the foregoing shall not apply to transactions (i) between the Borrower and any
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or between or among any Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of the
Borrower, as long as such transactions do not violate Section 6.04; (ii) if such
transactions occur in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practices of the Borrower and/or Subsidiary, (x) transactions between the
Borrower or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary and TBC de Mexico or (xx) transactions
between Big O Tires, Inc. or any of its Subsidiaries and any Joint Venture
established by Big O Tires, Inc. or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary
course of business, the entire investment in which is permitted under Section
6.04(d); or (iii) incident to any dissolution or liquidation of STI Acquisition
LLC and the associated distribution or disposal of any of its assets to the
extent permitted under Sections 6.03(a)(v) and 6.13(i).
SECTION 6.07. Restrictive Agreements. The Borrower will not,
nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter
into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement that
prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of the
Borrower or any Subsidiary to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any
of its property or assets, or (b) the ability of any Subsidiary to pay dividends
or other distributions with respect to any shares of its capital stock or to
make or repay loans or advances to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary or to
Guarantee Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Subsidiary; provided that
(i) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed by law
or by this Agreement, (ii) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and
conditions identified on Schedule 6.07 (but shall apply to any extension or
renewal of, or any amendment or modification expanding the scope of, any such
restriction or condition), (iii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary
restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a
Subsidiary pending such sale, provided such restrictions and conditions apply
only to the Subsidiary that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder,
(iv) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions
imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this
Agreement if such restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or
assets securing such Indebtedness and (v) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not
apply to customary provisions in leases restricting the assignment thereof.
64
SECTION 6.08. Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. The Borrower will
not permit the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of the last day of any Fiscal
Quarter of the Borrower to be less than the amount set forth in the following
table. For purposes of this Section, "Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means as of
the last day of any Fiscal Quarter of the Borrower, the ratio of (a) EBITDA for
the period of four Fiscal Quarters ending on the last day of such quarter to (b)
the sum of the Consolidated Interest Expense, Scheduled Payments and Capital
Expenditures for such period:
Quarter Ending Ratio
-------------- -----
12/31/03 1.15:1
3/31/04 1.15:1
6/30/04 1.15:1
9/30/04 1.25:1
12/31/04 1.25:1
3/31/05 1.25:1
6/30/05 1.25:1
9/30/05 1.25:1
12/31/05 1.25:1
3/31/06 1.50:1
6/30/06 1.50:1
9/30/06 1.50:1
12/31/06 1.50:1
3/31/07 1.50:1
6/30/07 1.50:1
9/30/07 1.50:1
12/31/07 and thereafter 1.50:1
SECTION 6.09. Maximum Leverage Ratio. The Borrower will not
permit the Leverage Ratio as of the end of any Fiscal Quarter to be greater than
that set forth in the following table:
Quarter Ending Ratio
-------------- -----
12/31/03 3.25:1
3/31/04 3.25:1
6/30/04 3.25:1
9/30/04 3.00:1
12/31/04 2.75:1
3/31/05 2.75:1
6/30/05 2.75:1
9/30/05 2.50:1
12/31/05 2.50:1
3/31/06 2.50:1
6/30/06 2.50:1
9/30/06 2.25:1
12/31/06 2.25:1
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Quarter Ending Ratio
-------------- -----
3/31/07 2.25:1
6/30/07 2.25:1
9/30/07 2.25:1
12/31/07 and thereafter 2.25:1
SECTION 6.10. Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR. The Borrower will not
permit the ratio of (i) Adjusted Debt to (ii) EBITDAR at the end of any Fiscal
Quarter to be greater than the amount set forth in the following table:
Quarter Ending Ratio
-------------- -----
12/31/03 5.35:1
3/31/04 5.35:1
6/30/04 5.35:1
9/30/04 5.35:1
12/31/04 5.00:1
3/31/05 5.00:1
6/30/05 5.00:1
9/30/05 4.75:1
12/31/05 4.75:1
3/31/06 4.75:1
6/30/06 4.75:1
9/30/06 4.25:1
12/31/06 4.25:1
3/31/07 4.25:1
6/30/07 4.25:1
9/30/07 4.00:1
12/31/07 and thereafter 4.00:1
For purposes of this Section, at the end of any Fiscal Quarter, (i) "Adjusted
Debt" shall mean Consolidated Funded Indebtedness as of the end such Fiscal
Quarter, plus eight times the rental payments made (net of any sublease income)
during the four Fiscal Quarter period then ended, and (ii) EBITDAR shall mean
the aggregate EBITDA, plus the aggregate rental payments (net of any sublease
income), for the four Fiscal Quarter period then ended.
SECTION 6.11. Asset Test. The Borrower will not permit the
ratio of the sum of its consolidated accounts receivable and inventories subject
to a first priority perfected security interest in favor of the Collateral Agent
pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement (and, in any event, exclusive
of any then outstanding amounts secured by a security interest on inventory
permitted by Section 6.02(f)) to Consolidated Funded Indebtedness at the end of
any Fiscal Quarter to be less than the amount set forth in the following table:
Quarter Ending Ratio
-------------- -----
12/31/03 1.10:1
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Quarter Ending Ratio
-------------- -----
3/31/04 1.10:1
6/30/04 1.10:1
9/30/04 1.10:1
12/31/04 1.20:1
3/31/05 1.20:1
6/30/05 1.20:1
9/30/05 1.35:1
12/31/05 1.35:1
3/31/06 1.35:1
6/30/06 1.35:1
9/30/06 1.35:1
12/31/06 1.35:1
3/31/07 1.35:1
6/30/07 1.35:1
9/30/07 1.35:1
12/31/07 and thereafter 1.35:1
SECTION 6.12. Disclosure. None of the reports, financial
statements, certificates or other information furnished by or on behalf of the
Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant to this Agreement or
any of the other Loan Documents will, when so furnished, contain any material
misstatement of fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not
misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, such
information may be prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be
reasonable at the time.
SECTION 6.13. Sale of Assets. The Borrower will not sell,
lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of, or permit any of its
Subsidiaries to sell, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of, any of
its or their now owned or hereafter acquired assets (including, without
limitation, shares of stock and indebtedness of such Subsidiaries, receivables
and leasehold interests), except: (a) for inventory disposed of in the ordinary
course of business; (b) for transactions with Affiliates permitted under Section
6.06; (c) for the sale or other disposition of assets that are obsolete or no
longer used or usable for the conduct of business in the ordinary course; (d)
for one or more transactions in which fixed or capital assets are sold and
leased back, on terms that do not constitute Capital Lease Obligations (other
than the SunTrust Sale and Leaseback, the NTB Sale and Leaseback and any
transaction described in clause (e) below), provided that if the aggregate sale
price of the assets sold exceeds $15,000,000, the Net Proceeds of each such sale
are used to prepay principal of the Term Loans, of the Prudential Debt and of
the Additional Prudential Notes, pursuant to Section 2.10(c); (e) that Big O
Tires, Inc. and its Subsidiaries shall be permitted (i) to sell Big O franchisee
loans to third parties, and (ii) to sell to Big O franchisees, or to sell and
leaseback for subleasing to Big O franchisees, Big O stores (including real
estate, fixtures and equipment), provided that, in each case under clauses (i)
and (ii) the transaction is in the ordinary course of business and consistent
with past practice;
67
(f) for sales described in Schedule 6.13; (g) for the SunTrust Sale and
Leaseback; (h) for the NTB Sale and Leaseback; and (i) the disposition of the
assets of, or the ownership interests of the Borrower and its Wholly-Owned
Subsidiaries in, STI Acquisition LLC .
SECTION 6.14. Restricted Payments. The Borrower will not, and
will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, declare or make, or agree to pay or
make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except (a) the Borrower
may declare and pay dividends with respect to its capital stock payable solely
in additional shares of its common stock, (b) Subsidiaries may declare and pay
dividends ratably with respect to their capital stock or other equity interest,
(c) the Borrower may make Restricted Payments pursuant to and in accordance with
stock option plans or other benefits for management or employees of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries and (d) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, the Borrower may make
payments in an aggregate amount not exceeding $10,000,000 per calendar year on
account of (i) the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation
or termination of any shares of capital stock of the Borrower or any option,
warrant or other right to acquire any such shares and (ii) the payment of
dividends with respect to its preferred stock.
ARTICLE VII
Events of Default
If any of the following events ("Events of Default") shall
occur:
(a) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any
Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement
when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due
date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;
(b) the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any
Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to
in clause (a) of this Article) payable under this Agreement or any
other Loan Document when and as the same shall become due and payable,
and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of three days;
(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by
or on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in or in connection with
this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or
modification hereof or thereof, or waiver hereunder or thereunder, or
in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document
furnished pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other
Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof or
waiver hereunder or thereunder, shall prove to have been materially
incorrect when made or deemed made;
(d) (i) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any
covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.03, 5.04 (with
respect to the Borrower's existence) or 5.08, or (ii) the Borrower
shall fail to observe or perform any covenant or agreement contained in
Article VI, and in each case in clauses (i) and (ii), either (x) such
failure is not remedied within two Business Days after any of the Chief
Executive Officer of the
68
Borrower or any Financial Officer obtains knowledge thereof or (xx)
within such two-day period, the Required Lenders, or the
Co-Administrative Agent on instructions of the Required Lenders, gives
the Borrower notice that such failure constitutes a Default;
(e) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any
covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement (other
than those specified in clauses (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this Article),
and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days
after the earlier to occur of (i) the date the Borrower shall have
obtained knowledge thereof and (ii) written notice thereof from the
Co-Administrative Agent to the Borrower (which notice will be given at
the request of any Lender);
(f) the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall fail to make any
payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in
respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become
due and payable;
(g) any event or condition occurs that results in any
Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or
that enables or permits (with or without the giving of notice, the
lapse of time or both) the holder or holders of any Material
Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause
any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment,
repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled
maturity; provided that this clause (g) shall not apply to secured
Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or
transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness;
(h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an
involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation,
reorganization or other relief in respect of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under
any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or
similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a
receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar
official for the Borrower or any Subsidiary or for a substantial part
of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall
continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or
ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;
(i) the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily
commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation,
reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign
bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in
effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a
timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in
clause (h) of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent to the
appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator,
conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any Subsidiary or
for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the
material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such
proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors
or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the
foregoing;
(j) the Borrower shall become unable, admit in writing
its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;
69
(k) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an
aggregate amount in excess of $3,000,000 shall be rendered against the
Borrower, any Subsidiary or any combination thereof and the same shall
remain undischarged for a period of 30 consecutive days during which
execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be
legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets
of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment;
(l) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, in the
opinion of the Required Lenders, when taken together with all other
ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result
in liability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate
amount exceeding $2,000,000;
(m) a Change in Control shall occur;
(n) the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall be subject to
any Environmental Liability or the subject of any proceeding or
investigation pertaining to the release by the Borrower or any
Subsidiary, or any other Person of any Hazardous Material into the
environment, or pertaining to any violation of any Environmental Law,
which, in any case, could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect; or
(o) the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, the guarantee
contained in Section 2 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or any
Mortgage shall for any reason cease to be an enforceable obligation of
the Borrower or any Grantor, as the case may be, that executed the same
or if such party or any other Person should contest the validity of
such guarantee, the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or Mortgage or
shall seek in any way to have it declared null and void or to have such
party's obligations thereunder in any way limited, or if such party
shall in any respect not described elsewhere in this Article fail to
perform any of its obligations under such Guarantee and Collateral
Agreement or any Mortgage, and such failure shall continue unremedied
for a period of fifteen days after the earlier to occur of (i) the date
the Borrower shall have obtained knowledge thereof or (ii) written
notice thereof from the Collateral Agent to the Borrower (which notice
will be given at the request of any Lender);
then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower
described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article), and at any time thereafter
during the continuance of such event, the Co-Administrative Agent shall,
pursuant to the request of the Required Lenders, by notice to the Borrower, take
either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i)
terminate the Revolving Credit Commitments, and thereupon the Revolving Credit
Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the Loans then
outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any
principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be
due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due
and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other
obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall become due and payable
immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind,
all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower; and in case of any event with
respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article, the
Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then
outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other
obligations of the
70
Borrower accrued hereunder, shall automatically become due and payable, without
presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are
hereby waived by the Borrower.
ARTICLE VIII
The Administrative Agent and the Co-Administrative Agent
Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereby irrevocably
appoints each of the Administrative Agent and the Co-Administrative Agent as its
agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and authorizes the
Administrative Agent and the Co-Administrative Agent to take such actions on its
behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated respectively to the
Administrative Agent and the Co-Administrative Agent by the terms hereof and of
the other Loan Documents together with such actions and powers as are reasonably
incidental thereto.
Each bank serving as the Administrative Agent and the
Co-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 or the Co-Administrative Agent, and such bank
and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage
in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate
thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent or the Co-Administrative
Agent hereunder.
Neither the Administrative Agent nor the Co-Administrative
Agent shall have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth
herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, (a) neither shall be subject to any fiduciary or other implied
duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, (b)
neither shall have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any
discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly
contemplated hereby and in the other Loan Documents that the Administrative
Agent or the Co-Administrative Agent is required to exercise in writing by the
Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be
necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02), and (c) except
as expressly set forth herein, neither the Administrative Agent nor the
Co-Administrative Agent shall have any duty to disclose, nor shall it be liable
for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of
the Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as
Administrative Agent or Co-Administrative Agent, as the case may be, or any of
its respective Affiliates in any capacity. Neither the Administrative Agent nor
the Co-Administrative Agent shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by
it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other
number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the
circumstances as provided in Section 9.02) or for any action taken or not taken
by it in the absence of its own gross negligence or wilful misconduct. Neither
the Administrative Agent nor the Co-Administrative Agent shall be deemed to have
knowledge of any Default (including any event of default under any other Loan
Document) unless and until written notice thereof is given to it by the Borrower
or a Lender, and neither the Administrative Agent nor the Co-Administrative
Agent shall be responsible for or have any duty 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
71
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, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or
genuineness of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any other agreement,
instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in
Article IV or elsewhere herein or in any other Loan Document other than to
confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the
Administrative Agent or the Co-Administrative Agent, as the case may be.
The Administrative Agent and the Co-Administrative Agent shall
be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon,
any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or
other writing believed by it in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed
or sent by the proper Person. Each of the Administrative Agent and the
Co-Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by
telephone and believed by it in good faith to be made by the proper Person, and
shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. Each of the Administrative
Agent and the Co-Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be
counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by
it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in
accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.
Each of the Administrative Agent and the Co-Administrative
Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by
or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by it in good faith. The
Administrative Agent and the Co-Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may
perform any and all duties and exercise rights and powers through their
respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of the preceding
paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the
Administrative Agent and the Co-Administrative Agent, and any such sub-agent.
Upon the appointment and acceptance of a successor
Administrative Agent or Co-Administrative Agent as provided in this paragraph,
the Administrative Agent or Co-Administrative Agent may resign at any time by
notifying the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Borrower. Upon any such
resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, with the approval of the
Borrower (provided Borrower's approval shall not be required during the
existence of a Default), to appoint a successor. If no successor shall have been
so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment
within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent or Co-Administrative
Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent or
Co-Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank,
appoint a successor Administrative Agent or Co-Administrative Agent, which shall
be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank.
Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent or
Co-Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents by a
successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the
rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent or
Co-Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent or
Co-Administrative Agent shall be discharged from any further duties and
obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents. The fees payable by
the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent or Co-Administrative Agent
shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed
between the Borrower and such successor. After the Administrative Agent's or
Co-Administrative Agent's resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article
and Section 9.03
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shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent
or Co-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 while
acting as Administrative Agent or Co-Administrative Agent, as the case may be.
Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and
without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Co-Administrative Agent, or
any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed
appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this
Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without
reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Co-Administrative Agent or any other
Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time
deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking
action under or based upon this Agreement, any related agreement or any document
furnished hereunder or thereunder.
ARTICLE IX
Miscellaneous
SECTION 9.01. Notices. Except in the case of notices and other
communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone, 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 telecopy, as follows:
(a) if to the Borrower, to it at ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Attention of Chief Financial Officer, (Fax
No. (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇);
(b) if to the Administrative Agent, to National
Department, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Attention of
Manager, National Department (Fax No. (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇);
(c) if to any Issuing Bank, to First Tennessee Bank
National Association at National Department, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Attention of ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Senior Vice
President (Fax No. (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇) and to JPMorgan Chase Bank at
Corporate Banking Department, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇, Attention of ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Vice President (Fax No.
(▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇);
(d) if to the Swingline Lender, to it at National
Department, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Attention of
Manager, National Department (Fax No. (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇);
(e) if to the Co-Administrative Agent, to it at it at
Corporate Banking Department, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇, Attention of ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Vice President (Fax No.
(▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇);
(f) if to any other Lender, to it at its address (or
telecopy number) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.
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Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other
communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and
other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions
of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt.
SECTION 9.02. Waivers; Amendments. (a) No failure or delay by
the Administrative Agent, the Co-Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any
Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver
thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or
any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power,
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other
right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the
Co-Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders hereunder are
cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would
otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any
departure by the Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the
same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver
or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose
for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of
a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of
any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, the
Co-Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank may have had notice or
knowledge of such Default at the time.
(b) Neither this Agreement, any Loan Document nor any
provision hereof or thereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant
to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the
Required Lenders or by the Borrower and the Co-Administrative Agent with the
consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall (i)
increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such
Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or
reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, or
waive or release the obligation of the Borrower with respect to any such
principal, interest, fees, or LC Disbursement without the written consent of
each Lender affected thereby, (iii) postpone the scheduled date of payment of
the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement, or any interest thereon, or
any fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such
payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without
the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.17(b)
or (c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required
thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, (v) change any of the
provisions of this Section or the definition of "Required Lenders" or any other
provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to
waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant
any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender, or (vi)
waive, amend or modify any of the provisions of Article VIII or, except as
provided in Section 4(a) of the Intercreditor Agreement, release any of the
Collateral or release all or substantially all of the Guarantors from their
obligations under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, without the written
consent of all Lenders; provided further that no such agreement shall amend,
modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, the
Co-Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lender hereunder
without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the
Co-Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lender, as the case
may be.
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(c) Should the Borrower or any Guarantor become a party
to a case under the United States Bankruptcy Code, each Lender shall be entitled
to file its own claim, to the extent that a filing may be necessary. The
Co-Administrative Agent shall review each claim before being filed by a Lender
to assure that the claim is filed on a basis consistent with the Administrative
Agent's and the Co-Administrative Agent's records and the legal position, if
any, taken by the Administrative Agent or the Co-Administrative Agent on behalf
of the Lenders pursuant to this Agreement. Should the Borrower or any Guarantor
become a party to a reorganization proceeding under the United States Bankruptcy
Code, each Lender shall be recognized as the holder of a separate claim for the
purpose of the approval or rejection of a plan under 11 U.S.C. Section 1126, may
freely vote such claim, and the provisions of this Section shall control Section
9.02(b) and the other provisions of this Agreement that might otherwise require
the consent of the Required Lenders or of all Lenders in such circumstances. The
Administrative Agent and Co-Administrative Agent shall continue as such under
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as they may be amended by any
adopted plan of reorganization in such a proceeding.
SECTION 9.03. Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver. (a) The
Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the
Administrative Agent, the Co-Administrative Agent and their respective
Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of their
respective counsel, in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities
provided for herein, and the preparation and administration of this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the
provisions hereof and thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses incurred by any Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance,
amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for
payment related thereto and (iii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the
Collateral Agent under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, any Issuing Bank
or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for
the Administrative Agent, the Co-Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any
Lender, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in
connection with this Agreement, and the other Loan Documents including its
rights under this Section, or in connection with the 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) The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative
Agent, the Co-Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and each Lender, 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, including the fees,
charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or
asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a
result of (i) the execution or delivery by the Borrower or any Grantor of this
Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any agreement or instrument contemplated
hereby or thereby, the performance by the Borrower or any Grantor of their
respective obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents or the
consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby,
(ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom
(including any refusal by the Issuing Bank 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
75
the terms of such Letter of Credit) (iii) any actual or alleged presence or
release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in
any way to the Borrower 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 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 nonappealable judgment to have
resulted from the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of such Indemnitee.
(c) To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any
amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent, the
Co-Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender under
paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the
Administrative Agent, the Co-Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank or the
Swingline Lender, 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 such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment as a percentage of all
Revolving Credit Commitments) of such unpaid amount; 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, the Co-Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the
Swingline Lender, in its capacity as such.
(d) To the extent permitted by applicable law, the
Borrower shall not assert, and it hereby waives, 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, any Loan or
Letter of Credit, or the use of the proceeds thereof.
(e) All amounts due under this Section shall be payable
promptly after written demand therefor.
SECTION 9.04. Successors and Assigns; Participations and
Assignments. (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and
assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of any Issuing Bank that
issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or
otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior
written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the
Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may
assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in
accordance with this Section.
(b) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph
(b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more assignees (each, an
"Assignee") all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement
(including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans at the time owing
to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably
withheld) of:
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(A) the Borrower, provided that no consent of the Borrower
shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an affiliate of a
Lender, an Approved Fund (as defined below) or, if an Event of Default
under Article VII has occurred and is continuing, any other Person; and
(B) the Co-Administrative Agent, provided that no consent of
the Co-Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment of (x)
any Revolving Commitment to an assignee that is a Lender with a
Revolving Commitment immediately prior to giving effect to such
assignment or (y) all or any portion of a Term Loan to a Lender, an
Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund.
(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional
conditions:
(A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an
affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the
entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender's Commitments or Loans
under any Term Loan or Revolving Loan, the amount of the Commitments or
Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment
(determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect
to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not
be less than $2,000,000 unless each of the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that (1) no such
consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default under
Article VII has occurred and is continuing and (2) such amounts shall
be aggregated in respect of each Lender and its affiliates or Approved
Funds, if any;
(B) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver
to the Co-Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance, together
with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; and
(C) the Assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver
to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.
For the purposes of this Section 9.04, the term "Approved
Fund" has the following meaning:
"Approved Fund" means any Person (other than a natural person)
that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank
loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its
business and 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.
(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to
paragraph (b)(iv) below, from and after the effective date specified in each
Assignment and Acceptance the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and,
to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, 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 Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement
(and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance 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
77
to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 9.03). Any
assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement
that does not comply with this Section 9.04 shall be treated for purposes of
this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and
obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.
(iv) The Co-Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as
an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each
Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the recordation of
the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal
amount of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the
terms hereof from time to time (the "Register"). The entries in the Register
shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the
Co-Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Lenders may treat each Person
whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender
hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the
contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, each
Issuing Bank and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon
reasonable prior notice.
(v) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and
Acceptance executed by an assigning Lender and an Assignee, the Assignee's
completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the Assignee shall already be a
Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph
(b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by
paragraph (b) of this Section, the Co-Administrative Agent shall accept such
Assignment and Acceptance and record the information contained therein in the
Register. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless
it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.
