ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT BY AND AMONG NEXCEN ASSET ACQUISITION, LLC, PRETZEL TIME FRANCHISING, LLC, PRETZELMAKER FRANCHISING, LLC, NEXCEN BRANDS, INC., and MRS. FIELDS FAMOUS BRANDS, LLC, DATED AS OF AUGUST 7, 2007
BY
AND AMONG
NEXCEN
ASSET ACQUISITION, LLC,
PRETZEL
TIME FRANCHISING, LLC,
PRETZELMAKER
FRANCHISING, LLC,
and
XXX.
XXXXXX FAMOUS BRANDS, LLC,
DATED
AS OF AUGUST 7, 2007
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE
I
Definitions and Usage
|
1
|
|
1.1
|
Definitions
|
1
|
1.2
|
Usage
|
10
|
ARTICLE
II
Purchase and Sale of Businesses and Assets
|
11
|
|
2.1
|
Purchase
and Sale of Assets
|
11
|
2.2
|
Excluded
Assets
|
11
|
2.3
|
Assumed
Liabilities
|
11
|
2.4
|
Excluded
Liabilities
|
12
|
ARTICLE
III
Purchase Price; Payment; Assumption of Obligations
|
13
|
|
3.1
|
The
Closing
|
13
|
3.2
|
Purchase
Price.
|
13
|
3.3
|
Payment
|
15
|
3.4
|
Allocation.
|
15
|
3.5
|
Nonassignable
Contracts
|
15
|
3.6
|
Escrow
|
16
|
3.7
|
Accounts
Receivable.
|
17
|
ARTICLE
IV
Representations and Warranties of the Sellers and
MFFB
|
18
|
|
4.1
|
Organization
and Good Standing
|
18
|
4.2
|
Enforceability;
Authority
|
19
|
4.3
|
Consents;
Approvals
|
19
|
4.4
|
Financial
Statements
|
20
|
4.5
|
Real
Property
|
20
|
4.6
|
Title
to Assets
|
20
|
4.7
|
Sufficiency
of Assets
|
20
|
4.8
|
Accounts
Receivable
|
20
|
4.9
|
Insolvency
Proceedings
|
21
|
4.10
|
Taxes
|
21
|
4.11
|
Labor
Relations; Compliance
|
22
|
4.12
|
Employee
Benefits
|
22
|
4.13
|
Litigation;
Orders
|
22
|
4.14
|
Compliance
With Laws; Permits
|
22
|
4.15
|
Operations
of the Sellers
|
23
|
4.16
|
Material
Contracts
|
24
|
4.17
|
Insurance
|
25
|
4.18
|
Environmental
Matters
|
25
|
4.19
|
Intellectual
Property
|
25
|
4.20
|
Affiliate
Transactions
|
28
|
4.21
|
Brokers
or Finders
|
28
|
4.22
|
Suppliers
|
28
|
4.23
|
Franchise
Matters
|
28
|
4.24
|
Powers
of Attorney
|
34
|
4.25
|
Investment
|
34
|
4.26
|
Deferred
Revenue Liability.
|
34
|
4.27
|
Indenture
Payment.
|
34
|
4.28
|
Right
of First Refusal.
|
34
|
4.29
|
Other
Contracts.
|
34
|
ARTICLE
V
Representations and Warranties of Buyer and Parent
|
35
|
|
5.1
|
Existence
and Good Standing; Authorization
|
35
|
5.2
|
Consents
and Approvals; No Violations
|
35
|
5.3
|
SEC
Documents and Other Reports
|
36
|
5.4
|
Litigation
|
36
|
5.5
|
Brokers’
or Finders’ Fees
|
36
|
366
|
Parent
Shares
|
36
|
ARTICLE
VI\eveloping
Agent Liabilities
|
36
|
|
ARTICLE
VII
Post-Closing Covenants
|
37
|
|
7.1
|
Intentionally
Omitted.
|
37
|
7.2
|
Taxes
Related to Purchase of Assets; Tax Cooperation
|
37
|
7.3
|
Noncompetition
and Nonsolicitation
|
38
|
7.4
|
Further
Assurances
|
39
|
7.5
|
Audit
|
39
|
7.6
|
Confidentiality
|
39
|
7.7
|
Solvency
|
40
|
7.8
|
Restrictions
on Sale of Parent Shares
|
40
|
7.9
|
Registration
|
40
|
7.10
|
Agreement
to Vote
|
40
|
7.11
|
Access
to Records.
|
41
|
7.12
|
Product
Formulation Royalties
|
41
|
7.13
|
Lease
Obligations
|
41
|
7.14
|
Business
Plan
|
43
|
7.15
|
Change
of Name
|
43
|
7.16
|
Intellectual
Property
|
43
|
7.17
|
Franchise
Business
|
43
|
ARTICLE
VIII
Conditions Precedent to Parent’s and Buyer’s Obligation to
Close.
|
44
|
|
8.1
|
Truth
of Representations and Warranties
|
44
|
8.2
|
Performance
of Agreements
|
44
|
8.3
|
Certificate
|
44
|
8.4
|
No
Injunction
|
44
|
8.5
|
Governmental
and Other Approvals
|
44
|
8.6
|
Indenture
Lien Release
|
44
|
8.7
|
Transition
Services
|
44
|
8.8
|
Escrow
Agreement
|
44
|
8.9
|
Registration
Rights Agreement
|
45
|
8.10
|
Voting
Agreement
|
45
|
8.11
|
Closing
Deliverables
|
45
|
ARTICLE
IX
Conditions Precedent to the Sellers’ Obligation to
Close
|
45
|
|
9.1
|
Truth
of Representations and Warranties
|
45
|
9.2
|
Performance
of Agreements
|
45
|
9.3
|
Certificate
|
46
|
9.4
|
No
Injunction
|
46
|
9.5
|
Governmental
and Other Approvals
|
46
|
ii
9.6
|
Escrow
Agreement
|
46
|
9.7
|
Registration
Rights Agreement
|
46
|
9.8
|
Closing
Deliverables
|
46
|
ARTICLE
X
Termination
|
46
|
|
10.1
|
Right
to Terminate
|
46
|
10.2
|
Effect
of Termination
|
47
|
ARTICLE
XI
Indemnification; Remedies
|
47
|
|
11.1
|
Survival
|
47
|
11.2
|
Indemnification
by the Sellers and MFFB
|
48
|
11.3
|
Indemnification
by Buyer
|
48
|
11.4
|
Limitation
on Liability
|
49
|
11.5
|
Other
Indemnification Provisions
|
49
|
11.6
|
Procedure
for Indemnification
|
50
|
11.7
|
Non-Third
Party Claims
|
51
|
11.8
|
Indemnification
Payments
|
51
|
ARTICLE
XII
Miscellaneous
|
51
|
|
12.1
|
Public
Disclosure or Communications.
|
51
|
12.2
|
Notices
|
52
|
12.3
|
Entire
Agreement; Nonassignability; Parties in Interest
|
52
|
12.4
|
Bulk
Sales Law
|
53
|
12.5
|
Expenses
|
53
|
12.6
|
Waiver
and Amendment
|
53
|
12.7
|
Severability
|
53
|
12.8
|
Remedies
Cumulative
|
53
|
12.9
|
Counterparts
|
54
|
12.10
|
Governing
Law; Jurisdiction
|
54
|
12.11
|
Specific
Performance
|
54
|
iii
Annexes,
Exhibits and Schedules
Annexes
|
|
||
Estimate
Statement
|
Annex
A
|
||
Purchase
Price Allocation
|
Annex
B
|
||
Exhibits
|
|
||
Pretzel
Time, Pretzelmaker and Hot Sam’s Logos
|
Exhibit
A
|
||
Form
of Transition Services Agreement
|
Exhibit
B
|
||
Schedules
|
|
||
Assumed
Contracts
|
1.1A
|
||
Deferred
Revenue Liability
|
1.1B
|
||
Developing
Agent Agreements
|
1.1C
|
||
Vendor
Agreements
|
1.1D
|
||
Assumed
Liabilities
|
2.3
|
||
Allocation
Schedule
|
3.4
|
||
Seller
Accounts Receivable
|
3.7
|
||
Consents
and Approvals
|
4.3
|
||
Sellers’
Material Liabilities and Obligations
|
4.4(b)
|
||
Sufficiency
of Assets
|
4.7
|
||
Accounts
Receivable and Encumbrances
|
4.8
|
||
Sellers’
Tax Returns Subject to Audit
|
4.10
|
||
Labor
Relations; Compliance
|
4.11
|
||
Litigation
Proceedings
|
4.13(a)
|
||
Orders
|
4.13(b)
|
||
Compliance
With Laws; Permits
|
4.14
|
||
Operation
of Sellers; Material Adverse Effect
|
4.15
|
||
Material
Contracts
|
4.16
|
||
Affiliated
Contracts
|
4.16(c)
|
||
Insurance
|
4.17
|
||
Intellectual
Property
|
4.19(a)
|
||
IT
Software and Other Licensed Intellectual Property
|
4.19(b)
|
||
Sellers’
Intellectual Property Rights
|
4.19(c)
|
||
Sellers’
Intellectual Property Infringements
|
4.19(d)
|
||
Validity
of Intellectual Property Rights
|
4.19(e)
|
||
Third
Party Intellectual Property Infringements
|
4.19(f)
|
||
Intellectual
Property Development and Acquisition
|
4.19(g)
|
||
Intellectual
Property Restrictions
|
4.19(h)
|
||
Affiliate
Transactions
|
4.20
|
||
Suppliers
|
4.22
|
||
Franchise
Matters
|
4.23(a)-(z)
|
||
Powers
of Attorney
|
4.24
|
||
Consents
and Approvals
|
5.2
|
||
Vendor
Allocation Schedule
|
7.12
|
||
Lease
Locations
|
7.13(a)
|
||
Foreign
Trademarks
|
7.16
|
||
Governmental
and Other Approvals
|
8.5
|
iv
This
Asset Purchase Agreement (“Agreement”)
is
entered into as of August 7, 2007, by and among, NexCen Asset Acquisition,
LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company (“Buyer”),
NexCen Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”),
Pretzel Time Franchising, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
(“Pretzel
Time”),
Pretzelmaker Franchising, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
(“Pretzelmaker,”
and
with Pretzel Time, each individually, a “Seller,”
and
collectively, the “Sellers”),
and
Xxx. Xxxxxx Famous Brands, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
(“MFFB”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS,
the Sellers are directly engaged in the Businesses;
WHEREAS,
the Sellers desire to sell to Buyer, and Buyer desires to purchase from the
Sellers, certain of the assets of the Businesses, and to assume certain
liabilities associated therewith, on the terms and subject to the conditions
set
forth in this Agreement so as to permit Buyer to operate the
Businesses.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements set forth in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,
the
parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
Definitions
and Usage
1.1 Definitions.
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”
means
(a) all trade accounts receivable, franchise royalty accounts receivable and
other rights to payment from franchisees and customers of the Sellers, (b)
all
advertising accounts receivable of the Sellers related to advertising or
marketing funds, (c) all other accounts or notes receivable of the Sellers
and
the full benefit of all security for such accounts or notes, and (d) any claim,
remedy or other right related to any of the foregoing.
“Accredited
Investor”
has
the
meaning set forth in Regulation D promulgated under the Securities
Act.
“Adjusted
Developing Agents Escrow Amount”
means,
as of any date, the Developing Agents Escrow Amount, less amounts (if any)
distributed to any Buyer Indemnified Party prior to the Developing Agents Escrow
Release Date in accordance with Section
3.6(b).
“Affiliate”
of
any
Person means any Person which, directly or indirectly controls or is controlled
by that Person, or is under common control with that Person. For the purposes
of
this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meaning, the terms
“controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any
Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly of the power to direct
or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether
through ownership of voting securities or by contract or otherwise.
“Assumed
Contracts”
means
all Franchise Agreements (including, without limitation, the right to collect
any and all amounts due and payable thereunder that are unpaid to either Seller
as of the Closing Date, other than the Seller Accounts Receivable) and, subject
to Section
3.5,
all
other Contracts to which either Seller is a party that relate to the operation
of the Businesses and all security deposits relating thereto, all of which
are
listed on Schedule
1.1A.
For the
avoidance of doubt, the Developing Agent Agreements are not Assumed
Contracts.
“Assumed
Liabilities”
is
defined in Section
2.3.
“Books
and Records”
means
all books and records of the Sellers relating exclusively to and necessary
for
the operation of the Businesses as they are currently operated, including files,
documents, correspondence, cost and pricing information, accounting records,
supplier lists and records, operating manuals, operating procedures, marketing
research, training materials, training records, maintenance and inspection
reports, equipment lists, repair notes and archives, sales and marketing
materials; provided,
that
“Books and Records” will not include any corporate records of the Sellers or
their Affiliates.
“Brands”
means
the “Pretzel Time,” “Pretzelmaker” and “Hot Sam’s Pretzel Bakery” brands,
together with the logos shown on Exhibit
A,
each of
which are the subject of certain trademark and service xxxx registrations with
the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or any other similar Government
Authority responsible for trademark or service xxxx registration.
“Businesses”
means
the businesses that relate to the operation of the “Pretzel Time” franchise
business, the “Pretzelmaker” franchise business and the “Hot Sam’s Pretzel
Bakery” license business, including the use of any of the Purchased Assets in
connection with the operation thereof.
“Business
Day”
means
any day other than (a) Saturday or Sunday or (b) any other day on which banks
in
New York, New York are permitted or required to be closed.
“Buyer
Accounts Receivable”
is
defined in Section
3.7(a).
“Buyer
Indemnified Parties”
is
defined in Section
11.2.
“CERCLA”
means
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of
1980, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 9601, et
seq.).
“Closing”
is
defined in Section
3.1.
“Closing
Date”
means
the date on which the Closing actually takes place.
“Closing
Date Reference Price”
means $7.35.
“Code”
means
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
2
“Contingent
Initial Franchise Fees”
means,
in the aggregate, the Initial Franchise Fees that have been paid pursuant to
Section
6.1
of those
Franchise Agreements executed by either Seller prior to or on the Closing Date
for stores not opened for business on or prior to the Closing Date.
“Contingent
Initial Franchise Fee Refunds”
means,
in the aggregate any portion of the Contingent Initial Franchise Fees that
become due and payable to any Franchisee upon the termination of any Franchise
Agreement pursuant to the terms of such Franchise Agreement.
“Contract”
means
any contract, license, sublicense, franchise, permit, mortgage, purchase orders,
indenture, loan agreement, note, lease, sublease, agreement, obligation,
commitment, understanding, instrument or other arrangement or any commitment
to
enter into any of the foregoing (in each case, whether written or
oral).
“Damages”
means
any loss, liability, claim, damage, expense (including reasonable attorneys’
fees and costs), whether or not involving a third party claim, provided,
however,
that
other than with respect to Damages payable to a Third Party pursuant to a third
party claim, Damages shall not include any special, consequential, punitive
or
treble damages.
“Deferred
Revenue Cash”
means
cash in an amount equal to the Deferred Revenue Liability.
“Deferred
Revenue Liability”
means,
in the aggregate, the amount of deferred revenue allocated to Franchise
Agreements on an itemized basis, that would be required under GAAP to be shown
on a balance sheet of each Seller as of the Closing Date, as set forth on
Schedule
1.1B.
“Developing
Agent Agreements”
means
those Contracts listed on Schedule
1.1C
or any
other Contract (other than the Developing Agent Franchise Agreements) pursuant
to which any Developing Agent acts on behalf of Pretzel Time.
“Developing
Agent Lawsuits”
means
those lawsuits set forth on Schedule
4.13(a)
under
the heading “Developing Agent Lawsuits,” and shall include any subsequent
actions, including re-filing or appeals, related to such lawsuits.
“Developing
Agents”
means,
collectively, KAL Enterprises, Inc., Erie, Pennsylvania (Xxxx Xxxx, principal);
Mid-Continent Enterprises, Inc., Overland Park, Kansas (Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx,
principal); Pretzel Time of New York, Inc., Smithtown, New York (Xxxx Xxxxxxxx,
principal); and Pretzel Time of North Carolina, Inc., Summerfield, North
Carolina (Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, principal).
“Developing
Agents Escrow Amount”
means
the number of Parent Shares set forth in Column IV of Annex
B.
“Developing
Agents Escrow Release Date”
means
the earlier of (i) the Business Day following the date on which the Sellers
or
their Affiliates either (a) obtain a final non-appealable judgment or (b) reach
a final binding settlement with each Developing Agent, which settlement or
judgment does not, or could not reasonably be expected to, result in any
liability or loss to the Buyer or its Affiliates, including any loss due to
a
Developing Agent terminating its Developing Agent Franchise Agreements or (ii)
fifteen (15) months after the Closing Date.
3
“Developing
Agent Franchise Agreements”
means
those Franchise Agreements pursuant to which any Developing Agents own and
operate a Franchise.
“Domestic
UFOC”
means
the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular of each Seller, as applicable, prepared
in accordance with the UFOC Guidelines.
“Employee
Benefit Plan”
means
any “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA and any other
material employee benefit or fringe benefit plan, program or arrangement of
any
kind (whether written or oral).
“Encumbrances”
means
any pledges, claims, encumbrances, mortgages, charges, options, preemptive
rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights, title retention agreements,
easements, encroachments, leases, subleases, covenants, security interests
and
restrictions and encumbrances of any kind or nature whatsoever.
“Environmental
and Safety Requirements”
means
all federal, state, local and foreign statutes, regulations, ordinances, codes
and other provisions having the force and effect of law, all judicial and
administrative orders and determinations, all contractual obligations and all
common law concerning public health and safety, worker health and safety, and
pollution or protection of the environment, including all those relating to
the
presence, use, production, generation, handling, transportation, treatment,
storage, disposal, distribution, labeling, testing, processing, discharge,
release, threatened release, control or cleanup of, or exposure to, any
hazardous materials, substances or wastes, chemical substances or mixtures,
pesticides, pollutants, contaminants, toxic chemicals, petroleum products or
byproducts, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, noise or radiation, as
previously, now or hereafter in effect.
“ERISA”
means
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
“ERISA
Affiliate”
means,
with respect to any entity, any trades or business (whether or not incorporated)
that are treated as a single employer with such entity under Sections 414(b),
(c), (m) or (o) of the Code.
“Escrow
Amount”
means
the aggregate amount of the Indemnity Escrow Amount plus
the
Developing Agents Escrow Amount.
“Exchange
Act”
means
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, together with the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Excluded
Assets”
is
defined in Section
2.2.
“Excluded
Liabilities”
is
defined in Section
2.4.
“Final
Purchase Price”
is
defined in Section
3.2(b).
4
“Franchise
Agreements”
means
any Contract (and any written or oral amendment or modification thereto) between
a Seller or any of their predecessors and a Franchisee pertaining to and
evidencing the grant of a Franchise.
