INVESTOR AGREEMENT by and among The Michaels Companies, Inc. and the Investors (as defined herein) Dated as of [·], 2014

Exhibit 4.3

INVESTOR AGREEMENT

by and among

The Michaels Companies, Inc.

and

the Investors (as defined herein)

Dated as of [·], 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
1.	EFFECTIVENESS; DEFINITIONS	1
1.1. Effective Date		1
1.2. Definitions		1
2.	VOTING AGREEMENTS	1
2.1. Election of Directors		1
2.2. Removal and Replacement; Vacancies		2
2.3. Period		2
3.	INFORMATION AND CONSULTATION RIGHTS	2
3.1. Information Rights		2
3.2. Consultation Rights		3
4.	REMEDIES	3
5.	AMENDMENT, TERMINATION, ETC.	3
5.1. Oral Modifications		3
5.2. Written Modifications		3
5.3. Withdrawal from Agreement		4
5.4. Effect of Termination		4
6.	DEFINITIONS	4
6.1. Certain Matters of Construction		4
6.2. Definitions		5
7.	MISCELLANEOUS	7
7.1. Authority; Effect		7
7.2. Notices		7
7.3. Binding Effect, Etc.		9
7.4. Descriptive Heading		9
7.5. Counterparts		9
7.6. Severability		9
7.7. No Recourse		9
7.8. Aggregation of Shares		9
7.9. Indemnity and Liability		10
7.10. Indemnification Priority		11

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8.	CONFIDENTIALITY	11
9.	GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION, ETC.	11
9.1. Governing Law		11
9.2. Consent to Jurisdiction		12
9.3. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL		12
9.4. Exercise of Rights and Remedies		12

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INVESTOR AGREEMENT

This INVESTOR AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of [·], 2014 by and among:

(i) The Michaels Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with its successors and permitted assigns, the “Company”); and

(ii) each Person executing this Agreement and listed as an “Investor” on the signature pages hereto (collectively with their Permitted Transferees, the “Investors”).

RECITALS

A. WHEREAS, the Company is contemplating an underwritten initial public offering registered on Form S-1 under the Securities Act (as defined below) (the “IPO”) of shares of Common Stock (as defined below); and

B. WHEREAS, the Investors hold shares of Common Stock, and the Company and the Investors desire to set forth their agreements regarding certain matters related thereto, including voting rights with respect to the Common Stock following the IPO.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1. EFFECTIVENESS; DEFINITIONS.

1.1. Effective Date.  This Agreement shall become effective upon the consummation of the closing of the IPO.

1.2. Definitions.  Certain terms are used in this Agreement as specifically defined herein.  These definitions are set forth or referred to in Section 6 hereof.

2. VOTING AGREEMENTS.

2.1. Election of Directors.

2.1.1. Designation of Directors.  Subject to Sections 2.1.2 and 2.2, there at all times shall be: (i) three directors nominated by the Majority Xxxx Investors (the “Xxxx Directors”) and (ii) three directors nominated by the Majority Blackstone Investors (the “Blackstone Directors” and, together with the Xxxx Directors, collectively, the “Investor Directors”).  Each Investor hereby agrees to cast all votes to which such Investor is entitled, whether at any annual or special meeting, by written consent or otherwise, so as to elect as the Company’s directors:

2.1.1.1. the number of Xxxx Directors as determined under Section 2.1.2, designated by the Majority Xxxx Investors; and

2.1.1.2. the number of Blackstone Directors as determined under Section 2.1.2, designated by the Majority Blackstone Investors.

2.1.2. Sell-Down Provisions.

The number of Xxxx Directors and Blackstone Directors shall automatically be reduced effective at and after such time as the applicable Investor Group ceases to hold the requisite percentage of the Common Stock:

Remaining Percentage of Common Stock		Remaining # of Directors
at least 25%		3
at least 10%		2
at least 3%		1
less than 3%		0

Upon any reduction in the number of Xxxx Directors or Blackstone Directors (unless otherwise agreed to by the Board): (i) the applicable Investor Group promptly shall cause one or more of its designated directors, as the case may be, to resign and (ii) the number of members of the Board shall likewise be reduced.

2.1.3. Further Assurances.  The Company and each Investor hereby agree to take, at any time and from time to time, all actions necessary to accomplish the provisions of this Section 2.1 and Section 2.2.

2.2. Removal and Replacement; Vacancies.  Members of the Board designated by a particular Investor Group (or member thereof) may be removed by, and only by, such Investor Group (or member thereof).  If, following election to the Board, any Investor Director resigns, is removed, or is unable to serve for any reason prior to the expiration of his or her term as a director, then, subject to Section 2.1.2, the applicable designating Person or group, as set forth in Section 2.1.1, shall designate a replacement.  If any designating Person or group fails to designate a person to fill any directorship, then such directorship shall be vacant.

2.3. Period.  Each of the foregoing provisions of this Section 2 shall expire on the earlier of (a) a Change of Control, and (b) with respect to any particular provision, the last date permitted by applicable law.

3. INFORMATION AND CONSULTATION RIGHTS.  The Company hereby agrees that for so long as an Investor continues to hold Common Stock, the Company shall:

3.1. Information Rights.  Provide such Investor or such Investor’s designated representative with:

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3.1.1. the right to visit and inspect any of the offices and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries and inspect the books and records of the Company and its subsidiaries, at such times as such Investor shall reasonably request but not more frequently than once per quarter;

3.1.2. as soon as available, consolidated balance sheets and statements of income and cash flows of the Company and its subsidiaries as of the end of such period or year then ended, as applicable, prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, and with respect to each fiscal year end statement together with an auditor’s report thereon of a firm of established national reputation; and

3.1.3. to the extent the Company is required by law or pursuant to the terms of any outstanding indebtedness of the Company to prepare such reports, any annual reports, quarterly reports and other periodic reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act actually prepared by the Company as soon as available;

provided that, in each case, if the Company makes the information described in Sections 3.1.2 and 3.1.3 available through public filings on the XXXXX system or any successor or replacement system of the Commission, the delivery of the information shall be deemed satisfied by such public filings.

3.2. Consultation Rights.   Make appropriate officers and directors of the Company, and its subsidiaries, available periodically and at such times as reasonably requested by the Investor Group of which such Investor is a member for consultation with such Investor Group or its designated representative with respect to matters relating to the business and affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries, but not more frequently than once per quarter; provided, that each of Blackstone Capital Partners V L.P., BCP V Co-Investors L.P. and BCP V-S L.P. shall individually hold the consultation rights described in this Section 3.2 but may only exercise such rights subject to the quarterly limitation applicable to the Investor Group of which it is a member described above.

4. REMEDIES.

The parties shall have all remedies available at law, in equity or otherwise in the event of any breach or violation of this Agreement or any default hereunder.  The parties acknowledge and agree that in the event of any breach of this Agreement, in addition to any other remedies which may be available, each of the parties hereto shall be entitled to specific performance of the obligations of the other parties hereto and, in addition, to such other equitable remedies (including preliminary or temporary relief) as may be appropriate in the circumstances.

5. AMENDMENT, TERMINATION, ETC.

5.1. Oral Modifications.  This Agreement may not be orally amended, modified, extended or terminated, nor shall any oral waiver of any of its terms be effective.

5.2. Written Modifications.  This Agreement may be amended, modified, extended or terminated, and the provisions hereof may be waived, only by an agreement in writing signed by the Company, the Majority Xxxx Investors and the Majority Blackstone Investors; provided,

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however, that the consent of any Investor shall be required for any amendment that discriminates against such Investor as such under this Agreement or would adversely and disproportionately impact that Investor as compared to Investors that are not in the same Investor Group as such Investor.

Each such amendment shall be binding upon each party hereto.  In addition, each party hereto may waive any right hereunder by an instrument in writing signed by such party.  To the extent the amendment of any Section of this Agreement would require a specific consent pursuant to this Section 5.2, any amendment to the definitions used in such Section shall also require the specified consent.

