INDENTURE Dated as of September 14, 2021 Among PAPA JOHN’S INTERNATIONAL, INC. as Issuer, THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO and TRUIST BANK, as Trustee 3.875% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2029

Exhibit 4.1

 

Execution Version

 

 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of September 14, 2021

 

Among

 

PAPA JOHN’S INTERNATIONAL, INC.
as Issuer,

 

THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO

 

and

 

TRUIST BANK,
as Trustee

 

3.875% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2029

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

SECTION 1.1.	Definitions	1
SECTION 1.2.	Other Definitions	23
SECTION 1.3.	Rules of Construction	24
SECTION 1.4.	Financial Calculations for Committed Debt, Limited Condition Transactions and Otherwise	24

 

ARTICLE II
THE NOTES

 

SECTION 2.1.	Form and Dating	25
SECTION 2.2.	Execution and Authentication	26
SECTION 2.3.	Registrar; Paying Agent	26
SECTION 2.4.	Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust	27
SECTION 2.5.	Holder Lists	27
SECTION 2.6.	Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes	27
SECTION 2.7.	Replacement Notes	29
SECTION 2.8.	Outstanding Notes	29
SECTION 2.9.	Treasury Notes	30
SECTION 2.10.	Temporary Notes	30
SECTION 2.11.	Cancellation	30
SECTION 2.12.	Defaulted Interest	30
SECTION 2.13.	Computation of Interest	30
SECTION 2.14.	CUSIP and ISIN Numbers	30
SECTION 2.15.	Transfer and Exchange	31
SECTION 2.16.	Issuance of Additional Notes	32

 

ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

 

SECTION 3.1.	Notices to Trustee	33
SECTION 3.2.	Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed	33
SECTION 3.3.	Notice of Redemption	33
SECTION 3.4.	Effect of Notice of Redemption	34
SECTION 3.5.	Deposit of Redemption Price	34
SECTION 3.6.	Notes Redeemed in Part	35
SECTION 3.7.	Optional Redemption	35

 

ARTICLE IV
COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.1.	Payment of Notes	36
SECTION 4.2.	Maintenance of Office or Agency	36
SECTION 4.3.	Provision of Financial Information	36
SECTION 4.4.	Compliance Certificate	37
SECTION 4.5.	Taxes	37
SECTION 4.6.	Stay, Extension and Usury Laws	38
SECTION 4.7.	Limitation on Restricted Payments	38
SECTION 4.8.	Limitation on Dividend and Other Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries	42

 

 

SECTION 4.9.	Limitation on Debt	43
SECTION 4.10.	Limitation on Asset Dispositions	46
SECTION 4.11.	Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates	49
SECTION 4.12.	Limitation on Liens	50
SECTION 4.13.	Offer to Purchase upon Change of Control	50
SECTION 4.14.	Corporate Existence	51
SECTION 4.15.	Future Guarantees	52
SECTION 4.16.	Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries	52
SECTION 4.17.	Covenant Suspension	52

 

ARTICLE V
SUCCESSORS

 

SECTION 5.1.

Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Transfer or Lease

53

 

ARTICLE VI
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

SECTION 6.1.	Events of Default	55
SECTION 6.2.	Acceleration	56
SECTION 6.3.	Other Remedies	57
SECTION 6.4.	Waiver of Past Defaults	57
SECTION 6.5.	Control by Majority	57
SECTION 6.6.	Limitation on Suits	58
SECTION 6.7.	Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment	58
SECTION 6.8.	Collection Suit by Trustee	58
SECTION 6.9.	Trustee May File Proofs of Claim	58
SECTION 6.10.	Priorities	58
SECTION 6.11.	Undertaking for Costs	59
SECTION 6.12.	Restoration of Rights and Remedies	59
SECTION 6.13.	Rights and Remedies Cumulative	59
SECTION 6.14.	Delay or Omission Not Waiver	59

 

ARTICLE VII
TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 7.1.	Duties of Trustee	59
SECTION 7.2.	Rights of Trustee	60
SECTION 7.3.	Individual Rights of the Trustee	61
SECTION 7.4.	Trustee’s Disclaimer	61
SECTION 7.5.	Notice of Defaults	62
SECTION 7.6.	Compensation and Indemnity	62
SECTION 7.7.	Replacement of Trustee	62
SECTION 7.8.	Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.	63
SECTION 7.9.	Eligibility; Disqualification	63

 

ARTICLE VIII
DEFEASANCE; DISCHARGE OF THIS INDENTURE

 

SECTION 8.1.	Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance	63
SECTION 8.2.	Legal Defeasance	63
SECTION 8.3.	Covenant Defeasance	64
SECTION 8.4.	Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance	64
SECTION 8.5.	Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions	65
SECTION 8.6.	Repayment to Issuer	65
SECTION 8.7.	Reinstatement	66
SECTION 8.8.	Discharge	66

 

 

ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

 

SECTION 9.1.	Without Consent of Holders of the Notes	67
SECTION 9.2.	With Consent of Holders of Notes	68
SECTION 9.3.	Revocation and Effect of Consents	68
SECTION 9.4.	Notation on or Exchange of Notes	68
SECTION 9.5.	Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc.	69

 

ARTICLE X
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES

 

SECTION 10.1.	Subsidiary Guarantees	69
SECTION 10.2.	Execution and Delivery of Guarantee	70
SECTION 10.3.	Severability	70
SECTION 10.4.	Limitation of Subsidiary Guarantors’ Liability	70
SECTION 10.5.	Releases	71
SECTION 10.6.	Benefits Acknowledged	71

 

ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 11.1.	Notices	71
SECTION 11.2.	Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent	72
SECTION 11.3.	Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion	73
SECTION 11.4.	Rules by Trustee and Agents	73
SECTION 11.5.	No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders	73
SECTION 11.6.	Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial	73
SECTION 11.7.	No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements	73
SECTION 11.8.	Successors	74
SECTION 11.9.	Severability	74
SECTION 11.10.	Execution in Counterparts	74
SECTION 11.11.	Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.	74
SECTION 11.12.	Acts of Holders	74
SECTION 11.13.	Force Majeure	76
SECTION 11.14.	Legal Holidays	76
SECTION 11.15.	USA PATRIOT Act	76

 

Exhibits

 

Exhibit A	Form of Note
Exhibit B	Form of Supplemental Indenture to be Delivered by Subsequent Subsidiary Guarantors
Exhibit C	Form of Certificate to be Delivered in Connection with Transfers Pursuant to Regulation S
Exhibit D	Form of Certificate to be Delivered in Connection with Transfers to IAIs

 

 

This Indenture, dated as of September 14, 2021, is by and among Papa John’s International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (collectively with successors and assigns, the “Issuer”), the Subsidiary Guarantors party hereto and Truist Bank, a North Carolina bank duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of North Carolina, as trustee (the “Trustee”), paying agent and registrar.

 

The Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) of (i) the Issuer’s 3.875% Senior Notes due 2029 to be issued in an initial aggregate principal amount of $400,000,000 on the date hereof (the “Initial Notes”) and (ii) Additional Notes (as defined herein):

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

SECTION 1.1.         Definitions.

 

“Additional Notes” means Notes (other than the Initial Notes) issued pursuant to Article II and otherwise in compliance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

“Affiliate” of any Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any Person, means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent, co-registrar or other agent appointed pursuant to this Indenture.

 

“Amended Credit Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, to be dated on or about the Issue Date, among the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the lenders, syndication agents and documentation agents party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and any further amendment, amendment and restatement, modification, renewal, extension, refinancing, refunding or replacement thereof in one or more agreements.

 

“amend” means to amend, supplement, restate, amend and restate or otherwise modify, including successively, and “amendment” shall have a correlative meaning.

 

“Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any applicable redemption date, the greater of (i) 1.0% of the then outstanding principal amount of such Note and (ii) the excess of:

 

(1)            the present value at such redemption date of the sum of (A) the redemption price of such Note at September 15, 2024 (such redemption price being set forth in the table appearing in Section 3.7(b)) plus (B) all required interest payments due on such Note through September 15, 2024 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest), such present value to be computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points; over

 

(2)            the then outstanding principal amount of such Note.

 

“Approved Bank” has the meaning specified in clause (3) of the definition of “Cash Equivalents.”

 

“asset” means any asset or property, including, without limitation, Capital Stock.

 

“Asset Disposition” by any Person means any transfer, conveyance, sale, lease or other disposition (but excluding the creation of any Lien permitted under Section 4.12 or any disposition in connection therewith) by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (including a consolidation or merger or other sale of any such Restricted Subsidiary with, into or to another Person in a transaction in which such Restricted Subsidiary ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary, but excluding a disposition by a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person to such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person or by such Person to a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person) of:

 

 

(1)            shares of Capital Stock (other than directors’ qualifying shares) or other ownership interests of a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person;

 

(2)            substantially all of the assets of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries representing a division or line of business; or

 

(3)            other assets or rights of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries outside of the ordinary course of business.

 

The term “Asset Disposition” shall not include any transfer, conveyance, sale, lease or other disposition:

 

(a)            that consists of a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is made in compliance with Section 4.7;

 

(b)            that constitutes a “Change of Control”;

 

(c)            of cash or Cash Equivalents, Investment Grade Securities or a disposition or termination or surrender of contract rights, including settlement of any hedging obligations, or licensing or sublicensing of intellectual property or general intangibles;

 

(d)            of obsolete or unusable equipment or assets that are not used or useful in the business, in each case disposed of in the ordinary course of business;

 

(e)            that consists of defaulted receivables for collection or any sale, transfer or other disposition of defaulted receivables for collection;

 

(f)             arising from casualty events, foreclosures, condemnation or any similar action on assets or the granting of Liens not prohibited by this Indenture;

 

(g)            of Capital Stock in, or Debt or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

(h)            in compliance with Section 5.1;

 

(i)             arising from any financing transaction (i) with respect to property built or acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, including without limitation any sale and leaseback transaction or asset securitization or (ii) with respect to any sale and leaseback transaction of property owned by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary on the Issue Date;

 

(j)             in connection with the settlement or early termination of any Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction and the settlement or early termination of any related Permitted Warrant Transaction;

 

(k)            in connection with leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses, in each case which do not materially interfere with the business of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

(l)             of Investments in joint ventures to the extent required by, or made pursuant to customary buy/sell arrangements between, the joint venture parties set forth in joint venture arrangements and similar binding arrangements;

 

(m)           to the extent allowable under Section 1031 of the Code (or comparable or successor provision), any exchange of like property (excluding any boot thereon permitted by such provision) for use in any business conducted by the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries and that does not materially change the nature of the business conducted by the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

 

(n)            in connection with refranchising activities or disposing of stores and related assets to franchisees;

 

(o)            of food, beverages and other goods held for sale or consumed in the ordinary course of operation of the dining and pizza delivery business;

 

(p)            in connection with any termination, non-renewal, expiration, amendment or other modification of franchise agreements or development agreements with franchisees of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(q)            in connection with sales, transfers or other dispositions of Investments in joint ventures, non-wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiaries or similar entities; provided that no dispositions may be made pursuant to this clause (q) to the extent such joint venture, non-wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiary or other similar entity was, prior to a previous disposition of equity interests in such joint venture, non-wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary or other similar entity made pursuant to another clause of the definition of "Asset Disposition," a wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiary, and such dispositions pursuant to such other provision and this clause (q) were part of a single disposition or series of related dispositions, other than to the extent required by, or made pursuant to customary buy/sell arrangements between the parties set forth in the joint venture, non-wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiary or other similar entity arrangements; and

 

(r)             in connection with any transaction or series of related transactions for which the aggregate consideration is less than the greater of (i) $15.0 million and (ii) 7.0% of Trailing Consolidated EBITDA.

 

“Average Life” means, as of any date of determination, with respect to any Debt, the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products of the number of years from such date of determination to the dates of each successive scheduled principal payments of such Debt by the amount of each such principal payment by (2) the sum of all such principal payments.

 

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, winding-up, restructuring, examinership or similar debtor relief laws.

 

“Board of Directors” means, as to any Person, the Board of Directors, or similar governing body, of such Person or any duly authorized committee thereof.

 

“Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or required by law to close.

 

“Capital Markets/Term Loan Debt” means any Debt having an aggregate outstanding principal amount in excess of $50.0 million, consisting of (i) bonds, debentures, notes or other similar debt securities issued in a (a) public offering registered under the Securities Act, (b) private placement to institutional investors that is resold in accordance with Rule 144A or Regulation S under the Securities Act, whether or not it includes registration rights entitling the holders of such debt securities to registration thereof with the SEC, or (c) private placement to institutional investors or (ii) term loans provided by banks or other financial institutions or institutional lenders. For the avoidance of doubt, the term "Capital Markets/Term Loan Debt" does not include any Debt under the Amended Credit Agreement or other commercial bank revolving credit facilities or similar Debt, sale and leaseback transaction, Finance Lease Obligation or recourse transfer of any financial asset or any other type of Debt incurred, in each case, in a manner not customarily viewed as a "securities offering" or "term loan financing."

 

“Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, participations, warrants, options or other rights to acquire or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) corporate stock or other equity participations, including partnership interests, whether general or limited, of such Person, but in each case excluding any debt security that is convertible or exchangeable for Capital Stock.

 

 

“Cash Equivalents” means:

 

(1)            Dollars and, in the case of Foreign Subsidiaries, the local currency where such Foreign Subsidiary is operating in the ordinary course of business;

 

(2)            readily marketable obligations issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States, having average maturities of not more than 12 months from the date of acquisition thereof; provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof;

 

(3)            time deposits with, or insured certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances of, any commercial bank that (i) is organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any member nation of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development or is the principal banking Subsidiary of a bank holding company organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any member nation of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and is a member of the Federal Reserve System, and (ii) has combined capital and surplus of at least $250,000,000 (any such bank in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) being an “Approved Bank”), in each case with average maturities of not more than 12 months from the date of acquisition thereof;

 

(4)            commercial paper and variable or fixed rate notes issued by an Approved Bank (or by the parent company thereof) or any variable or fixed rate note issued by, or guaranteed by, a corporation rated A-2 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or P-2 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by ▇▇▇▇▇’▇, in each case with average maturities of not more than 12 months from the date of acquisition thereof;

 

(5)            repurchase agreements entered into by any Person with a bank or trust company or recognized securities dealer, in each case, having capital and surplus in excess of $250,000,000 for direct obligations issued by or fully guaranteed or insured by the government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States, in which such Person shall have a perfected first priority security interest (subject to no other Liens) and having, on the date of purchase thereof, a fair market value of at least 100% of the amount of the repurchase obligations;

 

(6)            securities with average maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States, by any political subdivision, taxing authority agency or instrumentality of any such state, commonwealth or territory or by any foreign government having an investment grade rating from either S&P or ▇▇▇▇▇’▇ (or the equivalent thereof);

 

(7)            Investments with average maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition in money market funds rated AAA- (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or Aaa3 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by ▇▇▇▇▇’▇;

 

(8)            Debt or preferred stock issued by Persons with a rating of “A” or higher from S&P or “A2” or higher from ▇▇▇▇▇’▇ with maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition, in each case in Dollars or another currency permitted above in this definition;

 

(9)            in the case of Foreign Subsidiaries only, instruments equivalent to those referred to in clauses (1) through (8) above in each case denominated in any foreign currency comparable in credit quality and tenor to those referred to in such clauses above and customarily used by corporations for cash management purposes in any jurisdiction outside the United States to the extent reasonably required in connection with any business conducted by any Foreign Subsidiary organized in such jurisdiction; investments, classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, in money market investment programs which are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or which are administered by financial institutions having capital of at least $250,000,000, and, in either case, the portfolios of which are limited such that substantially all of such investments are of the character, quality and maturity described in clauses (1) through (7) of this definition; and

 

 

(10)          credit card receipts in transit to the extent classified as cash or cash equivalents in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(1)            the consummation of any transaction as a result of which any Person or any Persons acting together that would constitute a “group” for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision thereto, other than the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer, becomes the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision thereto) of at least 50% of the aggregate voting power of all classes of Voting Stock of the Issuer, other than in a transaction in which the Issuer becomes a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of another Person and in such transaction the Voting Stock of the Issuer outstanding immediately prior to such transaction is converted into or exchanged for Voting Stock of such Person representing more than 50% of the voting power of all classes of Voting Stock of such Person immediately after giving effect to such transaction;

 

(2)            the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) other than a Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

(3)            the adoption by the stockholders of the Issuer of a plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Issuer.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction effected to create a holding company of the Issuer, (a) pursuant to which the Issuer becomes a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of such holding company, and (b) as a result of which the holders of Capital Stock of such holding company are substantially the same as the holders of Capital Stock of the Issuer immediately prior to such transaction, shall not be deemed to involve a “Change of Control”; provided, further, that following such a holding company transaction, references in this definition of “Change of Control” to the Issuer shall thereafter be treated as references to such holding company.

 

“Common Stock” of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person that does not rank prior, as to the payment of dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of such Person, to shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.

 

“Consolidated Coverage Ratio” as of any date of determination means the ratio of:

 

(1)            Consolidated EBITDA for the period of the most recently completed four consecutive fiscal quarters for which quarterly or annual financial statements are available, to

 

(2)            Consolidated Interest Expense for such period;

 

provided, however, that Consolidated Interest Expense shall be adjusted to give effect on a pro forma basis to any Debt that has been Incurred, repaid or redeemed by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than revolving credit borrowings Incurred for working capital purposes unless, in connection with any such repayment, the commitments to lend associated with such revolving credit borrowings are permanently reduced or canceled) since the beginning of such period and to any Debt that is proposed to be Incurred, repaid or redeemed by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary as if in each case such Debt had been Incurred, repaid or redeemed on the first day of such period; provided, however, that in making such computation, the Consolidated Interest Expense attributable to interest on any proposed Debt bearing a floating interest rate shall be computed on a pro forma basis as if the rate in effect on the date of computation had been the applicable rate for the entire period; and provided, further, that, in the event the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has made Asset Dispositions or acquisitions of assets not in the ordinary course of business (including acquisitions of other Persons by merger, consolidation or purchase of Capital Stock) during or after such period, such computation shall be made on a pro forma basis as if the Asset Dispositions or acquisitions had taken place on the first day of such period; provided, however, that any such Asset Dispositions or acquisitions of assets having an aggregate consideration value of less than $5.0 million shall not be calculated on a “pro forma basis.” For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any calculation under this definition, the pro forma calculations will be determined in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer.

 

 

“Consolidated EBITDA” means, for any period of determination, Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus:

 

(a)            without duplication and to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income, the sum for such period of:

 

(i)             depreciation;

 

(ii)            amortization;

 

(iii)           Consolidated Interest Expense;

 

(iv)           income tax expense;

 

(v)            non-cash charges, write-downs, expenses, losses or items reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period, including any non-cash compensation expense, impairment charges, the impact of purchase accounting, unrealized foreign currency translation losses, and noncash restructuring charges and reserves (excluding any such non-cash charge, write-down or item to the extent it represents an accrual or reserve for a cash expenditure for a future period); provided that, if any such non-cash charges, write-downs or items represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, (A) the Issuer may determine not to add back such non-cash-charges, writedowns or items in the current period and (B) to the extent the Issuer does decide to add back such non-cash charges, write-downs or items, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from Consolidated EBITDA to such extent;

 

(vi)           non-recurring or unusual or extraordinary losses, expenses or charges (including restructuring and severance costs and litigation and settlement costs) in an aggregate amount during any period, when taken together with all amounts added back to Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clause (a)(vii) below for such period, not to exceed 20% of Consolidated EBITDA for such period (as determined prior to the application of this clause (a)(vi) and such clause (a)(vii) below);

 

(i)            (vii)            (A) the amount of any charges or reserves attributable to the undertaking and/or implementation of any cost-saving or restructuring initiatives or operating expense reductions, transition, business optimization and other restructuring and integration charges or reserves (including in connection with any acquisition or similar Investment), and (B) the amount of cost savings and synergies (and costs attributable to such cost savings and synergies), consolidation and other restructuring charges, costs and reserves, and project startup costs (in each case for this clause (B), projected by the Issuer in good faith to be realized in connection with any acquisition or similar Investment or the implementation of an operational initiative, operational change, restructuring, cost savings initiative or initiative similar to any of the foregoing after the Issue Date), in each case for the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), calculated on a pro forma basis as though such charges, reserves, cost savings, operating expense reductions, other operating improvements and synergies and items had been realized on the first day of such period and as if such charges, reserves, cost savings, operating expense reductions, other operating improvements and synergies and items were realized during the entirety of such period, and calculated net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions; provided that (w) in the case of clause (B), such cost savings, operating expense reductions, other operating improvements and synergies are (i) reasonably supportable and quantifiable in the good faith judgment of the Issuer, and (ii) reasonably anticipated to be realized within 24 months after the consummation of the applicable acquisition or similar Investment, operating improvement, restructuring, cost saving initiative or certain other similar initiatives, as the case may be, which is expected to result in such cost savings, expense reductions, other operating improvements or synergies, (x) no charges, reserves, cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies and other items shall be added pursuant to this clause (vii) to the extent duplicative of any expenses, charges or other items otherwise added to Consolidated EBITDA, whether through a pro forma adjustment or otherwise, for such period, (y) to the extent that any charges, reserves, cost savings, operating expense reductions, other operating improvements and synergies and items are not associated with an acquisition or similar Investment following the Issue Date, all steps shall have been taken for realizing such savings and (z) projected amounts (and not yet realized) may no longer be added in calculating Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to this clause (a)(vii) to the extent occurring more than four (4) full fiscal quarters after the applicable acquisition or similar Investment; provided, further that the aggregate of all amounts added-back to Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to this clause (a)(vii) during any period, when taken together with all amounts added back to Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clause (a)(vi) above for such period, shall not exceed an amount equal to 20% of Consolidated EBITDA for such period (as determined prior to the application of this clause (a)(vii) and such clause (a)(vi) above);

 

 

(viii)         any non-recurring cash fees, cash charges and other cash expenses made or incurred during such period in connection with acquisitions and other Investments, dispositions, and issuances of Debt and equity interests, in each case, that were consummated, occurred, incurred or assumed during such period; provided that the aggregate amount added back to Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to this clause (a)(viii) during any period for any such transactions that are not consummated shall not exceed an amount equal to 5% of Consolidated EBITDA for such period (as determined prior to the application of this clause (a)(viii));

 

(ix)            any charge or expense to the extent (i) reimbursed by third party insurance or by third parties that are not Affiliates of the Issuer pursuant to indemnification or reimbursement provisions or similar agreements, (ii) actually received during such period by the Issuer or applicable Restricted Subsidiary in cash and without duplication and (iii) not otherwise included as revenue in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income for such period;

 

(x)             unrealized or realized net foreign currency translation or transaction losses (including currency re-measurements of Debt and the net loss resulting from swap agreements permitted hereunder for currency exchange risk); and

 

(xi)            severance payment and relocation costs in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10.0 million during any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Issuer;

 

minus

 

(b)            without duplication and to the extent included in determining Consolidated Net Income, the sum for such period of:

 

(i)             non-cash items of income or gains (excluding any such non-cash item of income to the extent it represents a receipt of cash in any future period, and including, for the avoidance of doubt, the impact of purchase accounting or unrealized foreign currency translation gains);

 

(ii)            non-recurring, unusual or extraordinary gains or income (other than any such gains or income directly resulting from the refranchising of stores);

 

(iii)           all cash payments made during such period on account of noncash charges that were accruals or reserves added to Consolidated Net Income pursuant to clause (a)(v) above in a prior period; and

 

(iv)           unrealized or realized net foreign currency translation or transaction gains (including currency re-measurements of Debt and the net gain resulting from swap agreements permitted hereunder for currency exchange risk),

 

 

in each case, determined on a consolidated basis for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded VIE's and the Excluded Marketing Subsidiaries) in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, for any period of determination, the aggregate amount of interest or fees paid, accrued or scheduled to be paid or accrued in respect of any Debt (including the interest portion of rentals under capitalized leases) and all but the principal component of payments in respect of conditional sales or other title retention agreements paid, accrued or scheduled to be paid or accrued during such period, net of interest income, in each case determined and consolidated for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded VIE's and the Excluded Marketing Subsidiaries) in accordance with GAAP, including without limitation or duplication (or, to the extent not so included, with the addition of), subject to the limitations above, (1) Preferred Stock dividends of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuer (excluding the Excluded VIE's and the Excluded Marketing Subsidiaries) (other than with respect to Redeemable Stock) declared and paid or payable (other than in exchange for Capital Stock (other than Redeemable Stock)) and (2) accrued Redeemable Stock dividends of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding the Excluded VIE's and the Excluded Marketing Subsidiaries), whether or not declared or paid (other than dividends payable in Capital Stock that is not Redeemable Stock).