“Franchisee”
means
a
Person who has entered into and as of the Closing Date is a party to a Franchise
Agreement with either Seller or any
of their predecessors.
“Franchise” means
the grant by either Seller to a Franchisee of the rights to establish and
operate a “Pretzel Time” or “Pretzelmaker” location, as applicable, or outlet
thereof including subfranchise agreements, master development agreements, area
representative agreements, area development agreements, master franchise
agreements, development agreements, license agreements, and any other similar
agreements, together with all ancillary agreements related thereto.
“GAAP”
means
generally accepted accounting principles for financial reporting in the United
States.
“Government
Authority”
means
any domestic or foreign national, state, multi-state or municipal or other
local
government, any subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof, including
any quasi-governmental or private body exercising any regulatory or taxing
authority thereunder or any judicial authority (or any department, bureau or
division thereof).
“Government
Authorization”
means
any approval, consent, license, permit, waiver, or other authorization issued,
granted, given or otherwise made available by or under the authority of any
Government Authority or pursuant to any Legal Requirement.
“Indemnity
Escrow Amount”
means,
for each Seller, the number of Parent Shares set forth in Column III of
Annex
B.
“Indebtedness”
means
(a) indebtedness of either Seller for borrowed money or with respect to deposits
or advances of any kind (other than advances due from customers incurred in
the
ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice), (b) all
obligations of either Seller evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar
instruments, (c) all obligations of either Seller upon which interest charges
are paid, (d) all obligations of either Seller in respect of capitalized leases
that, individually, involve an aggregate future liability in excess of $5,000
and obligations of either Seller for the deferred purchase price of goods or
services (other than trade payables or accruals incurred in the ordinary course
of business and consistent with past practice), (e) all obligations in respect
of banker’s acceptances or letters of credit issued or created for the account
of either Seller, (f) all indebtedness or obligations of the types referred
to
in the preceding clauses (a) through (e) of any other Person secured by any
Encumbrance on any assets of either Seller, even though such Seller has not
assumed or otherwise become liable for the payment thereof, (g) all guarantees
by either Seller of obligations of the type described in clauses (a) through
(f)
above of any other Person, and (h) payment obligations in respect of interest
under any interest rate swap or other hedge agreement or arrangement entered
into by either Seller with respect to any Indebtedness described in clauses
(a)
through (g) above.
“Indenture”
means
that certain Indenture, dated as of March 16, 2004, among inter
alia,
MFFB,
Xxx. Xxxxxx Financing Company, Inc. and The Bank of New York.
5
“Initial
Franchise Fees”
means,
in the aggregate, the nonrecurring initial franchise fees payable pursuant
to
Section
6.1
of the
Franchise Agreements.
“Initial
Purchase Price”
is
defined in Section
3.2(a).
“Intellectual
Property Rights”
means
all of the following in any jurisdiction throughout the world: (i) patents,
patent applications and patent disclosures; (ii) trademarks, service marks,
recipes and proprietary food processes, trade dress, trade names, product
configuration, corporate names, logos and slogans (and all translations,
adaptations, derivations and combinations of the foregoing) and Internet domain
names, Internet websites, and URLs; (iii) copyrights and copyrightable
works; (iv) registrations and applications for any of the foregoing; (v)
trade secrets and confidential information (including inventions, ideas,
formulae, compositions, know-how, manufacturing and production processes and
techniques, research and development information, drawings, specifications,
designs, plans, proposals, technical data, financial, business and marketing
plans, and customer and supplier lists and related information); (vi) all
other intellectual property; and (vii) any goodwill associated with each of
the
foregoing.
“Inventory”
means
the consumable inventory of each Seller, wherever located, including, without
limitation, all finished goods, work in process, raw materials, spare parts
and
all other materials and supplies to be used or intended for use by the
Businesses.
“IRS”
means
the United States Internal Revenue Service and, to the extent relevant, the
United States Department of the Treasury.
“Knowledge” means,
with respect to the Sellers and/or MFFB, as the case may be, the actual
knowledge, after reasonable due inquiry, of Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx
Xxxx and Xxxx Xxxxxxxx. The
terms
“know” and “knows” and like terms will have correlative meanings.
“Lease
Locations”
is
defined in Section
7.13(a).
“Legal
Requirement”
means
any federal, state, local, municipal, foreign, international, multinational
or
other administrative order, constitution, law, ordinance, principle of common
law, regulation, rule, statute or treaty.
“Marketing
Fees”
means,
in the aggregate, the amount of marketing fees collected by each Seller under
the Franchise Agreements.
“Marketing
Fees Balance”
is
defined in Section
4.23(w).
“Marketing
Fees Cash”
means
cash in an amount equal to the Marketing Fees Balance.
“Marketing
Fees Reconciliation”
is
defined in Section
4.23(w).
“Material
Adverse Effect”
means
any change, effect, event, occurrence, state of facts or development that is,
or
would reasonably be expected to be, materially adverse to the assets, business,
liabilities, prospects, results of operations or condition (financial or
otherwise) of the Sellers taken as a whole or that prevents or materially
impedes, or would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially impede, the
consummation by Sellers of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
6
“MFFB
Other Franchise Brands”
means
any of the following brands owned by MFFB as of the date of this Agreement:
“Xxx. Xxxxxx Cookies,” “Xxxxxx,” “Great American Cookies” and “TCBY,” or any
other brand other than the Brands under which MFFB or any of its Affiliates
conducts a franchise business.
“NASAA”
means the North American Securities Administrators Association.
“Notice
of Default”
means a formal, written notice of default under a Franchise Agreement issued
with the approval of the senior management of either Seller. A “Notice of
Default” does not include a notice of operating deficiencies issued by the staff
personnel of either Seller contained in a field inspection report or other
similar writing.
“Order”
means
any award, decision, injunction, judgment, order, ruling, subpoena or verdict
entered, issued, made or rendered by any court, administrative agency or other
Government Authority or by any arbitrator.
“Organizational
Documents”
means
with respect to any entity, the certificate of incorporation, bylaws,
certificate of formation, operating agreement or other governing documents
of
such entity.
“Parent
Shares”
means
the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Parent.
“Permitted
Encumbrances”
means
any liens for current Taxes, assessments or governmental charges which are
not
yet due and payable.
“Person”
means
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 Government
Authority.
“Personal
Property”
means
the equipment, furniture, machinery, computer hardware, motor vehicles and
other
tangible personal property owned by either Seller and used or intended for
use
in the Businesses as currently operated.
“Prepaid
Expenses”
as
of
any date means payments made by either Seller or any of their Affiliates with
respect to the Businesses or the Purchased Assets, which constitute prepaid
expenses in accordance with GAAP.
“Proceeding”
means
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 Government Authority or
arbitrator.
7
“Product
Formulation Royalties”
means
in the aggregate, all of the payments to be paid by the counterparty to any
Assumed Contract to either Seller or to MFFB or one of its Affiliates and
allocated to either Seller by MFFB or such Affiliate pursuant to any Vendor
Agreement.
“Purchase
Price Formula”
means
an amount equal to the sum of (i) 4.5 times the TTM Period Continuing Royalties
generated by each Seller, plus
(ii) 4.5
times the TTM Period Product Formulation Royalties generated by each Seller,
plus
(iii)
2.0 times the TTM Period Initial Franchise Fees generated by each Seller,
minus
(iv) two
hundred thousand dollars ($200,000).
“Purchased
Assets”
means
all right, title, and interest in and to all of the assets that are used
exclusively or primarily in the Businesses, whether tangible or intangible,
real
or personal and wherever located and by whomever possessed (other than the
Excluded Assets), including, without limitation, (i) Personal Property, (ii)
Assumed Contracts,
(iii) the Marketing Fees Balance (if a positive amount), (iv) Government
Authorizations, (v) Intellectual Property Rights, (vi) Inventory, maintenance
and operating supplies, (vii) Prepaid Expenses, (viii) Books and Records, (ix)
all claims, causes of action, chooses in action, rights of recovery and rights
of set-off of any kind against the Franchisees, (x) all
proceeds actually recovered under insurance policies and, to the extent
transferable, all rights of recovery under such insurance policies, (xi) the
Deferred Revenue Cash, (xii) all of the files of Sellers’ counsel (in-house and
outside counsel) relating to the Franchise Agreements, the Seller UFOCs, the
registration, exemption and notice filings made by each Seller and the
Intellectual Property Rights of each Seller, (xiii) all
other
properties, assets and rights owned by either Seller as of the Closing Date,
or
in which either Seller has an interest, and which are not otherwise Excluded
Assets, and (xiv) an assignment of the license rights of each Seller with
respect to the property owned by third parties and used by either Seller under
license.
“Real
Property Lease”
means
all leases, subleases, licenses, concessions and other agreements (written
or
oral) pursuant to which a Person holds a leasehold or subleasehold estate in,
or
is granted the right to use or occupy any land, buildings, structures,
improvements, fixtures or other interest in real property.
“Registration
Laws”
is
defined in Section
4.23(i).
“Representative”
means,
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.
“Securities
Act”
means
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, together with the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
“Seller
Accounts Receivable”
is
defined in Section
3.7(b).
“Seller
Information”
means
any data and information relating to the Businesses, customers, financial
statements, conditions or operations of the Businesses, in each case which
is
confidential in nature and not generally known to the public.
8
“Sellers”
is
defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
“Seller
UFOC”
means the Domestic UFOC(s) and all other forms of disclosure documents used
by
either Seller to offer and sell Franchises in the United States and throughout
the world.
“Sellers’
Developing Agents Liabilities Formula”
is defined in Article VI.
“Subsidiary”
means,
with respect to any Person, 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 such Person
or
one or more of its Subsidiaries.
“Tax”
means
(i) any tax (including, without limitation, any income tax, franchise tax,
margin tax, branch profits tax, capital gains tax, alternative or add-on minimum
tax, estimated tax, value-added tax, sales tax, use tax, property tax, transfer
tax, payroll tax, social security tax or withholding tax, escheat or abandoned
property liability), and any related fine, penalty, interest or addition to
tax
with respect thereto, imposed, assessed or collected by or under the authority
of any Government Authority or payable pursuant to any tax-sharing agreement
relating to the sharing or payment of any such tax and (ii) any transferee,
successor or other liability in respect of the taxes of another Person (whether
by contract or otherwise).
“Tax
Return”
means
any return (including any information return), report, statement, schedule,
notice, form or other document or information filed with or submitted to, or
required to be filed with or submitted to, any Government Authority in
connection with the determination, assessment, collection or payment of any
Tax.
“Territorial
Rights”
means a protected territory, exclusive territory, covenant not to compete,
right
of first refusal, option or other similar arrangement granted by either Seller
to any Franchisee.
“Third
Party”
means
a
Person that is not a party to this Agreement.
“TTM
Period”
means
the period consisting of the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2007.
“TTM
Period Continuing Royalties”
means,
in the aggregate, the continuing fees payable pursuant to Section 6.2
of the
Franchise Agreements payment of which was actually received by either Seller
during the TTM Period.
“TTM
Period Initial Franchise Fees”
means,
in the aggregate, Initial Franchise Fees payable pursuant to Section
6.1
of the
Franchise Agreements executed and delivered during the TTM Period in respect
of
which (i) payment was actually received by either Seller and (ii) the stores
were opened for business, during the TTM Period, on an accrual basis, but
excepting and excluding therefrom any Contingent Initial Fee Refunds that became
due and payable during the TTM Period regardless of the date upon which payment
thereof is actually made.
9
“TTM
Period Product Formulation Royalties”
means
in the aggregate, all of the payments actually received (and not by way of
amortization of prior period payments) by either Seller, or by MFFB or one
of
its Affiliates and allocated to either Seller by MFFB or such Affiliate in
a
manner and pursuant to a formula acceptable to Buyer in its reasonable
discretion, during the TTM Period pursuant to any of the Assumed Contracts
or
any Vendor Agreement.
“UFOC
Guidelines”
means
the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular Guidelines published by NASAA as in
effect from time to time.
“UFOCs”
means
all of the uniform franchise offering circulars used by either Seller since
March 4, 2004, in its efforts to comply with the laws pertaining to the offer
and sale of the Franchises.
“Vendor
Agreements”
means
those agreements listed on Schedule
1.1D
pursuant
to which MFFB or one of its Affiliates (other than Sellers) collects TTM Period
Product Formulation Royalties.
“WARN
Act”
means
the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.
1.2 Usage
(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”; and (x)
references to documents, instruments or agreements shall be deemed to refer
as
well to all addenda, exhibits, schedules or amendments thereto.
(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.
10
ARTICLE
II
Purchase
and Sale of Businesses and Assets
2.1 Purchase
and Sale of Assets.
Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Seller agrees to sell,
assign, convey, transfer and deliver to Buyer as of the Closing Date, and Buyer
agrees to purchase and take assignment and delivery from the Sellers as of
the
Closing Date, all of such Seller’s right, title and interest in and to the
Purchased Assets, free and clear of all Encumbrances other than the Permitted
Encumbrances.
2.2 Excluded
Assets.
Pursuant to this Agreement, Buyer is not acquiring, and the Sellers shall
retain, the following assets, rights and properties (collectively, the
“Excluded
Assets”)
and,
as such, they are not included in the Purchased Assets:
(a) All
cash
and cash equivalents of the Sellers on hand in the Sellers’ accounts immediately
prior to Closing, other than security deposits related to the Assumed Contracts,
and Deferred Revenue Cash.
(b) All
Seller Accounts Receivable.
(c) All
Contracts that have terminated or expired prior to the Closing Date in the
ordinary course of business consistent with the past practices of the Sellers
,
except any Franchise Agreements for active franchised locations that are
operating under formal or informal, written or verbal, short term extensions
pending completion of the renewal process and execution of renewal Franchise
Agreements.
(d) All
books
and records as pertain to the organization, existence or capitalization of
the
Sellers and any other records or materials relating to the Sellers generally
and
not involving or relating to the Purchased Assets, other than Books and
Records.
(e) All
assets and rights associated with any Employee Benefit Plan, collective
bargaining agreements or arrangements or any employment, severance change of
control or other similar agreements or arrangements, if any, maintained,
contributed to or with respect to which the Sellers or any ERISA Affiliate
of
either Seller has any actual or potential liability.
(f) All
rights of the Sellers under this Agreement, any agreement, certificate,
instrument or other document executed and delivered by either Seller or Buyer
in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, or any side agreement
between either Seller and Buyer entered into on or after the date of this
Agreement.
2.3 Assumed
Liabilities.
On the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Closing,
Buyer shall assume and agree to pay, discharge and perform when due, the
Sellers’ liabilities and obligations (a) arising under the Assumed Contracts,
including the Franchise Agreements, to the extent such liabilities or
obligations are incurred on or after the Closing Date (but specifically
excluding any liability or obligation relating to or arising out of such Assumed
Contract that exists as a result of (i) any breach of such Assumed Contract
occurring on or prior to the Closing Date, (ii) any obligation of the Sellers
or
MFFB to pay any Taxes allocated to the Sellers or MFFB pursuant to Section
7.2(b),
(iii)
any violation of law, breach of warranty, tort or infringement occurring on
or
prior to the Closing Date or (iv) any charge, complaint, action, suit,
proceeding, hearing, investigation, claim or demand arising on or prior to
the
Closing Date), (b) arising out of the operation of the Businesses to the extent
that such liabilities or obligations accrue on and after the Closing Date based
on the operation of the Businesses by Buyer following the Closing, (c) with
respect to any Contingent Initial Franchise Fee Refunds that become due and
payable after the Closing Date, (d) arising from the Deferred Revenue Liability,
(e) the Marketing Fees Balance (if a deficient amount) and (f) other liabilities
of a type and amount expressly identified on Schedule
2.3 (collectively,
the “Assumed
Liabilities”).
11
2.4 Excluded
Liabilities.
Except
as and to the extent expressly provided in Section
2.3,
Buyer
is not agreeing to, and shall not, assume any other liability, obligation,
undertaking, expense or agreement of either Seller of any kind, character or
description, whether absolute, contingent, known, unknown, accrued, liquidated,
unliquidated, contingent, executory or otherwise, and whether arising prior
to
or following the Closing, and the execution and performance of this Agreement
shall not render Buyer liable for any such liability, obligation, undertaking,
expense or agreement (all of such liabilities and obligations shall be referred
to herein as the “Excluded
Liabilities”).
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Excluded Liabilities
shall
include, and Buyer will not assume or be liable for:
(a) Any
liability or obligation with respect to any Excluded Asset, whether arising
prior to or after the Closing.
(b) Except
as
expressly assumed pursuant to Section
2.3(c),
any
liability, claim or obligation, contingent or otherwise, arising out of the
operation of the Businesses or any Purchased Asset prior to the Closing Date,
including, without limitation, any Contingent Initial Franchise Fee Refunds
that
became due and payable on or before the Closing Date.
(c) Any
liability or obligation arising out of or related to any Contract that is not
an
Assumed Contract, including the Developing Agent Agreements.
(d) Except
as
provided in Section
7.13,
any
liability or obligation arising out of, or related to, any Lease Location,
whether arising prior to or after the Closing.
(e) Except
as
provided in Section
7.2(a),
any
liabilities or obligations of the Sellers for expenses, fees or Taxes incident
to or arising out of the negotiation, preparation, approval or authorization
of
this Agreement or the consummation (or preparation for the consummation) of
the
transactions contemplated hereby (including all attorneys’ and accountants’
fees, brokerage fees and transfer Taxes).
(f) Any
liability or obligation for any Taxes that arise on or prior to the Closing
Date.
(g) Any
liability or obligation to any employee or former employee of either Seller,
or
any Affiliate of the Sellers who provides services to either Seller (other
than
any liability or obligation arising on or after the Closing to any such employee
hired by Buyer and related to Buyer’s employment of such employee).
12
(h) Any
duty,
obligation or liability arising at any time under or relating to any Employee
Benefit Plan or any employee benefit plan, program or arrangement at any time
maintained, sponsored or contributed or required to be contributed to by either
Seller or any ERISA Affiliate of either Seller or with respect to which either
Seller or any of their ERISA Affiliates has any liability or potential
liability.
(i) Any
liability or obligation arising out of any violation by either Seller of any
Legal Requirement applicable to the offer and sale of the
Franchises.
(j) Any
liability or obligation arising out of any violation by either Seller of any
Legal Requirement applicable to the relationship between Seller and the
Franchisees under the Franchise Agreements.
(k) Any
liability or obligation arising out of any violation by either Seller or its
affiliates of any Legal Requirement applicable to the relationship between
Seller and any vendors who provide goods or services to the
Franchisees.
