EXHIBIT 10.1
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
This Management Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of March 3,
2000, by and among VIDEO CITY, INC., a Delaware corporation ("VCI") and WEST
COAST ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation ("West Coast").
BACKGROUND
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A. VCI, West Coast and Keystone Merger Corp. have entered into that
certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 1, 1999 (as amended,
modified or supplemented through the date hereof, the "Merger Agreement"), a
copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit "A" pursuant to which VCI shall
acquire West Coast (the "Acquisition");
X. Xxxx Coast owns and operates several chains of retail video stores (all
of such owned stores referred to herein, collectively, as the "West Coast
Stores"), a franchise program under which retail video stores operate under West
Coast's trade names, an e-commerce business dedicated to the sale of video
products through the Internet, and various other businesses (collectively, the
"West Coast Business");
C. VCI owns and operates several chains of retail video stores, has
extensive experience in the retail video industry, and will own the West Coast
Business upon consummation of the Acquisition; and
D. In anticipation of the closing of the Merger Agreement, West Coast
desires to retain the services of VCI and VCI desires to manage and operate the
West Coast Business for the period and pursuant to the terms set forth in this
Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants
contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as
follows:
1. Management of West Coast Business. West Coast hereby retains the
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services of VCI to operate and manage the West Coast Business for the term and
in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth below.
2. Term. The term of this Agreement shall be from the date hereof until
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the closing of the Acquisition of West Coast by VCI; provided, however, this
Agreement may be terminated (a) by West Coast on or after August 31, 2000 by
delivering notice of such termination to VCI at least 45 calendar days in
advance of the date such termination becomes effective; (b) at any time and
immediately by West Coast for "Cause" (defined below); or (c) by VCI at any time
by delivering notice of such termination to West Coast at least 120 calendar
days in advance of the date such termination becomes effective if the Merger
Agreement is terminated or if it is otherwise determined by West Coast and VCI
that the Acquisition will not occur. The date upon which the termination of
this Agreement becomes effective shall hereinafter be called the "Termination
Date". Upon the Termination Date, this Agreement shall be of no further force
or effect, except that VCI shall be entitled to the Management Fee (defined
below) through the
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Termination Date (prorated for a short week as necessary) and the Management
Termination Fee (defined below), as applicable, and the parties shall cooperate
with each other regarding the prompt, complete and accurate transfer of all
books, accounts and records in every form and format, and in all other respects
as is necessary and appropriate to achieve a complete and smooth transition of
the management of the West Coast Business. Neither this Agreement nor its
termination shall affect the parties' respective rights and obligations under
the Merger Agreement.
3. VCI's Authority. Subject to the limitations and covenants set forth in
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paragraphs 4 and 5 below, West Coast hereby confers upon VCI the full discretion
and authority to operate and manage the West Coast Business, which authority
shall include, without limitation, the authority to do any one or more of the
following:
() To hire, train, supervise, relocate and discharge employees;
() To select suppliers and distributors and to purchase or lease video
cassettes, digital video discs, game cartridges, video players, game equipment,
accessories, concessions and other products as may reasonably be deemed by VCI
to be appropriate and consistent with the operation of the video rental/sale
business;
() To collect the revenue of the West Coast Business;
() To facilitate the payment of expenses incurred by the West Coast
Business in the ordinary course of business, including but not limited to wages,
payroll taxes, rent, utilities, insurance, and the purchase and lease of
inventory;
() To execute any checks, arrange for the wire transfers of funds or
make any other form of payment on behalf of West Coast in the ordinary course of
business.
() To sell "sell-through" merchandise, consisting of video cassettes,
digital video discs, accessories, concessions and other inventory held for sale
in the ordinary course of business;
() To negotiate on all matters with the lessors of the real property
of the West Coast Stores;
() To negotiate and enter into agreements necessary or advisable for
the operation and management of the West Coast Business;
() To negotiate and enter into agreements necessary or advisable for
the sale of the West Coast Stores;
() To advertise and market the products and services of the West Coast
Business; and
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() To implement and manage inventory control and management
information systems of the West Coast Business,
4. Limitations on Authority. The authority granted in paragraph 3 is
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subject, in each instance, to the terms of, and the restrictions, limitations
and covenants contained in all credit and lending agreements and documents
between West Coast and its lenders (the "Lenders"), specifically, that certain
Credit Agreement dated December 15, 1997, as the same has been and may hereafter
be amended, and any and all notes, agreements, instruments or documents in any
way relating thereto (collectively, the "Loan Documents"). VCI covenants and
agrees with West Coast that at all times during the term of this Management
Agreement, VCI shall, to the extent of the authority granted to it hereunder,
cause West Coast to perform all of West Coast's obligations under the Loan
Documents (including complying with all reporting requirements thereunder), and
shall not take any action or cause any act to be done which shall constitute an
Event of Default, as that term is defined in the Loan Documents, or cause West
Coast to be in breach of any of its obligations, covenants or agreements under
the Loan Documents. VCI covenants and agrees to make its representatives
available to meet and/or consult with the Lenders, their agents, employees,
consultants and attorneys as and when reasonably requested by such Lenders
regarding all issues impacting upon the operation of the West Coast Business and
West Coast's performance under and compliance with the terms of the Loan
Documents.
5. Covenants. The parties acknowledge that the businesses of VCI and West
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Coast are substantially very similar. Until the consummation of the Merger,
should that occur, VCI shall maintain and keep all assets, funds and the
computer system and software of West Coast and its affiliates and subsidiaries
separate and apart from the assets, funds, computer system and software of VCI,
and VCI shall maintain separate financial records and management information
systems regarding the business of West Coast and its affiliates and
subsidiaries. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, VCI shall (a)
maintain a sufficient number of West Coast employees necessary and appropriate
for the continued operation of West Coast as a separate entity, (b) maintain the
existence and effectiveness of all material contracts and leases and all other
assets necessary and appropriate for the continued operation of West Coast as a
separate entity, including, without limitation, all revenue sharing contracts to
which West Coast is party, (c) maintain the existence and effectiveness of all
material permits and licenses, (d) maintain the corporate existence of each West
Coast entity and, where necessary or appropriate, the qualification to do
business in all jurisdictions where West Coast and its affiliates do business,
(e) prepare and file or cause the preparation and filing (subject to valid
requests for extension) of all tax returns to all local, state and federal
governmental authorities, (f) prepare and file or cause the preparation and
filing (subject to valid requests for extension) of all reports required to be
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, (g) maintain insurance
coverages pursuant to past practices, (h) comply in all material respects with
all laws applicable to the West Coast Business.
6. Management Compensation. During the term of this Agreement, West Coast
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hereby agrees to pay VCI, on a weekly basis, for its services in operating and
managing the West Coast Business (the "Management Services") an amount
(collectively, the "Management Fee") equal to the percentage of the gross
revenues actually collected (after application of discounts, credits and
rebates, if any) as and for the periods set forth in the schedule below
("Revenues"),
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less all costs and expenses of West Coast incurred and paid on a weekly basis
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during the term of this Agreement in the ordinary course of business (excluding
"extraordinary expenses") which West Coast has customarily classified as
selling, general and administrative expenses on its Consolidated Statements of
Operations ("SG&A"), provided that in no event shall the Management Fees paid to
VCI under this Agreement be less than $400,000 per calendar month.
Period Management Fee
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0 - 30 Days Revenues multiplied by 14% less SG&A
31- 60 Days Revenues multiplied by 13% less SG&A
60 Days - Termination Revenues multiplied by 12% less SG&A
The Management Fee shall be payable to VCI by West Coast weekly on each Tuesday
for the Management Services rendered during the preceding week (Sunday through
Saturday). In the event this Agreement is terminated before August 31, 2000 for
any reason other than (i) by West Coast for Cause, or (ii) voluntarily by VCI
after proper notice as herein required, then West Coast shall pay to VCI on the
date of such termination a management services termination fee (the "Management
Termination Fee") in an amount in cash equal to the lesser of (x) $750,000 (if
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the Termination Date occurs during the first 60 days following the date of this
Agreement) or $500,000 (if the Termination Date occurs anytime after the first
60 days of the date of this Agreement) or (y) 12 percent of gross revenues
collected during the 30 days immediately preceding the Termination Date. The
Management Termination Fee is in addition to the Management Fee and is payable
irrespective of the amount of Management Fee that is otherwise payable. The
parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the Management Fee and the Management
Termination Fee are integral parts of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
7. Compliance with Projections. VCI covenants and agrees that it shall use
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the Revenues received by West Coast (except for any Management Termination Fee)
to pay in cash all costs and expenses of West Coast incurred in the ordinary
course of business during the term of this Agreement, including the Management
Fee, which costs and expenses shall not exceed, at any time, the amounts set
forth in the six month operating revenue and expense projections heretofore
provided to West Coast, a copy of which are attached hereto as Exhibit "B". VCI
further covenants and agrees that Revenues for the trailing two calendar month
period, as tested as of the last day of each calendar month, shall at no time be
be (i) less than 85 percent of the corresponding projected revenues as set forth
in Exhibit B attached hereto, and (ii) less than 93 percent of the corresponding
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projected year-to-date revenues, provided that, if any West Coast stores are
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closed, with the Lenders' consent pursuant to the Loan Documents, total
projected Revenues as set forth on Exhibit B shall be adjusted by subtracting
the amount of the revenues reasonably attributable and projected for such closed
stores.
8. SG&A. A schedule setting forth, in line item detail, all expenses
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which are SG&A expenses and providing examples of any "extraordinary expenses"
is attached hereto as Exhibit "C". For purposes of calculating the total SG&A
during each week of the term of this Agreement and notwithstanding West Coast's
obligation to pay all such amounts, the amount of out-of-pocket fees and
expenses attributable to the Banks and its agents (including the Banks'
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counsel and other professionals) in connection with the workout of the loans
under the Loan Documents between West Coast and its Lenders shall not exceed an
average of $15,000 per calendar week.
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9. Limit on Liability. Subject to paragraphs 4 and 5, VCI shall have
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reasonable business judgment discretion with regard to the operation and
management of the West Coast Business, including, but not limited to, the
selection and depth of inventory, the staffing, marketing and promotion of the
West Coast Business, hours of operation and all other matters, and West Coast
shall have no claim against VCI or its directors, officers, employees, counsel,
agents or affiliates based on, arising out of or relating to amount of Revenues
or operations of the West Coast Business during the term of this Agreement, or
the financial condition, results of operations, condition of assets, liabilities
or prospects of the West Coast Business, except for any claim which is based on,
arises out of or relates to the gross negligence or willful misconduct of VCI.
10. Financial Reports. VCI shall submit monthly written reports to West
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Coast reporting the gross revenue, operating costs and expenses and income of
the West Coast Business for each calendar month within 20 days after such
period. On each Tuesday, VCI shall also submit weekly written management fee
billing summaries in a form reasonably acceptable to VCI and West Coast to
reconcile the fees paid by West Coast which constitute the Management Fee.
11. Termination for Cause. West Coast shall have the right to immediately
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terminate this Agreement at any time for Cause. As used herein, the term
"Cause" shall mean any act taken by VCI which (i) is beyond the limits of its
authority contained in this Agreement, (ii) constitutes a material breach of
VCI's covenants or obligations contained in this Agreement, including, without
limitation, VCI's obligation to cause the West Coast Business to meet the
projections attached hereto as Exhibit "B" in accordance with paragraph 7 above,
or (iii) would cause or result in material and irreparable harm to the West
Coast Business or a substantial diminution in the value of West Coast's assets.
12. Indemnification. West Coast agrees to indemnify and hold harmless VCI
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and its directors, officers, employees, counsel, agents or affiliates against
any and all loss, liability, claim, and damage whatsoever (including, but not
limited to, any and all expenses and legal fees whatsoever reasonably incurred
in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation commenced or
threatened or any claim whatsoever) arising out of or in connection with VCI's
operation and management of the West Coast Business; provided, however, such
indemnity shall not apply to any portion of such loss, liability, claim, or
damage to the extent it is found in a final judgment by a court of competent
jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of
VCI.
13. Assignability. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights or
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obligations hereunder may be assigned by a party without the prior written
consent of the other party. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns, and no other person shall
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have any right, benefit or obligation under this Agreement as a third party
beneficiary or otherwise.
14. Notices. All notices to VCI shall be addressed to the Chief Executive
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Officer at the principal executive office of VCI, and all notices to other
parties shall be addressed to the address on file with VCI, or to such other
address as either may designate to the other in writing. All notices, requests,
demands and other communications which are required or may be given under this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when
received if personally delivered; when transmitted if transmitted by telecopy,
electronic or digital transmission method (with positive confirmation report
generated by the sender's machine); the day after it is sent, if sent for next
day delivery to a domestic address by recognized overnight delivery service
(e.g., FED EX); and upon receipt, if sent by certified or registered mail,
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return receipt requested.
15. Attorneys' Fees. In the event of any legal action or proceeding to
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enforce or interpret the provisions hereof, the prevailing party shall be
entitled (in addition to costs) to reasonable attorneys' fees, as determined by
the court and, if applicable, the appellate court.
16. Miscellaneous. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
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accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without reference to choice of
law provisions. In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained
in this Agreement or in any other instrument referred to herein, shall, for any
reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, then to
the maximum extent permitted by law, such invalidity, illegality or
unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or any
other such instrument. This Agreement may not be amended except by a writing
signed by each party. The section headings of this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only, and shall not be used to construe or interpret
any section, term or provision of this Agreement. Time is of the essence in the
performance of this Agreement in all particulars. This Agreement constitutes
the entire agreement among the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof
and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and
discussions, whether oral or written, of the parties.
17. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
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counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed
counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile shall be
effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Management
Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date and year first above
written.
VIDEO CITY, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxx
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Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxx
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Title: Chief Executive Officer
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WEST COAST ENTERTAINMENT
CORPORATION
By: /s/ T. Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
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Name: T. Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
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Title: Chief Executive Officer
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