 

“Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) determined for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded (a) the income (or deficit) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, (b) the income (or deficit) of any Person (other than a Restricted Subsidiary) in which the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary has an ownership interest, except to the extent that any such income is actually received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary in the form of dividends or similar distributions, and (c) the net income (or loss) for such period of the Excluded VIE's and the Excluded Marketing Subsidiaries.

 

“Convertible Debt” means Debt of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is convertible or exchangeable into common stock of the Issuer and/or cash based on the value of such common stock.

 

“Corporate Trust Office” means the designated offices of the Trustee at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office as of the date hereof is located at Truist Bank, Mail Code ###-##-####, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇ – ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇; Attention:  Corporate Trust and Escrow Services, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuer, or the designated corporate trust office of any successor trustee (or such other address as such successor trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuer).

 

“Debt” means (without duplication), with respect to any Person, whether recourse is to all or a portion of the assets of such Person and whether or not contingent:

 

(1)            every obligation of such Person for money borrowed;

 

(2)            every obligation of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments;

 

(3)            every reimbursement obligation of such Person with respect to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar facilities issued for the account of such Person (excluding obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations with respect to borrowed money) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the tenth business day following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the letter of credit);

 

(4)            every obligation of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (including securities repurchase agreements but excluding trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business and with respect to services, excluding deferred compensation to employees), which purchase price is due more than six months after the date of placing such property in service or taking delivery and title thereto or engaging such services;

 

 

(5)            every Finance Lease Obligation of such Person;

 

(6)            all Receivables Sales of such Person to the extent sold with recourse to such Person;

 

(7)            all Redeemable Stock issued by such Person valued at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary maximum fixed repurchase price plus accrued and unpaid dividends;

 

(8)            if such Person is a Restricted Subsidiary, all Preferred Stock issued by such Person;

 

(9)            every net obligation under Interest Rate, Currency or Commodity Price Agreements of such Person; and

 

(10)          every obligation of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (9) of another Person and all dividends of another Person the payment of which, in either case, (a) such Person has Guaranteed or is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor, Guarantor or otherwise or (b) is secured by (or for which the holder of such obligation has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien upon or with respect to property (including, without limitation, accounts and contract rights) owned by such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such Debt or dividends,

 

if and to the extent that any of the preceding items (other than in respect of letters of credit in clause (3)) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Debt shall not include any obligation arising from any agreement entered into in connection with the acquisition of any business or assets with any seller of such business or assets that provides for the payment of earn-outs to such seller or guarantees to such seller a minimum price to be realized by such seller upon the sale of any Capital Stock (other than Redeemable Stock) of the Issuer that was issued by the Issuer to such seller in connection with such acquisition.

 

“Debt Facilities” means one or more credit facilities, debt facilities, indentures or commercial paper facilities (including, without limitation, the Amended Credit Agreement), in each case with banks or other financial institutions or lenders or investors, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, private placements, debt securities, receivables financings (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit or letter of credit guarantees, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time.

 

“Default” means (1) any Event of Default or (2) any event, act or condition that, after notice or the passage of time or both, would be an Event of Default.

 

“Depositary” means with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.3 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Global Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.

 

“Designated Noncash Consideration” means the Fair Market Value of non-cash consideration received by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Disposition that is so designated in good faith by senior management of the Issuer. The aggregate Fair Market Value of the Designated Noncash Consideration, taken together with the Fair Market Value at the time of receipt of all other Designated Noncash Consideration received, shall not exceed in the aggregate outstanding at any one time the greater of (i) $25.0 million and (ii) 11.5% of Trailing Consolidated EBITDA determined at the time of such Asset Disposition (with the Fair Market Value being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value).

 

“Disinterested Director” means, with respect to any transaction or series of related transactions, a member of the Board of Directors of the Issuer who does not have any material direct or indirect financial interest in, or with respect to, such transaction or series of transactions.

 

 

“Dollar,” “U.S. dollar” or “$” means the lawful money of the United States of America.

 

“Domestic Subsidiaries” means each of the Issuer’s wholly-owned domestic Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Foreign Subsidiaries.

 

“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company and any successor.

 

“Equity Offering” means any public or private sale of Capital Stock (other than Excluded Equity) of the Issuer that results in aggregate net cash proceeds to the Issuer, other than (1) public offerings registered on Form S-4 or S-8 or (2) an issuance to any Restricted Subsidiary.

 

“Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Excluded Contribution” means the amount of capital contributions to the Issuer or net cash proceeds from the sale or issuance of Capital Stock (other than Excluded Equity) of the Issuer, in each case after the Issue Date and designated by the Issuer to the Trustee pursuant to an officer’s certificate as an Excluded Contribution on or promptly after the date such capital contributions are made or such Capital Stock are sold or issued.

 

“Excluded Equity” means (i) Redeemable Stock, (ii) any Capital Stock issued or sold to a Restricted Subsidiary or any employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (to the extent such employee stock ownership plan or trust has been funded by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary), and (iii) any Capital Stock that has already been used or designated (x) as (or the proceeds of which have been used or designated as) a cash contribution amount or an Excluded Contribution or (y) to increase the amount available under clause (8) of the definition of “Permitted Investment.”

 

“Excluded Marketing Subsidiaries” means Papa John's Marketing Fund, Inc. and its Subsidiaries.

 

“Excluded VIE” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Amended Credit Agreement.

 

“Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset or property, the sale value that would be obtained in an arm’s-length free market transaction between an informed and willing seller under no compulsion to sell and an informed and willing buyer under no compulsion to buy, determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors of the Issuer, whose determination will be conclusive for all purposes under this Indenture.

 

“Finance Lease Obligation” of any Person means the obligation to pay rent or other payment amounts under a lease of real or personal property of such Person that has been or should be, in accordance with GAAP (except for temporary treatment of construction-related expenditures under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 840 which will ultimately be treated as operating leases upon a sale and leaseback transaction), recorded on the balance sheet as capitalized leases in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that any change in accounting for leases pursuant to GAAP resulting from the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), to the extent such adoption would require treating any lease (or similar arrangement conveying the right to use) as a capital lease where such lease (or similar arrangement) would not have been required to be so treated under GAAP as in effect on December 31, 2015, such lease shall not be considered a capitalized lease. The Stated Maturity of such obligation shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty. The principal amount of such obligation shall be the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on the face of a balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Fitch” shall mean Fitch, Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.

 

“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary (x) that is not organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof or the District of Columbia or (y) for purposes of Section 10.1 and Section 4.15, (i) that is organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof or the District of Columbia and has no material assets other than, directly or indirectly, Capital Stock of one or more foreign entities of the type described in clause (x) above or (ii) that is a subsidiary of a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957(a) of the Code.

 

 

“GAAP” means accounting principles generally accepted in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements, and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect from time to time (except as otherwise provided in the definition of “Finance Lease Obligation”).

 

“Global Note Legend” means the legend identified as such in Exhibit A.

 

“Global Notes” means the Notes that are in the form of Exhibit A issued in global form and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee.

 

“Guarantee” by any Person means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing, or having the economic effect of guaranteeing, any Debt of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person,

 

(1)            to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Debt or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment of such Debt,

 

(2)            to purchase property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the holder of such Debt of the payment of such Debt, or

 

(3)            to maintain working capital, equity capital or other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Debt (and “Guaranteed,” “Guaranteeing” and “Guarantor” shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing);

 

provided, however, that the Guarantee by any Person shall not include endorsements by such Person for collection or deposit, in either case, in the ordinary course of business.

 

“Holder” means a Person in whose name the Note is registered on the Registrar’s books.

 

“IAI” means an investor constituting an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3), (7), (9) or (12) under the Securities Act.

 

“Incur” means, with respect to any Debt or other obligation of any Person, to create, issue, incur (by conversion, exchange or otherwise), assume, Guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect of such Debt or other obligation including by acquisition of Subsidiaries or the recording, as required pursuant to GAAP or otherwise, of any such Debt or other obligation on the balance sheet of such Person (and “Incurrence,” “Incurred” and “Incurring” shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing); provided, however, that a change in GAAP that results in an obligation of such Person that exists at such time becoming Debt shall not be deemed an Incurrence of such Debt.

 

“Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

“Initial Notes” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

“Interest Rate, Currency or Commodity Price Agreement” of any Person means any forward contract, futures contract, swap, option or other financial agreement or arrangement (including, without limitation, caps, floors, collars and similar agreements) relating to, or the value of which is dependent upon, interest rates, currency exchange rates or commodity prices or indices (excluding contracts for the purchase or sale of goods in the ordinary course of business).

 

 

“Investment” by any Person means any direct or indirect loan, advance or other extension of credit or capital contribution (by means of transfers of cash or other property (other than Capital Stock that is neither Redeemable Stock nor Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary) to others or payments for property or services for the account or use of others, or otherwise) to, or purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures or other securities or evidence of Debt issued by, any other Person, including any Guarantee of any obligation of such other Person, but shall not include:

 

(1)            trade accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business;

 

(2)            any Permitted Interest Rate, Currency or Commodity Price Agreement; and

 

(3)            endorsements of negotiable instruments and documents in the ordinary course of business.

 

“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than:

 

(1)            Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s;

 

(2)            BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P; or

 

(3)            BBB- (or the equivalent) by Fitch;

 

or, if any such entity ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the Issuer’s control, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any other Rating Agency.

 

“Investment Grade Securities” means (i) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents), (ii) debt securities or debt instruments with an Investment Grade Rating, but excluding any debt securities or instruments constituting loans or advances among the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, (iii) investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type described in clauses (i) and (ii), which fund may also hold immaterial amounts of cash pending investment or distribution, and (iv) corresponding instruments in countries other than the United States customarily utilized for high quality investments.

 

“Issue Date” means September 14, 2021.

 

“Lien” means, with respect to any property or assets, any mortgage or deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, security interest, lien (statutory or otherwise), charge, easement (other than any easement not materially impairing usefulness or marketability), encumbrance, preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever on or with respect to such property or assets (including, without limitation, any sale and leaseback arrangement, conditional sale or other title retention agreement having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

 

“Limited Condition Transaction” means (1) any Investment or acquisition (whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise), whose consummation is not conditioned on the availability of, or on obtaining, third-party financing, (2) any redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment of Debt requiring irrevocable notice in advance of such redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment and (3) any dividends or distributions on, or redemptions of, the Issuer’s Capital Stock requiring irrevocable notice in advance thereof.

 

“Moody’s” means ▇▇▇▇▇’▇ Investors Service, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.

 

“Net Available Proceeds” from any Asset Disposition by any Person means cash or Cash Equivalents received (including by way of sale or discounting of a note, installment receivable or other receivable, but excluding any other consideration received in the form of assumption by the acquirer of Debt or other obligations relating to such properties or assets) therefrom by such Person, net of:

 

(1)            all legal, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees and expenses Incurred and all federal, state, foreign and local taxes required to be accrued as a liability as a consequence of such Asset Disposition;

 

 

(2)            all payments made by such Person or its Restricted Subsidiaries on any Debt which is secured by such assets in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon, or with respect to, such assets or which must by the terms of such Lien, or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such Asset Disposition or by applicable law, be repaid out of the proceeds from such Asset Disposition;

 

(3)            all distributions and other payments made to minority interest holders in Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person or joint ventures as a result of such Asset Disposition; and

 

(4)            appropriate amounts to be provided by such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof, as the case may be, as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with such assets and retained by such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof, as the case may be, after such Asset Disposition, including, without limitation, liabilities under any indemnification obligations and severance and other employee termination costs associated with such Asset Disposition, in each case as determined in good faith by senior management of the Issuer.

 

“Note Custodian” means the Person appointed as custodian for the Depositary with respect to the Global Notes, or any successor entity thereto.

 

“Notes” means the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes. The Initial Notes and the Additional Notes, if any, shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture.

 

“Offer to Purchase” means a written offer (the “Offer”) sent by the Issuer by first class mail, postage prepaid, to each Holder at his address appearing in the security register or, with respect to Global Notes, given in accordance with DTC procedures on the date of the Offer offering to purchase up to the principal amount of Notes specified in such Offer at the purchase price specified in such Offer (as determined pursuant to this Indenture). Unless otherwise required by applicable law, the Offer shall specify an expiration date (the “Offer Expiration Date”) of the Offer to Purchase which shall be, subject to any contrary requirements of applicable law, not less than 10 days or more than 60 days after the date of such Offer and a settlement date (the “Purchase Date”) for purchase of Notes within three Business Days after the Offer Expiration Date. The Offer shall contain a description of the events requiring the Issuer to make the Offer to Purchase and all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Offer to Purchase. The Offer shall also state:

 

(1)            the section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Offer to Purchase is being made;

 

(2)            the Offer Expiration Date and the Purchase Date and, if such Offer is made in advance of a Change of Control and conditioned upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, that the Offer is conditioned upon the occurrence of a Change of Control;

 

(3)            the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes offered to be purchased by the Issuer pursuant to the Offer to Purchase (including, if less than 100%, the manner by which such has been determined pursuant to the section of this Indenture requiring the Offer to Purchase) (the “Purchase Amount”);

 

(4)            the purchase price to be paid by the Issuer for each $1,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes accepted for payment (as specified pursuant to this Indenture) (the “Purchase Price”);

 

(5)            that the Holder may tender all or any portion of the Notes registered in the name of such Holder and that any portion of a Note tendered must be tendered in an integral multiple of $1,000 principal amount;

 

 

(6)            the place or places where Notes are to be surrendered for tender pursuant to the Offer to Purchase;

 

(7)            that interest on any Note not tendered or tendered but not purchased by the Issuer pursuant to the Offer to Purchase will continue to accrue;

 

(8)            that on the Purchase Date the Purchase Price will become due and payable upon each Note being accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer to Purchase and that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after the Purchase Date;

 

(9)            that each Holder electing to tender a Note pursuant to the Offer to Purchase will be required to surrender such Note at the place or places specified in the Offer prior to the close of business on the Expiration Date (such Note being, if the Issuer or the Trustee so requires, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing);

 

(10)          that Holders will be entitled to withdraw all or any portion of Notes tendered if the Issuer (or its Paying Agent) receives, not later than the close of business on the Expiration Date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder tendered, the certificate number of the Note the Holder tendered and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing all or a portion of his tender;

 

(11)          that (a) if Notes in an aggregate principal amount less than or equal to the Purchase Amount are duly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, the Issuer shall purchase all such Notes and (b) if Notes in an aggregate principal amount in excess of the Purchase Amount are tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, the Issuer shall purchase Notes having an aggregate principal amount equal to the Purchase Amount on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate so that only Notes in denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof shall be purchased); and

 

(12)          that in the case of any Holder whose Note is purchased only in part, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Note without service charge, a new Note or Notes, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unpurchased portion of the Note so tendered.

 

If any of the Notes subject to an Offer to Purchase is in global form, then the Offer shall be modified by the Issuer to the extent necessary to comply with the procedures of the Depositary applicable to repurchases. Any Offer to Purchase shall be governed by and effected in accordance with the Offer for such Offer to Purchase.

 

“Offering Memorandum” means the Issuer’s offering memorandum, dated September 8, 2021, relating to the offer and sale of the Initial Notes.

 

“Officer” means any of the following of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor: the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary (or, with respect to a Subsidiary Guarantor, any member or general partner authorized to act on behalf of such Subsidiary Guarantor).

 

“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by one Officer that meets the requirements of Section 11.3 of this Indenture.

 

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of, or counsel to, the Issuer or the Trustee.

 

“Pari Passu Debt” means Debt of the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor that is pari passu in right of payment with the Notes, in the case of the Issuer, or the Subsidiary Guarantees, in the case of any Subsidiary Guarantor. For the purposes of this definition, no Debt will be considered to be senior or junior by virtue of being secured on a first or junior priority basis.

 

 

“Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, a Person who has an account with the Depositary.

 

“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Issuer to pay the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Notes on behalf of the Issuer.

 

“Permitted Acquisition Debt” means Debt of the Issuer or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent that:

 

(1)            such Debt consists of Debt of an acquired Person that was outstanding prior to the date on which such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of having been acquired by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary and any Debt Incurred, including by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, in contemplation of such acquisition or the acquisition of the assets or business of such Person by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

(2)            such Debt consists of Debt of a Person that was outstanding prior to the date on which such Person was merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary and any Debt Incurred, including by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, in contemplation of such merger, consolidation or amalgamation;

 

provided that on the date such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary or the date such Person was merged, consolidated and amalgamated with or into the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, after giving pro forma effect thereto,

 

(a)            the Issuer would be permitted to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt (other than Permitted Debt) pursuant to Section 4.9(a), or

 

(b)            the Consolidated Coverage Ratio of the Issuer would be not less than the Consolidated Coverage Ratio of the Issuer immediately prior to giving effect to such transaction.

 

“Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction” means any call or capped call option (or substantially equivalent derivative transaction) on the Issuer’s common stock purchased by the Issuer in connection with the issuance of any Convertible Debt on customary terms for such transactions; provided that the purchase price for such Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction, less the proceeds received by the Issuer from the sale of any related Permitted Warrant Transaction, does not exceed the net proceeds received by the Issuer from the sale of such Convertible Debt issued in connection with the Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction.

 

“Permitted Interest Rate, Currency or Commodity Price Agreement” of any Person means any Interest Rate, Currency or Commodity Price Agreement entered into with one or more financial institutions (or, in the case of commodity protection agreement, utilities) in the ordinary course of business that is designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest rates or currency exchange rates with respect to Debt Incurred or proposed to be Incurred and which shall have a notional amount no greater than the payments due with respect to the Debt being hedged thereby, or in the case of currency or commodity protection agreements, against currency exchange rate or commodity price fluctuations and, in each case, not for purposes of speculation.

 

“Permitted Investment” means:

 

(1)            any Investment in the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary or a Person that will become or be merged into or consolidated with the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary or transfers or conveys all or substantially all its assets to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such Investment, and any Investment held by a Person at the time of such acquisition by, merger or consolidation with or transfer to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

 

(2)            loans and advances to franchisees of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount outstanding not to exceed, when aggregated with amounts of Debt guaranteed pursuant to Section 4.9(b)(19)(i), the greater of (i) $75.0 million and (ii) 35% of Trailing Consolidated EBITDA (plus the aggregate returns of such Investments);

 

(3)            any Investment in cash and Cash Equivalents or Permitted Interest Rate, Currency or Commodity Price Agreements;

 

(4)            any non-cash consideration received in connection with an Asset Disposition (or a disposition excluded from the definition of Asset Disposition) that was made in compliance with Section 4.10;

 

(5)            loans or advances to officers, directors, consultants and employees of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries (i) for reasonable and customary business-related travel, entertainment, relocation and analogous ordinary business purposes, (ii) in connection with such Person’s purchase of equity interests of the Issuer (provided that the amount of such loans and advances shall be contributed to the Issuer in cash as common equity) and (iii) for purposes not described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), in an aggregate principal amount outstanding not to exceed $5.0 million (determined without regard to any write-downs or writeoffs);

 

(6)            guarantees of Debt made in compliance with Section 4.9;

 

(7)            any Investment existing on the Issue Date or made pursuant to binding commitments in effect on the Issue Date or an Investment consisting of any extension, modification or renewal of any Investment existing on the Issue Date; provided that the amount of any such Investment may only be increased pursuant to this clause (7) to the extent required by the terms of such Investment as in existence on the Issue Date or as otherwise permitted under this Indenture;

 

(8)            Investments acquired with the net cash proceeds received by the Issuer after the Issue Date from the issuance and sale of Capital Stock (other than Redeemable Stock) or made in exchange for Capital Stock (other than Redeemable Stock or Preferred Stock); provided that the amount of all such net cash proceeds will be excluded from clause (a)(iii)(2) of Section 4.7;

 

(9)            any other Investment that, when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (9) since the Issue Date and outstanding on the date such Investment is made, does not exceed the greater of (i) $40.0 million and (ii) 18.5% of Trailing Consolidated EBITDA (plus the aggregate returns of such Investments);

 

(10)          Investments with the proceeds of Excluded Contributions;

 

(11)          any Investment so long as, immediately after giving effect to such Investment, the Total Leverage Ratio of the Issuer is not greater than 4.75 to 1.00 on a pro forma basis;

 

(12)          Investments (including debt obligations and equity interests) made in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers, customers or franchisees or in settlement of delinquent obligations of, or other disputes with, customers, suppliers or franchisees arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

(13)          Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries, Similar Businesses or Permitted Joint Ventures which, together with any other outstanding Investment made pursuant to this clause (13), do not exceed the greater of (i) $25.0 million and (ii) 11.5% of Trailing Consolidated EBITDA at the time of such Investment; provided, however, that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (13) is made in any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (13) for so long as such Person continues to be a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

 

(14)          Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of Article 3 of the Uniform Commercial Code endorsements for collection or deposit and Article 4 of the Uniform Commercial Code customary trade arrangements with customers consistent with past practices;

 

(15)          advances of payroll payments to employees in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(16)          Investments consisting of licensing of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons so long as such licensing arrangements are made in the ordinary course of business and are consistent with past practice.

 

“Permitted Joint Venture” means any joint venture arrangement (which may be structured as a corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company or any other Person) or other Person (other than a Restricted Subsidiary) in which the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary owns Capital Stock.

 

“Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:

 

(1)            Liens securing Debt under Debt Facilities outstanding or Incurred under Section 4.9(b)(1);

 

(2)            Liens securing any Debt which became Debt pursuant to a transaction permitted under Section 5.1 or securing Debt which was created prior to (and not created in connection with, or in contemplation of) the Incurrence of such Debt (including any assumption, guarantee or other liability with respect thereto by any Restricted Subsidiary) and which Debt is permitted under the provisions of Section 4.9 and solely relate to the assets that previously secured such Debt; provided, however, that such Liens shall not extend to any other property owned by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect of the assets or property securing such Debt);

 

(3)            Liens imposed by law, including carriers’, warehousemen’s and mechanics’ Liens, in each case for sums not overdue by more than 30 days or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings if a reserve or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made in respect thereof;

 

(4)            Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet overdue by more than 30 days or not yet subject to penalties for nonpayment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings provided appropriate reserves required pursuant to GAAP have been made in respect thereof;

 

(5)            Liens under the Issuer’s joint collateral accounts, concentration accounts, deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a depositary institution or bank; provided that such deposit account is not a dedicated cash collateral account and is not subject to restrictions against access by the Issuer in excess of those set forth by regulations issued by the Federal Reserve Board;

 

(6)            Liens on assets, property or shares of stock of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged with or into or consolidated or amalgamated with the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer or such assets, property or shares of stock were acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Liens shall not extend to any other property owned by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect of the assets, property or shares acquired);

 

(7)            encumbrances, ground leases, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights of way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning, building codes or other restrictions (including, without limitation, minor defects or irregularities in title and similar encumbrances) as to the use of real properties or liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

 

 

(8)            leases, licenses, subleases and sublicenses of assets (including, without limitation, real property and intellectual property rights) which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(9)            Liens existing on the Issue Date (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect of the assets or property subject to such Liens) (other than Liens permitted under clause (1));

 

(10)          pledges or deposits by such Person under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Debt) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or United States government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import or customs duties or for the payment of rent, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(11)          judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default so long as such Lien is adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings which may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment have not been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated has not expired;

 

(12)          any encumbrance or restriction (including put and call arrangements) with respect to Capital Stock of any joint venture or similar arrangement pursuant to any joint venture or similar agreement;

 

(13)          Liens for the purpose of securing the payment of all or a part of the purchase price of, purchase money obligations or other payments Incurred to finance the acquisition, lease, improvement or construction of or repairs or additions to, assets or property acquired or constructed by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business; provided that: (a) the aggregate principal amount of Debt secured by such Liens is otherwise permitted to be Incurred under this Indenture and does not exceed the cost of the assets or property so acquired or constructed; and (b) such Liens are created within 270 days of the later of the acquisition, lease, completion of improvements, construction, repairs or additions or commencement of full operation of the assets or property subject to such Lien and do not encumber any other assets or property of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary other than such assets or property and assets affixed or appurtenant thereto;

 

(14)          any interest or title of a lessor under any Finance Lease Obligation; provided that such Liens do not extend to any property or assets which is not leased property subject to such Finance Lease Obligation;

 

(15)          Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

 

(16)          Liens securing reimbursement obligations with respect to commercial letters of credit which encumber documents and other property relating to such letters of credit and products and proceeds thereof;

 

(17)          Liens encumbering deposits made to secure obligations arising from statutory, regulatory, contractual, or warranty requirements of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, including rights of offset and set-off;

 

(18)          Liens securing Permitted Interest Rate, Currency or Commodity Price Agreements;

 

(19)          Liens to secure Debt of any Foreign Subsidiary of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor securing Debt of such Foreign Subsidiary or such Restricted Subsidiary that is permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be Incurred;

 

 

(20)          Liens on cash, cash equivalents or other property arising in connection with the discharge or redemption of Debt;

 

(21)          Liens on any real property constituting exceptions to title as set forth in a mortgage title policy delivered to a secured lender with respect thereto;

 

(22)          Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of premiums with respect thereto; provided that such Liens shall not exceed the amount of such premiums so financed;

 

(23)          Liens in favor of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(24)          Liens incurred in connection with sale and leaseback transactions permitted under Sections 4.9(b)(6) and 4.9(b)(20);

 

(26)          deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, governmental contracts and leases (other than Debt), statutory obligations, surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature (including those to secure health, safety and environmental obligations) incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(27)          Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sale of goods entered into by the Issuer or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

(28)          Liens in respect of Receivables Sales and similar factoring arrangements of Receivables that extend only to the assets subject thereto;

 

(29)          Liens not otherwise covered by clauses (1) through (27) securing Debt in the aggregate amount outstanding at any time not to exceed the greater of (x) $50.0 million and (y) 23.5% of Trailing Consolidated EBITDA; and

 

(30)          Liens securing Debt Incurred to refinance Debt (other than Liens permitted under clause (1)) that was previously so secured (or otherwise replacing any such Lien), provided that any such Lien is limited to all or part of the same property or assets (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof) that secured (or, under the written arrangements under which the original Lien arose, could secure) the Debt being refinanced or is in respect of property that is the security for a Permitted Lien hereunder.

 

“Permitted Refinancing Debt” means any Debt of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund other Debt of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that:

 

(1)            the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Debt does not exceed the principal amount of, plus premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on the Debt so extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus the amount of reasonable expenses incurred in connection therewith);

 

(2)            the Permitted Refinancing Debt has a final maturity date no earlier than the earlier of the final maturity date of the Debt being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, deferred or refunded and 91 days after the final maturity date of the Notes;

 

(3)            the Permitted Refinancing Debt has an Average Life at the time such Permitted Refinancing Debt is Incurred that is equal to or greater than the shorter of (A) the Average Life of the Debt being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, deferred or refunded and (B) 91 days after the Average Life of the Notes;

 

 

(4)            if the Debt being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or a Subsidiary Guarantee, such Permitted Refinancing Debt is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantee on terms at least as favorable, taken as a whole, to the Holders of Notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Debt being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; and

 

(5)            such Debt shall not include Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor that refinances Debt of the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

“Permitted Warrant Transaction” means any call option, warrant or right to purchase (or substantially equivalent derivative transaction) on the Issuer’s common stock sold by the Issuer substantially concurrently with a related Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction.

 

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint-stock company, trust, mutual fund trust, unincorporated organization or government or other agency or political subdivision thereof or other legal entity of any kind.

 

“Preferred Stock” of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person of any class or classes (however designated) that ranks prior, as to the payment of dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of such Person, to shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.

 

“Rating Agency” means each of S&P, ▇▇▇▇▇’▇ or Fitch, or if (and only if) S&P, ▇▇▇▇▇’▇, Fitch or any combination thereof shall not make a rating on the Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or organizations, as the case may be, selected by the Issuer, which shall be substituted for S&P, ▇▇▇▇▇’▇ or Fitch, or any combination thereof, as the case may be.

 

“Receivables” means receivables, chattel paper, instruments, documents or intangibles evidencing or relating to the right to payment of money.

 

“Receivables Sale” of any Person means any sale of Receivables of such Person (pursuant to a purchase facility or otherwise), other than in connection with a disposition of the business operations of such Person relating thereto or a disposition of defaulted Receivables for purposes of collection and not as a financing arrangement.

 

“Redeemable Stock” of any Person means any Capital Stock of such Person that by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) or otherwise (including upon the occurrence of an event) matures or is required to be redeemed (other than in exchange for Capital Stock of the Issuer that is not Redeemable Stock) or is convertible into or exchangeable for Debt or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than in exchange for Capital Stock of the Issuer that is not Redeemable Stock), in whole or in part, at any time prior to the final Stated Maturity of the Notes. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Redeemable Stock solely because the holders thereof have the right to require the Issuer to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale shall not constitute Redeemable Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Issuer shall not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.7.

 

“Regulation S Legend” means the legend identified as such in Exhibit A.

 

“Replacement Assets” means:

 

(1)            properties and assets (other than cash, Cash Equivalents, any Capital Stock or other security) that will be used in the business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as conducted on the Issue Date or any business reasonably similar to, ancillary thereto or supportive thereof; and

 

 

(2)            Capital Stock of any Person that is engaged in the business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as conducted on the Issue Date or any business reasonably similar to, ancillary thereto or supportive thereof and that will be merged or consolidated with or into the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary or that will become a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

“Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such Person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

 

“Restricted Notes Legend” means the legend identified as such in Exhibit A.

 

“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Issuer, whether existing on or after the Issue Date, unless such Subsidiary is an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, and any successor to its rating agency business.

 

“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Secured Debt” at any date shall mean the aggregate principal amount of Debt that would be reflected on a balance sheet prepared as of such date on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (but excluding the effects of any discounting of Permitted Acquisition Debt resulting from the application of purchase accounting), consisting of Debt for borrowed money, Finance Lease Obligations, debt obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, unreimbursed drawings in respect of letters of credit (or similar facilities) and Guarantees of the foregoing, that in each case is then secured by Liens on any property or assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary.

 

“Secured Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (1) Secured Debt as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which quarterly or annual financial statements prepared on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP are available (the “secured balance sheet date”) to (2) Consolidated EBITDA of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the period of the most recently completed four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on the secured balance sheet date; provided that all commitments under the Amended Credit Agreement will be deemed fully drawn and outstanding for purposes of calculating the Secured Leverage Ratio. The Secured Leverage Ratio shall be adjusted on a pro forma basis in a manner consistent with the definition of “Consolidated Coverage Ratio.”

 

“Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Significant Restricted Subsidiary” means, at any date of determination, any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” of the Issuer within the meaning of Rule 1-02(w) under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC, as such Regulation is in effect on the Issue Date.

 

“Similar Business” means any business engaged or proposed to be engaged in by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries on the Issue Date and any business or other activities that are similar, ancillary, complementary, incidental or related to, or an extension, development or expansion of, the businesses in which the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is engaged on the Issue Date.

 

“Stated Maturity” means, when used with respect to any Debt or any installment of interest on such Debt, the dates specified in such Debt as the fixed date on which the principal of such Debt or such installment of interest, as the case may be, is due and payable.

 

 

“Subordinated Debt” means Debt of the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor that is expressly subordinated or junior in right of payment to the Notes or a Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, pursuant to a written agreement to that effect.

 

“Subsidiary” of any Person means:

 

(1)            a corporation more than 50% of the combined voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries thereof or

 

(2)            any other Person (other than a corporation) in which such Person, or one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person or such Person and one or more other Subsidiaries thereof, directly or indirectly, has at least a majority ownership and power to direct the policies, management and affairs thereof,

 

in each case, excluding the Excluded Marketing Subsidiaries.

 

“Subsidiary Guarantee” means the Guarantee by any Subsidiary Guarantor of the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture.

 

“Subsidiary Guarantor” means each Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer on the Issue Date that is a party to this Indenture for purposes of providing a Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to the Notes, and each other Restricted Subsidiary that is required to, or at the election of the Issuer, does become a Subsidiary Guarantor by the terms of this Indenture after the Issue Date and their respective successors and assigns, in each case, until such Person is released from its Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

 

“Total Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (1) Debt for money borrowed of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which quarterly or annual financial statements prepared on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP are available (the “balance sheet date”) to (2) Consolidated EBITDA of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the period of the most recently completed four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on the balance sheet date. The Total Leverage Ratio shall be adjusted on a pro forma basis in a manner consistent with the definition of “Consolidated Coverage Ratio.”

 

"Trailing Consolidated EBITDA" means Consolidated EBITDA for the period of the most recently completed four consecutive fiscal quarters for which quarterly or annual financial statements are available at the time of determination, calculated with the pro forma adjustments as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of “Consolidated Coverage Ratio.”

 

“Transfer Restricted Notes” means Notes that bear or are required to bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 that has become publicly available at least two business days prior to such redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from such redemption date to September 15, 2024; provided, however, that if the period from such redemption date to September 15, 2024 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.

 

“Trustee” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Indenture and any successor thereto.

 

“United States” or “U.S.” means the United States of America.

 

“U.S. Government Obligations” means direct non-callable obligations of, or guaranteed by, the United States for the payment of which guarantee or obligations the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged.

 

 

“Voting Stock” of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person which ordinarily has voting power for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such Person, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of securities has such voting power by reason of any contingency.

 

“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person all of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

SECTION 1.2.        Other Definitions.

 

Term		Defined in Section
“acceleration declaration”		6.2
“Act”		11.12(a)
“Alternate Offer”		4.13
“Authentication Order”		2.2
“balance sheet date”		1.1 (definition of “Total Leverage Ratio”)
“Change of Control Offer”		4.13
“Change of Control Purchase Price”		4.13
“Covenant Defeasance”		8.3
“Deemed Date”		1.4
“Deposit Trustee”		8.5
“▇▇▇▇▇”		4.3(a)
“Event of Default”		6.1
“Excess Proceeds”		4.10(c)
“Expiration Date”		11.12(j)
“Institutional Accredited Investor Note”		2.1(b)
“Issuer”		Preamble
“LCT Election”		1.4
“LCT Test Date”		1.4
“Legal Defeasance”		8.2
“Note Amount”		4.10(c)(1)
“Offer”		1.1 (definition of “Offer to Purchase”)
“Offer Date”		4.10(c)
“Offer Expiration Date”		1.1 (definition of “Offer to Purchase”)
“Offered Price”		4.10(c)
“Pari Passu Debt Amount”		4.10(c)(2)
“Pari Passu Offer”		4.10(c)(2)
“Permitted Debt”		4.9(b)
“primary obligor”		1.1 (definition of “Guarantee”)
“Purchase Date”		1.1 (definition of “Offer to Purchase”)
“QIBs”		2.1(b)(i)
“Ratio Debt”		4.9(a)
“Registrar”		2.3
“Regulation S”		2.1(b)(ii)
“Regulation S Global Note”		2.1(b)
“Required Filing Dates”		4.3(a)
“Resale Restriction Termination Date”		2.15(a)
“Restricted Payment”		4.7(a)
“Restricted Period”		2.15(b)
“Rule 144A”		2.1(b)(i)
“Rule 144A Global Note”		2.1(b)
“secured balance sheet date”		1.1 (definition of “Secured Leverage Ratio”)
“Signature Law”		11.10
“Successor Company”		5.1(a)(1)
“Successor Subsidiary Guarantor”		5.1(b)(1)(A)
“Unrestricted Subsidiary”		4.16(a)

 

 

SECTION 1.3.         Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(1)            a term has the meaning assigned to it herein;

 

(2)            an accounting term not otherwise defined herein has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

 

(3)            “or” is not exclusive;

 

(4)            words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

 

(5)            unless otherwise specified, any reference to Section, Article or Exhibit refers to such Section, Article or Exhibit, as the case may be, of this Indenture;

 

(6)            provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

 

(7)            the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not any particular Article, Section, clause or other subdivision; and

 

(8)            references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time.

 

SECTION 1.4.        Financial Calculations for Committed Debt, Limited Condition Transactions and Otherwise.

 

In connection with the Incurrence or issuance, as applicable, of (x) revolving Debt under Section 4.9 or (y) any commitment relating to the Incurrence or issuance of Debt or Preferred Stock under Section 4.9 and/or the granting of any Lien to secure any of the foregoing, the Issuer or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary may designate such Incurrence or issuance and/or the granting of any Lien therefor as having occurred on the date of first Incurrence of such revolving Debt or commitment (such date, the “Deemed Date”), and any related subsequent actual Incurrence or issuance and/or granting of such Lien therefor will be deemed for all purposes under the Indenture to have been Incurred or issued and granted on such Deemed Date, including, without limitation, for purposes of calculating the Consolidated Coverage Ratio, usage of any baskets hereunder (if applicable), the Total Leverage Ratio, the Secured Leverage Ratio and Trailing Consolidated EBITDA (and all such calculations on and after the Deemed Date until the termination or funding of such commitment or until such election is rescinded shall be made on a pro forma basis giving effect to the deemed Incurrence or issuance, the granting of any Lien therefor as if all such Debt remains outstanding).

 

 

When calculating the availability under any basket or ratio under this Indenture or compliance with any provision of this Indenture in connection with any Limited Condition Transaction and any actions or transactions related thereto (including acquisitions, Investments, the Incurrence or issuance of Debt and the use of the proceeds thereof, the Incurrence of Liens, repayments, Restricted Payments and Asset Dispositions), in each case, at the option of the Issuer (the Issuer’s election to exercise such option, an “LCT Election”), the date of determination for availability under any such basket or ratio and whether any such action or transaction is permitted (or any requirement or condition therefor is complied with or satisfied (including as to the absence of any Default or Event of Default)) under this Indenture shall be deemed to be the date (the “LCT Test Date”) the definitive agreements for such Limited Condition Transaction are entered into (or, if applicable, the date of delivery of an irrevocable notice, declaration of a dividend or similar event) and if, after giving pro forma effect to the Limited Condition Transaction and any actions or transactions related thereto (including acquisitions, Investments, the Incurrence or issuance of Debt and the use of proceeds thereof, the Incurrence of Liens, repayments, Restricted Payments and Asset Dispositions) and any related pro forma adjustments, the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries would have been permitted to take such actions or consummate such transactions on the relevant LCT Test Date in compliance with such ratio, test or basket (and any related requirements and conditions), such ratio, test or basket (and any related requirements and conditions) shall be deemed to have been complied with (or satisfied) for all purposes; provided that (a) compliance with such ratios, tests or baskets (and any related requirements and conditions) shall not be determined or tested at any time after the applicable LCT Test Date for such Limited Condition Transaction and any actions or transactions related thereto (including acquisitions, Investments, the Incurrence or issuance of Debt and the use of proceeds thereof, the Incurrence of Liens, repayments, Restricted Payments and Asset Dispositions) and (b) Consolidated EBITDA for purposes of the Consolidated Coverage Ratio will be calculated using an assumed interest rate based on the indicative interest margin contained in any financing commitment documentation with respect to such Debt or, if no such indicative interest margin exists, as reasonably determined by the Issuer in good faith.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, if the Issuer has made an LCT Election, (1) if any of the ratios, tests or baskets for which compliance was determined or tested as of the LCT Test Date would at any time after the LCT Test Date have been exceeded or otherwise failed to have been complied with as a result of fluctuations in any such ratio, test or basket, including due to fluctuations in Consolidated EBITDA of the Issuer, such baskets, tests or ratios will not be deemed to have been exceeded or failed to have been complied with as a result of such fluctuations (and no Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred due to such failure to comply), and (2) in calculating the availability under any ratio, test or basket in connection with any action or transaction unrelated to such Limited Condition Transaction following the relevant LCT Test Date and prior to the earlier of the date on which such Limited Condition Transaction is consummated or the date that the definitive agreement or date for redemption, purchase or repayment specified in an irrevocable notice for such Limited Condition Transaction is terminated, expires or passes, as applicable, without consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction, any such ratio, test or basket shall be determined or tested giving pro forma effect to such Limited Condition Transaction.

 

ARTICLE II
THE NOTES

 

SECTION 2.1.        Form and Dating. The Notes shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes will be issued in registered form, without coupons, and in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The registered Holder will be treated as the owner of such Note for all purposes.

 

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture, and the Issuer and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

(a)            The Notes shall be issued initially in the form of one or more Global Notes, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Note Custodian, and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary, duly executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided.

 

Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein, and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges, redemptions and transfers of interests. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Note Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.6.

 

 

(b)            The Initial Notes are being issued by the Issuer only (i) to “qualified institutional buyers” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“Rule 144A”)) (“QIBs”) and (ii) in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act (“Regulation S”). After such initial issuance, Initial Notes that are Transfer Restricted Notes may be transferred to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A, outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S, to IAIs or to the Issuer, in accordance with certain transfer restrictions. Initial Notes that are offered in reliance on Rule 144A shall be issued in the form of one or more permanent Global Notes substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A and bear the Restricted Notes Legend (collectively, the “Rule 144A Global Note”), deposited with the Note Custodian, duly executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. Initial Notes that are offered in offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued in the form of one or more permanent Global Notes substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A and bear the Regulation S Legend (collectively, the “Regulation S Global Note”), deposited with the Note Custodian, duly executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. Initial Notes resold to IAIs in the United States shall be issued in the form of one or more permanent Global Notes substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A and bear the Restricted Notes Legend (collectively, the “Institutional Accredited Investor Note”), deposited with the Note Custodian, duly executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The aggregate principal amount of each Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Note Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee. Transfers of Notes among QIBs, to or by purchasers pursuant to Regulation S and to or by IAIs shall be represented by appropriate increases and decreases to the respective amounts of the appropriate Global Notes, as more fully provided in Section 2.15.

 

(c)            Section 2.1(b) shall apply only to Global Notes deposited with or on behalf of the Depositary.

 

The Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section 2.1 and Section 2.2, authenticate and deliver the Global Notes that (i) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary and (ii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instructions or held by the Note Custodian for the Depositary.

 

SECTION 2.2.        Execution and Authentication. An Officer shall sign the Notes for the Issuer by manual, electronic, facsimile or PDF transmission signature.

 

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.

 

A Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual or electronic signature of a Responsible Officer of the Trustee. The signature of a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

 

The Trustee shall, upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer signed by an Officer of the Issuer (an “Authentication Order”) directing the Trustee to authenticate the Notes and an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to the issuance of the Notes contained herein have been complied with, authenticate Notes for original issue in the aggregate principal amount stated in such written order.

 

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to authenticate Notes. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent or agents. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or the Issuer.

 

SECTION 2.3.        Registrar; Paying Agent. The Issuer shall maintain (i) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and (ii) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment to a Paying Agent. The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Issuer may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional Paying Agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar, and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional Paying Agent. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Issuer and/or any Restricted Subsidiary may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

 

The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing, and the Trustee shall notify the Holders, of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The Issuer shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Issuer fails to appoint or maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, or fails to give the foregoing notice, the Trustee shall act as such, and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation in accordance with Section 7.6.

 

The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

 

The Issuer initially appoints DTC to act as the Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

 

SECTION 2.4.         Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. The Issuer shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium or interest on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee of any Default by the Issuer in making any such payment. While any such Default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay to the Trustee all money held by it in trust for the benefit of the Holders or the Trustee. The Issuer at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it in trust for the benefit of the Holders or the Trustee to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) shall have no further liability for such money. If the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon the occurrence of any of the events specified in Section 6.1, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

 

SECTION 2.5.         Holder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee at least seven (7) Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders, including the aggregate principal amount of the Notes held by each Holder thereof.

 

SECTION 2.6.         Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes.

 

(a)            Each Global Note shall (i) be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Notes or the nominee of such Depositary, (ii) be delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instructions or held by the Note Custodian for the Depositary and (iii) bear the Global Note legends as required by Section 2.6(e).

 

Members of, or Participants in, the Depositary shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary, or the Note Custodian, or under such Global Note, and the Depositary may be treated by the Issuer, and the Trustee or any Agent and any of their respective agents, as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever under this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuer, the Trustee or any Agent or their respective agents from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Participants, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of an owner of a beneficial interest in any Global Note.

 

Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have any responsibility or obligation to any Holder that is a member of (or a Participant in) the Depositary or any other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary (or its nominee) or of any member or Participant thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount or delivery of any Notes (or other security or property) under or with respect to the Notes. The Trustee and any Agent may conclusively rely (and shall be fully protected in relying) upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its members, Participants and any beneficial owners in the Notes.

 

 

Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

 

(b)            Transfers of a Global Note shall be limited to transfers of such Global Note in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary, its successors or their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in a Global Note may be transferred in accordance with Section 2.15 and the rules and procedures of the Depositary. In addition, certificated Notes shall be transferred to beneficial owners in exchange for their beneficial interests only if (i) the Depositary notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global Notes and a successor depositary is not appointed by the Issuer within 90 days of such notice, (ii) the Depositary ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed by the Issuer within 90 days of such notice, (iii) an Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has written notice has occurred and is continuing and the Registrar has received a request from any Holder of a Global Note to issue such certificated Notes or (iv) the Issuer, in its sole discretion, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of certificated Notes.

 

(c)            In connection with the transfer of an entire Global Note to beneficial owners pursuant to Section 2.6(b), such Global Note shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to each beneficial owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its beneficial interest in such Global Note an equal aggregate principal amount of certificated Notes of authorized denominations.

 

(d)            The registered Holder of a Global Note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Participants and Persons that may hold interests through Participants, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.

 

(e)            Each Global Note shall bear the Global Note Legend on the face thereof.

 

(f)            At such time as all beneficial interests in Global Notes have been exchanged for certificated Notes, redeemed, repurchased or cancelled, all Global Notes shall be returned to or retained and cancelled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for certificated Notes, redeemed, repurchased or cancelled, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note, by the Trustee or the Note Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, to reflect such reduction.

 

(g)            General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges:

 

 (1)           To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and certificated Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.2 or at the Registrar’s request.

 

 (2)           No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp or transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such stamp or transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Section 2.7, Section 2.10, Section 3.6, Section 4.10, Section 4.13 or Section 9.4).

 

 (3)           All Global Notes and certificated Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or certificated Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes (or interests therein) or certificated Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

 (4)           The Registrar is not required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes under Section 3.2 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of such selection, (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part, or (C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date.

 

 

 (5)           Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Issuer may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent, or the Issuer shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

 (6)           The Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and certificated Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2. Except as provided in Section 2.6(b), neither the Trustee nor the Registrar shall authenticate or deliver any certificated Note in exchange for a Global Note.

 

 (7)           Each Holder agrees to indemnify the Issuer and the Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment of such Holder’s Note in violation of any provision of this Indenture and/or applicable United States federal or state securities law.

 

 (8)           Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have any obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

 (9)            The transferor of any Note held in certificated form shall provide or cause to be provided to the Trustee all information necessary to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation any cost basis reporting obligations under Section 6045 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Trustee may conclusively rely on information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.

 

SECTION 2.7.         Replacement Notes. If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee, the Registrar or the Issuer and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the ownership and destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. An indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Issuer to protect the Issuer, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuer, the Trustee and the Agents may charge for their expenses in replacing a Note.

 

Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Issuer and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

 

SECTION 2.8.         Outstanding Notes. The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.8 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.9, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors or any of their respective Affiliates holds the Note.

 

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.7, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser.

 

If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.1 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

 

 

If the Paying Agent (other than the Issuer, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on the maturity date or date of redemption, money sufficient to pay all amounts under the Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.

 

SECTION 2.9.         Treasury Notes. In determining whether the Holders of the required aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors or by any of their respective Affiliates shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has written notice as being so owned shall be so disregarded. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Notes that are to be acquired by the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer pursuant to an exchange offer, tender offer or other agreement shall not be deemed to be owned by such entity until legal title to such Notes passes to such entity.

 

SECTION 2.10.       Temporary Notes. Until certificated Notes are ready for delivery, the Issuer may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Issuer considers appropriate for temporary Notes. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer shall prepare and the Trustee shall upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer signed by one Officer, authenticate certificated Notes in certificate form in exchange for temporary Notes.

 

Holders of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 2.11.       Cancellation. The Issuer at any time may deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Notes previously authenticated and delivered hereunder or which the Issuer may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Notes so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. All Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, shall be delivered to the Trustee. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation. Subject to Sections 2.7 and 2.16, the Issuer may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has redeemed or paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. All cancelled Notes held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with its customary practice.

