CREDIT AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is entered into as of November 1, 1997, by and between
GARDEN FRESH RESTAURANT CORP., a California corporation ("Borrower"), and
▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ("Bank").
RECITAL
Borrower has requested from Bank the credit accommodation described
below, and Bank has agreed to provide said credit accommodation to Borrower on
the terms and conditions contained herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, for valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which are hereby acknowledged, Bank and Borrower hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
THE CREDIT
SECTION 1.1. LINE OF CREDIT.
(a) Line of Credit. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, Bank hereby agrees to make advances to Borrower from time to time
up to and including November 1, 1999, not to exceed at any time the aggregate
principal amount of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00) ("Line of Credit"),
the proceeds of which shall be used to finance working capital requirements or
fixed assets. Borrower's obligation to repay advances under the Line of
Credit shall be evidenced by a promissory note substantially in the form of
Exhibit A attached hereto ("Line of Credit Note"), all terms of which are
incorporated herein by this reference.
(b) Borrowing and Repayment. Borrower may from time to time during the
term of the Line of Credit borrow, partially or wholly repay its outstanding
borrowings, and reborrow, subject to all of the limitations, terms and
conditions contained herein or in the Line of Credit Note; provided however,
that the total outstanding borrowings under the Line of Credit shall not at
any time exceed the maximum principal amount available thereunder, as set
forth above.
SECTION 1.2. INTEREST/FEES.
(a) Interest. The outstanding principal balance of the Line of Credit
shall bear interest at the rate of interest set forth in the Line of Credit
Note.
(b) Computation and Payment. Interest shall be computed on the basis of
a 360-day year, actual days elapsed. Interest shall be payable at the times
and place set forth in the Line of Credit Note.
(c) Commitment Fee. Borrower shall pay to Bank a non- refundable
commitment fee for the Line of Credit equal to Twelve Thousand Five Hundred
Dollars ($12,500.00), which fee shall be due and payable in full on the date
this Agreement is executed by Borrower.
SECTION 1.3. COLLECTION OF PAYMENTS. Borrower authorizes Bank to
collect all interest and fees due under the Line of Credit by charging
Borrower's demand deposit account number 4771-108404 with Bank, or any other
demand deposit account maintained by Borrower with Bank, for the full amount
thereof. Should there be insufficient funds in any such demand deposit
account to pay all such sums when due, the full amount of such deficiency
shall be immediately due and payable by Borrower.
SECTION 1.4. COLLATERAL.
As security for all indebtedness of Borrower to Bank subject hereto,
Borrower hereby grants to Bank security interests of first priority in all
Borrower's equipment and fixtures located at the following addresses: (1)
Souplantation restaurant, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇;
(2) Souplantation restaurant, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇; (3) Sweet Tomatoes restaurant, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇; (4) Sweet Tomatoes restaurant, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇.
All of the foregoing shall be evidenced by and subject to the terms of
such security agreements, financing statements and other documents as Bank
shall reasonably require, all in form and substance satisfactory to Bank.
Borrower shall reimburse Bank immediately upon demand for all reasonable costs
and expenses incurred by Bank in connection with any of the foregoing
security, including without limitation, filing and recording fees and costs of
appraisals and audits.
ARTICLE II
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Borrower makes the following representations and warranties to Bank,
which representations and warranties shall survive the execution of this
Agreement and shall continue in full force and effect until the full and final
payment, and satisfaction and discharge, of all obligations of Borrower to
Bank subject to this Agreement.
SECTION 2.1. LEGAL STATUS. Borrower is a corporation, duly organized
and existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of Delaware, and
is qualified or licensed to do business (and is in good standing as a foreign
corporation, if applicable) in all jurisdictions in which such qualification
or licensing is required or in which the failure to so qualify or to be so
licensed could have a material adverse effect on Borrower.
SECTION 2.2. AUTHORIZATION AND VALIDITY. This Agreement, the Line of
Credit Note, and each other document, contract and instrument required hereby
or at any time hereafter delivered to Bank in connection herewith
(collectively, the "Loan Documents") have been duly authorized, and upon their
execution and delivery in accordance with the provisions hereof will
constitute legal, valid and binding agreements and obligations of Borrower or
the party which executes the same, enforceable in accordance with their
respective terms.
