AMENDED AND RESTATED FUEL NETWORK AFFILIATION AGREEMENT by and between SIMONS PETROLEUM, INC. and TA OPERATING CORPORATION
Exhibit 10.14
AMENDED AND RESTATED
by and between
XXXXXX PETROLEUM, INC.
and
TA OPERATING CORPORATION
| [*] | designates portions of this document that have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
AMENDED AND RESTATED
FUEL NETWORK AFFILIATION AGREEMENT
FUEL NETWORK AFFILIATION AGREEMENT
This Amended and Restated Fuel Network Affiliation Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered
into as of this 30th day of September, 2005 by and between Xxxxxx Petroleum, Inc., an
Oklahoma corporation, with its principal place of business at 0000 X.X. 00xx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxx
Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 (“Supplier”), and TA Operating Corporation, a Delaware corporation, with its
principal place of business at 00000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
(“Retailer”).
WHEREAS, Retailer operates a number of truckstop locations specializing in the sale of fuel
and related items; and
WHEREAS, Supplier sells fuel and related services to truckstop customers pursuant to the Fuel
Supply Plan (see definition below); and
WHEREAS, Retailer and Supplier are parties to that certain Fuel Network Affiliation Agreement
dated December 28, 1994, as amended by the First Addendum to Fuel Network Affiliation Agreement
effective January 1, 1998, and the Second Addendum to Fuel Network Affiliation Agreement executed
January 16, 2004 (collectively, the “Existing Agreement”) and desire to amend and supplement
various terms and provisions of the Existing Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the agreements set forth
herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto amend and restate the Existing Agreement in its entirety
and agree as follows:
1. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
meanings set forth below.
“Acquired Party” means (i) Retailer or its successor in the event of a Change of Control of
Retailer or Retailer Parent, or (ii) Supplier or its successor in the event of a Change of Control
of Supplier or Supplier Parent.
“Base Customers” means the Pathway Network Customers listed in the separate Schedule of
Pathway Network Customers as of May 31, 2005 delivered to Retailer at the time of signing this
Agreement.
“Base Gallons” means [*] gallons, [*].
“Base Gallons Sold” means the gallon sales of Pathway Network Fuel to Base Customers and
Other Pathway Customers in a given month.
| [*] | designates portions of this document that have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
“Base Incremental Gallons Sold” means the amount of gallon sales of Pathway Network Fuel to
Base Customers and Other Pathway Customers in excess of Base Gallons in a given month.
“Beginning Weighted Average Retailer Fees” means [*].
“Beneficial Ownership” of securities or similar words or phrases will have the meaning and
interpretation used in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.
“Cancellation Event” means the occurrence of a Change of Control of Supplier, Retailer,
Supplier Parent or Retailer Parent, excluding any Termination Event.
“Carrier Failure Rate” means the percentage (carried to two decimal places) of scheduled
deliveries of fuel to Retailer Operated locations which are not delivered as scheduled, determined
on a quarterly basis The initial Carrier Failure Rate to be used is [*]. A new Carrier Failure
Rate shall be determined within ten (10) days after the end of each calendar quarter based on
Retailer’s records of the previous three Supply Periods. The new Carrier Failure Rate shall be
calculated based on the actual average number of scheduled deliveries that were not delivered as a
result of carrier failure (excluding local or regional supply outages), adjusted for any
non-recurring, unusual situations (e.g., a carrier with unusually high failure rate that has been
replaced). The new Carrier Failure Rate will be established by the mutual agreement of Retailer
and Supplier acting in good faith.
“Change of Control” means: (i) any sale, merger, consolidation, share exchange, business
combination, equity issuance or other transaction or series of related transactions, specifically
excluding public offerings, which result in the equityholders immediately prior to the
transaction(s) beneficially owning collectively less than 50% of the voting control immediately
following the transaction(s); or (ii) in the case of Supplier or Retailer only, any sale, lease,
exchange, transfer or other disposition of substantially all of the assets (whether actually owned
by Supplier or Retailer or by an affiliate or affiliates thereof, as applicable, and taken as a
whole) used or required by Supplier or Retailer to perform its obligations under this Agreement,
in a single transaction or series of transactions, but excluding sales in the ordinary course of
business, sale/leaseback transactions and Corporate Restructuring Transactions, or (iii) any
individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange
Act) (excluding any beneficial owners immediately prior to the initial public offering) either in
connection with an initial public offering or within six months after such initial public
offering, becomes the beneficial owner of 20% or more of the combined voting power of the person
in question with the ability to elect a majority of the board of directors or other governing body
of such entity.
“Competitor Conversion Customers” means a customer who has
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purchased at least [*] gallons of
fuel from Supplier at Retailer Operated locations for each of the last three months prior to the
effective date of the purchase or merger transaction between Retailer and a Key Competitor.
“Control” shall mean the beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the voting securities of
such entity and the ability to elect a majority of the board of directors or equivalent governing
body of such entity.
“Conversion Incremental Gallons Sold” means [*].
“Corporate Restructuring Transactions” means any reorganization, merger, share exchange,
consolidation, sale, lease, exchange, transfer or disposition of assets provided that the
individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of the outstanding voting securities of
the entity in question continue to own substantially all of the outstanding voting securities of
the resulting entity, or, in the case of a sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition of
assets, the entity acquiring such assets is and remains under Control by or common Control with
such person.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Franchise Affiliate” means a person or entity with whom Retailer or an affiliate of Retailer
has a contractual relationship under a franchise agreement for, among other things, that person or
entity to market diesel fuel at truckstop locations under Retailer’s trade name.
“Franchisee Volume” means the total monthly gallons of fuel physically delivered by Supplier
to all Retailer Owned Franchisee Operated Locations for sale to Pathway Network Customers.
“Fuel Cost” will be calculated on a transaction by transaction basis as [*].
“Fuel Supply Plan” means a system developed and owned by Supplier, the characteristics of
which include, without limitation, Supplier’s fuel risk management programs, and the Pathway
network standards and specifications currently in place and which may be changed, improved and
further developed by Supplier, but only in accordance with Section 5 hereof, from time to time.
“Incremental Volume Fee” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(h).
“Market” means that geographic area: (1) within [*] of any Retailer Operated location [*] or;
(2) within [*] of any Retailer Operated location that is situated [*]. Notwithstanding the
definition of Market, Supplier and Retailer agree that there may be circumstances
| [*] | designates portions of this document that have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
where a significant
market cannot be served without Supplier receiving a waiver from Retailer granting approval for a
specific site. Retailer agrees to consider and act on any such request for a waiver in good faith.
“Monthly Weighted Average Retailer Fee” means a per gallon amount calculated on a monthly
basis as [*].
“Negotiated Customer Price” means the actual day-to-day fuel price payable by a customer
regardless of the nature of such day-to-day pricing structure being offered to that customer, but
specifically excluding hedging or other risk management adjustments applicable to the customer.
“New Business” means any customer of Supplier which is brought into the Pathway program to a
Retailer Operated location and who does not otherwise qualify as Retailer Conversion Gallons.
“Notice to Cure” means a writing sent by one party to the other setting forth in detail an
Event of Default by the receiving party and commencing the thirty (30) day period to cure the
default.
“Old Business” means those customers who are and have been doing business in the Pathway
Network prior to Retailer entering that specific Market.
“OPIS” means the Oil Price Information Service or any successors, assigns or substitute
organization which continue to publish or disseminate the data in question or such other service
as the parties agree to use.
“Other Pathway Customers” means Pathway Network Customers other than Base Customers and
Retailer Conversion Customers.
“Pathway” means a service provided by Supplier whereby customers have direct access to
Supplier’s fuel, fuel risk management programs and fuel transactions reporting information at
over-the-road truckstop locations that may or may not be owned and/or operated by Supplier.
“Pathway Key Customers” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(d).
“Pathway Network” means the collection of truckstop sites that have affiliated with Supplier
under the Pathway program.
“Pathway Network Customer” means a customer of Supplier who purchases fuel through the
Pathway program.
“Pathway Network Fuel” means all fuel gallons (including fuel gallons for refrigerator units)
sold at a Retailer Operated location to
a Pathway Network Customer, as recorded by Supplier and verified by
| [*] | designates portions of this document that have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
Retailer, for the applicable period.
“Pathway Supplied Gallons” means all gallons of diesel fuel supplied to Retailer Operated
locations by Supplier.
“Pathway Supplied Gallons Target” means the calculated number of gallons Supplier should
ratably deliver (over a seven day week basis as necessary on a location by location basis) in a
given monthly period determined on a location-by-location basis based upon the prior month’s
Pathway sales volumes, as adjusted pursuant to Section 12(b), below.
“Retailer Conversion Customer” means [*].
“Retailer Conversion Gallons” means [*].
“Retailer Conversion Gallons Sold” means [*].
“Retailer Fees” means an amount calculated on a transaction by transaction basis [*].
Retailer Fees shall be calculated for each transaction as of the time of such transaction.
“Retailer Fee Split Gallons” means [*].
“Retailer Key Customers” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(d).
“Retailer Operated” means any of Retailer’s truckstop locations that Retailer operates and
that are part of the Pathway Network.
“Retailer Owned Franchisee Operated Locations” means truckstop locations that Retailer owns
or leases which are operated by a Franchise Affiliate and are part of the Pathway Network.
“Retailer Parent” means TravelCenters of America, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and such
other person that directly or indirectly, beneficially owns or controls fifty percent (50%) or
more of Retailer other than Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P.
“Six Month Weighted Average Retailer Fee” means a per gallon amount calculated each month on
the following basis as [*].
“Supplier Conversion Customer” means [*].
“Supplier Conversion Gallons” means [*].
“Supplier Conversion Gallons Sold” means [*].
“Supplier Parent” means, Xxxxxx Petroleum, Inc., a Texas corporation, SPI Petroleum LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company and such other person that directly or indirectly, beneficially
owns or controls fifty percent (50%) or more of Supplier, other than NCA Energy,
| [*] | designates portions of this document that have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
Inc., Waud Capital
Partners, L.P. or RBCP Energy Fund Investments, LP.
