Among
Owl
Acquisition Holdings Corp.,
Chanticleer
Holdings, Inc.,
the
Sellers party hereto
and
Texas
Wings Incorporated, as Seller Representative
July
8, 2008
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
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Page
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1.
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DEFINITIONS
AND USAGE
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1
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1.1
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Definitions
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1
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1.2
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Index
of Defined Terms
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13
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1.3
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Usage
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15
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2.
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SALE
AND TRANSFER OF ASSETS; CLOSING
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16
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2.1
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Assets
to be Sold
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16
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2.2
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Excluded
Assets
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18
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2.3
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Consideration
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18
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2.4
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Liabilities
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20
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2.5
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Allocation
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22
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2.6
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Buyer
Contribution; Closing
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22
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2.7
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Closing
Obligations
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23
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2.8
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Net
Working Capital Adjustment Amount and Payment
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24
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2.9
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EBITDA
Adjustment Amount and Payment
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26
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2.10
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Net
Book Value Adjustment Amount and Payment
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28
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2.11
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Consents;
Maintenance of Liquor Licenses
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30
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3.
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REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS
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31
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3.1
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Organization
and Good Standing
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31
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3.2
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Enforceability;
Authority; No Conflict
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32
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3.3
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Capitalization;
Indebtedness
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33
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3.4
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Financial
Statements
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33
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3.5
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Books
and Records
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33
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3.6
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Sufficiency
of Assets
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34
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3.7
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Description
of Leased Real Property
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34
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3.8
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Title
to Assets; Encumbrances
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34
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3.9
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Condition
of Facilities
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34
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3.10
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Accounts
Receivable
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34
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3.11
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Inventories
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35
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3.12
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No
Undisclosed Liabilities
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35
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3.13
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Taxes
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35
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3.14
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No
Material Adverse Change
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36
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3.15
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Employee
Benefits
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36
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3.16
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Compliance
with Legal Requirements; Governmental Authorizations
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39
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3.17
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Legal
Proceedings; Orders
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40
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3.18
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Absence
of Certain Changes and Events
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41
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3.19
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Contracts;
No Defaults
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42
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3.20
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Insurance
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44
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3.21
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Environmental
Matters
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46
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3.22
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Employees
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47
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3.23
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Labor
Relations; Compliance
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48
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3.24
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Intellectual
Property
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48
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3.25
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Relationships
with Related Persons
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49
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3.26
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Suppliers
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50
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3.27
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Bank
Accounts
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50
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3.28
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Brokers
or Finders
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50
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3.29
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Restricted
Securities
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50
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3.30
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Accredited
Investor
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51
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4.
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REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER AND PARENT
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52
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4.1
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Buyer
Organization and Good Standing
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52
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4.2
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Authority;
No Conflict
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52
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4.3
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Certain
Proceedings
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52
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4.4
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Brokers
or Finders
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53
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4.5
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Parent
Organization and Good Standing
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53
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4.6
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Parent
Shares
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53
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4.7
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Capitalization
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53
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4.8
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Securities
Matters
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53
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4.9
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No
Material Adverse Change
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54
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4.10
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Employment
and Consulting Agreements
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54
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5.
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COVENANTS
OF EACH SELLER PRIOR TO CLOSING
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54
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5.1
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Access
and Investigation
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54
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5.2
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Operation
of the Business of Each Seller
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54
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5.3
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Required
Approvals
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57
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5.4
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Notification
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57
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5.5
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No
Negotiation
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57
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5.6
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Commercially
Reasonable Efforts
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58
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5.7
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Financial
Statements
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58
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5.8
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Assistance
with Financing
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58
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5.9
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No
Acquisition of Securities
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59
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5.10
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Amended
Affiliate Leases
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59
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5.11
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Franchise
Agreements
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59
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6.
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COVENANTS
OF BUYER PRIOR TO CLOSING
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59
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6.1
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Required
Approvals
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59
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6.2
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Commercially
Reasonable Efforts
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60
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6.3
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Notification
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60
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6.4
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SEC
Filings and Reports
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60
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6.5
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Financing
Efforts
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60
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6.6
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Acquisition
Proposals
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61
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7.
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CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO BUYER’S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE
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62
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7.1
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Accuracy
of Representations
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62
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7.2
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Sellers’
Performance
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62
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7.3
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Consents
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62
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7.4
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Additional
Documents
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63
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7.5
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No
Proceedings
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63
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7.6
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No
Conflict
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63
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7.7
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Governmental
Authorizations
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63
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7.8
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Financing
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63
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7.9
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No
Material Adverse Change
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63
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7.10
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HI
Purchase Agreement
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63
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7.11
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Seller
Joinders
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64
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7.12
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Amended
Affiliate Leases
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64
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7.13
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Seller
Franchise Agreements
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64
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8.
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CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO SELLERS’ OBLIGATION TO CLOSE
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64
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8.1
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Accuracy
of Representations
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64
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8.2
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Buyer’s
Performance
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64
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8.3
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Consents
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64
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8.4
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Additional
Documents
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64
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8.5
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No
Proceedings
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65
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8.6
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HSR
Act
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65
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8.7
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HI
Purchase Agreement
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65
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8.8
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Parent
Shares
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65
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9.
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TERMINATION
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65
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9.1
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Termination
Events
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65
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9.2
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Effect
of Termination
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66
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10.
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ADDITIONAL
COVENANTS
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67
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10.1
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Employees
and Employee Benefits
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67
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10.2
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Tax
Matters
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70
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10.3
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Registration
Rights
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71
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10.4
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Board
of Directors; Amended and Restated Bylaws
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71
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10.5
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Restrictions
on Sellers Dissolution and Distributions
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71
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10.6
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Removing
Excluded Assets
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72
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10.7
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Reports
and Returns
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72
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10.8
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Assistance
in Proceedings
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72
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10.9
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Customer
and Other Business Relationships
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72
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10.10
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Retention
of and Access to Records
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72
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10.11
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Further
Assurances
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73
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10.12
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Parent
Employment Arrangements
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73
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10.13
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Seller
Joinders
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73
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10.14
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HI
Purchase Agreement
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73
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10.15
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Insurance
Matters
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74
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11.
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INDEMNIFICATION;
REMEDIES
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74
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11.1
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Survival
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74
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11.2
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Indemnification
and Reimbursement by Sellers
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74
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11.3
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Indemnification
and Reimbursement by Buyer
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75
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11.4
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Exclusive
Remedy
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76
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11.5
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Limitations
on Amount--Sellers
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76
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11.6
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Limitations
on Amount--Buyer
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76
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11.7
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Time
Limitations
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76
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11.8
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Third-Party
Claims
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77
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11.9
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Other
Claims
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79
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11.10
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Insurance
Proceeds
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79
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11.11
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Indemnification
Escrow Account
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79
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12.
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GENERAL
PROVISIONS
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79
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12.1
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Expenses
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79
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12.2
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Public
Announcements
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80
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12.3
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Notices
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80
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12.4
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Jurisdiction;
Service of Process
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81
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12.5
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Enforcement
of Agreement
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81
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12.6
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Waiver;
Remedies Cumulative
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82
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12.7
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Entire
Agreement and Modification
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82
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12.8
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Disclosure
Letters
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82
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12.9
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Assignments,
Successors and No Third-Party Rights
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83
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12.10
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Severability
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83
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12.11
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Construction
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83
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12.12
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Governing
Law
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83
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12.13
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Execution
of Agreement
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83
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12.14
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Representative
of Sellers
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83
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12.15
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Bulk
Sales Laws
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85
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12.16
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Legal
Representation
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85
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Annexes:
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Annex
A
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Sellers
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Annex
B
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Form
of Joinder
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Annex
C
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Restaurant
Locations
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Exhibits:
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Exhibit
1.1(a)
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Form
of Convertible Note
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Exhibit
1.1(b)
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Development
Restaurants
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Exhibit
1.1(c)
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Established
Restaurants
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Exhibit
2.7(a)(i)
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Form
of Bill of Sale
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Exhibit
2.7(a)(ii)
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Form
of Assignment and Assumption Agreement
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Exhibit
2.7(a)(iv)
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Form
of Escrow Agreement
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Exhibit
2.9(b)
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Estimated
EBITDA; Adjustments to EBITDA
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Exhibit
2.10(b)
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Estimated
NBV; Adjustments to NBV
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Exhibit
5.10
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Form
of Amended Affiliate Lease and Schedule of Rental
Payments
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Exhibit
10.4
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Form
of Amended and Restated Bylaws of Parent
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Exhibit
10.12(b)
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Form
of Parent 2008 Incentive Award Plan
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ASSET
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This
Asset Purchase Agreement (“Agreement”)
is
made as of July 8, 2008, by and among Owl Acquisition Holdings Corp., a Delaware
corporation (“Buyer”),
Chanticleer Holdings, Inc, a Delaware corporation (“Parent”),
each
of the related entities listed on Annex A hereto (collectively “Sellers”
and
each, individually, a “Seller”)
who
has pursuant to Section 10.13 executed and delivered to Buyer and Parent a
joinder to this Agreement in the form attached hereto as Annex B (a
“Joinder”),
and
Texas Wings Incorporated, a Texas corporation (in its capacity as representative
of Sellers, “Seller
Representative”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS,
Buyer is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Parent;
WHEREAS,
as assignee of Kentucky Wings, Inc., a Kentucky corporation (“KWI”),
Seller Representative has acquired the right to develop Hooter’s restaurant
franchises in the State of Texas pursuant to that certain Hooter’s Restaurants
Development Agreement, dated as of August 16, 1988 (the “Development
Agreement”),
between KWI and Hooters of America, Inc., a Georgia corporation and successor
by
merger to Neighborhood Restaurants of America, Inc., a Texas corporation
(“HOA”);
WHEREAS,
Seller Representative is in the business of locating, developing, constructing
and franchising Hooter’s restaurants in Texas, and the other Sellers are engaged
in the business of owning, operating and developing Hooter’s restaurants located
at the locations listed on Annex C hereto in Texas (the “Business”);
and
WHEREAS,
each Seller desires to sell, and Buyer and/or each Buyer Designee (as defined
in
Section 2.1) desires to purchase, the respective assets of each Seller used
or
held for use in the Business for the consideration and on the terms, and subject
to the conditions, set forth in this Agreement.
AGREEMENT
The
parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
For
purposes of this Agreement, the following terms and variations thereof have
the
meanings specified or referred to in this Section 1.1:
“Accounts
Receivable”--(a)
all trade accounts receivable and other rights to payment from customers of
a
Seller and the full benefit of all security for such accounts or rights to
payment, including all trade accounts receivable representing amounts receivable
in respect of goods shipped or products sold or services rendered to customers
of a Seller, (b) all other accounts or notes receivable of a Seller and the
full
benefit of all security for such accounts or notes and (c) any claim, remedy
or
other right related to any of the foregoing.
“Acquisition
Proposal”--any
inquiry, offer or proposal (other than the Contemplated Transactions), whether
or not in writing, relating to an Acquisition Transaction.
“Acquisition
Transaction”--any
(a) transaction or series of transactions involving any merger, consolidation,
recapitalization, share exchange, liquidation, dissolution or similar
transaction that would result in any Third Party or “group” (as such term is
defined under the Exchange Act) acquiring twenty-five percent (25%) or more
of
the fair market value of Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (b)
transaction pursuant to which any Third Party or “group” (as such term is
defined under the Exchange Act) acquires or would acquire (whether through
sale,
lease or other disposition), directly or indirectly, any assets of Parent or
any
of its Subsidiaries representing, in the aggregate, twenty-five percent (25%)
or
more of the assets of Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (c)
issuance, sale or other disposition (including by way of merger, consolidation,
share exchange or any similar transaction, but excluding any such issuance,
sale
or other disposition undertaken in connection with the Financing) to any Third
Party or “group” (as such term is defined under the Exchange Act) of outstanding
shares of Parent Common Stock (or options, rights or warrants to purchase or
securities convertible into outstanding shares of Parent) representing
twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the votes attached to the outstanding
shares of Parent Common Stock; (d) tender offer or exchange offer that, if
consummated, would result in any Third Party or “group” (as such term is defined
under the Exchange Act) beneficially owning twenty-five percent (25%) or more
of
any class of equity securities of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries; or (e)
any
combination of the foregoing.
“Affiliate”--with
respect to any Person, any Person that directly or indirectly controls, is
controlled by or is under common control with such Person.
“Affiliate
Lease”--any
Real Property Lease entered into between a Seller and a Related Person of any
Seller in connection with the Business.
“Affiliated
Landlord”--any
landlord or sublandlord that is a party to any Affiliate Lease.
“Assumed
Benefit Plan Retained Liabilities”
means
any Liabilities arising in connection with an Assumed Benefit Plan or the
assets, fiduciaries or operation thereof, in any case, on or prior to the
Closing Date, other than benefit obligations under the terms of any such Assumed
Benefit Plan.
“Business
Intellectual Property”--all
Intellectual Property included within or used or necessary for the conduct
of
the Business, whether owned or licensed.
“Buyer
Disclosure Letter”--the
disclosure letter delivered by Buyer to Seller Representative concurrently
with
the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
“Cash
Multiple”--0.50.
“Closing
Cash Amount”--an
amount equal to (i) $44,689,425 minus
(ii) the
Indebtedness Payoff Amount.
“Closing
Date”--the
date on which the Closing actually takes place.
“Closing
Notes”--one
or
more Convertible Notes having an aggregate principal amount of $13,406,828,
subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 2.3(d).
“Closing
Shares”--an
aggregate of 4,468,943 shares of Parent Common Stock, subject to adjustment
in
accordance with Section 2.3(d).
“Code”--the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Confidential
Information”--the
following constitutes confidential information of the Business:
(a)
any
and
all trade secrets concerning the Business, prospective locations, market
studies, customer loyalty programs, information technology systems, payment
systems, data, ideas, know-how, algorithms, formulae, compositions, recipes,
ingredients, processes, designs, sketches, photographs, graphs, drawings,
samples, inventions and ideas, past, current and planned research and
development, current and planned and distribution methods and processes,
processes not otherwise protected by patents or parent applications, supplier
lists, customer lists, current and anticipated customer requirements, market
studies, business plans, database technologies, systems, structures and
architectures (and related improvements, devices, know-how, inventions,
discoveries, concepts, ideas, and designs) and other confidential information
relating to the Business, as well as any other information, however documented,
arising from, used in, or otherwise relating to the Business;
(b)
any
and
all information concerning the Business (which includes historical financial
statements, financial projections and budgets, historical and projected sales,
capital spending budgets and plans, the names and backgrounds of key personnel
and personnel training and techniques and materials), however documented;
and
(c)
any
and
all notes, analyses, compilations, studies, summaries, and other material
containing or based, in whole or in part, on any confidential information
included in the foregoing.
“Consent”--any
approval, consent, ratification, exemption, permit, declaration, waiver, notice
or other authorization.
“Contemplated Transactions”--all
of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
“Contract”--
any
agreement, contract, license, development rights agreement, franchise agreement,
Lease, consensual obligation, promise or undertaking (whether written or oral
and whether express or implied).
“Convertible
Notes”--the
six percent (6%) convertible subordinated notes to be issued by Parent at
Closing, each in the form of Exhibit 1.1(a).
“Development
Restaurants”--those
restaurants owned or operated by Sellers and listed on
Exhibit 1.1(b).
“Disclosure
Letter”--
disclosure letter delivered by Sellers to Buyer concurrently with the execution
and delivery of this Agreement.
“Effective
Time”--12:00
a.m. Dallas, Texas time on the Closing Date.
“Encumbrance”--
any
charge, claim, community or other marital property interest, condition,
equitable interest, lien, option, pledge, security interest, mortgage, title
defect, reservation of rights, right of way, easement, encroachment, servitude,
option, right of first or last offer or refusal or similar restriction,
including any restriction on use, voting (in the case of any security or equity
interest), transfer, receipt of income or exercise of any other attribute of
ownership.
“Environment”--soil,
land surface or subsurface strata, surface waters (including navigable waters
and ocean waters), groundwaters, drinking water supply, stream sediments,
ambient air (including indoor air), plant and animal life and any other
environmental medium or natural resource.
“Environmental,
Health, and Safety Liabilities”--any
cost, damages, expense, liability, obligation, or other responsibility arising
from or under Environmental Law or Occupational Safety and Health Law and
consisting of or relating to:
(a)
any
environmental, health, or safety matters or conditions (including on-site or
off-site contamination, occupational safety and health, and regulation of
chemical substances or products);
(b)
fines,
penalties, judgments, awards, settlements, legal or administrative proceedings,
damages, losses, claims, demands and response, remedial, or inspection costs
and
expenses arising under Environmental Law or Occupational Safety and Health
Law;
(c)
financial
responsibility under Environmental Law or Occupational Safety and Health Law
for
cleanup costs or corrective action, including any cleanup, removal, containment,
or other remediation or response actions (“Cleanup”)
required by applicable Environmental Law or Occupational Safety and Health
Law
(whether or not such Cleanup has been required or requested by any Governmental
Body or any other Person) and for any natural resource damages; or
(d)
any
other
compliance, corrective or remedial measures required under Environmental Law
or
Occupational Safety and Health Law.
The
terms
“removal,” “remedial,” and “response action,” include the types of activities
covered by the United States Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,
and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq., as amended.
“Environmental
Law”--any
Legal Requirement that requires or relates to:
(a)
advising
appropriate authorities, employees, and the public of intended or actual
Releases of pollutants or hazardous substances or materials, violations of
discharge limits or other prohibitions and of the commencements of activities,
such as resource extraction or construction, that could have significant impact
on the Environment;
(b)
preventing
or reducing to acceptable levels the Release of pollutants or hazardous
substances or materials into the Environment;
(c)
reducing
the quantities, preventing the Release or minimizing the hazardous
characteristics of wastes that are generated;
(d)
assuring
that products are designed, formulated, packaged and used so that they do not
present unreasonable risks to human health or the Environment when used or
disposed of;
(e)
protecting
resources, species or ecological amenities;
(f)
reducing
to acceptable levels the risks inherent in the transportation of hazardous
substances, pollutants, oil or other potentially harmful
substances;
(g)
cleaning
up pollutants that have been Released, preventing the Threat of Release or
paying the costs of such clean up or prevention; or
(h)
making
responsible parties pay private parties, or groups of them, for damages done
to
their health or the Environment, or permitting self-appointed representatives
of
the public interest to recover for injuries done to public assets.
“Environmental
Permit”--all
Governmental Authorizations pursuant to Environmental Laws.
“Escrow
Cash Amount”--
$8,298,825, of which (a) $5,298,825 shall be deposited into the Purchase Price
Escrow Account and (b) $3,000,000 shall be deposited into the Indemnification
Escrow Account. The Escrow Cash Amount shall be held in the Purchase Price
Escrow Account and the Indemnification Escrow Account, and the funds held
therein shall be attributable to each Seller as set forth on the Consideration
Notice.
“Escrow
Notes”--
one
or more Convertible Notes having an aggregate principal amount of $2,489,648,
of
which (a) an aggregate principal amount of $1,589,648 in Convertible Notes
shall
be deposited into the Purchase Price Escrow Account and (b) an aggregate
principal amount of $900,000 in Convertible Notes shall be deposited into the
Indemnification Escrow Account, in each case, subject to adjustment in
accordance with Section 2.3(d). The Escrow Notes shall be held in the Purchase
Price Escrow Account and the Indemnification Escrow Account, and the Convertible
Notes held therein shall be attributable to each Seller as set forth on the
Consideration Notice.
“Escrow
Shares”--an
aggregate of 829,883 shares of Parent Common Stock, of which (a) 529,883 shares
of Parent Common Stock shall be deposited into the Purchase Price Escrow Account
and (b) 300,000 shares of Parent Common Stock shall be deposited into the
Indemnification Escrow Account, in each case, subject to adjustment in
accordance with Section 2.3(d). The Escrow Shares shall be held in the Purchase
Price Escrow Account and the Indemnification Escrow Account, and the shares
of
Parent Common Stock held therein shall be attributable to each Seller as set
forth on the Consideration Notice.
“Established
Restaurants”--
those
restaurants owned or operated by Sellers and listed on Exhibit 1.1(c).
“Exchange
Act”--the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and regulations and rules issued
pursuant to that act or any successor law.
“Facilities”--
any
real property, leasehold or other interest in real property currently owned,
leased, subleased or operated by a Seller, including the Tangible Personal
Property owned, leased, subleased, used or operated by a Seller at the
respective locations of the Leased Real Property specified in Section 3.7.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of the definition of “Hazardous
Activity” and Section 3.21, “Facilities” shall mean any real property, leasehold
or other interest in real property currently or formerly owned or operated
by a
Seller, including the Tangible Personal Property used or operated by a Seller
at
the respective locations of the Leased Real Property specified in Section
3.7.
“GAAP”--generally
accepted accounting principles for financial reporting in the United
States.
“Governing
Documents”--with
respect to any particular entity, (a) if a corporation, the articles or
certificate of incorporation and the bylaws; (b) if a general partnership,
the
partnership agreement and any statement of partnership; (c) if a limited
partnership, the limited partnership agreement and the certificate of limited
partnership; (d) if a limited liability company, the articles of organization
and operating agreement; (e) if another type of Person, any other charter or
similar document adopted or filed in connection with the creation, formation
or
organization of the Person; (f) all equityholders’ agreements, voting
agreements, voting trust agreements, joint venture agreements, registration
rights agreements or other agreements or documents relating to the organization,
management or operation of any Person or relating to the rights, duties and
obligations of the equityholders of any Person; and (g) any amendment or
supplement to any of the foregoing.
“Governmental
Authorization”--
any
Consent, license, registration or permit issued, granted, given or otherwise
made available by or under the authority of any Governmental Body or pursuant
to
any Legal Requirement.
“Governmental
Body”--any:
(a) nation,
state, county, city, town, borough, village, district or other
jurisdiction;
(b) federal,
state, local, municipal, foreign or other government;
(c) governmental
or quasi-governmental authority of any nature (including any agency, branch,
department, board, commission, court, tribunal or other entity exercising
governmental or quasi-governmental powers);
(d) multinational
organization or body;
(e) body
exercising, or entitled or purporting to exercise, any administrative,
executive, judicial, legislative, police, regulatory or taxing authority or
power; or
(f) official
of any of the foregoing.
“Hazardous
Activity”--the
distribution, generation, handling, importing, management, manufacturing,
processing, production, refinement, Release, storage, transfer, transportation,
treatment or use (including any withdrawal or other use of groundwater) of
Hazardous Material in, on, under, about or from any of the Facilities or any
part thereof into the Environment and any other act, business, operation or
thing that increases the danger, or risk of danger, or poses an unreasonable
risk of harm, to persons or property on or off the Facilities.
“Hazardous
Material”--any
substance, material or waste which is or will foreseeably be regulated by any
Governmental Body, including any material, substance or waste which is defined
as a “hazardous waste,” “hazardous material,” “hazardous substance,” “extremely
hazardous waste,” “restricted hazardous waste,” “contaminant,” “toxic waste” or
“toxic substance” under any provision of Environmental Law, and including
petroleum, petroleum products, asbestos, presumed asbestos-containing material
or asbestos-containing material, urea formaldehyde and polychlorinated
biphenyls.
“HI”--Hooter’s,
Inc., a Florida corporation.
“HI
Purchase Agreement”--the
Stock Purchase Agreement, dated March 7, 2008, by and among Wise Acquisition
Corp., a Delaware corporation (“WAC”),
Parent (solely for purposes of Section 5.11, Section 6.5 and Article 10
thereof), HI, the other companies listed on Exhibit A thereto (together with
HI,
the “HI
Acquired Companies”),
the
selling stockholders of the HI Acquired Companies listed on Exhibit B thereto
and Brandon Realty Venture, Inc., a Florida corporation.
“HOA
Parties”--HOA
and its Affiliates, estate beneficiaries and trustees.
“HSR
Act”--the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.
“Indebtedness”--with
respect to Sellers and the Business, the outstanding principal amount of,
accrued and unpaid interest on and other payment obligations (including any
prepayment premiums payable as a result of the consummation of the Contemplated
Transactions) with respect to any of the following, to the extent relating
to,
or creating any Encumbrance upon, the Business or any Asset:
(a) indebtedness for borrowed money or indebtedness issued in substitution
or exchange for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property
or
services (other than trade payables, accrued expenses and other liabilities
that
are reflected in Net Working Capital arising in the Ordinary Course of
Business), including, without limitation, all amounts owed by any Seller under
any Contracts related thereto, (b) indebtedness evidenced by any mortgage,
note,
bond, debenture or other debt security, (c) obligations under any interest
rate,
currency or other hedging agreements, (d) any commitment by which any Seller
assures a creditor against loss (including contingent reimbursement obligations
with respect to letters of credit), (e) any leases that are required to be
classified as a capitalized lease obligation in accordance with GAAP or (f)
any
obligations in the nature of guarantees or other Liabilities (including
repurchase or reimbursement obligations), whether contingent or otherwise,
relating to the Indebtedness described in clauses (a) through (f).
“Indebtedness
Payoff Amount”--the
sum of all Indebtedness outstanding immediately prior to Closing.
“Indemnification
Escrow Account”--the
escrow account established by the Escrow Agent pursuant to the Escrow Agreement
in support of Sellers’ obligations under Article 11 hereof.
“Improvements”--all
buildings, structures, fixtures and improvements included in the Assets,
including those in design or development or under construction.
“Intellectual
Property Assets”--means
Intellectual Property owned by or licensed to any of the Sellers that is used
or
useful in the Business.
“Intellectual
Property”--
means
all worldwide intellectual property rights throughout universe, in all existing
and future media, in and to the following: (a) all patents and applications
therefor, including continuations, divisionals, continuations-in part, or
reissues of patent applications and patents issuing thereon (collectively,
“Patents”);
(b)
all trademarks, service marks, logos, slogans, trade names, service names,
brand
names, and trade dress rights, together with all applications, registrations
and
renewals in connection therewith; (c) all corporate names; (d) all Internet
domain names, website addresses and website content, together with the goodwill
associated with any of the foregoing and all applications, registration and
renewals thereof (collectively, “Marks”);
(e)
all rights to telephone numbers; (f) all copyrightable works, copyrights and
applications, registrations and renewals in connection therewith, works of
authorship and mask work rights (collectively, “Copyrights”);
(g)
all trade secrets, (h) all Confidential Information relating to the Business,
(i) all rights to use the names and likenesses, voices, and biographical data,
of natural persons and so called “publicity rights”; and (j) to the extent not
included in the foregoing all software (including object and source code and
commentary and documentation), and information technology systems and
know-how.
“Inventories”--all
inventories of a Seller, wherever located, including all finished goods, work
in
process, raw materials, spare parts and all other materials and supplies to
be
used or consumed by a Seller in the production of finished goods.
“Investment
Company Act”--the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and regulations and rules issued
pursuant to the act or any successor law.
“IRS”--the
United States Internal Revenue Service or any successor agency and, to the
extent relevant, the United States Department of the Treasury.
“Knowledge”--an
individual will be deemed to have Knowledge of a particular fact or other matter
if:
(a) that
individual is actually aware of that fact or matter; or
(b) a
prudent
individual could be expected to discover or otherwise become aware of that
fact
or matter in the course of conducting a reasonably comprehensive investigation
regarding the accuracy of any representation or warranty contained in this
Agreement.
A
Person
(other than an individual) will be deemed to have Knowledge of a particular
fact
or other matter if any individual who is serving as a director, officer,
partner, executor or trustee of that Person (or in any similar capacity) has,
or
at any time had, Knowledge of that fact or other matter (as set forth in (a)
and
(b) above), and any such individual (and any individual party to this Agreement)
will be deemed to have conducted a reasonably comprehensive investigation
regarding the accuracy of the representations and warranties made herein by
that
Person or individual. For purposes of this Agreement, the Knowledge of each
Seller shall be deemed to include the Knowledge of Seller
Representative.
“Lease”--any
Real Property Lease or any lease, sublease or rental agreement, license, right
to use or installment and conditional sale agreement to which a Seller is a
party and any other Seller Contract pertaining to the leasing or use of any
Tangible Personal Property.
“Legal
Requirement”--
any
federal, state, local, municipal, foreign, international, or multinational
constitution, law, ordinance, principle of common law, code, regulation, rule,
Order, decree, exemption, notice, permit, statute or treaty.
“Liability”--with
respect to any Person, any liability or obligation of such Person of any kind,
character or description, whether known or unknown, absolute or contingent,
accrued or unaccrued, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, joint
or
several, due or to become due, vested or unvested, executory, determined,
determinable or otherwise, and whether or not the same is required to be accrued
on the financial statements of such Person.
“Material
Adverse Change”--any
change or event that has had, or would reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, an effect materially adverse to the business,
condition (financial or otherwise), Assets or results of operations of Sellers,
taken as a whole, or on the ability of any of Sellers to consummate the
Contemplated Transactions or to perform any of their respective material
obligations under this Agreement or the Sellers’ Closing Documents; provided,
however, that none of the following shall be deemed to constitute, and none
of
the following shall be taken into account in determining whether there has
been,
a Material Adverse Change: any adverse change, event, development or effect
arising from, resulting from or relating to (a) general business or economic
conditions, but only to the extent any such change, event, development or effect
does not disproportionately impact Sellers, (b) conditions within the industry
in which Sellers conduct business, but only to the extent any such change,
event, development or effect does not disproportionately impact Sellers, (c)
national or international political or social conditions, including the
engagement by the United States in hostilities, whether or not pursuant to
the
declaration of a national emergency or war, or any military or terrorist attack
upon the United States, or any of its territories, possessions or diplomatic
or
consular offices or upon any military installation, equipment or personnel
of
the United States and (d) any change in accounting principles, rules or
procedures announced by the Financial Accounting Standards Board.
“Note
Multiple”--0.15.