 

SECTION 2.12.       Defaulted Interest. If the Issuer defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, which date shall be the earliest practicable date but in all events at least five (5) Business Days prior to the payment date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.1; provided that no special record date shall be required with respect to any defaulted interest that is paid within the applicable grace period. The Issuer shall fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date and shall promptly thereafter notify the Trustee of any such date. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Issuer (or the Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the Issuer) shall mail or cause to be mailed to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid. The Trustee will have no duty whatsoever to determine whether any defaulted interest is payable or the amount thereof.

 

SECTION 2.13.       Computation of Interest. Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

 

SECTION 2.14.       CUSIP and ISIN Numbers. The Issuer in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP” and “ISIN” numbers, and, if it does so, the Trustee shall use the CUSIP and/or ISIN number in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of such numbers printed in the notice or on the Notes and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption or exchange shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers, and, provided further that the Trustee shall have no liability for any defect in the “CUSIP” numbers as they appear on any Note, notice or elsewhere. The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP number and ISIN number.

 

 

SECTION 2.15.       Transfer and Exchange.

 

(a)            The following provisions shall apply with respect to any proposed transfer of a Rule 144A Note or an Institutional Accredited Investor Note prior to the date which is at least six months after the later of the date of its original issue, the original issue date of any Additional Notes and the last date on which the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer was the owner of such securities (or any predecessor thereto) (the “Resale Restriction Termination Date”):

 

(1)            a transfer of a Rule 144A Note or an Institutional Accredited Investor Note or a beneficial interest therein to a QIB shall be made upon the representation of the transferee, in the form of assignment as set forth on the reverse of the Note, that it is purchasing the Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a QIB, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Issuer as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon its foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A;

 

(2)            a transfer of a Rule 144A Note or an Institutional Accredited Investor Note or a beneficial interest therein to an IAI shall be made upon receipt by the Trustee or its agent of a certificate substantially in the form set forth under Exhibit D from the proposed transferee and, if requested by the Issuer or the Trustee, the receipt by the Trustee or its agent of an Opinion of Counsel, certification and/or other information satisfactory to each of them; and

 

(3)            a transfer of a Rule 144A Note or an Institutional Accredited Investor Note or a beneficial interest therein to a non-U.S. person shall be made upon receipt by the Trustee or its agent of a certificate substantially in the form set forth under Exhibit C from the proposed transferor and, if requested by the Issuer or the Trustee, the delivery of an Opinion of Counsel, certification and/or other information satisfactory to each of them.

 

After the Resale Restriction Termination Date, interests in a Rule 144A Note or an Institutional Accredited Investor Note may be transferred in accordance with applicable law without requiring the certifications set forth under Exhibit C or Exhibit D or any additional certification.

 

(b)            The following provisions shall apply with respect to any proposed transfer of a Regulation S Note prior to the date which is forty days after the later of the Issue Date, the closing date of the issuance of any Additional Notes and when the Notes or any predecessor of the Notes are first offered to Persons other than distributors (as defined in Rule 902 of Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S (the “Restricted Period”):

 

(1)            a transfer of a Regulation S Note or a beneficial interest therein to a QIB shall be made upon the representation of the transferee, in the form of assignment as set forth on the reverse of the Note, that it is purchasing the Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a QIB, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Issuer as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon its foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A;

 

(2)            a transfer of a Regulation S Note or a beneficial interest therein to an IAI shall be made upon receipt by the Trustee or its agent of a certificate substantially in the form set forth under Exhibit D from the proposed transferee and, if requested by the Issuer or the Trustee, the delivery of an Opinion of Counsel, certification and/or other information satisfactory to each of them; and

 

(3)            a transfer of a Regulation S Note or a beneficial interest therein to a non-U.S. person shall be made upon receipt by the Trustee or its agent of a certificate substantially in the form set forth under Exhibit C hereof from the proposed transferor and, if requested by the Issuer or the Trustee, receipt by the Trustee or its agent of an Opinion of Counsel, certification and/or other information satisfactory to each of them.

 

 

After the expiration of the Restricted Period, interests in the Regulation S Note may be transferred in accordance with applicable law without requiring the certifications set forth under Exhibit C or Exhibit D or any additional certification.

 

(c)            In the event that a Global Note is exchanged for Notes in certificated, registered form pursuant to Section 2.6, such Notes may be exchanged only in accordance with such procedures as are substantially consistent with the provisions of clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 2.15 (including the certification requirements intended to ensure that such transfers comply with Rule 144A or Regulation S, as the case may be) and such other procedures as may from time to time be adopted by the Issuer and notified to the Trustee in writing.

 

(d)           Restricted Notes Legend. Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Notes not bearing the Restricted Notes Legend, the Registrar shall deliver Notes that do not bear the Restricted Notes Legend. Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Notes bearing the Restricted Notes Legend, the Registrar shall deliver only Notes that bear the Restricted Notes Legend unless there is delivered to the Registrar an Opinion of Counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer to the effect that neither such legend nor the related restrictions on transfer are required in order to maintain compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act.

 

(e)            Regulation S Legend. Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Notes not bearing the Regulation S Legend, the Registrar shall deliver Notes that do not bear the Regulation S Legend. Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Notes bearing the Regulation S Legend, the Registrar shall deliver only Notes that bear the Regulation S Legend unless there is delivered to the Registrar an Opinion of Counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer to the effect that neither such legend nor the related restrictions on transfer are required in order to maintain compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act.

 

(f)            General. By its acceptance of any Note bearing the Restricted Notes Legend or the Regulation S Legend, as applicable, each Holder of such a Note acknowledges the restrictions on transfer of such Note set forth in this Indenture and in the Restricted Notes Legend or the Regulation S Legend, as applicable, and agrees that it shall transfer such Note only as provided in this Indenture. A transfer of a beneficial interest in a Global Note that does not involve an exchange of such interest for a certificated Note or a beneficial interest in another Global Note shall be subject to compliance with applicable law and the applicable procedures of the Depositary but is not subject to any procedure required by this Indenture.

 

In connection with any proposed transfer pursuant to Regulation S or pursuant to any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act (other than pursuant to Rule 144A), the Issuer may require the delivery of an Opinion of Counsel, other certifications or other information satisfactory to the Issuer.

 

The Registrar shall retain copies of all letters, notices and other written communications received pursuant to this Section 2.15.

 

SECTION 2.16.       Issuance of Additional Notes.

 

The Issuer shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes in an unlimited aggregate principal amount under this Indenture that shall have identical terms as the Initial Notes, other than with respect to the date of issuance, issue price, first interest payment date applicable thereto, first date from which interest will accrue, transfer restrictions, any registration rights agreement and additional interest with respect thereto; provided that such issuance is not prohibited by the terms of this Indenture, including Section 4.9 and provided, further, that if any Additional Notes are not fungible with the existing Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as determined by the Issuer, such Additional Notes will have a separate CUSIP number and ISIN number. The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture.

 

 

With respect to any Additional Notes, the Issuer shall set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, a copy of which shall be delivered to the Trustee, the following information:

 

 (1)            the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes to be authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture;

 

 (2)            the issue price, the issue date, the CUSIP and/or ISIN number of such Additional Notes, the first interest payment date and the amount of interest payable on such first interest payment date applicable thereto and the date from which interest shall accrue;

 

 (3)            whether such Additional Notes shall be Transfer Restricted Notes; and

 

 (4)            that such issuance is not prohibited by this Indenture.

 

The Trustee shall, upon receipt of the Officer’s Certificate, an Authentication Order and an Opinion of Counsel confirming that all conditions precedent to the authentication and delivery of the Additional Notes have been satisfied and stating that the Additional Notes are the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer, subject to the customary exceptions, authenticate the Additional Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2 of this Indenture.

 

ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

 

SECTION 3.1.         Notices to Trustee. If the Issuer elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.7, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least five Business Days (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the Trustee) before sending a notice of such redemption, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the (i) paragraph of the Notes and/or section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) redemption date (which, in the case of a redemption subject to conditions, may be subject to extension until such conditions are satisfied), (iii) principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and (iv) redemption price or method for determining the redemption price.

 

SECTION 3.2.         Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed. In the event that less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes (or portions of Notes) to be redeemed among the Holders in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed or, if the Notes are not then listed on a national security exchange, on a pro rata basis or by lot (except that any Notes represented by a Global Note will be selected by such method the Depositary may require); provided, however, that no Notes of $2,000 in original principal amount or less shall be redeemed in part and no portion of a Note shall be redeemed that would result in the Note remaining outstanding having a principal amount that is not a multiple of $1,000. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary stated herein, to the extent any such Notes are held in the form of Global Notes, the Notes to be redeemed shall be selected in accordance with the applicable procedures and requirements of DTC.

 

SECTION 3.3.         Notice of Redemption. The Issuer shall mail or cause to be mailed (in each case sent by first class mail) in accordance with Section 11.1 and, in the case of Global Notes given in accordance with DTC procedures, a notice of redemption pursuant to Section 3.7 to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address (with a copy to the Trustee), at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before the expected redemption date (except that notices may be delivered more than 60 days before a redemption date if the notice is issued in accordance with Article VIII).

 

The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed (including the name of the Notes, the series, “CUSIP” numbers and corresponding “ISINs,” if applicable, interest rate, maturity date and, if known, certificate numbers) and shall state:

 

 (1)            the redemption date (which, in the case of a redemption subject to conditions, may be subject to extension until such conditions are satisfied);

 

 

 (2)            the redemption price (or the method by which it is to be determined);

 

 (3)            if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date, upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion shall be issued upon cancellation of the original Note (or appropriate adjustments to the amount and beneficial interests in a Global Note will be made, as appropriate);

 

 (4)            the name and address of the Paying Agent;

 

 (5)            that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

 

 (6)            that, unless the Issuer defaults in making such redemption payment, interest, if any, on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

 

 (7)            the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;

 

 (8)            that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number and ISIN number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes; and

 

 (9)            any conditions precedent to such redemption.

 

At the Issuer’s written request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Issuer’s name and at the Issuer’s expense; provided, however, that the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least five Business Days prior to the date of the giving of the notice of redemption (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the Trustee), an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in the notice as provided in the preceding paragraph and confirming that all conditions precedent to the redemption, if any, have been satisfied. The notice sent in the manner herein provided shall be deemed to have been duly given whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Note shall not affect the validity of the proceeding for the redemption of any other Note.

 

SECTION 3.4.         Effect of Notice of Redemption. Subject to the next paragraph, once notice of redemption is delivered in accordance with Section 3.3, Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date at the applicable redemption price.

 

Any redemption notice may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to the satisfaction or waiver of one or more conditions precedent, including completion of an Equity Offering or other corporate transaction. In addition, if such redemption is subject to satisfaction or waiver of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall state that, in the Issuer’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied or waived, or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied or waived by the redemption date, or by the redemption date so delayed. The Issuer shall provide written notice, in the form of an Officer’s Certificate, of the satisfaction or waiver of such conditions, the delay of such redemption date or the rescission of such notice of redemption to the Trustee no later than the redemption date, and upon receipt the Trustee shall provide such notice to each holder of the Notes in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given.

 

SECTION 3.5.         Deposit of Redemption Price. On or before 11:00 a.m.  (New York City time) on the redemption date, the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent (other than the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer) money sufficient to pay the redemption price, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date on all Notes to be redeemed on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Issuer any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Issuer in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date on all Notes to be redeemed.

 

 

If the Issuer has deposited with the Trustee or Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of, and unpaid and accrued interest, if any, on, all Notes to be redeemed, then on and after the redemption, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption (regardless of whether certificates for such securities are actually surrendered). If a Note is redeemed on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Issuer to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal from the redemption until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case, at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.1.

 

SECTION 3.6.         Notes Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender and cancellation of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Issuer shall issue and, upon the written request of an Officer of the Issuer, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Issuer a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered and canceled; provided that each such new Note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

SECTION 3.7.         Optional Redemption.

 

(a)            The Notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time prior to September 15, 2024 at the option of the Issuer, at a redemption price equal to 100.0% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant regular record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date). The Issuer will, prior to such redemption date, provide written notice executed by an officer of the Issuer of the Treasury Rate and Applicable Premium, including the calculations thereof in reasonable detail.

 

(b)            At any time or from time to time on or after September 15, 2024, the Issuer, at its option, may redeem the Notes in whole or in part, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant regular record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning September 15 of the years indicated below:

 

Year		Redemption Price
2024			101.938	%
2025			100.969	%
2026 and thereafter			100.000	%

 

(c)            In the event that on or before September 15, 2024, the Issuer receives net cash proceeds from one or more Equity Offerings, the Issuer may use an amount not greater than the amount of such net cash proceeds to redeem up to 40% of the original aggregate principal amount of all Notes issued (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) at a redemption price of 103.875% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant regular record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date); provided that:

 

 (1)            at least 50.0% of the original aggregate principal amount of all Notes issued (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) remains outstanding after each such redemption; and

 

 (2)            the redemption date occurs not more than 180 days after the date of the consummation of any such Equity Offering.

 

(d)            Nothing herein shall limit the ability of the Issuer or its Affiliates to purchase or acquire Notes in open market purchases, tender or exchange offers or other negotiated transactions.

 

 

(e)            If Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes validly tender and do not withdraw such Notes in connection with any tender offer or other offer to purchase the Notes (including pursuant to a Change of Control Offer, Alternate Offer or an offer to purchase with the proceeds from any Asset Disposition) and the Issuer, or any other Person making such offer in lieu of the Issuer, purchases all of the Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn by such Holders, the Issuer will have the right, upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, to redeem all Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price in cash equal to the applicable price paid to Holders in such purchase, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant regular record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

 

ARTICLE IV
COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.1.         Payment of Notes.

 

(a)            The Issuer shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid for all purposes hereunder on the date the Trustee or the Paying Agent (if other than the Issuer or a Subsidiary thereof) holds, as of 11:00 a.m.  (New York City time) on the relevant payment date, U.S. dollars deposited by the Issuer in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all such principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.

 

(b)            The Issuer shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period), at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

SECTION 4.2.         Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Issuer shall maintain an office or agency in the United States where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuer shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

 

The Issuer may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Issuer of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the United States for such purposes. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

The Issuer hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Issuer in accordance with Section 2.3.

 

SECTION 4.3.         Provision of Financial Information.

 

(a)            Whether or not the Issuer is subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision thereto, the Issuer shall provide to the Trustee and, upon request, Holders the annual reports, quarterly reports and other reports which the Issuer would have been required to file with the SEC pursuant to such Section 13(a) or 15(d), or any successor provision thereto, if the Issuer were so required, such documents to be provided to the Trustee and Holders on or prior to the respective dates (the “Required Filing Dates”) by which the Issuer would have been required to file such documents with the SEC if the Issuer were so required (after giving effect to all applicable grace periods under the Exchange Act and the rules, regulations and orders of the SEC thereunder); provided that any such reports and documents filed with the SEC pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (“▇▇▇▇▇”) (or any successor system) or made publicly available on the Issuer’s website shall be deemed to have been delivered to the Trustee and the Holders of Notes for purposes of the foregoing requirements; provided, that the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine if such filings have been made. The reports so provided will be prepared in all material respects with the rules and regulations of the SEC with respect to such reports, except they need not contain the information that would be required by Items 3-09, 3-10, 3-16, 13-01 or 13-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC.

 

 

(b)            So long as any of the Notes remain outstanding, if at any time the Issuer is not subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) under the Exchange Act, the Issuer will make available to any prospective purchaser of Notes or beneficial owner of Notes, upon their request, the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act until such time as the Holders of the Notes, other than Holders that are Affiliates of the Issuer, are able to sell all such Notes immediately without restriction pursuant to the provisions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act, or any successor provision thereto.

 

(c)            In the event that any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer becomes a guarantor of the Notes, the Issuer may satisfy its obligations under this Section 4.3 with respect to financial information relating to the Issuer by furnishing financial information relating to such parent company; provided that the same is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such parent, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Issuer and its Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand.

 

(d)            Any and all Defaults or Events of Default arising from a failure to furnish in a timely manner any information required by this covenant shall be deemed cured (and the Issuer shall be deemed to be in compliance with this covenant) upon furnishing such information as contemplated by this covenant (but without regard to the date on which such financial statement or report is so furnished).

 

(e)            Delivery of reports and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute actual or constructive knowledge or notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s or any Subsidiary Guarantor’s, as the case may be, compliance with any of its covenants under this Indenture (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates of the Issuer). The Trustee shall have no obligation or responsibility to determine whether the Issuer is required to file any reports or other information with the SEC, whether the Issuer’s information is available on ▇▇▇▇▇ (or any successor system) or whether the Issuer has otherwise delivered any notice or report in accordance with the requirements specified in this Section 4.3.

 

SECTION 4.4.         Compliance Certificate. The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year beginning with the fiscal year ending December 26, 2021, an Officer’s Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether each has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to such Officer signing such certificate, that, to his or her knowledge, each entity has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).

 

The Issuer shall, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after any Officer becomes aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

SECTION 4.5.         Taxes. The Issuer shall pay, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency all material taxes, assessments and governmental levies, except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which appropriate reserves have been taken in accordance with GAAP or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

 

 

SECTION 4.6.         Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. The Issuer and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture, and the Issuer and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

 

SECTION 4.7.         Limitation on Restricted Payments.

 

(a)            The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly:

 

 (1)            declare or pay any dividend on, or make any distribution (including any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation derived from assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary) in respect of its Capital Stock or to the holders thereof in their capacity as holders of Capital Stock, other than:

 

 (i)            any dividends or distributions by the Issuer payable solely in shares of its Capital Stock (other than Redeemable Stock) or in options, warrants or other rights to acquire its Capital Stock (other than Redeemable Stock), and

 

 (ii)           in the case of a Restricted Subsidiary, dividends or distributions payable to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary or, in the case of dividends or distributions made by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not wholly owned, dividends or distributions are made on a pro rata basis (or on a basis more favorable to the Issuer),

 

 (2)            purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Capital Stock of the Issuer or any parent thereof, other than in exchange for Capital Stock (other than Redeemable Stock) of the Issuer;

 

 (3)            make any Investment in any Person, other than a Permitted Investment; and

 

 (4)            redeem, repurchase, defease, prepay or otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to any scheduled maturity, repayment or sinking fund payment, any Subordinated Debt (other than Debt owed by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer to another Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer or the Issuer, or any such payment on Debt due within one year of the date of redemption, repurchase, defeasance, prepayment, decrease or other acquisition or retirement) (each of clauses (1) through (4) above being a “Restricted Payment”) unless:

 

 (i)            no Event of Default, or an event that with the passing of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute an Event of Default, has occurred and is continuing or would result from such Restricted Payment,

 

 (ii)           after giving pro forma effect to such Restricted Payment as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-fiscal-quarter period, the Issuer could Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to Section 4.9(a), and

 

 (iii)          upon giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the aggregate of all Restricted Payments declared or made subsequent to the Issue Date (other than pursuant to clauses (2) and (4) through (15) of Section 4.7(b)) does not exceed the sum, without duplication, of (the “Cumulative Credit”):

 

 (1)            (i) 50% of cumulative Consolidated Net Income (or, in the case Consolidated Net Income shall be negative, less 100% of such deficit) of the Issuer since June 28, 2021 through the last day of the last full fiscal quarter ending immediately preceding the date of such Restricted Payment for which quarterly or annual financial statements are publicly available (taken as a single accounting period), plus (ii) $50.0 million; plus

 

 

 (2)            (i) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds, and the Fair Market Value of property other than cash, in each case received by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date from contributions of capital or the issuance and sale (other than to (1) a Subsidiary of the Issuer and (2) Excluded Contributions) of Capital Stock (other than Redeemable Stock) of the Issuer or any options, warrants or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (other than Redeemable Stock) of the Issuer, or any net payment received by the Issuer in connection with the termination or settlement of options relating to its Capital Stock; provided that any such net proceeds received by the Issuer from an employee stock ownership plan financed by loans from the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer shall be included only to the extent such loans have been repaid with cash on or prior to the date of determination, (ii) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the Issuer after the Issue Date from the issuance and sale of convertible or exchangeable Debt of the Issuer that has been converted into or exchanged for Capital Stock (other than (1) Redeemable Stock, (2) by or from a Subsidiary of the Issuer and (3) Excluded Contributions) of the Issuer; provided that any such net proceeds received by the Issuer from an employee stock ownership plan financed by loans from the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer shall be included only to the extent such loans have been repaid with cash on or prior to the date of determination, and (iii) without duplication, any reduction of Debt on the balance sheet of the Issuer to the extent such Debt is converted into or exchanged for Capital Stock of the Issuer (other than Redeemable Stock) after the Issue Date; plus

 

 (3)           100% of the aggregate amount received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) of property other than cash received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date from the disposition, liquidation or repayment (including by way of dividends) of Investments by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in any Person subject to clause (3) above (other than to the extent that such Investment constituted a Permitted Investment); plus

 

 (4)            in the event that any Unrestricted Subsidiary has been redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary, or has been merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary, the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) of the Investment of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in such Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation, combination or transfer (or of the assets transferred or conveyed, as applicable) (other than to the extent that the designation of such Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or Investment therein constituted a Permitted Investment).

 

(b)            Notwithstanding the foregoing, Section 4.7(a) will not prohibit:

 

 (1)            payment of any dividend on Capital Stock of any class within 60 days after the declaration thereof, or redemption of any Subordinated Debt within 30 days after giving notice of redemption thereof, if, on the date when the dividend was declared or such notice of redemption given, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary could have paid such dividend or redeemed such Subordinated Debt in accordance with this Section 4.7;

 

 (2)            repayment or refinancing of any Subordinated Debt with Permitted Refinancing Debt, or any Restricted Payment made in exchange for, by conversion into or out of the net proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than from or to a Subsidiary of the Issuer or from or to an employee stock ownership plan financed by loans from the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer) of shares of Capital Stock (other than Redeemable Stock) of the Issuer;

 

 (3)            the payment of regular quarterly dividends on the Issuer’s shares of Common Stock (excluding special or one-time dividends) that have been approved by the Issuer’s board of directors in an aggregate amount not exceeding in any fiscal year of the Issuer the greater of (i) $75.0 million and (ii) 35% of Trailing Consolidated EBITDA at the date of determination;

 

 

 (4)            the acquisition of shares of Capital Stock in connection with (x) the exercise of employee or director stock options or stock appreciation rights by way of cashless exercise and (y) the withholding of a portion of such Capital Stock to pay taxes associated therewith, and the purchase of fractional shares of Capital Stock of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary arising out of stock dividends, splits or combinations or business combinations;

 

 (5)            the repurchase, retirement or other acquisition or retirement for value of equity interests of the Issuer by any future, present or former employee, consultant or director of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (5) in any calendar year, when combined with the aggregate amount of all cash payments (whether principal or interest) made by the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors in respect of any promissory notes pursuant to Section 4.9(b)(14) in such calendar year, shall not exceed $10.0 million, provided that any unused amounts in any calendar year may be carried over to succeeding calendar years, so long as the aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (5) in any calendar year (after giving effect to such carry forward), when aggregated with the aggregate amount of all cash payments made in respect of promissory notes pursuant to Section 4.9(b)(14) in such calendar year (after giving effect to such carry forward), shall not exceed $20.0 million; provided that any cancellation of Debt owing to the Issuer in connection with and as consideration for a repurchase of equity interests of the Issuer shall not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this clause (5); provided, further, that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed the remainder of (x) the sum of (1) the amount of net cash proceeds of Capital Stock (other than Excluded Equity) to the extent that such net cash proceeds shall have been actually received by the Issuer through a capital contribution of such net cash proceeds by the Issuer (and to the extent not used to make a Restricted Payment to employees, directors, officers, members of management or consultants of the Issuer or of its Restricted Subsidiaries that occurs after the Issue Date) plus (2) the net cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries after the Issue Date less (y) the aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments made after the Issue Date with the net cash proceeds described in preceding clause (x), less (z) the aggregate amount of all cash payments made in respect of any promissory notes pursuant to Section 4.9(b)(14) after the Issue Date;

 

 (6)            dividends on Redeemable Stock of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, or dividends on Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case incurred in compliance with Section 4.9;

 

 (7)            the payment of cash in lieu of the issuance of Capital Stock in connection with the conversion, retirement, repurchase or redemption of any series of Convertible Debt securities of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

 (8)            upon the occurrence of a Change of Control or an Asset Disposition and after the completion of the Offer to Purchase under Section 4.10 or Section 4.13 (including the purchase of all Notes tendered and required to be purchased), any purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, acquisition or other retirement for value of Subordinated Debt required under the terms thereof as a result of such Change of Control or Asset Disposition at a purchase or redemption price not to exceed 101% (in the case of a Change of Control) or 100% (in the case of an Asset Disposition) of the outstanding principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any; provided that, in the case of an Asset Disposition, such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, acquisition or other retirement for value of Subordinated Debt does not exceed the Net Available Proceeds from such Asset Disposition;

 

 (9)            the payment of the deferred purchase price or earn-outs, including holdbacks (and the receipt of any corresponding consideration therefor), or payments with respect to fractional shares, in each case in connection with an acquisition to the extent such payment would have been permitted by this Indenture at the time of such acquisition;

 

 (10)          any Restricted Payment, so long as, immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the Total Leverage Ratio of the Issuer is not greater than 4.50 to 1.00 on a pro forma basis;

 

 (11)          other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50.0 million;

 

 

 (12)          Restricted Payments with the proceeds of Excluded Contributions;

 

 (13)          any payments in connection with (a) the purchase of a Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction and (b) the settlement of any related Permitted Warrant Transaction (i) by delivery of shares of the Issuer’s common stock upon settlement thereof or (ii) by (A) set-off against the related Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction in shares of the Issuer’s common stock or (B) payment of an early termination amount thereof in shares of the Issuer’s common stock upon any early termination thereof; and

 

 (14)          the payment of cash to a holder of Convertible Debt upon conversion or exchange of such Convertible Debt that does not exceed an amount equal to the sum of the principal amount of the Convertible Debt that is converted or exchanged and any accrued interest paid thereon;

 

provided, however, that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under clauses (10), and (11), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would otherwise occur as a consequence thereof.