(l) Any
liability or obligation arising out of any infringement or other unlawful use
by
either Seller or any Person acting under a Seller’s direction or control of any
Intellectual Property Rights owned or held by any Person.
(m) Any
liability or obligation of either Seller arising out of any litigation,
proceeding, or claim by any Person relating to the Businesses as conducted
prior
to the Closing Date, whether or not such litigation, proceeding, or claim is
pending, threatened, or asserted before, on, or after the Closing Date or has
been disclosed by either seller to the Buyer.
ARTICLE
III
Purchase
Price; Payment; Assumption of Obligations
3.1 The
Closing.
The
closing of the transactions contemplated hereby (the “Closing”)
will
take place at a location, date and time mutually agreed upon by the parties.
The
effective time of the Closing shall be deemed to be 12:01AM on the Closing
Date.
3.2 Purchase
Price.
(a) Annex
A
sets
forth a statement (the “Estimate
Statement”)
containing the estimated amount due under the Purchase Price Formula, calculated
as of the Closing Date (the “Initial
Purchase Price”).
The
Estimate Statement has been
prepared in good faith by Sellers;
provided,
however,
that
Buyer’s belief that the Estimate Statement is reasonable when given (and Buyer’s
payment of the Initial Purchase Price) shall not foreclose, prevent, limit
or
preclude any rights or remedy of Buyer set forth herein.
(b) On
or
before sixty (60) days following the Closing Date, Sellers shall prepare and
deliver to Buyer a statement (the “Closing
Statement”)
setting forth the actual amount due under the Purchase Price Formula, calculated
as of the actual Closing Date and based upon the Businesses’ audited revenue
statements for such period (the “Final
Purchase Price”),
together with a letter from the chief financial officer of MFFB certifying
that
the amounts set forth in the Closing Statement are accurate. The
Final
Purchase Price, as calculated by the Sellers, shall be final and binding on
the
parties hereto unless Buyer delivers to Sellers a reasonably detailed statement
describing its objections to the calculation of the Final Purchase Price (a
“Statement
of Objection”)
within
thirty (30) days of its receipt of the Closing Statement.
13
(c) If
the
Buyer delivers to Sellers a timely Statement of Objection, Buyer and the Sellers
and their respective independent accountants shall negotiate in good faith
and
use reasonable best efforts to resolve any dispute. If a final resolution is
not
reached within thirty (30) days after the Buyer has submitted a timely Statement
of Objection, any remaining disputes shall be resolved by an independent
accounting firm selected jointly by the parties (the “Reviewing
Accountant”).
The
Reviewing Accountant shall be instructed to limit its review to matters
specifically set forth in the Statement of Objections and to resolve any matters
in dispute as promptly as practicable, but in no event more than thirty (30)
days after such matters have been submitted to them, and to set forth their
resolution in a statement (the “Accountant
Statement”)
setting forth the Final Purchase Price. With respect to any disputed matter,
the
Reviewing Accountant may select Buyer’s figure, the Sellers’ figure or any
figure between the two. The Reviewing Accountant shall act as an arbitrator
to
determine only those issues in dispute, based solely on the terms of this
Agreement and the presentations by the parties and not by independent review
of
legal, accounting or factual matters. The Reviewing Accountant shall only
consider issues, amounts or matters disputed in a Statement of Objection
delivered within the applicable thirty (30) day period. The determination of
the
Reviewing Accountant shall be final and binding on the parties
hereto.
(d) The
fees
and expenses of the Reviewing Accountant shall be borne by Buyer and the Sellers
in inverse proportion as they may prevail on matters resolved by the Reviewing
Accountant, and such proportionate allocation shall also be determined by the
Reviewing Accountant when their determination is rendered on the merits of
the
matter submitted. For illustration purposes only: (i) if the total amount of
disputed items by the Sellers is $100,000 and the Reviewing Accountant award
the
Sellers $50,000, then the Sellers and Buyer shall bear the Reviewing
Accountant’s fees and expenses equally; or (ii) if the total amount of the
Sellers’ disputed items is $100,000 and the Reviewing Accountant award the
Sellers $75,000, then the Sellers shall bear 25% and Buyer shall bear 75% of
the
Reviewing Accountant’s fees and expenses.
(e) The
Sellers and Buyer shall cooperate with each other and the Reviewing Accountant
in connection with the matters contemplated by this Section
3.2,
including Sellers’ preparation of and the Buyer’s review of the Closing
Statement, in each case including by furnishing such information and access
to
books, records (including accountants’ work papers), personnel and properties as
may be reasonably requested.
(f) Within
three (3) days after the final determination of the Final Purchase Price in
accordance with this Section
3.2,
(A) if
the Final Purchase Price is less than the Initial Purchase Price (the
“Purchase
Price Deficit”),
Sellers shall (1) pay to Buyer, by wire transfer in immediately available funds
to an account designated in writing by Buyer, an amount in cash equal to
seventy-five percent (75%) of the Purchase Price Deficit and (2) return to
the
Buyer or Parent, or otherwise permit the Buyer or Parent to release from the
Escrow Amount, a number of Parent Shares equal to the quotient determined by
dividing (x) twenty-five percent (25%) of the Purchase Price Deficit by (y)
the
Closing Date Reference Price, or (B) if the Final Purchase Price is greater
than
the Initial Purchase Price (the “Purchase
Price Increase”),
the
Buyer shall (1) pay to Sellers, by wire transfer in immediately available funds
to an account designated in writing by Sellers, an amount in cash equal to
seventy-five percent (75%) of the Purchase Price Increase and (2) issue to
the
Sellers a number of Parent Shares equal to the quotient determined by dividing
(x) twenty-five percent (25%) of the dollar amount of the Purchase Price
Increase by (y) the Closing Date Reference Price. The parties agree that,
notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer or Sellers may, as appropriate, make any
adjustments in the form of payment due under this Section
3.2
in order
to ensure that the amount of the Final Purchase Price paid to the Sellers,
collectively, is comprised of exactly seventy-five percent (75%) cash and
twenty-five percent (25%) Parent Shares.
14
3.3 Payment.
At
Closing:
(a) The
Buyer
shall (i) pay to each Seller the amount in cash set forth opposite such Seller’s
name in Column I on Annex
B,
by wire
transfer of immediately available funds, (ii) issue to each Seller the number
of
Parent Shares set forth opposite such Seller’s name in Column II on Annex
B,
and
(iii) deliver to the Escrow Agent the number of Parent Shares equal to the
Escrow Amount, pursuant to the Escrow Agreement.
(b) Each
Seller shall deliver to Buyer a Marketing Fees Reconciliation calculated as
of
the Closing Date and Buyer shall pay to Seller or Seller shall pay to Buyer,
as
the case may be, the amount of the Marketing Fees Cash shown in such Marketing
Fees Reconciliation.
3.4 Allocation. The
Sellers and Buyer agree to allocate the Final Purchase Price among the Purchased
Assets in accordance with the pro forma allocation schedule attached hereto
as
Schedule
3.4
and the
principles of Code Section 1060 and the regulations thereunder which final
allocation schedule will be determined after the date hereof, but by a date
no
later than fifteen (15) days after the Closing Date (the “Allocation
Schedule”).
If
the parties are unable to agree on the final Allocation Schedule within fifteen
(15) days after the Closing Date, a third-party appraiser selected by Buyer,
and
reasonably acceptable to the Sellers, the fees of which shall be borne equally
by Buyer and the Sellers, shall resolve the allocation of the consideration
to
any items with respect to which there is a dispute between the parties. In
the
absence of manifest error, the determination of the Allocation Schedule by
the
third-party appraiser shall be final and binding on all parties and shall not
be
subject to contest. Each of the parties hereto agree that: (i) none of the
parties shall take a position on any Tax Return (including IRS Form 8594) that
is in any way inconsistent with the Allocation Schedule without the written
consent of the other parties or unless specifically required by an applicable
Government Authority; and (ii) they shall promptly advise each other regarding
the existence of any Tax audit, controversy or litigation related to the
Allocation Schedule. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained herein
shall prevent Buyer or the Sellers from settling any proposed deficiency or
adjustment assessed against it by any Government Authority based upon or arising
out of the Allocation Schedule, and neither Buyer nor the Sellers shall be
required to litigate before any court any such proposed deficiency or adjustment
by any Government Authority challenging the Allocation Schedule.
3.5 Nonassignable
Contracts.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, to the extent that the
assignment hereunder by either Seller to Buyer of any Assumed Contract is not
permitted or is not permitted without the consent of any other party to such
Assumed Contract, this Agreement shall not be deemed to constitute an assignment
of any such Assumed Contract if such consent is not given or if such assignment
otherwise would constitute a breach of, or cause a loss of contractual benefits
under, any such Assumed Contract, and Buyer shall assume no obligations or
liabilities under any such Assumed Contract. The Sellers shall advise Buyer
in
writing on the date hereof with respect to any Assumed Contract which either
Seller knows or has substantial reason to believe will or may not be subject
to
assignment to Buyer hereunder at the Closing. Without in any way limiting the
Sellers’ obligation to obtain all consents and waivers necessary for the sale,
transfer, assignment and delivery of the Assumed Contracts and the Purchased
Assets to Buyer hereunder, if any such consent is not obtained or if such
assignment is not permitted irrespective of consent and if the Closing shall
occur, the Sellers shall cooperate with Buyer following the Closing Date in
any
reasonable arrangement designed to provide Buyer with the rights and benefits
(subject to the obligations) under any such Assumed Contract, including
enforcement for the benefit of Buyer (at Buyer’s cost) of any and all rights of
the Sellers against any other party arising out of any breach or cancellation
of
any such Assumed Contract by such other party and, if requested by Buyer, acting
as an agent on behalf of Buyer or as Buyer shall otherwise reasonably require.
15
3.6 Escrow.
(a) Indemnity
Escrow Amount.
The
Indemnity Escrow Amount shall be used to satisfy Damages, if any, for which
Buyer Indemnified Parties are entitled to indemnification or reimbursement
in
accordance with Article XI
hereof.
For purposes of satisfying any claim under this Agreement, the value of each
Parent Share included in the Indemnity Escrow Amount shall be equal to the
Closing Date Reference Price. Subject to the following sentence, the Escrow
Agent shall release the balance of the Indemnity Escrow Amount to the Sellers,
as applicable, on the first Business Day which is nine (9) months after the
Closing Date (the “Indemnity
Escrow Release Date”),
provided
that if
on the Indemnity Escrow Release Date any claim by a Buyer Indemnified Party
has
been made that could result in Damages and Buyer has notified the Escrow Agent
and the Sellers of such in writing, then either (i) there shall be withheld
from
the distribution to the Sellers such portion of the Indemnity Escrow Amount
as
is necessary to cover all Damages potentially resulting from all such pending
claims in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement (and the escrow
account shall continue with respect to such withheld amount) and such withheld
amount (or the applicable portion thereof) shall either be (A) paid to
Buyer or (B) paid to the Sellers, as determined upon final resolution of
each such claim in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement and
Article
XI
hereof
or (ii) the Sellers shall post a bond in an amount reasonably acceptable to
Buyer for such amount necessary to cover all Damages potentially resulting
from
all such pending claims in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement,
and upon posting of such bond all of the remaining balance of the Indemnity
Escrow Amount shall be released to the Sellers in accordance with the terms
of
the Escrow Agreement and Article
XI
hereof.
(b) Developing
Agents Escrow Amount.
The
Developing Agents Escrow Amount shall be used for any claim by a Buyer
Indemnified
Person
that
would result in any amount being due to any Buyer Indemnified Party under
Article
VI
or
Section
11.2(f),
(a
“Seller
Developing Agent Liability”).
For
purposes of satisfying any claim of a Seller Developing Agent Liability under
this Agreement, the value of each Parent Share included in the Developing Agents
Escrow Amount shall be equal to the Closing Date Reference Price. Subject to
the
following sentence, the Escrow Agent shall release the balance of the Developing
Agents Escrow Amount to the Sellers, as applicable, on the first Business Day
following the Developing Agents Escrow Release Date, provided
that if
on the Developing Agents Escrow Release Date any claim by a Buyer Indemnified
Party has been made that could result in a Seller Developing Agent Liability
and
Buyer has notified the Escrow Agent and the Sellers of such in writing, then
either (i) there shall be withheld from the distribution to the Sellers such
portion of the Developing Agents Escrow Amount as is necessary to cover all
Seller Developing Agents Liabilities potentially resulting from all such pending
claims in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement (and the escrow
account shall continue with respect to such withheld amount) and such withheld
amount (or the applicable portion thereof) shall either be (A) paid to
Buyer or (B) paid to the Sellers, as determined upon final resolution of
each such claim in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement,
Article
VI
and
Section
11.2(f)
hereof
or (ii) the Sellers shall post a bond in an amount reasonably acceptable to
Buyer for such amount necessary to cover all Seller Developing Agent Liabilities
potentially resulting from all such pending claims in accordance with the terms
of the Escrow Agreement, and upon posting of such bond all of the remaining
balance of the Developing Agents Escrow Amount shall be released to the Sellers
in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement, Article
VI
and
Section
11.2(f)
hereof.
16
(c) Conversion
of Parent Shares Held In Escrow.
If the
Parent Shares held as any part of the Escrow Amount are converted by the Parent
through a stock split or a reverse stock split, then the Closing Date Reference
Price shall be adjusted in direct but inverse relation to the stock split (the
“Adjusted
Closing Date Reference Price”).
For
example, for illustration purposes only: (A) if the Parent Shares are split
2 to
1, then the Adjusted Closing Date Reference Price shall be the Closing Date
Reference Price divided by 2; or (B) if the Parent Shares undergo a reverse
split of 1 to 2, then the Adjusted Closing Date Reference Price shall be the
Closing Date Reference Price multiplied by 2.
3.7 Accounts
Receivable.
(a) Seller
shall promptly forward to Buyer any and all proceeds from Accounts Receivable
relating to the Businesses that are received by either Seller following the
Closing Date to the extent such proceeds relate in whole or in part to a period
ending after the Closing Date (“Buyer
Accounts Receivable”).
The
Parties agree under the terms provided in the Transition Services Agreement
that
until Buyer has made arrangements for the collection of the Buyer Accounts
Receivable generated by the Businesses and directed the Franchisees to make
payment as directed by the Buyer, that each Seller, as applicable, will continue
to collect the Buyer Accounts Receivable from the Franchisees through the
applicable Seller’s current EFT system and forward such amounts to the Buyer.
(b)
Buyer
acknowledges that all Accounts Receivable in respects of amounts due from
Franchisees or any Persons prior to the Closing Date and set forth on
Schedule
3.7
shall
remain the property of Sellers (the “Seller
Accounts Receivable”)
and
that Buyer shall not acquire any beneficial right or interest therein. The
Seller Accounts Receivable as of June 30, 2007, are set forth on Schedule
3.7,
which
shall be finalized and updated as part of the post-Closing audit described
in
Section
7.5.
17
(c) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary set forth in Section
3.7(a),
Sellers
shall be entitled to retain from the amounts collected pursuant to Section
3.7(a)
any
Seller Accounts Receivable actually received by Sellers from a Franchisee.
(d) Within
10
days following the end of each calendar month following the Closing Date, Buyer
shall forward to the Seller (to the extent applicable) any amounts actually
received by Buyer following the Closing Date that are designated by a Franchisee
as Seller Accounts Receivable. For purposes of determining the amount of Seller
Accounts Receivable payable to the Seller for purposes of this Section
3.7,
(x) in
the case of Seller Accounts Receivable received in respect of a period (such
as
a fiscal quarter or other similar period for which such amounts are paid) that
was completed prior to the Closing Date, the entire amount of such Seller
Accounts Receivable shall be paid to Sellers and (y) in the case of any Seller
Accounts Receivable that are paid on a periodic basis and are payable for a
period (such as a fiscal quarter) that includes, but does not end prior to,
the
Closing Date, Sellers shall be paid a portion of such Seller Accounts Receivable
equal to the Seller Accounts Receivable for the entire applicable period
multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days in such
period ending on the Closing Date and the denominator of which is the number
of
days in the entire period for which such Seller Accounts Receivable are
paid.
(e) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Section
3.7,
neither
Seller nor any of their Affiliates shall be entitled to contact any Franchisee
regarding any past due Seller Accounts Receivable without the Buyer’s prior
approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(f) Buyer
and
Sellers shall provide to each other access to files, records and books of
account for the purpose of verifying any funds that have been remitted to each
to verify collection of the accounts receivable.
ARTICLE
IV
Representations
and Warranties of the Sellers and MFFB
Each
Seller, and MFFB, as applicable, hereby represents and warrants to the Buyer
with respect to itself that the statements contained in this Article
IV
are
correct and complete as of the date of this Agreement and will be correct and
complete as of the Closing Date (as though made then and as though the Closing
Date were substituted for the date of this Agreement throughout this
Article
IV
except
to the extent any representation or warranty expressly speaks only as of a
different date), except as set forth in the disclosure schedule attached hereto
(the “Disclosure
Schedule”),
which
Disclosure Schedule sets forth each Seller’s, or MFFB’s if applicable,
disclosures identified by Sellers or MFFB, as applicable.
4.1 Organization
and Good Standing.
Each
Seller is a single member limited liability company and is duly formed, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. Each
Seller has all requisite power and authority to own, lease and operate its
assets and properties and to carry on the Businesses as currently conducted.
Each Seller is duly qualified or licensed to conduct its portion of the
Businesses as currently conducted and, to the extent applicable, is in good
standing, in each jurisdiction in which the character or location of the
property owned, leased or operated by such Seller or the nature of its portion
of the Businesses conducted by such Seller makes such qualification necessary
and has obtained all Government Authorizations necessary to the ownership or
operation of its properties or the conduct of its portion of the Businesses,
except where the failure to be so qualified or licensed would not, individually
or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
The Sellers do not have any Subsidiaries. Neither Seller owns or holds the
right
to acquire any shares of stock or any other security or interest in any other
Person or has any obligation to make any investment in any Person.
18
4.2 Enforceability;
Authority.
Each
Seller has all requisite limited liability company power and authority to
execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and
to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement, and the consummation by it of the transactions
contemplated hereby, have been duly authorized and approved by each Seller’s
sole member, and no other action on behalf of such Seller is necessary to
authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. This Agreement
has been duly executed and delivered by each Seller and, assuming the due
execution of this Agreement by Parent and Buyer, constitutes a valid and binding
obligation of each Seller enforceable against it in accordance with its terms,
subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium,
receivership and similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights
generally, and general equitable principles.
4.3 Consents;
Approvals.
Except
as set forth in Schedule
4.3,
the
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not:
(a) violate
or conflict with the provisions of the Organizational Documents of either
Seller;
(b) violate
any Legal Requirement or Order to which either Seller is subject or by which
any
of its material properties or assets are bound;
(c) require
any permit, consent or approval of, or the giving of any notice to, or filing
with any Government Authority; or
(d) result
in
a violation or breach of, conflict with, constitute (with or without due notice
or lapse of time or both) a default (or give rise to any right of termination,
cancellation, payment or acceleration) under, or result in the creation of
any
Encumbrance (other than a Permitted Encumbrance) upon any of the properties
or
assets of either Seller under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of
any
Contract or any other instrument or obligation to which either Seller is a
party, or by which it or any of their respective properties or assets may be
bound; excluding from the foregoing clauses (b), (c) and (d) permits, consents,
approvals, notices and filings the absence of which, and violations, breaches,
defaults and Encumbrances the existence of which, have not had, and would not
reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
19
4.4 Financial
Statements.
(a) The
Sellers have delivered to the Buyer (i) an audited consolidated balance sheet
of
MFFB as of December 31, 2005 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements
of operations, members’ equity and cash flows for the fiscal years then ended,
together with the report thereon of KPMG LLP, MFFB’s independent certified
public accountants (including the notes thereto, “Financial
Statements”),
and
(ii) an unaudited consolidated balance sheet of MFFB as of April 30, 2007 (the
“Balance
Sheet”)
and
the related unaudited consolidated statements of operations, members’ equity and
cash flows (together with the Balance Sheet, the “Interim
Reports”)
as at
and for the four (4)-month period ended April 30, 2007.
(b) Except
as
disclosed on Schedule 4.4(b),
neither
Seller has any material liabilities
or obligations (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether
due or to become due), except for (i) those liabilities and obligations accrued
or disclosed on the Balance Sheet and (ii) liabilities and obligations incurred
since the date of the Balance Sheet in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice (none of which arise out of a breach of any
contract, tort, infringement, claim, lawsuit or breach of
warranty).
4.5 Real
Property.
The
Sellers do not own or lease any real property which is used or intended to
be
used, or otherwise related to, the Businesses and are not a party to, or bound
by, any Real Property Leases.
4.6 Title
to Assets.
Except
for Excluded Assets and properties and assets reflected on the Balance Sheet
that have been sold or otherwise disposed of by the Sellers in the ordinary
course of business, each Seller has good and marketable title to, or a valid
leasehold interest in, all properties and assets used by such Seller, including,
without limitation, all the properties and assets reflected on the Balance
Sheet
as being owned by such Seller, free and clear of all Encumbrances other than
Permitted Encumbrances. All of the Personal Property is in good operating
condition and repair (with the exception of normal wear and tear), and is free
from defects other than minor defects that do not interfere with the present
use
thereof in the conduct of normal operations.
4.7 Sufficiency
of Assets.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
4.7,
the
Purchased Assets include all of the assets, properties and rights of every
type
and description, real, personal, mixed, tangible and intangible that are used
in
the conduct of the Businesses in substantially the same manner as currently
conducted by each Seller as of the Closing Date, subject only to the exclusion
of the Excluded Assets.
4.8 Accounts
Receivable.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
4.8,
all
Accounts Receivable reflected on the Balance Sheet (net of allowances for
doubtful accounts as reflected thereon and as determined in accordance with
GAAP
consistently applied) are or shall be valid receivables arising in the ordinary
course of business and, to each Seller’s Knowledge, are or shall be current and
collectible at the aggregate recorded amount therefore as shown on the Balance
Sheet (net of allowances for doubtful accounts as reflected thereon and as
determined in accordance with GAAP consistently applied). Except as set forth
on
Schedule
4.8,
no
Person has any Encumbrances on such receivables or any part thereof, and no
agreement for deduction, free goods, discount or other deferred price or
quantity adjustment has been made with respect to any such receivables.
Schedule
3.7
sets
forth a complete and accurate statement of the Sellers Accounts Receivable
due
and owing the Sellers as of June 30, 2007.
20
4.9 Insolvency
Proceedings.
No
insolvency proceedings of any kind, including, without limitation, bankruptcy,
receivership, reorganization, composition or arrangement with creditors,
voluntary or involuntary, affecting either Seller or the Purchased Assets are
pending or, to the Sellers’ Knowledge, threatened. Neither Seller has made an
assignment for the benefit of creditors or taken any action with a view to,
or
that would constitute a valid basis for, the institution of any such insolvency
proceedings.
4.10 Taxes.
(a) All
Tax
Returns required to be filed by or on behalf of either of the Sellers have
been
timely filed and all such Tax Returns are correct and complete in all material
respects. All material Taxes owed by or on behalf of either Seller (whether
or
not shown on any Tax Return) have been timely paid. Neither Seller is the
beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any Income Tax Return.
Each Seller has withheld and paid all Taxes required to have been withheld
and
paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee, independent
contractor, creditor, stockholder, or other third party, and all Forms W-2
and
1099 required with respect thereto have been properly completed and timely
filed. There are no Encumbrances (other than Permitted Encumbrances) on any
of
the assets of either Seller that arose in connection with the failure (or
alleged failure) to pay any Tax.
(b) There
is
no material dispute or claim concerning any Tax liability of either Seller
either (A) claimed or raised by any authority in writing or (B) as to which
any
of the officers or managers of such Seller has knowledge based upon personal
contact with any agent of such authority.
(c) Schedule
4.10
lists
all federal, state, local, and foreign Tax Returns filed by or on behalf of
each
Seller for taxable periods ended on or after December 31, 2003, indicates those
Tax Returns that have been audited, and indicates those Tax Returns that
currently are the subject of audit. Neither Seller has waived any statute of
limitations in respect of Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with respect
to a Tax assessment or deficiency.
(d) The
Assumed Liabilities do not include any obligations that will not be deductible
under Code §280G. Neither Seller has any liability for the Taxes of any other
Person as a transferee or successor, by contract, or otherwise.
(e) The
aggregate unpaid Taxes of the Sellers (i) did not, as of December 31, 2006,
exceed the reserve for Tax liability (rather than any reserve for deferred
Taxes
established to reflect timing differences between book and Tax income) set
forth
on the face of the Balance Sheet (rather than in any notes thereto) and (ii)
will not exceed that reserve as adjusted for operations and transactions through
the Closing Date in accordance with the past custom and practice of each Seller
in filing its Tax Returns.
21
4.11 Labor
Relations; Compliance.
(a) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
4.11,
there
are no Proceedings pending or, to each Seller’s Knowledge, threatened against
either Seller with respect to or by any employee or former employee of the
Businesses and, to each Seller’s Knowledge, there are no Proceedings pending or
threatened against any employees or former employee of the Businesses. Neither
Seller has experienced any strikes, grievances, claims of unfair labor practices
or other collective bargaining disputes. Neither Seller has engaged in any
unfair labor practices. Neither Seller is a party to any collective bargaining
agreement or relationship with any labor organization, and, to each Seller’s
Knowledge, there are no organizational efforts presently made or threatened
by
or on behalf of any labor union with respect to the employees of the
Businesses.
(b) Neither
Seller has implemented any plant closing or layoff of employees that could
implicate the WARN Act, and no such action will be implemented without advance
notification to Buyer.
4.12 Employee
Benefits.
Neither
Seller maintains or contributed to any employee benefit plans (as defined in
Section 3(3) of ERISA) or any other employee benefit plan, program or
arrangement, whether or not subject to ERISA, including, without limitation,
employment, severance, incentive, retention, consulting, change-in-control,
fringe benefit, collective bargaining, deferred compensation, or other
compensatory plan, policy, agreement or arrangement which is made or maintained
with or for the benefit of any current
or former employee, director or other personnel of any of either
Seller
or contributed to by either
Seller
or under which either
Seller
has or may have a direct or indirect liability.
4.13 Litigation;
Orders.
(a) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
4.13(a),
there
is no material Proceeding at law or in equity by any Person or any Proceeding
by
or before any Government Authority (collectively, “Proceedings”)
pending or, to each Seller’s Knowledge, threatened, against either of the
Sellers or relating to any of the Purchased Assets.
(b) Except
as
set forth on Schedule 4.13(b),
(i) there is no Order to which either of the Sellers or any of the
Purchased Assets is subject, and (ii) each Seller is in compliance with
each Order to which it or its properties or assets are subject.
4.14 Compliance
With Laws; Permits.
(a) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
4.14,
each
Seller is in full compliance with each Legal Requirement that is applicable
to
it or to the conduct or operation of the Businesses or the ownership of the
Purchased Assets, except for such non-compliance, individually or in the
aggregate, as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect. Neither Seller has received any written notice or other communication
(whether oral or written) from any Government Authority or any other Person
regarding any actual, alleged, possible or potential violation of, or failure
to
comply with, any material Legal Requirement applicable to the
Businesses.
22
(b) Each
Seller possesses all Government Authorizations necessary for the ownership
of
its properties and the conduct of the Businesses as currently conducted, except
for such exceptions as, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and
would
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Further, (i)
to
each Seller’s Knowledge, all such Government Authorizations are in full force
and effect and (ii) neither Seller has received any written notice of any event,
inquiry, investigation or proceeding threatening the validity of such Government
Authorizations.
4.15 Operations
of the Sellers.
Except
as set forth on Schedule 4.15,
since
June 30, 2006, through the date of this Agreement, there has not been any
change, event or condition of any character that has had or would reasonably
be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Without limiting the generality
of
the foregoing, except as set forth on Schedule
4.15,
since
June 30, 2006, each Seller has operated its portion of the Businesses in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, and during such
time
period, neither Seller has:
(a) sold,
leased, transferred, or assigned any of its material assets, other than for
a
fair consideration in the ordinary course of business;
(b) entered
into any Material Contract outside the ordinary course of business;
(c) accelerated,
terminated, made material modifications to, or cancelled any Material Contract
in any material respect;
(d) transferred,
assigned, or granted any license or sublicense of any rights under or with
respect to any Intellectual Property Right, other than to a Franchisee pursuant
to a Franchise Agreement entered into in the ordinary course of
business;
(e) made
any
capital expenditure (or series of related capital expenditures) either involving
more than $5,000, individually, or $15,000, in the aggregate, or outside the
ordinary course of business;
(f) engaged
in any sales or promotional discount or other similar activities with customers
(including, without limitation, materially altering credit terms) other than
any
such activities undertaken in accordance with the terms of its current Franchise
Agreements;
(g) delayed
or postponed the payment of any accounts payable, other payables, expenses
or
other liabilities (including marketing or promotional expenses), or accelerated
the collection of or discount any Accounts Receivable or otherwise accelerated
cash collections of any type other than in the ordinary course of business
and
in an amount not greater than $5,000 in the aggregate;
(h) incurred
any Indebtedness or incurred or become subject to any material liability, except
current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business and liabilities
under Contracts (other than liabilities for breach) entered into in the ordinary
course of business;
(i) suffered
any extraordinary losses or waived any rights of material value, whether or
not
in the ordinary course of business;
23
(j) experienced
any material damage, destruction, or loss (whether or not covered by insurance)
to its property;
(k) become
liable for any Damages in connection with, or become obligated to rescind or
otherwise materially modify, any Franchise Agreement; or
(l) committed
to do any of the foregoing actions.
4.16 Material
Contracts.
(a) Schedule 4.16
contains
a complete and correct list identified by Seller, as of the date of this
Agreement, of the following Contracts to which either Seller is a party or
by
which either Seller is bound (collectively, the “Material
Contracts”):
(i) any
agreement (or group of related agreements) for the lease of personal property
to
or from a Person providing for lease payment in excess of $5,000 per
annum;
(ii) any
agreement (or group of related agreements) for the purchase or sale of raw
materials, commodities, supplies, products, or other personal property, or
for
the furnishing or receipt of services, the performance of which will extend
over
a period of more than one year, or involve consideration in excess of
$5,000;
(iii) each
Franchise Agreement submitted to a Person for execution but not yet executed
and
delivered to either Seller by such Person;
(iv) any
agreements relating to Intellectual Property Rights except as set forth in
Schedule
4.19(b);
(v) any
agreement imposing continuing confidentiality obligations on the
Sellers;
(vi) all
executory contracts for capital expenditures with remaining obligations in
excess of $5,000 each;
(vii) all
contracts containing covenants that in any way purport to limit the freedom
to
engage in any line of business or to compete with any Person or in any
geographical area;
(viii) all
severance, change of control or similar agreements or contracts with any
employees; and
(ix) any
other
agreement the performance of which involves consideration in excess of
$5,000.
(b) All
Material Contracts are in full force and effect and in written form and true,
correct and complete copies of all Material Contracts, including any amendments,
waivers, supplements or other modifications thereto, have been made available
to
Buyer. Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.16,
neither
Seller is in violation or breach of or in default under any Material Contract
the effect of which, individually or in the aggregate, does have or would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Proceeding or
event
or condition has occurred or exists or is alleged by any party to have occurred
or exist which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default
by any of the parties thereto of their respective obligations under a Material
Contract (or would give rise to any right of termination or cancellation),
except as does not have and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect. Neither Seller has, nor to each Seller’s Knowledge, has any
other party to any Material Contract, breached or provided any written notice
of
an intent to breach, any provision thereof, except such a breach as does not
have and would not reasonably
be expected
to have
a Material Adverse Effect.
24
(c) Schedule
4.16(c)
contains
a complete and correct list of all written agreements, contracts or instruments
to which an Affiliate of either Seller is a party and pursuant to which either
Seller is a beneficiary of any goods, services or other benefits related to
the
Purchased Assets.
4.17 Insurance.
Schedule 4.17
sets
forth an accurate and complete summary of (a) each insurance policy providing
for liability exposure (including policies providing property, casualty,
liability and workers’ compensation coverage and bond and surety arrangements)
to which either Seller is currently a party, a named insured or otherwise the
beneficiary of coverage (“Insurance Policies”) and (b) all insurance loss runs
or workers’ compensation claims received for the past three (3) policy years.
All such Insurance Policies are in full force and effect. Since January 1,
2004,
each Seller has paid all premiums due thereunder and, except as set forth in
Schedule 4.17,
no
notice (whether oral or written) of cancellation of any such coverage or
increase in premiums thereof has been received by either Seller.
4.18 Environmental
Matters.
In the
conduct of the Businesses and the ownership and operation of the Purchased
Assets, each Seller has complied and is in compliance in all material respects
with all Environmental and Safety Requirements. Neither Seller has received
any
written notice, report or other information regarding any violation of, or
liability under Environmental and Safety Requirements. Neither Seller, nor
any
of its predecessors or Affiliates with respect to the Businesses, has treated,
stored, disposed of, arranged for or permitted the disposal of, transported,
handled, released, or exposed any Person to, any substance, or owned or operated
the Businesses or any property or facility relating to the Businesses (and
no
such property or facility is contaminated by any such substance) in a manner
that has given or would give rise to any liabilities or investigative,
corrective or remedial obligations pursuant to CERCLA or any other Environmental
and Safety Requirements. All environmental audits, reports and other material
environmental documents relating to the past or current operations or facilities
of each Seller and its predecessors and Affiliates with respect to the
Businesses have been provided to the Buyer.
4.19 Intellectual
Property.
(a) Schedule 4.19(a)
attached
hereto sets forth a complete and correct list of: (i) all registered
trademarks or service marks owned by either Seller; (ii) all pending
applications for registration of any trademarks or service marks owned by either
Seller; (iii) all trade names, common law trademarks and unregistered marks
owned and used by either Seller that relate solely to the Businesses; (iv)
all
recipes and proprietary food processes and product formulations; and (v) all
internet domain names and URLs registered or applied for by either Seller.
25
(b) Schedule
4.19(b)
attached
hereto sets forth a complete and correct list of: (i) all computer software
licenses or similar agreements or arrangements relating to information
technology used exclusively in the operation of the Businesses (“IT
Software”);
(ii)
all other licenses or similar agreements or arrangements, in effect as of the
date hereof, in which either Seller or its Affiliates are a licensee of
Intellectual Property Rights that are related to or used in connection with
the
Businesses; (iii) all licenses or similar agreements or arrangements in which
either Seller or its Affiliates are a licensor of Intellectual Property Rights
that are related to or used in connection with the Businesses, including
Franchise Agreements; and (iv) all other agreements or similar arrangements,
in
effect as of the date hereof, relating
to the use of Intellectual Property Rights by either
Seller,
including settlement agreements, consent-to-use or standstill agreements and
standalone indemnification agreements.
(c) Except
as
set forth on Schedule 4.19(c),
(i)
each Seller owns and possesses all right, title and interest in and to, or
has
the enforceable right to use, the Intellectual Property Rights, identified
with
such Seller and set forth in Schedule
4.19(a),
has a
valid and enforceable right to use pursuant to the agreements set forth in
Schedule
4.19(b),
and
otherwise own and possess all right, title and interest in and to all other
Intellectual Property Rights necessary for the operation of the Businesses
as
currently conducted, free and clear of all Encumbrances, other than Permitted
Encumbrances (collectively,
the “Sellers’
Intellectual Property Rights”),
and (ii)
neither Seller has licensed any of the Sellers’ Intellectual Property Rights to
any third party on an exclusive basis.
(d) Except
as set forth on Schedule
4.19(d),
(i) neither Seller has infringed, diluted, misappropriated or otherwise
conflicted with, and the operation of the Businesses as currently conducted
does
not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise conflict with, any Intellectual
Property Rights of any Person; (ii) neither Seller is aware of any facts which
indicate a likelihood of any of the foregoing; (iii) neither Seller has received
any notices regarding any of the foregoing (including any demands that either
Seller is required to license any Intellectual Property Rights from any Person
or any requests for indemnification from customers) and (iv) neither Seller
has
requested nor received any written opinions of counsel related to the
foregoing.
(e) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
4.19(e),
(i)
no
loss or expiration of any of the Sellers’ Intellectual Property Rights is
threatened, pending or reasonably foreseeable, except for trademarks or service
marks expiring at the end of their current registration terms without renewal
by
the applicable Seller (and not as a result of any act or omission by
either
Seller,
including a failure by such Seller to pay any required maintenance
fees);
(ii)
all
of the Sellers’ Intellectual Property Rights are valid and enforceable and none
of the Sellers’ Intellectual Property Rights has been misused; (iii) no claim by
any third party contesting the validity, enforceability, use or ownership of
any
of the Sellers’ Intellectual Property Rights has been made, is currently
outstanding or is threatened, and there are no grounds for the same;
(iv)
each Seller has
taken all necessary and desirable action to maintain and protect all of the
Sellers’ Intellectual Property Rights and will continue to maintain and protect
all of the Sellers’ Intellectual Property Rights prior to the Closing so as not
to adversely affect the validity or enforceability thereof; and (v)
neither
Seller has disclosed or allowed to be disclosed any of its trade secrets or
confidential information to any third party other than pursuant to a written
confidentiality agreement and each Seller has entered into written
confidentiality agreements with all of its employees and independent contractors
acknowledging the confidentiality of the Sellers’ Intellectual Property
Rights.