“Occupational
Safety and Health Law”--
any
Legal Requirement designed to provide safe and healthful working conditions
and
to reduce occupational safety and health hazards.
“Order”--any
order, injunction, judgment, decree, ruling, assessment, arbitration award
or
decision of any Governmental Body or arbitrator.
“Ordinary
Course of Business”--an
action taken by a Person will be deemed to have been taken in the Ordinary
Course of Business only if that action:
(a) is
consistent in nature, scope and magnitude with the past practices of such Person
and is taken in the ordinary course of the normal, day-to-day operations of
such
Person;
(b) does
not
require authorization by the board of directors or shareholders of such Person
(or by any Person or group of Persons exercising similar authority) and does
not
require any other separate or special authorization of any nature;
and
(c) is
similar in nature, scope and magnitude to actions customarily taken, without
any
separate or special authorization, in the ordinary course of the normal,
day-to-day operations of other Persons that are in the same line of business
as
such Person.
“Parent
Common Stock”--common
stock of Parent, par value $0.0001 per share.
“Parent
Material Adverse Change”--any
change or event that has had, or would reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, an effect materially adverse to the business,
condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of Parent and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; provided, however, that none of the following
shall be deemed to constitute, and none of the following shall be taken into
account in determining whether there has been, a Parent Material Adverse Change:
any adverse change, event, development or effect arising from, resulting from
or
relating to (a) general business or economic conditions, but only to the extent
any such change, event, development or effect does not disproportionately impact
Parent and its Subsidiaries, (b) conditions within the industry in which Parent
and its Subsidiaries conduct business, but only to the extent any such change,
event, development or effect does not disproportionately impact Parent and
its
Subsidiaries, (c) national or international political or social conditions,
including the engagement by the United States in hostilities, whether or not
pursuant to the declaration of a national emergency or war, or any military
or
terrorist attack upon the United States or any of its territories, possessions,
or diplomatic or consular offices or upon any military installation, equipment
or personnel of the United States and (d) any change in accounting principles,
rules or procedures announced by the Financial Accounting Standards Board after
the date of this Agreement.
“Parent
Notes”--the
Closing Notes and the Escrow Notes.
“Parent
Securities”--the
Parent Notes and the Parent Shares.
“Parent
Shares”--the
Closing Shares and the Escrow Shares.
“Parent
Share Shortfall”--the
amount (if any) by which (a) the product of (i) the Post-Closing Share Amount
and (ii) 0.5001 exceeds (b) the number of Parent Shares to be issued to Sellers
and the Escrow Agent at Closing (without giving effect to any adjustment
pursuant to Section 2.3(d) in respect thereof).
“Part”--a
part
or section of the Disclosure Letter or the Buyer Disclosure Letter (as the
case
may be).
“Permitted
Encumbrances”--(a)
security interests shown on the Interim Balance Sheet as securing specified
Assumed Liabilities, with respect to which no default (or event that, with
notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) exists, (b)
security interests incurred in connection with the purchase of Tangible Personal
Property in the Ordinary Course of Business after the date of the Interim
Balance Sheet (such security interests being limited to the Tangible Personal
Property so acquired), with respect to which no default (or event that, with
notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) exists and (c)
liens for current Taxes not yet due.
“Person”--an
individual, partnership, corporation, business trust, limited liability company,
limited liability partnership, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated
association, joint venture or other entity or a Governmental Body.
“Post-Closing
Employment Arrangements”--collectively,
(a) that certain Employment Agreement, dated as of the date hereof and effective
as of the Closing Date, between Parent and Neil Kiefer, (b) that certain
Employment Agreement, dated as of the date hereof and effective as of the
Closing Date, between Parent and Glenn Tobias, (c) that certain Employment
Agreement, dated as of the date hereof and effective as of the Closing Date,
between Parent and Sal Mellili, (d) that certain Employment Agreement, dated
as
of the date hereof and effective as of the Closing Date, between Parent and
Michael Herrick and (e) that certain Executive Chairman Agreement, dated as
of
the date hereof and effective as of the Closing Date, between Parent and Michael
Pruitt.
“Post-Closing
Tax Period”--any
Tax period beginning after the Closing Date and that portion of a Straddle
Period beginning after the Closing Date.
“Pre-Closing
Tax Period”--any
Tax period ending on or before the Closing Date and that portion of any Straddle
Period ending on the Closing Date.
“Proceeding”--any
action, arbitration, audit, hearing, investigation, litigation or suit (whether
civil, criminal, administrative, judicial or investigative, whether formal
or
informal, whether public or private) commenced, brought, conducted or heard
by
or before, or otherwise involving, any Governmental Body or
arbitrator.
“Property
Taxes”--all
real property Taxes, personal property Taxes and similar ad valorem
Taxes.
“Purchase
Price Escrow Account”--the
escrow account established by the Escrow Agent pursuant to the Escrow Agreement
in support of Sellers’ obligations under Sections 2.8, 2.9 and 2.10
hereof.
“Record”--information
that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or
other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
“Related
Person”--
With
respect to a particular individual:
(a) each
other member of such individual’s Family;
(b) any
Person that is directly or indirectly controlled by any one or more members
of
such individual’s Family;
(c) any
Person in which members of such individual’s Family hold (individually or in the
aggregate) a Material Interest; and
(d) any
Person with respect to which one or more members of such individual’s Family
serves as a director, officer, partner, executor or trustee (or in a similar
capacity).
With
respect to a specified Person other than an individual:
(a) any
Affiliate of such specified Person;
(b) any
Person that holds a Material Interest in such specified Person;
(c) each
Person that serves as a director, officer, partner, executor or trustee of
such
specified Person (or in a similar capacity);
(d) any
Person in which such specified Person holds a Material Interest;
and
(e) any
Person with respect to which such specified Person serves as a general partner
or a trustee (or in a similar capacity).
For
purposes of this definition, (a) “control” (including “controlling,” “controlled
by,” and “under common control with”) means the possession, direct or indirect,
of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies
of
a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or
otherwise, and shall be construed as such term is used in the rules promulgated
under the Securities Act; (b) the “Family”
of
an
individual includes (i) the individual, (ii) the individual’s spouse, (iii) any
other natural person who is related to the individual or the individual’s spouse
within the second degree and (iv) any other natural person who resides with
such
individual; and (c) “Material
Interest”
means
direct or indirect beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act) of voting securities or other voting interests representing at
least ten percent (10%) of the outstanding voting power of a Person or equity
securities or other equity interests representing at least ten percent (10%)
of
the outstanding equity securities or equity interests in a Person.
“Release”--any
release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, pouring, dumping, emptying,
injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration on
or
into the Environment or into or out of any property.
“Representative”--with
respect to a particular Person, any director, officer, manager, employee, agent,
consultant, advisor, accountant, financial advisor, legal counsel or other
representative of that Person.
“SEC”--the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities
Act”--the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and regulations and rules issued pursuant
to
that act or any successor law.
“Seller
Contract”--any
Contract (a) under which a Seller has or may acquire any rights or benefits;
(b)
under which a Seller has or may become subject to any obligation or liability;
or (c) by which a Seller or any of the assets owned or used by a Seller is
or
may become bound, including the Development Agreement and Hooter’s franchise
agreements.
“Stock
Multiple”--0.35.
“Straddle
Period”--any
Tax period beginning before or on and ending after the Closing
Date.
“Subsidiary”--with
respect to any Person (the “Owner”), any corporation or other Person of which
securities or other interests having the power to elect a majority of that
corporation’s or other Person’s board of directors or similar governing body, or
otherwise having the power to direct the business and policies of that
corporation or other Person (other than securities or other interests having
such power only upon the happening of a contingency that has not occurred),
are
held by the Owner or one or more of its Subsidiaries.
“Superior
Proposal”--any
bona fide written Acquisition Proposal (with all percentages included in the
definition of Acquisition Transaction increased to fifty percent (50%)) on
terms
that the Parent Board determines in its good faith judgment, after consultation
with and having considered the advice of outside legal counsel and its financial
advisor to be more favorable to Parent’s stockholders than the Contemplated
Transactions, in each case taking into account, among other things, all legal,
financial, regulatory and other aspects of this Agreement and the proposal,
including the likelihood that such transaction will be consummated and any
conditions relating to financing, regulatory approvals or other events or
circumstances beyond the control of the party invoking the condition, and taking
into account any revisions made in writing by Seller Representative prior to
the
time of determination.
“Tangible
Personal Property”--all
machinery, equipment, tools, furniture, office equipment, computer hardware,
supplies, materials, vehicles and other items of tangible personal property
(other than Inventories) of every kind owned or leased by a Seller (wherever
located and whether or not carried on a Seller’s books), together with any
express or implied warranty by the manufacturers or sellers or lessors of any
item or component part thereof and all maintenance records and other documents
relating thereto.
“Tax”--any
income, gross receipts, license, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp,
occupation, premium, property, environmental, windfall profit, customs, vehicle,
airplane, boat, vessel or other title or registration, capital stock, franchise,
employees’ income withholding, foreign or domestic withholding, social security,
unemployment, disability, real property, personal property, sales, use,
transfer, value added, alternative, add-on minimum and other tax, fee,
assessment, levy, tariff, charge or duty of any kind whatsoever and any
interest, penalty, addition or additional amount thereon imposed, assessed
or
collected by or under the authority of any Governmental Body whether disputed
or
not.
“Tax
Return”--any
return declaration, report, claim for refund, information return or statement
relating to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and including
any amendment thereof.
“Third
Party”--a
Person that is not a party to this Agreement.
“Third-Party
Claim”--any
claim against any Indemnified Person by a Third Party, whether or not involving
a Proceeding.
“Threat
of Release”--a
reasonable likelihood of a Release that may require action in order to prevent
or mitigate damage to the Environment that may result from such
Release.
“Woodlake
Amount”--$150,000.
|
1.2
|
Index
of Defined Terms
|
Term
|
|
Reference
|
“Active
Employee”
|
|
Section
10.1(a)
|
“Aggregate
Purchase Price”
|
|
Section
2.3(a)
|
“Agreement”
|
|
Preamble
|
“Allocation”
|
|
Section
2.5(a)
|
“Amended
Affiliate Leases”
|
|
Section
5.10
|
“Amended
Bylaws”
|
|
Section
10.4(a)
|
“Assets”
|
|
Section
2.1
|
“Assignment
and Assumption Agreements”
|
|
Section
2.7(a)(ii)
|
“Assumed
Benefit Plans”
|
|
Section
10.1(b)(iv)
|
“Assumed
Liabilities”
|
|
Section
2.4(a)
|
“Audited
Financial Statements”
|
|
Section
5.7
|
“Auditors”
|
|
Section
2.8(c)
|
“Balance
Sheet”
|
|
Section
3.4
|
“Bills
of Sale”
|
|
Section
2.7(a)(i)
|
“Bulk
Sales Laws”
|
|
Section
12.15
|
“Business”
|
|
Recitals
|
“Buyer
Designee”
|
|
Section
2.1
|
“Buyer
Group”
|
|
Section
5.1
|
“Buyer
Indemnified Persons”
|
|
Section
11.2
|
“Buyer”
|
|
Preamble
|
“Buyer’s
Closing Documents”
|
|
Section
4.2(a)
|
“Cap”
|
|
Section
11.5(b)
|
“Contribution”
|
|
Section
2.6(a)
|
“Closing”
|
|
Section
2.6(b)
|
“Closing
Balance Sheet”
|
|
Section
2.8(c)
|
“Closing
EBITDA”
|
|
Section
2.9(c)
|
“Closing
Financial Statements”
|
|
Section
2.8(c)
|
“Closing
NBV”
|
|
Section
2.10(c)
|
“Closing
Purchase Price”
|
|
Section
2.3(b)
|
“Closing
Net Working Capital”
|
|
Section
2.8(c)
|
“Competing
Business”
|
|
Section
3.25
|
“Consideration
Notice”
|
|
Section
2.3(e)
|
“Damages”
|
|
Section
11.2
|
“Deductible”
|
|
Section
11.5
|
Term
|
|
Reference
|
“Development
Agreement”
|
|
Recitals
|
“EBITDA”
|
|
Section
2.9(b)
|
“EBITDA
Adjustment Amount”
|
|
Section
2.9(a)
|
“ERISA”
|
|
Section
3.15(a)
|
“ERISA
Affiliate”
|
|
Section
3.15(f)
|
“Escrow
Agent”
|
|
Section
2.7(a)(iv)
|
“Escrow
Agreement”
|
|
Section
2.7(a)(iv)
|
“Escrow
Fund”
|
|
Section
2.7(c)
|
“Estimated
EBITDA”
|
|
Section
2.9(b)
|
“Estimated
NBV”
|
|
Section
2.10(b)
|
“Excluded
Assets”
|
|
Section
2.2
|
“Financing”
|
|
Section
7.8
|
“Hired
Active Employees”
|
|
Section
10.1(b)(i)
|
“HOA”
|
|
Recitals
|
“Indemnified
Person”
|
|
Section
11.8(a)
|
“Indemnifying
Person”
|
|
Section
11.8(a)
|
“Independent
Accountants”
|
|
Section
2.8(e)
|
“Intellectual
Property Assets”
|
|
Section
3.24(b)
|
“Interim
Balance Sheet”
|
|
Section
3.4
|
“Interim
Financial Statements”
|
|
Section
3.4
|
“Joinder”
|
|
Preamble
|
“KWI”
|
|
Recitals
|
“Leased
Real Property”
|
|
Section
3.7
|
“Liquor
Licenses”
|
|
Section
3.16(b)
|
“Material
Consents”
|
|
Section
7.3
|
“Multiemployer
Plans”
|
|
Section
3.15(f)
|
“Mutual
Board Designees”
|
|
Section
10.4(a)
|
“NBV”
|
|
Section
2.10(b)
|
“NBV
Adjustment Amount”
|
|
Section
2.10(a)
|
“Net
Working Capital”
|
|
Section
2.8(b)
|
“Net
Working Capital Adjustment Amount”
|
|
Section
2.8(a)
|
“Nonmaterial
Consents”
|
|
Section
2.11(b)
|
“Non-Transferred
Liquor License”
|
|
Section
2.11(c)
|
“Notice
of Superior Proposal”
|
|
Section
6.6(c)
|
“Parent”
|
|
Preamble
|
“Parent
Board”
|
|
Section
10.4
|
“Parent
Capitalization Notice”
|
|
Section
2.3(d)
|
“Parent
Charter”
|
|
Section
4.5
|
“Parent
Board Designees”
|
|
Section
10.4(a)
|
“Period
End Date”
|
|
Section
2.9(c)
|
“Post-Closing
Share Amount”
|
|
Section
2.3(d)
|
“Real
Property Lease”
|
|
Section
3.7
|
“Registered
IP”
|
|
Section
3.24(b)
|
Term
|
|
Reference
|
“Registration
Rights Agreement”
|
|
Section
10.3
|
“Restricted
Material Contracts”
|
|
Section
2.11(a)
|
“Restricted
Nonmaterial Contracts”
|
|
Section
2.11(b)
|
“Retained
Liabilities”
|
|
Section
2.4(b)
|
“Seller
Board Designees”
|
|
Section
10.4(a)
|
“Seller
Franchise Agreement”
|
|
Section
5.11
|
“Seller
Fundamental Representations”
|
|
Section
11.5(a)
|
“Seller
Indemnified Persons”
|
|
Section
11.3
|
“Seller
Representative”
|
|
Preamble
|
“Sellers”
|
|
Preamble
|
“Sellers’
Closing Documents”
|
|
Section
3.2(a)
|
“Sellers’
Transaction Expenses”
|
|
Section
12.1(d)
|
“Start
Date”
|
|
Section
10.1(b)(i)
|
“Target
Benefit Plan”
|
|
Section
3.15(a)
|
“Target
Net Working Capital”
|
|
Section
2.8(b)
|
“Termination
Fee”
|
|
Section
9.2(b)
|
“Transfer
Taxes”
|
|
Section
10.2(b)
|
“WARN
Act”
|
|
Section
3.22(b)
|
|
|
|
(a) Interpretation.
In this
Agreement, unless a clear contrary intention appears:
(i) the
singular number includes the plural number and vice versa;
(ii) reference
to any Person includes such Person’s successors and assigns but, if applicable,
only if such successors and assigns are not prohibited by this Agreement, and
reference to a Person in a particular capacity excludes such Person in any
other
capacity or individually;
(iii) reference
to any gender includes each other gender;
(iv) reference
to any agreement, document or instrument means such agreement, document or
instrument as amended or modified and in effect from time to time in accordance
with the terms thereof;
(v) reference
to any Legal Requirement means such Legal Requirement as amended, modified,
codified, replaced or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect from time
to
time, including rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and reference
to
any section or other provision of any Legal Requirement means that provision
of
such Legal Requirement from time to time in effect and constituting the
substantive amendment, modification, codification, replacement or reenactment
of
such section or other provision;
(vi) “hereunder,”
“hereof,” “hereto,” and words of similar import shall be deemed references to
this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other
provision hereof;
(vii) “including”
(and with correlative meaning “include”) means including without limiting the
generality of any description preceding such term;
(viii) “or”
is
used in the inclusive sense of “and/or”;
(ix) with
respect to the determination of any period of time, “from” means “from and
including” and “to” means “to but excluding”;
(x) references
to documents, instruments or agreements shall be deemed to refer as well to
all
addenda, exhibits, schedules or amendments thereto;
(xi) references
to license shall include sublicense and vice-versa and similar interpretations
shall be accorded these words when used as nouns or verbs and regardless of
tense; and
(xii) references
to franchise shall include sub-franchise and vice-versa and similar
interpretations shall be accorded these words when used as nouns or verbs and
regardless of tense..
(b) Legal
Representation of the Parties.
This
Agreement was negotiated by the parties with the benefit of legal
representation, and any rule of construction or interpretation otherwise
requiring this Agreement to be construed or interpreted against any party shall
not apply to any construction or interpretation hereof.
2.
|
SALE
AND TRANSFER OF ASSETS; CLOSING
|
Upon
the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Closing,
but effective as of the Effective Time, each Seller shall sell, convey, assign,
transfer and deliver to one or more direct or indirect Subsidiaries of Buyer
designated in writing by Buyer prior to the Closing Date (each a “Buyer
Designee”),
and
each Buyer Designee shall purchase and acquire from such Seller, free and clear
of any Encumbrances other than Permitted Encumbrances, all of such Seller’s
right, title and interest in and to all of such Seller’s property and assets,
real, personal or mixed, tangible and intangible, of every kind and description,
wherever located, including the following (but excluding the Excluded
Assets):
(a) all
Tangible Personal Property of such Seller, including those items described
in
Part 2.1(a);
(b) all
Inventories of such Seller;
(c) all
Accounts Receivable of such Seller;
(d) all
cash,
cash equivalents and short-term investments of such Seller;
(e) all
rights of such Seller under the Seller Contracts of such Seller (including
those
listed in Part 3.19(a), but excluding those listed in Part 2.2(c), and all
outstanding offers or solicitations made by or to any such Seller to enter
into
any Contract);
(f) all
Leases of such Seller (including any Amended Affiliate Lease entered into
pursuant to Section 5.10);
(g) all
Governmental Authorizations of such Seller and all pending applications therefor
or renewals thereof, in each case to the extent transferable to the Buyer
Designee, including those listed in Part 3.16(b);
(h) all
data
and Records related to the operations of such Seller, including client and
customer lists and Records, referral sources, research and development reports
and Records, production reports and Records, service and warranty Records,
equipment logs, operating guides and manuals, financial and accounting Records,
Records relating to Taxes imposed on the Assets, creative materials, advertising
materials, promotional materials, studies, reports, correspondence and other
similar documents and Records and, subject to Legal Requirements, copies of
all
personnel Records (with the exception of employee medical records required
by
applicable Legal Requirements to be confidentially maintained) and other Records
described in Section 2.2(d);
(i) all
of
the intangible rights and property of such Seller related to the Business,
including Intellectual Property, going concern value, goodwill, telephone,
telecopy and e-mail addresses and listings and those items listed in Parts
3.24(b) and 3.24(f);
(j) all
insurance policies and rights thereunder which Buyer and Seller Representative
have mutually determined to transfer to Buyer or any Buyer Designee in
accordance with Section 10.15 (including any insurance policies or rights in
respect of any Assumed Benefit Plans, but excluding insurance policies in
respect of any Target Benefit Plans that are not Assumed Benefit
Plans);
(k) all
insurance benefits of such Seller, including (i) rights and proceeds, arising
from or relating to the Assets or the Assumed Liabilities prior to the Effective
Time, unless expended in accordance with this Agreement, and (ii) rights and
proceeds, arising from or relating to any Assumed Benefit Plans prior to the
Effective Time, but excluding insurance benefits in respect of the Target
Benefit Plans that are not Assumed Benefit Plans;
(l) all
claims of such Seller against Third Parties relating to the Business, whether
choate or inchoate, known or unknown, contingent or noncontingent;
(m) all
rights of such Seller relating to deposits and prepaid expenses (including,
without limitation, any deposits or bonds held by any Governmental Body in
respect of any Liquor License), claims for refunds and rights to offset in
respect thereof;
(n) all
rights in connection with and assets of the Assumed Benefit Plans;
and
(o) any
other
assets owned, used or held for use by such Seller in the operation of the
Business.
All
of
the property and assets to be transferred to Buyer hereunder are herein referred
to collectively as the “Assets.”
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the transfer of the Assets pursuant to this Agreement shall
not
include the assumption of any Liability related to the Assets unless Buyer
expressly assumes that Liability pursuant to Section 2.4(a).
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in Section 2.1 or elsewhere in this
Agreement, the following assets of each Seller (collectively, the “Excluded
Assets”)
are
not part of the sale and purchase contemplated hereunder, are excluded from
the
Assets and shall remain the property of each Seller after the
Closing:
(a) all
minute books, stock Records and corporate seals;
(b) the
shares of capital stock of Sellers held in treasury;
(c) all
of
the Seller Contracts listed in Part 2.2(c);
(d) all
personnel Records and other Records that Sellers are required by law to retain
in their possession;
(e) all
rights in connection with and assets of the Target Benefit Plans, other than
rights in connection with and assets of the Assumed Benefit Plans, which shall
not constitute Excluded Assets; and
(f) all
rights of Sellers under this Agreement, the Parent Notes, the Bills of Sale,
the
Assignment and Assumption Agreements,
the
Registration Rights Agreement and the Escrow Agreement.
(a) The
consideration for the Assets (the “Aggregate
Purchase Price”)
will
be (i) an amount (to be paid in a combination of cash and Parent Securities
as
set forth herein) equal to (A) the product of (x) Closing EBITDA, as finally
determined pursuant to Section 2.9, multiplied
by
(y) five
and one-half (5.5), plus
(B) the
lesser of (x) Closing NBV, as finally determined pursuant to Section 2.10,
and
(y) $10,000,000, plus
(C) the
Woodlake Amount, plus
(D) the
Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount (if any) to the extent that the Net
Working Capital Adjustment Amount, as finally determined pursuant to Section
2.8, is a negative number, minus
(E) the
Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount (if any) to the extent that the Net
Working Capital Adjustment Amount, as finally determined pursuant to Section
2.8, is a positive number, minus
(F) the
Indebtedness Payoff Amount and (ii) the assumption of the Assumed
Liabilities.
(b) At
the
Closing, an estimate of the Aggregate Purchase Price (the “Closing
Purchase Price”)
shall
be delivered by Buyer as follows: (i) by delivery to Sellers or the Escrow
Agent, in accordance with clauses (i) through (iii) of Section 2.7(b) and
Section 2.7(c), of a combination of cash and Parent Securities, the amount
of
which shall be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 2.3(d), equal to (A)
the product of (x) Estimated EBITDA multiplied
by
(y) five
and one-half (5.5) plus
(B) the
lesser of (x) Estimated NBV and (y) $10,000,000, plus
(C) the
Woodlake Amount minus
(D) the
Indebtedness Payoff Amount and (ii) by the execution and delivery of the
Assignment and Assumption Agreements in accordance with Section 2.7(b). The
Closing Purchase Price shall be subject to adjustment on account of the Net
Working Capital Adjustment Amount, the EBITDA Adjustment Amount and the NBV
Adjustment Amount, each of which shall be paid in accordance with Sections
2.8,
2.9 and 2.10, respectively, in order to determine the Aggregate Purchase
Price.
(c) No
later
than seven (7) business days prior to the Closing Date, Seller Representative
shall deliver to Buyer a written notice setting forth the Indebtedness Payoff
Amount, accompanied by payoff letters, each in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Buyer, with respect to all Indebtedness included in the
Indebtedness Payoff Amount, indicating (x) the aggregate amount of such
Indebtedness outstanding as of the Closing Date (including any interest or
fees
accrued thereon and any prepayment or similar penalties and expenses associated
with the prepayment of such Indebtedness on the Closing Date) and (y) an
agreement that, if such aggregate amount so indicated is paid to the applicable
lender on the Closing Date, such Indebtedness shall be repaid in full, such
agreement shall be terminated, all Encumbrances securing such Indebtedness
and
encumbering any Assets shall be released, and each applicable Seller shall
have
been released from any and all liabilities and obligations of any nature
thereunder and under any related documents.
(d) No
later
than five (5) business days prior to the Closing Date, Buyer shall deliver
to
Seller Representative a written notice (the “Parent
Capitalization Notice”)
setting forth its calculation of the number of shares of Parent Common Stock
that will be issued and outstanding immediately after giving effect to the
Financing, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the HI Purchase
Agreement and the consummation of Contemplated Transactions (the “Post-Closing
Share Amount”).
In
the event that the aggregate number of Parent Shares to be issued to Sellers
and
the Escrow Agent pursuant to Section 2.7 will represent less than a majority
of
the Post-Closing Share Amount set forth in the Parent Capitalization Notice,
then (i) the number of Parent Shares to be issued to Sellers and the Escrow
Agent pursuant to Section 2.7(b)(ii) and Section 2.7(c) shall be increased
by an
amount equal to the Parent Share Shortfall and (ii) the aggregate principal
amount of the Parent Notes to be delivered to Sellers and the Escrow Agent
pursuant to Section 2.7(b)(iii) and Section 2.7(c) shall be decreased by an
amount equal to the product of (x) the Parent Share Shortfall and (y) $7.00.
Any
increase in the number of Parent Shares to be issued at Closing pursuant to
this
Section 2.3(d) shall be applied pro
rata
to the
Closing Shares and the Escrow Shares, and any corresponding decrease in the
aggregate principal amount of the Parent Notes to be delivered at Closing
pursuant to this Section 2.3(d) shall be applied pro
rata
to the
Closing Notes and the Escrow Notes.
(e) No
later
than three (3) business days prior to the Closing Date, Seller Representative
shall deliver to Buyer a written notice (the “Consideration
Notice”)
setting forth (i) that portion of the Closing Cash Amount to be paid to each
Seller, (ii) the number of Closing Shares (after taking into account any
adjustment to the amount thereof as a result of any Parent Share Shortfall)
to
be issued to each Seller and (iii) the aggregate principal amount of Closing
Notes (after taking into account any adjustment to the principal amount thereof
as a result of any Parent Share Shortfall) to be issued to each
Seller.
(f) The
Closing Cash Amount, Closing Shares and Closing Notes to be delivered to Sellers
at Closing shall be allocated among the Sellers by Seller Representative as
set
forth in the Consideration Notice; provided, however, that, notwithstanding
anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 2.3 or elsewhere in this
Agreement or in any annex, exhibit, certificate or notice required to be
delivered pursuant to this Agreement, (i) no Seller will be entitled to receive
any Parent Securities unless such Seller is an “accredited investor” (within the
meaning of Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and (ii)
nothing set forth in this Agreement shall constitute an “offer to sell” (within
the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Securities Act) any Parent Securities
to
any Seller who is not an “accredited investor.”
(a) Assumed
Liabilities.
On the
Closing Date, but effective as of the Effective Time, Buyer or the Buyer
Designees (as the case may be) shall assume and agree to discharge only the
following Liabilities of Sellers (the “Assumed
Liabilities”):
(i) any
trade
account payable (other than a trade accounts payable relating to the Sellers’
Transaction Expenses) reflected on the Interim Balance Sheet of Sellers (other
than a trade account payable to any Related Person of any Seller) that remains
unpaid at and is not delinquent as of the Effective Time;
(ii) any
trade
account payable (other than a trade account payable to any Related Person of
any
Seller or relating to the Sellers’ Transaction Expenses) incurred by Sellers in
the Ordinary Course of Business between the date of the Interim Balance Sheet
and the Effective Time that remains unpaid at and is not delinquent as of the
Effective Time;
(iii) any
Liability of Sellers arising after the Effective Time under the Seller Contracts
included in the Assets (other than any Liability arising out of or relating
to a
breach that occurred prior to the Effective Time);
and
(iv) any
Liability of Sellers arising under or in connection with an Assumed Benefit
Plan
if and to the extent such Liability is not an Assumed Benefit Plan Retained
Liability.
(b) Retained
Liabilities.
