LICENSE, RELEASE AND SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

EXHIBIT 10.1

LICENSE, RELEASE AND SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

This License, Release and Settlement Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into as of the date of the last signature set forth below (the “Effective Date”), by Xxxxxx.xxx, Inc., a California corporation (“Xxxxxx.xxx”), on the one hand, and Waitr Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Waitr Inc., a Delaware corporation (collectively, “WAITR”), on the other hand. Xxxxxx.xxx and WAITR are referred to herein individually as a “Party”, and collectively as the “Parties.”

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Xxxxxx.xxx owns U.S. Trademark Registration No. 2,372,884 for the XXXXXX.XXX trademark (the “XXXXXX.XXX Xxxx”).

WHEREAS, WAITR owns U.S. Trademark Registration No. 4,881,286 for the WAITR trademark (the “XXXXX Xxxx”).

WHEREAS, on July 14, 2016, Xxxxxx.xxx filed a lawsuit alleging infringement of the XXXXXX.XXX Xxxx against WAITR, styled Xxxxxx.xxx, Inc. x. Xxxxx Holdings Inc. and Waitr Inc., Civil Action No. 2:16-cv-01041, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana (the “Lawsuit”).

WHEREAS, WAITR answered the Lawsuit, denying any infringement or other wrongdoing and liability related to the XXXXXX.XXX Xxxx, and asserted various affirmative defenses and counterclaims.

WHEREAS, following negotiations and without admitting any liability to the other or any wrongdoing by any Party, the Parties desire to resolve all of the claims and counterclaims asserted in the Lawsuit on the terms set forth in this Agreement.

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

1. Incorporation of Recitals. The Recitals set forth above are incorporated into this Agreement.

2. Definitions. For the purposes of this Agreement, in addition to the capitalized terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them below:

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(a) “WAITR Services” means the marketing, sale, or provision of any web-based or mobile app-based delivery, pick-up, carry-out, or dine-in services using the XXXXX Xxxx.

(b) “WAITR Third Parties” means restaurants, businesses, retailers, distributors, partners, customers, end-users, independent contractor drivers, and any other parties that currently use, will use, or provide the WAITR Services.

3. License for WAITR’s Use of the XXXXX Xxxx. Subject to WAITR’s full payment of the Settlement Payment, Xxxxxx.xxx grants WAITR and WAITR Third Parties a fully paid-up, exclusive, worldwide, and irrevocable license to use the XXXXX Xxxx for a period of twelve (12) months commencing from the Effective Date of this Agreement (the “Initial License Period”), with the following conditions and restrictions:

(a) During the Initial License Period, WAITR shall publish a statement on the xxxxxxxx.xxx website and the WAITR mobile application that disclaims any association with Xxxxxx.xxx.

(b) WAITR shall not provide food delivery services under the XXXXX Xxxx from any restaurants in the states of California, Oregon, or Washington, except for: (i) those restaurants from which delivery services were already being provided under the WAITR Xxxx xxxxx to the Effective Date of the Agreement; and (ii) any restaurant that is owned, operated or affiliated with a national chain restaurant company that has entered into an agreement with WAITR for delivery services prior to the Effective Date of the Agreement and is listed in the attached Exhibit A.

(c) WAITR shall not increase the number of restaurants offering pick-up or carry-out services under the XXXXX Xxxx in the San Francisco Bay area, Los Angeles Metro area, Orange County Metro area, Portland Metro area, or Seattle Metro area. For avoidance of doubt, this restriction does not apply to: (i) grocery stores or liquor stores; and (ii) any restaurant that is owned, operated or affiliated with a national chain restaurant company that has entered into an agreement with WAITR for pick-up or carry-out services prior to the Effective Date of the Agreement and is listed in the attached Exhibit A.

(d) Xxxxxx.xxx is making no representations and warranties with respect to the XXXXX Xxxx, and WAITR is accepting this license from Xxxxxx.xxx hereunder on an “as-is” basis and with all faults.