26
(f) Except
as set forth on Schedule
4.19(f),
to each Seller’s Knowledge, no Person has infringed, diluted, misappropriated or
otherwise conflicted with any of the Sellers’ Intellectual Property Rights and
neither Seller is aware of any facts that indicate a likelihood of any of the
same.
(g) Except
as set forth on Schedule
4.19(g),
all Intellectual Property Rights owned by each Seller was: (i) developed by
employees of such Seller working within the scope of their employment; (ii)
developed by officers, directors, agents, consultants, contractors,
subcontractors or others who have executed appropriate instruments of assignment
in favor of such Seller as assignee that have conveyed to such Seller ownership
of all of such Person’s rights in the Intellectual Property Rights relating to
such developments; or (iii) acquired in connection with acquisitions in which
such Seller obtained appropriate representations, warranties and indemnities
from the transferring party relating to the title to such Intellectual Property
Rights.
(h) Except
as set forth in Schedule
4.19(h),
none
of
the Sellers’ Intellectual Property Rights is subject to any proceeding or
outstanding decree, order, judgment, agreement or stipulation restricting in
any
manner the use, transfer or licensing thereof by either Seller, or which may
affect the validity, use or enforceability of the Sellers’ Intellectual Property
Rights.
(i) Each
Seller has collected, used, imported, exported and protected all personally
identifiable information, and other information relating to individuals
protected by law, in accordance with the privacy policies of each Seller and
in
accordance with applicable law, including by entering into agreements, where
applicable, governing the flow of such information across national
borders.
(j) Each
item
of the Sellers’ Intellectual Property Rights is valid, enforceable and
subsisting. All necessary registration, maintenance and renewal fees currently
due in connection with the Sellers’ Intellectual Property Rights have been made
and all necessary documents, recordations and certifications in connection
with
the Sellers’ Intellectual Property have been filed with the relevant patent,
copyright, trademark or other authorities in the United States or foreign
jurisdictions, as the case may be, for the purpose of maintaining the Sellers’
Intellectual Property Rights. Prior to the Closing, each Seller will deliver
to
Buyer all files, documents, or instruments necessary to the preservation and
maintenance of the Sellers’ Intellectual Property Rights.
(k) Neither
Seller owns, nor has pending, any patent applications or patents.
27
4.20 Affiliate
Transactions.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
4.20,
(a)
there are no Assumed Contracts between either Seller, on the one hand, and
any
member, interest or right holder or any family member or affiliate of any such
member, interest or right holder, on the other hand; (b) there are no Assumed
Contracts between either Seller, on the one hand, and any employee or director
or any family member or affiliate of any such person, on the other hand, other
than employment agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice; and (c) there are no loans or other indebtedness
owing by any employee of either Seller or any family member or affiliate of
any
such person to the Sellers.
4.21 Brokers
or Finders.
No
agent, broker, firm or other Person acting on behalf of either Seller or, to
Seller’s Knowledge, any of their Affiliates is, or will be, entitled to any
investment banking, commission, broker’s or finder’s fees from any of the
parties hereto, or from any Affiliate of any of the parties hereto, in
connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
4.22 Suppliers.
Except
for the suppliers named in Schedule
4.22,
neither
Seller has purchased, from any single supplier, goods or services for which
the
aggregate purchase price exceeds 5% of the total amount of goods and services
purchased by such Seller during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. Since
December 31, 2006, there has not been any termination, cancellation or
material curtailment of the Businesses relationship of either Seller with any
supplier named in Schedule
4.22
or any
material and adverse (to either of the Sellers) change in any material term
(including credit terms) of the supply agreements or related arrangements with
any such supplier. No supplier named in Schedule
4.22
has
advised either Seller that it intends, or has threatened, to cancel or otherwise
terminate the business relationship of such supplier with either Seller or
any
Franchisee or that it intends to modify materially and adversely (to such
Seller) its business relationship with such Seller or any Franchisee or to
decrease materially or limit materially its supply to such Seller or any
Franchisee.
4.23 Franchise
Matters .
(a) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
4.23(a),
since
January 1, 2004, neither Seller has or had any Subsidiary or Affiliate offering
or selling Franchises domestically or internationally. The Sellers and their
Affiliates are the only persons or entities that have offered or sold Franchises
for their respective Brands since January 1, 2000.
(b) Schedule
4.23(b)
sets
forth a listing of, and each Seller has provided Buyer with a true and complete
copy of, each Seller’s currently effective Seller UFOC(s), together with true
and complete copies of all Seller UFOCs used by such Seller since January 1,
2004 in connection with the offer and sale of Franchises.
(c) Schedule
4.23(c)
sets
forth a true and complete list of all Franchise Agreements to which each Seller
is a party, including for each Franchise Agreement (i) the name, address and
telephone number of each and every Franchisee; (ii) the effective dates and
expiration dates; and (iii) a description of any protected or exclusive
territory. There are no other currently effective Franchise Agreements relating
to the Brands. Except as noted in Schedule
4.23(c),
each
Franchise Agreement entered is substantially similar to the form of Franchise
Agreement incorporated into the Seller UFOC that was issued to the Franchisee
contemporaneously with the sale of such Franchise by each Seller to the
Franchisee. Each Seller has and has had made available to Buyer true, complete
and correct copies of all Franchise Agreements listed or required to be listed
on Schedule
4.23(c),
including all amendments and addenda thereto, except those in respect of which
Sellers have indicated on Schedule
4.23(c)
that the
Franchise Agreement on file is missing.
28
(d) From
and
after the date of its formation, each Seller has and has had at all relevant
times, the limited liability company power and authority and legal right to
enter into and carry out the terms of each Franchise Agreement. All of the
Franchise Agreements are valid, binding and enforceable against the Franchisee
thereunder in accordance with its terms, subject to any such Franchisee’s
bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding under state or
federal law and subject to any equitable doctrines and Legal Requirements which
may affect the enforceability of the Franchise Agreements against Franchisees.
Each Seller has maintained a standard practive of refraining from the
negotiation of the Franchise Agreements on a Franchisee by Franchisee basis.
(e) Schedule
4.23(e)
identifies each existing Franchisee that (i) is, to each Seller’s Knowledge,
currently in material default under any Franchise Agreement, whether or not
such
Seller has notified the Franchisee about the default; (ii) has received within
the twelve (12) month period prior to the date of this Agreement a Notice of
Default from either Seller that such Franchisee has incurred a default under
such Franchise Agreement; (iii) has on three or more occasions within any twelve
(12) month period received Notices of Default under a Franchise Agreement;
or
(iv) is a party to a Franchise Agreement under which the franchise unit is
not
yet open and operating.
(f) Schedule
4.23(f)
sets
forth a true and complete list of all written or oral agreements or arrangements
(and with respect to oral agreements a description thereof) with independent
sales representatives, contractors, brokers or consultants under which either
Seller has authorized any person to sell or promote Franchises on behalf of
such
Seller or has agreed to rebate or share amounts receivable under any Franchise
Agreement in connection with the offer and sale of any such Franchise Agreement
and indicating which of such agreements are in default and may be terminated
by
such Seller by notice to the other party. Each Seller has delivered to Buyer
true, correct and complete copies of all written agreements described in
Schedule
4.23(f).
Each
Seller has delivered to Buyer true, correct and complete copies of all written
correspondence and memoranda evidencing such oral agreements described in
Schedule
4.23(f).
(g) To
the
Sellers’ Knowledge, except as set forth on Schedule
4.23(g),
neither
Seller has (i) offered nor sold, nor otherwise granted rights, to any Party
conferring upon that Party area development, area representative, master
franchise, sub-franchise, or other multi-unit or multi-level rights with respect
to the Brands within the United States or (ii) used or uses independent sales
representatives, area directors, contractors, sales and service providers or
brokers to sell or promote the sale of its Franchises.
(h) To
the
Sellers’ Knowledge, except as set forth on Schedule
4.23(h),
and
except as may be granted by operation of law, (i) no Franchisee has been granted
any Territorial Rights by either Seller pursuant to which (A) such Seller is
restricted in any way in their right to own or operate, or license others to
own
or operate, any business or line of business or (B) the Franchisee is granted
rights for the acquisition of additional franchises or expansion of the
Franchisee’s territory, (ii) no Franchisee’s Territorial Rights conflict with
the Territorial Rights of any other Franchisee, and (iii) to the extent either
Seller has granted any such Territorial Rights (whether or not disclosed or
required to be disclosed herein), such Seller has complied with such Territorial
Rights and in the course of offering or selling franchises has not violated
the
Territorial Rights of any Franchisee.
29
(i) Since
January 1, 2004, and except as set forth on Schedule
4.23(i),
each
Seller has: (i) prepared and maintained each Seller UFOCs in accordance with
applicable law; (ii) filed and obtained registration of the offer and sale
of
the Franchises in all jurisdictions requiring such registration prior to any
offers or sales of Franchises in such jurisdictions (the “Registration
Laws”)
and
has filed all material changes, amendments and renewals thereto on a timely
basis as required by Legal Requirements in such jurisdictions; (iii) filed
all
notice filings (including the filing of Seller UFOC, as applicable) in all
jurisdictions in which a notice filing is required to be filed prior to the
offer and sale of franchises in such jurisdictions; (iv) filed all notices
of
exemption in all jurisdictions in which a notice filing is required in order
to
obtain an exemption from regulation as a “business opportunity” or to otherwise
be subject to regulation under Legal Requirements in such jurisdictions absent
such notice filing; and (v) sold no franchises during periods after the need
for
amendment arose and before the prospective Franchisee had been in receipt of
an
amended Seller UFOC for the required period for redisclosure in the
jurisdiction. Seller UFOCs were prepared in all material respects in compliance
with the UFOC Guidelines and/or other Legal Requirements and there were no
material misrepresentations or misstatements of fact or omissions to state
material information in any Seller UFOC necessary to make the statements made
therein not misleading under the circumstances at the time such Seller was
using
such Seller UFOC. Since January 1, 2004, neither Seller has ever withdrawn
any
of their applications or registrations to offer and sell franchises from any
jurisdiction except as set forth on Schedule
4.23(i).
(j) To
the Sellers’ Knowledge, except as set forth on Schedule
4.23(j),
neither Seller has (i) offered or sold franchises or any form of agreement
for
operations under the Brands outside of the United States or (ii) filed any
application seeking registration, exemption, and/or approval to do
so.
(k) The
Sellers have heretofore made available to Buyer correct and complete copies
of
all correspondence with Government Authorities concerning compliance with
Registration Laws (including franchise registration orders), franchise
advertising or promotional materials, UFOCs, and Franchise Agreements with
current and past Franchisees. The Sellers have made available or delivered
to
Buyer true and complete copies of the Franchisee files and other materials
associated with each and every Franchisee. Since January 1, 2005, Sellers have
not, in any of the aforementioned documents or filings under any Registration
Laws, made any untrue statement of a material fact, or omitted to state any
fact
necessary to make the statements made by Sellers, taken as a whole, not
misleading, in connection with the offer or sale of any franchise or business
opportunity.
(l) Except
as
disclosed in Schedule
4.23(l),
each
Franchise Agreement complies, and the offer, sale, administration and
relationship of such Franchise complied at the time such offer and sale was
made
and at all times since such Franchise Agreement became effective, with all
Legal
Requirements.
30
(m) Except
as
listed or described in Schedule
4.23(m),
no
Franchise Agreement has been subordinated and no provision regarding the
calculation and payment of royalty fees in any Franchise Agreement has been
waived, altered or modified in any material respect adverse to either
Seller.
(n) Set
forth
in Schedule
4.23(n)
is a
description of any franchisee organization which holds itself out as a
representative of any group of two or more Franchisees. There are no agreements
of any kind in effect between any such franchisee organization and either
Seller.
(o) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
4.23(o),
no
orders, consents or decrees (other than routine comment letters from regulators,
orders approving registrations, renewals of registrations or registration
exemptions) have been issued by any foreign or domestic (federal or state)
administrative or regulatory agency to either Seller nor have letters of
inquiry, investigation or the like been issued to either Seller by such foreign
or domestic administrative or regulatory agencies relating, directly or
indirectly, to either Sellers’ offer and sale of Franchises.
(p) Neither
Seller has offered or sold Franchises in any jurisdiction where the sale of
any
such Franchise violated any Legal Requirements of such jurisdiction. Neither
Seller has offered rescission as would be required under any Legal Requirements
arising from a possible violation of any Legal Requirements. No Franchisee:
(i)
paid any consideration or signed any Franchise Agreement before the expiration
of all applicable waiting periods; (ii) has asserted or exercised any statutory
right of rescission arising from a violation of the Legal Requirements; (iii)
has an immediate or inchoate right to exercise any statutory right of rescission
arising from the violation of any Legal Requirements relating to the offer
and
sale of Franchises. With the exception of routine comment letters from
regulators, neither Seller has ever received: (A) a stop order, revocation
or
withdrawal of approval or a license or exemption to offer and sell Franchises
in
any jurisdiction; or (B) an official notice, complaint, subpoena, request for
information, or any form of formal or informal inquiry from any Government
Authority regarding the offer or sale of Franchises. Neither Seller has
participated in any remedial program directed towards its franchise selling
practices administered by the National Franchise Council, the International
Franchise Association, the Federal Trade Commission, any state or provincial
authority, or any other public or private organization.
(q) The
Books
and Records of each Seller and the files of its franchise counsel include all
written communications and written memorialization of all material oral
communications with franchise regulatory authorities regarding the franchises,
including without limitation all applications for initial registration, renewal
applications, amendments, comment letters, approvals, licenses, consents,
exemption filings, withdrawals, and undertakings regarding future changes in
such Seller’s offering materials.
(r) Except
as
set forth in Schedule
4.23(r),
each
Seller has complied with all Legal Requirements applicable to the administration
of the relationships with the Franchisees under the Franchise
Agreements.
31
(s) Each
Seller has delivered or made available to Buyer correct and complete copies
of
all registrations, material advertising or promotional materials (used by such
Seller subsequent to January 1, 2005), Seller UFOCs or agreements used by such
Seller or filed with any foreign or domestic administrative or regulatory agency
or otherwise used by such Seller in connection with the offer, sale and
operation of Franchises in any jurisdiction (domestic or international) since
January 1, 2005. Neither Seller has published any franchise recruitment
advertising in violation of the Legal Requirements of any jurisdiction. Each
Seller has effected timely filing of franchise recruitment advertising with
the
applicable Government Authority before publication and obtained any approvals
or
clearances, or received no comments requiring changes to the advertising
materials that were not incorporated in the final copy.
(t) Schedule
4.23(t)
includes
a true and complete list of all written or oral agreements or arrangements
(and
with respect to oral agreements or arrangements, a description thereof) with
third party vendors or suppliers who currently approved by either Seller to
act
as providers of goods or services to the Franchisees. Except as set forth in
Schedule
4.23(t),
and
excluding entertainment by vendors/suppliers or reimbursement for franchisee
conventions or meetings in the ordinary course of business, neither Seller
receives rebates, commissions, discounts or other payments or remuneration
of
any kind from such vendors or suppliers of such goods or services.
(u) To
each
Seller’s Knowledge, neither Seller is in violation or default of any Franchise
Agreement, nor has there occurred any event or condition which with the passage
of time or giving of notice (or both) would constitute a material default by
such Seller of any Franchise Agreement under, or permit termination or
rescission of, any such Franchise Agreement. Neither the execution of this
Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein would
result in a violation of or a default under, or give rise to a right of
termination, modification, cancellation, rescission or acceleration of any
obligation or loss of material benefits under, any Franchise Agreement. No
consent or approval of any Franchisee is required in connection with the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement.
(v) All
Franchise Agreements and related documents provided to the Buyer are true,
correct and complete and they constitute all of the agreements between either
Seller and its Franchisees and there exists no other agreements, oral or
written, between such Seller and any Franchisee. There are no material
agreements or special arrangements with any Franchisee other than as set forth
in the Seller UFOCs and Franchise Agreements.
(w) Each
Seller’s use and administration of advertising contributions and fees made under
the Franchise Agreements has at all times complied with the provisions of all
Franchise Agreements or other agreements made by such Seller with respect to
their use of the advertising contributions and fees, conforms with any
descriptions of such activities contained in applicable Seller UFOCs and does
not violate any Legal Requirements.
(i) Schedule
4.23(w)
sets
forth, as to each Seller individually: (A) a statement of the amount of
Marketing Fees in respect of the TTM Period; (B) the amount of Marketing Fees
actually spent by each Seller during the TTM Period; and (C) the amount of
any
residual Marketing Fees being held by either Seller or the deficit in Marketing
Fees for which either Seller is to be reimbursed from future Marketing Fees
as
of the end of the TTM Period, as the case may be (the “Marketing
Fees Balance”).
The
foregoing reconciliation of Marketing Fees is referred to herein as the
“Marketing Fees Reconciliation.”
32
(ii) Schedule
4.23(w)
sets
forth, as to each Seller individually, a listing of each Contract entered into
by such Seller that is not fully performed by both parties as of the date of
this Agreement pursuant to which such Seller has obligated itself to the
expenditure of Marketing Fees, along with a statement of any payments made,
and
remaining to be made, by such Seller in order to complete its performance under
each such Contract.
(x) Except
as
specified on Schedule
4.23(x),
there
is no action, proceeding, or investigation pending or, to each Seller’s
Knowledge, threatened against or involving either Seller with respect to any
of
its domestic or international Franchises, and to each Seller’s Knowledge, there
is no basis for any such action, proceeding or investigation except for actions,
proceedings or investigations that could not, in any individual case or in
the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on either
Seller. Neither Seller is subject to any judgment, order or decree entered
in
any lawsuit or proceeding which has or may have a material adverse effect on
its
rights and interests in any Franchise Agreement. To the each Seller’s Knowledge,
there are not currently, nor have there ever been any administrative actions,
cease and desist orders or other administrative actions by any federal or state
agency which regulates Franchises.
(y) Since
January 1, 2004, except as specified on Schedule
4.23(y),
neither
Seller has waived enforcement of, or failed to enforce, any noncompete or
similar restriction under a Franchise Agreement, and to each Seller’s Knowledge,
no current or former Franchisee is currently in violation of any applicable
noncompete covenant.
(z) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
4.23(z),
neither
Seller nor any of their Affiliates have entered into any guarantees in respect
of leases held by Franchisees of the Businesses.
(aa) All
persons acting as franchise salespersons and franchise sales brokers authorized
to act on behalf of each Seller has been duly and timely registered and
qualified in all jurisdictions where such registration or qualification is
necessary. All information filed by either Seller with such registrations about
all such persons is accurate, true and complete in all respects. All of the
Domestic UFOCs accurately disclose any relevant information about franchise
brokers required in Items, 2, 3 and 4.