The
Retained Liabilities shall remain the sole responsibility of and shall be
retained, paid, performed and discharged solely by Sellers. “Retained
Liabilities”
shall
mean every Liability of Sellers other than the Assumed Liabilities,
including:
(i) any
Liability arising out of or relating to products sold or services rendered
by
any Seller, or the operation of the Business, prior to the Effective
Time;
(ii) any
Liability under any Contract assumed by Buyer pursuant to Section 2.4(a) that
arises after the Effective Time but that arises out of or relates to any breach
that occurred prior to the Effective Time;
(iii) any
Liability of Sellers (A) for the Taxes of Sellers or any other Person under
Treasury regulation section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local
or foreign law), as a transferee or successor, by contract or otherwise, and
(B)
for Taxes imposed on the Assets or with respect to the Business for any
Pre-Closing Tax Period, but excluding any Property Taxes to the extent
specifically allocated to Buyer pursuant to Section 10.2(a) and any Transfer
Taxes borne by Buyer pursuant to Section 10.2(b);
(iv) any
Liability under any Contract not assumed by Buyer under Section 2.4(a),
including any Liability arising out of or relating to a Seller’s credit
facilities or any security interest related thereto;
(v) any
Environmental, Health and Safety Liabilities arising out of or relating to
the
operation of a Seller’s business or a Seller’s leasing, ownership or operation
of real property prior to the Effective Time;
(vi) any
Liability (A) relating to or under any Target Benefit Plan, other than
Liabilities arising under or in connection with any Assumed Benefit Plans if
and
to the extent such Liabilities are not Assumed Benefit Plan Retained
Liabilities, (B) with respect to any Seller’s partial or total withdrawal from
any Target Benefit Plan, or (C) relating to or under any plan, program, policy,
agreement, arrangement or commitment (other than a Target Benefit Plan)
providing, in respect of any period prior to or through the Closing, for
compensation, fees or benefits in the form of payroll, vacation, sick leave
(if
any), workers’ compensation, medical, dental, disability, life, health, accident
or other welfare benefits (including any self-insured arrangements),
unemployment or supplemental unemployment benefits, pension or retirement
benefits or deferred compensation, employee stock option, stock purchase or
other forms of equity or phantom equity compensation, incentive or
profit-sharing plans, post-termination health care or insurance plans or
benefits or any other employee plans or benefits of any kind, including, without
limitation, any “employee benefit plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of
ERISA), in each case, for Seller’s current or former employees, directors and/or
consultants;
(vii) any
Liability under any employment, severance, consulting, retention, termination
or
similar plan, policy or agreement, whether or not written, between any Seller
and any person to the extent such plan, policy or agreement is not an Assumed
Benefit Plan and such Liability is not an Assumed Benefit Plan Retained
Liability;
(viii) any
Liability arising out of or relating to any employee grievance against any
of
the Sellers in respect of events or circumstances occurring or existing at
or
prior to Closing, whether or not the affected employee(s) are hired by
Buyer;
(ix) any
Liability of a Seller or Sellers to any Seller or any Related Person of any
Seller;
(x) any
Liability to indemnify, reimburse or advance amounts to any officer, director,
employee or agent of a Seller;
(xi) any
Liability to distribute to any of a Seller’s equityholders or otherwise apply
all or any part of the consideration received hereunder;
(xii) any
Liability arising out of any Proceeding pending as of the Effective
Time;
(xiii) any
Liability arising out of any Proceeding commenced after the Effective Time
and
arising out of or relating to any occurrence or event happening prior to the
Effective Time;
(xiv) any
Liability arising out of or resulting from a Seller’s compliance or
noncompliance with any Legal Requirement or Order of any Governmental
Body;
(xv) any
Liability of a Seller or Sellers under this Agreement or any other document
executed in connection with the Contemplated Transactions;
(xvi) any
Liability arising out of the ownership or operation of the Excluded Assets;
and
(xvii) any
Liability of a Seller or Sellers based upon such Seller’s or Sellers’ acts or
omissions occurring after the Effective Time.
(a) The
Aggregate Purchase Price (plus Assumed Liabilities, to the extent properly
taken
into account under the Code), shall be allocated among the Assets in accordance
with Section 1060 of the Code and the Treasury regulations promulgated
thereunder (and any similar provision of state, local or foreign law, as
appropriate) and in a manner consistent with the principles set forth on Part
2.5 (the “Allocation”).
Seller Representative and Buyer shall agree in writing as to the Allocation
within 120 days after the Closing Date. If the Seller Representative and Buyer
do not agree in writing as to the Allocation within 120 days of the Closing
Date, the Allocation shall be determined by the Independent Accountants. Any
fees or expenses incurred in connection with the determination of the Allocation
by the Independent Accountants shall be borne one-half by Sellers and one-half
by Buyer.
(b) If
the
Closing Purchase Price is adjusted pursuant to Sections 2.8 through 2.10, the
Allocation shall be adjusted in a manner consistent with the procedures set
forth in Section 2.5(a) above.
(c) Buyer
and
Sellers shall file all Tax Returns (including, but not limited to, IRS Form
8594) consistent with the Allocation. Neither Buyer nor Sellers shall take
any
Tax position inconsistent with such Allocation and neither Buyer nor Sellers
shall agree to any proposed adjustment to the Allocation by any Taxing authority
without first giving the other party prior written notice; provided, however,
that nothing contained herein shall prevent Buyer or Sellers from settling
any
proposed deficiency or adjustment by any Governmental Body based upon or arising
out of the Allocation, and neither Buyer nor Sellers shall be required to
litigate before any court any proposed deficiency or adjustment by any
Governmental Body challenging such Allocation. Each of Buyer and Seller
Representative, on behalf of the Sellers, shall promptly notify the other in
writing if the IRS or any other Governmental Body proposes a reallocation of
such amounts. Not later than thirty (30) days prior to the filing of their
respective IRS Forms 8594 relating to this transaction, each of Buyer and Seller
Representative shall deliver to the other party a copy of its IRS Form
8594.
|
2.6
|
Buyer
Contribution; Closing
|
(a) Immediately
following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the HI Purchase
Agreement, Parent shall cause WAC to contribute all of the issued and
outstanding shares of Buyer’s capital stock to HI or one of its Subsidiaries,
and Buyer shall thereafter become a wholly-owned Subsidiary of HI (the
“Contribution”).
(b) Subject
to the satisfaction of the closing conditions set forth in Articles 7 and 8
(other than those to be satisfied at the Closing), the purchase and sale
provided for in this Agreement (the “Closing”)
will
take place at the offices of Parent at 4201 Congress Street, Suite 145,
Charlotte, North Carolina, immediately after giving effect to the Contribution
or at such other location and on such later date or time as is mutually agreed
to by Buyer and Sellers. Subject to the provisions of Article 9, failure to
consummate the purchase and sale provided for in this Agreement on the date
and
time and at the place determined pursuant to this Section 2.6 will not result
in
the termination of this Agreement and will not relieve any party of any
obligation under this Agreement. In such a situation, the Closing will occur
as
soon as practicable, subject to Article 9.
In
addition to any other documents to be delivered under other provisions of this
Agreement, at the Closing:
(a) Each
Seller shall deliver to Buyer or a Buyer Designee:
(i) a
bill of
sale for all of its Assets that are Tangible Personal Property, each in the
form
of Exhibit 2.7(a)(i) (the “Bills
of Sale”),
executed by such Seller;
(ii) an
assignment of all of its Assets that are intangible personal property, each
in
the form of Exhibit 2.7(a)(ii), which assignments shall also contain the
applicable Buyer Designee’s undertaking and assumption of the Assumed
Liabilities (the “Assignment
and Assumption Agreements”)
executed by such Seller;
(iii) such
other deeds, bills of sale, assignments, certificates of title, documents and
other instruments of transfer and conveyance as may reasonably be requested
by
Buyer, each in form and substance satisfactory to Buyer and its legal counsel
and executed by each Seller whose Assets are affected;
(iv) an
escrow
agreement (the “Escrow
Agreement”)
in the
form of Exhibit 2.7(a)(iv), executed by Seller Representative, on behalf of
Sellers, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking
association, in its capacity as escrow agent (the “Escrow
Agent”);
(v) a
certificate executed by such Seller as to the accuracy of its representations
and warranties as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing in
accordance with Section 7.1 and as to its compliance with and performance of
its
covenants and obligations to be performed or complied with at or before the
Closing in accordance with Section 7.2;
(vi) a
certificate of the general partner, secretary, appropriate officer or authorized
representative of such Seller, certifying and attaching all requisite
resolutions or actions of such Seller’s board of directors, partnership or
equityholders approving the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
consummation of the Contemplated Transactions and certifying to the incumbency
and signatures of the officers of such Seller executing this Agreement and
any
other document relating to the Contemplated Transactions;
(vii) a
properly executed affidavit prepared in accordance with Treasury regulations
section 1.1445-2(b) certifying each Seller’s non-foreign status;
and
(viii) the
Registration Rights Agreement executed by Seller Representative on behalf of
Sellers.
(b) Buyer
shall deliver to Sellers:
(i) the
Closing Cash Amount by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an
account specified by Seller Representative in the Consideration
Notice;
(ii) one
or
more certificates representing the Closing Shares issued in the names of such
Sellers, and in the amounts, specified by Seller Representative in the
Consideration Notice;
(iii) one
or
more Closing Notes issued in the names of such Sellers, and in the amounts,
specified by Seller Representative in the Consideration Notice;
(iv) the
Escrow Agreement, executed by Parent, Buyer and the Escrow Agent;
(v) Assignment
and Assumption Agreements executed by the applicable Buyer
Designees;
(vi) a
certificate executed by Buyer as to the accuracy of its representations and
warranties as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing in accordance
with Section 8.1 and as to its compliance with and performance of its covenants
and obligations to be performed or complied with at or before the Closing in
accordance with Section 8.2;
(vii) a
certificate of the Secretary of Buyer certifying, as complete and accurate
as of
the Closing, attached copies of the Governing Documents of Buyer and certifying
and attaching all requisite resolutions or actions of Buyer’s board of directors
approving the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation
of
the Contemplated Transactions and certifying to the incumbency and signatures
of
the officers of Buyer executing this Agreement and any other document relating
to the Contemplated Transactions;
(viii) the
Registration Rights Agreement executed by Parent; and
(ix) resale
certificates executed by Buyer in customary form for all inventory items
transferred to Buyer.
(c) Sellers
acknowledge and agree that Buyer shall withhold from the Closing Purchase Price
otherwise payable to Sellers and deliver to the Escrow Agent at the Closing
(i)
the Escrow Cash Amount, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to
an
account specified by the Escrow Agent, (ii) certificates representing the Escrow
Shares and (iii) the Escrow Notes (collectively, the “Escrow
Fund”).
The
Escrow Fund shall be held and distributed, together with all interest,
distributions and other earnings payable thereon, pursuant to the terms of
the
Escrow Agreement. Any Escrow Shares deposited with the Escrow Agent and
distributed to Buyer from the Escrow Fund pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement shall be deemed to have a value of $7.00 per share of Parent Common
Stock for purposes of Sections 2.9 and 2.10 and Article 11 hereof.
(d) Buyer
shall cause the Indebtedness Payoff Amount to be repaid to the party or parties
entitled thereto as set forth in the payoff letters delivered to Buyer pursuant
to Section 2.3(c).
|
2.8
|
Net
Working Capital Adjustment Amount and
Payment
|
(a) The
“Net
Working Capital Adjustment Amount”
(which
may be a positive or negative number) will be equal to the amount determined
by
subtracting the Closing Net Working Capital from the Target Net Working Capital.
If the Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount is positive, Seller Representative
shall cause the Escrow Agent to pay an amount in cash equal to the Net Working
Capital Adjustment Amount by wire transfer of immediately available funds to
an
account specified by Buyer; provided that in the event that the amount to be
paid to Buyer pursuant to this Section 2.8(a) exceeds the available funds
remaining in the Purchase Price Escrow Account, Seller Representative shall
pay
the amount of such shortfall by wire transfer of immediately available funds
to
the account specified by Buyer. If the Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount
is
negative, Buyer shall pay an amount in cash equal to the absolute value of
the
Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount by wire transfer of immediately available
funds to an account specified by Seller Representative. Within thirty (30)
days
after the calculation of the Closing Net Working Capital becomes binding and
conclusive on the parties, Seller Representative or Buyer, as the case may
be,
shall make the wire transfer payment provided for in this Section
2.8(a).
Any
funds
paid by Buyer to Seller Representative pursuant to this Section 2.8(a) shall
be
paid or delivered to Seller Representative for the benefit of
Sellers.
(b) “Net
Working Capital”
as
of a
given date shall mean the aggregate amount calculated by subtracting (i) the
current liabilities of each Seller included in the Assumed Liabilities as of
that date from (ii) the current assets of each Seller included in the Assets
as
of that date, as determined on a tax basis. “Target
Net Working Capital”
shall
mean $2,200,000.
(c) Buyer,
in
consultation with Cherry, Baekert & Holland, LLP (the “Auditors”),
shall
prepare, or cause to be prepared, a consolidated and consolidating, balance
sheet of Sellers as of 11:59 p.m. Dallas, Texas time on the day immediately
preceding the Closing Date (the “Closing
Balance Sheet”)
on the
same basis and applying the same accounting principles, policies and practices
that were used in preparing the Interim Balance Sheet. Buyer shall then
determine the Net Working Capital as of 11:59 p.m. Dallas, Texas time on the
day
immediately preceding the Closing Date (the “Closing
Net Working Capital”),
the
calculation of which shall be based upon the Closing Balance Sheet, using the
same methodology as was used to calculate the Target Net Working Capital and
taking into account any applicable adjustments reflected in the Audited
Financial Statements or required by GAAP. Buyer shall deliver the Closing
Balance Sheet and their determination of the Closing Net Working Capital to
Seller Representative within sixty (60) days following the Closing
Date.
(d) If
within
thirty (30) days following delivery of the Closing Balance Sheet and the Closing
Net Working Capital calculation Seller Representative has not given Buyer
written notice of Sellers’ objection as to the Closing Net Working Capital
calculation (which notice shall state the basis of Sellers’ objections), then
the Closing Net Working Capital calculated by Buyer shall be binding and
conclusive on the parties and be used in computing the Net Working Capital
Adjustment Amount.
(e) If
Seller
Representative duly gives Buyer such notice of objection, and if Seller
Representative and Buyer fail to resolve the issues outstanding with respect
to
the Closing Balance Sheet and the calculation of the Closing Net Working Capital
within thirty (30) days of Buyer’s receipt of an objection notice from Seller
Representative, Seller Representative and Buyer shall submit the issues
remaining in dispute to an accounting firm of national standing mutually agreed
to by Seller Representative and Buyer (the “Independent
Accountants”)
for
resolution applying the principles, policies and practices referred to in
Section 2.8(c). If issues are submitted to the Independent Accountants for
resolution, (i) Sellers and Buyer shall furnish or cause to be furnished to
the Independent Accountants such work papers and other documents and information
relating to the disputed issues as the Independent Accountants may request
and
are available to that party or its agents and shall be afforded the opportunity
to present to the Independent Accountants any material relating to the disputed
issues and to discuss the issues with the Independent Accountants; (ii) the
determination by the Independent Accountants, as set forth in a notice to be
delivered to both Seller Representative and Buyer within sixty (60) days of
the
submission to the Independent Accountants of the issues remaining in dispute,
shall be final, binding and conclusive on the parties and shall be used in
the
calculation of the Closing Net Working Capital; and (iii) the fees and
costs of the Independent Accountants will be allocated to be paid by Buyer,
on
the one hand, or Sellers, on the other hand, based upon the percentage which
the
portion of the contested amount now awarded to each party bears to the amount
actually contested by such party, as determined by the Independent
Accountants.
|
2.9
|
EBITDA
Adjustment Amount and Payment
|
(a) The
“EBITDA
Adjustment Amount”
of
the
Seller Representative or Established Restaurants (which may be a positive or
negative number) will be equal to the product of (i) the amount determined
by
subtracting the Closing EBITDA from the Estimated EBITDA, multiplied
by
(ii)
five and one-half (5.5).
(i) If
the
EBITDA Adjustment Amount is positive, Buyer and Seller Representative shall
cause the Escrow Agent to:
(A) release
to Buyer from the Purchase Price Escrow Account an amount in cash equal to
the
product of (x) the EBITDA Adjustment Amount, multiplied
by
(y) the
Cash Multiple by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account
specified by Buyer;
(B) release
to Buyer from the Purchase Price Escrow Account that number of shares of Parent
Common Stock, which will be deemed to have a value of $7.00 per share of Parent
Common Stock, equal in value to the product of (x) the EBITDA Adjustment Amount,
multiplied
by
(y) the
Stock Multiple; and
(C) release
to Buyer from the Purchase Price Escrow Account an aggregate principal amount
of
Convertible Notes equal to the product of (x) the EBITDA Adjustment Amount,
multiplied
by
(y) the
Note Multiple.
(ii) If
the
EBITDA Adjustment Amount is negative, Buyer shall:
(A) pay
to
Seller Representative an amount in cash equal to the product of (x) the absolute
value of the EBITDA Adjustment Amount, multiplied
by
(y) the
Cash Multiple by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account
specified by Seller Representative;
(B) deliver
to Seller Representative that number of shares of Parent Common Stock, which
will be deemed to have a value of $7.00 per share of Parent Common Stock, equal
in value to the product of (x) the absolute value of the EBITDA Adjustment
Amount, multiplied
by
(y) the
Stock Multiple; and
(C) deliver
to Seller Representative an aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes
equal to the product of (x) the absolute value of the EBITDA Adjustment Amount,
multiplied
by
(y) the
Note Multiple.
Seller
Representative or Buyer, as the case may be, shall cause the payments or
deliveries to be made within fifteen (15) days after the calculation of the
Closing EBITDA becomes binding and conclusive on the parties; provided that
in
the event that the amount to be paid to Buyer pursuant to this Section 2.9(a)
exceeds the available funds and Parent Securities remaining in the Purchase
Price Escrow Account, Seller Representative shall pay the amount of such
shortfall by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account
specified by Buyer within such fifteen (15) day period. Any funds paid, or
Parent Securities delivered, by Buyer to Seller Representative pursuant to
Section 2.9(a)(ii) shall be paid or delivered to Seller Representative for
the
benefit of Sellers.
(b) “EBITDA”
as
of a
given date shall mean the aggregate amount of the earnings before interest
expense, income tax, depreciation and amortization for the prior thirteen
complete periods of Seller Representative and each Established Restaurant,
as
determined on a tax basis and subject to the adjustments set forth in Exhibit
2.9(b). “Estimated
EBITDA”
shall
mean $17,423,000, the calculation of which is set forth on Exhibit 2.9(b) for
Seller Representative and each of the Established Restaurants and which has
been
calculated as of 11:59 p.m. Dallas, Texas time on April 20, 2008.
(c) Buyer
shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, unaudited consolidated and consolidating
balance sheets of Sellers as of 11:59 p.m. Dallas, Texas time on the final
day
of the most recently completed fiscal period prior to the Closing Date (the
“Period
End Date”),
and
the related unaudited consolidated and consolidating statements of income for
the thirteen (13) periods then ended (collectively, the “Closing
Financial Statements”),
on
the same basis and applying the same accounting principles, policies and
practices that were used in preparing the Interim Financial Statements, subject
to the adjustments set forth in Exhibits 2.9(b) and 2.10(b). Buyer shall then
determine the EBITDA as of as of 11:59 p.m. Dallas, Texas time on the Period
End
Date (the “Closing
EBITDA”)
, the
calculation of which shall be based upon the Closing Financial Statements,
using
the same methodology as was used to calculate the Estimated EBITDA and taking
into account any applicable adjustments reflected in the Audited Financial
Statements and any other adjustments that may be agreed to by the parties.
Buyer
shall deliver the Closing Financial Statements and its determination of the
Closing EBITDA to Seller Representative on or before the later of (i) the
thirtieth (30th)
day
following Buyer’s receipt of the Audited Financial Statements from the Auditor
and (ii) the sixtieth (60th)
day
following the Closing Date.
(d) If
within
thirty (30) days following delivery of the Closing Financial Statements and
the
Closing EBITDA calculation Seller Representative has not given Buyer written
notice of Sellers’ objection as to the Closing EBITDA calculation (which notice
shall state the basis of the Established Restaurants’ objections), then the
Closing EBITDA calculated by Buyer shall be binding and conclusive on the
parties and be used in computing the EBITDA Adjustment Amount.
(e) If
Seller
Representative duly gives Buyer such notice of objection, and if Seller
Representative and Buyer fail to resolve the issues outstanding with respect
to
the Closing Financial Statements and the calculation of the Closing EBITDA,
within thirty (30) days of Buyer’s receipt of an objection notice from Seller
Representative, Seller Representative and Buyer shall submit the issues
remaining in dispute to the Independent Accountants for resolution applying
the
principles, policies and practices referred to in Sections 2.9(b) and 2.9(c).
If
issues are submitted to the Independent Accountants for resolution, (i) Sellers
and Buyer shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Independent Accountants
such work papers and other documents and information relating to the disputed
issues as the Independent Accountants may request and are available to that
party or its agents and shall be afforded the opportunity to present to the
Independent Accountants any material relating to the disputed issues and to
discuss the issues with the Independent Accountants; (ii) the determination
by
the Independent Accountants, as set forth in a notice to be delivered to both
Seller Representative and Buyer within sixty (60) days of the submission to
the
Independent Accountants of the issues remaining in dispute, shall be final,
binding and conclusive on the parties and shall be used in the calculation
of
the Closing EBITDA; and (iii) the fees and costs of the Independent
Accountants will be allocated to be paid by Buyer, on the one hand, or Sellers,
on the other hand, based upon the percentage which the portion of the contested
amount now awarded to each party bears to the amount actually contested by
such
party, as determined by the Independent Accountants.
|
2.10
|
Net
Book Value Adjustment Amount and
Payment
|
(a) The
“NBV
Adjustment Amount”
of
the
Development Restaurants (which may be a positive or negative number) will be
equal to the amount determined by subtracting (x) the lesser of $10,000,000
and
the Closing NBV from (y) the
lesser of $10,000,000 and the Estimated NBV.
(i)
If the
NBV Adjustment Amount is positive, Buyer and Seller Representative shall cause
the Escrow Agent to:
(A) release
to Buyer from the Purchase Price Escrow Account an amount in cash equal to
the
product of (x) the NBV Adjustment Amount, multiplied
by
(y) the
Cash Multiple by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account
specified by Buyer;
(B) release
to Buyer from the Purchase Price Escrow Account that number of shares of Parent
Common Stock, which will be deemed to have a value of $7.00 per share of Parent
Common Stock, equal in value to the product of (x) the NBV Adjustment Amount,
multiplied
by
(y) the
Stock Multiple; and
(C) release
to Buyer from the Purchase Price Escrow Account an aggregate principal amount
of
Convertible Notes equal to the product of (x) the NBV Adjustment Amount,
multiplied
by
(y) the
Note Multiple.
(ii) If
the
NBV Adjustment Amount is negative, Buyer shall:
(A) pay
to
Seller Representative an amount in cash equal to the product of (x) the absolute
value of the NBV Adjustment Amount, multiplied
by
(y) the
Cash Multiple by wire transfer to an account specified by Seller Representative;
(B) deliver
to Seller Representative that number of shares of Parent Common Stock, which
will be deemed to have a value of $7.00 per share of Parent Common Stock, equal
in value to the product of (x) the absolute value of the NBV Adjustment Amount,
multiplied
by
(y) the
Stock Multiple; and
(C) deliver
to Seller Representative an aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes
equal to the product of (x) the absolute value of the NBV Adjustment Amount,
multiplied
by
(y) the
Note Multiple.
Seller
Representative or Buyer, as the case may be, shall cause the payments or
deliveries to be made within fifteen (15) days after the calculation of the
Closing NBV becomes binding and conclusive on the parties; provided that in
the
event that the amount to be paid to Buyer pursuant to this Section 2.10(a)
exceeds the available funds and Parent Securities remaining in the Purchase
Price Escrow Account, Seller Representative shall pay the amount of such
shortfall by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account
specified by Buyer within such fifteen (15) day period. Any funds paid, or
Parent Securities delivered, by Buyer to Seller Representative pursuant to
Section 2.10(a)(ii) shall be paid or delivered to Seller Representative for
the
benefit of Sellers and thereafter distributed to Sellers by Seller
Representative pro rata in accordance with the percentage interests of Sellers
set forth in the Consideration Notice.
(b) “NBV”
as
of a
given date shall mean the aggregate amount of the net book value of the fixed
assets of the Development Restaurants calculated by subtracting (i) the
cumulative depreciation and amortization, together with any other applicable
liabilities included in the Assumed Liabilities (excluding liabilities taken
into account in the calculation of Net Working Capital), of each Development
Restaurant as of that date from (ii) the property and equipment of each
Development Restaurant included in the Assets (excluding tenant improvements
funded by landlord and assets taken into account in the calculation of Net
Working Capital) as of that date, as determined on a tax basis and subject
to
the adjustments set forth in Exhibit 2.10(b). The “Estimated
NBV”
shall
mean $10,187,382, the calculation of which is set forth on Exhibit 2.10(b)
for
each of the Development Restaurants and which has been calculated as of 11:59
p.m. Dallas, Texas time on April 20, 2008.
(c) Buyer,
in
consultation with the Auditors, shall determine the NBV as of 11:59 p.m. Dallas,
Texas time on the Period End Date (the “Closing
NBV”),
which
calculation shall be based upon the Closing Financial Statements, using the
same
methodology as was used to calculate the Estimated NBV and taking into account
any applicable adjustments reflected in the Audited Financial Statements. Buyer
shall deliver its determination of the Closing NBV to Seller Representative
within sixty (60) days following the Closing Date.
(d) If
within
thirty (30) days following delivery of the Closing NBV calculation Seller
Representative has not given Buyer written notice of Sellers’ objections as to
the Closing NBV calculation (which notice shall state the basis of Sellers’
objections), then the Closing NBV calculated by Buyer shall be binding and
conclusive on the parties and be used in computing the NBV Adjustment
Amount.
(e) If
Seller
Representative duly gives Buyer such notice of objection, and if Seller
Representative and Buyer fail to resolve the issues outstanding with respect
to
the calculation of the Closing NBV within thirty (30) days of Buyer’s receipt of
an objection notice from Seller Representative, Seller Representative and Buyer
shall submit the issues remaining in dispute to the Independent Accountants
for
resolution applying the principles, policies and practices referred to in
Sections 2.9(c), 2.10(b) and 2.10(c). If issues are submitted to the Independent
Accountants for resolution, (i) Sellers and Buyer shall furnish or cause to
be
furnished to the Independent Accountants such work papers and other documents
and information relating to the disputed issues as the Independent Accountants
may request and are available to that party or its agents and shall be afforded
the opportunity to present to the Independent Accountants any material relating
to the disputed issues and to discuss the issues with the Independent
Accountants; (ii) the determination by the Independent Accountants, as set
forth
in a notice to be delivered to both Seller Representative and Buyer within
sixty
(60) days of the submission to the Independent Accountants of the issues
remaining in dispute, shall be final, binding and conclusive on the parties
and
shall be used in the calculation of the Closing NBV; and (iii) the fees and
costs of the Independent Accountants will be allocated to be paid by Buyer,
on
the one hand, or Sellers, on the other hand, based upon the percentage which
the
portion of the contested amount now awarded to each party bears to the amount
actually contested by such party, as determined by the Independent
Accountants.
|
2.11
|
Consents;
Maintenance of Liquor Licenses
|
(a) If
there
are any Material Consents that have not yet been obtained (or otherwise are
not
in full force and effect) as of the Closing, in the case of each Seller Contract
as to which such Material Consents were not obtained (or otherwise are not
in
full force and effect) (the “Restricted
Material Contracts”),
Buyer
may waive the closing conditions as to any such Material Consent and
either:
(i) elect
to
have Sellers continue their efforts to obtain the Material Consents;
or
(ii) elect
to
have Sellers retain that Restricted Material Contract and all Liabilities
arising therefrom or relating thereto.
If
Buyer
elects to have Sellers continue their efforts to obtain any Material Consents
and the Closing occurs, notwithstanding Sections 2.1 and 2.4, neither this
Agreement nor the Assignment and Assumption Agreements nor any other document
related to the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions shall constitute
a
sale, assignment, assumption, transfer, conveyance or delivery or an attempted
sale, assignment, assumption, transfer, conveyance or delivery of the Restricted
Material Contracts, and following the Closing, the parties shall use
commercially reasonable efforts, and cooperate with each other, to obtain the
Material Consent relating to each Restricted Material Contract as quickly as
practicable. Pending the obtaining of such Material Consents relating to any
Restricted Material Contract, the parties shall cooperate with each other in
any
reasonable and lawful arrangements designed to provide to Buyer the benefits
of
use of the Restricted Material Contract for its term (or any right or benefit
arising thereunder, including the enforcement for the benefit of Buyer of any
and all rights of Sellers against a Third Party thereunder), subject to Buyer’s
responsibility for the obligations related thereto. Once a Material Consent
for
the sale, assignment, assumption, transfer, conveyance and delivery of a
Restricted Material Contract is obtained, Sellers shall promptly assign,
transfer, convey and deliver such Restricted Material Contract to Buyer, and
Buyer shall assume the obligations under such Restricted Material Contract
assigned to Buyer from and after the date of assignment to Buyer pursuant to
a
special-purpose assignment and assumption agreement substantially similar in
terms to those of the Assignment and Assumption Agreements (which
special-purpose agreement the parties shall prepare, execute and deliver in
good
faith at the time of such transfer, all at no additional cost to
Buyer).
(b) If
there
are any Consents not listed on Part 7.3 necessary for the assignment and
transfer of any Seller Contracts to Buyer (the “Nonmaterial
Consents”)
which
have not yet been obtained (or otherwise are not in full force and effect)
as of
the Closing, Buyer shall elect at the Closing, in the case of each of the Seller
Contracts as to which such Nonmaterial Consents were not obtained (or otherwise
are not in full force and effect) (the “Restricted
Nonmaterial Contracts”),
whether to:
(i) accept
the assignment of such Restricted Nonmaterial Contract, in which case, as
between Buyer and Sellers, such Restricted Nonmaterial Contract shall, to the
maximum extent practicable and notwithstanding the failure to obtain the
applicable Nonmaterial Consent, be transferred at the Closing pursuant to the
Assignment and Assumption Agreements as elsewhere provided under this Agreement;
or
(ii) reject
the assignment of such Restricted Nonmaterial Contract, in which case,
notwithstanding Sections 2.1 and 2.4, (A) neither this Agreement nor the
Assignment and Assumption Agreements nor any other document related to the
consummation of the Contemplated Transactions shall constitute a sale,
assignment, assumption, conveyance or delivery or an attempted sale, assignment,
assumption, transfer, conveyance or delivery of such Restricted Nonmaterial
Contract, and (B) Sellers shall retain such Restricted Nonmaterial Contract
and all Liabilities arising therefrom or relating thereto.