(c) (i) Any Lender may, without the consent of the
Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to one or more banks
or other entities (a "Participant") in all or a portion of such Lender's rights
and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its
Commitments and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender's
obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall
remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of
such obligations and (C) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the
Co-Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and the other Lenders shall continue
to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's
rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement pursuant to which a
Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain
the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment,
modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such
agreement may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the
Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver that (1) requires
the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby pursuant to the proviso to
Section 9.02(b) and (2) directly affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph
(c)(ii) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be
entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.14, 2.15 and 2.16 to the same extent as
if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to
paragraph (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant
also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a
Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.17(c) as
though it were a Lender.
78
(ii) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any
greater payment under Section 2.14 or 2.16 than the applicable Lender would have
been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such
Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made
with the Borrower's prior written consent. Any Participant that would be a
Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of
Section 2.16 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such
Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to
comply with Section 2.16(e) as though it were a Lender.
(d) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a
security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to
secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure
obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any
such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge
or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its
obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or Assignee for such Lender
as a party hereto.
(e) The Borrower, upon receipt of written notice from the
relevant Lender, agrees to issue Notes to any Lender requiring Notes to
facilitate transactions of the type described in paragraph (d) above.
(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Conduit Lender may
assign any or all of the Loans it may have funded hereunder to its designating
Lender without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent and
without regard to the limitations set forth in Section 9.04(b). Each of the
Borrower, each Lender, the Administrative Agent and the Co-Administrative Agent
hereby confirms that it will not institute against a Conduit Lender or join any
other Person in instituting against a Conduit Lender any bankruptcy,
reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceeding under any
state bankruptcy or similar law, for one year and one day after the payment in
full of the latest maturing commercial paper note issued by such Conduit Lender;
provided, however, that each Lender designating any Conduit Lender hereby agrees
to indemnify, save and hold harmless each other party hereto for any loss, cost,
damage or expense arising out of its inability to institute such a proceeding
against such Conduit Lender during such period of forbearance.
SECTION 9.05. Survival. All covenants, agreements,
representations and warranties made by the Borrower herein and in the other Loan
Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection
with or pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be
considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall
survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of any Loans
and the issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made
by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the
Administrative Agent, the Co-Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any
Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect
representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and
shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any
accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this
Agreement or the other Loan Documents is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of
Credit is outstanding and so long as the Revolving Credit Commitments have not
expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16, 9.03 and
9.12 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect
regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the
repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination
79
of the Letters of Credit and the Revolving Credit Commitments or the termination
of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
SECTION 9.06. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This
Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on
different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of
which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement and
any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the
Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender 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 including, without limitation, each Commitment Letter
between the Borrower and each Lender, to the extent, but only to the extent,
that it relates to such Lender. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this
Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the
Administrative Agent and the Co-Administrative Agent and when the
Co-Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when
taken together, bear the signatures of each of the Borrower, the Required
Lenders and each Tranche C Lender, and thereafter shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and
assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this
Agreement by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed
counterpart of this Agreement. Execution and delivery of this Agreement by any
Lender as provided above shall constitute authorization to the Administrative
Agent and the Co-Administrative Agent to execute and deliver an amendment to the
Intercreditor Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Schedule
9.06 on behalf of such Lender, and each Assignee shall become a party to the
Intercreditor Agreement upon its becoming a Lender pursuant to the term and
conditions hereof.
SECTION 9.07. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement
held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to
such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality
or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability
of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision
in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other
jurisdiction.
SECTION 9.08. Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is
hereby authorized, provided that it has the consent of the Co-Administrative
Agent (which consent may not be unreasonably withheld), at any time and from
time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any
and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at
any time held and other obligations at any time owing by such Lender or
Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and
all of the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this
Agreement held by such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall
have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations may be
unmatured. The rights of each Lender under this Section are in addition to other
rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender may
have.
80
SECTION 9.09. Governing Law, Jurisdiction; Consent to Service
of Process. (a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and
governed by the law of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to
be performed in such state, without regard to conflict of laws principles.
(b) The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally
submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the
Courts of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United
States District Court sitting in New York County, New York and any appellate
court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating
to this Agreement, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each
of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all
claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined
in such New York state or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal
court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such
action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other
jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.
Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent,
the Co-Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have
to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement against the
Borrower or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.
(c) The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally
waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any
objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit,
action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court
referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby
irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an
inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such
court.
(d) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to
service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing
in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve
process in any other manner permitted by law.
SECTION 9.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY
WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE
TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF
OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER
BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES
THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED,
EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF
LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT
AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY,
AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
SECTION 9.11. Headings. Article and Section headings and the
Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not
part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken
into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.
81
SECTION 9.12. Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative
Agent, the Co-Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders agrees to
maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that
Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates' directors, officers,
employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors
(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), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory
authority, (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by
any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party to this Agreement,
(e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or any suit,
action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the enforcement of rights
hereunder, (f) if an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as
those of this Section has been obtained, to any assignee of or Participant in,
or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or
obligations under this Agreement, (g) with the consent of the Borrower or (h) to
the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a
result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the
Administrative Agent, the Co-Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any
Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower. For the
purposes of this Section, "Information" means all information received from the
Borrower relating to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries' businesses, other than
any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, the
Co-Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential
basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower; provided that, in the case of
information received from the Borrower after the Effective Date, 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 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.
SECTION 9.13. Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to
any Loan or LC Disbursement, together with all fees, charges and other amounts
which are treated as interest on such Loan or LC Disbursement under applicable
law (collectively the "Charges"), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the
"Maximum Rate") which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or
reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable law, the
rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all
Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to
the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in
respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this
Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender
in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the
Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest
thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate to the date of repayment, shall have
been received by such Lender.
SECTION 9.14. Effect of Amendment and Restatement of the March
2003 Credit Agreement; Consent to Amendment of Guarantee and Collateral
Agreement. (a).On the Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, the March 2003
Credit Agreement shall be amended, restated and superseded in its entirety. The
parties hereto acknowledge and agree that (i) this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, whether executed and delivered in connection herewith or otherwise,
do not constitute a novation, payment and reborrowing, or termination of
82
the "Facility Obligations" (as defined in the March 2003 Credit Agreement) under
the March 2003 Credit Agreement as in effect prior to the Amendment and
Restatement Effective Date; (ii) such "Facility Obligations" are in all respects
continuing (as amended and restated hereby); (iii) the Liens and security
interests as granted under the applicable Loan Documents securing payment of
such "Facility Obligations" are in all respects continuing and in full force and
effect; and (iv) references in the Loan Documents to the "Credit Agreement"
shall be deemed to be references to this Agreement, and to the extent necessary
to effect the foregoing, each such Loan Document is hereby deemed amended
accordingly.
(b) Each party hereto consents to the execution by the
Co-Administrative Agent of the Amendment, dated on or about the Amendment and
Restatement Effective Date, to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement,
substantially in the form of Schedule 4.01(f)A.
83
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the
day and year first above written.
TBC CORPORATION
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
----------------------------------
By: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Executive Vice President/Chief
Financial Officer
84
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, as Co-
Administrative Agent and as a Lender
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
-----------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Vice President
FIRST TENNESSEE BANK NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇.
-----------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇.