(bb) Since
January 1, 2004, each Seller has conducted reasonable training programs for
all
officers, agents, employees, brokers, salespersons, contractors and other
representatives engaged in the offer and sale of Franchises on behalf of such
Seller in the requirements of applicable law before permitting such persons
to
engage with prospective Franchisees and has a standard practice of retraining
such persons at least annually regarding the requirements of applicable
law.
(cc) Neither
Seller has any published policies governing their franchise sales efforts and
personnel that mandate conformance with applicable law and that notify sales
personnel that violation of any Legal Requirements will result in disciplinary
action or termination. Each Seller has instituted and maintained internal
controls adequate to assure that material violations of legal requirements
governing franchise sales are discovered and remedied and that their records
demonstrate compliance with Legal Requirements or that appropriate steps are
taken to remedy non-compliance when discovered.
33
(dd) Each
Seller has obtained, has filed with the applicable jurisdictions and has
retained in its records the consent of their accountants to publication of
the
financial statements set forth in the Seller UFOCs, and modified Seller UFOCs
to
conform to any comments offered by the accountants prior to distribution to
prospective Franchisees.
4.24 Powers
of Attorney.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
4.24,
there
are no outstanding powers of attorney executed by or on behalf of either Seller.
4.25 Investment.
Each
Seller (a) understands that the Parent Shares have not been, and will not be,
registered under the Securities Act, or under any state securities laws, and
are
being offered and sold in reliance upon federal and state exemptions for
transactions not involving any public offering, (b) is acquiring the Parent
Shares solely for its own account for investment purposes, and not with a view
to the distribution thereof, (c) is a sophisticated investor with knowledge
and
experience in business and financial matters, (d) has received certain
information concerning Parent and has had the opportunity to obtain additional
information as desired in order to evaluate the merits and the risks inherent
in
holding the Parent Shares, (e) is able to bear the economic risk and lack of
liquidity inherent in holding the Parent Shares, and (f) is an Accredited
Investor.
4.26 Deferred
Revenue Liability. As
of the
date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, the Deferred Revenue Liability
amount reflects the full amount of all deferred revenues allocated to each
Seller’s Franchise Agreements.
4.27 Indenture
Payment. To
MFFB’s
Knowledge, without giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereunder,
MFFB will have adequate cash and cash equivalents on hand to make its payments
due on September 15, 2007, and March 15, 2008, under and in accordance with
the
Indenture.
4.28 Right
of First Refusal. The Right of First Refusal, Mutual Termination and Release
(“ROFR Agreement”), dated as of October 2004, by and between Pretzel Time and
one of its master franchisors is only applicable to the Master Franchise
Agreement, between Pretzel Time and such master franchisor and does not in
any
way limit either Seller’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, including the transfer of the rights to franchise Pretzel Time
in Canada. Nothing in this Agreement triggers the rights of the master
franchisor under Section 1.A of the ROFR Agreement.
4.29 Other
Contracts. Neither MFFB nor either of the Sellers has entered into any
Contract with any of the parties identified in the third disclosure on Schedule
4.13 that is not otherwise required to be set forth on the Disclosure
Schedules.
34
ARTICLE
V
Representations
and Warranties of Buyer and Parent
Parent
and Buyer, jointly and severally, hereby represent and warrant to the Sellers,
subject to the limitations set forth in Article
XI
of this
Agreement, that the statements contained in this Article
V
are
correct and complete as of the date of this Agreement and will be correct and
complete as of the Closing Date (as though made then and as though the Closing
Date were substituted for the date of this Agreement throughout this
Article
V
except
to the extent any representation or warranty expressly speaks only as of a
different date), except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedules attached
hereto.
5.1 Existence
and Good Standing; Authorization.
(a) Each
of
Parent and Buyer is organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the
laws of its incorporation, organization or formation.
(b) Each
of
Parent and Buyer has all requisite corporate or organizational power and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations
hereunder and to consummate the sale and the other transactions contemplated
hereby. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by each of
Parent and Buyer, and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated
hereby, have been duly authorized and approved by its respective board of
directors or members, and no other corporate, stockholder, organizational,
member or manager action on the part of Parent or Buyer is necessary to
authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Parent
or
Buyer and the consummation thereby of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Parent and
Buyer and, assuming the due execution of this Agreement by the Sellers, this
Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of each of Parent and
Buyer
enforceable against Parent and Buyer in accordance with its terms, subject
to
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, receivership
and
similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and
general equitable principles.
5.2 Consents
and Approvals; No Violations.
The
execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent and Buyer and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will
not:
(a) violate
or conflict with any provisions of the Organizational Documents of Parent or
Buyer;
(b) violate
any Legal Requirement or Order to which Parent or Buyer is subject or by which
any of their respective material properties or assets are bound;
(c) require
any permit, consent or approval of, or the giving of any notice to, or filing
with any Government Authority on or prior to the Closing Date; and
(d) result
in
a material violation or breach of, conflict with, constitute (with or without
due notice or lapse of time or both) a default (or give rise to any right of
termination, cancellation, payment or acceleration) under, or result in the
creation of any Encumbrance upon any of the material properties or assets of
Parent or Buyer under any of the material terms, conditions or provisions of
any
material Contract or any other instrument or obligation to which Parent or
Buyer
is a party, or by which it or any of their respective material properties or
assets may be bound; excluding from the foregoing clauses (b), (c) and (d)
permits, consents, approvals, notices and filings the absence of which, and
violations, breaches, defaults and Encumbrances the existence of which, would
not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to prevent Parent
or Buyer from performing its obligations under this Agreement.
35
5.3 SEC
Documents and Other Reports.
Parent
has timely filed with the SEC all documents required to be filed by it since
December 31, 2006 under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (the
“Parent
SEC Documents”).
As of
their respective filing dates, the Parent SEC Documents complied in all material
respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as
the
case may be, each as in effect on the date so filed, and at the time filed
with
the SEC none of the Parent SEC Documents contained any untrue statement of
a
material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under
which they were made, not misleading. The financial statements of Parent
included in the Parent SEC Documents complied as of their respective dates
in
all material respects with the then applicable accounting requirements and
the
published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, were prepared
in accordance with GAAP (except in the case of the unaudited statements, as
permitted by Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act) applied on a consistent basis
during the periods involved (except as may be indicated therein or in the notes
thereto) and fairly present in all material respects the condensed consolidated
financial position of Parent and its subsidiaries as at the dates thereof and
the condensed consolidated results of their operations and their condensed
consolidated cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of
unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments and to any other
adjustments described therein).
5.4 Litigation.
There
are no Proceedings pending, or, to the knowledge of Parent or Buyer, threatened
which would prevent, enjoin, alter or materially delay any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
5.5 Brokers’
or Finders’ Fees.
No
agent, broker, firm or other Person acting on behalf of Parent or Buyer is,
or
will be, entitled to any investment banking, commission, broker’s or finder’s
fees from any of the parties hereto, or from any Person controlling, controlled
by or under common control with any of the parties hereto, in connection with
any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
5.6 Parent
Shares.
All of
the Parent Shares issuable in accordance with this Agreement will be, when
so
issued, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and
free
and clear of any liens (other than those created under federal and state
securities laws or the Voting Agreement) and not subject to preemptive or other
similar rights of the stockholders of Parent.
ARTICLE
VI
Developing
Agent Liabilities
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary set forth herein and without prejudice to any Buyer
Indemnified Party’s rights under Section
11.2(f),
each of
MFFB and Sellers agree that if any Developing Agent Franchise Agreement is
terminated by a Developing Agent not in the ordinary course of business
(i.e.,
lease
termination, poor store performance, etc.) on or prior to the Developing Agents
Escrow Release Date (and such Franchise location is not otherwise transferred
to
or replaced by another Franchisee acceptable to Buyer within thirty (30) days
of
such termination), Buyer may deduct from the Developing Agents Escrow Amount
the
number of Parent Shares equal to the sum of (i) 4.5 times the TTM Period
Continuing Royalties attributable to such Developing Agent under the terminated
Developing Agent Franchise Agreement, plus
(ii) 4.5
times the TTM Period Product Formulation Royalties attributable to such
Developing Agent under the terminated Developing Agent Franchise Agreement,
plus
(iii)
2.0 times the TTM Period Initial Franchise Fees attributable to such Developing
Agent under the terminated Developing Agent Franchise Agreement (collectively,
the “Sellers’
Developing Agent Liabilities Formula”)
divided
by
(iv) the
Adjusted Closing Date Reference Price. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, after
the Developing Agents Escrow Release Date but prior to the fifteen (15) month
anniversary of the Closing Date, any Developing Agent terminates a Developing
Agent Franchise Agreement (and such Franchise location is not otherwise
transferred to or replaced by another Franchisee acceptable to Buyer within
thirty (30) days of such termination) in connection with, or as a result of,
the
Developing Agent Lawsuits or any settlement thereof, each of MFFB and Sellers
agree, jointly and severally, to pay to the Buyer an amount in cash calculated
in accordance with the Sellers Developing Agent Liabilities Formula within
thirty (30) days of the Buyer providing MFFB and Sellers written notice of
such
termination.
36
ARTICLE
VII
Post-Closing
Covenants
7.1 Intentionally
Omitted.
7.2 Taxes
Related to Purchase of Assets; Tax Cooperation.
(a) All
stamp, transfer, documentary, sales and use, registration and other similar
taxes and fees (including any penalties and interest) incurred in connection
with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (collectively,
the
“Transfer
Taxes”)
shall
be paid one-half by Buyer and one-half by the Sellers (such obligation to be
joint and several as between the Sellers), and except to the extent required
to
be filed by the Sellers, Buyer shall properly file on a timely basis all
necessary Tax Returns and other documentation with respect to all Transfer
Taxes. The provisions of this Section
7.2
and no
other provision, shall govern the economic burden of Transfer
Taxes.
(b) All
personal property taxes and assessments on the Purchased Assets for any taxable
period commencing on or prior to the Closing Date and ending after the Closing
Date (a “Straddle
Period”)
shall
be prorated between Buyer and the Sellers as of the close of business on the
Closing Date based on the best information then available, with (a) the Sellers
liable for such Taxes attributable to any portion of a Straddle Period ending
on
or prior to the Closing Date and (b) Buyer being liable for such Taxes
attributable to any portion of a Straddle Period beginning after the Closing
Date. Information available after the Closing Date that alters the amount of
Taxes due with respect to the Straddle Period will be taken into account and
any
change in the amount of such Taxes shall be prorated between Buyer and Sellers
as set forth in the next sentence. All such prorations shall be allocated so
that items relating to the portion of a Straddle Period ending on or prior
to
the Closing Date shall be allocated to the Sellers based upon the number of
days
in the Straddle Period on or prior to the Closing Date and items related to
the
portion of a Straddle Period beginning on or after the Closing Date shall be
allocated to Buyer based upon the number of days in the Straddle Period from
and
after the Closing Date. The amount of all such prorations that must be paid
in
order to convey the Purchased Assets to Buyer free and clear of all Encumbrances
other than Permitted Encumbrances have been calculated and shall be paid on
the
Closing Date; all other prorations shall be calculated and paid as soon as
practicable thereafter.
37
(c) The
Sellers and Buyer shall (and shall cause their respective Affiliates to)
cooperate fully with each other and make available or cause to be made available
to each other for consultation, inspection and copying (at such other party’s
expense) in a timely fashion such personnel, Tax data, relevant Tax Returns
or
portions thereof and filings, files, books, records, documents, financial,
technical and operating data, computer records and other information as may
be
reasonably requested, including, without limitation, (a) for the preparation
by
such other party of any Tax Returns or (b) in connection with any Tax audit
or
proceeding including one party (or an Affiliate thereof) to the extent such
Tax
audit or proceeding relates to or arises from the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement.
7.3 Noncompetition
and Nonsolicitation.
(a) For
a
period of five (5) years
from the date of this Agreement, neither Seller nor MFFB shall, and MFFB shall
cause each of its Affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, on its own behalf,
as an agent of, on behalf of or in conjunction with, or as a member, partner
or
shareholder of, any other firm, corporation or other entity or
Person:
(i) own,
operate or control, or participate in the ownership, operation or control of,
or
have any financial interest in, any pretzel-related franchise business that
is
substantially similar to the pretzel franchise segment of the Businesses and
which targets a substantially similar demographic customer base, if any or
all
such activities comprise five percent (5%) or more of the business’ gross sales,
provided,
however,
that
the foregoing shall not restrict MFFB or either Seller or any of their
Affiliates from owning up to five (5%) percent of the outstanding voting
securities of any company which is listed on any recognized public stock
exchange, traded on Nasdaq or over-the-counter; or
(ii) induce
any former employee, licensee, independent contractor, manufacturer, supplier
or
Franchisee of either Seller with respect to the Businesses, to terminate his
or
her employment or relationship, as applicable, with Buyer or its
Affiliates.
(b) Buyer
and
Parent are entitled (without limitation of any other remedy) to specific
performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to any breach or threatened
breach of the covenants in this Section
7.3,
without
the need to post any bond. If any court of competent jurisdiction at any time
deems the time periods for the foregoing covenants too lengthy or the scope
of
the covenants too broad, the restrictive time periods will be deemed to be
the
longest period permissible by law, and the scope will be deemed to comprise
the
broadest scope permissible by law under the circumstances. It is the intent
of
the parties to protect and preserve the Businesses and the Purchased Assets
and
therefore the parties agree and direct that the time period and scope of the
foregoing covenants will be the maximum permissible duration (not to exceed
five
years) and size.
38
7.4 Further
Assurances.
From
time to time following the Closing, each party shall execute and deliver, or
cause to be executed and delivered, such instruments and documents as a party
may reasonably request or as may be otherwise necessary to more effectively
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. Following the Closing, the
Sellers agree to forward to Buyer any correspondence or other communications
addressed to the Sellers received by them that relates to the Purchased Assets
or Assumed Liabilities.
7.5 Audit.
Sellers
shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause KPMG LLP, within seventy
(70)
days of the Closing Date, to (x) audit the financial statements of each Seller
for 2004, 2005 and 2006 in a manner meeting the requirements of Regulation
S-X
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “SEC
Financial Statements”);
(y)
review pro forma financial statements that Parent intends to file in reports
filed pursuant to the Exchange Act; and (z) take such other similar actions
reasonably requested by the Buyer, including (i) consenting to the proper
use of its report(s) on the audited financial statements included in the SEC
Financial Statements; and (ii) performing a SAS 100 review of any unaudited
financial statements included in the SEC Financial Statements. In connection
with the foregoing, the Sellers shall use their reasonable efforts to assist
the
Buyer in the preparation of such SEC Financial Statements, at Buyer’s expense,
including without limitation providing the Buyer’s Representatives with full
access during normal business hours, and in a manner so as not to interfere
with
the normal business operations of the Sellers, to all relevant books, records,
work papers, information and employees and auditors of such Persons, to the
extent necessary in connection with the preparation of any such SEC Financial
Statements. Buyer shall reimburse Sellers for costs incurred by Sellers in
connection with the preparation of the SEC Financial Statements and its
compliance with Sellers’ obligations under this Section
7.5,
including expenses incurred with Sellers’ engagement of KPMG LLP; provided,
however,
that
Sellers obtain Buyer’s written consent before incurring any charges over $25,000
in respect of Sellers’ obligations under this Section
7.5.
7.6 Confidentiality.
From
and after the date hereof, for a period of three (3) years, the Sellers shall,
and shall cause each of its Affiliates to, treat as confidential and use
commercially reasonable efforts to safeguard and not to use, except as expressly
agreed in writing by Buyer, any and all the Seller Information included within
the Purchased Assets, including the Intellectual Property, in each case using
the standard of care necessary to prevent the unauthorized use, dissemination
or
disclosure of such the Seller Information. For purposes of this Section
7.6,
from
and after the date hereof, confidential information included within the
Purchased Assets shall be deemed to be “Seller Information” notwithstanding the
fact that such information was available to or in the possession of the Sellers
or any of their Affiliates prior to the Closing. Notwithstanding the generality
of the foregoing, nothing in this Section
7.6
shall
prohibit either Seller or its Affiliates from making public disclosures required
by applicable Legal Requirements, according to Section
12.1.
39
7.7 Solvency.
From
the time of execution of this Agreement through March 15, 2008, each of the
Sellers and MFFB shall continue to pay their debts as they mature or become
due,
including the September 15, 2007, and March 15, 2008, payments due under the
Indenture.
7.8 Restrictions
on Sale of Parent Shares.
During
the twelve (12) month period following the Closing Date (such period herein
referred to as the “Initial
Period”),
neither Seller shall, directly or indirectly, through an “affiliate” or
“associate” (as such terms are defined in the General Rules and Regulations
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), or otherwise, offer, sell,
pledge, hypothecate, grant an option for sale, or otherwise dispose of, or
transfer or grant any rights with respect thereto in any manner either privately
or publicly (each, a “Transfer”)
any of
the Parent Shares or Shares of the Parent acquired by the Sellers pursuant
to a
stock split, stock dividend, reverse stock split, subdivision, combination,
reclassification or similar change in the capital structure of Parent (each
an
“Adjustment”)
affecting Parent Shares (together with the Parent Shares, “Securities”),
or
enter into any agreement or any transaction that has the effect of transferring,
in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, the economic consequence of
ownership of the Securities, whether any such agreement or transaction is to
be
settled by delivery of the Securities; provided,
however,
that
Sellers may pledge their rights in the Parent Shares in accordance with the
Indenture. Following the Initial Period, the restrictions on Transfer provided
for in this Section
7.8
shall
lapse with respect to 25% of the number of Parent Shares owned by the Sellers
in
the aggregate (taking into account and proportionally adjusting for any
Adjustments occurring during such period) and the Sellers may Transfer such
Parent Shares, in open market transactions without restriction. On the first
day
of each of the first three consecutive three month periods following the first
anniversary of the Closing Date, the restrictions on Transfer provided for
in
this Section
7.8
shall
lapse with respect to 25% of the aggregate number of Parent Shares paid to
the
Sellers at Closing, (taking into account and proportionally adjusting for any
Adjustments occurring during such period) and the Sellers may Transfer such
Parent Shares, in open market transactions without restriction.
7.9 Registration.
The
Parent Shares shall have registration rights in accordance with the terms of
that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the Closing, in form
and
substance to be mutually agreed by the parties thereto (the “Registration
Rights Agreement”),
pursuant to which, among other things, Parent shall agree to use its
commercially reasonable efforts to (a) file a registration statement on Form
S-3, if eligible, or other appropriate form (the “Registration
Statement”)
covering the Parent Shares issued pursuant to this Agreement, with the SEC
and
(b) cause such Registration Statement to become effective each within 180 days
following the Closing Date.