(c) Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that any Governmental
Authorization pertaining to the transfer of the Liquor Licenses to Buyer or
any
Buyer Designee have not yet been obtained (or otherwise are not in full force
and effect) as of the Closing, the parties shall use commercially reasonable
efforts, and cooperate with each other, to obtain the Consent relating to any
such Liquor License for which such Governmental Authorizations were not obtained
(a “Non-Transferred
Liquor License”)
as
quickly as practicable following the Closing. In furtherance of the foregoing,
each Seller holding a Non-Transferred Liquor License shall (i) continue to
maintain such Non-Transferred Liquor License in full force effect, subject
to
Buyer’s or such Buyer Designee’s responsibility for the obligations related
thereto, and (ii) pending the obtaining of such Governmental Authorizations
relating to any Non-Transferred Liquor License, cooperate with Buyer or the
applicable Buyer Designee in any reasonable and lawful arrangements designed
to
provide to Buyer or the applicable Buyer Designee the benefits of use of the
Non-Transferred Liquor License until such time as such Seller may transfer
such
Non-Transferred Liquor License to Buyer or the applicable Buyer
Designee.
3.
|
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS
|
Each
Seller, severally but not jointly, represents and warrants to Buyer as
follows:
|
3.1
|
Organization
and Good Standing
|
(a) Part
3.1(a) contains a complete and accurate list for each Seller of its name, its
jurisdiction of incorporation or formation and other jurisdictions in which
it
is authorized to do business. Each Seller is a corporation, general partnership,
joint venture or limited partnership duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing or having active status under the laws of its jurisdiction of
incorporation or formation, with full corporate, partnership or other
appropriate power and authority to conduct its business as it is now being
conducted, to own, lease, license, franchise or use the properties and assets
that it purports to own, lease, license, or use, and to perform all its
obligations, and exploit and enforce its rights, under each Contract listed
(or
required to be listed) in Part 3.19(a). Each Seller is duly qualified or
authorized to transact business as a foreign entity, as the case may be, and
is
in good standing under the laws of each state or other jurisdiction in which
either the ownership or use of the properties owned, leased, licensed,
franchised or used by it, or the nature of the activities conducted by it,
requires such qualification.
(b) Complete
and accurate copies of the Governing Documents of each Seller (but specifically
excluding the Governing Documents of any general partner of any Seller), as
currently in effect, have been previously made available to Buyer.
(c) Except
as
disclosed in Part 3.1(c), Sellers do not have any Subsidiaries and do not own
any shares of capital stock or other securities of any other
Person.
(d) Except
as
disclosed in Part 3.1(d),
no
Seller is engaged in any other business activities other than the operation
of
the Business.
|
3.2
|
Enforceability;
Authority; No Conflict
|
(a) This
Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of each Seller,
enforceable against each Seller in accordance with its terms. Upon the execution
and delivery by Sellers of the Joinders, the Amended Affiliate Leases, the
Seller Franchise Agreements, Escrow Agreement, the Bills of Sale, the Assignment
and Assumption Agreements, the Registration Rights Agreement and each other
agreement to be executed or delivered by any or all of the Sellers at the
Closing (collectively, the “Sellers’
Closing Documents”),
each
of the Sellers’ Closing Documents will constitute the legal, valid and binding
obligation of each the Sellers, enforceable against each of them in accordance
with its terms. Each Seller has the absolute and unrestricted right, power
and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Sellers’ Closing
Documents to which it is a party and to perform its obligations under this
Agreement and the Sellers’ Closing Documents, and such action has been duly
authorized by all necessary action by each Seller’s equityholders and board of
directors or general partner. Each Seller has all necessary legal capacity
to
enter into this Agreement and the Sellers’ Closing Documents to which such
Seller is a party and to perform its obligations hereunder and
thereunder.
(b) Except
as
set forth in Part 3.2(b), neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement
nor the consummation or performance of any of the Contemplated Transactions
will, directly or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of
time):
(i) breach
(A) any provision of any of the Governing Documents of any Seller or
(B) any resolution adopted by the board of directors, general partner or
equityholders of any Seller;
(ii) give
any
Governmental Body or other Person the right to challenge any of the Contemplated
Transactions or to exercise any remedy or obtain any relief under any Legal
Requirement or any Order to which any Seller or any of the Assets may be
subject;
(iii) contravene,
conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any of the terms or
requirements of, or give any Governmental Body the right to revoke, withdraw,
suspend, cancel, terminate or modify, any Governmental Authorization that is
held by any Seller or that otherwise relates to the Assets or to the
Business;
(iv) cause
Buyer to become subject to, or to become liable for the payment of, any
Tax;
(v) require
any Consent under or breach any provision of, or give any Person the right
to
declare a default or exercise any remedy under, or to accelerate the maturity
or
performance of, or payment under, or to cancel, terminate, not renew or modify,
any Seller Contract;
(vi) result
in
the imposition or creation of any Encumbrance upon or with respect to the
Business or any of the Assets; or
(vii) result
in
the revocation or inapplicability of any franchise law exemption.
(c) Except
as
set forth in Part 3.2(c), no Seller is required to give any notice to or obtain
any Consent from any Person in connection with the execution and delivery of
this Agreement or the consummation or performance of any of the Contemplated
Transactions.
|
3.3
|
Capitalization;
Indebtedness
|
(a) Seller
Representative or one or more of its Affiliates, directly or indirectly, (i)
is,
and will be on the Closing Date, the record and beneficial owner of majority
of
the issued and outstanding equity securities of each Seller, as described on
Part 3.3(a), free and clear of all Encumbrances and/or (ii) has, and will have
on the Closing Date, the ability to “control” (as such term is used in the rules
and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act) each Seller. There are
no
Contracts relating to the issuance, sale or transfer of any equity securities
or
other securities of any Seller. None of the outstanding equity securities of
any
Seller was issued in violation of the Securities Act or any other Legal
Requirement.
(b) Except
as
set forth on Part 3.3(b), (i) neither the Business nor any Seller has any
outstanding Indebtedness, and (ii) no Seller is a party to, and none of the
Assets are subject to, any note, bond, indenture or other instrument or Contract
evidencing, creating or otherwise relating to Indebtedness.
Sellers
have delivered to Buyer: (a) unaudited standalone balance sheets of each
Seller, and the unaudited consolidated and consolidating balance sheets of
Sellers, as at December 30, 2007 (collectively, including the notes thereto,
the
“Balance
Sheet”),
and
the related unaudited standalone, consolidated and consolidating statements
of
income for the fiscal year then ended; (b) an unaudited balance sheet of
each Seller, and the unaudited consolidated and consolidating balance sheets
of
Sellers, as at December 31, 2006 and December 25, 2005, and the related
unaudited standalone, consolidated and consolidating statements of income for
each of the fiscal years then ended; and (c) an unaudited balance sheet of
each Seller, and the unaudited consolidated and consolidating balance sheets
of
Sellers, as at April 20, 2008, (collectively, the “Interim
Balance Sheet”)
and
the related unaudited standalone, consolidated and consolidating statements
of
income for the thirteen (13) periods then ended (together with the Interim
Balance Sheet, the “Interim
Financial Statements”).
Such
financial statements fairly present (and the financial statements delivered
pursuant to Section 5.7 will fairly present) the financial condition and the
results of operations of each Seller as at the respective dates of and for
the
periods referred to in such financial statements, and, except for the Interim
Balance Sheet and the related statements of income, and have all been prepared
on a tax basis. The financial statements referred to in this Section 3.4 and
delivered pursuant to Section 5.7 reflect and will reflect the consistent
application of such accounting principles throughout the periods involved.
The
financial statements have been and will be prepared from and are in accordance
with the accounting Records of Sellers. The calculation of the Target Net
Working Capital and the calculations of Estimated EBITDA and Estimated NBV
set
forth on Exhibits 2.9(b) and 2.10(b), respectively, were made in good faith
applying the same methodologies, principles, policies and practices set forth
on
Exhibits 2.9(b) and 2.10(b), respectively.
The
books
of account and other financial Records of each Seller, all of which have been
made available to Buyer, are complete and correct in all material respects
and
represent actual, bona fide transactions and have been maintained in accordance
with customary business practices. At the Closing, all of the Records of each
Seller (other than those to be retained by Sellers pursuant to Section 2.2)
will
be delivered to Buyer or the Buyer Designees.
|
3.6
|
Sufficiency
of Assets
|
Except
as
set forth in Part 3.6, the Assets (a) constitute all of the assets,
tangible and intangible, of any nature whatsoever, necessary to operate the
Business in the manner presently operated by each Seller and (b) include
all of the operating assets of each Seller.
|
3.7
|
Description
of Leased Real Property
|
Part
3.7
contains a correct street address of real property leased, subleased or licensed
to Sellers in connection with the Operation of the Business (the “Leased
Real Property”)
and an
accurate description (by location, name of lessor or sublessor or date of Lease
and term expiry date) of all Leases to which Sellers are a party with respect
to
the Leased Real Property (the “Real
Property Leases”).
Complete and accurate copies of the Real Property Leases have been previously
made available to Buyer. None of Sellers owns any real property.
|
3.8
|
Title
to Assets; Encumbrances
|
Each
Seller owns good and transferable title to all of its Assets free and clear
of
any Encumbrances other than Permitted Encumbrances.
|
3.9
|
Condition
of Facilities
|
(a) Use
of
the Leased Real Property for the various purposes for which it is presently
being used, is permitted as of right under all applicable zoning legal
requirements and is not subject to “permitted nonconforming” use or structure
classifications. All Improvements to Leased Real Property are in compliance
with
all applicable Legal Requirements, including those pertaining to zoning,
building and the disabled, are in good repair and in good condition, ordinary
wear and tear excepted, and are free from latent and patent defects. No part
of
any Improvement encroaches on any real property not included in the Leased
Real
Property. There is no existing or proposed plan to modify or realign any street
or highway or any existing or proposed eminent domain proceeding that would
result in the taking of all or any part of any Facility or that would prevent
or
hinder the continued use of any Facility as heretofore used in the conduct
of
the business of each Seller.
(b) Each
item
of Tangible Personal Property is in good repair and good operating condition,
ordinary wear and tear excepted, is suitable for immediate use in the Ordinary
Course of Business and is free from latent and patent defects. To the Knowledge
of each Seller, no item of Tangible Personal Property owned or leased by such
Seller is in need of repair or replacement other than as part of routine
maintenance in the Ordinary Course of Business. Except as disclosed in Part
3.9(b), all Tangible Personal Property used in the Business by each Seller
is in
the possession of such Seller.
All
Accounts Receivable that are reflected on the Balance Sheet or the Interim
Balance Sheet or on the accounting Records of each Seller as of the Closing
Date
represent or will represent valid obligations arising from sales actually made
or services actually performed by such Sellers in the Ordinary Course of
Business. Except to the extent paid prior to the Closing Date, such Accounts
Receivable are or will be as of the Closing Date current and collectible net
of
the respective reserves shown on the Balance Sheet or the Interim Balance Sheet
or on the Closing Balance Sheet (which reserves are adequate and calculated
consistent with past practice and, in the case of the reserve on the Closing
Balance Sheet, will not represent a greater percentage of the Accounts
Receivable reflected on the Closing Balance Sheet than the reserve reflected
on
the Interim Balance Sheet represented of the Accounts Receivable reflected
thereon and will not represent a material and adverse change in the composition
of such Accounts Receivable in terms of aging). There is no contest, claim,
defense or right of setoff, other than returns in the Ordinary Course of
Business of Sellers, under any Contract with any account debtor of an Account
Receivable relating to the amount or validity of such Account Receivable.
All
items
included in the Inventories consist of a quality and quantity usable and, with
respect to finished goods, saleable, in the Ordinary Course of Business of
Sellers except for obsolete items and items of below-standard quality, all
of
which have been written off or written down to net realizable value in the
Balance Sheet or the Interim Balance Sheet or on the accounting Records of
Sellers as of the Closing Date, as the case may be. Sellers are not in
possession of any inventory not owned by Sellers, including goods already sold.
All of the Inventories have been valued at the lower of cost or market value
on
a first in, first out basis. Inventories now on hand that were purchased after
the date of the Balance Sheet or the Interim Balance Sheet were purchased in
the
Ordinary Course of Business of Sellers at a cost not exceeding market prices
prevailing at the time of purchase. The quantities of each item of Inventories
held by each Seller (whether raw materials, work-in-process or finished goods)
are sufficient for such Seller to operate in the Ordinary Course of Business.
Work-in-process Inventories are now valued, and will be valued on the Closing
Date, on a tax basis.
|
3.12
|
No
Undisclosed Liabilities
|
Except
as
set forth in Part 3.12, Sellers have no Liability except (a) for Liabilities
reflected or reserved against in the Balance Sheet or the Interim Balance Sheet,
(b) current liabilities incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business of Sellers
since the date of the Interim Balance Sheet and (c) Retained
Liabilities.
(a) Except
as
set forth in Part 3.13(a): (i) Sellers
have timely filed (taking into account any extensions of time for such filings
that have been properly and timely requested by Sellers) all Tax Returns that
were required to be filed; (ii) all such Tax Returns are complete and accurate
in all material respects; (iii) all Taxes owed by Sellers (whether or not shown
on any Tax Return) have been paid; (iv) to Sellers’ Knowledge, no claim has ever
been made by an authority in a jurisdiction in which Sellers do not file Tax
Returns that Sellers are or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction;
and
(v) there are no Encumbrances on any of the Assets for Taxes other than
Permitted Encumbrances.
(b) Sellers
have delivered or made available to Buyer copies of, and Part 3.13(b) contains
a
complete and accurate list of, (i) with respect to Property Taxes, all Tax
Returns of Sellers that have been audited or are currently under audit and
accurate descriptions of any deficiencies or other amounts that were paid or
are
currently being contested and (ii) all waivers or extensions of any statute
of
limitations relating to the payment of Property Taxes of Sellers. Sellers have
delivered, or made available to Buyer, copies of any examination reports,
statements or deficiencies or similar items with respect to any such
audits.
(c) No
Asset
(i) is property required to be treated as owned by another Person pursuant
to
the provisions of Section 168(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as
amended and in effect immediately prior to the enactment of the Tax Reform
Act
of 1986, (ii) constitutes “tax-exempt use property” within the meaning of
Section 168(h) of the Code, (iii) is “tax-exempt bond financed property” within
the meaning of Section 168(g) of the Code, (iv) secures any Indebtedness the
interest of which is tax-exempt under Section 103(a) of the Code or (v) is
subject to a 467 rental agreement as defined in Section 467 of the
Code.
|
3.14
|
No
Material Adverse Change
|
Since
the
date of the Balance Sheet, there has not been any Material Adverse Change in
the
business, operations, prospects, assets, results of operations or condition
(financial or other) of any Seller, and no event has occurred or circumstance
exists that may result in such a Material Adverse Change.
(a) List
of Plans.
Part
3.15(a)(i) sets forth a complete list of each “employee benefit plan” as defined
in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, (“ERISA”)
and
each other plan, policy, program, practice, agreement, understanding or
arrangement (whether written or oral) providing compensation or other benefits
to any current director, officer, employee or consultant (or to any dependent
or
beneficiary thereof) of any Seller which is now maintained, sponsored or
contributed to by any Seller or under the terms of which any Seller has or
is
reasonably likely to have any material obligation or liability, whether actual
or contingent, including, without limitation, all severance, termination,
incentive, bonus, deferred compensation, retirement, pension, savings, profit
sharing, retention, change in control, vacation, holiday, cafeteria, medical,
disability, life, accident, fringe benefit, welfare and stock-based compensation
plans, policies, programs, practices or arrangements (each, a “Target
Benefit Plan”).
Part
3.15(a)(ii) sets forth a list of all written employment and consulting
agreements to which Seller is a party that cannot be terminated without cost
or
liability to a Seller.
(b) Compliance.
Except
as described in Part 3.15(b), the Sellers have made available to Buyer true
and
complete copies, as applicable, of each Target Benefit Plan (or, if not written,
a written summary of its material terms), including without limitation all
plan
documents, trust agreements, insurance contracts or other funding vehicles
and
all amendments thereto, and with respect to each Assumed Benefit Plan (i) all
summaries and summary plan descriptions, including any summary of material
modifications, (ii) the three most recent annual reports (Form 5500 series)
filed with the IRS, (iii) the most recent actuarial report or other financial
statement relating to such Assumed Benefit Plan, (iv) the most recent
determination or opinion letter, if any, issued by the IRS and any pending
request for such a letter, (v) the most recent nondiscrimination tests performed
under the Code, and (vi) all filings made with any governmental entities,
including but not limited any filings under the Employee Plans Compliance
Resolution System or the Department of Labor Delinquent Filer
Program.
(c) General
Compliance.
Each
Assumed Benefit Plan complies in all material respects in form and operation,
and has been administered in all material respects in accordance with, its
terms
and all applicable laws, including ERISA and the Code, and all contributions
required to be made under the terms of any of the Assumed Benefit Plans as
of
the date of this Agreement have been timely made or, if not yet due, have been
properly reflected on the Interim Balance Sheet or as an accrual on the
accounting records of one or more of the Sellers. With respect to each Assumed
Benefit Plan, all tax, annual reporting and other governmental filings required
by ERISA, the Code or other Legal Requirements have been timely filed with
the
appropriate Governmental Body and all notices and disclosures have been timely
provided to participants in all material respects. With respect to the Assumed
Benefit Plans, no event has occurred and, to the Knowledge of Sellers, there
exists no condition or set of circumstances in connection with which any Seller
is reasonably likely to be subject to any material liability (other than for
routine benefit liabilities) under the terms of, or with respect to, such
Assumed Benefit Plans, ERISA, the Code or any other Legal Requirements.
(d) Tax
Qualification of Plans.
Each
Target Benefit Plan that is intended to qualify under Section 401(a), Section
401(k), Section 401(m), or Section 4975(e)(7) of the Code has either (i)
received a favorable determination letter from the IRS as to its qualified
status, or (ii) may rely upon a favorable prototype opinion letter from the
IRS,
and each trust established in connection with any Target Benefit Plan which
is
intended to be exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(a) of
the
Code is so exempt, and to the Knowledge of Sellers, no fact or event has
occurred that is reasonably likely to adversely affect the qualified status
of
any such Target Benefit Plan or the exempt status of any such trust.
(e) Prohibited
Transactions, Legal Actions, Ability to Amend, and
Deductibility.
To the
Knowledge of Sellers, there has been no prohibited transaction (within the
meaning of Section 406 of ERISA, or Section 4975 of the Code and other than
a
transaction that is exempt under a statutory or administrative exemption) with
respect to any Assumed Benefit Plan. None of the Sellers, nor to the Knowledge
of Sellers, any other Person (with the exception of Buyer) has any legally
enforceable right or commitment to adopt, modify or terminate any Assumed
Benefit Plan, other than with respect to a modification or termination required
by ERISA or the Code. No suit, administrative proceeding, action or other
litigation has been brought within the last six years or is threatened against
or with respect to any such Assumed Benefit Plan, including any audit or inquiry
by the IRS or United States Department of Labor. Neither the Sellers nor any
ERISA Affiliate has any liability under ERISA Section 502 with respect to any
Assumed Benefit Plan. All contributions and payments to each Assumed Benefit
Plan are deductible under Code Sections 162 or 404. No excise tax could
reasonably be expected to be imposed upon any of the Sellers under Chapter
43 of
the Code.
(f) Title
IV of ERISA.
No
Target Benefit Plan is a “multiemployer plan” (as defined in Section 3(37) of
ERISA) (a “Multiemployer
Plan”)
or
other pension plan subject to Title IV or Part 3 of Title I of ERISA or Section
412 of the Code, and neither any Seller nor any ERISA Affiliate (as defined
below) has, within the past six years, sponsored, maintained, participated
in,
contributed to, or has been required to participate in or contribute to, or
has
any liability in respect of, whether actual or contingent, a Multiemployer
Plan
or other pension plan subject to Title IV or Part 3 of Title I of ERISA or
Section 412 of the Code. None of the assets of the Sellers or any ERISA
Affiliate is, or may reasonably be expected to become, the subject of any lien
arising under ERISA or Section 412(n) of the Code. For purposes of this
Agreement, “ERISA
Affiliate,”
with
respect to any Person, shall mean any entity (whether or not incorporated)
other
than such Person that, together with such Person, is required to be treated
as a
single employer under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.
(g) Change
in Control. Except
as
provided in Part 3.15(g), neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement
nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will result in
any
payment, acceleration, increase or creation of any rights of any person to
benefits under any Assumed Benefit Plan.
(h) Golden
Parachutes.
No
amount that will be received (whether in cash, property, the vesting of property
or otherwise) as a result of or in connection with the consummation of the
Contemplated Transactions (either alone or in combination with any other event)
or by any of the ancillary agreements, by any shareholder, employee, officer,
director or other service provider of any Seller who is a “disqualified
individual” (as such term is defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1)
could reasonably be characterized as an “excess parachute payment” (as defined
in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code).
(i) Retiree
Health/COBRA.
Except
as required by applicable Legal Requirements, no Target Benefit Plan provides
any of the following retiree or post-employment benefits to any person: medical,
disability or life insurance benefits. No Target Benefit Plan is a voluntary
employee benefit association under Section 501(a)(9) of the Code. The Sellers
and, with respect to clause (i), each ERISA Affiliate are in compliance in
all
material respects with (i) the applicable requirements of the Consolidated
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended, and the regulations
thereunder and any similar state law and (ii) the applicable requirements of
the
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended, and
the
regulations thereunder.
(j) Code
Section 409A.
Except
as set forth in Part 3.15(j), no Assumed Benefit Plan or payment or benefit
provided pursuant to any Assumed Benefit Plan between one or more Sellers and
any “service provider” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) provides
or is reasonably likely to provide for the deferral of compensation subject
to
Section 409A of the Code, whether pursuant to the execution and delivery of
this
Agreement or the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions (either alone
or
upon the occurrence of any additional or subsequent events) or otherwise. Each
Assumed Benefit Plan that is a nonqualified deferred compensation plan subject
to Section 409A of the Code has been operated and administered in good faith
compliance with Section 409A of the Code from the period beginning January
1,
2005 through the date hereof.
(k) Plans
Subject to Laws of Non-United States Jurisdictions.
Except
as set forth in Part 3.15(k), no Seller maintains, participates in, contributes
to or has any liability with respect to any employee benefit plan, program,
or
other similar arrangement providing compensation or benefits to any employee
or
former employee of any Seller (or any dependent thereof) which plan, program
or
other similar arrangement is subject to the laws of any jurisdiction outside
of
the United States.
(l) ERISA
Affiliates.
Part
3.15(l) sets forth a list of each ERISA Affiliate of each of the Sellers
(except, with respect to any Seller, for any other Sellers which are ERISA
Affiliates of such Seller). No Assumed Benefit Plan is, and none of the Sellers
nor any ERISA Affiliate thereof contributes to or has any liability or
obligation, whether actual or contingent, with respect to (i) any “multiple
employer plan” (within the meaning of Section 413(c) of the Code), or (ii) any
"multiple employer welfare arrangement" (within the meaning of Section 3(40)
of
ERISA).
(m) Certain
Insured Plans. Except
as
described in Part 3.15(m), no Assumed
Benefit
Plan that is an “employee welfare benefit plan” within the meaning of Section
3(1) of ERISA provides health or welfare benefits that are not fully insured
through an insurance contract, and no Seller is obligated to directly pay any
such benefits or to reimburse any third Person payor for the payment of such
benefits.
|
3.16
|
Compliance
with Legal Requirements; Governmental
Authorizations
|
(a) Except
as
set forth in Part 3.16(a):
(i) each
Seller is, and at all times since January 1, 2005, has been, in material
compliance with each Legal Requirement that is or was applicable to it or to
the
conduct or operation of its business or the ownership, lease, license or use
of
any of its assets, including in regards to licenses to sell alcoholic
beverages;
(ii) to
the
Knowledge of each Seller no event has occurred or circumstance exists that
(with
or without notice or lapse of time) (A) may constitute or result in a material
violation by such Seller of, or a failure on the part of such Seller to comply
in all material respects with, any Legal Requirement or (B) may give rise to
any
obligation on the part of such Seller to undertake, or to bear all or any
portion of the cost of, any remedial action of any nature; and
(iii) no
Seller
has received, at any time since January 1, 2005, any notice or other
communication (whether written, or to the Knowledge of Sellers, oral) from
any
Governmental Body or any other Person regarding (A) any actual, alleged,
possible or potential violation of, or failure to comply with, any Legal
Requirement or (B) any actual, alleged, possible or potential obligation on
the part of any Seller to undertake, or to bear all or any portion of the cost
of, any remedial action of any nature.
(b) Part
3.16(b) contains a complete and accurate list of each material Governmental
Authorization that is held by each Seller or that otherwise relates to the
Business or the Assets,
including all Governmental Authorizations (whether or not material) that relate
to the sale of alcoholic beverages (such Governmental Authorizations, the
“Liquor
Licenses”).
Each
Governmental Authorization listed or required to be listed in Part 3.16(b)
is
valid and in full force and effect. Except as set forth in Part
3.16(b):
(i) each
Seller is, and at all times since January 1, 2005, has been, in full compliance
with all of the terms and requirements of each Governmental Authorization
identified or required to be identified in Part 3.16(b);
(ii) to
the
Knowledge of each Seller no event has occurred or circumstance exists that
may
(with or without notice or lapse of time) (A) constitute or result directly
or indirectly in a violation of or a failure to comply with any term or
requirement of any Governmental Authorization listed or required to be listed
in
Part 3.16(b) or (B) result directly or indirectly in the revocation,
withdrawal, suspension, cancellation or termination of, or any modification
to,
any Governmental Authorization listed or required to be listed in Part
3.16(b);
(iii) no
Seller
has received, at any time since January 1, 2005, any notice or other
communication (whether written or, to the Knowledge of Sellers, oral) from
any
Governmental Body or any other Person regarding (A) any actual, alleged,
possible or potential violation of or failure to comply with any term or
requirement of any Governmental Authorization or (B) any actual, proposed,
possible or potential revocation, withdrawal, suspension, cancellation,
termination of or modification to any Governmental Authorization;
and
(iv) all
applications required to have been filed for the renewal of the Governmental
Authorizations listed or required to be listed in Part 3.16(b) have been duly
filed on a timely basis with the appropriate Governmental Bodies, and all other
filings required to have been made with respect to such Governmental
Authorizations have been duly made on a timely basis with the appropriate
Governmental Bodies.
(c) The
Governmental Authorizations listed in Part 3.16(b) collectively constitute
all
of the Governmental Authorizations necessary to permit each Seller to lawfully
conduct and operate the Business in the manner in which it currently conducts
and operates the Business, and to permit each Seller to own, operate, license
and use its assets in the manner in which it currently owns, operates, licenses
and uses such assets.
|
3.17
|
Legal
Proceedings; Orders
|
(a) Except
as
set forth in Part 3.17(a), there is no pending or, to the Knowledge of Sellers,
threatened Proceeding:
(i) by
or
against any Seller or that otherwise relates to or may affect the Business
or
any of the Assets; or
(ii) that
challenges, or that may have the effect of preventing, delaying, making illegal
or otherwise interfering with, any of the Contemplated
Transactions.
To
the
Knowledge of Sellers, no event has occurred or circumstance exists that is
reasonably likely to give rise to or serve as a basis for the commencement
of
any such Proceeding. Sellers have delivered to Buyer copies of all pleadings,
correspondence and other documents relating to each Proceeding listed in Part
3.17(a). There are no Proceedings listed or required to be listed in Part
3.17(a) that, if adversely determined, may result in a Material Adverse
Change.
(b) Except
as
set forth in Part 3.17(b):
(i) there
is
no Order to which any Seller, the Business or any of the Assets is subject;
and
(ii) to
the
Knowledge of Sellers, no officer, director, agent or employee of any Seller
is
subject to any Order that prohibits such officer, director, agent or employee
from engaging in or continuing any conduct, activity or practice relating to
the
Business.
(c) Except
as
set forth in Part 3.17(c):
(i) Each
Seller is, and, at all times since January 1, 2005, has been in compliance
with
all of the terms and requirements of each Order to which it or any of the Assets
is or has been subject;
(ii) no
event
has occurred or circumstance exists that is reasonably likely to constitute
or
result in (with or without notice or lapse of time) a violation of or failure
to
comply with any term or requirement of any Order to which any Seller or any
of
the Assets is subject; and
(iii) No
Seller
has received, at any time since January 1, 2005, any notice or other
communication (whether written, or to the Knowledge of Sellers, oral) from
any
Governmental Body or any other Person regarding any actual, alleged, possible
or
potential violation of, or failure to comply with, any term or requirement
of
any Order to which any Seller or any of the Assets is or has been
subject.
|
3.18
|
Absence
of Certain Changes and Events
|
Except
as
set forth in Part 3.18, since the date of the Balance Sheet, each Seller has
conducted its business only in the Ordinary Course of Business and there has
not
been any:
(a) change
in
any Seller’s authorized or issued capital stock or equity interests of Sellers
or issuance of any security convertible into such capital stock or equity
interests (except any actions related to Section 10.13);
(b) amendment
to the Governing Documents of any Seller (except any actions related to Section
10.13);
(c) except
in
the Ordinary Course of Business to non-executive employees, payment or increase
by any Seller of any bonuses, salaries or other compensation to any shareholder,
director, officer or employee or entry into any employment, severance or similar
Contract with any director, officer or employee;
(d) except
in
the Ordinary Course of Business, or except as required by Legal Requirements
or
by the terms of any such Target Benefit Plan as in existence as of the date
of
this Agreement, adoption of, or increase in (or commitment to adopt or increase)
the payments to or benefits under, any Target Benefit Plan or any plan or
arrangement that would constitute a Target Benefit Plan;
(e) material
damage to or destruction or loss of, or material diminution in value of, any
Tangible Personal Property or Leased Real Property, whether or not covered
by
insurance, materially and adversely affecting the Assets, the Business or the
financial condition of Sellers, taken as a whole;
(f) default
by such Seller under, entry into, termination, non-renewal or modification
of,
or receipt of written or, to the Knowledge of Sellers, oral notice of
termination, non-renewal or modification of, or default by any party other
than
a Seller under: (i) any franchise, license (other than in-bound software
licenses for commercial software that is “off-the-shelf” or widely available
entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business), distributorship, dealer,
sales
representative, joint venture, credit or similar agreement to which any Seller
is a party; or (ii) any other Seller Contract or transaction involving a total
remaining commitment by or to Sellers of at least $250,000;
(g) other
than sales in the Ordinary Course of Business, sale, license, lease or other
disposition of any Asset or other material asset of any Seller or mortgage,
pledge, or imposition of any Encumbrance on any Asset, including the sale,
lease, license or other disposition of any Intellectual Property
Asset;
(h) cancellation
or waiver of any claims or rights with a value in excess of
$250,000;
(i) indication
by any customer or supplier, licensor or franchisor of an intention to
discontinue, not extend, not renew, or change the terms of its contracts or
relationship with any Seller;
(j) material
change in the accounting methods used by any Seller;
(k) with
respect to Property Taxes, change of any material Tax election, settlement
or
compromise of any claim, notice, audit report or assessment in respect of Taxes,
filing of any amended Tax Return, entrance into any Tax allocation agreement,
Tax sharing agreement, Tax indemnity agreement or closing agreement relating
to
any Tax, surrender of any right to claim a Tax refund, or consent to any
extension or waiver of the statute of limitations applicable to any Tax claim
or
assessment;
(l) Contract
by any Seller to do any of the foregoing; or
(m) Material
Adverse Change.
|
3.19
|
Contracts;
No Defaults
|
(a) Part
3.19(a) contains an accurate and complete list, and Sellers have delivered
to
Buyer accurate and complete copies, of the following Seller Contracts
(including
all exhibits, schedules, appendices, amendments thereto and the
like):
(i) each
Contract to which any HOA Party, on the one hand, is a party or by which any
of
them is bound, and to which any Seller or any of its Related Persons, on the
other hand, is a party or by which any of them or any of the Assets is
bound;
(ii) each
Contract to which KWI or any of its Affiliates, officers or owners, on the
one
hand, is a party or by which any of them is bound, and to which any Seller
or
any of its Related Persons, on the other hand, is a party or by which any of
them or any of the Assets is bound;
(iii) each
Seller Contract that involves performance of services or delivery of goods
or
materials by Sellers of an amount or value in excess of $250,000;
(iv) each
Seller Contract that was not entered into in the Ordinary Course of
Business;
(v)
each
Seller Contract that involves expenditures or receipts of any Seller in excess
of $250,000;
(vi) each
employment, consulting, severance , retention, incentive or similar agreement
that may provide for (A) annual payments in excess of $100,000, (B) revenue
sharing, (C) payment of license fees or royalties, or (D) profit
participation;
(vii) each
Lease (except personal property Leases and installment and conditional sales
agreements having a value per item or aggregate payments of less than $250,000
or with a term of less than one year);
(viii) each
Seller Contract with any labor union or other employee representative of a
group
of employees relating to wages, hours and other conditions of
employment;
(ix) each
Contract with any franchise association, cooperative advertising association
or
similar body;
(x) each
joint venture, partnership and other Contract (however named), other than any
Governing Document, involving a sharing of profits, losses, costs or liabilities
by any Seller with any other Person;
(xi) each
Seller Contract containing covenants or restrictions or limitations that in
any
way purport to restrict any Seller’s business activity or limit the freedom of
any Seller to engage in any line of business or to compete with any Person
or
operate in any region;
(xii) each
Contract providing for payments to or by any Person based on sales, purchases
or
profits, other than direct payments for goods or incentive payments to employees
or independent contractors listed under clause (vi) above;
(xiii) each
power of attorney granted by a Seller to another Person in connection with
the
Business that is currently effective and outstanding;
(xiv) each
Seller Contract entered into other than in the Ordinary Course of Business
that
contains or provides for an express undertaking by any Seller to be responsible
for consequential damages;
(xv) each
Seller Contract for capital expenditures in excess of $250,000;
(xvi) each
written warranty, guaranty or other similar undertaking with respect to
contractual performance extended by any Seller other than in the Ordinary Course
of Business; and
(xvii) each
amendment, supplement and modification (whether oral or written) in respect
of
any of the foregoing.
(b) Except
as
set forth in Part 3.19(b), no Related Person of any Seller has or may acquire
any rights under, and no such Related person has or may become subject to any
obligation or liability under, any Contract that relates to the Business or
any
of the Assets.
(c) Except
as
set forth in Part 3.19(c):
(i) each
Contract identified or required to be identified in Part 3.19(a) and which
is to
be assigned to or assumed by Buyer under this Agreement is in full force and
effect and is valid and enforceable in accordance with its terms except as
enforceability may be affected by bankruptcy, insolvency or other laws affecting
creditors rights or principles of equity; and
(ii) each
Contract identified or required to be identified in Part 3.19(a) and which
is
being assigned to or assumed by Buyer or any Buyer Designee is assignable by
Sellers to Buyer or any Buyer Designee without the consent of any other
Person.
(d) Except
as
set forth in Part 3.19(d):
(i) each
Seller is, and at all times since January 1, 2005, has been, in material
compliance with all applicable terms and requirements of each Seller Contract
which is being assigned to or assumed by Buyer or any Buyer
Designee;
(ii) (A)
with
respect to the Development Agreement and each franchise agreement each other
Person that has or had any obligation or liability under any Seller Contract
which is being assigned to Buyer is, and at all times since January 1, 2005,
has
been, in material compliance with all applicable terms and requirements of
such
Contract; and (B) with respect to each other Seller Contract, to the Knowledge
of Sellers, each other Person that has or had any obligation or liability under
any Seller Contract which is being assigned to Buyer is, and at all times since
January 1, 2005, has been, in full compliance with all applicable terms and
requirements of such Contract;
(iii) no
event
has occurred or circumstance exists that (with or without notice or lapse of
time) may contravene, conflict with or result in a breach of, or give any
Seller, or the Knowledge of the Sellers, another Person, the right to declare
a
default or exercise any remedy under, or to accelerate the maturity or
performance of, or payment under, or to cancel, terminate or modify, any Seller
Contract that is being assigned to or assumed by Buyer or any Buyer Designee;
and
(iv) no
Seller
has given to or received from any other Person, at any time since January 1,
2005, any notice or other communication (whether written or, to the Knowledge
of
Sellers, oral) regarding any actual, alleged, possible or potential violation
or
breach of, or default under, any Contract which is being assigned to or assumed
by Buyer.
(e) Except
as
described in Part 3.19(e), there are no renegotiations of, attempts to
renegotiate or outstanding rights to renegotiate any material amounts paid
or
payable to any Seller or other terms under current or completed Contracts with
any Person and no such Person has made written demand for such
renegotiation.
(a) Part
3.20(a) lists each of the insurance policies described below (other than
insurance policies in respect of the Target Benefit Plans), and Sellers have
delivered or made available to Buyer:
(i) true
and
complete copies of all policies of insurance to which any Seller is a party
or
under which any Seller or Asset is or has been covered at any time within the
two years preceding the date of this Agreement;
(ii) true
and
complete copies of all pending applications for policies of insurance;
and
(iii) any
statement by the accountant of any Seller’s financial statements or any
consultant or risk management advisor with regard to the adequacy of Seller’s
coverage or of the reserves for claims.
(b) Part
3.20(b) describes:
(i) any
self-insurance arrangement by or affecting any Seller, including any reserves
established thereunder;
(ii) any
Contract or arrangement, other than a policy of insurance, for the transfer
or
sharing of any risk to which any Seller is a party or which involves the
business of any Seller; and
(iii) all
obligations of any Seller to provide insurance coverage to Third Parties (for
example, under Leases or service agreements) and identifies the policy under
which such coverage is provided.
(c) Part
3.20(c)
sets
forth, by year, for the current policy year and each of the
two (2)
preceding policy years:
(i) a
summary
of the loss experience under each policy of insurance;
(ii) a
statement describing each claim under a policy of insurance for an amount in
excess of $250,000, which sets forth:
(A) the
name
of the claimant;
(B) a
description of the policy by insurer, type of insurance and period of coverage;
and
(C) the
amount and a brief description of the claim; and
(iii) a
statement describing the loss experience for all claims that were self-insured,
including the number and aggregate cost of such claims.
(d) Except
as
set forth in Part 3.20(d):
(i) all
policies of insurance to which any Seller is a party or that provide coverage
to
any Seller:
(A) are
valid, outstanding and enforceable;
(B) are
issued by an insurer that is financially sound and reputable;
(C) taken
together, provide adequate insurance coverage for the Assets and the operations
of Sellers for all risks normally insured against by a Person carrying on a
similar business or businesses to the Business in the same location;
and
(D) are
sufficient for compliance with all Legal Requirements and Seller
Contracts;
(ii) no
Seller
has received (A) any refusal of coverage or any notice that a defense will
be afforded with reservation of rights or (B) any notice of cancellation or
any other indication that any policy of insurance is no longer in full force
or
effect or that the issuer of any policy of insurance is not willing or able
to
perform its obligations thereunder;
(iii) each
Seller has paid all premiums due, and has otherwise performed all of its
obligations, under each policy of insurance to which it is a party or that
provides coverage to any Seller; and
(iv) each
Seller has given notice to the insurer of all claims that may be insured
thereby; and
(v) each
of
the insurance policies listed on Part 3.20(a) and which is being assigned to
or
assumed by Buyer or any Buyer Designee is assignable by Sellers to Buyer or
any
Buyer Designee without the consent of any other Person.
|
3.21
|
Environmental
Matters
|
Except
as
set forth in
Part
3.21:
(a) Each
Seller is, and at all times since January 1, 2005, has been, in material
compliance with, and has not been and is not in violation of or liable under,
any Environmental Law. Since January 1, 2005, no Seller has received any written
or, to the Knowledge of Sellers, oral notice from:
(i) any
Governmental Body or private citizen acting in the public interest;
or
(ii) the
current or prior owner or operator of any Facilities;
of
any
actual or alleged violation or failure by Seller to comply with any
Environmental Law, or of any obligation on the part of Seller to undertake
or
bear the cost of any Environmental, Health, and Safety Liabilities with respect
to any of the Facilities or any other properties or assets (whether real,
personal, or mixed) in which any Seller has or has had an interest, or with
respect to any property or Facility at or to which Hazardous Materials were
generated, manufactured, refined, transferred, imported, used, or processed
by
any Seller.
(b) (i)
Sellers have obtained and are in material compliance with all Environmental
Permits necessary for their operation as currently conducted and (ii) since
January 1, 2005, no Seller has been advised in writing by any Governmental
Body
of any actual or potential change in the status or terms and conditions of
any
Environmental Permit.
(c) To
the
Knowledge of Sellers, there are no pending or threatened claims, Encumbrances
or
other restrictions against Sellers:
(i) resulting
from any Environmental, Health and Safety Liabilities; or
(ii) arising
under or pursuant to any Environmental Law, with respect to or affecting any
of
the Facilities or any other properties and assets (whether real, personal,
or
mixed) in which any Seller has or had an interest.
(d) Since
January 1, 2005, no Seller has received, any written or, to the Knowledge of
Sellers, oral citation, directive, inquiry, notice, Order, summons, warning
or
other communication that relates to Hazardous Activity by Seller, Hazardous
Materials handled or stored by Seller, or any alleged or actual violation by
Seller or failure by Seller to comply with any Environmental Law, or of any
alleged or actual obligation by Seller to undertake or bear the cost of any
Environmental, Health and Safety Liabilities with respect to any of the
Facilities or any other properties or assets (whether real, personal, or mixed)
in which Seller had an interest, or with respect to any property or facility
to
which Hazardous Materials generated, manufactured, refined, transferred,
imported, used, or processed by Seller, or any other Person for whose conduct
Seller is or may be held responsible, have been transported, treated, stored,
handled, transferred, disposed, recycled or received by Seller.
(e) No
Seller
has any Environmental, Health and Safety Liabilities with respect to the
Facilities or with respect to any other properties and assets (whether real,
personal or mixed) in which any Seller has or had an interest, or at any
property geologically or hydrologically adjoining the Facilities or any such
other property or assets.
(f) There
are
no Hazardous Materials present on or in the Environment at the Facilities
resulting from the operations of any Seller, including any Hazardous Materials
contained in barrels, above or underground storage tanks, landfills, land
deposits, dumps, equipment (whether moveable or fixed) or other containers,
either temporary or permanent, and deposited or located in land, water, sumps
or
any other part of the Facilities, or incorporated into any structure therein
or
thereon. No Seller has conducted any Hazardous Activity on or in the Facilities
or any other properties or assets (whether real, personal, or mixed) in which
any Seller has or had an ownership or possessory interest.
(g) There
has
been no Release by any of Seller or, to the Knowledge of Sellers, Threat of
Release by any of Sellers, of any Hazardous Materials at or from the Facilities
or at any other locations where any Hazardous Materials were generated,
manufactured, refined, transferred, produced, imported, used or processed by
any
of Sellers from or by the Facilities, or by any of Sellers from or on any other
properties and assets (whether real, personal or mixed) in which any Seller
has
or had an interest.
(h) Sellers
have delivered or made available to Buyer true and complete copies and results
of any reports, studies, analyses, tests, or monitoring possessed or initiated
by any Seller pertaining to Hazardous Materials or Hazardous Activities in,
on,
or under the Facilities, or concerning compliance by any Seller with
Environmental Laws.
(a) Part
3.22(a) contains
a complete and accurate list of the following information for each employee,
director, independent contractor, and consultant of each Seller involved in
the
operation of the Business, including each employee on leave of absence;
employer; name; job title; date of hiring or engagement; current compensation
paid or payable; sick and vacation leave that is accrued but unused as of the
date of this Agreement; and service credited for purposes of vesting and
eligibility to participate under any Target Benefit Plan, or any other employee
or director benefit plan.
(b) No
Seller
has experienced a "mass layoff" or "plant closing" under the Worker Adjustment
and Retraining Notification Act (the “WARN
Act”)
or any
similar state or local Legal Requirement. Part 3.22(b) states the number of
employees terminated by each Seller during the ninety (90) day period prior
to
the date of this Agreement.
(c) Each
Seller has properly classified each of its service providers as an employee
or
non-employee in accordance with applicable Legal Requirements.
(d) To
the
Knowledge of Sellers, no
vice
president-level or higher-level employee
of any
Seller is bound by any Contract that purports to limit the ability of such
officer, director, agent, employee, consultant, or contractor (i) to engage
in or continue or perform any conduct, activity, duties or practice relating
to
the Business or (ii) to assign to any Seller or to any other Person any
rights to any invention, improvement, or discovery. No former or current
employee of any Seller is a party to, or is otherwise bound by, any Contract
that in any way adversely affected, affects, or will affect the ability of
Sellers or Buyer to conduct the business as heretofore carried on by
Sellers.
|
3.23
|
Labor
Relations; Compliance
|
Since
January 1, 2005, no Seller has been or is a party to any collective bargaining
or other organized labor or similar Contract. There has not been, there is
not
presently pending or existing, and, to the Knowledge of Sellers there is not
threatened against any Seller: (a) any (i) strike or (ii) collective slowdown,
picketing, or work stoppage; (b) any Proceeding against any Seller that alleges
a violation by any Seller of any Legal Requirement pertaining to labor relations
or employment matters, including any charge or complaint filed by an employee
or
union with the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission, or any comparable Governmental Body, union organizational activity,
or other labor dispute against or affecting any of Sellers; or (c) any
application for certification of a collective bargaining agent. To the Knowledge
of Sellers, no event has occurred or circumstance exists that involves a threat
of any collective work stoppage or other collective labor dispute, in either
case by organized labor. There is no lockout of any group of employees by
Sellers, and no such action is contemplated by any Seller. Except as disclosed
in Part 3.23, since January 1, 2005 each Seller has complied in all material
respects with all Legal Requirements relating to employment, equal employment
opportunity, nondiscrimination, immigration, wages, hours, benefits, collective
bargaining, the payment of social security and similar taxes, occupational
safety and health, and plant closing.
|
3.24
|
Intellectual
Property
|
(a) The
Business Intellectual Property constitutes all the Intellectual Property
necessary for Buyer to conduct the Business.
(b) Part
3.24(b) lists all registered trademarks, registered service marks, applications
for trademark and service mark registrations, patents, patent applications
and
registered copyrights and applications for copyright registrations
(“Registered
IP”)
that
is Business Intellectual Property.
(c) Except
for Business Intellectual Property licensed by Sellers under Contracts listed
on
Part 3.24(c) and Part 3.19(a)(i), all right, title and interest in and to all
Business Intellectual Property is owned solely by Sellers free and clear of
all
Encumbrances.
(d) To
the
Knowledge of Sellers, all Business Intellectual Property is subsisting and
valid, and, as to all Registered IP, all necessary registration, maintenance
and
other filing fees due through the date hereof in connection with Registered
IP
have been timely paid and all necessary documents in connection with Registered
IP have been timely filed with the relevant authorities in the U.S. or foreign
jurisdictions, as the case may be, for the purposes of establishing and
maintaining Registered IP. To the Knowledge of Sellers, there are no actions
that are required to be taken within one-hundred and twenty (120) days of the
date hereof with respect to the Registered IP that if not taken will have a
material adverse effect on any Registered IP, or the prosecution of applications
or registrations relating thereto, including the payment of any registration,
maintenance or renewal fees or the filing of any response to any Governmental
Body.
(e) No
Business Intellectual Property infringes, misappropriates, violates, or
conflicts with the rights of any HOA Party or, to the Knowledge of Sellers,
any
other Person. Since May 1, 2003, neither any HOA Party nor, to the Knowledge
of
Sellers, any other Person has asserted, or threatened to assert, in any claims
(i) contesting the right of Sellers or any of their predecessors to use,
exercise, sell, license, transfer or dispose of any Business Intellectual
Property or any products, services, processes or materials covered thereby
in
any manner, or (ii) challenging the ownership, validity or enforceability of
any
Business Intellectual Property. To the Knowledge of Sellers, no Business
Intellectual Property is subject to any outstanding Order, restricting in any
manner the licensing, assignment, transfer, use or conveyance thereof.
(f) There
are
no Contracts pursuant to which Sellers or their predecessors in interest have
granted any Person the right to use, exercise or receive any benefit from the
Business Intellectual Property.
(g) The
operation of the Business does not infringe, misappropriate, violate or conflict
with any Intellectual Property of any Person, violate any right to privacy
or
publicity of any Person, or constitute unfair competition or trade practices
under applicable Laws. Since May 1, 2003, neither Sellers nor any of their
predecessors have received notice from any Person that alleging any such
infringement, misappropriation, violation or unfair competition or trade
practice.
(h) Neither
Sellers nor any of their predecessors have brought any actions or lawsuits
alleging (i) infringement, misappropriation or violation of any of the Business
Intellectual Property or (ii) breach of any Contract authorizing another party
to use any Business Intellectual Property, and, to the Knowledge of Sellers,
there does not exist any fact which could reasonably form the basis of any
such
action or lawsuit. Neither Sellers nor any of their Subsidiaries have entered
into any agreement granting any third party the right to bring infringement
actions with respect to, or otherwise to enforce rights with respect to, any
of
the Business Intellectual Property.
(i) Sellers
and their Subsidiaries have taken reasonable and appropriate steps to protect
and preserve the confidentiality of all material Confidential
Information.
(j) The
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will neither
violate nor result in the breach, modification, cancellation, termination,
suspension of, or acceleration of any payments with respect to any contracts,
licenses or agreements relating to Business Intellectual Property. Following
the
Closing, Buyer will be permitted to exercise all of the rights of Sellers or
any
of their Subsidiaries under such contracts, licenses and agreements to the
same
extent Sellers or any of their Subsidiaries would have been able to had the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement not occurred and without the payment
of any additional amounts or consideration other than ongoing fees, royalties
or
payments which Sellers or their Subsidiaries would otherwise be required to
pay.
Neither this Agreement nor the transactions contemplated hereby will result
in
Buyer or any of its Affiliates granting to any Person any right to or with
respect to any material Intellectual Property right owned by, or licensed to,
Buyer or any of its Affiliates.
|
3.25
|
Relationships
with Related Persons
|
Except
as
disclosed in Part 3.25, no Seller or any Related Person of any of them has,
or
since January 1, 2005, has had, any interest in any property (whether real,
personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible) used in or pertaining
to
the Business. No Seller or any Related Person of any of them owns, or since
January 1, 2005, has owned, of record or as a beneficial owner, an equity
interest or any other financial or profit interest in any Person that has
(a) had business dealings or a material financial interest in any
transaction with any Seller other than business dealings or transactions
disclosed in Part 3.25, each of which has been conducted in the Ordinary Course
of Business with Sellers at substantially prevailing market prices and on
substantially prevailing market terms or (b) engaged in competition with
the Business (a “Competing
Business”)
in any
market presently served by Sellers, except for ownership of less than one
percent (1%) of the outstanding capital stock of any Competing Business that
is
publicly traded on any recognized exchange or in the over-the-counter market.
Except as set forth in Part 3.25, no Seller or any Related Person of any of
them
is a party to any Contract with, or has any claim or right against, any
Seller.
Part
3.26
sets forth a complete and accurate list of the ten largest suppliers of
materials, products, or ingredients to each Seller (measured by the aggregate
amount purchased by such Seller) during the Seller’s most recently ended fiscal
year. Except as set forth in Part 3.26, since January 1, 2007, none of such
suppliers listed in Part 3.26 has canceled, terminated or otherwise materially
altered (including any material reduction in the rate or amount of sales or
material increase in the prices charged) or given written or, to the Knowledge
of Sellers, oral notice to any Seller of any intention to do any of the
foregoing or otherwise threatened to cancel, terminate, or materially alter
(including any material reduction in the rate or amount of sales) its
relationship with any Seller.
Part
3.27
sets forth a complete and accurate list of all bank deposit accounts or other
depositary accounts maintained by Sellers in connection with the Business as
of
the date hereof, and the authorized signatories thereto.
No
Seller
or any of Representatives of any Seller have incurred any obligation or
liability, contingent or otherwise, for brokerage or finders’ fees or agents’
commissions or other similar payments in connection with the sale of any
Seller’s business or the Assets or the Contemplated Transactions.
|
3.29
|
Restricted
Securities
|
(a) Sellers
acknowledge and agree that the Parent Securities are “restricted securities”
with the meaning of the Securities Act, and the rules and regulations
thereunder, and that, under the Securities Act and applicable regulations
thereunder, such Parent Securities may not be resold, pledged or otherwise
transferred without registration under the Securities Act except in certain
limited circumstances. Sellers acknowledge that (i) the Parent Securities are
being offered in a transaction exempt from registration under Section 5 of
the
Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, (ii) such Parent Securities
may not be offered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred except (A) in
a
transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144 under the Securities Act,
or in
accordance with another exemption from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act (and based upon an opinion of counsel if Parent so requests),
(B)
to Parent or (C) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act, in each case in accordance with the applicable securities laws
of any state of the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction and
(iii)
Sellers will be required to notify any subsequent purchaser from such Sellers
of
the resale restrictions set forth in this Section 3.29.
(b) Sellers
acknowledge and agree that (i) any registrar or transfer agent for the Parent
Securities will not be required to accept for registration of transfer any
Parent Securities except upon presentation of evidence reasonably satisfactory
to Parent that the restrictions on transfer under the Securities Act have been
satisfied and (ii) any Parent Securities in the form of definitive physical
certificates will bear a legend substantially in the form set forth
below:
THE
SECURITIES EVIDENCED HEREBY WERE ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT
FROM
REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE
“SECURITIES ACT”) AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND THE SECURITIES
EVIDENCED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE
ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. THE HOLDER
OF
THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT
(A)
SUCH SECURITIES MAY NOT BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, EXCEPT
(1)
IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT,
OR IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
OF
THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE COMPANY SO
REQUESTS), (2) TO THE COMPANY OR (3) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER
APPLICABLE JURISDICTION, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER
IS
REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE
RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN (A) ABOVE.
(a) Seller
Representative is, and as of the Closing Date will be, an “accredited investor”
within the meaning of Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act.
Each
other Seller designated in the Consideration Notice as being a recipient of
Parent Securities at Closing will be, as of the date on which such Seller
delivers to Buyer a Joinder to this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.13 and
as
of the Closing Date, an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)
of Regulation D under the Securities Act.
(b) Each
Seller designated in the Consideration Notice as being a recipient of Parent
Securities at Closing is purchasing the Parent Securities for its own account
or
for the account of one or more other accredited investors or as a fiduciary
for
the account of one or more entities, and for each of which it exercises sole
investment discretion. Each such Seller has such knowledge and experience in
financial and business matters that such Seller is capable of evaluating the
merits and risks of purchasing the Parent Securities.
(c) Sellers
are not acquiring the Parent Securities with a view to any distribution thereof
in a transaction that would violate the Securities Act or the securities laws
of
any state of the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction; provided,
however, that the disposition of a Seller’s property and the property of any
accounts for which the Seller is acting as fiduciary shall remain at all times
within the Seller’s control.
(d) Each
Seller is a resident of the state of Texas.
4.
|
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER
AND PARENT
|
Buyer
and
Parent represent and warrant to each Seller (except that the representations
and
warranties made in Sections 4.2 and 4.6 assume that the waiting period required
by the SEC for the withdrawal of Parent’s election to be regulated as a business
development corporation under the Investment Company Act has expired and no
comments from the SEC relating thereto remain outstanding) as
follows:
|
4.1
|
Buyer
Organization and Good Standing
|
Buyer
is
a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Texas with full corporate power and authority to conduct
its business as it is now conducted.
|
4.2
|
Authority;
No Conflict
|
(a) This
Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Buyer,
enforceable against Buyer in accordance with its terms. Upon the execution
and
delivery by Buyer of the Assignment and Assumption Agreements, the Escrow
Agreement and each other agreement to be executed or delivered by Buyer at
Closing (collectively, the “Buyer’s
Closing Documents”),
each
of the Buyer’s
Closing
Documents will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of Buyer,
enforceable against Buyer in accordance with its respective terms. Buyer has
the
corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the
Buyer’s Closing Documents and to perform its obligations under this Agreement
and the Buyer’s Closing Documents, and such action has been duly authorized by
all necessary corporate action.
(b) Neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Buyer nor the consummation
or
performance of any of the Contemplated Transactions by Buyer will give any
Person the right to prevent, delay or otherwise interfere with any of the
Contemplated Transactions pursuant to:
(i) any
provision of Buyer’s Governing Documents;
(ii) any
resolution adopted by the board of directors or the shareholders of
Buyer;
(iii) any
Legal
Requirement or Order to which Buyer may be subject; or
(iv) any
Contract to which Buyer is a party or by which Buyer may be bound.
(c) Except
as
set forth in Part 4.2(c), Buyer is not and will not be required to obtain any
Consent from any Person in connection with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement or the consummation or performance of any of the Contemplated
Transactions.
There
is
no pending Proceeding that has been commenced against Buyer that challenges,
or
may have the effect of preventing, delaying, making illegal or otherwise
interfering with, any of the Contemplated Transactions. To the Knowledge of
Buyer, no such Proceeding has been threatened.
Except
for fees and expenses payable to Global Hunter Securities, LLC and Cohen &
Company, neither Buyer nor any of the Representatives of Buyer have incurred
any
obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise, for brokerage or finders’ fees
or agents’ commissions or other similar payment in connection with the
Contemplated Transactions.
|
4.5
|
Parent
Organization and Good Standing
|
Parent
is
a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under
the
laws of the State of Delaware and is duly licensed or qualified to transact
business as a foreign corporation. Parent has the corporate power and authority
to own and hold its properties and to carry on its business as now conducted
and
as proposed to be conducted. Parent is in full compliance with all of the terms
and provisions of its certificate of incorporation (the “Parent
Charter”)
and
its bylaws. As of the date hereof, Parent does not own or control, directly
or
indirectly, any investment or interest in any other Person other than WAC,
Buyer
and as disclosed in Parent’s reports and other filings with the
SEC.
The
Parent Shares have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid
and
nonassessable shares of Parent Common Stock, and are free and clear of all
Encumbrances, except as set forth in the Parent Charter and for the requirements
of applicable Federal and state securities laws. The sale or delivery of any
of
the Parent Securities is not subject to any preemptive right of stockholders
of
Parent or to any right of first refusal or other right in favor of any person
that has not been duly waived.
As
of the
date hereof, the authorized capital stock of Parent consists of 200,000,000
shares of Parent Common Stock, and 9,454,033 shares of Parent Common Stock
were
issued and outstanding, all of which have been duly authorized and are validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Between the date hereof and the Closing
Date, Parent shall effect a 1:10 reverse stock split with respect to the
outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock and may issue additional shares of
Parent Common Stock and warrants in connection with the Financing and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the HI Purchase Agreement
or
issue additional shares of Parent Common Stock, options or other equity rights
in connection with equity compensation arrangements. Parent has no obligation
(contingent or other) to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its equity
securities or any interest therein or to pay any dividend or make any other
distribution in respect thereof. There are no voting trusts or agreements,
stockholders’ agreements, pledge agreements, buy-sell agreements, rights of
first refusal, preemptive rights or proxies relating to any securities of Parent
(whether or not Parent is a party thereto). All of the outstanding securities
of
Parent were issued in compliance with all applicable Federal and state
securities laws. No Person has made any claim in writing for rescission of
such
Person’s purchase of securities of Parent.
As
of the
date of this Agreement, Parent is a business development company, as defined
in
the Investment Company Act. Parent is subject to the periodic reporting, proxy
rules and other requirements of the Exchange Act. Parent has been subject to
the
filing requirements of the Exchange Act for at least the past ninety (90) days
prior to the date of this Agreement, and has timely filed all reports,
statements or documents required to be filed under the Exchange Act in the
last
twelve (12) months. The reports and other filings made by Parent in the last
twelve (12) months pursuant to the Investment Company Act and the Exchange
Act
did not, at the time they were filed (or if subsequently amended or
supplemented, at the time of such amendment or supplement), contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to
make
the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances in which they
were made, not misleading.
|
4.9
|
No
Material Adverse Change
|
There
is
no Proceeding pending or, to Knowledge of Parent, threatened, against Parent
or
any of its Subsidiaries that has had or would reasonably be expected to have,
if
determined adversely to Parent, or any such Subsidiary, a Parent Material
Adverse Change.
|
4.10
|
Employment
and Consulting Agreements
|
Except
as
set forth on Part 4.10, as of the date hereof, neither Parent, Buyer nor any
of
their Subsidiaries has entered into any employment, consulting, severance,
retention, change in control, termination pay or collective bargaining agreement
or any equity based compensation, pension, deferred compensation, welfare
benefits or other employee benefit plan or arrangement, or made any loans to
any
of its officers, directors, employees, affiliates or agents or consultants
or
made any change in its existing borrowing or lending arrangements for or on
behalf of any of such Persons.
5.
|
COVENANTS
OF EACH SELLER PRIOR TO CLOSING
|
|
5.1
|
Access
and Investigation
|
Between
the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, subject to applicable Legal
Requirements and upon reasonable advance notice received from Buyer, each Seller
shall (a) afford Buyer and its Representatives and prospective lenders and
their
Representatives (collectively, “Buyer
Group”)
full
and free access, during regular business hours, to each Seller’s personnel (with
the exception of employee medical records required by applicable Legal
Requirements to be confidentially maintained), properties, Contracts,
Governmental Authorizations, books and Records and other documents and data,
such rights of access to be exercised in a manner that does not unreasonably
interfere with the operations of Sellers; (b) furnish Buyer Group with
copies of all such Contracts, Governmental Authorizations, books and Records
and
other existing documents and data as Buyer may reasonably request;
(c) furnish Buyer Group with such additional financial, operating and other
relevant data and information as Buyer may reasonably request; and
(d) otherwise cooperate and assist, to the extent reasonably requested by
Buyer, with Buyer’s investigation of the properties, assets and financial
condition related to such Seller. In addition, Buyer shall have the right to
have the Leased Real Property and Tangible Personal Property inspected by Buyer
Group, at Buyer’s sole cost and expense, for purposes of determining the
physical condition and legal characteristics of the Leased Real Property and
Tangible Personal Property. In the event subsurface or other destructive testing
is recommended by any of Buyer Group, Buyer shall be permitted to have the
same
performed, at its sole cost and expense.
|
5.2
|
Operation
of the Business of Each Seller
|
Except
as
described in Part 5.2, between the date of this Agreement and the Closing,
each
Seller shall:
(a) conduct
the Business only in the Ordinary Course of Business, unless previously
consented to in writing by Buyer;
(b) maintain
its Assets in a state of repair and condition that complies with Legal
Requirements and is consistent with the requirements and normal conduct of
such
Seller’s business;
(c) keep
in
full force and effect, without amendment, all material rights relating to the
Business;
(d) perform
in all material respects all of its obligations under the Seller
Contracts;
(e) keep
in
full force and effect present insurance policies or other comparable insurance
coverage;
(f) comply,
in all material respects, with all Legal Requirements and contractual
obligations applicable to the operation of the Business;
(g) except
as
otherwise directed by Buyer in writing, and without making any commitment on
Buyer’s behalf, use its commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact its
current business organization, keep available the services of its officers,
employees and agents and maintain its relations and good will with suppliers,
customers, landlords, creditors, employees, agents and others having business
relationships with it;
(h) confer
with Buyer prior to implementing operational decisions of a material
nature;
(i) otherwise
report periodically to Buyer concerning the status of the Business, operations
and finances at Buyer‘s reasonable request;
(j) give
any
notices to Third Parties and use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain
all
consents set forth in Part 7.3;
(k) cooperate
with Buyer and assist Buyer in identifying the Governmental Authorizations
required by Buyer to operate the business from and after the Closing Date and
either transferring existing Governmental Authorizations of Sellers to Buyer,
where permissible, or obtaining new Governmental Authorizations for
Buyer;
(l) upon
request from time to time, execute and deliver all documents, make all truthful
oaths, testify in any Proceedings and do all other commercially reasonable
acts
that may be reasonably necessary or desirable in the opinion of Buyer to
consummate the Contemplated Transactions, all without further consideration;
(m) maintain
all of its books and Records relating to the Business in the Ordinary Course
of
Business;
(n) not
enter
into any new material Seller Contract (or modify, amend, terminate or waive
any
material right or obligation under any existing Seller Contract) that is outside
the Ordinary Course of Business or that would obligate such Seller to pay in
excess of $250,000 or which is not terminable by such Seller upon 60 days notice
without having to pay a fee, penalty or other amount, other than those Contracts
contemplated by Section 2.7(a);
(o) not
declare, set aside or pay any dividends
or other distributions to any equityholders or other holders of any security
convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, equity interests of any
of
Sellers
other
than in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(p) not
sell,
assign, lease, license or otherwise transfer or dispose of any of its Assets
except for sales of Inventory in the Ordinary Course of Business or enter into,
create or allow to be created or to exist any Encumbrances on its assets or
properties, except Permitted Encumbrances;
(q) with
respect to Property Taxes, not make or change any material Tax election, settle
or compromise any claim, notice, audit report or assessment in respect of Taxes,
file any amended Tax Return, enter into any tax allocation agreement, tax
sharing agreement, tax indemnity agreement or closing agreement relating to
any
Tax, surrender any right to claim a Tax refund, or consent to any extension
of
waiver of the statute of limitations applicable to any Tax claim or
assessment;
(r) other
than in the Ordinary Course of Business with respect to non-executive service
providers or as required by an applicable Legal Requirement or the terms of
any
Target Benefit Plan existing on the date hereof, without the prior written
consent of Buyer, not make any change in, or accelerate the vesting of, the
compensation or benefits payable or become payable to any officers, directors,
employees, agents or consultants, or grant any severance or termination pay
to,
any of the foregoing or enter into or amend any employment, consulting,
severance, retention, change in control, termination pay, collective bargaining
or other agreement, any Target Benefit Plan, or any equity based compensation,
pension, deferred compensation, welfare benefits or other employee benefit
plan
or arrangement, or make any loans to any of its officers, directors, employees,
Affiliates or agents or consultants or make any change in its existing borrowing
or lending arrangements for or on behalf of any of such Persons pursuant to
a
Target Benefit Plan or otherwise;
(s) not
(i)
merge or consolidate with any other Person, (ii) make or incur any capital
expenditure (or series of related capital expenditures) outside the Ordinary
Course of Business (except with respect to the development of the Development
Restaurants), (iii) make any capital investment in, any loan to, or any
acquisition of the securities or all or any substantial portion of the assets
of
any other Person (or series of related capital investments, loans, and
acquisitions) outside the Ordinary Course of Business or (iv) issue any note,
bond or other debt security or create, incur, assume, or guarantee any
Indebtedness outside the Ordinary Course of Business and in no event in excess
of $250,000 in the aggregate;
(t) not
pay
any amount to any Third Party with respect to any liability (excluding any
costs
and expenses incurred or which may be incurred in connection with this Agreement
and the Contemplated Transactions) other than in the Ordinary Course of
Business;
(u) not
take
any action for winding up, liquidation, dissolution or reorganization or for
the
appointment of a receiver, administrator or administrative receiver, trustee
or
similar officer of all or any of its assets or revenues;
(v) not
enter
into any agreement containing any provision or covenant limiting in any respect
its ability to (i) sell or buy any products or services to or from any other
Person, (ii) engage in any line of business or (iii) compete with any Person;
and
(w) except
as
otherwise expressly permitted herein, not, without the prior written Consent
of
Buyer, (a) take any affirmative action, or fail to take any reasonable
action within its control, as a result of which any of the changes or events
listed in Sections 3.14 or 3.18 would be likely to occur; (b) make any
modification to any material Governmental Authorization; or (c) allow the
levels of raw materials, supplies or other materials included in the Inventories
to vary materially from the levels customarily maintained.
As
promptly as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement, each Seller
will make all filings required by Legal Requirements to be made by them in
order
for such Seller to consummate the Contemplated Transactions (including all
filings under the HSR Act and any filings or amendments required by
the
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission in
order
to transfer the Liquor Licenses to Buyer at Closing). Between the date of this
Agreement and the Closing Date, each Seller will (a) cooperate reasonably with
Buyer with respect to all filings that Buyer elects to make or is required
by
Legal Requirements to make in connection with the Contemplated Transactions
(including all filings under the HSR Act) and (b) cooperate reasonably with
Buyer in obtaining all Consents, if any, identified in Part 7.3 (including
taking all actions requested by Buyer to cause early termination of any
applicable waiting period under the HSR Act).
(a) Between
the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, each Seller shall promptly
notify Buyer in writing if such Seller becomes aware of any fact or condition
that causes any representation or warranty of such Seller to be inaccurate
and
may, at its option, deliver to Buyer a supplement to the Disclosure Letter
specifying the occurrence after the date of this Agreement of any new fact
or
condition that would cause a representation or warranty of such Seller to be
materially inaccurate had such representation or warranty been made as of the
time that such Seller became aware of such fact or condition, or that is
necessary to be disclosed to Buyer in order to make such representation and
warranty correct in all material respects.
(b) Between
the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, each Seller also shall promptly
notify Buyer of the occurrence of any breach of any covenant or agreement of
such Seller in this Article 5 or of the occurrence of any event that may make
the satisfaction of the conditions in Article 7 impossible or unlikely.
(c) Any
supplement to the Disclosure Letter related to events or occurrences arising
after the date of this Agreement shall be deemed to amend and supplement the
Disclosure Letter for purposes of any representation or warranty of any Seller,
subject to Buyer’s right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(i).
(d) No
supplement to the Disclosure Letter related to events or occurrences arising
prior to the date of this Agreement shall be deemed to (i) amend or supplement
the Disclosure Letter, (ii) prevent or cure any misrepresentation, breach of
warranty or breach of covenant, or (iii) affect any rights of Buyer pursuant
to
Articles 9, 11 or 12.
Until
such time as this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 9.1, no
Seller shall directly or indirectly solicit, initiate, encourage or entertain
any inquiries or proposals from, discuss or negotiate with, provide any
nonpublic information to or consider the merits of any inquiries or proposals
from any Person (other than Buyer) relating to any business combination
transaction involving any Seller, including the sale by equityholders of a
Seller’s equity interests, the merger or consolidation of any Seller or the sale
of the Business or any of the Assets (other than sales of Inventory in the
Ordinary Course of Business). Each Seller shall notify Buyer of any such inquiry
or proposal within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt or awareness of the same
by
such Seller.
|
5.6
|
Commercially
Reasonable Efforts
|
Each
Seller shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the conditions
in
Article 7 and Section 8.3 to be satisfied.
Until
the
Closing Date, each Seller shall deliver to Buyer within ten (10) days after
the
end of each period a copy of the balance sheet and income statement for such
period prepared in a manner and containing information consistent with such
Seller’s current practices. As promptly as practicable following the date
hereof, each Seller shall assist and fully cooperate with the Auditors so that
the Auditors may deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Buyer true and complete
copies of the audited consolidated and consolidating balance sheets of Sellers
as at December 30, 2007, December 31, 2006 and December 25, 2005, and the
related audited consolidated and consolidating statements of income, changes
in
shareholders’ equity and cash flow for the fiscal years then ended, including in
each case the notes thereto (the “Audited
Financial Statements”).
|
5.8
|
Assistance
with Financing
|
Each
Seller and Seller Representative shall, and shall use commercially reasonable
efforts to cause their respective Representatives to, cooperate in connection
with the arrangement of the Financing as may be reasonably requested by Buyer,
its Affiliates or their respective Representatives including by (i)
participating in meetings, presentations, road shows, due diligence sessions
and
sessions with rating agencies; (ii) assisting with the preparation of materials
for rating agency presentations, offering documents, private placement
memoranda, bank information memoranda, prospectuses and similar documents
required in connection with the Financing; (iii) furnishing Buyer, its
Affiliates or their respective Representatives and financing sources with
historical financial information and similar information regarding Sellers,
the
Business, the Assets or the Assumed Liabilities as may be reasonably requested
by Buyer, its Affiliates or their respective Representatives and financing
sources, including all historical financial statements and financial data of
the
type reasonably identified by Buyer as being required by Regulation S-X,
Regulation S-K and Regulation D under the Securities Act, to use in connection
with the Financing or any other financing transaction executed in connection
with the Contemplated Transactions; (iv) cooperate with Buyer, its Affiliates
or
their respective Representatives and financing sources in providing business
and
financial projections regarding Sellers and their Subsidiaries as may be
reasonably requested by Buyer, its Affiliates or their respective
Representatives and financing sources; (v) using commercially reasonable efforts
to obtain customary accountants’ comfort letters, legal opinions, surveys,
affidavits, subordination and non-disturbance agreements, memoranda of leases,
consents, waivers, title policies and commitments and pay-off letters as may
be
reasonably requested by Buyer, its Affiliates or their respective
Representatives and financing sources; (vi) executing and delivering, as of
the
Closing Date, such definitive financing documents as may be reasonably requested
by Buyer, its Affiliates or their respective Representatives and financing
sources; (vii) reasonably facilitating the pledge of collateral and the
perfection of the security interests therein; and (viii) taking all other
actions reasonably requested by Buyer, its Affiliates or their respective
Representatives and financing sources in connection with the Financing and
the
repayment of the Indebtedness Payoff Amount and release of any Encumbrances
securing such Indebtedness; provided, however, that notwithstanding the
foregoing, (a) no Seller shall be required to pay any commitment or other
similar fee or incur any other liability or expense in connection with the
Financing prior to the Closing Date, (b) no Seller or any of their Subsidiaries
shall be required to issue any private placement memoranda or prospectus (and
no
such private placement memoranda or prospectus shall reflect Sellers or any
of
their Subsidiaries as the issuer) and (c) no Seller or their Representatives
shall be required to take any of the foregoing actions where such actions would
violate the attorney-client privilege or work product or similar doctrines
of
any one or more of the Sellers. Buyer and Parent shall jointly and severally
indemnify and hold harmless each Seller from and against any and all Liabilities
suffered or incurred by any one or more of them in connection with arrangement
of the Financing that would not otherwise be or have been incurred by any one
or
more Sellers.
|
5.9
|
No
Acquisition of Securities
|
Except
as
otherwise directed by Buyer in writing, no Seller or any of their respective
Representatives (on the behalf of such Seller) shall (i) purchase, sell or
acquire record or beneficial ownership of any Parent Common Stock or any other
securities (debt or equity) of Parent or (ii) purchase, sell or acquire record
or beneficial ownership of any option, warrant, convertible security,
exchangeable security, derivative security or other security, obligation or
right, agreement or commitment related to the Parent Common Stock or any other
securities (debt or equity) of Parent.
|
5.10
|
Amended
Affiliate Leases
|
As
promptly as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement, each Seller
that is a tenant or subtenant under an Affiliate Lease will, and Sellers will
cause each Affiliated Landlord to, terminate such Affiliate Lease and enter
into
an amended and restated lease agreement between such Seller and the applicable
Affiliated Landlord in the form of Exhibit 5.10 hereto, each of which will
have
the applicable rental payments thereunder set forth on the attachment to Exhibit
5.10 and each of which will be freely assignable to Buyer (or a Buyer Designee)
at Closing (an “Amended
Affiliate Lease”).
|
5.11
|
Franchise
Agreements
|
As
promptly as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement, Sellers
shall obtain and deliver to Buyer a separate franchise agreement,
in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer and Seller Representative (a
“Seller
Franchise Agreement”),
executed
by the applicable Seller and HOA, for each Hooter’s
restaurant located at the locations listed on Annex C hereto.
6.
|
COVENANTS
OF BUYER PRIOR TO CLOSING
|
As
promptly as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement, Buyer
will
make or cause to be made all filings required by Legal Requirements (including
all filings under the HSR Act) to be made by it in order for Buyer to consummate
the Contemplated Transactions. Buyer also shall cooperate, and cause its Related
Persons to cooperate, with each Seller (a) with respect to all filings any
Seller shall be required by Legal Requirements to make and (b) in obtaining
all
Consents identified in Part 3.2(c),
provided, however, that Buyer shall not be required to dispose of or make any
change to its business, expend any material funds or incur any other burden
or
Liability in order to comply with this Section 6.1.
|
6.2
|
Commercially
Reasonable Efforts
|
Buyer
shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the conditions in Article
8 and Section 7.3 to be satisfied.
(a) Between
the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, Buyer (i) shall promptly notify
Seller Representative in writing if Buyer becomes aware of any fact or condition
that causes any representation or warranty of Buyer to be inaccurate and (ii)
may, at its option, deliver to Seller Representative a supplement to the Buyer
Disclosure Letter specifying the occurrence after the date of this Agreement
of
any new fact or condition that would cause a representation or warranty of
Buyer
to be materially inaccurate had such representation or warranty been made as
of
the time that Buyer became aware of such fact or condition, or that is necessary
to be disclosed to Seller Representative in order to make such representation
and warranty correct in all material respects.
(b) Between
the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, Buyer also shall promptly
notify Seller Representative of the occurrence of any breach of any covenant
or
agreement of Buyer in this Article 6 or of the occurrence of any event that
may
make the satisfaction of the conditions in Article 8 impossible or
unlikely.
(c) Any
supplement to the Buyer Disclosure Letter related to events or occurrences
arising after the date of this Agreement shall be deemed to amend and supplement
the Buyer Disclosure Letter for purposes of any representation or warranty
of
Buyer or Parent, subject to Seller Representative’s right to terminate this
Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(j).
(d) No
supplement to the Buyer Disclosure Letter related to events or occurrences
arising prior to the date of this Agreement shall be deemed to (i) amend or
supplement the Buyer Disclosure Letter, (ii) prevent or cure any
misrepresentation, breach of warranty or breach of covenant, or (iii) affect
any
rights of Buyer pursuant to Articles 9, 11 or 12.
|
6.4
|
SEC
Filings and Reports
|
Parent
will exercise its best efforts to file timely all reports required to be filed
by Parent under the Exchange Act or the Investment Company Act, or, if Parent
has no class of stock registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange
Act and is not otherwise required to file such reports under Sections 13 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act, it will, upon the reasonable request of any holder
of
Parent Securities issued pursuant to this Agreement, make publicly available
such other information required under Rule 144 for so long as necessary to
permit sales pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, and it will take
such further action as any holder of Parent Securities may reasonably request
to
the extent required from time to time to enable such holder to sell Parent
Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitations
of the exemptions provided by: (i) Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such
Rule may be amended from time to time; or (ii) any similar rule or regulation
hereafter adopted by the SEC. Upon the request of any such holder, Parent will
deliver to holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such
requirements.
Buyer
shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the
Financing.
|
6.6
|
Acquisition
Proposals
|
(a) Except
as
otherwise provided herein or as otherwise agreed to in writing by Seller
Representative, from the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Closing
Date or such time as this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section
9.1,
neither Buyer nor Parent shall, directly or indirectly, (i) initiate, solicit
or
otherwise knowingly take any action to facilitate any inquiry, offer or proposal
which constitutes an Acquisition Proposal; (ii) participate in any discussions
or negotiations regarding any Acquisition Proposal or furnish or disclose to
any
Third Party any non-public information with respect to Parent or Buyer in
connection with any Acquisition Proposal; or (iii) enter into any agreement,
agreement in principle or letter of intent with respect to any Acquisition
Proposal.
(b) Notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if Parent has received a bona fide
unsolicited written Acquisition Proposal that did not result from a breach
of
Section 6.6(a), Parent may (i) furnish information or draft agreements with
respect to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries to the Person making such
Acquisition Proposal (and such Person’s Representatives) pursuant to a customary
confidentiality agreement and (ii) participate in discussions or negotiations
with the Person making such Acquisition Proposal regarding such Acquisition
Proposal. Parent shall promptly (and in any event within forty-eight (48) hours)
notify Seller Representative in writing if any Acquisition Proposal is received
by the Parent or its Representatives, or if any non-public information is
requested from, or any negotiations or discussions are sought to be initiated
with, Parent or its Representatives, in each case in connection with any
Acquisition Proposal, and such notice shall indicate the name of the Person
initiating such discussions or negotiations or making such proposal, offer
or
information request and the material terms and conditions of any proposals
or
offers (and, in connection therewith, shall simultaneously provide to Seller
Representative copies of any written materials (including e-mails or electronic
communications) received from or on behalf of such Person relating to such
proposal, offer, information request, negotiations or discussions). Parent
agrees that it shall keep Seller Representative informed, on a current basis,
of
the status and terms of any such proposal, offer, information request,
negotiations or discussions (including any amendments or modifications to such
proposal, offer or request). Parent shall promptly (and in any event within
forty-eight (48) hours) following determination by the board
of
directors of Parent (the “Parent
Board”)
that an
Acquisition Proposal is a Superior Proposal notify Seller Representative of
the
making of such determination. Prior to providing any non-public information
regarding Parent or its Subsidiaries to any other Person in connection with
an
Acquisition Proposal, Parent shall notify Seller Representative of the provision
of such non-public information to such Person and shall provide to Seller
Representative any such non-public information which has not been previously
provided or made available to Sellers no later than the date of provision of
such information to such other Person.
(c) Notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Parent Board may (i) approve
or
recommend to the stockholders of Parent a Superior Proposal, (ii) enter into
an
enter into an agreement regarding a Superior Proposal or (iii) subject to
Parent’s compliance with its obligations under Section 9.2(b), terminate this
Agreement if, in the case of clause (iii), (A) the Parent Board has reasonably
determined in good faith that the failure to take such action would be
inconsistent with its fiduciary duties to Parent’s stockholders under applicable
Legal Requirements, (B) Parent has given Seller Representative five (5) business
days’ prior notice of its intention to take any such action (the “Notice
of Superior Proposal”),
and
(C) at the end of such five (5) business day period, Parent and the Parent
Board, on the one hand, and Seller Representative, on the other, shall have
failed to agree upon such adjustments, modifications or amendments to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions as would
be
necessary to (x) ensure that the Parent Shares and the shares Parent Common
Stock issuable upon the conversion of the Parent Notes would represent not
more
than thirty-five percent (35%) of outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock
on
the Closing Date and (y) make any corresponding increase to the cash payments
to
be made to Sellers and the Escrow Agent at Closing to offset any decrease in
the
number of Parent Securities to be issued at Closing; provided, however, that
Seller Representative shall not have any obligation to accept any such
adjustments, modifications or amendments to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement or the Contemplated Transactions.
(d) Nothing
contained in this Agreement shall prohibit Parent or the Parent Board from
complying with Parent’s obligations required under Rules 14d-9 and 14e-2(a)
promulgated under the Exchange Act, including (i) taking and disclosing to
the
stockholders of Parent a position contemplated by Rule 14e-2 promulgated under
the Exchange Act or (ii) making any disclosure to the stockholders of Parent
if,
in the good faith judgment of the Parent Board, such disclosure would be
necessary under applicable Legal Requirements.
7.
|
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO BUYER’S OBLIGATION TO
CLOSE
|
Buyer’s
obligation to purchase, or to cause the Buyer Designees to purchase, the Assets
and to take the other actions required to be taken by Buyer or the Buyer
Designees at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the
Closing, of each of the following conditions (any of which may be waived by
Buyer, in whole or in part):
|
7.1
|
Accuracy
of Representations
|
All
of
Sellers’ representations and warranties in this Agreement (considered
collectively), and each of these representations and warranties (considered
individually), shall have been accurate in all material respects as of the
date
of this Agreement, and shall be accurate in all material respects as of the
time
of the Closing as if then made, without giving effect to any supplement to
the
Disclosure Letter described in Section 5.4(d), except that each of the
representations and warranties in this Agreement that qualified by materiality
or relate to a “Material Adverse Change” and each of the representations and
warranties in Sections 3.29 and 3.30 shall have been accurate in all respects
as
of the date of this Agreement, and shall be accurate in all respects as of
the
time of the Closing as if then made, without giving effect to any supplement
to
the Disclosure Letter described in Section 5.4(d).
All
of
the covenants, agreements and obligations that Sellers are required to perform
or to comply with pursuant to this Agreement at or prior to the Closing
(considered collectively), and each of these covenants and obligations
(considered individually), shall have been duly performed and complied with
in
all material respects, except that each of the other covenants, agreements
and
obligations in Sections 5.3 and 5.5 shall have been performed and complied
with
in all respects.
Each
of
the Consents identified in Part 7.3 (the “Material
Consents”)
shall
have been obtained and shall be in full force and effect, and the waiting period
required by the SEC for the withdrawal of Parent’s election to be regulated as a
business development corporation under the Investment Company Act shall have
expired and no comments relating thereto from the SEC shall remain outstanding.
Sellers
shall have caused the execution of the documents and instruments required by
Section 2.7(a), together with such other documents as Buyer may reasonably
request for the purpose of (a) evidencing the accuracy of any of Sellers’
representations and warranties; (b) evidencing the performance by Sellers of,
or
the compliance by Sellers with, any covenant, agreement or obligation required
to be performed or complied with by Sellers; (c) evidencing the satisfaction
of
any condition referred to in this Article 7; or (d) otherwise facilitating
the
consummation or performance of any of the Contemplated
Transactions.
Since
the
date of this Agreement, there shall not have been commenced against Buyer,
or
against any Related Person of Buyer, any Proceeding (a) involving any
challenge to, or seeking Damages or other relief in connection with, any of
the
Contemplated Transactions or (b) that may have the effect of preventing,
delaying, making illegal, imposing limitations or conditions on or otherwise
interfering with any of the Contemplated Transactions.
Neither
the consummation nor the performance of any of the Contemplated Transactions
will, directly or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of time),
contravene or conflict with or result in a violation of or cause Buyer or any
Related Person of Buyer to suffer any materially adverse consequence under
(a) any applicable Legal Requirement or Order or (b) any Legal
Requirement or Order that has been published, introduced or otherwise proposed
by or before any Governmental Body, excluding Bulk Sales Laws.
|
7.7
|
Governmental
Authorizations
|
The
applicable waiting periods, if any, under the HSR Act shall have expired or
been
terminated, and Buyer shall have received such Governmental Authorizations
as
are necessary or desirable to allow Buyer to operate the Business and own or
use
the Assets from and after the Closing.
Buyer
shall have obtained financing, on commercially reasonable terms and conditions
(in light of then current market conditions), for the capital requirements
that
it needs in order to consummate the Contemplated Transactions and the
transactions contemplated by the HI Purchase Agreement and to fund the ordinary
working capital requirements of HI, Buyer and their respective Subsidiaries
after the Closing (the “Financing”).
|
7.9
|
No
Material Adverse Change
|
Since
the
date of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred and be continuing any
Material Adverse Change.
|
7.10
|
HI
Purchase Agreement
|
The
transactions contemplated by the HI Purchase Agreement shall have been
consummated.
Buyer
shall have received an executed Joinder to this Agreement from each Seller
set
forth on Annex A pursuant to Section 10.13.
|
7.12
|
Amended
Affiliate Leases
|
Sellers
shall have delivered to Buyer an Amended Affiliate Lease, duly executed by
the
applicable Seller and the applicable Affiliated Landlord, with respect to each
Affiliate Lease.
|
7.13
|
Seller
Franchise Agreements
|
Sellers
shall have delivered to Buyer, a Seller Franchise Agreement for each
Hooter’s
restaurant located at the locations listed on Annex C hereto, executed by the
applicable Seller and HOA.
8.
|
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO SELLERS’ OBLIGATION TO
CLOSE
|
Sellers’
obligation to sell the Assets and to take the other actions required to be
taken
by Sellers at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the
Closing, of each of the following conditions (any of which may be waived by
Seller Representative, on behalf of each Seller, in whole or in
part):
|
8.1
|
Accuracy
of Representations
|
All
of
Buyer’s representations and warranties in this Agreement (considered
collectively), and each of these representations and warranties (considered
individually), shall have been accurate in all material respects as of the
date
of this Agreement and shall be accurate in all material respects as of the
time
of the Closing as if then made, without giving effect to any supplement to
the
Buyer Disclosure Letter described in Section 6.3(d).
All
of
the covenants, agreements and obligations that Buyer
is
required
to perform or to comply with pursuant to this Agreement at or prior to the
Closing (considered collectively), and each of these covenants and obligations
(considered individually), shall have been performed and complied with in all
material respects.
Each
of
the Consents identified in Part 8.3 shall have been obtained and shall be in
full force and effect.
Buyer
shall have caused the documents and instruments required by Section 2.7(b)
and
such other documents as Seller Representative may reasonably request for the
purpose of: (a) evidencing the accuracy of any representation or warranty of
Buyer; (b) evidencing the performance by Buyer of, or the compliance by Buyer
with, any covenant or obligation required to be performed or complied with
by
Buyer; or (c) evidencing the satisfaction of any condition referred to in this
Article 8.
Since
the
date of this Agreement, there shall not have been commenced against any Seller,
or against any Related Person of any Seller, any Proceeding (a) involving any
challenge to, or seeking Damages or other relief in connection with, any of
the
Contemplated Transactions or (b) that may have the effect of preventing,
delaying, making illegal, imposing limitations or conditions on or otherwise
interfering with any of the Contemplated Transactions.
The
applicable waiting periods, if any, under the HSR Act shall have expired or
been
terminated.
|
8.7
|
HI
Purchase Agreement
|
The
transactions contemplated by the HI Purchase Agreement shall have been
consummated.
The
Parent Shares to be issued to Sellers or the Escrow Agent pursuant to Section
2.7 (after taking into account any adjustment to the amount thereof as a result
of any Parent Share Shortfall) shall represent not less than 50.01% of the
Post-Closing Share Amount set forth in the Parent Capitalization
Notice.
By
notice
given prior to or at the Closing, subject to Section 9.2, this Agreement may
be
terminated as follows:
(a) by
Buyer
if a material breach of any provision of this Agreement has been committed
by a
Seller and such breach have not been waived by Buyer;
(b) by
Seller
Representative if a material breach of any provision of this Agreement has
been
committed by Buyer or Parent and such breach have not been waived by Seller
Representative;
(c) by
Buyer
(i) if the Closing has not occurred on or before September 30, 2008, or such
later date as the parties may agree upon, or (ii) if satisfaction of any
condition in Article 7 on or before such date is or becomes impossible (in
each
case, other than through the failure of Buyer or Parent to comply with their
obligations under this Agreement), and Buyer has not waived such condition
on or
before such date;
(d) by
Seller
Representative (i) if the Closing has not occurred on or before September 30,
2008, or such later date as the parties may agree upon, or (ii) if satisfaction
of any condition in Article 8 on or before such date is or becomes impossible
(in each case, other than through the failure of any Seller to comply with
its
obligations under this Agreement), and Seller Representative has not waived
such
condition on or before such date;
(e) subject
to compliance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.6(c), by Buyer
if
Parent receives a Superior Proposal;
(f) by
Seller
Representative if Parent has delivered to Seller Representative a Notice of
a
Superior Proposal;
(g) by
mutual
consent of Buyer and Seller Representative;
(h) by
Seller
Representative on behalf of all Sellers if Buyer and/or Parent has not, on
or
before the later of (x) August 15, 2008 or (y) the thirtieth (30th)
day
after the date on which Buyer has received an executed Joinder to this Agreement
from each Seller named on Annex A pursuant to Section 10.13, either (i) obtained
a written commitment or written commitments (which may contain such conditions,
qualifications and limitations as are then customary for any capital markets
or
other financing transaction contemplated by such written commitment(s)) with
respect to the debt portion of the Financing or (ii) in the event that the
Buyer
and/or Parent elects to proceed with definitive documentation with respect
to
such debt Financing in lieu of obtaining written commitments letters with
respect thereto, made demonstrable progress in negotiating the terms of
definitive documentation for the debt portion of the Financing;
(i) by
Buyer
if any supplement to the Disclosure Letter is made pursuant to
Section 5.4(c) with respect to any matter that would cause a representation
or warranty of any Seller to be materially inaccurate; or
(j) by
Seller
Representative if any supplement to the Buyer Disclosure Letter is made pursuant
to Section 6.3(c) with respect to any matter that would cause a representation
or warranty of Buyer or Parent to be materially inaccurate.
|
9.2
|
Effect
of Termination
|
(a) Each
party’s right of termination under Section 9.1 is in addition to any other
rights it may have under this Agreement or otherwise, and the exercise of such
right of termination will not be an election of remedies, except as otherwise
set forth in this Section 9.2. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to
Section 9.1, all obligations of the parties under this Agreement will terminate,
except that the obligations of the parties in this Section 9.2 and Article
12
(except for those in Section 12.5) will survive, provided, however, that, if
this Agreement is terminated because of a breach of this Agreement by the
nonterminating party or because one or more of the conditions to the terminating
party’s obligations under this Agreement is not satisfied as a result of the
party’s failure to comply with its obligations under this Agreement, the
terminating party’s right to pursue all legal remedies will survive such
termination unimpaired.
(b) In
the
event this Agreement is terminated by Buyer pursuant to Section 9.1(e) or by
Seller Representative pursuant to Section 9.1(f), Parent shall pay to Seller
Representative an amount equal to $3,000,000 (the “Termination
Fee”).
(c) In
the
event that (i) this Agreement is terminated by Seller Representative pursuant
to
Section 9.1(b) (as a result of a breach by Parent of Section 6.6), (ii) on
or
before the date of any such termination, a bona fide Acquisition Proposal with
respect to Parent shall have been publicly announced or disclosed and (iii)
within twelve (12) months of such termination, Parent shall have entered into
a
definitive agreement with respect to, or Parent shall have consummated, an
Acquisition Transaction (with all percentages in the definition of Acquisition
Transaction increased to fifty percent (50%)) with the Person making such
previously announced or disclosed Acquisition Proposal, then Parent shall pay
to
Seller Representative, upon the consummation of such Acquisition Transaction,
an
amount equal to the Termination Fee in accordance with Section
9.2(d).
(d) Any
payment required to be made pursuant to Section 9.2(b) shall be made not more
than two (2) business days after the termination giving rise to the payments
provided for in Section 9.2(b), and any payment required to be made pursuant
to
Section 9.2(c) shall be made as provided for in Section 9.2(c). Any payment
made
pursuant to Sections 9.2(b) or (c) shall be made by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to an account designated by Seller Representative. The parties
hereto acknowledge and agree that any Termination Fee paid by Parent pursuant
to
this Section 9.2 shall be deemed to be liquidated damages in lieu of all other
Damages and as Sellers’ sole and exclusive remedy in such event. The parties
hereto further acknowledge and agree that the extent of Damages to Sellers
occasioned by the events giving rise to the payment of such Termination Fee
would be impossible or extremely impractical to ascertain and that the amount
of
the Termination Fee is a fair and reasonable estimate of such Damages to Sellers
under the circumstances.
|
10.1
|
Employees
and Employee Benefits
|
(a) Information
on Active Employees.
For the
purpose of this Agreement, the term “Active
Employees”
shall
mean all employees employed immediately before the Closing Date by any of the
Sellers,
including employees on temporary leave of absence, including family medical
leave, military leave, temporary disability or sick leave, but excluding
employees on long-term disability leave. Part 10.1 sets forth a list of each
Active Employee as of the date hereof. From the date hereof through Closing,
Sellers shall give Buyer updates no less often than weekly of any terminations
of Active Employees.
(b) Employment
of Active Employees by Buyer; Establishment of Benefit Plans.
(i) Sellers
and their Affiliates shall take all necessary action to (A) cause the employment
of all of the Active Employees to terminate effective as of the Closing, and
(B)
cause the active participation of all Active Employees in any Target Benefit
Plans that are not Assumed Benefit Plans to cease effective as of the Closing.
On or before the Closing, Buyer shall extend offers of employment effective
immediately after the Closing to each such Active Employee with Buyer or one
of
its Affiliates on substantially the same terms and conditions on which each
such
Active Employee was employed with Sellers or their Affiliates immediately prior
to the Closing. On or before the Closing Date, Seller or its Affiliates shall
notify each Active Employee of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement
and that reporting to work at such Active Employee’s normal work location in
accordance with such Active Employee’s normal work schedule after the Closing
shall be deemed acceptance of employment with Buyer or its Affiliate, as
applicable, on the first date on which such Active Employee so reports (each
Active Employee so reporting, a “Hired
Active Employee”).
The
offers and acceptances of employment described in this Section 10.1(b)(i) shall
occur upon the events described in this Section 10.1(b)(i) without further
action by Buyer or its Affiliates. Subject to Legal Requirements, Buyer will
have reasonable access before the Closing Date to the Facilities and personnel
Records (including performance appraisals, disciplinary actions, grievances
and
medical Records, except to the extent prohibited by applicable Legal
Requirements) of Sellers. Access will be provided by Sellers upon reasonable
prior notice during normal business hours.
(ii) Effective
as of the Closing Date, Buyer shall assume the Assumed Benefit Plans, together
with (A) all assets and benefit obligations in connection therewith and (B)
all
Liabilities associated therewith which are not Assumed Benefit Plan Retained
Liabilities. Sellers shall retain all Assumed Benefit Plan Retained Liabilities
in all events. Buyer or its Affiliates, as applicable, shall honor the accrued
unused vacation and other paid leave each Hired Active Employee had with the
Seller or its Affiliates immediately before the Closing Date.
(iii) No
Seller
or their Related Persons shall solicit the employment of any Active Employee
or
the employment of any Hired Active Employee after the Closing. Sellers shall
be
solely liable for complying with the WARN Act with respect to the termination
of
employment of any Active Employee on or before the Closing Date.
(iv) Prior
to
the Closing, (A) Buyer and Seller Representative shall cooperate in good faith
to determine which Target Benefit Plans shall be assigned or otherwise
transferred to Buyer (or a Buyer Designee) at Closing (such Target Benefit
Plans, the “Assumed
Benefit Plans”),
and
(B)
Sellers shall take all actions necessary or desirable, including
without limitation, obtaining
any necessary consents and authorizations
and
adopting any necessary plan amendments,
to (x)
assign
or
otherwise transfer sponsorship to the Buyer or an Affiliate of the Buyer of
each
of the Assumed Benefit Plans, by
their
terms and in accordance with applicable Legal Requirements,
effective as of the Closing Date, and (y)
cause
all Sellers and their Affiliates to cease
being “participating employers” and sponsors of all Assumed Benefit Plans, as
applicable. If,
for
any reason, Sellers materially fail to comply with the requirements of this
Section 10.1(b)(iv) with respect to any Assumed Benefit Plan, then such Assumed
Benefit Plan shall not become an Assumed Benefit Plan for any purposes at any
time, and all assets, obligations and liabilities associated with, arising
under
or in connection with, or otherwise relating to any such plan shall remain
solely with Sellers and shall not be assumed by Buyer.
(v) It
is
understood and agreed that (A) Buyer’s expressed intention to extend offers of
employment as set forth in this section shall not constitute any commitment,
Contract or understanding (expressed or implied) of any obligation on the part
of Buyer or any of its Affiliates to a post-Closing employment relationship
of
any fixed term or duration or upon any terms or conditions other than those
that
Buyer or any of its Affiliates have agreed to establish as set forth above
or
may establish pursuant to individual offers of employment, and (B) employment
offered by Buyer or any of its Affiliates is “at will” and may be terminated by
Buyer or any of its Affiliates or by any Hired Active Employee at any time
for
any reason (subject to (x) any written commitments to the contrary made by
Buyer
or an Affiliate of Buyer and (y) Legal Requirements, including without
limitation the Family and Medical Leave Act). Nothing in this Agreement shall
be
deemed to prevent or restrict in any way the right of Buyer to terminate,
reassign, promote or demote any of the Hired Active Employees after the Closing
or to change adversely or favorably the title, powers, duties, responsibilities,
functions, locations, salaries, other compensation or terms or conditions of
employment of such employees. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to or shall
create any third-party rights or benefits in any Third Parties, including
without limit any Active Employees, Hired Active Employees, former employees
or
any beneficiaries or dependents of the foregoing. Nothing in this Agreement
shall obligate Buyer or its Affiliates to adopt or maintain any employee benefit
plan at any time.
(c) Pre-Closing
Salaries; Pre-Closing Benefits and Target Benefit Plans.
Without
limiting the generality of any other provision of this Agreement:
(i) Sellers
shall be solely responsible for (A) the payment of all wages and other
remuneration (except for benefit obligations under the Assumed Benefit Plans
which become due and payable after the Closing) due to Active Employees
(including any Hired Active Employees) with respect to their services as
employees of Sellers through the close of business on the Closing Date,
including any applicable pro rata bonus payments; (B) with respect to employees
of the Sellers and their Affiliates, including any Hired Active Employees,
the
payment of any termination or severance payments and, except as otherwise
required by applicable Legal Requirements, the provision of health plan
continuation coverage in accordance with the requirements of COBRA and Sections
601 through 608 of ERISA, as applicable, in each case, to the extent arising
under any Target Benefit Plan that is not an Assumed Benefit Plan or on or
prior
to the Closing Date; (C) any and all payments to employees required under the
WARN Act due to any plant closing or mass layoff occurring on or before the
Closing Date; and (D) any and all workers’ compensation claims (if any) incurred
by any Active Employee (including any Hired Active Employee) on or prior to
the
Closing Date.
(ii) Sellers
shall be solely liable for any claims made or incurred by Active Employees
(including any Hired Active Employees) and their beneficiaries at any time
under
any Target Benefit Plans that are not Assumed Benefit Plans.
(iii) All
Hired
Active Employees who are participants in any Seller retirement plan that is
not
an Assumed Benefit Plan shall retain their accrued benefits under such
retirement plan as of the Closing Date, and Sellers (or Sellers’ retirement
plans) shall retain sole liability for the payment of such benefits as and
when
such Hired Active Employees become eligible therefor under such
plans.
(d) General
Employee Provisions.
(i) Sellers
and Buyer shall give any notices required by Legal Requirements and take
whatever other actions with respect to the plans, programs and policies
described in this Section 10.1 as may be necessary to carry out the arrangements
described in this Section 10.1.
(ii) Subject
to applicable Legal Requirements, Sellers and Buyer shall provide each other
with such plan documents and summary plan descriptions, employee data or other
information as may be reasonably required to carry out the arrangements
described in this Section 10.1.
(iii) If
any of
the arrangements described in this Section 10.1 are determined by the IRS or
other Governmental Body to be prohibited by law, Sellers and Buyer shall modify
such arrangements to as closely as possible reflect their expressed intent
and
retain the allocation of economic benefits and burdens to the parties
contemplated herein in a manner that is not prohibited by law.
(iv) Sellers
shall provide Buyer with copies of completed I-9 forms and attachments with
respect to all Hired Active Employees.
(v) Buyer
shall not have any responsibility, liability or obligation, whether to Hired
Active Employees, Active Employees, former employees, their beneficiaries or
dependents or to any other Person, with respect to any Target Benefit Plans
that
are not Assumed Benefit Plans, workers’ compensation claims incurred on or prior
to the Closing Date or other employee benefit plans, practices, programs or
arrangements that are not Assumed Benefit Plans (including the establishment,
operation or termination thereof and the notification and provision of COBRA
coverage extension) maintained by Sellers or their Affiliates.
(a) To
the
extent not otherwise provided in this Agreement, Sellers shall be responsible
for and shall promptly pay when due all Property Taxes levied with respect
to
the Assets attributable to the Pre-Closing Tax Period. All Property Taxes levied
with respect to the Assets for the Straddle Period shall be apportioned between
Buyer and Sellers based on the number of days of such Straddle Period included
in the Pre-Closing Tax Period and the number of days of such Straddle Period
included in the Post-Closing Tax Period. Sellers shall be liable for the
proportionate amount of such Property Taxes that is attributable to the
Pre-Closing Tax Period, and Buyer shall be liable for the proportionate amount
of such Property Taxes that is attributable to the Post-Closing Tax Period.
Upon
receipt of any bill for such Property Taxes, Buyer or Sellers, as applicable,
shall present a statement to the other setting forth the amount of reimbursement
to which each is entitled under this Section 10.2(a) together with such
supporting evidence as is reasonably necessary to calculate the proration
amount. The proration amount shall be paid by the party owing it to the other
within ten (10) days after delivery of such statement. In the event that Buyer
or Sellers makes any payment for which one is entitled to reimbursement under
this Section 10.2(a), the applicable party shall make such reimbursement
promptly but in no event later than ten (10) days after the presentation of
a
statement setting forth the amount of reimbursement to which the presenting
party is entitled along with such supporting evidence as is reasonably necessary
to calculate the amount of reimbursement.
(b) All
transfer, stamp, documentary, sales, use, registration, value-added and other
similar Taxes (including all applicable real estate transfer Taxes) incurred
in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby
(“Transfer
Taxes”)
will
be borne by Buyer. Buyer and Sellers further agree, upon request, to use
commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any certificate or other document
from
any Governmental Body or any other Person as may be necessary to mitigate,
reduce or eliminate any Tax that could be imposed in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby.
(c) Buyer
and
Sellers agree to furnish or cause to be furnished to the other, upon request,
as
promptly as practicable, such information and assistance relating to the Assets,
including, without limitation, access to books and Records, as is reasonably
necessary for the filing of all Tax Returns by Buyer or Sellers, the making
of
any election relating to Taxes, the preparation for any audit by any
Governmental Body and the prosecution or defense of any claim, suit or
proceeding relating to any Tax. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement
to
the contrary, each of Buyer and Sellers shall retain all books and Records
with
respect to Taxes pertaining to the Assets for a period of at least seven (7)
years following the Closing Date. At the end of such period, each party shall
provide the other with at least ten (10) days prior written notice before
transferring, destroying or discarding any such books and Records, during which
period the party receiving such notice can elect to take possession, at its
own
expense, of such books and Records. Buyer and Sellers shall cooperate fully
with
each other in the conduct of any audit, litigation or other proceeding relating
to Taxes involving the Assets or the Allocation.
(d) Each
of
Buyer and Sellers shall promptly notify the other in writing upon receipt of
notice of any pending or threatened Tax audits or assessments relating to the
income, properties or operations that reasonably may be expected to relate
to or
give rise to an Encumbrance on the Assets.
At
the
Closing Parent and Seller Representative, on behalf of Sellers, will enter
into
a mutually acceptable registration rights agreement (the “Registration
Rights Agreement”)
with
respect to the Closing Shares, which Registration Rights Agreement shall provide
for, among other things (i) in the aggregate at least two (2) demand rights
on
Form S-3 (to the extent such Closing Shares are eligible to be offered on a
registration statement on Form S-3) per year and an unlimited number of
piggy-back rights, (ii) the right of Parent and their underwriters to reduce
the
number of shares of Parent Common Stock that the Seller Representative proposes
to be registered to the extent required by market conditions, and (iii) Parent’s
payment of all registration expenses (exclusive of underwriting discounts and
commissions, but including all other expenses related to the registration and
the fees and expenses of one (1) counsel for the selling shareholders) of all
such registrations. The registration rights contemplated by the Registration
Rights Agreement shall not be exercisable by Sellers until one year after the
Closing Date.
|
10.4
|
Board
of Directors;
Amended and Restated Bylaws
|
Prior
to
the Closing, the Parent Board shall adopt Amended and Restated Bylaws of Parent,
in the form of Exhibit 10.4 (the “Amended
Bylaws”).
Immediately after the Closing and after giving effect to the adoption of the
Amended Bylaws, the Parent Board shall cause (i) three (3) individuals
designated by Parent prior to the Closing to be appointed to, or remain as
a
member of, the Parent Board (the “Parent
Board Designees”)
and
(ii) four (4) individuals designated by Seller Representative prior to the
Closing to be appointed to the Parent Board (the “Seller
Board Designees”).
In
addition, Parent and Seller Representative shall use commercially reasonable
efforts to identify two (2) additional individuals (the “Mutual
Board Designees”),
each
of whom are mutually acceptable to Seller Representative and Parent, prior
to
Closing be appointed to the Parent Board at Closing; provided that, if such
Mutual Board Designees have not been so designated prior to the Closing, such
Mutual Board Designees shall be appointed to the Parent Board by mutual
agreement of the Parent Board Designees and the Seller Board Designees as
promptly as reasonably practicable following the Closing Date; provided,
further, that the appointment of any Mutual Board Designees to the Parent Board
shall be subject to the determination by the Parent Board that such individual
satisfies the independence requirements set forth in Rule 10A-3(b) under the
Exchange Act. Each individual designated or appointed to serve on the Parent
Board in accordance with this Section 10.4 shall thereafter hold office, subject
to the applicable provisions of the Governing Documents of Parent, until such
individuals’ death, resignation or removal or until such individuals’ successors
are duly elected and qualified, as the case may be.
|
10.5
|
Restrictions
on Sellers Dissolution and
Distributions
|
No
Seller
shall (a) dissolve until the later of (i) thirty (30) days after the completion
of all adjustment procedures contemplated by Sections 2.8, 2.9 and 2.10; (ii)
thirty (30) days after the transfer of any Non-Transferred Liquor License to
Buyer or a Buyer Designee as contemplated by Section 2.11(c); or (iii) Sellers’
payment, or adequate provision for the payment, of all of its obligations
pursuant to Section 10.2 or (b) sell, assign, transfer, distribute or otherwise
dispose of or convey any legal or beneficial interest in (whether voluntarily
or
involuntarily or by operation of law) any Parent Securities issued to such
Seller at Closing at any time prior to the first anniversary of the Closing
Date.
|
10.6
|
Removing
Excluded Assets
|
On
or
before the Closing Date, each Seller shall remove its Excluded Assets from
all
Facilities and other Leased Real Property to be occupied by Buyer. Such removal
shall be done in such manner as to avoid any damage to the Facilities and other
properties to be occupied by Buyer and any disruption of the business operations
to be conducted by Buyer after the Closing. Any damage to the Assets or to
the
Facilities resulting from such removal shall be paid by such Sellers causing
the
damage at the Closing. Should Sellers fail to remove the Excluded Assets as
required by this Section, Buyer shall have the right, but not the obligation,
(a) to remove the Excluded Assets and dispose of them; (b) to store the Excluded
Assets; (c) to treat the Excluded Assets as unclaimed and to proceed to dispose
of the same under the laws governing unclaimed property; or (d) to exercise
any
other right or remedy conferred by this Agreement or otherwise available at
law
or in equity.
Each
Seller shall promptly after the Closing prepare and file all reports and returns
required by Legal Requirements relating to the business of such Seller as
conducted using the Assets, to and including the Effective Time.
|
10.8
|
Assistance
in Proceedings
|
Each
Seller and Seller Representative will cooperate with Buyer and its counsel
in
the contest or defense of, and make available their personnel and provide any
testimony and access to their books and Records in connection with, any
Proceeding involving or relating to (a) any Contemplated Transaction or (b)
any
action, activity, circumstance, condition, conduct, event, fact, failure to
act,
incident, occurrence, plan, practice, situation, status or transaction on or
before the Closing Date involving a Seller or the Business.
|
10.9
|
Customer
and Other Business Relationships
|
After
the
Closing, each Seller will cooperate with Buyer in its efforts to continue and
maintain for the benefit of Buyer those business relationships of such Seller
existing prior to the Closing and relating to the business to be operated by
Buyer after the Closing, including relationships with lessors, employees,
regulatory authorities, licensors, customers, suppliers and others, and each
Seller will satisfy the Retained Liabilities in a manner that is not detrimental
to any of such relationships. Each Seller will refer to Buyer all inquiries
relating to the Business. No Seller or any of its officers, employees, agents
or
equityholders shall take any action that would tend to diminish the value of
the
Assets after the Closing or that would interfere with the business of Buyer
to
be engaged in after the Closing, including disparaging the name or business
of
Buyer.
|
10.10
|
Retention
of and Access to Records
|
After
the
Closing Date, Buyer shall retain for one (1) year those Records of Sellers
delivered to Buyer. After the Closing Date, Sellers shall provide Buyer and
its
Representatives reasonable access to Records that are Excluded Assets, during
normal business hours and on at least three days’ prior written notice, for any
reasonable business purpose specified by Buyer in such notice.
Subject
to the proviso in Section 6.1, the parties shall cooperate reasonably with
each
other and with their respective Representatives in connection with any steps
required to be taken as part of their respective obligations under this
Agreement, and shall (a) furnish upon request to each other such further
information; (b) execute and deliver to each other such other documents;
and (c) do such other acts and things, all as the other party may
reasonably request for the purpose of carrying out the intent of this Agreement
and the Contemplated Transactions.
|
10.12
|
Parent
Employment Arrangements
|
(a) Except
(i) as set forth on Part 10.12 or (ii) as contemplated by Section 10.12(b),
between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, neither Parent, Buyer
nor any of their Subsidiaries will, without the prior written consent of Seller
Representative, enter into any employment, consulting, severance, retention,
change in control, termination pay or collective bargaining agreement or any
equity based compensation, pension, deferred compensation, welfare benefits
or
other employee benefit plan or arrangement, or make any loans to any of its
officers, directors, employees, affiliates or agents or consultants or make
any
change in its existing borrowing or lending arrangements for or on behalf of
any
of such Persons.
(b) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary set forth herein, (i) prior to the Closing the Parent
Board shall adopt the Parent 2008 Incentive Award Plan, in the form of Exhibit
10.12(b) (the “Incentive
Plan”),
and
approve
the grants of restricted shares of Parent Common Stock and options to acquire
shares of Parent Common Stock contemplated by the Post-Closing Employment
Arrangements, in each case, subject to the approval
of the Incentive Plan by Parent’s stockholders and the consummation of the
Contemplated Transactions and the transactions contemplated by the HI Purchase
Agreement and (ii) and no later than the second business day following the
Closing Date and after giving effect to the issuance of the Parent Shares
contemplated by Section 2.7, the Sellers in their capacity as the holders of
a
majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock, shall
deliver to Parent a written consent, duly executed by each such Seller,
approving the Incentive Plan and ratifying the grants
of
restricted shares of Parent Common Stock and options to acquire shares of Parent
Common Stock contemplated by the Post-Closing Employment
Arrangements.
As
promptly as practicable following the date hereof, Seller Representative shall,
and shall cause all applicable Related Persons of each Seller to, (a) redeem
and/or buy-out certain equityholders of Sellers in preparation for the
consummation of the Contemplated Transactions and (b) cause each such Seller
to
execute and deliver to Buyer a Joinder to this Agreement. Buyer and Parent
acknowledge and agree that any redemptions or buy-outs undertaken by the Seller
Representative or the Related Persons of each Seller pursuant to this Section
10.13 shall not constitute a breach of any of the representations, warranties
or
covenants of Sellers hereunder.
|
10.14
|
HI
Purchase Agreement
|
Between
the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, Parent shall not, and shall
cause WAC not to, enter into any material amendment or modification of the
terms
of the HI Purchase Agreement without the prior written consent of the Seller
Representative, except for any amendment or modification to the HI Purchase
Agreement that extends the outside termination date set forth in Section 9.1(d)
of the Purchase Agreement and does not otherwise materially modify or amend
the
terms thereof.
Between
the date of this Agreement through the Closing Date, Buyer and Seller
Representative shall cooperate in good faith to (a) determine which (if any)
insurance policies of Sellers shall be transferred to Buyer (or a Buyer
Designee) at Closing pursuant to Section 2.1(j) and/or (b) enter into insurance
arrangements on terms and conditions mutually acceptable to Buyer and Seller
Representative with respect to the operation of the Business from and after
the
Closing.
11.
|
INDEMNIFICATION;
REMEDIES
|
All
representations and warranties, covenants and obligations in this Agreement,
the
Disclosure Letter, the Buyer Disclosure, the supplements to the Disclosure
Letter or the Buyer Disclosure Letter, the certificates delivered pursuant
to
Section 2.7 and any other certificate or document delivered pursuant to this
Agreement shall survive the Closing and the consummation of the Contemplated
Transactions, subject to Section 11.7. Except with respect to any matters
disclosed on the Disclosure Schedule (including any supplement thereto described
in Section 5.4(c)) or the Buyer Disclosure Letter (including any supplement
thereto described in Section 6.3(c)), the right to indemnification,
reimbursement or other remedy based upon such representations, warranties,
covenants and obligations shall not be affected by any investigation (including
any environmental investigation or assessment) conducted with respect to, or
any
Knowledge acquired (or capable of being acquired) at any time, whether before
or
after the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Closing Date, with
respect to the accuracy or inaccuracy of or compliance with any such
representation, warranty, covenant or obligation. The waiver of any condition
based upon the accuracy of any representation or warranty, or on the performance
of or compliance with any covenant or obligation, will not affect the right
to
indemnification, reimbursement or other remedy based upon such representations,
warranties, covenants and obligations (other than in the case of any supplement
to the Disclosure Letter described in Section 5.4(c) or any supplement to the
Disclosure Letter described in Section 6.3(c) for which the parties sole remedy
will be to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(i) or 9.1(j) (as
the
case may be)).
|
11.2
|
Indemnification
and Reimbursement by Sellers
|
Each
Seller will indemnify and hold harmless Buyer, the Buyer Designees, Parent
and
their respective Representatives, stockholders, Subsidiaries and Related Persons
(excluding, from and after the Closing Date, any Seller) (collectively, the
“Buyer
Indemnified Persons”),
and
will reimburse the Buyer Indemnified Persons for any loss, liability, claim,
damage, expense (including third-party costs of investigation and defense and
reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) or diminution of value, whether or not
involving a Third-Party Claim (collectively, “Damages”),
arising from or in connection with:
(a) any
breach of any representation or warranty made by any Seller in (i) this
Agreement (without giving effect to any supplement to the Disclosure Letter
described in Section 5.4(d)), (ii) the Disclosure Letter, (iii) the
supplements to the Disclosure Letter, (iv) the certificates delivered
pursuant to Section 2.7, (v) any Sellers’ Closing Document or (vi) any
other certificate, document, writing or instrument delivered by any Seller
pursuant to this Agreement;
(b) any
breach of any covenant or obligation of any Seller in this Agreement or in
any
other certificate, document, writing or instrument delivered by Sellers pursuant
to this Agreement;
(c) any
brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions or similar payments based upon any
agreement or understanding made, or alleged to have been made, by any Person
with any Seller (or any Person acting on their behalf) in connection with any
of
the Contemplated Transactions;
(d) any
noncompliance with any Bulk Sales Laws or fraudulent transfer law in respect
of
the Contemplated Transactions;
(e) any
Liability under the WARN Act or any similar state or local Legal Requirement
that may result from an “Employment Loss,” as defined by 29 U.S.C. sect.
2101(a)(6), caused by any action of Sellers prior to the Closing or by Buyer’s
decision not to hire previous employees of Sellers;
(f) any
Target Benefit Plan established or maintained by any Seller; or
(g) any
Retained Liabilities.
|
11.3
|
Indemnification
and Reimbursement by Buyer
|
Buyer
will indemnify and hold harmless Sellers and their respective Related Persons
(excluding, from and after the Closing Date, Buyer and Parent) (collectively,
the “Seller
Indemnified Persons”),
and
will reimburse the Seller Indemnified Persons, for any Damages arising from
or
in connection with:
(a) any
breach of any representation or warranty made by Buyer in this Agreement
(without giving effect to any supplement to the Disclosure Letter described
in
Section 6.3(d)) or in any certificate, document, writing or instrument delivered
by Buyer pursuant to this Agreement;
(b) any
breach of any covenant or obligation of Buyer in this Agreement or in any other
certificate, document, writing or instrument delivered by Buyer pursuant to
this
Agreement;
(c) any
claim
by any Person for brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions or similar payments
based upon any agreement or understanding alleged to have been made by such
Person with Buyer (or any Person acting on Buyer’s behalf) in connection with
any of the Contemplated Transactions;
(d) any
Seller’s maintenance of a Non-Transferred Liquor License for the benefit of
Buyer and/or any Buyer Designee after the Effective Time in accordance with
the
provisions of Section 2.11(c);
(e) any
Seller’s maintenance of a Restricted Material Contract or Restricted
Non-Material Contract for the benefit of Buyer and/or any Buyer Designee after
the Effective Time in accordance with the provisions of Sections 2.11(a) or
(b);
or
(f) any
Assumed Liabilities or any other Liabilities (other than any Retained
Liabilities) to the extent arising from the operation of the Business by Buyer
from and after the Closing Date.
(a) Except
to
the extent of fraud by any Seller, the remedies provided in Section 11.2
(subject to the limitations of this Article 11) will be the sole and exclusive
remedies against Sellers with respect to any of the breaches or claims described
in such Section or otherwise arising against Sellers under, out of or relating
to this Agreement.
(b) Except
to
the extent of fraud by Buyer, the remedies provided in Section 11.3 (subject
to
the limitations this Article 11) will be the sole and exclusive remedies against
Buyer with respect to any of the breaches or claims described in such Section
or
otherwise arising under, out of or relating to this Agreement.
|
11.5
|
Limitations
on Amount--Sellers
|
(a) Sellers
shall have no liability (for indemnification or otherwise) with respect to
claims under Section 11.2 until the total of all Damages with respect to such
matters exceeds $600,000 (the “Deductible”)
and
then only for the amount by which such Damages exceed the Deductible; provided,
however, that the Deductible shall not apply to (i) any breach of any of the
representations or warranties contained in Sections 3.2(a), 3.6 or 3.8 (the
“Seller
Fundamental Representations”),
or
(ii) any fraudulent breach of this Agreement.
(b) Notwithstanding
anything contained in this Agreement or otherwise to the contrary, the maximum
aggregate liability of all Sellers with respect to claims under Section 11.2
shall not exceed $13,000,000 (the “Cap”);
provided, however, that the Cap shall not apply to (i) any breach of any Sellers
Fundamental Representations, or (ii) any fraudulent breach of this
Agreement.
|
11.6
|
Limitations
on Amount--Buyer
|
(a) Buyer
will have no liability (for indemnification or otherwise) with respect to claims
under Section 11.3 until the total of all Damages with respect to such matters
exceeds the Deductible and then only for the amount by which such Damages exceed
the Deductible; provided, however, that the Deductible shall not apply to (i)
any breach of any of the representations or warranties contained in Sections
4.2(a), or 4.4 or (ii) any fraudulent breach of this Agreement.
(b) Notwithstanding
anything contained in this Agreement or otherwise to the contrary, the maximum
aggregate liability of Buyer with respect to claims under Section 11.3 shall
not
exceed the Cap; provided, however, that the Cap shall not apply to (i) any
breach of any matters arising in respect of Sections 4.2(a) or 4.4, or (ii)
any
fraudulent breach of this Agreement.
(a) If
the
Closing occurs, Sellers will have Liability under this Article 11, only if
on or
before the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Closing Date, Buyer notifies
Seller Representative of a claim specifying the factual basis of the claim
in
reasonable detail to the extent then known by Buyer, and thereafter Sellers
will
have no Liability under this Article 11 other than with respect to any such
claim.
(b) If
the
Closing occurs, Buyer will have Liability under this Article 11, only if on
or
before the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Closing Date, Sellers notify
Buyer of a claim specifying the factual basis of the claim in reasonable detail
to the extent then known by Sellers, and thereafter neither Buyer nor Parent
will have any Liability under this Article 11 other than with respect to any
such claim.
(a) Promptly
after receipt by a Person entitled to indemnity under Section 11.2 or 11.3
(an
“Indemnified
Person”)
of
notice of assertion of a Third-Party Claim against it, such Indemnified Person
will give notice to the Person obligated to indemnify under such Section (an
“Indemnifying
Person”)
of the
assertion of such claim. If Sellers are the Indemnifying Person under Section
11.2 then Buyer need only give notice to Seller Representative and Seller
Representative shall take all actions for Sellers as an Indemnifying Person
pursuant to this Section 11.8 with respect to such Third-Party Claim. If Buyer
or the Buyer Designees are the Indemnifying Person under Section 11.3 then
Sellers need only give notice to Buyer and Buyer shall take all actions for
Buyer or the Buyer Designees as an Indemnifying Person pursuant to this Section
11.8 with respect to such Third-Party Claim. Failure to notify the Indemnifying
Person will not relieve the Indemnifying Person of any liability that it may
have to any Indemnified Person, except to the extent that the Indemnifying
Person demonstrates that the defense of such Third-Party Claim is materially
prejudiced by the Indemnified Person’s failure to give such notice.
(b) If
any
Third-Party Claim referred to in Section 11.8(a) is asserted against an
Indemnified Person and the Indemnified Person gives notice to the Indemnifying
Person of the assertion of such Third-Party Claim, the Indemnifying Person
will
be entitled to participate in the defense of such Third-Party Claim and, to
the
extent that it wishes (unless (i) the Indemnifying Person is also a Person
against whom the Third Party Claim is made and the Indemnified Person reasonably
believes that there is a conflict of interest between the Indemnifying Person
and the Indemnified Person or (ii) the Indemnifying Person fails to provide
reasonable assurance to the Indemnified Person of its financial capacity to
defend such Third-Party Claim and provide indemnification with respect to such
Third-Party Claim), to assume the defense of such Third-Party Claim with counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person at any time within thirty
(30)
days after the Indemnified Person has given notice of the assertion of such
Third-Party Claim and, after notice from the Indemnifying Person to the
Indemnified Person of its election to assume the exclusive defense of such
Third-Party Claim, the Indemnifying Person will not, as long as it conducts
such
defense with reasonable diligence, be liable to the Indemnified Person under
this Article 11 for any fees of other counsel or any other expenses with respect
to the defense of such Third-Party Claim, in each case subsequently incurred
by
the Indemnified Person in connection with the defense of such Third-Party Claim,
other than as expressly set forth in this Section 11.8. If the Indemnifying
Person assumes the defense of a Third-Party Claim, (i) such assumption will
conclusively establish for purpose of this Agreement that the claims made in
the
Third Party Claim are within the scope of and subject to indemnification
hereunder, (ii) no compromise or settlement of such claims may be effected
by
the Indemnifying Person without the Indemnified Person’s consent (which may not
be unreasonably withheld or delayed) unless (A) there is no finding or admission
of any violation of Legal Requirements that would reasonably be expected to
adversely affect Buyer in any material respect or any violation of the rights
of
any Person and no effect on any other claims that may be made against the
Indemnified Person and (B) the sole relief provided is monetary damages that
are
paid in full by the Indemnifying Person, (iii) the Indemnified Person will
have
no liability with respect to any compromise or settlement of such claims
effected without its consent, (iv) the Indemnified Person may participate in
the
defense, settlement or compromise of the Third-Party Claim and employ separate
counsel at its sole expense except as expressly provided in this Section 11.8,
and (v) the Indemnifying Person shall consult with the Indemnified Person and
take into account the advice and opinions of the Indemnified Person and its
counsel in the conduct of such defense or settlement. The Indemnifying Person
shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel
if:
(x) the Indemnified Person reasonably believes that the there is a reasonable
likelihood of a conflict of interest between the Indemnifying Person and the
Indemnified Person or (y) the Indemnifying Person shall not have employed
counsel to represent the Indemnified Person within a reasonable time after
the
Indemnifying Person has received notice of the assertion of such Third-Party
Claim. If notice is given to an Indemnifying Person of the assertion of any
Third-Party Claim and the Indemnifying Person does not, within thirty (30)
days
after the Indemnified Person’s notice is given, give notice to the Indemnified
Person of its election to assume the defense of such Third-Party Claim, the
Indemnifying Person will be bound by any determination, compromise or settlement
of the Third-Party Claim effected by the Indemnified Person.
(c) Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if an Indemnified Person determines in good faith after
consulting with counsel that (i) there is a reasonable probability that a
Third-Party Claim may adversely affect the Indemnified Person or its Affiliates
other than as a result of monetary damages for which it would be entitled to
indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) there is a conflict of interest
that
would prevent the Indemnifying Person from fully or adequately representing
the
Indemnified Person’s interests with respect to a Third-Party Claim, (iii) the
Indemnifying Person assumes such defense but fails to conduct the defense of
such Third-Party Claim with reasonable diligence or (iv) the Indemnifying Person
declines to direct the defense of any such Third-Party Claim pursuant to this
Section 11.8 or withdraws from such defense, the Indemnified Person may, by
notice to the Indemnifying Person, assume the exclusive right to defend,
compromise or settle such Third-Party Claim, but the Indemnifying Person will
be
entitled to participate in such Third-Party Claim at its own expense. The
Indemnifying Person will not be bound by any determination of a Third-Party
Claim so defended or any compromise or settlement effected without its consent
(which may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
(d) Notwithstanding
the provisions of Section 12.4, each Seller hereby consents to the nonexclusive
jurisdiction of any court in which a Proceeding in respect of a Third-Party
Claim is brought against any Buyer Indemnified Person for purposes of any claim
that a Buyer Indemnified Person may have under this Agreement with respect
to
such Proceeding or the matters alleged therein and agree that process may be
served on Seller with respect to such a claim anywhere in the
world.
(e) With
respect to any Third-Party Claim subject to indemnification under this Article
11: (i) both the Indemnified Person and the Indemnifying Person, as the
case may be, shall keep the other Person fully informed of the status of such
Third-Party Claim and any related Proceedings at all stages thereof where such
Person is not represented by its own counsel, and (ii) the parties agree
(each at its own expense) to render to each other such assistance as they may
reasonably require of each other and to cooperate in good faith with each other
in order to ensure the proper and adequate defense of any Third-Party
Claim.
(f) With
respect to any Third-Party Claim subject to indemnification under this Article
11, the parties agree to cooperate in such a manner as to preserve in full
(to
the extent possible) the confidentiality of all Confidential Information and
the
attorney-client and work-product privileges. In connection therewith, each
party
agrees that: (i) it will use its commercially reasonable efforts, in
respect of any Third-Party Claim in which it has assumed or participated in
the
defense, to avoid production of Confidential Information (consistent with
applicable law and rules of procedure), and (ii) all communications between
any party hereto and counsel responsible for or participating in the defense
of
any Third-Party Claim shall, to the extent possible, be made so as to preserve
any applicable attorney-client or work-product privilege.
A
claim
for indemnification for any matter not involving a Third-Party Claim may be
asserted by notice to the party from whom indemnification is sought. If Sellers
are the indemnifying parties under Section 11.2, Buyer need only give notice
to
Seller Representative and Seller Representative shall take all actions for
Sellers as an indemnifying party pursuant to this Section 11.9 with respect
to
any claim hereunder. If Buyer is the indemnifying party under Section 11.3,
Sellers need only give notice to Buyer and Buyer shall take all actions as
an
indemnifying party pursuant to this Section 11.9 with respect to any claim
hereunder.
The
amount of any Damages subject to indemnification hereunder shall be calculated
net of any proceeds of insurance from Seller insurance policies existing as
of
the Closing Date received by Parent or Buyer following the Closing Date with
respect to such Damages. Any insurance deductible paid or payable by Buyer
and/or Parent under any such insurance policy shall be subject to
indemnification hereunder. Buyer and/or Parent shall use commercially reasonable
efforts, in cooperation with Seller Representative, to pursue any possible
recovery under such insurance policies; provided, however that neither Buyer
nor
Parent shall have no obligation hereunder to seek insurance proceeds or make
any
insurance claim prior to the seeking indemnification hereunder. If any amounts
are reimbursed under any such insurance policies subsequent to indemnification
under this Article 11, Buyer and/or Parent shall reimburse the applicable
Seller(s) in an amount equal to the amounts subsequently received under such
insurance policy (net of any insurance deductible paid) up to the amount of
the
indemnification payments recovered from such Seller(s) hereunder.
|
11.11
|
Indemnification
Escrow Account
|
Notwithstanding
anything contained herein to the contrary, the full amount in the
Indemnification Escrow Account shall be available to the Buyer Indemnified
Persons for recovery with respect to any claim for Damages pursuant to this
Article 11 and without regard to the relative responsibility of any Seller
therefor.
Except
as
otherwise provided in this Agreement, each party to this Agreement will bear
its
respective fees and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation,
negotiation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the Contemplated
Transactions, including all fees and expense of its Representatives; provided,
however, that (a) Buyer will pay the full amount of the HSR Act filing fee,
(b)
the fees and expenses of the Escrow Agent under the Escrow Agreement shall
be
borne equally by Buyer on one hand and Seller Representative, on behalf of
Sellers, on the other, (c) following the Closing, Buyer
shall pay any and all attorneys’ and other fees and costs relative to any Liquor
License approvals, filings or amendments required because of the Contemplated
Transactions and
(d)
at the Closing, Buyer will reimburse Seller Representative, on behalf of
Sellers, for its and their reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection
with the preparation, negotiation, execution and performance of this Agreement
and the Contemplated Transactions (including Third Party professional and
advisory fees) (collectively, the “Sellers’
Transaction Expenses”),
in an
amount not to exceed $1,000,000, which fees and expenses shall be reimbursed
at
the Closing by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account(s)
designated by Seller Representative in the Consideration Notice. If this
Agreement is terminated, the obligation of each party to pay its own fees and
expenses will be subject to any rights of such party arising from a breach
of
this Agreement by another party.
|
12.2
|
Public
Announcements
|
Any
public announcement, press release or similar publicity with respect to this
Agreement or the Contemplated Transactions will be issued, if at all, at such
time and in such manner as Buyer determines. Except with the prior consent
of
Buyer or as permitted by this Agreement, no Seller or any of their
Representatives shall disclose to any Person any information about the
Contemplated Transactions, including the status of such discussions or
negotiations, the execution of any documents (including this Agreement) or
any
of the terms of the Contemplated Transactions or the related documents
(including this Agreement). Sellers and Buyer will consult with each other
concerning the means by which Sellers’ employees, customers, suppliers and
others having dealings with Sellers will be informed of the Contemplated
Transactions, and Buyer will have the right to be present for any such
communication.
All
notices, Consents, waivers and other communications required or permitted by
this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given to a party when
(a) delivered to the appropriate address by hand or by nationally
recognized overnight courier service (costs prepaid); (b) sent by facsimile
or e-mail with confirmation of transmission by the transmitting equipment;
or
(c) received or rejected by the addressee, if sent by certified mail,
return receipt requested, in each case to the following addresses, facsimile
numbers or e-mail addresses and marked to the attention of the person (by name
or title) designated below (or to such other address, facsimile number, e-mail
address or person as a party may designate by notice to the other
parties):
Seller
Representative (on behalf of Sellers):
Texas
Wings Incorporated
10864
Audelia, Suite 9464
Dallas,
TX 75236
Attention:
Mike Herrick
Fax
no.: (214) 340-2388
|
with
a copy to:
Cash
Klemchuk Powers Taylor LLP
8150
N. Central Expressway, Suite 1575
Dallas,
TX 75206
Attention:
J. Jeffrey Cash
Fax
no.: (214) 550-2651
|
|
|
Buyer:
Owl
Acquisition Holdings Corp.
4201
Congress Street, Suite 145
Charlotte,
North Carolina 28209
Attention:
Michael Pruitt
Fax
no.: (704) 366-5122
|
with
a copy to:
Latham
& Watkins LLP
355
South Grand Avenue
Los
Angeles, CA 90071-1560
Attention:
James P. Beaubien
Fax
no.: (213) 891-8763
|
|
|
Parent:
Chanticleer
Holdings, Inc.
4201
Congress Street, Suite 145
Charlotte,
North Carolina 28209
Attention:
Michael Pruitt
Fax
no.: (704) 366-5122
|
with
a copy to:
Latham
& Watkins LLP
355
South Grand Avenue
Los
Angeles, CA 90071-1560
Attention:
James P. Beaubien
Fax
no.: (213) 891-8763
|
|
12.4
|
Jurisdiction;
Service of Process
|
Any
Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any Contemplated
Transaction may be brought as follows: (a) if brought by any Buyer Indemnified
Person against Sellers, Seller Representative, or any Seller, shall be brought,
except as provided in Section 11.8(d), solely in the courts of the State of
Texas located in Dallas County, Texas, or, alternatively, if it has or can
acquire jurisdiction, in the United States District Court for the Northern
District of Texas, Dallas Division; or (b) if brought by any Seller, by Sellers
or by Seller Representative against Buyer or Parent, shall be brought solely
in
the courts of the State of New York, or, alternatively, if it has or can acquire
jurisdiction, in the United States District Court for the Southern District
of
New York. Each of the parties consents to the jurisdiction of such courts (and
of the appropriate appellate courts) in any such Proceeding, waives any
objection it may now or hereafter have to venue or to convenience of forum,
agrees that all claims in respect of the Proceeding shall be heard and
determined only in any such court and agrees not to bring any Proceeding arising
out of or relating to this Agreement or any Contemplated Transaction in any
other court. The parties agree that any of them may file a copy of this
paragraph with any court as written evidence of the knowing, voluntary and
bargained agreement between the parties irrevocably to waive any objections
to
venue or to convenience of forum. Process in any Proceeding referred to in
the
first sentence of this section may be served on any party anywhere in the
world..
|
12.5
|
Enforcement
of Agreement
|
Each
of
the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the parties hereto would be
irreparably damaged if any of the provisions of this Agreement are not performed
in accordance with their specific terms and that any breach of this Agreement
by
a party hereto could not be adequately compensated in all cases by monetary
damages alone. Accordingly, in addition to any other right or remedy to which
they may be entitled, at law or in equity, each party hereto shall be entitled
to enforce any provision of this Agreement by a decree of specific performance
and to temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief to prevent
breaches or threatened breaches of any of the provisions of this Agreement,
without posting any bond or other undertaking.
|
12.6
|
Waiver;
Remedies Cumulative
|
The
rights and remedies of the parties to this Agreement are cumulative and not
alternative. Neither any failure nor any delay by any party in exercising any
right, power or privilege under this Agreement or any of the documents referred
to in this Agreement will operate as a waiver of such right, power or privilege,
and no single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege will
preclude any other or further exercise of such right, power or privilege or
the
exercise of any other right, power or privilege. To the maximum extent permitted
by applicable Legal Requirements, (a) no claim or right arising out of this
Agreement or any of the documents referred to in this Agreement can be
discharged by one party, in whole or in part, by a waiver or renunciation of
the
claim or right unless in writing signed by the other party; (b) no waiver
that may be given by a party will be applicable except in the specific instance
for which it is given; and (c) no notice to or demand on one party will be
deemed to be a waiver of any obligation of that party or of the right of the
party giving such notice or demand to take further action without notice or
demand as provided in this Agreement or the documents referred to in this
Agreement.
|
12.7
|
Entire
Agreement and Modification
|
This
Agreement supersedes all prior agreements, whether written or oral, between
the
parties with respect to its subject matter (including any letter of intent
between Buyer and Sellers and the Confidentiality Agreement, dated April 1,
2008, among Parent, Seller Representative and HI) and constitutes (along with
the Disclosure Letter, the Buyer Disclosure Letter, the Exhibits and other
documents delivered pursuant to this Agreement) a complete and exclusive
statement of the terms of the agreement between the parties with respect to
its
subject matter. This Agreement may not be amended, supplemented, or otherwise
modified except by a written agreement executed by Parent, Buyer and Seller
Representative, on behalf of Sellers.
(a) The
information in the Disclosure Letter constitutes (i) exceptions to the
representations, warranties, covenants and obligations of each Seller as set
forth in this Agreement or (ii) descriptions or lists of assets and liabilities
and other items referred to in this Agreement. The information in the Buyer
Disclosure Letter constitutes exceptions to the representations, warranties,
covenants and obligations of Buyer and Parent as set forth in this Agreement.
If
there is any inconsistency between the statements in this Agreement and those
in
the Disclosure Letter or the Buyer Disclosure Letter, the statements in this
Agreement will control.
(b) Nothing
in the Disclosure Letter or the Buyer Disclosure Letter is intended to broaden
the scope of any representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or
to
create any covenant unless clearly specified to the contrary therein. Any
disclosure on one Part of the Disclosure Letter or the Buyer Disclosure Letter
shall be deemed to be disclosed on any other Parts of the Disclosure Letter
or
the Buyer Disclosure Letter (as the case may be), and to qualify any other
representation or warranty in this Agreement, to the extent that the meaning
of
such disclosure is reasonably apparent on its face.
|
12.9
|
Assignments,
Successors and No Third-Party
Rights
|
No
party
may assign any of its rights or delegate any of its obligations under this
Agreement without the prior written consent of the other parties, except that
Buyer (a) may assign any of its rights and delegate any of its obligations
under
this Agreement to any Buyer Designee (including, following the consummation
of
the transactions contemplated by the HI Purchase Agreement, HI, the HI Acquired
Companies or any of their respective direct or indirect Subsidiaries) and (b)
may collaterally assign its rights hereunder to any financial institution
providing the Financing. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement
will
apply to, be binding in all respects upon and inure to the benefit of the
successors and permitted assigns of the parties. Nothing expressed or referred
to in this Agreement will be construed to give any Person other than the parties
to this Agreement any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or with
respect to this Agreement or any provision of this Agreement, except such rights
as shall inure to a successor or permitted assignee pursuant to this Section
12.9.
If
any
provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by any court of
competent jurisdiction, the other provisions of this Agreement will remain
in
full force and effect. Any provision of this Agreement held invalid or
unenforceable only in part or degree will remain in full force and effect to
the
extent not held invalid or unenforceable.
The
headings of Articles and Sections in this Agreement are provided for convenience
only and will not affect its construction or interpretation. All references
to
“Articles,” “Sections” and “Parts” refer to the corresponding Articles, Sections
and Parts of this Agreement, the Disclosure Letter and the Buyer Disclosure
Letter.
This
Agreement and all claims arising out of or relating to it will be governed
by
the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflicts of laws rules
or
principles that would result in the application of the laws of any jurisdiction
other than the laws of the State of Delaware.
|
12.13
|
Execution
of Agreement
|
This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be
deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement and all of which, when taken
together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement. The exchange
of copies of this Agreement and of signature pages by facsimile transmission
shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Agreement as to the
parties and may be used in lieu of the original Agreement for all purposes.
Signatures of the parties transmitted by facsimile shall be deemed to be their
original signatures for all purposes.
|
12.14
|
Representative
of Sellers
|
(a) Each
Seller hereby elects and appoints Seller Representative as their representative
and their true and lawful attorney in fact, with full power and authority in
each of their names and on behalf of each of them:
(i) to
act on
behalf of each of them in the absolute discretion of Seller Representative
with
respect to this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions, including the
power
to: (A) designate the accounts for payment of the Closing Purchase Price
and the amounts of Parent Securities (if any) to be delivered to each Seller
pursuant to Section 2.7(b)(i) ; (B) act pursuant to Sections 2.8, 2.9
or 2.10 with respect to any adjustment of the Closing Purchase Price;
(C) act under the Escrow Agreement; (D) negotiate any adjustments,
modifications or amendments to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and
the Contemplated Transaction pursuant to Section 5.7(e) or to otherwise amend,
supplement or modify this Agreement pursuant to Section 12.7; provided,
however, that Seller Representative shall not take any such action pursuant
to
this clause (D) where such action materially and adversely affects the
substantive rights or obligations of one Seller, or group of Sellers, without
a
similar proportionate effect upon the substantive rights or obligations of
all
Sellers, unless each such disproportionately affected Seller consents in writing
thereto;
(E) consent to the assignment of rights under this Agreement in accordance
with Section 12.9; (F) give and receive notices pursuant to Section 12.3;
(G) terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1 or waive any provision
of this Agreement pursuant to Article 8, Section 9.1 and Section 12.6;
(H) accept service of process pursuant to Section 12.4; and (I) act in
connection with any matter as to which such Seller has obligation, or is an
Indemnified Person, under Article 11; and
(ii) in
general, to do all things and to perform all acts, including executing and
delivering all agreements, certificates, receipts, instructions and other
instruments contemplated by or deemed advisable to effectuate the provisions
of
this Section 12.14.
This
appointment and grant of power and authority is coupled with an interest and
is
in consideration of the mutual covenants made herein and is irrevocable and
shall not be terminated by any act of any Seller or by operation of law. Each
Seller hereby consents to the taking of any and all actions and the making
of
any decisions required or permitted to be taken or made by Seller Representative
pursuant to this Section 12.14. Each Seller agrees that Seller Representative
shall have no obligation or liability to any Person for any action or omission
taken or omitted by Seller Representative in good faith hereunder, and each
Seller shall indemnify and hold Seller Representative harmless from and against
any and all Liabilities which Seller Representative may sustain as a result
of
any such action or omission by Seller Representative hereunder. Each Seller
further agrees that the Buyer Indemnified Persons shall be entitled to rely
on
any action taken by Seller Representative, on behalf of Sellers, pursuant to
the
Section 12.14 (an “Authorized
Action”)
and
that any such Authorized Action shall be binding upon all of
Sellers.
(b) Buyer
and
the Escrow Agent designated in the Escrow Agreement shall be entitled to rely
upon any document or other paper delivered by Seller Representative as
(i) genuine and correct and (ii) having been duly signed or sent by
Seller Representative, and neither Buyer nor such Escrow Agent shall be liable
to any Seller for any action taken or omitted to be taken by Buyer or such
Escrow Agent in such reliance.
(c) Seller
Representative may resign by giving not less than 60 days notice to Buyer and
Sellers. Sellers may remove Seller Representative; provided that Seller
Representative and Buyer have been given written notice of such removal not
less
than ten (10) business days prior to such removal. Upon any resignation or
removal of Seller Representative, Sellers shall designate another Seller
Representative and shall give Buyer prompt written notice of such designation
(which notice shall in no event be delivered to Buyer later than five (5)
business days after such designation).
Buyer
and
Sellers hereby waive compliance with the bulk-transfer provisions of the Uniform
Commercial Code (or any similar law) (“Bulk
Sales Laws”)
in
connection with the Contemplated Transactions.
|
12.16
|
Legal
Representation
|
Each
Seller hereby agrees and acknowledges that such Seller has had the opportunity
to consult its own counsel with regard to this Agreement, its contents, the
Contemplated Transactions and the related documents.
[Signature
Page to Follow]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first
written above.
BUYER:
|
SELLER
REPRESENTATIVE:
|
OWL
ACQUISITION HOLDINGS CORP.
|
TEXAS
WINGS INCORPORATED
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Michael Pruitt
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Kelly Hall
|
|
Name:
Michael Pruitt
|
Name:
Kelly Hall
|
Title:
President
|
Title: President
|
|
|
|
|
|
PARENT:
|
|
|
CHANTICLEER
HOLDINGS, INC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Michael Pruitt
|
|
|
|
|
Name:
Michael Pruitt
|
|
|
|
Title:
Chairman, Chief Executive Office and President
|
|
|
|
Annex
A
Sellers
|
1.
|
Hooters
Addison Venture I
|
|
3.
|
Hooters
Arlington Venture I
|
|
5.
|
Golden
Triangle Wings, Ltd.
|
|
6.
|
Brownsville
Wings, Ltd.
|
|
7.
|
Corpus
Christi Wings, Ltd.
|
|
8.
|
Hooters
of Dallas Venture I
|
|
11.
|
Fort
Worth Wings, Ltd.
|
|
13.
|
Galveston
Wings, Ltd.
|
|
14.
|
Grapevine
Wings, Ltd.
|
|
15.
|
Hooters
Houston Venture I (Woodlake)
|
|
17.
|
Hooters
Irving Venture I
|
|
20.
|
Houston
Wings Venture IV (Kirby)
|
|
21.
|
Austin
Wings III, Ltd. (Lakeline)
|
|
22.
|
Lewisville
Wings, Ltd.
|
|
26.
|
Town
Crossing Wings, Ltd. (f/k/a Mesquite Wings,
Ltd.)
|
|
29.
|
Northwest
Freeway Wings, Ltd.
|
|
33.
|
Riverwalk
Wings Venture I
|
|
34.
|
Round
Rock Wings, Ltd.
|
|
35.
|
San
Antonio Wings Venture II
|
|
36.
|
Bitter
Wings, Ltd. (San Pedro)
|
|
38.
|
Jailhouse
Wings, Ltd.
|
|
39.
|
Twenty
Wings, Ltd. (S. Arlington)
|
|
40.
|
Houston
Wings Venture II (Spring)
|
|
41.
|
Stafford
Wings, Ltd. (Sugarland)
|
|
42.
|
Texarkana
Wings, Ltd.
|
|
44.
|
Willowbrook
Wings, Ltd.
|
|
46.
|
Texas
Wings Incorporated
|
|
48. |
Northlake Wings, Ltd. |