SECTION 2.3. NO VIOLATION. The execution, delivery and performance by
Borrower of each of the Loan Documents do not violate any provision of any law
or regulation, or contravene any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or
By-Laws of Borrower, or result in any breach of or default under any contract,
obligation, indenture or other instrument to which Borrower is a party or by
which Borrower may be bound.
SECTION 2.4. LITIGATION. There are no pending, or to the best of
Borrower's knowledge threatened, actions, claims, investigations, suits or
proceedings by or before any governmental authority, arbitrator, court or
administrative agency which could have a material adverse effect on the
financial condition or operation of Borrower other than those disclosed by
Borrower to Bank in writing prior to the date hereof.
SECTION 2.5. CORRECTNESS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The 10Q financial
statement of Borrower dated June 30, 1997, a true copy of which has been
delivered by Borrower to Bank prior to the date hereof, (a) is complete and
correct and presents fairly the financial condition of Borrower, (b) discloses
all liabilities of Borrower that are required to be reflected or reserved
against under generally accepted accounting principles, whether liquidated or
unliquidated, fixed or contingent, and (c) has been prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied. Since the
date of such financial statement there has been no material adverse change in
the financial condition of Borrower, nor has Borrower mortgaged, pledged,
granted a security interest in or otherwise encumbered any of its assets or
properties except in favor of Bank or as otherwise permitted by Bank in
writing.
SECTION 2.6. INCOME TAX RETURNS. Borrower has no knowledge of any
pending assessments or adjustments of its income tax payable with respect to
any year.
SECTION 2.7. NO SUBORDINATION. There is no agreement, indenture,
contract or instrument to which Borrower is a party or by which Borrower may
be bound that requires the subordination in right of payment of any of
Borrower's obligations subject to this Agreement to any other obligation of
Borrower.
SECTION 2.8. PERMITS, FRANCHISES. Borrower possesses, and will
hereafter possess, all permits, consents, approvals, franchises and licenses
required and rights to all trademarks, trade names, patents, and fictitious
names, if any, necessary to enable it to conduct the business in which it is
now engaged in compliance with applicable law.
SECTION 2.9. ERISA. Borrower is in compliance in all material respects
with all applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974, as amended or recodified from time to time ("ERISA"); Borrower has
not violated any provision of any defined employee pension benefit plan (as
defined in ERISA) maintained or contributed to by Borrower (each, a "Plan");
no Reportable Event as defined in ERISA has occurred and is continuing with
respect to any Plan initiated by Borrower; Borrower has met its minimum
funding requirements under ERISA with respect to each Plan; and each Plan will
be able to fulfill its benefit obligations as they come due in accordance with
the Plan documents and under generally accepted accounting principles.
SECTION 2.10. OTHER OBLIGATIONS. Borrower is not in default on any
obligation for borrowed money, any purchase money obligation or any other
material lease, commitment, contract, instrument or obligation.
SECTION 2.11. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Except as disclosed by Borrower to
Bank in writing prior to the date hereof, Borrower is in compliance in all
material respects with all applicable federal or state environmental,
hazardous waste, health and safety statutes, and any rules or regulations
adopted pursuant thereto, which govern or affect any of Borrower's operations
and/or properties, including without limitation, the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, the Superfund
Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, the Federal Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act of 1976, and the Federal Toxic Substances Control Act, as any
of the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time. None
of the operations of Borrower is the subject of any federal or state
investigation evaluating whether any remedial action involving a material
expenditure is needed to respond to a release of any toxic or hazardous waste
or substance into the environment. Borrower has no material contingent
liability in connection with any release of any toxic or hazardous waste or
substance into the environment.
ARTICLE III
CONDITIONS
SECTION 3.1. CONDITIONS OF INITIAL EXTENSION OF CREDIT. The obligation
of Bank to extend any credit contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the
fulfillment to Bank's satisfaction of all of the following conditions:
(a) Approval of Bank Counsel. All legal matters incidental to the
extension of credit by Bank shall be satisfactory to Bank's counsel. Such
satisfaction shall be deemed to have occurred upon execution of this Agreement
by Bank.
