Exhibit 4.3
================================================================================
VOLUME SERVICES AMERICA HOLDINGS, INC.
SUBORDINATED NOTES
----------
INDENTURE
DATED AS OF , 2003
----------
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
TRUSTEE
================================================================================
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
ARTICLE 1 Definition And Incorporation By Reference......................... 1
SECTION 1.01. Definitions......................................... 1
SECTION 1.02. Other Definitions................................... 21
SECTION 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act... 21
SECTION 1.04. Rules of Construction............................... 22
ARTICLE 2 The Securities.................................................... 22
SECTION 2.01. The Original Securities; Amount Unlimited........... 22
SECTION 2.02. Form and Dating. Each Security shall be dated the
date of its authentication. The Securities shall
be issuable only in registered form without
interest coupons.................................... 23
SECTION 2.03. Execution and Authentication........................ 24
SECTION 2.04. Registrar and Paying Agent.......................... 25
SECTION 2.05. Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust................. 25
SECTION 2.06. Securityholder Lists................................ 26
SECTION 2.07. Transfer and Exchange............................... 26
SECTION 2.08. Definitive Securities............................... 28
SECTION 2.09. Replacement Securities.............................. 29
SECTION 2.10. Outstanding Securities.............................. 29
SECTION 2.11. Temporary Securities................................ 30
SECTION 2.12. Cancellation........................................ 30
SECTION 2.13. CUSIP Numbers....................................... 30
SECTION 2.14. Tax Treatment....................................... 30
SECTION 2.15. Extension of Maturity............................... 31
ARTICLE 3 Redemption........................................................ 31
SECTION 3.01. Notices to Trustee.................................. 31
SECTION 3.02. Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.............. 31
SECTION 3.03. Notice of Redemption................................ 32
SECTION 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption...................... 33
SECTION 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price......................... 33
SECTION 3.06. Securities Redeemed in Part......................... 33
ARTICLE 4 Covenants......................................................... 33
SECTION 4.01. Payment of Securities; Deferral..................... 33
SECTION 4.02. Reports and Other Information....................... 35
SECTION 4.03. Limitations on Incurrence of Indebtedness and
Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock.. 35
SECTION 4.04. Limitation on Restricted Payments................... 39
SECTION 4.05. Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting
Subsidiaries........................................ 43
SECTION 4.06. Asset Sales......................................... 44
-i-
SECTION 4.07. Transactions with Affiliates........................ 47
SECTION 4.08. Liens............................................... 48
SECTION 4.09. Change of Control................................... 48
SECTION 4.10. Compliance Certificate.............................. 49
SECTION 4.11. Further Instruments and Acts........................ 50
SECTION 4.12. Future Guarantors................................... 50
SECTION 4.13. Listing of Common Stock............................. 50
SECTION 4.14. Subsequent Issuance................................. 50
SECTION 4.15. Formation of IDSs; Ratio of Common Stock to
Securities.......................................... 50
ARTICLE 5 Successor Company................................................. 51
SECTION 5.01. Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or
Substantially All Assets............................ 51
ARTICLE 6 Defaults And Remedies............................................. 53
SECTION 6.01. Events of Default................................... 53
SECTION 6.02. Acceleration........................................ 55
SECTION 6.03. Other Remedies...................................... 55
SECTION 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults............................. 55
SECTION 6.05. Control by Majority................................. 55
SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Suits................................. 56
SECTION 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment................ 56
SECTION 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee.......................... 56
SECTION 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.................... 56
SECTION 6.10. Priorities.......................................... 57
SECTION 6.11. Undertaking for Costs............................... 57
SECTION 6.12. Waiver of Stay or Extension Law..................... 57
ARTICLE 7 Trustee........................................................... 58
SECTION 7.01. Duties of Trustee................................... 58
SECTION 7.02. Rights of Trustee................................... 59
SECTION 7.03. Individual Right of Trustee......................... 60
SECTION 7.04. Trustee's Disclaimer................................ 60
SECTION 7.05. Notice of Defaults.................................. 60
SECTION 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders....................... 60
SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity.......................... 61
SECTION 7.08. Replacement of Trustee.............................. 61
SECTION 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger......................... 62
SECTION 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification....................... 62
SECTION 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company... 63
ARTICLE 8 Discharge Of Indenture Defeasance................................. 63
SECTION 8.01. Discharge of Liability on Securities; Defeasance.... 63
SECTION 8.02. Conditions to Defeasance............................ 64
SECTION 8.03. Application of Trust Money.......................... 65
SECTION 8.04. Repayment to Company................................ 65
SECTION 8.05. Indemnity for Government Obligations................ 65
-ii-
SECTION 8.06. Reinstatement....................................... 65
ARTICLE 9 Amendments........................................................ 66
SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Holders.......................... 66
SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Holders............................. 67
SECTION 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act................. 68
SECTION 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consent and Waivers........ 68
SECTION 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Securities............... 68
SECTION 9.06. Trustee To Sign Amendments.......................... 68
SECTION 9.07. Payment for Consent................................. 69
ARTICLE 10 Subordination.................................................... 69
SECTION 10.01. Agreement To Subordinate............................ 69
SECTION 10.02. Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy................ 69
SECTION 10.03. Default on Senior Indebtedness...................... 69
SECTION 10.04. Acceleration of Payment of Securities;
Acceleration Forbearance............................ 70
SECTION 10.05. When Distribution Must Be Paid Over................. 71
SECTION 10.06. Subrogation......................................... 71
SECTION 10.07. Relative Rights..................................... 71
SECTION 10.08. Subordination May Not Be Impaired by Company........ 71
SECTION 10.09. Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent.................. 71
SECTION 10.10. Distribution or Notice to Representative............ 72
SECTION 10.11. Article 10 Not To Prevent Events of Default or
Limit Right To Accelerate........................... 72
SECTION 10.12. Trust Moneys Not Subordinated....................... 72
SECTION 10.13. Trustee Entitled To Rely............................ 72
SECTION 10.14. Trustee To Effectuate Subordination................. 73
SECTION 10.15. Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior
Indebtedness........................................ 73
SECTION 10.16. Reliance by Holders of Senior Indebtedness on
Subordination Provisions............................ 73
SECTION 10.17. Trustee's Compensation Not Prejudiced............... 73
SECTION 10.18. Defeasance.......................................... 73
ARTICLE 11 Guarantees....................................................... 73
SECTION 11.01. Guarantee........................................... 73
SECTION 11.02. Limitation on Liability............................. 75
SECTION 11.03. Successors and Assigns.............................. 76
SECTION 11.04. No Waiver........................................... 76
SECTION 11.05. Modification........................................ 76
SECTION 11.06. Execution of Supplemental Indenture for Future
Guarantors.......................................... 76
ARTICLE 12 Subordination Of The Guarantees.................................. 77
SECTION 12.01. Agreement To Subordinate............................ 77
SECTION 12.02. Liquidation, Dissolution Bankruptcy................. 77
SECTION 12.03. Default on Designated Senior Indebtedness of a
Guarantor........................................... 77
SECTION 12.04. Demand for Payment; Acceleration Forbearance........ 78
-iii-
SECTION 12.05. When Distribution Must Be Paid Over................. 79
SECTION 12.06. Subrogation......................................... 79
SECTION 12.07. Relative Rights..................................... 79
SECTION 12.08. Subordination May Not Be Impaired by a Guarantor.... 79
SECTION 12.09. Right of Trustee and Paying Agent................... 79
SECTION 12.10. Distribution or Notice to Representative............ 80
SECTION 12.11. Article 12 Not To Prevent Events of Default or
Limit Right To Accelerate........................... 80
SECTION 12.12. Trustee Entitled To Rely............................ 80
SECTION 12.13. Trustee To Effectuate Subordination................. 80
SECTION 12.14. Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior
Indebtedness of Guarantor........................... 81
SECTION 12.15. Reliance by Holders of Senior Indebtedness of a
Guarantor on Subordination Provisions............... 81
SECTION 12.16. Defeasance.......................................... 81
ARTICLE 13 Miscellaneous.................................................... 81
SECTION 13.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls........................ 81
SECTION 13.02. Notices............................................. 81
SECTION 13.03. Communication by Holders with Other Holders......... 82
SECTION 13.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.. 82
SECTION 13.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion....... 82
SECTION 13.06. When Securities Disregarded......................... 83
SECTION 13.07. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar........ 83
SECTION 13.08. Legal Holidays...................................... 83
SECTION 13.09. GOVERNING LAW....................................... 83
SECTION 13.10. No Recourse Against Others.......................... 83
SECTION 13.11. Successors.......................................... 83
SECTION 13.12. Multiple Originals.................................. 83
SECTION 13.13. Table of Contents; Headings......................... 83
Exhibit A - Form of Security
Exhibit B - Form of Supplemental Indenture for New Guarantors
-iv-
INDENTURE dated as of , 2003, among VOLUME SERVICES AMERICA
HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), each subsidiary of the
Company listed on the signature pages hereto and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, a New
York banking corporation, as trustee (the "Trustee").
Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties
and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of (i) the Company's %
Subordinated Notes due 2013 issued on the date hereof and on any date of
issuance pursuant to the exercise of the over-allotment option pursuant to the
Underwriting Agreement (the "Original Securities") and (ii) any Additional
Securities (as defined herein) that may be issued on any Issue Date (together
with the Original Securities, the "Securities"). Except as otherwise provided
herein, $ in aggregate principal amount of Original Securities shall be
initially issued on the date hereof. Subject to the conditions and in compliance
with the covenants set forth herein, the Company may issue an unlimited
aggregate principal amount of Additional Securities from time to time.
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITION AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
SECTION 1.01. Definitions
"Acceleration Forbearance Period" means the period beginning on the
date when the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
outstanding Securities provide the company with a notice of acceleration and
expiring no later than 179 days after the commencement of such period.
"Acquired Indebtedness" means, with respect to any specified Person:
(i) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is
merged with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person;
and (ii) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such
specified Person, in each case, other than Indebtedness Incurred as
consideration in, in contemplation of, or to provide all or any portion of the
funds or credit support utilized to consummate, the transaction or series of
related transactions pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary became a
Restricted Subsidiary or was otherwise acquired by such Person, or such asset
was acquired by such Person, as applicable.
"Additional Securities" means an unlimited aggregate principal
amount of subordinated notes issued from time to time under the terms of this
Indenture subsequent to the Closing Date.
"Adjusted EBITDA" means, with respect to any Person for any period,
the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus, without
duplication: (i) provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person
for such period deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus (ii)
Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period to the extent the
same was deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus (iii) Consolidated
Depreciation and Amortization Expense of such Person for such period to the
extent such Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense was deducted in
computing Consolidated Net Income; plus (iv) any non-recurring fees, expenses or
charges related to any
2
Securities Offering, Permitted Investment, acquisition or Indebtedness permitted
to be Incurred by this Indenture (in each case, whether or not successful),
deducted in such period in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus (v) the
amount of any nonrecurring charges related to client contract terminations or
one-time severance costs incurred in connection with acquisitions deducted in
such period in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus (vi) any other noncash
charges reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period (excluding any such
charge which requires an accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash
charges for any future period); plus (vii) the amount of annual management,
monitoring, consulting and advisory fees and related expenses paid to Blackstone
and GE Capital deducted in such period in computing Consolidated Net Income in
an amount not to exceed $1,500,000 during any fiscal year, less, without
duplication, (viii) noncash items increasing Consolidated Net Income of such
Person for such period (excluding any items which represent the reversal of any
accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges in any prior period).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provision for taxes based on the income or
profits of, and the depreciation and amortization of, a Subsidiary of the
Company shall be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute Adjusted EBITDA
only to the extent (and in the same proportion) that the Net Income of such
Subsidiary was included in calculating Consolidated Net Income and only if a
corresponding amount would be permitted at the date of determination to be paid
as a dividend to the Company by such Subsidiary without prior approval (that has
not been obtained), pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements,
instruments, judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental
regulations applicable to such Subsidiary or its stockholders.
"Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly
or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For 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. For purposes of
Section 4.06 and 4.07 only, "Affiliate" shall also mean any beneficial owner of
shares representing 10% or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock
(on a fully diluted basis) of the Company or of rights or warrants to purchase
such Voting Stock (whether or not currently exercisable) and any Person who
would be an Affiliate of any such beneficial owner pursuant to the first
sentence hereof.
"Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement" means the amended and
restated stockholders agreement, dated as of , 2003, as may be further
amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, among
Volume Services America Holdings, Inc., BCP Volume L.P., BCP Offshore Volume
L.P., VSI Management Direct, L.P., Recreational Services L.L.C. and General
Electric Capital Corporation.
"Asset Sale" means: (i) the sale, conveyance, transfer or other
disposition (whether in a single transaction or a series of related
transactions) of property or assets (including by way of a Sale/Leaseback
Transaction) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (each referred to in
this definition as a "disposition") or (ii) the issuance or sale of Equity
Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than to the Company or another
Restricted Subsidiary) (whether in a single transaction or a series of related
transactions), in each case other than: (a) a disposition of Cash Equivalents or
Investment Grade Securities or obsolete or worn
3
out equipment in the ordinary course of business; (b) the disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company in a manner permitted pursuant to
Section 5.01 or any disposition that constitutes a Change of Control; (c) any
Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is permitted to be made, and is
made, under Section 4.04; (d) any disposition of assets with an aggregate Fair
Market Value of less than $2,000,000; (e) any disposition of property or assets
by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary; (f) any exchange of like property
pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for
use in a Similar Business; (g) sales of assets received by the Company upon the
foreclosure on a Lien; (h) any sale of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness or
other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary; and (i) sales of inventory in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices and sales of
equipment upon termination of a contract with a client entered into in the
ordinary course of business pursuant to the terms of such contract.
"Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11, United State Code, or any similar
Federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
"Base Dividend Restricted Payments Basket" shall initially equal $0,
provided, however, that if during any fiscal quarter the Company has paid
dividends on the Company's Common Stock in an aggregate amount that is less than
the Quarterly Base Dividend Level for such quarter, an amount equal to 50% of
the difference between (i) the Quarterly Base Dividend Level for such quarter
and (ii) the aggregate amount of dividends actually paid on the Company's Common
Stock during such quarter shall be added to the Base Dividend Restricted
Payments Basket as of the last day of such fiscal quarter.
"Blackstone" means Blackstone Capital Partners II Merchant Banking
Fund L.P. and its Affiliates.
"Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Company or
any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such Board.
"Business Day" means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other
day on which banking institutions in New York State are authorized or required
by law to close.
"Capitalized Lease Obligation" means, at the time any determination
thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease
that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a
liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) in accordance
with GAAP.
"Capital Stock" means: (i) in the case of a corporation, corporate
stock, including, without limitation, corporate stock represented by IDSs and
corporate stock outstanding upon the separation of IDSs into the securities
represented thereby; (ii) in the case of an association or business entity, any
and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however
designated) of corporate stock; (iii) in the case of a partnership or limited
liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or
limited); and (iv) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person
the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of
assets of, the issuing Person.
4
"Cash Equivalents" means: (i) U.S. dollars and foreign currency
exchanged into U.S. dollars within 180 days; (ii) securities issued or directly
and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or
instrumentality thereof; (iii) certificates of deposit, time deposits and
eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of
acquisition, bankers' acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and
overnight bank deposits, in each case with any commercial bank having capital
and surplus in excess of $500,000,000 and whose long-term debt is rated "A" or
the equivalent thereof by Moody's or S&P; (iv) repurchase obligations for
underlying securities of the types described in clauses (ii) and (iii) above
entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified
in clause (iii) above; (v) commercial paper issued by a corporation (other than
an Affiliate of the Company) rated at least "A-2" or the equivalent thereof by
Moody's or S&P and in each case maturing within one year after the date of
acquisition; (vi) investment funds investing at least 95% of their assets in
securities of the types described in clauses (i) through (v) above; (vii)
readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States
of America or any political subdivision thereof having one of the two highest
rating categories obtainable from either Moody's or S&P; and (viii) Indebtedness
or preferred stock issued by Persons with a rating of "A" or higher from S&P or
"A-2" or higher from Moody's.
"Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following
events:
(i) the sale, lease or transfer, in one or a series of related
transactions, of all or substantially all the Company's assets to any
person or group (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange
Act);
(ii) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or
dissolution of the Company;
(iii) the acquisition by any person or group (as such term in used
in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) of a direct or indirect interest
in more than 50% of the ownership of the Company, or the voting power of
the Voting Stock of the Company, by way of purchase, merger or
consolidation or otherwise (other than a creation of a holding company
that does not involve a change in the beneficial ownership of the Company
as a result of such transaction);
(iv) the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another
Person or the merger of another Person into the Company with the effect
that immediately after such transaction the stockholders of the Company
immediately prior to such transaction hold, directly or indirectly, less
than 50% of the total voting power of all securities generally entitled to
vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the Person
surviving such merger or consolidation, in each case other than the
creation of a holding company that does not involve a change in the
beneficial ownership of the Company as a result of such transaction; or
(v) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of
Directors are not Continuing Directors.
"Closing Date" means the date of this Indenture.
5
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Common Stock" means the common stock of the Company, par value
$0.01 per share.
"Company" means Volume Services America Holdings, Inc. until a
successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor and, for purposes of
any provision contained herein and required by the TIA, each other obligor on
the indenture securities.
"Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury
security selected by an Independent Financial Advisor as having a maturity
comparable to the remaining term of the notes being redeemed (assuming no
subsequent extension thereof) that would be utilized, at the time of selection
and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of
corporate notes of comparable maturity to the remaining term of such notes.
"Comparable Treasury Price" means, for any redemption date, (1) the
average of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed
in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) on the third business day
preceding the redemption date, as set forth in the daily statistical release (or
any successor release) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and
designated "Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotations for U.S. Government Securities" or
(2) if that release (or any successor release) is not published or does not
contain those prices on that business day, (A) the average of the Reference
Treasury Dealer Quotations for the redemption date, after excluding the highest
and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for that redemption date, or (B)
if we obtain fewer than four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average
of all the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations obtained.
"Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense" means with
respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation and
amortization expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Consolidated Interest Expense" means, with respect to any Person
for any period, the sum, without duplication, of: (i) consolidated interest
expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the
extent such expense was deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income (including
amortization of original issue discount, the interest component of Capitalized
Lease Obligations (or any financing lease which has substantially the same
economic effect as a Capitalized Lease Obligation) and net payments and receipts
(if any) pursuant to Hedging Obligations and excluding amortization of deferred
financing fees), (ii) consolidated capitalized interest of such Person and its
Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued and (iii) the
earned discount or yield with respect to the sale of receivables.
"Consolidated Net Income" means, with respect to any Person for any
period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis; provided, however, that:
(i) any net after-tax extraordinary gains or losses (less all fees and expenses
relating thereto) shall be excluded; (ii) any increase in amortization or
6
depreciation resulting from purchase accounting in relation to any acquisition
that is consummated after the Closing Date, net of taxes, shall be excluded;
(iii) the Net Income for such period shall not include the cumulative effect of
a change in accounting principles during such period; (iv) any net after-tax
income or loss from discontinued operations and any net after-tax gains or
losses on disposal of discontinued operations shall be excluded; (v) any net
after-tax gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto)
attributable to asset dispositions other than in the ordinary course of business
(as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors) shall be excluded; (vi)
the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary of such
Person, or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or that is accounted for by the equity
method of accounting, shall be included only to the extent of the amount of
dividends or distributions or other payments paid in cash (or to the extent
converted into cash) to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof
in respect of such period; and (vii) the Net Income for such period of any
Restricted Subsidiary shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or
payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary of
its Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior
governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly,
by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument,
judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to
that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, unless such restrictions with
respect to the payment of dividends or in similar distributions have been
legally waived; provided that the net loss of any such Restricted Subsidiary
shall be included. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of Section
4.04 only, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any dividends,
repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets from Unrestricted
Subsidiaries to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such
dividends, repayments or transfers increase the amount of Restricted Payments
permitted under clauses (a)(3)(D) and (a)(3)(E) of Section 4.04.
"Continuing Directors" means, as of any date of determination, any
member of the Company's Board of Directors who: (i) was a member of the
Company's Board of Directors on the Closing Date; or (ii) was nominated for
election or elected to the Board of Directors with the affirmative vote of at
least a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of the Company's
Board of Directors at the time of the nomination or election.
"Contribution Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of the Company in an
aggregate principal amount not greater than the amount of all Specified Cash
Contributions, provided that such Contribution Indebtedness (i) has a Stated
Maturity later than the Stated Maturity of the Securities, (ii) is Incurred
substantially concurrently with such Specified Cash Contributions, and (iii) is
so designated as Contribution Indebtedness pursuant to an Officers' Certificate
on the Incurrence date thereof.
"Credit Agreement" means the credit agreement dated as of , 2003, as
amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced, restructured, repaid,
increased, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time, among
the Company, Volume Services America, Inc., the Subsidiaries of the Company
named therein, the financial institutions named therein and , as Administrative
Agent including any agreement extending the maturity thereof or otherwise
restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement
(except to the extent that any such amendment, restatement, supplement, waiver,
replacement, refunding, refinancing or other modification thereto would be
prohibited by the
7
terms of this Indenture, unless otherwise agreed to by the Holders of at least a
majority in aggregate principal amount of Securities at the time outstanding).
"Custodian" means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator,
custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
"Default" means any event which is, or after notice or passage of
time or both would be, an Event of Default.
"Definitive Security" means a certificated Security that does not
include the Global Securities Legend.
"Depositary" means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and
their respective successors.
"Designated Noncash Consideration" means the Fair Market Value of
noncash consideration received by the Company or one of its Restricted
Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as
Designated Noncash Consideration pursuant to an Officers' Certificate, setting
forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of Cash Equivalents received
in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Noncash Consideration.
"Designated Preferred Stock" means Preferred Stock of the Company
(other than Disqualified Stock) that is issued for cash (other than to a
Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or trust
established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) and is so designated as
Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officers' Certificate, on the
issuance date thereof, the cash proceeds of which are excluded from the
calculation set forth in Section 4.04(a)(3).
"Designated Senior Indebtedness" means (i) the Senior Lender
Indebtedness and (ii) any other Senior Indebtedness of the Company.
"Disqualified Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any Capital
Stock of such Person which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into
which it is convertible or for which it is redeemable or exchangeable), or upon
the happening of any event: (i) matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant
to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise; (ii) is convertible or exchangeable
for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock; or (iii) is redeemable at the option of
the holder thereof, in whole or in part, in each case prior to the first
anniversary of the maturity date of the Securities; provided, however, that only
the portion of Capital Stock which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is
so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder
thereof prior to such first anniversary shall be deemed to be Disqualified
Stock; provided further, however, that if such Capital Stock is issued to any
employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Company or its
Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not
constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be
repurchased by the Company in order to satisfy applicable statutory or
regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee's termination, death or
disability. Notwithstanding anything contrary herein, the Company's Common Stock
that is exchangeable into Additional Securities upon transfer pursuant to the
Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement shall not be Disqualified Stock.