7.10 Agreement
to Vote.
At all
times prior to a Transfer (as defined above) of Parent Shares, at every meeting
of the stockholders of the Company called with respect to any of the following,
and at every adjournment thereof, and on every action or approval by written
consent of the stockholders of Parent, the Sellers shall appear at such meeting
(in person or by proxy) and shall vote or consent the Parent Shares (i) in
favor
of adoption of each proposal recommended by the Board of Directors of Parent
for
adoption by the stockholders and (ii) against any proposal for which the
Board of Directors of Parent does not support. Prior to the termination of
this
Agreement, each Seller covenants and agrees not to enter into any agreement
or
understanding with any person to vote or give instructions in any manner
inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement. Each Seller agrees to enter
into
a voting agreement at the Closing on terms reasonably acceptable to Buyer (the
“Voting
Agreement”)
that
appoints a designee of Buyer its
proxies and attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, to vote or act by written consent with respect to the Parent
Shares held by the Seller.
40
7.11 Access
to Records.
For two
(2) years after the Closing, each party will permit the other parties and their
Affiliates reasonable access on not less than five (5) business days prior
written notice, during normal business hours, at the sole cost and expense
of
the requesting party and in a manner that will not unreasonably interfere with
the normal operations of the providing party, to and the right to make copies
of
the books and records of such party relating to either Seller and/or the
Purchased Assets existing prior to Closing and in such providing party’s
possession or control; provided,
however,
that
the requesting party shall only use such information (a) to protect or enforce
its rights or perform its obligations under this Agreement and any agreements
entered into among the parties in connection herewith or (b) in connection
with
tax or other regulatory filings, litigation or financial reporting. In addition,
the providing party will make available to the requesting party or its
Affiliate, upon reasonable request and to the extent still employed by the
providing party, personnel who are familiar with any such matter requested.
7.12 Product
Formulation Royalties.
From
and after the Closing Date, MFFB or its Affiliates, as applicable, shall notify
Buyer within five (5) days of its receipt of any Product Formulation Royalties
that are to be paid to the Buyer hereunder, which notice shall include
sufficient detail setting forth the calculation of such amounts. Within fifteen
(15) days of the collection or receipt by MFFB or its Affiliates, as applicable,
of any Product Formulation Royalties, MFFB or its Affiliates shall pay to,
or as
directed by, Buyer such amounts owing Buyer in immediately available funds
by
wire transfer. All payments pursuant to this Section
7.12
shall be
made in accordance with the allocation schedule for the applicable Vendor
Agreements attached hereto as Schedule
7.12
(the
“Vendor
Allocation Schedule”).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, MFFB shall use, and shall cause its Affiliates
to
use, good faith efforts to have the counterparty to each Vendor Agreement pay
Buyer the Product Formulation Royalties directly, based upon the Vendor
Allocation Schedule. In addition, MFFB shall use its good faith efforts, or
cause its Affiliates to use good faith efforts, to assist Buyer transitioning
any services received pursuant to a Vendor Agreement to Buyer as Buyer may
request.
7.13 Lease
Obligations.
(a) General.
Except
as expressly set forth in this Section
7.13,
MFFB
and its Affiliates shall retain all liability for those Pretzel Time and
Pretzelmaker locations set forth on Schedule
7.13(a)
for
which MFFB or one of its Affiliates is either the tenant under the lease or
guarantees the obligations under the lease (collectively, “Lease
Locations”).
If
Buyer terminates the Franchise Agreement for any Franchisee in a Lease Location,
Buyer shall use its good faith efforts to provide MFFB at least thirty (30)
days
prior written notice of such termination. If MFFB, or any of its successors
and
assigns of any MFFB Other Franchise Brand, terminates any MFFB Other Franchise
Brand at a Lease Location, MFFB shall use its good faith efforts to provide
Buyer at least thirty (30) days prior written notice of such termination.
41
(b) Notwithstanding
anything set forth herein to the contrary, if any Franchise Agreement in respect
of any Lease Location is terminated by Buyer, with or without Cause, or is
terminated by the Franchisee of such Lease Location, Buyer and MFFB shall each
use their reasonable best efforts to (i) within the first ninety (90) days
following the effective date of such termination, locate another Person to
operate the Franchise at such Lease Location, (ii) between ninety-one (91)
and
one hundred eighty (180) days following the effective date of such termination,
find a suitable franchisee from any brand under which either Buyer or MFFB,
or
either of their Affiliates, conducts a franchise business, to operate a
franchise at such Lease Location, and (iii) from one hundred eighty-one (181)
days following the effective date of such termination, either find any Person
to
operate any business at such Lease Location or negotiate a settlement,
reasonably acceptable to each Party, with the landlord terminating the lease
for
such Lease Location.
(c) For
purposes of this Section
7.13,
“Cause”
shall
mean a termination of a Franchise Agreement by Buyer due to a breach of the
Franchise Agreement by the Franchisee, which breach is not cured, or capable
of
being cured, in the time permitted under the applicable Franchise Agreement
or a
termination of the Franchise Agreement due to negligence by the
Franchisee.
(d) Buyer
Terminations.
From
the Closing Date until, and including, August 7, 2008, if Buyer terminates
a
Franchise Agreement in respect of a Lease Location (i) without Cause, Buyer
will
be responsible for one hundred percent (100%) of the liability associated with
such Lease Location following such termination, (ii) with Cause, MFFB shall
be
responsible for one hundred percent (100%) of the liability associated with
such
Lease Location. From and after August 8, 2008, if Buyer terminates a Franchise
Agreement in respect of a Lease Location (i) without Cause, Buyer will be
responsible for one hundred percent (100%) of the liability associated with
such
Lease Location following such termination, (ii) with Cause, Buyer and MFFB
shall
each be responsible for fifty percent (50%) of the liabilities associated with
such Lease Location.
(e) Franchisee
Terminations.
From
the Closing Date until, and including, August 7, 2008, if a Franchisee
terminates its Franchise Agreement in respect of a Lease Location, MFFB shall
be
responsible for one hundred percent (100%) of the liability associated with
such
Lease Location. From and after August 8, 2008, if a Franchisee terminates its
Franchise Agreement in respect of a Lease Location (other than as a result
of
MFFB terminating such Franchisee’s right to operate a MFFB Other Franchise Brand
at such Lease Location), each of Buyer and MFFB shall each be responsible for
fifty percent (50%) of the liabilities associated with such Lease
Location.
(f) MFFB
Terminations.
From
the Closing Date until, and including, August 7, 2008, if MFFB terminates a
lease or sub-lease in respect of a Lease Location for any reason, MFFB shall
be
responsible for one hundred percent (100%) of the liability associated with
such
Lease Location. From and after August 8, 2008, if MFFB terminates a lease or
sub-lease in respect of a Lease Location (other than as a result of MFFB
terminating such Franchisee’s right to operate a MFFB Other Franchise Brand at
such Lease Location) for a Lease Breach, each of Buyer and MFFB shall each
be
responsible for fifty percent (50%) of the liabilities associated with such
Lease Location; provided,
however,
that
MFFB provides Buyer at least thirty (30) days prior written notice of its intent
to terminate such lease or sub-lease. For purposes of this Section
7.13(f),
“Lease
Breach”
shall
mean a breach by a Franchisee of a lease or sub-lease in respect of a Lease
Location, which breach is not cured, or capable of being cured, in the time
permitted under the applicable lease or sub-lease.
42
7.14 Business
Plan.
Buyer
and the Sellers will cooperate in good faith to develop a plan to address
co-branding of the Pretzel Time and Pretzelmaker franchise systems (the
“Business
Plan”)
within
five (5) Business Days of the Closing. The Buyer and Sellers will cooperate
in
good to fully implement the Business Plan, including executing additional
documents or taking any other actions contemplated by, or reasonably necessary
to implement, the Business Plan. Each Seller shall provide Buyer with all
records and information reasonably necessary and appropriate to carry out this
Section
7.14.
7.15 Change
of Name.
Within
ten (10) days of the Closing Date, (a) Pretzel Time shall amend its
Organizational Documents and take all other actions necessary to change its
name
to a name that does not include the words “Pretzel Time” or anything similar to
“Pretzel Time,” (b) Pretzelmaker shall amend its Organizational Documents and
take all other actions necessary to change its name to a name that does not
include the words “Pretzelmaker” or anything similar to “Pretzelmaker,” (c) each
Seller shall take all actions requested by Buyer to allow Buyer to change or
incorporate “Pretzel Time” or “Pretzelmaker” into Buyer’s name (or the names of
any of its Affiliates), and (d) MFFB shall cause each of its Affiliates to
amend
their Organizational Documents, if necessary, and take all other actions
necessary to change their names, if applicable, to names that do not include
the
words “Pretzel Time,” “Pretzelmaker,” or anything similar to “Pretzel Time” or
“Pretzelmaker.”
7.16 Intellectual
Property.
The
Sellers agrees to use commercially reasonably efforts to take, or cause to
be
taken all actions as Buyer may reasonably request or as may be otherwise
necessary to assist with the registration and transfer of all foreign trademarks
set forth on Schedule
7.16.
7.17 Franchise
Business.
(a) Buyer
shall, with Sellers’ cooperation, (i) revise the Domestic UFOC to include
information required under the UFOC Guidelines concerning Buyer, Parent and
any
changes in the domestic franchise program Buyer intends to make and (ii) prepare
and file the initial registration of Buyer’s Domestic UFOC with appropriate
state franchise administrators.
(b) Buyer
shall, with Sellers’ cooperation, amend any disclosure document relating to any
international franchise transaction pending as of the Closing Date to include
required information about Buyer, Parent and any changes Buyer intends to make
in the documentation for international franchises.
(c) Seller
shall cooperate with Buyer to minimize the possibility that any prospective
Franchisee will decide not to consummate a pending domestic or international
transaction on account of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
43
ARTICLE
VIII
Conditions
Precedent to Parent’s and Buyer’s Obligation to Close.
Buyer’s
obligation to purchase the Assets and Parent’s and Buyer’s obligation to take
the other actions required to be taken by either Parent or Buyer 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 or Parent, as
appropriate, in whole or in part):
8.1 Truth
of Representations and Warranties.
The
representations and warranties of the Sellers contained in this Agreement that
are qualified as to materiality shall be true and correct, and those not so
qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, as of the date
of
this Agreement and on and as of the Closing Date, except to the extent that
any
such representation or warranty expressly relates to an earlier date, in which
case such representation and warranty qualified as to materiality shall be
true
and correct, and such representation and warranty not so qualified shall be
true
and correct in all material respects, as of such earlier date.
8.2 Performance
of Agreements.
Each of
the covenants and agreements of the Sellers to be performed or complied with
by
them at or prior to the Closing Date pursuant to the terms hereof, shall have
been performed or complied with in all material respects.
8.3 Certificate.
Each
Seller shall have delivered (and caused to be delivered) to the Buyer a
certificate, dated the Closing Date and executed by or on behalf of such Seller,
certifying as to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Sections 8.1
and
8.2
of this
Agreement.
8.4 No
Injunction.
No
court or other Government Authority shall have issued an Order, which shall
then
be in effect, restraining or prohibiting the completion of the transactions
contemplated hereby.
8.5 Governmental
and Other Approvals.
All of
the Government Authorizations and third-party consents and approvals set forth
on Schedule
8.5
shall
have been received and shall be in full force and effect. The Buyer shall have
received copies of releases of all Encumbrances (other than Permitted
Encumbrances) against any asset, property or right of the Purchased
Assets.
8.6 Indenture
Lien Release.
The
Sellers shall have delivered to the Buyer evidence satisfactory to the Buyer
in
its sole discretion that the Trustee (as defined in the Indenture) has taken
all
action and delivered all documents necessary to obtain a full and unconditional
release of the Purchased Assets from the security interests created by the
Indenture, Notes and Collateral Agreements (as such terms are defined in the
Indenture).
8.7 Transition
Services.
The
Sellers shall have entered into a transition services agreement, substantially
in the form of Exhibit
B.
8.8 Escrow
Agreement.
The
Sellers and the Escrow Agent shall have entered into the Escrow Agreement,
and
such agreement shall be in full force and effect.
44
8.9 Registration
Rights Agreement.
Each
Seller shall have entered into the Registration Rights Agreement, and such
agreement shall be in full force and effect.
8.10 Voting
Agreement.
Each
Seller shall have entered into the Voting Agreement, and such agreement shall
be
in full force and effect.
8.11 Closing
Deliverables.
In
addition to any other documents to be delivered or actions to be taken under
other provisions of this Agreement, at the Closing, the Sellers shall deliver
to
Buyer:
(i) One
or
more executed bills of sale in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Buyer transferring to Buyer all Tangible Personal Property.
(ii) One
or
more executed assignment and assumption agreement(s) in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Buyer assigning to Buyer the Assumed Contracts to
be
assigned hereunder.
(iii) Certified
copies of the resolutions of the Sellers authorizing the execution, delivery,
and performance of this Agreement by the Sellers and the consummation of the
transactions provided for herein.
(iv) An
executed assignment and assumption of the Intellectual Property, in form and
substance reasonably acceptable to Buyer.
(v) A
non-foreign affidavit dated as of the Closing Date, sworn under penalty of
perjury and in the form required under treasury regulations issued pursuant
to
Code §1445 stating that the Sellers is not a foreign person as defined in Code
§1445.
ARTICLE
IX
Conditions
Precedent to the Sellers’ Obligation to Close
All
obligations of the Sellers under this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment
of each of the following conditions, any or all of which may be waived in whole
or in part by the Sellers, in their sole discretion:
9.1 Truth
of Representations and Warranties.
The
representations and warranties of Parent and Buyer contained in this Agreement
that are qualified as to materiality shall be true and correct, and those not
so
qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, as of the date
of
this Agreement and on and as of the Closing Date, except to the extent that
any
such representation or warranty expressly relates to an earlier date, in which
case such representation or warranty that is qualified as to materiality shall
be true and correct, and such representation and warranty not so qualified
shall
be true and correct in all material respects, as of such earlier
date.
9.2 Performance
of Agreements.
Each of
the covenants and agreements of Parent and Buyer to be performed or complied
with by Parent or Buyer at or prior to the Closing Date pursuant to the terms
hereof, shall have been duly performed or complied with by each of Parent and
Buyer in all material respects.
45
9.3 Certificate.
Parent
and Buyer have delivered to the Sellers a certificate, dated the Closing Date
and executed by a duly authorized officer on behalf of Parent and Buyer,
certifying as to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Sections 9.1
and
9.2
of this
Agreement.
9.4 No
Injunction.
No
court or other Government Authority shall have issued an Order, which shall
then
be in effect, restraining or prohibiting the completion of the transactions
contemplated hereby.
9.5 Governmental
and Other Approvals.
All
Government Authorizations and third-party consents and approvals set forth
on
Schedule
8.5
shall
have been received and shall be in full force and effect.
9.6 Escrow
Agreement.
Buyer,
Parent and the Escrow Agent shall have entered into the Escrow Agreement, and
such agreement shall be in full force and effect.
9.7 Registration
Rights Agreement.
Parent
shall have entered into the Registration Rights Agreement, and such agreement
shall be in full force and effect.
9.8 Closing
Deliverables.
In
addition to any other documents to be delivered or actions to be taken under
other provisions of this Agreement, at Closing, Parent or Buyer, as applicable,
shall deliver to the Sellers the following (“Buyer’s
Closing Documents”):
(a) The
Initial Purchase Price as provided in Sections
3.2
and
3.3.
(b) One
or
more assignment and assumption agreement(s) assuming the Assumed Liabilities
executed by Buyer, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Sellers.
(c) A
certified copy of the resolutions of Parent and Buyer authorizing the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions provided for herein.
ARTICLE
X
Termination
10.1 Right
to Terminate.
This
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby may be terminated at any
time
prior to the Closing:
(a) by
the
mutual written consent of Buyer and the Sellers;
(b) by
either
Buyer or the Sellers if the Closing shall not have occurred by August 31, 2007
(the “Termination
Date”);
(c) by
either
Parent or the Sellers if a court of competent jurisdiction or other Government
Authority shall have issued a nonappealable final order, decree or ruling or
taken any other action, in each case having the effect of permanently
restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated
hereby, except if the party relying on such order, decree or ruling or other
action has not complied with its obligations under this Agreement;
46
(d) by
the
Sellers, if there has been a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant
or
agreement on the part of Parent or Buyer set forth in this Agreement that causes
the conditions set forth in Article
IX
to
become incapable of fulfillment by the Termination Date, unless waived by the
Sellers;
(e) by
Parent
or Buyer, if there has been a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant
or agreement on the part of the Sellers set forth in this Agreement that causes
the conditions set forth in Article
VIII
to
become incapable of fulfillment by the Termination Date, unless waived by Buyer
or Parent; provided,
however,
that
the party exercising its right to so terminate this Agreement pursuant to
Section 10.1(b),
10.1(d)
or
10.1(e)
shall
not have a right to terminate if, at the time of such termination, there exists
a breach of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements
contained in this Agreement that results in the closing conditions set forth
in
Article
VIII
or
IX,
as
applicable, not being satisfied.
10.2 Effect
of Termination.
In the
event of the termination of this Agreement as provided in this Article
X,
this
Agreement shall become null and void and of no further force or effect, and
there shall be no liability or obligation hereunder on the part of the Sellers,
the Parent or Buyer, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees,
members, partners, Affiliates, agents, representatives, heirs, administrators,
executors, successors or assigns, except (i) the provisions of this Agreement
relating to the Confidentiality Agreement and (ii) the obligations of the
parties to this Agreement under Article
XI
hereof
and this Section
10.2
shall
survive any such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein
shall relieve any party from liability for any breach of any of its covenants
or
agreements or breach of its representations or warranties contained in this
Agreement prior to termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE
XI
Indemnification;
Remedies
11.1 Survival.
All
representations and warranties made by the Sellers, MFFB, Parent or Buyer,
herein, or in any certificate, schedule or exhibit delivered pursuant hereto,
shall survive the Closing and continue in full force and effect until the
9-month anniversary of
the
Closing Date (the “Survival
Date”),
other
than in the case of fraud and except as to any matters with respect to which
a
bona fide written claim shall have been made or action at law or in equity
shall
have been commenced before such date, in which event survival shall continue
(but only with respect to, and to the extent of, such claim or action);
provided,
however,
that
the representations and warranties (i) in Section
4.10
shall
survive and remain in full force and effect until 30 days after the expiration
of the applicable statute of limitations for the assessment of Taxes (including
all periods of extension, whether automatic or permissive) and (ii) in
Sections
4.1,
4.2,
4.6,
4.7,
4.21,
5.1,
5.5
and
5.6
(the
“Core
Representations”)
shall
survive and remain in full force and effect indefinitely. Each covenant and
agreement of the Sellers and Buyer contained in this Agreement, which by its
terms is required to be performed after the Closing Date, shall survive the
Closing and remain in full force and effect until such covenant or agreement
is
performed.