Title: Senior Vice President
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
-----------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Senior Vice President
SUNTRUST BANK
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
-----------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Director
FLEET RETAIL GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
-----------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Vice President
NATIONAL CITY
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
-----------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Account Officer
85
FIFTH THIRD BANK
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
-----------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Vice President
GUARANTY BANK
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
-----------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Vice President
REGION BANK
By: /s/ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
-----------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Assistant Vice President,
Corporate Regions Bank
UNION PLANTERS BANK, N.A.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
-----------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Vice President
COMPASS BANK
By: /s/ T. ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
-----------------------------
Name: T. ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Senior Vice President
THE PROVIDENT BANK
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
-----------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Vice President
86
KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By: /s/ W. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
-----------------------------
Name: W. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Vice President
SCHEDULE 1.01A
[FORM OF]
ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2003,
as amended and restated as of ________ __, 2003, (as amended and in effect on
the date hereof, the "Credit Agreement"), among TBC Corporation, the Lenders
named therein, First Tennessee Bank National Association, as Administrative
Agent for the Lenders, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Co-Administrative Agent for
the Lenders. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with the same
meanings.
The Assignor named on the reverse hereof hereby sells and assigns,
without recourse, to the Assignee named on the reverse hereof, and the Assignee
hereby purchases and assumes, without recourse, from the Assignor, effective as
of the Assignment Date set forth on the reverse hereof, the interests set forth
on the reverse hereof (the "Assigned Interest") in the Assignor's rights and
obligations under the Credit Agreement, including, without limitation, the
interests set forth on the reverse hereof in the Revolving Credit Commitment of
the Assignor on the Assignment Date and Loans owing to the Assignor which are
outstanding on the Assignment Date, together with the participations in Letters
of Credit, LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans held by the Assignor on the
Assignment Date, but excluding accrued interest and fees to and excluding the
Assignment Date. The Assignee hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the
Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents. From and after the Assignment
Date (i) the Assignee shall be a party to and be bound by the provisions of the
Credit Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement and, to the extent of the
Assigned Interest, have the rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder and
under the other Loan Documents and (ii) the Assignor shall, to the extent of the
Assigned Interest, relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations
under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
This Assignment and Acceptance is being delivered to the Administrative
Agent together with (i) if the Assignee is a Foreign Lender, any documentation
required to be delivered by the Assignee pursuant to Section 2.16(e) of the
Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Assignee, and (ii) if the
Assignee is not already a Lender under the Credit Agreement, an Administrative
Questionnaire in the form supplied by the Administrative Agent, duly completed
by the Assignee. The Assignee shall pay the fee payable to the Administrative
Agent pursuant to Section 9.04(b) of the Credit Agreement.
This Assignment and Acceptance shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
Date of Assignment:
Legal Name of Assignor:
Legal Name of Assignee:
Assignee's Address for Notices:
Effective Date of Assignment
("Assignment Date"):
Percentage Assigned of
Facility/Revolving Credit
Commitment (set forth, to
at least 8 decimals, as a
percentage of the Facility
and the aggregate
Revolving Credit
Commitments of all Lenders
Facility Assigned Principal Amount thereunder
----------------------------------- ------------------------- --------------------------
Revolving Credit $ %
Commitment Assigned:
Revolving Loans: $ %
Tranche A Term Loans: $ %
Tranche B Term Commitment Assigned: $ %
Tranche B Term Loans: $ %
Tranche C Term Commitment Assigned: $ %
Tranche C Term Loans: $ %
The terms set forth above and on the reverse side hereof are hereby agreed to:
[Name of Assignor], as Assignor
By: ___________________________
Name:
Title:
[Name of Assignee], as Assignee
By: ___________________________
Name:
Title:
The undersigned hereby consent to the within assignment:
TBC Corporation JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Co-Administrative
Agent
By: ______________________ By: _____________________________________
Name: Name:
Title: Title:
SCHEDULE 1.01B
FORM OF INCREMENTAL FACILITY ACTIVATION NOTICE
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK,
as Co-Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement referred to below
Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of
March 31, 2003, as amended and restated as of ________ __, 2003, (as amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"),
among TBC Corporation (the "Borrower"), the Lenders party thereto, the
Syndication Agent and Documentation Agents named therein, First Tennessee
National Association, as administrative agent (in such capacity, the
"Administrative Agent") and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as co-administration agent for
the Lenders (in such capacity the "Co-Administrative Agent"). Terms defined in
the Credit Agreement shall have their defined meanings when used herein.
This notice is an Incremental Facility Activation Notice
referred to in the Credit Agreement, and the Borrower and each of the Lenders
party hereto hereby notify you that:
1. Each Lender party hereto agrees to make or increase the amount
of its Revolving Commitments in the amount set forth opposite
such Lender's name below under the caption "Increased Facility
Amount".
2. The Increased Facility Closing Date is ______.
The undersigned [Chief Financial Officer][Vice President and
Treasurer] of the Borrower certifies as follows:
1. I am the duly elected, qualified and acting [Chief Financial
Officer][Vice President and Treasurer] of the Borrower.
2. I have reviewed and am familiar with the contents of this
Increased Facility Activation Notice.
3. I have reviewed the terms of the Credit Agreement and the Loan
Documents and have made or caused to be made under my
supervision, a review in reasonable detail of the transactions
and condition of the Borrower during the accounting period
ended __________ __, 200_ [insert most recent period for which
Financial Statements have been delivered]. Such review did not
disclose the existence during or at the end of the accounting
period covered by the Financial Statements, and I have no
knowledge of the existence, as of the date of this
Certificate, of any Default or Event of Default, both on the
date hereof and after giving pro forma effect to any Loans
made pursuant to this Increased Facility Activation Notice and
the application of the proceeds therefrom.
4. The requirements set forth in clauses (B), (C) and (D) of the
proviso to Section 2.02(d) of the Credit Agreement have been
complied with in connection with this Increased Facility
Activation Notice.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this
Increased Facility Activation Notice this _____ day of ____, 200__.
_____________________________________
Name:
Title: [Chief Financial Officer][Vice
President and Treasurer]
TBC CORPORATION
By: _________________________________
Name:
Title:
Increased Facility Amount [NAME OF LENDER]
$
By: _________________________________
Name:
Title:
CONSENTED TO:
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK,
as Co-Administrative Agent
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
SCHEDULE 1.01C
EXISTING LETTERS OF CREDIT
Zurich American Insurance Company $2,700,000
First Tennessee National Association $1,560,000
Traveler's Insurance Company $ 118,000
Zurich American Insurance Company $3,918,182
Traveler's Casualty & Surety Company of American $ 300,000
Total $8,596,182
SCHEDULE 1.01D
OWNED REAL PROPERTIES
TBC CORPORATION
Offices and Warehouse Located At:
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
BIG O TIRES & SUBSIDIARIES
Retail Tire Stores Located At:
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ S. Western Ave, Oklahoma City, OK
▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇., ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇., ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇., ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇., ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇., ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇., ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇., ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
Warehouses Located At:
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇., ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ (capital lease)
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇., ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ (mini storage)
Retail Stores Under Development:
Greenfield and Main Streets, Mesa, AZ
Arapahoe and Potomac Avenues, Centennial, CO
Desert Foothills, Phoenix, AZ
Vacant Land Located At:
Approx. ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
Approx. Colo & Havana, Aurora, CO
Approx. ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
Approx. ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
Approx. Woodman & Rangewood, Colorado Springs, CO
Approx. ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇., ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
MERCHANT'S, INCORPORATED
Retail Tire Stores Located At:
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇.▇.
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇., ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇., ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
Training Center:*
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇
* Training Center option to purchase has been exercised by Merchant's
stockholders (anticipated to be sold 1st Qtr 2004)
NORTHERN STATES TIRE, INC.
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇., ▇▇▇ ▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ Subdivision, Williston, VT (retail store)
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ (retail store and warehouse)
NTW INCORPORATED
Retail Tire Stores Located At:
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ (#7262)
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ (#7352)
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ (#7541)
In addition, NTW Incorporated leases 19 retail tire stores pursuant to various
capital leases described on Schedule 6.01.
