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EXHIBIT 99.1
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
AMERISERVE FOOD DISTRIBUTION, INC.
OFFER TO EXCHANGE
ALL OUTSTANDING
10 1/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
FOR
10 1/8% NEW SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2007
THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT
5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON , 1997,
UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
(the "Exchange Agent")
BY MAIL, HAND OR OVERNIGHT COURIER:
State Street Bank and Trust Company
777 Main Street, 11th Floor
Hartford, CT 06123-0177
Attention: Corporate Trust Department
BY FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION
(FOR ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY):
(860) 986-7920
CONFIRM BY TELEPHONE:
(860) 986-4236
DELIVERY OF THIS INSTRUMENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE OR
TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA A FACSIMILE NUMBER OTHER THAN THE ONES LISTED
ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY. THE INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING THIS
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
IS COMPLETED.
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Prospectus dated
, 1997 (the "Prospectus") of AmeriServe Food Distribution, Inc. (the
"Company") and this Letter of Transmittal, which together constitute the
Company's offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange $1,000 principal amount of
its 10 1/8% New Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "New Notes"), which have
been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), pursuant to a Registration Statement of which the Prospectus is a part,
for each $1,000 principal amount of its outstanding 10 1/8% Senior Subordinated
Notes due 2007 (the "Notes"), respectively. The term "Expiration Date" shall
mean 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on , 1997, unless the Company,
in its reasonable judgment, extends the Exchange Offer, in which case the term
shall mean the latest date and time to which the Exchange Offer is extended.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meaning given to them in
the Prospectus.
YOUR BANK OR BROKER CAN ASSIST YOU IN COMPLETING THIS FORM. THE
INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED WITH THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL MUST BE FOLLOWED.
QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR FOR ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS
AND THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.
List on the next page the Notes to which this Letter of Transmittal
relates. If the space indicated is inadequate, the Certificate or Registration
Numbers and Principal Amounts should be listed on a separately signed schedule
affixed hereto.
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DESCRIPTION OF SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES TENDERED HEREBY
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AGGREGATE
PRINCIPAL
NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) OF CERTIFICATE AMOUNT PRINCIPAL
REGISTERED OWNER(S) OR REGISTRATION REPRESENTED AMOUNT
(PLEASE FILL IN) NUMBERS* BY NOTES TENDERED**
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TOTAL
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* Need not be completed by Book-entry Holders.
** Unless otherwise indicated, the Holder will be deemed to have tendered the
full aggregate principal amount represented by such Notes. All tenders must
be in integral multiples of $1,000.
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This Letter of Transmittal is to be used (i) if certificates of Notes are
to be forwarded herewith, (ii) if delivery of Notes is to be made by book-entry
transfer to an account maintained by the Exchange Agent at The Depository Trust
Company, (the "Depository") pursuant to the procedures set forth in "The
Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Notes" in the Prospectus or (iii)
tender of the Notes is to be made according to the guaranteed delivery
procedures described in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange
Offer -- Guaranteed Delivery Procedures." See Instruction 2. Delivery of
documents to a book-entry transfer facility does not constitute delivery to the
Exchange Agent.
The term "Holder" with respect to the Exchange Offer means any person in
whose name Notes are registered on the books of the Company or any other person
who has obtained a properly completed bond power from the registered holder. The
undersigned has completed, executed and delivered this Letter of Transmittal to
indicate the action the undersigned desires to take with respect to the Exchange
Offer. Holders who wish to tender their Notes must complete this letter in its
entirety.
[ ] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE
TO AN ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH THE DEPOSITORY AND
COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name of Tendering Institution
[ ] The Depository Trust Company
Account Number
Transaction Code Number
Holders whose Notes are not immediately available or who cannot deliver
their Notes and all other documents required hereby to the Exchange Agent on or
prior to the Expiration Date must tender their Notes according to the guaranteed
delivery procedure set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange
Offer -- Guaranteed Delivery Procedures." See Instruction 2.
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[ ] CHECK HERE IF TENDERED NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF
GUARANTEED DELIVERY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name of Registered Holder(s)
Name of Eligible Institution that Guaranteed Delivery
If delivery by book-entry transfer:
Account Number
Transaction Code Number
[ ] CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL
COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS
THERETO.
Name
Address
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PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, the
undersigned hereby tenders to the Company the principal amount of the Notes
indicated above. Subject to, and effective upon, the acceptance for exchange of
such Notes tendered hereby, the undersigned hereby exchanges, assigns and
transfers to, or upon the order of, the Company all right, title and interest in
and to such Notes as are being tendered hereby, including all rights to accrued
and unpaid interest thereon as of the Expiration Date. The undersigned hereby
irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent the true and lawful
agent and attorney-in-fact of the undersigned (with full knowledge that said
Exchange Agent acts as the agent of the Company in connection with the Exchange
Offer) to cause the Notes to be assigned, transferred and exchanged. The
undersigned represents and warrants that it has full power and authority to
tender, exchange, assign and transfer the Notes and to acquire New Notes
issuable upon the exchange of such tendered Notes, and that when the same are
accepted for exchange, the Company will acquire good and unencumbered title to
the tendered Notes, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and
encumbrances and not subject to any adverse claim.
The undersigned represents to the Company that (i) the New Notes acquired
pursuant to the Exchange Offer are being obtained in the ordinary course of
business of the person receiving such New Notes, whether or not such person is
the undersigned, and (ii) neither the undersigned nor any such other person has
an arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the
distribution of such New Notes. If the undersigned or the person receiving the
New Notes covered hereby is a broker-dealer that is receiving the New Notes for
its own account in exchange for Notes that were acquired as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities, the undersigned
acknowledges that it or such other person will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such New Notes; however, by so acknowledging and
by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it
is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. The undersigned
and any such other person acknowledge that, if they are participating in the
Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing the New Notes, (i) they cannot
rely on the position of the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission
enunciated in Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available April 13, 1989),
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991) or similar no-action letters
and, in the absence of an exemption therefrom, must comply with the registration
and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with
the resale transaction and (ii) failure to comply with such requirements in such
instance could result in the undersigned or any such other person incurring
liability under the Securities Act for which such persons are not indemnified by
the Company. If the undersigned or the person receiving the New Notes covered by
this letter is an affiliate (as defined under Rule 405 of the Securities Act) of
the Company, the undersigned represents to the Company that the undersigned
understands and acknowledges that such New Notes may not be offered for resale,
resold or otherwise transferred by the undersigned or such other person without
registration under the Securities Act or an exemption therefrom.
The undersigned also warrants that it will, upon request, execute and
deliver any additional documents deemed by the Exchange Agent or the Company to
be necessary or desirable to complete the exchange, assignment and transfer of
tendered Notes or transfer ownership of such Notes on the account books
maintained by a book-entry transfer facility. The undersigned further agrees
that acceptance of any tendered Notes by the Company and the issuance of New
Notes in exchange therefor shall constitute performance in full by the Company
of its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement and that the Company
shall have no further obligations or liabilities thereunder for the registration
of the Notes or the New Notes.
The Exchange Offer is subject to certain conditions set forth in the
Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer -- Conditions." The undersigned
recognizes that as a result of these conditions (which may be waived, in whole
or in part, by the Company), as more particularly set forth in the Prospectus,
the Company may not be required to exchange any of the Notes tendered hereby
and, in such event, the Notes not exchanged will be returned to the undersigned
at the address shown below the signature of the undersigned.
All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred shall survive the
death or incapacity of the undersigned and every obligation of the undersigned
hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors
and assigns of the undersigned. Tendered Notes may be withdrawn at any time
prior to the Expiration Date.
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Unless otherwise indicated in the box entitled "Special Registration
Instructions" or the box entitled "Special Delivery Instruction" in this Letter
of Transmittal, certificates for all New Notes delivered in exchange for
tendered Notes, and any Notes delivered herewith but not exchanged, will be
registered in the name of the undersigned and shall be delivered to the
undersigned at the address shown below the signature of the undersigned. If a
New Note is to be issued to a person other than the person(s) signing this
Letter of Transmittal, or if the New Note is to be mailed to someone other than
the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal or to the person(s) signing
this Letter of Transmittal at an address different than the address shown on
this Letter of Transmittal, the appropriate boxes of this Letter of Transmittal
should be completed. If Notes are surrendered by Holder(s) that have completed
either the box entitled "Special Registration Instructions" or the box entitled
"Special Delivery Instructions" in this Letter of Transmittal, signature(s) on
this Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution
(defined in Instruction 4).
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SPECIAL REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS
To be completed ONLY if the New Notes are to be issued in the name of
someone other than the undersigned.
Name:
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Address:
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Book-Entry Transfer Facility Account:
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Employer Identification or Social Security Number:
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(Please print or type)
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SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
To be completed ONLY if the New Notes are to be sent to someone other
than the undersigned, or to the undersigned at an address other than that
shown under "Description of Notes Tendered Hereby."
Name:
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Address:
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(Please print or type)
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REGISTERED HOLDER(S) OF NOTES SIGN HERE
(IN ADDITION, COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 BELOW)
X
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X
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(SIGNATURE(S) OF REGISTERED HOLDER(S))
Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on the
Notes or on a security position listing as the owner of the Notes or by
person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by properly completed bond
powers transmitted herewith. If signature is by attorney-in-fact, trustee,
executor, administrator, guardian, officer of a corporation or other person
acting in a fiduciary capacity, please provide the following information.
(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE).
Name and Capacity (full title):
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Address (including zip code):
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Area Code and Telephone Number:
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Taxpayer Identification or Social Security No.:
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Dated:
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SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
(IF REQUIRED - SEE INSTRUCTION 4)
Authorized Signature:
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(SIGNATURE OF REPRESENTATIVE OF SIGNATURE GUARANTOR)
Name and Title:
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Name of Plan:
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Area Code and Telephone Number:
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(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE)
Dated:
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PAYOR'S NAME: AMERISERVE FOOD DISTRIBUTION, INC.
THIS SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 MUST BE COMPLETED AND SIGNED
Please provide your social security number or other taxpayer identification
number on the following Substitute Form W-9 and certify therein that you are
subject to backup withholding.
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Social security number
SUBSTITUTE Part 1 -- PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN IN -----------------------------------
FORM W-9 THE BOX AT RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY SIGNING OR
AND DATING BELOW -----------------------------------
Employer identification number
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Part 2 -- Check the box if you are NOT subject to backup withholding under
Department of the Treasury the provisions of Section 3406(A)(1)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code
Internal Revenue Service because (1) you are exempt from backup withholding, (2) you have not been
notified that you are subject to backup withholding as a result of failure
to report all interest or dividends or (3) the Internal Revenue Service has
notified you that you are no longer subject to backup withholding. [ ]
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PAYER'S REQUEST FOR TAXPAYER CERTIFICATION -- UNDER THE PENALTIES OF PERJURY, I CER- Part 3 --
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (TIN) TIFY THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS FORM IS TRUE,
CORRECT AND COMPLETE.
SIGNATURE: ------------------------- DATE: Awaiting TIN [ ]
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NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING
OF 31% OF ANY CASH PAYMENTS IN EXCESS OF $10.00 MADE TO YOU.
YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU CHECKED THE BOX
IN PART 3 OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.
CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number has
not been issued to me, and either (a) I have mailed or delivered an application
to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate Internal Revenue
Service Center or Social Security Administration Office, or (b) I intend to mail
or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that if I do not
provide a taxpayer identification number within 60 days, 31% of all reportable
payments made to me thereafter will be withheld, until I provide a number.
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Signature Date
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INSTRUCTIONS
FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND
CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
1. DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND CERTIFICATES.
All physically delivered Notes or confirmation of any book-entry transfer
to the Exchange Agent's account at a book-entry transfer facility of Notes
tendered by book-entry transfer, as well as a properly completed and duly
executed copy of this Letter of Transmittal or facsimile thereof, and any other
documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the
Exchange Agent at any of its addresses set forth herein on or prior to the
Expiration Date (as defined in the Prospectus). The method of delivery of this
Letter of Transmittal, the Notes and any other required documents is at the
election and risk of the Holder, and except as otherwise provided below, the
delivery will be deemed made only when actually received by the Exchange Agent.
If such delivery is by mail, it is suggested that registered mail with return
receipt requested, properly insured, be used.
No alternative, conditional, irregular or contingent tenders will be
accepted. All tendering Holders, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal (or
facsimile thereof), shall waive any right to receive notice of the acceptance of
the Notes for exchange.
Delivery to an address other than as set forth herein, or instructions via
a facsimile number other than the ones set forth herein, will not constitute a
valid delivery.
2. GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES.
Holders who wish to tender their Notes, but whose Notes are not immediately
available and thus cannot deliver their Notes, the Letter of Transmittal or any
other required documents to the Exchange Agent (or comply with the procedures
for book-entry transfer) prior to the Expiration Date, may effect a tender if:
(a) the tender is made through a member firm of a registered national
securities exchange or of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc., a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent
in the United States or an "eligible guarantor institution" within the
meaning of Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act (an "Eligible Institution");
(b) prior to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent receives from
such Eligible Institution a properly completed and duly executed Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery (by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery)
setting forth the name and address of the Holder, the certificate number(s)
of such Notes and the principal amount of Notes tendered, stating that the
tender is being made thereby and guaranteeing that, within three New York
Stock Exchange trading days after the Expiration Date, the Letter of
Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), together with the Notes (or a
confirmation of book-entry transfer of such Notes into the Exchange Agent's
account at the Depository) and any other documents required by the Letter
of Transmittal, will be deposited by the Eligible Institution with the
Exchange Agent; and
(c) such properly completed and executed Letter of Transmittal (or
facsimile thereof), as well as all tendered Notes in proper form for
transfer (or a confirmation of book-entry transfer of such Notes into the
Exchange Agent's account at the Depository) and all other documents
required by the Letter of Transmittal, are received by the Exchange Agent
within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the Expiration
Date.
Upon request to the Exchange Agent, a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery will be
sent to Holders who wish to tender their Notes according to the guaranteed
delivery procedures set forth above. Any Holder who wishes to tender Notes
pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures described above must ensure that
the Exchange Agent receives the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery relating to such
Notes prior to the Expiration Date. Failure to complete the guaranteed delivery
procedures outlined above will not, of itself, affect the validity or effect a
revocation of any Letter of Transmittal form properly completed and executed by
a Holder who attempted to use the guaranteed delivery procedures.
3. PARTIAL TENDERS; WITHDRAWALS.
If less than the entire principal amount of Notes evidenced by a submitted
certificate is tendered, the tendering Holder should fill in the principal
amount tendered in the column entitled "Principal Amount Tendered" of the box
entitled "Description of Notes Tendered Hereby." A newly issued Note for the
principal amount of Notes submitted but not tendered will be sent to such Holder
as soon as practicable after the Expiration Date. All Notes delivered to the
Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered in full unless otherwise
indicated.
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Notes tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any time
prior to the Expiration Date, after which tenders of Notes are irrevocable. To
be effective, a written, telegraphic or facsimile transmission notice of
withdrawal must be timely received by the Exchange Agent. Any such notice of
withdrawal must (i) specify the name of the person having deposited the Notes to
be withdrawn (the "Depositor"), (ii) identify the Notes to be withdrawn
(including the registration number(s) and principal amount of such Notes, or, in
the case of Notes transferred by book-entry transfer, the name and number of the
account at the Depository to be credited), (iii) be signed by the Holder in the
same manner as the original signature on this Letter of Transmittal (including
any required signature guarantees) or be accompanied by documents of transfer
sufficient to have the Trustee with respect to the Notes register the transfer
of such Notes into the name of the person withdrawing the tender and (iv)
specify the name in which any such notes are to be registered, if different from
that of the Depositor. All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility
(including time of receipt) of such notices will be determined by the Company,
whose determination shall be final and binding on all parties. Any Notes so
withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for purposes of the
Exchange Offer and no Exchange Notes will be issued with respect thereto unless
the Notes so withdrawn are validly retendered. Any Notes which have been
tendered but which are not accepted for exchange, will be returned to the Holder
thereof without cost to such Holder as soon as practicable after withdrawal,
rejection of tender or termination of Exchange Offer.
4. SIGNATURE ON THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL; WRITTEN INSTRUMENTS AND
ENDORSEMENTS; GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered Holder(s) of the
Notes tendered hereby, the signature must correspond with the name(s) as written
on the face of the certificates without alternation or enlargement or any change
whatsoever. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a participant in the
Depository, the signature must correspond with the name as it appears on the
security position listing as the owner of the Notes.
If any of the Notes tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more
joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
If a number of Notes registered in different names are tendered, it will be
necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate copies of this Letter of
Transmittal as there are different registrations of Notes.
Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the
case may be, must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution unless the Notes
tendered hereby are tendered (i) by a registered Holder who has not completed
the box entitled "Special Registration Instructions" or "Special Delivery
Instructions" on the Letter of Transmittal or (ii) for the account of an
Eligible Institution.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered Holder or Holders
of Notes (which term, for the purposes described herein, shall include a
participant in the Depository whose name appears on a security listing as the
owner of the Notes) listed and tendered hereby, no endorsements of the tendered
Notes or separate written instruments of transfer or exchange are required. In
any other case, the registered Holder (or acting Holder) must either properly
endorse the Notes or transmit properly completed bond powers with this Letter of
Transmittal (in either case, executed exactly as the name(s) of the registered
Holder(s) appear(s) on the Notes, and, with respect to a participant in the
Depository whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of
Notes, exactly as the name of the participant appears on such security position
listing), with the signature on the Notes or bond power guaranteed by an
Eligible Institution (except where the Notes are tendered for the account of an
Eligible Institution).
If this Letter of Transmittal, any certificates or separate written
instruments of transfer or exchange are signed by trustees, executors,
administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others
acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so
indicate when signing, and, unless waived by the Company, proper evidence
satisfactory to the Company of their authority so to act must be submitted.
5. SPECIAL REGISTRATION AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS.
Tendering Holders should indicate, in the applicable box, the name and
address (or account at the Depository) in which the New Notes or substitute
Notes for principal amounts not tendered or not accepted for exchange are to be
issued (or deposited), if different from the names and addresses or accounts of
the person signing this Letter of Transmittal. In the case of issuance in a
different name, the employer identification number or social security number of
the person named must also be indicated and the tendering Holder should complete
the applicable box.
If no instructions are given, the New Notes (and any Notes not tendered or
not accepted) will be issued in the name of and sent to the acting Holder of the
Notes or deposited at such Holder's account at the Depository.
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6. TRANSFER TAXES.
The Company shall pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the
transfer and exchange of Notes to it or its order pursuant to the Exchange
Offer. If a transfer tax is imposed for any other reason other than the transfer
and exchange of Notes to the Company or its order pursuant to the Exchange
Offer, the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered
Holder or any other person) will be payable by the tendering Holder. If
satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exception therefrom is not
submitted herewith, the amount of such transfer taxes will be collected from the
tendering Holder by the Exchange Agent.
Except as provided in this Instruction 6, it will not be necessary for
transfer stamps to be affixed to the Notes listed in this Letter of Transmittal.
7. WAIVER OF CONDITIONS.
The Company reserves the right, in its reasonable judgment, to waive, in
whole or in part, any of the conditions to the Exchange Offer set forth in the
Prospectus.
8. MUTILATED, LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED NOTES.
Any Holder whose Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed
should contact the Exchange Agent at the address indicated above for further
instructions.
9. REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR ADDITIONAL COPIES.
Questions relating to the procedure for tendering as well as requests for
additional copies of the Prospectus and this Letter of Transmittal, may be
directed to the Exchange Agent at the address and telephone number(s) set forth
above. In addition, all questions relating to the Exchange Offer, as well as
requests for assistance or additional copies of the Prospectus and this Letter
of Transmittal, may be directed to AmeriServe Food Distribution, Inc., 17975
West Sarah Lane, Suite 100, Brookfield, Wisconsin, telephone (414) 792-9300.
10. VALIDITY AND FORM.
All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt), acceptance of tendered Notes and withdrawal of tendered Notes will be
determined by the Company in its sole discretion, which determination will be
final and binding. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any and all
Notes not properly tendered or any Notes the Company's acceptance of which
would, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be unlawful. The Company also
reserves the right, in its reasonable judgment, to waive any defects,
irregularities or conditions of tender as to particular Notes. The Company's
interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the
instructions in this Letter of Transmittal) will be final and binding on all
parties. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders
of Notes must be cured within such time as the Company shall determine. Although
the Company intends to notify Holders of defects or irregularities with respect
to tenders of Notes, neither the Company, the Exchange Agent nor any other
person shall incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders
of Notes will not be deemed to have been made until such defects or
irregularities have been cured or waived. Any Notes received by the Exchange
Agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the defects or
irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned by the Exchange
Agent to the tendering Holder as soon as practicable following the Expiration
Date.
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IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION
Under federal income tax law, a Holder tendering Notes is required to
provide the Exchange Agent with such Holder's correct TIN on Substitute Form W-9
above. If such Holder is an individual, the TIN is the Holder's social security
number. The Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number should be
completed if the tendering Holder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for
a number or intends to apply for a number in the near future. If the Exchange
Agent is not provided with the correct TIN, the Holder may be subject to a $50
penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service. In addition, payments that are
made to such Holder with respect to tendered Notes may be subject to backup
withholding.
Certain Holders (including, among others, all domestic corporations and
certain foreign individuals and foreign entities) are not subject to these
backup withholding and reporting requirements. Such a Holder, who satisfies one
or more of the conditions set forth in Part 2 of the Substitute Form W-9 should
execute the certification following such Part 2. In order for a foreign Holder
to qualify as an exempt recipient, that Holder must submit to the Exchange Agent
a properly completed Internal Revenue Service Form W-9, signed under penalties
of perjury, attesting to that Holder's exempt status. Such forms can be obtained
from the Exchange Agent.
If backup withholding applies, the Exchange Agent is required to withhold
31% of any amounts otherwise payable to the Holder. Backup withholding is not an
additional tax. Rather, the tax liability of persons subject to backup
withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding
results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained from the Internal
Revenue Service.
PURPOSE OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
To prevent backup withholding on payments that are made to a Holder with
respect to Notes tendered for exchange, the Holder is required to notify the
Exchange Agent of his or her correct TIN by completing the form herein
certifying that the TIN provided on Substitute Form W-9 is correct (or that such
Holder is awaiting a TIN) and that (i) each Holder is exempt, (ii) such Holder
has not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that he or she is subject
to backup withholding as a result of failure to report all interest or dividends
or (iii) the Internal Revenue Service has notified such Holder that he or she is
no longer subject to backup withholding.
WHAT NUMBER TO GIVE THE EXCHANGE AGENT
Each Holder is required to give the Exchange Agent the social security
number or employer identification number of the record Holder(s) of the Notes.
If Notes are in more than one name or are not in the name of the actual Holder,
consult the instructions on Internal Revenue Service Form W-9, which may be
obtained from the Exchange Agent, for additional guidance on which number to
report.
CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
If the tendering Holder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a
number or intends to apply for a number in the near future, write "Applied For"
in the space for the TIN or Substitute Form W-9, sign and date the form and the
Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number and return them to the
Exchange Agent. If such certificate is completed and the Exchange Agent is not
provided with the TIN within 60 days, the Exchange Agent will withhold 31% of
all payments made thereafter until a TIN is provided to the Exchange Agent.
IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR A FACSIMILE THEREOF (TOGETHER WITH
NOTES OR CONFIRMATION OF BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS)
OR A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT ON OR
PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.