 

(c)            The amount of net proceeds from any exchange for, conversion into or sale of Capital Stock of the Issuer pursuant to clause (2) of Section 4.7(b) shall be excluded from the calculation of the amount available for Restricted Payments pursuant to clause (a)(iii)(2) of Section 4.7. For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, (A) a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of permitted Restricted Payments (or any portion thereof) or Permitted Investments (or any portion thereof) described in the above clauses or the definitions thereof but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof and (B) in the event that a Restricted Payment (or any portion thereof) or Permitted Investment (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of permitted Restricted Payments (or any portion thereof) or Permitted Investments (or any portion thereof) described in the above clauses or the definitions thereof, the Issuer may, in its sole discretion, divide, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify, such permitted Restricted Payment (or any portion thereof) or Permitted Investment (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this covenant and at the time of division, classification or reclassification will be entitled to only include the amount and type of such Restricted Payment (or any portion thereof) or Permitted Investment (or any portion thereof) in one of the categories of permitted Restricted Payments (or any portion thereof) or Permitted Investments (or any portion thereof) described in the above clauses or the definitions thereof. In the event that a Restricted Payment (or any portion thereof) or Investment (or any portion thereof) is divided, classified or reclassified under the Cumulative Credit or clause (10) of Section 4.7(b) (such clauses, the “Incurrence Clauses”), the determination of the amount of such Restricted Payment or Investment that may be made pursuant to the Incurrence Clauses shall be made without giving pro forma effect to any substantially concurrent Restricted Payment (or any portion thereof) or Investment (or any portion thereof) divided, classified or reclassified under any of the above clauses other than an Incurrence Clause or the incurrence of Debt to finance any such Restricted Payment (or any portion thereof) or Investment (or any portion thereof).

 

(d)            In connection with any commitment, definitive agreement, declaration, notice, action or similar event relating to the payment or making of an Investment or Restricted Payment, the Issuer or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary may designate such Investment or Restricted Payment as having occurred on the date of the commitment, definitive agreement, declaration, notice, action or similar event relating thereto (such date, the “Election Date”) if, after giving pro forma effect to such Investment or Restricted Payment and all related transactions in connection therewith and any related pro forma adjustments, the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries would have been permitted to make such Investment or Restricted Payment on the relevant Election Date in compliance with the Indenture, and any related subsequent actual declaration, payment or making of such Investment or Restricted Payment will be deemed for all purposes under the Indenture to have been made on such Election Date, including, without limitation, for purposes of calculating any ratio, compliance with any test, usage of any baskets hereunder (if applicable) and Consolidated EBITDA and for purposes of determining whether there exists any Default or Event of Default (and all such calculations on and after such Election Date until the termination, expiration, passing, rescission, retraction or rescindment of such commitment, definitive agreement, declaration, notice, action or similar event shall be made on a pro forma basis giving effect thereto and all related transactions in connection therewith).

 

(e)            For purposes of this Section 4.7, if a particular Restricted Payment involves a non-cash payment, including a distribution of assets, then such Restricted Payment shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the cash portion of such Restricted Payment, if any, plus an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the non-cash portion of such Restricted Payment.

 

 

SECTION 4.8.         Limitation on Dividend and Other Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

(a)            The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary:

 

 (1)            to pay dividends (in cash or otherwise) or make any other distributions in respect of its Capital Stock owned by the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary or pay any Debt or other obligation owed to the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary (it being understood that the priority of any Preferred Stock in receiving dividends, distributions or liquidating distributions prior to dividends, distributions or liquidating distributions being paid on Capital Stock shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make distributions on Capital Stock and any subordination of any obligation to any other obligation shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to pay any Debt or other obligation);

 

 (2)            to make loans or advances to the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

 (3)            otherwise to transfer any of its property or assets to the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary.

 

(b)            Notwithstanding the restrictions in Section 4.8(a), the Issuer may, and may permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, suffer to exist any such encumbrance or restriction:

 

 (1)            pursuant to any agreement in effect on the Issue Date (including the Amended Credit Agreement);

 

 (2)            pursuant to this Indenture, the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees;

 

 (3)            pursuant to an agreement relating to any Debt Incurred by or Capital Stock of a Person (other than a Restricted Subsidiary existing on the Issue Date or any Restricted Subsidiary carrying on any of the businesses of any such Restricted Subsidiary) prior to the date on which such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary and outstanding on such date and not Incurred in connection with, or anticipation of, becoming a Restricted Subsidiary, which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person so acquired; provided, that the Incurrence of such Debt was permitted under Section 4.9;

 

 (4)            pursuant to an agreement effecting a renewal, refunding, replacement, refinancing or extension of Debt Incurred pursuant to an agreement referred to in clause (1) or (3) of this Section 4.8(b); provided, however, that the provisions contained in such renewal, refunding, replacement, refinancing or extension agreement relating to such encumbrance or restriction are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than the provisions contained in the agreement being renewed, refunded, replaced, refinanced or extended;

 

 (5)            in the case of a restriction described in clause (3) of Section 4.8(a), contained in any security agreement (including a finance lease) securing Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary otherwise permitted under this Indenture, but only to the extent such restrictions restrict the transfer of the assets or property subject to such security agreement; provided that any such encumbrance or restriction is released to the extent the underlying Lien is released or the related Debt repaid;

 

 (6)            in the case of a restriction described in clause (3) of Section 4.8(a), consisting of customary non-assignment provisions entered into in the ordinary course of business in leases and other contracts to the extent such provisions restrict the transfer or subletting of any such lease or the assignment of rights under any such contract;

 

 

 (7)            with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary, imposed pursuant to an agreement which has been entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such restriction terminates if such transaction is closed or abandoned;

 

 (8)            in bona fide contracts for the sale of any property or assets;

 

 (9)            any encumbrance or restriction contained in the terms of any Debt or Capital Stock otherwise permitted to be Incurred under this Indenture if the Issuer determines that any such encumbrance or restriction either (i) will not materially affect the Issuer’s ability to make principal or interest payments on the Notes and such restrictions are not materially less favorable to Holders of Notes than is customary in comparable financings or (ii) are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary than those in effect on the Issue Date with respect to that Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to agreements in effect on the Issue Date or those contained in this Indenture or the Amended Credit Agreement, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or an Officer of the Issuer;

 

 (10)          restrictions applicable to Foreign Subsidiaries in agreements or instruments governing Debt of Foreign Subsidiaries; or

 

 (11)            if such encumbrance or restriction is the result of applicable laws or regulations.

  

SECTION 4.9.         Limitation on Debt.

 

(a)            The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, Incur any Debt, except that the Issuer and any Restricted Subsidiary may Incur Debt if after giving pro forma effect to the Incurrence of such Debt and the receipt and application of the proceeds thereof the Consolidated Coverage Ratio of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be not less than 2.00 to 1.00 (“Ratio Debt”); provided that the aggregate principal amount of Debt Incurred by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to this paragraph and outstanding at any one time shall not exceed the greater of (i) $25.0 million and (ii) 11.5% of Trailing Consolidated EBITDA determined at the time of Incurrence.

 

(b)            Notwithstanding Section 4.9(a), the following Debt may be Incurred (collectively, the “Permitted Debt”):

 

 (1)           Debt of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary under one or more Debt Facilities in an aggregate principal amount Incurred under this clause (1) at any one time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (i) $600.0 million, plus up to an additional $500.0 million and (ii) an amount such that, after giving pro forma effect thereto, the Secured Leverage Ratio (treating all Debt Incurred under this clause (1) as secured by Liens on the assets of the Issuer) of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries would not exceed 3.00 to 1.00 or, if any such Debt is Incurred in connection with an acquisition of assets or equity interests or a merger, consolidation or amalgamation not prohibited under the Indenture, does not cause the Secured Leverage Ratio, determined on a pro forma basis, to be greater than the Secured Leverage Ratio immediately prior thereto, plus, in the case of any refinancing of any Debt permitted under this clause (1) or any portion thereof, any increase in the amount of such Debt in connection with any refinancing expenses, accrued and unpaid interest, premiums and other costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith;

 

 (2)           Debt of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary outstanding on the Issue Date and not otherwise referred to in clause (1) or (4) of this Section 4.9(b);

 

 (3)           Debt owed by the Issuer to any Restricted Subsidiary or Debt owed by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that:

 

 (A)          any such Debt owing by the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not an Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor shall be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all obligations with respect to the Notes, and

 

 

 (B)          upon either the transfer or other disposition by such Restricted Subsidiary or the Issuer of any Debt so permitted to a Person other than the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary or the issuance (other than directors’ qualifying shares), sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of shares of Capital Stock (including by consolidation or merger) of such Restricted Subsidiary to a Person other than the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary such that it ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary, the provisions of this clause (3) shall no longer be applicable to such Debt and such Debt shall be deemed to have been Incurred at the time of such transfer or other disposition;

 

 (4)            Debt consisting of the Notes (other than any Additional Notes);

 

 (5)            the Subsidiary Guarantees and Guarantees by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Debt of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be Incurred under this Indenture;

 

 (6)           Debt of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries represented by Finance Lease Obligations or purchase money obligations, in each case, Incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of acquisition, construction, repair or improvement of property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, in an aggregate principal amount, including all Debt Incurred to refund or refinance any Debt Incurred pursuant to this clause (6), not to exceed, at any one time outstanding, the greater of (i) $35.0 million and (ii) 16.25% of Trailing Consolidated EBITDA determined at the time of Incurrence;

 

 (7)           Debt of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary consisting of Permitted Interest Rate, Currency or Commodity Price Agreements;

 

 (8)            Permitted Acquisition Debt;

 

 (9)           Debt of Foreign Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount Incurred pursuant to this clause (9) at any one time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (i) $25.0 million and (ii) 11.5% of Trailing Consolidated EBITDA determined at the time of such Incurrence;

 

 (10)          Permitted Refinancing Debt which is exchanged for or the proceeds of which are used to refinance or refund, or any extension or renewal of Debt Incurred pursuant to Section 4.9(a) or pursuant to clauses (2), (4), (5), (6), (8), (19) or (20)(i) of this Section 4.9(b) and this clause (10); provided that any Permitted Refinancing Debt in respect of Debt Incurred pursuant to clauses (6), (19) and (20)(i) shall accordingly reduce amounts available thereunder;

 

 (11)          Obligations arising from agreements by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary to provide for indemnification, customary purchase price closing adjustments, earn-outs, deferred compensation or other similar obligations, in each case, Incurred in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business or assets;

 

 (12)         Debt Incurred by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance, self-insurance obligations, take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, letters of credit, bank guarantees, bankers’ acceptances, performance, bid, surety and similar bonds and completion Guarantees (not for borrowed money) provided in the ordinary course of business;

 

 (13)         Debt of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries arising from customary cash management services provided by a bank or other financial institution in the ordinary course of business, including treasury, depository, overdraft, credit card processing, credit or debit card, purchase card, electronic funds transfer and other cash management arrangements;

 

 (14)          Debt consisting of promissory notes issued by the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor to current or former officers, directors, consultants and employees, their respective estates, heirs, permitted transferees, spouses or former spouses to finance the Issuer’s repurchase or redemption of Capital Stock of the Issuer permitted by Section 4.7(b)(5); provided that such Debt shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Notes;

 

 

 (15)         Debt representing deferred compensation to employees of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

 (16)         Debt in an aggregate amount not to exceed the net cash proceeds received by the Issuer after the Issue Date from the issuance and sale of Capital Stock of the Issuer (other than Redeemable Stock) to the extent not used to make payments under the promissory notes referred to in clause (14) above, clauses (5) or (12) of Section 4.7(b) or taken into account for purposes of clause (a)(iii)(2) of Section 4.7;

 

 (17)         Debt in the form of letters of credit issued for the benefit of Foreign Subsidiaries in currencies or jurisdictions not available under the Amended Credit Agreement in an aggregate face amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed $15.0 million;

 

 (18)         Debt of Excluded Marketing Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed $40.0 million; provided that in no event shall any such Debt be Guaranteed by, or secured by Liens on any assets of, or otherwise be recourse to, the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor in any way (provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Issuer may deliver a customary "comfort letter" in connection with the issuance of any such Debt);

 

 (19)          (i) guarantees by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of Debt of franchisees in an aggregate principal amount that, when aggregated with the principal amount of all other Debt then outstanding and Incurred pursuant to this clause at the time of Incurrence (together with any Permitted Refinancing Debt in respect thereof) and all loans and advances then outstanding and made pursuant to clause (2) of the definition of "Permitted Investments," does not exceed the greater of (x) $75.0 million and (y) 35.0% of Trailing Consolidated EBITDA, and (ii) guarantees in the ordinary course of business of lease obligations of franchisees incurred in connection with the operation of non-U.S. franchises (including guarantees arising upon the disposition of stores to franchisees);

 

 (20)          Indebtedness in connection with (i) Finance Lease Obligations or other obligations or deferrals attributable to capital spending or other funds made available by food, beverage and packaging suppliers in connection with incentive arrangements, in each case, Incurred in the ordinary course of business, (ii) any sale and leaseback arrangements not in violation of the Indenture not to exceed, at any one time outstanding, the greater of (x) $35.0 million and (y) 16.25% of Trailing Consolidated EBITDA determined at the time of Incurrence, and (iii) Receivables Sales and similar factoring arrangements of Receivables; and

 

 (21)          in addition to the items referred to in clauses (1) through (20) of this Section 4.9(b), Debt of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary which, together with any other outstanding Debt Incurred pursuant to this clause (21), and including any renewals, extensions, substitutions, refinancings or replacements of such Debt, has an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (i) $50.0 million and (ii) 23.5% of Trailing Consolidated EBITDA determined at the time of Incurrence.

 

(c)            For purposes of determining compliance with, and the outstanding principal amount of any particular Debt Incurred pursuant to, and in compliance with, this Section 4.9:

 

 (1)            in the event that Debt meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Debt described in Section 4.9(a) and Section 4.9(b) of this covenant, the Issuer, in its sole discretion, may classify such item of Debt on the date of Incurrence (or later classify or reclassify such Debt, in its sole discretion) in any manner permitted by this covenant and shall only be required to include the amount and type of such Debt in one of such clauses; provided that all Debt outstanding on the Issue Date under the Amended Credit Agreement shall be deemed Incurred under clause (1) of the second paragraph of this covenant and may not later be reclassified;

 

 

 (2)            Guarantees of, or obligations in respect of letters of credit relating to, Debt which is otherwise included in the determination of a particular amount of Debt shall not be included;

 

 (3)           the principal amount of any Redeemable Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary will be equal to the greater of the maximum redemption or repurchase price (not including, in either case, any redemption or repurchase premium) or the liquidation preference thereof;

 

 (4)           Debt permitted by this covenant need not be permitted solely by reference to one provision permitting such Debt but may be permitted in part by one such provision and in part by one or more other provisions of this covenant permitting such Debt;

 

 (5)           any Receivables Sale shall be the amount for which there is recourse to the seller;

 

 (6)           the amount of Debt issued at a price that is less than the principal amount thereof will be equal to the amount of the liability in respect thereof determined in accordance with GAAP; and

 

 (7)            at the time of Incurrence, division, classification or reclassification, the Issuer will be entitled to divide and classify an item of Debt in more than one of the categories of Debt described in Section 4.9(a) or clauses (1) through (21) of Section 4.9(b) (or any portion thereof) without giving pro forma effect to the Debt Incurred, divided, classified or reclassified pursuant to any other clause or paragraph above (or any portion thereof) when calculating the amount of Debt that may be Incurred, divided, classified or reclassified pursuant to any such clause or paragraph (or any portion thereof) at such time.

 

(d)            Accrual of interest, accrual of dividends, the accretion of accreted value, the payment of interest in the form of additional Debt and the payment of dividends in the form of additional shares of Preferred Stock or Redeemable Stock will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Debt for purposes of this Section 4.9.

 

(e)            For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the Incurrence of Debt, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Debt denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Debt was Incurred, in the case of term Debt, or first committed, in the case of revolving credit Debt; provided that if such Debt is Incurred to refinance other Debt denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-dominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-dominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Debt does not exceed the principal amount of such Debt being refinanced. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.9, the maximum amount of Debt that the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur pursuant to this Section 4.9 shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies.

 

SECTION 4.10.       Limitation on Asset Dispositions.

 

(a)            The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make any Asset Disposition unless:

 

 (1)           the Issuer or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration for such Asset Disposition at least equal to the Fair Market Value (measured as of the date of the definitive agreement with respect to such Asset Disposition) for the assets or Capital Stock sold or disposed of; and

 

 

(2)            in the case of an Asset Disposition or series of related Asset Dispositions having a Fair Market Value in excess of the greater of (i) $15.0 million and (ii) 7.0% of Trailing Consolidated EBITDA, at least 75% of the consideration for such Asset Disposition or series of related Asset Dispositions consists of:

 

(i)          cash or Cash Equivalents;

 

(ii)         the assumption by the transferee of Debt of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary (other than Debt that is subordinated to the Notes or such Restricted Subsidiary’s Subsidiary Guarantee) and release of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary from all liability on the Debt assumed;

 

(iii)        Replacement Assets;

 

(iv)        Designated Noncash Consideration;

 

(v)         Debt of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Subordinated Debt) that is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such Asset Disposition, to the extent that the Issuer and each other Restricted Subsidiary is released from any guarantee of payment of such Debt in connection with the Asset Disposition;

 

(vi)        consideration consisting of Debt of the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary (other than Subordinated Debt) received after the Issue Date from persons who are not the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary (valued at the lower of the price paid by such third party for such Debt and par); and

 

(vii)       any combination of the foregoing;

 

provided that the amount of any consideration received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary that is converted into cash within 180 days of the closing of such Asset Disposition shall be deemed to be cash for purposes of this Section 4.10(a)(2) (to the extent of the cash received). The foregoing clauses (1) or (2) of this Section 4.10(a) shall not apply with respect to any condemnation, event of loss or other involuntary Asset Disposition.

 

(b)          Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Available Proceeds from an Asset Disposition, the Issuer (or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be), may apply such Net Available Proceeds at its option, in any combination of the following:

 

(1)          to repay, repurchase or otherwise retire (i) any Debt of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor that is not Subordinated Debt or (ii) any Debt of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case, other than Debt owed to the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer;

 

(2)          to acquire Replacement Assets or make capital expenditures; provided that, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary will be deemed to have complied with its obligations under this Section 4.10(b) if it enters into a binding commitment to acquire Replacement Assets prior to 365 days after the receipt of the applicable Net Available Proceeds and such acquisition of Replacement Assets is consummated prior to 545 days after the date of receipt of the applicable Net Available Proceeds; provided, further, that upon any abandonment or termination of such commitment, the Net Available Proceeds not so applied shall constitute Excess Proceeds and be applied as set forth in Section 4.10(c); or

 

(3)          any combination of the foregoing.

 

(c)          Any Net Available Proceeds that are not applied or invested as provided in Section 4.10(b) will constitute “Excess Proceeds.” Subject to the limitations with respect to Foreign Dispositions below, when the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds the greater of (i) $25.0 million and (ii) 11.5% of Trailing Consolidated EBITDA, or earlier, at the Issuer’s election, the Issuer will apply the Excess Proceeds to the repayment of the Notes and any other Pari Passu Debt outstanding with similar provisions requiring the Issuer to make an Offer to Purchase such Debt with the proceeds from any Asset Disposition as follows:

 

(1)          the Issuer will make an Offer to Purchase from all Holders of the Notes in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Indenture in the maximum principal amount (expressed in amounts of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) of Notes that may be purchased out of an amount (the “Note Amount”) equal to the product of such Excess Proceeds multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the outstanding principal amount of the Notes, and the denominator of which is the sum of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes and such Pari Passu Debt (subject to proration in the event such amount is less than the aggregate Offered Price for all Notes tendered); and

 

 

(2)          to the extent required by such Pari Passu Debt, the Issuer will make an offer to purchase or otherwise repurchase or redeem Pari Passu Debt (a “Pari Passu Offer”) in an amount (the “Pari Passu Debt Amount”) equal to the excess of the Excess Proceeds over the Note Amount. However, in no event will the Issuer be required to make a Pari Passu Offer in a Pari Passu Debt Amount exceeding the principal amount of such Pari Passu Debt plus the amount of any premium required to be paid to repurchase such Pari Passu Debt.

 

The offer price for the Notes will be payable in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date (the “Offer Date”) such Offer to Purchase is consummated (the “Offered Price”), in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Indenture. To the extent that the aggregate Offered Price of the Notes tendered pursuant to the Offer to Purchase is less than the Note Amount relating to the tendered Notes or the aggregate amount of Pari Passu Debt that is purchased in a Pari Passu Offer is less than the Pari Passu Debt Amount, the Issuer may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and Pari Passu Debt surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes and Pari Passu Debt to be purchased on a pro rata basis; provided, that, in the case of Global Notes issued, beneficial interests in such Notes shall be repurchased on a pro rata basis based on amounts tendered only if such proration is consistent with the procedures of the applicable clearing system; otherwise, such beneficial interests shall be selected for repurchase in accordance with such procedures. Upon the completion of the purchase of all the Notes tendered pursuant to an Offer to Purchase and the completion of a Pari Passu Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds, if any, shall be reset at zero.

 

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this covenant, (i) to the extent that any of or all the Net available Proceeds of any Asset Disposition received or deemed to be received by a Foreign Subsidiary (a "Foreign Disposition") is (x) prohibited or delayed by applicable local law, (y) restricted by applicable organizational documents or any agreement or (z) subject to other onerous organizational or administrative impediments from being repatriated to the United States, the portion of such Net Available Proceeds so affected will not be required to be applied in compliance with this Section 4.10, and such amounts may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary so long, but only so long, as the applicable local law, documents or agreements will not permit repatriation to the United States (the Issuer hereby agreeing to use reasonable efforts (as determined in the Issuer's reasonable business judgment) to otherwise cause the applicable Foreign Subsidiary to within one year following the date on which the respective payment would otherwise have been required, promptly take all commercially reasonable actions reasonably required by the applicable local law, applicable organizational impediments or other impediment to permit such repatriation), and if within one year following the date on which the respective payment would otherwise have been required, such repatriation of any of such affected Net Available Proceeds is permitted under the applicable law, applicable organizational impediments or other impediment, such repatriation will be promptly effected and the amount of such repatriated Net Available Proceeds will be promptly (and in any event not later than five (5) Business Days after such repatriation) applied (net of additional taxes payable or reserved against as a result thereof) in compliance with this covenant and (ii) to the extent that the Issuer has determined in good faith that repatriation of any of or all the Net Available Proceeds of any Foreign Disposition would have an adverse tax consequence (which for the avoidance of doubt, includes, but is not limited to, any repatriation whereby doing so the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective affiliates and/or equity owners would incur a tax liability, including as a result of a dividend or deemed dividend, or a withholding tax) with respect to such Net Available Proceeds, the Net Available Proceeds so affected may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary. The non-application of any prepayment amounts as a consequence of the foregoing provisions will not, for the avoidance of doubt, constitute a Default or an Event of Default.