Restaurant Property:
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇
SCHEDULE 2.01
COMMITMENTS
Revolving Tranche A Tranche B Tranche C
Credit Term Loan Term Loan Term Loan
Lender Commitment Commitment Commitment Commitment Total
------------------------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
JPMorgan Chase Bank $ 17,482,016 $ 8,920,862 $ 3,597,122 $ 4,000,000 $ 34,000,000
First Tennessee Bank National
Association $ 13,694,245 $ 6,988,009 $ 2,817,746 $ 4,000,000 $ 27,500,000
SunTrust Bank $ 14,568,345 $ 7,434,053 $ 2,997,602 $ 4,000,000 $ 29,000,000
U.S. Bank National Association $ 14,568,345 $ 7,434,053 $ 2,997,602 $ 4,000,000 $ 29,000,000
Fleet Retail Group, Inc. $ 11,654,676 $ 5,947,242 $ 2,398,082 $ 4,000,000 $ 24,000,000
National City $ 11,654,676 $ 5,947,242 $ 2,398,082 $ 4,000,000 $ 24,000,000
Fifth Third Bank $ 8,741,007 $ 4,460,432 $ 1,798,561 $ 4,000,000 $ 19,000,000
Guaranty Bank $ 8,741,007 $ 4,460,432 $ 1,798,561 $ 4,000,000 $ 19,000,000
Regions Bank $ 8,741,007 $ 4,460,432 $ 1,798,561 $ 4,000,000 $ 19,000,000
Union Planters Bank, N.A $ 8,741,007 $ 4,460,432 $ 1,798,561 $ 4,000,000 $ 19,000,000
Compass Bank $ 2,913,669 $ 1,486,811 $ 599,520 $ 0 $ 5,000,000
Key Bank National Association $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 15,000,000 $ 15,000,000
The Provident Bank $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 10,000,000 $ 10,000,000
Total $121,500,000 $ 62,000,000 $ 25,000,000 $ 65,000,000 $273,500,000
SCHEDULE 2.02
FORM OF NEW LENDER SUPPLEMENT
NEW LENDER SUPPLEMENT (this "New Lender Supplement"), dated
_________________, to the Credit Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2003, as
amended and restated as of ____________ __, 2003, (as amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among TBC
Corporation (the "Borrower"), the Lenders party thereto, the Syndication Agent
and Documentation Agents named therein, First Tennessee National Association, as
administrative agent (in such capacity, the "Administrative Agent") and JPMorgan
Chase Bank, as co-administration agent for the Lenders (in such capacity the
"Co-Administrative Agent").
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Credit Agreement provides in Section 2.02(e)
thereof that any bank, financial institution or other entity may become a party
to the Credit Agreement with the consent of the Borrower and the
Co-Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) by
executing and delivering to the Borrower and the Co-Administrative Agent a
supplement to the Credit Agreement in substantially the form of this New Lender
Supplement; and
WHEREAS, the undersigned now desires to become a party to the
Credit Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby agrees as follows:
1. The undersigned agrees to be bound by the provisions of the
Credit Agreement, and agrees that it shall, on the date this New Lender
Supplement is accepted by the Borrower and the Co-Administrative Agent,
become a Lender for all purposes of the Credit Agreement to the same
extent as if originally a party thereto, with Revolving Loans of
$__________.
2. The undersigned (a) represents and warrants that it is
legally authorized to enter into this New Lender Supplement; (b)
confirms that it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together
with copies of the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04
thereof and such other documents and information as it has deemed
appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into
this New Lender Supplement; (c) agrees that it has made and will,
independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender
and based on such documents and information as it shall deem
appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in
taking or not taking action under the Credit Agreement or any
instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto; (d)
appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent and the
Co-Administrative Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and
to exercise such powers and discretion under the Credit Agreement or
any instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto as are
delegated to the Administrative Agent and the Co-Administrative Agent
by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are incidental
thereto; and (e) agrees that it will be bound by the provisions of the
Credit Agreement and will perform in accordance with its terms all the
obligations which by the terms of the Credit Agreement are required to
be performed by it as a Lender including, without limitation, if it is
organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States,
its obligation pursuant to Section 2.16(e) of the Credit Agreement.
3. The address of the undersigned for notices for the purposes
of the Credit Agreement is as follows:
4. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement shall have their
defined meanings when used herein.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this New Lender
Supplement to be executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer on the date
first above written.
[INSERT NAME OF LENDER]
By ________________________
Name:
Title:
Accepted this _____ day of
______________, ____.
TBC CORPORATION
By ____________________________
Name:
Title:
Accepted this ____ day of
______________, ____.
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK,
as Co-Administrative Agent
By ____________________________
Name:
Title:
SCHEDULE 3.01
BORROWER AND SUBSIDIARIES AND JURISDICTIONS OF ORGANIZATION
Borrower: TBC Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("TBC")
Subsidiaries Directly Owned by TBC:
Jurisdiction of Percentage of Stock/ Equity
Name Organization Owned by TBC Subsidiaries
-------------------------------- --------------- --------------------------- ------------
Big O Tires, Inc. Nevada 100% See Below
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇, Inc. Georgia 100% None
Northern States Tire, Inc. Delaware 100% None
TBC International Inc. Delaware 100% None
TBC Retail Enterprises, Inc. Delaware 100% See Below
TBC Brands, LLC Delaware 100% None
TBC Capital, LLC Delaware 90%* None
TBC of Nevada LLC Nevada 100% None
*5% is owned by each of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇, Inc. and Tire Kingdom, Inc.
Subsidiaries Directly Owned by Big O Tires, Inc.:
Jurisdiction of Percentage of Stock Owned by
Name Incorporation Big O Subsidiaries
-------------------------------- --------------- --------------------------- ------------
Big O Development, Inc. Colorado 100% None
O Advertising, Inc. Colorado 100% None
Big O Tire of Idaho, Inc. Idaho 100% None
Subsidiaries Directly Owned by TBC Retail Enterprises, Inc.:
Jurisdiction of Percentage of Stock
Name Incorporation Owned by TBC Retail Subsidiaries
------------------------ --------------- ------------------- ------------
Big O Retail Enterprises, Colorado 100% None
Inc.
Tire Kingdom, Inc. Florida 100% See Below
Subsidiaries Directly Owned By Tire Kingdom, Inc.:
Jurisidiction of Percentage of Stock
Name Incorporation Owned by TKI Subsidiaries
------------------------ --------------- ------------------- ------------
Merchant's, Incorporated Delaware 100% See Below
Subsidiaries Directly Owned By Merchant's, Incorporated:
Jurisidiction of Percentage of Stock
Name Incorporation Owned by Merchant's Subsidiaries
------------------------ --------------- ------------------- ------------
Merban, Inc. Virginia 100% None
NTW Incorporated** Delaware 100% None
------------------
** After Closing Date of NTB Acquisition
SCHEDULE 3.16(a)
UCC FILING JURISDICTIONS
Colorado
Big O Development, Inc.
Big O Retail Enterprises, Inc.
O Advertising, Inc.
Delaware
Merchant's, Incorporated
Northern States Tire, Inc.
TBC International Inc.
TBC Retail Enterprises, Inc.
TBC Brands, LLC
TBC Capital, LLC
TBC Corporation
NTW Incorporated
Florida
Tire Kingdom, Inc.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇, Inc.
Idaho
Big O Tire of Idaho, Inc.
Nevada
Big O Tires, Inc.
TBC of Nevada LLC
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, Inc.