4. Option to Extend License Period. WAITR shall have an option (the “Option”), exercisable at WAITR’s sole discretion at any time during the period beginning on the Effective Date of this Agreement and ending on the date that is eleven (11) months after the Effective Date of this Agreement (the “Option Period”), to extend the license granted in Paragraph 3 of this Agreement (thus extending the Initial License Period) by an additional eight (8) months (i.e., a total of twenty (20) months from the Effective Date of this Agreement) (the “Extended License Period”). If WAITR elects to exercise the Option, WAITR shall, before the end of the Option Period: (i) deliver written notification to Xxxxxx.xxx of WAITR’s intention to exercise the Option; and (ii) deliver payment to Xxxxxx.xxx in the amount of eight hundred thousand dollars

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($800,000.00) (the “Option Consideration”) by wire transfer to the account described in the wire instructions attached as Exhibit B.

5. WAITR’s Adoption of New Branding and Cessation of Use of the XXXXX Xxxx. On or before the expiration of the Initial License Period or, if WAITR exercises the Option, on or before the expiration of the Extended License Period, WAITR shall: (i) adopt a new trademark or tradename (to replace the XXXXX Xxxx) that does not include the “WAITR” name or the word “waiter” (the “New Branding”); and (ii) discontinue use of the XXXXX Xxxx in connection with the WAITR Services. In connection with the New Branding, WAITR shall take the following actions with respect to the WAITR Services and the XXXXX Xxxx:

(a) WAITR shall cause its counsel to file the appropriate paperwork with the USPTO to expressly abandon and effectuate the cancellation of the registration for the XXXXX Xxxx (U.S. Trademark Registration No. 4,881,286).

(b) WAITR shall change the consumer-facing branding of the WAITR mobile application to reflect the New Branding in accordance with Apple’s and Android’s rules and regulations.

(c) WAITR shall relocate the WAITR Services that are accessible from the xxx.xxxxxxxx.xxx website to a new domain name that does not incorporate the “WAITR” name or the word “waiter.” Thereafter, WAITR may continue to use the xxx.xxxxxxxx.xxx website for an additional eighteen (18) months for the sole purposes of redirecting users to the new domain name and as the website for Waitr Holdings Inc. After the end of such 18-month period, WAITR will maintain the domain name registration for xxxxxxxx.xxx but will discontinue the use of the domain name “xxxxxxxx.xxx” for any purpose.

(d) WAITR shall cease use of the “WAITR” Xxxx on any goods, products, signs, displays, labels, brochures, advertisements, promotional material, menus, packages, articles of clothing, and other items (“WAITR Goods”) and shall take commercially reasonable steps to cause WAITR Third Parties to dispose of or remove any WAITR Goods from public view.

6. Use of WAITR Corporate Names. Notwithstanding the terms of Paragraph 5, nothing in this Agreement will require Waitr Inc. or Waitr Holdings Inc. to change its corporate name or its trading symbol “WTRH,” or require consideration to be paid to Xxxxxx.xxx by WAITR to continue to use the corporate name of either Waitr Holdings Inc. or Waitr Inc. or Waitr Holdings Inc.’s trading symbol.

7. Future Trademark Applications. WAITR shall not apply for or seek to have any third party apply for any registration of the XXXXX Xxxx or any xxxx that includes the “WAITR” name or the word “waiter” on any federal or state trademark registry.

8. WAITR Agreement Not to Challenge the XXXXXX.XXX Xxxx. WAITR acknowledges that Xxxxxx.xxx is the owner of U.S. Trademark Registration No. 2,372,884 for the “XXXXXX.XXX” Xxxx and agrees not to contest Xxxxxx.xxx’s ownership of the XXXXXX.XXX Xxxx, nor the XXXXXX.XXX Mark’s validity or incontestability.

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9. Releases.

(a) Xxxxxx.xxx hereby releases, acquits, and forever discharges WAITR, its subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, shareholders, officers, agents, employees, attorneys, and all persons acting in concert with it, and its and their successors and assigns, from any and all claims of whatever kind or nature, in law or in equity, whether known or unknown, anywhere in the world, that Xxxxxx.xxx has against WAITR by reason of any matter, act, omission, cause or event whatever related to the Lawsuit, the XXXXXX.XXX Xxxx, the XXXXX Xxxx, or any use of the “WAITR” name that occurred prior to the Effective Date, excluding representations or obligations expressly included in this Agreement.

(b) WAITR hereby releases, acquits, and forever discharges Xxxxxx.xxx, its subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, shareholders, officers, agents, employees, attorneys, and all persons acting in concert with it, and its and their successors and assigns, from any and all claims of whatever kind or nature, in law or in equity, whether known or unknown, anywhere in the world, that WAITR has against Xxxxxx.xxx by reason of any matter, act, omission, cause or event whatever related to the Lawsuit, the XXXXXX.XXX Xxxx, the XXXXX Xxxx, or any use of the “WAITR” name that occurred prior to the Effective Date, excluding representations or obligations expressly included in this Agreement.

(c) The releases in this Agreement include an express, informed, knowing, and voluntary waiver and relinquishment to the fullest extent permitted by law. In this connection, the Parties acknowledge that they may have sustained damages, losses, costs or expenses which are presently unknown and unsuspected and that such damages, losses, costs or expenses as may have been sustained may give rise to additional damages, losses, costs or expenses in the future. The Parties further acknowledge that they have negotiated this Agreement taking into account presently unsuspected and unknown claims, counterclaims, causes of action, damages, losses, costs, and expenses, and the Parties hereto voluntarily and with full knowledge of its significance, expressly waive and relinquish any and all rights they may have under any state or federal statute, rule or common law principle, in law or equity, relating to limitations on general releases. The Parties voluntarily and with full knowledge of its significance, expressly waive and relinquish any and all rights they may have under any state or federal statute, rule, or common law principle, in law or equity, relating to limitations on releases. Specifically, each Party hereby expressly waives any rights it may have under California Civil Code Section 1542 (or any other similar law in any jurisdiction) which provides that: “A general release does not extend to claims that the creditor or releasing party does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release and that, if known by him or her, would have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor or released party.”

10. Payments.

(a) In consideration of the settlement of all claims in the Lawsuit and the license granted in Paragraph 3 of this Agreement, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, WAITR agrees to deliver Xxxxxx.xxx a payment of four million seven hundred thousand dollars and zero cents ($4,700,000.00) (the “Settlement Payment”), payable to Xxxxxx.xxx no later than seven (7) business days after the Effective Date of this Agreement by wire transfer to the account described in the wire instructions attached as Exhibit B.

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(b) In the event that WAITR elects to exercise the Option provided for in Paragraph 4 of this Agreement, WAITR shall, on or before the expiration of the Option Period: (i) deliver written notification to Xxxxxx.xxx of WAITR’s intention to exercise the Option; and (ii) deliver the Option Consideration to Xxxxxx.xxx by wire transfer to the account set forth in Exhibit B.

11. Dismissal of the Lawsuit. The Parties shall cause their respective counsel to execute and exchange the stipulated motion to dismiss in the form set forth in Exhibit C with the Parties’ signatures to this Agreement, and the Parties’ counsel shall hold the executed stipulated motion to dismiss in escrow. Within two (2) business days of receipt of the Settlement Payment by Xxxxxx.xxx, the Parties shall cause their respective counsel to file the stipulated motion to dismiss with the Court, dismissing with prejudice all claims and counterclaims between the Parties in the Lawsuit. The Parties shall promptly proceed with any additional procedures needed to dismiss the Lawsuit with prejudice.

12. Confidentiality. The terms of this Agreement (“Settlement Terms”) shall be kept confidential, except that the Parties may disclose the Settlement Terms to their attorneys, financial advisors, and/or accountants, provided that they agree to maintain the confidentiality of the Settlement Terms. Nothing herein shall prevent the Parties from disclosing the Settlement Terms or this Agreement (i) in response to any statutory or regulatory requirement or any validly issued subpoena, legal process, court order, or investigative demand from a court or government entity of competent jurisdiction, or (ii) as may be required to comply with federal securities laws or the rules and regulations of The Nasdaq Stock Market, such as publicly filing a copy of this Agreement with the SEC. Nothing shall prevent either Party from stating publicly that the Parties have settled their dispute to their mutual satisfaction, without admitting liability or fault.

13. Mutual Non-Disparagement. Neither Party nor any of its representatives shall make any oral or written statement about the other Party or its representatives that is intended or reasonably likely to disparage the other Party or its representatives, or otherwise degrade the other Party’s reputation or the reputation of any of its representatives in the business or legal community, or in the online food delivery services industry.

14. General Representations and Warranties of the Parties. Xxxxxx.xxx, on the one hand, and WAITR, on the other hand, each make the following representations, warranties, covenants, and acknowledgments to each other, as may be applicable, to induce the other Party to enter into this Agreement, and the Parties each acknowledge that the other Party is reasonably relying upon such representations, warranties, covenants, and acknowledgments as a material inducement to execution of this Agreement:

(a) Xxxxxx.xxx and WAITR have not, individually or collectively, in whole or in part, sold, assigned, transferred, conveyed, or made any other disposition of any cause of action, claim, demand, right, obligation, interest, shares, or damages released or covered herein; and

(b) Xxxxxx.xxx and WAITR each represent that they have the sole right and exclusive authority to execute this Agreement and to grant the releases and covenants of the full scope set forth herein, and to take all other actions required by this Agreement.

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15. No Admissions. Neither agreement to the terms of this Agreement, nor the performance of any obligations hereunder, shall be deemed an admission by any Party of the validity of any claims of any other Party or of liability or fault by any Party or any admission that any Party has suffered any damages.

16. Non-Exclusive Remedies for Breach of License and Right to Cure. WAITR hereby agrees that in the event of any breach by WAITR of the terms of the license granted under this Agreement after the expiration of the Initial License Period or, if WAITR exercises the Option, after the expiration of the Extended License Period, Xxxxxx.xxx shall, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies that may be available to Xxxxxx.xxx as a result of such breach, be entitled to: (a) the entry of an immediate and permanent stipulated injunction correcting the breach (the “Stipulated Injunction”); and (b) liquidated damages in the amount of $2,500 per day for each day WAITR is in breach of the terms of the license (the “Liquidated Damages”). However, Xxxxxx.xxx agrees that it shall not enforce its rights to obtain the Stipulated Injunction and Liquidated Damages, or institute legal action against WAITR for any alleged breach of this Agreement, without first giving written notice to WAITR of the alleged breach and providing WAITR with a period of no less than thirty (30) days to cure such alleged breach.

17. Notices. All communications or notices required or permitted under this Agreement will be in writing and shall be provided by electronic mail and hard copy delivered by a courier service such as UPS or Federal Express. Notice shall be provided as follows:

Notice to Xxxxxx.xxx:

Xxxxx X. Xxxxx, CEO

Xxxxxx.xxx

000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx

Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000

Email: xxxxx.xxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx 

With a copy to:

Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx

Xxxx Xxxx

000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000

Xxxxxxx, XX 00000

Email: xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxx.xxx

Notice to WAITR:

Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx

General Counsel

000 Xxxxxxxxx Xx., Xxxxx 000

Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000

Email: xxxxxx.xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxx.xxx

With a copy to:

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Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx

Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxxxx, P.C.

000 Xxxxxx Xx., Xxxxx 000X

Xxxxxxx, XX 00000

Email: xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx

18. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement, including the benefits and obligations thereto, shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective heirs, representatives, successors, and assigns.

19. Authority and Acknowledgment. Each individual signing this Agreement on behalf of a corporation, partnership, proprietorship, association, limited liability company, or other organization hereby represents and warrants that he or she has read this entire Agreement, understands all of its terms and provisions, and has authority to enter into this Agreement on behalf of such corporation, partnership, proprietorship, association, limited liability company, or organization. Each individual signing this Agreement on his or her own behalf represents and warrants that he or she has read this entire Agreement, understands all of its terms and provisions, and has voluntarily entered into this Agreement.

20. No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Except for any express beneficiaries of this Agreement, no third party to this Agreement shall be entitled to enforce any provision hereof, nor may any third party hereto be entitled to rely upon any representation, warranty, covenant, acknowledgment, or any other provision hereof.

21. Modification; Waiver. No modification or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights, will be effective unless assented to in writing by the Party to be charged, and the waiver of any breach or default will not constitute a waiver of any other right hereunder or any subsequent breach or default.

22. Sophisticated Parties Represented by Counsel. The Parties each acknowledge, accept, warrant, and represent that (i) they are sophisticated Parties represented at all relevant times during the negotiation and execution of this Agreement by counsel of their choice, and that they have executed this Agreement with the consent and on the advice of such independent legal counsel, and (ii) they and their counsel have determined through independent investigation and robust, arm’s-length negotiation that the terms of this Agreement shall exclusively embody and govern the subject matter of this Agreement.

23. Rules of Construction. The Parties have cooperated in the drafting and preparation of this Agreement; therefore, in any construction to be made of this Agreement, the Agreement shall not be construed for or against any Party on that basis.

24. Readings and References. The headings and captions used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.

25. Severability. The terms and provisions of this Agreement are severable, and should any term or provision hereof be declared or determined by any court, arbitrator or arbitration panel,

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or other governmental body or organization to be void, voidable, or unenforceable under any applicable law, such void, voidable, or unenforceable term or provision shall not affect or invalidate any other term or provision of this Agreement, which shall continue to govern the relative rights and duties of the Parties as though the void, voidable, or unenforceable term or provision were not a part of this Agreement. In addition, it is the intention and agreement of the Parties that all terms and conditions hereof be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by the law.

26. Taxes, Costs, Expenses, and Attorneys’ Fees. All taxes imposed as a result of the existence of this Agreement or the performance hereunder shall be paid by the Party required to do so by applicable law. The Parties hereto shall bear their own respective costs, expenses, and attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with the Lawsuit and with the negotiation, preparation, execution, and performance of this Agreement.

27. No Withholding. Attached hereto as Exhibit D is Xxxxxx.xxx’s completed IRS Form W-9.

28. Choice of Law and Mandatory Venue. This Agreement shall be interpreted, construed, and enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to choice of law or conflicts of law principles. All disputes that arise out of or relate to this Agreement, including but not limited to any proceeding to enforce this Agreement or for injuries or damages relating to its breach, shall be resolved exclusively in the federal courts for the Western District of Louisiana or the state courts situated in Lafayette Parish, State of Louisiana, which courts shall have mandatory and exclusive jurisdiction and venue.

29. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and facsimile or scanned signatures shall be deemed acceptable as if they were original.

30. Entire Agreement. Together with its Exhibits A, B, C, and D, this Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement between the Parties and contains all of the terms, covenants, conditions, and agreements between the Parties hereto concerning the subject matters treated herein. All prior negotiations, discussions, and understandings between the Parties are intended to be merged herein. Neither Party has relied upon any representation, promise, assurance, covenant, or agreement not included in the terms hereof in making the decision to enter into this Agreement. This Agreement may not be amended or supplemented except through a writing executed by both Parties.

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[Signature page follows.]

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IN WITNESS HEREOF, the Parties have executed this License, Release and Settlement Agreement as of the date of the last signature below.

XXXXXX.XXX, INC.

By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx	Date: June 22, 2021
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: Chief Executive Officer

WAITR HOLDINGS INC.

By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx	Date: June 22, 2021
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: General Counsel

WAITR INC.

By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx	Date: June 22, 2021
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: General Counsel

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