47
11.2 Indemnification
by the Sellers and MFFB.
Subject
to the limitations set forth in this Article
XI,
the
Sellers, severally but not jointly, and MFFB jointly and severally with each
Seller, shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Buyer and Parent and their
managers, members, officers, directors, agents, attorneys and employees,
(hereinafter “Buyer
Indemnified Parties”)
from
and against any and all Damages incurred or sustained by Buyer Indemnified
Parties as a result of:
(a) the
breach of any representation or warranty of the Sellers or MFFB, as the case
may
be, contained in this Agreement or in any certificate or other instrument
furnished to Buyer or Parent by either Seller pursuant to this
Agreement;
(b) the
breach of, default under or nonfulfillment of any covenant, obligation or
agreement of either Seller or MFFB, as the case may be, under this Agreement
or
the agreements and instruments contemplated herein;
(c) the
Excluded Assets;
(d) any
liability that is based upon the occurrence of events, or actions taken by
either Seller, prior to the Closing Date and is not an Assumed Liability,
including the Excluded Liabilities; or
(e) any
litigation, proceeding or claim by any Person relating to the Businesses as
conducted prior to Closing whether or not such litigation, proceeding or claim
is set forth on Schedule
4.13(a)
or
Schedule
4.13(b);
(f) any
liabilities or obligations that arise within fifteen (15) months of the Closing
Date with respect to the Developing Agent Agreements to the extent such
liability or obligation is not otherwise reimbursed in accordance with
Article
VI;
or
(g) any
and
all actions, suits, or proceedings, incident to any of the
foregoing.
11.3 Indemnification
by Buyer.
Subject
to the limitations set forth in this Article
XI,
Buyer
and Parent will each indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Sellers and their
respective stockholders, managers, officers, directors, agents, attorneys and
employees (hereinafter “Seller
Indemnified Parties”
and,
together with the Buyer Indemnified Parties, the “Indemnified
Party”)
from
and against any and all Damages incurred or sustained by the Sellers Indemnified
Parties as a result of:
(a) the
breach of any representation or warranty of Buyer or Parent contained under
this
Agreement or any certificate or other instrument furnished by Buyer or Parent
to
Seller pursuant to this Agreement;
(b) the
breach of, default under of nonfulfillment of any covenant, obligation or
agreement by Buyer or Parent under this Agreement or in the agreements and
instruments contemplated herein;
(c) the
operation of the Businesses and the ownership of the Purchased Assets by Buyer
following the Closing;
48
(d) any
Assumed Liability; and
(e) any
and
all actions, suits, or proceedings incident to any of the foregoing..
11.4 Limitation
on Liability.
(a) None
of
the Sellers, MFFB or Parent nor Buyer shall have any liability for Damages
under, respectively, Section
11.2
(other
than Section
11.2(f))
or
Section
11.3,
and
neither the Seller Indemnified Parties nor the Buyer Indemnified Parties shall
have the right to seek indemnification under, respectively, Section
11.2
(other
than Section
11.2(f)
or
Section
11.3
until
the aggregate amount of the Damages incurred by such Indemnified Party exceeds
$200,000 (the “Minimum
Loss”),
provided that the Minimum Loss shall not apply to any Damages (and there shall
be first-dollar liability) resulting from any breach or misrepresentation of
any
Core Representations and Section
4.10.
After
the Minimum Loss is exceeded, the Indemnified Party shall be entitled to
indemnification for the entire amount of its Damages in excess of the Minimum
Loss, subject to the limitations on recovery and recourse set forth in this
Article
XI.
(b) The
aggregate liability of the Sellers and MFFB on the one hand, and Buyer and
Parent, on the other, for all Damages under Section
11.2
or
Section
11.3
or
payments under Article
VI,
as
applicable, shall not exceed the Final Purchase Price (the “Cap”).
The
limitations set forth in this Section
11.4
or
elsewhere in this Article
XI
shall
not apply to any breach of a Core Representation or in the case of fraud.
(c) In
determining the amount of Damages in respect of a claim under this Article
XI,
there
shall be deducted an amount equal to the amount of any third-party insurance
proceeds actually received by the Indemnified Party making such claim with
respect to such Damages, less the cost of any increase in insurance premiums
over the projected period of such increase as a result of making a claim for
such Damages, provided
that
there shall be no obligation to make a claim, and no offset against Damages
shall be made if a party reasonably believes that making a claim for such
Damages is reasonably likely to result in a non-renewal of the insurance
policy.
11.5 Other
Indemnification Provisions.
(a) To
the
extent that any representations and warranties of the Sellers, Parent or Buyer,
as applicable, have been breached, thereby entitling the non-breaching party
to
indemnification pursuant to Section
11.2
and
Section
11.3
hereof,
it is expressly agreed and acknowledged by the parties that solely for purposes
of calculation of Damages in connection with any right to indemnification,
the
representations and warranties of either or the Sellers or Parent and Buyer,
as
applicable, that have been breached shall be deemed not qualified by any
references therein to materiality generally, Sellers’ Knowledge or to whether or
not any breach or inaccuracy results in a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Following
the Closing, the parties’ rights to indemnification pursuant to this
Article
XI
shall,
except for equitable relief and specific performance of covenants that survive
Closing and for claims under Section
12.4
of this
Agreement, be the sole and exclusive remedy available to the parties with
respect to any matter arising under or in connection with this Agreement or
the
transactions contemplated hereby, other than for claims of fraud.
49
11.6 Procedure
for Indemnification. The
procedure to be followed in connection with any claim for indemnification by
Buyer Indemnified Parties under Section
11.2
or
Seller Indemnified Parties under Section
11.3
or any
claims by one party against the other is set forth below:
(a) Notice.
Whenever any Indemnified Party shall have received notice that a claim has
been
asserted or threatened against such Indemnified Party, which, if valid, would
subject the indemnifying party (the “Indemnifying
Party”)
to an
indemnity obligation under this Agreement, the Indemnified Party shall promptly
notify the Indemnifying Party of such claim; provided,
however,
that
failure to so notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying
Party of its indemnification obligations hereunder, except to the extent the
Indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced thereby. Any such notice must be
made
to the Indemnifying Party not later than the expiration of the applicable
survival period specified in Section
11.1
above.
(b) Defense
of a Third Party Claim.
If any
third party shall notify any party with respect to any matter (a “Third
Party Claim”)
that
may give rise to a claim for indemnification against any other party under
this
Article
XI,
the
Indemnifying Party will have the right, but not the obligation, to assume the
defense of the Third Party Claim so long as (i) the Indemnifying Party provides
the Indemnified Party with evidence reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified
Party that the Indemnifying Party will have the financial resources to defend
against the Third Party Claim and fulfill its indemnification obligations
hereunder, (ii) uses counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party,
(iii) the Indemnifying Party acknowledges its obligation to indemnify the
Indemnified Party hereafter in respect of such matters and (iv) the relief
sought is monetary damages.
(c) After
notice from the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party of its election
to
assume the defense of the Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall not,
as long as the Indemnifying Party diligently conducts such defense, be liable
to
the Indemnified Party for any legal or other expense subsequently incurred
by
the indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof, other than
reasonable costs of investigation; provided,
however,
that if
counsel defending such Third Party Claim shall advise the parties of a potential
conflict of interest arising from the existence of one or more legal defenses
available to the Indemnified Party which are different from or additional to
those available to the Indemnifying Party or its Affiliates, then the
Indemnified Party may retain separate counsel to defend it and in that event
the
reasonable fees and expenses of such separate counsel shall be paid by the
Indemnifying Party if applicable under this Article
XI.
Subject
to the proviso to the foregoing sentence, if the Indemnifying Party assumes
such
defense, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to participate in the
defense thereof and to employ counsel, at its own expense, separate from the
counsel employed by the Indemnifying Party. The Indemnifying Parties shall
be
liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel employed by the
Indemnified Party for any period during which the Indemnifying Party have not
assumed the defense thereof if they ultimately are found to be liable to
indemnify the Indemnified Party. If the Indemnifying Party choose to defend
or
prosecute any Third Party Claim, all of the parties hereto shall cooperate
in
the defense or prosecution thereof.
50
(d) If
an
Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of an action or proceeding, then without
the Indemnified Party’s written consent, the Indemnifying Party shall not settle
or compromise any Third Party Claim or consent to the entry of any judgment
which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the delivery by the
claimant or other plaintiff to the Indemnified Party of a written release from
all liability in respect of such Third Party Claim or if such settlement shall
include injunctive or other relief that affects or relates to the right or
obligations of such Indemnified Party, other than the obligation to pay monetary
damages where such damages have been satisfied in full by the Indemnifying
Party
or their respective Affiliates.
11.7 Non-Third
Party Claims.
Within
thirty (30) Business Days after a party obtains knowledge that it has sustained
any Damages not involving a Third Party Claim or action which such party
reasonably believes may give rise to a claim for indemnification from another
party hereunder, such Indemnified Party shall deliver notice of such claim
to
the Indemnifying Party, together with a brief description of the facts and
data
which support the claim for indemnification (a “Claim Notice”); provided,
however,
that
failure to so notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying
Party of its indemnification obligations hereunder, except to the extent that
the Indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced thereby. Any Claim Notice must
be
made to the Indemnifying Party not later than the expiration of the applicable
survival period specified in Section
11.1
above.
If the Indemnifying Party does not deliver notice to the Indemnified Party
within thirty (30) Business Days following its receipt of a Claim Notice that
the Indemnifying Party disputes its liability to the Indemnified Party under
this Article
XI
(an
“Indemnification Objection”) the Indemnifying Party will be deemed to have
rejected such claim, in which event the other party will be free to pursue
such
remedies as may be available to them.
11.8 Indemnification
Payments.
In the
event any Buyer Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification pursuant to
this Article
XI
for
Damages described in such Claim Notice, such Buyer Indemnified Party shall
be
entitled to obtain such indemnification first out of the then remaining balance
of the Escrow Amount, and then, if the Escrow Amount is insufficient to satisfy
such indemnification claim, such Buyer Indemnified Party may seek
indemnification from the Sellers or MFFB for the unreimbursed portion of such
claim. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event any Buyer Indemnified Party
is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article
XI
for
Damages described in such Claim Notice, the Sellers and MFFB shall satisfy
their
obligation to indemnify for such Damages by payment by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to an account designated in writing by such Buyer
Indemnified Party.
ARTICLE
XII
Miscellaneous
12.1 Public
Disclosure or Communications.
Except
to the extent required by applicable Legal Requirements (including, without
limitation, the UFOC Guidelines, securities laws applicable to MFFB, and the
rules of the Nasdaq Global Market and securities laws applicable to Parent),
none of the Parent, Buyer, MFFB, Sellers or any of their Affiliates shall issue
any press release or public announcement of any kind concerning the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other
parties; and, in the event that any such public announcement, release or
disclosure is required by applicable Legal Requirements (including, without
limitation, the rules of the Nasdaq Global Market and securities laws), the
disclosing party will provide the other parties, to the extent practicable
and
permissible under the circumstances, reasonable opportunity to comment on any
such announcement, release or disclosure prior to the making thereof. Each
of
the parties hereto acknowledges that each of Parent and MFFB shall be required
to file a Current Report on Form 8-K disclosing the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement and attaching as an exhibit thereto a copy of this
Agreement.
51
12.2 Notices.
All
notices, consents, waivers, and other communications under this Agreement must
be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given when (a) delivered
by
hand (with written confirmation of receipt), (b) sent by telecopier (with
written confirmation of receipt); provided
that a
copy is mailed by registered mail, return receipt requested, or (c) received
by
the addressee, if sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service
(receipt requested), in each case to the appropriate addresses and telecopier
numbers set forth below (or to such other addresses and telecopier numbers
as a
party may designate by notice to the other parties):
If
to
the Sellers or MFFB:
Xxx.
Xxxxxx Famous Brands, LLC
0000
Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxx
Xxxx
Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxxx Xxxx, EVP and General Counsel
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
If
to
Buyer or Parent:
1330
Avenue of the Xxxxxxxx
00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, CFO
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
With
a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Xxxxxxxx
& Xxxxx LLP
000
00xx
Xxxxxx,
X.X.
Xxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxx X. Director, Esq.
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
12.3 Entire
Agreement; Nonassignability; Parties in Interest.
This
Agreement and the certificates, exhibits, schedules, documents, instruments
and
other agreements specifically referred to herein or therein or delivered
pursuant hereto or thereto: (a) constitute the entire agreement among the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior
agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof, (b) are not intended to confer upon any
other Person, either explicitly or implicitly, any equitable or legal rights
or
remedies of any nature whatsoever hereunder, and (c) shall not be assigned
by
operation of law or otherwise without the written consent of the other party;
provided,
however,
that
Buyer may, without the consent of the Sellers, (i) assign any or all of its
rights and interests hereunder to one or more of its Affiliates, (ii) designate
one or more of its Affiliates to perform its obligations hereunder, (iii) direct
the Sellers, at the Closing and on behalf of the Buyer, to transfer title to
all
or some of the Purchased Assets directly to one of more of its Affiliates,
and
(iv) assign its rights to indemnification under this Agreement upon a sale
or
transfer of Buyer or all or substantially all of the assets of Buyer;
provided,
however,
that
Buyer shall remain obligated to perform all its obligations under this Agreement
if not performed by such Affiliates.
52
12.4 Bulk
Sales Law.
Buyer
hereby waives compliance by the Sellers with the provisions of any so-called
bulk transfer laws of any jurisdiction in connection with the sale of the
Purchased Assets. Notwithstanding any such waiver, each of the Sellers,
severally, and MFFB jointly and severally with each Seller, agrees to indemnify
Buyer against all liability, damage or expense which Buyer may suffer due to
the
failure to so comply or to provide notice required by any such law.
12.5 Expenses.
Except
as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, whether or not the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated, each party hereto
shall bear its own costs, expenses and fees incurred in connection with this
Agreement and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
12.6 Waiver
and Amendment.
Any
representation, warranty, covenant, term or condition of this Agreement which
may legally be waived, may be waived, or the time of performance thereof
extended, at any time by the party hereto entitled to the benefit thereof and
any term, condition or covenant hereof may be amended by the parties hereto
at
any time. Any such waiver, extension or amendment shall be evidenced by an
instrument in writing executed on behalf of the appropriate party by a person
who has been authorized by such party to execute waivers, extensions or
amendments on its behalf. No waiver by any party hereto, whether express or
implied, of its rights under any provision of this Agreement shall constitute
a
waiver of such party’s rights under such provisions at any other time or a
waiver of such party’s rights under any other provision of this Agreement. No
failure by any party hereto to take any action against any breach of this
Agreement or default by another party shall constitute a waiver of the former
party’s right to enforce any provision of this Agreement or to take action
against such breach or default or any subsequent breach or default by such
other
party.
12.7 Severability.
Any
term or provision of this Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable will
be
ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without
rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining rights of the person intended
to be benefited by such provision or any other provisions of this
Agreement.
12.8 Remedies
Cumulative.
Except
as otherwise provided herein, any and all remedies herein expressly conferred
upon a party will be deemed cumulative with and not exclusive of any other
remedy conferred hereby, or by law or equity upon such party, and the exercise
by a party of any one remedy will not preclude the exercise of any other
remedy.
53
12.9 Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall
constitute an original, and all of which taken together shall constitute one
instrument. Any signature page delivered by a facsimile machine, or in portable
document format (“PDF”)
file
format shall be binding to the same extent as an original signature page with
regard to any agreement subject to the terms hereof or any amendment
thereto.
12.10 Governing
Law; Jurisdiction.
(a) The
interpretation and construction of this Agreement, and all matters relating
hereto, shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, including
Sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 of the New York General Obligations Law.
(b) Each
of
the parties agrees that any legal action or proceeding with respect to this
Agreement may be brought in the courts of the State of New York or the United
States District Court for the Southern District of New York and, by execution
and delivery of this Agreement, each party hereto hereby irrevocably submits
itself in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, to the
non-exclusive jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts in any legal action or
proceeding arising out of this Agreement. Each of the parties hereto hereby
irrevocably waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the
laying of venue of any of the aforesaid actions or proceedings arising out
of or
in connection with this Agreement brought in the courts referred to in the
preceding sentence. Each party hereto hereby consents to process being served
in
any such action or proceeding by the mailing of a copy thereof to the address
set forth in Section 12.2
hereof
below its name and agrees that such service upon receipt shall constitute good
and sufficient service of process or notice thereof. Nothing in this paragraph
shall affect or eliminate any right to serve process in any other manner
permitted by applicable Legal Requirements.
12.11 Specific
Performance.
The
Sellers agree that the Purchased Assets include unique property that cannot
be
readily obtained on the open market and that Buyer will be irreparably injured
if this Agreement is not specifically enforced. Therefore,
Buyer shall have the right specifically to enforce the Sellers’ performance
under this Agreement, and the Sellers agree to waive the defense in any such
suit that Buyer has an adequate remedy at law and to interpose no opposition,
legal or otherwise, as to the propriety of specific performance as a
remedy.
[REMAINDER
OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK; SIGNATURE FOLLOWS]
54
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the
parties hereto have each executed and delivered this Asset Purchase Agreement
as
of the day and year first above written.
NEXCEN ASSET ACQUISITION, LLC | ||
NexCen Brands, Inc., its Managing Member | ||
|
|
|
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx X. X’Xxxxx | |
Title: Chief Executive Officer |
NEXCEN BRANDS, INC. | ||
|
|
|
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx X. X’Xxxxx | |
Title: Chief Executive Officer |
PRETZEL TIME FRANCHISING, LLC | ||
|
|
|
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxx | |
Title: EVP and Chief Legal Officer |
PRETZELMAKER FRANCHISING, LLC | ||
|
|
|
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxx | |
Title: EVP and Chief Legal Officer |
XXX. XXXXXX FAMOUS BRANDS, LLC | ||
|
|
|
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxx | |
Title: EVP and Chief Legal Officer |
ANNEX
A
ESTIMATE
STATEMENT
ANNEX
B
PURCHASE
PRICE ALLOCATION
Seller
|
Column
I
Cash
at Closing
|
Column
II
Parent
Shares at Closing
|
Column
III
Indemnity
Escrow Amount
|
Column
IV
Developing
Agents Escrow Amount
|
Pretzelmaker
|
$8,143,905
|
235,416
shares
|
156,943
shares
|
0
shares
|
Pretzel
Time
|
$13,926,294
|
229,080
shares
|
243,422
shares
|
136,054
shares
|