 

(d)          If the Issuer becomes obligated to make an Offer to Purchase pursuant to this Section 4.10, the Notes (in amounts of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof), and the Pari Passu Debt shall be purchased by the Issuer, at the option of the Holders thereof, in whole or in part, on a date that is not earlier than 30 days and not later than 60 days from the date the notice of the Offer to Purchase is given to Holders, or such later date as may be necessary for the Issuer to comply with the requirements under the Exchange Act.

 

 

(e)          The Issuer shall comply with all applicable securities laws and regulations in the United States, including, without limitation, the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other applicable laws and regulations in connection with the purchase of Notes pursuant to an Offer to Purchase. To the extent that the provisions of any applicable securities laws or regulations conflict with this Section 4.10, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.10 by virtue of such compliance.

 

SECTION 4.11.          Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates.

 

(a)          The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into any transaction or series of related transactions having a value in excess of $10.0 million with or for the benefit of an Affiliate of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, including any Investment, either directly or indirectly, unless such transaction is on terms no less favorable to the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that could be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with an entity that is not an Affiliate or is otherwise fair to the Issuer from a financial point of view. For any transaction or series of related transactions involving aggregate value in excess of $15.0 million, such transaction or series of related transactions shall be approved by either (x) a majority of the Disinterested Directors of the Board of Directors of the Issuer, if any, or in the event there is only one Disinterested Director, by such Disinterested Director, or (y) the audit committee of the Board of Directors of the Issuer (with any Director on such committee that is not a Disinterested Director recusing himself or herself).

 

(b)          The preceding requirements shall not apply to:

 

(1)          any transaction pursuant to agreements in effect on the Issue Date, as these agreements may be amended, modified, supplemented, extended or renewed from time to time, so long as any such amendment, modification, supplement, extension or renewal is not more disadvantageous to the Holders in any material respect in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors or senior management of the Issuer, when taken as a whole, than the terms of the agreements in effect on the Issue Date;

 

(2)          any employment agreement or employee benefit arrangements with any officer or director, including under any stock option or stock incentive plans, entered into by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary or approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors;

 

(3)          transactions between or among the Issuer and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries and any Guarantees issued by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary for the benefit of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, in accordance with Section 4.9;

 

(4)          any transaction with any Person (x) that is not an Affiliate of the Issuer immediately before the consummation of such transaction that becomes an Affiliate of the Issuer as a result of such transaction or (y) that is an Affiliate of the Issuer solely because the Issuer, directly or indirectly, owns Capital Stock in, or controls, such Person;

 

(5)          transactions with joint ventures entered into in the ordinary course of business, provided that no other Affiliate of the Issuer (other than a Subsidiary thereof) directly or indirectly holds any Capital Stock of such joint venture;

 

(6)          payment of reasonable directors fees to Persons who are not otherwise employees of the Issuer;

 

(7)          indemnities of officers, directors and employees of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer pursuant to bylaws, or statutory provisions or indemnification agreements or the purchase of indemnification insurance for any director or officer;

 

(8)          any Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is permitted to be made pursuant to Section 4.7;

 

 

(9)          transactions with customers, clients, suppliers or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of the business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture; provided that in the reasonable determination of the Issuer, such transactions are on terms that are no less favorable to the Issuer or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that could have been obtained at the time of such transactions in a comparable transaction by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person;

 

(10)        the grant, issuance or sale of Capital Stock (other than Redeemable Stock) to Affiliates of the Issuer and the granting of registration rights and other customary rights in connection therewith;

 

(11)        any transaction as to which the Issuer delivers to the Trustee a written opinion of an investment banking firm of national standing or other recognized independent expert with experience in appraising the terms and conditions of the type of transaction or series of related transactions for which an opinion is required stating that the transaction or series of related transactions is fair to the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or stating that the terms are no less favorable to the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that could be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with an entity that is not an Affiliate; and

 

(12)        written agreements entered into or assumed in connection with mergers or acquisitions of other businesses with Persons who were not Affiliates prior to such transactions; provided that such agreement was not entered into in contemplation of such merger or acquisition, and any amendment thereto, so long as any such amendment is not disadvantageous to the Holders in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors or senior management of the Issuer, when taken as a whole, as compared to the applicable agreement as in effect on the date of such acquisition or merger.

 

SECTION 4.12.          Limitation on Liens.

 

(a)          The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) on any property or asset (including any intercompany notes) of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary now owned or hereafter acquired, or assign or convey a right to receive any income or profits from such Liens, to secure (i) any Debt of the Issuer unless prior to, or contemporaneously therewith, the Notes are equally and ratably secured for so long as such other Debt is so secured, or (ii) any Debt of any Subsidiary Guarantor, unless prior to, or contemporaneously therewith, the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor is equally and ratably secured for so long as such other Debt is so secured; provided, however, that if such Debt is expressly subordinated to the Notes or a Subsidiary Guarantee, the Lien securing such Debt will be subordinated and junior to the Lien securing the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case may be, with the same relative priority as such Debt has with respect to the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

(b)          Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Lien securing the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee granted pursuant to this Section 4.12 will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the release by the holders of the Debt described in Section 4.12(a) of their Lien on the property or assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (including any deemed release upon payment in full of all obligations under such Debt), at such time as the holders of all such Debt also release their Lien on the property or assets of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, or upon any sale, exchange or transfer to any Person that is not an Affiliate of the Issuer of the property or assets secured by such Lien, or of all of the Capital Stock held by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in, or all or substantially all the assets of, any Restricted Subsidiary creating such Lien.

 

SECTION 4.13.          Offer to Purchase upon Change of Control. No later than 30 days after the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Issuer will be required to make an Offer to Purchase (a “Change of Control Offer”), with a copy to the Trustee, all outstanding Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Purchase Price”) (subject to the right of Holders of Notes on the relevant regular record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

 

On or before the Purchase Date, the Issuer will, to the extent lawful, deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Purchase Price in respect of the Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered.

 

 

On the Purchase Date, the Issuer will, to the extent lawful:

 

(1)          accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes (in a principal amount of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer; and

 

(2)          deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes so accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased by the Issuer.

 

The Paying Agent will promptly deliver to each Holder who has so tendered Notes the Change of Control Purchase Price for such Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes so tendered, if any; provided that each such new Note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

If the Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, will be paid on the relevant interest payment date to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date and will not be paid as part of the Change of Control Purchase Price.

 

The Issuer will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if (i) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuer and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer, (ii) a notice of redemption for all outstanding Notes has been given pursuant to Article III, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price or (iii) in connection with or in contemplation of any publicly announced Change of Control, the Issuer has made an offer to purchase (an “Alternate Offer”) any and all Notes validly tendered at a cash price equal to or higher than the Change of Control Purchase Price and has purchased all Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn in accordance with the terms of the Alternate Offer.

 

The Issuer shall comply with all applicable securities rules and regulations in the United States, including, without limitation, the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other applicable laws and regulations in connection with the purchase of Notes pursuant to an Offer to Purchase. To the extent that the provisions of any applicable securities laws or regulations conflict with this Section 4.13, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.13 by virtue of such compliance.

 

The provisions under this Indenture relating to the Issuer’s obligation to make an offer to repurchase the Notes as a result of a Change of Control Offer may be waived or modified with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, a Change of Control Offer or Alternate Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditioned upon the occurrence of such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer or Alternate Offer.

 

SECTION 4.14.          Corporate Existence. Subject to Article V, the Issuer shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and the corporate, partnership, limited liability company or other existence of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Issuer or any such Subsidiary Guarantor and the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors; provided that the Issuer shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, if the Issuer shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

 

 

SECTION 4.15.          Future Guarantees. If any Domestic Subsidiary that is not already a Subsidiary Guarantor guarantees any Debt of the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor under, or borrows Debt under, (i) the Amended Credit Agreement or (ii) any Capital Markets/Term Loan Debt, in each case, on or after the Issue Date, then such Domestic Subsidiary will become a Subsidiary Guarantor and execute a supplemental indenture within 30 days of the date on which it became a guarantor or borrower with respect to such other Debt.

 

SECTION 4.16.          Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

(a)          The Issuer, by delivery of an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee, may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an “Unrestricted Subsidiary,” in which event such Subsidiary and each other Person that is then or thereafter becomes a Subsidiary of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary, if: (1) neither the Issuer nor any of its other Subsidiaries (other than another Unrestricted Subsidiary) provides credit support for, or a Guarantee of, any Debt of such Subsidiary or any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument evidencing such Debt) or is directly or indirectly liable for any Debt of such Subsidiary or any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary, and no default with respect to any Debt of such Subsidiary or any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary (including any right which the holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against such Subsidiary) would permit (upon notice, lapse of time or both) any holder of any other Debt of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries (other than another Unrestricted Subsidiary) to declare a default on such other Debt or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its final scheduled maturity, except in either case to the extent that the amount of any such Debt constitutes a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is made in compliance with Section 4.7; (2) such Subsidiary does not own any Capital Stock of, or does not own or hold any Lien on any property of, any other Restricted Subsidiary which is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated or otherwise an Unrestricted Subsidiary; (3) at the time of designation, the Issuer could make a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of its interest in such Subsidiary pursuant to Section 4.7; (4) such Subsidiary is a Person with respect to which neither the Issuer nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation to (a) subscribe for additional Capital Stock of such Subsidiary or (b) maintain or preserve such Subsidiary’s financial condition or to cause such Subsidiary to achieve any specified levels of operating results, except in either case to the extent that the amount of any such obligation constitutes a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is made in compliance with Section 4.7; and (5) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of, or immediately after giving effect to, such designation.

 

(b)          The Issuer, by delivery of an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee, may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer if: (1) (a) the Issuer would be able to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to Section 4.9(a), or (b) the Consolidated Coverage Ratio of the Issuer would not be less than the Consolidated Coverage Ratio of the Issuer immediately prior to such designation, in each case on a pro forma basis taking into account such designation; (2) all Liens of such Unrestricted Subsidiary outstanding immediately following such designation would, if Incurred at such time, have been permitted to be Incurred for all purposes of this Indenture; and (3) no Default or Event of Default would occur and be continuing following such designation.

 

The Trustee shall have no duty whatsoever to monitor or inquire whether a Subsidiary is a Restricted Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary and may be entitled to conclusively rely on the Officer’s Certificates delivered to it by the Issuer as described above.

 

SECTION 4.17.          Covenant Suspension.

 

(a)          If on any date following the Issue Date, the Notes have an Investment Grade Rating from two Rating Agencies; and no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, then, upon delivery to the Trustee of an Officer’s Certificate to the foregoing effect, the covenants set forth in the following sections of this Indenture will be suspended:

 

(1)          Section 4.7;

 

(2)          Section 4.8;

 

(3)          Section 4.9;

 

 

(4)          Section 4.10;

 

(5)          Section 4.11;

 

(6)          Section 4.15 (but only with respect to any Person that is required to become a Subsidiary Guarantor after the date of the commencement of the applicable suspension date); and

 

(7)          Section 5.1(a)(3).

 

During any period that the foregoing covenants have been suspended, the Issuer shall not designate any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries unless such designation would have complied with Section 4.7 as if Section 4.7 were in effect during such period.

 

Upon the occurrence of a covenant suspension, the amount of Excess Proceeds from Net Available Proceeds shall be reset at zero. During any period that the foregoing covenants have been suspended, any reference in the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” or “Permitted Liens” to Section 4.9 or any provision thereof shall be construed as if Section 4.9 had remained in effect since the Issue Date and during such period.

 

(b)          Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Notes cease to have an Investment Grade Rating from two Rating Agencies, the foregoing covenants will be reinstated as of and from the date of such rating decline, subject to further suspension in the future upon the satisfaction of the conditions described in Section 4.17(a) above. Any Debt Incurred during the period when the covenants are suspended will be classified as having been Incurred pursuant to Section 4.9(a) or one of the clauses of Section 4.9(b). To the extent such Debt would not be so permitted to be Incurred, such Debt will be deemed to have been outstanding on the Issue Date, so that it is classified as permitted under clause (2) of Section 4.9(b). Calculations under the reinstated Section 4.7 will be made as if Section 4.7 had been in effect prior to, but not during, the suspension period. In addition: (i) for purposes of Section 4.8, all contracts entered into during a suspension period that contain any of the restrictions contemplated by such covenant will be deemed to have been entered into pursuant to Section 4.8(b)(1); (ii) for purposes of Section 4.12, any Lien Incurred during a suspension period will be deemed to have been entered into pursuant to clause (9) of the definition of “Permitted Liens”; and (iii) for purposes of Section 4.11, all agreements and arrangements entered into by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary with an Affiliate of the Issuer during such period will be deemed to have been entered into pursuant to Section 4.11(b)(1). No Default or Event of Default will be deemed to have occurred with respect to the suspended covenants as a result of any actions taken by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries during the period when such covenants are suspended, and the Issuer and any Subsidiary of the Issuer will be permitted, without causing a Default or Event of Default or breach of any of the suspended covenants (notwithstanding the reinstatement thereof) under this Indenture, to honor, comply with or otherwise perform any contractual commitments or obligations entered into during the period when such covenants are suspended following a downgrade and to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby.

 

(c)          Promptly following the occurrence of any suspension or reinstatement of the covenants as described above, the Issuer will provide an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee regarding such occurrence and the effective date of such change. The Trustee shall have no obligation to independently determine, monitor or verify if a suspension or reinstatement has occurred or notify the Holders of any suspension or reinstatement.

 

ARTICLE V
SUCCESSORS

 

SECTION 5.1.          Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Transfer or Lease.

 

(a)            The Issuer shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all its assets in a single transaction or series of related transactions to, another Person, unless:

 

(1)          the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Company”) shall be a corporation, partnership, trust or limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor Company (if not the Issuer) shall expressly assume, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes and, if the Successor Company is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Notes is a corporation organized or existing under such laws;

 

 

(2)          immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

(3)          immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction and treating any Debt which becomes an obligation of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of the transaction, either (i) the Issuer (including any Successor Company) could Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt (other than Permitted Debt) pursuant to Section 4.9(a), or (ii) the Consolidated Coverage Ratio of the Issuer or such Successor Company is not less immediately after such transaction than it was immediately before such transaction;

 

(4)          at the time of such transaction, unless the Issuer is the Successor Company, each Subsidiary Guarantor will have by supplemental indenture confirmed that its Subsidiary Guarantee shall apply to such Person’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes; and

 

(5)          the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with this Indenture and that the supplemental indenture constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Successor Company, subject to the customary exceptions.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) any Restricted Subsidiary may merge into the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) the provisions of clauses (2) or (3) above shall not apply to a merger of the Issuer with or into a Restricted Subsidiary, and (iii) the above provisions shall not apply to any transfer of assets between or among the Issuer and any Restricted Subsidiary.

 

For purposes of this Section 5.1(a), the sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Issuer, which properties and assets, if held by the Issuer instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer.

 

The Successor Company will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer under this Indenture, and, except in the case of a lease of all or substantially all its assets, the Issuer will be released from the obligation to pay the principal of, and interest on, the Notes and all other obligations under this Indenture.

 

(b)          Except in circumstances under which this Indenture provides for the release of Subsidiary Guarantees as described under Section 10.5, each Subsidiary Guarantor will not, and the Issuer will not permit a Subsidiary Guarantor to, consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey or transfer or lease all or substantially all its assets to, another Person (other than the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor), unless at the time and after giving effect thereto:

 

(1)

 

(A)          the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Subsidiary Guarantor”) shall be a corporation, partnership, trust or limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor Subsidiary Guarantor (if not the Subsidiary Guarantor) shall expressly assume, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture and its Subsidiary Guarantee;

 

 

(B)          immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

(C)          the Subsidiary Guarantor shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with this Indenture and that the supplemental indenture constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Successor Company, subject to the customary exceptions; or

 

(2)            such transaction does not violate Section 4.10.

 

For purposes of this Section 5.1(b), the sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries of a Subsidiary Guarantor, which properties and assets, if held by such Subsidiary Guarantor instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

The Successor Subsidiary Guarantor will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture, but, in the case of a lease of all or substantially all its assets, the Subsidiary Guarantor will not be released from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

ARTICLE VI
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

SECTION 6.1.       Events of Default. Each of the following is an “Event of Default”:

 

(1)            failure to pay principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Note when due and payable, at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise;

 

(2)            failure to pay any interest on any Note when due and payable and such default continues for 30 days;

 

(3)            default in the payment of principal, premium and interest on Notes required to be purchased pursuant to an Offer to Purchase as described under Section 4.10 and Section 4.13 when due and payable;

 

(4)            failure to perform or comply with the provisions described under Section 5.1;

 

(5)            failure to perform any other covenant or agreement of the Issuer under this Indenture or the Notes and such default continues for 60 days (or 120 days with respect to Section 4.3) after written notice to the Issuer by the Trustee or Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes;

 

(6)            default under the terms of any instrument evidencing or securing any Debt of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary having an outstanding principal amount of $50.0 million, individually or in the aggregate, which default results in the acceleration of the payment of such Debt or constitutes the failure to pay the principal amount of such Debt when due (after giving effect to any applicable grace period provided in such Debt) and which accelerated or principal amount, individually or in the aggregate, exceeds $50.0 million and if, within 20 business days of such payment default or acceleration, such Debt has not been discharged or such payment default has not been cured or such acceleration has not been rescinded or annulled; provided that in connection with any series of convertible or exchangeable securities (a) any conversion or exchange of such securities by a holder thereof into shares of Capital Stock, cash or a combination of cash and shares of Capital Stock, (b) the rights of holders of such securities to convert or exchange into shares of Capital Stock, cash or a combination of cash and shares of Capital Stock and (c) the rights of holders of such securities to require any repurchase by the Issuer of such securities in cash shall not, in itself, constitute an Event of Default under this clause (6);

 

 

(7)            the rendering of one or more final judgments, orders or decrees (not subject to appeal) of any court or regulatory or administrative agency against the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or any of their respective properties in an amount in excess of $50.0 million, either individually or in the aggregate, (exclusive of any portion of any such payment covered by insurance) which remains undischarged or unstayed for a period of 60 days after the date on which the right to appeal has expired or been extinguished;

 

(8)            the Issuer or any Significant Restricted Subsidiary or group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Restricted Subsidiary, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

(A)        commences a voluntary case,

 

(B)         consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

 

(C)         consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,

 

(D)         makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or

 

(E)          admits in writing to the Trustee that it generally is not paying its debts as they become due;

 

(9)          a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

(i)           is for relief against the Issuer or any Significant Restricted Subsidiary or group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Restricted Subsidiary, in an involuntary case;

 

(ii)          appoints a custodian of the Issuer or any Significant Restricted Subsidiary or group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Restricted Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or

 

(iii)         orders the liquidation of the Issuer or any Significant Restricted Subsidiary or group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Restricted Subsidiary and, in each case, the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; and

 

(10)          the Subsidiary Guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantor is held by a final non-appealable order or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of this Indenture) or any such Subsidiary Guarantor or any Person acting on behalf of any such Subsidiary Guarantor denies or disaffirms such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee (other than by reason of a release of such Subsidiary Guarantor from its Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture).

 

SECTION 6.2.          Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (8) or (9) of Section 6.1) shall occur and be continuing under this Indenture, either the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by written notice to the Issuer and the Trustee, may declare (an “acceleration declaration”) the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding amounts owing under the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such acceleration declaration, the aggregate principal of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the outstanding Notes shall become due and payable immediately.

 

 

At any time after such acceleration pursuant to this Section 6.2, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may rescind and annul such acceleration if:

 

(1)          the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction;

 

(2)          all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived other than nonpayment of accelerated principal and interest;

 

(3)          to the extent the payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest and overdue principal, which has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration, has been paid;

 

(4)          the Issuer has paid the Trustee its reasonable compensation and reimbursed the Trustee for its reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances; and

 

(5)          in the event of the cure or waiver of an Event of Default of the type described in clauses (8) or (9) of Section 6.1 hereof, the Trustee shall have received an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel that such Event of Default has been cured or waived.

 

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

 

If an Event of Default specified in clause (8) or (9) of Section 6.1 occurs, then all unpaid principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all of the outstanding Notes shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other action or notice on the part of the Trustee or any Holder of the Notes to the extent permitted by applicable law.

 

SECTION 6.3.          Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

 

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

 

SECTION 6.4.          Waiver of Past Defaults. Subject to Section 9.2, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes, waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under this Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest or premium on, or the principal of, the Notes (other than any such payment that has become due because of an acceleration that has been rescinded).

 

SECTION 6.5.          Control by Majority. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust power conferred on it. However, (a) the Trustee may require indemnity and security satisfactory to it be furnished prior to taking such actions, (b) the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines in good faith may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of Holders not joining in the giving of such direction (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such direction is unduly prejudicial to the rights of such other Holders) or that would involve any personal liability for the Trustee and (c) the Trustee may take any other action it deems proper that is not inconsistent with any such direction received from the Holders.

 

 

SECTION 6.6.          Limitation on Suits. Subject to Section 6.7, no Holder of a Note will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder unless (a) such Holder has previously given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Notes, (b) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes have made written request, and such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity and security satisfactory to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee, (c) the Trustee has failed to institute such proceeding, and (d) the Trustee has not received from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes a direction inconsistent with such request, within 60 days after such notice, request and offer. However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a Holder of a Note for the enforcement of payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on such Note on or after the applicable due date specified in such Note.

 

A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such use by a Holder prejudices the rights of any other Holders or obtains priority or preference over such other Holders).

 

SECTION 6.7.          Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of, premium or interest on, such Note or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment, on or after the due date expressed in the Notes, shall not be modified or amended in a manner adverse to such Holder without the consent of the Holder.

 

SECTION 6.8.          Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in clauses (1) or (2) of Section 6.1 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuer for the whole amount of principal of, premium, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

SECTION 6.9.          Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer (or any other obligor upon the Notes including the Subsidiary Guarantors), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other securities or property payable or deliverable upon the conversion or exchange of the Notes or on any such claims, and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 7.6 and all amounts under the Indenture and the Notes. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances to the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.6 out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding, whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing in this Section 6.9 shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

SECTION 6.10.          Priorities. If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article VI, it shall pay out the money and property in the following order:

 

First: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due to the Trustee under Section 7.6 and under the Indenture and the Notes, including payment of all reasonable compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by it and the costs and expenses of collection;

 

Second: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, respectively;

 

 

Third: without duplication, to the Holders for any other obligations owing to the Holders under this Indenture and the Notes; and

 

Fourth: to the Issuer or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

 

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10.

 

SECTION 6.11.          Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as the Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.7, or a suit by Holders of more than 10.0% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

 

SECTION 6.12.          Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceedings, the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding has been instituted.

 

SECTION 6.13.          Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes in Section 2.7 hereof, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

SECTION 6.14.          Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Note to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

 

ARTICLE VII
TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 7.1.          Duties of Trustee.

 

(a)            If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

 

(b)            Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

 

(1)          the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

(2)          in the absence of bad faith or willful misconduct on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein); however, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions furnished to it to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

 

 

(c)            The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own grossly negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

 

(1)            this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.1;

 

(2)            the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

 

(3)            the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.5; and

 

(4)            no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability.

 

(d)            The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on or the investment of any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuer. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

(e)            Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to this Section 7.1.

 

SECTION 7.2.         Rights of Trustee.

 

(a)            In the absence of bad faith or willful misconduct on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting on any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, notice, report, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture or other document (whether in original or facsimile form or PDF transmission or in accordance with Section 11.10 hereof) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated therein.

 

(b)            Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. Prior to taking, suffering or admitting any action, the Trustee may consult with counsel of the Trustee’s own choosing, and the Trustee shall be fully protected from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in conclusive reliance on the advice or opinion of such counsel.

 

(c)            The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any attorney or agent appointed with due care.