SCHEDULE 3.16(b)
MORTGAGE FILING JURISDICTIONS
Tennessee
TBC Corporation
SCHEDULE 4.01(b)
FORM OF OPINION LETTER
___________ __, 2003
To the Administrative Agent, the Co-Administrative Agent,
the Collateral Agent, the Lenders, and the Secured Parties who
are parties to the Credit Agreement or the Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement described below.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to TBC Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Borrower"), in connection with (i) its execution and delivery of a Credit
Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2003, as amended and restated as of
____________ __, 2003 (the "Credit Agreement"), among the Borrower, the lenders
party thereto (collectively, the "Lenders"), First Tennessee Bank National
Association, as administrative agent (the "Administrative Agent"), and ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ Bank, as co-administrative agent (the "Co-Administrative Agent"); (ii) its
execution and delivery of an amendment, dated as of _____________ __, 2003, to
the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated March 31, 2003 (the "Amendment"
and such Guarantee and Collateral Agreement as amended thereby, the "Guarantee
and Collateral Agreement"), in favor of ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Chase Bank, as collateral
agent (the "Collateral Agent") for the secured parties described therein (the
"Secured Parties"); and (iii) the transactions contemplated by the Credit
Agreement and the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.
We have also acted as counsel to TBC International Inc., a Delaware corporation
("TBCI"), ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇, Inc., a Georgia corporation ("▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇"), Big O Tires,
Inc., a Nevada corporation ("Big O"), Big O Tire of Idaho, Inc., an Idaho
corporation ("Idaho"), TBC Retail Enterprises, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("TBC Retail"), Tire Kingdom, Inc., a Florida corporation ("Tire Kingdom"),
Northern States Tire, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("NST"), Big O Retail
Enterprises, Inc., a Colorado corporation ("BORE"), Big O Development, Inc., a
Colorado corporation ("BODI"), O Advertising, Inc., a Colorado corporation ("O
Advertising"), TBC Brands, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("TBC
Brands"), TBC Capital, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("TBC
Capital"), Merchant's, Incorporated, a Delaware corporation ("Merchants"), and
Merban, Inc., a Virginia corporation ("Merban") in connection with (i) the
execution and delivery by each of the Amendment; and (ii) the consummation of
the transactions contemplated thereby and by the Guarantee and Collateral
Agreement.
We have also acted as counsel to NTW Incorporated, a Delaware corporation
("NTB"), in connection with (i) the execution and delivery by NTB of an
Assumption Agreement, dated as of ___________, 2003 (the "NTB Assumption
Agreement"), and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby; and
(ii) the delivery of a UCC-1 financing statement (the "Financing Statement") to
be filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware.
We have also acted as counsel to TBC of Nevada LLC, a Nevada limited liability
company ("TBC of Nevada"), in connection with the execution and delivery by TBC
of Nevada of an Assumption Agreement, dated as of _____________, 2003 (the
"Nevada Assumption Agreement"), and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated thereby.
We have also acted as counsel to the Borrower and [Merchant's] in connection
with the execution and delivery of blank stock powers relating to the capital
stock or membership interests owned by each in TBC of Nevada or NTB
(collectively, the "Stock Powers").
This opinion is being delivered pursuant to Section 4.01(b) of the Credit
Agreement. All capitalized terms used in this opinion but not defined herein
shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement, as the context
indicates.
We have examined the Credit Agreement, the Amendment, the Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement, the NTB Assumption Agreement, the Nevada Assumption
Agreement, and the Stock Powers (collectively, the "Transaction Documents"),
together with telecopied facsimiles of the signature pages of each of the
foregoing. We have also examined such other documents, certificates of officers
of Borrower and its Subsidiaries or public officials, and corporate records, and
have made investigation of such other matters, as in our judgment permit us to
render an informed opinion on the matters set forth herein.
In connection with our examination, we have assumed that the execution copies of
the Transaction Documents conform to the copies of such documents delivered to
us by counsel to the Lenders. We have also assumed the genuineness of all
signatures (other than those on behalf of Borrower or any Subsidiary), the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity with
the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies or telecopied
facsimiles, and the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents.
Further, with your consent, with respect to the Lenders, the Secured Parties,
the Administrative Agent, the Co-Administrative Agent, and the Collateral Agent,
we have assumed the legal power of each to enter into and perform the
Transaction Documents to which they are parties, and the due authorization,
execution, and delivery of the Transaction Documents to which they are parties,
and we have relied on all representations or warranties contained in the
Transaction Documents insofar as they relate to matters of fact not within our
knowledge.
Based upon the foregoing and subject to the last two paragraphs of this letter,
we are of the opinion that:
1. Each of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries is a corporation duly
incorporated or a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing,
and in good standing under the laws of its state of incorporation or
organization and has all requisite authority to conduct its business as now
being conducted.
2. The execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents by the Borrower
and each Subsidiary which is a party thereto, and the performance by Borrower
and each Subsidiary of their respective obligations thereunder, have been duly
authorized by all necessary actions and proceedings and will not:
(a) Require any consent of the stockholders of Borrower
or the stockholder or members of any Subsidiary which has not
been obtained.
(b) Violate any law, rule, regulation, order, writ,
judgment, injunction, decree, or award of which we are aware
and which is binding on the Borrower or any Subsidiary;
violate the Certificate or Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws,
Certificate of Formation, or Limited Liability Company
Agreement of Borrower or any Subsidiary; or violate any
indenture, instrument, or agreement of which we are aware and
which is binding upon Borrower or any Subsidiary.
(c) Result in the creation or imposition of any Lien
pursuant to the provisions of any indenture, instrument, or
agreement of which we are aware and which is binding upon
Borrower or any Subsidiary, other than such as may be created
pursuant to the Transaction Documents.
3. The Transaction Documents to which the Borrower is a party have been
duly executed and delivered by Borrower and constitute legal, valid, and binding
obligations of Borrower. The Transaction Documents to which each Subsidiary is a
party have been duly executed and delivered by the Subsidiary and constitute
legal, valid, and binding obligations of the Subsidiary. The Transaction
Documents to which Borrower or any Subsidiary is a party are enforceable against
Borrower or the Subsidiary, as the case may be, in accordance with their
respective terms, except to the extent that the enforcement thereof may be
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by general
principles of equity, regardless of whether enforcement is sought at law or in
equity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no opinion is expressed with respect to
any provision that purports to consent to the jurisdiction of any court, waive
objections to venue, or require payment or reimbursement of attorneys' fees,
court costs, or other expenses of collection or enforcement.
4. To our knowledge, there is no litigation or proceeding pending or
threatened against the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries which, if adversely
determined, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or
which involve the Credit Agreement, any other Transaction Document, or the
transactions contemplated thereby.
5. No approval, authorization, consent, adjudication, or order of any
Governmental Authority, which has not been obtained by the Borrower or any
Subsidiary, is required to be obtained by any of them in connection with the
transactions contemplated by the Credit Agreement.
6. The Guarantee and Collateral Agreement created a valid security
interest under Section 9-201 of the Uniform Commercial Code in favor of the
Collateral Agent, in all right, title, and interest, if any, of the Borrower and
the Subsidiaries in those items and types of personal property constituting the
Collateral, as such term is defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement,
in which a security interest may be created under Article 9 of the Uniform
Commercial Code and the federal trademark laws, rules, and regulations, as the
case may be.
Upon the filing and proper indexing of the Financing Statement in the office of
the Secretary of State of Delaware, the Collateral Agent will have a perfected
security interest in that portion of the Collateral now owned or at any time
hereafter acquired by NTB or in which NTB now has or at any time in the future
may acquire any right, title or interest (collectively, the "NTB Collateral")
and in which a security interest may be perfected by filing a financing
statement under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of
Delaware, in effect on the date hereof (the "Delaware UCC").