(b) Documentation. Bank shall have received, in form and substance
satisfactory to Bank, each of the following, duly executed:
(i) This Agreement and the Line of Credit Note.
(ii) Corporate Resolution.
(iii) Certificate of Incumbency.
(iv) Security Agreement: Equipment and Fixtures.
(v) UCC-1 Financing Statements.
(vi) Such other documents as Bank may require under any
other Section of this Agreement.
(c) Financial Condition. There shall have been no material adverse
change, as reasonably determined by Bank, in the financial condition or
business of Borrower, nor any material decline, as reasonably determined by
Bank, in the market value of any collateral required hereunder or a
substantial or material portion of the assets of Borrower.
(d) Insurance. Borrower shall have delivered to Bank evidence of
insurance coverage on all Borrower's property, in form, substance, amounts,
covering risks and issued by companies satisfactory to Bank, and where
required by Bank, with loss payable endorsements in favor of Bank. Insurance
companies with a financial rating of at least an A+ VIII status as rated in
the most current edition of Best's Insurance Reports shall be deemed
satisfactory to Bank.
SECTION 3.2. CONDITIONS OF EACH EXTENSION OF CREDIT. The obligation of
Bank to make each extension of credit requested by Borrower hereunder shall be
subject to the fulfillment to Bank's satisfaction of each of the following
conditions:
(a) Compliance. The representations and warranties contained herein and
in each of the other Loan Documents shall be true on and as of the date of the
signing of this Agreement and on the date of each extension of credit by Bank
pursuant hereto, with the same effect as though such representations and
warranties had been made on and as of each such date, and on each such date,
no Event of Default as defined herein, and no condition, event or act which
with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would constitute such
an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing or shall exist.
(b) Documentation. Bank shall have received all additional documents
which may be required by this Agreement in connection with such extension of
credit.
ARTICLE IV
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Borrower covenants that so long as Bank remains committed to extend
credit to Borrower pursuant hereto, or any liabilities (whether direct or
contingent, liquidated or unliquidated) of Borrower to Bank under any of the
Loan Documents remain outstanding, and until payment in full of all
obligations of Borrower subject hereto, Borrower shall, unless Bank otherwise
consents in writing:
SECTION 4.1. PUNCTUAL PAYMENTS. Punctually pay all principal,
interest, fees or other liabilities due under any of the Loan Documents at the
times and place and in the manner specified therein.
SECTION 4.2. ACCOUNTING RECORDS. Maintain adequate books and records
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently
applied, and permit any representative of Bank, at any reasonable time, to
inspect, audit and examine such books and records, to make copies of the same,
and to inspect the properties of Borrower.
SECTION 4.3. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Provide to Bank all of the
following, in form and detail satisfactory to Bank:
(a) not later than 90 days after and as of the end of each fiscal year,
an audited financial statement of Borrower, prepared by a certified public
accountant acceptable to Bank, to include a balance sheet and an income
statement, a statement of cash flow and all footnotes;
(b) not later than 45 days after and as of the end of each fiscal
quarter, a financial statement of Borrower, prepared by Borrower, to include a
balance sheet, an income statement and an income statement of restaurants
grouped by year of establishment;
(c) not later than 30 days before the end of each fiscal year, annual
analysts' statement of expected growth and profitability for the upcoming
fiscal year, approved by Borrower.
SECTION 4.4. COMPLIANCE. Preserve and maintain all licenses, permits,
governmental approvals, rights, privileges and franchises necessary for the
conduct of its business; and comply with the provisions of all documents
pursuant to which Borrower is organized and/or which govern Borrower's
continued existence and with the requirements of all laws, rules, regulations
and orders of any governmental authority applicable to Borrower and/or its
business.
SECTION 4.5. INSURANCE. Maintain and keep in force insurance of the
types and in amounts customarily carried in lines of business similar to that
of Borrower, including but not limited to fire, extended coverage, public
liability, flood, property damage and workers' compensation, with all such
insurance carried with companies and in amounts satisfactory to Bank, and
deliver to Bank from time to time at Bank's request schedules setting forth
all insurance then in effect. Insurance companies with a financial rating of
at least an A+ VIII status as rated in the most current edition of Best's
Insurance Reports shall be deemed satisfactory to Bank.
SECTION 4.6. FACILITIES. Keep all properties useful or necessary to
Borrower's business in good repair and condition, and from time to time make
necessary repairs, renewals and replacements thereto so that such properties
shall be fully and efficiently preserved and maintained.
SECTION 4.7. TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES. Pay and discharge when due
any and all indebtedness, obligations, assessments and taxes, both real or
personal, including without limitation federal and state income taxes and
state and local property taxes and assessments, except such (a) as Borrower
may in good faith contest or as to which a bona fide dispute may arise, and
(b) for which Borrower has made provision, to Bank's satisfaction, for
eventual payment thereof in the event Borrower is obligated to make such
payment.
SECTION 4.8. LITIGATION. Promptly give notice in writing to Bank of
any litigation pending or threatened against Borrower with a claim in excess
of $500,000.00.
SECTION 4.9. FINANCIAL CONDITION. Maintain Borrower's financial
condition as follows using generally accepted accounting principles
consistently applied and used consistently with prior practices (except to the
extent modified by the definitions herein):
(a) Tangible Net Worth not at any time less than $29,000,000.00 plus 75%
of quarterly net income (excluding any quarterly losses), with "Tangible Net
Worth" defined as the aggregate of total stockholders' equity plus
subordinated debt less any intangible assets (including any deferred income
tax benefits).
(b) Total Liabilities divided by Tangible Net Worth not at any time
greater than 1.25 to 1.0, with "Total Liabilities" defined as the aggregate of
current liabilities and non-current liabilities less subordinated debt, and
with "Tangible Net Worth" defined above.
(c) Net income after taxes not less than $1,000,000.00 on an annual
basis, determined as of each fiscal year end, and pre-tax profit not less than
$250,000.00 on a quarterly basis, determined as of each fiscal quarter end.
(d) EBITDAR Coverage Ratio not less than 2.0 to 1.0 as of each fiscal
quarter end, with "EBITDAR" defined as net profit before tax plus interest
expense (net of capitalized interest expense), depreciation expense, rent
expense and amortization expense, and with "EBITDAR Coverage Ratio" defined as
EBITDAR divided by the aggregate of total interest expense plus rent expense
plus the prior period current maturity of long-term debt and the prior period
current maturity of subordinated debt.
(e) Total Funded Debt to trailing four quarters EBITDA not to exceed 2.0
to 1.0, with "Total Funded Debt" described as all debt except accounts
payable, accruals, and current liabilities incurred in normal course of
business, and with "EBITDA" defined as net profit before tax plus interest
expense (net of capitalized interest expense), depreciation expense and
amortization expense.
SECTION 4.10. NOTICE TO BANK. Promptly (but in no event more than ten
(10) days after the occurrence of each such event or matter) give written
notice to Bank in reasonable detail of: (a) the occurrence of any Event of
Default, or any condition, event or act which with the giving of notice or the
passage of time or both would constitute an Event of Default; (b) any change
in the name or the organizational structure of Borrower; (c) the occurrence
and nature of any Reportable Event or Prohibited Transaction, each as defined
in ERISA, or any funding deficiency with respect to any Plan; or (d) any
termination or cancellation of any insurance policy which Borrower is required
to maintain, or any uninsured or partially uninsured loss through liability or
property damage, or through fire, theft or any other cause affecting
Borrower's property.
ARTICLE V
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
Borrower further covenants that so long as Bank remains committed to
extend credit to Borrower pursuant hereto, or any liabilities (whether direct
or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated) of Borrower to Bank under any of
the Loan Documents remain outstanding, and until payment in full of all
obligations of Borrower subject hereto, Borrower will not without Bank's prior
written consent:
SECTION 5.1. USE OF FUNDS. Use any of the proceeds of any credit
extended hereunder except for the purposes stated in Article I hereof.
SECTION 5.2. CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. Make any additional investment in
fixed assets in any fiscal year in excess of an aggregate of $20,000,000.00
during 1997, $20,000,000.00 during 1998 or $24,000,000.00 during 1999.
SECTION 5.3. OTHER INDEBTEDNESS. Create, incur, assume or permit to
exist any indebtedness or liabilities resulting from borrowings, loans or
advances, whether secured or unsecured, matured or unmatured, liquidated or
unliquidated, joint or several, except (a) the liabilities of Borrower to
Bank, (b) term loans (but not lines of credit or other revolving credit
facilities) which finance or refinance construction or improvement of
Borrower's restaurants, and (c) any other liabilities of Borrower existing as
of, and disclosed to Bank prior to, the date hereof.
SECTION 5.4. MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, TRANSFER OF ASSETS. Merge into or
consolidate with any other entity; make any substantial change in the nature
of Borrower's business as conducted as of the date hereof; acquire all or
substantially all of the assets of any other entity; nor sell, lease, transfer
or otherwise dispose of all or a substantial or material portion of Borrower's
assets except in the ordinary course of its business.
SECTION 5.5. GUARANTIES. Guarantee or become liable in any way as
surety, endorser (other than as endorser of negotiable instruments for deposit
or collection in the ordinary course of business), accommodation endorser or
otherwise for, nor pledge or hypothecate any assets of Borrower as security
for, any liabilities or obligations of any other person or entity, except any
of the foregoing in favor of Bank.
SECTION 5.6. LOANS, ADVANCES, INVESTMENTS. Make any loans or advances
to or investments in any person or entity, except any of the foregoing
existing as of, and disclosed to Bank prior to, the date hereof.
SECTION 5.7. DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS. Declare or pay any dividend or
distribution either in cash, stock or any other property on Borrower's stock
now or hereafter outstanding, nor redeem, retire, repurchase or otherwise
acquire any shares of any class of Borrower's stock now or hereafter
outstanding , and Borrower shall provide to Bank, upon request, any
documentation required by Bank to substantiate the appropriateness of amounts
paid or to be paid.
SECTION 5.8. PLEDGE OF ASSETS. Mortgage, pledge, grant or permit to
exist a security interest in, or lien upon, all or any portion of Borrower's
assets now owned or hereafter acquired, except any of the foregoing in favor
of Bank or which is existing as of, and disclosed to Bank in writing prior to,
the date hereof, and except for security interests in or liens on equipment,
fixtures or real property not encumbered by Bank in favor of lenders providing
term financing as permitted in Section 5.3 (b) above.
ARTICLE VI
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
SECTION 6.1. The occurrence of any of the following shall constitute an
"Event of Default" under this Agreement:
(a) Borrower shall fail to pay within five (5) calendar days of when due
any principal, interest, fees or other amounts payable under any of the Loan
Documents.
(b) Any financial statement or certificate furnished to Bank in
connection with, or any representation or warranty made by Borrower or any
other party under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall prove to be
incorrect, false or misleading in any material respect when furnished or made.
(c) Any default in the performance of or compliance with any obligation,
agreement or other provision contained herein or in any other Loan Document
(other than those referred to in subsections (a) and (b) above), and with
respect to any such default which by its nature can be cured, such default
shall continue for a period of twenty (20) days from its occurrence.
(d) Any default in the payment or performance of any obligation, or any
defined event of default, under the terms of any contract or instrument (other
than any of the Loan Documents) pursuant to which Borrower has incurred any
debt or other liability to any person or entity, including Bank.
(e) The filing of a notice of judgment lien against Borrower; or the
recording of any abstract of judgment against Borrower in any county in which
Borrower has an interest in real property; or the service of a notice of levy
and/or of a writ of attachment or execution, or other like process, against
the assets of Borrower; or the entry of a judgment against Borrower.
(f) Borrower shall become insolvent, or shall suffer or consent to or
apply for the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or liquidator of
itself or any of its property, or shall generally fail to pay its debts as
they become due, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of
creditors; Borrower shall file a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, or seeking
reorganization, in order to effect a plan or other arrangement with creditors
or any other relief under the Bankruptcy Reform Act, Title 11 of the United
States Code, as amended or recodified from time to time ("Bankruptcy Code"),
or under any state or federal law granting relief to debtors, whether now or
hereafter in effect; or any involuntary petition or proceeding pursuant to the
Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable state or federal law relating to
bankruptcy, reorganization or other relief for debtors is filed or commenced
against Borrower, or Borrower shall file an answer admitting the jurisdiction
of the court and the material allegations of any involuntary petition; or
Borrower shall be adjudicated a bankrupt, or an order for relief shall be
entered against Borrower by any court of competent jurisdiction under the
Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable state or federal law relating to
bankruptcy, reorganization or other relief for debtors.
(g) There shall exist or occur any event or condition which Bank in good
faith believes impairs, or is substantially likely to impair, the prospect of
payment or performance by Borrower of its obligations under any of the Loan
Documents.
(h) The death or incapacity of Borrower. The dissolution or liquidation
of Borrower; or Borrower, or any of its directors, stockholders or members,
shall take action seeking to effect the dissolution or liquidation of
Borrower.
SECTION 6.2. REMEDIES. Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default:
(a) all indebtedness of Borrower under each of the Loan Documents, any term
thereof to the contrary notwithstanding, shall at Bank's option and without
notice become immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest
or notice of dishonor, all of which are hereby expressly waived by each
Borrower; (b) the obligation, if any, of Bank to extend any further credit
under any of the Loan Documents shall immediately cease and terminate; and (c)
Bank shall have all rights, powers and remedies available under each of the
Loan Documents, or accorded by law, including without limitation the right to
resort to any or all security for any credit accommodation from Bank subject
hereto and to exercise any or all of the rights of a beneficiary or secured
party pursuant to applicable law. All rights, powers and remedies of Bank may
be exercised at any time by Bank and from time to time after the occurrence of
an Event of Default, are cumulative and not exclusive, and shall be in
addition to any other rights, powers or remedies provided by law or equity.
In addition to the foregoing, Bank shall have no obligation to extend further
credit under any of the Loan Documents during the five (5) day period
described in Section 6.1 (a) above.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 7.1. NO WAIVER. No delay, failure or discontinuance of Bank in
exercising any right, power or remedy under any of the Loan Documents shall
affect or operate as a waiver of such right, power or remedy; nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude, waive
or otherwise affect any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of
any other right, power or remedy. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of
any kind by Bank of any breach of or default under any of the Loan Documents
must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent set forth in such
writing.
SECTION 7.2. NOTICES. All notices, requests and demands which any
party is required or may desire to give to any other party under any provision
of this Agreement must be in writing delivered to each party at the following
address:
BORROWER: Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp.
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
BANK: ▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
San Diego Regional Commercial Banking ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
or to such other address as any party may designate by written notice to all
other parties. Each such notice, request and demand shall be deemed given or
made as follows: (a) if sent by hand delivery, upon delivery; (b) if sent by
mail, upon the earlier of the date of receipt or three (3) days after deposit
in the U.S. mail, first class and postage prepaid; and (c) if sent by
telecopy, upon receipt.
SECTION 7.3. COSTS, EXPENSES AND ATTORNEYS' FEES. Borrower shall pay
to Bank immediately upon demand the full amount of all payments, advances,
charges, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees (to include
outside counsel fees and all allocated costs of Bank's in-house counsel),
expended or incurred by Bank in connection with (a) the negotiation and
preparation of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to a maximum of
$1,000.00, Bank's continued administration hereof and thereof, and the
preparation of any amendments and waivers hereto and thereto, (b) the
enforcement of Bank's rights and/or the collection of any amounts which become
due to Bank under any of the Loan Documents, and (c) the prosecution or
defense of any action in any way related to any of the Loan Documents,
including without limitation, any action for declaratory relief, whether
incurred at the trial or appellate level, in an arbitration proceeding or
otherwise, and including any of the foregoing incurred in connection with any
bankruptcy proceeding (including without limitation, any adversary proceeding,
contested matter or motion brought by Bank or any other person) relating to
any Borrower or any other person or entity.
SECTION 7.4. SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, administrators, legal
representatives, successors and assigns of the parties; provided however, that
Borrower may not assign or transfer its interest hereunder without Bank's
prior written consent. Bank reserves the right upon written notice to
Borrower to sell, assign, transfer, negotiate or grant participations in all
or any part of, or any interest in, Bank's rights and benefits under each of
the Loan Documents. In connection therewith, Bank may disclose all documents
and information which Bank now has or may hereafter acquire relating to any
credit extended by Bank to Borrower, Borrower or its business, or any
collateral required hereunder. In the event of a complete assignment by Bank
of Bank's rights and benefits under each of the Loan Documents, the assignee
shall assume all obligations of Bank under each of the Loan Documents.
SECTION 7.5. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT. This Agreement and the other
Loan Documents constitute the entire agreement between Borrower and Bank with
respect to any extension of credit by Bank subject hereto and supersede all
prior negotiations, communications, discussions and correspondence concerning
the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be amended or modified only in
writing signed by each party hereto.
SECTION 7.6. NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement is made and
entered into for the sole protection and benefit of the parties hereto and
their respective permitted successors and assigns, and no other person or
entity shall be a third party beneficiary of, or have any direct or indirect
cause of action or claim in connection with, this Agreement or any other of
the Loan Documents to which it is not a party.
SECTION 7.7. TIME. Time is of the essence of each and every provision
of this Agreement and each other of the Loan Documents.
SECTION 7.8. SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS. If any provision of this
Agreement shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such
provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or
invalidity without invalidating the remainder of such provision or any
remaining provisions of this Agreement.
SECTION 7.9. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts, each of which when executed and delivered shall be
deemed to be an original, and all of which when taken together shall
constitute one and the same Agreement.
SECTION 7.10. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California.
SECTION 7.11. ARBITRATION.
(a) Arbitration. Upon the demand of any party, any Dispute shall be
resolved by binding arbitration (except as set forth in (e) below) in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement. A "Dispute" shall mean any
action, dispute, claim or controversy of any kind, whether in contract or
tort, statutory or common law, legal or equitable, now existing or hereafter
arising under or in connection with, or in any way pertaining to, any of the
Loan Documents, or any past, present or future extensions of credit and other
activities, transactions or obligations of any kind related directly or
indirectly to any of the Loan Documents, including without limitation, any of
the foregoing arising in connection with the exercise of any self-help,
ancillary or other remedies pursuant to any of the Loan Documents. Any party
may by summary proceedings bring an action in court to compel arbitration of a
Dispute. Any party who fails or refuses to submit to arbitration following a
lawful demand by any other party shall bear all costs and expenses incurred by
such other party in compelling arbitration of any Dispute.
(b) Governing Rules. Arbitration proceedings shall be administered by
the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") or such other administrator as
the parties shall mutually agree upon in accordance with the AAA Commercial
Arbitration Rules. All Disputes submitted to arbitration shall be resolved in
accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act (Title 9 of the United States
Code), notwithstanding any conflicting choice of law provision in any of the
Loan Documents. The arbitration shall be conducted at a location in
California selected by the AAA or other administrator. If there is any
inconsistency between the terms hereof and any such rules, the terms and
procedures set forth herein shall control. All statutes of limitation
applicable to any Dispute shall apply to any arbitration proceeding. All
discovery activities shall be expressly limited to matters directly relevant
to the Dispute being arbitrated. Judgment upon any award rendered in an
arbitration may be entered in any court having jurisdiction; provided however,
that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to be a waiver by any party that
is a bank of the protections afforded to it under 12 U.S.C. #91 or any
similar applicable state law.
(c) No Waiver; Provisional Remedies, Self-Help and Foreclosure. No
provision hereof shall limit the right of any party to exercise self-help
remedies such as setoff, foreclosure against or sale of any real or personal
property collateral or security, or to obtain provisional or ancillary
remedies, including without limitation injunctive relief, sequestration,
attachment, garnishment or the appointment of a receiver, from a court of
competent jurisdiction before, after or during the pendency of any arbitration
or other proceeding. The exercise of any such remedy shall not waive the
right of any party to compel arbitration or reference hereunder.
(d) Arbitrator Qualifications and Powers; Awards. Arbitrators must be
active members of the California State Bar or retired judges of the state or
federal judiciary of California, with expertise in the substantive laws
applicable to the subject matter of the Dispute. Arbitrators are empowered to
resolve Disputes by summary rulings in response to motions filed prior to the
final arbitration hearing. Arbitrators (i) shall resolve all Disputes in
accordance with the substantive law of the state of California, (ii) may grant
any remedy or relief that a court of the state of California could order or
grant within the scope hereof and such ancillary relief as is necessary to
make effective any award, and (iii) shall have the power to award recovery of
all costs and fees, to impose sanctions and to take such other actions as they
deem necessary to the same extent a judge could pursuant to the Federal Rules
of Civil Procedure, the California Rules of Civil Procedure or other
applicable law. Any Dispute in which the amount in controversy is $5,000,000
or less shall be decided by a single arbitrator who shall not render an award
of greater than $5,000,000 (including damages, costs, fees and expenses). By
submission to a single arbitrator, each party expressly waives any right or
claim to recover more than $5,000,000. Any Dispute in which the amount in
controversy exceeds $5,000,000 shall be decided by majority vote of a panel of
three arbitrators; provided however, that all three arbitrators must actively
participate in all hearings and deliberations.
(e) Judicial Review. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,
in any arbitration in which the amount in controversy exceeds $25,000,000, the
arbitrators shall be required to make specific, written findings of fact and
conclusions of law. In such arbitrations (i) the arbitrators shall not have
the power to make any award which is not supported by substantial evidence or
which is based on legal error, (ii) an award shall not be binding upon the
parties unless the findings of fact are supported by substantial evidence and
the conclusions of law are not erroneous under the substantive law of the
state of California, and (iii) the parties shall have in addition to the
grounds referred to in the Federal Arbitration Act for vacating, modifying or
correcting an award the right to judicial review of (A) whether the findings
of fact rendered by the arbitrators are supported by substantial evidence, and
(B) whether the conclusions of law are erroneous under the substantive law of
the state of California. Judgment confirming an award in such a proceeding
may be entered only if a court determines the award is supported by
substantial evidence and not based on legal error under the substantive law of
the state of California.
(f) Real Property Collateral; Judicial Reference. Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, no Dispute shall be submitted to arbitration
if the Dispute concerns indebtedness secured directly or indirectly, in whole
or in part, by any real property unless (i) the holder of the mortgage, lien
or security interest specifically elects in writing to proceed with the
arbitration, or (ii) all parties to the arbitration waive any rights or
benefits that might accrue to them by virtue of the single action rule statute
of California, thereby agreeing that all indebtedness and obligations of the
parties, and all mortgages, liens and security interests securing such
indebtedness and obligations, shall remain fully valid and enforceable. If
any such Dispute is not submitted to arbitration, the Dispute shall be
referred to a referee in accordance with California Code of Civil Procedure
Section 638 et seq., and this general reference agreement is intended to be
specifically enforceable in accordance with said Section 638. A referee with
the qualifications required herein for arbitrators shall be selected pursuant
to the AAA's selection procedures. Judgment upon the decision rendered by a
referee shall be entered in the court in which such proceeding was commenced
in accordance with California Code of Civil Procedure Sections 644 and 645.
(g) Miscellaneous. To the maximum extent practicable, the AAA, the
arbitrators and the parties shall take all action required to conclude any
arbitration proceeding within 180 days of the filing of the Dispute with the
AAA. No arbitrator or other party to an arbitration proceeding may disclose
the existence, content or results thereof, except for disclosures of
information by a party required in the ordinary course of its business, by
applicable law or regulation, or to the extent necessary to exercise any
judicial review rights set forth herein. If more than one agreement for
arbitration by or between the parties potentially applies to a Dispute, the
arbitration provision most directly related to the Loan Documents or the
subject matter of the Dispute shall control. This arbitration provision shall
survive termination, amendment or expiration of any of the Loan Documents or
any relationship between the parties.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the day and year first written above.
▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO BANK,
GARDEN FRESH RESTAURANT CORP. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇ By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
Title: CEO / President ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
Vice President
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: CFO / Secretary