 

(d)            The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

 

(e)            Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Issuer or such Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

(f)             The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

 

 

(g)          The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or documents, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine during normal business hours the books, records and premises of the Issuer, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Issuer, and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

 

(h)          The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, to the Agents and to each other agent, custodian and Person employed to act hereunder.

 

(i)           The Trustee may request that the Issuer and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of Officers of the Issuer and each Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture of the Issuer, the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any Person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any Person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

 

(j)          The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice or be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof with respect to Section 6.1(1), (2) or (3) or the Trustee shall have received from the Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantor or from any Holder written notice thereof at its address set forth in Section 11.1 and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture. In the absence of such notice, the Trustee may conclusively assume that no such Default or Event of Default exists.

 

(k)           In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

(l)           The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.

 

(m)         No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties thereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers.

 

(n)          The permissive rights of the Trustee enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as duties.

 

(o)           It shall not be the duty of the Trustee to see that any duties or obligations imposed herein upon the Issuer or other persons are performed, and the Trustee shall not be liable or responsible for the failure of the Issuer or such other persons to perform any act required of them by this Indenture.

 

SECTION 7.3.          Individual Rights of the Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Section 7.9.

 

SECTION 7.4.          Trustee’s Disclaimer. The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture, the Notes, the Offering Memorandum for the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee, it shall not be accountable for the use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Issuer or upon the Issuer’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes, any Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel delivered to the Trustee hereunder, or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication hereunder.

 

 

SECTION 7.5.          Notice of Defaults. If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and the Trustee has notice or knowledge thereof as provided in Section 7.2(j), the Trustee shall deliver to Holders a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders.

 

SECTION 7.6.          Compensation and Indemnity. The Issuer shall pay to the Trustee from time to time compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and for all services rendered by it hereunder as agreed upon in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuer shall reimburse the Trustee, as applicable, promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

 

Each of the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify, defend, protect and hold the Trustee (which for purposes of this Section 7.6 shall include its officers, directors, employees and agents) harmless against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs or expenses suffered or incurred by it (including, without limitation, the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel), including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee), arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, the performance of its obligations and/or exercise of its rights hereunder, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor (including this Section 7.6) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Issuer or any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense shall have been found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a non-appealable final decision to have been caused by its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Trustee shall notify the Issuer promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuer shall not relieve the Issuer of its obligations hereunder. The Trustee may have separate counsel, and the necessary local counsel, if applicable, and the Issuer shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel for the Trustee. The Issuer need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

The obligations of the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Section 7.6 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the payment of the Notes or the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

 

To secure the Issuer’s payment obligations in this Section 7.6, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal or interest, if any, on particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the payment of the Notes and the resignation or removal of the Trustee and any termination of this Indenture, including a termination in connection with a bankruptcy.

 

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(7) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

SECTION 7.7.          Replacement of Trustee. A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.7.

 

The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Issuer. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee upon thirty days’ written notice to the Trustee and the Issuer. The Issuer may remove the Trustee if no Event of Default exists and:

 

(a)          the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

 

 

(b)          a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

(c)          the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

 

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of the Trustee for any reason, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor trustee. Within one year after the successor trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor trustee to replace the successor trustee appointed by the Issuer.

 

If a successor trustee does not take office within 30 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, such retiring Trustee (at the expense of the Issuer), the Issuer or the Holders of at least 10.0% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee.

 

If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with this Section 7.7, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee.

 

A successor trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuer. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor trustee shall have all the rights, powers and the duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to the Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided that all sums owing to the retiring Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.6. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.7, the Issuer’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ obligations under Section 7.6 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

SECTION 7.8.          Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc. If the Trustee or any Agent consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business (including this transaction) to, another corporation or banking association, the successor corporation or banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee or Agent, as applicable.

 

SECTION 7.9.          Eligibility; Disqualification. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power and that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities. Such Trustee together with its affiliates shall at all times have a combined capital surplus of at least $50.0 million as set forth in its most recent annual report of condition.

 

ARTICLE VIII
DEFEASANCE; DISCHARGE OF THIS INDENTURE

 

SECTION 8.1.          Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. The Issuer may, by delivery of an Officer’s Certificate, at any time, elect to have either Section 8.2 or Section 8.3 applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article VIII.

 

SECTION 8.2.          Legal Defeasance. Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.1 of the option applicable to this Section 8.2, the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.4, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes and Subsidiary Guarantees and this Indenture on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be deemed to have paid and discharged all of the obligations with respect to this Indenture, the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees, which shall thereafter be deemed to be outstanding only for the purposes of Section 8.5 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all of their other obligations under such Notes, Subsidiary Guarantees and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on written demand of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute instruments acknowledging the same), and this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect as to all such Notes and Subsidiary Guarantees, except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, and interest and premium on, such Notes when such payments are due from the trust funds referred to in Section 8.4(1); (b) the Issuer’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Section 2.2, Section 2.3, Section 2.4, Section 2.7, Section 2.10, and Section 4.2; (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, including without limitation thereunder, under Section 7.6, Section 8.5 and Section 8.7 and the obligations of the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors in connection therewith; and (d) the provisions of this Article VIII. Subject to compliance with this Article VIII, the Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 8.2 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.3.

 

 

SECTION 8.3.          Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.1 above of the option applicable to this Section 8.3, the Issuer shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.4 below, be released from its obligations under Sections 4.3, 4.5, 4.7 through Section 4.16 and Section 5.1(a)(3) on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not outstanding for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed outstanding for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes, the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.1, and the Events of Default in clauses (3) through (7) or (8) (with respect to a Subsidiary) and (9) (with respect to a Subsidiary) of Section 6.1 shall no longer apply but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and any Subsidiary Guarantees shall be unaffected thereby.

 

SECTION 8.4.          Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance. The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.2 or Section 8.3 to the outstanding Notes:

 

(1)          the Issuer must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, as trust funds, in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest (if U.S. Government Obligations are deposited, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants selected by the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee), to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the outstanding Notes on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and any other amounts owing under this Indenture (in the case of an optional redemption date prior to electing to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an irrevocable notice to redeem all of the outstanding Notes on such redemption date),

 

(2)          in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions:

 

(A)          the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or

 

(B)          since the Issue Date, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law,

 

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the beneficial owners of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred,

 

 

(3)          in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the beneficial owners of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred,

 

(4)          no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit (and any similar concurrent deposit relating to other Debt) and the Incurrence of Liens associated with any such borrowings),

 

(5)          the Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture and the agreements governing any other Debt being defeased, discharged or replaced) to which the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is bound,

 

(6)          the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuer with the intent of preferring the Holders over any other creditors of the Issuer or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Issuer or others, and

 

(7)          the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which opinion may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) each stating that the applicable conditions precedent provided for in clauses (1) through (6) of this Section 8.4 have been complied with.

 

SECTION 8.5.          Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions. Subject to Section 8.6, all U.S. dollar and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.5, the “Deposit Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.4 or Section 8.8 in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust, shall not be invested, and shall be applied by the Deposit Trustee in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer or any Subsidiary acting as Paying Agent) as the Deposit Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, and all other amounts due and owing under the Indenture and the Notes but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

The Issuer shall pay and indemnify the Deposit Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.4 or Section 8.8 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

 

Anything in this Article VIII to the contrary notwithstanding, the Deposit Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time upon the written request of the Issuer and be relieved of all liability with respect to any U.S. dollars or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 8.4 or Section 8.8 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Deposit Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.4(1)), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance or satisfaction and discharge, as the case may be.

 

SECTION 8.6.          Repayment to Issuer. Subject to applicable escheat laws, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuer, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer on its written request or (if then held by the Issuer) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Issuer for payment thereof; and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuer as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

 

 

SECTION 8.7.          Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.2, Section 8.3 or Section 8.8, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations of the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.2, Section 8.3 or Section 8.8 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.2, Section 8.3 or Section 8.8, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Issuer makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

SECTION 8.8.          Discharge. This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights or registration of transfer or exchange of Notes which shall survive until all Notes have been canceled and the rights, protections and immunities of the Trustee, as expressly provided for in this Indenture) as to all outstanding Notes and Subsidiary Guarantees when either:

 

(1)          all the Notes that have been authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes which have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Issuer and thereafter repaid to the Issuer or discharged from this trust), have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

(2)          (a)          all Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation otherwise (i) have become due and payable by reason of mailing of a notice of redemption, (ii) will become due and payable, or may be called for redemption, within one year or (iii) have been called for redemption pursuant to Article III and, in any case, the Issuer has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars in such amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest (if U.S. Government Obligations are deposited, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants selected by the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee) to pay and discharge the entire Debt (including all principal and accrued interest, if any) on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

 

(b)          the Issuer has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by it under this Indenture; and

 

(c)          the Issuer has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or on the date of redemption, as the case may be.

 

In addition, the Issuer must deliver an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been complied with.

 

After the Notes are no longer outstanding, the Issuer’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ obligations in Section 7.6, Section 8.5 and Section 8.7 shall survive any discharge pursuant to this Section 8.8.

 

After such delivery or irrevocable deposit and receipt of the Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel, the Trustee, upon written request, shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Issuer’s obligations under the Notes and this Indenture except for those surviving obligations specified above.

 

 

ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

 

SECTION 9.1.     Without Consent of Holders of the Notes. Notwithstanding Section 9.2, without the consent of any Holders, the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees or the Notes issued hereunder for any of the following purposes:

 

(1)            to evidence the succession of another Person to the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture, Notes or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantee, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Issuer or such Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture, Notes and in such Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with Section 5.1;

 

(2)            to add to the covenants of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, in this Indenture, in the Notes or in any Subsidiary Guarantee;

 

(3)            to cure any ambiguity, or to correct or supplement any provision in this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture, the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision in this Indenture, the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee;

 

(4)            to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes;

 

(5)            to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture, the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee; provided that, in each case, such provisions shall not adversely affect the interest of the Holders of the Notes in any material respect;

 

(6)            to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as amended;

 

(7)            to add a Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture or otherwise provide a Guarantee of the Notes;

 

(8)            to evidence and provide the acceptance of the appointment of a successor Trustee under this Indenture;

 

(9)            to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in favor of the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes as additional security for the payment and performance of the Issuer’s and any Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture, in any property, or assets, including any of which are required to be mortgaged, pledged or hypothecated, or in which a security interest is required to be granted to the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture or otherwise;

 

(10)          to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes under this Indenture in accordance with the terms and subject to the limitations set forth in this Indenture;

 

(11)          to comply with the rules of any applicable Depositary; or

 

(12)          to conform the text of this Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees to any provision of the “Description of notes” section of the Offering Memorandum to the extent such provision was intended to be a recitation of a provision of this Indenture, as certified in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee.

 

 

After an amendment under this Indenture becomes effective, the Issuer shall deliver to Holders of the Notes a notice briefly describing such amendment. However, the failure to give such notice to all Holders, or any defect therein, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.

 

SECTION 9.2.     With Consent of Holders of Notes. With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes), the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantees or waive any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes; provided, however, that no such amendment, supplement or waiver shall, without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes):

 

(1)            change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest on, any Note;

 

(2)            reduce the principal amount of, (or the premium) or interest on, any Note;

 

(3)            change the place or currency of payment of principal of (or premium), or interest on, any Note;

 

(4)            (i) modify, in any manner adverse to the Holders of the Notes, the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment of principal of, (or premium) or interest on, any Note, or (ii) waive any payment in respect thereof except a default in payment arising solely from an acceleration of the Notes that has been rescinded;

 

(5)            modify any provisions of this Indenture relating to the modification and amendment of this Indenture or the waiver of past defaults or covenants which require each Holder’s consent;

 

(6)            amend any provisions relating to the redemption of the Notes (other than the notice provisions) to reduce the premium payable or change the dates on which the Notes may be redeemed, it being understood that, for the avoidance of doubt, the provisions described under Section 4.10 and Section 4.13 shall not be covered by this clause (6);

 

(7)            modify the Subsidiary Guarantees in any manner adverse to the Holders, except in accordance with this Indenture; or

 

(8)            modify any of the provisions of this Indenture adversely affecting the ranking of the Notes.

 

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

SECTION 9.3.     Revocation and Effect of Consents. Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of that Note or portion of the Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on the Note. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. When an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms, it thereafter binds every Holder.

 

The Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for determining which Holders consent to such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

SECTION 9.4.     Notation on or Exchange of Notes. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation, provided by the Issuer in writing, about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Issuer in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

 

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

SECTION 9.5.     Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc. The Trustee shall sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article IX if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. In signing or refusing to sign any amendment or supplemental indenture, the Trustee shall be provided with and (subject to Section 7.1) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that all conditions precedent thereto have been met or waived and that such supplemental indenture constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer, subject to the customary exceptions.

 

ARTICLE X
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES

 

SECTION 10.1.   Subsidiary Guarantees.

 

(a)            Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guarantees the Notes and obligations of the Issuer hereunder and thereunder, and guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee, that: (i) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes shall be paid in full when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, together with interest on the overdue principal, if any, and interest on any overdue interest, to the extent lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee under this Indenture or the Notes shall be paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or of any such other obligations, the same shall be paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantees shall be a guarantee of payment and not of collection.

 

(b)            Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuer, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor.

 

(c)            Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives the benefits of diligence, presentment, demand for payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer or any other Person, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor shall not be discharged as to any Note or this Indenture except by complete performance of the obligations contained in such Note and this Indenture and such Subsidiary Guarantee. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that, in the event of a Default in payment of principal or premium, if any, or interest on any Note, whether at its Stated Maturity, by acceleration, call for redemption, purchase or otherwise, legal proceedings may be instituted by the Trustee on behalf of, or by, the Holder of such Note, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture, directly against each of the Subsidiary Guarantors to enforce each such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Subsidiary Guarantee without first proceeding against the Issuer or any other Subsidiary Guarantor. Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that if, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee or any of the Holders are prevented by applicable law from exercising their respective rights to accelerate the maturity of the Notes, to collect interest on the Notes, or to enforce or exercise any other right or remedy with respect to the Notes, such Subsidiary Guarantor shall pay to the Trustee for the account of the Holders, upon demand therefor, the amount that would otherwise have been due and payable had such rights and remedies been permitted to be exercised by the Trustee or any of the Holders and any other amounts due and owing to the Trustee under this Indenture.

 

 

(d)            If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, any amount paid by any of them to the Trustee or such Holder, the Subsidiary Guarantee of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect. This paragraph (d) shall remain effective notwithstanding any contrary action which may be taken by the Trustee or any Holder in reliance upon such amount required to be returned. This paragraph (d) shall survive the termination of this Indenture.

 

(e)            Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that, as between each Subsidiary Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article VI for the purposes of the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article VI, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by each Subsidiary Guarantor for the purpose of the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

(f)             Each Subsidiary Guarantor that makes a payment for distribution under its Subsidiary Guarantee is entitled upon payment in full of all guaranteed obligations under this Indenture to seek contribution from each other Subsidiary Guarantor in a pro rata amount of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Subsidiary Guarantors at the time of such payment in accordance with GAAP.

 

SECTION 10.2.   Execution and Delivery of Guarantee. To evidence its Subsidiary Guarantee set forth in Section 10.1, each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that this Indenture or a supplemental indenture in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B shall be executed on behalf of such Subsidiary Guarantor by an Officer of such Subsidiary Guarantor (or, if an officer is not available, by a board member or director or other duly authorized signatory) on behalf of such Subsidiary Guarantor. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees that its Subsidiary Guarantee set forth in Section 10.1 hereof shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Subsidiary Guarantee on the Notes. In case the Officer, board member or director of such Subsidiary Guarantor whose signature is on this Indenture or supplemental indenture, as applicable, no longer holds office at the time the Trustee authenticates any Note, the Subsidiary Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.

 

The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Subsidiary Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

SECTION 10.3.   Severability. In case any provision of any Subsidiary Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

SECTION 10.4.   Limitation of Subsidiary Guarantors’ Liability. Each Subsidiary Guarantor and by its acceptance hereof each Holder confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of the Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law or the provisions of its local law relating to fraudulent transfer or conveyance. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and Subsidiary Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount that will not, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Subsidiary Guarantor (including, without limitation, any guarantees under the Amended Credit Agreement) and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee, result in the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee constituting a fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent preference or fraudulent transfer or otherwise reviewable under applicable law.

 

 

SECTION 10.5.   Releases. A Subsidiary Guarantee of a Subsidiary Guarantor shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon:

 

(a)            any sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation) to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer, if the sale or other disposition does not violate Section 4.10 of this Indenture;

 

(b)           any sale, transfer or other disposition of Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation) to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer, if after such sale, transfer or disposition, the Subsidiary Guarantor would cease to be a Restricted Subsidiary and the sale or other disposition does not violate Section 4.10 of this Indenture;

 

(c)            the exercise by the Issuer of its Legal Defeasance option or its Covenant Defeasance option or the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, in each case as provided under Article VIII;

 

(d)           the proper designation of such Subsidiary Guarantor by the Issuer as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; or

 

(e)            the Subsidiary Guarantor ceasing to guarantee any Debt of the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor under, or be a borrower under, the Amended Credit Agreement and, at such time, such Subsidiary Guarantor does not have any other Debt outstanding that required such Subsidiary Guarantor to guarantee the Notes pursuant to Section 4.15, and no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

Upon delivery to the Trustee of an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that all conditions precedent to the release of a Subsidiary Guarantor’s Subsidiary Guarantee set forth in this Indenture have been satisfied, the Subsidiary Guarantor shall be deemed automatically and unconditionally released and discharged. The Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably requested by the Issuer in writing in order to evidence the release of any Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee at the Issuer’s direction and expense. With their acquisition of the Notes, the Holders of the Notes have acknowledged that any release of a Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with this Section 10.5 shall be deemed not to impair the Holder’s repayment rights with respect to the Notes.

 

Any Subsidiary Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of and interest on the Notes and for the other obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article X.

 

SECTION 10.6.   Benefits Acknowledged. Each Subsidiary Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that its guarantee and waivers pursuant to its Subsidiary Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

 

ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 11.1.   Notices. Any notice, request, direction, instruction or communication by the Issuer, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the addresses set forth below:

 

If to the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor:

 

Papa John’s International, Inc.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇’▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Email: ▇▇▇_▇▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Chief Financial Officer

 

 

with a copy to:

Email: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇_▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇

Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Chief Legal and Risk Officer

 

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

▇▇▇▇▇ Lovells US LLP
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Email: ▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇

 

If to the Trustee:

 

Truist Bank
Mail Code ###-##-####

▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇ – ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇

▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇

Attention:  Corporate Trust and Escrow Services

 

The parties hereto, by written notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

Any notice or communication to a Holder and the Trustee shall be mailed by first class mail or by overnight air courier promising next Business Day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Notwithstanding the foregoing, as long as the Notes are Global Notes, notices to be given to the Holders shall be given to the Depositary in accordance with its applicable policies as in effect from time to time. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

 

In respect of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not have any duty or obligation to verify or confirm that the Person sending instructions, directors, reports, notices or other communications or information by electronic transmission is, in fact, a Person authorized to give such instructions, directors, reports notices or other communications or information on behalf of the party purporting to send such electronic transmission; and the Trustee shall not have any liability for any losses, liability, costs or expenses incurred or sustained by any party as a result of such reliance upon or compliance with such instructions directors, reports, notices or other communications or information. Each other party, agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of electronic methods to submit instructions, directions, reports, notices or other communications or indemnifications to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, notices, reports or other communications or information, and the risks of interception and misuse by third parties.

 

If a notice or communication is delivered in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it, except in the case of notices or communications given to the Trustee, which shall be effective only upon actual receipt.

 

If the Issuer delivers a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

 

SECTION 11.2.   Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Issuer to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee upon request:

 

(a)            an Officer’s Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.3) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

 

 

(b)           an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.3) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied; provided that no Opinion of Counsel shall be required to be delivered in connection with (1) the original issuance of Notes on the date hereof under this Indenture or (2) a request by the Issuer that the Trustee deliver a notice to Holders under the Indenture where the Trustee receives an Officer’s Certificate with respect to such notice.

 

SECTION 11.3.   Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to Section 4.4) shall include substantially:

 

(a)            a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read and understands such covenant or condition;

 

(b)           a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

(c)            a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and

 

(d)           a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.

 

SECTION 11.4.   Rules by Trustee and Agents. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. Each of the Agents may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

 

SECTION 11.5.   No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or stockholder of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor (other than the Issuer in respect of the Notes and each Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of its Subsidiary Guarantee) under the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities law.

 

SECTION 11.6.   Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial. THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES. Each of the parties to this Indenture each hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees or this Indenture, and all such parties hereby irrevocably agree that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or federal court and hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent that they may legally do so, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding. EACH OF THE ISSUER, THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS, THE HOLDERS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

SECTION 11.7.   No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

 

SECTION 11.8.   Successors. All agreements of the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors in this Indenture and the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees, as applicable, shall bind their respective successors and assigns. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its respective successors and assigns.

 

SECTION 11.9.   Severability. In case any provision, or portion thereof, in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

SECTION 11.10. Execution in Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in two or more counterparts, which when so executed shall constitute one and the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Indenture or any document to be signed in connection with this Indenture shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, and the parties hereto consent to conduct the transactions contemplated hereunder by electronic means. This Indenture shall be valid, binding, and enforceable against a party only when executed and delivered by an authorized individual on behalf of the party by means of (i) any electronic signature permitted by the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, state enactments of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, and/or any other relevant electronic signatures law, including relevant provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code/UCC (collectively “Signature Law”); (ii) an original manual signature; or (iii) a faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature. Each electronic signature or faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature shall for all purposes have the same validity, legal effect, and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature. Each party hereto shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon, and shall have no liability with respect to, any faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature, or other electronic signature, of any party and shall have no duty to investigate, confirm or otherwise verify the validity or authenticity thereof. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute one and the same instrument. For avoidance of doubt, original manual signatures shall be used for execution or indorsement of writings when required under the UCC or other Signature Law due to the character or intended character of the writings.

 

SECTION 11.11. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

SECTION 11.12. Acts of Holders.

 

(a)            Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing (or, with respect to Global Notes, otherwise in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary); and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuer. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuer, if made in the manner provided in this Section 11.12.

 

(b)            The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved (1) by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to such officer the execution thereof or (2) in any other manner reasonably deemed sufficient by the Trustee. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than such signer’s individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of such signer’s authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

 

 

(c)            The ownership of Notes shall be proved by the register maintained by the Registrar hereunder.

 

(d)            Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Note shall bind every future Holder of the same Note and the Holder of every Note issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Issuer in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.

 

(e)            If the Issuer shall solicit from the Holders any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Issuer may, at its option, by or pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Issuer shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of outstanding Notes have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the outstanding Notes shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date.

 

(f)             The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to join in the giving or making of (1) any notice of default under Section 6.1, (2) any declaration of acceleration referred to in Section 6.2, (3) any direction referred to in Section 6.5 or (4) any request to pursue a remedy as permitted in Section 6.6. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to join in such notice, declaration, request or direction, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless made, given or taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Notes or each affected Holder, as applicable, on such record date. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Trustee, at the Issuer’s expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Issuer and to each Holder in the manner set forth in Section 11.1.

 

(g)            Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Note may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Note or by one or more duly appointed agents, each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount. Any notice given or action taken by a Holder or its agents with regard to different parts of such principal amount pursuant to this paragraph shall have the same effect as if given or taken by separate Holders of each such different part.

 

(h)            Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Holder, including a Depositary that is the Holder of a Global Note, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders, and a Depositary that is the Holder of a Global Note may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Note through such Depositary’s standing instructions and customary practices.

 

(i)             The Issuer may fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons who are beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note held by a Depositary entitled under the procedures of such Depositary, if any, to make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders; provided that if such a record date is fixed, only the beneficial owners of interests in such Global Note on such record date or their duly appointed proxy or proxies shall be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, whether or not such beneficial owners remain beneficial owners of interests in such Global Note after such record date. No such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be effective hereunder unless made, given or taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date.

 

 

(j)             With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section 11.12, the party hereto that sets such record date may designate any day as the “Expiration Date” and from time to time may change the Expiration Date to any earlier or later day; provided that no such change shall be effective unless notice of the proposed new Expiration Date is given to the other party hereto in writing, and to each Holder of Notes in the manner set forth in Section 11.1, on or prior to both the existing and the new Expiration Date. If an Expiration Date is not designated with respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section 11.12, the party hereto which set such record date shall be deemed to have initially designated the 90th day after such record date as the Expiration Date with respect thereto, subject to its right to change the Expiration Date as provided in this clause (j).