“TA Competitor” means [*] and any similar chain of national or regional “truck stops” or
“travel centers” as such terms are generally understood in the trucking industry, including
successors to any of the foregoing. For purposes of the foregoing, “regional” shall mean operating
or franchising twenty five (25) or more travel centers or truck stop locations principally on or
adjacent to the interstate highways. For purposes of this Agreement, “TA Competitor” shall also
include any person or entity that is controlled by or under common control with a TA Competitor.
“TA Proprietary Information” means confidential and proprietary information provided by
Retailer to Supplier including, without limitation with respect to Retailer’s customers, pricing
formula, pricing methodology, vendors, fuel purchase programs and terms, fuel delivery programs,
strategy, development plans, fuel volumes, marketing programs, methods of operations, contracts,
and financial information (including without limitation, administrative expenses, overhead and
revenues and income). TA Proprietary Information does not include information which (i) is or
becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a breach of this Agreement;
(ii) becomes available on a nonconfidential basis from a source, other than Retailer, under
circumstances that a reasonable person would believe after due inquiry that the source is not
bound by any agreement of confidentiality, or (iii) was known on a nonconfidential basis prior to
disclosure by Retailer.
“Termination Event” means the occurrence of a Change of Control of Supplier or Supplier
Parent where (i) fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting control of Supplier or Supplier Parent
is acquired, directly or indirectly, by a TA Competitor, or (ii) the entity which acquires all or
substantially all of the assets of Supplier is a TA Competitor or fifty percent (50%) or more of
such entity’s voting control is owned, directly or indirectly, by a TA Competitor.
“Transaction Fees” means the fees charged to Retailer on a per gallon or per transaction
basis by data collection and card-processing services, such as Trendar® services provided by
Comdata Corporation, attributable to the sales of Pathway Network Fuel.
2. Affiliation.
(a) Except as expressly provided otherwise herein, Supplier hereby agrees to deliver and sell
fuel to Retailer and to purchase fuel from Retailer associated with Supplier’s Pathway Network
Customers pursuant to this Agreement and otherwise affiliate with Retailer pursuant to all of the
provisions of this Agreement for all Retailer Operated locations and Retailer hereby agrees to
accept and purchase fuel from Supplier and to sell fuel to Supplier associated with Supplier’s
customers at all of its Retailer Operated locations pursuant to this
Agreement and otherwise affiliate with Supplier pursuant to all
| [*] | designates portions of this document that have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
of the provisions of this
Agreement.
(b) Within ninety (90) days after the date of this Agreement, Retailer will designate
participation in Pathway as a “Core Program” for its current and future Franchise Affiliates,
where permitted by applicable law. Participation by each Franchise Affiliate shall be subject to
the Franchise Affiliate entering into a separate agreement with Supplier setting forth the terms
of such Franchise Affiliate’s participation acceptable to Supplier, which agreement will provide
the Franchise Affiliate the right to approve any customer deals involving retailer fees for the
Franchise Affiliate less than [*] per gallon. Retailer and Supplier recognize the importance to
the Pathway Fuel Supply Plan for every location identified with Retailer’s trademarks to be part
of the Pathway Network. In this regard, Retailer and Supplier agree to use their respective best
efforts (but which will not include any reduction of fees or economic incentives) to cause each
and every Franchise Affiliate to become a part of the Pathway Network and enter into a separate
agreement with Supplier. Retailer and Supplier will cooperate and coordinate any presentations,
meetings and discussions reasonably requested by Supplier or Retailer with any Franchise Affiliate
relating to such Franchise Affiliate’s participation in the Pathway Network and any operating and
other issues as a member of the Pathway Network. Supplier hereby acknowledges that the Franchise
Affiliate locations are operated by independent franchisees not under the control of Retailer.
Accordingly, Supplier shall have no recourse against Retailer for any acts or omissions of its
Franchise Affiliates. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, Retailer shall not
be required to terminate or to threaten to terminate the franchise agreement of any Franchise
Affiliate that is not in the judgment of Supplier performing in accordance with such Franchise
Affiliate’s separate agreement with Retailer or such Franchise Affiliate’s separate agreement with
Supplier.
3. Term. Except as provided in Sections 4 and 12(b)(3), this Agreement shall
commence effective October 3, 2005 (the “Effective Date”) and shall terminate on October 3, 2015,
unless extended or renewed by mutual written agreement (as extended or renewed, the “Termination
Date”). In the event the parties have not extended or renewed the Agreement by the date which is
one year prior to the Termination Date (the “Transition Date”) the provisions of Section
4(g)(iii) shall apply as if a Cancellation Notice were given on the Transition Date.
4. Termination; Cancellation. This Agreement may be terminated or cancelled prior
to the Termination Date if:
| [*] | designates portions of this document that have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
(a) As to any specific Retailer Operated location, but not as to the entire Agreement, an
Event of Default has occurred and remained uncured for a period of thirty (30) days after the
defaulting party has received a Notice to Cure from the non- defaulting party. In such event, but
only as to the specific Retailer Operated location(s) to which the Event of Default applies, the
non-defaulting party may elect within seven (7) days after the expiration of the Notice to Cure
period to terminate this Agreement by rendering written notice thereof.
(b) As to the entire Agreement, and not just as to any specific truckstop location, an Event
of Default has occurred and remained uncured for a period of thirty (30) days after the defaulting
party has received a Notice to Cure from the non-defaulting party. In such event the
non-defaulting party may elect within seven (7) days after the expiration of the Notice to Cure
period to terminate this Agreement by rendering written notice thereof and in such event the
provisions of Section 4(g)(3) shall apply as if a Cancellation Notice were given.
(1) For purposes of subsections (a) and (b) immediately above the term “Event of Default”
shall mean (i) a failure to comply with any material provision of this Agreement and (ii) the
violation of any law, ordinance, rule or regulation the effect of which is to have a material and
adverse affect on the business of the non-defaulting party (and there is no good-faith challenge
being asserted by the alleged defaulting party as to the viability or applicability of such law,
ordinance, rule or regulation).
(c) As to the entire Agreement, and with no Notice to Cure required, but with a written
notice of termination required, if the defaulting party shall become insolvent or make a general
assignment for the benefit of creditors, or if a petition in bankruptcy is filed by the defaulting
party or such a petition is filed against the defaulting party and consented to by it, or if the
defaulting party is adjudicated a bankrupt, or if a xxxx in equity or other proceeding for the
appointment of a receiver for the defaulting party or other custodian for the defaulting party’s
business or assets is filed and consented to by the defaulting party, or if a receiver or other
custodian of the defaulting party’s assets or property is appointed by any court, or if
proceedings for a composition with creditors under any state or federal law should be instituted
by or against the defaulting party.
(d) As to any specific truckstop location, if Retailer ceases doing business at that location
or fails to cure any material breach of any lease or sublease within a reasonable period of time
after receiving written notice to do so. In the event
Supplier terminates for failure to cure any material breach of any lease or sublease,
Supplier must provide Retailer a written notice to terminate.
(1) For purposes of subsection (d) immediately above, if Retailer ceases doing business at
any specific truckstop location because of either eminent domain or location destruction, then
Supplier’s right to terminate this Agreement as to that specific truckstop location shall no
longer exist if Retailer notifies Supplier in writing that it intends to rebuild in that Market
and continue under the Pathway program. In such event Supplier shall be entitled to temporarily
affiliate with another truckstop operator in that Market but only for the greater of (i) a period
of one (1) year or (ii) the period of time it takes to reopen the truckstop.
(2) Retailer may, in the ordinary course of business, close or sell specific truckstops and
such truckstops will then be terminated from the Pathway Network without constituting a breach or
default under this Agreement.
(e) For purposes of this Agreement, any of Retailer’s truckstop locations that are terminated
from the Pathway Network under this Section 4 shall no longer be considered Retailer Operated.
(f) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the right of either party to
terminate this Agreement shall be suspended if (i) as to subsections (a) and (b) immediately
above, prior to the end of the cure period and (ii) as to subsections (c) and (d) immediately
above (except where the termination results from a cessation of business), within seven (7) days
from receiving the written notice to terminate, the defaulting party sends a notice to mediate the
subject of the termination pursuant to Section 26, then the non-defaulting party’s right to
terminate must await the result of the mediation or arbitration.
(g) Upon the occurrence of each Cancellation Event the following provisions shall apply:
(1) If the Change of Control is a result of a sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other
disposition of substantially all of the assets of Retailer or Supplier, this Agreement and any and
all addendums hereto shall be transferred to and assumed by the person acquiring such assets,
otherwise this Agreement and all addendums shall continue to be binding upon the Supplier and the
Retailer and any successors, as applicable.
(2) Notwithstanding clause (i) above, upon the occurrence of any Cancellation Event, the
Acquired Party
shall have the right to cancel this Agreement by giving the other party written notice thereof at
any time during the first six (6) months following the effective date of the Change of Control (“a
Cancellation Notice”), which cancellation shall then be effective eighteen (18) months following
the date of the Cancellation Notice.
(3) If a Cancellation Notice is timely given, Supplier, as part of its preparation for
conducting business following cancellation of this Agreement, which business could include
directly competing with Retailer, may, during the first twelve (12) months following the date of
the Cancellation Notice (the “Exclusive Transition Period”), notwithstanding the provisions of
Sections 6 and 10(b) or any other provision or restriction,
| • | take any and all steps it may elect to set up alternative truckstop/travel center locations within any Market, | ||
| • | negotiate and enter into arrangements or ventures with competitors of Retailer, including any TA Competitor, | ||
| • | arrange for alternative or substitute fuel supply arrangements for Pathway Network Customers, and | ||
| • | notify Pathway Network Customers, subject to Section 6(d)(4), |
but [*], it being understood that Supplier is relieved of no other provision of this Agreement,
including, without limitation, its continuing obligations regarding confidential information
contained in Section 17. Similarly, in the event of a Cancellation Notice, Retailer, as part of
its preparation for conducting business following termination, which business could include
directly competing with Supplier, may, during the Exclusive Transition Period, notwithstanding the
provisions of Sections 6 or 10(b) or any other provision or restriction,
| • | take steps to set up fuel risk management programs, | ||
| • | negotiate and enter into arrangements or ventures with competitors of Supplier, and | ||
| • | respond to inquiries from customers who were aware of the pending termination of this Agreement from a source other than Retailer, as to the timing of the termination and Retailer’s general plans as to fuel risk management programs; provided, however, such responses will not include any solicitation, quotation or offer of fuel business with such customer, and will not advise, solicit or promote any specific terms of any fuel hedging |
| [*] | designates portions of this document that have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
| or other risk management programs contemplated or put in place by or for Retailer (except those otherwise permitted by subsection 6(c)), |
but [*], it being understood that Retailer is relieved of no other provision of this Agreement,
including, without limitation, its continuing obligations regarding confidential information
contained in Section 17.
(4) During the six (6) month period commencing with the end of the Exclusive Transition
Period and ending on the cancellation date of the Agreement (the “Nonexclusive Transition
Period”), the exclusivity provisions of Section 6 shall be of no further effect and either party
may compete directly with the other party. During the Nonexclusive Transition Period,
| • | Supplier and Retailer will continue to supply fuel in accordance with the terms of this Agreement for any Pathway Network Customers who elect to continue to purchase fuel pursuant to Pathway at Retailer’s locations. | ||
| • | Retailer will continue to make available to all Pathway Network Customers its truckstop locations in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. | ||
| • | Supplier and Retailer will continue to make payments and settlements in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. |
Notwithstanding the terms of Section 7, Supplier and Retailer shall not be obligated to add
additional Retailer Operated locations to the Pathway Network during the Exclusive Transition
Period or Nonexclusive Transition Period.
(5) Supplier and Retailer will honor, in accordance with their terms, any separate written
agreements entered with respect to any customers which have been authorized and approved in writing
by both Retailer and Supplier.
(h) Upon the occurrence of a Termination Event, the following provisions shall apply:
(1) This Agreement will terminate effective sixty (60) days after the closing of such Change
of Control transaction (the “Competitor Closing”).
(2) Supplier will advise Retailer
| [*] | designates portions of this document that have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
promptly upon Supplier or Supplier Parent entering into a
definitive agreement, the consummation of which would result in a Termination Event, and upon a
Termination Event occurring (the “Termination Notice”).
(3) From the date of the Termination Notice to the Competitor Closing (the “Termination
Waiting Period”), Supplier, as part of its preparation for conducting business following
termination of this Agreement, which business could include directly competing with Retailer, may,
notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 6 and 9(b) or any other provision or restriction
hereof,
| • | take any and all steps it may elect to set up alternative truckstop/travel center locations within any Market, | ||
| • | negotiate and enter into arrangements or ventures with competitors of Retailer, including any TA Competitor, | ||
| • | arrange for alternative or substitute fuel supply arrangements for Pathway Network Customers, and | ||
| • | notify Pathway Network Customers, subject to Section 6(d)(4), provided, during the Termination Waiting Period, Supplier shall not make quotes and offers as to any locations of the TA Competitor (other than any locations which were part of the Pathway Network prior to the commencement of negotiations for the transaction which is the subject of the Termination Notice, if any), |
but [*], it being understood that Supplier is relieved of no other provision of this Agreement
including, without limitation, its continuing obligations regarding confidential information
contained in Section 17. Similarly, in the event of a Termination Notice, Retailer, as part of
its preparation
for conducting business following termination of this Agreement, which business could include
directly competing with Supplier, may, during the Termination Waiting Period, notwithstanding the
provisions of Sections 6 or 10(b) or any other provision or restriction hereof,
| • | take steps to set up fuel risk management programs, | ||
| • | negotiate and enter into arrangements or |
| [*] | designates portions of this document that have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
| ventures with competitors of Supplier, and | |||
| • | notify Pathway Network Customers as to the timing of the termination and Retailer’s general plans as to fuel risk management programs; provided, however, such notifications will not include any solicitation, quotation or offer of fuel business with such customer, and will not advise, solicit or promote any specific terms of any fuel hedging or other risk management programs contemplated or put in place by or for Retailer (except those otherwise permitted by subsection 6(c)), |
but [*], it being understood that Retailer is relieved of no other provision of this Agreement,
including, without limitation, its continuing obligations regarding confidential information
contained in Section 17.
(4) During the 60 day period commencing with the Competitor Closing (the “Termination
Transition Period”), the exclusivity provisions of Section 6 shall be of no further effect and
either party may compete directly with the other party. During the Termination Transition Period,
| • | Supplier and Retailer will continue to supply fuel in accordance with the terms of this Agreement for any Pathway Network Customers who elect to continue to purchase fuel pursuant to Pathway at Retailer’s locations. | ||
| • | Retailer will continue to make available to all Pathway Network Customers its truckstop locations in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. | ||
| • | Supplier and Retailer will continue to make payments and settlements in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. |
Notwithstanding the terms of Section 7, Supplier and Retailer shall not be obligated to add
additional Retailer Operated locations to the Pathway Network during the Termination Transition
Period or Termination Waiting Period.
(5) Supplier and Retailer will honor, in accordance with their terms, any separate written
agreements entered with respect to any customers which have been authorized
| [*] | designates portions of this document that have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
and approved in
writing by both Retailer and Supplier.
(6) [*]
(i) In the event of a Change of Control of Supplier and the party acquiring control of
Supplier (the “Competitor Affiliate”) is not a TA Competitor but owns directly or indirectly an
equity interest of at least 9% in a TA Competitor, in addition to Supplier’s right to terminate
this Agreement pursuant to this Section 4, Retailer will have the ability to provide notice to
Supplier that the Agreement will terminate effective upon the closing of such Change of Control
transaction, unless the Competitor Affiliate executes and delivers to Retailer a legally binding
letter (the “Competitor Affiliate Confidentiality Agreement”) agreeing to be bound by the
following:
“any TA Proprietary Information will be maintained
as confidential and will not be disclosed by the
Competitor Affiliate or Supplier to the TA
Competitor in question; the Competitor Affiliate
agrees to put in place commercially reasonable
practices to prevent personnel of the TA Competitor
from having access to any TA Proprietary
Information, provided, to the extent any person or
agent is employed or retained by both the Competitor
Affiliate and the TA Competitor, such person or
agent must agree that any use of the TA Proprietary
Information must be limited solely to matters
relating to Supplier or the Competitor Affiliates
ownership of Supplier (including financial,
accounting and tax matters, by way of illustration
and not limitation) and will not be otherwise used
or disclosed; in no event will TA Proprietary
Information be made available to any person who is
responsible for or provides any input or direction
to the TA Competitor with respect to the pricing or
marketing of any products in competition with
Retailer.”
| [*] | designates portions of this document that have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
Supplier will provide Retailer both notice of the Change of Control transaction as soon as
practical after it has entered into a definitive agreement and notice when such transaction is
consummated (the “Affiliate Closing”). If a Competitor Affiliate Confidentiality Agreement is not
provided to Retailer on or before the Affiliate Closing (such agreement may be conditional on the
Affiliate Closing), Retailer will have 30 days from the Affiliate Closing to exercise its right of
termination, and the termination, if exercised, will be effective 30 days after the giving of
notice of termination. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, including
without limitation, Sections 6, 9(b), 10(b) and 14(b), both parties will be permitted to set up
alternative locations, and suppliers, and otherwise begin transferring their respective business
operations in an orderly manner upon the giving of a termination notice pursuant to this
subsection (i). The exclusivity provisions of Section 6 shall be of no further effect and either
party may compete directly with the other party; provided, for a nine (9) month period following
the termination of this Agreement, Supplier and Retailer will continue to supply Hedged Fuel in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement for any Pathway Network Customers who elects to
continue to purchase Hedged Fuel pursuant to Pathway at locations operated by Retailer.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 4(i) shall alter either party’s obligations
under Section 17 regarding the non-disclosure of confidential information. In the event of a
breach of the Competitor Affiliate Confidentiality Agreement, Retailer may exercise its
termination rights on the same terms as if the Competitor Affiliate Confidentiality Agreement had
not been given, in addition to any other rights or remedies Retailer may have.
(j) In the event (x) the Level Three Fee Split Formula has been applicable for any six (6)
consecutive months, and (y) during the three (3) month negotiation period contemplated by Section
11(e) the Monthly Weighted Average Retailer Fee for each of those three months remains less than
[*], Retailer or Supplier may provide to the other party notice of intent to terminate and
such termination will be effective sixty (60) days after the date of the notice of termination.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, including without limitation,
Sections 6, 9(b), 10(b) and 14(b), both parties will be permitted to set up alternative locations,
and suppliers, and otherwise begin transferring their respective business operations in an orderly
manner upon the giving of such termination notice and the exclusivity provisions of Section 6
shall be of no further effect and either party may compete directly with the other party;
provided, for a nine (9) month period following the termination of this Agreement, Supplier and
| [*] | designates portions of this document that have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
Retailer will continue to supply Hedged Fuel in accordance with the terms of this Agreement for
any Pathway Network Customers who elect to continue to purchase Hedged Fuel pursuant to Pathway at
locations operated by Retailer; provided, further, the foregoing provision shall only apply to
Pathway Network Customers where Supplier has existing contractual obligations in effect at the
beginning of the foregoing three month negotiation period (and Supplier will promptly provide a
list of such Pathway Network Customers to Retailer) and those new or extended contracts approved
in advance in writing by Retailer after such time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this
Section 4(j) shall alter either party’s obligations under Section 17 regarding the non-disclosure
of confidential information.
5. Modification of Pathway Fuel Supply Plan.
(a) The parties acknowledge that from time to time it may be necessary for Supplier to modify
its Fuel Supply Plan. Supplier may do so as it deems appropriate without Retailer’s consent so
long as the modification will not have a material and adverse affect on Retailer’s business or the
business of any specific truckstop location of Retailer. If the modification has or threatens in a
material and adverse way Retailer’s business or the business of one or more specific truckstop
locations of Retailer, then the Pathway Fuel Supply Plan can only be modified as to the adversely
affected locations with Retailer’s written approval; provided, however, the modification will
apply to all unaffected Retailer Operated locations.
(b) Notwithstanding anything contained in subsection 5(a) to the contrary, if a change to the
Fuel Supply Plan is the result of outside factors beyond Supplier’s control, and is a change that
Supplier would not have made to the Fuel Supply Plan but for such outside factors, and if Retailer
would have been similarly affected by such outside factors whether or not part of the Pathway Network, then,
either as to the whole of Retailer’s business or just particularly situated locations, depending
on what the change affects, the Fuel Supply Plan may be changed without Retailer’s consent, but
only to the minimum extent necessary (which modification will not include any modification of the
fuel supply, fee and payment terms hereunder), and Supplier and Retailer agree to work together in
good faith to offset any negative effect of such change.
6. Exclusivity of Affiliation; Cooperation. Both parties acknowledge the importance
of the exclusive nature of this Agreement each to the other. Except as may be provided elsewhere
herein:
(a) Retailer shall allow no other fuel supplier, other than itself or Supplier, to supply
fuel or risk management to Retailer under any similar or competing fuel supply plan at any of the
Retailer Operated locations (plus any new Retailer
Operated location(s) brought into the Pathway
Network pursuant to Section 7 and minus any truckstop location(s) removed from the Pathway Network
pursuant to Section 4).
(b) Supplier shall affiliate with no other truckstop in any Market where Retailer has a
Retailer Operated location or a Franchise Affiliate that has joined the Pathway Network.
(1) For purposes of subsections (a) and (b) immediately above, it is understood and agreed
that (i) Retailer may employ risk management other than Supplier’s for Retailer’s own account (but
for no customer of Retailer), (ii) Supplier may affiliate under the Pathway Network with other
competing truckstop operators in Markets where there is a Retailer Operated location if Retailer
has notified Supplier in writing that Retailer cannot accommodate any additional business in that
Market, provided, however, Supplier will terminate such affiliation within six (6) months in the
event Retailer notifies Supplier in writing that Retailer can accommodate all additional business
in that Market for at least a period of eighteen (18) months, and (iii) in the event Supplier
acquires any truckstop locations through acquisition, whether by Supplier or by an affiliate of
Supplier, Supplier may bring any such acquired locations into the Pathway Network, so long as such
locations do not or would not otherwise conflict with Section 6(b), and may include no more than
five (5) locations at any time which would conflict with Section 6(b), provided (A) no conflicting
location may be in the Pathway Network for more than twelve (12) months, and (B) in no event will
a conflicting location be (1) [*] of any Retailer Operated location [*]; or (2) [*] of any
Retailer Operated location that is [*].
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, each of Supplier
and Retailer may make non-retail sales to its customers at non-retail locations.
(c)
Retailer’s agreement as to exclusivity of affiliation with respect to fuel supply for its
customers as set forth in Subsection (a) above is modified as follows:
(1) Retailer may offer to any of its existing customers that are not then part of Pathway a
program of risk managed fuel outside the Pathway Network under the following conditions (unless
Supplier and Retailer mutually agree otherwise):
(i) Supplier will be the exclusive fuel provider, except as set forth in subsection (c)(3)
below.
(ii) The program must be site specific to each customer.
| [*] | designates portions of this document that have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
(iii) No one contract can be for longer than three (3) consecutive months.
(iv) [*]
(v) [*]
(vi) If one of the conditions listed above in (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) is inadvertently
violated, and if Supplier notifies Retailer, then Retailer shall have six months from date of such
notification to cure.
(2) In addition to any risk management gallons provided customers pursuant to subsection
(c)(1) above, Retailer is permitted to deliver gallons under programs, that include risk
management, outside the Pathway Network to any of its existing customers that are not then part of
Pathway as long as: (1) the total of such gallons under this subsection (c)(2) does not exceed
[*] gallons in any twelve-month period (unless Supplier and Retailer mutually agree otherwise);
and (2) Supplier is the exclusive fuel provider, except as set forth in subsection (3) below.
(3) In order to take advantage of its supply right under this subsection (c), Supplier must
be competitive, on a Market specific basis, in its pricing.
(4) For all contracts that Supplier participates in under these programs, Supplier agrees to
make available to Retailer and its participating customers all of the risk management programs
that Supplier generally makes available
to all of the Pathway Network Customers.
(d) Retailer acknowledges that during the performance of this Agreement, Retailer may have
access to and become acquainted with Supplier’s customers, confidential information regarding
those customers, Supplier’s pricing, marketing and fuel hedging and other risk management programs
and other sensitive, competitive information. Supplier acknowledges that it may, from time to
time, have access to Retailer’s pricing strategies, marketing programs and other sensitive,
competitive information. Both parties acknowledges that it is in both parties’ best interest for
the parties to collectively retain their existing customers, whether they are a Retailer customer
or a Pathway Network Customer, to expand the business with existing customers, and attract new
customers for both parties. In this regard, both parties agree to cooperate and coordinate their
marketing efforts, and in this regard agree as follows:
(1) With respect to “Pathway Key
| [*] | designates portions of this document that have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
Customers,” Retailer will not make any proposal, quote or
offer or otherwise solicit the business of such Pathway Network Customer with respect to fuel
business at Retailer Operated locations without the prior consent of Supplier. Further, Retailer
will not make any statements to any Pathway Key Customer that implies Retailer can offer economic
terms more favorable to the Pathway Network Customer than Supplier. A “Pathway Key Customer”
means a customer who has purchased [*] gallons of fuel from Supplier at Retailer Operated
locations for each of the preceding three (3) months prior to determination and such volumes
account for at least [*] or more of its total over-the-road fuel.
(2) With respect to “Retailer Key Customers,” Supplier will not make any proposal, quote or
offer or otherwise solicit the business of such customer with respect to fuel business without the
prior consent of Retailer. Further, Supplier will not make any statements to any Retailer Key
Customer that implies Supplier can offer economic terms more favorable to the Retailer Key
Customer than Retailer, except to the extent such favorable economic terms relate only to hedging
and other risk management programs offered by Supplier and the applicable proposed Hedged Fuel. A
“Retailer Key Customer” means a customer who has purchased [*] gallons of fuel from Retailer at
Retailer Operated locations for each of the preceding three (3) months prior to determination and
such volumes account for at least [*] or more of its total over-the-road fuel volume.
(3) Each party agrees that it will not during the term of this Agreement and for a period of
twelve (12) months thereafter, solicit for hiring, directly or indirectly, any salaried employee of
the other party whose job performance and duties included matters relating to the performance of
this Agreement; provided, however, the foregoing shall not prevent or preclude hiring any
candidate who responds in good faith to any advertisements or solicitations of a general nature
published in trade periodicals, newspapers, websites, or other ordinary course of business
advertising.
(4) During an Exclusive Transition Period or a Termination Waiting Period, Supplier may make
offers and quotes to Pathway Network Customers and potential new Pathway Network Customers
relating to hedging and other risk management programs offered by Supplier to its Pathway Network
Customers in the ordinary course of business. Such quotes and offers may include or relate to
locations other than Retailer Operated locations (including any alternative network being
established by Supplier), provided, locations otherwise prohibited by Section 6(b) may only be
utilized after the end of the Exclusive Transition Period or Termination Waiting Period, as
applicable, but such quotes and offers may not include any specific quote or
| [*] | designates portions of this document that have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
specification of the retailer fee to be paid or charged.
7. Additional Truckstop Locations.
(a) If Retailer adds any additional truckstop location(s) to its business during the term of
this Agreement, then, subject only to Section 8, any such additional location(s) will
automatically become part of the Pathway Network as soon as the parties agree but in no event
later than one hundred twenty (120) days following its opening or acquisition.
(b) Retailer may from time to time during the term of this Agreement enter into marketing
alliances or other strategic relationships with other truckstop operators. At any such time
Retailer agrees to notify Supplier of same and both parties agree to explore opportunities
resulting therefrom that may exist under this Agreement.
(c) As regards any new Retailer Operated location, other than a location of a Key Competitor
(as defined in Section 12(d)), which becomes a part of the Pathway Network pursuant to Section
7(a), if the financial investment required of Retailer to acquire or build the new Retailer
Operated location results in Retailer not being able to successfully survive financially at that
location with the fuel margins otherwise available through the Pathway Network, Retailer may
designate such location a “High Margin Location” for so long as such financial conditions exists.
With respect to each High Margin Location, Retailer will advise Supplier from time to time of its
minimum pricing structures offered at such locations. Supplier agrees that Pathway Network
Customers who are permitted by Supplier to purchase fuel at a High Margin Location will have
pricing terms no more favorable than the minimum pricing terms offered by Retailer to its
customers, excluding any benefits or discounts to such Pathway Network Customers as a result of
hedging or other risk management programs offered by Supplier. To the extent Retailer changes its
pricing structures at any High Margin Location, Supplier will implement such revised pricing
structures with the Pathway Network Customers as soon as permitted by the terms of any existing
agreement with such Pathway Network Customers where required to comply with this Section 7(c).
8. Conflicting Sites. The parties hereto acknowledge that (A) by reason of
Retailer’s potential expansion of its business as described in Section 7, additional new Markets
could be added to the Pathway Network and Supplier may have contractual commitments in these new
Markets for supplying fuel and services to competitors of Retailer, and (B) such contractual
commitments by Supplier occurring during the term of this Agreement would be a violation of
Section 6. Retailer hereby waives any rights it may have under this Agreement by reason of such
breach of contract provided that such contractual commitments of Supplier in all cases
will cease (i) immediately as to any New Business in any such Market, and (ii) by their terms as to any Old Business in any such
Market, with any rights
to terminate being exercised as soon as permitted (but in no event longer than twelve (12)
months).
9. Duties of Supplier.
(a) Supplier shall use its best efforts (excluding economic incentives such as discounts or
out of pocket payments) to cause its customers, both current and future, to use Retailer Operated
locations and Franchise Affiliate locations.
(b) Except as provided for elsewhere in this Agreement, Supplier shall enter into no
contracts or relationships that conflict with its obligations to Retailer hereunder.
(c) Supplier shall pay to Retailer all fees, charges and expenses hereunder when due and in
the manner specified herein.
10. Duties of Retailer.
(a) Retailer acknowledges the importance of the Fuel Supply Plan to Supplier and agrees to
use its best efforts to understand it and fully comply with all of its requirements.
(b) Except as provided for elsewhere in this Agreement, Retailer shall enter into no
contracts or relationships that conflict with its obligations to Supplier hereunder.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, Retailer shall provide fueling services
under the Fuel Supply Plan at the Retailer Operated locations to all of Supplier’s customers.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, Retailer will make all of its services
and facilities available to Pathway Network Customers on the same basis as Retailer provides to
Retailer’s customers, from time to time.
(d) Retailer will provide any necessary data collection, card-processing and point-of-sale
devices and services required in conducting Retailer’s ordinary business at each location as
determined by Retailer. Retailer will be responsible for and will pay all Transaction Fees and
will not collect any such Transaction Fees from Supplier, except as provided in Section 11(b)
below. Retailer will provide information relating to Supplier Conversion Gallons Sold as provided
in Section 11(i) of this Agreement.
11. Fees; Prices; Payment; Settlement.
(a) Trendar or Fiscal Systems data capture records, or a mutually agreed to similar system,
shall be the primary method in determining Pathway Network Fuel, Retailer Conversion Gallons Sold,
Supplier Conversion Gallons Sold, the time of the transaction and other
relevant information
necessary for making the calculations required by this Section 11 and Section 12.
(b) [*]
(c) For each calendar month Supplier shall calculate and submit to Retailer no later than the
tenth calendar day of the succeeding month (or if the tenth calendar day falls on a weekend or
holiday, the last business day prior) the following:
| • | Base Gallons Sold | ||
| • | Base Incremental Gallons Sold | ||
| • | Conversion Incremental Gallons Sold | ||
| • | Retailer Conversion Gallons Sold | ||
| • | Monthly Weighted Average Retailer Fee |
(d) Supplier shall pay weekly to Retailer as compensation under this Agreement a fee equal to
the cumulative total of all Retailer Fees for such period. In the event the cumulative total is
negative, the absolute value of such amount will be remitted to Supplier by Retailer.
(e) In addition to the amount payable pursuant to paragraph (d) above, in the event the
Monthly Weighted Average Retailer Fee for any month is less than the Beginning Weighted Average
Retailer Fee, Supplier shall pay to Retailer an additional amount each month equal to the
“Adjusted Retailer Fee Split.” The “Adjusted Retailer Fee Split” shall be calculated as [*].
| (i) | The Level One Fee Split Formula shall be applied in any month that the Monthly Weighted Average Retailer Fee is less than the Beginning Weighted Average Retailer Fee and the criteria specified below for applying the Level Two Fee Split Formula or the Level Three Fee Split Formula does not apply. | ||
| (ii) | The Level Two Fee Split Formula shall be applied in any month that all of the following criteria are satisfied: |
| a. | the Level One Fee Split Formula has been applicable for any six consecutive months; | ||
| b. | the Six-Month Weighted Average Retailer Fee for the previous month is [*]; |
| [*] | designates portions of this document that have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
| c. | the Monthly Weighted Average Retailer Fee for the previous month is [*]; and | ||
| d. | the criteria for applying the Level Three Fee Split Formula is not applicable; |
provided, however, if during any month that the Level Three Fee
Split Formula is being applied and the Monthly Weighted Average
Retailer Fee for that month is [*], the Level Two Fee Split Formula
shall be applied.
| (iii) | The Level Three Fee Split Formula shall be applied in any month that all of the following criteria are satisfied: |
| a. | the Level Two Fee Split Formula has been applicable for any six consecutive months; | ||
| b. | the Six-Month Weighted Average Retailer Fee for the previous month is [*]; | ||
| c. | the Monthly Weighted Average Retailer Fee for the previous month is [*]; |
provided, however, if during any month that the Level Three Fee
Split Formula is being applied and the Monthly Weighted Average
Retailer Fee for that month is [*], the requirement of clause
(iii)(a) must be resatisfied prior to the Level Three Fee Split
Formula being applicable again.
| (iv) | If at any time that a Level Two Fee Split Formula or a Level Three Fee Split Formula is being applied and the Monthly Weighted Average Retailer Fee for that month is [*], none of the Level One Fee Split Formula, Level Two Fee Split Formula or Level Three Fee Split Formula shall apply and the requirement of clause (ii)(a) must be resatisfied prior to the Level Two Fee Split Formula or Level Three Fee Split Formula being applicable again. | ||
| (v) | In the event the Level Three Fee Split Formula has been applicable for any six |
| [*] | designates portions of this document that have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
| consecutive months, the parties agree to negotiate in good faith for a period of three months thereafter in an effort to renegotiate the economic terms of this Agreement to their mutual satisfaction. |
(f) In the event the Monthly Weighted Average Retailer Fee is greater than the Beginning
Weighted Average Retailer Fee for any month, Retailer shall pay to Supplier an amount equal to
[*].
(g) Supplier agrees to rebate to Retailer [*].
(h) Supplier shall pay to Retailer on a monthly basis as additional compensation under this
Agreement an amount equal to [*] (the “Incremental Volume Fee”).
(i) All amounts due under this Agreement by Supplier to Retailer and by Retailer to Supplier
shall be paid by electronic funds transfer, and otherwise in a manner consistent with customary
commercial practices. Both parties agree to notify the other as promptly as possible of any
unresolved un-reconciled amounts and work in good faith to resolve any disputes within ninety (90)
days. The following settlement and data exchange procedures will be followed by Supplier and
Retailer during the term of this Agreement:
(1) Any data or information required to be supplied by Supplier will be provided to Retailer
on a weekly, monthly or other basis as specified in this Agreement, and will be sent
electronically in an agreed-to format. Similarly, any data or information required to be supplied
by Retailer will be provided to Supplier on a weekly, monthly or other basis as specified in this
Agreement, and will be sent electronically in an agreed-to format. The parties may from time to
time mutually agree on different formats or different methods of exchanging such information. In
this Agreement where information is to be supplied by one party and verified by the other party,
such verification will not be a condition to any payment, adjustment or other performance under
this Agreement. Such payment, performance or adjustment shall likewise not preclude the other
party from subsequently verifying such information. To the extent that any verification results
in any adjustments, such adjustments shall be taken into account as soon as practicable in future
periods.
(2) On a weekly basis, on Friday of each week, unless a holiday, and then the following
Monday, Retailer and Supplier will, on a net basis, pay (x) Retailer Fees pursuant to Section
11(d), and (y) any amounts due to each other for the purchase and sale of fuel pursuant to Section
12, provided, with respect to fuel purchased by Supplier pursuant to Section 12(e), such amount
shall be reduced by an amount equal to [*] (the “Deferred Payable Rate”) per gallon (the “Deferred
Payable”).
| [*] | designates portions of this document that have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
(3) Unpaid Deferred Payables arising from transactions occurring in any one month will be
transmitted by Supplier to Retailer by wire transfer on the 19th day of the following month,
provided if such day is not a business day it shall be transmitted on the first business day
preceding such date. The Deferred Payable Rate will be adjusted on a quarterly basis such that it
approximates, on a per gallon basis, the average amount of state and local taxes, fees and charges
applicable to each gallon sold (whether as fuel taxes or sales taxes), other than those paid or
remitted to refiners (the “State Fuel Taxes”), required to be collected and remitted by Retailer.
In any jurisdiction in which Supplier is required to collect and remit State Fuel Taxes, Supplier
will remit such State Fuel Taxes directly to the taxing authority in question and the Deferred
Payable will be accordingly reduced.
(4) On a monthly basis Supplier will remit to Retailer any fees payable by Supplier to
Retailer pursuant to Sections 11(b), (e) and (h) and Section 12(c) by the 10th of each
month for the preceding month.
(5) On a monthly basis Retailer shall remit to Supplier any fees due to Supplier pursuant to
Sections 11(f) and (j) and Sections 12(c) and (g) by the 10th of each month for the
preceding month.
(6) All amounts due and owing pursuant to this Agreement will be paid on a net basis;
Supplier may offset against any amounts Supplier may owe Retailer hereunder all amounts that
Retailer owes Supplier and Retailer may offset against any amounts Retailer owes Supplier all
amounts that Supplier owes Retailer.
(j) [*]
(k) Where applicable, both Retailer and Supplier shall maintain those licenses, permits,
authorizations and designations required for the sale of fuel by Supplier to Retailer pursuant to
Section 12(a) without the imposition of State Fuel Taxes, and the sale by Retailer to Supplier
pursuant to Section 12(e) without the imposition of additional State Fuel Taxes. By way of
illustration and not limitation, Retailer and Supplier will each maintain any required licenses
and designations as wholesale fuel distributors.
12. Fuel Supply and Purchase.
(a) Fuel Supply.
(1) Supplier shall deliver and sell diesel fuel to Retailer at each of Retailer’s Operated
truck stop locations by delivering on a ratable (over seven day week basis as necessary on a
location by location basis) basis, in bulk, the Pathway Supplied Gallons Target determined on a
location by location basis. Supplier shall coordinate its delivery of the
| [*] | designates portions of this document that have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
Pathway Supplied
Gallons with Retailer’s fuel purchasing manager or designee, it being understood by the parties
that Retailer, in limited circumstances, may not be able to take delivery of Supplier’s fuel at
its locations at certain times as a result of fuel tank capacity and other limitations. All sales
of fuel by Supplier to Retailer shall be made on a gross gallons basis, except as to any location
where state law or regulation requires the sale to be on a net gallons basis. All deliveries of
Pathway Supplied Gallons by Supplier to Retailer shall be made at Supplier’s sole cost and expense
F.O.B. Retailer’s designated fuel tank at the location and by means of a reputable common carrier
which meets the insurance requirements specified by Retailer from time to time for all of its
carriers, and in accordance with any other reasonable requirement of Retailer applicable to all of
its carriers and suppliers, which requirements will be supplied to Supplier in writing. Supplier
shall use reasonable efforts to use the same common carrier that Retailer is using for each
location.
(2) In general, missed deliveries are not intended to result in any liability on the part of
Supplier because they are factored into the Pathway Supplied Gallons Scheduled by means of the
Carrier Failure Rate; such missed deliveries may be made up as Retailer and Supplier mutually
agree. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event Supplier fails to deliver fuel as scheduled or
over delivers fuel to a location other than as a result of local or regional fuel supply outages,
and such failure or over delivery would cause that location to have a shortage or excess of
Supplier’s fuel by more than two loads, Supplier shall complete the missed deliveries at the
applicable location within two (2) days or cancel subsequent deliveries in the case of over
deliveries after Retailer has notified Supplier of such shortage or excess (which is subject to
Supplier verification). In the event Supplier has not completed the missed deliveries at the
applicable location within the two (2) days, Supplier shall reimburse Retailer all reasonable
(under the circumstances) additional costs incurred by Retailer as a result of Supplier’s failure
to deliver.
(3) In the event of local or regional supply outages, Supplier shall be required to source
fuel at other terminals where fuel may be available and bear the additional cost of transporting
the fuel. Supplier and Retailer agree to cooperate and to in good faith determine alternative
fuel supply arrangements to meet Supplier’s and Retailer’s fuel needs in light of the supply
outage. Retailer may arrange for alternative supplies to account for shortages resulting from such
outages, but Supplier will first be given the opportunity to supply those volumes Supplier would
otherwise be required to supply from alternative sources, taking into account the
immediate needs of Retailer. In the event Supplier does not deliver and sell diesel fuel to
Retailer as a result of local or regional supply outages, Retailer may supply such missed
deliveries and Supplier shall reimburse Retailer all reasonable (under the circumstances)
additional costs incurred by Retailer in covering such missed deliveries.
(4) All Pathway Supplied Gallons shall meet any documented minimum pipeline specifications of
the refineries or pipeline terminals from which the Pathway Supplied Gallons are obtained and as
such specifications determined by Retailer for its locations from time to time for all of its
fuel. During the phase in period for Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD), or any other new diesel fuel
specification, Retailer and Supplier will consult with each other regarding the phase-in, provided
that Supplier acknowledges that the decision as to which sites will carry ULSD, or such other
diesel fuel specification if applicable, at which times shall be made by Retailer in its
discretion. Supplier acknowledges that both its accuracy in meeting such specifications as well as
its delivering non-contaminated fuel into the fuel tanks of Retailer are essential to the safe and
productive operation of Retailer’s business.
(5) Supplier shall use and shall require its fuel haulers to use the utmost level of care and
caution, consistent with industry practice, in delivering and handling Pathway Supplied Gallons to
and at Retailer’s locations and in transporting Pathway Supplied Gallons from the delivery tankers
into the designated fuel tanks located at Retailer’s locations. Supplier shall follow proper
industry practices, and shall require its fuel haulers to do the same, to protect against the
release of any fuel or other hazardous substances on or about any property owned or operated by
Retailer. Once Pathway Supplied Gallons have safely been transported into Retailer’s proper fuel
tanks, such fuel shall become the property of, and the responsibility of, Retailer.
(6) Retailer shall purchase and pay to Supplier in accordance with the settlement procedures
in subsection 11(i) an amount equal to [*].
(b) Determining Pathway Supplied Gallons Target and Scheduled.
(1) The initial period Pathway Supplied Gallons Target will be calculated pursuant to
subsection 12(b)(3). Within ten (10) days following the end of the each full calendar month,
Supplier and Retailer shall determine the “Total Supplier End of Month Accounting Gallons” for
that month which shall be [*]. For purposes of the foregoing calculation, [*] shall be
proportionately reduced to account for any [*] included by reason of Section 12(d) but which
relate to any locations not yet included in the Pathway Network.
(2) The initial period Pathway Supplied Gallons Scheduled (as defined below) will be
calculated pursuant to subsection 12(b)(3). For subsequent periods commencing with the fifteenth
day of the then current month and ending on the fourteenth day of the following month (the “Supply
Period”) the
| [*] | designates portions of this document that have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
“Pathway Supplied Gallons Scheduled” will be [*]. Supplier shall provide Retailer
for review and approval for each Supply Period by the 10th day of each month a daily delivery
schedule by location showing Supplier’s scheduled deliveries of the Pathway Supplied Gallons.
Once Supplier and Retailer have agreed to a delivery schedule for a Supply Period, Supplier shall
adhere (subject to the adjustments described in subsection 12(c)) to such schedule and continue to
deliver fuel according to such schedule during the Supply Period. The only adjustments to the
delivery schedule during a Supply Period will be jointly agreed to by Supplier and Retailer as a
result of unique circumstances such as the addition or loss of a customer that could have a
significant impact on total Pathway sales or location-specific Pathway sales.
(3) Both parties agree to use their best efforts to implement the accounting, scheduling and
other logistics required to carry out the terms of this Agreement by the Effective Date. In the
event, however, that the parties are not in a position to implement this Agreement as of the
Effective Date, the Effective Date will be postponed to such date as the parties can in fact
implement this Agreement. At that time the Pathway Supplied Gallons Target and Pathway Supplied
Gallons Scheduled will be calculated as contemplated by this Section 12(b) for the time period
between the actual Effective Date and the beginning of the next Supply Period. By way of
illustration only, if the parties are able to implement this Agreement by the original Effective
Date, the Pathway Supplied Gallons Target and Pathway Supplied Gallons Scheduled would be those
that would have been applicable for the 12 day period from October 3, 2005 through October 14,
2005, calculated using the August information which would have been used for a Supply Period of
September 15 through October 14, had the Agreement been in place at such time; if the parties do
not implement this Agreement until October 17, 2005, the Pathway Supplied Gallons Target and
Pathway Supplied Gallons Scheduled for the initial period would be the 29 day period from October
17, 2005 through November 14, 2005, calculated using the September information which would have
been used for Supply Period of October 15, 2005 through November 14, 2005.
(4) [*]
(c) Supply Over and Short.
(1) Supplier and Retailer acknowledge that for each Supply Period Supplier’s actual
deliveries will be more or less than the Pathway Supplied Gallons Target applicable to such Supply
Period. If the net over/short deliveries to all Retailer’s Operated sites are equal to or less
than [*] of the applicable Pathway Supplied Gallons Target, no deliveries will be added or removed
to compensate for the difference, but rather
| [*] | designates portions of this document that have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
if the actual gallons supplied by Supplier are less
than the applicable Pathway Supplied Gallons Target and within [*] percent of the applicable
Pathway Supplied Gallons Target, Retailer shall pay Supplier [*] for each gallon short by the end
of the current month. If the actual gallons supplied by Supplier are more than the applicable
Pathway Supplied Gallons Target and within [*] of the applicable Pathway Supplied Gallons Target,
Supplier shall pay Retailer [*] for each gallon over by the end of the current month.
(2) If the net over/short actual deliveries to all Retailer Operated locations are greater
than [*] of the Pathway Supplied Gallons Target, Supplier will adjust the Pathway Supplied Gallons
Target of the current Supply Period by adding or removing deliveries evenly during the last
fifteen (15) days of the current Supply Period in an effort to reduce the over/short position to
zero. It is understood that Supplier is not required to deliver any partial loads. Supplier will
increase or decrease the number of full loads to those locations which are over/short full loads
and then add full loads to those locations which are over/short less than full loads but can
accommodate an increase or decrease in deliveries as needed to reasonably allocate the deliveries
in accordance with the intent of this Section 12. These delivery changes will be isolated to the
locations where the shortage or overage occurred and will be agreed to in advance with Retailer.
After completion of the fifteen (15) day period, no additional adjustments or settlements will be
made as to the previous Supply Period, but Supplier and Retailer will calculate the over/short
position and settle as described above as to the adjusted Pathway Supplied Gallons Target.
(3) To the extent there has been a local or regional supply outage during a Supply Period,
for purposes of calculating the next over/short deliveries, and any amounts payable pursuant to
the foregoing, the Pathway Supplied Gallons Target will be adjusted by any volumes supplied by
Retailer to cover missed deliveries by Supplier.
(d) Competitor Acquisition Economics. In the event Retailer purchases, is purchased
by, or merges with, [*] or each of their respective successors (a “Key Competitor”), Supplier
agrees that the “Adjusted Key Competitor Acquisition Base Gallons” will be treated as Retailer
Conversion Gallons on a customer-by-customer basis solely for purposes of Section 12(b), in accordance with the
following:
(1) Retailer agrees that it will use its reasonable best efforts to cause each of the
locations of such Key Competitor to be included in the Pathway Network within sixty (60) days
after the acquisition, notwithstanding anything in Section 7 to the contrary.
| [*] | designates portions of this document that have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
(2) Retailer will determine (and Supplier may verify) the monthly average purchases of
Competitor Conversion Customers on a customer-by-customer basis for the last three full calendar
months prior to the effective date of the purchase or merger at locations of the Key Competitor’s
network (the “Initial Acquisition Conversion Base Gallons.”) Supplier will determine (and
Retailer may verify) the monthly average purchases of Competitor Conversion Customers on a
customer-by-customer basis for the last three full calendar months prior to the effective date of
the purchase or merger at all Retailer Operated locations for only those Competitor Conversion
Customers purchasing fuel at the Key Competitor’s locations (the “Initial Non-Acquisition Base
Gallons.”)
(3) Beginning the first month occurring after all of the locations in the Key Competitor
network have been included in the Pathway Network, Retailer will determine (and Supplier may
verify) the monthly average purchases of Competitor Conversion Customers on a customer-by-customer
basis for the next three full calendar months at the Key Competitor’s network locations (the “Post
Acquisition Conversion Base Gallons”). Beginning the first month occurring after all of the
locations in the Key Competitor network have been included in the Pathway Network, Supplier will
determine (and Retailer may verify) the monthly average purchases of Competitor Conversion
Customers on a customer-by-customer basis for the next three full calendar months at all Retailer
Operated locations (excluding those included in the Post Acquisition Conversion Base Gallons
calculation) for only those Pathway Network Customers purchasing fuel at the Key Competitor’s
locations (the “Post Non-Acquisition Base Gallons”).
(4) In the event that (x) the sum of Post Acquisition Conversion Base Gallons plus Post
Non-Acquisition Base Gallons exceeds (y) the sum of Initial Acquisition Conversion Base Gallons
plus Initial Non-Acquisition Base Gallons, the Initial Acquisition Conversion Base Gallons shall
be the “Acquisition Conversion Base Gallons.” In the event (x) the sum of Initial Acquisition
Conversion Base Gallons plus Initial Non-Acquisition Base Gallons exceeds (y) the sum of Post
Acquisition Conversion Base Gallons plus Post Non-Acquisition Base Gallons, the excess shall be
deducted from the Initial Acquisition Conversion Gallons to calculate the Acquisition Conversion
Base Gallons.
(5) Until such time as the Acquisition Conversion Base Gallons have been determined, the
Initial
Acquisition Conversion Base Gallons shall be used for purposes of determining the Adjusted
Key Competitor Acquisition Base Gallons.
(6) The “Pre-Acquisition Combined Base Gallons” shall mean the lesser of (x) the sum of
Initial Acquisition Conversion Base Gallons plus Initial Non-Acquisition Base Gallons of such
customer or (y) the sum of Post Acquisition
Conversion Base Gallons plus Post Non-Acquisition Base
Gallons, of a customer.
(7) For each month following the purchase or merger of or with the Key Competitor, the
“Adjusted Key Competitor Acquisition Base Gallons” shall be determined as follows:
| • | if Supplier’s total sales to a Pathway Network Customer at locations in the new combined network (i.e. the TA network combined with the network of the Key Competitor) are equal to or greater than the Pre-Acquisition Combined Base Gallons, the Acquisition Conversion Base Gallons (or Initial Acquisition Conversion Base Gallons, if applicable) for such customer shall not change and shall be the “Adjusted Key Competitor Acquisition Base Gallons” for such month. | ||
| • | In the event the Supplier’s total sales to such Pathway Network Customer at locations in the new combined network decline in a given month below the Pre-Acquisition Combined Base Gallons for such customer, then the Acquisition Conversion Base Gallons (or Initial Acquisition Conversion Base Gallons, if applicable) shall be reduced by [*] and the resulting Acquisition Conversion Base Gallons for such customer as so reduced will be the Adjusted Key Competitor Acquisition Base Gallons” for such month. |
(e) Purchase of Pathway Network Fuel.
(1) With respect to all Pathway Network Fuel, Retailer shall provide such fuel to each
Pathway Network Customer. Supplier agrees to purchase and Retailer agrees to sell such fuel to
Supplier immediately prior to it being delivered to the Pathway Customer. All sales of fuel by
Retailer to Supplier shall be made on a gross gallons basis except as to any location where state law or regulation require the sale to be on a net
gallons basis. All fuel delivered to Pathway Network Customers shall meet any documented pipeline
specifications of the refineries or pipeline terminals from which Retailer obtains fuel and such
specifications set by Retailer from time to time. Such fuel delivered to the Pathway Network
Customers shall not be contaminated. Supplier shall invoice all of its Pathway customers for
their fuel purchases.
| [*] | designates portions of this document that have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
Supplier shall have the sole risk of credit for all of its customers that
it invoices.
(2) Supplier shall pay to Retailer in accordance with the settlement procedures in Subsection
11(i)(2) for all fuel purchased pursuant to this Subsection 12(e) an amount equal to [*], with
such amount being calculated on a transaction by transaction basis, pursuant to Section 11(i)(2).
(f) Information; Audits. Retailer and Supplier will cooperate and exchange
information in good faith as reasonably required to account for and verify volumes and amounts.
At all times Retailer and Supplier shall maintain accurate books and records containing
information regarding the transactions and calculations contemplated by this Agreement sufficient
to verify compliance with this Agreement. These books and records shall be kept in accordance
with GAAP. Retailer and Supplier and their agents and representatives may examine the books and
records of the other party relevant to this Agreement for the purpose of verifying compliance with
this Agreement. Such examination shall be during business hours and upon not less than fifteen
(15) business days prior written notice. The examination shall be at the examining party’s
expense. Examination cannot be performed more often than quarterly and cannot include any periods
more than eighteen (18) months prior to the examination.
(g) Non-Supply. Supplier will use its best efforts to maintain those licenses,
permits, authorizations and designations required for Supplier to supply fuel to Retailer pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement at locations included in the Pathway Network; provided, however,
the parties acknowledge that from time to time Supplier may not be in a position as a result of
circumstances beyond the reasonable control of Supplier (including without limitation, local,
state or other governmental restrictions, obtaining new or modified licenses or permits needed,
imposition of duplicate or additional taxes on the sale of fuel pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement other than tax increases uniformly applied to all sales of fuel in general) to supply
fuel to Retailer at specific locations (excluding any local or regional shortage reasons) in the
manner otherwise described in this Section 12 (a “Non-Supplied Location”). Therefore, the parties
agree in any such case that Retailer will procure all fuel which would otherwise be supplied by
Supplier at each Non-Supplied Location for so long as Supplier is not in a position to supply fuel
to such locations (the “Retailer Supplied Gallons”). For purposes of determining Pathway Supplied
Gallons Target, the Total Supplier End of Month Accounting Gallons will be reduced by any Retailer
Supplied Gallons for the month in question and such Non-Supplied Location
| [*] | designates portions of this document that have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
will not otherwise be
subject to Supplier’s obligation to supply fuel in accordance with this Section 12. On a monthly
basis, Retailer will pay to Supplier a Non-Supply Fee for each gallon of Retailer Supplied
Gallons, determined on a location-by-location basis. The “Non-Supply Fee” for a Non-Supplied
Location shall equal [*].
13. Complaints Regarding Fuel.
(a) If Retailer has any complaints or objections as to the quantity or quality of any fuel
delivered by Supplier to any of Retailer’s locations, Retailer shall notify Supplier by telephone
(with a follow-up FAX or e-mail) at Supplier’s corporate headquarters as soon as practicable after
discovery of the quantity or quality problem. Supplier shall have an opportunity, acting with
reasonably prompt dispatch, to investigate the complaint or objection and cure any defect or
deficiency. Failure on the part of Retailer to notify by telephone Supplier of the complaints or
objections within seventy two (72)hours after completion of delivery of the subject fuel shall
constitute a waiver by Retailer of any defects or deficiencies concerning the subject fuel.
(b) If Retailer has any complaints or objections because during Supplier’s fuel delivery
process there is a release of fuel on or about Retailer’s property or any contiguous property,
Retailer shall immediately upon discovery of any such release notify Supplier by telephone (with a
follow-up FAX or e-mail) at Supplier’s corporate headquarters. Supplier shall have an opportunity,
acting with reasonably prompt dispatch, to investigate the release and, then, clean up the site to
the extent of the release if it is its responsibility to do so. Both parties agree to cooperate
fully with all local, state and federal agencies in the event of a release.
14. Covenants.
(a) Each party shall comply with all local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations
associated with the operation of its business and shall timely obtain all permits, certificates, or licenses necessary for the full and proper conduct of its business.
(b) Each party, except as permitted elsewhere herein, shall not do or cause to be done,
either directly or indirectly, any act the effect of which is to divert business away from the
other in contravention of the intent of this Agreement.
(c) Each of Supplier and Retailer shall: (i) as soon as available after the end of each
fiscal year of
| [*] | designates portions of this document that have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
Supplier or Retailer, as applicable, provide a copy of its annual consolidated
audited financial statements, including balance sheet and related statement of income and retained
earnings for it, and its consolidated related entities for such fiscal year (including the related
footnotes), prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and in the form
and substance normally provided by Supplier or Retailer, as applicable, to its creditors; and (ii)
as soon as available after the end of each quarter of each fiscal year, a copy of the consolidated
unaudited financial statements of it and its consolidated related entities, in the form regularly
prepared by Supplier or Retailer, as applicable, to provide to its creditors. The foregoing
information will be subject to the confidentiality provisions of Section 17.
15. Insurance.
(a) Each party shall require of any fuel hauler employed by such party (including themselves)
that it carry (i) commercial general liability insurance in amounts generally considered
appropriate for such activity, but in no event less than two million dollars ($2,000,000.00), (ii)
automobile liability coverage, including transportation pollution coverage (upset/overturn,
loading and unloading), with minimum combined single limits of not less than two million dollars
($2,000,000) per occurrence and (iii) appropriate workers compensation coverage for its employees
in compliance with statutory limits.
(b) Each party shall carry adequate insurance, or be legally self-insured for, workers’
compensation in any state where such party conducts business and is required by law to provide
workers’ compensation coverage in compliance with statutory limits.
(c) Supplier shall carry and maintain in effect during the term of this Agreement product
liability insurance coverage with limits not less than five million dollars ($5,000,000.00) each
occurrence.
(d) Supplier shall carry and maintain in effect during the term of this agreement commercial
general liability insurance with limits not less than five million dollars ($5,000,000.00) in the
aggregate.
(e) Retailer shall carry and maintain in effect during the term of this Agreement for each of
its Retailer Operated truckstop locations commercial general liability insurance with limits not
less than one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) each occurrence.
(f) Either party’s obligation to maintain insurance hereunder shall not be excused by reason
of the other party carrying like insurance.
(g) Each party agrees to name the other as an additional insured (by reason of this
Agreement) on every insurance policy, except workers’ compensation, carried for purposes of
satisfying the requirements hereunder. Each party shall require of its insurance providers that no
insurance policy carried for purposes of satisfying the requirements hereunder will be cancelable
except upon thirty (30) days prior written notice. If either party receives any such insurance
cancellation notice, it shall immediately notify the other in writing of such pending
cancellation.
16. Indemnification.
(a) Supplier agrees to and shall release, indemnify, defend and hold harmless Retailer from
and against any and all loss or damage (including reasonable attorney’s fees, but net of any
insurance proceeds received) which arise out of, relate to or are connected with this Agreement or
the performance hereof and relate to (i) any willful misconduct or negligent act or failure to act
by Supplier or any person acting on Supplier’s behalf, including, without limitation, any damages
arising as a result of the delivery, storage or handling of fuel by any common carrier delivering
fuel to Retailer on behalf of Supplier; (ii) any breach of this Agreement by Supplier; or (iii)
Supplier’s violation of any governmental laws, regulations, ordinances, permits, licenses or
orders.
(b) Retailer agrees to and shall release, indemnify, defend and hold harmless Supplier from
and against any and all loss or damage (including reasonable attorney’s fees, but net of any
insurance proceeds received) which arise out of, relate to or are connected with this Agreement or
the performance hereof and relate to (i) any willful misconduct or negligent act or failure to act
by Retailer or any person acting on Retailer’s behalf; (ii) any breach of this Agreement by
Retailer; or (iii) Retailer’s violation of any governmental laws, regulations, ordinances,
permits, licenses or orders.
(c) In the event of any third party claim against one or both parties relating to their
activities under this Agreement, both parties shall cooperate in any defense thereto and the party
responsible for any third party loss or damage shall indemnify and hold harmless the other from
any such loss or damages (including reasonable attorney’s fees, but net of any insurance proceeds
received) resulting from such third party claim.
17. Confidentiality. Each party acknowledges the confidential nature of this
Agreement, as well as “Confidential Information” to be learned from each other in the furtherance
of this Agreement. “Confidential Information” means confidential and proprietary information of
one of the parties hereto including, without limitation, such party’s customers, customer
information, pricing information, pricing formulas, pricing methodology, vendors, fuel purchase
programs and terms, fuel delivery programs, strategy, development plans, fuel volumes, marketing
programs, methods of
operations, contracts, financial information (including without limitation,
administrative expenses, overhead and revenues and income), but excluding information which (i)
is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a breach of this
Agreement; (ii) becomes available on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than Supplier or
Retailer, under circumstances that a reasonable person would believe after due inquiry that the
source is not bound by any agreement of confidentiality, or (iii) was known on a nonconfidential
basis prior to disclosure by Retailer or Supplier, as applicable. Each of Supplier and Retailer
agrees that they will keep confidential and not, without the prior written consent of the owner
of such information, disclose the confidential information to any other person or use the
confidential information, directly or indirectly, for any purpose other than performing and as
contemplated by this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each party may provide the
confidential information of the other party to any representatives and affiliates who agree to be
bound by the terms of this Section 17 (each party will remain responsible for any breach of this
Section 17 by its representatives or affiliates) only if such affiliates or representatives need
to know such confidential information in connection with their duties for or business
relationship with such party. In the event either party is requested or becomes legally
compelled (by oral questions, interrogatories, or request for information or documents, subpoena,
civil investigative demand or similar process) to disclose any confidential information of the
other party, such requested party will provide to the other party prompt written notice so that
the other party may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy and/or waive compliance
with the provisions of this Section. Nothing in this Section shall be deemed to prohibit either
party from filing a copy of this Agreement with any governmental agency, if required by law to do
so, but, to the extent permitted will seek confidentiality of the pricing and other sensitive
terms in this Agreement. This Section 17 shall survive any termination or cancellation of this
Agreement.
18. Assignment; Binding Effect. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Subject to Section
4 hereof, each party shall have the right to transfer or assign its interests in this Agreement
to any person or entity who acquires (by sale or merger) all or substantially all of the assets
of the assigning party and agrees in writing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement and in
connection with Corporate Restructuring Transaction; otherwise, this Agreement is not assignable
by either party.
19. Taxes. Each party shall promptly pay when due, or
institute timely and proper challenges thereto, all taxes levied or assessed against that
party in the conduct of its business. The parties agree to work cooperatively when necessary to
insure that all taxes are paid resulting from the operation of this Agreement. Each party shall
provide the other with all pertinent information in its possession if requested by the other
party for purposes of complying with this Section.
20. Nature of Relationship. It is understood and
agreed that each party to the other
is an independent contractor and not an agent or employee of the other. Nothing in this Agreement
is intended to create any kind of agency, partnership, joint venture or similar type of
relationship between the parties. Neither party will have any power or authority to make any
representation, warranty or agreement or incur any liability or indebtedness for or on behalf of
the other. Neither party may bind the other in any way whatsoever and neither party shall attempt
to do so or so hold itself out. Each party acknowledges its separate responsibility for the
payment or provision for payment of all taxes relating to the ownership of its assets and the
operation of its business, including, without limitation, federal withholding taxes, social
security taxes, workers’ compensation taxes and unemployment compensation taxes with respect to
its employees, and agrees to indemnify and to hold the other harmless from any claim or liability
therefor. Each party will be solely responsible for all of its expenses.
21. Force Majeure. Neither party shall be liable nor deemed to be in breach of this
Agreement by reason of any delay or omission due to any cause beyond the reasonable control of
such party, including, fire, flood, landslide, lightning, earthquake, storm, washout, labor or
transportation strike, act of sabotage, riot, fuel allocation restrictions, precedent or priority
granted at the request or for the benefit of any federal, state or local government, war,
blockades, epidemics, explosions, failure of transportation sources, or failure of product supply
market (except as provided in Section 12 above); provided, however, that prompt written notice of
the delay and its cause be given to the other party and prompt resumption of this Agreement shall
occur at the conclusion of the force majeure.
22. Waiver. Compliance with the provisions of this Agreement may be waived only by a
written instrument specifically referring to this Agreement, executed by the party waiving
compliance. The failure of either party to enforce at any time, or for any period of time, any
provision of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any provision or the right of
either party to enforce each and every provision of this Agreement.
23. Notices. All notices pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing, unless
specified otherwise, and delivered as follows:
Supplier:
|
Xxxxxx Petroleum, Inc. | |
| 0000 XX 00xx, Xxxxx 000 | ||
| Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 | ||
| Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxxx, President | ||
With a copy to:
|
McAfee & Xxxx | |
| 000 X. Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000 | ||
| Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 | ||
| Attn: W. Xxxxx Xxxxxxx | ||
Retailer:
|
TA Operating Corporation | |
| 00000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000 | ||
| Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000 |
| Attn: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, President | ||
With a copy to:
|
TA Operating Corporation | |
| 00000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000 | ||
| Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000 | ||
| Attn: General Counsel |
Notice by mail shall be sent by certified or registered mail or a national overnight delivery
service and shall be deemed to have been given three (3) business days and one (1) business day,
respectively, after the day of registration or documented acceptance by the national overnight
delivery service, as the case may be.
24. Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement and the Appendix hereto constitute
the entire, full and complete agreement between the parties and supersedes the Existing Agreement
as of the Effective Date and all other agreements, oral or written, between them relating to the
subject matter of this Agreement. No amendment, change or variance from this Agreement shall be
binding on either party unless mutually agreed to in writing by the parties. Until the Effective
Date of this Agreement, the terms and provisions of the Existing Agreement shall continue;
provided, however, without admitting any liability or obligation previously asserted by either
Retailer or Supplier and denied by the other, each of Supplier and Retailer releases the other
party and waives any claims it may have for breach of contract, default under or the right to
terminate the Existing Agreement, except as to payments and settlements for fuel supplied, sales
reconciliation and other operating matters occurring in the ordinary course of business under the
Existing Agreement.
25. Severability. Each section, term, and provision of this Agreement shall be
considered severable; and if, for any reason, any such section, term or provision is determined
to be invalid by a court or agency having valid jurisdiction hereof, such shall not impair the
operation or affect such other sections, terms and provisions of this Agreement, and they will
continue to be in full force and effect and continue to bind the parties.
26. Mediation, and Arbitration.
(a) If a dispute arises out of or relates to this Agreement or the breach thereof, and if the
dispute cannot be settled through direct discussions, which the parties will make every effort to
do, the parties agree to first endeavor to settle the dispute in an amicable manner by mediation
in the city of Chicago, Illinois under the Commercial Mediation Rules of the American Arbitration
Association, before resorting to arbitration. The mediation process shall begin by either party
notifying the other in writing of its desire to invoke this Section and the nature of the dispute.
Thereafter any unresolved controversy or claim arising out of the Agreement or breach thereof
shall be settled by binding
arbitration in the city of Chicago, Illinois in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of
the American Arbitration Association, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators shall
be entered in any federal court of the United State or any court having jurisdiction thereof.
(b) If mediation or arbitration occurs, the parties shall bear their own costs and expenses
and an equal share of the mediators, arbitrators and administrative fees.
(c) The mediators or arbitrators shall have no authority to award punitive damages or other
damages not measured by the prevailing parties’ actual damages, and may not, in any event, make any
ruling, finding or award that does not conform to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
27. Applicable
Law. The parties acknowledge that this Agreement evidences a transaction
involving interstate commerce. The Federal Arbitration Act 9 USC
§1 et. seq. shall govern the
interpretation, enforcement and proceedings pursuant to Section 26 above. The mediators and/or
arbitrators shall determine the rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement
according to the Agreement and the laws of the State of Oklahoma (excluding the conflict of laws
principles thereof).
28. Section Reference. Reference to Sections and subsections are to Sections and subsections
of this Agreement unless otherwise specifically stated.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, have executed
this Agreement by their duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.
| Attest: | XXXXXX PETROLEUM, INC. | |||||||
| Xxxx Xxxxxx, President of Pathway | By | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx | ||||||
| Title: | President and CEO | |||||||
| Attest: | TA OPERATING CORPORATION | |||||||
| Xxxxxxx X. Hideliter, V.P of Sales and Marketing | By | /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx | ||||||
| Title: | Executive Vice President, | |||||||
| CFO and Secretary | ||||||||