5.3. Withdrawal from Agreement.  Any Investor Group that, together with its Affiliates, holds less than ten percent (10%) of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock may at any time elect (on behalf of itself and the members of its Investor Group and all of their respective Affiliates that hold Shares), by giving five business days’ written notice to the Company and the Investors, to terminate this Agreement with respect to such Investor Group and its members and their respective Affiliates (such holders and Affiliates withdrawing pursuant to this clause, collectively, the “Withdrawing Holders”).  From the date of delivery of such withdrawal notice, the Withdrawing Holders shall cease to be parties to this Agreement and shall no longer be subject to the obligations of this Agreement or have rights under this Agreement; provided, however, that such Withdrawing Holders, if they constitute an Investor Group, shall comply with such Investor Group’s obligations to cause the removal or resignation of any directors designated by such Investor Group.

5.4. Effect of Termination.  No termination under this Agreement shall relieve any Person of liability for breach prior to termination.  In the event this Agreement is terminated, each Investor shall retain the indemnification rights pursuant to Sections 7.9 and 7.10 hereof with respect to any matter that (i) may be an Indemnified Liability and (ii) occurred prior to such termination.

6. DEFINITIONS.  FOR PURPOSES OF THIS AGREEMENT:

6.1. Certain Matters of Construction.  In addition to the definitions referred to or set forth below in this Section 6:

(i) The words “hereof’, “herein”, “hereunder” and words of similar import shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section or provision of this Agreement, and reference to a particular Section of this Agreement shall include all subsections thereof;

(ii) The word “including” shall mean including, without limitation;

(iii) Definitions shall be equally applicable to both nouns and verbs and the singular and plural forms of the terms defined; and

(iv) The masculine, feminine and neuter genders shall each include the other.

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6.2. Definitions.  The following terms shall have the following meanings:

“Affiliate” shall mean, with respect to any specified Person, (a) any other Person which directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person (for the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise); provided, however, that neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall be deemed an Affiliate of any of the Investors (and vice versa), (b) if such specified Person is an investment fund, any other investment fund the primary investment advisor to which is the primary investment advisor to such specified Person or an Affiliate thereof and (c) if such specified Person is a natural Person, any family member of such natural Person.

“Affiliated Fund” shall mean, with respect to any specified Person, an investment fund that is an Affiliate of such Person or that is advised by the same investment adviser as such Person or by an Affiliate of such investment adviser.

“Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

“Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement” shall mean the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated on or about the date hereof, by and among the Company and the other Persons party thereto from time to time.

“Xxxx Directors” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.1.

“Xxxx Investors” shall mean, as of any date, Xxxx Capital Integral Investors 2006, LLC, BCIP TCV, LLC and their respective Permitted Transferees, in each case only if such Person is then an Investor and holds any Shares.

“Blackstone Directors” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.1.

“Blackstone Investors” shall mean, as of any date, Blackstone Capital Partners V L.P., BCP V-S L.P., Blackstone Family Investment Partnership V L.P., Blackstone Family Investment Partnership V-A L.P., Blackstone Participation Partnership V L.P., BCP V Co-Investors L.P., and their respective Permitted Transferees, in each case only if such Person is then an Investor and holds any Shares.

“Board” shall mean the board of directors of the Company.

“business day” shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which banks are required or authorized by law to be closed in the City of New York.

“Change of Control” shall mean the occurrence of (a) any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other corporation or other Person, or any other corporate reorganization or transaction (including the acquisition of capital stock of the Company), whether or not the Company is a party thereto, in which the stockholders of the Company

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immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, reorganization or transaction, own capital stock either (i) representing directly, or indirectly through one or more entities, less than fifty percent (50%) of the economic interests in or voting power of the Company or other surviving entity immediately after such consolidation, merger, reorganization or transaction or (ii) that does not directly, or indirectly through one or more entities, have the power to elect a majority of the entire board of directors of the Company or other surviving entity immediately after such consolidation, merger, reorganization or transaction; (b) any stock sale or other transaction or series of related transactions, whether or not the Company is a party thereto, after giving effect to which in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the Company’s voting power is owned directly, or indirectly through one or more entities, by any Person and its “affiliates” or “associates” (as such terms are defined in the rules adopted by the Commission under the Exchange Act), other than the Investors and their respective Affiliated Funds, excluding, in any case referred to in clause (a) or (b) any bona fide primary or secondary public offering; or (c) a sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

“Commission” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Common Stock” shall mean the common stock, $0.10 par value per share, of the Company.

“Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

“Coordination Agreement” shall mean the Coordination Agreement, dated on or about the date hereof, entered into by and among the Investors.

“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect from time to time.

“Indemnified Liabilities” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.9.

“Indemnified Liability” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.9.

“Indemnitees” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.9.

“Investor Directors” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.1.

“Investor Group” shall mean, for so long as any such Investors are not part of the Withdrawing Holders, any one of (a) the Xxxx Investors, collectively, and (b) the Blackstone Investors, collectively.  Where this Agreement provides for the vote, consent or approval of any Investor Group, such vote, consent or approval shall be determined by the Majority Xxxx Investors or the Majority Blackstone Investors, as the case may be, except as otherwise specifically set forth herein.

“Investors” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

“IPO” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

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“Majority Xxxx Investors” shall mean, as of any date, the holders of a majority of the Shares held by the Xxxx Investors.

“Majority Blackstone Investors” shall mean, as of any date, the holders of a majority of the Shares held by the Blackstone Investors.

“Permitted Transferee” shall mean (i) the Company, (ii) such other Persons as both the Majority Xxxx Investors and the Majority Blackstone Investors approve in writing, and (iii) with respect to any Investor, any Affiliated Fund of such Investor, in each case to the extent such Person agrees to be bound by the terms of this Agreement.

“Person” shall mean any individual, partnership, corporation, company, association, trust, joint venture, limited liability company, unincorporated organization, entity or division, or any government, governmental department or agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as in effect from time to time.

“Shares” shall mean all shares of Common Stock held by an Investor, whenever issued.

“Third-Party Claim” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.9.

“Withdrawing Holders” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.3.

7. MISCELLANEOUS.

7.1. Authority; Effect.  Each party hereto represents and warrants to and agrees with each other party that the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized on behalf of such party and do not violate any agreement or other instrument applicable to such party or by which its assets are bound.  This Agreement does not, and shall not be construed to, give rise to the creation of a partnership among any of the parties hereto, or to constitute any of such parties members of a joint venture or other association.

7.2. Notices.   Any notices and other communications required or permitted in this Agreement shall be effective if in writing and (a) delivered personally, (b) sent by facsimile, (c) sent by overnight courier or (d) sent by registered mail with postage prepaid, in each case, addressed as follows:

If to the Company, to:

The Michaels Companies, Inc.

0000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx

Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000

Facsimile: (000) 000-0000

Attention:   Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxxx

with copies to:

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Ropes & Xxxx LLP

Prudential Tower

000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx

Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000

Facsimile:  (000) 000-0000

Attention:   Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx and Xxxxx X. Fine

If to a Xxxx Investor, to:

c/o Bain Capital Partners, LLC

000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx

Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000

Facsimile:  (000) 000-0000

Attention:   Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx and Xxxx X. Xxxx

with copies to:

Ropes & Xxxx LLP

Prudential Tower

000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx

Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000

Facsimile:  (000) 000-0000

Attention:   Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx and Xxxxx X. Fine

If to a Blackstone Investor, to:

c/o Blackstone Management Associates V, LLC

000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx

Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000

Facsimile:  (000) 000-0000

Attention:   Xxxxx Xxxxxxx and Kearnon X’Xxxxxx

with copies to:

Ropes & Xxxx LLP

Prudential Tower

000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx

Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000

Facsimile:  (000) 000-0000

Attention:   Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx and Xxxxx X. Fine

Notice to the holder of record of any shares of capital stock shall be deemed to be notice to the holder of such shares for all purposes hereof.