We express no opinion with respect to (i) the perfection or priority of Liens on
the Collateral, except as set forth in the preceding sentence; or (ii) the
creation, attachment or perfection of Liens on any Collateral consisting of
fixtures, within the meaning of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code or the
Delaware UCC, or any Collateral located outside of the United States or
consisting of any intellectual property subject to the laws of any jurisdiction
other than the federal laws of the United States. Furthermore, the opinions set
forth herein are subject to the following qualifications:
a. We express no opinion as to title or interest in any property,
real or personal.
b. We call to your attention that (i) the perfection of the
Collateral Agent's security interest in the NTB Collateral will be terminated as
to any such property acquired by NTB more than four months after NTB changes its
name so as to make the Financing Statement seriously misleading unless
amendments indicating the new name of the debtor are properly filed before the
expiration of such four month period, and (ii) the Delaware UCC requires the
filing of continuation statements within the period of six months prior to the
expiration of five years from the date of the filing of the original Financing
Statement or the expiration of any subsequent period of continuation in order to
maintain the effectiveness of the original Financing Statement.
c. The opinion set forth in paragraph 6 above is given on the
assumptions that value has been given by the Collateral Agent and Lenders to the
Borrower and Subsidiaries and that the Borrower and Subsidiaries have rights in
the Collateral. Our opinions with respect to the proper filing office for the
Financing Statement is limited to the Delaware UCC.
d. We express no opinion as to the creation or perfection of a
security interest in any commercial tort claim.
e. We express no opinion with respect to (A) the creation,
attachment or perfection of any security interest (1) in any Collateral of a
type represented by a certificate of title, (2) in any proceeds, and (3) in any
Collateral consisting of money or Permitted Investments; or (B) the effect of
Section 552 of the Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. 552) (relating to property
acquired by a debtor after the commencement of a case under the United States
Bankruptcy Code with respect to such debtor) and Section 506(c) of the
Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. 506(c)) (relating to certain costs and expenses of a
trustee in preserving or disposing of collateral).
We are members of the bar of the State of Ohio, and we express no opinion as to
matters governed by any laws other than those of the State of Ohio, the federal
laws of the United States, the corporate and limited liability company laws of
the State of Delaware, and the Delaware UCC. As to matters involving the laws of
any other jurisdiction, we have assumed with your
consent that the laws of that jurisdiction are the same as the laws of the
State of Ohio in all respects material to this opinion; however, for purposes of
this opinion, we express no opinion as to any matter involving choice of law or
conflicts of law.
The opinions that are expressed herein are as of the date hereof, are solely for
your benefit, and may not be relied upon in any manner for any purpose by any
person or entity other than the Administrative Agent, the Co-Administrative
Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders, the Secured Parties, and their
participants, assignees, and other transferees. We disclaim any undertaking or
obligation to advise you of any changes in the conclusions or other matters
covered herein that hereafter may come to our attention.
Very truly yours,
SCHEDULE 4.01(f)A
[FORM OF] AMENDMENT TO GUARANTEE AND COLLATERAL AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE 5.10
CERTAIN INTERCOMPANY LOANS
Provided that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, payments on
Intercompany Loans owed to Borrower by the following Subsidiaries may be made
without regard to the financial condition or solvency of the Subsidiary:
Northern States Tire, Inc.
Big O Development, Inc.
SCHEDULE 6.01
EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS
The Prudential Debt and the Additional Prudential Notes.
Those Guarantees listed on Schedule 6.01(e).
TBC Corporation has guaranteed a $1,500,000 line of credit made available to TBC
de Mexico and TBC International Inc. by First Tennessee Bank National
Association.
TBC Corporation has guaranteed all obligations of Big O Retail Enterprises,
Inc., Tire Kingdom, Inc., Big O Tires, Inc., ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇, Inc., Merchant's,
Incorporated and (after the closing date of the NTB Acquisition) expects to
guarantee all obligations of NTW Incorporated, to Michelin North America, Inc.
and its affiliates.
TBC Corporation has guaranteed all obligations of Tire Kingdom, Inc. to
Continental General Tire, Inc.
Capital Lease relating to the Salt Lake City Warehouse of Big O Tires, Inc.
(book value as of 9/30/03 is $1,130,000).
Various Capital Leases relating to 19 retail tire stores operated by NTW
Incorporated (at 9/27/03, aggregate ending principal was $12,106,943 and
aggregate net book value was $7,898,965).
SCHEDULE 6.01(e)
GUARANTEE OBLIGATIONS OF BIG O TIRES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Big O Guarantee Portion at 9/30/03
----------------------------------
The CIT Group
Intermountain Realty - Sioux Falls $ 358,886.66
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Loan portfolio (sold 6/30/97,9/30/97,12/31/98) 11,280.65
GE Capital
Las Vegas (▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇) 290,000.00
Las Vegas 371,523.01
82nd St. Oregon 211,781.86
Boulder, CO 45,742.96
Fresno Winston Location 55,000.00
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Location 70,000.00
L&W Tire Service Center, LLC 245,409.87
L&W Tire Service Center, LLC 310,371.25
OKC, LLC JV 125,000.00
Real Estate Lease Guarantees 1,047,120.88
-------------
Total Guarantees $3,142,117.14
SCHEDULE 6.02
EXISTING LIENS
- Liens arising under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.
- Numerous UCC financing statements evidencing operating lease transactions in
which TBC Corporation and its Subsidiaries are lessees have been filed and
are still in effect.
- Mortgage on the Tennessee headquarters of TBC Corporation recorded pursuant
to the Credit Agreement.
UCC Filings and Mortgages Against Big O Tires, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries:
The CIT Group/Equipment Financing, Inc.
Filings in connection with sales of franchisee notes receivable.
SunTrust Bank, as Agent.
Filings in connection with Synthetic Leases (in process of being
terminated).
First National Bank of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.
Filing in connection with equipment financing by Big O Tire of Idaho,
inc.
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
Filing to evidence consigned Interstate Battery System of America
inventory.
UCC Filings Against Tire Kingdom, Inc.:
Michelin North America, Inc. and related entities.
Purchase money security interest filing against all inventory purchased
from secured party by Tire Kingdom and all proceeds therefrom.
UCC Filings Against Merchant's, Incorporated or Merban, Inc:
Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
Consigned inventory of the secured party.
Bandag, Incorporated
Liens relating to Bandag equipment and related collateral used in the
retreading operations of Merban (in process of being terminated).
SCHEDULE 6.04(b)
CERTAIN EXISTING INVESTMENTS AND LOANS
- See Schedule 3.01 for a listing of all existing Subsidiaries.
- TBC of Nevada LLC owns 40% of STI Acquisition LLC, a Nevada limited
liability company.
- TBC Corporation owns 20,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, $.01
par value, of ▇▇▇▇▇ Automotive, Corp. and 14.4 shares of Common Stock,
$100 par value, of V.I.P., Inc. (total investment - $5,000,000).
- TBC International Inc. owns approximately 49% of the ownership
interests in TBC de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., a Mexican company.
- Big O Retail Enterprises, Inc. is a 50% shareholder in Tires Industries
Corporation, a Utah corporation.
- Big O Development, Inc. loaned ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Tufts $297,000 on October
10, 1994. At 10/31/03, the balance on the promissory note relating
thereto was $105,923.
- ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇, Inc. owns 50 shares of stock of The Hercules Tire & Rubber
Company.
- ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Inc. owns 360 shares of stock of Carmerica, Inc.
- Big O Tires, Inc. holds a 50% interest in each of the following joint
ventures:
BORE/MPC, LLC (a Missouri LLC)
OKC, LLC (a Colorado LLC)
Intermountain Development Joint Venture (a Colorado general
partnership)
One Stop Undercar Denver, LLC (a Colorado LLC)
SCHEDULE 6.07
EXISTING RESTRICTIONS
The documents evidencing the Prudential Debt and the Additional Prudential Debt
contain restrictions and conditions of the type described in Section 6.07.
The documents evidencing the SunTrust Sale and Leaseback contain restrictions
and conditions of the type described in Section 6.07.
The documents evidencing the NTB Sale and Leaseback contain restrictions and
conditions of the type described in Section 6.07.
SCHEDULE 6.13
CERTAIN ASSET SALES
NONE.
SCHEDULE 9.06
[FORM OF] AMENDMENT TO INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT