Sovos Brands, Inc. 10,000,000 Shares of Common Stock Underwriting Agreement
Exhibit 1.1
Execution Version
Sovos Brands, Inc.
10,000,000 Shares of Common Stock
May 15, 2023
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Co. LLC
X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC
As Underwriters
c/o Goldman Xxxxx & Co. LLC
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
c/o X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Certain stockholders named in Schedule 2 hereto (the “Selling Stockholders”) of Sovos Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), propose to sell to the several underwriters listed in Schedule 1 hereto (the “Underwriters,” which term shall also include any underwriter substituted as hereinafter provided in Section 12 hereof and to the extent there is only a single underwriter, the term “Underwriters” shall be deemed to refer to the single Underwriter, mutatis mutandis), an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company (the “Underwritten Shares”) and, at the option of the Underwriters, up to an additional 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company (the “Option Shares”). The Underwritten Shares and the Option Shares are herein referred to as the “Shares”. The shares of Common Stock of the Company to be outstanding after giving effect to the sale of the Shares are referred to herein as the “Stock”.
The Company and the Selling Stockholders hereby confirm their agreement with the several Underwriters concerning the purchase and sale of the Shares, as follows:
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At or prior to the Applicable Time (as defined below), the Company had prepared the following information (collectively with the pricing information set forth on Annex A, the “Pricing Disclosure Package”): each “free-writing prospectus” (as defined pursuant to Rule 405 under the Securities Act) listed on Annex A hereto.
“Applicable Time” means 4:15 P.M., New York City time, on May 15, 2023.
In addition, each of the Selling Stockholders agrees severally and not jointly, as and to the extent indicated in Schedule 2 hereto, to sell the Option Shares to the several Underwriters as provided in this Agreement, and the Underwriters, on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements set forth herein and subject to the conditions set forth herein, shall have the option to purchase, severally and not jointly, from each Selling Stockholder the Option Shares at
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the Purchase Price less an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions declared by the Company and payable on the Underwritten Shares but not payable on the Option Shares.
If any Option Shares are to be purchased, the number of Option Shares to be purchased by each Underwriter shall be the number of Option Shares which bears the same ratio to the aggregate number of Option Shares being purchased as the number of Underwritten Shares set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule 1 hereto (or such number increased as set forth in Section 12 hereof) bears to the aggregate number of Underwritten Shares being purchased from the Selling Stockholders by the several Underwriters, subject, however, to such adjustments to eliminate any fractional Shares as the Underwriters in their sole discretion shall make. Any such election to purchase Option Shares shall be made in proportion to the maximum number of Option Shares to be sold by each Selling Stockholder as set forth in Schedule 2 hereto.
The Underwriters may exercise the option to purchase Option Shares at any time in whole, or from time to time in part, on or before the thirtieth day following the date of the Prospectus, by written notice from the Underwriters to the Selling Stockholders. Such notice shall set forth the aggregate number of Option Shares as to which the option is being exercised and the date and time when the Option Shares are to be delivered and paid for, which may be the same date and time as the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined) but shall not be earlier than the Closing Date nor later than the tenth full business day (as hereinafter defined) after the date of such notice (unless such time and date are postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 12 hereof). Any such notice shall be given at least two business days prior to the date and time of delivery specified therein.
Payment for the Shares to be purchased on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, shall be made against delivery to the Underwriters for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters of the Shares to be purchased on such date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, with any transfer taxes payable in connection with the sale of such Shares duly paid by the Selling Stockholders. Delivery of the Shares shall be made through
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the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) unless the Underwriters shall otherwise instruct.
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(a)Required Consents; Authority. All consents, approvals, authorizations and orders necessary for the execution and delivery by such Selling Stockholder of this Agreement hereinafter referred to, and for the sale and delivery of the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder hereunder, have been obtained, except for such consents, approvals authorizations and orders with respect to the Shares as have been made under the Securities Act or may be required under state or non-US securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters and the approval of the underwriting terms and arrangements by FINRA; and such Selling Stockholder has full right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to sell, assign, transfer and deliver the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder hereunder; this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by or on behalf of such Selling Stockholder.
(b)No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by such Selling Stockholder of this Agreement and the consummation by such Selling Stockholder of the transactions contemplated herein or therein will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, result in the termination, modification or acceleration of, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property, right or asset of such Selling Stockholder pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which such Selling Stockholder is a party or by which such Selling Stockholder is bound or to which any of the property, right or asset of such Selling Stockholder is subject, (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents of such Selling Stockholder or (iii) result in the violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory agency, except in the case of clauses (i) and (iii) above, for any such conflict, breach, violation or default that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of such Selling Stockholder to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
(c)Title to Shares. Such Selling Stockholder has good and valid title to the Shares to be sold at the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be,
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by such Selling Stockholder hereunder, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or adverse claims; such Selling Stockholder will have, immediately prior to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, good and valid title to the Shares to be sold at the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, by such Selling Stockholder, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or adverse claims; and, upon delivery of such Shares and payment therefor pursuant hereto, good and valid title to such Shares, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or adverse claims, will pass to the several Underwriters.
(d)No Stabilization. Such Selling Stockholder has not taken and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Shares.
(e)Pricing Disclosure Package. The Pricing Disclosure Package, as of the Applicable Time did not, and as of the Closing Date and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that such Selling Stockholder makes such representation or warranty solely with respect to the Selling Stockholder Information (as defined below) with respect to such Selling Stockholder.
(f)Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. Other than the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, such Selling Stockholder (including its agents and representatives, other than the Underwriters in their capacity as such) has not prepared, made, used, authorized, approved or referred to and will not prepare, make, use, authorize, approve or refer to any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, other than (i) any document not constituting a prospectus pursuant to Section 2(a)(10)(a) of the Securities Act or Rule 134 under the Securities Act or (ii) the documents listed on Annex A, each electronic road show and any other written communications approved in writing in advance by the Company and the Underwriters.
(g)Registration Statement and Prospectus. As of the applicable effective date of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, the Registration Statement and any such post-effective amendment did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and as of the date of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto and as of the Closing Date and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, the Prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that such Selling Stockholder makes such representation and warranty solely with respect to the Selling Stockholder Information with respect to such Selling Stockholder.
(h)[Reserved].
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(i)No Unlawful Payments. Neither such Selling Stockholder nor any of its subsidiaries, nor any director, officer or employee of such Selling Stockholder or any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of such Selling Stockholder, any agent, affiliate or other person associated with or acting on behalf of such Selling Stockholder or any of its subsidiaries has (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) made or taken an act in furtherance of an offer, promise or authorization of any direct or indirect unlawful payment or benefit to any foreign or domestic government official or employee, including of any government-owned or controlled entity or of a public international organization, or any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any of the foregoing, or any political party or party official or candidate for political office; (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or any applicable law or regulation implementing the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, or committed an offence under the Bribery Act 2010 of the United Kingdom or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law; or (iv) made, offered, agreed, requested or taken an act in furtherance of any unlawful bribe or other unlawful benefit, including, without limitation, any rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful or improper payment or benefit. Such Selling Stockholder and its subsidiaries have instituted, maintain and enforce, and will continue to maintain and enforce policies and procedures designed to promote and ensure compliance with all applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws.
(j)Compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws. The operations of such Selling Stockholder and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Anti-Money Laundering Laws, and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving such Selling Stockholder or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of such Selling Stockholder, threatened.
(k)No Conflicts with Sanctions Laws. Neither such Selling Stockholder nor any of its subsidiaries, directors, officers or employees, nor, to the knowledge of such Selling Stockholder, any agent, affiliate or other person associated with or acting on behalf of such Selling Stockholder or any of its subsidiaries is currently the subject or the target of Sanctions, nor is such Selling Stock-holder or any of its subsidiaries located, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country; and such Selling Stockholder will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering of the Shares hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity (i) to fund or facilitate any activities of or business with any person that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject or target of Sanctions, (ii) to fund or facilitate any activities of or business in any Sanctioned Country or (iii) in any other manner that will result in a violation by any person (including any person participating in the transaction, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise) of Sanctions. For the past five years, such Selling Stockholder and its subsidiaries have not knowingly engaged in and are not now knowingly engaged in any
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dealings or transactions with any person that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject or the target of Sanctions or with any Sanctioned Country.
(l)Organization and Good Standing. Such Selling Stockholder has been duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its respective jurisdictions of organization.
(m)ERISA. Such Selling Stockholder is not (i) an employee benefit plan subject to Title I of ERISA, (ii) a plan or account subject to Section 4975 of the Code or (iii) an entity deemed to hold “plan assets” of any such plan or account under 29 C.F.R. 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA.
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The restrictions described above do not apply to (i) the issuance of shares of Stock or securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of Stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange of convertible or exchangeable securities or the exercise of warrants or options (including net exercise) or the settlement of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) (including net settlement), in each case outstanding on the date of this Agreement and described in the Prospectus; (ii) grants of stock options, stock awards, restricted stock, RSUs, or other equity awards and the issuance of shares of Stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Stock (whether upon the exercise of stock options or otherwise) to the Company’s employees, officers, directors, advisors, or consultants pursuant to the terms of an equity compensation plan in effect as of the Closing Date and described in the Prospectus; (iii) the issuance of up to 10% of the outstanding shares of Stock, or securities convertible into, exercisable for, or which are otherwise exchangeable for, Stock, immediately following the Closing Date, in acquisitions or other strategic transactions, provided that such recipients enter into a lock-up agreement with the Underwriters; (iv) the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, provided that such plan (1) does not provide for the transfer of shares of common stock during the 60-day restricted period and (2) any public announcement or filing under the Exchange Act made by any person regarding the establishment of such plan during the 60-day restricted period shall include a statement that the signatory to the lock-up agreement is not permitted to transfer, sell or otherwise dispose of securities under such plan during the 60-day restricted period in contravention of the lock-up agreement; (v) any transaction effectuated pursuant to a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 that has been entered into by the Company, and only shares scheduled for sale thereunder, prior to the date of this Agreement; provided that (a) the existence of such trading plan under Rule 10b5-1 was communicated to the Underwriters prior to the execution of this Agreement, (b) such trading plan under Rule 10b5-1 will not be amended or otherwise modified to increase shares scheduled for sale thereunder during the 60-day restricted period and (c) any public announcement or filings under the Exchange Act made in connection with this clause (v) shall include an explanatory footnote stating the nature of the transfer; or (vi) the filing of any registration statement on Form S-8 relating to securities granted or to be granted pursuant to any plan in effect on the date of this Agreement and described in the Prospectus or any assumed benefit plan pursuant to an acquisition or similar strategic transaction.
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(a)No Stabilization. Such Selling Stockholder will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Stock.
(b)Tax Form. It will deliver to the Underwriters prior to or at the Closing Date a properly completed and duly executed U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 or W-9, as applicable (or other applicable form or statement specified by the Treasury Department regulations in lieu thereof), establishing a complete exemption from the United States withholding tax.
(c)Use of Proceeds. It will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering of the Shares hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to a subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity (i) to fund or facilitate any activities of or business with any person that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject of target of Sanctions, (ii) to fund or facilitate any activities of or business in any Sanctioned Country or (iii) in any other manner that will result in a violation by any person (including any person participating in the transaction, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise) of Sanctions.
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All opinions, letters, certificates and evidence mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions hereof only if they are in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters.
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(c)Submission to Jurisdiction. Each of the Company and the Selling Stockholders hereby submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the U.S. federal and New York state courts in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Each of the Company and the Selling Stockholders waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such suit or proceeding in such courts. Each of the Company and the Selling Stockholders agrees that final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such court shall be conclusive and binding upon the Company and each Selling Stockholder, as applicable, and may be enforced in any court to the jurisdiction of which the Company and each Selling Stockholder, as applicable, is subject by a suit upon such judgment.
(d)Waiver of Jury Trial. Each of the parties hereto hereby waives any right to trial by jury in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.
(e)Recognition of the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes.
(i) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from such Underwriter of this Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special
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Resolution Regime if this Agreement, and any such interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.
(ii) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity or a BHC Act Affiliate of such Underwriter becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against such Underwriter are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.
As used in this Section 18(e):
“BHC Act Affiliate” has the meaning assigned to the term “affiliate” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k).
“Covered Entity” means any of the following:
(i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);
(ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or
(iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).
“Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.
“U.S. Special Resolution Regime” means each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Xxxx-Xxxxx Xxxx Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
(f)Counterparts and Electronic Signatures. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts (which may include counterparts delivered by any standard form of telecommunication), each of which shall be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Electronic signatures complying with the New York Electronic Signatures and Records Act (N.Y. State Tech. §§ 301-309), as amended from time to time, or other applicable law will be deemed original signatures for purposes of this Agreement. Transmission by telecopy, electronic mail or other transmission method of an executed counterpart of this Agreement will constitute due and sufficient delivery of such counterpart.
(g)Amendments or Waivers. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, nor any consent or approval to any departure therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto.
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(h)Headings. The headings herein are included for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement.
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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please indicate your acceptance of this Agreement by signing in the space provided below.
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title: President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
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ADVENT INTERNATIONAL GPE VIII LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
ADVENT INTERNATIONAL GPE VIII-B LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
ADVENT INTERNATIONAL GPE VIII-B-1 LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
ADVENT INTERNATIONAL GPE VIII-B-2 LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
ADVENT INTERNATIONAL GPE VIII-B-3 LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
ADVENT INTERNATIONAL GPE VIII-C LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
ADVENT INTERNATIONAL GPE VIII-D LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
ADVENT INTERNATIONAL GPE VIII-F LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
ADVENT INTERNATIONAL GPE VIII-H LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
ADVENT INTERNATIONAL GPE VIII-I LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
ADVENT INTERNATIONAL GPE VIII-J LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: GPE VIII GP S.à x.x., its general partner
By: Advent International GPE VIII, LLC, its manager
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, manager
By: Advent International Corporation, its manager
By:/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
Title: Authorized Signatory
ADVENT INTERNATIONAL GPE VIII-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
ADVENT INTERNATIONAL GPE VIII-E LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
ADVENT INTERNATIONAL GPE VIII-G LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
ADVENT INTERNATIONAL GPE VIII-K LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
ADVENT INTERNATIONAL GPE VIII-L LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: GPE VIII GP Limited Partnership, General Partner
By: Advent International GPE VIII, LLC, General Partner
By: Advent International Corporation, Manager
By:/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
Title: Authorized Signatory
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ADVENT PARTNERS GPE VIII LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
ADVENT PARTNERS GPE VIII-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
ADVENT PARTNERS GPE VIII CAYMAN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
ADVENT PARTNERS GPE VIII-A CAYMAN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
ADVENT PARTNERS GPE VIII-B CAYMAN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: AP GPE VIII GP Limited Partnership, General Partner
By: Advent International GPE VIII, LLC, General Partner
By: Advent International Corporation, Manager
By:/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
Title: Authorized Signatory
NOOSA HOLDCO, L.P.
By: Noosa GP, Inc., its general partner
By:/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxx
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxx
Title: President
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Very truly yours,
XXXXX, X.X.X.
By:/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: Member
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Accepted: As of the date first written above
XXXXXXX XXXXX & CO. LLC
By:/s/ Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Authorized Signatory
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Accepted: As of the date first written above
X.X. XXXXXX SECURITIES LLC
By:/s/ Xxxxxx Xxx
Authorized Signatory
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Schedule 1
Underwriter | Number of Shares |
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Co. LLC | 5,000,000 |
X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC | 5,000,000 |
| |
Total | 10,000,000 |
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Schedule 2
| Number of | Number of |
Advent International GPE VIII Limited Partnership(a) Advent International GPE VIII-B Limited Partnership(a) Advent International GPE VIII-B-1 Limited Partnership(a) Advent International GPE VIII-B-2 Limited Partnership(a) Advent International GPE VIII-B-3 Limited Partnership(a) Advent International GPE VIII-C Limited Partnership(a) Advent International GPE VIII-D Limited Partnership(a) Advent International GPE VIII-F Limited Partnership(a) Advent International GPE VIII-H Limited Partnership(a) Advent International GPE VIII-I Limited Partnership(a) Advent International GPE VIII-J Limited Partnership(a) Advent International GPE VIII-A Limited Partnership(a) Advent International GPE VIII-E Limited Partnership(a) Advent International GPE VIII-G Limited Partnership(a) Advent International GPE VIII-K Limited Partnership(a) Advent International GPE VIII-L Limited Partnership(a) Advent Partners GPE VIII Limited Partnership(a) Advent Partners GPE VIII-A Limited Partnership(a) Advent Partners GPE VIII Cayman Limited Partnership(a) Advent Partners GPE VIII-A Cayman Limited Partnership(a) Advent Partners GPE VIII-B Cayman Limited Partnership(a) Noosa Holdco, L.P.(a) Batak, LLC(b) | 352,474 1,195,154 425,277 317,085 495,130 195,196 166,922 49,462 438,260 407,535 400,493 826,778 185,905 315,317 169,052 170,765 13,945 17,376 81,223 10,821 142,720 3,273,110 350,000 | 54,789 185,777 66,105 49,288 76,963 30,341 25,946 7,688 68,123 63,347 62,253 128,515 28,897 49,013 26,277 26,544 2,168 2,701 12,625 1,682 22,184 508,774 0 |
(a) Notice to be sent to: c/o Advent International Corporation, Prudential Tower, 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000, Xxxxxx, XX 00000
(b) Notice to be sent to: 0000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx 00X, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
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Annex A
a.Pricing Disclosure Package
Issuer Free Writing Prospectus dated May 15, 2023
b. Pricing Information Provided Orally by Underwriters
Price per share: $17.50
10,000,000 Underwritten Shares
1,500,000 Option Shares
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Exhibit A
FORM OF LOCK-UP AGREEMENT
, 20__
X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC
As Underwriters
c/o Goldman Xxxxx & Co. LLC
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
New York, New York 10282
c/o X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
New York, New York 10179
Re:Sovos Brands, Inc.--- Public Offering
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned understands that you, as Underwriters, propose to enter into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Sovos Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and the Selling Stockholders listed on Schedule 2 to the Underwriting Agreement, providing for the public offering (the “Public Offering”) by the several Underwriters named in Schedule 1 to the Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriters”), of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (the “Securities”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Underwriting Agreement.
In consideration of the Underwriters’ agreement to purchase and make the Public Offering of the Securities, and for other good and valuable consideration receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned xxxxxx agrees that, without the prior written consent of Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Co. LLC and X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC on behalf of the Underwriters, the undersigned will not, and will not cause any direct or indirect affiliate to, during the period beginning on the date of this letter agreement (this “Letter Agreement”) and ending at the close of business 60 days after the date of the final prospectus relating to the Public Offering (the “Prospectus”) (such period, the “Restricted Period”), (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock (including without limitation, Common Stock or such other securities which may be
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deemed to be beneficially owned by the undersigned in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and securities which may be issued upon exercise of a stock option or warrant) (collectively with the Common Stock, “Lock-Up Securities”), (2) enter into any hedging, swap or other agreement or transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Lock-Up Securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Lock-Up Securities, in cash or otherwise or (3) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing (except as required pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing precludes the undersigned from engaging in any hedging or other transactions or arrangements (including, without limitation, any short sale or the purchase or sale of, or entry into, any put or call option, or combination thereof, forward, swap or any other derivative transaction or instrument, however described or defined) designed or intended, or which could reasonably be expected to lead to or result in, a sale or disposition or transfer (whether by the undersigned or any other person) of any economic consequences of ownership, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, of any Lock-Up Securities, whether any such transaction or arrangement (or instrument provided for thereunder) would be settled by delivery of Lock-Up Securities, in cash or otherwise.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the undersigned may:
(a) transfer the undersigned’s Lock-Up Securities:
(i) as a bona fide gift or gifts, or for bona fide estate planning purposes,
(ii) by will, other testamentary document or intestacy,
(iii) to any trust, partnership, limited liability company or other entity for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned, the immediate family or affiliate of the undersigned, or if the undersigned is a trust, to a trustor or beneficiary of the trust or to the estate of a beneficiary of such trust (for purposes of this Letter Agreement, “immediate family” shall mean any relationship by blood, current or former marriage, domestic partnership or adoption, not more remote than first cousin),
(iv) to any partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which the undersigned and the immediate family of the undersigned are the legal and beneficial owner of all of the outstanding equity securities or similar interests,
(v) to any immediate family member or any investment fund or other entity controlled or managed by the undersigned,
(vi) if the undersigned is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other business entity, (A) to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other business entity that is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) of the undersigned, or to any investment fund or other entity controlling, controlled by, managing or managed by or under common control with the undersigned or affiliates of the undersigned (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where the undersigned is a partnership, to its general partner or a successor partnership or fund, or any other funds managed by such partnership), or (B) as part of a distribution to limited partners,
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limited liability company members or shareholders of the undersigned, or holders of similar equity interests in the undersigned,
(vii) by operation of law, such as pursuant to a qualified domestic order, divorce settlement, divorce decree or separation agreement,
(viii) to a nominee or custodian of a person or entity to whom a disposition or transfer would be permissible under clauses (i) through (iv) above,
(ix) pursuant to an order of a court or regulatory agency having jurisdiction over the undersigned,
(x) to the Company or Sovos Brands Limited Partnership from an employee of the Company upon death, disability or termination of employment or other service relationship with the Company or the undersigned’s failure to meet certain conditions set out upon receipt of such Lock-Up Securities, in each case, of such employee,
(xi) as part of a sale of the undersigned’s Lock-Up Securities acquired (A) in the Public Offering (excluding any Lock-Up Securities purchased by directors or executive officers in the Public Offering), or (B) in open market transactions after the closing date for the Public Offering,
(xii) (A) to the Company in connection with the vesting, settlement, or exercise of restricted stock units, options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of Common Stock (including, in each case, by way of “net” or “cashless” exercise), including for the payment of exercise price and tax and remittance payments due as a result of the vesting, settlement, or exercise of such restricted stock units, options, warrants or rights, provided that any such shares of Common Stock received upon such exercise, vesting or settlement shall be subject to the terms of this Letter Agreement, and provided further that any such restricted stock units, options, warrants or rights are held by the undersigned pursuant to an agreement or equity awards granted under a stock incentive plan or other equity award plan, each such agreement or plan which is described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, or (B) as a part of sales of stock that the Company elected to automatically have sold through an approved broker as necessary to satisfy tax withholding requirements upon the vesting of any restricted stock or restricted stock units, or
(xiii) pursuant to a bona fide third-party tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction that is approved by the Board of Directors of the Company and made to all holders of the Company’s capital stock involving a Change of Control (as defined below) of the Company (for purposes hereof, “Change of Control” shall mean the transfer (whether by tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, to a person or group of affiliated persons, of shares of capital stock if, after such transfer, such person or group of affiliated persons would hold at least a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company (or the surviving entity)); provided that in the event that such tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction is not completed, the undersigned’s Lock-Up Securities shall remain subject to the provisions of this Letter Agreement;
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provided that (A) in the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant to clause (a)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) and (viii), such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value and each donee, devisee, transferee or distributee shall execute and deliver to the Underwriters a lock-up letter in the form of this Letter Agreement, (B) in the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant to clause (a) (i), (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi), no filing by any party (donor, donee, devisee, transferor, transferee, distributer or distributee) under the Exchange Act, or other public announcement shall be required or shall be made voluntarily in connection with such transfer or distribution (other than a filing on a Form 5 made after the expiration of the Restricted Period referred to above) and (C) in the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant to clause (a) (ii), (vii), (viii), (ix), (xi) and (xii) it shall be a condition to such transfer that no public filing, report or announcement shall be voluntarily made and if any filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, or other public filing, report or announcement reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock in connection with such transfer or distribution shall be legally required during the Restricted Period, such filing, report or announcement shall clearly indicate in the footnotes thereto the nature and conditions of such transfer;
(b) exercise outstanding options, settle restricted stock units or other equity awards or exercise warrants pursuant to plans described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; provided that any Lock-Up Securities received upon such exercise, vesting or settlement shall be subject to the terms of this Letter Agreement;
(c) convert outstanding preferred stock, warrants to acquire preferred stock or convertible securities into shares of Common Stock or warrants to acquire shares of Common Stock; provided that any such shares of Common Stock or warrants received upon such conversion shall be subject to the terms of this Letter Agreement;
(d) establish trading plans pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of shares of Lock-Up Securities; provided that (1) such plans do not provide for the transfer of Lock-Up Securities during the Restricted Period and (2) any public announcement or filing under the Exchange Act made by any person regarding the establishment of such plan during the Restricted Period shall include a statement that the undersigned is not permitted to transfer, sell or otherwise dispose of securities under such plan during the Restricted Period in contravention of this Letter Agreement;
(e) any transaction effectuated pursuant to a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 that has been entered into by the undersigned, and only shares scheduled for sale thereunder, prior to the date of this Letter Agreement; provided that (i) the existence of such trading plan under Rule 10b5-1 was communicated to the Underwriters prior to the execution of this Letter Agreement, (ii) such trading plan under Rule 10b5-1 will not be amended or otherwise modified to increase shares scheduled for sale thereunder during the Restricted Period and (iii) any public announcement or filings under the Exchange Act made in connection with this clause (e) shall include an explanatory footnote stating the nature of the transfer; and
(f) sell the Securities to be sold by the undersigned pursuant to the terms of the Underwriting Agreement.
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In furtherance of the foregoing, the Company, and any duly appointed transfer agent for the registration or transfer of the securities described herein, are hereby authorized to decline to make any transfer of securities if such transfer would constitute a violation or breach of this Letter Agreement.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to enter into this Letter Agreement. All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred and any obligations of the undersigned shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs or personal Underwriters of the undersigned.
The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters have not provided any recommendation or investment advice nor have the Underwriters solicited any action from the undersigned with respect to the Public Offering of the Securities and the undersigned has consulted their own legal, accounting, financial, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent deemed appropriate. The undersigned further acknowledges and agrees that, although the Underwriters may be required or choose to provide certain Regulation Best Interest and Form CRS disclosures to you in connection with the Public Offering, the Underwriters are not making a recommendation to you to enter into this Letter Agreement, participate in the Public Offering, or sell any Shares at the price determined in the Public Offering, and nothing set forth in such disclosures is intended to suggest that either of the Underwriters is making such a recommendation.
Nothing in this Letter Agreement shall prevent the undersigned from making a demand for, or exercising any right with respect to, the registration of the undersigned’s Common Stock, provided that (i) no sales of Common Stock shall be made in connection with any such demand or any such exercise by the undersigned or any of its affiliates prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period and (ii) no filing by any party (donor, donee, devisee, transferor, transferee, distributer or distributee) under the Exchange Act, or other public announcement shall be required or shall be made voluntarily in connection with any such demand or any such exercise prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period; provided further that in no event shall the Company be permitted to take an action in violation of Section 5(h) of the Underwriting Agreement.
The undersigned understands that, if (1) prior to the execution of the Underwriting Agreement, the Company files an application to withdraw the Registration Statement related to the Public Offering, (2) the Underwriting Agreement does not become effective by June 30, 2023, (3) the Underwriting Agreement (other than the provisions thereof which survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated prior to payment for and delivery of the Common Stock to be sold thereunder, or (4) Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Co. LLC and X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC advise the Company, or the Company advises Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Co. LLC and X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC, in writing, prior to the execution of the Underwriting Agreement, that they have determined not to proceed with the Public Offering, the undersigned shall be released from all obligations under this Letter Agreement.
The undersigned understands that the Underwriters are entering into the Underwriting Agreement and proceeding with the Public Offering in reliance upon this Letter Agreement. This agreement may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic
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signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., xxx.xxxxxxxx.xxx or xxx.xxxxxxxx.xxx) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
This Letter Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Letter Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
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Very truly yours,
[NAME OF STOCKHOLDER]
By:
Name:
Title:
[Signature Page to Lock-Up Agreement]