 

SECTION 11.13. Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee or any Agent be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, (i) any act or provision of any present or future law or regulation or governmental authority, (ii) any act of God, (iii) nuclear or natural disaster, (iv) pandemics, (v) epidemics, (vi) quarantine restrictions, (vii)  war, (viii) terrorism, (ix) civil unrest, (x) national emergency, (xi) malware or ransomware, interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services, and hacking, cyber-attacks, or other use or infiltration of the Trustee’s technological infrastructure exceeding authorized access, (xii) unavailability of the Federal Reserve Bank wire or telex system or other wire or other funds transfer systems, or (xiii) unavailability of any securities clearing system, it being understood that the Trustee and each Agent shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the U.S. banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

SECTION 11.14. Legal Holidays. If any payment date with respect to the Notes falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the payment to be made on such payment date will be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such payment date, and no additional interest will accrue solely as a result of such delayed payment.

 

SECTION 11.15. USA PATRIOT Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account. The parties hereto agrees that it will provide the Trustee with information about the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors as the Trustee may reasonably request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

[Signature pages follow]

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed all as of the date and year first written above.

 

PAPA JOHN’S INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 

	By:	/s/ ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
		Name:      ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
		Title:        Chief Financial Officer

 

PAPA JOHN’S USA, INC.

 

	By:	/s/ ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
		Name:      ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
		Title:        Chief Financial Officer

 

PREFERRED MARKETING SOLUTIONS, INC.

 

	By:	/s/ ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
		Name:      ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
		Title:        Vice President

 

CAPITAL DELIVERY, LTD.

 

	By:	/s/ ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
		Name:      ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
		Title:        President

 

PJ FOOD SERVICE, INC.

 

	By:	/s/ ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
		Name:      ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
		Title:        Vice President

 

TRANS PAPA LOGISTICS, INC.

 

	By:	/s/ ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
		Name:      ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
		Title:        Vice President

 

[Papa John’s - Signature Page to Indenture]

 

 

PAPA JOHN’S USA-GEORGIA, INC.

 

	By:	/s/ ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
		Name:      ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
		Title:        Vice President

 

PAPA JOHN’S FRANCHISING, LLC

 

	By:	/s/ ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
		Name:      ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
		Title:        Vice President

 

[Papa John’s - Signature Page to Indenture]

 

 

	TRUIST BANK,
	as Trustee

 

	By:	/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
		Name:      ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
		Title:        Senior Vice President

 

[Papa John’s - Signature Page to Indenture]

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF NOTE

 

(Face of 3.875% Senior Note)
3.875% Senior Notes due 2029

 

[Global Note Legend]

 

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇) TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OR TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY OR SUCH OTHER REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.

 

[Restricted Notes Legend]

 

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED SECURITIES, TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) THAT IS [IN THE CASE OF RULE 144A NOTES: ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF, THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THE ISSUANCE OF ANY ADDITIONAL NOTES AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUER WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY)] [IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE DATE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY) WAS FIRST OFFERED TO PERSONS OTHER THAN DISTRIBUTORS (AS DEFINED IN RULE 902 OF REGULATION S) IN RELIANCE ON REGULATION S], ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (OTHER THAN RULE 144), SUBJECT TO THE ISSUER’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSES (C), (D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/ OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM.

 

 

[IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.]

 

EACH HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN IS DEEMED TO REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT EITHER (1) NO PORTION OF THE ASSETS USED BY IT TO PURCHASE OR HOLD THIS SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN CONSTITUTES THE ASSETS OF ANY (A) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN WHICH IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE U.S. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), (B) PLAN, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER ARRANGEMENT THAT IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE U.S. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”), OR PROVISIONS UNDER ANY OTHER FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER LAWS OR REGULATIONS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO SUCH PROVISIONS OF ERISA OR THE CODE (COLLECTIVELY, “SIMILAR LAWS”), OR (C) ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS ARE CONSIDERED TO INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY OF THE FOREGOING PLANS, ACCOUNTS OR ARRANGEMENTS DESCRIBED IN CLAUSE (A) OR (B), OR (2) ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A SIMILAR VIOLATION UNDER ANY APPLICABLE SIMILAR LAWS, AND NONE OF THE ISSUER, THE GUARANTORS, THE INITIAL PURCHASERS OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES HAS ACTED AS ITS FIDUCIARY, OR HAS BEEN RELIED UPON BY IT FOR ANY INVESTMENT ADVICE, IN CONNECTION WITH THE PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY.

 

 

No.

 

CUSIP NO.¹
ISIN

 

Papa John’s International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor and assign thereto, promises to pay to Cede & Co. or registered assigns, the principal sum of                       [(as may be increased or decreased as set forth on the Schedule of Increases and Decreases attached hereto)]² on September 15, 2029.

 

Interest Payment Dates: March 15 and September 15, beginning March 15, 2022

 

Record Dates: March 1 and September 1 (whether or not a Business Day)

 

Reference is made to further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as set forth at this place.

 

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual or electronic signature, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

 

1	Rule 144A Note CUSIP: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Rule 144A Note ISIN: US698813AA06 Regulation S Note CUSIP: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Regulation S Note ISIN: USU69875AA73
2	For Global Notes only.

 

 

	Papa John’s International, Inc., as Issuer
	By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

This is one of the Notes referred to in the|
within-mentioned Indenture:

 

Dated:

 

Truist Bank, as Trustee

 

By:
	Authorized Signatory

 

 

(Back of 3.875% Senior Note)
3.875% Senior Notes due 2029

 

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

 

(1)           Interest. Papa John’s International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (collectively with successors and assigns, the “Issuer”), promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of this 3.875% Senior Note due 2029 (a “Note”) at a fixed rate of 3.875% per annum. The Issuer will pay interest in U.S. dollars semiannually in arrears on March 15 and September 15, commencing on March 15, 2022 (each an “Interest Payment Date”) or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such Interest Payment Date, and no additional interest shall accrue solely as a result of such delayed payment. Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid, or, if no interest has been paid, from and including the date of issuance. The Issuer shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period), at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

 

(2)           Method of Payment. The Issuer will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) on the applicable Interest Payment Date to the Persons who are registered Holders at the close of business on the March 1 and September 1 preceding the Interest Payment Date (whether or not a Business Day), even if such Notes are cancelled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. If a Holder having an aggregate principal amount of Notes of more than $5,000,000 has given written wire transfer instructions to that holder’s U.S. dollar account within the United States to the Trustee at least 10 Business Days prior to the applicable Interest Payment Date, the Issuer will make all payments of principal, premium and interest, on such Holder’s Notes by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account specified in those instructions. Otherwise, payments on the Notes will be made at the office or agency of the Trustee or Paying Agent unless the Issuer elects to make interest payments by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

 

Any payments of principal of this Note prior to Stated Maturity shall be binding upon all future Holders of this Note and of any Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange hereof or in lieu hereof, whether or not noted hereon. The final principal amount due and payable at the maturity of this Note shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of this Note at an office of the Trustee or the Trustee’s agent appointed for such purposes. Payments in respect of Global Notes will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Depositary.

 

(3)           Paying Agent and Registrar. Initially, the Trustee shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder, and the Issuer and/or any Restricted Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

(4)           Indenture. The Issuer issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of September 14, 2021 (the “Indenture”), among the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors thereto and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture. To the extent the provisions of this Note are inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture, the Indenture shall govern. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms. The Initial Notes issued on the Issue Date were initially issued in an aggregate principal amount of $400,000,000. The Indenture permits the issuance of Additional Notes subject to compliance with certain conditions.

 

The payment of principal, interest on the Notes and all other amounts under the Indenture is unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

 

(5)             Optional Redemption.

 

(a)             The Notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time prior to September 15, 2024 at the option of the Issuer, at a redemption price equal to 100.0% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant regular record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).

 

(b)             At any time or from time to time on or after September 15, 2024, the Issuer, at its option, may redeem the Notes in whole or in part at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant regular record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning September 15 of the years indicated below:

 

Year		Redemption Price
2024			101.938	%
2025			100.969	%
2026 and thereafter			100.000	%

 

(c)             In the event that on or before September 15, 2024, the Issuer receives net cash proceeds in one or more Equity Offerings, the Issuer may use an amount not greater than the amount of such net cash proceeds to redeem up to 40% of the original aggregate principal amount of all Notes issued (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) at a redemption price of 103.875% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant regular record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date); provided that:

 

(1)           at least 50.0% of the original aggregate principal amount of all Notes issued (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) remains outstanding after each such redemption; and

 

(2)           the redemption date occurs not more than 180 days after the date of the consummation of any such Equity Offering.

 

(d)            The Notes may also be purchased or acquired by the Issuer or its Affiliates in certain circumstances set forth in Section 3.7(d) of the Indenture.

 

(e)             If Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes validly tender and do not withdraw such Notes in connection with any tender offer or other offer to purchase the Notes (including pursuant to a Change of Control Offer, Alternate Offer or an offer to purchase with the proceeds from any Asset Disposition) and the Issuer, or any other Person making such offer in lieu of the Issuer, purchases all of the Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn by such Holders, the Issuer will have the right, upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, to redeem all Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price in cash equal to the applicable price paid to Holders in such purchase, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant regular record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

 

(6)             Offer to Purchase upon Change of Control or Asset Disposition.

 

(a)             Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Issuer may be required to offer to repurchase all or any part of each Holder’s Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer on terms set forth in the Indenture.

 

(b)             Upon the occurrence of certain Asset Dispositions, the Issuer may be required to offer to purchase Notes as provided in the Indenture.

 

 

(c)             Holders of the Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive notice of an Offer to Purchase pursuant to Section 4.10 or the Change of Control Offer, as applicable, from the Issuer prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form titled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached hereto.

 

(7)             Notice of Redemption. Notice of redemption shall be delivered at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date (except that notices may be delivered more than 60 days before an expected redemption date if the notice is issued in accordance with Article VIII of the Indenture) to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed in accordance with Section 11.1 of the Indenture. Notices of redemption may be subject to conditions precedent as set forth in the Indenture. Notes in denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part so long as no partial redemption results in a Note having a principal amount that is not a multiple of $1,000.

 

(8)             Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in initial denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of the Notes may be registered and the Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar, the Trustee and the Issuer may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, and the Issuer may require a Holder to pay any stamp or transfer tax or similar government charge required by law or permitted by the Indenture in accordance with Section 2.6(g)(2) of the Indenture. The Registrar is not required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such selection, (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part, or (C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

 

(9)             Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

 

(10)           Amendment, Supplement and Waiver. The Indenture, the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

 

(11)           Defaults and Remedies. If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default relating to certain bankruptcy events) shall have occurred and be continuing under the Indenture, the Trustee, by written notice to the Issuer, or the Holders of at least 25.0% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by written notice to the Issuer and the Trustee, may declare all amounts owing under the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such acceleration declaration, the aggregate principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the outstanding Notes shall become due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default relating to specified bankruptcy events occurs, then all unpaid principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all of the outstanding Notes shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other action or notice on the part of the Trustee or any Holder of the Notes. Accelerations may be rescinded, and Events of Default may be waived as provided in the Indenture.

 

(12)           No Recourse Against Others. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or stockholder of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor (other than the Issuer in respect of the Notes and each Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of its Subsidiary Guarantee) under the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities law.

 

(13)           Authentication. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual or electronic signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

 

(14)           Abbreviations. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= custodian) and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

 

 

(15)           CUSIP and ISIN Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuer has caused CUSIP and ISIN numbers to be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to the Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption, and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

The Issuer shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:

 

Papa John’s International, Inc.
20▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇’▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
▇mail: ▇▇▇_▇▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Chief Financial Officer

 

with a copy to:

 

Email: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇_▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇

Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Chief Legal and Risk Officer

 

 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

To assign this Note, fill in the form below: (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

 

(Print or Type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

And irrevocably appoint

 

to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuer. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

Date:

 

	Your Signature:
		(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

 

Signature guarantee:

 

 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

 

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.13 of the Indenture, check the box below:

 

[   ] Section 4.10      [   ] Section 4.13

 

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.13 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased: $

 

Date:

 

	Your Signature:
		(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

 

Tax Identification No.:

 

Signature guarantee:

 

 

[INCLUDE IN TRANSFER RESTRICTED NOTES]

 

CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON
EXCHANGE OF TRANSFER RESTRICTED NOTES

 

Papa John’s International, Inc.
20▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇’▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
▇mail: ▇▇▇_▇▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Chief Financial Officer

 

with a copy to:

 

Email: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇_▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇

Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Chief Legal and Risk Officer

 

Truist Bank
Mail Code ###-##-####
2713 Forest Hills Road, Building 2 – Fl▇▇▇ ▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇ttention: Corporate Trust and Escrow Services

 

Re: 3.875% Senior Notes due 2029 CUSIP NO.                                       

 

Reference is hereby made to that certain Indenture dated September 14, 2021 (the “Indenture”) among Papa John’s International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (collectively with successors and assigns, the “Issuer”), the guarantors named therein, and Truist Bank, as trustee (the “Trustee”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Indenture.

 

This certificate relates to $            principal amount of Notes held in (check applicable space)           book-entry or             definitive form by the undersigned.

 

In connection with any transfer of any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate occurring prior to the expiration of the Resale Restriction Termination Date, the undersigned confirms that such Notes are being transferred as follows:

 

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW:

 

(1)	¨	to the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries; or
(2)	¨	inside the United States to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) that purchases for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that such transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in each case pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A thereunder; or
(3)	¨	transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”); or
(4)	¨	outside the United States in an offshore transaction within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act, in compliance with Rule 904 thereunder; or
(5)	¨	transferred to an institutional “accredited investor” (within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act), that has furnished to the Trustee a signed letter containing certain representations and agreements (the form of which letter appears as Exhibit D of the Indenture); or

 

 

(6)  ¨     transferred pursuant to another available exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act.

 

Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Registrar will refuse to register any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate in the name of any person other than the registered Holder thereof; provided, however, that if box (4), (5) or (6) is checked, the Trustee or the Issuer may require, prior to registering any such transfer of the Notes, the delivery of an opinion of counsel, certification and/or other information satisfactory to each of them to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act, such as the exemption provided by Rule 144 under such Act.

 

Signature

 

Signature Guarantee:
	(Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized
	signature guarantee medallion program)

 

TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (2) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

 

The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that each of it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Rule 144A”), and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Issuer as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.

 

	[Name of Transferee]
	NOTICE: To be executed by an executive officer, if an entity

 

Dated: ________________

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES AND DECREASES OF 3.875% SENIOR NOTES DUE
2029³

 

The following transfers, exchanges and redemption of this Global Note have been made:

 

Date of Transfer, Exchange or Redemption	Amount of Decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Note	Amount of Increase in Principal Amount of this Global Note	Principal Amount of this Global Note Following Such Decrease (or Increase)	Signature of Trustee or Note Custodian

 

 

³           For Global Notes only.

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE TO BE DELIVERED
BY SUBSEQUENT SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS]

 

This Supplemental Indenture and Subsidiary Guarantee, dated as of                                               , 20__ (this “Supplemental Indenture” or “Subsidiary Guarantee”), among                          (the “New Guarantor”), Papa John’s International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with its successors and assigns, the “Issuer”), each other then-existing Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture referred to below (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”), and Truist Bank, as Trustee, paying agent and registrar under such Indenture.

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee have heretofore executed and delivered an Indenture, dated as of September 14, 2021 (as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified, the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of an unlimited aggregate principal amount of 3.875% Senior Notes due 2029 of the Issuer (the “Notes”);

 

WHEREAS, Section 4.15 of the Indenture provides that in certain circumstances the Issuer may be required to cause certain Domestic Subsidiaries of the Issuer to execute and deliver a Guarantee with respect to the Notes on the same terms and conditions as those set forth in the Indenture.

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.1(7) of the Indenture, the Trustee, the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture to amend the Indenture, without the consent of any Holder to add an additional Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the New Guarantor, the Issuer, the existing Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
Definitions

 

SECTION 1.1     Defined Terms. As used in this Supplemental Indenture, capitalized terms defined in the Indenture or in the preamble or recitals thereto are used herein as therein defined. The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereby” and other words of similar import used in this Supplemental Indenture refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular section hereof.

 

ARTICLE II
Agreement to be Bound; Guarantee

 

SECTION 2.1     Agreement to be Bound. The New Guarantor hereby becomes a party to the Indenture as a Subsidiary Guarantor and as such shall have all of the rights and be subject to all of the obligations and agreements of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture. The New Guarantor agrees to be bound by all of the provisions of the Indenture applicable to a Subsidiary Guarantor and to perform all of the obligations and agreements of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture, subject to the release provisions and other limitations set forth in the Indenture.

 

ARTICLE III
Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 3.1     Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

SECTION 3.2     Severability Clause. In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability.

 

 

SECTION 3.3     Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture; No Liability of Trustee. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect, including, without limitation, Section 7.6 thereof. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every Holder of a Note heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby. The Trustee makes no representation or warranty as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or the New Guarantor’s Subsidiary Guarantee. Additionally, the Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or with respect to any of the recitals or statements contained herein, all of which recitals or statements are made solely by the Issuer, the New Guarantor and the Subsidiary Guarantors, and the Trustee makes no representation with respect to any such matters.

 

SECTION 3.4     Counterparts. This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in two or more counterparts, which when so executed shall constitute one and the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Supplemental Indenture or any document to be signed in connection with the Indenture shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, and the parties hereto consent to conduct the transactions contemplated hereunder by electronic means. Signatures of the shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Indenture or any document to be signed in connection with this Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, and the parties hereto consent to conduct the transactions contemplated hereunder by electronic means. This Supplemental Indenture shall be valid, binding, and enforceable against a party only when executed and delivered by an authorized individual on behalf of the party by means of (i) any electronic signature permitted by the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, state enactments of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, and/or any other relevant electronic signatures law, including relevant provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code/UCC (collectively, “Signature Law”); (ii) an original manual signature; or (iii) a faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature. Each electronic signature or faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature shall for all purposes have the same validity, legal effect, and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature. Each party hereto shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon, and shall have no liability with respect to, any faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature, or other electronic signature, of any party and shall have no duty to investigate, confirm or otherwise verify the validity or authenticity thereof. This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute one and the same instrument. For avoidance of doubt, original manual signatures shall be used for execution or indorsement of writings when required under the UCC or other Signature Law due to the character or intended character of the writings.

 

SECTION 3.5     Headings. The headings of the Articles and the sections in this Subsidiary Guarantee are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to alter or affect the meaning or interpretation of any provisions hereof.

 

SECTION 3.6     Trustee Disclaimer. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or with respect to any of the recitals or statements contained herein, all of which recitals or statements are made solely by the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, and the Trustee makes no representation with respect to any such matters. Additionally, the Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture.

 

 

SECTION 3.7     Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial. Each of the parties to this Supplemental Indenture each hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees or this Supplemental Indenture, and all such parties hereby irrevocably agree that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or federal court and hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent that they may legally do so, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding. EACH OF THE ISSUER, THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR, THE HOLDERS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

[Signatures on following page]

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

 

	Papa John’s International, Inc., AS ISSUER
	By:
		Name:
		Title:
	[EXISTING SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS]
	By:
		Name:
		Title:
	[NEW GUARANTOR], as a Guarantor
	By:
		Name:
		Title:
	TRUIST BANK, as Trustee
	By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

 

EXHIBIT C

 

[FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED
IN CONNECTION WITH TRANSFERS PURSUANT TO REGULATIONS]

 

Papa John’s International, Inc.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇’▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Email: ▇▇▇_▇▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Chief Financial Officer

 

with a copy to:

Email: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇_▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇

Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Chief Legal and Risk Officer

 

Truist Bank
Mail Code ###-##-####
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇ – ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Corporate Trust and Escrow Services

 

Re:

Papa John’s International, Inc. (the “Issuer”) 3.875% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Notes”)

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

In connection with our proposed sale of $                     aggregate principal amount of the Notes (CUSIP No.                               ), we confirm that such sale has been effected pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation S (“Regulation S”) under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, we represent that:

 

(1)        the offer of the Notes was not made to a person in the United States;

 

(2)        either (a) at the time the buy order was originated, the transferee was outside the United States or we and any person acting on our behalf reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the United States or (b) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated off-shore securities market and neither we nor any person acting on our behalf knows that the transaction has been pre-arranged with a buyer in the United States;

 

(3)        no directed selling efforts have been made in the United States in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S, as applicable; and

 

(4)        the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

In addition, if the sale is made during a restricted period and the provisions of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S are applicable thereto, we confirm that such sale has been made in accordance with the applicable provisions of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b), as the case may be.

 

 

The Issuer and you are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby. Terms used in this certificate have the meanings set forth in Regulation S.

 

	Very truly yours,
	[Name of Transferor]
	By:
		Authorized Signature

 

 

EXHIBIT D

 

[FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED
IN CONNECTION WITH TRANSFERS TO IAIs]

 

Papa John’s International, Inc.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇’▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Email: ▇▇▇_▇▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Chief Financial Officer

 

with a copy to:

Email: caroline ▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇

Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Chief Legal and Risk Officer

 

Truist Bank
Mail Code ###-##-####
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇ – ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Corporate Trust and Escrow Services

 

Re:

Papa John’s International, Inc. (the “Issuer”) 3.875% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Notes”)

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This certificate is delivered to request a transfer of $                     principal amount of the Notes.

 

Upon transfer, the Notes would be registered in the name of the new beneficial owner as follows:

 

Name:________________________________________

 

Address:______________________________________

 

Taxpayer ID Number:____________________________

 

The undersigned represents and warrants to you that:

 

1.              We are an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3), (7), (9) or (12) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)), purchasing for our own account or for the account of such an institutional “accredited investor” at least $250,000 principal amount of the Notes, and we are acquiring the Notes not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution in violation of the Securities Act. We have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risk of our investment in the Notes, and we invest in or purchase securities similar to the Notes in the normal course of our business. We and any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.

 

 

2.            We understand that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act (or the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction) and, unless so registered, may not be reoffered, sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, encumbered or otherwise disposed of except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree on our own behalf and on behalf of any investor account for which we are purchasing Notes to offer, sell or otherwise transfer such Notes prior to the date that is one year after the later of the date of original issue, the original issue date of any additional Notes and the last date on which the Issuer or any affiliate of the Issuer was the owner of such Notes (or any predecessor thereto) (the “Resale Restriction Termination Date”) only (a) to the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries, (b) pursuant to a registration statement that has been declared effective under the Securities Act, (c) for so long as the Securities are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, in a transaction complying with the requirements of Rule 144A under the Securities Act, to a person we reasonably believe is a “qualified institutional buyer” under Rule 144A under the Securities Act (a “QIB”) that is purchasing for its own account or for the account of a QIB and to whom notice is given that the transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, (d) pursuant to offers and sales that occur outside the United States to non-U.S. persons, in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act, (e) to an institutional “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3), (7), (9) or (12) under the Securities Act that is not a QIB and is purchasing for its own account or for the account of another institutional “accredited investor,” in each case in a minimum principal amount of Securities of $250,000, for investment purposes and not with a view to or for offer or sale in connection with any distribution in violation of the Securities Act or (f) pursuant to any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, subject in each of the foregoing cases to any requirement of law that the disposition of our property or the property of such investor account or accounts be at all times within our or their control and in compliance with any applicable state securities laws. The foregoing restrictions on resale will not apply subsequent to the Resale Restriction Termination Date. If any resale or other transfer of the Notes is proposed to be made pursuant to clause (e) above prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date, the transferor shall deliver a letter from the transferee substantially in the form of this letter to the Issuer and Truist Bank, as trustee (the “Trustee”), which shall provide, among other things, that the transferee is an institutional “accredited investor” (within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3), (7), (9) or (12) under the Securities Act) and that it is acquiring such Securities for investment purposes and not for distribution in violation of the Securities Act. Each purchaser acknowledges that the Issuer and the Trustee reserve the right prior to any offer, sale or other transfer prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date of the Notes pursuant to clause (d), (e) or (f) above to require the delivery of an opinion of counsel, certifications and/or other information satisfactory to the Issuer and the Trustee.

 

3.            We [are] [are not] an affiliate of the Issuer.

 

 

The Trustee and the Issuer are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

 

	Very truly yours,
	[Name of Transferor]
	By:
		Authorized Signature