Unless otherwise specified herein, such notices or other communications shall be deemed effective (a) on the date received, if personally delivered, (b) on the date received if delivered by facsimile on a business day, or if not delivered on a business day, on the first business day thereafter and (c) 2 business days after being sent by overnight courier or registered mail.  Each

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of the parties hereto shall be entitled to specify a different address by giving notice as aforesaid to each of the other parties hereto.

7.3. Binding Effect, Etc.  This Agreement, together with the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement and the Coordination Agreement, constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to their subject matter, supersede in their entirety all prior or contemporaneous oral or written agreements, or discussions with respect to such subject matter and shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, representatives, successors and permitted assigns.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no Investor or other party hereto may assign any of its respective rights or delegate any of its respective obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other parties hereto, and any attempted assignment or delegation in violation of the foregoing shall be null and void.

7.4. Descriptive Heading.  The descriptive headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof and shall not be construed to define or limit any of the terms or provisions hereof.

7.5. Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one instrument.

7.6. Severability.  In the event that any provision hereof would, under applicable law, be invalid or unenforceable in any respect, such provision shall be construed by modifying or limiting it so as to be valid and enforceable to the maximum extent compatible with, and possible under, applicable law.  The provisions hereof are severable, and in the event any provision hereof should be held invalid or unenforceable in any respect, it shall not invalidate, render unenforceable or otherwise affect any other provision hereof.

7.7. No Recourse.  Notwithstanding anything that may be expressed or implied in this Agreement, the Company and each Investor covenant, agree and acknowledge that no recourse under this Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered in connection with this Agreement shall be had against any current or future director, officer, employee, general or limited partner or member of any Investor or of any Affiliate or assignee thereof, as such, whether by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding, or by virtue of any statute, regulation or other applicable law, it being expressly agreed and acknowledged that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, be imposed on or otherwise be incurred by any current or future officer, agent or employee of any Investor or any current or future member of any Investor or any current or future director, officer, employee, partner or member of any Investor or of any Affiliate or assignee thereof, as such, for any obligation of any Investor under this Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered in connection with this Agreement for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation.

7.8. Aggregation of Shares.  All Shares held by an Investor and its Affiliates shall be aggregated together for purposes of determining the availability of any rights under this Agreement.  Within any Investor Group, the Investors may allocate the ability to exercise any

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rights under this Agreement in any manner that such Investor Group (by a majority of the Shares held by such Investor Group) sees fit.

7.9. Indemnity and Liability.  The Company shall indemnify, exonerate and hold each of the Investors, and each of their respective partners, shareholders, members, Affiliates, directors, officers, fiduciaries, managers, controlling Persons, employees and agents and each of the partners, shareholders, members, Affiliates, directors, officers, fiduciaries, managers, controlling Persons, employees and agents of each of the foregoing (collectively, the “Indemnitees”) free and harmless from and against any and all actions, causes of action, suits, claims, liabilities, losses, damages and costs and out-of-pocket expenses in connection therewith (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by the Indemnitees or any of them before or after the date of this Agreement (an “Indemnified Liability” and, collectively, the “Indemnified Liabilities”), as a result of, arising out of, or in any way relating to (i) this Agreement, the IPO, any transaction to which the Company is a party or any other circumstances with respect to the Company (other than any such Indemnified Liabilities to the extent such Indemnified Liabilities arise out of any breach of this Agreement, the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement or the Coordination Agreement by such Indemnitee or its affiliated or associated Indemnitees or other related Persons or any transaction entered into after the consummation of the closing of the IPO or other circumstances existing after the consummation of the closing of the IPO with respect to which the interests of such Indemnitee or its affiliated or associated Indemnitees were adverse to the interests of the Company) or (ii) operations of, or services provided by any of the Indemnitees to the Company or any of its Affiliates from time to time (including but not limited to any indemnification obligations assumed or incurred by any Indemnitee to or on behalf of the Company or its accountants or other representatives, agents or Affiliates); provided that the foregoing indemnification rights shall not be available to the extent that any such Indemnified Liabilities arose on account of such Indemnitee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, and further provided that, if and to the extent that the foregoing undertaking may be unavailable or unenforceable for any reason, the Company hereby agrees to make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible under applicable law.  For purposes of this Section 7.9, none of the circumstances described in the limitations contained in the two provisos in the immediately preceding sentence shall be deemed to apply absent a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to such effect, in which case to the extent any such limitation is so determined to apply to any Indemnitee as to any previously advanced indemnity payments made by the Company, then such payments shall be promptly repaid by such Indemnitee to the Company.  The rights of any Indemnitee to indemnification hereunder shall be in addition to any other rights any such Person may have under any other agreement or instrument referenced above or any other agreement or instrument to which such Indemnitee is or becomes a party or is or otherwise becomes a beneficiary or under law or regulation.  None of the Indemnitees shall in any event be liable to the Company or any of its Affiliates for any act or omission suffered or taken by such Indemnitee that does not constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct.  If all Investor Groups are similarly situated with respect to their interests in a matter that may be an Indemnified Liability and that is not based on a Third-Party Claim, the Indemnitees may enforce their rights pursuant to this Section 7.9 only with the consent of both the Majority Xxxx Investors and the Majority Blackstone Investors (determined based on the Investor Groups existing at the time of the events giving rise to such claim for indemnification).  A “Third-Party Claim” means any (i) claim brought by a Person

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other than the Company or any of its subsidiaries, an Investor or any Indemnitee and (ii) any derivative claim brought in the name of the Company or any of its subsidiaries that is initiated by a Person other than an Investor or any Indemnitee.

7.10. Indemnification Priority.  The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Company shall be fully and primarily responsible for the payment of all Indemnified Liabilities to each Indemnitee, howsoever such right to indemnification or advancement from the Company arises, without regard to (i) any right of recovery the Indemnitee may have from a third party or (ii) any right to insurance coverage that the Indemnitee may have under any insurance policy.  Under no circumstance shall the Company be entitled to any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, indemnification or contribution from any such third party or insurance carrier pursuant to any right of indemnification that the Indemnitee may have under any contract, insurance policy or otherwise, and the Company shall not have any right to participate in any claim or remedy of the Indemnitee in respect thereof.  No right of indemnification, reimbursement, advancement of expenses or insurance coverage or any other right of recovery the Indemnitee may have from any third party or insurance carrier shall reduce or otherwise alter the rights of the Indemnitee or the obligations of the Company under Section 7.9.  The Company hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases, and covenants and agrees not to exercise any rights that it may now have or hereafter acquire against any Indemnitee that arises from or relates to the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement or under any other indemnification agreement (whether pursuant to contract, by-laws or charter), including, without limitation, any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution or indemnification and any right to participate in any claim or remedy of the Indemnitee against any third party or insurance carrier, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity or under contract, statute or common law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or security on account of such claim, remedy or right.

8. CONFIDENTIALITY.

The Investors agree, and will require each of their respective representatives to agree, to hold in confidence and not use or disclose to any third party (other than its legal counsel and accountants) any confidential information provided to or learned by such party in connection with their respective rights under this Agreement except as may otherwise be required by law or legal, judicial or regulatory process, provided that the Investors take reasonable steps to minimize the extent of any such required disclosure.

9. GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION, ETC.

9.1. Governing Law.  This Agreement and all claims arising out of or based upon this Agreement or relating to the subject matter hereof shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic substantive laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to any choice or conflict of laws provision or rule that would cause the application of the domestic substantive laws of any other jurisdiction.

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9.2. Consent to Jurisdiction.  Each party to this Agreement, by its execution hereof, (a) hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the State of Delaware for the purpose of any action, claim, cause of action or suit (in contract, tort or otherwise), inquiry, proceeding or investigation arising out of or based upon this Agreement or relating to the subject matter hereof, (b) hereby waives to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, and agrees not to assert, and agrees not to allow any of its subsidiaries to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, in any such action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that any such proceeding brought in one of the above-named courts is improper, or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof or thereof may not be enforced in or by such court and (c) hereby agrees not to commence or maintain any action, claim, cause of action or suit (in contract, tort or otherwise), inquiry, proceeding or investigation arising out of or based upon this Agreement or relating to the subject matter hereof or thereof other than before one of the above-named courts nor to make any motion or take any other action seeking or intending to cause the transfer or removal of any such action, claim, cause of action or suit (in contract, tort or otherwise), inquiry, proceeding or investigation to any court other than one of the above-named courts whether on the grounds of inconvenient forum or otherwise.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any party hereto is or becomes a party in any litigation in connection with which it may assert indemnification rights set forth in this agreement, the court in which such litigation is being heard shall be deemed to be included in clause (a) above.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any party to this Agreement may commence and maintain an action to enforce a judgment of any of the above-named courts in any court of competent jurisdiction.  Each party hereto hereby consents to service of process in any such proceeding in any manner permitted by Delaware law, and agrees that service of process by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, at its address specified pursuant to Section 7.2 hereof is reasonably calculated to give actual notice.

9.3. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW WHICH CANNOT BE WAIVED, EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES AND COVENANTS THAT IT WILL NOT ASSERT (WHETHER AS PLAINTIFF, DEFENDANT OR OTHERWISE) ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY FORUM IN RESPECT OF ANY ISSUE OR ACTION, CLAIM, CAUSE OF ACTION OR SUIT (IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE), INQUIRY, PROCEEDING OR INVESTIGATION ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THIS AGREEMENT OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING.  EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INFORMED BY THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO THAT THIS SECTION 9.3 CONSTITUTES A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT UPON WHICH THEY ARE RELYING AND WILL RELY IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT.  ANY PARTY HERETO MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION 9.3 WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF EACH SUCH PARTY TO THE WAIVER OF ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

9.4. Exercise of Rights and Remedies.  No delay of or omission in the exercise of any right, power or remedy accruing to any party as a result of any breach or default by any other party under this Agreement shall impair any such right, power or remedy, nor shall it be

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construed as a waiver of or acquiescence in any such breach or default, or of any similar breach or default occurring later; nor shall any such delay, omission nor waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default occurring before or after that waiver.

[Signature pages follow]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has duly executed this Agreement (or caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by its officer or representative thereunto duly authorized) under seal as of the date first above written.

COMPANY:	THE MICHAELS COMPANIES, INC.
	Name:
	Title:

INVESTORS:	XXXX CAPITAL INTEGRAL INVESTORS 2006, LLC
	By:	Xxxx Capital Investors, LLC
		its administrative member
	By:
	Name:
	Title:
	BCIP TCV, LLC
	By:	Xxxx Capital Investors, LLC
		its administrative member
	By:
	Name:
	Title:

INVESTORS:	BLACKSTONE CAPITAL PARTNERS V, L.P.
	By:	Blackstone Management Associates V L.L.C.,
		its General Partner
	By:
	Name:
	Title:
	BCP V-S L.P.
	By:	Blackstone Management Associates V L.L.C.,
		its General Partner
	By:
	Name:
	Title:
	BLACKSTONE FAMILY INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP V L.P.
	By:	Blackstone Management Associates V L.L.C.,
		its General Partner
	By:
	Name:
	Title:

INVESTORS:	BLACKSTONE FAMILY INVESTMENT PARNTERSHIP V-A L.P.
	By:	Blackstone Management Associates V L.L.C.,
		its General Partner
	By:
	Name:
	Title:
	BLACKSTONE PARTICIPATION PARTNERSHIP V L.P.
	By:	Blackstone Management Associates V L.L.C.,
		its General Partner
	By:
	Name:
	Title:
	BCP V CO-INVESTORS L.P.
	By:	Blackstone Management Associates V L.L.C.,
		its General Partner
	By:
	Name:
	Title: