AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT
Exhibit
3.2
EXECUTION
COPY
AMENDMENT
NO. 1 TO THE
Dated as of December 31,
2009
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE CREDIT
AGREEMENT among THE PEPSI BOTTLING GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation
(the “Company”), BOTTLING
GROUP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Guarantor”), the
Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement referred to below) party hereto,
PEPSICO, INC., a North Carolina corporation, solely as a guarantor (the “Parent Guarantor”)
and CITIBANK, N.A., as agent (the “Agent”) for the
Lenders.
PRELIMINARY
STATEMENTS:
(1) The
Company, the Guarantor, the Lenders and the Agent have entered into a First
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of October 19, 2007 (the “Credit
Agreement”). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this
Amendment No. 1 have the same meanings as specified in the Credit
Agreement.
(2) The
Parent Guarantor has announced its agreement to acquire the Company, by means of
a merger of the Company with and into Pepsi-Cola Metropolitan Bottling Company,
Inc. (the “Successor
Borrower”), a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Parent Guarantor, as
a result of which the Successor Borrower will become a Borrower under the Credit
Agreement. The Company has requested that the Credit Agreement be
amended, among other things, to permit the acquisition, to provide for a
guarantee by the Parent Guarantor of the Company’s obligations under the Credit
Agreement and the promissory notes and to amend the representations and
warranties, covenants, conditions precedent to Borrowing, events of default and
certain other provisions in each case as hereinafter set forth.
(3) The
Required Lenders are, on the terms and conditions stated below, willing to grant
the request of the Company and the Company and the Required Lenders have agreed
to amend the Credit Agreement as hereinafter set forth.
SECTION
1. Amendments to Credit
Agreement. The
Credit Agreement is, effective as of the Amendment Effective Date (as
hereinafter defined) and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent
set forth in Section 2, hereby amended as follows:
(a) Section 1.01
is amended by adding the following definitions in appropriate alphabetical
order:
“Amendment No. 1”
means Amendment No. 1 dated as of December 31, 2009 to this
Agreement.
“Parent Guarantor”
means Pepsi.
“Incorporated Credit
Agreement” means the 364-Day Credit Agreement dated as of June 25, 2009
among the Parent Guarantor, the banks, financial institutions and other
institutional lenders listed on the signature pages thereto and The Royal Bank
of Scotland plc as administrative agent.
(b) The
definition of “Loan Party” in Section 1.01 is amended by replacing the reference
to “Section 4.01” with “Section 6.01”.
(c) The
definition of “Xxxxx’x Rating” in Section 1.01 is amended by replacing the
phrase “the Company’s Index Debt” with the phrase “the Parent Guarantor’s Index
Debt”.
(d) The
definition of “Rating Level Period” in Section 1.01 is amended by replacing each
of the definitions of “Rating Level 1 Period” and “Rating Level 2 Period”
included therein with the phrase “[Intentionally omitted]”.
(e) The
definition of “S&P Rating” in Section 1.01 is amended by replacing the
phrase “the Company’s Index Debt” with the phrase “the Parent Guarantor’s Index
Debt”.
(f) Section
2.07(a) is amended by adding the following sentence at the end thereof:
“Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, upon the effectiveness of Amendment No.
1, the Commitment of each Lender shall be permanently reduced by 10% and no
further action by the Company is required to effect such
reduction.”
(g) Sections 3.02(a)
and (b) are amended in their entirety to read as follows:
“(a) the
following statements shall be true (and each of the giving of the applicable
Notice of Revolving Credit Borrowing and the acceptance by any Borrower of the
proceeds of such Revolving Credit Borrowing or of the benefit of issuance of
such Letter of Credit shall constitute a representation and warranty by the
Company, such Borrower and the Parent Guarantor that on the date of such
Borrowing or issuance, as the case may be, such statements are
true):
(i) The
representations and warranties contained in Section 4.01 (except in the case of
any Borrowing or issuance, the representations set forth in the last sentence of
subsection (e) of Section 4.01 and in subsection (f) of Section 4.01 (other than
clause (ii) thereof)) are correct on and as of such date, before and after
giving effect to such Revolving Credit Borrowing or issuance and to the
application of the proceeds therefrom, as though made on and as of such date,
and
(ii) No
event has occurred and is continuing, or would result from such Revolving Credit
Borrowing or issuance, as the case may be, or from the application of the
proceeds therefrom, that constitutes a Default; and
(b) the
Agent shall have received the Notice of Revolving Credit Borrowing and/or the
Issuing Lender shall have received the Letter of Credit request, as the case may
be, and, in the case of the first Borrowing by or issuance of a Letter of Credit
for account of a Borrowing Subsidiary, such corporate documents, resolutions and
legal opinions relating to such Borrowing Subsidiary as the Agent may reasonably
require.”
(h) Section 3.03
is amended by replacing the phrase “shall constitute a representation and
warranty by the Company and such Borrower” with the phrase “shall constitute a
representation and warranty by the Company, such Borrower and the Parent
Guarantor”.
(i) Section
3.03(a) is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
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“(a) The
representations and warranties contained in Section 4.01 (except the
representations set forth in the last sentence of subsection (e) of Section 4.01
and in subsection (f) of Section 4.01 (other than clause (ii) thereof)) are
correct on and as of the date of such Competitive Bid Borrowing, before and
after giving effect to such Competitive Bid Borrowing and to the application of
the proceeds therefrom, as though made on and as of such date;”
(j) Section 4.01
is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
“Representations and
Warranties of the Parent Guarantor and the Loan Parties.
The
Parent Guarantor represents and warrants as to the following clauses (a) through
(h) and each of the Company and the Guarantor represents and warrants as to the
following clauses (i) through (l):
(a) The
Parent Guarantor is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the
laws of the State of North Carolina.
(b) The
execution and delivery by the Parent Guarantor of Amendment No. 1, and the
performance by the Parent Guarantor of its obligations under Amendment No. 1 and
this Agreement (as amended by Amendment No. 1), and the consummation of the
transactions by the Parent Guarantor contemplated thereby, are within the Parent
Guarantor’s corporate powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action, and do not contravene (i) the Parent Guarantor’s articles of
incorporation or by-laws or (ii) in any material respect, any law or any
material contractual restriction binding on or affecting the Parent
Guarantor.
(c) No
authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with,
any governmental authority or regulatory body or any other third party is
required, other than those that have been obtained prior to the date hereof and
remain in effect, for the due execution, delivery and performance by the Parent
Guarantor of Amendment No. 1 or this Agreement (as amended by Amendment No.
1).
(d)
Amendment No. 1 has been duly executed and delivered by the Parent
Guarantor. Each of Amendment No. 1 and this Agreement (as amended by
Amendment No. 1) is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Parent
Guarantor enforceable against the Parent Guarantor in accordance with their
respective terms.
(e) The
Consolidated (as defined in the Incorporated Credit Agreement) balance sheet of
the Parent Guarantor and its Subsidiaries (as defined in the Incorporated Credit
Agreement) as at December 27, 2008, and the related Consolidated statements of
income and cash flows and equity of the Parent Guarantor and its Subsidiaries
for the fiscal year then ended, accompanied by an opinion of KPMG LLP,
independent registered public accounting firm, present fairly, in all material
respects, the Consolidated financial condition of the Parent Guarantor and its
Subsidiaries as at such date and the Consolidated results of the operations of
the Parent Guarantor and its Subsidiaries for the year ended on such date, all
in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles
consistently applied. Since December 27, 2008, there has been no
Material Adverse Change (as defined in the Incorporated Credit Agreement) that
has not been publicly disclosed prior to the date hereof.
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(f) There
is no pending or, to the Parent Guarantor’s knowledge, threatened, action, suit,
investigation, litigation or proceeding affecting the Parent Guarantor before
any court, governmental agency or arbitrator that (i) would be reasonably likely
to have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Incorporated Credit
Agreement) that has not been publicly disclosed prior to the date hereof or (ii)
would reasonably be likely to affect the legality, validity or enforceability of
Amendment No. 1, and the performance by the Parent Guarantor of Amendment No. 1
and this Agreement (as amended by Amendment No. 1) or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
(g) The
Parent Guarantor is not engaged in the business of extending credit for the
purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation
U issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), and no
proceeds of any Advance will be used to purchase or carry any margin stock or to
extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin
stock in violation of the margin rules.
(h) The
Parent Guarantor is not nor is required to be registered as an “investment
company” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended.
(i) The
Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and the Guarantor is a
limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the jurisdiction of its formation.
(j) The
execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of Amendment No. 1, and
the performance by each Loan Party of this Agreement, as amended thereby, and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, are within such Loan
Party’s corporate powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action, and do not contravene (i) its charter, by-laws or other
organization documents or (ii) in any material respect, any law or
contractual restriction binding on or affecting such Loan Party.
(k) No
authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with,
any governmental authority or regulatory body or any other third party is
required for the due execution, delivery or performance by either Loan Party of
Amendment No. 1 or this Agreement, as amended thereby.
(l)
Amendment No. 1 has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan
Party. Amendment No. 1 and this Agreement, as amended thereby, are
the legal, valid and binding obligations of each Loan Party, enforceable against
it in accordance with its respective terms, except as enforceability may be
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of
creditors’ rights generally.
(k) Section
5.01 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
“The
Parent Guarantor will comply with each affirmative covenant contained in Section
5.01 of the Incorporated Credit Agreement, and all such affirmative covenants
(and all defined terms used therein) are hereby incorporated by reference into
this Agreement as such, in favor of and for the benefit of each of the Lenders,
as if fully set forth in this Agreement and as if all references to “this
Agreement” therein were to the Credit Agreement (as amended hereby), all
references to an “Advance” therein were to
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Advances,
all references to “the Company” therein were to the Parent Guarantor, all
references to the “Agent” therein were to the Agent, all references to the
“Lenders” therein were to the Lenders, all references to the “Commitment”
therein were to the Commitment, all references to the “Required Lenders” therein
were to the Required Lenders, and all references to a “Default” therein were to
a Default.”
(l) Section
5.02 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
“The
Parent Guarantor will comply with each negative covenant contained in Section
5.02 of the Incorporated Credit Agreement, and all such negative covenants (and
all defined terms used therein) are hereby incorporated by reference into this
Agreement as such, in favor of and for the benefit of each of the Lenders, as if
fully set forth in this Agreement and as if all references to “this Agreement”
therein were to the Credit Agreement (as amended hereby), all references to
“Notes” issued by a Subsidiary of the Parent Guarantor therein were to the
promissory notes issued under the Credit Agreement, all references to an
“Advance” therein were to Advances, all references to “the Company” therein were
to the Parent Guarantor, all references to the “Agent” therein were to the
Agent, all references to the “Lenders” therein were to the Lenders, all
references to the “Commitment” therein were to the Commitment, and all
references to a “Default” therein were to a Default.”
(m) Section
5.03 is amended by deleting the Section in full and substituting therefor the
phrase “[Intentionally omitted]”.
(n) Section
6.01 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
If any of
the following events (“Events of Default”)
shall occur and be continuing:
(a) Any
Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of, or interest on, any Advance or to
make any other payment under this Agreement or any Note, in each case within
five Business Days after the same becomes due and payable; or
(b) Any
representation or warranty made by the Parent Guarantor herein or by any
Borrower (or any of its officers) in connection with this Agreement shall prove
to have been incorrect in any material respect when made; or
(c) (i) The
Parent Guarantor shall fail to perform or observe any term, covenant or
agreement contained in Section 5.01(d) of the Incorporated Credit Agreement (as
incorporated herein) or Section 5.02 of the Incorporated Credit Agreement (as
incorporated herein), or (ii) the Parent Guarantor shall fail to perform or
observe any other term, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement on its
part to be performed or observed if such failure shall remain unremedied for 30
days after written notice thereof shall have been given to the Parent Guarantor
by the Agent or any Lender; or
(d) The
Parent Guarantor or any of its Material Subsidiaries (as defined in the
Incorporated Credit Agreement) shall fail to pay any principal of or premium or
interest on any Debt (which term as used in this Section 6.01(d) means “Debt” as
defined in the Incorporated Credit Agreement) that is outstanding in a principal
or notional amount of at least $100,000,000 in the aggregate (but excluding Debt
outstanding hereunder) of the Parent Guarantor or such Material Subsidiary (as
the case may be),
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when the
same becomes due and payable (whether by scheduled maturity, required
prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise), and such failure shall continue
after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in the agreement or
instrument relating to such Debt; or any other event shall occur or condition
shall exist under any agreement or instrument relating to any such Debt and
shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in such
agreement or instrument, if the effect of such event or condition is to
accelerate the maturity of such Debt; or any such Debt shall be declared to be
due and payable, or required to be prepaid or redeemed (other than by a
regularly scheduled required prepayment or redemption), purchased or defeased,
or an offer to prepay, redeem, purchase or defease such Debt shall be required
to be made, in each case prior to the stated maturity thereof; or
(e) The
Parent Guarantor or any of its Material Subsidiaries shall generally not pay its
debts as such debts become due, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay
its debts generally, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of
creditors; or any proceeding shall be instituted by or against the Parent
Guarantor or any of its Material Subsidiaries seeking to adjudicate it a
bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up, reorganization,
arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief, or composition of it or its debts
under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of
debtors, or seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a
receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for any
substantial part of its property and, in the case of any such proceeding
instituted against it (but not instituted by it), either such proceeding shall
remain undismissed or unstayed for a period of 30 days, or any of the actions
sought in such proceeding (including, without limitation, the entry of an order
for relief against, or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or
other similar official for, it or for any substantial part of its property)
shall occur; or the Parent Guarantor or any of its Material Subsidiaries shall
take any corporate action to authorize any of the actions set forth above in
this subsection (e); or
(f) Any
judgment or order for the payment of money in excess of $100,000,000 shall be
rendered against the Parent Guarantor or any of its Material Subsidiaries and
either (i) enforcement proceedings shall have been commenced by any creditor
upon such judgment or order or (ii) there shall be any period of 10 consecutive
days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of
a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect; provided, however, that any
such judgment or order shall not be an Event of Default under this Section
6.01(f) if and for so long as (i) the amount of such judgment or order is
covered by a valid and binding policy of insurance between the defendant and the
insurer covering payment thereof and (ii) such insurer, which shall be rated at
least “A” by A.M. Best Company, has been notified of, and has not disputed the
claim made for payment of, the amount of such judgment or order; or
(g) Any
event, action or condition with respect to an employee benefit plan of the
Parent Guarantor subject to Title IV of ERISA results in any penalty or action
pursuant to ERISA that has a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the
Incorporated Credit Agreement);
then, and
in any such event, the Agent (i) shall at the request, or may with the consent,
of the Required Lenders, by notice to the Company and the Parent Guarantor,
declare the obligation of each Lender to make Advances and of the Issuing
Lenders to issue Letters of Credit to be terminated, whereupon the same shall
forthwith terminate, and (ii) shall at
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the
request, or may with the consent, of the Required Lenders, by notice to the
Company and the Parent Guarantor, declare the Advances, all interest thereon and
all other amounts payable under this Agreement to be forthwith due and payable,
whereupon the Advances, all such interest and all such amounts shall become and
be forthwith due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or further
notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Company and
the Parent Guarantor and (iii) demand cash cover for the full amount of the
Aggregate L/C Exposure; provided, however, that in the
event of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to any of
the Company and the Guarantor (each, a “Loan Party”), any
Borrowing Subsidiary or the Parent Guarantor under the Federal Bankruptcy Code,
(A) the obligation of each Lender to make Advances and of each Issuing Lender to
issue Letters of Credit shall automatically be terminated and (B) the Advances,
all such interest and all such amounts shall automatically become and be due and
payable, and the Company shall automatically become obligated to provide such
cash cover, all without presentment, protest or any notice of any kind, all of
which are hereby expressly waived by each Loan Party and the Parent
Guarantor.”
(o) Section
7.01 is amended by replacing the phrase “by any Borrower” with the phrase “by
any Borrower or the Parent Guarantor”.
(p) Section
7.02 is amended (i) by replacing the phrase “including counsel for a Borrower”
with the phrase “including counsel for a Borrower or the Parent Guarantor” and
(ii) by replacing the phrase “any Borrower” with the phrase “any Borrower or the
Parent Guarantor” in each place such phrase appears.
(q) Section
7.03 is amended by replacing the phrase “any Borrower and any Person who may do
business with or own securities of any Borrower” with the phrase “any Borrower,
the Parent Guarantor and any Person who may do business with or own securities
of any Borrower or the Parent Guarantor”.
(r) Section
8.01(b)(ii) is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
“(ii)
release the guarantee as set forth in Section 9.01, 10.01 or 11.01,
or;”
(s) Section
8.02(a) is amended by (i) adding “(iv) if to the Parent Guarantor, at its
address at 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, Attention:
Assistant Treasurer, Telecopier No. (000) 000-0000, with a copy to Secretary,
Telecopier No. (000) 000-0000;” after “(iii) if to any Lender, at the office of
such Lender specified in its Administrative Questionnaire;” and (ii) adding “,
the Parent Guarantor” immediately following the third and fourth appearances of
“the Company”.
(t) Section
8.07(b) is amended by replacing the phrase “any Borrower” with the phrase “any
Borrower or the Parent Guarantor” in both places such phrase
appears.
(u) Section
8.07(f)(iv) is amended by replacing the phrase “the Borrower, the Guarantor the
Agent and the other Lenders” with the phrase “the Borrower, the Guarantor, the
Parent Guarantor, the Agent and the other Lenders”.
(v) Section
8.12 is amended by replacing the phrase “EACH BORROWER, THE AGENT, EACH ISSUING
LENDER AND EACH OF THE LENDERS” with the phrase “EACH BORROWER, THE PARENT
GUARANTOR, THE AGENT, EACH ISSUING LENDER AND EACH OF THE LENDERS”.
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(w) Section
8.13 is amended by adding “and the Parent Guarantor” immediately after each
appearance of “each Borrower” and “the Borrowers”.
(x) A new
Section 8.15 is added to read as follows:
SECTION
8.15. Incorporation by
Reference. Certain provisions (the “Incorporated
Provisions”) contained in this Agreement are incorporated by reference
from or defined with reference to the Incorporated Credit
Agreement. Each such Incorporated Provision shall be incorporated or
referred to as though all references therein to the “Agreement”, the “promissory
notes”, the “Agent” and the “Lenders” were references to this Credit Agreement
(as amended hereby), the promissory notes under this Credit Agreement (as
amended hereby), the Agent and the Lenders, respectively, and other changes
shall be made (as required by the context) so that such Incorporated Provisions
are made solely for the benefit of each of the Lenders with respect to this
Agreement. No Incorporated Provision shall be amended, waived or
otherwise modified for purposes of this Agreement by any amendment, waiver or
other modification by the parties to the Incorporated Credit Agreement without
the agreement of the Lenders pursuant to Section 8.01, and such Incorporated
Provisions shall remain in effect hereunder as they existed prior to such
amendment, waiver or modification not agreed to by such Lenders. If
this Agreement remains in effect after the commitments under the Incorporated
Credit Agreement have been terminated and the loans thereunder have been paid in
full and all letters of credit outstanding thereunder have expired or been
canceled, the Incorporated Provisions shall continue to be incorporated herein
by reference (and, without limitation, the covenants incorporated herein shall
continue to be in full force and effect) as set forth above as such provisions
were in effect on the date of such termination and repayment, without regard to
any amendment, waiver or other modification not agreed to by the Lenders
hereunder.
(y) A new
Article XI is added to read as follows:
ARTICLE
XI
PARENT
GUARANTEE
“SECTION
11.01. Guarantee. The
Parent Guarantor hereby unconditionally guarantees to each Lender and the Agent
and their respective successors and assigns the prompt payment in full when due
(whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, by optional prepayment or
otherwise) of the principal of and interest on the Advances to and the
promissory notes of (to the extent of the principal of and interest on Advances
made to) each Borrower and all other amounts whatsoever from time to time now or
hereafter owing to the Lenders or the Agent or any of them by any Borrower under
this Agreement strictly in accordance with the terms thereof (such obligations
being herein collectively called the “Guaranteed
Obligations”). The Parent Guarantor hereby further agrees that
if any Borrower shall fail to pay in full when due (whether at stated maturity,
by acceleration, by mandatory prepayment or otherwise) any of the Guaranteed
Obligations, the Parent Guarantor will promptly pay the same, without any demand
or notice whatsoever, and that in the case of any extension of time of payment
or renewal of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, the same will be promptly paid
in full when due (whether at extended maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) in
accordance with the terms of such extension or renewal.
SECTION
11.02. Obligations
Unconditional.
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(a) The
obligations of the Parent Guarantor under this Article XI are unconditional
irrespective of (i) the value, genuineness, legality, validity, regularity or
enforceability of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) any modification,
amendment or variation in or addition to the terms of any of the Guaranteed
Obligations or any covenants in respect thereof or any security therefor, (iii)
any extension of time for performance or waiver of performance of any covenant
of any Borrower or any failure or omission to enforce any right with regard to
any of the Guaranteed Obligations, (iv) any exchange, surrender, release of any
other guaranty of or security for any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or (v) any
other circumstance whatsoever which may or might constitute a legal or equitable
discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor, it being the intent hereof that
the obligations of the Parent Guarantor under this Article XI shall be absolute
and unconditional under any and all circumstances.
(b) The
Parent Guarantor hereby expressly waives diligence, presentment, demand, protest
and all notices whatsoever with regard to any of the Guaranteed Obligations and
any requirement that the Agent or any Lender exhaust any right, power or remedy
or proceed against any Borrower or any other Person hereunder or under any
promissory note of any Borrower or any other guarantor of or any security for
any of the Guaranteed Obligations. The obligations of the Parent
Guarantor under this Article XI constitute a guarantee of payment and not of
collection.
SECTION
11.03. Reinstatement.
The
guarantee in this Article XI shall be automatically reinstated if and to the
extent that for any reason any payment by or on behalf of any Borrower in
respect of the Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded or must be otherwise restored
by any holder(s) of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, whether as a result of
any proceedings in bankruptcy or reorganization or otherwise.
SECTION
11.04. Subrogation.
Until the
termination of the Commitments and the payment in full of the principal of and
interest on the Advances and all other amounts payable to the Agent or any
Lender hereunder, the Parent Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives all rights of
subrogation or contribution, whether arising by operation of law (including,
without limitation, any such right arising under the Federal Bankruptcy Code) or
otherwise, by reason of any payment by it pursuant to the provisions of this
Article XI.
SECTION
11.05. Remedies.
The
Parent Guarantor agrees that, as between the Parent Guarantor on the one hand
and the Lenders and the Agent on the other hand, the obligations of any Borrower
guaranteed under this Agreement may be declared to be forthwith due and payable,
or may be deemed automatically to have been accelerated, as provided in Article
VI, for purposes of Section 11.01 hereof notwithstanding any stay, injunction or
other prohibition (whether in a bankruptcy proceeding affecting such Borrower or
otherwise) preventing such declaration as against such Borrower and that, in the
event of such declaration or automatic acceleration such obligations (whether or
not due and payable by such Borrower) shall forthwith become due and payable by
the Parent Guarantor for purposes of said Section 11.01.
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SECTION
11.06. Continuing
Guarantee.
The
guarantee in this Article XI is a continuing guarantee and shall apply to all
Guaranteed Obligations whenever arising.”
(z) Schedule
2 is amended by deleting the rows numbered 1 and 2 and substituting therefor
“[Intentionally omitted]”.
(aa) The cover
page of the Credit Agreement is amended to add Banc of America Securities LLC as
a joint lead arranger and book manager under the Credit Agreement.
SECTION
2. Conditions of
Effectiveness.
This
Amendment No. 1 shall become effective as of the date first above written (the
“Amendment Effective
Date”) when, and only when, (i) the Agent shall have received
counterparts of this Amendment No. 1 executed by the Company, the Guarantor, the
Successor Borrower, the Parent Guarantor and the Required Lenders, (ii) the
Parent Guarantor has acquired the Company by means of a merger of the Company
with and into a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Parent Guarantor, as a
result of which the Successor Borrower has become a Borrower under the Credit
Agreement (it being understood that each Lender signing this Amendment No. 1 has
thereby consented to such merger and to such wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Parent Guarantor becoming a Borrower under the Credit Agreement) and (iii) the
Agent shall have additionally received all of the following documents, each such
document (unless otherwise specified) dated the date of receipt thereof by the
Agent:
(a) Certified
copies of the resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Parent Guarantor and
of the Board of Directors of the Successor Borrower, respectively, approving
this Amendment No. 1 and the matters contemplated hereby.
(b) A
certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Parent Guarantor
and of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Successor Borrower,
respectively, certifying the names and true signatures of the officers of the
Parent Guarantor and the Successor Borrower, respectively, authorized to sign
this Amendment No. 1.
(c) An
opinion of Deputy General Counsel of the Parent Guarantor, in substantially the
form of Exhibit A.
(d) An
opinion of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx & Xxxx, special North Carolina counsel
to the Parent Guarantor, in substantially the form of Exhibit B.
(e) An
opinion of Xxxxx Xxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP, special New York counsel to the Parent
Guarantor, in substantially the form of Exhibit C.
(f) A
certificate signed by a duly authorized officer of the Company stating
that:
(i) The
representations and warranties contained in Section 3 of this Amendment No. 1
are correct on and as of the date of such certificate as though made on and as
of such date; and
(ii) No event
has occurred and is continuing that constitutes a Default.
(g) A
certificate signed by a duly authorized officer of the Parent Guarantor stating
that:
10
(i) The
representations and warranties contained in Section 4.01 of the Credit
Agreement, as amended hereby, are correct on and as of the date of such
certificate as though made on and as of such date; and
(ii) No event
has occurred and is continuing that constitutes a Default.
SECTION
3. Representations and
Warranties of the Loan Parties.
Each of
the Loan Parties represents and warrants as follows:
(a) The
Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Delaware and the Guarantor is a limited liability
company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
the State of Delaware.
(b) The
execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of this Amendment No. 1,
and the performance by each Loan Party of the Credit Agreement, as amended
hereby, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, are within
such Loan Party’s corporate powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action, and do not contravene (i) its charter, by-laws or other
organization documents or (ii) any law or contractual restriction binding
on or affecting such Loan Party.
(c) No
authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with,
any governmental authority or regulatory body or any other third party is
required for the due execution, delivery or performance by either Loan Party of
this Amendment No. 1 or the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby.
(d) This
Amendment No. 1 has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan
Party. This Amendment No. 1 and the Credit Agreement, as amended
hereby, are the legal, valid and binding obligations of each Loan Party,
enforceable against it in accordance with its respective terms, except as
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally.
(e) There is
no pending or threatened action, suit, investigation, litigation or proceeding
affecting any Loan Party before any court, governmental agency or arbitrator
that purports to affect the legality, validity or enforceability of this
Amendment No. 1 or the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby.
SECTION
4. Reference to and Effect on
the Credit Agreement and the Promissory Notes.
(a) On and
after the effectiveness of this Amendment No. 1 pursuant to Section 2, each
reference in the Credit Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “hereof” or
words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, and each reference in
the promissory notes to “the Credit Agreement”, “thereunder”, “thereof” or words
of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, shall mean and be a reference
to the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment No. 1 and each reference
to a Section of the Credit Agreement shall refer to such Section as amended
hereby.
(b) The
Credit Agreement and the promissory notes, as specifically amended by this
Amendment No. 1, are and shall continue to be in full force and effect and are
hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed.
11
(c) The
execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment No. 1 shall not, except
as expressly provided herein, operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy
of any Lender or the Agent under the Credit Agreement, nor constitute a waiver
of any provision of the Credit Agreement.
SECTION
5. Costs and
Expenses.
The
Parent Guarantor agrees to pay on demand all reasonable costs and expenses of
the Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery and
administration of this Amendment No. 1 and the other instruments and documents
to be delivered hereunder (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees
and expenses of counsel for the Agent) in accordance with the terms of
Section 8.04 of the Credit Agreement.
SECTION
6. Execution in
Counterparts.
This
Amendment No. 1 may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different
parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be
deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute but
one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a
signature page to this Amendment No. 1 by telecopier or by electronic
transmission (i.e. “pdf.”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed
counterpart of this Amendment No. 1.
SECTION
7. Governing
Law.
This
Amendment No. 1 shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws
of the State of New York.
12
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment No. 1 to be
executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date
first above written.
THE
PEPSI BOTTLING GROUP, INC.,
as
Borrower
|
|||
By
|
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx | ||
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxx | |||
Title: Vice President and Treasurer | |||
BOTTLING
GROUP, LLC,
as
Guarantor
|
|||
By
|
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx | ||
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxx | |||
Title: Managing Director-Delegatee | |||
PEPSI-COLA
METROPOLITAN BOTTLING
COMPANY, INC. as
Successor Borrower
|
|||
By
|
/s/ J. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||
Name: J. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx | |||
Title: Vice President and Treasurer | |||
PEPSICO,
INC.,
as
Parent Guarantor
|
|||
By
|
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx | |||
Title: Senior Vice President, Finance and Treasurer | |||
PEPSICO,
INC.,
as
Parent Guarantor
|
|||
By
|
/s/ J. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||
Name: J. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx | |||
Title: Vice President and Assistant Treasurer | |||
CITIBANK,
N.A.,
as
Agent and as Lender
|
|||
By
|
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxx | ||
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxx | |||
Title: Vice President |
Banco
Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A., New York Branch
|
|||
By
|
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxx | ||
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxx | |||
Title: Managing Director |
By
|
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | ||
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | |||
Title: Executive Director | |||
Xxxxxx
Commercial Paper Inc.
|
|||
By
|
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx | ||
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx | |||
Title: Authorized Signatory | |||
The
Northern Trust Company
|
|||
By
|
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx | ||
Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx | |||
Title: Senior Vice President | |||
BANK
OFAMERICA, N.A.,
as
Lender
|
|||
By
|
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx | ||
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx | |||
Title: Senior Vice President |
CREDIT
SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
|
|||
By
|
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxx | ||
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxx | |||
Title: Director |
By
|
/s/ Xxx Xxxxx | ||
Name: Xxx Xxxxx | |||
Title: Director |
DEUTSCHE
BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH
|
|||
By
|
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxx | ||
Name: Xxxx X. Xxx | |||
Title: Vice President |
|
|||
By
|
/s/ Rainier Xxxxx | ||
Name: Rainier Xxxxx | |||
Title: Director |
HSBC
Bank USA, National Association
|
|||
By
|
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx | ||
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx | |||
Title: Senior Vice President |
JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Lender
|
|||
By
|
/s/ Xxxx Xxxx | ||
Name: Xxxx Xxxx | |||
Title: Vice President |
XXXXXX
XXXXXXX BANK, N.A.,
as Lender
|
|||
By
|
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxx | ||
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxx | |||
Title: Authorized Signatory |
ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
as Lender
|
|||
By
|
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxx | ||
Name: Xxxxx Xxxx | |||
Title: Authorized Signatory |
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
as Lender
|
|||
By
|
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx | ||
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Title: Vice President |
XXXXX FARGO BANK, N.A.
|
|||
By
|
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx | ||
Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx | |||
Title: Vice President |
COMERICA BANK
|
|||
By
|
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxx | ||
Name: Xxxxx Xxxx | |||
Title: Corporate Banking Officer |
Signature
Page
Exhibit
A
Form of
Opinion of Deputy General Counsel of the Parent Guarantor
December __, 2009
To each
of the Lenders party to the
Amendment
referred to below and
Citibank,
N.A.
as
Administrative Agent for said Lenders
Ladies
and Gentlemen:
I am Senior Vice President, Deputy
General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of PepsiCo, Inc., a North Carolina
corporation (the “Parent
Guarantor”), and have acted in such capacity in connection with the
Amendment No. 1 dated as of December __, 2009 (the “Amendment”) among The Pepsi
Bottling Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), Bottling Group,
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, the Lenders party thereto, the Parent
Guarantor and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (the “Administrative Agent”) for
said Lenders to the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended by
the Amendment, the “Amended
Credit Agreement”) dated as of October 19, 2007 among the Borrower,
Bottling Group, LLC, the banks, financial institutions and other institutional
lenders thereto and the Administrative Agent. This opinion is being
delivered to you at the request of the Parent Guarantor pursuant to Section 2(c)
of the Amendment. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have
the meanings given to them in the Amendment.
I have examined originals or copies,
certified or otherwise identified to my satisfaction, of such documents,
corporate records, certificates of public officials and officers of the Parent
Guarantor and other instruments as I have deemed necessary for the purposes of
rendering this opinion. I have assumed the capacity of all natural
persons and the genuineness of all signatures.
Based upon the foregoing, I am of the
opinion that:
1. The execution and delivery of the
Amendment by the Parent Guarantor and the performance by the Parent Guarantor of
its obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement will not contravene (i) any provision
of the Parent Guarantor’s articles of incorporation or by-laws or (ii) any law,
rule or regulation applicable to the Parent Guarantor, except as would not
reasonably be likely to have a material adverse effect upon the financial
condition or operations of the Parent Guarantor and its Subsidiaries taken as a
whole or (iii) to the best of my knowledge, any contractual or legal restriction
contained in any material judgment, decree, mortgage, agreement, indenture,
order, injunction or other instrument applicable to the Parent Guarantor known
to me.
2. To the best of my knowledge, there
are no pending or overtly threatened actions or proceedings against the Parent Guarantor or any of its
Subsidiaries before any court, governmental agency or arbitrator that purport to
affect the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of the Amended
Credit Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby
or, except as publicly disclosed, that are reasonably likely to have a material
adverse effect upon the financial condition or operations of the Parent Guarantor and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
In rendering the foregoing opinion, I
have relied as to matters of fact, to the extent I have deemed proper, on
certificates of responsible officers of the Parent Guarantor and public
officials. This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of New
York, the federal laws of the United States of America and, with
Exhibit
A-1
respect
to the matters covered by subclause (i) of paragraph 1 only, the corporation
laws of the State of North Carolina. As to such matters governed by
the corporation laws of the State of North Carolina, I have relied, with your
permission and without independent investigation, on the opinion delivered to
you today by Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx & Xxxx, PLLC, North Carolina counsel
for the Parent Guarantor. As to the matters covered by subclause (ii)
of paragraph 1 governed by the laws of the State of New York and the federal
laws of the United States of America, I have relied, with your permission and
without independent investigation, on the opinion delivered to you today by
Xxxxx Xxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP, special counsel for the Parent
Guarantor.
This opinion is rendered solely for the
benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (including any permitted
assignees) in connection with the above matter. This opinion may not
be relied upon by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders (including any
permitted assignees) for any other purpose or relied upon by or furnished to any
other person or entity (other than to any regulatory authority) without my prior
written consent.
Very truly yours,
Exhibit
A-2
Exhibit
B
Form of
Opinion of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx & Xxxx, PLLC
December __ , 2009
To each
of the Lenders party to the
Amendment
referred to below and
Citibank,
N.A.
as
Administrative Agent for said Lenders
Re: PepsiCo. Inc.
Ladies
and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special North Carolina
counsel to PepsiCo, Inc., a North Carolina corporation (the “Parent Guarantor”), in
connection with the Amendment No. 1 dated as of December __, 2009 (the “Amendment”) among The Pepsi
Bottling Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), Bottling Group,
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, the Lenders party to the Amendment
(the “Lenders”), the
Parent Guarantor and Citibank, N.A. (“Citi”), as administrative
agent for the Lenders, to the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as
amended by the Amendment, the “Amended Credit Agreement”)
dated as of October 19, 2007 among the Borrower, Bottling Group, LLC, the
Lenders party thereto, Citi, as administrative agent for the Lenders and the
other agents party thereto. This opinion is delivered to you pursuant
to Section 2(d) of the Amendment. Capitalized terms used and not
otherwise defined in this opinion have the meanings given to them in the
Amendment.
As the Parent Guarantor’s special North
Carolina counsel, we have reviewed the Amendment and the Amended Credit
Agreement (collectively, the “Transaction
Documents”). We have also reviewed the Parent Guarantor’s
articles of incorporation and by-laws, each as amended to date, and have
examined the originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our
satisfaction, of corporate records of the Parent Guarantor, certificates of
public officials and of representatives of the Parent Guarantor, statutes and
other instruments and documents, as a basis for the opinions hereinafter
expressed. In rendering this opinion, we have relied upon
certificates of public officials and representatives of the Parent Guarantor
with respect to the accuracy of the factual matters contained in such
certificates. In rendering our opinion in paragraph 1, we have relied
solely upon a certificate of existence regarding the Parent Guarantor issued by
the Secretary of State of North Carolina dated December __, 2009.
In connection with such review, we have
assumed with your permission (a) that the Transaction Documents have been
properly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the respective parties
thereto other than the Parent Guarantor; (b) the genuineness of all signatures
and the legal capacity of all signatories; (c) the authenticity of all documents
submitted to us as originals and the conformity to the original documents of all
documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies; (d) the proper
issuance and accuracy of certificates of public officials and representatives of
the Parent Guarantor; and (e) with respect to our opinion regarding performance
in paragraph 2 below, that as of the date of each Revolving Credit Borrowing, no
borrowing would cause the Parent Guarantor and its Subsidiaries to exceed the
cap on aggregate indebtedness for borrowed money set forth in any resolutions of
the Board of Directors of the Parent Guarantor in effect as of each such
date.
Exhibit
B-1
This opinion is limited to the laws of
the State of North Carolina, excluding the following laws and regulations of the
State of North Carolina or the application of any such laws or regulations to
the matters on which our opinions are referenced: (i) securities laws; (ii) the
local laws of the State of North Carolina (i.e., the statutes, ordinances, the
administrative decisions and the rules and regulations of counties and
municipalities of the State of North Carolina); (iii) antitrust and unfair
competition laws and regulations; (iv) tax laws and regulations; (v) regulatory
laws and regulations applicable to any entity as a result of its nonprofit
status or solely because of the business in which it is engaged; (vi)
environmental laws and regulations; and (vii) laws, rules and regulations
relating to money laundering and terrorist groups. We are expressing
no opinion as to the effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction or as to any
federal laws and regulations.
Based on and subject to the foregoing
and the qualifications and limitations set forth below, and having regard for
such legal considerations as we deem relevant, it is our opinion
that:
1. The
Parent Guarantor is a corporation in existence under the laws of the State of
North Carolina and has the corporate power to execute and deliver the Amendment
and to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents.
2. The
Parent Guarantor has authorized the execution and delivery of the Amendment by
the Parent Guarantor and the performance by the Parent Guarantor of its
obligations under the Transaction Documents by all necessary corporate
action.
3. The
execution and delivery of the Amendment by the Parent Guarantor and the
performance by the Parent Guarantor of its obligations under the Transaction
Documents do not violate any provision of the articles of incorporation or
by-laws of the Parent Guarantor.
4. No
consent, approval, authorization or other action by, or filing or registration
with, any North Carolina governmental authority is required to be obtained or
made by the Parent Guarantor for the execution and delivery by the Parent
Guarantor of the Amendment and for consummation by the Parent Guarantor of the
transactions provided for therein, except for consents, approvals,
authorizations, actions, filings and registrations which, if not obtained or
made, are not reasonably likely to have a material and adverse effect on the
business, financial condition or results of operations of the Parent Guarantor
and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
5. The
Amendment has been duly executed by the Parent Guarantor.
Nothing contained in this opinion
letter shall be construed as an opinion as to the enforceability of the
Transaction Documents.
This opinion is rendered solely to the
Lenders in connection with the Transaction Documents and may be relied upon only
by the Lenders and any successors and assigns of the Lenders. This
opinion may not be quoted in whole or in part or relied upon by any other party
or for any other purpose other than the purposes herein stated without our prior
written consent.
This opinion is rendered as of the date
hereof, and we undertake no obligation to advise you of any changes in
applicable law or any other matters that may come to our attention after the
date hereof.
Very truly yours,
Exhibit
B-2
Exhibit
C
Form of
Opinion of Xxxxx Xxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP
December
__, 2009
To
Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent
and each of the Lenders listed on
the
signature pages of the
Amendment
referred to below
Ladies
and Gentlemen:
We have
acted as special counsel for PepsiCo, Inc., a North Carolina corporation (the
“Parent Guarantor”), in
connection with the Amendment No. 1 dated as of December __, 2009 (the “Amendment”) among The Pepsi
Bottling Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), Bottling Group,
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, the lenders listed on the signature
pages thereto (the “Lenders”), the Parent
Guarantor and Citibank, N.A., as agent for the lenders (the “Agent”) to the First Amended
and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Amended Credit Agreement”)
dated as of October 19, 2007 among the Borrower, Bottling Group, LLC, the banks,
financial institutions and other institutional lenders thereto and the
Administrative Agent. Terms used (but not defined) herein have the
meanings assigned to them in the Amendment.
We have
reviewed executed copies of:
(a) the
Amendment; and
(b) the
Amended Credit Agreement.
The
documents listed in items (a) through (b) above are sometimes hereinafter
referred to as the “Credit
Documents”.
We have
also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our
satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records and certificates of public
officials and have conducted such other investigations of fact and law as we
have deemed necessary or advisable for purposes of this opinion.
Based on
the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions and qualifications set forth
below, we are of the opinion that:
1. The
execution, delivery and performance by the Parent Guarantor of each Credit
Document requires no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any
governmental body, agency or official under United States federal or New York
State law and does not contravene, or constitute a default under, any provision
of applicable United States federal or New York State law or regulation, in each
case that in our experience is normally applicable to general business
corporations in relation to transactions of the type contemplated by the Credit
Documents.
2. Each
Credit Document constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Parent
Guarantor, enforceable against the Parent Guarantor in accordance with its
terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting
creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable
Exhibit
C-1
principles
of general applicability, and may be subject to possible judicial actions giving
effect to governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’
rights.
The
foregoing opinions are subject to the following assumptions and
qualifications:
(a) We
express no opinion as to whether a United States federal court would have
subject-matter or personal jurisdiction over a controversy arising under the
Credit Documents.
(b) We
express no opinion as to the United States federal or any state securities
laws.
(c) We
have assumed that (i) the Parent Guarantor is validly existing and, to the
extent applicable, in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
organization, (ii) the Parent Guarantor has duly executed and delivered each
Credit Document to which it is a party, (iii) the execution, delivery and
performance by the Parent Guarantor of each Credit Document to which it is a
party are within its corporate powers, have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of the Parent Guarantor and do not
contravene the articles or certificate of incorporation or bylaws or other
constitutive documents of the Parent Guarantor and (iv) the execution, delivery
and performance by the Parent Guarantor of each Credit Document does not
contravene, or constitute a default under, any law, rule or regulation (other
than United States federal and New York State laws, rules and regulations, in
each case that in our experience are normally applicable to general business
corporations in relation to transactions of the type contemplated by the Credit
Documents) or any order, injunction, decree, agreement, contract or instrument
to which it is a party or by which it is bound.
(d) We
express no opinion as to the effect (if any) of any law of any jurisdiction
(except the State of New York) in which any Lender is located which may limit
the rate of interest that such Lender may charge or collect.
(e) As
to various provisions in the Credit Documents that grant the Agent or the
Lenders certain rights to make determinations or take actions in their
discretion, we assume that such discretion will be exercised in good faith and
in a commercially reasonable manner.
(f) The
foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of New York and the
federal laws of the United States of America.
This
opinion is delivered to you in connection with the above matter. This
opinion may not be relied upon by you for any other purpose or relied upon by
any other person without our prior written consent.
Very truly yours,
Exhibit
C-2