CREDIT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.1
dated as of August 31, 2005
among
XXXX’X, INC.
The Lenders From Time to Time Party Hereto
and
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Administrative Agent
as Administrative Agent
XXXXX FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
and
AMEGY BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Documentation Agents
and
AMEGY BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Documentation Agents
X.X. XXXXXX SECURITIES INC.,
as Sole Bookrunner and Lead Arranger
as Sole Bookrunner and Lead Arranger
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||
ARTICLE I Definitions |
1 | |||
SECTION 1.01 Defined Terms |
1 | |||
SECTION 1.02 Classification of Loans and Borrowings |
16 | |||
SECTION 1.03 Terms Generally |
16 | |||
SECTION 1.04 Accounting Terms; GAAP |
17 | |||
ARTICLE II The Credits |
17 | |||
SECTION 2.01 Revolving Commitments |
17 | |||
SECTION 2.02 Loans and Borrowings |
17 | |||
SECTION 2.03 Requests for Borrowings |
18 | |||
SECTION 2.04 Letters of Credit |
19 | |||
SECTION 2.05 Funding of Borrowings |
23 | |||
SECTION 2.06 Interest Elections |
24 | |||
SECTION 2.07 Termination, Reduction and Increase of Revolving Commitments |
25 | |||
SECTION 2.08 Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt |
26 | |||
SECTION 2.09 Prepayment of Loans |
27 | |||
SECTION 2.10 Fees |
28 | |||
SECTION 2.11 Interest |
29 | |||
SECTION 2.12 Alternate Rate of Interest |
30 | |||
SECTION 2.13 Increased Costs |
30 | |||
SECTION 2.14 Break Funding Payments |
31 | |||
SECTION 2.15 Taxes |
32 | |||
SECTION 2.16 Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs |
33 | |||
SECTION 2.17 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders |
34 | |||
SECTION 2.18 Swingline Loans |
35 | |||
SECTION 2.19 Defaulting Lender |
36 | |||
ARTICLE III Representations and Warranties |
37 | |||
SECTION 3.01 Organization; Powers |
37 | |||
SECTION 3.02 Authorization; Enforceability |
38 | |||
SECTION 3.03 Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts |
38 | |||
SECTION 3.04 Financial Condition |
38 | |||
SECTION 3.05 Properties |
38 | |||
SECTION 3.06 Litigation and Environmental Matters |
39 | |||
SECTION 3.07 Compliance with Laws and Agreements |
39 | |||
SECTION 3.08 Investment and Holding Company Status |
39 | |||
SECTION 3.09 Taxes |
39 | |||
SECTION 3.10 ERISA |
39 | |||
SECTION 3.11 Disclosure |
40 | |||
SECTION 3.12 Subsidiaries |
40 | |||
SECTION 3.13 Insurance |
40 | |||
SECTION 3.14 Labor Matters |
40 | |||
SECTION 3.15 Solvency |
40 | |||
ARTICLE IV Conditions |
41 |
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||
SECTION 4.01 Effective Date |
41 | |||
SECTION 4.02 Each Credit Event |
42 | |||
ARTICLE V Affirmative Covenants |
43 | |||
SECTION 5.01 Financial Statements and Other Information |
43 | |||
SECTION 5.02 Notices of Material Events |
44 | |||
SECTION 5.03 Information Regarding Borrower |
44 | |||
SECTION 5.04 Existence; Conduct of Business |
44 | |||
SECTION 5.05 Payment of Obligations |
44 | |||
SECTION 5.06 Maintenance of Properties |
45 | |||
SECTION 5.07 Insurance |
45 | |||
SECTION 5.08 Books and Records; Inspection and Audit Rights |
45 | |||
SECTION 5.09 Compliance with Laws |
45 | |||
SECTION 5.10 Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit |
45 | |||
SECTION 5.11 Further Assurances |
45 | |||
SECTION 5.12 Financial Covenants |
46 | |||
ARTICLE VI Negative Covenants |
46 | |||
SECTION 6.01 Indebtedness; Certain Equity Securities |
46 | |||
SECTION 6.02 Liens |
47 | |||
SECTION 6.03 Fundamental Changes |
48 | |||
SECTION 6.04 Investments, Loans, Advances and Guarantees |
48 | |||
SECTION 6.05 Asset Sales |
49 | |||
SECTION 6.06 Sale and Leaseback Transactions |
50 | |||
SECTION 6.07 Swap Agreements |
50 | |||
SECTION 6.08 Restricted Payments |
50 | |||
SECTION 6.09 Transactions with Affiliates |
50 | |||
SECTION 6.10 Restrictive Agreements |
50 | |||
SECTION 6.11 Amendment of Material Documents |
51 | |||
SECTION 6.12 Additional Subsidiaries |
51 | |||
SECTION 6.13 Capital Expenditures |
51 | |||
SECTION 6.14 Acquisitions |
51 | |||
ARTICLE VII Events of Default |
52 | |||
ARTICLE VIII The Administrative Agent |
54 | |||
ARTICLE IX Miscellaneous |
56 | |||
SECTION 9.01 Notices |
56 | |||
SECTION 9.02 Waivers; Amendments |
57 | |||
SECTION 9.03 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver |
58 | |||
SECTION 9.04 Successors and Assigns |
59 | |||
SECTION 9.05 Survival |
62 | |||
SECTION 9.06 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness |
63 | |||
SECTION 9.07 Severability |
63 |
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||
SECTION 9.08 Right of Setoff |
63 | |||
SECTION 9.09 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process |
63 | |||
SECTION 9.10 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL |
64 | |||
SECTION 9.11 Headings |
64 | |||
SECTION 9.12 Interest Rate Limitation |
65 | |||
SECTION 9.13 USA Patriot Act |
65 | |||
SECTION 9.14 Confidentiality |
66 | |||
SECTION 9.15 Amendment and Restatement |
66 | |||
SECTION 9.16 Further Assurances |
66 |
Schedule 2.01 — Revolving Commitments
Schedule 3.12 — Subsidiaries
Schedule 6.01 — Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 6.02 — Existing Liens
Schedule 6.05 — Properties to be Sold
Schedule 6.09 — Affiliate Transactions
Schedule 3.12 — Subsidiaries
Schedule 6.01 — Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 6.02 — Existing Liens
Schedule 6.05 — Properties to be Sold
Schedule 6.09 — Affiliate Transactions
Exhibit A — Assignment and Assumption
Exhibit B — Compliance Certificate
Exhibit C-1 — Revolving Note
Exhibit C-2 — Swingline Note
Exhibit B — Compliance Certificate
Exhibit C-1 — Revolving Note
Exhibit C-2 — Swingline Note
iii
CREDIT AGREEMENT (as amended, modified, restated, supplemented and in effect from time to
time, herein called this “Agreement”) dated as of August 31, 2005 (the “Effective
Date”), among XXXX’X, INC., a Delaware corporation, the LENDERS party hereto, XXXXX FARGO BANK,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION and AMEGY BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Documentation Agents, and JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders.
ARTICLE I
Definitions
Definitions
The parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1.01 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the
meanings specified below:
“ABR”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan,
or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to
the Alternate Base Rate.
“Adjusted LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest
Period, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to
(a) the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserve Rate.
“Administrative Agent” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, in its
capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder, and its successors in that capacity.
“Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form
supplied by the Administrative Agent.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly,
or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common
Control with the Person specified.
“Alternate Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of
(a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such
day plus 1/2 of 1%. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate or the
Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such
change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, respectively.
“Applicable Percentage” means, with respect to any Revolving Lender, the percentage of
the total Revolving Commitments represented by such Lender’s Revolving Commitment. If the
Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be
determined based upon the Revolving Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any
assignments.
“Applicable Rate” means, for any day with respect to any ABR Loan or Eurodollar Loan
or with respect to the commitment fees payable hereunder, as the case may be, the applicable rate
per annum set forth below under the caption “ABR Spread”, “Eurodollar Spread” or “Commitment Fee
Rate”, as the case may be, based upon the Total Leverage Ratio as of the most recent determination
date; but until the end of the first fiscal quarter of fiscal year 2006 the Eurodollar Spread shall
be 1.25%, the ABR Spread shall be 0.00% and the Commitment Fee Rate shall be 0.25%:
Total | Commitment Fee | |||||
Leverage Ratio | ABR Spread | Eurodollar Spread | Rate | |||
Category 1: greater than 1.50 |
0.25 | 1.75 | 0.35 | |||
Category 2: greater than 1.00 but less than or equal to 1.50 |
0.00 | 1.50 | 0.30 | |||
Category 3: greater than 0.50 but less than or equal to 1.00 |
0.00 | 1.25 | 0.25 | |||
Category 4: less than or equal to 0.50 |
0.00 | 1.00 | 0.25 |
For purposes of the foregoing, (i) the Total Leverage Ratio shall be determined as of the end of
each fiscal quarter of the Borrower’s fiscal year based upon the Borrower’s consolidated financial
statements delivered pursuant to Sections 5.01(a) or (b) and (ii) each change in
the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Total Leverage Ratio shall be effective during
the period commencing on and including the date of delivery to the Administrative Agent of such
consolidated financial statements indicating such change and ending on the date immediately
preceding the effective date of the next such change; but the Total Leverage Ratio shall be deemed
to be in Category 1 at the request of the Required Lenders if the Borrower fails to timely deliver
the consolidated financial statements required to be delivered by it pursuant to Sections
5.01(a) or (b), during the period from the deadline for delivery thereof until such
consolidated financial statements are received.
“Approved Fund” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04.
“Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a
Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section
9.04), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A or any other
form approved by the Administrative Agent.
2
“Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United
States of America and any successor entity performing similar functions.
“Borrower” means Xxxx’x, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
“Borrowing” means (a) Loans of the same Class and Type, made, converted or continued
on the same date and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in
effect and (b) a Swingline Loan.
“Borrowing Request” means a request by the Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with
Section 2.03.
“Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which
commercial banks in Houston, Texas are authorized or required by law to remain closed;
provided that, when used in connection with a Eurodollar Loan, the term “Business
Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in dollar deposits in
the London interbank market.
“Capital Expenditures” means, for any period, (a) the additions to property, plant and
equipment and other capital expenditures of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries that are
(or would be) set forth in a consolidated statement of cash flows of Borrower for such period
prepared in accordance with GAAP and (b) Capital Lease Obligations incurred by the Borrower and its
consolidated Subsidiaries during such period, but excluding expenditures for the
restoration, repair or replacement of any fixed or capital asset which was destroyed, damaged or
condemned, in whole or in part, to the extent financed by the proceeds of an insurance policy
maintained by such Person or the receipt of any proceeds resulting from such condemnation, as
applicable. If the Borrower acquires (or causes a Subsidiary of Borrower to acquire) a replacement
corporate headquarters within six (6) months of the date of a sale of the Prior Corporate
Headquarters to an unaffiliated third party (whether before or after such sale), then an amount
equal to the lesser of (i) the acquisition costs paid for such replacement corporate headquarters
or (ii) the proceeds realized from the sale of the Prior Corporate Headquarters, shall be excluded
in calculating Capital Expenditures for any period that includes the date of such acquisition.
“Capital Lease Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay
rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or
personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and
accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of
such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.
“Ceiling Rate” means, on any day, the maximum nonusurious rate of interest permitted
for that day by whichever of applicable federal or Texas (or any jurisdiction whose usury laws are
deemed to apply to the Notes or any other Loan Documents despite the intention and desire of the
parties to apply the usury laws of the State of Texas) laws permits the higher interest rate,
3
stated as a rate per annum. On each day, if any, that the Texas Finance Code establishes the
Ceiling Rate, the Ceiling Rate shall be the “weekly ceiling” (as defined in the Texas Finance Code)
for that day. Administrative Agent may from time to time, as to current and future balances,
implement any other ceiling under the Texas Finance Code by notice to the Borrower, if and to the
extent permitted by the Texas Finance Code. Without notice to the Borrower or any other Person,
the Ceiling Rate shall automatically fluctuate upward and downward as and in the amount by which
such maximum nonusurious rate of interest permitted by applicable law fluctuates.
“Change in Control” means (a) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used for
purposes of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, whether or not applicable), is or becomes
the “beneficial owner” (as that term is used in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act,
whether or not applicable), except that a person shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of
all shares that any such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable
immediately or only after the passage of time, directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of the
total voting power in the aggregate of all classes of Equity Interests then outstanding of the
Borrower normally entitled to vote in elections of directors or (b) occupation of a majority of the
seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Borrower by Persons who were
neither (1) nominated by the board of directors of the Borrower nor (2) appointed by directors so
nominated.
“Change in Law” means (a) the adoption of any law, rule or regulation after the date
of this Agreement, (b) any change in any law, rule or regulation or in the interpretation or
application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement or (c)
compliance by any Lender or the Issuing Bank (or, for purposes of Section 2.13(b), by any
lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any)
with any binding request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any
Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement.
“Class”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan,
or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
“Contribution Agreement” means that certain Contribution Agreement dated as of June 4,
2004 by and among Borrower and the current Subsidiaries of Borrower, as the same may be amended,
modified, supplemented and restated—and joined in pursuant to a joinder agreement—from time to
time.
“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or
cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to
exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled”
have meanings correlative thereto.
“Convertible Subordinated Debt Facility” means the Subordinated Debt evidenced by
those two certain Amended and Restated Convertible Subordinated Promissory Notes, each
4
dated June 7, 2004 and in the original principal amount of $5,000,000, executed by the
Borrower payable to the order of Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx and Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, respectively, and all
renewals, extensions, modifications and replacements thereof and substitutions therefor.
“Default” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which
upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.
“dollars” or “$” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.
“EBITDA” means, without duplication, for any period, consolidated income from
continuing operations of the Borrower, consistent with the Borrower’s Forms 10-K and 10-Q, plus
depreciation, amortization, other non-cash expenses, interest expense, taxes, and minus in the case
of income or plus in the case of losses, non-cash income and extraordinary gains or losses and
other non-recurring items of income or expense as approved by the Administrative Agent; provided
that, if the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries acquires the Equity Interests or assets of any
Person during such period under circumstances permitted under Section 6.14 hereof, EBITDA
shall be adjusted to give pro forma effect to such acquisition assuming that such transaction had
occurred on the first day of such period.
“Environmental Laws” means all laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders,
decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into
by any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to the environment, preservation or reclamation
of natural resources, the management, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Material or to
health and safety matters.
“Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any
liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the
Borrower or any other Loan Party directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation
of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or
disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or
threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement
or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to
any of the foregoing.
“Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership
interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership
interests in a Person, or any warrants, options or other rights to acquire such interests.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from
time to time.
“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that,
together with the Borrower or any other Loan Party, is treated as a single employer under Section
414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the
Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.
5
“ERISA Event” means (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or
the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day
notice period is waived); (b) the existence with respect to any Plan of an “accumulated funding
deficiency” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived;
(c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(d) of the Code or Section 303(d) of ERISA of an application
for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by the
Borrower or any other Loan Party or any of their ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV
of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by the Borrower or any other
Loan Party or any of their ERISA Affiliates from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice
relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any
Plan; (f) the incurrence by the Borrower or any other Loan Party or any of their ERISA Affiliates
of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or
Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by the Borrower or any other Loan Party or any of their
ERISA Affiliates of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Borrower or any
other Loan Party or any of their ERISA Affiliates of any notice, concerning the imposition of
Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be,
insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.
“Eurodollar”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such
Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by
reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.
“Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.
“Excluded Taxes” means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the
Issuing Bank or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of
the Borrower hereunder, (a) income or franchise taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income
by the United States of America, or by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such recipient is
organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its
applicable lending office is located, (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States of
America or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located and
(c) in the case of a Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower
under Section 2.17(b)), any withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such
Foreign Lender at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party to this Agreement (or designates a
new lending office) or is attributable to such Foreign Lender’s failure to comply with Section
2.15(e), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled,
at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts
from the Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 2.15(a).
“Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the weighted average (rounded
upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the rates on overnight Federal funds
transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as
published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such
rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average (rounded upwards, if
necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for such day for such transactions received
6
by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected
by the Administrative Agent.
“Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer,
treasurer or controller of the Borrower.
“Foreign Lender” means any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction
other than that in which the Borrower is located. For purposes of this definition, the United
States of America, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a
single jurisdiction.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America, any
other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency,
authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising
executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or
pertaining to government.
“Guarantee” of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) means any obligation,
contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of
guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “primary
obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the
guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase
or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds
for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property,
securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other
obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other
financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary
obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any
letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation;
provided, that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit
in the ordinary course of business.
“Guarantors” means each of the present or future Subsidiaries of Borrower.
“Guaranty” means that certain Guaranty dated as of June 4, 2004 executed by Guarantors
in favor of the Administrative Agent and any and all other guaranties now or hereafter executed in
favor of the Administrative Agent relating to the Obligations hereunder and the other Loan
Documents, as any of them may from time to time be amended, modified, restated or supplemented.
“Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all
hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum
distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas,
7
infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated
pursuant to any Environmental Law.
“Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such
Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes
or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are
customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title
retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (e) all obligations of such
Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding current
accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (f) all Indebtedness of others
secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or
otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not
the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (g) all Guarantees by such Person of
Indebtedness of others, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (i) all obligations,
contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and
letters of guaranty and (j) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of
bankers’ acceptances. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other
entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such
Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship
with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is
not liable therefor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) contingent obligations in respect of
surety bonds in an aggregate amount equal to or less than $5,000,000 shall not constitute
“Indebtedness” for purposes of this Agreement and (ii) contingent obligations in respect of standby
letters of credit shall not constitute “Indebtedness” to the extent such obligations are fully cash
collateralized.
“Indemnified Taxes” means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.
“Interest Coverage Ratio” means, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of the
Borrower, the ratio of (a) EBITDA for the four fiscal quarters ending on such date to (b) Interest
Expense for such four fiscal quarter period, determined in each case on a consolidated basis for
Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
“Interest Election Request” means a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a
Revolving Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.06.
“Interest Expense” means, for any period, interest expense of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, during such period, determined in accordance with GAAP,
minus, to the extent included in the foregoing, (a) any amounts representing amortization
of the intrinsic net value of the conversion feature of the Convertible Subordinated Debt Facility,
and (b) the unamortized portion of the intrinsic net value of the conversion feature of the
Original Convertible Subordinated Debt Facility; provided, that if the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries acquires the Equity Interests or assets of any Person during such period under
circumstances permitted under Section 6.14 hereof, Interest Expense shall be adjusted to
give pro forma effect to such acquisition assuming that such transaction had occurred on the first
day of such period.
8
“Interest Payment Date” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan (other than a Swingline
Loan), the last day of each March, June, September and December, (b) with respect to any Eurodollar
Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part
and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’
duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three
months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period, and (c) with respect to any Swingline
Loan, the day that such Loan is required to be repaid.
“Interest Period” means with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing, the period
commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the
calendar month that is one, two, three or six months thereafter, or, if all of the Lenders shall
have consented in writing, nine or twelve months thereafter, as the Borrower may elect;
provided, that (i) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day,
such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next
succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period
shall end on the next preceding Business Day, and (ii) any Interest Period that commences on the
last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding
day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the
last calendar month of such Interest Period. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing
initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective
date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.
“Issuing Bank” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, in its capacity as the
issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, and its successors in such capacity as provided in
Section 2.04(i). The Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters
of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of the Issuing Bank, in which case the term “Issuing Bank”
shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate.
Without limiting the foregoing, as to any particular Letter of Credit, the Borrower and any Lender
may agree that such Lender (or an Affiliate of such Lender) shall be the “Issuing Bank” and in such
event, such Lender shall be entitled to all of the rights, benefits and privileges of the Issuing
Bank under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (provided that the address of such Issuing
Bank shall, in lieu of the address set forth in Section 9.1(iii) hereof, be such address as
the Borrower and such Issuing Bank may agree in writing). If any Letter of Credit is issued by any
Person other than JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association or its Affiliates, written notice
thereof shall be given to the Administrative Agent designating the applicable Issuing Bank and
providing applicable administrative information.
“LC Disbursement” means a payment made by the Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of
Credit.
“LC Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all
outstanding Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements
that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time. The LC Exposure of
any Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total LC Exposure at
such time.
9
“Lenders” means the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01 and any other Person that
shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, other than any such
Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption. Unless the
context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Swingline Lender.
“Letter of Credit” means any letter of credit issued pursuant to this Agreement.
“LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period,
the rate appearing on Page 3750 of the Dow Xxxxx Market Service (or on any successor or substitute
page of such Service, or any successor to or substitute for such Service, providing rate quotations
comparable to those currently provided on such page of such Service, as determined by the
Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates
applicable to dollar deposits in the London interbank market) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London
time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, as the rate for dollar
deposits with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period. In the event that such rate is not
available at such time for any reason, then the “LIBO Rate” with respect to such Eurodollar
Borrowing for such Interest Period shall be the rate (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next
1/16 of 1%) at which dollar deposits of $5,000,000 and for a maturity comparable to such Interest
Period are offered by the principal London office of the Administrative Agent in immediately
available funds in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two
Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.
“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien,
pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset, (b) the
interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title
retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of
the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call
or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.
“Loan Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, the Notes, the Guaranty, the
Notice of Entire Agreement, the Contribution Agreement, the Subordination Agreements, all
instruments, certificates and agreements now or hereafter executed or delivered to the
Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant to any of the foregoing or in connection with the
obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and all amendments, modifications,
renewals, extensions, increases and rearrangements of, and substitutions for, any of the foregoing.
“Loan Parties” means the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries and shall also include
each Guarantor.
“Loans” means the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to this
Agreement.
“Management Employment Contracts” means employment contracts entered into by and
between Borrower and Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, respectively, as the same may be
amended, modified, restated, supplemented and in effect from time to time.
10
“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets,
operations or condition, financial or otherwise, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a
whole, (b) the ability of any Loan Party to perform any of its obligations under any Loan Document
or (c) the rights of or benefits available to the Lenders under any Loan Document.
“Material Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than the Loans and Letters of
Credit), or obligations in respect of one or more Swap Agreements, of any one or more of the
Borrower and any other Loan Party in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $8,000,000. For
purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations in respect
of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any
netting agreements) that would be required to be paid if such Swap Agreement were terminated at
such time.
“Moody’s” means Xxxxx’x Investors Service, Inc.
“Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of
ERISA.
“Notes” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.02(a)
hereof.
“Notice of Entire Agreement” means a notice of entire agreement executed by Borrower
each other Loan Party and the Administrative Agent, as the same may from time to time be amended,
modified, supplemented or restated.
“Obligations” means, as at any date of determination thereof, the sum of the
following: (i) the aggregate principal amount of Loans outstanding hereunder, plus (ii) the
aggregate amount of the LC Exposure, plus (iii) all other liabilities, obligations and indebtedness
under any Loan Document of Borrower or any other Loan Party, including, but not limited to, amounts
accruing subsequent to the filing of any bankruptcy receivership, insolvency or like petition,
whether or not allowed in connection with such bankruptcy, receivership, insolvency or like
proceeding.
“Original Convertible Subordinated Debt Facility” means $10,000,000 of convertible
subordinated debt issued by the Borrower to Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx in June,
2001, which subordinated debt was refinanced by the Convertible Subordinated Debt Facility.
“Other Taxes” means any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any
other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made under any
Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, any
Loan Document.
“Participant” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.04.
“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA
and any successor entity performing similar functions.
11
“Permitted Encumbrances” means:
(a) Liens imposed by law for taxes, assessments, or other governmental charges or levies that
are not yet due or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.05;
(b) carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s and other like Liens
imposed by law, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not
overdue by more than 30 days or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.05;
(c) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’
compensation, unemployment insurance, old age pensions or other social security or retirement
benefits, or similar legislation or to secure public or statutory obligations of the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries;
(d) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory
obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in
each case in the ordinary course of business;
(e) judgment liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under
clause (l) of Article VII;
(f) rights of set-off of banks or lenders in the ordinary course of banking arrangements; and
(g) easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property
imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary
obligations and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere with
the ordinary conduct of business of the Borrower or other Loan Party;
provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing
Indebtedness.
“Permitted Investments” means:
(a) direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are
unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States of America (or by any agency thereof to the extent
such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America), in each
case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;
(b) investments in commercial paper maturing within 270 days from the date of acquisition
thereof and having, at such date of acquisition, the highest credit rating obtainable from S&P or
from Moody’s;
(c) investments in certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and time deposits maturing
within 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed
12
with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic office of any
Lender or any other commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any
State thereof which has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than
$500,000,000;
(d) fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 30 days for
securities described in clause (a) above and entered into with a financial institution
satisfying the criteria described in clause (c) above; and
(e) money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in Securities and Exchange
Commission Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, (ii) are rated AAA by S&P and Aaa by
Moody’s and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000.
“Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust,
joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.
“Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan)
subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA,
and in respect of which the Borrower or other Loan Party or any of their ERISA Affiliates is (or,
if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as
defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.
“Prime Rate” means, on any day, the prime rate of JPMorgan Chase Bank, National
Association in effect for that day at the principal offices of JPMorgan Chase Bank, National
Association in Houston, Texas. The Prime Rate is a reference rate and does not necessarily
represent the lowest or best rate or a favored rate, and Administrative Agent and each Lender
disclaims any statement, representation or warranty to the contrary. Administrative Agent, any
Lender or JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association may make commercial loans or other loans at
rates of interest at, above or below the Prime Rate.
“Prior Corporate Headquarters” means the property owned by a Subsidiary of the
Borrower located at 0000 Xxxx 000 Xxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000.
“Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.04.
“Related Parties” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s
Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person
and such Person’s Affiliates.
“Required Lenders” means Lenders having Revolving Exposures and unused Revolving
Commitments representing at least 66-2/3% of the sum of the total Revolving Exposures and unused
Revolving Commitments at such time.
“Restricted Payment” means (i) any payment or prepayment of any Subordinated Debt and
(ii) any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with
respect to any Equity Interests in the Borrower or other Loan Party, or any payment (whether in
13
cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account
of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Equity
Interests in the Borrower or other Loan Party or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any
such Equity Interests in the Borrower or other Loan Party. The term “Restricted Payments” as used
herein shall include management fees paid to any Person owning any Equity Interests in and to
Borrower or any other Loan Party but shall not include issuances of Equity Interests by the
Borrower or the conversion of the Convertible Subordinated Debt Facility to Equity Interests in
the Borrower.
“Revolving Availability Period” means the period from and including the Effective Date
to but excluding the earlier of the Revolving Maturity Date and the date of termination of the
Revolving Commitments.
“Revolving Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment, if any, of
such Lender to make Revolving Loans and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit and
Swingline Loans hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate amount of such
Lender’s Revolving Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced or increased from time
to time pursuant to Section 2.07 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to
assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04. The initial amount of each
Lender’s Revolving Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01, or in the Assignment and
Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Revolving Commitment, as
applicable. The initial aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Revolving Commitments is $45,000,000.
“Revolving Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the
outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loans and its LC Exposure and Swingline
Exposure at such time.
“Revolving Lender” means a Lender with a Revolving Commitment or, if the Revolving
Commitments have terminated or expired, a Lender with Revolving Exposure.
“Revolving Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01.
“Revolving Maturity Date” means August 31, 2008.
“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group.
“Senior Leverage Ratio” means, as of any day, the ratio of (a) Indebtedness as of such
date minus Subordinated Debt to (b) EBITDA for the four fiscal quarters most recently
ended, determined in each case on a consolidated basis for Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
“Statutory Reserve Rate” means a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of
which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the
maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves)
expressed as a decimal established by the Board to which the Administrative Agent is subject for
eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities” in
14
Regulation D of the Board). Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to
such Regulation D. Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be
subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or
offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D or any
comparable regulation. The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the
effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.
“Subordination Agreements” means (i) that certain Subordination and Intercreditor
Agreement dated concurrently herewith executed by the holders of the Indebtedness under the
Convertible Subordinated Debt Facility in favor of the Administrative Agent, (ii) any other
subordination agreements now or hereafter executed in favor the Administrative Agent with respect
to any of the Subordinated Debt, and (iii) all amendments, modifications, renewals, extensions,
increases and rearrangements of, and substitutions for, any of the
foregoing.
“Subordinated Debt” means all Indebtedness of a Person which has been subordinated on
terms and conditions satisfactory to the Required Lenders, in their sole discretion, to all of the
Obligations, whether now existing or hereafter incurred. Indebtedness shall not be considered as
“Subordinated Debt” unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received copies of the
documentation evidencing or relating to such Indebtedness together with a subordination agreement,
in form and substance satisfactory to the Required Lenders, duly executed by the holder or holders
of such Indebtedness and evidencing the terms and conditions of the required subordination. The
term “Subordinated Debt” shall include all liabilities and obligations under the Convertible
Subordinated Debt Facility.
“Subordinated Debt Documents” means any indenture or note under which any Subordinated
Debt is issued and all other instruments, agreements and other documents evidencing or governing
any Subordinated Debt or providing for any Guarantee or other right in respect thereof.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any
corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of
which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial
statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as
well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity
(a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or
more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the
general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, Controlled or held, or (b) that is, as
of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by
the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.
“Swap Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or
derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or
more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic,
financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any
similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or
similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former
15
directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall
be a Swap Agreement.
“Swingline Exposure” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all
Swingline Loans outstanding at such time. The Swingline Exposure of any Lender at any time shall
be its Applicable Percentage of the total Swingline Exposure at such time. The initial maximum
amount of Swingline Exposure is $5,000,000.
“Swingline Lender” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, in its capacity as
lender of Swingline Loans hereunder.
“Swingline Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.18.
“Taxes” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties,
deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority.
“Total Leverage Ratio” means, as of any day, the ratio of (a) Indebtedness as of such
date to (b) EBITDA for the four fiscal quarters most recently ended, determined in each case on a
consolidated basis for Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
“Transactions” means (a) the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of
the Loan Documents to which it is to be a party, the borrowing of Loans, the use of the proceeds
thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder and (b) the execution, delivery and
performance by each Loan Party of each other document and instrument required to satisfy the
conditions precedent to the initial Loan hereunder.
“Type”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of
interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the
Adjusted LIBO Rate or the Alternate Base Rate.
“Withdrawal Liability” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a
complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of
Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.
SECTION 1.02 Classification of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of this Agreement,
Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Loan”) or by Type
(e.g., a “Eurodollar Loan”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Revolving
Loan”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving
Borrowing”) or by Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Borrowing”) or by Class and Type (e.g.,
a “Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing”).
SECTION 1.03 Terms Generally. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to
the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun
shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”,
“includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The
word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word
16
“shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any
agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement,
instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified
(subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein),
(b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and
assigns, (c) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be
construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof,
(d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer
to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (e) the words
“asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any
and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and
contract rights.
SECTION 1.04 Accounting Terms; GAAP. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein,
all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in
effect from time to time; provided that, if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent
that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any
change occurring after the date hereof in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of
such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders
request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such
notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such
provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before
such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such
provision amended in accordance herewith.
ARTICLE II
The Credits
The Credits
SECTION 2.01 Revolving Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth
herein, each Lender agrees to make Revolving Loans to the Borrower from time to time during the
Revolving Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in such
Lender’s Revolving Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Commitment. Within the foregoing
limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay
and reborrow Revolving Loans. Borrower, Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree pursuant to
Chapter 346 (“Chapter 346”) of the Texas Finance Code, that Chapter 346 (which relates to
open-end line of credit revolving loan accounts) shall not apply to this Agreement, the Notes or
any Revolving Loan and that neither the Notes nor any Revolving Loan shall be governed by Chapter
346 or subject to its provisions in any manner whatsoever.
SECTION 2.02 Loans and Borrowings.
(a) Each Loan (other than a Swingline Loan) shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of
Loans of the same Class and Type made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective
Revolving Commitments. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall
not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Revolving
Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any
17
other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required. The Loans made by each Lender shall be
evidenced by a single Note of Borrower (each, together with all renewals, extensions, modifications
and replacements thereof and substitutions therefor, a “Note,” collectively, the
“Notes”) in substantially the forms of Exhibit C-1 (Revolving Loans) and
Exhibit C-2 (Swingline Loans) respectively, payable to the order of such Lender in a
principal amount equal to the applicable Revolving Commitment of such Lender with respect to
Revolving Loans, and in the principal amount of $5,000,000 with respect to Swingline Loans and
otherwise duly completed. Each Lender is hereby authorized by Borrower to endorse on the schedule
(or a continuation thereof) that may be attached to each Note of such Lender, to the extent
applicable, the date, amount, type of and the applicable period of interest for each Loan made by
such Lender to Borrower hereunder, and the amount of each payment or prepayment of principal of
such Loan received by such Lender, provided, that any failure by such Lender to make any such
endorsement shall not affect the obligations of Borrower under such Note or hereunder in respect of
such Loan.
(b) Subject to Section 2.12, each Revolving Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of
ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith. Each Swingline
Loan shall be an ABR Loan. Each Lender at its option may make any Eurodollar Loan by causing any
domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any
exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(c) At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing
shall be in an aggregate amount of $200,000 or an integral multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof.
At the time that each ABR Revolving Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate
amount that is an integral multiple of $200,000 or an integral multiple of $100,000 in excess
thereof; provided that an ABR Revolving Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is
equal to the entire unused balance of the total Revolving Commitments or that is required to
finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.04(e). Each
Swingline Loan shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $100,000. Borrowings of more
than one Type and Class may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not
at any time be more than a total of five (5) Eurodollar Borrowings outstanding.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled
to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with
respect thereto would end after the Revolving Maturity Date.
SECTION 2.03 Requests for Borrowings. To request a Revolving Borrowing, the Borrower
shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (a) in the case of a Eurodollar
Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., Houston, Texas time, three Business Days before the date of
the proposed Borrowing and (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., Houston,
Texas time, one Business Day before the date of the proposed Borrowing; provided that any
such notice of an ABR Revolving Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as
contemplated by Section 2.04(e) may be given not later than 10:00 a.m., Houston, Texas
time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing. Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be
irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand
18
delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request in a form
approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by the Borrower. Each such telephonic and written
Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:
(i) whether the requested Borrowing is to be a Revolving Borrowing;
(ii) the aggregate amount of such Borrowing;
(iii) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;
(iv) whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing;
(v) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable
thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest
Period”; and
(vi) the location and number of the Borrower’s account to which funds are to be
disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.05.
If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be
an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurodollar
Revolving Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one
month’s duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this
Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount
of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.
SECTION 2.04 Letters of Credit.
(a) General. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may
request the issuance of Letters of Credit, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative
Agent and the Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the Revolving Availability
Period. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and
the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted
by the Borrower to, or entered into by the Borrower with, the Issuing Bank relating to any Letter
of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control.
(b) Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions. To request
the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter
of Credit), the Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by electronic communication,
if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Issuing Bank) to the Issuing Bank and the
Administrative Agent (at least five Business Days in advance of the requested date of issuance,
amendment, renewal or extension) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or
identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the date of
issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be
19
a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with
paragraph (c) of this Section), the amount of such Letter of Credit, the name and address
of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend,
renew or extend such Letter of Credit. If requested by the Issuing Bank, the Borrower also shall
submit a letter of credit application on the Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any
request for a Letter of Credit. A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended
only if (and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of each Letter of Credit the Borrower
shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment,
renewal or extension (i) the LC Exposure shall not exceed $10,000,000 and (ii) the total Revolving
Exposures shall not exceed the total Revolving Commitments.
(c) Expiration Date. Each Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to the close of
business on the earlier of (i) the date one year after the date of the issuance of such Letter of
Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, one year after such renewal or
extension) and (ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Maturity Date.
(d) Participations. By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a
Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the
Issuing Bank or the Lenders, the Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Revolving Lender, and each
Revolving Lender hereby acquires from the Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit
equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under
such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Lender
hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of
the Issuing Bank, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by the Issuing
Bank and not reimbursed by the Borrower on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of
this Section, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Borrower for any
reason. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant
to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be
affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any
Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the
Revolving Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement,
withholding or reduction whatsoever.
(e) Reimbursement. If the Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a
Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative
Agent an amount equal to such LC Disbursement not later than 2:00 p.m., Houston, Texas time, on the
date that such LC Disbursement is made, if the Borrower shall have received notice of such LC
Disbursement prior to 10:00 a.m., Houston, Texas time, on such date, or, if such notice has not
been received by the Borrower prior to such time on such date, then not later than 2:00 p.m.,
Houston, Texas time, on (i) the Business Day that the Borrower receives such notice, if such notice
is received prior to 10:00 a.m., Houston, Texas time, on the day of receipt, or (ii) the Business
Day immediately following the day that the Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is not
received prior to such time on the day of receipt; provided that the Borrower may, subject
to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with this Agreement that
such payment be financed with an ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan in an equivalent amount
and, to the extent so financed, the Borrower’s obligation to make
20
such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Revolving Borrowing or
Swingline Loan. If the Borrower fails to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent
shall notify each Revolving Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from the
Borrower in respect thereof and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. Promptly following
receipt of such notice, each Revolving Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Applicable
Percentage of the payment then due from the Borrower, in the same manner as provided in Section
2.05 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.05 shall apply,
mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders), and the
Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the
Revolving Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the
Borrower pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the
Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Revolving Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph
to reimburse the Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and the Issuing Bank as their interests may
appear. Any payment made by a Revolving Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse the Issuing
Bank for any LC Disbursement (other than the funding of ABR Revolving Loans or Swingline Loan as
contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its
obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.
(f) Obligations Absolute. The Borrower’s obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as
provided in paragraph (e) of this Section shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable,
and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all
circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any
Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other
document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any
respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by the
Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does
not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, or (iv) any other event or circumstance
whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of
this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against,
the Borrower’s obligations hereunder. Neither the Administrative Agent, the Lenders nor the
Issuing Bank, nor any of their Related Parties, shall have any liability or responsibility by
reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or
failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the
preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or
delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit
(including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of
technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing Bank;
provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the Issuing Bank from
liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages,
claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable
law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by the Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when
determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the
terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or
willful misconduct on the part of the Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction), the Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such
21
determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof,
the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in
substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank may, in its sole
discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further
investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and
make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of
such Letter of Credit.
(g) Disbursement Procedures. The Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt
thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of
Credit. The Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by
telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such demand for payment and whether the Issuing Bank has made
or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in
giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse the Issuing Bank
and the Revolving Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement.
(h) Interim Interest. If the Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then,
unless the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the date such LC Disbursement
is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date
such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such LC
Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Revolving Loans; provided that,
if the Borrower fails to reimburse such LC Disbursement when due pursuant to paragraph (e)
of this Section, then Section 2.11(c) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this
paragraph shall be for the account of the Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after
the date of payment by any Revolving Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section to
reimburse the Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.
(i) Replacement of the Issuing Bank. The Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by
written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the
successor Issuing Bank. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement
of the Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrower shall
pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section
2.10(b). From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing
Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of the Issuing Bank under this Agreement with
respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term
“Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to
such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require. After the replacement
of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall
continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with
respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be required to
issue additional Letters of Credit.
(j) Cash Collateralization. If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on
the Business Day that the Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required
Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Revolving Lenders with
22
LC Exposure representing greater than 66-2/3% of the total LC Exposure) demanding the deposit
of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrower shall deposit in an account with the
Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Lenders,
an amount in cash equal to the LC Exposure as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest
thereon; provided that the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become
effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or
other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower
described in clauses (h) or (i) of Article VII. The Borrower also shall
deposit cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph as and to the extent required by Section
2.09(b). Each such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the
payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. The
Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of
withdrawal, over such account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits,
which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and
at the Borrower’s risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if
any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall be applied
by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements for which it has not
been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the
reimbursement obligations of the Borrower for the LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of
the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure
representing greater than 66-2/3% of the total LC Exposure), be applied to satisfy other
obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. If the Borrower is required to provide an amount
of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount (to
the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower within three Business Days
after all Events of Default have been cured or waived. If the Borrower is required to provide an
amount of cash collateral hereunder pursuant to Section 2.09(b), such amount (to the extent
not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower as and to the extent that, after giving
effect to such return, the Borrower would remain in compliance with Section 2.09(b) and no
Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
SECTION 2.05 Funding of Borrowings.
(a) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof
by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 12:00 noon, Houston, Texas time, to the account
of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the
Lenders; provided that Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.18.
The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the
amounts so received, in like funds, to an account of the Borrower maintained with the
Administrative Agent in Houston, Texas and designated by the Borrower in the applicable Borrowing
Request; provided that ABR Revolving Loans made to finance the reimbursement of an LC
Disbursement as provided in Section 2.04(e) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent
to the Issuing Bank.
(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the
proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent
such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may
23
assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with
paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to
the Borrower a corresponding amount. If a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable
Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower
severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount
with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to
the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case
of such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the
Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in
the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans. If such Lender pays such
amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included
in such Borrowing.
SECTION 2.06 Interest Elections.
(a) Each Revolving Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable
Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period
as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such
Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurodollar
Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. The Borrower may
elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case
each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such
Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.
This Section shall not apply to Swingline Borrowings, which may not be converted or continued.
(b) To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative
Agent of such election by telephone by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under
Section 2.03 if the Borrower were requesting a Revolving Borrowing of the Type resulting
from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such telephonic
Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or
telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request in a form approved by
the Administrative Agent and signed by the Borrower.
(c) Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following
information:
(i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different
options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof
to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified
pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each
resulting Borrowing);
(ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election
Request, which shall be a Business Day;
24
(iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar
Borrowing; and
(iv) if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period to be
applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period
contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.
If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but does not specify an
Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one
month’s duration.
(d) Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall
advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.
(e) If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a
Eurodollar Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such
Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be
converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or
continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurodollar Borrowing shall be
converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.
SECTION 2.07 Termination, Reduction and Increase of Revolving Commitments.
(a) Unless previously terminated, the Revolving Commitments shall terminate on the Revolving
Maturity Date.
(b) The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Revolving
Commitment; provided that (i) each reduction of the Revolving Commitments shall be in an
amount equal to $1,000,000 or an integral multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof and (ii) the
Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Revolving Commitments if, after giving effect to any
concurrent prepayment of the Revolving Loans in accordance with Section 2.09, the sum of
the Revolving Exposures would exceed the total Revolving Commitments.
(c) The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce
the Revolving Commitments under paragraph (b) of this Section, at least three Business Days
prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the
effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall
advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this
Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Revolving Commitments delivered by the Borrower may state
that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, in which case
such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to
the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of
the Revolving
25
Commitments shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Revolving Commitments shall be
made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Revolving Commitments.
(d) At any time prior to the expiration of the Revolving Availability Period, and so long as
no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred which is continuing, Borrower may elect to
increase the aggregate of the Revolving Commitments to an amount not exceeding $60,000,000 minus
any reductions in the Revolving Commitments pursuant to Section 2.07(b) hereof, provided
that (i) Borrower shall give at least fifteen (15) Business Days’ prior written notice of such
increase to the Administrative Agent and each existing Lender, (ii) each existing Lender shall have
the right (but not the obligation) to subscribe to its pro rata share of the proposed increase in
the Revolving Commitments by giving written notice of such election to Borrower and the
Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after receipt of a notice from the Borrower as
above described and only if an existing Lender does not exercise such election may the Borrower
elect to add a new Lender, (iii) no Lender shall be required to increase its Revolving Commitment
unless it shall have expressly agreed to such increase in writing (but otherwise, no notice to or
consent by any Lender shall be required, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in
Section 9.02 hereof), (iv) the addition of new Lenders shall be subject to the terms and
provisions of Section 9.04 hereof as if such new Lenders were acquiring an interest in the
Loans by assignment from an existing Lenders (to the extent applicable, i.e. required approvals,
minimum amounts and the like), (v) Borrower shall execute and deliver such additional or
replacement Notes and such other documentation (including evidence of proper authorization) as may
be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, any new Lender or any Lender which is
increasing its Revolving Commitment, (vi) no Lender shall have any right to decrease its Revolving
Commitment as a result of such increase of the aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitments, (vii)
the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to arrange, find or locate any Lender or new bank
or financial institution to participate in any unsubscribed portion of such increase in the
aggregate committed amount of the Revolving Commitments, and (viii) such option to increase the
Revolving Commitments may only be exercised once. Borrowers shall be required to pay (or to
reimburse each applicable Lender for) any breakage costs incurred by any Lender in connection with
the need to reallocate existing Loans among the Lenders following any increase in the Revolving
Commitments pursuant to this provision. Except as may otherwise be agreed by Borrower and any
applicable Lender, Borrower shall not be required to pay any upfront or other fees or expenses to
any existing Lenders, new Lenders or the Administrative Agent with respect to any such increase in
Revolving Commitments.
SECTION 2.08 Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt.
(a) The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for
the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan of such Lender
on the Revolving Maturity Date and (ii) to the Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of
each Swingline Loan on the earlier of the Revolving Maturity Date and the date such Swingline Loan
is required to be repaid pursuant to Section 2.18; provided that on each date that
a Revolving Borrowing is made, the Borrower shall repay all Swingline Loans then outstanding.
26
(b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts
evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such
Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time
to time hereunder.
(c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount
of each Loan made hereunder, the Class and Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto,
(ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the
Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative
Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.
(d) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraphs (b) or
(c) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and
amounts of the obligations recorded therein (absent manifest error); provided that the
failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein
shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with
the terms of this Agreement.
SECTION 2.09 Prepayment of Loans.
(a) The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any
Borrowing in whole or in part, subject to the requirements of this Section.
(b) In the event and on such occasion that the sum of the Revolving Exposures exceeds the
total Revolving Commitments, the Borrower shall prepay Revolving Borrowings or Swingline Borrowings
(or, if no such Borrowings are outstanding, deposit cash collateral in an account with the
Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.04(j)) in an aggregate amount equal to such
excess.
(c) Prior to any optional or mandatory prepayment of Borrowings hereunder, the Borrower shall
select the Borrowing or Borrowings to be prepaid and shall specify such selection in the notice of
such prepayment pursuant to this Section.
(d) The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of prepayment of a
Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender) by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of any prepayment
hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, not later than 11:00
a.m., Houston, Texas time, three Business
Days before the date of prepayment or (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Revolving
Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., Houston, Texas time, on the date of prepayment or (iii) in
the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, not later than 12:00 noon, Houston, Texas time, on the
date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date,
the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid and, in the case of a
mandatory prepayment, a reasonably detailed calculation of the amount of such prepayment;
provided that, if a notice of optional prepayment is given in connection with a conditional
notice of termination of the Revolving Commitments as contemplated by Section 2.07, then
such notice of prepayment may
27
be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance
with Section 2.07. Promptly following receipt of any such notice (other than a notice
relating solely to Swingline Loans), the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the
contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be
permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section
2.02, except as necessary to apply fully the required amount of a mandatory prepayment.
SECTION 2.10 Fees.
(a) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a
commitment fee, which shall accrue at the Applicable Rate on the average daily unused amount of the
Revolving Commitment of such Lender during the period from and including the date hereof to but
excluding the date on which such Revolving Commitment terminates. Accrued commitment fees shall be
payable in arrears on the last day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the
date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate, commencing on the first such date to occur after
the date hereof. All commitment fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and
shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the
last day). For purposes of computing such commitment fees, a Revolving Commitment of a Lender
shall be deemed to be used to the extent of the outstanding Revolving Loans and LC Exposure of such
Lender (and the Swingline Exposure of such Lender shall be disregarded for such purpose, except in
respect of the Swingline Lender, whose Revolving Commitment shall be reduced by the Swingline
Exposure for purposes of calculating fees due under this Section 2.10(a)).
(b) The Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each
Revolving Lender a participation fee with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit, which
shall accrue at the same Applicable Rate used to determine the interest rate aplicable to
Eurodollar Revolving Loans on the average daily amount of such Lender’s LC Exposure (excluding any
portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including
the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender’s Revolving
Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure (provided,
however, that in no event shall such participation fees for any single Letter of Credit be less
than $500) and (ii) to the Issuing Bank a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate of 1/8% per
annum on the average daily amount of the LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof
attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the
Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments
and the date on which there ceases to be any LC Exposure, as well as the Issuing Bank’s standard
fees with respect to the amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of
drawings thereunder. Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including the last
day of March, June, September and December of each year shall be payable on the third Business Day
following such last day, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date;
provided that all such fees shall be payable on the date on which the Revolving Commitments
terminate and any such fees accruing after the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate
shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to the Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph
shall be payable within 10 days after demand. All participation fees and fronting fees shall be
computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall
28
be payable for the actual number of days
elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).
(c) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable
in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between the Borrower and the Administrative
Agent.
(d) All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds,
to the Administrative Agent (or to the Issuing Bank, in the case of fees payable to it) for
distribution, in the case of commitment fees and participation fees, to the Lenders entitled
thereto. Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances.
SECTION 2.11 Interest.
(a) The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing (including each Swingline Loan) shall bear
interest at the lesser of (i) the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate or (ii) the Ceiling
Rate.
(b) The Loans comprising each Eurodollar Borrowing shall bear interest at the lesser of (i)
the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable
Rate or (ii) the Ceiling Rate.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or
other amount payable by the Borrower hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity,
upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before
judgment, at a rate per annum equal to the lesser of (i) the Ceiling Rate or (ii) in the case of
overdue principal of any Loan, 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in
the preceding paragraphs of this Section or in the case of any other amount, 2% plus the rate
applicable to ABR Revolving Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section.
(d) Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date
for such Loan and, in the case of Revolving Loans, upon termination of the
Revolving Commitments; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph
(c) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or
prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR Revolving Loan prior to the end of the
Revolving Availability Period), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be
payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any
Eurodollar Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such
Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.
(e) All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that
interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate at times when the Alternate Base Rate is
based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap
year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first
day but excluding the last day). The applicable Alternate Base Rate or
29
Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be
determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest
error.
SECTION 2.12 Alternate Rate of Interest. If prior to the commencement of any Interest
Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing:
(a) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent
manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO
Rate for such Interest Period; or
(b) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate
for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or
Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing for such
Interest Period;
then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by
telephone or telecopy as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent
notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer
exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or
continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective and (ii) if any
Borrowing Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR
Borrowing; provided that if the circumstances giving rise to such notice affect only one
Type of Borrowings, then the other Type of Borrowings shall be permitted.
SECTION 2.13 Increased Costs.
(a) If any Change in Law shall:
(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar
requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit
extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted
LIBO Rate) or the Issuing Bank; or
(ii) impose on any Lender or the Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other
condition affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of
Credit or participation therein;
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or
maintaining any Eurodollar Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to
increase the cost to such Lender or the Issuing Bank of participating in, issuing or maintaining
any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or
the Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Borrower will
pay to such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as
will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, for such additional costs
incurred or reduction suffered.
30
(b) If any Lender or the Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital
requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or the
Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company, if
any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of
Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Bank, to a level below
that which such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company
could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or the
Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company
with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or
the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such
Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such
reduction suffered.
(c) A certificate of a Lender or the Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts
necessary to compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be,
as specified in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the
Borrower, demonstrating in reasonable detail the calculation of the amounts, and shall be
conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the
case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
(d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Issuing Bank to demand compensation
pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s right
to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate
a Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions
incurred more than 90 days prior to the date that such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may
be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions
and of such Lender’s or the Issuing
Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the
Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive and if such Lender
or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of such Change of Law within 90 days
after the adoption, enactment or similar act with respect to such Change of Law, then the 90-day
period referred to above shall be extended to include the period from the effective date of such
Change of Law to the date of such notice.
SECTION 2.14 Break Funding Payments. In the event of (a) the payment of any principal
of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto
(including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurodollar Loan other
than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert,
continue or prepay any Revolving Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant
hereto, or (d) the assignment of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest
Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section
2.17, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and
expense attributable to such event. Such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to
include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest
which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the
Adjusted LIBO Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan, for
31
the period from the date of
such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a
failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for
such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal amount for such
period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such
period, for dollar deposits of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the eurodollar
market. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is
entitled to receive pursuant to this Section, demonstrating in reasonable detail the calculation of
the amounts, shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The
Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after
receipt thereof.
SECTION 2.15 Taxes.
(a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder or under
any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any Indemnified
Taxes or Other Taxes; provided that if the Borrower shall be required to deduct any
Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as
necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to
additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank (as
the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions
been made, (ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions and (iii) the Borrower shall pay the full
amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
(b) In addition, the Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority
in accordance with applicable law.
(c) The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Issuing Bank,
within 10 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other
Taxes paid by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, on or
with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder or under
any other Loan Document (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or
attributable to amounts payable under this Section) and any penalties, interest and reasonable
expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other
Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A
certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender or
the Issuing Bank, or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or the
Issuing Bank, demonstrating in reasonable detail the calculation of the amounts, shall be
conclusive absent manifest error.
(d) As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the
Borrower to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the
original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such
payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
32
(e) Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax
under the law of the jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located, or any treaty to which such
jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments under this Agreement shall deliver to the
Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable
law, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably
requested by the Borrower as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a
reduced rate.
SECTION 2.16 Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs.
(a) The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder or under any
other Loan Document (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or
of amounts payable under Sections 2.13, 2.14 or 2.15, or otherwise) prior to the
time expressly required hereunder or under such other Loan Document for such payment (or, if no
such time is expressly required, prior to 2:00 p.m., Houston, Texas time), on the date when due, in
immediately available funds, without set-off, deduction or counterclaim. Any amounts received
after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have
been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon.
All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its offices at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000, except payments to be made directly to the Issuing Bank or
Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and except that payments
pursuant to Sections 2.13, 2.14, 2.15 and 9.03 shall be made directly to the
Persons entitled thereto and payments pursuant to other Loan Documents shall be made to the Persons
specified therein. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for
the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof.
If any payment under any Loan Document shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date
for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment
accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All
payments under each Loan Document shall be made in dollars.
(b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative
Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees then
due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due
hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest
and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal and unreimbursed
LC Disbursements then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with
the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due to such parties.
(c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise,
obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Revolving Loans or
participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans, resulting in such Lender receiving payment
of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Revolving Loans and participations in LC
Disbursements and Swingline Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any
other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face
value) participations in the Revolving Loans and participations in LC
33
Disbursements and Swingline
Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be
shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued
interest on their respective Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline
Loans; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of
the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the
purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions
of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to
and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as
consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or
participations in LC Disbursements to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or
any other Loan Party or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall
apply). Each Lender agrees that it will not exercise any right of set-off or counterclaim or
otherwise obtain payment in respect of any Obligation owed to it other than principal of and
interest accruing on the Loans and participations in the LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans,
unless all of the outstanding principal of and accrued interest on the Loans and LC Disbursements
have been paid in full. The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may
effectively do so
under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing
arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to
such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount
of such participation.
(d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the
date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the
Issuing Bank hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may
assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in
reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be,
the amount due. If the Borrower has not in fact made such payment when due, then each of the
Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative
Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank with interest
thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding
the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate
and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on
interbank compensation.
(e) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to this
Agreement, then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary
provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the
account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations hereunder until all such unsatisfied
obligations are fully paid.
SECTION 2.17 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.
(a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.13, or if the Borrower is
required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account
of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.15, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to
34
designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its
rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or Affiliates, if, in the
judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts
payable pursuant to Sections 2.13 or 2.15, as the case may be, in the future and
(ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be
disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and
expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.
(b) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.13, or if the Borrower is
required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account
of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.15, or if any Lender defaults in its obligation to fund
Loans hereunder, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender
and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in
accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its
interests, rights and obligations under
this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be
another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i)such assignor Lender
shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and
participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and
all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding
principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and
(ii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section
2.13 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.15, such assignment will
result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any
such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or
otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation
cease to apply.
SECTION 2.18 Swingline Loans.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swingline Lender agrees to make
Swingline Loans to the Borrower from time to time during the Revolving Availability Period, in an
aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) the aggregate
principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans exceeding $5,000,000 or (ii) the sum of the total
Revolving Exposures exceeding the total Revolving Commitments; provided that the Swingline
Lender shall not be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan
and provided further that the Swingline Lender shall not, without the consent of the
Required Lenders, make any Swingline Loan if any Event of Default exists of which the Swingline
Lender has actual knowledge. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions
set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans. Each Swingline
Loan must be repaid in full within thirty (30) days.
(b) To request a Swingline Loan, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such
request by telephone (confirmed by telecopy), not later than 12:00 noon, Houston, Texas time, on
the day of a proposed Swingline Loan. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the
requested date (which shall be a Business Day) and amount of the requested Swingline Loan. The
Administrative Agent will promptly advise the Swingline Lender of any
35
such notice received from the
Borrower. The Swingline Lender shall make each Swingline Loan available to the Borrower by means
of a credit to the general deposit account of the Borrower with the Swingline Lender (or, in the
case of a Swingline Loan made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in
Section 2.04(e), by remittance to the Issuing Bank) by 3:00 p.m., Houston, Texas time, on
the requested date of such Swingline Loan.
(c) The Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the Administrative Agent not later
than 12:00 noon, Houston, Texas time, on any Business Day require the Revolving Lenders to acquire
participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the Swingline Loans outstanding. Such
notice shall specify the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans in which Revolving Lenders will
participate. The Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each Revolving Lender by 1:00
p.m., Houston, Texas time on
such Business Day, specifying in such notice such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such
Swingline Loan or Loans. Each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon
receipt of notice as provided above, to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the
Swingline Lender, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each
Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations in Swingline
Loans pursuant to this paragraph is absolute and unconditional, subject to Swingline Lender’s
compliance with the provisions of Section 2.18(a) hereof, and shall not be affected by any
circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or
termination of the Revolving Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any
offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each Revolving Lender shall comply with
its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same
manner as provided in Section 2.05 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and
Section 2.05 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of
the Revolving Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Swingline Lender the
amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall notify the
Borrower in writing of any participations in any Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this
paragraph, and thereafter payments in respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the
Administrative Agent and not to the Swingline Lender. Any amounts received by the Swingline Lender
from the Borrower (or other party on behalf of the Borrower) in respect of a Swingline Loan after
receipt by the Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be
promptly remitted to the Administrative Agent; any such amounts received by the Administrative
Agent shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Swingline Lender and to the Revolving
Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this paragraph, as their interests may
appear, such remittance to be made on the day of receipt if such payment is received by 2:00 p.m.,
Houston, Texas time and prior to 10:00 a.m. of the following Business Day if such payment is
received after 2:00 p.m., Houston, Texas time. The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan
pursuant to this paragraph shall not relieve the Borrower of any default in the payment thereof.
SECTION 2.19 Defaulting Lender.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the event any Lender (x) has
refused (which refusal constitutes a breach by such Lender of its obligations under this Agreement)
to make available its portion of any Loan or (y) notifies either the
36
Administrative Agent or the
Borrower that such Lender does not intend to make available its portion of any Loan (if the actual
refusal would constitute a breach by such Lender of its obligations under this Agreement) (each, a
“Lender Default”), all rights and obligations hereunder of such Lender (a “Defaulting
Lender”) as to which a Lender Default is in effect and of the other parties hereto shall be
modified to the extent of the express provisions of this Section while such Lender Default remains
in effect.
(b) Advances shall be incurred pro rata from Lenders which are not Defaulting Lenders (the
“Non-Defaulting Lenders”) based on their respective Revolving Commitments) and no Revolving
Commitment of any Lender or any pro rata share of any Loans required to be advanced by any Lender
shall be increased as a result of such
Lender Default. Amounts received in respect of principal of any type of Loans shall be
applied to reduce the applicable Loans of each Lender pro rata based on the aggregate of the
outstanding Loans of that type of all Lenders at the time of such application; provided, that, such
amount shall not be applied to any Loans of a Defaulting Lender at any time when, and to the extent
that, the aggregate amount of Loans of any Non-Defaulting Lender exceeds such Non-Defaulting
Lender’s Revolving Commitment of all Loans then outstanding.
(c) A Defaulting Lender shall not be entitled to give instructions to the Administrative Agent
or to approve, disapprove, consent to or vote on any matters relating to this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents. All amendments, waivers and other modifications of this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents may be made without regard to a Defaulting Lender and, for purposes of the
definition of “Required Lenders,” a Defaulting Lender shall be deemed not to be a Lender and not to
have Loans outstanding.
(d) Other than as expressly set forth in this Section, the rights and obligations of a
Defaulting Lender (including the obligation to indemnify the Administrative Agent) and the other
parties hereto shall remain unchanged. Nothing in this Section shall be deemed to release any
Defaulting Lender from its obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, shall
alter such obligations, shall operate as a waiver of any default by such Defaulting Lender
hereunder, or shall prejudice any rights which the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any Lender
may have against any Defaulting Lender as a result of any default by such Defaulting Lender
hereunder.
(e) In the event a Defaulting Lender retroactively cures to the satisfaction of the
Administrative Agent the breach which caused a Lender to become a Defaulting Lender, such
Defaulting Lender shall no longer be a Defaulting Lender and shall be treated as a Lender under
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
ARTICLE III
Representations and Warranties
Representations and Warranties
The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders that:
SECTION 3.01 Organization; Powers. Each of the Borrower and the other applicable Loan
Parties is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction
of its organization, has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as
37
now
conducted and, except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every
jurisdiction where such qualification is required.
SECTION 3.02 Authorization; Enforceability. The Transactions to be entered into by
each Loan Party are within such Loan Party’s powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary
action. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and constitutes, and
each other Loan Document to which any Loan Party is to be a party, when executed and delivered by
such Loan Party, will constitute, a legal,
valid and binding obligation of the Borrower or such Loan Party (as the case may be),
enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to
general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
SECTION 3.03 Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts. The Transactions (a) do not
require any material consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by,
any Governmental Authority, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and
effect and except filings necessary to perfect Liens created under the Loan Documents, (b) will not
violate any applicable law or regulation or the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents
of the Borrower or any other applicable Loan Party or any order of any Governmental Authority, (c)
will not violate or result in a default under any material indenture, agreement or other instrument
binding upon the Borrower or any other Loan Party or their assets, or give rise to a right
thereunder to require any payment to be made by the Borrower or any other Loan Party, and (d) will
not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Borrower or any other Loan
Party, except Liens created under the Loan Documents.
SECTION 3.04 Financial Condition. The Borrower has heretofore furnished to the
Lenders Borrower’s consolidated balance sheet and statements of income, stockholders equity and
cash flows (1) as of and for the fiscal year ended August 25, 2004 and (2) as of and for the fiscal
quarter ended May 4, 2005, certified by its chief financial officer. Such financial statements
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash
flows of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods in
accordance with GAAP, subject to year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes in the
case of the statements referred to in clause (2) above. Since August 24, 2004, there has
been no material adverse change in the business, assets, operations or condition, financial or
otherwise, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. After giving effect to the
Transactions, none of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries has, as of the Effective Date, any material
contingent liabilities or unrealized losses except as evidenced by the Loan Documents.
SECTION 3.05 Properties.
(a) The Borrower and each other Loan Party has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in,
all its real and personal property material to its business, except for minor defects in title that
do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such
properties for their intended purposes.
38
(b) The Borrower and each other Loan Party owns, or is licensed to use, all trademarks,
tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property material to its business, and the
use thereof by the Borrower and each other Loan Party does not infringe upon the rights of any
other Person, except for any such infringements that could not reasonably be expected to result in
a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.06 Litigation and Environmental Matters.
(a) There are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental
Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting the
Borrower or any other Loan Party (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse
determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect or (ii) that involve any of the Loan Documents or the Transactions.
(b) Except with respect to any other matters that could not reasonably be expected to result
in a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party (i) has failed to
comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or
other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has become subject to any Environmental
Liability, (iii) has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability, (iv)
knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability or (v) has failed to properly dispose of all
“hazardous” and “toxic” substances. No such substances have been released at any site or facility
owned or controlled by the Borrower or any other Loan Party which could result in liability
exceeding $1,000,000 in the aggregate.
SECTION 3.07 Compliance with Laws and Agreements. The Borrower and each other Loan
Party is in compliance with all laws, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority
applicable to it or its property and all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon
it or its property, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in
a Material Adverse Effect. No Default has occurred and is continuing.
SECTION 3.08 Investment and Holding Company Status. Neither the Borrower nor any
other Loan Party is (a) an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the
Investment Company Act of 1940 or (b) a “holding company” as defined in, or subject to regulation
under, the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.
SECTION 3.09 Taxes. The Borrower and each other Loan Party has timely filed or caused
to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be
paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Borrower or such other Loan Party, as
applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves or (b) to the extent that the failure to
do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.10 ERISA. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur
that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably
expected to occur, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
39
Effect. The
present value of all accumulated benefit obligations under
each Plan (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 87) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such
amounts, exceed the fair market value of the assets of such Plan, and the present value of all
accumulated benefit obligations of all underfunded Plans (based on the assumptions used for
purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87) did not, as of the date of the most
recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed the fair market value of the assets of
all such underfunded Plans, in each of such cases so as to cause a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.11 Disclosure. The Borrower has disclosed to the Lenders all agreements,
instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which the Borrower or any other Loan Party is
subject, the breach or non-compliance of which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect, and has disclosed to the Lenders all other matters known to any of them, that could
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the reports, financial
statements, certificates or other information furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party to the
Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or any
other Loan Document or delivered hereunder or thereunder (as modified or supplemented by other
information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material
fact necessary to make the statements therein, taken as a whole, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the Borrower makes no
representation or warranty as to the accuracy of any projections.
SECTION 3.12 Subsidiaries. As of the date of this Agreement, the Borrower has no
Subsidiaries other than as set forth on Schedule 3.12 hereto. As of the date of this
Agreement, the Borrower owns, directly or indirectly, all of the outstanding Equity Interests in
and to each Subsidiary listed on Schedule 3.12 hereto and such Equity Interests constitute
100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interest of each such Subsidiary.
SECTION 3.13 Insurance. As of the Effective Date, all premiums due in respect of all
insurance maintained by the Borrower and each other Loan Party have been paid.
SECTION 3.14 Labor Matters. As of the Effective Date, there are no strikes, lockouts
or slowdowns against the Borrower or any other Loan Party pending or, to the knowledge of the
Borrower, threatened. The hours worked by and payments made to employees of the Borrower and the
other Loan Parties have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other
applicable Federal, state, local or foreign law dealing with such matters, except where any such
violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All payments due
from the Borrower or any other Loan Party, or for which any claim may be made against the Borrower
or any other Loan Party, on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other
benefits, have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of the Borrower or such other Loan
Party. The consummation of the Transactions will not give rise to any right of termination or
right of renegotiation on the part of any union under any collective bargaining agreement to which
the Borrower or any other Loan Party is bound.
SECTION 3.15 Solvency. Immediately after the consummation of the Transactions to
occur on the Effective Date and immediately following the making of each Loan made on the
40
Effective
Date and after giving effect to the application of the proceeds of such Loans, (a) the fair value
of the assets of each Loan Party, at a fair valuation, will exceed its debts and liabilities,
subordinated, contingent or otherwise; (b) the present fair saleable value of the property of each
Loan Party will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of
its debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other
liabilities become absolute and matured; (c) each Loan Party will be able to pay its debts and
liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute
and matured; and (d) each Loan Party will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct
the business in which it is engaged as such business is now conducted and is proposed to be
conducted following the Effective Date.
ARTICLE IV
Conditions
Conditions
SECTION 4.01 Effective Date. The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the
Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective until the date on
which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section
9.02):
(a) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from each party hereto
either (i) counterparts of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (ii) written evidence
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy transmission of a signed
signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed counterparts of this Agreement.
(b) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from Borrower an original of
each Note signed on behalf of Borrower.
(c) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from Borrower and from each
other party to the Loan Documents (other than the Notes) either (i) counterparts of each applicable
Loan Document signed on behalf of such party or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy transmission of a signed signature page of the
applicable Loan Document) that such party has signed counterparts of such Loan Document.
(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received written opinions (addressed to the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the Effective Date) of counsel for the Borrower and
the other Loan Parties, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent
and its counsel, covering such other matters relating to the Loan Parties, the Loan Documents or
the Transactions as the Required Lenders shall reasonably request.
(e) The Administrative Agent shall have received such documents and certificates as the
Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request relating to the organization, existence
and good standing of each Loan Party, the authorization of the Transactions and any other legal
matters relating to the Loan Parties, the Loan Documents or the Transactions, all in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.
41
(f) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the Effective Date and
signed by an appropriate officer or other responsible party acceptable to Administrative Agent on
behalf of Borrower, confirming compliance with the conditions set forth in paragraphs (a)
and (b) of Section 4.02.
(g) The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees and other amounts due and payable on
or prior to the Effective Date, including, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all
out-of-pocket expenses (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel) required to be
reimbursed or paid by any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document.
(h) The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received evidence that the insurance
required by Section 5.07 is in effect.
(i) The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received the Subordinated Debt
Documents relating to the Convertible Subordinated Debt Facility, together with evidence
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that the Convertible Subordinated Debt Facility has been
fully funded and is in full force and effect and that no default or event of default exists
thereunder (both before and after giving effect to the initial advance under this Agreement).
(j) The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received true, correct and complete
copies of the Management Employment Contracts.
The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the Effective Date, and such
notice shall be conclusive and binding.
SECTION 4.02 Each Credit Event. The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the
occasion of any Borrowing (other than a Borrowing which is merely a conversion or continuation of
existing Loans), and of the Issuing Bank to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, is
subject to receipt of the request therefor in accordance herewith and to the satisfaction of the
following conditions:
(a) The representations and warranties of each Loan Party set forth in the Loan Documents
shall be true and correct on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance,
amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable.
(b) At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance,
amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, no Default shall have
occurred and be continuing and there shall have occurred no event which would be reasonably likely
to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Each Borrowing (other than a Borrowing which is merely a conversion or continuation of
existing Loans) and each issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be
deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the
matters specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section.
42
ARTICLE V
Affirmative Covenants
Affirmative Covenants
Until the Revolving Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and
interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder shall have been paid in full and all Letters
of Credit shall have expired or terminated and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the
Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:
SECTION 5.01 Financial Statements and Other Information. The Borrower will furnish to
the Administrative Agent and each Lender:
(a) within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, its audited consolidated
balance sheet and related statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows as of the
end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the
previous fiscal year, all reported on by independent public accountants of recognized national
standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception and without any
qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated
financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of
operations of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance
with GAAP consistently applied;
(b) within 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter (including the last fiscal quarter) of
each fiscal year of the Borrower, its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of
operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and
the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the
figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the
end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by one of its Financial Officers as presenting
fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower
and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently
applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;
(c) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clauses (a) or (b)
above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower, in the form of Exhibit B
hereto, (i) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and, if a Default has occurred,
specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto,
(ii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Sections
5.12 and 6.12 and (iii) stating whether any change in GAAP or in the application
thereof has occurred since the Effective Date and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the
effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate;
(d) within forty-five (45) days after the commencement of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a
detailed consolidated budget for such fiscal year (including a projected consolidated balance sheet
and related statements of projected operations and cash flow as of the end of and for such fiscal
year and setting forth the assumptions used for purposes of preparing such budget and including
detailed break-outs for each fiscal month) and, promptly when available, any significant revisions
of such budget;
43
(e) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clauses (a) or
(b) above, a management discussion and analysis; and
(f) promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations,
business affairs and financial condition of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, or compliance
with the terms of any Loan Document, as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.
SECTION 5.02 Notices of Material Events. The Borrower will furnish to the
Administrative Agent prompt written notice of the following:
(a) the occurrence of any Default;
(b) the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator
or Governmental Authority against or affecting the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof that, if
adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(c) any other development that results in, or would reasonably be expected to result in, a
Material Adverse Effect.
Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of a Financial Officer
or other executive officer of the Borrower setting forth the details of the event or development
requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.
SECTION 5.03 Information Regarding Borrower. The Borrower will furnish to the
Administrative Agent prompt written notice of any change (i) in any Loan Party’s jurisdiction of
organization or corporate name, (ii) in the location of any Loan Party’s chief executive office or
its principal place of business, (iii) in any Loan Party’s identity or corporate structure or (iv)
in any Loan Party’s Federal Taxpayer Identification Number.
SECTION 5.04 Existence; Conduct of Business. The Borrower will, and will cause each
other Loan Party to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in
full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges,
franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names material to the conduct of its
business; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation,
liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03 or any sale, transfer or
disposition permitted under Section 6.05.
SECTION 5.05 Payment of Obligations. The Borrower will, and will cause each other
Loan Party to, pay its Indebtedness and other obligations, including liabilities for Taxes, before
the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is
being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) the Borrower or such other Loan Party
has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP, (c) such
contest effectively suspends collection of the contested obligation and the enforcement of any Lien securing such obligation and (d) the failure to make payment pending such contest
would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
44
SECTION 5.06 Maintenance of Properties. The Borrower will, and will cause each other
Loan Party to, keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good
working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted.
SECTION 5.07 Insurance. The Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan Party to,
maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies insurance in such amounts (with
no greater risk retention) and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies of
established repute engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar
locations. Unless required by applicable laws, neither the Borrower nor any Loan Party shall be
required to maintain worker’s compensation insurance so long as the Borrower or such Loan Party
maintains non-subscriber employer’s liability insurance in such amounts (with no greater risk
retention) as are customarily maintained by companies of established repute engaged in the same or
similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations. The Borrower will furnish to the
Lenders, upon request of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, information in reasonable detail
as to the insurance so maintained. In addition, upon reasonable request by the Administrative
Agent (but, so long as no Event of Default has occurred which is continuing, not more frequently
than once in any fiscal year), the Borrower will provide to the Administrative Agent a report by an
independent insurance consultant reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent regarding the
compliance by the Borrower and the other Loan Parties with the provisions of this Section.
SECTION 5.08 Books and Records; Inspection and Audit Rights. The Borrower will, and
will cause each other Loan Party to, keep proper books of record and account in which full, true
and correct entries are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and
activities. The Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, permit any representatives
designated by the Administrative Agent or by any Lender, upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and
inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its
affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such
reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested.
SECTION 5.09 Compliance with Laws. The Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan
Party to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority
applicable to it or its property, except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 5.10 Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit. The Letters of Credit and the
proceeds of the Loans will be used only for general working capital purposes, which may include
refinancing existing Indebtedness. No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, whether
directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the Regulations of the
Board, including Regulations U and X.
SECTION 5.11 Further Assurances. The Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan
Party to, execute any and all further documents, agreements and instruments, and take all such
45
further actions, which may be required under any applicable law, or which the Administrative
Agent or the Required Lenders may reasonably request, to effectuate the transactions contemplated
by the Loan Documents, all at the expense of the Loan Parties.
SECTION 5.12 Financial Covenants. The Borrower will have and maintain:
(a) Senior Leverage Ratio – a Senior Leverage Ratio of not greater than 2.25 to 1.00
at all times.
(b) Interest Coverage Ratio – an Interest Coverage Ratio of not less than (i) 2.50 to
1.00 as of the end of each fiscal quarter occurring during fiscal year 2005, (ii) 2.75 to 1.00 as
of the end of each fiscal quarter occurring during fiscal year 2006, and (iii) 3.00 to 1.00 as of
the end of each fiscal quarter occurring thereafter.
ARTICLE VI
Negative Covenants
Negative Covenants
Until the Revolving Commitments have expired or terminated and the principal of and interest
on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit have
expired or terminated and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrower covenants
and agrees with the Lenders that:
SECTION 6.01 Indebtedness; Certain Equity Securities.
(a) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, create, incur, assume
or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:
(i) Indebtedness created under the Loan Documents;
(ii) Indebtedness of the Borrower owing to any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries and
Indebtedness of any of the Borrower’s wholly-owned Subsidiaries owing to the Borrower or any
of its other wholly-owned Subsidiaries;
(iii) Guarantees by the Borrower or any of Borrower’s wholly-owned Subsidiaries of
Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its other wholly-owned Subsidiaries to the extent
such Indebtedness is otherwise permitted hereunder; provided, however, that no such
guarantees shall be allowed with respect to the Indebtedness referred to in Section
6.01(a)(vi);
(iv) Indebtedness existing on the date of this Agreement and described on Schedule
6.01 attached hereto;
(v) “Xxxx to market” exposure resulting from any Swap Agreement entered into for
protection against interest rate risks, and not for speculative purposes;
(vi) Subordinated Debt under the Convertible Subordinated Debt Facility;
46
(vii) (A) pre-existing Indebtedness owing by any Person acquired by the Borrower or any
of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries at the time of such acquisition (excluding any Indebtedness
incurred at the instigation of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in contemplation of such
acquisition) which is not assumed by Borrower or any other Subsidiary of Borrower, (B)
purchase money Indebtedness, and (C) Capital Lease Obligations, in each case, subject to the
terms and provisions of Section 5.12;
(viii) other indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $2,000,000 at
any one time outstanding; and
(ix) extensions, renewals and replacements of any of the foregoing that do not increase
the outstanding principal amount thereof.
(b) The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any other Loan Party to, issue any preferred
stock or other preferred Equity Interests after the Effective Date, other than preferred stock or
preferred Equity Interests issued by a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower to the Borrower or
to another wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower pursuant to any merger permitted by Section
6.03.
SECTION 6.02 Liens. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party
to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or
hereafter acquired by it, or assign or sell any income or revenues (including accounts receivable)
or rights in respect of any thereof, except:
(i) Liens created under the Loan Documents;
(ii) Liens listed on Schedule 6.02 attached hereto and any renewals,
replacements or extensions thereof;
(iii) Liens created pursuant to Capital Lease Obligations or purchase money
Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(a)(vii); provided that such Liens are only
in respect of the property or assets subject to, and secure only, the respective Capital
Lease Obligations or purchase money Indebtedness;
(iv) any Lien securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(a)(vii)(A)
hereof existing on any property or asset of the acquired Person; provided that (x) such Lien
is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, (y) such Lien
shall not apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary and (z)
such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date of such
acquisition and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the
outstanding principal amount thereof;
(v) in addition to and cumulative of the Liens permitted under the other provisions of
this Section, Liens securing Indebtedness not exceeding, in the aggregate at any one time
outstanding, $10,000,000; and
(vi)Permitted Encumbrances.
47
SECTION 6.03 Fundamental Changes.
(a) The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any other Loan Party to, merge into or
consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it,
or liquidate or dissolve, other than in connection with acquisitions permitted under Section
6.14 hereof, except that, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists or would occur after
giving effect thereto any Subsidiary of the Borrower may merge with or into any other wholly-owned
Subsidiary of the Borrower or into the Borrower (except that if the Borrower is a party to any such
merger, the Borrower must be the survivor).
(b) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, engage to any material
extent in any business other than businesses of the type conducted by the Borrower and the other
Loan Parties on the date of execution of this Agreement and businesses reasonably related thereto.
SECTION 6.04 Investments, Loans, Advances and Guarantees. The Borrower will not, and
will not permit any other Loan Party to, purchase, hold or acquire (including pursuant to any
merger with any Person that was not a wholly owned Subsidiary of Borrower prior to such merger) any
Equity Interests in or evidences of indebtedness or other securities (including any option, warrant
or other right to acquire any of the foregoing) of, make or permit to exist any loans or advances
to, Guarantee any obligations of, or make or permit to exist any investment or any other interest
in, any other Person, except:
(a) Permitted Investments;
(b) loans or advances made by the Borrower to any of the Borrower’s wholly-owned Subsidiaries
and loans or advances made by any of the Borrower’s wholly-owned Subsidiaries to the Borrower or
any of its other wholly-owned Subsidiaries;
(c) loans or advances by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to their respective employees
in the ordinary course of business, not to exceed $500,000 in the aggregate at any one time
outstanding;
(d) accounts receivable owned by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, if created in the
ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms;
(e) Guarantees constituting Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01;
(f) creation of additional Subsidiaries in compliance with Section 6.12;
48
(g) trade and customer accounts receivable which are for goods furnished or services rendered
in the ordinary course of business and are payable in accordance with customary trade terms;
(h) Capital Expenditures made by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in connection with their
respective businesses to the extent permitted by Section 6.13;
(i) investments under Swap Agreements permitted by Section 6.07;
(j) acquisitions permitted by Section 6.14;
(k) acquisition of loans which are fully guaranteed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
(to the extent such guaranties are permitted under this Agreement);
(l) investments received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of, or settlement
of delinquent accounts and disputes with, customers and suppliers, in each case in the ordinary
course of business; and
(m) other investments, loans or advances not otherwise permitted by this Section 6.04
not to exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding.
SECTION 6.05 Asset Sales. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan
Party to, sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of any asset, including any Equity Interest
owned by it, nor will the Borrower permit any of its Subsidiaries to issue any additional Equity
Interest in such Subsidiary, except:
(a) sales of inventory, used or surplus equipment and Permitted Investments in the ordinary
course of business;
(b) sales, transfers and dispositions by the Borrower to any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries
or by any wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower to the Borrower or any other wholly-owned
Subsidiary of the Borrower;
(c) sales of the properties set forth on Schedule 6.05 attached hereto; and
(d) other sales by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the sale of less than
all of the Equity Interests in and to any Subsidiary owned by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries)
which do not exceed, in any fiscal year, five percent (5%) of the net book value of the assets of
the Borrower (on a consolidated basis) as of the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year;
provided that all sales, transfers, leases and other dispositions permitted hereby (other
than those permitted by clause (b) above) shall be made to unaffiliated third parties for
fair value and, except for sellers’ notes not exceeding twenty percent (20%) of the sales price and
which constitute investments permitted under Section 6.04 hereof, solely for cash
consideration.
49
SECTION 6.06 Sale and Leaseback Transactions. Except as permitted under the
provisions of Sections 6.05 and 6.14, the Borrower will not, and will not permit
any other Loan Party to, enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby it shall sell
or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or
hereinafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property that it intends
to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property sold or transferred.
SECTION 6.07 Swap Agreements. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other
Loan Party to, enter into any Swap Agreement except as approved (excluding any pricing terms in
connection with any Swap Agreement offered by a Lender) by Administrative Agent (such approval not
to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
SECTION 6.08 Restricted Payments. The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any other
Loan Party to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted
Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except (i) the Borrower may
declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional shares
of its common stock, (ii) Subsidiaries of Borrower may declare and pay dividends ratably with
respect to their Equity Interests, (iii) the Borrower may declare and pay such payments or
prepayments of Subordinated Debt as may be permitted under the terms and provisions of any
applicable Subordination Agreement and (iv) other Restricted Payments by the Borrower not to exceed
$10,000,000 in the aggregate from and after the date hereof.
SECTION 6.09 Transactions with Affiliates. The Borrower will not, nor will it permit
any other Loan Party to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase,
lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other
transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except (a) transactions in the ordinary course of
business that are at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Borrower or such
other Loan Party than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, (b)
transactions between or among the Borrower and any Loan Party not involving any other Affiliate,
(c) transactions described on Schedule 6.09 attached hereto, and (d) any Restricted Payment
permitted by Section 6.08.
SECTION 6.10 Restrictive Agreements. The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any
other Loan Party to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or
other arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of the
Borrower or any other Loan Party to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its
property or assets, or (b) the ability of any Subsidiary of Borrower to pay dividends or other
distributions with respect to any of its Equity Interests or to make or repay loans or advances to
the Borrower or any other Subsidiary of Borrower or to Guarantee Indebtedness of the Borrower or
any other Subsidiary of Borrower; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to (x)
restrictions and conditions imposed by law, by any Loan Document or (y) the terms or provisions of
any document or agreement evidencing Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(a)(vii)(B)
or (C) hereof which restrict the creation or incurrence of Liens upon any assets securing
such Indebtedness or evidencing Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(a)(vii)(A) hereof
which restrict the creation or incurrence of Liens upon any assets owned by the applicable
Subsidiary which is acquired.
50
SECTION 6.11 Amendment of Material Documents. The Borrower will not, nor will it
permit any other Loan Party to, amend, modify or waive any of its rights under (a) any Subordinated
Debt Document except as permitted pursuant to the applicable subordination provisions set forth in
such Subordinated Debt Document or as permitted in any related intercreditor agreement, or (b) its
organizational documents in any manner materially adverse to the Lenders.
SECTION 6.12 Additional Subsidiaries. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any
other Loan Party to, form or acquire any Subsidiary after the Effective Date except that Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries may form, create or acquire a Subsidiary so long as (a) immediately
thereafter and giving effect thereto, no event will occur and be continuing which constitutes a
Default; (b) such Subsidiary (and, where applicable, Borrower) shall execute and deliver a Guaranty
(or, at the option of Administrative Agent, a joinder to the Guaranty executed concurrently
herewith), (c) such Subsidiary shall be wholly-owned by Borrower (directly or indirectly) except as
permitted under Section 6.14, and (d) Administrative Agent is given at least fifteen (15)
Business Days’ prior notice of such formation, creation or acquisition.
SECTION 6.13 Capital Expenditures. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any
other Loan Party to, permit the aggregate amount of all Capital Expenditures for Borrower and the
other Loan Parties during any fiscal year of the Borrower to exceed $25,000,000 plus, for
the fiscal year 2006 and later, seventy-five percent (75%) of any unused availability for Capital
Expenditures from the immediately preceding fiscal year (but not from any earlier year).
Acquisitions permitted under the terms and provisions of Section 6.14 hereof shall not be
treated as Capital Expenditures for purposes of this Section.
SECTION 6.14 Acquisitions. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan
Party to, enter into any transaction or series of transactions for the purposes of acquiring all or
a substantial portion of the assets, property and/or Equity Interests in and to any Person other
than the acquisition by the Borrower or any Loan Party of Equity Interests in and to (which may be
way of a merger with and into the Borrower or another Loan Party so long as the Borrower or the
applicable Loan Party is the surviving entity), or all or a substantial portion of the assets,
property and/or operations of, any Person provided that
(a) the aggregate consideration paid by the Borrower and the other Loan Parties, in the
aggregate from and after the Effective Date, in connection with such acquisitions shall not exceed
$75,000,000;
(b) the Company may acquire less than 100% of the Equity Interests of a Person, but in no
event less than 80% except as permitted under Section 6.04;
(c) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or, on a pro forma
basis, would reasonably be expected to result from such acquisition;
(d) such acquisition is of a Person in the restaurant business or a reasonably-related
business (or of assets used the restaurant business or a reasonably-related business);
51
(e) the Borrower can demonstrate, on a pro forma basis, after giving effect to such
acquisition that the Total Leverage Ratio does not exceed 3.50 to 1.00; and
(f) the Borrower shall have delivered (or caused to be delivered) to the Administrative Agent
such other documents as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent in connection with
such acquisition.
ARTICLE VII
Events of Default
Events of Default
If any of the following events (“Events of Default”) shall occur:
(a) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation
in respect of any LC Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the
due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;
(b) the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount
(other than an amount referred to in clause (a) of this Article) payable under this
Agreement or any other Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such
failure shall continue unremedied for a period of three Business Days;
(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any
other Loan Party in or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification
thereof or waiver thereunder, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document
(other than projections) furnished pursuant to or in connection with any Loan Document or any
amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect in any
material respect when made or deemed made;
(d) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement
contained in Sections 5.02, 5.07, 5.10, 5.11 or 5.12 or in Article VI;
(e) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement
contained in Section 5.01 and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 10
days.
(f) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement
contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in clauses (a), (b), (d) or
(e) of this Article), and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days
after the earlier of (i) the Borrower becoming aware of such failure and (ii) notice thereof from
the Administrative Agent to the Borrower (which notice will be given at the request of the Required
Lenders);
(g) the Borrower or any other Loan Party shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal
or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and
as the same shall become due and payable and the same shall continue beyond all applicable grace periods;
52
(h) any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior
to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or without the giving of notice, the
lapse of time or both) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent
on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the
prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity;
(i) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed
seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of the Borrower or any other
Loan Party or their debts, or of a substantial part of their assets, under any Federal, state or
foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the
appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for
the Borrower or any other Loan Party or for a substantial part of their assets, and, in any such
case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree
approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;
(j) the Borrower or any other Loan Party shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file
any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or
foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii)
consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any
proceeding or petition described in clause (i) of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent
to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official
for the Borrower or any other Loan Party or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an
answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding,
(v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose
of effecting any of the foregoing;
(k) the Borrower or any other Loan Party shall become unable, admit in writing its inability
or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;
(l) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of
$8,000,000 (exclusive of amounts covered by insurance) shall be rendered against the Borrower or
any other Loan Party and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 30 consecutive days
during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a
judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of the Borrower or any other Loan Party to
enforce any such judgment;
(m) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, in the opinion of the Required Lenders, when
taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(n) a Change in Control shall occur;
53
then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower described in
clauses (i) or (j) of this Article), and at any time thereafter during the
continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, with the consent of the Required Lenders
and shall, at the request of the Required Lenders, by notice to the Borrower, take either or both
of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Revolving Commitments,
and thereupon the Revolving Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the Loans
then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so
declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the
principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon
and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall become due and payable
immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are
hereby waived by the Borrower; and in case of any event with respect to the Borrower described in
clauses (i) or (j) of this Article, the Revolving Commitments shall automatically
terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon
and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall automatically become
due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are
hereby waived by the Borrower.
ARTICLE VIII
The Administrative Agent
The Administrative Agent
Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent
as its agent and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to
exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of the Loan
Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.
The bank serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers
in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the
Administrative Agent, and such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and
generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or other
Affiliate thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.
The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set
forth in the Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the
Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of
whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any
duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary
rights and powers expressly contemplated by the Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is
required to exercise in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the
Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02), and (c)
except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any
duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as
Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The Administrative Agent shall not
be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the
Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the
54
Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02) or
in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct, BUT REGARDLESS OF THE PRESENCE OF
ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE. The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default
unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or a
Lender, and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or
inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan
Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered thereunder or in
connection therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or
other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability,
effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document,
or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere in any Loan
Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the
Administrative Agent.
The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for
relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other
writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person. The
Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and
believed by it to be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying
thereon. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the
Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for
any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants
or experts.
The Administrative Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers
by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative
Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers
through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of the preceding paragraphs
shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any
such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication
of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.
Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent as provided in
this paragraph, the Administrative Agent may (and, in the event (i) neither the Administrative
Agent nor any Affiliate of the Administrative Agent, as a Lender, has any Revolving Exposure or
unused Revolving Commitment and (ii) the Required Lenders so request, the Administrative Agent
shall) resign at any time by notifying the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Borrower. Upon any
such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower, to
appoint a successor. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and
shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives
notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and
the Issuing Bank, appoint a successor Administrative Agent which shall be a bank with an office in
Houston, Texas, or an Affiliate of any such bank. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as
Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested
with all the rights, powers,
55
privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative
Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. The fees payable by the
Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor
unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the Administrative Agent’s
resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.03 shall continue in
effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective
Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while it was
acting as Administrative Agent.
Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the
Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has
deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each
Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative
Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time
deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based
upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or related agreement or any document furnished
hereunder or thereunder.
ARTICLE IX
Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous
SECTION 9.01 Notices.
(a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by
telephone (and subject to paragraph (b) below), all notices and other communications
provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier
service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:
(i) if to the Borrower, to it at 00000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx
00000, Attention: Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, General Counsel (Telecopy: 713-329-6800);
(ii) if to the Administrative Agent, to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, 000
Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000, Attention: Manager, Corporate Banking (Telecopy No.
713-216-6710), with a copy to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, 0000 Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000, Attention: Loan and Agency Services;
(iii) if to the Issuing Bank, to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, 000 Xxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000, Attention: Manager, Corporate Banking (Telecopy No.
713-216-6710);
(iv) if to the Swingline Lender, to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, 000 Xxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000, Attention: Manager, Corporate Banking (Telecopy No.
713-216-6710), with a copy to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, 0000 Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000, Attention: Loan and Agency Services; and
56
(v) if to any other Lender, to it at its address (or telecopy number) set forth in its
Administrative Questionnaire.
(b) If a notice is delivered by telecopy, it shall be promptly confirmed in a writing
delivered by one of the other available delivery mechanisms provided above. Notices and other
communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communications
pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not
apply to notices pursuant to Article II unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent
and the applicable Lender. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree
to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to
procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular
notices or communications.
(c) Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other
communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and other
communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall
be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt.
SECTION 9.02 Waivers; Amendments.
(a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in
exercising any right or power hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver
thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or
discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise
thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative
Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative
and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any
provision of any Loan Document or consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom shall in any
event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and
then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose
for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or
issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of
whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge
of such Default at the time.
(b) Neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document nor any provision hereof or thereof may
be waived, amended or modified except, in the case of this Agreement, pursuant to an agreement or
agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Required Lenders or, in the case of any
other Loan Document, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the
Administrative Agent and the Loan Party or Loan Parties that are parties thereto, in each case with
the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase
the Revolving Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the
principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce
any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iii)
postpone the scheduled date of payment (including any mandatory
57
prepayment) of the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement, or any interest thereon,
or any fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or
postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Revolving Commitment, without the written consent
of each Lender affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.16(b) or (c) in a manner
that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of
each Lender, (v) change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of “Required
Lenders” or any other provision of any Loan Document specifying the number or percentage of Lenders
(or Lenders of any Class) required to waive, amend or modify any rights thereunder or make any
determination or grant any consent thereunder, without the written consent of each Lender (or each
Lender of such Class, as the case may be), or (vi) change any provisions of any Loan Document in a
manner that by its terms adversely affects the rights in respect of payments due to Lenders holding
Loans of any Class differently than those holding Loans of any other Class, without the written
consent of Lenders holding a majority in interest of the outstanding Loans and unused Revolving
Commitments of each affected Class; provided further that (A) no such agreement shall
amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing
Bank or the Swingline Lender without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent or the
Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, (B) any waiver, amendment or modification
of this Agreement that by its terms affects the rights or duties under this Agreement of the
Revolving Lenders (but not the Term Lenders) or the Term Lenders (but not the Revolving Lenders)
may be effected by an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and requisite
percentage in interest of the affected Class of Lenders, and (C) no consent of the Administrative
Agent or any Lender shall be required to release any Lien or security interest on any asset or
property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with a sale, transfer or
disposition of such asset or property made in compliance with this Agreement.
SECTION 9.03 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.
(a) The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the
Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements
of counsel for the Administrative Agent, in connection with the syndication of the credit
facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of the Loan Documents or any
amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions thereof (whether or not the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of
any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, including the fees, charges
and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, in
connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with the Loan Documents,
including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit
issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout,
restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.
58
(b) The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and each Lender,
and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including the fees, charges and
disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee
arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of any Loan
Document or any other agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the performance by the parties
to the Loan Documents of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the
Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or
the use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the Issuing Bank to honor a demand for
payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not
strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or
release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property currently or formerly owned or operated by
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation,
investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or
any other theory and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that
such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses resulted from the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of such Indemnitee, BUT THE PRESENCE OF ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE SHALL NOT AFFECT THE
AVAILABILITY OF SUCH INDEMNITY.
(c) To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the
Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender under paragraphs (a) or
(b) of this Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent or the
Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, such Lender’s pro rata share (determined
as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such
unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage,
liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the
Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank in its capacity as such. For purposes hereof, a Lender’s
“pro rata share” shall be determined based upon (without duplication) its share of the sum of the
total Revolving Exposures and unused Revolving Commitments at the time.
(d) To the extent permitted by applicable law, neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party
shall assert, and each hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability,
for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages)
arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement or any agreement or
instrument contemplated hereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the
proceeds thereof.
(e) All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than three Business Days
after written demand therefor.
SECTION 9.04 Successors and Assigns.
(a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any
Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Borrower may
59
not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior
written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without
such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights
or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section. Nothing in this Agreement,
expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto,
their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing
Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph
(c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of
each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right,
remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may
assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement
(including all or a portion of its Revolving Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it) with
the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) of:
(A) the Borrower, provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required
for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund or, if an
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee; and
(B) the Administrative Agent; and
(C) the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender.
(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:
(A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender
or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Revolving
Commitment or Loans of any Class, the amount of the Revolving Commitment or Loans of
the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the
Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the
Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000 and shall not result in the
assigning Lender holding Revolving Commitments and Loans in an aggregate amount
which is less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative
Agent otherwise consent, provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be
required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;
(B) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate
part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement,
provided that this clause shall not be construed to prohibit the assignment of a
proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations in respect
of one Class of Revolving Commitments or Loans;
60
(C) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the
Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; and
(D) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the
Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.
For the purposes of this Section, the term “Approved Fund” has the following meaning:
“Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged
in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit
in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender,
(b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers
or manages a Lender.
(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) of
this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the
assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such
Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and
the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment
and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an
Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this
Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the
benefits of Sections 2.13, 2.14, 2.15 and 9.03). Any assignment or transfer by a
Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section shall
be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such
rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.
(iv) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall
maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a
register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Revolving
Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender
pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the
Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the
Swingline Lender and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register
pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement,
notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the
Borrower, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from
time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(v) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning
Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee
shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in
paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by
paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and
Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment shall be
effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.
61
(c) (i) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or the
Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a
“Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this
Agreement (including all or a portion of its Revolving Commitment and the Loans owing to it);
provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such
Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such
obligations and (C) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender
and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection
with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument
pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain
the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of
any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such
Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or
waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that affects such Participant.
Subject to paragraph (c)(ii) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant
shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.13, 2.14 and 2.15 to the same
extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph
(b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled
to the benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant
agrees to be subject to Section 2.16(c) as though it were a Lender.
(ii) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections
2.13 or 2.15 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with
respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such
Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent. A Participant that would be a
Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.15
unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant
agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 2.15(e) as though it were a
Lender.
(d) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of
its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including without limitation
any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall
not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or
assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or
substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
SECTION 9.05 Survival. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made
by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered
in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to
have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of
the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of
any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the
Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or any Lender may have had notice or
knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty
62
at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as
long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable
under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long
as the Revolving Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.13,
2.14, 2.15 and 9.03 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and
effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the
Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Revolving Commitments or the
termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
SECTION 9.06 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed
in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall
constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.
This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees
payable to the Administrative Agent constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to
the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or
written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this
Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and
when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together,
bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery
of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy shall be effective as
delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
SECTION 9.07 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the
extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality
and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision
in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.
SECTION 9.08 Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time
to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general
or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations at any
time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against
any of and all the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement held
by such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this
Agreement and although such obligations may be unmatured. The rights of each Lender under this
Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such
Lender may have.
SECTION 9.09 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.
(a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State
of Texas.
63
(b) The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property,
to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of each court of the State of Texas sitting in Xxxxxx County and
of the United States District Court of the Southern District of Texas (Houston Division), and any
appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any
Loan Document, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto
hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or
proceeding may be heard and determined in such Texas State or, to the extent permitted by law, in
such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or
proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment
or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall
affect any right that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or any
Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other
Loan Document against the Borrower or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.
(c) The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may
legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of
venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other
Loan Document in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the
parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an
inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.
(d) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner
provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document
will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted
by law.
SECTION 9.10 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST
EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL
PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER
THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER
PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF
LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES
HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS
AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
SECTION 9.11 Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used
herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect
the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.
64
SECTION 9.12 Interest Rate Limitation. Borrower and the Lenders intend to strictly
comply with all applicable federal and Texas laws, including applicable usury laws (or the usury
laws of any jurisdiction whose usury laws are deemed to apply to the Notes or any other Loan
Documents despite the intention and desire of the parties to apply the usury laws of the State of
Texas). Accordingly, the provisions of this Section shall govern and control over every other
provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document which conflicts or is inconsistent with this
Section, even if such provision declares that it controls. As used in this Section, the term
“interest” includes the aggregate of all charges, fees, benefits or other compensation which
constitute interest under applicable law, provided that, to the maximum extent permitted by
applicable law, (a) any non-principal payment shall be characterized as an expense or as
compensation for something other than the use, forbearance or detention of money and not as
interest, and (b) all interest at any time contracted for, reserved, charged or received shall be
amortized, prorated, allocated and spread, using the actuarial method, during the full term of the
Notes. In no event shall Borrower or any other Person be obligated to pay, or any Lender have any
right or privilege to reserve, receive or retain, (a) any interest in excess of the maximum amount
of nonusurious interest permitted under the laws of the State of Texas or the applicable laws (if
any) of the United States or of any other jurisdiction, or (b) total interest in excess of the
amount which such Lender could lawfully have contracted for, reserved, received, retained or
charged had the interest been calculated for the full term of the Notes at the Ceiling Rate. The
daily interest rates to be used in calculating interest at the Ceiling Rate shall be determined by
dividing the applicable Ceiling Rate per annum by the number of days in the calendar year for which
such calculation is being made. None of the terms and provisions contained in this Agreement or in
any other Loan Document (including, without limitation, Article VII hereof) which directly
or indirectly relate to interest shall ever be construed without reference to this Section, or be
construed to create a contract to pay for the use, forbearance or detention of money at any
interest rate in excess of the Ceiling Rate. If the term of any Note is shortened by reason of
acceleration or maturity as a result of any Default or by any other cause, or by reason of any
required or permitted prepayment, and if for that (or any other) reason any Lender at any time,
including but not limited to, the stated maturity, is owed or receives (and/or has received)
interest in excess of interest calculated at the Ceiling Rate, then and in any such event all of
any such excess interest shall be canceled automatically as of the date of such acceleration,
prepayment or other event which produces the excess, and, if such excess interest has been paid to
such Lender, it shall be credited pro tanto against the then-outstanding principal balance of
Borrower’s obligations to such Lender, effective as of the date or dates when the event occurs
which causes it to be excess interest, until such excess is exhausted or all of such principal has
been fully paid and satisfied, whichever occurs first, and any remaining balance of such excess
shall be promptly refunded to its payor.
SECTION 9.13 USA Patriot Act. Each Lender hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant
to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October
26, 2001)) (the “Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that
identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other
information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act.
65
SECTION 9.14 Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and
the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except
that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’ directors,
officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being
understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential
nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent
requested by any regulatory authority, (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations
or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party to this Agreement, (e) in
connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or any suit, action or proceeding relating
to this Agreement or the enforcement of rights hereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing
provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant
in, or any prospective assignee of or prospective Participant in, any of its rights or obligations
under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap
or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations, (g) with the consent of the
Borrower or (h) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a
result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, the
Issuing Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower. For
the purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the
Borrower relating to the Borrower or its business, other than any such information that is
available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis
prior to disclosure by the Borrower; provided that, in the case of information received from the
Borrower after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as
confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in
this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has
exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such
Person would accord to its own confidential information.
SECTION 9.15 Amendment and Restatement. This Agreement amends and restates in its
entirety that certain Credit Agreement dated as of June 7, 2004 by and among the Borrower, JPMorgan
Chase Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, and the other lenders named therein.
SECTION 9.16 Further Assurances. The Administrative Agent hereby authorizes the
Borrower (or any designees thereof) to file or cause to be filed Uniform Commercial Code
termination statements (without the signature of the Administrative Agent where permitted by
applicable law) and other lien releases which are delivered to the Borrower (or any designees
thereof) and, in any case, pertaining to any security interests and liens now or previously
existing against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, to effectuate, or reflect of public
record, the release and discharge of all such security interests and liens. The Administrative
Agent further agrees, from and after the Effective Date, to deliver such other termination
statements, releases or documents as the Borrower may from time to time reasonably request to
effectuate, or reflect of public record, the release and discharge of such security interests,
mortgages and liens. All of the foregoing deliveries shall be at the expense of the Borrower.
66
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their
respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
XXXX’X, INC., a Delaware corporation |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, | ||||
President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||
Tax ID Number: 00-0000000 |
||||
67
The undersigned Subsidiaries of the Borrower hereby join in this Agreement to evidence their
consent to execution by Borrower of this Agreement, to confirm that each Loan Document now or
previously executed by the undersigned applies and shall continue to apply to this Agreement, and
to acknowledge that without such consent and confirmation, Lenders would not execute this
Agreement.
LUBY’S HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation, LUBY’S LIMITED PARTNER, INC., a Delaware corporation, LUBCO, INC., a Delaware corporation, LUBY’S MANAGEMENT, INC., a Delaware corporation, LUBY’S BEVCO, INC., and a Texas corporation |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, | ||||
President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||
LUBY’S RESTAURANTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a Texas limited partnership |
||||
By: | Luby’s Management, Inc., | |||
a Delaware corporation, its general partner |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||||
Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, | ||||||
President and Chief Executive Officer |
68
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, individually and as Administrative Agent and as Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender | ||||
By: | /s/ H. Xxxxx Xxxxx | |||
Name: | H. Xxxxx Xxxxx | |||
Title: | Vice President |
69
XXXXX FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, individually and as Documentation Agent |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Vice President | ||||
70
AMEGY BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx | |||
Title: | Senior Vice President | |||
71