8
"Equity Interests" means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or
other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is
convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
"Excess Cash" shall mean, with respect to any period, Adjusted
EBITDA minus the sum of (i) cash interest expense and (ii) income tax expense,
in each case, for such period.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
"Excluded Contributions" means the net cash proceeds received by the
Company after the Closing Date from (i) contributions to its common equity
capital and (ii) the sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company or to any
Company or Subsidiary management equity plan or stock option plan or any other
management or employee benefit plan or agreement) of Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock and Designated Preferred Stock) of the Company, in each case
designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to an Officers' Certificate
executed by an Officer of the Company, the cash proceeds of which are excluded
from the calculation set forth in Section 4.04(a)(3).
"Fair Market Value" means, with respect to any asset or property,
the price which could be negotiated in an arm's-length, free market transaction,
for cash, between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom
is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction.
"Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means, with respect to any Person for
any period, the ratio of Adjusted EBITDA of such Person for such period to the
Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurs or redeems any Indebtedness (other
than in the case of revolving credit borrowings, in which case interest expense
shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness
during the applicable period) or issues or redeems Preferred Stock subsequent to
the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is
being calculated but prior to the event for which the calculation of the Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the "Calculation Date"), then the Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such Incurrence or
redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance or redemption of Preferred Stock,
as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter
period. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments,
acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, consolidations and discontinued operations
(as determined in accordance with GAAP), in each case with respect to an
operating unit of a business, that have been made by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent
to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the
Calculation Date shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such
Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, discontinued operations, mergers and
consolidations (and the reduction of any associated fixed charge obligations and
the change in Adjusted EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day
of the four-quarter reference period. If since the beginning of such period any
Person (that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or
into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such
period) shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, discontinued
operation, merger or consolidation, in each
9
case with respect to an operating unit of a business, that would have required
adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such
Investment, acquisition, disposition, discontinued operation, merger or
consolidation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter
period. For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be
given to any transaction, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith
by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company. If any
Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma
effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in
effect on the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire
period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such
Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term in excess of 12
months). Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at
an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting
officer of the Company to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized
Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation
referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit
facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average
daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period. Interest on
Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a
factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or
other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen,
or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Company may
designate. Any such pro forma calculation may include adjustments appropriate,
in the reasonable determination of the Company as set forth in an Officers'
Certificate, to reflect operating expense reductions reasonably expected to
result from any acquisition or merger.
"Fixed Charges" means, with respect to any Person for any period,
the sum of (i) Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period and
(ii) all cash dividend payments (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on
any series of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock of such Person and its
Subsidiaries.
"Foreign Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary not organized
or existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state or
territory thereof.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in
the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and
pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other
statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment
of the accounting profession, which are in effect on the Closing Date. For the
purposes of this Indenture, the term "consolidated" with respect to any Person
shall mean such Person consolidated with its Restricted Subsidiaries, and shall
not include any Unrestricted Subsidiary, but the interest of such Person in an
Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be accounted for as an Investment.
"GE Capital" means General Electric Capital Corporation and its
Affiliates.
"guarantee" means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of
negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business),
direct or indirect, in any manner
10
(including, without limitation, letters of credit and reimbursement agreements
in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other
obligations.
"Guarantee" means any guarantee of the obligations of the Company
under this Indenture and the Securities by any Person in accordance with the
provisions of this Indenture.
"Guarantor" means any Person that Incurs a Guarantee; provided that
upon the release or discharge of such Person from its Guarantee in accordance
with this Indenture, such Person ceases to be a Guarantor.
"Hedging Obligations" means, with respect to any Person, the
obligations of such Person under (i) currency exchange, interest rate or
commodity swap agreements, currency exchange, interest rate or commodity cap
agreements and currency exchange, interest rate or commodity collar agreements
and (ii) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person
against fluctuations in currency exchange, interest rates or commodity prices.
"Holder" or "Securityholder" means the Person in whose name a
Security is registered on the Registrar's books.
"IDSs" means the Company's Income Deposit Securities, whether
currently outstanding or as may be issued from time to time.
"Incur" means issue, assume, guarantee, incur or otherwise become
liable for; provided, however, that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a
Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger,
consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such
Person at the time it becomes a Subsidiary.
"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person: (i) the principal
and premium (if any) of any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not
contingent, (a) in respect of borrowed money, (b) evidenced by bonds, notes,
debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit or bankers' acceptances
(or, without duplication, reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), (c)
representing the deferred and unpaid purchase price of any property, except any
such balance that constitutes a trade payable or similar obligation to a trade
creditor due within six months from the date on which it is Incurred, in each
case Incurred in the ordinary course of business, which purchase price is due
more than six months after the date of placing the property in service or taking
delivery and title thereto, (d) in respect of Capitalized Lease Obligations, or
(e) representing any Hedging Obligations, if and to the extent that any of the
foregoing Indebtedness (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations)
would appear as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto)
of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP; (ii) to the extent not
otherwise included, any obligation of such Person to be liable for, or to pay,
as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, on the Indebtedness of another Person (other
than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary
course of business); and (iii) to the extent not otherwise included,
Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on any asset owned by such
Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person); provided,
however, that the amount of such Indebtedness will be the lesser of (a) the Fair
Market Value of such asset at such date of determination and (b) the amount of
such Indebtedness of such other Person; provided, further, that any obligation
of the Company or any Restricted
11
Subsidiary in respect of (i) minimum guaranteed commissions, or other similar
payments, to clients, minimum returns to clients or stop loss limits in favor of
clients or indemnification obligations to clients, in each case pursuant to
contracts to provide services to clients entered into in the ordinary course of
business, and (ii) account credits to participants under the Company's Long-Term
Incentive Plan or any successor or similar compensation plan, shall be deemed
not to constitute Indebtedness.
"Indenture" means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from
time to time.
"Independent Financial Advisor" means an accounting, appraisal or
investment banking firm or consultant to Persons engaged in a Similar Business,
in each case of nationally recognized standing that is, in the good faith
determination of the Company, qualified to perform the task for which it has
been engaged.
"Interest Payment Date" means, with respect to any Security, the
Stated Maturity or the date specified as the fixed date on which an installment
of interest on such Security is due.
"Investment Grade Securities" means (i) securities issued or
directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any
agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents), (ii) debt
securities or debt instruments with a rating of BBB- or higher by S&P or Baa3 or
higher by Moody's or the equivalent of such rating by such rating organization,
or if no rating of S&P or Moody's then exists, the equivalent of such rating by
any other nationally recognized securities rating agency, but excluding any debt
securities or instruments constituting loans or advances among the Company and
its Subsidiaries, and (iii) investments in any fund that invests exclusively in
investments of the type described in clauses (i) and (ii) which fund may also
hold immaterial amounts of cash pending investment and/or distribution.
"Investments" means, with respect to any Person, all investments by
such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans
(including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts
receivable, trade credit and advances to customers and commission, travel and
similar advances to officers, employees and consultants made in the ordinary
course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration
(including agreements providing for the adjustment of purchase price) of
Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person
and investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet
of the Company in the same manner as the other investments included in this
definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other
property. For purposes of the definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary" and
Section 4.04, (i) "Investments" shall include the portion (proportionate to the
Company's equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the
net assets of a Subsidiary of the Company at the time that such Subsidiary is
designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon a
redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company shall
be deemed to continue to have a permanent "Investment" in an Unrestricted
Subsidiary equal to an amount (if positive) equal to (x) the Company's
"Investment" in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less (y) the
portion (proportionate to the Company's equity interest in such Subsidiary) of
the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such
redesignation; and (ii) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted
Subsidiary shall be
12
valued at its Fair Market Value at the time of such transfer, in each case as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.
"Issue Date", with respect to any Securities, means the date on
which such Securities are authenticated.
"Lien" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge,
charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset,
whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law
(including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in
the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security
interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under
the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction);
provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a
Lien.
"Management Group" means the group consisting of the directors,
executive officers and other personnel of the Company on the Closing Date.
"Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
"Net Debt" means, with respect to the Company, on a consolidated
basis at any time, the actual outstanding amount of funded indebtedness
(provided that with respect to the portion thereof represented by any revolving
facility under the Senior Lender Indebtedness, such amount shall be calculated
as the weighted average principal balance of loans that were outstanding during
the immediately preceding 12-month period), plus, without duplication, the
principal component of all Capitalized Lease Obligations and, without
duplication, other Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
at such time, less (i) any early termination payments that would be owed if all
outstanding Hedging Obligations were terminated, and (ii) the amount of cash of
the Company and its Subsidiaries on the balance sheet as of the date of
determination in excess of $7.5 million.
"Net Income" means, with respect to any Person, the net income
(loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any
reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.
"Net Proceeds" means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale
(including, without limitation, any cash received in respect of or upon the sale
or other disposition of any Designated Noncash Consideration received in any
Asset Sale and any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of
principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as
and when received, but excluding the assumption by the acquiring person of
Indebtedness relating to the disposed assets or other considerations received in
any other noncash form), net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale and
the sale or disposition of such Designated Noncash Consideration (including,
without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and brokerage
and sales commissions), and any relocation expenses Incurred as a result
thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (after taking into account
any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements related
thereto), amounts required to be applied to the repayment of principal, premium
(if any) and interest on Indebtedness required (other than
13
pursuant to Section 4.06(b)) to be paid as a result of such transaction, and any
deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the Company as a reserve in
accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with the asset disposed
of in such transaction and retained by the Company after such sale or other
disposition thereof, including, without limitation, pension and other
post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental
matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such
transaction.
"Obligations" means any principal, interest, penalties, fees,
indemnifications, reimbursements (including, without limitation, reimbursement
obligations with respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptances), damages
and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any
Indebtedness; provided that Obligations with respect to the Securities shall not
include fees or indemnifications in favor of the Trustee and other third parties
other than the Holders of the Securities.
"Officer" means the Chairman of the Board, the President, any
Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer
or the Secretary of the Company.
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed on behalf of the
Company by two Officers of the Company, one of whom must be the principal
executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the
principal accounting officer of the Company that meets the requirements set
forth in this Indenture.
"Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion from legal counsel. The
counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.
"Pari Passu Indebtedness" means (i) with respect to the Company, the
Securities and any other Indebtedness of the Company other than Senior
Indebtedness or Secured Indebtedness of the Company and (ii) with respect to any
Guarantor, its Guarantee and any other Indebtedness other than Senior
Indebtedness or Secured Indebtedness of such Guarantor.
"Permitted Asset Swap" means any one or more transactions in which
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary exchanges assets for consideration
consisting of (i) assets used or useful in a Similar Business and (ii) any cash
or Cash Equivalents; provided that such cash or Cash Equivalents will be
considered Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale.
"Permitted Holders" means Blackstone, GE Capital and the Management
Group.
"Permitted Investments" means: (i) any Investment in the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary; (ii) any Investment in Cash Equivalents or Investment
Grade Securities; (iii) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company in a Person that is primarily engaged in a Similar
Business if as a result of such Investment (a) such Person becomes a Restricted
Subsidiary or (b) such Person, in one transaction or a series of related
transactions, is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers
or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; (iv) any Investment in securities or other
assets not constituting Cash Equivalents and received in connection with an
Asset Sale made pursuant to Section 4.06 or any other disposition of assets not
constituting an Asset Sale; (v) any Investment existing on the Closing Date;
(vi) advances to
14
employees not in excess of $5,000,000 outstanding at any one time in the
aggregate; (vii) any Investment acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries (a) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable
held by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a
result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the
issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable or (b) as a result of a
foreclosure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to
any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured
Investment in default; (viii) Hedging Obligations permitted under Section
4.03(b)(x); (ix) additional Investments having an aggregate Fair Market Value,
taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (ix) that
are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of 7.5% of Total Assets
or $10,000,000 at the time of such Investment (with the Fair Market Value of
each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to
subsequent changes in value); (x) loans and advances to officers, directors and
employees for business-related travel expenses, moving expenses and other
similar expenses, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business, and
account credits and payments to participants under the Company's Long-Term
Incentive Plan or any successor or similar compensation plan; (xi) Investments
the payment for which consists of Equity Interests of the Company (other than
Disqualified Stock) ("Equity Payment Investments"); provided, however, that such
Equity Payment Investments will not increase the amount available for Restricted
Payments under Section 4.04(a)(3); (xii) any transaction to the extent it
constitutes an Investment that is permitted by and made in accordance with
Section 4.07(b) (except transactions described in Section 4.07(b)(ii), (vi) and
(vii)); (xiii) Investments consisting of the licensing or contribution of
intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other
Persons; (xiv) Guarantees issued in accordance with Section 4.03; (xv) any
Investment by Restricted Subsidiaries in other Restricted Subsidiaries and
Investments by Subsidiaries that are not Restricted Subsidiaries in other
Subsidiaries that are not Restricted Subsidiaries; (xvi) Investments consisting
of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials and equipment or
purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property, in
each case in the ordinary course of business; (xvii) loans and advances to VSI
Management Direct L.P., VSI Management II L.P., Recreational Services, L.L.C.,
current or former management personnel of the Company and/or any entity in which
any current or former management personnel of the Company has a beneficial or
equity interest pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or
any other management or employee benefit or incentive plan or agreement or any
other agreement pursuant to which stock is held for the benefit of such persons
not to exceed $7,500,000 in aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding,
the proceeds of which will be used to purchase or redeem, directly or
indirectly, shares of Capital Stock of the Company or to purchase limited
partnership interests in VSI Management Direct L.P., VSI Management II L.P. or
Recreational Services, L.L.C.; and (xviii) loans to clients made in connection
with entering into, renegotiating, renewing or amending contracts to provide
services not to exceed $15,000,000 in any fiscal year or $30,000,000 in
aggregate amount at any time outstanding.
"Permitted Junior Securities" shall mean debt or equity securities
of the Company or any successor corporation issued pursuant to a plan of
reorganization or readjustment of the Company that are subordinated to the
payment of all then outstanding Senior Indebtedness of the Company at least to
the same extent that the Securities are subordinated to the payment of all
Senior Indebtedness of the Company on the Closing Date, so long as to the extent
that any Senior Indebtedness of the Company outstanding on the date of
consummation of any such plan of
15
reorganization or readjustment is not paid in full in cash on such date, either
(a) the holders of any such Senior Indebtedness not so paid in full in cash have
consented to the terms of such plan of reorganization or readjustment or (b)
such holders receive securities which constitute Senior Indebtedness and which
have been determined by the relevant court to constitute satisfaction in full in
cash of any Senior Indebtedness not paid in full in cash.
"Permitted Liens" means, with respect to any Person: (i) pledges or
deposits by such Person under workmen's compensation laws, unemployment
insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with
bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases
to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory
obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or United States government bonds
to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as
security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent, in
each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business; (ii) Liens imposed by
law, such as carriers', warehousemen's and mechanics' Liens, in each case for
sums not yet due or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or
other Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect
to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other
proceedings for review; (iii) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental
charges not yet due or payable or subject to penalties for nonpayment or which
are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; (iv) Liens in
favor of issuers of performance and surety bonds or bid bonds or completion
guarantees or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit
issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the
ordinary course of its business; (v) minor survey exceptions, minor
encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses,
rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other
similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real
properties or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or
to the ownership of its properties which were not Incurred in connection with
Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the
value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the
business of such Person; (vi) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be
incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(iv); (vii) Liens to secure Indebtedness
permitted pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(i); (viii) Liens existing on the Closing
Date; (ix) Liens on property or shares of stock of a Person at the time such
Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Liens are not created
or Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person
becoming such a Subsidiary; provided, further, however, that such Liens may not
extend to any other property owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(x) Liens on property at the time the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
acquired the property, including any acquisition by means of a merger or
consolidation with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided,
however, that such Liens are not created or Incurred in connection with, or in
contemplation of, such acquisition; provided, further, however, that the Liens
may not extend to any other property owned by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary; (xi) Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of a
Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary
permitted to be Incurred in accordance with Section 4.03; (xii) Liens securing
Hedging Obligations so long as the related Indebtedness is, and is permitted to
be under this Indenture, secured by a Lien on the same property securing such
Hedging Obligations; (xiii) Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods
and proceeds of any Person securing such Person's obligations in respect of
bankers' acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to
facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;
(xiv)
16
leases and subleases of real property which do not materially interfere with the
ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries; (xv) Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code financing
statement filings regarding operating leases entered into by the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business; (xvi) Liens in favor
of the Company; (xvii) Liens on equipment of the Company granted in the ordinary
course of business to the Company's client at which such equipment is located;
(xviii) Liens encumbering deposits made in the ordinary course of business to
secure obligations arising from statutory, regulatory, contractual or warranty
requirements, including rights of offset and set-off; (xix) Liens on the Equity
Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries securing obligations of Unrestricted
Subsidiaries not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture; (xx) Liens to secure
Indebtedness permitted by Section 4.03(b)(xii); and (xxi) Liens to secure any
refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive
refinancings, refundings, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or
in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing
clauses (vi), (vii), (viii), (ix), (x), (xi), (xii) and (xx); provided, however,
that (A) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that
secured the original Lien (plus improvements on such property) and (B) the
Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount
greater than the sum of (x) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater,
committed amount of the Indebtedness described under clauses (vi), (vii),
(viii), (ix), (x), (xi), (xii) or (xx) at the time the original Lien became a
Permitted Lien under this Indenture and (y) an amount necessary to pay any fees
and expenses, including premiums, related to such refinancing, refunding,
extension, renewal or replacement.
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, business
trust, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock
company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or
political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
"Preferred Stock" means any Equity Interest with preferential right
of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.
"Quarterly Base Dividend Level" means, for any fiscal quarter, 85%
of the Company's Excess Cash for the 12 month period ending on the last day of
the Company's then most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal
financial statements are available at the time such dividend is declared and
paid divided by four (4).
"Redemption Date" means, with respect to any Security of any series
to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture, the date fixed for such redemption,
by or pursuant to this Indenture.
"Reference Treasury Dealer" means each of at least of two primary
U.S. Government securities dealers in New York City that the Company selects.
"Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, for each Reference
Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the
trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in
writing to the trustee by the Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m. New York
City time on the third business day preceding the redemption date for the
relevant series of notes being redeemed.
17
"Representative" means the trustee, agent or representative (if
any) for an issue of Senior Indebtedness.
"Restricted Investment" means an Investment other than a Permitted
Investment.
"Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company other
than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"Sale/Leaseback Transaction" means an arrangement relating to
property now owned or hereafter acquired by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary whereby the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary transfers such
property to a Person and the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary leases it
from such Person, other than leases between the Company and a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary or between Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.
"S&P" means Standard and Poor's Ratings Group.
"SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Secured Indebtedness" means any Indebtedness of the Company or any
Subsidiary secured by a Lien.
"Securities Custodian" means the custodian with respect to a Global
Security (as appointed by the Depositary) or any successor person thereto, who
shall initially be the Trustee.
"Securities Offering" means any public or private sale of IDSs,
Common Stock or Preferred Stock of the Company or Volume Services America, Inc.
(other than Disqualified Stock), other than (i) public offerings with respect to
IDSs or Common Stock registered on Form S-8 (or the Canadian equivalent) and
(ii) any such public or private sale that constitutes an Excluded Contribution.
"Senior Credit Documents" means the collective reference to the
Credit Agreement, the notes issued pursuant thereto and the guarantees thereof,
and the collateral documents relating thereto.
"Senior Indebtedness" with respect to the Company or any Guarantor
means the Senior Lender Indebtedness and all Indebtedness of the Company or such
Guarantor, including interest thereon (including interest accruing on or after
the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the
Company or any Subsidiary of the Company whether or not a claim for post-filing
interest is allowed in such proceeding) and other amounts (including make-whole,
fees, expenses, reimbursement obligations under letters of credit and
indemnities) owing in respect thereof, whether outstanding on the Closing Date
or thereafter Incurred, unless in the instrument creating or evidencing the same
or pursuant to which the same is outstanding it is provided that such
obligations are not superior in right of payment to the Securities or such
Guarantor's Guarantee, as applicable; provided, however, that Senior
Indebtedness shall not include, as applicable, (i) any obligation of the Company
to any Subsidiary of the Company, or of such Guarantor to the Company or any
other Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) any liability for Federal, state, local or
other taxes owed or owing by the Company or such Guarantor, (iii) any accounts
payable or other liability to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of
business
18
(including guarantees thereof or instruments evidencing such liabilities), (iv)
any Indebtedness or obligation of the Company or such Guarantor which is
subordinate or junior in any respect to any other Indebtedness or obligation of
the Company or such Guarantor, as applicable, including any Pari Passu
Indebtedness and any Subordinated Indebtedness, (v) any obligations with respect
to any Capital Stock or (vi) any Indebtedness Incurred in violation of this
Indenture.
"Senior Lender Indebtedness" means any and all amounts payable under
or in respect of the Credit Agreement, the other Senior Credit Documents and any
Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto, as amended from time to time,
including principal, premium (if any), interest (including interest accruing on
or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating
to the Company whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in
such proceedings), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement obligations,
guarantees and all other amounts payable thereunder or in respect thereof.
"Significant Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary that would
be a "Significant Subsidiary" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02
under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC.
"Similar Business" means a business, the majority of whose revenues
are derived from the provision of food, beverage, catering, merchandise,
management or other services at stadiums, convention centers, ball parks,
concert halls, theaters, seaports, airports, golf courses, arenas, racetracks,
parks, malls, zoos, bandstands, or other recreational venues, or the activities
of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date or any business or
activity that is reasonably similar thereto or a reasonable extension,
development or expansion thereof or ancillary thereto, including, without
limitation, investing in sports teams.
"Specified Cash Contributions" means the aggregate amount of cash
contributions (other than Excluded Contributions) made to the capital of the
Company which are designated as "Specified Cash Contributions" pursuant to an
Officers' Certificate.
"Stated Maturity" means, with respect to any security, the date
specified in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of
principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any
mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the
repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the
happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such
contingency has occurred), and including any extension to such maturity pursuant
to Section 2.15.
"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation,
association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture or
limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of
shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any
contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof
is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by
such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a
combination thereof and (ii) any partnership, joint venture or limited liability
company of which (x) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights,
total equity and voting interests or general and limited partnership interests,
as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person
or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination
thereof, whether
19
in the form of membership, general, special or limited
partnership interests or otherwise and (y) such Person or any Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or
otherwise controls such entity.
"TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15
U.S.C. Section 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the Closing Date.
"Total Assets" means the total consolidated assets of the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of
the Company.
"Treasury Rate" means, for any redemption date, the rate per annum
equal to the monthly equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury
Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a
percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for
the redemption date.
"Trustee" means the party named as such in this Indenture until a
successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor, and if at any time
there is more than one such party, "Trustee" as used with respect to the
Securities of any series shall mean the trustee with respect to securities of
that series.
"Trust Officer" means (i) any officer within the corporate trust
department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice
president, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the
Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the
Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any
corporate trust matter is referred because of such person's knowledge of and
familiarity with the particular subject and (ii) who shall have direct
responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
"Underwriting Agreement" means the underwriting agreement, dated
, 2003, by and among Volume Services America Holdings, Inc. and CIBC
World Markets Corp. and any other underwriters parties thereto.
"Uniform Commercial Code" means the New York Uniform Commercial Code
as in effect from time to time.
"Unrestricted Subsidiary" means: (i) any Subsidiary of the Company
that at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary
by the Board of Directors in the manner provided below; and (ii) any Subsidiary
of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may designate any
Subsidiary of the Company (including any newly acquired or newly formed
Subsidiary of the Company) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such
Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness
of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, the Company or any other
Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so
designated; provided, however, that the Subsidiary to be so designated and its
Subsidiaries do not at the time of designation have and do not thereafter Incur
any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets
of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, further,
however, that either (a) the Subsidiary to be so designated has total
consolidated assets of $1,000 or less or (b) if such Subsidiary has consolidated
assets greater than $1,000, then such designation would be permitted under
Section 4.04. The Board of Directors may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary
to be a Restricted
20
Subsidiary; provided, however, that immediately after giving effect to such
designation (x) (1) the Company could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness
pursuant to Section 4.03(a)(ii) or (2) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be greater than such ratio for the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such designation,
in each case on a pro forma basis taking into account such designation and (y)
no Default shall have occurred and be continuing. Any such designation by the
Board of Directors shall be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing with the
Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors giving effect to such
designation and an Officers' Certificate certifying that such designation
complied with the foregoing provisions.
"U.S. Government Obligations" means direct obligations (or
certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the
United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for
the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America
is pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the issuer's option.
"Voting Stock" of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock
of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board
of Directors of such Person.
"Weighted Average Life to Maturity" means, when applied to any
Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock, as the case may be, at any date, the
quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the products of the number of years
from the date of determination to the date of each successive scheduled
principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with
respect to such Disqualified Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment, by
(ii) the sum of all such payments.
"Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary" is any Wholly Owned Subsidiary
that is a Restricted Subsidiary.
"Wholly Owned Subsidiary" of any Person means a Subsidiary of such
Person 100% of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of
which (other than directors' qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by
such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person and one
or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.
21
SECTION 1.02. Other Definitions.
Term Defined in Section
"Affiliate Transaction"................ 4.07(a)
"Agent Members"........................ 2.02(b)
"Asset Sale Offer"..................... 4.06(b)
"Automatic Exchange"................... 4.14(a)
"Blockage Notice"...................... 10.03
"Change of Control Offer".............. 4.09(b)
"covenant defeasance option"........... 8.01(b)
"Equity Payment Investments"........... 1.01, "Permitted
Investments"
"Event of Default"..................... 6.01
"Excess Proceeds"...................... 4.06(b)
"Guarantee Blockage Notice"............ 12.03
"Global Security"...................... 2.02(a)
"Global Securities Legend"............. 2.02(c)
"Guaranteed Obligations"............... 11.01
"Guarantee Payment Blockage Period".... 12.03
"legal defeasance option".............. 8.01(b)
"Legal Holiday"........................ 13.08
"Management Equity".................... 4.04(b)
"Offer Period"......................... 4.06(c)
"pay its Guarantee".................... 12.03
"pay the Securities"................... 10.03
"Paying Agent"......................... 2.04
"Payment Blockage Period".............. 10.03
"protected purchaser".................. 2.09
"Refinancing Indebtedness"............. 4.03(b)
"Refunding Capital Stock".............. 4.04(b)
"Registrar"............................ 2.04
"Restricted Payments".................. 4.04(a)
"Retired Capital Stock"................ 4.04(b)
"Securities"........................... Preamble
"Successor Company".................... 5.01(a)
"Successor Guarantor".................. 5.01(b)
"Unit Securities"...................... 4.14(a)
SECTION 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.This
Indenture is subject to the mandatory provisions of the TIA, which are
incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following
TIA terms have the following meanings:
"Commission" means the SEC.
"indenture securities" means the Securities and the Guarantees.
22
"indenture security holder" means a Holder or Securityholder.
"indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture.
"indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the Trustee.
"obligor" on the indenture securities means the Company, the
Guarantors and any other obligor on the indenture securities.
All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the
TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule have the
meanings assigned to them by such definitions.
SECTION 1.04. Rules of Construction.Unless the context otherwise
requires:
(1) all "dollars" are in "U.S. dollars", unless otherwise stated;
(2) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(3) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning
assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(4) "or" is not exclusive;
(5) "including" means including without limitation;
(6) words in the singular include the plural and words in the
plural include the singular;
(7) unsecured Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinate
or junior to Secured Indebtedness merely by virtue of its nature as
unsecured Indebtedness;
(8) the principal amount of any noninterest bearing or other
discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that
would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared
in accordance with GAAP;
(9) the principal amount of any Preferred Stock shall be (i) the
maximum liquidation value of such Preferred Stock or (ii) the maximum
mandatory redemption or mandatory repurchase price with respect to such
Preferred Stock, whichever is greater.
ARTICLE 2
THE SECURITIES
SECTION 2.01. The Original Securities; Amount Unlimited.There is
hereby established the Securities to be issued under this Indenture, which are
designated as the Company's " % Subordinated Notes due 2013".
23
The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be
authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. Additional
Securities shall be issued as part of the same series as the Original
Securities, and shall be issued pursuant to identical terms as the Original
Securities set forth in this Indenture except for any variation in issue price,
issuance date and interest payable as a result of such dates.
SECTION 2.02. Form and Dating. Each Security shall be dated the date
of its authentication. The Securities shall be issuable only in registered form
without interest coupons.
(a) Global Securities. The Original Securities and any Additional
Securities shall be issued initially in the form of one or more permanent global
Securities in definitive, fully registered form (collectively, the "Global
Security"), in each case without interest coupons and bearing the Global
Securities Legend. The aggregate principal amount of the Global Securities may
from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records
of the Trustee and the Depositary or its nominee as hereinafter provided.
(b) Book-Entry Provisions. This Section 2.02(b) shall apply only to
a Global Security deposited with or on behalf of the Depositary.
The Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with
this Section 2.02(b) and pursuant to an order of the Company, authenticate and
deliver initially one or more Global Securities that (a) shall be registered in
the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Global Securities or the
nominee of such Depositary and (b) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such
Depositary or pursuant to such Depositary's instructions or held by the Trustee
as Securities Custodian.
Members of, or participants in, the Depositary ("Agent Members")
shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security
held on their behalf by the Depositary or by the Trustee as Securities Custodian
or under such Global Security, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company,
the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of
such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the
Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or
other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the
Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of such
Depositary governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial
interest in any Global Security.
(c) Global Securities Legend. Each Global Security shall bear the
following legend (the "Global Securities Legend") or such other legend as may be
required by the Depositary from time to time:
"UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC"), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO
THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND
ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH
24
OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY
PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR
VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED
OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT
NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR'S
NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO
TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE
REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF."
In addition, the Securities may have notations, legends or
endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the
Company or any Guarantor is subject, if any, or usage (provided that any such
notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company).
(d) Definitive Securities. Except as provided in Section 2.07 or
2.08, owners of beneficial interests in Global Securities will not be entitled
to receive physical delivery of certificated Securities.
SECTION 2.03. Execution and Authentication.One or more Officers
shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that
office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Security, the Security shall be
valid nevertheless.
A Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the
Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Security. The
signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated
under this Indenture. All Securities shall be dated the date of their
authentication.
The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery upon
a written order of the Company signed by two Officers (1) Original Securities
for original issue on the date hereof in a principal amount of $ (plus up
to an additional $ principal amount of Original Securities upon exercise by
the underwriters of their over-allotment option pursuant to the Underwriting
Agreement) and (2) subject to the terms of this Indenture, Additional Securities
in an unlimited aggregate principal amount. Such order shall specify the amount
of the Securities to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of
Securities is to be authenticated and whether the Securities are to be Original
Securities or Additional Securities.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably
acceptable to the Company to authenticate the Securities. Any such appointment
shall be evidenced by an instrument signed by a Trust Officer, a copy of which
shall be furnished to the Company. Unless limited by the terms of such
appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the
Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the
25
Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the
same rights as any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and
demands.
SECTION 2.04. Registrar and Paying Agent.The Company shall maintain
an office or agency where Securities may be presented for registration of
transfer or for exchange (the "Registrar") and an office or agency where
Securities may be presented for payment (the "Paying Agent"). The Registrar
shall keep a register of the Securities and of their transfer and exchange. The
Company may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying
agents. The term "Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent, and the
term "Registrar" includes any co-registrars. The Company initially appoints the
Trustee as (i) Registrar and Paying Agent in connection with the Securities and
(ii) the Securities Custodian (as defined in the Appendix) with respect to the
Global Securities.
The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with
any Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture, which shall
incorporate the terms of the TIA. The agreement shall implement the provisions
of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the
Trustee of the name and address of any such agent. If the Company fails to
maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be
entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 7.07. The
Company or any of its domestically organized Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act
as Paying Agent or Registrar.
The Company may remove any Registrar or Paying Agent upon written
notice to such Registrar or Paying Agent and to the Trustee; provided, however,
that no such removal shall become effective until (1) acceptance of an
appointment by a successor as evidenced by an appropriate agreement entered into
by the Company and such successor Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be,
and delivered to the Trustee or (2) notification to the Trustee that the Trustee
shall serve as Registrar or Paying Agent until the appointment of a successor in
accordance with clause (1) above. The Registrar or Paying Agent may resign at
any time upon written notice; provided, however, that the Trustee may resign as
Paying Agent or Registrar only if the Trustee also resigns as Trustee in
accordance with Section 7.08.
SECTION 2.05. Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust.Prior to each due
date of the principal and interest on any Security, the Company shall deposit
with the Paying Agent (or if the Company or a Subsidiary is acting as Paying
Agent, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled
thereto) a sum (in U.S. dollars only) sufficient to pay such principal and
interest when so becoming due. The Company shall require each Paying Agent
(other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in
trust for the benefit of Securityholders or the Trustee all money held by the
Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Securities and
shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such
payment. If the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company acts as Paying Agent, it
shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate
trust fund. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money
held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying
Agent. Upon complying with this Section, the Paying Agent shall have no further
liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.
27
SECTION 2.06. Securityholder Lists.The Trustee shall preserve in as
current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it
of the names and addresses of Securityholders. If the Trustee is not the
Registrar, the Company shall furnish, or cause the Registrar to furnish, to the
Trustee, in writing at least five Business Days before each interest payment
date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in
such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names
and addresses of Securityholders.
SECTION 2.07. Transfer and Exchange.The Securities shall be issued in
registered form and shall be transferable only upon the surrender of a Security
for registration of transfer and in compliance with this Section 2.07. When a
Security is presented to the Registrar with a request to register a transfer,
the Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if the requirements of
Section 8-401(a)(1) of the Uniform Commercial Code are met. When Securities are
presented to the Registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal
principal amount of Securities of other denominations, the Registrar shall make
the exchange as requested if the same requirements are met. The Company shall
not be required to make and the Registrar need not register transfers or
exchanges of Securities selected for redemption (except, in the case of
Securities to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed) or
any Securities for a period of 15 days before a selection of Securities to be
redeemed.
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Securities. When Definitive
Securities are presented to the Registrar with a request to register the
transfer of such Definitive Securities or to exchange such Definitive Securities
for an equal principal amount of Definitive Securities of other authorized
denominations, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as
requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are met; provided,
however, that the Definitive Securities surrendered for transfer or exchange:
(i) shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of
transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar,
duly executed by the Holder thereof or such Holder's attorney duly
authorized in writing; and
(ii) are accompanied by the following additional information and
documents, as applicable:
(A) if such Definitive Securities are being delivered to the
Registrar by a Holder for registration in the name of such Holder,
without transfer, a certification from such Holder to that effect
(in the form set forth on the reverse side of the Original
Security); or
(B) if such Definitive Securities are being transferred to the
Company, a certification to that effect (in the form set forth on
the reverse side of the Original Security).
(b) Restrictions on Transfer of a Definitive Security for a Beneficial
Interest in a Global Security. A Definitive Security may not be exchanged for a
beneficial interest in a Global Security except upon satisfaction of the
requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by the Trustee of a Definitive
Security, duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of
28
transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar,
together with written instructions directing the Trustee to make, or to direct
the Securities Custodian to make, an adjustment on its books and records with
respect to such Global Security to reflect an increase in the aggregate
principal amount of the Securities represented by the Global Security, such
instructions to contain information regarding the Depositary account to be
credited with such increase, then the Trustee shall cancel such Definitive
Security and cause, or direct the Securities Custodian to cause, in accordance
with the standing instructions and procedures existing between the Depositary
and the Securities Custodian, the aggregate principal amount of Securities
represented by the Global Security to be increased by the aggregate principal
amount of the Definitive Security to be exchanged and shall credit or cause to
be credited to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a
beneficial interest in the Global Security equal to the principal amount of the
Definitive Security so canceled. If no Global Securities are then outstanding
and the Global Security has not been previously exchanged for certificated
securities pursuant to Section 2.08, the Company shall issue and the Trustee
shall authenticate, upon written order of the Company in the form of an
Officers' Certificate, a new Global Security in the appropriate principal
amount.
(c) Transfer and Exchange of Global Securities.
(i) Any Holder of a Global Security shall, by acceptance of such
Global Security, agree that transfers of beneficial interest in such
Global Security may be effected only through a book-entry system
maintained by (i) the Holder of such Global Security (or its agent) or
(ii) any Holder of a beneficial interest in such Global Security, and that
ownership of a beneficial interest in such Global Security shall be
required to be reflected in a book entry.
(ii) The transfer and exchange of Global Securities or beneficial
interests therein shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance
with this Indenture (including applicable restrictions on transfer set
forth herein, if any) and the procedures of the Depositary therefor. A
transferor of a beneficial interest in a Global Security shall deliver a
written order given in accordance with the Depositary's procedures
containing information regarding the participant account of the Depositary
to be credited with a beneficial interest in such Global Security or
another Global Security and such account shall be credited in accordance
with such order with a beneficial interest in the applicable Global
Security and the account of the Person making the transfer shall be
debited by an amount equal to the beneficial interest in the Global
Security being transferred.
(iii) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Article 2 (other
than the provisions set forth in Section 2.08), a Global Security may not
be transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the
Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another
nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a
successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary.
(d) Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Security. At such time as
all beneficial interests in a Global Security have either been exchanged for
Definitive Securities, transferred, redeemed, repurchased or canceled, such
Global Security shall be returned by the Depositary to
28
the Trustee for cancellation or retained and canceled by the Trustee. At any
time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Security
is exchanged for Definitive Securities, transferred in exchange for an interest
in another Global Security, redeemed, repurchased or canceled, the principal
amount of Securities represented by such Global Security shall be reduced and an
adjustment shall be made on the books and records of the Trustee (if it is then
the Securities Custodian for such Global Security) with respect to such Global
Security, by the Trustee or the Securities Custodian, to reflect such reduction.
(e) Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of
Securities.
(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company
shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate, Definitive Securities
and Global Securities at the Registrar's request.
(ii) No service charge shall be made for any registration of
transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessments, or similar governmental
charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer
taxes, assessments or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or
transfer pursuant to Sections 3.06, 4.06, 4.08 and 9.05 of the Indenture).
(iii) Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of
any Security, the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar
may deem and treat the person in whose name a Security is registered as
the absolute owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment
of principal of and interest on such Security and for all other purposes
whatsoever, whether or not such Security is overdue, and none of the
Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall be affected
by notice to the contrary.
(iv) All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to
the terms of this Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be
entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Securities
surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.
SECTION 2.08. Definitive Securities
(a) A Global Security deposited with the Depositary or with the
Trustee as Securities Custodian pursuant to Section 2.02 shall be transferred to
the beneficial owners thereof in the form of Definitive Securities in an
aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global
Security, in exchange for such Global Security, only if such transfer complies
with Section 2.07 and (i) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is
unwilling or unable to continue as a Depositary for such Global Security or if
at any time the Depositary ceases to be a "clearing agency" registered under the
Exchange Act, and a successor depositary is not appointed by the Company within
90 days of such notice or (ii) the Company, in its sole discretion, notifies the
Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of certificated
Securities under this Indenture.
(b) Any Global Security that is transferable to the beneficial
owners thereof pursuant to this Section 2.08 shall be surrendered by the
Depositary to the Trustee, to be so
29
transferred, in whole or from time to time in part, without charge, and the
Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon such transfer of each portion of
such Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of Definitive
Securities of authorized denominations. Any portion of a Global Security
transferred pursuant to this Section shall be registered in such names as the
Depositary shall direct.
(c) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.08(b), the registered
Holder of a Global Security may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any
Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through
Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this
Indenture or the Securities.
(d) In the event of the occurrence of any of the events specified in
Section 2.08(a)(i), (ii) or (iii), the Company will promptly make available to
the Trustee a reasonable supply of Definitive Securities in fully registered
form without interest coupons.
SECTION 2.09. Replacement Securities.If a mutilated Security is
surrendered to the Registrar or if the Holder of a Security claims that the
Security has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue
and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security if the requirements of
Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met, such that the Holder (i)
satisfies the Company or the Trustee within a reasonable time after such Holder
has notice of such loss, destruction or wrongful taking and the Registrar does
not register a transfer prior to receiving such notification, (ii) makes such
request to the Company or the Trustee prior to the Security being acquired by a
protected purchaser as defined in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code
(a "protected purchaser") and (iii) satisfies any other reasonable requirements
of the Trustee. If required by the Trustee or the Company, such Holder shall
furnish an indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee to protect
the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar from any loss that
any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Company and the Trustee
may charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Security. In the event
any such mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Security has become or
is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may pay such
Security instead of issuing a new Security in replacement thereof.
Every replacement Security is an additional obligation of the Company.
The provisions of this Section 2.08 are exclusive and shall preclude (to
the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement
or payment of mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Securities.
SECTION 2.10. Outstanding Securities.Securities outstanding at any time
are all Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it,
those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section as
not outstanding. Subject to Section 13.06, a Security does not cease to be
outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the
Security.
If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.09, it ceases to be
outstanding unless the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to
them that the replaced Security is held by a protected purchaser.
30
If the Paying Agent segregates and holds in trust, in accordance with this
Indenture, on a redemption date or maturity date money sufficient to pay all
principal and interest payable on that date with respect to the Securities (or
portions thereof) to be redeemed or maturing, as the case may be, and the Paying
Agent is not prohibited from paying such money to the Securityholders on that
date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, then on and after that date such
Securities (or portions thereof) cease to be outstanding and interest on them
ceases to accrue.
SECTION 2.11. Temporary Securities.In the event that Definitive Securities
(as defined in the Appendix) are to be issued under the terms of this Indenture,
until such Definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare
and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities. Temporary Securities
shall be substantially in the form of Definitive Securities but may have
variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities.
Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall
authenticate Definitive Securities and deliver them in exchange for temporary
Securities upon surrender of such temporary Securities at the office or agency
of the Company, without charge to the Holder.
SECTION 2.12. Cancellation.The Company at any time may deliver Securities
to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall
forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of
transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all
Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or
cancellation and deliver proof of canceled Securities to the Company pursuant to
written direction by an Officer. The Company may not issue new Securities to
replace Securities it has redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation. The Trustee shall not authenticate Securities in place of canceled
Securities other than pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
SECTION 2.13. CUSIP Numbers.The Company in issuing the Securities may use
"CUSIP" numbers (if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use
"CUSIP" numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided,
however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the
correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained
in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other
identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall
not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company, upon
becoming aware, through written notice, of any change in such "CUSIP" numbers,
shall promptly notify the Trustee of such change.
SECTION 2.14. Tax Treatment.The Company agrees, and by acceptance of
beneficial ownership interest in the Original Securities each beneficial Holder
of Original Securities agrees, (1) to treat itself as owner of the Original
Securities for all purposes, including the preparation and filing of any United
States federal, state, local or foreign tax return, report, or other
information; (2) to treat the Original Securities as indebtedness for all
purposes and (3) to treat the acquisition of an IDS as the acquisition of the
Original Securities and Common Stock which are represented by the IDS and to
allocate the purchase price of the IDS between the Original Securities and the
Common Stock as $_______ and $_______, respectively.
31
SECTION 2.15. Extension of Maturity.The Company may extend the maturity of
the Securities for two additional successive five-year terms, to , 2018
and , 2023, respectively, if the following conditions are satisfied:
(1) during the twelve month period ending on the last day of the
fiscal quarter ending at least 45 days prior to the end of the
then-current term, the ratio of Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA is less than
5.00 to 1.00;
(2) no Event of Default (including certain events of
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company or a Significant
Subsidiary) has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Securities;
(3) no event of default has occurred and is continuing with
respect to any other Indebtedness of the Company, or could occur as a
result of such extension, including under any Designated Senior
Indebtedness; and
(4) there is no interest due but unpaid on the Securities or
any other Indebtedness of the Company, other than trade payables in an
immaterial amount.
If the Company determines to extend the maturity of the
Securities, the Company, or the Trustee at the Company's direction, shall mail a
notice of such extension, which notice shall include the new maturity date, by
first-class mail to each Holder at such Holder's registered address, at least 30
and not more than 60 days prior to the previous maturity date; provided that in
the event the Trustee is to mail such notice, the Company shall deliver to the
Trustee, at least 40 days prior to the date of extension of maturity, an
Officer's Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting
forth the information required above.
ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION
SECTION 3.01. Notices to Trustee.If the Company elects to
redeem Securities pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Securities, it shall notify the
Trustee in writing of the redemption date and the principal amount of Securities
to be redeemed.
The Company shall give each notice to the Trustee provided for
in this Section at least 60 days before the redemption date unless the Trustee
consents to a shorter period, which, in no event will be less than 30 days. Such
notice shall be accompanied by an Officers' Certificate from the Company to the
effect that such redemption shall comply with the conditions herein. If fewer
than all the Securities are to be redeemed, the record date relating to such
redemption shall be selected by the Company and given to the Trustee, which
record date shall be not fewer than 15 days after the date of notice to the
Trustee. Any such notice may be canceled at any time prior to notice of such
redemption being mailed to any Holder and shall thereby be void and of no
effect.
SECTION 3.02. Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.In the
case of any partial redemption, selection of the Securities for redemption shall
be made by the Trustee in
32
compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange,
if any, on which such Securities are listed, or if such Securities are not so
listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall
deem fair and appropriate (and in such manner as complies with applicable legal
requirements). Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities called for
redemption also apply to portions of Securities called for redemption. The
Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of the Securities or portions of
Securities to be redeemed.
SECTION 3.03. Notice of Redemption.At least 30 days but not more than
60 days before the Redemption Date of any Securities, the Company, or the
Trustee at the Company's direction, shall mail a notice of redemption by
first-class mail to each Holder of such Securities to be redeemed at such
Holder's registered address; provided that in the event the Trustee is to mail
such notice, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee, at least 45 days prior to
the Redemption Date, an Officer's Certificate requesting that the Trustee give
such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as
provided below.
The notice shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and
shall state:
(1) the Redemption Date;
(2) the redemption price and the amount of accrued and
unpaid interest to the Redemption Date;
(3) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(4) that Securities called for redemption must be
surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the
redemption price;
(5) if fewer than all the outstanding Securities are
to be redeemed, the certificate numbers and
principal amounts of the particular Securities to
be redeemed in full or part;
(6) that, unless the Company defaults in making such
redemption payment or the Paying Agent is
prohibited from making such payment pursuant to
the terms of this Indenture, interest on
Securities (or portion thereof) called for
redemption ceases to accrue on and after the
redemption date;
(7) the CUSIP number, if any, printed on the
Securities being redeemed; and
(8) that no representation is made as to the
correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if
any, listed in such notice or printed on the
Securities.
At the Company's request, the Trustee shall give the notice of
redemption in the Company's name and at the Company's expense. In such event,
the Company shall provide the Trustee with the information, along with a form of
the notice, required by this Section.
33
SECTION 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption.Once notice of redemption
is mailed, Securities called for redemption become due and payable on the
redemption date and at the redemption price stated in the notice. Upon surrender
to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price
stated in the notice, plus accrued interest, if any, to the redemption date;
provided, however, that if the redemption date is after a regular record date
and on or prior to the interest payment date, the accrued interest shall be
payable to the Securityholder of the redeemed Securities registered on the
relevant record date. Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any
Holder shall not affect the validity of the notice to any other Holder.
SECTION 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price.Prior to 10:00 a.m., New York
City time, on the Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying
Agent (or, if the Company or a Subsidiary is the Paying Agent, shall segregate
and hold in trust) money (in U.S. dollars) sufficient to pay the redemption
price of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all Securities to be
redeemed on that date other than Securities or portions of Securities called for
redemption that have been delivered by the Company to the Trustee for
cancellation. On and after the Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on
Securities or portions thereof called for redemption so long as the Company has
deposited with the Paying Agent funds (in U.S. dollars) sufficient to pay the
principal of, plus accrued and unpaid interest (if any) on, the Securities to be
redeemed.
SECTION 3.06. Securities Redeemed in Part.Upon surrender and
cancellation of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Company shall execute
and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder (at the Company's expense) a
new Security equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security
surrendered.
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS
SECTION 4.01. Payment of Securities; Deferral.(a) The Company shall
promptly pay the principal of and interest on the Securities on the dates and in
the manner provided in the Securities and in this Indenture. Principal and
interest shall be considered paid on the date due if on such date the Trustee or
the Paying Agent holds in accordance with this Indenture money sufficient to pay
all principal and interest then due and the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the
case may be, is not prohibited from paying such money to the Securityholders on
that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
(b) If and for so long as the Company is required to defer interest
payments on the Securities pursuant to the terms of any Designated Senior
Indebtedness, the Company shall defer such interest payments on the Securities;
provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to defer such interest
payments:
(i) so long as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing
with respect to the Securities and the Securities have been accelerated;
or
(ii) for more than 24 months in the aggregate prior to December 18,
2008.
34
During the period from December 20, 2008, through December , 2013,
(A) interest payments may be deferred for no more than 10 interest payment dates
in the aggregate at any time. If the maturity of the Securities is extended,
interest will be deferred if required under any then outstanding Designated
Senior Indebtedness in the same manner as during the period from December 20,
2008, through December , 2013.
(c) The Company shall pay deferred interest pursuant to the
following provisions:
(i) for any interest deferral prior to December 18, 2008, the
Company must pay all deferred interest no later than December 18, 2008;
(ii) for any interest deferral after December 18, 2008 and
prior to December , 2013, the Company must pay all deferred
interest no later than December , 2013;
(iii) subject to (i) and (ii) above, the Company may only pay
deferred interest if such payment is permitted under the Credit Agreement
or any other then outstanding Designated Senior Indebtedness; and
(iv) so long as the Company is able to pay deferred interest, the
Company may elect to pay such deferred interest in installments or in a
lump sum payment.
(d) Deferred interest on the Securities will bear interest monthly
at a rate equal to the stated annual rate of interest on the Securities divided
by 12. Such interest on deferred interest shall be payable monthly, subject to
the provisions set forth herein. Any such interest on deferred interest shall be
treated as deferred interest. The Company shall pay interest on overdue
principal at the rate specified therefor in the Securities, and it shall pay
interest on overdue installments of interest that have not been deferred at the
same rate to the extent lawful.
(e) The Company (i) shall not amend the financial tests of any
Designated Senior Indebtedness relating to interest deferral as existing on the
Closing Date in any manner, or enter into new agreements that contain such
financial tests, that would be reasonably expected to increase the likelihood,
frequency or duration of interest deferral on the Securities and (ii) shall not,
and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly, Incur any Designated Senior Indebtedness after the Closing Date
which contains financial tests relating to interest deferral that would be
reasonably expected to increase the likelihood, frequency or duration of
interest deferral on the Securities than the financial tests of any Designated
Senior Indebtedness as existing on the Closing Date.
(f) The Company shall notify the Trustee of each interest deferral
at least one Business Day prior to the Interest Payment Date. The Representative
of the Designated Senior Indebtedness may provide a written notice to the
Trustee and the Paying Agent (with a copy to the Company) at least one Business
Day prior to such Interest Payment Date specifying that the Representative has
received notice of the interest deferral from the Company and, upon receipt of
such notice from the Company or the Representative, the Trustee and the Paying
Agent shall not permit any payment to be made on such Interest Payment Date.
35
SECTION 4.02. Reports and Other Information.Notwithstanding that the
Company may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Exchange Act or otherwise report on an annual and quarterly basis on
forms provided for such annual and quarterly reporting pursuant to rules and
regulations promulgated by the SEC, the Company shall file with the SEC (and
provide the Trustee and Holders with copies thereof, without cost to each
Holder, within 15 days after it files them with the SEC), (i) annual reports on
Form 10-K (or any successor or comparable form) containing the information
required to be contained therein (or required in such successor or comparable
form) (ii) reports on Form 10-Q (or any successor or comparable form), (iii)
such other reports on Form 8-K (or any successor or comparable form), and (iv)
any other information, documents and other reports which the Company would be
required to file with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, in each case, within the time period the Company would be required
to file such information with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Exchange Act; provided, however, the Company shall not be so obligated to
file such reports with the SEC if the SEC does not permit such filing, in which
event the Company will make available such information to prospective purchasers
of Securities, in addition to providing such information to the Trustee and the
Holders, in each case within 15 days after the time the Company would be
required to file such information with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
SECTION 4.03. Limitations on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock.(a) (i) The Company shall not, and shall
not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, Incur
any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue any shares of
Disqualified Stock and (ii) the Company shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to issue any shares of Preferred Stock; provided, however, that the
Company and any Guarantor may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired
Indebtedness) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock and any Guarantor may issue
shares of Preferred Stock if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company for
the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial
statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional
Indebtedness is Incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued
would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00 determined on a pro forma basis (including
a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional
Indebtedness had been Incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had
been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had
occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period.
(b) Section 4.03(a) will not apply to:
(i) the Incurrence by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries of
Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement and the issuance and creation of
letters of credit and bankers' acceptances thereunder (with letters of
credit and bankers' acceptances being deemed to have a principal amount
equal to the face amount thereof) up to an aggregate principal amount of
$150.0 million outstanding at any one time;
(ii) the Incurrence by the Company and the Guarantors of
Indebtedness represented by the Original Securities (not including any
Additional Securities) and the Guarantees, as applicable;
36
(iii) Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date (other than
Indebtedness described in clauses (i) and (ii));
(iv) Indebtedness (including Capitalized Lease Obligations) Incurred
by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, to finance the
purchase, lease or improvement of property (real or personal) or equipment
(whether through the direct purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any
Person owning such assets) in an aggregate principal amount which, when
aggregated with the principal amount of all other Indebtedness then
outstanding and Incurred pursuant to this clause (iv) and all Refinancing
Indebtedness (as defined below) Incurred to refund, refinance or replace
any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (iv), does not exceed
the greater of 7.5% of Total Assets at the time of Incurrence or
$10,000,000;
(v) Indebtedness Incurred by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to
letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business, including
without limitation letters of credit in respect of workers' compensation
claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property,
casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance, or with respect to
agreements to provide services, or other Indebtedness with respect to
reimbursement type obligations regarding workers' compensation claims;
provided, however, that upon the drawing of such letters of credit, such
obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such drawing;
(vi) Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of
purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, Incurred in
connection with the disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary of
the Company in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, other than
guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred by any Person acquiring all or any
portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary for the purpose of
financing such acquisition;
(vii) Indebtedness of the Company to a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company; provided that any such Indebtedness is subordinated in right of
payment to the Securities; provided further, that any subsequent issuance
or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any
such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except
to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each
case to be an Incurrence of such Indebtedness;
(viii) shares of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued
to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided
that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other
event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a
Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such shares
of Preferred Stock (except to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an issuance of shares
of Preferred Stock;
37
(ix) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or
another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that (A) any such
Indebtedness is made pursuant to an intercompany note and (B) if a
Guarantor incurs such Indebtedness to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not
a Guarantor such Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the
Guarantee of such Guarantor; provided further that any subsequent issuance
or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any
Restricted Subsidiary lending such Indebtedness ceasing to be a Restricted
Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness
(except to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company)
shall be deemed, in each case, to be an Incurrence of such Indebtedness;
(x) Hedging Obligations that are Incurred in the ordinary course of
business (A) for the purpose of fixing or hedging interest rate risk with
respect to any Indebtedness that is permitted by the terms of this
Indenture to be outstanding, (B) for the purpose of fixing or hedging
currency exchange rate risk with respect to any currency exchanges or (C)
for the purpose of fixing or hedging commodity price risk with respect to
any commodity purchases;
(xi) obligations in respect of performance, bid and surety bonds and
completion guarantees provided by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
in the ordinary course of business;
(xii) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Company and any
Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise permitted hereunder in an aggregate
principal amount, which when aggregated with the principal amount or
liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness and Disqualified Stock
then outstanding and Incurred pursuant to this clause (xii), does not
exceed $25,000,000 at any one time outstanding; provided, however, that
Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries, which when aggregated with the
principal amount of all other Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries then
outstanding and Incurred pursuant to this clause (xii), does not exceed
$10,000,000 (or the equivalent thereof in any other currency) at any one
time outstanding (it being understood that any Indebtedness Incurred under
this clause (xii) shall cease to be deemed Incurred or outstanding for
purposes of this clause (xii) but shall be deemed to be Incurred for
purposes of Section 4.03(a) from and after the first date on which the
Company could have Incurred such Indebtedness under Section 4.03(a)
without reliance upon this clause (xii));
(xiii) any guarantee by the Company or a Guarantor of Indebtedness
or other obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
so long as the Incurrence of such Indebtedness Incurred by the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary is permitted under the terms of this Indenture;
provided that if such Indebtedness is by its express terms subordinated in
right of payment to the Securities or the Guarantee of such Restricted
Subsidiary, as applicable, any such guarantee of such Guarantor with
respect to such Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to
such Guarantor's Guarantee with respect to the Securities substantially to
the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Securities or
the Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable;
38
(xiv) the Incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Indebtedness which serves to refund or refinance any
Indebtedness Incurred as permitted under Section 4.03(a) and clauses (ii)
and (iii) above, or any Indebtedness issued to so refund or refinance such
Indebtedness (subject to the following proviso; "Refinancing
Indebtedness") prior to its respective maturity; provided, however that
such Refinancing Indebtedness (A) has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity
at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred which is not less
than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness
being refunded or refinanced, (B) has a Stated Maturity which is no
earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being refunded or
refinanced, (C) to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness refinances
Indebtedness pari passu with the Securities or the Guarantee of such
Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, is pari passu with the Securities or
the Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, (D) is
Incurred in an aggregate principal amount (or if issued with original
issue discount, an aggregate issue price) that is equal to or less than
the aggregate principal amount (or if issued with original issue discount,
the aggregate accreted value) then outstanding of the Indebtedness being
refinanced plus premium and fees Incurred in connection with such
refinancing, and (E) shall not include (x) Indebtedness of a Restricted
Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness of the
Company or (y) Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that
refinances Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary; and provided
further that subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (xiv) shall not apply
to any refunding or refinancing of any Senior Indebtedness;
(xv) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of Persons that are acquired
by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or merged into a
Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;
provided, however, that such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock is not
Incurred in contemplation of such acquisition or merger or to provide all
or a portion of the funds or credit support required to consummate such
acquisition or merger; provided further, however, that after giving effect
to such acquisition and the Incurrence of such Indebtedness either (A) the
Company would be permitted to Incur at least $1.00 of additional
Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.03(a) or (B) the Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio would be greater than immediately prior to such acquisition;
(xvi) Contribution Indebtedness; and
(xvii) Indebtedness represented by (A) the issuance of Additional
Securities in connection with the issuance of shares of Common Stock,
provided that the ratio of the aggregate principal amount of such
Additional Securities to the number of such additional shares shall not
exceed the equivalent ratio with respect to the IDSs outstanding prior to
such issuance, and, in each case the related Guarantees, or (B) the
exchange of Common Stock for Additional Securities pursuant to the Amended
and Restated Stockholders Agreement.
(c) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.03,
in the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of
the categories of permitted Indebtedness described in clauses 4.03(b)(i) through
(xvii) above or is entitled to be
39
Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(a), the Company shall, in its sole discretion,
classify or reclassify such item of Indebtedness in any manner that complies
with this covenant and such item of Indebtedness will be treated as having been
Incurred pursuant to only one of such clauses of Section 4.03(b) or pursuant to
Section 4.03(a) hereof. Accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value and
the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness will not be
deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness for purposes of this Section 4.03.
SECTION 4.04. Limitation on Restricted Payments.(a) The Company shall
not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly: (i) declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on account
of the Company's or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries' Equity Interests,
including any payment made in connection with any merger or consolidation
involving the Company (other than (A) dividends or distributions by the Company
payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the
Company or (B) dividends or distributions by a Restricted Subsidiary so long as,
in the case of any dividend or distribution payable on or in respect of any
class or series of securities issued by a Restricted Subsidiary other than a
Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
receives at least its pro rata share of such dividend or distribution in
accordance with its Equity Interests in such class or series of securities);
(ii) purchase or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; or (iii) make any Restricted
Investment (all such payments and other actions set forth in this clause (iii)
and in clauses (i) and (ii) above being collectively referred to as "Restricted
Payments"), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:
(1) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro
forma basis, the Company could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness
under Section 4.03(a); and
(3) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of
all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries after the Closing Date (including Restricted Payments
permitted by clauses (i), (iv), (v), (vii) and (xii) of Section 4.04(b),
but excluding all other Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.04(b)),
is less than the sum of, without duplication: (A) 50% of the Consolidated
Net Income of the Company for the period (taken as one accounting period)
from the fiscal quarter that first begins after the Closing Date to the
end of the Company's most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal
financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment
(or, in the case such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a
deficit, minus 100% of such deficit), plus (B) 100% of the aggregate net
proceeds, including cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in
accordance with the next succeeding sentence) of property other than cash,
received by the Company since the Closing Date from the issue or sale of
Equity Interests of the Company (excluding Refunding Capital Stock (as
defined below), Designated Preferred Stock, Excluded Contributions and
Disqualified Stock), including Equity Interests issued upon conversion of
Indebtedness or upon exercise of warrants or options (other than an
issuance or sale to a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock
ownership plan or trust established by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries), plus (C) 100% of the aggregate amount of
40
contributions to the capital of the Company received in cash and the
Fair Market Value (as determined in accordance with the next succeeding
sentence) of property other than cash since the Closing Date (other
than Excluded Contributions, Refunding Capital Stock, Designated
Preferred Stock and Disqualified Stock), plus (D) 100% of the aggregate
amount received in cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in
accordance with the next succeeding sentence) of property other than
cash received from (x) the sale or other disposition (other than to the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) of Restricted Investments made by
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and from repurchases and
redemptions of such Restricted Investments from the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries by any Person (other than the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries) and from repayments of loans or advances which
constituted Restricted Investments, (y) the sale (other than to the
Company or a Subsidiary) of the Capital Stock of an Unrestricted
Subsidiary or (z) a distribution or dividend from an Unrestricted
Subsidiary, plus (E) in the event any Unrestricted Subsidiary has been
redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary or has been merged,
consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys its
assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary, the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the
Board of Directors) of the Investment of the Company in such
Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation, combination
or transfer (or of the assets transferred or conveyed, as applicable),
after deducting any Indebtedness associated with the Unrestricted
Subsidiary so designated or combined or any Indebtedness associated
with the assets so transferred or conveyed, not to exceed, in the case
of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, the amount of Investments previously
made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Unrestricted
Subsidiary, which amount was included in the calculation of the amount
of Restricted Payments, less (F) the amount of all Specified Cash
Contributions. The Fair Market Value of property other than cash
covered by clauses (B), (C) and (D) above shall be determined in good
faith by the Company and (x) in the event of property with a Fair
Market Value in excess of $2,500,000, shall be set forth in an
Officers' Certificate or (y) in the event of property with a Fair
Market Value in excess of $10,000,000, shall be set forth in a
resolution approved by at least a majority of the Board of Directors.
(b) The provisions of Section 4.04(a) shall not prohibit:
(i) the payment of any dividend or distribution within 60 days
after the date of declaration thereof, if at the date of declaration
such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;
(ii) (A) the repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of
any Equity Interests ("Retired Capital Stock") or Subordinated
Indebtedness of the Company in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of
the substantially concurrent sale of, Equity Interests of the Company
or contributions to the equity capital of the Company (other than any
Disqualified Stock or any Equity Interests sold to a Subsidiary of the
Company or to an employee stock ownership plan or any trust established
by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) (collectively, including any
such contributions, "Refunding Capital Stock") and (B) the declaration
and payment of accrued dividends on the Retired Capital Stock out of
the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a
Subsidiary of the
41
Company or to an employee stock ownership plan or any trust established
by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) of Refunding Capital Stock;
(iii) (A) the repurchase, retirement or other acquisition for
value of Equity Interests of the Company held, directly or indirectly,
by any future, present or former employee, director or consultant of
the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any entity in which any
of the foregoing has a beneficial or economic ownership interest
pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any
other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any other
agreement pursuant to which stock is held for the benefit of such
persons or (B) the payment of any dividend or distribution to VSI
Management Direct L.P., VSI Management II L.P., BCP Volume L.P. or BCP
Offshore Volume L.P. or any entity in which any of the foregoing has a
beneficial or economic ownership interest pursuant to any management
equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee
benefit or incentive plan or agreement or any other agreement pursuant
to which stock is held for the benefit of such persons to effect the
repurchase, retirement or other acquisition for value of their Equity
Interests held, directly or indirectly, by any future, present or
former employee, director or consultant of the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company or any entity in which any of the foregoing
has a beneficial or economic ownership interest; provided, however,
that the aggregate amounts paid under this clause (iii) do not exceed
$4,000,000 in any calendar year (with unused amounts in any calendar
year being permitted to be carried over for the two succeeding calendar
years); provided further, however, that such amount in any calendar
year may be increased by an amount not to exceed (A) the cash proceeds
received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from the
sale of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock)
to members of management, directors or consultants of the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries or to VSI Management Direct L.P., BCP
Volume L.P. and BCP Offshore Volume L.P. for the direct or indirect
account of members of management, directors or consultants of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that occurs after the Closing
Date (any such cash proceeds that are utilized for any such repurchase,
retirement, other acquisition or dividend, "Management Equity")
(provided that the amount of such Management Equity will not increase
the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section
4.04(a)(3)hereof) plus (B) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance
policies received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries after
the Closing Date (provided that the Company may elect to apply all or
any portion of the aggregate increase contemplated by clauses (A) and
(B) above in any single calendar year);
(iv) the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions
to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued or incurred in accordance
with Section 4.03 hereof;
(v) the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions
to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock issued
after the Closing Date; provided, however, that (A) for the most
recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial
statements are available immediately preceding the date of issuance of
such Designated Preferred Stock, after giving effect to such issuance
(and the payment of dividends or distributions) on a pro forma basis,
the Company would have had a Fixed
42
Charge Coverage Ratio of at least 2.25 to 1.00 and (B) the aggregate
amount of dividends declared and paid pursuant to this clause (v) does
not exceed the net cash proceeds received by the Company from the sale
of Designated Preferred Stock issued after the Closing Date;
(vi) Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries having an
aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Investments
made pursuant to this clause (vi) that are at that time outstanding,
not to exceed $35,000,000 (with the Fair Market Value of each
Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to
subsequent changes in value);
(vii) the payment of dividends on the shares of the Common
Stock up to an aggregate amount in any fiscal quarter not to exceed the
Quarterly Base Dividend Level; provided, that the Company may not pay
any dividends pursuant to this paragraph (vii) or paragraph (xii) below
if interest on the Securities is being deferred or, after the end of
any interest deferral period, so long as any deferred interest and
interest on deferred interest has not been paid in full;
(viii) Investments that are made with Excluded Contributions;
(ix) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to
exceed $30,000,000;
(x) repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon
exercise of stock options if such Equity Interests represent a portion
of the exercise price of such options;
(xi) the repurchase of Common Stock on the Closing Date or on
the closing date of the exercise of the over-allotment option under the
Underwriting Agreement or the exchange of shares of Common Stock for
Additional Securities pursuant to the Amended and Restated Stockholders
Agreement; and
(xii) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to
exceed the Base Dividend Restricted Payments Basket;
provided, however, that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any
Restricted Payment permitted under clauses (iv), (v), (vi), (vii), (ix)
and (xii), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof; provided further,
however, that for purposes of determining the aggregate amount expended
for Restricted Payments in accordance with Section 4.04(a)(3) hereof,
only the amounts expended under clauses (i), (iv), (v), (vii) and (xii)
of this Section 4.04(b) shall be included.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, during any interest deferral
period in accordance with Section 4.01 hereof, the Company shall not, and shall
not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make
any Restricted Payment.
As of the Closing Date, all of the Company's Subsidiaries
shall be Restricted Subsidiaries. The Company shall not permit any Unrestricted
Subsidiary to become a Restricted
43
Subsidiary except pursuant to the definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary." For
purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary,
all outstanding Investments by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
(except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated will be deemed to
be Restricted Payments in an amount determined as set forth in the last sentence
of the definition of "Investments." Such designation will only be permitted if a
Restricted Payment in such amount would be permitted at such time (whether
pursuant to Section 4.04(a) hereof or under clause (vi), (viii) or (ix) of this
Section 4.04(b)) and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an
Unrestricted Subsidiary.
SECTION 4.05. Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions
Affecting Subsidiaries. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or
suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual
restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to: (a) (i) pay
dividends or make any other distributions to the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries (1) on its Capital Stock or (2) with respect to any
other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or (ii) pay any
Indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; (b) make
loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or (c)
sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries except in each case for such encumbrances or
restrictions existing under or by reason of:
(1) contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the
Closing Date, including pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the other
Senior Credit Documents;
(2) this Indenture and the Securities;
(3) applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or
order;
(4) any agreement or other instrument relating to Indebtedness
of a Person acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary which
was in existence at the time of such acquisition (but not created in
contemplation thereof or to provide all or any portion of the funds or
credit support utilized to consummate such acquisition), which
encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the
properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the
property or assets of the Person, so acquired;
(5) any restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary
imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or
disposition of all or substantially all the Capital Stock or assets of
such Restricted Subsidiary pending the closing of such sale or
disposition;
(6) Secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be Incurred
pursuant to Sections 4.03 and 4.08 hereof that limit the right of the
debtor to dispose of the assets securing such Indebtedness;
(7) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth
imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary
course of business;
44
(8) customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other
similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(9) customary provisions contained in leases, agreements to
provide services and other similar agreements entered into in the
ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the type
described in clause (c) above;
(10) other Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries permitted
to be Incurred subsequent to the Closing Date pursuant to clause (xii)
of Section 4.03(b) hereof, or
(11) any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to
in clauses (a), (b) and (c) above imposed by any amendments,
modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements,
refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments
or obligations referred to in clauses (1) through (10) above; provided
that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases,
supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good
faith judgment of the Board of Directors, no more restrictive with
respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those
contained in the dividend or other payment restrictions prior to such
amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement,
refunding, replacement or refinancing.
SECTION 4.06. Asset Sales. (a) The Company shall not, and
shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, cause or make an Asset
Sale, unless (x) the Company, or its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may
be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the
Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Company) of the assets
sold or otherwise disposed of and (y) except in the case of a Permitted Asset
Swap, at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by the Company, or
such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of Cash
Equivalents; provided that the amount of: (i) any liabilities (as shown on the
Company's or such Restricted Subsidiary's most recent balance sheet or in the
notes thereto) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than
liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Securities) that are
assumed by the transferee of any such assets; (ii) any notes or other
obligations or other securities received by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary into cash within 180 days of the receipt thereof (to the
extent of the cash received); and (iii) any Designated Noncash Consideration
received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Asset Sale
having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Designated
Noncash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (iii) that is at that
time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of 7.5% of Total Assets or
$10,000,000 (with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Noncash
Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to
subsequent changes in value) shall be deemed to be Cash Equivalents for the
purposes of this provision.
(b) Within 365 days after the Company's or any Restricted
Subsidiary's receipt of the Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale, the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary may apply the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sale, at its
option: (i) to permanently reduce Obligations under the Credit Agreement (and,
in the case of revolving Obligations, to correspondingly reduce commitments with
respect thereto) or other Senior Indebtedness or Pari
45
Passu Indebtedness (provided that if the Company shall so reduce Obligations
under Pari Passu Indebtedness, it will equally and ratably reduce Obligations
under the Securities by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set
forth below for an Asset Sale Offer) to all Holders to purchase at a purchase
price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, the pro rata principal amount of Securities) or Indebtedness
of a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case other than Indebtedness owed to the
Company or an Affiliate of the Company; (ii) to an investment in any one or more
businesses, capital expenditures or acquisitions of other assets in each case
used or useful in a Similar Business; and/or (iii) to make an investment in
properties or assets that replace the properties and assets that are the subject
of such Asset Sale. Pending the final application of any such Net Proceeds, the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary may temporarily reduce Indebtedness under
a revolving credit facility, if any, or otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in
Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities. Any Net Proceeds from any Asset
Sale that are not applied as provided and within the time period set forth in
the first sentence of this paragraph shall be deemed to constitute "Excess
Proceeds". When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $15,000,000, the
Company shall make an offer to all Holders of Securities (an "Asset Sale Offer")
to purchase the maximum principal amount of Securities that may be purchased out
of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of
the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the
date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set
forth in this Section 4.06. The Company will commence an Asset Sale Offer with
respect to Excess Proceeds within ten Business Days after the date that Excess
Proceeds exceeds $15,000,000 by mailing the notice required pursuant to Section
4.06(c)(1). To the extent that the aggregate amount of Securities tendered
pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Company
may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes. If the
aggregate principal amount of Securities surrendered by Holders thereof exceeds
the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Securities to be
purchased in the manner described in Section 4.06(c)(3). Upon completion of any
such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.
(c) (1) Promptly, and in any event within ten Business Days
after the Company becomes obligated to make an Asset Sale Offer, the Company
shall deliver to the Trustee and send, by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to
each Holder at such Holder's registered address, a written notice stating that
the Holder may elect to have such Holder's Securities purchased by the Company
either in whole or in part (subject to prorating as hereinafter described in the
event the Asset Sale Offer is oversubscribed), at the applicable purchase price.
The notice shall be mailed at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the
purchase date and shall contain such information concerning the business of the
Company which the Company in good faith believes will enable such Holders to
make an informed decision (which at a minimum shall include (i) the most
recently filed annual report on Form 10-K (or any successor or comparable form)
(including audited consolidated financial statements) of the Company, the most
recent subsequently filed quarterly report on Form 10-Q (or any successor or
comparable form) of the Company and any current report on Form 8-K (or any
successor or comparable form) of the Company filed subsequent to such quarterly
report, other than current reports describing Asset Sales otherwise described in
the offering materials, (ii) a description of material developments in the
Company's business subsequent to the date of the latest of such reports, and
(iii) if material, appropriate pro forma financial information) and all
instructions and materials necessary to tender Securities pursuant to the Asset
Sale Offer, together with the address referred
46
to in Section 4.06(c)(3) below. If any Security is to be purchased in part only,
any notice of purchase that relates to such Security shall state the portion of
the principal amount thereof that has been or is to be purchased.
(2) Not later than the date upon which written notice of an
Asset Sale Offer is delivered to the Trustee as provided above, the Company
shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate as to (i) the amount of
the Excess Proceeds, (ii) the allocation of the Net Proceeds from the Asset
Sales pursuant to which such Asset Sale Offer is being made and (iii) the
compliance of such allocation with the provisions of Section 4.06(b). On such
date, the Company shall also irrevocably deposit with the Trustee or with a
paying agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own paying agent, segregate
and hold in trust) an amount equal to the Excess Proceeds to be invested in Cash
Equivalents and to be held for payment in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 4.06. Upon the expiration of the period for which the Offer remains open
(the "Offer Period"), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee for cancellation
the Securities or portions thereof that have been properly tendered to and are
to be accepted by the Company. The Trustee (or the Paying Agent, if not the
Trustee) shall, on the date of purchase, mail or deliver payment to each
tendering Holder in the amount of the purchase price. In the event that the
Excess Proceeds delivered by the Company to the Trustee is greater than the
purchase price of the Securities tendered, the Trustee shall deliver the excess
to the Company immediately after the expiration of the Offer Period for
application in accordance with Section 4.06(b) above.
(3) Holders electing to have a Security purchased shall be
required to surrender the Security, with an appropriate form duly completed, to
the Company at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days
prior to the purchase date. Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election
if the Trustee or the Company receives not later than one Business Day prior to
the purchase date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting
forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Security which was
delivered by the Holder for purchase and a statement that such Holder is
withdrawing his election to have such Security purchased. If at the expiration
of the Offer Period more Securities are tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer
than the Company is required to purchase, selection of such Securities for
purchase shall be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the
principal national securities exchange, if any, on which such Securities are
listed, or if such Securities are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or
by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (and in such
manner as complies with applicable legal requirements). A new Security in
principal amount equal to the unpurchased portion of any Security purchased in
part will be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the
original Security. On and after the purchase date unless the Company defaults in
payment of the purchase price, interest shall cease to accrue on Securities or
portions thereof purchased.
(d) The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule
14e-1 under the Exchange Act and the Canadian equivalent and any other
securities laws and regulations to the extent such laws or regulations are
applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Securities pursuant to an
Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or
regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall
comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be
deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue
thereof.
47
SECTION 4.07. Transactions with Affiliates.(a) The Company
shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly
or indirectly, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise
dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or
assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction or series of
transactions, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee
with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (each of the
foregoing, an "Affiliate Transaction") involving aggregate consideration in
excess of $2,500,000, unless: (i) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that
are not materially less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted
Subsidiary than those that could have been obtained in a comparable transaction
by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person and (ii)
with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate
Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $10,000,000, the
Company delivers to the Trustee a resolution adopted by the majority of the
Board of Directors of the Company, approving such Affiliate Transaction and set
forth in an Officers' Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction
complies with clause (i) above.
(b) The provisions of Section 4.07(a) shall not apply to the
following: (i) transactions between or among the Company and/or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries; (ii) Permitted Investments and Restricted Payments
permitted by Section 4.04; (iii) the payment of reasonable and customary fees
paid to, and indemnity provided on behalf of, officers, directors, employees or
consultants of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; (iv) transactions in
which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be,
delivers to the Trustee a letter from an Independent Financial Advisor stating
that such transaction is fair to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from
a financial point of view or meets the requirements of clause (i) Section
4.07(a) hereof; (v) payments or loans to employees or consultants in the
ordinary course of business which are approved by a majority of the Board of
Directors of the Company in good faith; (vi) any agreement as in effect as of
the Closing Date or any amendment thereto (so long as any such amendment is not
disadvantageous to the holders of the Securities in any material respect) or any
transaction contemplated thereby; (vii) the existence of, or the performance by
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the
terms of, any stockholders agreement (including any registration rights
agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of
the Closing Date and any similar agreements which it may enter into thereafter;
provided, however, that the existence of, or the performance by the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under any future amendment
to any such existing agreement or under any similar agreement entered into after
the Closing Date shall only be permitted by this clause (vii) to the extent that
the terms of any such amendment or new agreement are not otherwise
disadvantageous to the Holders of the Securities in any material respect; (viii)
transactions with customers, clients, suppliers or purchasers or sellers of
goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise
in compliance with the terms of this Indenture, which are fair to the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the reasonable determination of the Board of
Directors or the senior management of the Company, or are on terms at least as
favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an
unaffiliated party; and (ix) the issuance of Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Company or IDSs in respect of the Company's
securities (including such securities represented thereby) or Additional
Securities or other Pari Passu Indebtedness evidenced by a different series of
securities or shares of Capital Stock to any Permitted Holder.
48
SECTION 4.08. Liens.This Company shall not, and shall not
permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create,
Incur or suffer to exist any Lien on any asset or property of the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary, or any income or profits therefrom, or assign or
convey any right to receive income therefrom, that secures any obligations of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Senior Indebtedness) unless
the Securities are equally and ratably secured with (or on a senior basis to, in
the case of obligations subordinated in right of payment to the Securities) the
obligations so secured or until such time as such obligations are no longer
secured by a Lien. The preceding sentence shall not require the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary to secure the Securities if the Lien consists of a
Permitted Lien.
No Guarantor shall directly or indirectly create, Incur or
suffer to exist any Lien on any asset or property of such Guarantor or any
income or profits therefrom, or assign or convey any right to receive income
therefrom, that secures any obligation of such Guarantor (other than Senior
Indebtedness of such Guarantor) unless the Guarantee of such Guarantor is
equally and ratably secured with (or on a senior basis to, in the case of
obligations subordinated on right of payment to such Guarantor's Guarantee) the
obligations so secured or until such time as such obligations are no longer
secured by a Lien. The preceding sentence shall not require any Guarantor to
secure its Guarantee if the Lien consists of a Permitted Lien.
SECTION 4.09. Change of Control.(a) Upon a Change of Control,
each Holder shall have the right to require that the Company repurchase all or
any part of such Holder's Securities at a purchase price in cash equal to 101%
of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to
the date of repurchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the
relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment
date), in accordance with the terms contemplated in Section 4.09(b); provided,
however, that notwithstanding the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company
shall not be obligated to purchase such Holder's Securities pursuant to this
Section 4.09 in the event that it has exercised its right to redeem all the
Securities pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Securities. In the event that at the
time of such Change of Control the terms of the Senior Lender Indebtedness
restrict or prohibit the repurchase of Securities pursuant to this Section 4.09,
then prior to the mailing of the notice to Holders provided for in Section
4.09(b) below but in any event within 30 days following any Change of Control,
the Company shall (i) repay in full all Senior Lender Indebtedness or offer to
repay in full all Senior Lender Indebtedness and repay the Senior Lender
Indebtedness of each lender who has accepted such offer or (ii) obtain the
requisite consent under the agreements governing the Senior Lender Indebtedness
to permit the repurchase of the Securities as provided for in Section 4.09(b).
(b) Within 30 days following any Change of Control (except as
provided in Section 4.09(a)), the Company shall mail a notice to each Holder
with a copy to the Trustee (the "Change of Control Offer") stating:
(1) that a Change of Control has occurred and that such Holder
has the right to require the Company to purchase such Holder's
Securities at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal
amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date
of repurchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the
relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest
payment date);
49
(2) the circumstances and relevant facts and financial
information regarding such Change of Control;
(3) whether the agreements then governing the Senior Lender
Indebtedness will permit the repurchase of the Securities;
(4) the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30
days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed); and
(5) the instructions determined by the Company, consistent
with this Section 4.09, that a Holder must follow in order to have its
Securities purchased.
(c) Holders electing to have a Security purchased shall be
required to surrender the Security, with an appropriate form duly completed, to
the Company at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days
prior to the purchase date. Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election
if the Trustee or the Company receives not later than one Business Day prior to
the purchase date a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting
forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Securities which were
delivered for purchase by the Holder and a statement that such Holder is
withdrawing his election to have such Securities purchased.
(d) On the purchase date, all Securities purchased by the
Company under this Section 4.09 shall be delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation, and the Company shall pay the purchase price plus accrued and
unpaid interest, if any, to the Holders entitled thereto.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section
4.09, the Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a
Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the
manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth
in Section 4.09(b) applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company
and purchases all Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn under such
Change of Control Offer.
(f) The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with
the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and the Canadian
equivalent and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the
repurchase of Securities pursuant to this Section 4.09. To the extent that the
provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with Provisions of
this Section 4.09, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws
and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under
this Section 4.09 by virtue thereof.
SECTION 4.10. Compliance Certificate.The Company shall deliver
to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company
commencing with the fiscal year ending on December 30, 2003, an Officers'
Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of
their duties as officers of the Company they would normally have knowledge of
any Default and whether or not the signers know of any Default that occurred
during such period. If they do, the certificate shall describe the Default, its
status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect
thereto. The Company also shall comply with Section 314(a)(4) of the TIA.
50
SECTION 4.11. Further Instruments and Acts.Upon request of the
Trustee or as otherwise necessary, the Company shall execute and deliver such
further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or
proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.
SECTION 4.12. Future Guarantors.The Company shall cause each
Restricted Subsidiary organized under the laws of the United States of America
or any state or territory thereof that Incurs Indebtedness or issues shares of
Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock to execute and deliver to the Trustee a
supplemental indenture in the form of Exhibit B hereto pursuant to which such
Subsidiary shall guarantee payment of the Securities.
SECTION 4.13. Listing of Common Stock.Within 30 days prior to
the maturity of the Securities, the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to
list or quote the outstanding shares of its Common Stock on the securities
exchange(s) or automated securities quotation system(s), if any, on which the
IDSs will then be listed or quoted, in addition to any other securities exchange
on which the Common Stock is then listed.
SECTION 4.14. Subsequent Issuance.(a) Upon the issuance by the
Company of Additional Securities, if the Company determines that such Additional
Securities should be assigned a different CUSIP number than the Original
Securities, immediately following such issuance, a portion of each holder's
Original Securities and/or Additional Securities, as applicable, will
automatically, without any action by such holder, be exchanged (the "Automatic
Exchange") for a portion of each other holder's Securities, such that
immediately after the Automatic Exchange, each holder will hold Original
Securities and Additional Securities in the same proportion as the ratio of the
then outstanding aggregate principal amount of Original Securities to the then
outstanding aggregate principal amount of Additional Securities. The aggregate
principal amount of Securities owned by each holder will not change as a result
of the Automatic Exchange. Immediately following the Automatic Exchange, the
Company and the Trustee will instruct the Depositary to facilitate the
combination of the Original Securities and Additional Securities into
indivisible units ("Unit Securities") and thereafter the term Original
Securities shall be deemed, for the purposes of this Section 4.14, to include
the Unit Securities.
(b) At least ten (10) business days prior to the closing of a
subsequent issuance that is likely to result in an Automatic Exchange, the
Company shall notify the Trustee, in writing of its intention to consummate such
subsequent issuance and shall instruct the Trustee and DTC to take any action
necessary to effect the Automatic Exchange. Such notice may be revoked at any
time prior to the date fixed for the Automatic Exchange.
SECTION 4.15. Formation of IDSs; Ratio of Common Stock to
Securities.
(a) So long as any Securities are outstanding, any Holder of
Securities and Common Stock may, at any time and from time to time, through such
Holder's broker or other financial institution, combine the applicable number of
shares of Common Stock and principal amount of Securities to form IDSs.
51
(b) In the event of any stock split, recombination or
reclassification of Common Stock, the ratio of Common Stock to principal amount
of Securities represented by an IDS is subject to change. Immediately following
the occurrence of any such event, the Company shall file with the SEC a Current
Report on Form 8K or any other applicable form, disclosing the changes in the
ratio of common stock to principal amount of subordinated notes as a result of
such event.
ARTICLE 5
SUCCESSOR COMPANY
SECTION 5.01. Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or
Substantially All Assets.(a) The Company shall not consolidate or merge with or
into or wind up into (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation),
or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or
substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related
transactions, to any Person unless:
(i) the Company is the surviving corporation or the Person
formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than
the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease,
conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a corporation,
partnership or limited liability company organized or existing under
the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of
Columbia, or any territory thereof (the Company or such Person, as the
case may be, being herein called the "Successor Company");
(ii) the Successor Company (if other than the Company)
expressly assumes all the obligations of the Company under this
Indenture and the Securities pursuant to a supplemental indenture or
other documents or instruments in form reasonably satisfactory to the
Trustee;
(iii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and
treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Successor
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as a result of such
transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction) no Default or
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
(iv) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such
transaction, as if such transaction had occurred at the beginning of
the applicable four-quarter period, either (A) the Successor Company
would be permitted to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness
pursuant to Section 4.03 (a) hereof or (B) the Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio for the Successor Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries would
be greater than such ratio for the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction;
(v) each Guarantor, unless it is the other party to the
transactions described above, shall have by supplemental indenture
confirmed that its Guarantee shall apply to the Successor Company's
obligations under this Indenture and the Securities; and
52
(vi) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an
Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such
consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if
any) comply with this Indenture.
The Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted
for, the Company under this Indenture and the Securities. Notwithstanding the
foregoing clauses (iii) and (iv), (a) any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate
with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the
Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary and (b) the Company may merge with
an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Company
in another state of the United States so long as the amount of Indebtedness of
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby.
(b) Subject to Section 11.02(b) hereof governing the release
of a Guarantee upon the sale or disposition of a Guarantor that is a Subsidiary
of the Company, each Guarantor shall not, and the Company shall not permit a
Guarantor to, consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not
such Guarantor is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease,
convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or
assets in one or more related transactions to, any Person unless:
(i) such Guarantor is the surviving corporation or the Person
formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than
such Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease,
conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a corporation,
partnership or limited liability company organized or existing under
the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of
Columbia, or any territory thereof (such Guarantor or such Person, as
the case may be, being herein called the "Successor Guarantor");
(ii) the Successor Guarantor (if other than such Guarantor)
expressly assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor under this
Indenture and such Guarantor's Guarantee pursuant to a supplemental
indenture or other documents or instruments in form reasonably
satisfactory to the Trustee;
(iii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and
treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Successor
Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries as a result of such transaction as
having been Incurred by the Successor Guarantor or such Subsidiary at
the time of such transaction) no Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing; and
(iv) the Guarantor shall have delivered or caused to be
delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of
Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and
such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.
Subject to Section 11.02(b), the Successor Guarantor shall
succeed to, and be substituted for, such Guarantor under this Indenture and such
Guarantor's Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing clause (iii), a Guarantor
may merge with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of
reincorporating such Guarantor in another state of the United States so long as
the amount of Indebtedness of the Guarantor is not increased thereby.
53
ARTICLE 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
SECTION 6.01. Events of Default.An "Event of Default" occurs
if:
(1) the Company defaults in any payment of interest on any
Security when the same becomes due and payable, whether or not such
payment shall be prohibited by Article 10, and such default continues
for a period of 30 days, subject to the interest deferral provision
contained in Section 4.01 hereof;
(2) the Company defaults in the payment of the principal or
premium, if any, of any Security when the same becomes due and payable
at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required
repurchase, upon declaration or otherwise, whether or not such payment
shall be prohibited by Article 10;
(3) the Company fails to comply with Section 5.01 hereof;
(4) the Company fails to comply with Section 4.02, 4.03, 4.04,
4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09 or 4.12 (other than a failure to purchase
Securities when required under Section 4.06 or 4.09) and such failure
continues for 30 days after the notice specified below;
(5) the Company fails to comply with any of its agreements in
the Securities or this Indenture (other than those referred to in (1),
(2), (3) or (4) above) and such failure continues for 60 days after the
notice specified below;
(6) Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary (other than
Indebtedness owing to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) is not
paid within any applicable grace period after final maturity or the
acceleration by the holders thereof because of a default and the total
amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $15,000,000
or its foreign currency equivalent;
(7) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or
within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(A) commences a voluntary case;
(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief
against it in an involuntary case;
(C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it
or for any substantial part of its property; or
(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its
creditors;
or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to
insolvency;
54
(8) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or
decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(A) is for relief against the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;
(B) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary or for any substantial part of the
property of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary; or
(C) orders the winding up or liquidation of the
Company or any Significant Subsidiary;
or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and the order
or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days;
(9) any judgment or decree for the payment of money (other
than judgments which are covered by enforceable insurance policies
issued by solvent carriers) in excess of $15,000,000 or its foreign
currency equivalent against the Company or a Significant Subsidiary and
either (A) an enforcement proceeding thereon has been commenced and has
not been discharged or stayed within 60 days thereafter or (B) there is
a period of 60 days following the entry of such judgment or decree
during which such judgment or decree is not discharged, waived or the
execution thereof stayed; or
(10) any Guarantee ceases to be in full force and effect
(except as contemplated by the terms thereof) or any Guarantor or
Person acting by or on behalf of such Guarantor denies or disaffirms
its obligations under this Indenture or any Guarantee and such Default
continues for 10 days.
The foregoing shall constitute Events of Default whatever the
reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary
or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order
of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or
governmental body.
A Default under clause (4) or (5) above is not an Event of
Default until the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of
the outstanding Securities notify the Company of the Default and the Company
does not cure such Default within the time specified in clause (4) or (5), as
the case may be, after receipt of such notice. Such notice must specify the
Default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a "Notice of
Default".
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after
the occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an Officers' Certificate
of any Event of Default under clause (3), (6) or (10) and any event which with
the giving of notice or the lapse of time would become an Event of Default under
clause (4), (5) or (9), its status and what action the Company is taking or
proposes to take with respect thereto.
55
SECTION 6.02. Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other than
an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) with respect to the
Company) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the
Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities by
notice to the Company, may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and
accrued but unpaid interest on all the Securities to be due and payable. Upon
such a declaration, such principal and interest shall be due and payable
immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) with
respect to the Company occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest
on all the Securities shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable
without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any
Securityholders. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities
by notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the
rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing
Events of Default have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal or
interest that has become due solely because of acceleration. No such rescission
shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.
SECTION 6.03. Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs
and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the
payment of principal of or interest on the Securities or to enforce the
performance of any provision of the Securities or this Indenture.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not
possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.
A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Securityholder in exercising any right
or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy
or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is
exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative.
SECTION 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities affected by notice to
the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all such Securities waive an
existing Default or an Event of Default and its consequences except (i) a
continuing Default or an Event of Default in the payment of the principal of or
interest on a Security, (ii) a Default or an Event of Default arising from the
failure to redeem or purchase any Security when required pursuant to the terms
of this Indenture or (iii) a Default or an Event of Default in respect of a
provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended without the consent of each
Securityholder affected. In the event of any Event of Default specified in
Section 6.01(4), such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (including
without limitation any acceleration or resulting payment default) shall be
annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the
Trustee or the Holders, if within 20 days after such Event of Default arose (x)
the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has
been discharged, or (y) the holders thereof have rescinded or waived the
acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of
Default, or (z) if the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has
been cured. When a Default is waived, it is deemed cured, but no such waiver
shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent right.
SECTION 6.05. Control by Majority. The Holders of a majority
in principal amount of the Securities may direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for
56
any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power
conferred on the Trustee. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any
direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or, subject to Section 7.01,
that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of other
Securityholders or would involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided,
however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee
that is not inconsistent with such direction. Prior to taking any action
hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it
in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not
taking such action.
SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Suits. Except to enforce the right
to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no
Securityholder may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the
Securities unless:
(1) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice stating
that an Event of Default is continuing;
(2) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
Securities make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(3) such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee reasonable
security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or
expense;
(4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60
days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or
indemnity; and
(5) the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Securities do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the
request during such 60-day period.
A Securityholder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the
rights of another Securityholder or to obtain a preference or priority over
another Securityholder.
SECTION 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder
to receive payment of principal of and interest on the Securities held by such
Holder, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Securities, or to
bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective
dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
SECTION 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of
Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) occurs and is continuing, the
Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust
against the Company for the whole amount then due and owing (together with
interest on any unpaid interest to the extent lawful) and the amounts provided
for in Section 7.07.
SECTION 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee
may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary
or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the Securityholders
allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, any Subsidiary or
Guarantor, their creditors or their property and, unless prohibited by law or
applicable regulations, may vote on behalf of the Holders in any
57
election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other Person performing similar
functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby
authorized by each Holder to make payments to the Trustee and, in the event that
the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the
Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable
compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents
and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.
SECTION 6.10. Priorities. If the Trustee collects any money or
property pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money or property in
the following order:
FIRST: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;
SECOND: to holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company to
the extent required by Article 10;
THIRD: to Securityholders for amounts due and unpaid on the
Securities for principal and interest, ratably, without preference or
priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the
Securities for principal and interest, respectively; and
FOURTH: to the Company or any other obligor on the Securities
or as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct in writing.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any
payment to Securityholders pursuant to this Section 6.10. At least 15 days
before such record date, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder and the
Company a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be
paid.
SECTION 6.11. Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the
enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against
the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its
discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an
undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may
assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses,
against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good
faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11
does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section
6.07 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the
Securities.
SECTION 6.12. Waiver of Stay or Extension Law. Neither the
Company nor any Guarantor (to the extent it may lawfully do so) shall at any
time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the
benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at
any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance
of this Indenture; and the Company and each Guarantor (to the extent that it may
lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such
law, and shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein
granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such
power as though no such law had been enacted.
58
ARTICLE 7
TRUSTEE
SECTION 7.01. Duties of Trustee. (a) If an Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers
vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in
their exercise as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances
in the conduct of such Person's own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only
such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no
implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture
against the Trustee; and
(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the
correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or
opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of
this Indenture. However, in the case of certificates or opinions
specifically required by any provision hereof to be furnished to it,
the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine
whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own
negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful
misconduct, except that:
(1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b)
of this Section;
(2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment
made in good faith by a Trust Officer unless it is proved that the
Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action
it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction
received by it pursuant to Section 6.05.
(d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates
to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.
(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money
received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.
(f) Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated
from other funds except to the extent required by law.
(g) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee
to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the
performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its
rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds to
59
believe that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or
liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(h) Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct
or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be
subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01 and to the provisions of the TIA.
SECTION 7.02. Rights of Trustee. (a) The Trustee may
conclusively rely on any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been
signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any
fact or matter stated in the document.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may
require an Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee shall not
be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on
the Officers' Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.
(c) The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be
responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due
care.
(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or
omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its
rights or powers; provided, however, that the Trustee's conduct does not
constitute willful misconduct or negligence.
(e) The Trustee may consult with counsel, and the advice or
opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and
the Securities shall be full and complete authorization and protection from
liability in respect to any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in
good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.
(f) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation
into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond,
debenture, note or other paper or document unless requested in writing to do so
by the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities
at the time outstanding, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such
further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit,
and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or
investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises
of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the expense of the Company
and shall incur no liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or
investigation.
(g) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any
of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or
direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders
shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory
to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might reasonably be
incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
(h) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any
Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has
actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact
such a default is received by the Trustee at the
60
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities
and this Indenture.
(i) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and
benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be
indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each
of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed
to act hereunder.
(j) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver an
Officers' Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of
officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this
Indenture, which Officers' Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to
sign an Officers' Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized
in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.
SECTION 7.03. Individual Right of Trustee.The Trustee in its
individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities
and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights
it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-paying
agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with
Sections 7.10 and 7.11.
SECTION 7.04. Trustee's Disclaimer.The Trustee shall not be
responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of
this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company's
use of the proceeds from the Securities, and it shall not be responsible for any
statement of the Company in this Indenture or in any document issued in
connection with the sale of the Securities or in the Securities other than the
Trustee's certificate of authentication.
SECTION 7.05. Notice of Defaults.If a Default occurs and is
continuing and is actually known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each
Securityholder notice of the Default within the earlier of 90 days after it
occurs or 30 days after it is actually known to a Trust Officer or written
notice of it is received by the Trustee. Except in the case of a Default in
payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on any Security, the
Trustee may withhold notice if and so long as a committee of its Trust Officers
in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of
Securityholders.
SECTION 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders.As promptly as
practicable after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the date of
this Indenture, and in any event prior to July 15 in each year, the Trustee
shall mail to each Securityholder a brief report dated as of July 15 that
complies with Section 313(a) of the TIA. The Trustee shall also comply with
Section 313(b) of the TIA.
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to
Securityholders shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange (if any) on
which the Securities are listed. The Company agrees to notify promptly the
Trustee whenever the Securities become listed on any stock exchange and of any
delisting thereof.
61
SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity.The Company shall pay
to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its services. The
Trustee's compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a
trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon
request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it in
accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, including costs of collection,
in addition to the compensation for its services, except for any such expenses
as may be attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct. Such expenses
shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and
advances of the Trustee's agents, counsel, accountants and experts. The Company
and each Guarantor, jointly and severally, shall indemnify the Trustee against
any and all loss, liability, claim, damage or expense (including reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses) incurred by or in connection with the
administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder. The
Trustee shall notify the Company of any claim for which it may seek indemnity
promptly upon obtaining actual knowledge thereof; provided, however, that any
failure so to notify the Company shall not relieve the Company or any Guarantor
of its indemnity obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and
the indemnified party shall provide reasonable cooperation at the Company's
expense in the defense of such claim. Such indemnified parties may together have
one counsel at any time and the Company and the Guarantors, as applicable shall
pay the fees and expenses of such counsel; provided, however, that the Company
shall not be required to pay such fees and expenses if it assumes such
indemnified parties' defense and, in such indemnified parties' reasonable
judgment, there is no conflict of interest between the Company and the
Guarantors, as applicable, and such parties in connection with such defense. The
Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability,
claim, damage or expense incurred by an indemnified party through such party's
own negligence or willful misconduct.
To secure the Company's payment obligations in this Section,
the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property
held or collected by the Trustee other than money or property held in trust to
pay principal of and interest on particular Securities.
The Company's payment obligations pursuant to this Section
shall survive the satisfaction or discharge of this Indenture, any rejection or
termination of this Indenture under any Bankruptcy Law or the resignation or
removal of the Trustee. When the Trustee incurs expenses after the occurrence of
a Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) with respect to the Company, the
expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under the
Bankruptcy Law.
SECTION 7.08. Replacement of Trustee.The Trustee may resign at
any time by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Securities may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and
may appoint a successor Trustee. The Company shall remove the Trustee if:
(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;
(2) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;
(3) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the
Trustee or its property; or
62
(4) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.
If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Company or by the
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities and such Holders do
not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in
the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred
to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Company shall promptly appoint a
successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its
appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon the
resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the
successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee
under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its
succession to Securityholders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all
property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien
provided for in Section 7.07.
If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days
after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the
Holders of 10% in principal amount of the Securities may petition at the expense
of the Company any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a
successor Trustee.
If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any
Securityholder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal
of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to
this Section, the Company's obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for
the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
SECTION 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger.If the Trustee
consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially
all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking
association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation without any
further act shall be the successor Trustee.
In case at the time such successor or successors by merger,
conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created
by this Indenture any of the Securities shall have been authenticated but not
delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of
authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Securities so
authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Securities shall not have
been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such
Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the
successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the
full force which it is anywhere in the Securities or in this Indenture provided
that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.
SECTION 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification.The Trustee shall
at all times satisfy the requirements of TIA Section 310(a). The Trustee shall
have a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000 as set forth in its
most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with
TIA Section 310(b); provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the
operation of TIA Section 310(b)(1) any indenture or indentures under which other
securities or
63
certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company are
outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in TIA Section
310(b)(1) are met.
SECTION 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against
Company.The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor
relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been
removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311 (a) to the extent indicated.
ARTICLE 8
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE DEFEASANCE
SECTION 8.01. Discharge of Liability on Securities;
Defeasance.(a) When (i) the Company delivers to the Trustee all outstanding
Securities (other than Securities replaced pursuant to Section 2.09 or paid or
Securities for which payment money has heretofore been deposited in trust
pursuant to this Article 8) for cancellation or (ii) all outstanding Securities
not theretofore delivered for cancellation have become due and payable, whether
at maturity or as a result of the mailing of a notice of redemption pursuant to
Article 3 hereof or will become due and payable within one year or are to be
called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the
Trustee for the giving of notice in the name and at the expense of the Company,
and the Company or any Guarantor irrevocably deposits or causes to be deposited
with the Trustee funds or U.S. Government Obligations on which payment of
principal and interest when due will be sufficient to pay at maturity or upon
redemption all outstanding Securities, including interest thereon to maturity or
such redemption date (other than Securities replaced pursuant to Section 2.09),
and if in either case the Company pays all other sums payable hereunder by the
Company, then this Indenture shall, subject to Section 8.01(c), cease to be of
further effect. The Trustee shall acknowledge satisfaction and discharge of this
Indenture on demand of the Company accompanied by an Officers' Certificate and
an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Company.
(b) Subject to Sections 8.01(c) and 8.02, the Company at any
time may terminate (i) all of its obligations under the Securities and this
Indenture ("legal defeasance option") or (ii) its obligations under Sections
4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11 and 4.12 and the
operation of Section 5.01(a)(iv), 6.01(4), 6.01(6), 6.01(7) (with respect to
Subsidiaries of the Company only), 6.01(8) (with respect to Subsidiaries of the
Company only) and 6.01(9) ("covenant defeasance option"). The Company may
exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its
covenant defeasance option. In the event that the Company terminates all of its
obligations under the Securities and this Indenture by exercising its legal
defeasance option, or if the Company exercises its covenant defeasance option,
the obligations under the Guarantees shall each be terminated simultaneously
with the termination of such obligations.
If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option, payment
of the Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the
Company exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the Securities may
not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(4),
6.01(6), 6.01(7) (with respect to Significant Subsidiaries of
64
the Company only), 6.01(8) (with respect to Significant Subsidiaries of the
Company only) or 6.01(9) or because of the failure of the Company to comply with
clause (iv) of Section 5.01(a).
Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon
request of the Company, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge
of those obligations that the Company terminates.
(c) Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Company's
obligations in Sections 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, ,2.10, 7.07, 7.08
and in this Article 8 shall survive until the Securities have been paid in full.
Thereafter, the Company's obligations in Sections 7.07, 8.04 and 8.05 shall
survive such satisfaction and discharge.
SECTION 8.02. Conditions to Defeasance.The Company may
exercise its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option only if:
(1) the Company irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee
money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal,
premium (if any) and interest on the Securities to maturity or
redemption, as the case may be;
(2) the Company delivers to the Trustee a certificate from a
nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing their
opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and
without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus
any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times
and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay principal and interest
when due on all the Securities to maturity or redemption, as the case
may be;
(3) 123 days pass after the deposit is made and during the
123-day period no Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) with
respect to the Company occurs which is continuing at the end of the
period;
(4) the deposit does not constitute a default under any other
material agreement binding on the Company and is not prohibited by
Article 10;
(5) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel
to the effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not
constitute, or is qualified as, a regulated investment company under
the Investment Company Act of 1940 (or the Canadian equivalent);
(6) in the case of the legal defeasance option, the Company
shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that,
subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, (i) the Company has
received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue
Service or Canadian Customs and Revenue Agency a ruling, or (ii) since
the date of this Indenture there has been a change in the applicable
Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based
thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, subject to
customary assumptions and exclusions, the Securityholders will not
recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. or
65
Canadian federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and
will be subject to U.S. or Canadian federal income tax on the same
amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been
the case if such defeasance had not occurred;
(7) in the case of the covenant defeasance option, the Company
shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect
that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the
Securityholders will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. or
Canadian federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant
defeasance and will be subject to U.S. or Canadian federal income tax
on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would
have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred; and
(8) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be
subject to customary assumptions and exclusions), each stating that all
conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge of the Securities
as contemplated by this Article 8 have been complied with.
Before or after a deposit, the Company may make arrangements
satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Securities at a future date in
accordance with Article 3.
SECTION 8.03. Application of Trust Money.The Trustee shall
hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to
this Article 8. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S.
Government Obligations through the Paying Agent and in accordance with this
Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities. Money
and securities so held in trust are not subject to Article 10.
SECTION 8.04. Repayment to Company.The Trustee and the Paying
Agent shall promptly turn over to the Company upon request any excess money or
securities held by them at any time.
Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee
and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon written request any money
held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for
two years, and, thereafter, Securityholders entitled to the money must look to
the Company for payment as general creditors.
SECTION 8.05. Indemnity for Government Obligations.The Company
shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge
imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the
principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.
SECTION 8.06. Reinstatement.If the Trustee or Paying Agent is
unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this
Article 8 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or
judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or
otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company's obligations under this
Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no
deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article 8 until such time as the Trustee
or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government
Obligations in accordance with this Article 8; provided, however, that, if the
Company has made any payment of interest on or principal of any Securities
because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be
66
subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such
payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or
Paying Agent.
ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Holders.The Company and the
Trustee may amend this Indenture or the Securities without notice to or consent
of any Securityholder:
(1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;
(2) to comply with Article 5;
(3) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or
in place of certificated Securities; provided, however, that the
uncertificated Securities are issued in registered form for purposes of
Section 163(f) of the Code or in a manner such that the uncertificated
Securities are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code;
(4) to make any change in Article 10 or Article 12 that would
limit or terminate the benefits available to any holder of Senior
Indebtedness (or Representatives therefor) under Article 10 or Article
12;
(5) to add additional Guarantees with respect to the
Securities or to secure the Securities;
(6) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of
the Holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon
the Company;
(7) to comply with any requirement of the SEC or Canadian
securities regulatory authorities in connection with qualifying, or
maintaining the qualification of, this Indenture under the TIA;
(8) to make any change that does not adversely affect the
rights of any Securityholder; or
(9) to provide for the issuance of the Additional Securities,
which shall have terms identical to the Original Securities (except for
any variation in issue price, issuance date and interest payable as a
result of such dates), and which shall be treated, together with any
outstanding Original Securities, as a single issue of securities,
including the entering into of one or more indentures supplemental
hereto for this purpose.
An amendment under this Section may not make any change that
adversely affects the rights under Article 10 or Article 12 of any holder of
Senior Indebtedness then outstanding unless the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness (or any group or representative thereof authorized to give a
consent) consent to such change.
67
After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the Company
shall mail to Securityholders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The
failure to give such notice to all Securityholders, or any defect therein, shall
not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section.
SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Holders.The Company, the Guarantors
and the Trustee may amend this Indenture or the Securities without notice to any
Securityholder but with the written consent of the Holders of at least a
majority in principal amount of the Securities then outstanding and affected by
such amendment (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or
exchange for the Securities), and any existing Default (subject to Article 6) or
compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities may be waived
with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then
outstanding Securities affected (including consents obtained in connection with
a purchase of or tender offer or exchange offer for Securities). However,
without the consent of each Securityholder of the Securities affected, an
amendment or waiver may not:
(1) reduce the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an
amendment;
(2) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on
any Security;
(3) reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any
Security;
(4) reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any Security
or change the time at which any Security may be redeemed in accordance
with Article 3;
(5) make any Security payable in money other than that stated in the
Security;
(6) make any change in Article 10 or Article 12 that adversely
affects the rights of any Securityholder under Article 10 or Article 12;
(7) make any change in Section 6.04 or 6.07 or the second sentence
of this Section 9.02; or
(8) modify the Guarantees in any manner adverse to the Holders; or
(9) impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal
of, or interest on such Holder's Securities on or after the due dates
therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or
with respect to such Holder's Securities.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this
Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver,
but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
An amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not make any
change that adversely affects the rights under Article 10 or Article 12 of any
holder of Senior Indebtedness
68
then outstanding unless the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or any group or
representative thereof authorized to give a consent) consent to such change.
After an amendment or waiver under this Section becomes effective,
the Company shall mail to Securityholders a notice briefly describing such
amendment or waiver. The failure to give such notice to all Securityholders, or
any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment or
waiver under this Section 9.02.
SECTION 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.Every amendment to
this Indenture or the Securities shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.
SECTION 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consent and Waivers.A consent
to an amendment or a waiver by a Holder of a Security shall bind the Holder and
every subsequent Holder of that Security or portion of the Security that
evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder's Security, even if notation of
the consent or waiver is not made on the Security. However, any such Holder or
subsequent Holder may revoke the consent or waiver as to such Holder's Security
or portion of the Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation
before the date on which the Trustee receives an Officers' Certificate from the
Company certifying that the requisite number of consents has been received.
After an amendment or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every
Securityholder. An amendment or waiver becomes effective upon the (i) receipt by
the Company or the Trustee of the requisite number of consents, (ii)
satisfaction of conditions to effectiveness as set forth in this Indenture and
an indenture supplemental hereto containing such amendment or waiver and (iii)
execution of such amendment or waiver (or supplemental indenture) by the Company
and the Trustee.
The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date
for the purpose of determining the Securityholders entitled to give their
consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be
taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then
notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were
Securityholders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only
those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent
previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons
continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or
effective for more than 120 days after such record date.
SECTION 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Securities.If an amendment
changes the terms of a Security, the Trustee may require the Holder of the
Security to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate
notation on the Security regarding the changed terms and return it to the
Holder. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company
in exchange for the Security shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a
new Security that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate
notation or to issue a new Security shall not affect the validity of such
amendment.
SECTION 9.06. Trustee To Sign Amendments.The Trustee shall sign any
amendment authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment does not
adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee.
If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing such amendment the
Trustee shall be entitled to receive indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it and
shall be provided with and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected
69
in relying upon, an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that
such amendment is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such
amendment is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and the
Guarantors enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to
customary exceptions, and complies with the provisions hereof (including Section
9.03).
SECTION 9.07. Payment for Consent.Neither the Company nor any
Affiliate of the Company shall, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid
any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder
for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms
or provisions of this Indenture or the Securities unless such consideration is
offered to be paid to all Holders that so consent, waive or agree to amend in
the time frame set forth in solicitation documents relating to such consent,
waiver or agreement.
ARTICLE 10
SUBORDINATION
SECTION 10.01. Agreement To Subordinate.The Company agrees, and each
Securityholder by accepting a Security agrees, that the Indebtedness evidenced
by the Securities is subordinated in right of payment, to the extent and in the
manner provided in this Article 10, to the prior payment in full of all existing
and future Senior Indebtedness of the Company and that the subordination is for
the benefit of and enforceable by the holders of such Senior Indebtedness. The
Securities shall in all respects rank pari passu in right of payment with all
existing and future Pari Passu Indebtedness of the Company and shall rank senior
in right of payment to all existing and future Subordinated Indebtedness of the
Company; and only Indebtedness of the Company that is Senior Indebtedness of the
Company shall rank senior to the Securities in accordance with the provisions
set forth herein. All provisions of this Article 10 shall be subject to Section
10.12.
SECTION 10.02. Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy.Upon any payment
or distribution of the assets of the Company to creditors upon a total or
partial liquidation or dissolution of the Company or reorganization of or
similar proceeding relating to the Company or its property, the holders of
Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall be entitled to receive payment in full
of the Senior Indebtedness of the Company before the Securityholders are
entitled to receive any payment and until the Senior Indebtedness is paid in
full, any payment or distribution to which Securityholders would be entitled but
for this Article 10 shall be made to holders of the Senior Indebtedness of the
Company as their interests may appear (except that Securityholders may receive
and retain (i) Permitted Junior Securities and (ii) payments made from the trust
described under Section 8.01 so long as, on the date or dates the respective
amounts were paid into the trust, such payments were made with respect to the
Securities without violating this Article 10). If a distribution is made to
Securityholders that due to this Article 10 should not have been made to them,
such Securityholders are required to hold it in trust for the holders of Senior
Indebtedness and pay it over to them as their interests may appear.
SECTION 10.03. Default on Senior Indebtedness.The Company may not
pay the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on, the Securities or make
any deposit pursuant to
70
Section 8.01 and may not otherwise purchase, redeem or otherwise retire any
Securities (except that Holders may receive and retain (a) Permitted Junior
Securities and (b) payments made from the trust described in Section 8.01)
(collectively, "pay the Securities") if (i) a default in the payment of the
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Designated Senior Indebtedness
of the Company occurs and is continuing or any other amount owing in respect of
any Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company is not paid when due, or (ii)
any other default on Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company occurs and
the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance
with its terms unless, in either case, (x) the default has been cured or waived
and any such acceleration has been rescinded or (y) such Designated Senior
Indebtedness has been paid in full. However, the Company may pay the Securities
without regard to the foregoing if the Company and the Trustee receive written
notice approving such payment from the Representative of such Designated Senior
Indebtedness with respect to which either of the events set forth in clause (i)
or (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence has occurred and is continuing.
During the continuance of any default (other than a default described in clause
(i) or (ii) of the second preceding sentence) with respect to any Designated
Senior Indebtedness of the Company pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be
accelerated immediately without further notice (except such notice as may be
required to effect such acceleration) or the expiration of any applicable grace
periods, the Company may not pay the Securities for a period (a "Payment
Blockage Period") commencing upon the receipt by the Trustee (with a copy to the
Company) of written notice (a "Blockage Notice") of such default from the
Representative of such Designated Senior Indebtedness specifying an election to
effect a Payment Blockage Period and ending 179 days thereafter (or earlier if
such Payment Blockage Period is terminated (i) by written notice to the Trustee
and the Company from the Person or Persons who gave such Blockage Notice, (ii)
by repayment in full of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or (iii) because the
default giving rise to such Blockage Notice is no longer continuing).
Notwithstanding the provisions described in the immediately preceding sentence
(but subject to the provisions contained in the first sentence of this Section
10.03 and Section 10.02), unless the holders of such Designated Senior
Indebtedness or the Representative of such holders shall have accelerated the
maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, the Company may resume payments
on the Securities after the end of such Payment Blockage Period. In no event may
the total number of days during which any Payment Blockage Period or Periods is
in effect exceed 179 days in the aggregate during any 360 consecutive day
period. For purposes of this Section 10.03, no default or event of default that
existed or was continuing on the date of the commencement of any Payment
Blockage Period with respect to the Designated Senior Indebtedness of the
Company initiating such Payment Blockage Period shall be, or be made, the basis
of the commencement of a subsequent Payment Blockage Period by the
Representative of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, whether or not within a
period of 360 consecutive days, unless such default or event of default shall
have been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.
SECTION 10.04. Acceleration of Payment of Securities; Acceleration
Forbearance.After the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Company or the
Trustee shall promptly notify the holders of the Designated Senior Indebtedness
(or their Representative) of such occurrence. So long as the Company has any
Designated Senior Indebtedness outstanding, if an Event of Default (other than
an Event of Default described in Sections 6.01(7) and (8) above) has occurred
and is continuing, the principal amount of the Securities shall not be due and
payable during any Acceleration Forbearance Period;
provided, however, that in the event there has been any prior Acceleration
Forbearance Period in the immediately preceding 12 month period, the duration of
the Acceleration Forbearance Period will be automatically reduced by the
cumulative duration of all prior Acceleration Forbearance Periods that occurred
during the preceding 12 month period.
SECTION 10.05. When Distribution Must Be Paid Over. If a
distribution is made to Securityholders that because of this Article 10 should
not have been made to them, the Securityholders who receive the distribution
shall hold it in trust for holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company and pay
it over to them as their respective interests may appear.
SECTION 10.06. Subrogation. After all Senior Indebtedness of the
Company is paid in full and until the Securities are paid in full,
Securityholders shall be subrogated to the rights of holders of such Senior
Indebtedness to receive distributions applicable to Senior Indebtedness. A
distribution made under this Article 10 to holders of such Senior Indebtedness
of the Company which otherwise would have been made to Securityholders is not,
as between the Company and Securityholders, a payment by the Company on such
Senior Indebtedness.
SECTION 10.07. Relative Rights. This Article 10 defines the relative
rights of Securityholders and holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company.
Nothing in this Indenture shall:
(1) impair, as between the Company and Securityholders, the
obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay
principal of and interest on the Securities in accordance with their
terms; or
(2) prevent the Trustee or any Securityholder from exercising its
available remedies upon a Default, subject to the rights of holders of
Senior Indebtedness of the Company to receive distributions otherwise
payable to Securityholders.
SECTION 10.08. Subordination May Not Be Impaired by Company. No
right of any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company to enforce the
subordination of the Indebtedness evidenced by the Securities shall be impaired
by any act or failure to act by the Company or by its failure to comply with
this Indenture.
SECTION 10.09. Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent. Notwithstanding
Section 10.03, the Trustee or Paying Agent may continue to make payments on the
Securities and shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of facts
that would prohibit the making of any such payments unless, not less than two
Business Days prior to the date of such payment,
72
a Trust Officer of the Trustee receives notice satisfactory to it that payments
may not be made under this Article 10. The Company, the Registrar, the Paying
Agent, a Representative or a holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company may
give the notice; provided, however, that, if an issue of Senior Indebtedness of
the Company has a Representative, only the Representative may give the notice.
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may hold Senior
Indebtedness of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not
Trustee. The Registrar and the Paying Agent may do the same with like rights.
The Trustee shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article 10
with respect to any Senior Indebtedness of the Company which may at any time be
held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of such Senior Indebtedness;
and nothing in Article 7 shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such
holder. Nothing in this Article 10 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the
Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.07.
SECTION 10.10. Distribution or Notice to Representative.Whenever a
distribution is to be made or a notice given to holders of Senior Indebtedness
of the Company, the distribution may be made and the notice given to their
Representative (if any).
SECTION 10.11. Article 10 Not To Prevent Events of Default or Limit
Right To Accelerate.The failure to make a payment pursuant to the Securities by
reason of any provision in this Article 10 shall not be construed as preventing
the occurrence of a Default. Except as otherwise provided in Section 10.04,
nothing in this Article 10 shall have any effect on the right of the
Securityholders or the Trustee to accelerate the maturity of the Securities.
SECTION 10.12. Trust Moneys Not Subordinated.Notwithstanding
anything contained herein to the contrary, payments from money or the proceeds
of U.S. Government Obligations held in trust under Article 8 by the Trustee for
the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities shall not be
subordinated to the prior payment of any Senior Indebtedness of the Company or
subject to the restrictions set forth in this Article 10, and none of the
Securityholders shall be obligated to pay over any such amount to the Company or
any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or any other creditor of the
Company.
SECTION 10.13. Trustee Entitled To Rely.Upon any payment or
distribution pursuant to this Article 10, the Trustee and the Securityholders
shall be entitled to rely (i) upon any order or decree of a court of competent
jurisdiction in which any proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 10.02
are pending, (ii) upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or
other Person making such payment or distribution to the Trustee or to the
Securityholders or (iii) upon the Representatives for the holders of Senior
Indebtedness of the Company for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled
to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness and other Indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or
payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other
facts pertinent thereto or to this Article 10. In the event that the Trustee
determines, in good faith, that evidence is required with respect to the right
of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company to participate
in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article 10, the Trustee may
request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the
Trustee as to the amount of such Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the
extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or
distribution and other facts pertinent to the rights of
73
such Person under this Article 10, and, if such evidence is not furnished, the
Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as
to the right of such Person to receive such payment. The provisions of Sections
7.01 and 7.02 shall be applicable to all actions or omissions of actions by the
Trustee pursuant to this Article 10.
SECTION 10.14. Trustee To Effectuate Subordination.Each
Securityholder by accepting a Security authorizes and directs the Trustee on his
behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or
effectuate the subordination between the Securityholders and the holders of
Senior Indebtedness of the Company as provided in this Article 10 and appoints
the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.
SECTION 10.15. Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior
Indebtedness.The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the
holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company and shall not be liable to any
such holders if it shall mistakenly pay over or distribute to Securityholders or
the Company or any other Person, money or assets to which any holders of Senior
Indebtedness of the Company shall be entitled by virtue of this Article 10 or
otherwise.
SECTION 10.16. Reliance by Holders of Senior Indebtedness on
Subordination Provisions.Each Securityholder by accepting a Security
acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing subordination provisions are, and are
intended to be, an inducement and a consideration to each holder of any Senior
Indebtedness of the Company, whether such Senior Indebtedness was created or
acquired before or after the issuance of the Securities, to acquire and continue
to hold, or to continue to hold, such Senior Indebtedness and such holder of
such Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed conclusively to have relied on such
subordination provisions in acquiring and continuing to hold, or in continuing
to hold, such Senior Indebtedness.
SECTION 10.17. Trustee's Compensation Not Prejudiced.Nothing in this
Article shall apply to amounts due to the Trustee pursuant to other sections of
this Indenture.
SECTION 10.18. Defeasance.The terms of this Article 10 shall not
apply to payments from money or the proceeds of U.S. Government Obligations held
in trust by the Trustee for the payment of principal of and interest on the
Securities pursuant to the provisions described in Section 8.03.
ARTICLE 11
GUARANTEES
SECTION 11.01. Guarantee.Each Guarantor hereby jointly and severally
irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees, as a primary obligor and not merely
as a surety, to each Holder and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns
(a) the full and punctual payment when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by
acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, of all obligations of the Company
under this Indenture (including obligations to the Trustee) and the Securities,
whether for payment of principal of, or interest on, the Securities and all
other monetary obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the
Securities and (b) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace
periods of all other obligations of the Company
74
whether for expenses, indemnification or otherwise under this Indenture and the
Securities (all the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called the
"Guaranteed Obligations"). Each Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed
Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or
further assent from each such Guarantor, and that each such Guarantor shall
remain bound under this Article 11 notwithstanding any extension or renewal of
any Guaranteed Obligation.
Each Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of, payment from and
protest to the Company of any of the Guaranteed Obligations and also waives
notice of protest for nonpayment. Each Guarantor waives notice of any default
under the Securities or the Guaranteed Obligations. The obligations of each
Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by (a) the failure of any Holder or
the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy
against the Company or any other Person under this Indenture, the Securities or
any other agreement or otherwise; (b) any extension or renewal of any thereof;
(c) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or
provisions of this Indenture, the Securities or any other agreement; (d) the
release of any security held by any Holder or the Trustee for the Guaranteed
Obligations or any of them; (e) the failure of any Holder or Trustee to exercise
any right or remedy against any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations;
or (f) any change in the ownership of such Guarantor, except as provided in
Section 11.02(b).
Each Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled
to have its obligations hereunder divided among the Guarantors, such that such
Guarantor's obligations would be less than the full amount claimed. Each
Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to have the assets
of the Company first be used and depleted as payment of the Company's or such
Guarantor's obligations hereunder prior to any amounts being claimed from or
paid by such Guarantor hereunder. Each Guarantor hereby waives any right to
which it may be entitled to require that the Company be sued prior to an action
being initiated against such Guarantor.
Each Guarantor further agrees that its Guarantee herein constitutes
a guarantee of payment, performance and compliance when due (and not a guarantee
of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any
Holder or the Trustee to any security held for payment of the Guaranteed
Obligations.
The Guarantee of each Guarantor is, to the extent and in the manner
set forth in Article 12, subordinated and subject in right of payment to the
prior payment in full of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on
all Senior Indebtedness of the relevant Guarantor and is made subject to such
provisions of this Indenture.
Except as expressly set forth in Sections 8.01(b), 11.02 and 11.06,
the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any
reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including any
claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be
subject to any defense of setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination
whatsoever or by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the
Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the obligations of each Guarantor herein shall not be discharged or
impaired or otherwise affected by the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to
assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy
75
under this Indenture, the Securities or any other agreement, by any waiver or
modification of any thereof, by any default, failure or delay, willful or
otherwise, in the performance of the obligations, or by any other act or thing
or omission or delay to do any other act or thing which may or might in any
manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Guarantor or would otherwise
operate as a discharge of any Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.
Each Guarantor agrees that its Guarantee shall remain in full force
and effect until payment in full of all the Guaranteed Obligations. Each
Guarantor further agrees that its Guarantee herein shall continue to be
effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any
part thereof, of principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation is
rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Holder or the Trustee upon the
bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise.
In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other
right which any Holder or the Trustee has at law or in equity against any
Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Company to pay the principal
of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation when and as the same shall become
due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, or to
perform or comply with any other Guaranteed Obligation, each Guarantor hereby
promises to and shall, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith
pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the Holders or the Trustee an amount equal
to the sum of (i) the unpaid principal amount of such Guaranteed Obligations
then due and owing, (ii) accrued and unpaid interest on such Guaranteed
Obligations (but only to the extent not prohibited by law) and (iii) all other
monetary obligations of the Company to the Holders and the Trustee.
Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of
subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any Guaranteed Obligations
guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all Guaranteed Obligations and all
obligations to which the Guaranteed Obligations are subordinated as provided in
Article 12. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between it, on the one hand,
and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the
Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in
Article 6 for the purposes of any Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay,
injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the
Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any
declaration of acceleration of such Guaranteed Obligations as provided in
Article 6, such Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall
forthwith become due and payable by such Guarantor for the purposes of this
Section 11.01.
Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all reasonable costs and
expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) incurred by the
Trustee or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Section 11.01.
Upon request of the Trustee, each Guarantor shall execute and
deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably
necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.
SECTION 11.02. Limitation on Liability.(a) Any term or provision of
this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum, aggregate amount of
the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereunder by any Guarantor shall not
exceed the maximum amount that,
76
after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such
Guarantor (including, without limitation, any guarantees under the Credit
Agreement) and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by
or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other
Guarantor under its Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under
this Indenture, can be hereby guaranteed without rendering this Indenture, as it
relates to such Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent
conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of
creditors generally.
(b) A Guarantee as to any Guarantor that is a Subsidiary of the
Company shall terminate and be of no further force or effect and such Guarantor
shall be deemed to be released from all obligations under this Article 11 upon
(i) the merger or consolidation of such Guarantor with or into any Person other
than the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company where such
Guarantor is not the surviving entity of such consolidation or merger or (ii)
the sale by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company (or any pledgee of the
Company) of the Capital Stock of such Guarantor, where, after such sale, such
Guarantor is no longer a Subsidiary of the Company; provided, however, that each
such merger, consolidation or sale (or, in the case of a sale by such a pledgee,
the disposition of the proceeds of such sale) shall comply with Section 4.06 and
Section 5.01(b). At the request of the Company, the Trustee shall execute and
deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing such release.
SECTION 11.03. Successors and Assigns.This Article 11 shall be
binding upon each Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure to
the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the Holders and, in
the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder or the Trustee,
the rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this Indenture and in the
Securities shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or
assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Indenture.
SECTION 11.04. No Waiver.Neither a failure nor a delay on the part
of either the Trustee or the Holders in exercising any right, power or privilege
under this Article 11 shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or
partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right,
power or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee and the
Holders herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any other
rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this Article 11 at law,
in equity, by statute or otherwise.
SECTION 11.05. Modification.No modification, amendment or waiver of
any provision of this Article 11, nor the consent to any departure by any
Guarantor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in
writing and signed by the Trustee, and then such waiver or consent shall be
effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No
notice to or demand on any Guarantor in any case shall entitle such Guarantor to
any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar or other
circumstances.
SECTION 11.06. Execution of Supplemental Indenture for Future
Guarantors.Each Subsidiary which is required to become a Guarantor pursuant to
Section 4.12 hereof shall promptly execute and deliver to the Trustee a
supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto pursuant to
which such Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor under this Article 11 and shall
guarantee the Guaranteed Obligations. Concurrently with the
77
execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, the Company shall deliver
to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers' Certificate to the effect
that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by such Subsidiary and that, subject to the application of bankruptcy,
insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or transfer and other similar laws
relating to creditors' rights generally and to the principles of equity, whether
considered in a proceeding at law or in equity, the Guarantee of such Guarantor
is a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Guarantor, enforceable against
such Guarantor in accordance with its terms.
ARTICLE 12
SUBORDINATION OF THE GUARANTEES
SECTION 12.01. Agreement To Subordinate. Each Guarantor agrees, and
each Securityholder by accepting a Security agrees, that the obligations of a
Guarantor hereunder are subordinated in right of payment, to the extent and in
the manner provided in this Article 12, to the prior payment in full of all
existing and future Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor (including, without
limitation, the Senior Indebtedness of each Guarantor represented by such
Guarantor's guarantee under the Credit Agreement) and that the subordination is
for the benefit of and enforceable by the holders of such Senior Indebtedness of
such Guarantor. The obligations hereunder with respect to a Guarantor shall in
all respects rank pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future
Pari Passu Indebtedness of such Guarantor and shall rank senior in right of
payment to all existing and future Subordinated Indebtedness of such Guarantor;
and only Indebtedness of such Guarantor that is Senior Indebtedness of such
Guarantor shall rank senior to the obligations of such Guarantor in accordance
with the provisions set forth herein.
SECTION 12.02. Liquidation, Dissolution Bankruptcy. Upon any payment
or distribution of the assets of a Guarantor to creditors upon a total or
partial liquidation or dissolution of such Guarantor or reorganization of or
similar proceeding relating to such Guarantor and its properties, the holders of
Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor shall be entitled to receive payment in
full of such Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor before Securityholders are
entitled to receive any payment and until the Senior Indebtedness of such
Guarantor is paid in full, any payment or distribution to which Securityholders
would be entitled but for this Article 12 shall be made to holders of such
Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor as their interests may appear. If a
distribution is made to Securityholders that due to this Article 12 should not
have been made to them, such Securityholders are required to hold it in trust
for the holders of Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor and pay it over to them
as their interests may appear (except that Securityholders may receive and
retain (i) Permitted Junior Securities and (ii) payments made from the trust
described under Section 8.01 so long as, on the date or dates the respective
amounts were paid into the trust, such payments were made with respect to the
Securities without violating this Article 12).
SECTION 12.03. Default on Designated Senior Indebtedness of a
Guarantor. A Guarantor may not make any payment pursuant to any of the
Guaranteed Obligations and may not otherwise purchase, redeem or otherwise
retire any Securities (collectively, "pay its Guarantee") if (i) a default in
the payment of the principal of, premium, if
78
any, or interest on any Designated Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor occurs
and is continuing or any other amount owing in respect of any Designated Senior
Indebtedness of such Guarantor is not paid when due, or (ii) any other default
on Designated Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor occurs and the maturity of
such Designated Senior Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms
unless, in either case, (x) the default has been cured or waived and any such
acceleration has been rescinded or (y) such Designated Senior Indebtedness has
been paid in full. However, such Guarantor may pay its Guarantee without regard
to the foregoing if such Guarantor and the Trustee receive written notice
approving such payment from the Representative of such Designated Senior
Indebtedness with respect to which either of the events in clause (i) or (ii) of
the immediately preceding sentence has occurred and is continuing. During the
continuance of any default (other than a default described in clause (i) or (ii)
of the second preceding sentence) with respect to any Designated Senior
Indebtedness of a Guarantor pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be
accelerated immediately without further notice (except such notice as may be
required to effect such acceleration) or the expiration of any applicable grace
periods, such Guarantor may not pay its Guarantee for a period (a "Guarantee
Payment Blockage Period") commencing upon the receipt by the Trustee (with a
copy to such Guarantor and the Company) of written notice (a "Guarantee Blockage
Notice") of such default from the Representative of such Designated Senior
Indebtedness specifying an election to effect a Guarantee Payment Blockage
Period and ending 179 days thereafter (or earlier if such Guarantee Payment
Blockage Period is terminated (i) by written notice to the Trustee (with a copy
to such Guarantor and the Company) from the Person or Persons who gave such
Guarantee Blockage Notice, (ii) because such Designated Senior Indebtedness has
been repaid in full or (iii) because the default giving rise to such Guarantee
Blockage Notice is no longer continuing). Notwithstanding the provisions
described in the immediately preceding sentence (but subject to the provisions
contained in the first sentence of this Section 12.03 and in Section 12.02),
unless the holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or the Representative
of such holders shall have accelerated the maturity of such Designated Senior
Indebtedness, such Guarantor may resume payments on its Guarantee after such
Guarantee Payment Blockage Period, including any missed payments. Not more than
one Guarantee Blockage Notice may be given with respect to a Guarantor in any
consecutive 360-day period, irrespective of the number of defaults with respect
to Designated Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor during such period.
SECTION 12.04. Demand for Payment; Acceleration Forbearance. After
the occurrence of an Event of Default and a demand for payment is made on a
Guarantor pursuant to Article 11, the Trustee shall promptly notify the holders
of the Designated Senior Indebtedness (or the Representative of such holders) of
such occurrence. So long as the Company has any Designated Senior Indebtedness
outstanding, if an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default described in
Sections 6.01(7) and (8) above) has occurred and is continuing, the principal
amount of the Securities shall not be due and payable by any Guarantor during
any Acceleration Forbearance Period;
79
provided, however, that in the event there has been any prior Acceleration
Forbearance Period in the immediately preceding 12 month period, the duration of
the Acceleration Forbearance Period will be automatically reduced by the
cumulative duration of all prior Acceleration Forbearance Periods that occurred
during the preceding 12 month period.
SECTION 12.05. When Distribution Must Be Paid Over. If a payment or
distribution is made to Securityholders that because of this Article 12 should
not have been made to them, the Securityholders who receive the payment or
distribution shall hold such payment or distribution in trust for holders of the
Senior Indebtedness of the relevant Guarantor and pay it over to them as their
respective interests may appear.
SECTION 12.06. Subrogation. After all Designated Senior Indebtedness
of a Guarantor is paid in full and until the Securities are paid in full in
cash, Securityholders shall be subrogated to the rights of holders of Senior
Indebtedness of such Guarantor to receive distributions applicable to Senior
Indebtedness of such Guarantor. A distribution made under this Article 12 to
holders of Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor which otherwise would have been
made to Securityholders is not, as between such Guarantor and Securityholders, a
payment by such Guarantor on such Senior Indebtedness.
SECTION 12.07. Relative Rights. This Article 12 defines the relative
rights of Securityholders and holders of Senior Indebtedness of a Guarantor.
Nothing in this Indenture shall:
(1) impair, as between a Guarantor and Securityholders, the
obligation of a Guarantor which is absolute and unconditional, to make
payments with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations to the extent set
forth in Article 11; or
(2) prevent the Trustee or any Securityholder from exercising its
available remedies upon a default by a Guarantor under its obligations
with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations, subject to the rights of
holders of Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor to receive distributions
otherwise payable to Securityholders.
SECTION 12.08. Subordination May Not Be Impaired by a Guarantor. No
right of any holder of Senior Indebtedness of a Guarantor to enforce the
subordination of the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder shall be impaired
by any act or failure to act by such Guarantor or by its failure to comply with
this Indenture.
SECTION 12.09. Right of Trustee and Paying Agent. Notwithstanding
Section 12.03, the Trustee or the Paying Agent may continue to make payments on
the Securities and shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of facts
that would prohibit the making of any such payments unless, not less than two
Business Days prior to the date of such payment, a Trust Officer of the Trustee
receives notice satisfactory to payments may not be made under this Article 12.
A Guarantor, the Registrar or co-registrar, the Paying Agent, a Representative
or a holder of Senior Indebtedness of a Guarantor may give the notice; provided,
however, that if an
80
issue of Senior Indebtedness of a Guarantor has a Representative, only the
Representative may give the notice.
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity, may hold Senior
Indebtedness of a Guarantor with the same rights it would have if it were not
Trustee. The Registrar and co-registrar and the Paying Agent may do the same
with like rights. The Trustee shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in
this Article 12 with respect to any Senior Indebtedness of a Guarantor which may
at any time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior
Indebtedness of such Guarantor; and nothing in Article 7 shall deprive the
Trustee of any of its rights as such holder. Nothing in this Article 12 shall
apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section
7.07.
SECTION 12.10. Distribution or Notice to Representative. Whenever a
distribution is to be made or a notice given to holders of Senior Indebtedness
of a Guarantor, the distribution may be made and the notice given to their
Representative (if any).
SECTION 12.11. Article 12 Not To Prevent Events of Default or Limit
Right To Accelerate. The failure of a Guarantor to make a payment on any of its
obligations by reason of any provision in this Article 12 shall not be construed
as preventing the occurrence of a default by such Guarantor under such
obligations. Nothing in this Article 12 shall have any effect on the right of
the Securityholders or the Trustee to make a demand for payment on a Guarantor
pursuant to Article 11.
SECTION 12.12. Trustee Entitled To Rely. Upon any payment or
distribution pursuant to this Article 12, the Trustee and the Securityholders
shall be entitled to rely (i) upon any order or decree of a court of competent
jurisdiction in which any proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 12.02
are pending, (ii) upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or
other Person making such payment or distribution to the Trustee or to the
Securityholders or (iii) upon the Representatives for the holders of Senior
Indebtedness of a Guarantor for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled
to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of the Senior
Indebtedness of a Guarantor and other Indebtedness of a Guarantor, the amount
thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon
and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article 12. In the event that
the Trustee determines, in good faith, that evidence is required with respect to
the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness of a Guarantor to
participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article 12, the
Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable
satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness of such
Guarantor held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to
participate in such payment or distribution and other facts pertinent to the
rights of such Person under this Article 12, and, if such evidence is not
furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial
determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment. The
provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02 shall be applicable to all actions or
omissions of actions by the Trustee pursuant to this Article 12.
SECTION 12.13. Trustee To Effectuate Subordination. Each
Securityholder by accepting a Security authorizes and directs the Trustee on his
or her behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to
acknowledge or effectuate the subordination between the
81
Securityholders and the holders of Senior Indebtedness of each of the Guarantors
as provided in this Article 12 and appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for
any and all such purposes.
SECTION 12.14. Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior
Indebtedness of Guarantor. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary
duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of a Guarantor and shall not be
liable to any such holders if it shall mistakenly pay over or distribute to
Securityholders or the relevant Guarantor or any other Person, money or assets
to which any holders of Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor shall be entitled
by virtue of this Article 12 or otherwise.
SECTION 12.15. Reliance by Holders of Senior Indebtedness of a
Guarantor on Subordination Provisions. Each Securityholder by accepting a
Security acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing subordination provisions
are, and are intended to be, an inducement and a consideration to each holder of
any Senior Indebtedness of a Guarantor, whether such Senior Indebtedness of such
Guarantor was created or acquired before or after the issuance of the
Securities, to acquire and continue to hold, or to continue to hold, such Senior
Indebtedness of such Guarantor and such holder of Senior Indebtedness of such
Guarantor shall be deemed conclusively to have relied on such subordination
provisions in acquiring and continuing to hold, or in continuing to hold, such
Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor.
SECTION 12.16. Defeasance. The terms of this Article 12 shall not
apply to payments from money or the proceeds of U.S. Government Obligations held
in trust by the Trustee for the payment of principal of and interest on the
Securities pursuant to the provisions described in Section 8.03.
ARTICLE 13
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 13.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls. If any provision of
this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is
required to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, the required provision
shall control.
SECTION 13.02. Notices. Any notice or communication shall be in
writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail addressed as
follows:
if to the Company or any Guarantor:
Volume Services America Holdings, Inc.
201 East Broad Street
Spartanburg, South Carolina 29306
Attention of: Chief Financial Officer
if to the Trustee:
The Bank of New York
82
101 Barclay Street, Floor 21W
New York, NY 10286
Attention of: Global Finance Unit
The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate
additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
Any notice or communication mailed to a Securityholder shall be
mailed to the Securityholder at the Securityholder's address as it appears on
the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so
mailed within the time prescribed.
Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder or any
defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other
Securityholders. If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided
above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
SECTION 13.03. Communication by Holders with Other Holders.
Securityholders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other
Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the
Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have
the protection of TIA Section 312(c).
SECTION 13.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take or refrain
from taking any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the
Trustee:
(1) an Officers' Certificate in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of the signers,
all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating
to the proposed action have been complied with; and
(2) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of such counsel,
all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
SECTION 13.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each
certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition
provided for in this Indenture shall include:
(1) a statement that the individual making such certificate or
opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination
or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
certificate or opinion are based;
83
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made
such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express
an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has
been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such
individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with.
SECTION 13.06. When Securities Disregarded. In determining whether
the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities have concurred in any
direction, waiver or consent, Securities owned by the Company, any Guarantor or
by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under
direct or indirect common control with the Company or any Guarantor shall be
disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, for the purpose of
determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such
direction, waiver or consent, only Securities which the Trustee knows are so
owned shall be so disregarded. Subject to the foregoing, only Securities
outstanding at the time shall be considered in any such determination.
SECTION 13.07. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar. The
Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Securityholders.
The Registrar and the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their
functions.
SECTION 13.08. Legal Holidays. A "Legal Holiday" is a Saturday, a
Sunday or a day on which banking institutions are not required to be open in the
State of New York. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday, payment shall be made
on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall
accrue for the intervening period. If a regular record date is a Legal Holiday,
the record date shall not be affected.
SECTION 13.09. GOVERNING LAW. THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES
SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK.
SECTION 13.10. No Recourse Against Others. A director, officer,
employee or stockholder of the Company or any Guarantor shall not have any
liability for any obligations of the Company or any Guarantor under the
Securities, the Guarantees or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in
respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a
Security, each Securityholder shall waive and release all such liability. The
waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of the
Securities.
SECTION 13.11. Successors. All agreements of the Company and each
Guarantor in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors. All
agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.
SECTION 13.12. Multiple Originals. The parties may sign any number
of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of
them together represent the same agreement. One signed copy is enough to prove
this Indenture.
SECTION 13.13. Table of Contents; Headings. The table of contents,
cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this
Indenture have been inserted for
84
convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof
and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be
duly executed as of the date first written above.
VOLUME SERVICES AMERICA HOLDINGS,
INC.
By:
---------------------------------
Name:
Title:
VOLUME SERVICES AMERICA, INC., as
Guarantor
By:
---------------------------------
Name:
Title:
VOLUME SERVICES, INC. (Delaware),
as Guarantor
By:
---------------------------------
Name:
Title:
SERVICE AMERICA CORPORATION, as
Guarantor
By:
---------------------------------
Name:
Title:
VOLUME SERVICES, INC. (Kansas), as
Guarantor
By:
---------------------------------
Name:
Title:
EVENTS CENTER CATERING, INC., as
Guarantor
By:
---------------------------------
Name:
2
Title:
SERVICE AMERICA CONCESSIONS
CORPORATION, as Guarantor
By:
---------------------------------
Name:
Title:
SERVICE AMERICA CORPORATION OF
WISCONSIN, as Guarantor
By:
---------------------------------
Name:
Title:
SERVO-KANSAS, INC., as Guarantor
By:
---------------------------------
Name:
Title:
SVM OF TEXAS, INC., as Guarantor
By:
---------------------------------
Name:
Title:
SERVICE AMERICA OF TEXAS, INC., as
Guarantor
By:
---------------------------------
Name:
Title:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee
By:
---------------------------------
3
Name:
Title:
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]
[If applicable, insert: THE COMPANY MAY SUBSEQUENTLY ISSUE SUBORDINATED NOTES
THAT ARE IDENTICAL IN ALL MATERIAL RESPECTS TO THIS SECURITY BUT HAVE ORIGINAL
ISSUE DISCOUNT. IN SUCH CASE, THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE
EXCHANGED A PORTION OF HIS SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY FOR SUCH NEWLY ISSUED
SECURITIES WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT. THE AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF
SECURITIES OWNED BY SUCH HOLDER, HOWEVER, WILL NOT CHANGE AS A RESULT OF SUCH
DEEMED EXCHANGE. WITH RESPECT TO SUCH NEWLY ISSUED SECURITIES WITH ORIGINAL
DISCOUNT, A HOLDER MAY OBTAIN THE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, THE ISSUE
DATE, THE ISSUE PRICE AND THE YIELD TO MATURITY BY SUBMITTING A WRITTEN REQUEST
TO THE COMPANY].
No. $
% Subordinated Note due 2013
CUSIP No.
VOLUME SERVICES AMERICA HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation,
promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum [of
Dollars] [listed on the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Security
attached hereto]1 on , 2013, subject to extension as provided herein.
Interest Payment Dates:
Record Dates: .
- --------
1 Use the Schedule of Increases and Decreases language for a Global
Security.
2
Additional provisions of this Security are set forth on the other
side of this Security.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this instrument to be
duly executed.
VOLUME SERVICES AMERICA HOLDINGS, INC.
By:
--------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Dated:
TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF
AUTHENTICATION
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Trustee, certifies that this is one of
the Securities referred to in the Indenture.
By:
----------------------------------------
Authorized Signatory
[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF ORIGINAL SECURITY]
% Subordinated Note due 2013
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the
meanings given to such terms in the Indenture (as defined).
1. Interest; Deferral; Extension of Maturity
VOLUME SERVICES AMERICA HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation (such
corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to, being herein called the "Company"), promises to pay interest on the
principal amount of this Security at the rate per annum shown above. The Company
shall pay interest from , 2003 or from the most recent date to which
interest has been paid or provided for, payable monthly on the 20th day of each
month to Holders of record on the tenth day or the immediately preceding
Business Day of such month, commencing , 2004, provided that if any such
day is not a Business Day, such day shall be the next Business Day.
If and for so long as the Company is required to defer interest
payments on the Securities pursuant to the terms of any Designated Senior
Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount greater than $ million, the
Company shall defer such interest payments on the Securities; provided, however,
that the Company shall not be required to defer such interest payments: (i) so
long as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the
Securities and the Securities have been accelerated; or (ii) for more than 24
months in the aggregate prior to December 17, 2008. During any period from
December 20, 2008, through December , 2013, (A) interest payments may be
deferred for no more than 10 consecutive months before current interest
payments, including current interest on deferred interest, must be resumed, and
(B) if all deferred interest has been paid, interest payments may again be
deferred as described in clause (A). If the maturity of the Securities is
extended, interest will be deferred if required under any then outstanding
Senior Indebtedness in the same manner as during the period from December 20,
2008, through December , 2013. Deferred interest on the Securities will bear
interest monthly at a rate equal to the stated annual rate of interest on the
Securities divided by 12. The Company shall pay deferred interest pursuant to
the following provisions: (i) for any interest deferral prior to December 17,
2008, the Company must pay all deferred interest no later than December 17,
2008; (ii) for any interest deferral after December 17, 2008 and prior to
December , 2013, the Company must pay all deferred interest no later than
December , 2013; (iii) subject to (i) and (ii) above, the Company may only pay
deferred interest if such payment is permitted under the Credit Agreement or any
other then outstanding Designated Senior Indebtedness; and (iv) so long as the
Company is able to pay deferred interest, the Company may elect to pay such
deferred interest in installments or in a lump sum payment.
The Company may extend the maturity of any Securities for two
additional successive five-year terms, to , 2018 and , 2023,
respectively, if the following conditions are satisfied:
2
(1) during the twelve month period ending on the last day of the
fiscal quarter ending at least 45 days prior to the end of the
then-current term, the ration of Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA is less than
5.00 to 1.00;
(2) no Event of Default (including certain events of bankruptcy,
insolvency or reorganization of the Company or a Significant Subsidiary)
has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Securities;
(3) no event of default has occurred and is continuing with respect
to any other Indebtedness of the Company, or could occur as a result of
such extension, including under any Designated Senior Indebtedness; and
(4) there is no interest due but unpaid on the Securities or any
other Indebtedness of the Company, other than trade payables in a
non-material amount.
2. Method of Payment
The Company shall pay interest on the Securities (except defaulted
interest) to the Persons who are registered holders of Securities at the close
of business on the day of each month preceding the interest payment date even if
Securities are canceled after the record date and on or before the interest
payment date. Holders must surrender Securities to a Paying Agent to collect
principal payments. The Company shall pay principal, premium, if any, and
interest in money of the United States of America to holders in the U.S. and in
money of Canada to holders in Canada that at the time of payment is legal tender
for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Securities
represented by a Global Security (including principal, premium, if any, and
interest) shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the
accounts specified by The Depository Trust Company. The Company will make all
payments in respect of a certificated Security (including principal, premium, if
any, and interest), and the Securities may be exchanged or transferred, at
office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New
York (which initially shall be the office of the Trustee maintained for such
purpose at The Depository Trust Company, 55 Water Street, New York, NY 10041),
except that, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by
check mailed to the Holders at their registered addresses; provided, however,
that payments on the Securities may also be made, in the case of a Holder of at
least $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Securities, by wire transfer to a
U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if
such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the
Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later
than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such
other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).
3. Paving Agent and Registrar
Initially, The Bank of New York, a national banking association (the
"Trustee"), will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint and
change any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar without notice. The Company
or any of its domestically incorporated Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act as
Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar.
4. Indenture
3
The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture dated as of ,
2003 (the "Indenture"), among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The
terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and those made
part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C.
Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the "TIA").
Terms defined in the Indenture and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed
thereto in the Indenture. The Securities are subject to all terms and provisions
of the Indenture, and Securityholders are referred to the Indenture and the TIA
for a statement of such terms and provisions.
The Securities are subordinated unsecured obligations of the
Company, of which $ in aggregate principal amount of Original Securities
shall be initially issued on the Closing Date and up to $ in aggregate
principal amount of Original Securities shall be issued on any date of exercise
of the over-allotment option pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement. Subject to
the conditions set forth in the Indenture, the Company may issue an unlimited
aggregate principal amount of Additional Securities. This Security is one of the
Original Securities referred to in the Indenture. The Securities include the
Original Securities and any Additional Securities. The Original Securities and
any Additional Securities will vote together on all matters. Additional
Securities shall be issued with terms identical to the Original Securities,
except for any variation in issue price, issuance date and interest payable as a
result of such dates. The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the ability
of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to, among other things, incur
Indebtedness and issue Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock; pay dividends on,
and redeem, capital stock and redeem Indebtedness that is subordinate in right
of payment to the Securities; make certain other Restricted Payments, including
Investments; enter into consensual restrictions on the payment of certain
dividends and distributions by Restricted Subsidiaries; enter into or permit
certain transactions with Affiliates; create or incur Liens; and make Asset
Sales. The Indenture also imposes limitations on the ability of the Company and
the Guarantors to consolidate or merge with or into any other Person or convey,
transfer or lease all or substantially all of the property of the Company or the
Guarantors.
To guarantee the due and punctual payment of the principal and
interest on the Securities and all other amounts payable by the Company under
the Indenture and the Securities when and as the same shall be due and payable,
whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, according to the terms of the
Securities and the Indenture, the Guarantors have jointly and severally
unconditionally guaranteed the Guaranteed Obligations on a subordinated basis
pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.
5. Optional Redemption
After , 2008, the Company may redeem the notes, at its option, at
any time in whole and from time to time in part, for cash, at a "make-whole"
redemption price equal to the greater of (1) the aggregate principal amount
being redeemed or (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled
payments to the scheduled maturity of the subordinated notes (assuming no
subsequent extension thereof) of the principal and interest (other than accrued
interest) on the notes being redeemed, discounted to the redemption date on a
monthly basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at
the Treasury Rate plus 25 basis points, plus accrued and unpaid interest to but
not including the redemption date.
4
6. Sinking Fund
The Securities are not subject to any sinking fund.
7. Notice of Redemption
Notice of redemption will be mailed by first-class mail at least 30
days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of
Securities to be redeemed at his or her registered address. Securities may be
redeemed in part. If money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued
and unpaid interest on all Securities (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on
the redemption date is deposited with the Paying Agent on or before the
redemption date and certain other conditions are satisfied, on and after such
date interest ceases to accrue on such Securities (or such portions thereof)
called for redemption.
8. Repurchase of Securities at the Option of Holders upon Change of Control
Upon a Change of Control, any Holder of Securities will have the
right, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture, to cause the
Company to repurchase all or any part of the Securities of such Holder at a
purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Securities to be
repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase (subject
to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive
interest due on the relevant interest payment date that is on or prior to the
date of purchase) as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.
9. Subordination
The Securities are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness of the
Company, as defined in the Indenture. To the extent provided in the Indenture,
Senior Indebtedness of the Company must be paid before the Securities may be
paid. The Company and each Guarantor agrees, and each Securityholder by
accepting a Security agrees, to the subordination provisions contained in the
Indenture and authorizes the Trustee to give it effect and appoints the Trustee
as attorney-in-fact for such purpose.
10. Transfer; Exchange
The Securities are in registered form without coupons. A Holder may
transfer or exchange Securities in accordance with the Indenture. Upon any
transfer or exchange, the Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among
other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to
pay any taxes required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need
not register the transfer of or exchange any Securities selected for redemption
(except, in the case of a Security to be redeemed in part, the portion of the
Security not to be redeemed) or to transfer or exchange any Securities for a
period of 15 days prior to a selection of Securities to be redeemed.
11. Persons Deemed Owners
The registered Holder of this Security may be treated as the owner
of it for all purposes.
5
12. Unclaimed Money
If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed
for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the
Company at its written request unless an abandoned property law designates
another Person. After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look
only to the Company and not to the Trustee for payment.
13. Discharge and Defeasance
Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time may terminate
some of or all its obligations under the Securities and the Indenture if the
Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the
payment of principal and interest on the Securities to redemption or maturity,
as the case may be.
14. Amendment, Waiver
Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the
Indenture or the Securities may be amended without prior notice to any
Securityholder but with the written consent of the Holders of at least a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities and (ii)
any Default or compliance with any provision may be waived with the written
consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding Securities. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the
Indenture, without the consent of any Holder of Securities, the Company and the
Trustee may amend the Indenture or the Securities (i) to cure any ambiguity,
omission, defect or inconsistency; (ii) to comply with Article 5 of the
Indenture; (iii) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in
place of certificated Securities; (iv) to add Guarantees with respect to the
Securities; (v) to secure the Securities; (vi) to add additional covenants or to
surrender rights and powers conferred on the Company; (vii) to comply with the
requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the
Indenture under the TIA; (viii) to make any change that does not adversely
affect the rights of any Securityholder; (ix) to make any change in the
subordination provisions of the Indenture that would limit or terminate the
benefits available to any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer (or any
representative thereof) under such subordination provisions; or (x) to provide
for the issuance of Additional Securities.
15. Defaults and Remedies
Subject to Acceleration Forbearance, if an Event of Default occurs
(other than an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy,
insolvency or reorganization of the Company) and is continuing, the Trustee or
the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities
may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the
Securities to be due and payable. If an Event of Default relating to certain
events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company occurs, the
principal of and interest on all the Securities shall become immediately due and
payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any
Holders. Under certain circumstances, the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the outstanding Securities may rescind any such acceleration with
respect to the Securities and its consequences.
6
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee shall
be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the
Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders
have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity or security against any loss,
liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of
principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no Holder may pursue any
remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Securities unless (i) such Holder
has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing,
(ii) Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities
have requested the Trustee in writing to pursue the remedy, (iii) such Holders
have offered the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against any loss,
liability or expense, (iv) the Trustee has not complied with such request within
60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity
and (v) the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
Securities have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request
within such 60-day period. Subject to certain restrictions, the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities are given the right
to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the
Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts
with law or the Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial
to the rights of any other Holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal
liability. Prior to taking any action under the Indenture, the Trustee shall be
entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against
all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.
16. Trustee Dealings with the Company
Subject to certain limitations imposed by the TIA, the Trustee under
the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or
pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed
to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company
or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.
17. No Recourse Against Others
A director, officer, employee or stockholder of the Company or any
Guarantor shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any
Guarantor under the Securities, the Guarantees or the Indenture or for any claim
based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By
accepting a Security, each Securityholder waives and releases all such
liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of
the Securities.
18. Authentication
This Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of
the Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of
authentication on the other side of this Security.
19. Abbreviations
7
Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Securityholder
or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the
entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as
tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/GIMIA (=Uniform Gift to Minors
Act).
20. Governing Law
THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
21. CUSIP Numbers
Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform
Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be
printed on the Securities and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers in
notices of redemption as a convenience to Securityholders. No representation is
made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or
as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the
other identification numbers placed thereon.
THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH TO ANY HOLDER OF SECURITIES UPON WRITTEN
REQUEST AND WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE HOLDER A COPY OF THE INDENTURE WHICH HAS IN IT
THE TEXT OF THIS SECURITY.
8
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Security, fill in the form below:
I or we assign and transfer this Security to
(Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)
(Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)
and irrevocably appoint agent to transfer this Security on the books
of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Your Signature:
---------------------- ----------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security.
[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL SECURITIES]
SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL SECURITY
The initial principal amount of this Global Security is $[ ]. The
following increases or decreases in this Global Security have been made:
Amount of decrease in Amount of increase in Principal amount of this Signature of authorized
Principal Amount of Principal Amount of Global Security following signatory of Trustee
Date of Exchange this Global Security this Global Security such decrease or increase or Securities Custodian
OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Security purchased by the Company
pursuant to Section 4.06 (Asset Sale) or 4.09 (Change of Control) of the
Indenture, check the box:
Asset Sale [ ] Change of Control [ ]
If you want to elect to have only part of this Security purchased by
the Company pursuant to Section 4.06 or 4.09 of the Indenture, state the amount:
Date: Your Signature:
------------------ ----------------------------------------
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of the Security)
Signature Guarantee:
----------------------------------------------------------
Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a
recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other
signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE FOR NEW GUARANTORS
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this "Supplemental Indenture") dated as of ,
among [GUARANTOR] (the "New Guarantor"), an indirect subsidiary of VOLUME
SERVICES AMERICA HOLDINGS, INC. (or its successor), a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), [EXISTING GUARANTORS] and [THE BANK OF NEW YORK], a national banking
association, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the "Trustee").
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS the Company and [OLD GUARANTORS] (the "Existing Guarantors")
have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an Indenture (the
"Indenture") dated as of , 2003, providing for the issuance of an
unlimited aggregate principal amount of subordinated notes (the "Securities")
and [Original Securities have been issued and our outstanding under the
Indenture];
WHEREAS Section 4.12 of the Indenture provides that under certain
circumstances the Company is required to cause the New Guarantor to execute and
deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the New
Guarantor shall unconditionally guarantee all the Company's obligations under
the Securities pursuant to a Guarantee on the terms and conditions set forth
herein; and
WHEREAS pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee, the
Company and the Existing Guarantors are authorized to execute and deliver this
Supplemental Indenture;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good
and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the New
Guarantor, the Company, the Existing Guarantors and the Trustee mutually
covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the
Securities as follows:
1. Agreement to Guarantee. The New Guarantor hereby agrees, jointly
and severally with all the Existing Guarantors, to unconditionally guarantee the
Company's obligations under the Securities on the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in Article 10 of the Indenture and to be bound by all other
applicable provisions of the Indenture and the Securities.
2. Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of
Indenture. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects
ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof
shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a
part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every holder of Securities
heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.
2
3. Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY,
AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
4. Trustee Makes No Representation. The Trustee makes no
representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture.
5. Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this
Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them
together represent the same agreement.
6. Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for
convenience only and shall not effect the construction thereof.
7. Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall
have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental
Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
[NEW GUARANTOR]
By:
---------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
VOLUME SERVICES AMERICA HOLDINGS, INC.
By:
---------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
[EXISTING GUARANTORS]
By:
---------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
[THE BANK OF NEW YORK], as Trustee
By:
---------------------------------------
Name:
Title: