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AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON NOVEMBER 2, 2000
REGISTRATION NO. 333-56239
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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POST EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 3
TO
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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LA PETITE ACADEMY, INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
DELAWARE 8351 43-1243221
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER) IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
------------------------
14 CORPORATE WOODS, 8717 WEST 110TH STREET,
SUITE 300,
OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS 66210
(913) 345-1250
(ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
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LPA HOLDING CORP.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
DELAWARE 6719 48-1144353
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER) IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
------------------------
14 CORPORATE WOODS, 8717 WEST 110TH STREET,
SUITE 300,
OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS 66210
(913) 345-1250
(ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
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LPA SERVICES, INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
DELAWARE 6411 74-2849053
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER) IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
------------------------
14 CORPORATE WOODS, 8717 WEST 110TH STREET,
SUITE 300,
OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS 66210
(913) 345-1250
(ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
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BRIGHT START, INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
MINNESOTA 8351 41-1694581
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER) IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
14 CORPORATE WOODS, 8717 WEST 110TH STREET,
SUITE 300,
OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS 66210
(913) 345-1250
(ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
------------------------
JUDITH A. ROGALA
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
14 CORPORATE WOODS, 8717 WEST 110TH STREET,
SUITE 300,
OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS 66210
(913) 345-1250
(ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
------------------------
WITH A COPY TO:
JAMES M. LURIE, ESQ.
O'SULLIVAN GRAEV & KARABELL, LLP
30 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10112
(212) 408-2400
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APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC. As soon as
practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective. If any of the
securities being registered on this Form are being offered in connection with
the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General
Instruction G, check the following box: [ ]
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]
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LA PETITE ACADEMY, INC.
LPA HOLDING CORP.
CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
PURSUANT TO REGULATION S-K, ITEM 501(b),
SHOWING LOCATION OF INFORMATION REQUIRED BY ITEMS OF FORM S-4
FORM S-4 ITEM NUMBER AND CAPTION LOCATION OR CAPTION IN PROSPECTUS
-------------------------------- ---------------------------------
1. Forepart of Registration Statement
and Outside Front Cover Page of
Prospectus........................ Facing Page of Registration Statement;
Outside Front Cover Page of Prospectus
2. Inside Front and Outside Back
Cover Pages of Prospectus......... Inside Front and Outside Back Cover
Pages of Prospectus; Available
Information
3. Risk Factors, Ratio of Earnings to
Fixed Charges and Other
Information....................... Prospectus Summary; Risk Factors;
Selected Consolidated Financial and
Other Data
4. Terms and Transaction............. Prospectus Summary; The Exchange
Offer; Description of Notes
6. Material Contracts with the
Company Being Acquired............ *
7. Additional Information Required
for Reoffering by Persons and
Parties Deemed to be
Underwriters...................... Plan of Distribution
8. Interests of Named Experts and
Counsel........................... *
9. Disclosure of Commission Position
on Indemnification for Securities
Act Liabilities................... *
10. Information With Respect to S-3
Registrants....................... *
11. Incorporation of Certain
Information by Reference.......... *
12. Information With Respect to S-2 or
S-3 Registrants................... *
13. Incorporation of Certain
Information by Reference.......... *
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FORM S-4 ITEM NUMBER AND CAPTION LOCATION OR CAPTION IN PROSPECTUS
-------------------------------- ---------------------------------
14. Information With Respect to
Registrants Other Than S-2 or S-3
Registrants....................... Prospectus Summary; Risk Factors;
Selected Consolidated Financial and
Other Data; Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations; Business;
Description of the Credit Agreement;
Certain United States Federal Income
Tax Considerations
15. Information With Respect to S-3
Companies......................... *
16. Information With Respect to S-2 or
S-3 Companies..................... *
17. Information With Respect to
Companies Other Than S-2 or S-3
Companies......................... *
18. Information if Proxies, Consents
or Authorization Are to be
Solicited......................... *
19. Information if Proxies, Consents
or Authorizations Are Not to be
Solicited, or in an Exchange
Offer............................. Management; Ownership of Securities;
Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions
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* Not applicable or answer is in the negative.
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Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A
registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold
nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration
statement becomes effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an
offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be
any sale of these securities in any State in which such offer,
solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or
qualification under the securities laws of any State.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED NOVEMBER 2, 2000
PROSPECTUS
LA PETITE ACADEMY, INC.
LPA HOLDING CORP.
$145,000,000 10% SERIES B SENIOR NOTES DUE 2008
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The 10% Series B Senior Notes due 2008 (referred to in this prospectus as
"notes") were issued by La Petite Academy and its parent company, LPA Holding
Corp. (together the "issuers"), in 1998 in exchange for their previously
outstanding 10% Senior Notes due 2008.
We will pay interest on the notes semi-annually on May 15 and November 15 of
each year. The notes will mature on May 15, 2008. We may redeem the notes, in
whole or in part, after May 15, 2003. In addition, we may redeem up to 35% of
the notes with the net proceeds of one or more public equity offerings. Upon the
occurrence of a change of control, each holder of notes may require us to
repurchase all or any part of the notes. See "Description of Notes."
The notes are unsecured senior indebtedness and are subordinate to all our
existing and future secured indebtedness. The notes rank equally with all our
existing and future senior indebtedness and senior to all our subordinated
obligations. Each of our existing subsidiaries fully and unconditionally
guarantees the notes on a senior basis. LPA Holding Corp. and our existing
subsidiaries have guaranteed our credit agreement and we are all jointly and
severally liable on a senior basis. At July 1, 2000, we had $184.2 million of
senior indebtedness outstanding, of which $39.2 million is secured. See
"Description of Notes -- Ranking."
This prospectus has been prepared for use by Chase Securities Inc., or CSI, in
connection with offers and sales related to market-making transactions in the
notes. The notes are not listed on any national securities exchange or any
quotation system. CSI may act as principal or agent in such transactions. We do
not receive any proceeds from any such purchases or sales. Such sales will be
made at prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of sale. See
"Plan of Distribution."
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SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 10 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS
THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN CONNECTION WITH AN INVESTMENT IN THE NOTES.
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NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS
PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOVEMBER , 2000
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
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Prospectus Summary................... 1
Risk Factors......................... 10
Use of Proceeds...................... 17
The Transactions..................... 17
Capitalization....................... 20
Selected Consolidated Financial and
Other Data......................... 21
Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations...................... 24
Business............................. 33
Management........................... 45
PAGE
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Ownership of Securities.............. 53
Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions....................... 54
Description of the Credit
Agreement.......................... 55
Description of Notes................. 58
Certain United States Federal Income
Tax Considerations................. 89
Book-Entry; Delivery and Form........ 92
Plan of Distribution................. 94
Legal Matters........................ 94
Experts.............................. 94
Index to Financial Statements........ F-1
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. We use words such as "may," "believe," "estimate,"
"expect," "plan," "intend" "anticipate" and similar expressions to identify
forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on
our current expectations and projections about future events, activities or
developments. Forward-looking statements include statements relating to, among
other things:
- our growth strategy and plans regarding opening and acquiring new
Academies and expanding existing Academies;
- expected capital and other expenditures to open new and relocated and/or
expanded existing Academies;
- growth trends in the child care industry; and
- our expectations regarding competition.
Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous known or unknown risks,
uncertainties and assumptions many of which are beyond our control. Actual
results could differ materially from those expressed in or implied by these
forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to
be materially different from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements
are set forth under "Risk Factors" and throughout this prospectus including,
among other things:
- risks related to our ability to open and profitably operate Academies;
- significant competition, including our pricing strategy;
- seasonal fluctuations in our business;
- changes in industry and government regulations;
- the results of financing efforts;
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- fluctuations in demand for child care services; and
- general economic conditions.
We undertake no obligation, and disclaim any obligation, to publicly update or
revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise. Prospective purchasers should not place undue
reliance on such forward-looking statements.
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You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus.
Neither we nor Chase Securities Inc. have authorized any person to provide you
any information or represent anything to you other than the information
contained in this prospectus. You must not rely on any unauthorized information
or representations. This prospectus does not offer to sell or buy any of the
securities in any jurisdiction where it is unlawful. You should assume that the
information appearing in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the
front cover of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of
operations and prospects may have changed since that date. Information in our
promotional literature is not incorporated into this document.
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus.
It is not complete and does not contain all the information that is important to
you. You should read the entire prospectus carefully, including the "Risk
Factors" section and our consolidated financial statements and notes to those
statements. All references to "La Petite Academy," "La Petite," "we," "our" or
"us" mean La Petite Academy, Inc., our consolidated subsidiaries and
predecessor, unless the context indicates otherwise. All references to
"Academies" mean all residential and employer-based La Petite Academies and all
Montessori schools that we operate, unless the context indicates otherwise. All
references in this prospectus to fiscal years prior to 1999 refer to fiscal
years ending on the last Saturday in August of each year. On June 10, 1999, we
changed our fiscal year to be the 52 or 53 week period ending on the first
Saturday in July. As a result of this change, fiscal year 1999 was a 44 week
transition period. All references to market share and demographic data in this
prospectus are based on industry and government publications and our estimates.
All references to our parent are to LPA Holding Corp. which is a co-issuer of
the notes.
OVERVIEW
La Petite, founded in 1968, is the largest privately held and one of the
leading for-profit preschool educational facilities (commonly referred to as
Academies) in the United States based on the number of centers operated. We
provide center-based educational services and child care to children between the
ages of six weeks and 12 years.
We believe we differentiate ourselves through our superior educational
programs, which were developed and are regularly enhanced by our Curriculum
Department. Our focus on quality educational services allows us to capitalize on
the increased awareness of the benefits of premium educational instruction for
preschool and elementary school age children. At our residential and
employer-based Academies, we utilize our proprietary Journey(R) curriculum with
the intent of maximizing a child's cognitive and social development. We also
operate Montessori schools that employ the Montessori method of teaching, a
classical approach that features the programming of tasks with materials
presented in a sequence dictated by each child's capabilities.
As of July 1, 2000, we operated 752 Academies, including 696 residential
Academies, 23 employer-based Academies and 33 Montessori schools, located in 35
states and the District of Columbia. Subsequent to the end of the fiscal year,
we closed four residential Academies in connection with the restructuring plan
implemented in the third quarter of fiscal year 2000. By the end of fiscal year
2001, we plan to address the closing of the remaining six schools included in
the restructuring plan (see Note 13 of the consolidated financial statement).
For the 52 weeks ended July 1, 2000, we had an average attendance of
approximately 83,000 full and part-time children.
COMPETITIVE STRENGTHS
STRONG MARKET POSITION AND BRAND IDENTITIES. Based on the number of centers
operated, we are the largest privately-held and one of the leading providers of
for profit preschool education and child care services in the United States.
Operating since 1968, we have built brand equity in the markets we serve through
the development of a network of Academies concentrated in clusters in
demographically desirable Metropolitan Statistical Areas
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("MSAs"). We believe that we benefit significantly from word-of-mouth referrals
from parents, educators and other school administrators.
FOCUSED EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM. Our focus is on educating the child rather
than simply providing traditional child care services. Our proprietary
Journey(R) curriculum was originally developed in 1991 by La Petite educators
with the assistance of experts in early childhood education with the intent of
maximizing a child's cognitive development while ensuring a positive experience
for the child. The curriculum emphasizes individuality and allows children to
progress at their own pace, building skills in a logical pattern using a
"hands-on" approach. In addition, we recently began adding monthly curriculum
enhancements to Journey to help continue to improve program implementation and
increase on-going communication with parents. We also operate Montessori
schools, which target education conscious parents, under the name Montessori
Unlimited(R).
ATTRACTIVE BUSINESS MODEL. We are seeking to improve profitability at the
Academy level through a combination of:
- revenue enhancement and cost management at the individual Academies, and
- the economies of scale and synergies realized through the clustering of
Academies in economically and demographically attractive areas.
During fiscal year ended July 1, 2000, we opened nine Journey Academies,
seven Montessori schools, and acquired 43 preschools and children facilities
through the acquisition of Bright Start, Inc. (Bright Start). The new Journey
Academies average 9,700 square feet with an operating capacity of approximately
175 children and the new Montessori schools average 9,800 square feet with an
operating capacity of approximately 150 children. Our Montessori schools have
proved to be successful with higher student retention, tuition averaging
approximately 45% more than at our residential and employer-based Academies and
more favorable teacher-student ratios, resulting in increased profitability.
GEOGRAPHICALLY DIVERSIFIED OPERATIONS. Our operations are geographically
diversified, with 752 Academies located throughout 35 states and the District of
Columbia as of July 1, 2000. The geographical diversity of our operations and
profitability mitigates the potential impact of regional economic downturns or
adverse changes in local regulations.
EXPERIENCED AND INCENTIVIZED MANAGEMENT TEAM. During calendar year 2000,
our senior management team focused on strengthening leadership, people,
information, and fiscal management skills. Our Division Vice Presidents and
Managing Directors average over 18 years and 11 years with us, respectively. Our
management owns or has the right to acquire, subject to certain performance
requirements, approximately 3.9% of the common stock of our parent company on a
fully diluted basis.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
We believe we are well positioned for future growth as one of the leading
providers of quality educational care to preschool aged children. Our objective
is to grow our higher margin businesses and continue to be a leader in the
markets in which we operate.
EMPHASIZE EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM. Our curriculum department continually
evaluates and improves the quality of our educational materials and programs. We
have invested significant resources in developing our proprietary Journey(R)
curriculum, used at both our residential and employer-based Academies. Our
Montessori schools are staffed with certified
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Montessori lead teachers who follow traditional Montessori methods that appeal
to education conscious parents.
CAPITALIZE ON REPUTATION FOR CUSTOMER DRIVEN SERVICE. We believe that our
knowledge of parents' objectives and desires for their children's education
differentiates us from other child care providers. In order to better understand
customer needs, we have conducted:
- focus groups with parents,
- customer and employee satisfaction surveys (conducted by us and third
parties), and
- interviews with parents.
From this research we have found that what parents want for their children
and what is deemed educationally appropriate by early education experts are not
always consistent. Therefore, retention and acquisition programs have been
developed to bridge this gap and increase awareness and appreciation of our
professionally designed curriculum.
INCREASE ACADEMY PROFITABILITY. We plan to improve Academy profitability by
increasing capacity utilization and tuition rates, managing costs and leveraging
our existing and newly built Academies to achieve economies of scale and
synergies. We intend to continue to increase capacity utilization by emphasizing
local marketing programs and improving customer retention and loyalty. Through
an internally developed proprietary management information system, we have the
ability to maximize revenue by charging customers a premium for services in high
demand.
BUILD ACADEMIES AND MONTESSORI SCHOOLS IN ATTRACTIVE MARKETS. During fiscal
year ended July 1, 2000, we opened nine new Journey based Academies, seven new
Montessori schools and acquired 43 center-based preschools and childcare
facilities through the Bright Start acquisition. Newly built Academies are
approximately 9,750 square feet, built on sites of approximately one acre, have
an operating capacity of approximately 175 children for Journey(R) curriculum
based Academies and 150 children for Montessori schools and incorporate a closed
classroom concept.
PURSUE STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES. In addition to new Academy development, we
will continue to seek to acquire existing child care centers where demographics
and facility conditions complement our business strategy. We believe our
competitive position, economies of scale and financial strength will enable us
to capitalize on selective acquisition opportunities in the fragmented child
care industry. We may also engage in cross-marketing opportunities with
manufacturers and marketers of educational products.
THE 1998 RECAPITALIZATION
Pursuant to a Merger Agreement dated March 17, 1998 among LPA Holding
Corp., our parent company, and LPA Investment LLC (LPA), a limited liability
company owned by an affiliate of Chase Capital Partners and by an entity
controlled by Robert E. King, one of our directors, on May 11, 1998, our parent
company effected a recapitalization pursuant to which the following transactions
occurred:
- a wholly-owned subsidiary of LPA was merged into our parent company,
- all of the then outstanding shares of preferred stock and common stock of
our parent company (other than the shares of common stock retained by
Vestar/LPT Limited
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Partnership (Vestar), and our management) owned by its existing
stockholders were converted into cash, and
- LPA Investment LLC., in a transaction known as the equity investment,
purchased approximately $72.5 million (less the value of options retained
by management) of common stock and $30 million of redeemable preferred
stock of our parent company, and received warrants to purchase shares of
common stock of our parent company which currently represents the right to
acquire 5.8% of our parent company's outstanding common stock on a fully
diluted basis.
Vestar retained common stock of our parent company having a value (based on
the amount paid by LPA for its common stock of our parent company) of $2.8
million (currently representing 2.9% of the outstanding parent company common
stock on a fully diluted basis). The 1998 management team retained common stock
of our parent company having a value (based on the amount paid by LPA for our
parent company common stock) of $4.4 million (currently representing 4.8% of the
common stock of our parent company on a fully diluted basis) and retained
existing options to acquire shares of our parent company's common stock which
currently represents the right to acquire 0.6% of our parent company's common
stock on a fully diluted basis. In addition, our parent company adopted a new
option plan and granted or allocated for grant options to acquire shares of its
common stock, which currently represent the right to acquire 8.3% of our parent
company's common stock on a fully diluted basis. As of the date of this
prospectus, current management owns or has the right to acquire, subject to
certain performance requirements, approximately 3.9% of our parent company
common stock on a fully diluted basis. See "Ownership of Securities."
We used the equity investment, the proceeds of the offering of the old
notes and borrowings under the Credit Agreement to finance the recapitalization,
to refinance substantially all of our outstanding indebtedness and outstanding
preferred stock and to pay related fees and expenses.
The refinancing transactions consisted of:
- the defeasance of all of our outstanding $85 million principal amount of
9 5/8% Senior Secured Notes due 2001,
- the exchange of all outstanding shares of our parent's Class A Preferred
Stock and accrued dividends thereon for $35.4 million in aggregate
principal amount of our 12 1/8% Subordinated Exchange Debentures due
2003, and the immediate defeasance of these exchange debentures, and
- the redemption of all our outstanding 6 1/2% Convertible Subordinated
Debentures due 2011.
In connection with the recapitalization and the refinancing transactions,
we entered into a new Credit Agreement providing for a $40 million term loan
facility and a $25 million revolving loan facility, that is available for our
working capital requirements. See "Description of the Credit Agreement."
The offering of the old notes, the recapitalization, the equity investment,
the borrowings under the Credit Agreement and the refinancing transactions are
collectively referred to in this prospectus as the Transactions.
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THE 1999 INVESTMENT
On December 15, 1999, LPA acquired an additional $15.0 million of our
parent company's redeemable preferred stock and received warrants to purchase an
additional 3% of our parent company's common stock on a fully-diluted basis. The
$15.0 million proceeds received by our parent company was contributed to us as
common equity. We used the capital contribution to repay indebtedness incurred
under our revolving credit facility to finance the Bright Start acquisition. In
addition, on December 14, 1999, our Credit Agreement was amended to, among other
things, amend the financial covenants to reflect our company's current and
projected operating plans.
OWNERSHIP
As a result of the recapitalization and the December 1999 purchase of
additional preferred stock and warrants of our parent company, LPA Investment
LLC beneficially owns 81.3% of the common stock of our parent company on a fully
diluted basis and $45 million of redeemable preferred stock of our parent
company. An affiliate of Chase Capital Partners, or CCP, owns a majority of the
economic interests of LPA and an entity controlled by Robert E. King owns a
majority of the voting interests of LPA. CCP is the private equity group of The
Chase Manhattan Corporation, one of the largest bank holding company in the
United States, and is one of the largest private equity organizations in the
United States, with over $16.0 billion under management. Through its affiliates,
CCP invests in leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations and venture capital
opportunities by providing equity and mezzanine debt capital. Since its
inception in 1984, CCP has made over 1,000 direct investments in numerous
industries.
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Our principal executive offices are located at 8717 West 110th Street,
Suite 300, Overland Park, Kansas 66210 and our telephone number is (913)
345-1250.
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SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
You should read the following summary together with "Description of Notes."
Issuers......................... La Petite Academy, Inc. and LPA Holding
Corp.
Notes Outstanding............... $145,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
10% Series B Senior Notes due 2008.
Maturity Date................... May 15, 2008.
Interest Payment Dates.......... May 15 and November 15 of each year.
Sinking Fund.................... None.
Optional Redemption............. We may redeem the notes at our option, in
whole or in part, at any time on or after
May 15, 2003, at the redemption prices, plus
accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the
redemption date. We may also redeem up to
35% of the aggregate principal amount of the
notes at our option, at any time prior to
May 15, 2001, at a redemption price equal to
110% of the principal amount thereof, plus
accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the
redemption date, with the net cash proceeds
of one or more equity offerings, except that
at least 65% of the original aggregate
principal amount of the notes must remain
outstanding after such redemption.
Change of Control............... Upon the occurrence of a change of control,
each holder of the notes may require us to
purchase all or a portion of the holder's
notes at a price equal to 101% of the
aggregate principal amount thereof, plus
accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the
date of purchase.
Restrictive Covenants........... The notes are issued under an indenture
which contains certain covenants that, among
other things, limits our ability and the
ability of our restricted subsidiaries to:
- incur additional indebtedness,
- make investments,
- make restricted payments, including
dividends or other distributions,
- incur liens,
- enter into certain transactions with
affiliates, and
- enter into certain mergers or
consolidations or sell all or
substantially all of the assets of the
Company and its subsidiaries
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These covenants are subject to a number of
significant exceptions and qualifications.
Guarantees...................... Each of our existing subsidiaries fully and
unconditionally guarantees the notes. Our
parent company and our subsidiaries have
guaranteed the credit agreement and are
jointly and severally liable with us on a
senior basis. We have secured our
obligations under the credit agreement by
pledges of all of our capital stock and the
stock of our subsidiaries, as well as
security interests in, or liens on,
substantially all of our tangible and
intangible assets and the assets of our
parent company and our subsidiaries.
Ranking......................... The notes are unsecured senior indebtedness,
subordinated in right of payment to all of
our existing and future secured
indebtedness. At July 1, 2000, we had $184.2
million of senior indebtedness outstanding,
of which $39.2 million is secured. Except
for the guarantees of the notes and the
credit agreement, the guarantors had no
other senior indebtedness outstanding.
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SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
The following table contains summary financial and other data for our
parent company and La Petite Academy on a consolidated basis. Information for
the fiscal years ended July 1, 2000, and August 29, 1998 is derived from our
financial statements that have been audited by Deloitte & Touche, LLP,
independent auditors. On June 10, 1999, we changed our fiscal year to be the 52
or 53 week period ending on the first Saturday in July. Prior to this change we
utilized a fiscal year consisting of the 52 or 53 week period ending on the last
Saturday in August. As a result of this change, fiscal year 1999 was a 44 week
transition period. For comparative purposes, the table below presents the
results of the 52 weeks ended July 3, 1999, which is unaudited but reflects all
adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, which in the opinion of
management are necessary to fairly present our results of operations for the
unaudited period. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of the
results to be expected in the future, and results of interim periods are not
necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year. You should
read this information together with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our consolidated financial
statements and notes to those statements.
52 WEEKS ENDED 52 WEEKS ENDED 52 WEEKS ENDED
JULY 1, JULY 3, AUGUST 29,
2000 1999 1998
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT ACADEMY DATA AND RATIOS)
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Operating revenue................ $ 371,037 $ 328,763 $ 314,933
Operating expenses............... 365,952 310,380 306,900
Operating income................. 5,085 18,383 8,033
Interest expenses(a)............. 20,880 19,171 14,126
Net loss......................... (10,547) (1,410) (13,328)
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA:
EBITDA (as defined)(b)........... $ 28,920 $ 33,747 $ 33,771
Cash flows from operating
activities..................... 5,597 19,273 7,224
Cash flows used for investing
activities..................... (10,341) (22,974) (11,005)
Cash flows from (used for)
financing activities........... 4,180 3,452 (13,322)
Depreciation..................... 13,500 13,034 13,892
Amortization of goodwill and
other intangibles.............. 2,835 2,330 3,122
Capital expenditures............. 23,412 35,640 13,637
Ratio of earnings to fixed
charges(c)..................... (c) (c) (c)
ACADEMY DATA:
Number of Academies.............. 752 743 736
Operating Capacity(d)............ 98,336 90,799 89,666
FTE Utilization(e)............... 63% 63% 65%
Average Weekly FTE Tuition(f).... $ 116 $ 110 $ 104
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash, cash equivalents and
restricted cash................ $ 4,008 $ 7,450 $ 8,624
Working Capital.................. (20,789) (23,171) (16,707)
Total assets..................... 165,647 169,468 160,791
Total long term debt............. 182,319 187,999 185,727
Redeemable preferred stock....... 47,314 29,310 25,625
Stockholder's deficit............ (123,653) (110,183) (105,701)
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(a) Interest expense includes $1.1 million, $1.0 million, and $0.8 million of
amortization of deferred financing expense for the 52 weeks ended July 1,
2000, July 3, 1999 and August 29, 1998, respectively.
(b) EBITDA is defined herein as net income before non-cash restructuring
charges, extraordinary items, net interest cost, taxes, depreciation and
amortization and is presented because it is generally accepted as providing
useful information regarding a company's ability to service and/or incur
debt. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for
net income, cash flows from operating activities and other consolidated
income or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles or as a measure of our profitability or
liquidity. EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used
by other companies.
(c) For purposes of determining the ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
earnings are defined as income before income taxes and extraordinary items,
plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consists of interest expense on all
indebtedness, amortization of deferred financing costs, and one-third of
rental expense on operating leases representing that portion of rental
expense that we deemed to be attributable to interest. For the 52 weeks
ended July 1, 2000, July 3, 1999 and August 29, 1998, earnings were
inadequate to cover fixed charges by $15.6 million, $0.6 million and $8.1
million, respectively.
(d) As a result of our targeted teacher-student ratios, the physical layout of
certain residential Academies and the typical layout of Montessori Schools,
our Academies have an operating capacity approximately 8% below licensed
capacity. Licensed capacity measures the overall capacity of our Academies
based upon applicable state licensing regulations.
(e) FTE Utilization is the ratio of full-time equivalent (FTE) students to the
total operating capacity for all of our Academies. FTE attendance is not a
measure of the absolute number of students attending our Academies. Rather,
it is an approximation of the full-time equivalent number of students based
on our estimates and weighted averages. For example, a student attending
full-time is equivalent to one FTE, while a student attending only one-half
of each day is equivalent to 0.5 FTE.
(f) We calculate the average weekly FTE tuition by dividing total operating
revenue by the number of weeks in the applicable period and by the number
of FTE students for the applicable period.
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RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider these risk factors, together with all
information included in this prospectus. If any of the following risks, or other
risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe not to be
significant, develop into actual events, then our business, financial condition,
results of operations or prospect could be materially affected.
BECAUSE WE HAVE SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE AND DEBT SERVICE OBLIGATIONS, OUR SUCCESS
DEPENDS ON OUR ABILITY TO GENERATE CASH FLOW AND BE PROFITABLE.
As a result of the issuance of the notes and the borrowings under the
Credit Agreement, we have a highly leveraged capital structure and our
consolidated indebtedness is substantial in relation to our stockholders'
equity. As of July 1, 2000, we had consolidated indebtedness of $184.2 million
(exclusive of unused commitments under the Credit Agreement) and a stockholders'
deficit of $123.7 million.
The degree to which we are leveraged could have important consequences to
the holders of the notes, including the following:
- a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations is dedicated to
the payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness, including the
notes, which reduces the funds available for other purposes;
- our ability to obtain additional financing in the future may be
significantly impaired, including our ability to obtain additional
financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or
other corporate purposes and to obtain sale leaseback financing;
- some of our indebtedness is at variable rates of interest, which could
result in higher interest expense in the event of increases in interest
rates;
- all the indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Agreement is secured by
pledges of all our capital stock and the capital stock of our existing
subsidiaries, as well as the capital stock of all of our future
subsidiaries, and security interests in, or liens on, substantially all
of our other tangible and intangible assets including our parent company
and our existing subsidiaries, as well as all of our future subsidiaries,
and such indebtedness will mature prior to the maturity of the notes;
- our ability to compete through capital improvement and expansion may be
limited; and
- our ability to adjust to changing market conditions and to withstand
competitive pressures could be limited, and we may be vulnerable in the
event of a downturn in general economic conditions or the business.
Our ability to make scheduled payments and to refinance our obligations
with respect to our indebtedness, including the notes, will depend upon our
future operating performance. In turn, this will be affected by general economic
and competitive conditions and by financial, business and other factors, many of
which are beyond our control. For the 52 weeks ended July 1, 2000, the 44 weeks
ended July 3, 1999, and the 52 weeks ended August 29, 1998 our consolidated cash
interest expense was $19.7 million, $17.7 million and $9.2 million,
respectively. We anticipate that our cash flow, together with borrowings under
the Credit Agreement, will be sufficient to meet our operating expenses and to
service our debt requirements for at least the next twelve months. If we are
unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future or borrow
under the Credit Agreement in an amount
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sufficient to meet our operating expenses and to service our debt requirements
as they become due, we will have to adopt an alternative strategy that may
include reducing or delaying capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring
or refinancing our indebtedness, changing our corporate structure or seeking
additional equity capital. There can be no assurance that any of these actions
could be effected in a timely manner or on satisfactory terms, if at all, or
that any of these actions would enable us to continue to meet our operating
expenses and to service our debt requirements as they become due. In addition,
the terms of the agreements governing our existing and future indebtedness,
including the terms of the Credit Agreement and the indenture for the notes, may
prohibit us from taking any of these actions. The failure to generate sufficient
cash flow from operations, to borrow under the Credit Agreement or to adopt an
alternative strategy could materially adversely affect our ability to pay
interest on, and to repay the principal of, the notes and adversely affect the
market value of the notes. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and Capital
Resources."
BECAUSE YOU HOLD UNSECURED NOTES AND GUARANTEES, YOU WILL NOT HAVE THE BENEFIT
OF COLLATERAL.
The indenture permits us, our parent company and our restricted
subsidiaries to incur secured indebtedness, including indebtedness under the
Credit Agreement, which is secured by security interests in, or liens on,
substantially all tangible and intangible assets of us, our parent company and
our existing subsidiary, as well as all of our future subsidiaries and a pledge
of all our capital stock and the capital stock of our subsidiary, as well as all
future subsidiaries. The notes and the guarantees are unsecured and therefore
will not have the benefit of any collateral. Accordingly, in the event of a
bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or similar proceeding relating to us,
our parent company or a guarantor, the lenders of such secured indebtedness
would have the right to foreclose upon such collateral to the exclusion of the
holders of the notes, notwithstanding the existence of an event of default with
respect to the notes. In such event, our assets and the assets of our parent
company and the guarantors would first be used to repay in full all amounts
outstanding under such secured indebtedness which would result in all or a
portion of these assets being unavailable to satisfy claims of holders of the
notes and other unsecured indebtedness.
OUR ABILITY TO COMPLY WITH THE RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY TERMS OF INDEBTEDNESS
COULD CAUSE A DEFAULT UNDER THE CREDIT AGREEMENT OR INDENTURE.
The terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement impose restrictions on our
ability to:
- incur indebtedness or issue certain equity securities,
- incur liens,
- undergo certain fundamental changes,
- make loans or advances,
- incur guarantees or make acquisitions,
- undertake asset sales,
- engage in sale and leaseback transactions,
- enter into hedging agreements,
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- pay dividends in respect of our capital stock
- make distributions on or repurchase or redeem capital stock or certain
indebtedness,
- enter into transactions with affiliates,
- enter into certain restrictive agreements,
- amend certain material documents, and
- make capital expenditures and engage in mergers and consolidations.
The Credit Agreement also requires us to maintain specified financial
ratios and satisfy certain tests, including a maximum leverage ratio, a fixed
charge coverage ratio and a minimum EBITDA test. The terms and conditions of the
indenture impose restrictions on our ability and the ability of our restricted
subsidiaries to:
- incur additional indebtedness,
- pay dividends on and redeem capital stock,
- redeem certain subordinated obligations,
- make investments,
- undertake sales of assets and subsidiary stock,
- grant liens on our assets and the assets of our parent company and our
restricted subsidiaries,
- engage in certain transactions with affiliates,
- sell or issue capital stock of our restricted subsidiaries, and
- engage in consolidations, mergers and transfers of all or substantially
all the assets of the issuers.
Our ability to comply with these and other terms and conditions of the
Credit Agreement and the indenture may be affected by general economic and
competitive conditions and by financial, business and other factors, many of
which are beyond our control. A breach of any of these covenants could result in
default under the Credit Agreement or the indenture. In such an event, the
lenders under the Credit Agreement could elect to declare all amounts
outstanding under the Credit Agreement, together with accrued and unpaid
interest, to be immediately due and payable. If we were unable to repay such
amounts, such lenders would have the right to proceed against the collateral
granted to them to secure such indebtedness and other amounts. See "Description
of the Credit Agreement" and "Description of Notes."
WE MAY NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO REPURCHASE THE NOTES UPON CHANGE OF CONTROL
Upon the occurrence of a change of control, each holder of notes will have
the right to require us to repurchase all or any part of such holder's notes at
a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and
unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase. Certain events which would
constitute a change of control would also constitute an event of default under
the Credit Agreement. In addition, the Credit Agreement will effectively
prohibit our repurchase of the notes in the event of a change of control unless
all amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement are repaid in full. Our
failure to repurchase
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any notes upon the occurrence of a change of control would result in an event of
default under the indenture. The inability to repay all indebtedness outstanding
under the Credit Agreement, if accelerated, would also constitute an event of
default under the indenture. In the event of a change of control, there can be
no assurance that we will have sufficient assets to satisfy all obligations
under the Credit Agreement and the indenture. Agreements governing our future
indebtedness may also contain prohibitions of certain events and transactions
that would constitute a change of control. See "Description of Notes -- Change
of Control."
FAILURE BY AN ACADEMY TO COMPLY WITH LICENSING REQUIREMENTS AND GOVERNMENT
REGULATIONS COULD CAUSE THE REVOCATION OF THE ACADEMY'S LICENSE TO OPERATE
Child care centers are subject to numerous state and local regulations and
licensing requirements, and we have policies and procedures in place in order to
comply with such regulations and requirements. Although state and local
regulations vary greatly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, government agencies
generally review the ratio of staff to enrolled children, the safety, fitness
and adequacy of the buildings and equipment, the dietary program, the daily
curriculum, staff training, record keeping and compliance with health and safety
standards. In certain jurisdictions, new legislation or regulations have been
enacted or are being considered which establish requirements for employee
background checks or other clearance procedures for new employees of child care
centers. In most jurisdictions, governmental agencies conduct scheduled and
unscheduled inspections of child care centers, and licenses must be renewed
periodically. Failure by an Academy to comply with applicable regulations can
subject it to state sanctions, which might include the Academy being placed on
probation or, in more serious cases, suspension or revocation of the Academy's
license to operate and could also lead to sanctions against our other Academies
located in the same jurisdiction. In addition, this type of action could lead to
negative publicity extending beyond that jurisdiction.
We believe we are in substantial compliance with all material regulations
and licensing requirements applicable to our businesses. However, there is no
assurance that a licensing authority will not determine a particular Academy to
be in violation of applicable regulations and take action against that Academy.
In addition, there may be unforeseen changes in regulations and licensing
requirements, such as changes in the required ratio of child center staff
personnel to enrolled children that could have material adverse effect on our
operations.
Although there are presently no federal licensing requirements, a child
care center must satisfy certain minimum standards to qualify for participation
in certain federal subsidy programs. We believe we have substantially satisfied
all material standards necessary to qualify for participation in the federal
subsidy programs relevant to our business.
THE LOSS OF GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS WOULD
ADVERSELY IMPACT OUR OPERATING REVENUES
During fiscal 2000, approximately 15% of our operating revenues were
generated from federal and state child care assistance programs. Funding for
such programs is subject to changes in federal and state environments and
governmental appropriations processes, which are unpredictable and beyond our
control. Accordingly, there is no assurance that funding for such federal and
state programs will continue at current levels and a significant reduction in
such funding may have an adverse impact on us. In addition, although the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, makes certain tax incentives
available to parents utilizing child
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care programs, such provisions of the Code are subject to change. See
"Business -- Government Regulation."
On the state level, while states are moving to increase funding for
preschool services, the for-profit sector has often been overlooked and
preschool funding has typically been targeted to the state public school system.
In particular, the California Department of Education is attempting to institute
a state-funded universal pre-kindergarten program that would largely exclude
for-profit providers. While no assurance can be given whether this legislation
or similar legislation will be adopted, the passage of this legislation would
have a significant negative impact on our schools in California and would set a
dangerous precedent for other state/federal preschool initiatives.
ADVERSE PUBLICITY CONCERNING ALLEGED CHILD ABUSE COULD AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO
OBTAIN OR INCREASE THE COST OF INSURANCE
As a result of adverse publicity concerning reported incidents of alleged
child physical and sexual abuse at child care centers and the length of time
before the expiration of applicable statutes of limitations for the filing of
child abuse and personal injury claims (typically a number of years after the
child reaches the age of majority), many operators of child care centers have
had difficulty obtaining general liability insurance, child abuse liability
insurance or similar liability insurance or have been able to obtain such
insurance only at high rates. So far, we have obtained insurance in amounts we
believe to be appropriate. There is no assurance that our insurance premiums
will not increase in the future because of conditions in the insurance business,
our experience in particular, or that continuing publicity with respect to
alleged instances of child abuse will not result in our being unable to obtain
insurance. Like our competitors, we are periodically subject to claims of child
abuse arising out of alleged incidents at our Academies. In addition, any
adverse publicity concerning reported incidents of alleged physical or sexual
abuse of children at our Academies or at other child care centers could affect
occupancy levels at our Academies.
BECAUSE WE EXPERIENCE SEASONAL FLUCTUATIONS, OUR REVENUES WILL FLUCTUATE.
Our revenues and the initial success of new Academies are subject to
seasonal variation. New enrollments are generally highest in September and
January because children return to child care and/or school after summer and
holiday vacation. Academies which open at other times usually experience a lower
rate of enrollment during early months of operation. Enrollment generally
decreases 5% to 10% during holiday periods and summer months.
KING AND CCP OWN A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF OUR PARENT'S COMMON STOCK AND WILL BE
ABLE TO CONTROL OUR AFFAIRS
All of our outstanding common stock is held by LPA Holding Corp., our
parent company. All of the outstanding shares of preferred stock of our parent
company are owned by LPA Investment LLC, and approximately 81.3% of the fully
diluted common stock of our parent company is owned by LPA. An affiliate of
Chase Capital Partners owns a majority of the economic interests of LPA, and a
majority of the voting interests of LPA is owned by an entity controlled by
Robert E. King, one of our and our parent company's Directors. Mr. King is
entitled to three votes as a director. However, the terms of the LPA Operating
Agreement give the CCP affiliate the right to elect a majority of the directors
of LPA if certain triggering events occur, and LPA may not take certain actions
in respect of the common stock of our parent company held by LPA without the
consent of the CCP affiliate. Accordingly, if certain
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triggering events occur, the CCP affiliate will be able to elect a majority of
the Board of Directors of our parent company. See "Ownership of Securities."
Accordingly, LPA controls our affairs and has the power to elect all of our
directors (other than Judith A. Rogala, President and Chief Executive Officer),
appoint new management and approve any action requiring the approval of our
stockholders, including adopting amendments to our Certificate of Incorporation
and approving mergers or sales of all or substantially all of our assets.
Circumstances may occur in which the interests of LPA, as the majority
stockholder of our parent company, may conflict with the interests of the
holders of notes. See "Management," "Ownership of Securities" and "Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions."
WE FACE SIGNIFICANT COMPETITION FROM LOCAL NURSERY SCHOOLS, CHILD CARE CENTERS,
AND HOME SERVICES.
The United States preschool education and child care industry is highly
fragmented and competitive. Our competition consists principally of local
nursery schools and child care centers, some of which are non-profit (including
religious-affiliated centers), providers of services that operate out of their
homes and other for profit companies which may operate a number of centers.
Local nursery schools and child care centers generally charge less for their
services. Many religious-affiliated and other non-profit child care centers have
no or lower rental costs than us and may receive donations or other funding to
cover operating expenses and may utilize volunteers for staffing. Consequently,
tuition rates at these facilities are often lower than our rates. Additionally,
fees for home-based care are normally lower than fees for center-based care
because providers of home care do not always have to satisfy the same health,
safety or operational regulations as our centers. Our competition also consists
of other large, national, for profit child care companies that may have more
aggressive tuition discounting and other pricing policies than us.
A DECLINE IN GENERAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONS COULD LEAD TO REDUCED CONSUMER DEMAND
FOR CHILD CARE SERVICES.
Demand for our services may be subject to general economic conditions, and
our revenues depend, in part, on the number of working mothers and working
single parents who require child care services. Recessionary pressure on the
economy, and a consequent reduction in the size of the labor force, may
adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations as
a result of the general tendency of parents who are not employed to cease using
child care services.
BECAUSE OF FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCE STATUTES THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS THAT THE NOTES
AND THE GUARANTEE MAY BE VOIDED OR SUBORDINATED.
The notes were issued in exchange for the old notes. The incurrence by us,
our parent company, and the guarantor of the old notes and the guarantees in
connection with the Transactions may be subject to review under relevant federal
and state fraudulent conveyance and similar statutes in a bankruptcy or
reorganization case or lawsuit commenced by or on behalf of our creditors or the
creditors of our parent or our subsidiaries. Under these statutes,
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if a court were to find that, after giving effect to the issuance of the old
notes and the incurrence of the guarantees, we, our parent or a guarantor, as
applicable,
- incurred such indebtedness with the intent of hindering, delaying or
defrauding present or future creditors,
- received less than the reasonably equivalent value in consideration for
incurring such indebtedness, and, at the time of the incurrence of such
indebtedness, we, our parent or a guarantor, as applicable,
- were insolvent or were rendered insolvent by reason of such incurrence,
- were engaged or were about to engage in a business or transaction for
which our remaining unencumbered assets constituted unreasonably small
capital, or
- intended to incur, or did incur, or believed that we or they would incur,
debts beyond our or their ability to pay as they matured or became due,
such court might subordinate the notes or the applicable guarantee to our, our
parent's or a guarantor's, as applicable, presently existing or future
indebtedness, void the issuance of the notes or the incurrence of such guarantee
and direct the repayment of any amounts paid thereunder to our, our parent's or
a guarantor's, as applicable, creditors or take other actions detrimental to
holders of the notes.
The measure of insolvency under fraudulent conveyance statutes will vary
depending upon the law of the jurisdiction being applied. Generally, however, a
debtor will be considered insolvent if on the date it incurred the indebtedness
the sum of all its liabilities, including contingent liabilities, was greater
than the value of all its assets at fair valuation or if the present fair
saleable value of its assets was less than the amount required to repay its
probable liabilities, including contingent liabilities, as they become absolute
and matured.
If a court were to find that any component of the Transactions constituted
a fraudulent transfer, the court might find that we, our parent or the guarantor
did not receive reasonably equivalent value in consideration for incurring the
indebtedness represented by the old notes and the guarantee. The guarantee may
be subject to the additional claim that, because the guarantee was incurred for
our benefit (and only indirectly for the benefit of the guarantor), the
obligations of the guarantor thereunder were incurred for less than reasonably
equivalent value.
We believe that we, our parent and the guarantor received equivalent value
at the time the indebtedness under the old notes or the guarantee was incurred.
In addition, after giving effect to the Transactions; we, our parent and the
guarantor
- believe that we and they were not insolvent or rendered insolvent,
- believe that we and they were not engaged or about to be engaged in a
business or transaction for which our remaining unencumbered assets
constitute unreasonably small capital or
- believe that we and they did not intend to incur, did not incur, and did
not believe that we and they would incur, debts beyond our and their
ability to pay as they mature or become due.
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These beliefs and intentions were based upon analyses of internal cash flow
projections and estimated values of assets and liabilities at the time of the
offering. There can be no assurance, however, that a court passing on these
issues would make the same determination.
BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF A PUBLIC MARKET FOR YOUR NOTES YOU MAY EXPERIENCE
DIFFICULTY IN RESELLING YOUR NOTES OR MAY BE UNABLE TO SELL THEM.
The notes are a new class of securities with no established trading market.
We do not intend to list the notes on any national securities exchange or to
seek the admission thereof to trading in the Nasdaq National Market. We have
been advised by CSI that CSI currently makes a market in the notes. CSI is not
obligated to do so, however, and any market-making activities with respect to
the notes may be discontinued at any time without notice. In addition, such
market-making activity is subject to the limits imposed by the Securities Act
and the Exchange Act. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that an active
public or other market will develop for the notes or as to the liquidity of the
trading market for the notes. If a trading market does not develop or is not
maintained, holders of the notes may experience difficulty in reselling the
notes or may be unable to sell them at all. If a market develops for the notes,
future trading prices of the notes will depend on many factors, including, among
other things, prevailing interest rates, our financial condition and results of
operations, and the market for similar notes. Depending on those and other
factors, the notes may trade at a discount from their principal amount.
USE OF PROCEEDS
La Petite Academy and our parent company did not receive any proceeds from
the exchange offer of the old notes for the notes. The net proceeds to the
issuers from the sale of the old notes were approximately $140 million, after
deducting the initial purchasers' discounts and fees and expenses of the
offering. We used such net proceeds, together with the proceeds from the equity
investment and borrowings under the Credit Agreement, to consummate the
recapitalization and the refinancing transactions and to pay fees and expenses
related to it.
This prospectus is delivered in connection with the sale of the notes by
CSI in market-making transactions. We will not receive any of the proceeds from
such sales.
THE TRANSACTIONS
Pursuant to a Merger Agreement dated March 17, 1998 among LPA and our
parent company, on May 11, 1998, our parent company effected a recapitalization
pursuant to which the following transactions occurred:
- a wholly-owned subsidiary of LPA was merged into our parent company,
- all of the then outstanding shares of preferred stock and common stock of
our parent company (other than the shares of common stock retained by
Vestar and our management) owned by its existing stockholders were
converted into cash, and
- LPA Investment LLC., in a transaction known as the equity investment,
purchased approximately $72.5 million (less the value of options retained
by management) of common stock and $30 million of redeemable preferred
stock of our parent company,
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and received warrants to purchase shares of common stock of our parent
company which currently represents the right to acquire 5.8% of our parent
company's outstanding common stock on a fully diluted basis.
Vestar retained common stock of our parent company having a value (based on
the amount paid by LPA for its common stock of our parent company) of $2.8
million (currently representing 2.9% of the outstanding parent company common
stock on a fully diluted basis). The 1998 management team retained common stock
of our parent company having a value (based on the amount paid by LPA for our
parent company common stock) of $4.4 million (currently representing 4.8% of the
common stock of our parent company on a fully diluted basis) and retained
existing options to acquire shares of our parent company's common stock which
currently represent the right to acquire 0.6% of our parent company's common
stock on a fully diluted basis. In addition, our parent company adopted a new
option plan and granted or allocated for grant options to acquire shares of its
common stock, which currently represents the right to acquire 8.3% of our parent
company's common stock on a fully diluted basis. As of the date of this
prospectus, management owns or has the right to acquire, subject to certain
performance requirements, approximately 3.9% of our parent company common stock
on a fully diluted basis. See "Ownership of Securities."
We used the equity investment, the proceeds of the offering of the old
notes and borrowings under the Credit Agreement to finance the recapitalization,
to refinance substantially all of our outstanding indebtedness and outstanding
preferred stock and to pay related fees and expenses.
The refinancing transactions consisted of:
- the defeasance of all of our outstanding $85 million principal amount of
9 5/8% Senior Secured Notes due 2001,
- the exchange of all outstanding shares of our parent's Class A Preferred
Stock and accrued dividends thereon for $35.4 million in aggregate
principal amount of our 12 1/8% Subordinated Exchange Debentures due
2003, and the immediate defeasance of these exchange debentures, and
- the redemption of all our outstanding 6 1/2% Convertible Subordinated
Debentures due 2011.
In connection with the recapitalization and the refinancing transactions,
we entered into a new Credit Agreement providing for a $40 million term loan
facility and a $25 million revolving loan facility, that is available for our
working capital requirements. See "Description of the Credit Agreement."
On December 15, 1999, LPA acquired an additional $15.0 million of our
parent company's redeemable preferred stock and received warrants to purchase an
additional 3% of our parent company's outstanding common stock on a
fully-diluted basis. The $15.0 million proceeds received by our parent company
was contributed to us as common equity. We used the capital contribution to
repay indebtedness incurred under our revolving credit facility to finance the
Bright Start acquisition. In addition, on December 14, 1999, our Credit
Agreement was amended to, among other things, amend the financial covenants to
reflect our current and projected operating plans.
As a result of the recapitalization and the December 1999 purchase of the
additional preferred stock and warrants, LPA owns 89.6% of the common stock of
our parent company (81.3% on a fully diluted basis) and $45 million of
redeemable preferred stock of our parent
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company. A majority of the economic interests of LPA is owned by an affiliate of
CCP, and a majority of the voting interests of LPA is owned by an entity
controlled by Robert E. King, one of our and our parent company's directors.
However, pursuant to the LPA Operating Agreement, LPA granted to the CCP
affiliate the right to elect a majority of the directors of LPA if certain
triggering events occur and LPA agreed not to take certain actions in respect of
the common stock of our parent company held by LPA without the consent of the
CCP affiliate. Accordingly, if certain triggering events occur, the CCP
affiliate will be able to elect a majority of the Board of Directors of our
parent company See "Ownership of Securities."
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26
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth the consolidated capitalization of LPA
Holding Corp., our parent company, as of July 1, 2000. This table should be read
in conjunction with the information contained in "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" as well as our
consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes.
JULY 1, 2000
------------
(DOLLARS IN
THOUSANDS)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash.................. $ 4,008
=========
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations:
Revolving Credit Facility(a)................................ $ --
Capital lease obligations(b)................................ 966
Term Loan Facility.......................................... 38,250
Senior Notes................................................ 145,000
---------
Total debt........................................ 184,216
Less Current Maturities..................................... (1,897)
---------
Total Long-term debt and capital lease
obligations.................................... 182,319
Series A Redeemable Preferred Stock(c)...................... 47,314
Stockholder's Deficit....................................... (123,653)
---------
Total capitalization.............................. $ 105,980
=========
- -------------------------
(a) The Revolving Credit Facility provides for borrowings of up to $25.0
million. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operation" and "Description of the Credit Agreement."
(b) Consists of capital lease obligations arising from computer hardware
acquired in connection with the implementation of ADMIN and Bright Start,
excluding the current portion of $897,000.
(c) The carrying value of the preferred stock is being accreted to its
redemption value ($45.0 million at July 1, 2000) on May 11, 2008. The
preferred stock is non-voting and mandatorily redeemable on May 11, 2008.
Dividends at a rate of 12.0% per annum are cumulative and if not paid on
the June 30 or December 31 semi-annual preferred stock dividend payment
dates are added to the carrying value.
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SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
The following table sets forth selected financial and other data for our
parent company and are included elsewhere in this prospectus. The consolidated
financial statements of our parent company and those of its predecessor
presented in the following table for the fiscal years ended July 1, 2000, July
3, 1999, August 29, 1998, August 27, 1997 and August 31, 1996 have been audited
by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors. Fiscal year 1996 was a 53 week
year ending on August 31, 1996. On June 10, 1999, we changed our fiscal year to
be the 52 or 53 week period ending on the first Saturday in July. As a result of
this change, fiscal year 1999 was a 44 week transition period. The following
information should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the consolidated
financial statements and the accompanying notes.
52 WEEKS 44 WEEKS 52 WEEKS 52 WEEKS 53 WEEKS
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
JULY 1, JULY 3, AUGUST 29, AUGUST 30, AUGUST 31,
2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
--------- --------- ---------- ---------- ----------
INCOME STATEMENT DATA
Operating revenue........ $ 371,037 $ 281,072 $ 314,933 $302,766 $300,277
Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages and
benefits............ 205,665 150,052 166,501 159,236 155,046
Facility lease
expense............. 46,573 33,670 38,403 38,094 38,349
Depreciation........... 13,500 10,911 13,892 13,825 13,680
Amortization of
goodwill and other
intangibles......... 2,835 1,972 3,122 3,474 4,012
Recapitalization
costs(a)............ 8,724
Restructuring
charge(b)........... 7,500
Other.................. 89,879 68,277 76,258 74,111 78,310
--------- --------- --------- -------- --------
Total operating
expenses.......... 365,952 264,882 306,900 288,740 289,397
--------- --------- --------- -------- --------
Operating income......... 5,085 16,190 8,033 14,026 10,880
Interest expense(c)...... 20,880 16,145 14,126 9,245 10,256
Minority interest in net
income of subsidiary... 2,849 3,693 3,561
Interest income.......... (163) (153) (885) (959) (903)
--------- --------- --------- -------- --------
Income (loss) before
income taxes and
extraordinary item..... (15,632) 198 (8,057) 2,047 (2,034)
Provision (benefit) for
income taxes........... (5,085) 995 (254) 3,264 1,518
--------- --------- --------- -------- --------
Loss before extraordinary
item................... (10,547) (797) (7,803) (1,217) (3,552)
Extraordinary loss on
early retirement of
debt(d)................ (5,525) (819)
--------- --------- --------- -------- --------
Net loss................. $ (10,547) $ (797) $ (13,328) $ (1,217) $ (4,371)
========= ========= ========= ======== ========
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52 WEEKS 44 WEEKS 52 WEEKS 52 WEEKS 53 WEEKS
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
JULY 1, JULY 3, AUGUST 29, AUGUST 30, AUGUST 31,
2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
--------- --------- ---------- ---------- ----------
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT
END OF PERIOD)
Total assets............. $ 165,647 $ 169,468 $ 160,791 $171,160 $177,133
Subordinated debt........ 903 1,590
Total long-term debt..... 182,319 187,999 185,727 85,903 86,590
Redeemable preferred
stock.................. 47,314 29,310 25,625 32,521 28,827
Stockholders' equity
(deficit).............. (123,653) (110,183) (105,701) 3,374 4,787
OTHER DATA
EBITDA (as defined)(e)... $ 28,920 $ 29,073 $ 33,771 $ 31,325 $ 28,572
Cash flows from operating
activities............. 5,597 10,320 7,224 14,886 15,208
Cash flows from investing
activities............. (10,341) (19,204) (11,005) (6,848) (6,045)
Cash flows from financing
activities............. 4,180 6,588 (13,322) 3,142 (12,671)
Depreciation and
amortization(f)........ 17,387 13,712 17,859 18,149 18,942
Capital expenditures..... 23,412 31,666 13,637 7,300 8,570
Ratio of earnings to
fixed charges(g)....... (g) 1.0x (g) 1.1x (g)
Proceeds from sale of
assets................. 23,432 12,462 2,632 452 2,525
Academies at end of
period................. 752 743 736 745 751
FTE utilization during
the period(h).......... 63% 65% 65% 66% 64%
- -------------------------
(a) Recapitalization costs consist principally of transaction bonuses of $1.5
million and payments for the cancellation of options of $7.2 million, both
of which were inclusive of payroll taxes.
(b) In the third quarter of 2000, management committed to a plan to close
certain Academies located in areas where the demographic conditions no
longer support an economically viable operation and to restructure its
operating management to better serve the remaining Academies. Accordingly,
we recorded a $7.5 million restructuring charge ($4.5 million after tax) to
provide for costs associated with the Academy closures and restructuring of
49 Academies. The charge consists principally of $5.9 million for the
present value of rent, real estate taxes, common area maintenance charges,
and utilities, net of anticipated sublease income, and $1.1 million for the
write-down of fixed assets to fair market value. At July 1, 2000, we had an
accrual for the closing of these Academies of $6.2 million. During fiscal
year 2000, 39 schools were closed. Subsequent to the end of the fiscal
year, an additional four schools have closed in connection with the
restructuring plan. By the end of fiscal year 2001, management plans to
address the closing of the remaining six schools.
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(c) Interest expense includes $1.1 million, $0.8 million, $0.8 million, $0.9
million, and $1.3 million of amortization of deferred financing costs for
fiscal years 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively.
(d) On May 11, 1998, we incurred a $5.5 million extraordinary loss related to:
-the retirement of all the outstanding $85.0 million principal amount of
9 5/8% Senior Notes due on 2001,
-the exchange of all outstanding shares of La Petite's Class A Preferred
Stock for $35.4 million in aggregate principal amount of La Petite's
12 1/8% Subordinated Exchange Debentures due 2003,
-the retirement of all the 12 1/8% Subordinated Exchange Debentures, and
-the redemption of all our outstanding 6.5% Convertible Subordinated
Debentures due 2011.
The loss principally reflects the write off of premiums and related
deferred financing costs, net of applicable income tax benefit.
(e) EBITDA is defined herein as net income before non-cash restructuring
charges, extraordinary items, net interest cost, taxes, depreciation and
amortization and is presented because it is generally accepted as providing
useful information regarding a company's ability to service and/or incur
debt. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for
net income, cash flows from operating activities and other consolidated
income or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles or as a measure of our profitability or
liquidity. EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used
by other companies.
(f) Depreciation and amortization includes amortization of deferred financing
costs and accretion of discount on the 6.5% Convertible Debentures that is
presented as interest expense on the statements of income.
(g) For purposes of determining the ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
earnings are defined as income before income taxes and extraordinary items,
plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consists of interest expense on all
indebtedness, amortization of deferred financing costs, and one-third of
rental expense on operating leases representing that portion of rental
expense that we deemed to be attributable to interest. For the 52 weeks
ended July 1, 2000 and August 29, 1998, and the 53 weeks ended August 31,
1996, earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges by $15.6 million,
$8.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively.
(h) FTE Utilization is the ratio of full-time equivalent (FTE) students to the
total operating capacity for all of our Academies. FTE attendance is not a
measure of the absolute number of students attending our Academies; rather,
it is an approximation of the full-time equivalent number of students based
on Company estimates and weighted averages. For example, a student
attending full-time is equivalent to one FTE, while a student attending
one-half of each day is equivalent to 0.5 FTE.
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30
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included
elsewhere in this prospectus.
2000 COMPARED TO 1999 RESULTS (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
On June 10, 1999, we changed our fiscal year to be the period starting on
the first Sunday in July and ending on the first Saturday in July in the
subsequent year (See Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements). For
comparative purposes, the table below presents the results of the 52 weeks ended
July 1, 2000 and the results of the 52 weeks ended July 3, 1999 (herein referred
to as the 2000 year and the 1999 year). The subsequent discussion of results is
based on the 52 week comparison. The selected data for the 52 weeks ended July
3, 1999 is unaudited but reflects all adjustments, consisting of normal
recurring accruals, which in the opinion of management are necessary to fairly
present our results of operations for the unaudited period. The selected data
for the 52 weeks ended July 1, 2000 includes the results of Bright Start from
July 21, 1999, the date of acquisition.
Our operating results for the 2000 year are consistent and comparable with
the 1999 year, except for operating losses associated with new educational
facilities (New Academies) and the acquisition of the 43 Bright Start Academies.
We consider an Academy as new if it opened within the current or previous fiscal
year. These schools typically generate operating losses during the first few
months of operation until the Academies achieve normalized occupancies. Included
in operating income and EBITDA were New Academy operating losses of $1.9 million
and $0.7 million for the 2000 year and 1999 year, respectively. Bright Start
contributed $2.1 million and $1.5 million to operating income and EBITDA for the
2000 year.
Full-time equivalent (FTE) attendance is not a measure of the absolute
number of students attending our Academies, but rather is an approximation of
the full-time equivalent number of students based on our estimates and weighted
averages. For example, a student attending full-time is equivalent to one FTE,
while a student attending only one-half of each day is equivalent to 0.5 FTE.
52 WEEKS ENDED 52 WEEKS ENDED
--------------------- ---------------------
JULY 1, PERCENT OF JULY 3, PERCENT OF
2000 REVENUE 1999 REVENUE
-------- ---------- -------- ----------
Operating revenue.................... $371,037 100.0% $328,763 100.0%
Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages and benefits....... 205,665 55.4 175,563 53.4
Facility lease payments............ 46,573 12.6 39,539 12.0
Depreciation....................... 13,500 3.6 13,034 4.0
Amortization of goodwill and other
intangibles..................... 2,835 0.8 2,330 0.7
Restructuring Costs................ 7,500 2.0
Other.............................. 89,879 24.2 79,914 24.3
-------- ----- -------- -----
Total operating expenses... 365,952 98.6 310,380 94.5
-------- ----- -------- -----
Operating income..................... $ 5,085 1.4% $ 18,383 5.5%
======== ===== ======== =====
EBITDA............................... $ 28,920 7.8% $ 33,747 10.3%
======== ===== ======== =====
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During the 2000 year, we opened 16 new schools and acquired 43 schools
through the acquisition of Bright Start. During that same period, we closed 50
schools. As a result, we operated 752 schools on July 1, 2000. During fiscal
year 2000, 39 of the closures resulted from management's decision to close
certain schools located in areas where the demographic conditions no longer
supported an economically viable operation, and the remaining 11 closures were
due to management's decision not to renew the leases or contracts of certain
schools.
OPERATING REVENUE. Operating revenue increased $42.3 million or 12.9%
during the 2000 year as compared to the 1999 year. The increase in operating
revenue includes $24.0 million from the acquired Bright Start schools, $13.9
million of incremental revenue from established schools, $10.9 million of
incremental revenue from the new schools, most of which were opened late in the
1999 year or early in the 2000 year, offset by $6.5 million of reduced revenue
from closed schools. Tuition revenue increased 13.2% during the 2000 year as
compared to the 1999 year. The increase in tuition revenue reflects an increase
in full time equivalent (FTE) attendance of 7.1% and an increase of the average
weekly FTE tuition rates of 5.7%.
The increase in FTE attendance is due to the addition of the Bright Start
schools and the new schools offset by a 1.2% decline at our established schools
(schools which were open prior to the 1999 year). The increase in average weekly
tuition per FTE was principally due to selective price increases which were put
into place in February of fiscal years 1999 and 2000, based on geographic market
conditions and class capacity utilization.
SALARIES, WAGES AND BENEFITS. Salaries, wages and benefits increased $30.1
million or 17.1% during the 2000 year as compared to the 1999 year. As a
percentage of revenue, labor costs were 55.4% for the 2000 year as compared to
53.4% during the 1999 year. The increase in salaries, wages and benefits
includes incremental labor costs at established schools of $12.3 million, Bright
Start labor costs of $13.1 million, incremental labor costs at new schools of
$6.1 million, increased field management and corporate administration labor
costs of $0.9 million, increased benefit costs of $1.6 million, offset by
reduced incremental labor costs at closed schools of $3.9 million. The increase
in labor costs at established schools was mainly due to a 7.0% increase in
average hourly wage rates and a 1.3% increase in labor hours. New schools
experience higher labor costs relative to revenue as compared to the established
schools.
FACILITY LEASE EXPENSE. Facility lease expense increased $7.0 million or
17.8% during the 2000 year as compared the 1999 year. The increase in facility
lease expense was mainly due to higher relative lease costs associated with the
Bright Start schools and the 28 new schools opened in late fiscal 1999 and early
fiscal year 2000, offset by the closures late in fiscal year 2000.
DEPRECIATION. Depreciation expense increased $0.5 million or 3.6% during
the 2000 year as compared to the 1999 year. The increase in depreciation was due
to the addition of the Bright Start schools.
AMORTIZATION OF GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES. The amortization of
goodwill and other intangibles increased $0.5 million or 21.7% for the 2000 year
as compared the 1999 year. This increase is due to the amortization of goodwill
associated with the Bright Start acquisition.
RESTRUCTURING CHARGE. In the third quarter of 2000, management committed to
a plan to close certain schools located in areas where the demographic
conditions no longer support an economically viable operation and to restructure
its operating management to better serve the
25
32
remaining schools. Accordingly, we recorded a $7.5 million restructuring charge
($4.5 million after tax) to provide for costs associated with the school
closures and restructuring 49 schools. The charge consists principally of $5.9
million for the present value of rent, real estate taxes, common area
maintenance charges, and utilities, net of anticipated sublease income and $1.1
million for the write-down of fixed assets to fair market value. At July 1,
2000, we had an accrual for the closing of these Academies of $6.2 million.
During fiscal year 2000, 39 schools were closed. Subsequent to the end of the
fiscal year, an additional four schools have closed in connection with the
restructuring plan. By the end of fiscal year 2001, management plans to address
the closing of the remaining six schools.
OTHER OPERATING COSTS. Other operating costs increased $10.0 million or
12.5% during the 2000 year as compared to the 1999 year. Other operating costs
include repair and maintenance, utilities, insurance, marketing, real estate
taxes, food, supplies and transportation. The increase was due primarily to
higher expenses in repairs and maintenance, utilities, real estate taxes, food
and supplies. As a percentage of revenue, other operating costs decreased to
24.2% in the 2000 year from 24.3% in the 1999 year.
OPERATING INCOME AND EBITDA. As a result of the foregoing, operating income
was $5.1 million for the 2000 year as compared to $18.4 million during the 1999
year. The decline in operating income is principally due to higher costs and the
restructuring charge offsetting the increased revenue. EBITDA is defined as net
income before non-cash restructuring charges, extraordinary items, net interest
cost, taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA was $28.9 million and $33.7
million for 2000 year and 1999 year, respectively. The decline in EBITDA is
attributed to higher costs offsetting increased revenue.
INTEREST EXPENSE. Net interest expense for the 2000 year increased $1.7
million from the 1999 year. The increase is mainly a result of additional
interest paid on the Senior Notes due to interest rate swap arrangement, higher
average borrowings under the Revolving Credit facility resulting from the
acquisition of Bright Start, and reduced capitalized interest associated with
constructing new schools.
INCOME TAX RATE. After adding back the permanent differences to pretax
income, the effective income tax rate for the 2000 year was approximately 40% as
compared to approximately 49% for the 1999 year. The 1999 year effective income
tax rate was impacted by the resolution of issues raised by the IRS regarding
our benefit plan (see Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements).
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1999 COMPARED TO 1998 RESULTS (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
On June 10, 1999, our parent changed its fiscal year to be the period
starting on the first Sunday in July and ending on the first Saturday in July in
the subsequent year (See Note 1 of the Notes to consolidated financial
statements). For comparative purposes the table below presents the results of
the 44 weeks ended July 3, 2000 and the results of the 44 weeks ended July 4,
1998. The subsequent discussion of results is based on the 44 week comparison.
The selected data for the 44 weeks ended July 4, 1998 is unaudited but reflects
all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, which in the opinion
of management are necessary to fairly present our results of operations for the
unaudited period.
44 WEEKS ENDED 44 WEEKS ENDED
--------------------- ---------------------
JULY 3, PERCENT OF JULY 4, PERCENT OF
1999 REVENUE 1998 REVENUE
-------- ---------- -------- ----------
Operating revenue.................... $281,072 100.0% $267,242 100.0%
Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages and benefits....... 150,052 53.4 140,991 52.8
Facility lease payments............ 33,670 12.0 32,534 12.2
Depreciation....................... 10,911 3.9 11,769 4.4
Amortization of goodwill and other
intangibles..................... 1,972 0.7 2,763 1.0
Recapitalization costs............. 8,724 3.3
Other.............................. 68,277 24.3 64,621 24.2
-------- ----- -------- -----
Total operating expenses... 264,882 94.3 261,402 97.9
-------- ----- -------- -----
Operating income..................... $ 16,190 5.7% $ 5,840 2.1%
======== ===== ======== =====
EBITDA............................... $ 29,073 10.3% $ 29,096 10.9%
======== ===== ======== =====
Fifteen Academies in operation on July 4, 1998 were closed and thirteen new
Academies were opened prior to July 3, 1999. As a result, we operated 743
Academies on July 3, 1999. The closures resulted principally from management
decisions not to renew the leases or contracts of certain Academies.
OPERATING REVENUE. Operating revenue increased 5.2% during the 44 weeks
ended July 3, 1999, as compared to the 44 weeks ended July 4, 1998. Excluding
closed and new Academies from both years, operating revenue increased 5.5%, full
time equivalent (FTE) attendance decreased 1.4%, and average weekly FTE tuition
increased 6.9% during the 44 weeks ended July 3, 1999, as compared to the 44
weeks ended July 4, 1998. The decline in FTE's occurred principally in the
infant, toddler and school age programs as we are concentrating its focus on
enhancing and expanding its pre-school program. Prior to the start of fiscal
year 1999, 238 Academies received modification to enhance the preschool
environment. The modifications included new room arrangements and added
preschool furniture and equipment which enhanced the pre-school appearance of
the Academies. As a result of this effort, attendance of pre-school aged
children increased 1,407 in the eight weeks ended June 5, 1999, (end of the
school term) as compared to the same period in 1998. This gain, however, was
offset by declines in infants, toddlers, and school age children. During fiscal
year 1999, additional Academies received the pre-school enhancements and by
year-end, 550 Academies had been impacted.
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The increase in average weekly tuition per FTE was principally due to:
- selective price increases which were put into place in February of fiscal
years 1998 and 1999, based on geographic market conditions and class
capacity utilization;
- changes in various tuition rate discount policies which took place in
fiscal year 1999; and
- the change in enrollment mix resulting in fewer children in the lower
priced school age before and after program and more children in the
higher priced preschool program, offset somewhat by the decline of
children in the higher price infant and toddler programs.
SALARIES, WAGES AND BENEFITS. Salaries, wages and benefits increased $9.1
million or 6.4% during the 44 weeks ended July 3, 1999, as compared to the 44
weeks ended July 4, 1998. The increase was principally due to a 7.0% increase in
average hourly wage rates, and higher health care costs resulting from benefit
plan enhancements. These increases were offset by a small decline in hours
worked. As a percentage of revenue, labor costs were 53.4% for the 44 weeks
ended July 3, 1999, as compared to 52.8% during the 44 weeks ended July 4, 1998.
AMORTIZATION OF GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES. Amortization of goodwill
and other intangibles decreased 28.7% during the 44 weeks ended July 3, 1999, as
compared to the 44 weeks ended July 4, 1998, as certain intangible assets became
fully amortized at the end of the third quarter of fiscal year 1998.
RECAPITALIZATION COSTS. Recapitalization costs consist principally of
transaction bonuses of $1.5 million and payments for the cancellation of stock
options of $7.2 million, both of which were inclusive of payroll taxes.
ALL OTHER OPERATING COSTS. Many of our operating costs are relatively fixed
and do not decline or increase directly with small changes in attendance.
Facility lease expense, depreciation, amortization and other operating costs,
which includes repair and maintenance, utilities, insurance, marketing, real
estate taxes, food, supplies and transportation, excluding pre-opening costs all
declined or remained unchanged as a percentage of revenue during the 44 weeks
ended July 3, 1999, as compared to the 44 weeks ended July 4, 1998.
OPERATING INCOME AND EBITDA. As a result of the foregoing, operating income
was $16.2 million for the 44 weeks ended July 3, 1999, as compared to $5.8
million during the 44 weeks ended July 4, 1998. Excluding Recapitalization
Costs, this reflects gains in operating income of 11.2% for the 44 weeks ended
July 3, 1999, as compared to the 44 weeks ended July 4, 1998. EBITDA is defined
herein as net income before non-cash restructuring charges, extraordinary items,
net interest cost, taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA was $29.1
million for 44 weeks ended July 3, 1999, and for the 44 weeks ended July 4,
1998. Excluding pre-opening costs and new Academy operating losses, EBITDA would
have been $30.3 million for 44 weeks ended July 3, 1999, as compared to $29.2
million for the 44 weeks ended July 4, 1998.
INTEREST EXPENSE. Net interest expense for the 44 weeks ended July 3, 1999,
increased $2.9 million from the 44 weeks ended July 4, 1998. The increase was
mainly due to increased interest payments related to the issuance of $145.0
million of 10% Senior Notes and a $40.0 million term loan facility under the
Credit Agreement which occurred as part of the Recapitalization (see notes to
the consolidated financial statements).
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35
LOSS ON RETIREMENT OF DEBT. On May 11, 1998, we incurred a $5.5 million
extraordinary loss related to:
- the retirement of all the outstanding $85.0 million principal amount of
9 5/8% Senior Notes due on 2001,
- the exchange of all outstanding shares of our parent's Class A Preferred
Stock and accrued dividends thereon for $35.4 million in aggregate
principal amount of La Petite's 12 1/8% Subordinated Exchange Debentures
due 2003,
- the retirement of all the then outstanding 12 1/8% Exchange Debentures,
and
- the redemption of all our outstanding 6.5% Convertible Subordinated
Debentures due 2011.
The loss principally reflects the write off of premiums and related
deferred financing costs, net of applicable income tax benefit.
INCOME TAX RATE. After adding back the permanent differences to pretax
income, the effective income tax rate for the 44 weeks ended July 3, 1999, was
approximately 47%, as compared to approximately 33% for the 44 weeks ended July
4, 1998. The 1999 fiscal year effective income tax rate was impacted by the
resolution of issues raised by the IRS regarding our benefit plan (see Note 8 to
the consolidated financial statements).
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
La Petite Academy's principal sources of liquidity are from cash flows
generated by operations, borrowings on the revolving credit facility under the
Credit Agreement, and sale and leaseback financing for newly constructed
schools. Our principal uses of liquidity are to meet its debt service
requirements, finance its capital expenditures and provide working capital. We
incurred substantial indebtedness in connection with the Recapitalization.
Our Credit Agreement, as amended, consists of the $40 million Term Loan
Facility and the $25 million Revolving Credit Facility. We borrowed the entire
$40 million available under the Term Loan Facility in connection with the
Recapitalization. The borrowings under the Credit Agreement, together with the
proceeds from the sale of the Senior Notes and the Equity Investment, were used
to consummate the Recapitalization and to pay the related fees and expenses.
The Credit Agreement will terminate on May 11, 2005. The term loan
amortizes in an amount equal to $1.0 million per year in fiscal years 2000
through 2003, $7.8 million in fiscal year 2004, and $27.5 million in fiscal year
2005. The term loan is also subject to mandatory prepayment in the event of
certain equity or debt issuances or asset sales by us or any of our subsidiaries
and in amounts equal to specified percentages of excess cash flow (as defined).
On July 1, 2000, there was $38.3 million outstanding on the term loan and
nothing outstanding on the Revolving Credit Facility. La Petite had outstanding
letters of credit in an aggregate amount equal to $4.2 million, and $20.8
million was available for working capital purposes under the Revolving Credit
Facility. The Credit Agreement, senior notes and preferred stock of our parent
contain certain covenants that limit our ability to incur additional
indebtedness, pay cash dividends or make certain other restricted payments. As
of July 1, 2000, we were in compliance with the foregoing covenants.
On July 21, 1999, we acquired all the outstanding shares of Bright Start
for $9.3 million in cash and assumed approximately $2.0 million in debt. Bright
Start operated 43 preschools
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in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nevada, and New Mexico (see Note 12 to
the consolidated financial statements).
On December 15, 1999, LPA acquired an additional $15.0 million of
redeemable preferred stock in our parent company and received warrants to
purchase an additional 3.0% of the Parent's outstanding common stock on a fully
diluted basis. The proceeds of that investment were contributed to us as common
equity. In connection with such purchase and contribution, the banks waived
their right under the Credit Agreement to require that such proceeds be used to
repay amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement. The proceeds of such
equity contribution were used to repay borrowings under the revolving credit
facility that were incurred to finance the Bright Start acquisition.
Cash flows from operating activities were $5.6 million during the 52 weeks
ended July 1, 2000, (2000 year) as compared to cash flows from operating
activities of $19.3 million during the 52 weeks ended July 3, 1999, (1999 year).
The $13.7 million decrease in cash flows from operations was mainly due to a
$9.1 million increase in net loss, a $6.0 million change in deferred income
taxes, a $11.3 million change in short term sale leaseback construction funding,
offset by the non-cash restructuring charge of $7.5 million, and by a $5.2
million of timing differences in supplies, prepaid advertising and accrued
salaries.
Cash flows used for investing activities were $10.3 million during the 2000
year as compared to cash flows used of $23.0 million during the 1999 year. The
$12.6 million decrease in cash flows used for investing activities was
principally due to a $10.5 million increase in proceeds from new school sale
lease-backs, a $13.9 million decrease in new school development, offset by a
$10.4 million used for the Bright Start acquisition and a $1.6 million increase
in maintenance capital expenditures.
Cash flows from financing activities were $4.2 million during the 2000 year
compared to cash flows from financing activities of $3.5 million during the 1999
year. The $0.7 million increase in cash flows from financing activities was
principally due to the $15.0 million issuance of preferred stock and warrants, a
$0.7 million decrease in debt issuance and stock offering costs, a $0.7 million
net decrease in restricted cash requirements, offset by an $10.4 million
decrease in net borrowings and a $5.3 million decrease in bank overdrafts
related to the timing of monthly expense payments. Restricted cash investments
represent cash deposited in escrow accounts as collateral for the self-insured
portion of our workers compensation insurance coverage.
We opened 16 new schools during the 2000 year. The cost to open a new
school ranges from $1.0 million to $1.5 million of which approximately 85% is
typically financed through a sale and leaseback transaction. Alternatively, the
school may be constructed on a build to suit basis, which reduces the working
capital requirements during the construction process. In addition, we intend to
explore other efficient real estate financing transactions in the future. As of
July 1, 2000, we had $2.0 million invested in new school development in excess
of amounts received from sale and leaseback transactions.
Purchasers of schools in sale and leaseback transactions have included
insurance companies, bank trust departments, pension funds, real estate
investment trusts and individuals. The leases are operating leases and generally
have terms of 15 to 20 years with one or two five-year renewal options. Most of
these transactions are structured with an annual rental designed to provide the
owner/lessor with a fixed cash return on their capitalized cost over the term of
the lease. In addition, many of our leases provide for contingent rentals if the
school's operating revenue exceeds certain levels. Although we expect sale and
leaseback transactions
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to continue to finance its expansion, no assurance can be given that such
funding will always be available.
Total capital expenditures for the 52 weeks ended July 1, 2000 and July 3,
1999, exclusive of the Bright Start acquisition, were $23.4 million and $35.6
million, respectively. We view all capital expenditures, other than those
incurred in connection with the development of new schools, to be maintenance
capital expenditures. Maintenance capital expenditures for the 52 weeks ended
July 1, 2000 and July 3, 1999 were $10.4 million and $8.8 million, respectively.
For fiscal year 2001, we expect total maintenance capital expenditures to be
approximately $13.0 million.
In addition to maintenance capital expenditures, we expend additional funds
to ensure that our facilities are in good working condition. Such funds are
expensed in the periods in which they are incurred. The amounts of such expenses
for the 52 weeks ended July 1, 2000 and July 3, 1999 were $11.9 million and
$10.6 million, respectively.
INFLATION AND GENERAL ECONOMIC CONDITION
During the past three years (a period of low inflation) we implemented
selective increases in tuition rates based on geographic market conditions and
class capacity utilization. During the 52 weeks ended July 1, 2000, we
experienced inflationary pressures on average wage rates, as hourly rates
increased approximately 7%. Management believes this is occurring industry wide
and there is no assurance that such wage rate increases can be recovered through
future increases in tuition. A sustained recession with high unemployment may
have a material adverse effect on our operations.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our current indebtedness consists of senior notes in the aggregate
principal amount of $145 million, the term loan under our credit agreement in
the aggregate principal amount of $38.3 million at July 1, 2000 and the
revolving credit facility under our credit agreement providing for revolving
loans in an aggregate principal amount (including swingline loans and the
aggregate stated amount of letters of credit) of $25 million. Borrowings under
the Senior Notes bear interest at 10% per annum. Borrowings under the Credit
Agreement bear interest at a rate per annum equal (at our option) to: (a) an
adjusted London inter-bank offered rate ("LIBOR") plus a percentage based on our
financial performance; or (b) a rate equal to the higher of The Chase Manhattan
Bank's published prime rate, a certificate of deposit rate plus 1% or the
federal funds effective rate plus 1/2 of 1% plus, in each case, a percentage
based on our financial performance. The borrowing margins applicable to the
Credit Agreement are currently 3.25% for LIBOR loans and 2.25% for ABR loans.
The Senior Notes will mature in May 2008 and the Credit Agreement will mature in
May 2005. The term loan amortizes in an amount equal to $1.0 million in fiscal
year 2001 through 2003, $7.8 million in fiscal year 2004 and $27.5 million in
fiscal year 2005. The term loan is also subject to mandatory prepayment in the
event of certain equity or debt issuances or asset sales by us or any of our
subsidiaries and in amounts equal to specified percentage of excess cash flow
(as defined).
To reduce the impact of interest rate changes on the term loan, we entered
into interest rate collar agreements during the second quarter of fiscal year
1999. The collar agreements cover the LIBOR interest rate portion of the term
loan, effectively setting maximum and minimum interest rates of 9.5% and 7.9%.
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To reduce interest expense on the $145 million Senior Notes, we entered
into an interest rate swap transaction with an imbedded collar during the third
quarter of fiscal year 1999. The effect of this transaction is that the fixed
rate debt was essentially exchanged for a variable rate arrangement based on
LIBOR plus a fixed percentage. The imbedded collar covers the LIBOR portion of
variable rate swap, effectively setting maximum and minimum interest rates of
10.9% and 9.2%.
There were no initial costs associated with either the swap or the interest
rate collar agreements as the floor and ceiling cap rates were priced to offset
each other. Any differential paid or received based on the swap/collar
agreements is recognized as an adjustment to interest expense. As of July 1,
2000 the notional value of such derivatives was $183.3 million with an
unrealized loss of $2.6 million. A 1% increase in the applicable index rate,
after giving effect to the interest rate collars and swap agreement, would have
no impact on annual earnings as a result of our currently paying the maximum
rates in the agreements.
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BUSINESS
GENERAL
La Petite, founded in 1968, is the largest privately held and one of the
leading for-profit preschool educational facilities (commonly referred to as
Academies) in the United States based on the number of centers operated. We
provide center-based educational services and child care to children between the
ages of six weeks and 12 years.
We believe we differentiate ourselves through our superior educational
programs, which were developed and are regularly enhanced by our Curriculum
Department. Our focus on quality educational services allows us to capitalize on
the increased awareness of the benefits of premium educational instruction for
preschool and elementary school age children. At our residential and
employer-based Academies, we utilize our proprietary Journey(R) curriculum with
the intent of maximizing a child's cognitive and social development. We also
operate Montessori schools that employ the Montessori method of teaching, a
classical approach that features the programming of tasks with materials
presented in a sequence dictated by each child's capabilities.
As of July 1, 2000, we operated 752 Academies, including 696 residential
Academies, 23 employer-based Academies and 33 Montessori schools, located in 35
states and the District of Columbia. Subsequent to the end of the fiscal year,
we closed four residential Academies in connection with the restructuring plan
implemented in the third quarter of fiscal year 2000. By the end of fiscal year
2001, we plan to address the closing of the remaining six schools included in
the restructuring plan (see Note 13 of the consolidated financial statement).
For the 52 weeks ended July 1, 2000, we had an average attendance of
approximately 83,000 full and part-time children.
COMPETITIVE STRENGTHS
STRONG MARKET POSITION AND BRAND IDENTITIES. Based on the number of centers
operated, La Petite Academy is the largest privately-held and one of the leading
providers of for profit preschool education and child care services in the
United States. Operating since 1968, we have built brand equity in the markets
we serve through the development of a network of Academies concentrated in
clusters in demographically desirable MSAs. Our Academy clusters maintain close
ties with local neighborhoods through public relations efforts, parent
newsletters and brochures and support of community activities. We believe that
we benefit significantly from word-of-mouth referrals from parents, educators
and other school administrators. Our advertising reinforces our community-based
reputation for quality service principally through targeted direct mailings and
radio air time. Our high, customer-driven standards and well-trained and caring
staff strengthens our image as an innovative education provider.
FOCUSED EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM. Our focus is on educating the child rather
than simply providing traditional child care services. Our proprietary
Journey(R) curriculum was originally developed in 1991 by La Petite educators
with the assistance of experts in early childhood education with the intent of
maximizing a child's cognitive development while ensuring a positive experience
for the child. The curriculum emphasizes individuality and allows each child to
progress at their own pace, building skills in a logical pattern using a
"hands-on" approach. All programs and activities are developmentally
appropriate, promote a child's intellectual, physical, emotional and social
development and are enhanced by on-site
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efforts of our educational staff. In addition, we recently began adding monthly
curriculum enhancements to Journey to help continue to improve program
implementation and increase on-going communication with parents. We also operate
Montessori schools, which target education conscious parents under the name
Montessori Unlimited(R). The Montessori method is a classical approach that
provides specific task-oriented educational materials or "apparatus" presented
in a sequence determined by each child's natural capabilities. Each activity in
the prepared environment of the Montessori classroom has its roots in early
development and serves as a foundation for future, more complex developments.
ATTRACTIVE BUSINESS MODEL. We are seeking to improve profitability at the
Academy level through a combination of revenue enhancement and cost management
at the individual Academies and economies of scale and synergies realized
through the clustering of Academies in economically and demographically
attractive areas. During fiscal year ended July 1, 2000, we opened nine Journey
Academies, seven Montessori schools and acquired 43 preschools and children
facilities through the acquisition of Bright Start. The new Journey Academies
average 9,700 square feet with an operating capacity of approximately 175
children and the new Montessori schools average 9,800 square feet with an
operating capacity of approximately 150 children. In addition, our Montessori
schools have proved to be successful with higher student retention, tuition
averaging approximately 45% more than at our residential and employer-based
Academies and more favorable student-teacher ratios, resulting in increased
profitability. We have focused on providing our Academies with the systems to
improve capacity utilization and operational efficiency. In March 1998, La
Petite completed the installation in all of its residential Academies of a newly
developed proprietary management information system, ADMIN, and in September
1999, this was expanded to include all Montessori schools. The first phase of
ADMIN is a unique point of sale system which enables us to more effectively
monitor attendance, increase revenues and gather information throughout all of
its markets. ADMIN currently handles the tuition billing process, allowing
Academy Directors to concentrate on communicating and interacting with parents,
supervising staff and spending time with children. ADMIN also provides
management with timely access to detailed accurate information on our
operations. Our size and scope also allows us to cost-effectively purchase
supplies, conduct advertising and marketing outreach programs and train
employees.
GEOGRAPHICALLY DIVERSIFIED OPERATIONS. Our operations are geographically
diversified, with 752 Academies located throughout 35 states and the District of
Columbia as of July 1, 2000. Although the highest number of our Academies are
located in Texas, Florida, California, Georgia and Virginia, these states
account for less than half of the our Academies. The geographical diversity of
our operations and profitability mitigates the potential impact of regional
economic downturns or adverse changes in local regulations.
EXPERIENCED AND INCENTIVIZED MANAGEMENT TEAM. We replaced our Chief
Executive Officer in calendar year 2000 due to retirement and subsequently added
or replaced heads of human resources, information technology and finance. In
addition, our three Division Vice Presidents and 70 Managing Directors average
over 18 years and 11 years with La Petite, respectively. Management has
successfully reduced employee turnover, closed or revitalized underperforming
Academies, implemented operational data systems and improved operating margins.
As of the date of this prospectus, management owns or has the right to acquire,
subject to certain performance requirements, approximately 3.9% of the common
stock of our parent company on a fully diluted basis.
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BUSINESS STRATEGY
Management believes we are well positioned for future growth as one of the
leading providers of quality educational care to preschool aged children. Our
objective is to grow our higher margin businesses and continue to be a leader in
the markets in which it operates.
EMPHASIZE EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM. Our curriculum department continually
evaluates and improves the quality of our educational materials and programs. We
have invested significant resources in developing our proprietary Journey(R)
curriculum, utilized at both our residential and employer-based Academies. In
addition, we recently began adding monthly curriculum enhancements to help
continue to improve program implementation and increase on-going communication
with parents. We invested in additional classroom facilities and educational
materials to enhance the delivery of the Journey(R) curriculum at 238 of our
residential Academies for the school year beginning in the fall of 1998, with an
additional 312 Academies impacted in the fall of 1999. Our Montessori schools
are staffed with certified Montessori lead teachers who follow traditional
Montessori methods that appeal to education conscious parents.
CAPITALIZE ON REPUTATION FOR CUSTOMER DRIVEN SERVICE. Management believes
that our knowledge of parents' objectives and desires for their children's
education differentiates us from other child care providers. In order to better
understand customer needs, we conduct:
- focus groups with parents,
- customer and employee satisfaction surveys (conducted by us and third
parties), and
- interviews with parents.
Our Parent's program includes a video and a monthly newsletter that explain
the curriculum being provided to the children and guarantees the delivery of
daily or weekly (depending on the age of the child) individual progress reports.
We continually strive to improve our customer retention and increase loyalty by
interacting with parents on a daily basis and focusing on meeting and, if
possible, exceeding their expectations.
INCREASE ACADEMY PROFITABILITY. We plan to improve Academy profitability by
increasing capacity utilization and tuition rates, managing costs and leveraging
our existing and newly built Academies to achieve economies of scale and
synergies. We intend to continue to increase capacity utilization by emphasizing
local marketing programs and improving customer retention and loyalty. We
believe we are an industry leader in our commitment to ongoing qualitative and
quantitative research to determine customer needs and expectations. Academy
Directors use their understanding of the markets in which they operate to cost
effectively target parents through customer referrals, the support of community
activities and print media and spot radio advertising. In addition, with the
implementation of ADMIN, which provides us with the information necessary to
implement targeted pricing, we have the ability to maximize revenue by charging
customers a premium for services in high demand. The ability to control revenue
and increase operating efficiency at the point of sale through the
implementation of ADMIN also presents an opportunity for us to better allocate
an Academy Director's time. We achieve local economies of scale by employing a
cluster strategy of either building in markets where we have existing Academies
or entering new markets through the construction of a minimum number of
Academies.
BUILD ACADEMIES AND MONTESSORI SCHOOLS IN ATTRACTIVE MARKETS. During fiscal
year ended July 1, 2000, we opened nine new Journey based Academies, seven new
Montessori schools and acquired center-based preschools and childcare facilities
through the acquisition
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of Bright Start. Newly built Academies are approximately 9,750 square feet,
built on sites of approximately one acre, have an operating capacity of
approximately 175 children for Journey(R) curriculum based Academies and 150
children for Montessori schools and incorporate a closed classroom concept.
PURSUE STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES. In addition to accelerating new Academy
development, we may seek to acquire existing child care centers where
demographics and facility conditions complement its business strategy.
Management believes our competitive position, economies of scale and financial
strength will enable us to capitalize on selective acquisition opportunities in
the fragmented child care industry. We may also engage in cross-marketing
opportunities with manufacturers and marketers of educational products.
CURRICULUM
RESIDENTIAL AND EMPLOYER-BASED ACADEMIES. In 1991, La Petite, with the
assistance of outside educational experts, designed and developed the Journey(R)
curriculum to not only maximize children's cognitive development but also to
provide a positive learning experience for the children. We believe the
Journey(R) curriculum is unsurpassed by the educational materials of any of the
major child care providers or our other competitors, many of whom purchase
educational materials from third party vendors.
Journey is an integrated approach to learning, giving children
opportunities to learn through all of their senses while stimulating development
and learning in all areas. Children progress at their own pace, building skills
and abilities in a logical pattern. The Journey(R) curriculum covers children of
all ages that La Petite Academy serves. Each level of the curriculum includes:
- a parent component,
- built-in teacher training,
- carefully selected age appropriate materials, equipment and activities,
and
- a well planned and developed environment.
For infants and toddlers, Journey provides activities for a variety of
developmental areas such as listening and talking, physical development,
creativity and learning from the world around them. As infants become toddlers,
more activities focus on nurturing their need for independence and practicing
small motor skills that help them learn to feed themselves, walk and communicate
with others. Journey provides songs, fingerplay, art ideas, storytelling tips,
building activities and many activities to develop the bodies of toddlers
through climbing, pushing and pulling. These activities also build the
foundation for social skills such as how to get along with others and how to
share.
The Journey preschool program includes a balance of teacher-directed and
child-directed activities that address both the physical and intellectual
development of preschool children. Physical activities are designed to increase
physical and mental dexterity, specifically hand-eye and large and small muscle
coordination. Preschool children also engage in creative and expressive
activities such as painting, crafts and music. Intellectual activities are
designed to promote language development, pre-reading, writing and thinking
skills, imagination through role playing, pretending and problem solving. In
addition, Journey enables the children to experience the world around them
through geography, Spanish, mathematics and sensorial activities.
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The Journey(R) curriculum for SuperStars, children ages 5 through 12,
consists of providing:
- quiet, private space for them to do homework,
- social interaction with children of their own age,
- participation in enrichment programs such as arts and crafts and fitness
activities, and
- transportation to and from their elementary schools.
MONTESSORI SCHOOLS. Montessori is a non-traditional method of education in
that children work and learn in a highly individualized environment. Montessori
materials, combined with our certified Montessori instructors, create a learning
environment in which children become energized to explore, investigate and
learn. Children work in mixed age group classrooms with attractive,
state-of-the-art Montessori materials that have been designed to stimulate each
child's interest in reading, mathematics, geography and science. In addition to
the Montessori method, Montessori schools provide enrolled children foreign
language and computer learning.
ACADEMY NETWORK
We operate three types of child care centers: residential Academies,
employer-based Academies and Montessori schools. Academies generally operate
year round, five days a week and typically are open from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM. A
child may be enrolled in any of a variety of program schedules from a full-time,
five-day-per-week plan to as little as two or three half-days a week. A child
attending full-time typically spends approximately nine hours a day, five days
per week, at an Academy. Our SuperStars program for children ages five to 12
provides extended child care before and after the elementary school day and
transportation to and from the elementary school.
Academy employees include Academy Directors, Assistant Directors (who are
generally teachers), full-time and part-time teachers, temporary and substitute
teachers, teachers' aides, and non-teaching staff. On average, there are 15 to
20 employees per Academy. Each Academy is managed by an Academy Director. An
Academy Director implements company policies and procedures, but has the
autonomy to individualize local operations. Responsibilities of Academy
Directors include curriculum implementation, the establishment of daily, weekly
and monthly operating schedules, staffing, marketing to develop and increase
enrollment and control of operating expenses. Personnel involved in operations
as Academy Director and above are compensated in part on the basis of the
profitability and level of parent and employee satisfaction of each Academy for
which they have managerial responsibility.
Academy Directors are supervised by a Managing Director. Managing Directors
have an average of 11 years of experience with us, typically are responsible for
six to 30 Academies and report to one of three Divisional Vice Presidents.
Managing Directors visit their Academies regularly and are in frequent contact
to help make decisions and improvements to program quality and profitability.
The Divisional Vice Presidents average in excess of 18 years of experience with
us.
RESIDENTIAL ACADEMIES. As of July 1, 2000, we operated 696 residential
Academies. Residential Academies are typically located in residential, middle
income neighborhoods, and are usually one-story, air-conditioned buildings
located on three-quarters of an acre to one acre of land. A typical Academy also
has an adjacent playground designed to accommodate
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the full age range of children attending the school. Newly built Academies are
approximately 9,500 square feet, built on sites of approximately one acre, have
an operating capacity of approximately 175 children and incorporate a closed
classroom concept. We continue to improve, modernize and renovate existing
residential Academies to improve efficiency and operations, to better compete,
to respond to the requests of parents and to support the Journey(R) curriculum.
Residential Academies generally have programs to care for children from
toddlers to 12 years old arranged in five age groups. In addition, over half of
the Academies offer child care for infants, as young as six weeks old.
Teacher-student ratios vary depending on state requirements but generally
decrease with the older child groups.
EMPLOYER-BASED ACADEMIES. As of July 1, 2000, we operated 23 employer-based
Academies, which are similar to residential Academies, but are designed to offer
businesses, including government employers and hospitals, on-site
employer-sponsored child care. So far, our focus has been principally on
developing on-site centers, operating employers' on-site centers through
management contracts and providing consulting services for developing and
managing centers. At most of our employer-based Academies, tuition is collected
from our students in the same way as at residential Academies. At some of our
employer-based Academies, additional payments or support services from the
sponsoring employer are received. At other employer-based Academies, a fee in
addition to tuition may be received.
MONTESSORI SCHOOLS. As of July 1, 2000, we operated 33 Montessori schools.
Montessori schools are typically located in upper-middle income areas and
feature brick facades and closed classrooms. The Montessori schools typically
have lower staff turnover, and their lead teachers are certified Montessori
instructors, many of whom are certified through our own training program. In
addition, unlike students at residential Academies, Montessori students are
enrolled for an entire school year, pay tuition monthly in advance and pay
higher tuition rates.
SEASONALITY
Historically, our operating revenue has followed the seasonality of a
school year, declining during the summer months and the year-end holiday period.
The number of new children enrolling at the Academies is generally highest in
September-October and January-February; therefore, we attempt to concentrate our
marketing efforts immediately preceding these high enrollment periods. Several
Academies in certain geographic markets have a backlog of children waiting to
attend; however, this backlog is not material to the overall attendance
throughout the system.
NEW ACADEMY DEVELOPMENT
We intend to expand within existing markets and enter new markets with
Academies and Montessori schools concentrated in clusters. In our existing
markets, management believes it has developed an effective selection process to
identify attractive markets for prospective Academy sites. In evaluating the
suitability of a particular location, we concentrate on the demographics of our
target customer within a two mile radius for residential Academies and a six
mile radius for Montessori schools. We target MSA's with benchmark demographics
which indicate parent education levels and family incomes combined with high
child population growth, and considers the labor supply, cost of marketing and
the likely speed and ease of development of Academies in the area.
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Newly constructed Academies are generally able to open approximately 36
weeks after the real estate contract is signed. Because a location's early
performance is critical in establishing its ongoing reputation, the Academy
staff is supported with a variety of special programs to help achieve quick
enrollment gains and development of a positive reputation. These programs
include special compensation for the Academy Director who opens the new site and
investment in local marketing prior to the opening. Historically, new Academies
have been profitable within their second year of operation and reached maturity
within three years.
During fiscal year 2000, we opened nine new Journey based Academies, one of
which was being developed by Bright Start, and seven new Montessori Schools.
Also in July 1999, we acquired Bright Start, Inc., an operator of 43
center-based preschools and childcare facilities.
TUITION
Academy tuition depends upon a number of factors including, but not limited
to, location of an Academy, age of the child, full or part-time attendance and
competition. We also provide various tuition discounts primarily consisting of
sibling, staff, Corporate Referral Program and Parent's Partner Plan. We adjust
tuition for Academy programs by child age-group and program schedule within each
Academy on an annual basis each September. Parents also pay an annual
registration fee, which is reduced for families with more than one child
attending an Academy. Tuition and fees are payable weekly and in advance for
most residential and employer-based Academies and monthly and in advance for
Montessori schools. Management estimates that state governments pay the tuition
for approximately 15% of the children under its care.
MARKETING AND ADVERTISING
In 2000, we embarked on a branding and marketing initiative that we believe
will enhance the value of the La Petite Academy name. A series of focus groups
were conducted to study different graphical elements of parent communications
and a new logo design. We introduced a new logo and identity package. The new
Apple design retains a previous theme but adds a contemporary feel. The new logo
brings an attractive design element yet retains the brand equity found in the
previous Apple style. The new logo and other graphic elements were used to
develop a complete package of parent communications, print advertising, and
other collateral material. The design elements are now being incorporated into
other branding efforts including signage and additional advertising mediums.
We continue to focus on retention as the greatest asset to business
stability and growth. In July 2000, we introduced an innovative employee cash
incentive bonus program. This program rewards Academy employees for achieving
utilization targets and in-turn, providing high levels of customer service. We
believe that parents view the program as a highly positive means of improving
teacher retention and adding value.
A heavy emphasis has been placed on expanding corporate partner
relationships and growing the Preferred Employer Program. This Program allows us
to build quality relationships with large corporations by providing preferred
pricing for their employees who enroll their children at our Academies.
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INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Our financial and management reporting systems are connected through a
Virtual Private Network (VPN) that connects all Academies, field management and
Support Center employees. Through the use of our point of sale software product,
called ADMIN, and the implementation of the VPN, information such as financial
reporting, enrollments, pricing, labor, receivables, and attendance are
available at all levels of the organization.
We continue to review our management information systems to ensure it
reports on meaningful, specific and measurable performance indicators as well as
provide consistent access.
As of July 1, 2000, all schools purchased in the Bright Start acquisition
have adopted our technology and management systems, which included significant
training, time and investment.
To improve the management of our labor and human resources, we are
implementing a new Payroll and Human Resource system that focuses on employee
self-service and analytic capabilities. We anticipate significant savings with
the automation of payroll collection and with the ability to manage our human
resources for the first time with automated capabilities.
Due to the relative newness (1997 and newer) of our technology, Year 2000
compliant modifications were minor and January 1, 2000 passed without any
issues.
COMPETITION
The United States preschool education and child care industry is highly
fragmented and competitive. Our competition consists principally of local
nursery schools and child care centers, some of which are non-profit (including
religious-affiliated centers), providers of services that operate out of their
homes and other for profit companies which may operate a number of centers.
Local nursery schools and child care centers generally charge less for their
services. Many religious-affiliated and other non-profit child care centers have
no or lower rental costs than we have, may receive donations or other funding to
cover operating expenses and may utilize volunteers for staffing. Consequently,
tuition rates at these facilities are commonly lower than our rates.
Additionally, fees for home-based care are normally lower than fees for
center-based care because providers of home care are not always required to
satisfy the same health, safety or operational regulations as our Academies. The
competition also consists of other large, national, for profit child care
companies that may have more aggressive tuition discounting and other pricing
policies than La Petite. We compete principally by offering trained and
qualified personnel, professionally planned educational and recreational
programs, well-equipped facilities and additional services such as
transportation. In addition, we offer a challenging and sophisticated program
that emphasizes the individual development of the child. Based on focus group
research conducted in early 2000, the majority of parent's rank the qualities of
staff as the most important deciding factor in choosing a child care facility.
Following teacher qualification were such items as safety, cleanliness,
programs, and curriculum. Price typically played a minimal role in the decision
process, assuming price was within a reasonable variance. For some potential
customers, the non-profit status of certain competitors may be a significant
factor in choosing a child care provider.
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GOVERNMENT REGULATION
Child care centers are subject to numerous state and local regulations and
licensing requirements, and we have policies and procedures in place in order to
comply with such regulations and requirements. Although state and local
regulations vary greatly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, government agencies
generally review the ratio of staff to enrolled children, the safety, fitness
and adequacy of the buildings and equipment, the dietary program, the daily
curriculum, staff training, record keeping and compliance with health and safety
standards. In certain jurisdictions, new legislation or regulations have been
enacted or are being considered which establish requirements for employee
background checks or other clearance procedures for new employees of child care
centers. In most jurisdictions, governmental agencies conduct scheduled and
unscheduled inspections of child care centers, and licenses must be renewed
periodically. Failure by an Academy to comply with applicable regulations can
subject it to state sanctions, which might include the Academy being placed on
probation or, in more serious cases, suspension or revocation of the Academy's
license to operate and could also lead to sanctions against our other Academies
located in the same jurisdiction. In addition, this type of action could lead to
negative publicity extending beyond that jurisdiction.
Management believes we are in substantial compliance with all material
regulations and licensing requirements applicable to our businesses. However,
there is no assurance that a licensing authority will not determine a particular
Academy to be in violation of applicable regulations and take action against
that Academy. In addition, there may be unforeseen changes in regulations and
licensing requirements, such as changes in the required ratio of child center
staff personnel to enrolled children that could have material adverse effect on
our operations.
Certain tax incentives exist for child care programs. Section 21 of the
Code provides a federal income tax credit ranging from 20% to 30% of certain
child care expenses for "qualifying individuals" (as defined in the Code). The
fees paid to us for child care services by eligible taxpayers qualify for the
tax credit, subject to the limitations of Section 21 of the Code. In addition to
the federal tax credits, various state programs provide child care assistance to
low income families. Management estimates approximately 15% of operating revenue
is generated from such, federal and state programs. Although no federal license
is required at this time, there are minimum standards that must be met to
qualify for participation in certain federal subsidy programs.
Government, at both the federal and state levels, is actively involved in
expanding the availability of child care services. Federal support is delivered
at the state level through government-operated educational and financial
assistance programs. Child care services offered directly by states include
training for child care providers and resource and referral systems for parents
seeking child care. In addition, the state of Georgia has an extensive
government-paid private sector preschool program in which we participate.
The Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (the "Disabilities Act")
prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in public accommodations and
employment. The Disabilities Act became effective as to public accommodations in
January 1992 and as to employment in July 1992. Since effectiveness of the
Disabilities Act, we have not experienced any material adverse impact as a
result of the legislation.
In September of 1998, the National Highway Transportation Safety
Administration (NHTSA) issued interpretative letters that modified its
interpretation of regulations
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governing the sale by automobile dealers of vehicles intended to be used for the
transportation of children to and from school. These letters indicate that
dealers may no longer sell fifteen-passenger vans for this use, and that any
vehicle designed to transport eleven persons or more must meet federal school
bus standards if it is likely to be "used significantly" to transport children
to and from school or school-related events. We currently maintain a fleet of
approximately 1,300 fifteen-passenger vans and 100 school buses for use in
transportation of children which management believes are safe and effective
vehicles for that purpose. Our current fleet meets all necessary federal, state,
and local safety requirements. In accordance with the new NHTSA requirements,
all new fleet additions or replacements will meet school bus standards.
COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROVISIONS
Compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations governing
pollution and protection of the environment is not expected to have any material
effect upon our financial condition or results of operations.
TRADEMARKS
We have various registered trademarks covering the name La Petite Academy,
its logos, and a number of other names, slogans and designs, including, but not
limited to: La Petite Journey, Parent's Partner, SuperStars and Montessori
Unlimited(R). A federally registered trademark in the United States is effective
for ten years subject only to a required filing and the continued use of the
mark by the registrant. A federally registered trademark provides the
presumption of ownership of the mark by the registrant in connection with its
goods or services and constitutes constructive notice throughout the United
States of such ownership. In addition we have registered various trademarks in
Japan, Taiwan and the Peoples Republic of China. We believe that our name and
logos are important to our operations and intend to continue to renew the
trademark registrations thereof.
INSURANCE
We maintain insurance covering comprehensive general liability, automotive
liability, workers' compensation, property and casualty, crime and directors and
officers insurance. The policies provide for a variety of coverage, are subject
to various limits, and include substantial deductibles or self-insured
retention. There is no assurance that claims in excess of, or not included
within, coverage will not be asserted, the effect of which could have an adverse
effect on La Petite.
EMPLOYEES
As of July 1, 2000, we employed approximately 13,000 persons. Our employees
are not represented by any organized labor unions or employee organizations and
management believes relations with employees are good.
PROPERTIES
As of July 1, 2000, we operated 752 Academies, 688 of which were leased
under operating leases, 52 of which were owned and 12 of which were operated in
employer-owned centers. Most of these Academy leases have 15-year terms, some
have 20-year terms, many have renewal options, and most require us to pay
utilities, maintenance, insurance and
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property taxes. In addition, some of the leases provide for contingent rentals,
if the Academy's operating revenue exceeds certain base levels.
Because of different licensing requirements and design features, Academies
vary in size and licensed capacity. Academies typically contain 5,400, 6,700,
7,800 or 9,500 square feet in a one-story, air-conditioned building typically
located on three-quarters of an acre to one acre of land. Each Academy has an
adjacent playground designed to accommodate the full age range of children
attending the Academy. Licensed capacity for the same size building varies from
state to state because of different licensing requirements.
In 1998, we designed new prototypes for residential Academies and
Montessori schools, both of which are 9,500 square foot facilities built on one
acre or more of commercially zoned property. The 14 new residential Academy
facilities opened in fiscal 1999 and 2000 have an operating capacity for
approximately 175 children and are closed classroom designs that reflects a
preschool environment and supports the latest curriculum improvements. The 14
new Montessori schools opened in 1999 and 2000 are divided into six to eight
equal-sized classrooms that support 20 to 25 children, resulting in an operating
capacity for approximately 150 to 160 children. Management believes the new
facilities afford us more flexibility to better suit varying site plans and
future changes as residential neighborhoods evolve. The new exterior design was
developed to enhance the appearance and image of the Academies. In opening a new
Academy, we historically acquires the land, constructs the facility and then
seeks long-term financing through a sale (at cost) and operating leaseback
transaction.
The following table summarizes Academy openings and closings for the
indicated periods.
FISCAL YEAR 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
- ----------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Academies:
Open at Beginning of Period................. 743 736 745 751 786
Opened During Period........................ 59 13 1 3 11
Closed During Period........................ (50) (6) (10) (9) (46)
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Open at End of Period....................... 752 743 736 745 751
==== ==== ==== ==== ====
During fiscal year 2000, we opened nine Residential Academies, seven
Montessori schools and acquired 43 schools through the acquisition of Bright
Start. During that same period, we closed 50 schools. During fiscal year 2000,
39 of the closures resulted from management's decision to close certain schools
located in areas where the demographic conditions no longer supported and
economically viable operations, and the remaining 11 closures were due to
management's decision not to renew the leases or contracts of certain schools.
Subsequent to the end of the fiscal year, we closed four residential Academies
in connection with the restructuring plan implemented in the third quarter of
fiscal year 2000. By the end of fiscal year 2001, management plans to address
the closing of the remaining six schools included in the restructuring plan (see
Note 13 of the consolidated financial statement).
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The following table shows the number of locations operated by us as of July
1, 2000:
Alabama (14) Indiana (16) Nebraska (10) South Carolina (22)
Arizona (26) Iowa (7) Nevada (17) Tennessee (26)
Arkansas (6) Kansas (24) New Jersey (2) Texas (113)
California (54) Kentucky (4) New Mexico (20) Utah (4)
Colorado (24) Louisiana (1) North Carolina (29) Virginia (36)
Delaware (1) Maryland (15) Ohio (17) Washington, D.C. (1)
Florida (92) Minnesota (8) Oklahoma (22) Washington (14)
Georgia (44) Mississippi (3) Oregon (7) Wisconsin (14)
Illinois (23) Missouri (30) Pennsylvania (5) Wyoming (1)
The leases have initial terms expiring as follows:
YEARS INITIAL LEASE TERMS EXPIRE NUMBER OF ACADEMIES
- -------------------------------- -------------------
2001............................... 123
2002............................... 106
2003............................... 86
2004............................... 123
2005............................... 65
2006 and later..................... 185
---
688
===
We currently lease 688 Academies from approximately 425 lessors. We have
generally been successful when we have sought to renew expiring Academy leases.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We have litigation pending which arose in the ordinary course of business.
In management's opinion, none of such litigation in which we are currently
involved will result in liabilities that will have a material adverse effect on
its financial condition or results of operations.
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MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth the name, age and current position held by
the persons who are the directors and executive officers of La Petite Academy
and La Petite Holding Corp.
NAME AGE POSITION
- ---- --- --------
Stephen P. Murray................... 37 Chairman of the Board and Director
Judith A. Rogala.................... 59 Chief Executive Officer, President
and Director
Mitchell J. Blutt, M.D.............. 43 Director
Terry D. Byers...................... 46 Director
Barbara S. Feigin................... 62 Director
Robert E. King...................... 64 Director
Brian J. Richmand................... 46 Director
Ronald L. Taylor.................... 56 Director
James E. Blount..................... 33 Vice President, Corporate Service
Damaris M. Campbell................. 47 Vice President, Eastern Region
Jeffrey J. Fletcher................. 48 Chief Financial Officer
Brian J. Huesers.................... 39 Chief Information Officer
Tom McGarry......................... 50 Vice President, Field Support
Services
Lisa J. Miskimins................... 40 Vice President, Central Region
Rebecca L. Perry.................... 45 Vice President Operations
Phyllis L. Stevens.................. 51 Vice President, Western Region
Linda Wishard....................... 49 Vice President, Organizational
Services
The business experience during the last five years and other information
relating to each executive officer and director of La Petite is set forth below.
Stephen P. Murray became the Chairman of the Board in January 2000 and has
been a Director since May 1998. Mr. Murray has been a General Partner of CCP
since 1994. From 1988 to 1994 Mr. Murray was a Principal at CCP. Prior thereto,
he was a Vice President with the Middle-Market Lending Division of Manufacturers
Hanover. Mr. Murray has a BA from Boston College and a MBA from Columbia
Business School. He also serves as director of The Vitamin Shoppe, Vitamin
Shoppe.com, Starbelly, Inc., Home Products, Inc., Futurecall Telemarketing,
American Floral Services, The Cornerstone Group, Medical Arts Press and Regent
Lighting Corporation.
Judith A. Rogala became a director and the Chief Executive Officer and
President in January 2000. From 1997 to 1999 Ms. Rogala was President of ARAMARK
Uniform Services. She was an Executive Vice President of Office Depot from 1994
to 1997. From 1992 to 1994 she was President and Chief Executive Officer of EQ
(the Environmental Quality Company) and from 1990 to 1992 Ms. Rogala was
President and Chief Executive Officer of Flagship Express. From 1980 to 1990 she
was a Senior Vice President at Federal Express. Ms. Rogala has a BS from
Roosevelt University and a MBA from the University of New Mexico.
Mitchell J. Blutt, M.D. has been a Director since May 1998. Dr. Blutt has
served as an Executive Partner of CCP since 1992. From 1988 to 1992 he was a
General Partner of CCP. Dr. Blutt has a BA and a MD from the University of
Pennsylvania and a MBA from the Wharton School of the University of
Pennsylvania. He is an Adjunct Professor of Medicine at the New York
Hospital/Cornell Medical School. Dr. Blutt is a director of the Hanger
Orthopedic Group, Fisher Scientific Corporation, DonJoy LLC, Medsite.com, Palm
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Entertainment Corporation, and on the Advisory Boards of Dubilier & Co., The
Tinicum Fund and the Global Academy for the Human Genome Human Being. He is a
member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania and a member
of the Board of Overseers of the University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts and
Sciences. Dr. Blutt also serves on the International Board of Governors of the
Peres Center for Peace.
Terry D. Byers has been a Director since December 1998. Ms. Byers has more
than 17 years experience in information technology ranging from hands-on systems
design and development to executive management. She has extensive experience in
designing and architecting enterprise-level IT infra-structures, developing and
integrating business information systems, implementing large ERP applications,
and developing and deploying technology-based solutions to clients. Since 1996,
Ms Byers has been a Senior Vice President and the Chief Technology Officer for
American Floral Services, Inc. located in Oklahoma City. She holds a Bachelors
of Business Administration degree in Computer Science from the University of
Central Oklahoma.
Barbara S. Feigin has been a Director since August 1999. Ms. Feigin is a
consultant specializing in strategic marketing and branding. She served as
Executive Vice President and Worldwide Director of Strategic Services and was a
member of the Agency Policy Council for Grey Advertising, Inc. from 1983 until
her retirement in 1999. Ms. Feigin is a director of Circuit City Stores, Inc.,
VF Corporation, Vitamin Shoppe.com, and eYada.com. Ms. Feigin is a graduate of
Whitman College where she has served as a member of the Board of Overseers and
of the Harvard Radcliffe Program in Business Administration.
Robert E. King has been a Director since May 1998. Mr. King is Chairman of
Salt Creek Ventures, LLC, a private equity company he founded in 1994. Salt
Creek Ventures, LLC is an organization specializing in equity investments in
technology companies. Mr. King has been involved over the past 33 years as a
corporate executive and entrepreneur in technology-based companies. From 1983 to
1994, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of The Newtrend Group. Mr.
King has participated as a founding investor in five companies. Mr. King has a
B.A. from Northwestern University. He serves on the Board of Directors of DeVry,
Inc., American Floral Services, Inc., COLLEGIS, Inc., Premier Systems
Integrators, Inc. and eduprise.com, inc.
Brian J. Richmand has been a Director since May 1998. Mr. Richmand became a
Special Partner of CCP in January 2000. He was a General Partner of CCP from
1993 to 2000. From 1986 to August 1993 Mr. Richmand was a partner with the law
firm of Kirkland & Ellis. He has a BS from The Wharton School of the University
of Pennsylvania and a JD from Stanford Law School. Mr. Richmand is a director of
Transtar Metals, L.L.C., Riverwood International Corp., Reiman Publishing,
L.L.C., and American Media, Inc.
Ronald L. Taylor has been a Director since April 1999. Mr. Taylor has been
President and Chief Operating Officer of DeVry, Inc since 1987. He is Chairman
of the Proprietary Schools Advisory Committee for the Illinois Board of Higher
Education; a member of the Institutional Action Committee for the North Central
Association of Colleges and Schools; a Commissioner for the Commission on Adult
Learning and Educational Credentials, American Council on Education; a mentor
for the Next Generation Leadership Institute at Loyola University Chicago; a
member of the Board of Directors of the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce. He
also serves on the Board of Directors of DeVry, Inc. and the Better Business
Bureau of Chicago & Northern Illinois, Inc. Mr. Taylor has a BA from Harvard
University and received his MBA from Stanford University.
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James E. Blount became the Vice President of Corporate Service in May 2000.
From 1999 to 2000, Mr. Blount was the Regional Vice President for State National
Companies, responsible for managing sales and growth strategy. From 1993 to 1999
he held a series of increasingly senior positions at ARAMARK Uniform Services,
from District Manager to Director of National Accounts. From 1989 to 1992, he
served as Area Manager for Nutri/ System Weight Loss Centers. Mr. Blount has a
B.B.A. from Augusta State University.
Damaris M. Campbell became the Vice President of the Eastern Region in June
2000. She is responsible for the supervision of 14 states. From 1997 to 2000,
Ms. Campbell was an Area Vice President with supervisory responsibility for the
operations of five states. She was a Divisional Director of 54 schools in three
states from 1993 to 1997. From 1983 to 1993, she supervised 13 academies in the
Charlotte, NC Region. She began her career with La Petite in 1980 as a teacher.
Jeffrey J. Fletcher became Chief Financial Officer in June 2000. From 1998
to 2000, Mr. Fletcher was Chief Financial Officer for Hirsh Industries, Inc.
From 1995 to 1998, he provided strategic, finance and operations consulting
services to a variety of businesses including manufacturers, Internet start-ups,
medical services and retailers. Mr. Fletcher served as Chief Financial Officer
of the Environmental Quality Company from 1992 to 1995. Prior to 1992, Mr.
Fletcher served in various financial capacities at Gaylord Container. Mr.
Fletcher began his career with Coopers & Lybrand and Deloitte & Touche. Mr.
Fletcher has a B.S. from the University of Iowa and a M.M. from the Kellogg
Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.
Brian J. Huesers became Chief Information Officer in June 2000. From 1999
to 2000, Mr. Huesers was the Chief Information Officer for the Kansas City,
Missouri School District. Mr. Huesers was the Assistant Vice President for
Technical Services at H&R Block, Inc. from 1997 to 1999. From 1984 to 1996, Mr.
Huesers held various positions at H&R Block Tax Services. Mr. Huesers has a BA
from Washburn University.
Tom McGarry became Vice President of Field Support Services in October
2000. From 1997 to 2000, Mr. McGarry was Managing Director of Operations and
Planning/Administration for Aramark Services. From 1974 to 1997, Mr. McGarry
held a series of positions at Federal Express Corp. from Sales and Service to
Director of Mid West Operations and Managing Director of
Planning/Administration. Mr. McGarry has a BS degree in Engineering from Temple.
Lisa J. Miskimins became the Vice President of the Central Region in June
2000. She is responsible for the supervision of 13 states. From 1997 to 2000,
Ms. Miskimins was an Area Vice President with supervisory responsibility for the
operations of eight midwestern states. She was a Divisional Director of 50
schools in three states from 1994 to 1997. She began her career with La Petite
in 1983 as a Preschool Teacher. Ms. Miskimins has a BA in Elementary Education
and English.
Rebecca L. Perry became the Vice President of Operations in April 2000. She
was the Executive Vice President of Operations from 1997 to 2000. From 1993 to
1997, Ms. Perry was a Senior Vice President and Eastern Operating Officer. From
1988 to 1993, she was Assistant Vice President of Operations with supervisory
responsibility for the operations of 14 southern and midwestern states. From
1985 to 1988, she served as Divisional Director of Florida and from 1981 to 1985
she served as Regional Director of Tampa.
Phyllis L. Stevens became the Vice President of the Western Region in June
2000. She is responsible for the supervision of nine states as well as all
Montessori schools. From 1997 to
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2000, Ms. Stevens was an Area Vice President with supervisory responsibility for
the operations of seven states as well as all Montessori schools. From 1992 to
1997, Ms. Stevens was Divisional Director of six northeast states. She began her
career with La Petite in 1982 as a Center Director. Ms. Stevens has a BS from
Drexel University.
Linda Wishard became Vice President of Organization Services in September
2000. From 1995 to 2000, Ms. Wishard was Vice President, Human Resources for
Taco Cabana. She was Director of Corporate Benefits for H.E. Butt Grocery
Company from 1991 to 1995 and served various other positions for the company
from 1985 to 1991. Ms Wishard has a BS from the University of Texas and a MA
from the University of Southern California.
BOARD COMMITTEES AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
Our Board of Directors has an Audit Committee consisting of Robert E. King
and Stephen P. Murray, and a Compensation Committee consisting of Stephen P.
Murray and Brian J. Richmand. The Audit Committee reviews the scope and results
of audits and internal accounting controls and all other tasks performed by our
independent public accountants. The Compensation Committee determines
compensation for the executive officers and will administer the New Option Plan.
None of our executive officers have served as a director or member of the
compensation committee (or other committee forming an equivalent function) of
any other entity, whose executive officers served as a director of or member of
the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The members of the Board of Directors are reimbursed for out-of-pocket
expenses related to their service on the Board of Directors or any committee
thereof. In addition, members of the Board of Directors who are neither officers
of La Petite nor employed by CCP or any of its partners are entitled to receive
an attendance fee of $1,000 for each meeting attended.
On August 19, 1999, our parent company adopted the LPA Holding Corp. 1999
Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (1999 Plan). The purpose of the
plan is to provide a means for attracting, retaining, and incentivizing
qualified directors. Under the terms of the plan, 10,000 shares of LPA Holding
Corp. Class A common stock are reserved for issuance to our non-employee
directors.
Non-employee directors may exercise their options to purchase shares of LPA
Holding Corp. Class A common stock once those options have vested. One-forty
eighth of the options become vested on the last day of each month following the
date of grant, if the person is a director on that day. Each option entitles the
director to purchase one share of LPA Holding Corp. Class A common stock. The
exercise price will equal the fair market value on the date of grant of the
option to the non-employee director. Vested options and shares of common stock
may be repurchased from any non-employee director who ceases to be a director
for any reason. Any options that have not vested at the time the non-employee
director ceases to be a director are forfeited. As of July 1, 2000, options to
purchase 4,400 shares of common stock of Parent have been granted under the
plan.
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COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table provides certain summary information concerning
compensation earned for the 52 weeks ended July 1, 2000 (2000), for the 44 weeks
ended July 3, 1999 (1999), and for the 52 weeks ended August 29, 1998 (1998), by
our Chief Executive Officer, former Chief Executive Officer and the other most
highly compensated executive officers whose salary and bonus exceeded $100,000
for the fiscal year:
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
COMPENSATION FOR THE PERIOD
LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION
------------
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES
ANNUAL COMPENSATION UNDERLYING
-------------------- OPTION/ ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS SAR AWARDS COMPENSATION
- --------------------------- ---- -------- ------- ------------ ------------
Judith A. Rogala............. 2000 $180,385(4) $87,500
Chief Executive Officer &
President
James R. Kahl................ 2000 155,327 $ 6,000(5)
Former Chief Executive 1999 264,366
Officer & President 1998 297,500 143,000 21,780 400,000(1)
(Separated from Company 1,152,556(2)
on January 1, 2000)
Susan Stanton................ 2000 250,000
Former Chief Operating 1999 120,192(3) 24,000 5,700
Officer (Separated from
Company on February 15,
2000)
Rebecca L. Perry............. 2000 183,729
Vice President Operations 1999 155,490
1998 172,500 33,000 5,100 150,000(1)
Peggy A. Ford................ 2000 119,692
Vice President, Business 1999 90,512
Service Center, General 1998 100,770 7,200 450 50,000(1)
Counsel (Separated from
Company on September 30,
2000)
Mary Jean Wolf............... 2000 163,986
Former Senior Vice 1999 134,083
President, Organization 1998 150,000 28,000 3,750 100,000(1)
Services (Separated from
Company on August 13, 1999)
- -------------------------
(1) Represents Recapitalization bonuses paid to certain members of management by
selling shareholders out of sales proceeds. Perquisites and other personal
benefits for the fiscal years 1999, 1998, and 1997 paid to the named
officers did not, as to any of them, exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10
percent of the sum of their respective salary and bonus.
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(2) Represents reimbursement for tax consequences on the exercise and sale of
stock options in accordance with Mr. Kahl's employment contract.
(3) 1999 compensation covers 25 weeks from January 11, 1999 through July 3,
1999.
(4) 2000 compensation covers 27 weeks from December 21, 1999 through July 1,
2000.
(5) Represents payments made to Mr. Kahl subsequent to his termination pursuant
to his employment agreement.
The following tables present information relating to grants to executive
officers of options to purchase La Petite common stock:
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND
FISCAL YEAR END OPTION/SAR VALUES
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES
UNDERLYING VALUE OF
UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY
OPTIONS/SARS OPTIONS/SARS
AT FY END (#) AT FY END (4)
SHARES ACQUIRED VALUE EXERCISABLE/ EXERCISABLE/
NAME ON EXERCISE(#) REALIZED UNEXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ---- --------------- -------- ------------- -------------
Rebecca L. Perry,........ 0/0(1) 0/0
Vice President 1,875/1,725(2) 0/0
Operations 0/1,500(3) 0/0
Peggy A. Ford,........... 750/0(1) 31,500/0
Vice President, 234/216(2) 0/0
Business
Service Center, General
Counsel (Separated from
Company on September
30, 2000)
- -------------------------
(1) Pursuant to the Recapitalization, certain key executives simultaneously
exercised options at various prices and sold the related shares at $133.83
per share (the transaction price). Those options not exercised were retained
by the key executives. All of these options became fully exercisable as a
result of the Recapitalization.
(2) Effective May 18, 1998 the Board of Directors granted to certain key
executives Tranche A options at $66.92 per share, an amount which
approximates the fair value of a share of our common stock at the date of
the grant. These options become exercisable ratably over forty-eight months
and expire ten years from the date of grant.
(3) Effective May 18, 1998 the Board of Directors granted to certain key
executives Tranche B options at $133.83 per share. These options are
exercisable only in the event of a change in control or a registered public
offering of common stock, which provides certain minimum returns (as
defined) over the transaction price.
(4) Our equity is not traded and there is no market for pricing the value of the
options. "In the Money" calculations are based on the estimated enterprise
value adjusted for debt, preferred stock, common shares issued and retired,
warrants and options and adjustments for market liquidity and a control
premium.
We did not grant any options to the named executive officers during fiscal
2000.
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EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS
We have entered into an employment agreement with Judith A. Rogala. The
Employment Agreement provides for Ms. Rogala to receive a base salary, subject
to annual performance adjustments, of $350,000 plus a bonus of up to 150% of
base salary. Ms. Rogala is also entitled to receive a cash Interim Bonus with
respect to our fiscal year ending in July 2000 equal to $87,500 and a Signing
Incentive of $1.5 million, vesting at 25% per year, payable on the fourth
anniversary date of employment. The term of the Employment Agreement is three
years subject to one year automatic renewals. The Employment Agreement also
provides that the executive is entitled to participate in the health and welfare
benefit plans available to our other senior executives. The Employment Agreement
provides for severance in the case of termination without 'cause' or a
resignation with 'good reason' in an amount equal to one year of base salary
plus a prorated bonus as described in the agreement and a cash lump sum equal to
(a) any compensation payments deferred by Ms. Rogala, together with any
applicable interest or other accruals; (b) any unpaid amounts, as of the date of
such termination, in respect of the Bonus for the fiscal year ending before the
fiscal year in which such termination occurs; (c) the Signing Incentive Bonus
(to the extent not already paid) and (d) the Pro Rata Bonus as described in the
agreement. Included in the severance in the case of termination without 'cause'
or resignation with 'good reason' is one year of coverage under and
participation in our employee benefit program. The Employment Agreement also
contains customary non-disclosure, non-competition and non-solicitation
provision.
Previously, we had employment agreements with James R. Kahl, Susan Stanton,
and Rebecca L. Perry. Jim Kahl's employment terminated on January 1, 2000. Susan
Stanton's employment terminated on February 15, 2000. The Employment Agreements
provided for Mr. Kahl, Ms. Stanton, and Ms. Perry to receive a base salary,
subject to annual performance adjustments, of $312,500, $250,000, and $181,000,
respectively, plus a bonus of up to 180%, 120%, and 75%, respectively, of base
salary. The terms of the Employment Agreement were as follows: for Mr. Kahl,
four years from May 11, 1998, for Ms. Stanton, and Ms. Perry, one year, in each
case subject to one year automatic renewals. Ms. Perry's employment agreement
was not renewed at August 28, 2000. Each Employment Agreement also provided that
the executive is entitled to participate in the health and welfare benefit plans
available to our other senior executives. The Employment Agreements provided for
severance in the case of a termination without 'cause' or a resignation with
'good reason' (each as defined in the applicable Employment Agreement) in an
amount equal to the base salary plus bonus for Mr. Kahl, and in an amount equal
to the base salary for Ms. Stanton, and Ms. Perry. If Mr. Kahl terminated his
employment with good reason after a change of control, Mr. Kahl would be
entitled to two years' base salary and bonus. The Employment Agreements also
contain customary non-disclosure, non-competition and non-solicitation
provisions.
NEW OPTION PLAN
Our parent company adopted the 1998 Plan pursuant to which options, which
currently represents 8.3% of our parent company common stock, on a fully diluted
basis, are available for grant. The 1998 Plan provides for the granting of
Tranche A and Tranche B options to purchase up to 60,074 shares of our common
stock. Options to purchase 14,250 shares of Parent's common stock have been
granted. The options will be allocated in amounts to be agreed upon between LPA
and our parent company. Seventy-five percent of the options will vest over four
years and twenty-five percent of the options will vest if certain transactions
are consummated which generate certain minimum returns to LPA. The exercise
price for the
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time vesting options will be 50% of the per share price paid by LPA for its
common stock of our parent company and the exercise price for the remaining
options will be 100% of the per share price paid by LPA for its common stock of
our parent company. The options expire 10 years from the date of grant.
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OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
All of La Petite's common stock is held by LPA Holding Corp., our parent
company. As of July 1, 2000, LPA Investment LLC, or LPA, owns approximately
89.6% of the outstanding common stock of our parent company (approximately 81.3%
on a fully diluted basis, including the warrants described below) and Vestar,
the former principal stockholder, and La Petite's current and former management
own approximately 3.6%, 1.9% and 4.9%, respectively, of the outstanding common
stock of our parent company (approximately 2.9%, 3.9% and 4.1%, respectively, on
a fully diluted basis). In connection with the purchases of preferred stock of
our parent company, described below, LPA received warrants to purchase shares of
our parent's company's common stock that currently represents the right to
acquire 8.9% of our parent's company's common stock on a fully diluted basis.
In connection with the recapitalization, LPA purchased redeemable preferred
stock of our parent company and warrants to purchase shares of our parent's
company's common stock on a fully diluted basis for aggregate cash consideration
of $30.0 million, the proceeds of which were contributed by Parent to common
equity. On December 15, 1999, LPA acquired an additional $15.0 million of
Parent's redeemable preferred stock and received warrants to purchase an
additional 3.0% of our parent's company's common stock on a fully diluted basis.
The $15.0 million proceeds received by our parent company were contributed to us
as common equity.
The preferred stock is not redeemable at the option of the holder prior to
the maturity of the notes and dividends are not payable in cash prior to the
seventh anniversary of the consummation of the transactions. Thereafter, our
parent company may pay dividends in cash subject to any restrictions contained
in our indebtedness, including the Credit Agreement and the indenture.
Following the consummation of the recapitalization, our parent company and
its stockholders, including all holders of options and warrants, entered into a
Stockholders' Agreement. The Stockholders' Agreement contains restriction on the
transferability of our parent company's common stock, subject to certain
exceptions. The Stockholders' Agreement also contains provisions regarding the
designation of members of the Board of Directors and other voting arrangements.
The Stockholders' Agreement will terminate at such time as Parent consummates a
qualified public offering.
The Stockholders' Agreement restricts transfers of common stock of our
parent company by, among other things:
- granting rights to all stockholders to tag along on certain sales of
stock by LPA and management,
- granting rights to LPA to force the other stockholders to sell their
common stock on the same terms as sales of common stock by LPA, and
- granting preemptive rights to all holders of 2% or more of our parent
company's common stock in respect of sales by other stockholders.
The Stockholder's Agreement provides that the Board of Directors of our
parent company shall consist of 5 to 8 persons as determined pursuant to the
Stockholders Agreement. The Stockholder's Agreement further provides that LPA is
entitled to designate four of the directors, one of whom is entitled to three
votes as a director. Messrs. Murray, Blutt, Richmand and King have been elected
as directors pursuant to this provision with
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Mr. King being entitled to three votes as a director. Certain management
stockholders of our parent company are entitled to elect one director, currently
Ms. Rogala. The Stockholder's Agreement further provides that the ensuing
directors of our parent company shall be designated by mutual consent of LPA and
the management stockholders.
The Stockholders' Agreement also contains covenants in respect of the
delivery of certain financial information to our parent company's stockholders
and granting access to our parent company's records to holders of more than 2%
of our Parent's common stock.
A majority of the economic interests of LPA is owned by CB Capital
Investors, LLC (CBCI), an affiliate of CCP, and a majority of the voting
interests of LPA is owned by an entity controlled by Robert E. King, one of
Parents' Directors. However, pursuant to the LPA Operating Agreement, LPA has
granted to CBCI the right to elect a majority of the directors of LPA if certain
triggering events occur and LPA agreed not to take certain actions in respect of
the common stock of our parent company held by LPA without the consent of CBCI.
Accordingly, if certain triggering events occur, through its control of LPA,
CBCI would be able to elect a majority of the Board of Directors of Parent. As a
licensed small business investment company, or SBIC, CBCI is subject to certain
restrictions imposed upon SBICs by the regulations established and enforced by
the United States Small Business Administration. Among these restrictions are
certain limitations on the extent to which an SBIC may exercise control over
companies in which it invests. As a result of these restrictions, unless certain
events described in the operating agreement occur, CBCI may not own or control a
majority of the outstanding voting stock of LPA or designate a majority of the
members of the Board of Directors. Accordingly, while CBCI owns a majority of
the economic interests of LPA, CBCI owns less than a majority of LPA's voting
stock.
In connection with the recapitalization, our parent company and its
stockholders following consummation of the recapitalization entered into a
Registration Rights Agreement. The Registration Rights Agreement grants
stockholders demand and incidental registration rights with respect to shares of
capital stock held by them and contains customary terms and provisions with
respect to such registration rights.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Chase Securities Inc., or CSI, one of the initial purchasers of the old
notes, is an affiliate of The Chase Manhattan Bank, an agent and a lender to La
Petite under the Credit Agreement. LPA, an affiliate of CCP and CSI, owns
approximately 89.6% of the outstanding common stock of our parent company
(approximately 81.3% on a fully diluted basis). LPA owns $45 million of
redeemable preferred stock of our parent company and warrants to purchase 8.9%
of the common stock of our parent company on a fully diluted basis. Certain
partners of CCP are members of La Petite's Board of Directors (see
"Management"). In addition, CSI, Chase and their affiliates perform various
investment banking and commercial banking services on a regular basis for our
affiliates.
In connection with the recapitalization, CBCI entered into an
Indemnification Agreement with Robert E. King, one of our Directors, pursuant to
which CBCI has agreed to indemnify Mr. King for any losses, damages or
liabilities and all expenses incurred or sustained by Mr. King in his capacity
as a manager, officer or director of LPA or any of its subsidiaries, including
our parent company and us.
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Banc of America Securities LLC, one of the initial purchasers of the old
notes, is an affiliate of Bank of America, an agent and lender under the Credit
Agreement.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT
The following is a summary of the material terms of our Credit Agreement,
as amended, between us, our parent company, certain financial institutions party
thereto, Bank of America, or BankAm, as administrative agent, and The Chase
Manhattan Bank, or Chase, as syndication agent. The following summary should be
read in conjunction with the Credit Agreement, which is filed as an exhibit to
the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
THE FACILITIES
STRUCTURE. The Credit Agreement provides for the term loan in an aggregate
principal amount of $40 million, all of which was borrowed in connection with
the closing of the Transactions, and the Revolving Credit Facility providing for
revolving loans, swingline loans and the issuance of letters of credit for our
account in an aggregate principal amount (including swingline loans and the
aggregate stated amount of letters of credit) of $25 million.
AVAILABILITY. Availability under the Revolving Credit Facility is subject
to various conditions precedent typical of bank loans, and the commitment of
Chase, BankAm, and the other lenders to provide financing under the Credit
Agreement is also subject to, among other things, the absence of any event,
condition or circumstance that has had or is reasonably likely to have a
material adverse effect on the business, operations, properties, assets,
liabilities or financial condition of our parent company, us and our
subsidiaries, taken as a whole. As of July 1, 2000, nothing was outstanding
under the Revolving Credit Facility.
INTEREST
Borrowings under the Credit Agreement will bear interest at a rate per
annum equal (at our option) to: a) an adjusted London inter-bank offered rate,
or LIBOR, plus a percentage based on our financial performance or b) a rate (the
"ABR") equal to the highest of Chase's published prime rate, a certificate of
deposit rate plus 1% and the Federal Funds effective rate plus 1/2 of 1%, plus
in each case a percentage based on our financial performance. The borrowing
margins applicable to the Credit Agreement are initially 3.50% for LIBOR loans
and 2.50% for ABR loans. Amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement not paid
when due bear interest at a default rate equal to 2.00% above the rates
otherwise applicable to the loans under the Credit Agreement.
FEES
We have agreed to pay certain fees with respect to the Credit Agreement,
including a) fees equal to 1/2 of 1% on the undrawn portion of the commitments
of the lenders in respect of the Credit Agreement (subject to a reduction based
on our financial performance); b) letter of credit fees on the aggregate face
amount of outstanding letters of credit equal to the then applicable borrowing
margin for LIBOR loans under the Revolving Credit Facility and a 1/4 of 1% per
annum issuing bank fee for the letter of credit issuing bank; c) annual
administration fees; and 4) agent, arrangement and other similar fees.
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SECURITY; GUARANTEES
Our obligations under the Credit Agreement are irrevocably guaranteed,
jointly and severally, by our parent company and by each of our existing and
subsequently acquired or organized subsidiaries. In addition, the Credit
Agreement and the guarantees are secured by substantially all of our assets and
the assets of our parent company and our domestic subsidiaries, including but
not limited to:
- a perfected first priority pledge of all our capital stock and of each of
our existing and subsequently acquired or organized subsidiaries, and
- a perfected first priority security interest in, and mortgage on,
substantially all of our tangible and intangible assets and the assets of
the guarantors (including, but not limited to, accounts receivable,
documents, inventory, equipment, investment property, general
intangibles, real property, cash and cash accounts and proceeds of the
foregoing, but excluding leasehold interests), in each case subject to
certain exceptions.
COMMITMENT REDUCTIONS AND REPAYMENTS
The Credit Agreement will mature on May 11, 2005. The term loan amortizes
in an amount equal to $1.0 million in fiscal years 2001 through 2003, $7.8
million in fiscal year 2004 and $27.5 million in fiscal year 2005. In addition,
the term loan is subject to mandatory prepayment and reductions in an amount
equal to (a) 100% of the net cash proceeds of certain equity issuances by our
parent company, us or any of our subsidiaries, (b) 100% of the net cash proceeds
of certain debt issuances of our parent company, us or any of our subsidiaries,
(c) 75% of our excess cash flow (subject to a reduction to 50% based on our
financial performance) and (d) 100% of the net cash proceeds of certain asset
sales or other dispositions of property by our parent company, us or any of our
subsidiaries, in each case subject to certain exceptions. The mandatory
prepayment provision of the term loan was waived in connection with the purchase
of the additional $15.0 million of preferred stock and related warrants on
December 15, 1999.
AFFIRMATIVE, NEGATIVE AND FINANCIAL COVENANTS
The Credit Agreement contains a number of covenants that, among other
things, restrict the ability of our parent company, us and our subsidiaries to
dispose of assets, incur additional indebtedness, incur or guarantee
obligations, prepay other indebtedness or amend other debt instruments, pay
dividends, create liens on assets, make investments, loans or advances, make
acquisitions, engage in mergers or consolidations, change the business conducted
by us and our subsidiaries, make capital expenditures change our fiscal year, or
engage in certain transactions with affiliates and otherwise restrict certain
corporate activities. In addition, the Credit Agreement requires our parent
company to comply with specified financial ratios and tests, including a maximum
leverage ratio, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and a minimum EBITDA test.
The Credit Agreement also contains provisions that will prohibit any
modifications of the indenture in any manner adverse to the lenders under the
Credit Agreement and that limit our ability to refinance or otherwise prepay the
notes without the consent of such lenders.
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EVENTS OF DEFAULT
The Credit Agreement contains customary events of default, including
non-payment of principal, interest or fees, violation of covenants, inaccuracy
of representations or warranties in any material respect, cross default to
certain other indebtedness, bankruptcy, ERISA events, material judgments and
liabilities, actual or asserted invalidity of any material security interest and
change of control.
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DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
GENERAL
The old notes and notes were issued under an indenture among LPA Holding
Corp., La Petite Academy, the guarantors and PNC Bank, National Association, as
trustee. The terms of the notes are identical in all respects to the old notes,
except that the notes have been registered under the Securities Act and,
therefore, do not bear legends restricting their transfer and do not contain
provisions providing for the payment of liquidated damages under certain
circumstances relating to the Registration Rights Agreement, which provisions
terminated upon the consummation of the Exchange Offer. The following summary of
the material provisions of the indenture does not purport to be complete and is
subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and to all of the provisions of the
indenture, including the definitions of certain terms therein and those terms
made a part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act, as in
effect on the date of the indenture. The definitions of certain capitalized
terms used in the following summary are set forth below under "Certain
Definitions." For purposes of this section, the terms "La Petite" and "La Petite
Academy" refer only to La Petite Academy, Inc and not any of its subsidiaries.
Principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the notes is payable, and
the notes may be exchanged or transferred, at the office or agency of the
issuers in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, except that, at the
option of the issuers, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the
registered holders of the notes at their registered addresses.
The notes are issued only in fully registered form, without coupons, in
denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000. No service charge
will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of notes, but the
issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or
other similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
The indenture provides for the issuance of up to $100 million aggregate
principal amount of additional notes having terms and conditions identical to
those of the notes offered hereby, subject to compliance with the covenants
contained in the indenture. Any additional notes will be part of the same issue
as the notes offered hereby and will vote on all matters with the notes offered
hereby. Unless the context otherwise requires, for purposes of this "Description
of Notes," references to the notes include additional notes.
TERMS OF THE NOTES
The notes are unsecured senior obligations of the issuers, limited to $145
million aggregate principal amount, and mature on May 15, 2008. Each notes bears
interest at a rate of 10% per annum from May 11, 1998, or from the most recent
date to which interest has been paid or provided for, payable semiannually to
holders of record at the close of business on the May 1 or November 1
immediately preceding the interest payment date on May 15 and November 15 of
each year, commencing November 15, 1998. We will pay interest on overdue
principal at 1% per annum in excess of such rate, and it will pay interest on
overdue installments of interest at such higher rate to the extent lawful.
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
Except as set forth in the following paragraph, the notes are not
redeemable at our option prior to May 15, 2003. From and after May 15, 2003, the
notes will be redeemable at our
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option, in whole or in part, on not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior
notice, at the following redemption prices (expressed as percentages of
principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption
date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to
receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during
the 12-month period commencing on May 15 of the years set forth below:
YEAR REDEMPTION PRICE
- ---- ----------------
2003............................................. 105.000%
2004............................................. 103.333%
2005............................................. 101.667%
2006 and thereafter.............................. 100.000%
In addition, at any time and from time to time prior to May 15, 2001, the
issuers may redeem up to a maximum of 35% of the original aggregate principal
amount of the notes (calculated giving effect to any issuance of additional
notes) with the proceeds of one or more of our Public Equity Offerings or our
parent company following which there is a Public Market, at a redemption price
equal to 110% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest
thereon, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of
record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant
interest payment date); provided, however, that after giving effect to any such
redemption, at least 65% of the original aggregate principal amount of the notes
(calculated giving effect to any issuance of additional notes) remains
outstanding. Any such redemption shall be made within 60 days of such Public
Equity Offering upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice mailed to
each holder of notes being redeemed and otherwise in accordance with the
procedures set forth in the indenture.
SELECTION
In the case of any partial redemption, selection of the notes for
redemption will be made by the Trustee on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such
other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem to be fair and
appropriate, although no note of $1,000 in original principal amount or less
will be redeemed in part. If any note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice
of redemption relating to such note shall state the portion of the principal
amount thereof to be redeemed. A new note in principal amount equal to the
unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the holder thereof upon
cancellation of the original note. On and after the redemption date, interest
will cease to accrue on notes or portions thereof called for redemption so long
as the issuers have deposited with the Paying Agent funds sufficient to pay the
principal of, plus accrued and unpaid interest (if any) on, the notes to be
redeemed.
RANKING
The indebtedness evidenced by the notes is unsecured senior indebtedness of
the issuers, ranks pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future
senior indebtedness of the issuers and is senior in right of payment to all
existing and future subordinated obligations of the issuers. The notes are
effectively subordinated to any Secured Indebtedness of the issuers and their
respective Subsidiaries to the extent of the value of the assets securing such
Indebtedness.
As of July 1, 2000, (i) the outstanding senior indebtedness of La Petite
Academy and our parent company was $184.2 million, of which $39.2 million was
Secured Indebtedness
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(exclusive of unused commitments under the Credit Agreement), and (ii) the
guarantor had no senior indebtedness outstanding (exclusive of guarantees of
Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement (all of which would have been Secured
Indebtedness) and the guarantee). Although the indenture will contain
limitations on the amount of additional Indebtedness which we may Incur, under
certain circumstances the amount of such Indebtedness could be substantial and,
in any case, such Indebtedness may be senior indebtedness and may be Secured
Indebtedness. See "-- Certain Covenants -- Limitation on Indebtedness."
GUARANTEES
Our existing Subsidiary has and certain of our future Subsidiaries will, as
primary obligors and not merely as sureties, jointly and severally irrevocably
and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured senior basis the performance and
full and punctual payment when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration
or otherwise, of all obligations of the issuers under the indenture and the
notes, whether for payment of principal of, or interest on, and liquidated
damages, if any, in respect of, the notes, expenses, indemnification or
otherwise (all such obligations guaranteed by such guarantors being herein
called the Guaranteed Obligations). Such guarantors agree to pay, in addition to
the amount stated above, any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable
counsel fees and expenses) incurred by the Trustee or the holders in enforcing
any rights under any guarantee. Each guarantee will be limited in amount to an
amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by the applicable
guarantor without rendering the guarantee, as it relates to such guarantor,
voidable under applicable laws relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent
transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally. After the
Closing Date, we will cause each of our Domestic Subsidiaries to execute and
deliver to the Trustee a guarantee pursuant to which such Domestic Subsidiary
will guarantee payment of the notes. See "-- Certain Covenants -- Future
Guarantors."
Each guarantee is a continuing guarantee and shall (a) remain in full force
and effect until payment in full of all the Guaranteed Obligations, (b) be
binding upon each guarantor and its successors and (c) inure to the benefit of,
and be enforceable by, the Trustee, the holders and their successors,
transferees and assigns.
CHANGE OF CONTROL
Upon the occurrence of any of the following events, each a Change of
Control, each holder will have the right to require the issuers to repurchase
all or any part of such holder's notes 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):
(i)prior to the earlier to occur of (A) the first public offering of common
stock of our parent company or (B) the first public offering of our
common stock, the Permitted Holders cease to be the "beneficial owner"
(as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly
or indirectly, of a majority in the aggregate of the total voting power
of the La Petite's Voting Stock, whether as a result of issuance of
securities of our parent company or us, any merger, consolidation,
liquidation or dissolution of our parent company or us, any direct or
indirect transfer of securities by any Permitted Holder or otherwise
(for purposes of this clause (i) and clause (ii) below, the Permitted
Holders shall be deemed to beneficially own any Voting Stock of an
entity (the "specified entity") held by any other entity (the
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"parent entity") so long as the Permitted Holders beneficially own (as
so defined), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a majority of the
voting power of the Voting Stock of the parent entity);
(ii)
(A) any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of
the Exchange Act), other than one or more Permitted Holders, is or
becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in clause (i) above, except
that for purposes of this clause (ii) such person shall be deemed to
have "beneficial ownership" of all shares that any such person has the
right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only
after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of
the total voting power of the La Petite's Voting Stock and (B) the
Permitted Holders "beneficially own" (as defined in clause (i) above),
directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a lesser percentage of the
total voting power of the La Petite's Voting Stock than such other
person and do not have the right or ability by voting power, contract or
otherwise to elect or designate for election a majority of the Board of
Directors (for the purposes of this clause (ii), such other person shall
be deemed to beneficially own any Voting Stock of a specified entity
held by a parent entity, if such other person is the beneficial owner
(as defined in this clause (ii)), directly or indirectly, of more than
35% of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such parent entity and
the Permitted Holders "beneficially own" (as defined in clause (i)
above), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a lesser percentage of
the voting power of the Voting Stock of such parent entity and do not
have the right or ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to
elect or designate for election a majority of the board of directors of
such parent entity);
(iii)
during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the
beginning of such period constituted our Board of Directors or the Board
of Directors of our parent company, as the case may be (together with
any new directors whose election by such Board of Directors or whose
nomination for election by our shareholders or the shareholders of our
parent company, as applicable, was approved (x) in accordance with the
Stockholders Agreement, (y) by the Permitted Holders or (z) by a vote of
66 2/3% of our directors or our parent company, as applicable, then
still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such
period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so
approved), cease for any reason to constitute a majority of our Board of
Directors or the Board of Directors of our parent company, as
applicable, then in office;
(iv)
the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of La
Petite or our parent company; or
(v)the merger or consolidation of La Petite or our parent company with or
into another Person or the merger of another Person with or into us or
our parent company, or the sale of all or substantially all of our
assets or the assets of our parent company to another Person (other than
a Person that is controlled by the Permitted Holders), and, in the case
of any such merger or consolidation, our securities or the securities of
our parent company, as the case may be, that are outstanding immediately
prior to such transaction and which represent 100% of the aggregate
voting power of our or our parent company's voting stock, as applicable,
are changed into or exchanged for cash, securities or property, unless
pursuant to such transaction such securities are changed into or
exchanged for, in addition to any other consideration, securities of the
surviving Person or transferee that represent, immediately after such
transac-
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tion, at least a majority of the aggregate voting power of the Voting
Stock of the surviving Person or transferee.
Within 30 days following any change of control, the issuers 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 issuers to purchase such holder's notes 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 on the relevant interest
payment date); (2) the circumstances and relevant facts and financial
information regarding such change of control; (3) the repurchase date (which
shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such
notice is mailed); and (4) the instructions determined by the issuers,
consistent with this covenant, that a holder must follow in order to have its
notes purchased.
The issuers will 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 the indenture applicable to our change of control offer and purchases all
notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such change of control offer.
The issuers will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of
Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations
in connection with the repurchase of notes pursuant to this covenant. To the
extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with
provisions of this covenant, the issuers will comply with the applicable
securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached their
obligations under this covenant by virtue thereof.
The change of control purchase feature is a result of negotiations between
the issuers and the initial purchasers of the old notes. Management has no
present intention to engage in a transaction involving a change of control,
although it is possible that we or our parent company would decide to do so in
the future. Subject to the limitations discussed below, the issuers could, in
the future, enter into certain transactions, including acquisitions,
refinancings or other recapitalizations, that would not constitute a change of
control under the indenture, but that could increase the amount of indebtedness
outstanding at such time or otherwise affect our or our parent company's capital
structure or credit ratings. Restrictions on the ability of the issuers to incur
additional Indebtedness are contained in the covenant described under
"-- Certain Covenants -- Limitation on Indebtedness." Such restrictions can only
be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of
the notes then outstanding. Except for the limitations contained in such
covenants, however, the indenture will not contain any covenants or provisions
that may afford Holders of the notes protection in the event of a highly
leveraged transaction.
The occurrence of certain of the events which would constitute a change of
control would constitute a default under the Credit Agreement. Future senior
indebtedness of the issuers may contain prohibitions of certain events which
would constitute a change of control or require such senior indebtedness to be
repurchased upon a change of control. Moreover, the exercise by the holders of
their right to require the issuers to repurchase the notes could cause a default
under such senior indebtedness, even if the change of control itself does not,
due to the financial effect of such repurchase on the issuers. Finally, the
issuers' ability to pay cash to the holders upon a repurchase may be limited by
the issuers' then existing financial resources. There can be no assurance that
sufficient funds will be available when necessary to make any required
repurchases. The provisions under the indenture relative to the issuers'
obligation to
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make an offer to repurchase the notes as a result of a change of control may be
waived or modified with the written consent of the holders of a majority in
principal amount of the notes.
CERTAIN COVENANTS
The indenture contains covenants including, among others, the following:
LIMITATION ON INDEBTEDNESS. (a) The indenture provides that La Petite will
not, and will not permit any of our Restricted Subsidiaries to, Incur, directly
or indirectly, any Indebtedness; provided, however, that we or any of our
Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur Indebtedness if on the date of such Incurrence
and after giving effect thereto the Consolidated Coverage Ratio would be greater
than 2.00:1.00.
(b)Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph (a), La Petite and our
Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur the following Indebtedness:
(i) Bank Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to the Credit Agreement in
an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $65.0 million less
the aggregate amount of all prepayments of principal applied to
permanently reduce any such Indebtedness;
(ii) Indebtedness of La Petite owed to, and held by, any Wholly Owned
Subsidiary or Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary owed to,
and held by, us or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary; provided,
however, that (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of any
Capital Stock or any other event that results in any such Wholly
Owned Subsidiary ceasing to be a Wholly Owned Subsidiary or any
subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to us or a
Wholly Owned Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to
constitute the Incurrence of such Indebtedness by the issuer
thereof and (ii) if we are the obligor on such Indebtedness,
such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated to the prior payment
in full in cash of all obligations with respect to the notes;
(iii) Indebtedness (A) represented by the notes (not including any
additional notes) and the guarantees, (B) outstanding on the
Closing Date (other than the Indebtedness described in clauses
(i) and (ii) above), (C) consisting of Refinancing Indebtedness
Incurred in respect of any Indebtedness described in this clause
(iii) or clause (v) (including Indebtedness Refinancing,
Refinancing Indebtedness) or the foregoing paragraph (a) or (D)
consisting of guarantees of any Indebtedness permitted under
clauses (i) and (ii) of this paragraph (b);
(iv) Indebtedness (A) in respect of performance bonds, bankers'
acceptances, letters of credit and surety or appeal bonds
provided by us and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary
course of their business and (B) under Interest Rate Agreements
entered into for bona fide hedging purposes of La Petite in the
ordinary course of business; provided, however, that such
Interest Rate Agreements do not increase our Indebtedness
outstanding at any time other than as a result of fluctuations
in interest rates or by reason of fees, indemnities and
compensation payable thereunder;
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(v) Purchase Money Indebtedness (including Capitalized Lease
Obligations) in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of
$10.0 million at any time outstanding;
(vi)Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other
financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument
inadvertently (except in the case of daylight overdrafts) drawn
against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business;
provided, however, that such Indebtedness is extinguished within
two Business Days of its incurrence;
(vii)
Indebtedness arising from our agreements or of a Restricted
Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase
price or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in
connection with the disposition of any business, assets or a
Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any
Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or a
Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition;
provided, however, that (a) such Indebtedness is not reflected on
our balance sheet or the balance sheet of any of our Restricted
Subsidiaries (provided that contingent obligations referred to in
a footnote to financial statements and not otherwise reflected on
the balance sheet will be deemed not to be reflected on a balance
sheet for purposes of this clause (a)) and (b) the maximum
assumable liability in respect of all such Indebtedness shall at
no time exceed the gross proceeds, including noncash proceeds (the
fair market value of such noncash proceeds being measured at the
time it is received and without giving effect to any subsequent
changes in value), actually received by us and our Restricted
Subsidiaries in connection with such disposition; or
(viii)
Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred
pursuant to the foregoing paragraph (a) or any other clause of
this paragraph (b)) in an aggregate principal amount on the date
of Incurrence that, when added to all other Indebtedness Incurred
pursuant to this clause (viii) and then outstanding, shall not
exceed $10.0 million.
(c)Notwithstanding the foregoing, we may not Incur any Indebtedness
pursuant to paragraph (b) above if the proceeds thereof are used,
directly or indirectly, to repay, prepay, redeem, defease, retire,
refund or refinance any subordinated obligations unless such
Indebtedness will be subordinated to the notes to at least the same
extent as such subordinated obligations.
(d)Notwithstanding any other provision of this covenant, the maximum amount
of Indebtedness that we or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur
pursuant to this covenant shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a
result of fluctuations in the exchange rates of currencies. For purposes
of determining the outstanding principal amount of any particular
Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this covenant, (i) Indebtedness
Incurred pursuant to the Credit Agreement prior to or on the Closing
Date shall be treated as Incurred pursuant to clause (i) of paragraph
(b) above, (ii) Indebtedness permitted by this covenant need not be
permitted solely by reference to one provision permitting such
Indebtedness but may be permitted in part by one such provision and in
part by one or more other provisions of this covenant permitting such
Indebtedness and (iii) in the event that Indebtedness meets the criteria
of more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in this
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covenant, we in our sole discretion, shall classify such Indebtedness
and only be required to include the amount of such Indebtedness in one
of such clauses.
LIMITATION ON RESTRICTED PAYMENTS. (a) The indenture provides that La
Petite Academy will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly
or indirectly, to (i) declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on or
in respect of its Capital Stock (including any payment in connection with any
merger or consolidation involving us) or similar payment to the direct or
indirect holders of its Capital Stock except dividends or distributions payable
solely in its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) and except dividends
or distributions payable to us or another Restricted Subsidiary (and, if such
Restricted Subsidiary has shareholders other than La Petite or other Restricted
Subsidiaries, to its other shareholders on a pro rata basis), (ii) purchase,
redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any of our Capital Stock or any
Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary held by Persons other than us or
another Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or
otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to scheduled maturity, scheduled
repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment any Subordinated Obligations (other
than the purchase, repurchase or other acquisition of Subordinated Obligations
purchased in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal
installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of
acquisition) or (iv) make any Investment (other than a Permitted Investment) in
any Person (any such dividend, distribution, purchase, redemption, repurchase,
defeasance, other acquisition, retirement or Investment being herein referred to
as a "Restricted Payment") if at the time we or such Restricted Subsidiary makes
such Restricted Payment: (1) a Default will have occurred and be continuing (or
would result therefrom); (2) we could not Incur at least $1.00 of additional
Indebtedness under paragraph (a) of the covenant described under "-- Limitation
on Indebtedness"; or (3) the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all
other Restricted Payments (the amount so expended, if other than in cash, to be
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination will be
conclusive and evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors) declared or
made subsequent to the Closing Date would exceed the sum of: (A) 50% of the
Consolidated Net Income accrued during the period (treated as one accounting
period) from the beginning of the fiscal quarter immediately following the
fiscal quarter during which the Closing Date occurs to the end of the most
recent fiscal quarter ending at least 45 days prior to the date of such
Restricted Payment (or, in case such Consolidated Net Income will be a deficit,
minus 100% of such deficit); (B) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by us
from the issue or sale of our Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock)
subsequent to the Closing Date (other than an issuance or sale to (x) a
Subsidiary or (y) an employee stock ownership plan or other trust established by
La Petite or any of our Subsidiaries); (C) the amount by which our Indebtedness
or Indebtedness of our Restricted Subsidiaries is reduced on our balance sheet
upon the conversion or exchange (other than by a Subsidiary) subsequent to the
Closing Date of any of our Indebtedness or Indebtedness of our Restricted
Subsidiaries convertible or exchangeable for our Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) (less the amount of any cash or the fair market value of
other property distributed by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries upon such
conversion or exchange); (D) 100% of the aggregate amount of cash and marketable
securities contributed to our capital after the Closing Date; and (E) the amount
equal to the net reduction in Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries resulting
from (i) payments of dividends, repayments of the principal of loans or advances
or other transfers of assets to La Petite Academy or any of our Restricted
Subsidiaries from Unrestricted Subsidiaries or (ii) the redesignation of
Unrestricted Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries (valued in each case as
provided in the definition of Investment) not to exceed, in the case of any
Unrestricted Subsidiary, the amount of Investments previously made by us or any
of our Restricted
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Subsidiaries in such Unrestricted Subsidiary, which amount was included in the
calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments.
(b) The provisions of the foregoing paragraph (a) will not prohibit: (i)
any Restricted Payment made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the
substantially concurrent sale of, our Capital Stock (other than Disqualified
Stock and other than Capital Stock issued or sold to our Subsidiaries or an
employee stock ownership plan or other trust established by us or any of our
Subsidiaries); provided, however, that (A) such Restricted Payment will be
excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments and (B) the Net
Cash Proceeds from such sale applied in the manner set forth in this clause (i)
will be excluded from the calculation of amounts under clause (3)(B) of
paragraph (a) above; (ii) any purchase, repurchase redemption, defeasance or
other acquisition or retirement for value of our Subordinated Obligations made
by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of,
our Indebtedness that is permitted to be Incurred pursuant to paragraph (b) of
the covenant described under "-- Limitation on Indebtedness"; provided, however,
that such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or
retirement for value will be excluded in the calculation of the amount of
Restricted Payments; (iii) any purchase or redemption of Subordinated
Obligations from Net Available Cash to the extent permitted by the covenant
described under "-- Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock";
provided, however, that such purchase or redemption will be excluded in the
calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments; (iv) dividends paid within 60
days after the date of declaration thereof if at such date of declaration such
dividend would have complied with this covenant; provided, however, that such
dividend will be included in the calculation of the amount of Restricted
Payments; (v) the repurchase or other acquisition of shares of, or options to
purchase shares of, our common stock or any of our Subsidiaries from La Petite's
employees, former employees, directors or former directors or any of our
Subsidiaries (or permitted transferees of such employees, former employees,
directors or former directors), pursuant to the terms of the agreements
(including employment agreements) or plans (or amendments thereto) approved by
the Board of Directors under which such individuals purchase or sell or are
granted the option to purchase or sell, shares of such common stock; provided,
however, that the aggregate amount of such repurchases shall not exceed $250,000
in any calendar year; provided further, however, that such repurchases and other
acquisitions shall be included in the calculation of the amount of Restricted
Payments; (vi) payment of dividends, other distributions or other amounts by us
for the purposes set forth in clauses (A) through (C) below; provided, however,
that such dividend, distribution or amount set forth in clause (C) shall be
included in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments for the
purposes of paragraph (a) above: (A) to our parent company in amounts equal to
the amounts required for our parent company to pay franchise taxes and other
fees required to maintain its corporate existence and provide for other
operating costs of up to $500,000 per fiscal year; (B) to our parent company in
amounts equal to amounts required for our parent company to pay Federal, state
and local income taxes to the extent such income taxes are attributable to the
income of La Petite and our Restricted Subsidiaries (and, to the extent of
amounts actually received from its Unrestricted Subsidiaries, in amounts
required to pay such taxes to the extent attributable to the income of such
Unrestricted Subsidiaries); (C) to our parent company in amounts equal to
amounts expended by parent company to repurchase Capital Stock of our parent
company owned by our former employees or former employees of our Subsidiaries or
their assigns, estates and heirs; provided, however, that the aggregate amount
paid, loaned or advanced to parent company pursuant to this clause (C) shall
not, in the aggregate, exceed $1.5 million per fiscal year plus any unused
amounts from any immediately preceding fiscal year, up to a maximum aggregate
amount of $5.0 million during the term of the indenture, plus any amounts
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contributed by our parent company as a result of resales of such repurchased
shares of Capital Stock; or (vii) the payment of dividends on our Common Stock,
following the first public offering of our Common Stock after the Closing Date,
of up to 6% per annum of the net proceeds received by us in such public
offering, other than public offerings with respect to our Common Stock
registered on Form S-8, provided, however, that such dividends will be included
in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments for purposes of
paragraph (a) above.
LIMITATION ON RESTRICTIONS ON DISTRIBUTIONS FROM RESTRICTED
SUBSIDIARIES. The indenture provides that La Petite Academy will not, and will
not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or permit to
exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the
ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to (i) pay dividends or make any other
distributions on its Capital Stock or pay any Indebtedness or other obligations
owed to us, (ii) make any loans or advances to us or (iii) transfer any of its
property or assets to us, except: (1) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to
applicable law or an agreement in effect at or entered into on the Closing Date;
(2) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary
pursuant to an agreement relating to any Indebtedness Incurred by such
Restricted Subsidiary prior to the date on which such Restricted Subsidiary was
acquired by us (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 us) and outstanding on such date; (3) in the case of
clause (iii), any encumbrance or restriction (A) that restricts in a customary
manner the subletting, assignment or transfer of any property or asset that is
subject to a lease, license or similar contract, (B) that is or was created by
virtue of any transfer of, agreement to transfer, option or right with respect
to, or Lien on, any of our property or assets or any Restricted Subsidiary not
otherwise prohibited by the indenture or (C) contained in security agreements
securing Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such encumbrance
or restriction restricts the transfer of the property subject to such security
agreements; (4) with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary, any restriction 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; (5) customary provisions in
joint venture agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the
ordinary course of business; or (6) an agreement governing Indebtedness incurred
to Refinance the Indebtedness issued, assumed or incurred pursuant to an
agreement referred to in clauses (1) through (5) above; provided, however, that
the provisions relating to such encumbrance or restriction contained in any
agreement relating to such Indebtedness are no less favorable to us in any
material respect as determined by our Board of Directors in their reasonable and
good faith judgment than the provisions relating to such encumbrance or
restriction contained in agreements relating to the Indebtedness being
Refinanced.
LIMITATION ON SALES OF ASSETS AND SUBSIDIARY STOCK. (a) The indenture
provides that we will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
make any Asset Disposition unless (i) we or such Restricted Subsidiary receives
consideration (including by way of relief from, or by any other Person assuming
sole responsibility for, any liabilities, contingent or otherwise) at the time
of such Asset Disposition at least equal to the fair market value of the shares
and assets subject to such Asset Disposition, (ii) at least 85% of the
consideration thereof received by us or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the
form of cash, provided that with respect to the sale or other disposition of an
operational Academy, we shall be deemed to be in compliance with this clause
(ii) if the Consolidated Coverage Ratio after giving effect to such
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sale or disposition and the application of proceeds received therefrom is
greater than or equal to the Consolidated Coverage Ratio immediately prior to
giving effect to such sale or disposition and (iii) an amount equal to 100% of
the Net Available Cash from such Asset Disposition is applied by us (or such
Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) (A) first, to the extent we elect (or
is required by the terms of any Indebtedness) to prepay, repay, redeem or
purchase our Indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Agreement within 18
months after the later of the date of such Asset Disposition or the receipt of
such Net Available Cash; (B) second, to the extent of the balance of Net
Available Cash after application in accordance with clause (A), to the extent we
or such Restricted Subsidiary elects, to reinvest in Additional Assets
(including by means of an Investment in Additional Assets by a Restricted
Subsidiary with Net Available Cash received by the Company or another Restricted
Subsidiary) within 18 months from the later of such Asset Disposition or the
receipt of such Net Available Cash; (C) third, to the extent of the balance of
such Net Available Cash after application in accordance with clauses (A) and
(B), to make an Offer (as defined below) to purchase notes pursuant to and
subject to the conditions set forth in section (b) of this covenant; provided,
however, that if we elect (or is required by the terms of any other senior
indebtedness), such Offer may be made ratably to purchase the notes and other
senior indebtedness, and (D) fourth, to the extent of the balance of such Net
Available Cash after application in accordance with clauses (A), (B) and , to
(x) acquire Additional Assets (other than Indebtedness and Capital Stock) or (y)
prepay, repay or purchase Indebtedness of the Company (other than Indebtedness
owed to our Affiliate and other than Disqualified Stock of the Company) or
Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Indebtedness owed to the
Company or an Affiliate of the Company), in each case described in this clause
(D) within 18 months from the receipt of such Net Available Cash or, if we have
made an Offer pursuant to clause (C), six months from the date such Offer is
consummated; provided, however, that in connection with any prepayment,
repayment or purchase of Indebtedness pursuant to clause (A), (C) or (D) above,
we or such Restricted Subsidiary will retire such Indebtedness and will cause
the related loan commitment (if any) to be permanently reduced in an amount
equal to the principal amount so prepaid, repaid or purchased. Notwithstanding
the foregoing provisions of this covenant, we and the Restricted Subsidiaries
will not be required to apply any Net Available Cash in accordance with this
covenant except to the extent that the aggregate Net Available Cash from all
Asset Dispositions that is not applied in accordance with this covenant exceeds
$10 million.
For the purposes of clause (ii) of the preceding paragraph, the following
are deemed to be cash: (x) the assumption of our Indebtedness (other than our
Disqualified Stock) or of any Restricted Subsidiary and our release or the
release of such Restricted Subsidiary from all liability on such Indebtedness in
connection with such Asset Disposition and (y) securities received by us or any
Restricted Subsidiary from the transferee that are promptly converted by us or
such Restricted Subsidiary into cash.
(b) In the event of an Asset Disposition that requires the purchase of
notes (and other senior indebtedness) pursuant to clause (a)(iii)(C) of this
covenant, we will be required to purchase notes (and other senior indebtedness)
tendered pursuant to an offer by us for the notes (and other senior
indebtedness) (the Offer) at a purchase price of 100% of their principal amount
plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase in accordance
with the procedures (including prorationing in the event of oversubscription)
set forth in the indenture. If the aggregate purchase price of notes (and other
senior indebtedness) tendered pursuant to the Offer is less than the Net
Available Cash allotted to the purchase of the notes (and other senior
indebtedness), we will apply the remaining Net Available Cash in accordance with
clause (a)(iii)(D) of this covenant. La Petite will not be
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required to make an Offer for notes (and other senior indebtedness) pursuant to
this covenant if the Net Available Cash available therefor (after application of
the proceeds as provided in clauses (A) and (B) of this covenant section
(a)(iii)) is less than $10 million for any particular Asset Disposition (which
lesser amount will be carried forward for purposes of determining whether an
Offer is required with respect to the Net Available Cash from any subsequent
Asset Disposition).
(c) We will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of
Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations
in connection with the repurchase of notes pursuant to this covenant. To the
extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with
provisions of this covenant, we will comply with the applicable securities laws
and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under
this covenant by virtue thereof.
LIMITATION ON TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. (a) The indenture provides that
we will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or
indirectly, enter into or conduct any transaction (including the purchase, sale,
lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with any of
our Affiliates (an "Affiliate Transaction") (i) on terms that are less favorable
to us or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that could
be obtained at the time of such transaction in arm's-length dealings with a
Person who is not such an Affiliate, (ii) if such Affiliate Transaction involves
an aggregate amount in excess of $1.0 million, such terms (1) are set forth in
writing and (2) have been approved by a majority of the members of the Board of
Directors having no personal stake in such Affiliate Transaction and (iii) if
such Affiliate Transaction involves an amount in excess of $5.0 million, such
terms have also been determined by a nationally recognized appraisal or
investment banking firm to be fair, from a financial standpoint, to us and our
Restricted Subsidiaries.
(b) The provisions of the foregoing paragraph (a) will not prohibit (i) any
Restricted Payment permitted to be paid pursuant to the covenant described under
"Limitation on Restricted Payments," (ii) any issuance of securities, or other
payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the
funding of, employment arrangements, stock options and stock ownership plans
approved by the Board of Directors, (iii) the grant of stock options or similar
rights to our employees and directors pursuant to plans approved by the Board of
Directors, (iv) loans or advances to employees in the ordinary course of
business in accordance with our past practices, but in any event not to exceed
$1.0 million in the aggregate outstanding at any one time, (v) any transaction
between us and a Wholly Owned Subsidiary or between Wholly Owned Subsidiaries,
(vi) reasonable fees and compensation paid to, and indemnity provided on behalf
of, our officers, directors, employees, consultants or agents or any of our
Restricted Subsidiaries as determined in good faith by our Board of Directors;
(vii) any transactions undertaken pursuant to any contractual obligations in
existence on the Closing Date (as in effect on the Closing Date); (viii) the
provision by Persons who may be deemed our Affiliates of investment banking,
commercial banking, trust lending or financing, investment, underwriting,
placement agent, financial advisory or similar services to us or our
Subsidiaries; (ix) 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 the indenture, which are fair to
us or our Restricted Subsidiaries in the reasonable determination of our Board
of Directors or the senior management thereof or are on terms no less favorable
to us or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that could
be obtained at the time of such transaction in arm's-
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length dealings with a Person who is not an Affiliate; and (x) any contribution
to our capital by our parent company or any purchase of our common stock by our
parent company.
LIMITATION ON THE SALE OR ISSUANCE OF CAPITAL STOCK OF RESTRICTED
SUBSIDIARIES. The indenture provides that we will not sell or otherwise dispose
of any shares of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, and will not permit
any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to issue or sell or otherwise
dispose of any shares of its Capital Stock except: (i) to us or a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary; (ii) if, immediately after giving effect to such issuance, sale or
other disposition, neither we nor any of our Subsidiaries own any Capital Stock
of such Restricted Subsidiary or (iii) if, immediately after giving effect to
such issuance or sale, such Restricted Subsidiary would no longer constitute a
Restricted Subsidiary and any Investment in such Person remaining after giving
effect thereto would have been permitted to be made under the covenant described
under "-- Limitation on Restricted Payments" if made on the date of such
issuance, sale or other disposition. The proceeds of any sale of such Capital
Stock permitted hereby will be treated as Net Available Cash from an Asset
Disposition and must be applied in accordance with the terms of the covenant
described under "-- Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock."
LIMITATION ON LIENS. The indenture provides that we will not, and will not
permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, Incur or permit to
exist any Lien of any nature whatsoever on any of our or its property or assets
(including Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary), whether owned at the
Closing Date or thereafter acquired, other than Permitted Liens, without
effectively providing that the notes shall be secured equally and ratably with
(or prior to) the obligations so secured for so long as such obligations are so
secured.
FUTURE GUARANTORS. The indenture provides that we will cause each Domestic
Subsidiary to become a guarantor, and, if applicable, execute and deliver to the
Trustee a supplemental indenture in the form set forth in the indenture pursuant
to which such Restricted Subsidiary will guarantee payment of the notes. Each
guarantee will be limited to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can
be guaranteed by that Restricted Subsidiary without rendering the guarantee, as
it relates to such Restricted Subsidiary, voidable under applicable law relating
to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the
rights of creditors generally.
REPORTS. The indenture provides that, notwithstanding that we may not be
subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act, we will file with the Commission and provide the Trustee and noteholders
and prospective noteholders (upon request) within 15 days after we file them
with the Commission copies of our annual report and the information, documents
and other reports that are specified in Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange
Act. In addition, following a Public Equity Offering, we shall furnish to the
Trustee and the noteholders, promptly upon their becoming available, copies of
the annual report to shareholders and any other information provided by us or
our parent company to public shareholders generally. We also will comply with
the other provisions of Section 314(a) of the TIA.
MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION
The indenture provides that neither we nor our parent company will
consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or
substantially all its assets to, any Person, unless: (i) the resulting,
surviving or transferee Person (the Successor Company) will be a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State
thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor Company (if not us or our
parent
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company) will expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture executed and
delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the
obligations of La Petite or our parent company, as the case maybe, under the
notes and the indenture; (ii) immediately after giving effect to such
transaction (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the
Successor Company or any Restricted Subsidiary 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 will have occurred and be
continuing; and (iii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, the
Successor Company would be able to Incur an additional $1.00 of Indebtedness
under paragraph (a) of the covenant described under "-- Certain
Covenants -- Limitation on Indebtedness," and (iv) the issuers deliver to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that
such consolidation, merger or transfer and such amendment to the indenture, if
any, complies with the indenture.
In the event of any transaction (other than a lease) described in, and
complying with, the immediately preceding paragraph in which we or our parent
company, as applicable, is not the surviving Person and the surviving Person
assumes all the obligations of La Petite or our parent company, as applicable,
under the notes and the indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture, such
surviving Person shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise
every right and power of, us or our parent company, as applicable, and we or our
parent company, as applicable, will be discharged from our or its obligations
under the indenture and the notes.
Neither we nor our parent company will permit any guarantor to consolidate
with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or
series of transactions, all or substantially all of its assets to any Person
unless: (i) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (if not such
guarantor) shall be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the
jurisdiction under which such guarantor was organized or under the laws of the
United States of America, or any State hereof or the District of Columbia, and
such Person shall expressly assume, by an amendment to the indenture, in a form
acceptable to the Trustee, all the obligations of such guarantor under its
guarantee; and (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or
transactions on a pro forma basis (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes
an obligation of the resulting, surviving or transferee Person as a result of
such transaction as having been issued by such Person at the time of such
transaction), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and (iii) the
Issuers deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate for each Issuer and an
Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, or transfer
and such amendment to this Indenture, if any, complies with this Indenture.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) any Restricted Subsidiary may
consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of our properties and
assets and (b) we may merge with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the
purpose of our reincorporating in another jurisdiction to realize tax or other
benefits.
DEFAULTS
An Event of Default is defined in the indenture as (i) a default in any
payment of interest on any note when due and payable, and the default continues
for 30 days, (ii) a default in the payment of principal of any note when due and
payable at its Stated Maturity, upon required redemption or repurchase, upon
acceleration or otherwise, (iii) the failure by our parent company or us to
comply with its obligations under the covenant described under "-- Merger and
Consolidation," (iv) the failure by us or our parent company to comply for 30
days after
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notice with any of our or its obligations under the covenants described under
"-- Change of Control" or "-- Certain Covenants" (in each case, other than a
failure to purchase notes when required), (v) the failure by us or our parent
company to comply for 60 days after notice with our or its other agreements
contained in the notes or the indenture, (vi) the failure by us, our parent
company or any Significant Subsidiary to pay any Indebtedness within any
applicable grace period after final maturity or the acceleration of any such
Indebtedness by the holders thereof because of a default if the total amount of
such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $10.0 million (the "cross
acceleration provision") and such failure continues for 10 days after receipt of
the notice specified in the indenture, (vii) certain events of bankruptcy,
insolvency or reorganization of us, our parent company or one of our Significant
Subsidiaries (the "bankruptcy provisions"), (viii) the rendering of any judgment
or decree for the payment of money in excess of $10.0 million at the time it is
entered against us, our parent company or a Significant Subsidiary and is not
discharged, waived or stayed if (A) an enforcement proceeding thereon is
commenced by any creditor or (B) such judgment or decree remains outstanding for
a period of 60 days following such judgment and is not discharged, waived or
stayed (the "judgment default provision") or (ix) 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 such guarantor's obligations under the indenture or any guarantee and
such Default continues for 10 days after receipt of the notice specified in the
indenture.
The foregoing will 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.
However, a default under clause (iv), (v) or (viii) above will not
constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the holders of at least 25%
in principal amount of the outstanding notes notify the issuers of the default
and the issuers do not cure such default within the time specified in clause
(iv), (v) or (viii) above after receipt of such notice.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default relating to certain
events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the issuers) occurs and is
continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of
the outstanding notes by notice to the issuers may declare the principal of, and
accrued but unpaid interest on, all the notes to be due and payable. Upon such a
declaration, such principal and interest will be due and payable immediately. If
an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization of the issuers occurs, the principal of, and interest on, all the
notes will 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 notes may rescind
any such acceleration with respect to the notes and its consequences.
Subject to the provisions of the indenture relating to the duties of the
Trustee, in case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will
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 notes 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 notes have
requested the Trustee in writing to pursue the remedy, (iii) such holders have
offered
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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 notes 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 notes will be 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 will be entitled to
indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and
expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.
The indenture provides that if a Default occurs and is continuing and is
known to the Trustee, the Trustee must mail to each holder notice of the Default
within the earlier of 90 days after it occurs or 30 days after it is known to a
Trust Officer or written notice of it is received by the Trustee. Except in the
case of a Default in the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest
on any note (including payments pursuant to the redemption provisions of such
note), 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 the noteholders. In addition, the issuers will be required to
deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a
certificate indicating whether the signers thereof know of any Default that
occurred during the previous year. The issuers will also be required to deliver
to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of
any event which would constitute certain Events of Default, the status of any
such event and the action the issuers is taking or proposes to take in respect
thereof.
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS
Subject to certain exceptions, the indenture or the notes may be amended
with the written consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the
notes then outstanding, and any past default or compliance with any provisions
may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount
of the notes then outstanding. However, without the consent of each holder of an
outstanding note affected, no amendment may, among other things, (i) reduce the
amount of notes whose holders must consent to an amendment, (ii) reduce the rate
of or extend the time for payment of interest or any liquidated damages on any
note, (iii) reduce the principal of, or extend the Stated Maturity of, any note,
(iv) reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any note or change the
time at which any note may be redeemed as described under "-- Optional
Redemption," (v) make any note payable in money other than that stated in the
note, (vi) impair the right of any holder to receive payment of principal of,
and interest or any liquidated damages on, such holder's notes 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 notes, (vii) make any change in the amendment
provisions which require each holder's consent or in the waiver provisions or
(viii) modify the guarantees in any manner adverse to the holders.
Without the consent of any holder, the issuers and Trustee may amend the
indenture to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, to provide
for the assumption by a successor corporation of the obligations of the issuers
under the indenture, to provide for uncertificated notes in addition to, or in
place of, certificated notes (provided that the
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uncertificated notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section
163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated notes are
described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code), to add additional guarantees
with respect to the notes, to secure the notes, to add to the covenants of the
issuers for the benefit of the noteholders or to surrender any right or power
conferred upon the issuers, to make any change that does not adversely affect
the rights of any holder, subject to the provisions of the indenture, to provide
for the issuance of additional notes or to comply with any requirement of the
Commission in connection with the qualification of the indenture under the TIA.
The consent of the noteholders will not be necessary under the indenture to
approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It will be sufficient if
such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment.
After an amendment under the indenture becomes effective, the issuers will
be required to mail to noteholders a notice briefly describing such amendment.
However, the failure to give such notice to all noteholders, or any defect
therein, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.
TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE
A noteholder may transfer or exchange notes in accordance with the
indenture. Upon any transfer or exchange, the registrar and the Trustee may
require a noteholder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements
and transfer documents, and the issuers may require a noteholder to pay any
taxes required by law or permitted by the indenture. The issuers are not
required to transfer or exchange any note selected for redemption or to transfer
or exchange any note for a period of 15 days prior to a selection of notes to be
redeemed. The notes will be issued in registered form and the registered holder
of a note will be treated as the owner of such note for all purposes.
DEFEASANCE
The issuers at any time may terminate all their obligations under the notes
and the indenture ("legal defeasance"), except for certain obligations,
including those respecting the defeasance trust and obligations to register the
transfer or exchange of the notes, to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or
stolen notes and to maintain a registrar and paying agent in respect of the
notes. The issuers at any time may terminate their obligations under "Change of
Control" and the covenants described under "-- Certain Covenants," the operation
of the cross acceleration provision, the bankruptcy provisions with respect to
Significant Subsidiaries and the judgment default provision described under
"-- Defaults" and the limitations contained in clause (iii) under the first
paragraph of "-- Merger and Consolidation" ("covenant defeasance"). In the event
that the issuers exercise their legal defeasance option or its covenant
defeasance option, each guarantor will be released from all of its obligations
with respect to its guarantee.
The issuers may exercise their legal defeasance option notwithstanding
their prior exercise of their covenant defeasance option. If the issuers
exercise their legal defeasance option, payment of the notes may not be
accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect thereto. If the issuers
exercise their covenant defeasance option, payment of the notes may not be
accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in clause (iv), (vi), (vii)
(with respect only to Significant Subsidiaries), or (ix) under "-- Defaults" or
because of the failure of the Company or parent company to comply with clause
(iii) under the first paragraph of "-- Merger and Consolidation."
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In order to exercise either defeasance option, the issuers must irrevocably
deposit in trust (the "defeasance trust") with the Trustee money or U.S.
Government Obligations for the payment of principal, premium (if any) and
interest on the notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be, and must
comply with certain other conditions, including delivery to the Trustee of an
Opinion of Counsel to the effect that holders of the notes will not recognize
income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit
and defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts and
in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such
deposit and defeasance had not occurred (and, in the case of legal defeasance
only, such Opinion of Counsel must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue
Service or other change in applicable Federal income tax law).
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
PNC Bank, National Association is the Trustee under the indenture and has
been appointed by the issuers as Registrar and Paying Agent with regard to the
notes.
GOVERNING LAW
The indenture provides that it and the notes are governed by, and are to be
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without giving
effect to applicable principles of conflicts of law to the extent that the
application of the law of another jurisdiction would be required thereby.
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
"Additional Assets" means (i) any property or assets (other than
Indebtedness and Capital Stock) to be used by us or a Restricted Subsidiary in a
Related Business; (ii) the Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted
Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by us or another
Restricted Subsidiary; or (iii) Capital Stock constituting a minority interest
in any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however,
that any such Restricted Subsidiary described in clause (ii) or (iii) above is
primarily engaged in a Related Business.
"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 the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the
management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through
the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms
"controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
"Asset Disposition" means any sale, lease, sale-leaseback transaction,
transfer or other disposition (or series of related sales, leases, transfers or
dispositions) by La Petite or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries, including any
disposition by means of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction (each
referred to for the purposes of this definition as a "disposition"), of (i) any
shares of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (other than directors'
qualifying shares or shares required by applicable law to be held by a Person
other than us or one of our Restricted Subsidiaries), (ii) all or substantially
all the assets of any division or line of business of La Petite or any of our
Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) any other of our assets or any of our
Restricted Subsidiaries other than property or equipment that has become worn
out, obsolete, damaged or otherwise unsuitable for use in connection with our
business or any
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of our Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be (other than, in the case of
(i), (ii) and (iii) above, (w) a disposition by one of our Restricted
Subsidiaries or by us or a Restricted Subsidiary to a Wholly Owned Subsidiary,
(x) for purposes of the provisions described under "-- Certain
Covenants -- Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock" only, a
disposition subject to the covenant described under "-- Certain
Covenants -- Limitation on Restricted Payments," (y) the sale, lease, transfer
or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets as permitted by
the covenant described under "Merger and Consolidation" and (x) a disposition of
assets with a fair market value of less than $100,000).
"Average Life" means, as of the date of determination, with respect to any
Indebtedness or Preferred Stock, the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum
of the products of the numbers of years from the date of determination to the
dates of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or
redemption or similar payment with respect to such Preferred Stock multiplied by
the amount of such payment by (ii) the sum of all such payments.
"Bank Indebtedness" means any and all amounts payable under or in respect
of the Credit Agreement 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 us 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.
"Board of Directors" means our Board of Directors or our parent company, as
applicable, or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such
Board of Directors.
"Business Day" means each day which is not a Legal Holiday.
"Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights
to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of, or
interests in (however designated), equity of such Person, including any
Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.
"Capitalized Lease Obligations" means an obligation that is required to be
classified and accounted for as a capitalized lease for financial reporting
purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by
such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in
accordance with GAAP; and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the
last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first
date upon which such lease may be prepaid by the lessee without payment of a
penalty.
"CCP" means Chase Capital Partners and its Affiliates.
"Closing Date" means the date of the indenture.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Consolidated Coverage Ratio" as of any date of determination means the
ratio of (i) the aggregate amount of EBITDA for the period of the most recent
four consecutive fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available to
(ii) Consolidated Interest Expense for such four fiscal quarters; provided,
however, that (A) if we or any of our Restricted
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Subsidiaries has Incurred any Indebtedness since the beginning of such period
that remains outstanding on such date of determination or if the transaction
giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio is an
Incurrence of Indebtedness, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such
period shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such
Indebtedness as if such Indebtedness had been Incurred on the first day of such
period and the discharge of any other Indebtedness repaid, repurchased, defeased
or otherwise discharged with the proceeds of such new Indebtedness as if such
discharge had occurred on the first day of such period, (B) if we or any of our
Restricted Subsidiaries has repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise
discharged any Indebtedness since the beginning of such period or if any
Indebtedness is to be repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged (in
each case other than Indebtedness Incurred under any revolving credit facility
unless such Indebtedness has been permanently repaid and has not been replaced)
on the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the
Consolidated Coverage Ratio, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such
period shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as if such discharge had
occurred on the first day of such period and as if we or such Restricted
Subsidiary has not earned the interest income actually earned during such period
in respect of cash or Temporary Cash Investments used to repay, repurchase,
defease or otherwise discharge such Indebtedness, (c) if since the beginning of
such period we or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have made any Asset
Disposition, the EBITDA for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to
the EBITDA (if positive) directly attributable to the assets that are the
subject of such Asset Disposition for such period or increased by an amount
equal to the EBITDA (if negative) directly attributable thereto for such period
and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be reduced by an amount
equal to the Consolidated Interest Expense directly attributable to any of our
Indebtedness or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries repaid, repurchased, defeased
or otherwise discharged with respect to us and our continuing Restricted
Subsidiaries in connection with such Asset Disposition for such period (or, if
the Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary is sold, the Consolidated
Interest Expense for such period directly attributable to the Indebtedness of
such Restricted Subsidiary to the extent we and our continuing Restricted
Subsidiaries are no longer liable for such Indebtedness after such sale), (D) if
since the beginning of such period we or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries (by
merger or otherwise) shall have made an Investment in any Restricted Subsidiary
(or any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary) or an acquisition of
assets, including any acquisition of assets occurring in connection with a
transaction causing a calculation to be made hereunder, which constitutes all or
substantially all of an operating unit of a business, EBITDA and Consolidated
Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma
effect thereto (including the Incurrence of any Indebtedness) as if such
Investment or acquisition occurred on the first day of such period and (E) if
since the beginning of such period any Person (that subsequently became a
Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into us or any of our Restricted
Subsidiaries since the beginning of such period) shall have made any Asset
Disposition or any Investment or acquisition of assets that would have required
an adjustment pursuant to clause (C) or (D) above if made by us or a Restricted
Subsidiary during such period, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such
period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such
Asset Disposition, Investment or acquisition of assets occurred on the first day
of such period. For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to
be given to an acquisition of assets, the amount of income or earnings relating
thereto, including related cost savings measures, and the amount of Consolidated
Interest Expense associated with any Indebtedness Incurred in connection
therewith, the pro forma calculations shall be determined in good faith by a
responsible financial or accounting Officer of La Petite. If any Indebtedness
bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the
interest
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expense on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the
date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking
into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness if such
Interest Rate Agreement has a remaining term as at the date of determination in
excess of 12 months).
"Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the total interest
expense of La Petite and our Consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries, plus, to the
extent Incurred by us and our Subsidiaries in such period but not included in
such interest expense, (i) interest expense attributable to Capitalized Lease
Obligations, (ii) amortization of debt discount and debt issuance cost, (iii)
capitalized interest, (iv) non-cash interest expense, (v) commissions, discounts
and other fees and charges attributable to letters of credit and bankers'
acceptance financing, (vi) interest accruing on any Indebtedness of any other
Person to the extent such Indebtedness is guaranteed by us or any Restricted
Subsidiary, (vii) net costs associated with Hedging Obligations (including
amortization of fees), (viii) dividends in respect of (A) all of Preferred Stock
of La Petite and any of our Subsidiaries and (B) our Disqualified Stock, in each
of (A) and (B) to the extent held by Persons other than us or a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary, (ix) interest Incurred in connection with investments in
discontinued operations and (x) the cash contributions to any employee stock
ownership plan or similar trust to the extent such contributions are used by
such plan or trust to pay interest or fees to any Person (other than us) in
connection with Indebtedness Incurred by such plan or trust.
"Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the net income of La
Petite and our Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period; provided, however,
that there shall not be included in such Consolidated Net Income: (i) any net
income of any Person (other than us) if such Person is not a Restricted
Subsidiary, except that (A) subject to the limitations contained in clause (iv)
below, our equity in the net income of any such Person for such period shall be
included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash
actually distributed by such Person during such period to us or a Restricted
Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a
dividend or other distribution made to a Restricted Subsidiary, to the
limitations contained in clause (iii) below) and (B) our equity in a net loss of
any such Person for such period shall be included in determining such
Consolidated Net Income; (ii) any net income (or loss) of any person acquired by
us or a Subsidiary in a pooling of interests transaction for any period prior to
the date of such acquisition; (iii) any net income (or loss) of any Restricted
Subsidiary if such Restricted Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or
indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the making of distributions by such
Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to us, except that (A) subject to
the limitations contained in clause (iv) below, our equity in the net income of
any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in such
Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed
by such Restricted Subsidiary during such period to us or another Restricted
Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a
dividend or other distribution made to another Restricted Subsidiary, to the
limitation contained in this clause) and (B) our equity in a net loss of any
such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in determining such
Consolidated Net Income; (iv) any gain or loss realized upon the sale or other
disposition of any of our assets or the assets of our Consolidated Subsidiaries
that is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business and
any gain or loss realized upon the sale or other disposition of any Capital
Stock of any Person; (v) any extraordinary gain or loss; (vi) the cumulative
effect of a change in accounting principles; (vii) any bonuses paid to members
of the Management Group in connection with the Transactions; and (viii) any
expenses relating to cash payments made in respect of the termination of
outstanding options in connection with the Transactions. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, for the purpose of the covenant described under "-- Certain
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Covenants -- Limitation on Restricted Payments" 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 us or a Restricted
Subsidiary to the extent such dividends, repayments or transfers increase the
amount of Restricted Payments permitted under such covenant pursuant to clause
(a)(3)(D) thereof.
"Consolidation" means the consolidation of the accounts of each of the
Restricted Subsidiaries with those of us in accordance with GAAP consistently
applied; provided, however, that "Consolidation" will not include consolidation
of the accounts of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, but the interest of La Petite or
any Restricted Subsidiary in an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be accounted for as
an investment. The term "Consolidated" has a correlative meaning.
"Credit Agreement" means the Credit Agreement dated as of May 11, 1998, as
amended, waived or otherwise modified from time to time (except to the extent
that any such amendment, waiver or other modification thereto would be
prohibited by the terms of the indenture, unless otherwise agreed to by the
Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of notes at the
time outstanding), among us, our parent company, the financial institutions
signatory thereto, NationsBank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as Syndication Agent.
"Default" means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or
both would be, an Event of Default.
"Disqualified Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock
which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible
or for which it is exchangeable or exercisable) 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 on or prior to the first anniversary of the
Stated Maturity of the notes; provided, however, that any Capital Stock that
would not constitute Disqualified Stock but for provisions thereof giving
holders thereof the right to require such Person to repurchase or redeem such
Capital Stock upon the occurrence of an "asset sale" or "change of control"
occurring prior to the first anniversary of the Stated Maturity of the notes
shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the "asset sale" or "change of
control" provisions applicable to such Capital Stock are not more favorable to
the holders of such Capital Stock than the provisions of the covenants described
under "-- Change of Control" and "-- Certain Covenants -- Limitation on Sale of
Assets and Subsidiary Stock."
"Domestic Subsidiary" means any direct or indirect Subsidiary of us that is
organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or
the District of Columbia.
"EBITDA" for any period means the Consolidated Net Income for such period,
plus the following to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net
Income: (i) the income tax expense of La Petite and our Consolidated Restricted
Subsidiaries, (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense, (iii) depreciation expense of
La Petite and our Consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries, (iv) amortization
expense of La Petite and our Consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding
amortization expense attributable to a prepaid cash item that was paid in a
prior period) and (v) all non-cash charges associated with the granting of New
Options during such period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provision for
taxes based on the income or profits of, and the depreciation and amortization
and non-cash charges of, one of our Restricted Subsidiaries shall be added to
Consolidated Net Income to compute
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EBITDA only to the extent (and in the same proportion) that the net income of
such Restricted Subsidiary was included in calculating Consolidated Net Income
and only if a corresponding amount would be permitted at the date of
determination to be dividended to us by such Restricted 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 Restricted Subsidiary or its
stockholders.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"Foreign Subsidiary" means any of our Subsidiary(s) that is not a Domestic
Subsidiary.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States
of America as in effect as of the Closing Date, including those set forth in (i)
the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, (ii) statements and
pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, (iii) such other
statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the
accounting profession and (iv) the rules and regulations of the Commission
governing the inclusion of financial statements (including pro forma financial
statements) in periodic reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of
the Exchange Act, including opinions and pronouncements in staff accounting
bulletins and similar written statements from the accounting staff of the
Commission. All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in the indenture
shall be computed in conformity with GAAP.
"guarantee" means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person
directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any
other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of
such Person (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase
or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation of such other Person
(whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreement to
keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or
to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (ii) entered into
for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness or
other obligation of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss
in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided, however, that the term
"guarantee" shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the
ordinary course of business. The term "guarantee" used as a verb has a
corresponding meaning.
"Guarantee" means each guarantee of the obligations with respect to the
notes issued by one of our Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of the indenture.
"Guarantor" means any Person that has issued a Guarantee.
"Hedging Obligations" of any Person means the obligations of such Person
pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement.
"Holder" or "Noteholder" means the Person in whose name a note is
registered on the registrar's books.
"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. The term "Incurrence" when used as a
noun shall have a correlative meaning. The accretion of
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principal of a non-interest bearing or other discount security shall be deemed
the Incurrence of Indebtedness.
"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person on any date of
determination (without duplication), (i) the principal of and premium (if any)
in respect of indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money; (ii) the principal
of and premium (if any) in respect of obligations of such Person evidenced by
bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments; (iii) all obligations of
such Person in respect of letters of credit or other similar instruments
(including reimbursement obligations with respect thereto); (iv) all obligations
of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property or
services (except Trade Payables), which purchase price is due more than six
months after the date of placing such property in service or taking delivery and
title thereto or the completion of such services; (v) all Capitalized Lease
Obligations of such Person; (vi) the amount of all obligations of such Person
with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any
Disqualified Stock or, with respect to any Subsidiary of such Person, any
Preferred Stock (but excluding, in each case, any accrued dividends); (vii) all
Indebtedness of other Persons secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person,
whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person; provided, however,
that the amount of Indebtedness of such Person shall 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 Persons: or (viii) to the extent not
otherwise included in this definition, Hedging Obligations of such Person; all
obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (ii) of other Persons
and all dividends of other Persons for the payment of which, in either case,
such Person is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor,
guarantor or otherwise, including by means of any guarantee. The amount of
Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such
date of all unconditional obligations as described above and the maximum
liability, upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligation,
of any contingent obligations at such date.
"Interest Rate Agreement" means with respect to any Person any interest
rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option
agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest
rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement
or arrangement as to which such Person is party or a beneficiary.
"Investment" in any Person means any direct or indirect advance, loan
(other than advances to customers in the ordinary course of business that are
recorded as accounts receivable on the balance sheet of the lender) or other
extension of credit (including by way of guarantee or similar arrangement) or
capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property to
others or any payment for property or services for the account or use of
others), or any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other
similar instruments issued by such Person. For purposes of the definition of
"Unrestricted Subsidiary" and the covenant described under "-- Certain
Covenants -- Limitation on Restricted Payments," (i) "Investment" shall include
the portion (proportionate to our equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the
fair market value of the net assets of any of our Subsidiaries at the time that
any such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however,
that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, we
shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent "Investment" in an Unrestricted
Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to (x) our "Investment" in such
Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less (y) the portion (proportionate
to our 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 valued at
its fair
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market value at the time of such transfer, in each case as determined in good
faith by our Board of Directors.
"King Investor" means an entity a majority of the economic interests of
which are owned by CCP and a majority of the voting interests of which are owned
by (i) Robert E. King, his descendants or, in the event of the death or
incompetence of any of the foregoing individuals, such Person's estate,
executor, administrator, committee or other personal representative or (ii) any
other Person approved by CCP.
"Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or
charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention
agreement or lease in the nature thereof).
"Management Group" means the group consisting of La Petite Academy's
directors and executive officers of the Company.
"Net Available Cash" from an Asset Disposition means cash payments received
(including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal
pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise and proceeds from the
sale or other disposition of any securities received as consideration, but only
as and when received, but excluding any other consideration received in the form
of assumption by the acquiring Person of Indebtedness or other obligations
relating to the properties or assets that are the subject of such Asset
Disposition or received in any other non-cash form) therefrom, in each case net
of (i) all legal, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees
and expenses incurred, and all federal, state, provincial, foreign and local
taxes required to be paid or accrued as a liability under GAAP, as a consequence
of such Asset Disposition, (ii) all payments made on any Indebtedness which is
secured by any assets subject to such Asset Disposition, in accordance with the
terms of any Lien upon or other security agreement of any kind with respect to
such assets, or which must by its terms, or in order to obtain a necessary
consent to such Asset Disposition, or by applicable law be repaid out of the
proceeds from such Asset Disposition, (iii) all distributions and other payments
required to be made to minority interest holders in Subsidiaries or joint
ventures as a result of such Asset Disposition and (iv) appropriate amounts to
be provided by the seller as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any
liabilities associated with the property or other assets disposed of in such
Asset Disposition and retained by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiary after
such Asset Disposition.
"Net Cash Proceeds," with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock,
means the cash proceeds of such issuance or sale net of attorneys' fees,
accountants' fees, underwriters' or placement agents' fees, discounts or
commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees actually incurred in
connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a
result thereof.
"New Options" means the options granted to certain members of management
pursuant to the New Option Plan.
"New Option Plan" means the New Option Plan adopted by our parent company
as part of the Recapitalization.
"Officer" means the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the
Chief Financial Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the
Secretary of La Petite or our parent company, as the case maybe.
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by two Officers.
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"Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion from legal counsel who is
acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to La
Petite, our parent, or the Trustee.
"Parent "means LPA Holding Corp., a Delaware corporation or its successors.
"Permitted Holders" means CCP, the Management Group, the King Investor
Group and any Person acting in the capacity of an underwriter in connection with
a public or private offering of our or our parent company's Capital Stock.
"Permitted Investment" means an Investment by us or any of our Restricted
Subsidiaries in (i) us, a Restricted Subsidiary or a Person that will, upon the
making of such Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however,
that the primary business of such Restricted Subsidiary is a Related Business;
(ii) another Person if as a result of such Investment such other Person is
merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or
substantially all its assets to, us or one of our Restricted Subsidiaries;
provided, however, that such Person's primary business is a Related Business;
(iii) Temporary Cash Investments; (iv) receivables owing to us or any Restricted
Subsidiary, if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and
payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; provided,
however, that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as we
or any such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances; (v)
payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the
time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting
purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business; (vi) loans or
advances to employees made in the ordinary course of business consistent with
our past practices or those of such Restricted Subsidiary and not exceeding $1.0
million in the aggregate outstanding at any one time; (vii) stock, obligations
or securities received in settlement of debts created in the ordinary course of
business and owing to us or any Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of
judgments, (viii) any Person to the extent such Investment represents the
non-cash portion of the consideration received for an Asset Disposition that was
made pursuant to and in compliance with the covenant described under "-- Certain
Covenants -- Limitation on Sale of Assets and Subsidiary Stock"; (ix) Interest
Rate Agreements entered into in the ordinary course of our or our Restricted
Subsidiaries' businesses and otherwise in compliance with the indenture; (x)
additional Investments (including joint ventures) in an amount that, when added
to all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (x), does not exceed 10%
of the Total Assets as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter preceding
the date of such Investment for which financial statements are available; (xi)
Investments in securities of trade debtors of customers received pursuant to any
plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency
of such trade debtors or customers; (xii) Investments made by us or our
Restricted Subsidiaries as a result of consideration received in connection with
an Asset Disposition made in compliance with the covenant described under
"Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock"; and (xiii) Investments of
a Person or any of its Subsidiaries existing at the time such Person becomes one
of our Restricted Subsidiaries or at the time such Person merges or consolidates
with us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries, in either case in compliance with
the indenture; provided that such Investments were not made by such Person in
connection with, or in anticipation or contemplation of, such Person becoming
one of our Restricted Subsidiaries or such merger or consolidation.
"Permitted Liens" means, with respect to any Person:
(a) Liens imposed by law for taxes or other governmental charges that are
not yet due or are being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings;
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(b) carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', materialmen's, repairmen's and
other like Liens imposed by law, arising in the ordinary course of
business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 60
days or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
(c) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in
compliance with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other
social security laws or regulations;
(d) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases,
statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and
other obligations of a like nature (other than for the payment of
Indebtedness), in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(e) judgment liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event
of Default under "-- Events of Default";
(f) easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances
on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of
business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not
materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere
with the ordinary conduct of business of such Person;
(g) any interest of a landlord in or to property of the tenant imposed by
law, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing lease
obligations that are not overdue by more than 60 days or are being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, or any possessory
rights of a lessee to the leased property under the provisions of any
lease permitted by the terms of the indenture;
(h) Liens of a collection bank arising in the ordinary course of business
under Section 4-208 of the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the
relevant jurisdiction;
(i) Liens to secure Indebtedness permitted pursuant to clause (b)(i) of the
covenant described under "-- Certain Covenants -- Limitation on
Indebtedness";
(j) Liens existing on the Closing Date provided, that (i) except as
permitted under subclause (D) of clause (l) of this definition such Lien
shall not apply to any other property or asset of such Person except
assets financed solely by the same financing source that provided the
Indebtedness secured by such Lien, and (ii) such Lien shall secure only
those obligations that it secures on the Closing Date and extensions,
renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding
principal amount thereof;
(k) any Lien existing on any property or asset prior to the acquisition
thereof by such Person or existing on any property or asset of another
Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the date hereof prior to the time
such other Person becomes a Subsidiary, provided that (A) such Lien is
not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition
or such other Person becoming a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (B) such
Lien shall not apply to any other property or assets of such Person
except assets financed solely by the same financing source in existence
on the date of such acquisition that provided the Indebtedness secured
by such Lien and (C) except as permitted under subclause (D) of clause
(l) of this definition such Lien shall secure only those obligations
that it secures on the date of such acquisition or the date such other
Person becomes a Subsidiary, as the case may be,
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and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase
the outstanding principal amount thereof;
(l)Liens on fixed or capital assets acquired, constructed or improved by
such Person and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do
not increase the outstanding principal amount of the Indebtedness
secured thereby, provided that (A) such security interests secure
Indebtedness permitted under "-- Limitation on Indebtedness," (B) such
security interests and the Indebtedness secured thereby are incurred
prior to or within 12 months after such acquisition or the completion of
such construction or improvement, (C) the Indebtedness secured thereby
does not exceed 100% of the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving
such fixed or capital assets and other fixed or capital assets financed
solely by the same financing source and (D) such security interests
shall not apply to any other property or assets of such Person except
assets financed solely by the same financing source;
(m)licenses of intellectual property rights granted in the ordinary course
of business and not interfering in any material respect with the conduct
of the business;
(n)Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of a Restricted
Subsidiary owing to us or one of our Restricted Subsidiaries;
(o)Liens securing Hedging Obligations so long as the related Indebtedness
is secured by a Lien on the same property securing such Hedging
Obligation;
(p)Liens securing the notes pursuant to the covenants described under
"-- Certain Covenants -- Limitation on Liens";
(q)Liens securing Refinancing Indebtedness of any Indebtedness secured by
any Lien referred to in clauses (j), (k) and (l); and
(r)Liens (other than those permitted by paragraphs (a) through (q) above)
securing liabilities permitted under the indenture in an aggregate
amount not exceeding $1.0 million at any time outstanding.
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, 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," as applied to the Capital Stock of any Person, means
Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) that is preferred as
to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any
voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over shares
of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.
"principal" of a note means the principal of the note plus the premium, if
any, payable on the note which is due or overdue or is to become due at the
relevant time.
"Public Equity Offering" means an underwritten primary public offering of
our common stock or common stock of our parent company pursuant to an effective
registration statement under the Securities Act.
"Public Market" means any time after (i) a Public Equity Offering has been
consummated and (ii) at least 15% of the total issued and outstanding common
stock of La Petite or our parent company (as applicable) has been distributed by
means of an effective registration statement under the Securities Act.
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"Purchase Money Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of La Petite or any of our
Subsidiaries incurred to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of
any fixed or capital assets, including Capital Lease Obligations and any
Indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of any such assets or
secured by a Lien on any such assets prior to the acquisition thereof, and
extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness that do not
increase the outstanding principal amount thereof or result in an earlier
maturity date or decreased weighted average life thereof, provided that such
Indebtedness is incurred prior to or within 12 months after such acquisition or
the completion of such construction or improvement.
"Refinance" means, in respect of any Indebtedness, to refinance, extend,
renew, refund, repay, prepay, redeem, defease or retire, or to issue other
Indebtedness in exchange or replacement for, such Indebtedness in whole or in
part. "Refinanced" and "Refinancing" shall have correlative meanings.
"Refinancing Indebtedness" means Indebtedness that is Incurred to refund,
refinance, replace, renew, repay or extend (including pursuant to any defeasance
or discharge mechanism) any Indebtedness of La Petite or any of our Restricted
Subsidiaries existing on the Closing Date or Incurred in compliance with the
indenture (including our Indebtedness that Refinances Refinancing Indebtedness);
provided, however, that (i) the Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity
no earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being Refinanced, (ii)
the Refinancing Indebtedness has an Average Life at the time such Refinancing
Indebtedness is Incurred that is equal to or greater than the Average Life of
the Indebtedness being Refinanced, (iii) such Refinancing Indebtedness 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 the
amount of any premium required to be paid under the terms of the instrument
governing such Indebtedness and plus the amount of reasonable expenses incurred
by us in connection with such Refinancing) and (iv) if the Indebtedness being
Refinanced is subordinated in right of payment to the notes, such Refinancing
Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the notes at least to the
same extent as the Indebtedness being Refinanced; provided further, however,
that Refinancing Indebtedness shall not include (x) Indebtedness of a Restricted
Subsidiary that Refinances our Indebtedness or (y) Indebtedness of La Petite or
one of our Restricted Subsidiaries that Refinances Indebtedness of an
Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"Related Business" means any business related, ancillary or complementary
(as determined in good faith by our Board of Directors) to the businesses of La
Petite and the Restricted Subsidiaries on the Closing Date.
"Restricted Subsidiary" means any of our Subsidiaries other than an
Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"Secured Indebtedness" means any of our Indebtedness secured by a Lien.
"Secured Indebtedness" of our parent or a Guarantor has a correlative meaning.
"Senior Indebtedness" of the La Petite Academy means the principal of,
premium (if any) and accrued and unpaid interest (including interest accruing on
or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for our reorganization,
regardless of whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such
proceedings) on, and fees and other amounts owing in respect of, Bank
Indebtedness and all of our other Indebtedness, whether outstanding on the
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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 subordinated in right of payment to the notes. "Senior
indebtedness" of our parent company or any Guarantor has a correlative meaning.
"Significant Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a
"Significant Subsidiary" within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X
promulgated by the Commission.
"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).
"Subordinated Obligation" means any of our Indebtedness (whether
outstanding on the Closing Date or thereafter Incurred) that is subordinate or
junior in right of payment to the notes pursuant to a written agreement.
"Subordinated obligation" of our parent company or a Guarantor has a correlative
meaning.
"Subsidiary" of any Person means any corporation, association, partnership
or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of
shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests)
entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the
election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or
controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person, (ii) such Person and one
or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such
Person.
"Temporary Cash Investments" means any of the following: (i) any investment
in direct obligations of the United States of America or any agency thereof or
obligations guaranteed by the United States of America or any agency thereof,
(ii) investments in time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit and money
market deposits maturing within one year of the date of acquisition thereof
issued by a bank or trust company that is organized under the laws of the United
States of America, any state thereof or any foreign country recognized by the
United States of America having capital, surplus and undivided profits
aggregating in excess of $250,000,000 (or the foreign currency equivalent
thereof) and whose long-term debt is rated "A" (or such similar equivalent
rating) or higher by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating
organization (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act), (iii) repurchase
obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities of
the types described in clause (i) above entered into with a bank meeting the
qualifications described in clause (ii) above, (iv) investments in commercial
paper, maturing not more than one year after the date of acquisition, issued by
a corporation (other than our Affiliates) organized and in existence under the
laws of the United States of America or any foreign country recognized by the
United States of America with a rating at the time as of which any investment
therein is made of "P-1" (or higher) according to Moody's Investors Service,
Inc. or "A-1" (or higher) according to Standard and Poor's Ratings Service, a
division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ("S&P"), (v) investments in
securities with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition
issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United
States of America, or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof,
and rated at least "A" by S&P or "A" by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and (vi)
investments in money market funds that invest substantially all their assets in
securities of the types described in clauses (i) through (v) above.
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"TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in effect on the date of the
indenture.
"Total Assets" means the total consolidated assets of La Petite and our
Restricted Subsidiaries as shown on our most recent balance sheet.
"Trade Payables" means, with respect to any Person, any accounts payable or
any indebtedness or monetary obligation to trade creditors created, assumed or
guaranteed by such Person arising in the ordinary course of business in
connection with the acquisition of goods or services.
"Trustee" means the party named as such in the indenture until a successor
replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.
"Trust Officer" means the Chairman of the Board, the President or any other
officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to
administer its corporate trust matters.
"Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (i) any of our Subsidiaries that at the
time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by our
Board of Directors in the manner provided below and (ii) any Subsidiary of an
Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may designate any of our
Subsidiaries (including any of our newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiaries)
to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its
Subsidiaries owns any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any
Lien on any property of La Petite, or any of our other Subsidiaries that is not
a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; provided, 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 the covenant entitled
"Limitation on Restricted Payments." The Board of Directors may designate any
Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that
immediately after giving effect to such designation (x) we could Incur $1.00 of
additional Indebtedness under paragraph (a) of the covenant entitled "Limitation
on Indebtedness" and (y) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing. Any
such designation of a Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or Unrestricted
Subsidiary 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 a Person means all classes of Capital Stock or other
interests (including partnership interests) of such Person then outstanding and
normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote
in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.
"Wholly Owned Subsidiary" means a Restricted Subsidiary all the Capital
Stock of which (other than directors' qualifying shares) we or another Wholly
Owned Subsidiary own.
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CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of certain United States federal income tax
considerations to U.S. holders and non-U.S. holders that hold notes as capital
assets relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes pursuant
to the offer described in this prospectus, but does not purport to be a complete
analysis of all the potential tax considerations relating thereto. U.S. Holder
means a holder which is a citizen or resident of the United States, a
corporation or other entity taxable as a corporation created in, or organized
under the laws of, the United States or any political subdivision thereof, an
estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless
of its source or a trust, the administration over which a United States court
can exercise primary supervision and all of the substantial decisions of which
one or more United States persons have the authority to control. Notwithstanding
the preceding sentence, to the extent provided in Treasury Regulations, certain
trusts in existence on August 20, 1996, and treated as United States persons
prior to such date, that elect to continue to be treated as United States
persons will also be U.S. holders. A Non-U.S. holder is any holder of notes that
is not a U.S. holder. This summary does not address tax considerations
applicable to investors that may be subject to special tax rules, such as banks,
tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, dealers in securities or
currencies, or persons that will hold notes as a position in a hedging
transaction, "straddle" or "conversion transaction" for tax purposes. This
summary does not consider the effect of any applicable foreign, state, local or
other tax laws. This summary is based on the Code, existing, temporary, and
proposed Treasury Regulations, laws, rulings and decisions now in effect, all of
which are subject to change. Any such changes may be applied retroactively in a
manner that could adversely affect a holder of the notes.
THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES IS FOR
GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. ACCORDINGLY, INVESTORS
CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF NOTES SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH
RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME AND ESTATE TAX
LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING
UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY
APPLICABLE TAX TREATY.
TAXATION OF U.S. HOLDERS
PAYMENT OF INTEREST. Interest on a note generally will be includable in the
income of a holder as ordinary interest income at the time such interest is
received or accrued, in accordance with such holder's method of accounting for
United States federal income tax purposes. The notes were not issued with
original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
MARKET DISCOUNT ON RESALE OF NOTES. A holder of a note should be aware that
the purchase or resale of a note may be affected by the "market discount"
provisions of the Code. The market discount rules generally provide that if a
holder of a note purchases the note at a market discount (i.e., a discount other
than at original issue), any gain recognized upon the disposition of the note by
the holder will be taxable as ordinary income, rather than as capital gain, to
the extent such gain does not exceed the accrued market discount on such note at
the time of such disposition. Market discount generally means the excess, if
any, of a note's stated redemption price at maturity over the price paid by the
holder therefor, unless a de minimis exception applies. A holder who acquires a
note at a market discount also may be required to
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defer the deduction of a portion of the amount of interest that the holder paid
or accrued during the taxable year on indebtedness incurred or maintained to
purchase or carry such note, if any.
Any principal payment on a note acquired by a holder at a market discount
will be included in gross income as ordinary income to the extent that it does
not exceed the accrued market discount at the time of such payment. The amount
of the accrued market discount for purposes of determining the tax treatment of
subsequent payments on, or dispositions of, a note is to be reduced by the
amounts so treated as ordinary income.
A holder of a note acquired at a market discount may elect to include
market discount in gross income as such market discount accrues, either on a
straight-line basis or on a constant interest rate basis. This current inclusion
election, once made, applies to all market discount obligations acquired on or
after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election applies, and
may not be revoked without the consent of the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS").
If a holder of a note makes such an election, the foregoing rules regarding the
recognition of ordinary income on sales and other dispositions and the receipt
of principal payments with respect to such note, and regarding the deferral of
interest deductions on indebtedness incurred or maintained to purchase or carry
such note, will not apply.
NOTES PURCHASED AT A PREMIUM. In general, if a holder purchases a note for
an amount in excess of its stated redemption price at maturity, the holder may
elect to treat such excess as "amortizable bond premium," in which case the
amount required to be included in the holder's income each year with respect to
interest on the note will be reduced by the amount of amortizable bond premium
allocable (based on the note's yield to maturity) to such year. Any such
election would apply to all bonds (other than bonds the interest on which is
excludable from gross income) held by the holder at the beginning of the first
taxable year to which the election applies or which thereafter are acquired by
the holder, and such election is irrevocable without the consent of the IRS.
SALE, EXCHANGE OR RETIREMENT OF THE NOTES. Upon the sale, exchange or
retirement of a note, a holder generally will (except as discussed under "Market
Discount on Resale of Notes") recognize capital gain or loss equal to the
difference between (i) the amount of cash proceeds and the fair market value of
any property received on the sale, exchange or redemption (except to the extent
such amount is attributable to accrued interest income not previously included
in income which is taxable as ordinary income) and (ii) such holder's adjusted
tax basis in the note. A holder's adjusted tax basis in a note generally will
equal the purchase price of the note to such holder. Such capital gain or loss
will be long-term if the holder held the note for more than one year at the time
of sale, exchange or redemption.
TAXATION OF NON-U.S. HOLDERS
PAYMENTS OF INTEREST. A Non-U.S. holder will not be subject to United
States federal income tax by withholding or otherwise on payments of interest on
a note (provided that the beneficial owner of the note fulfills the statement
requirements set forth in applicable Treasury regulations) unless (A) such
Non-U.S. holder (i) actually or constructively owns 10% or more of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock of us entitled to vote, (ii) is a
controlled foreign corporation related, directly or indirectly, to us through
stock ownership, or (iii) is a bank receiving interest described in Section
881(c)(3)(A) of the Code or (B) such interest is effectively connected with the
conduct of a trade or business by the Non-U.S. holder in the United States.
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GAIN ON DISPOSITION OF THE NOTES. A Non-U.S. holder will not be subject to
United States federal income tax by withholding or otherwise on any gain
realized upon the disposition of a note unless (i) in the case of a Non-U.S.
Holder who is an individual, such Non-U.S. holder is present in the United
States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the taxable
year of the disposition and certain other requirements are met or (ii) the gain
is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by the Non-U.S.
holder in the United States.
EFFECTIVELY CONNECTED INCOME. To the extent that interest income or gain on
the disposition of a note is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade
or business of the Non-U.S. holder in the United States, such income will be
subject to United States federal income tax on a net income basis in the same
manner as if such holder were a United States person. Additionally, in the case
of a Non-U.S. holder which is a corporation, such effectively connected income
may be subject to the United States branch profits tax at the rate of 30%.
TREATIES. A tax treaty between the United States and a country in which a
Non-U.S. holder is a resident may alter the tax consequences described above.
INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING
In general, information reporting requirements will apply to payments of
principal, premium, if any, and interest on a note and payments of the proceeds
of the sale of a note, and a 31% backup withholding tax may apply to such
payments if the holder (i) fails to furnish or certify its correct taxpayer
identification number to the payor in the manner required, (ii) is notified by
the IRS that it has failed to report payments of interest and dividends properly
or (iii) under certain circumstances, fails to certify that it has not been
notified by the IRS that it is subject to backup withholding for failure to
report interest and dividend payments. Any amounts withheld under the backup
withholding rules from a payment to a holder will be allowed as a credit against
such holder's United States federal income tax and may entitle the holder to a
refund, provided that the required minimum information is furnished to the IRS.
Generally, such information reporting and backup withholding may apply to
payments of principal, interest and premium (if any) to Non-U.S. holders which
are not "Exempt Recipients" and which fail to provide certain information as may
be required by United States law and applicable regulations. The payment of the
proceeds of the disposition of notes to or through the United States office of a
broker will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding at a rate
of 31% unless the owner certifies its status as a Non-U.S. holder under
penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption.
Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of
information reporting and backup withholding in their particular situation and
the availability of an exemption therefrom, and the procedures for obtaining any
such exemption.
The United States Department of the Treasury has promulgated regulations
regarding the information reporting and backup reporting rules discussed above.
In general, the regulations do not significantly alter the substantive
information reporting and backup withholding requirements but rather unify
current certification procedures and forms and clarify reliance standards. In
addition, the regulations permit the shifting of primary responsibility for
withholding to certain financial intermediaries acting on behalf of beneficial
owners. The regulations are generally effective for payments made on or after
January 1, 2001, subject to certain transition rules. Prospective purchasers of
the notes should consult their own tax advisors concerning the effect of such
regulations on their particular situations.
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BOOK-ENTRY; DELIVERY AND FORM
The notes are represented by one or more permanent global certificates in
definitive, fully registered form (or Global Notes). The Global Notes are
deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, and
registered in the name of a nominee of DTC.
THE GLOBAL NOTES
Pursuant to procedures established by DTC upon the issuance of the Global
Notes, DTC or its custodian credited, on its internal system, the principal
amount of notes of the individual beneficial interests represented by the Global
Notes to the respective accounts of persons who have accounts with DTC and
ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be shown on, and the
transfer of such ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by
DTC or its nominee (with respect to interests of Participants (as defined
below)) and the records of Participants (with respect to interests of persons
other than Participants). Ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Notes
is limited to persons who have accounts with DTC ("Participants") or persons who
hold interests through Participants. Interests in the Global Notes may be held
directly through DTC, by Participants, or indirectly through organizations which
are Participants.
So long as DTC, or its nominee, is the registered owner or holder of the
Global Notes, DTC or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the
sole owner or holder of the notes represented by such Global Notes for all
purposes under the indenture. No beneficial owner of an interest in the Global
Notes will be able to transfer that interest except in accordance with DTC's
procedures, in addition to those provided for under the indenture.
Payments of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Global
Notes will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered
owner thereof. None of the issuers, the Trustee or any paying agent will have
any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or
payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the Global Notes
or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such
beneficial ownership interest.
The issuers expect that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of
principal, premium, if any, or interest in respect of the Global Notes, will
credit Participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their
respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the Global Notes as
shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. The issuers also expect that
payments by Participants to owners of beneficial interests in the Global Notes
held through such Participants will be governed by standing instructions and
customary practice, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of
customers registered in the names of nominees for such customers. Such payments
will be the responsibility of such Participants.
Transfers between Participants will be effected in the ordinary way in
accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in same day funds. If a holder
requires physical delivery of a Certificated Note (as defined below) for any
reason, including to sell notes to persons in states which require physical
delivery of the notes, or to pledge such securities, such Holder must transfer
its interest in a Global Note in accordance with the normal procedures of DTC
and with the procedures set fourth in the indenture.
DTC has advised the issuers that it will take any action permitted to be
taken by a Holder of notes only at the direction of one or more Participants to
whose account the DTC
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interests in the Global Notes are credited and only in respect of such portion
of the aggregate principal amount of Notes as to which such Participant or
Participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is an Event of
Default under the indenture, DTC will exchange the Global Notes in whole for
Certificated Notes, which it will distribute to the Participants.
DTC has advised the issuers as follows: DTC is a limited purpose trust
company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a member of the
Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the
Uniform Commercial Code and a "Clearing Agency" registered pursuant to the
provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold
securities for Participants and facilitate the clearance and settlement of
securities transactions between Participants through electronic book-entry
changes in accounts of its Participants, thereby eliminating the need for
physical movement of certificates. Participants include securities brokers and
dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations and certain other
organizations. Indirect access to the DTC System is available to others such as
banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a
custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly
("Indirect Participants").
Although DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate
transfers of interests in the Global Notes among Participants, it is under no
obligation to perform such procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued
at any time. Neither the issuers nor the Trustee will have any responsibility
for the performance by DTC or the Participants or Indirect Participants of their
respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their
operations.
CERTIFICATED NOTES
If
- the issuers notify the Trustee in writing that DTC is no longer willing
or able to act as a depositary or DTC ceases to be registered as a
clearing agency under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not
appointed within 90 days of such notice or cessation,
- the issuers, at their option, notify the Trustee in writing that they
elect to cause the issuance of notes in definitive form under the
indenture or
- upon the occurrence of certain other events as provided in the indenture,
then, upon surrender by DTC of the Global Notes, Certificated Notes will be
issued to each person that DTC identifies as the beneficial owner of the notes
represented by the Global Notes. Upon any such issuance, the Trustee is required
to register such Certificated Notes in the name of such person or persons (or
the nominee of any thereof) and cause the same to be delivered thereto.
None of the issuers or the Trustee shall be liable for any delay by DTC or
any Participant or Indirect Participant in identifying the beneficial owners of
the related notes and each such person may conclusively rely on, and shall be
protected in relying on, instructions from DTC for all purposes (including with
respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts,
of the notes to be issued).
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
This prospectus may be used by CSI in connection with offers and sales
related to market-making transactions in the notes. CSI may act as principal or
agent in such transactions. Such sales will be made at prices related to
prevailing market prices at the time of sale. We will not receive any of the
proceeds of such sales. CSI has no obligation to make a market in the notes and
may discontinue its market-making activities at any time without notice, at its
sole discretion. We have agreed to indemnify CSI against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, and to contribute to
payments which CSI might be required to make in respect thereof.
For a description of certain relationships between the issuers and CSI and
its affiliates, see "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions" and
"Ownership of Securities".
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the notes offered hereby was passed upon by O'Sullivan
Graev & Karabell, LLP, New York, New York.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of LPA Holding Corp. included in this
prospectus, the related financial statement schedules included elsewhere in the
registration statement, and the financial statements from which the Selected
Consolidated Financial and Other Data included in this prospectus have been
derived, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as
stated in their report appearing herein. Such consolidated financial statements,
financial statement schedules, and Selected Consolidated Financial and Other
Data have been included herein and elsewhere in the Registration Statement in
reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in
accounting and auditing.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
We filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (together
with all amendments, exhibits, schedules and supplements thereto, the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act with respect to the notes.
This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the
Registration Statement, certain portions of which have been omitted pursuant to
the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission. Statements made in this
prospectus as to the contents of any contract, agreement or other document are
not necessarily complete. With respect to each such contract, agreement or other
document filed or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, reference is made to such exhibit for a more complete description of
the matter involved, and each such statement is qualified in its entirety by
such reference.
The Registration Statement may be inspected by anyone without charge at the
Public Reference Section of the Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the regional offices of the
Commission located at Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite
1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York,
New York 10048. Copies of such material may also be obtained at the Public
Reference Section of the Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary
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Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, upon payment of
prescribed fees. Such materials can also be inspected on the Internet at
http://www.sec.gov.
We are subject to the informational reporting requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). In accordance
therewith, we file reports and other information with the Commission. Such
materials filed by us with the Commission may be inspected, and copies thereof
obtained, at the places, and in the manner, set forth above.
In the event that we cease to be subject to the informational reporting
requirements of the Exchange Act, we have agreed that, so long as the notes
remain outstanding, we will file with the Commission and distribute to holders
of the notes copies of the financial information that would have been contained
in annual reports and quarterly reports, including a management's discussion and
analysis of financial condition and results of operations, that we would have
been required to file with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act. Such
financial information will include annual reports containing consolidated
financial statements and notes, together with an opinion expressed by an
independent public accounting firm, as well as quarterly reports containing
unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the first three
quarters of each fiscal year. We will also make such reports available to
prospective purchasers of the notes, securities analysts and broker-dealers upon
their request.
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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PAGE
----
Consolidated Financial Statements of LPA Holding Corp.
Independent Auditors' Report................................ F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 1, 2000 and July 3,
1999...................................................... F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years
ended July 1, 2000, July 3, 1999, and August 29, 1998..... F-4
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
for the fiscal years ended July 1, 2000, July 3, 1999, and
August 29, 1998........................................... F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years
ended July 1, 2000, July 3, 1999, and August 29, 1998..... F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.................. F-7
F-1
103
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
LPA Holding Corp.
Overland Park, Kansas
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of LPA Holding
Corp. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of July 1, 2000 and July 3, 1999, and
the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' deficit and
cash flows for the 52 weeks ended July 1, 2000, the 44 weeks ended July 3, 1999,
and the 52 weeks ended August 29, 1998. Our audits also included the financial
statement schedules included herein. These financial statements and financial
statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and
financial statement schedules based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of LPA Holding Corp. and
subsidiaries as of July 1, 2000 and July 3, 1999, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for the 52 weeks ended July 1, 2000, the 44
weeks ended July 3, 1999, and the 52 weeks ended August 29, 1998, in conformity
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedules, when considered in
relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole,
present fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Kansas City, Missouri
August 25, 2000
F-2
104
LPA HOLDING CORP.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
JULY 1, JULY 3,
2000 1999
---------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS,
EXCEPT SHARE AND
PER SHARE DATA)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents................................. $ 4,008 $ 4,572
Restricted cash investments (Note 1)...................... 837 1,218
Accounts and notes receivable, (net of allowance for
doubtful accounts of $406 and $306)..................... 7,462 8,077
Prepaid food and supplies................................. 7,127 7,884
Other prepaid expenses.................................... 5,324 6,143
Refundable income taxes (Note 5).......................... 109 192
Deferred income taxes (Note 5)............................ 950
--------- ---------
Total current assets............................... 25,817 28,086
Property and equipment, at cost:
Land...................................................... 5,886 6,120
Buildings and leasehold improvements...................... 79,568 77,197
Equipment................................................. 23,780 20,451
Facilities under construction............................. 2,041 15,261
--------- ---------
111,275 119,029
Less accumulated depreciation............................. 54,842 48,310
--------- ---------
Net property and equipment......................... 56,433 70,719
Other assets (Note 2)....................................... 69,159 61,780
Deferred income taxes (Note 5).............................. 14,238 8,883
--------- ---------
$ 165,647 $ 169,468
========= =========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
Overdrafts due banks...................................... $ 4,756 $ 7,450
Accounts payable.......................................... 8,273 7,972
Current reserve for closed academies...................... 3,268 1,366
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease
obligations............................................. 1,897 2,187
Accrued salaries, wages and other payroll costs........... 14,212 11,903
Accrued insurance liabilities............................. 2,586 2,682
Accrued property and sales taxes.......................... 3,490 3,749
Accrued interest payable.................................. 2,568 2,388
Other current liabilities................................. 5,556 11,199
Deferred income taxes (Note 5)............................ 361
--------- ---------
Total current liabilities.......................... 46,606 51,257
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations (Note 3)....... 182,319 187,999
Other long-term liabilities (Note 4)........................ 13,061 11,085
Series A 12% redeemable preferred stock ($.01 par value per
share); 45,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding
at July 1, 2000 at aggregate liquidation preference of
$1,211.291 as of July 1, 2000 and $1,143.444 as of July 3,
1999 (Note 7)............................................. 47,314 29,310
Stockholders' deficit:
Class A common stock ($.01 par value per share); 950,000
shares authorized and 564,985 and 560,026 shares issued
and outstanding as of July 1, 2000 and July 3, 1999..... 6 6
Class B common stock ($.01 par value per share); 20,000
shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of July 1,
2000 and July 3, 1999...................................
Common stock warrants..................................... 8,596 5,645
Accumulated deficit....................................... (132,255) (115,834)
--------- ---------
Total stockholders' deficit........................ (123,653) (110,183)
--------- ---------
$ 165,647 $ 169,468
========= =========
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-3
105
LPA HOLDING CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
52 WEEKS 44 WEEKS 52 WEEKS
ENDED ENDED ENDED
JULY 1, JULY 3, AUGUST 29,
2000 1999 1998
-------- -------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
Operating revenue.............................. $371,037 $281,072 $314,933
Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages and benefits................. 205,665 150,052 166,501
Facility lease expense....................... 46,573 33,670 38,403
Depreciation................................. 13,500 10,911 13,892
Amortization of goodwill and other
intangibles............................... 2,835 1,972 3,122
Recapitalization costs (Note 1).............. 8,724
Restructuring costs (Note 13)................ 7,500
Other........................................ 89,879 68,277 76,258
-------- -------- --------
Total operating expenses............. 365,952 264,882 306,900
-------- -------- --------
Operating income............................... 5,085 16,190 8,033
Interest expense............................... 20,880 16,145 14,126
Minority interest in net income of
subsidiary................................... 2,849
Interest income................................ (163) (153) (885)
-------- -------- --------
Net interest costs................... 20,717 15,992 16,090
-------- -------- --------
Income (loss) before income taxes and
extraordinary item........................... (15,632) 198 (8,057)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes........... (5,085) 995 (254)
-------- -------- --------
Loss before extraordinary item................. (10,547) (797) (7,803)
-------- -------- --------
Extraordinary loss on early retirement of debt,
net of applicable income taxes of $3,776
(Note 10).................................... (5,525)
-------- -------- --------
Net loss....................................... $(10,547) $ (797) $(13,328)
======== ======== ========
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-4
106
LPA HOLDING CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
COMMON STOCK
------------------ TOTAL
NUMBER PREFERRED PAID-IN ACCUMULATED TREASURY STOCKHOLDERS'
OF SHARES AMOUNT STOCK WARRANTS CAPITAL DEFICIT STOCK EQUITY (DEFICIT)
--------- ------ --------- -------- -------- ----------- -------- ----------------
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
Balance, August 30,
1997.................... 852,160 $ 9 $ 3 $ $ 34,234 $ (30,573) $(299) $ 3,374
10% Cumulative Non
Convertible Preferred
Dividend................ 848 (848)
Issuance of common
stock................... 523,985 5 70,120 70,125
Repurchase of common
stock................... (41) (41)
Redemption of preferred
stock................... (3) (59,271) (59,274)
Redemption of common
stock................... (769,859) (8) (45,931) (57,092) (103,031)
Issuance of warrants...... 5,645 5,645
Equity issuance costs..... (7,901) (7,901)
Cancellation of treasury
stock................... (26,260) (340) 340
Preferred stock dividend
(Note 7)................ (1,270) (1,270)
Net loss.................. (13,328) (13,328)
-------- --- --- ------ -------- --------- ----- ---------
Balance, August 29,
1998.................... 580,026 6 5,645 (111,352) (105,701)
Preferred stock dividend
(Note 7)................ (3,685) (3,685)
Net loss.................. (797) (797)
-------- --- --- ------ -------- --------- ----- ---------
Balance, July 3, 1999..... 580,026 6 5,645 (115,834) (110,183)
Exercise of stock
options................. 4,959 89 89
Issuance of warrants...... 2,951 2,951
Preferred stock dividend
(Note 7)................ (5,963) (5,963)
Net loss.................. (10,547) (10,547)
-------- --- --- ------ -------- --------- ----- ---------
Balance, July 1, 2000..... 584,985 $ 6 $ $8,596 $ $(132,255) $ $(123,653)
======== === === ====== ======== ========= ===== =========
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5
107
LPA HOLDING CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
52 WEEKS ENDED 44 WEEKS ENDED 52 WEEKS ENDED
JULY 1, 2000 JULY 3, 1999 AUGUST 29, 1998
-------------- -------------- ---------------
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss............................................ $(10,547) $ (797) $(13,328)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash from
operating activities
Noncash portion of extraordinary loss on
retirement of debt............................ 3,209
Restructuring costs............................. 7,500
Depreciation and amortization................... 17,387 13,712 17,859
Deferred income taxes........................... (4,831) 708 (4,799)
Minority interest in net income of La Petite
Academy, Inc. ................................ 2,849
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts and notes receivable................. 1,199 (1,014) (1,924)
Prepaid expenses and supplies................. 2,187 (5,488) 1,353
Accrued property and sales taxes.............. (302) (354) (26)
Accrued interest payable...................... 180 (2,383) 4,052
Other changes in assets and liabilities,
net........................................ (7,176) 5,936 (2,021)
-------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by operating
activities............................. 5,597 10,320 7,224
-------- -------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisition of Bright Start, net of cash
acquired........................................ (10,361)
Capital expenditures.............................. (23,412) (31,666) (13,637)
Proceeds from sale of assets.................... 23,432 12,462 2,632
-------- -------- --------
Net cash used for investing activities... (10,341) (19,204) (11,005)
-------- -------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations... (8,242) (1,692) (121,726)
Net borrowings under the Revolving Credit
Agreement....................................... 4,000
Exercise of stock options......................... 89
Additions to long-term debt....................... 185,000
Deferred financing costs.......................... (346) (818) (7,605)
Retirement of old equity.......................... (162,304)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of
expenses........................................ 62,224
Proceeds from issuance of redeemable preferred
stock and warrants, net of expenses............. 14,992 30,000
Increase (reduction) in bank overdrafts........... (2,694) 4,560 533
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash
investments..................................... 381 538 556
-------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by (used for) financing
activities............................. 4,180 6,588 (13,322)
-------- -------- --------
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS........... (564) (2,296) (17,103)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD.... 4,572 6,868 23,971
-------- -------- --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD.......... $ 4,008 $ 4,572 $ 6,868
======== ======== ========
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest (net of amounts capitalized)............. $ 19,694 $ 17,699 $ 9,229
Income taxes...................................... 86 275 2,084
Cash received during the period for:
Interest.......................................... $ 156 $ 152 $ 1,000
Income taxes...................................... (88) 2,122 207
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Capital lease obligations of $34, $29, and $3,170
were incurred during the 52 weeks ended July 1,
2000, the 44 weeks ended July 3, 1999 and the 52
weeks ended August 29, 1998, respectively, when
the Company entered into leases for new computer
equipment.......................................
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-6
108
LPA HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Vestar/LPA Investment Corp. (Parent), a privately-held Delaware
corporation, was formed in 1993 for the purpose of holding the capital stock of
La Petite Holdings Corp. (Holdings), a Delaware corporation. Holdings, which has
no independent assets or operations, was formed in 1993 for the purpose of
holding the capital stock of La the outstanding shares of common stock, par
value $.01 (the Common Stock), of La Petite Academy, Inc., a over the net assets
acquired is being amortized over 30 years. On May 31, 1997, Holdings was merged
with and into La Petite with La Petite as the surviving corporation. On August
28, 1997 LPA Services, Inc. (Services), a wholly owned subsidiary of La Petite,
was incorporated. Services provides third party administrative services on
insurance claims to La Petite.
On March 17, 1998, LPA Investment LLC (LPA), a Delaware limited liability
company owned by an affiliate of Chase Capital Partners (CCP) and by an entity
controlled by Robert E. King, a director of La Petite, and Parent, which was
renamed LPA Holding Corp., entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger pursuant
to which a wholly owned subsidiary of LPA was merged into Parent (the
Recapitalization). In the Recapitalization, all of the then outstanding shares
of preferred stock and common stock of Parent (other than the shares of common
stock retained by Vestar/LPT Limited Partnership and management of La Petite)
owned by the existing stockholders of Parent (the Existing Stockholders) were
converted into cash. As part of the Recapitalization, LPA purchased $72.5
million (less the value of options retained by management) of common stock of
the Parent and $30 million of redeemable preferred stock of Parent
(collectively, the Equity Investment). In addition, in connection with the
purchase of preferred stock of Parent, LPA received warrants to purchase up to
6.0% of Parent's common stock on a fully diluted basis. Transaction expenses
included in operating expenses under the caption "Recapitalization Costs" for
this period include approximately $1.5 million in transaction bonuses and $7.2
million for the cancellation of stock options and related taxes. The
Recapitalization was completed May 11, 1998.
On July 21, 1999, La Petite acquired all the outstanding shares of Bright
Start, Inc. ("Bright Start"). See Note 12 to the consolidated financial
statements.
On December 15, 1999, LPA acquired an additional $15.0 million of Parent's
redeemable preferred stock and received warrants to purchase an additional 3% of
Parent's common stock on a fully-diluted basis. The $15.0 million proceeds
received by Parent was contributed to La Petite as common equity. As a result of
the recapitalization and additional purchase of preferred stock and warrants,
LPA beneficially owns 81.3% of the common stock of Parent on a fully diluted
basis and $45 million of redeemable preferred stock of Parent. An affiliate of
CCP owns a majority of the economic interests of LPA and an entity controlled by
Robert E. King owns a majority of the voting interests of LPA.
Parent, consolidated with La Petite, Bright Start and Services, is referred
to herein as the Company.
The Company offers educational, developmental and child care programs that
are available on a full-time or part-time basis, for children between six weeks
and twelve years old. The Company's schools are located in 35 states and the
District of Columbia, primarily in the southern, Atlantic coastal, mid-western
and western regions of the United States.
F-7
109
LPA HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION -- The consolidated financial statements
include the accounts of Parent and its wholly-owned subsidiary, La Petite and
its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Bright Start and Services, after elimination of
all significant inter-company accounts and transactions.
FISCAL YEAR END -- On June 10, 1999, the Company changed its fiscal year to
be the 52 or 53 week period ending on the first Saturday in July. Prior to this
change, the Company utilized a fiscal year consisting of the 52 or 53 week
period ending on the last Saturday in August. The report covering the transition
period is presented herein.
USE OF ESTIMATES -- The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ
from those estimates.
RECOGNITION OF REVENUES AND PRE-OPENING EXPENSES -- The Company operates
preschool education and child care Academies. Revenue is recognized as the
services are performed. Expenses associated with opening new Academies are
charged to expense as incurred.
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION -- Buildings, leasehold improvements,
furniture and equipment are depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the
assets using the straight-line method. For financial reporting purposes,
buildings are generally depreciated over 29 to 40 years, furniture and equipment
over three to 10 years and leasehold improvements over five to 15 years.
Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. The cost of
additions and improvements is capitalized and depreciated over the remaining
useful lives of the assets. The cost and accumulated depreciation of assets sold
or retired are removed from the accounts, and any gain or loss is recognized in
the year of disposal, except gains and losses on property and equipment that
have been sold and leased back, which are recognized over the terms of the
related lease agreements.
EXCESS OF PURCHASE PRICE OVER THE NET ASSETS ACQUIRED -- The excess of the
purchase price over the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired related to
the acquisition of La Petite and Bright Start is being amortized over a period
of 30 years and 20 years, respectively, on the straight-line method.
OTHER ASSETS -- Other assets include real estate property held for sale,
the loss on real estate sale-leaseback transactions, deposits for rent and
utilities, and the fair value of identifiable intangible assets acquired in
connection with the acquisition of La Petite. The loss on sale-leaseback
transactions is being amortized over the lease life, and the intangible assets
are being amortized over periods ranging from 2 to 10 years on the straight-line
method.
DEFERRED FINANCING COSTS -- The costs of obtaining financing are included
in other assets and are being amortized over the life of the related debt.
CASH EQUIVALENTS -- The Company's cash equivalents consist of commercial
paper and money market funds with original maturities of three months or less.
F-8
110
LPA HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
RESTRICTED CASH INVESTMENTS -- The restricted cash investment balance
represents cash deposited in an escrow account as security for the self-insured
portion of the Company's workers compensation and automobile insurance coverage.
INCOME TAXES -- The Company establishes deferred tax assets and
liabilities, as appropriate, for all temporary differences, and adjusts deferred
tax balances to reflect changes in tax rates expected to be in effect during the
periods the temporary differences reverse. Management has evaluated the
recoverability of the deferred income tax asset balances and has determined that
the deferred balances will be realized based on future taxable income.
DISCLOSURES REGARDING FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS -- The carrying values of the
Company's financial instruments, with the exception of the Company's Senior
Notes, preferred stock, and financial derivatives, approximate fair value. The
estimated fair values of Senior Notes and preferred stock at July 1, 2000 were
$85.6 million and $54.5 million, respectively. The estimated fair values of
Senior Notes and preferred stock at July 3, 1999 were $137.7 million and $34.3
million, respectively. The combined estimated fair value of the Company's
interest rate contracts at July 1, 2000 was a liability of $2.6 million.
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS -- The Company reviews long-lived assets
and certain identifiable intangibles for impairment whenever events or changes
in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be
recoverable.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION -- The Company accounts for stock compensation
awards under Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25 that requires
compensation cost to be recognized based on the excess, if any, between the
market price of the stock at the date of grant and the amount an employee must
pay to acquire the stock. The Company has disclosed the pro forma net income
(loss) determined on the fair value method in Note 11.
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS -- The Company utilizes swap and collar
agreements to manage interest rate risks. The Company has established a control
environment that includes policies and procedures for risk assessment and the
approval, reporting, and monitoring of derivative financial instrument
activities. Company policy prohibits holding or issuing derivative financial
instruments for trading purposes. Any differential paid or received based on the
swap/collar agreements is recognized as an adjustment to interest expense.
Amounts receivable or payable under derivative financial instrument contracts,
when recognized, are reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as both current
and long term receivables or liabilities. Gains and losses on terminations of
hedge contracts are recognized as other operating expense when terminated in
conjunction with the termination of the hedged position, or to the extent that
such position remains outstanding, deferred as prepaid expenses or other
liabilities and amortized to interest expense over the remaining life of the
position.
SEGMENT REPORTING -- The Company has determined that it currently operates
entirely in one segment.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS -- Statement of Financial
Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities," (as amended by SFAS 137 and 138), establishes accounting
and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative
instruments embedded in other contracts and for hedging activities. This
Statement requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as
F-9
111
LPA HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at fair value. The
new Standard becomes effective for the Company's fiscal year 2001. Management
has determined that the impact of adopting this Statement will result in a net
cumulative transition loss of $2.6 million, which will be recorded as a
cumulative effect of change in accounting principle as of July 2, 2000.
In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff
Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") 101, "Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements,"
which will be adopted by the Company during the fourth quarter of the Company's
fiscal year 2001. The adoption of this Statement is not expected to have a
material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
RECLASSIFICATIONS -- Certain reclassifications to prior year amounts have
been made in order to conform to the current year presentation.
2. OTHER ASSETS
JULY 1, JULY 3,
2000 1999
-------- --------
(IN THOUSAND
OF DOLLARS)
Intangible assets:
Excess purchase price over net assets acquired............ $ 74,221 $ 64,277
Curriculum................................................ 1,497 1,497
Accumulated amortization.................................. (16,533) (13,746)
-------- --------
59,185 52,028
Deferred financing costs.................................. 8,769 8,423
Accumulated amortization.................................. (2,141) (1,088)
Other assets.............................................. 3,346 2,417
-------- --------
$ 69,159 $ 61,780
======== ========
3. LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS
JULY 1, JULY 3,
2000 1999
-------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS
OF DOLLARS)
Senior Notes, 10.0% due May 15, 2008(a)................... $145,000 $145,000
Borrowings under credit agreement(b)...................... 38,250 43,250
Capital lease obligations................................. 966 1,936
-------- --------
184,216 190,186
Less current maturities of long-term debt and capital
lease obligations....................................... (1,897) (2,187)
-------- --------
$182,319 $187,999
======== ========
F-10
112
LPA HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
- -------------------------
(a) The Senior Notes mature on May 15, 2008. Interest is payable semi-annually
on May 15 and November 15 of each year. Commencing May 15, 2003, the Senior
Notes are redeemable at various redemption prices at Parent and La Petite's
option. The Senior Notes are joint and several obligations of Parent and
its 100% owned subsidiary La Petite and are fully and unconditionally
guaranteed on a joint and several basis by La Petite's 100% owned
subsidiaries, Bright Start and Services. There does not exist restrictions
on the ability of Parent or La Petite to obtain funds from its
subsidiaries. The Senior Notes contain certain covenants that, among other
things, limit Parent and La Petite's ability to incur additional debt,
transfer or sell assets, and pay cash dividends.
To reduce interest expense on the $145 million Senior Notes, the Company
entered into an interest rate swap transaction with an imbedded collar
during the third quarter of fiscal year 1999. The effect of this
transaction was that the fixed rate debt was essentially exchanged for a
variable rate arrangement based on LIBOR plus a fixed percentage. The
imbedded collar covers the LIBOR portion of variable rate swap, effectively
setting maximum and minimum interest rates of 10.9% and 9.2%. The notional
value of this derivative is $145 million.
(b) On May 11, 1998 the Company entered into an agreement (the Credit
Agreement) providing for a term loan facility in the amount of $40.0
million and a revolving credit agreement for working capital and other
general corporate purposes in the amount of $25 million. Borrowings under
the Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the assets of the
Parent, La Petite and its subsidiaries. Loans under the Credit Agreement
bear an interest rate per annum equal to (at the Company's option): (i) an
adjusted London inter-bank offered rate (LIBOR) plus a percentage based on
the Company's financial performance or (ii) a rate equal to the higher of
Chase's prime rate, a certificate of deposit rate plus 1%, or the Federal
Funds rate plus 1/2 of 1% plus in each case a percentage based on the
Company's financial performance. The Company is required to pay fees of
0.5% per annum of the unused portion of the Credit Agreement plus letter of
credit fees, annual administration fees and agent arrangement fees. The
Credit Agreement will mature in May 2005. The term loan amortizes in an
amount equal to $1.0 million in fiscal year 2001 through 2003, $7.8 million
in fiscal year 2004, and $27.5 million in fiscal year 2005. The term loan
is also subject to mandatory prepayment in the event of certain equity or
debt issuances or asset sales by the Company or any of its subsidiaries and
in amounts equal to specified percentage of excess cash flow (as defined).
At July 1, 2000 there were no amounts outstanding on the revolver.
To reduce the impact of interest rate changes on the term loan, the Company
entered into interest rate collar agreements during the second quarter of
fiscal year 1999. The collar agreements cover the LIBOR interest rate
portion of the term loan, effectively setting maximum and minimum interest
rates of 9.5% and 7.9%. As of July 1, 2000 the notional value of the
interest rate collar agreements was $38.3 million.
F-11
113
LPA HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
Scheduled maturities and mandatory prepayments of long-term debt and
capital lease obligations during the five years subsequent to July 1, 2000 are
as follows (in thousands of dollars):
2001........................................................ $ 1,897
2002........................................................ 1,051
2003........................................................ 1,010
2004........................................................ 7,758
2005........................................................ 27,500
2006 and thereafter......................................... 145,000
--------
$184,216
========
4. OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
JULY 1, JULY 3,
2000 1999
------- -------
(IN THOUSANDS
OF DOLLARS)
Unfavorable lease, net of accumulated amortization.......... $ 3,973 $ 3,800
Non-current reserve for closed academies.................... 5,295 2,682
Long-term insurance liabilities............................. 3,793 4,603
------- -------
$13,061 $11,085
======= =======
In connection with the acquisition of La Petite and Bright Start, an
intangible liability for unfavorable operating leases was recorded and is being
amortized over the average remaining life of the leases.
The reserve for closed academies includes the long-term liability related
primarily to leases for Academies that were closed and are no longer operated by
the Company.
F-12
114
LPA HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
5. INCOME TAXES
The provisions for income taxes recorded in the Consolidated Statements of
Operations consisted of the following (in thousands of dollars):
52 WEEKS ENDED 44 WEEKS ENDED 52 WEEKS ENDED
JULY 1, 2000 JULY 3, 1999 AUGUST 29, 1998
-------------- -------------- -----------------
Refundable (Payable) Currently:
Federal........................ $(8,304) $1,426 $(4,231)
State.......................... (1,612) 277 (822)
------- ------ -------
Total.................. (9,916) 1,703 (5,053)
------- ------ -------
Deferred:
Federal........................ 4,046 (593) 4,019
State.......................... 785 (115) 780
------- ------ -------
Total.................. 4,831 (708) 4,799
------- ------ -------
$(5,085) $ 995 $ (254)
======= ====== =======
The difference between the provision for income taxes, as reported in the
Consolidated Statements of Operations, and the provision computed at the
statutory Federal rate of 34 percent is due primarily to state income taxes and
nondeductible amortization of the excess of purchase price over the net assets
acquired of $2.6 million, $1.8 million, and $2.1 million in the 52 weeks ended
July 1, 2000, the 44 weeks ended July 3, 1999, and the 52 weeks ended August 29,
1998, respectively. In addition, the 1999 fiscal year provision was impacted by
the resolution of issues raised by the IRS regarding the Company's benefit plan
(see Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements).
F-13
115
LPA HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
Deferred income taxes result from differences between the financial
reporting and tax basis of the Company's assets and liabilities. The sources of
these differences and their cumulative tax effects at July 1, 2000 and July 3,
1999 are estimated as follows (in thousands of dollars):
JULY 1, JULY 3,
2000 1999
------- -------
Current deferred taxes:
Accruals not currently deductible......................... $ 3,788 $ 2,969
Supplies.................................................. (2,985) (3,180)
Prepaids and other........................................ 147 (150)
------- -------
Net current deferred tax assets (liabilities)..... $ 950 $ (361)
======= =======
Noncurrent deferred taxes:
Unfavorable leases........................................ $ 1,613 $ 1,543
Insurance reserves........................................ 1,540 1,869
Reserve for closed academies.............................. 2,150 1,089
Carryforward of net operating loss........................ 3,847 2,003
Property and equipment.................................... 4,448 2,262
Intangible assets......................................... 349 (172)
Other..................................................... 291 289
------- -------
Net noncurrent deferred tax assets................ $14,238 $ 8,883
======= =======
The Company has federal net operating loss carry-forwards to offset future
taxable income through the tax year 2012 and 2018. Management believes that the
deferred tax assets recorded on the balance sheet are recoverable and no reserve
is required. As of July 1, 2000, only the income tax returns for tax years 1996
and beyond are open to examination.
6. LEASES
Academy facilities are leased for terms ranging from 15 to 20 years. The
leases provide renewal options and require the Company to pay utilities,
maintenance, insurance and property taxes. Some leases provide for annual
increases in the rental payment and many leases require the payment of
additional rentals if operating revenue exceeds stated amounts. These additional
rentals range from 2% to 10% of operating revenue in excess of the stated
amounts and are recorded as rental expense. Vehicles are also rented under
various lease agreements, most of which are cancelable within 30 days after a
one-year lease obligation. Substantially, all Academy and vehicle leases are
operating leases. Rental expense for these leases were $52.3 million, $39.1
million, and $46.5 million, for the 52 weeks ended July 1, 2000, and 44 weeks
ended July 3, 1999, and 52 weeks ended August 29, 1998, respectively. Contingent
rental expense of $1.9 million, $1.4 million, and $1.4 million were included in
rental expense for the 52 weeks ended July 1, 2000, the 44 weeks ended July 3,
1999, and the 52 weeks ended August 29, 1998.
F-14
116
LPA HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
Aggregate minimum future rentals payable under facility leases as of July
1, 2000 were as follows (in thousands of dollars):
FISCAL YEAR ENDING
- ------------------
2001........................................................ $ 41,426
2002........................................................ 36,005
2003........................................................ 31,280
2004........................................................ 25,399
2005........................................................ 19,527
2006 and thereafter......................................... 73,171
--------
$226,808
========
7. REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
The authorized stock of Parent as of July 1, 2000 consists of:
(i) 45,000 shares of Series A Redeemable Preferred Stock, $.01 par value,
(the preferred stock) all of which were issued and outstanding. The
carrying value of the preferred stock is being accreted to its
redemption value of $45.0 million on May 11, 2008. The preferred stock
is non-voting and mandatorily redeemable on May 11, 2008. Dividends at
the rate of 12.0% per annum are cumulative and if not paid on the June
30 or December 31 semi-annual preferred stock dividend dates are added
to the liquidation value. The liquidation value per share was
$1,211.291 as of July 1, 2000 and $1,143.444 as of July 3, 1999. The
preferred stock may be exchanged for 12.0% Subordinated Exchange
Debentures due 2008, at Parent's option, subject to certain
conditions, in whole, but not in part, on any scheduled dividend
payment date. The preferred stock contains certain restrictive
provisions that limit the ability of Parent to pay cash dividends.
(ii) 950,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value, (the Class A
Common Stock) of which 564,985 shares were issued and outstanding as
of July 1, 2000.
(iii)20,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value, (the Class B
Common Stock) of which 20,000 shares were issued and outstanding as of
July 1, 2000. The Class B Common Stock votes together with the Class A
Common Stock as a single class, with the holder of each share of
common stock entitled to cast one vote. The holders of the Class B
Common Stock have the exclusive right, voting separately as a class,
to elect one member to the Board of Directors of Parent. Each share of
the Class B Common Stock is convertible at the option of the holder,
at any time, into one share of Class A Common Stock.
(iv) Warrants to purchase 64,231 shares of Class A Common Stock at a
purchase price of $.01 per share any time on or before May 11, 2008.
The Warrants were issued in connection with the sale of Series A
Redeemable Preferred Stock; the Company recognized discounts on the
preferred stock by allocating $8,596,000 to the Warrants representing
the fair value of the Warrants when issued.
F-15
117
LPA HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
8. BENEFIT PLAN
The Company sponsored a defined contribution plan (the "Plan") for
substantially all employees. Until January 1, 1998 eligible participants could
make contributions to the Plan from 1% to 20% of their compensation (as
defined). The Company also made contributions at the discretion of the Board of
Directors. Contribution and plan administration cost expense attributable to
this Plan was $0.3 million, $0.3 million, and $0 million for the 52 weeks ended
July 1, 2000, the 44 weeks ended July 3, 1999, and for the 52 weeks ended August
29, 1998, respectively.
The Plan was under audit by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") which
raised several issues concerning the Plan's operation. All issues raised by the
IRS have been satisfactorily resolved and the impact was not material. However,
recognizing some inherit deficiencies in the Plan's design, the Company
petitioned the IRS for the right to terminate the plan effective May 31, 1999,
and on January 13, 2000 the Company received a favorable determination from the
IRS and terminated the plan effective May 31, 1999.
9. CONTINGENCIES
The Company has litigation pending which arose in the ordinary course of
business. Litigation is subject to many uncertainties and the outcome of the
individual matters is not presently determinable. It is management's opinion
that this litigation will not result in liabilities that would have a material
adverse effect on the Company's financial position.
10. EXTRAORDINARY LOSS
On May 11, 1998 the Company incurred a $5.5 million extraordinary loss
related (i) to the retirement of all the outstanding $85.0 million principal
amount of 9 5/8% Senior Notes due on 2001, (ii) the exchange of all outstanding
shares of La Petite's Class A Preferred Stock for $34.7 million in aggregate
principal amount of La Petite's 12 1/8% Subordinated Exchange Debentures due
2003, and (iii) the retirement of all the 12 1/8 Exchange Debentures and the
6.5% Convertible Debentures. The loss principally reflects the write-off of
premiums and related deferred financing costs, net of applicable income tax
benefit.
11. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
On August 27, 1995, the Board of Directors of Parent adopted the
"Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement" (1995 Plan). Under the terms of the 1995
Plan, the Board of Directors in their sole discretion granted non-qualified
stock options, with respect to the common stock of Parent, to key executives of
the Company. Options were granted pursuant to an agreement at the time of grant,
and typically become exercisable in equal cumulative installments over a
five-year period beginning one year after the date of grant. All such options
granted expire on the tenth anniversary of the grant date. No market existed for
the common stock of Parent, but options were granted at prices that, in the
opinion of the Board of Directors, were equal to or greater than the fair value
of the stock at the time of grant.
Effective May 11, 1998, the Board of Directors of Parent adopted the "1998
Stock Option Plan" (1998 Plan). The 1998 Plan provides for the granting of
Tranche A and
F-16
118
LPA HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
Tranche B options to purchase up to 60,074 shares of the Parent's common stock.
Tranche A options were granted at prices, which approximated the fair value of a
share of common stock of the Parent at the date of grant. These options expire
ten years from the date of grant and become exercisable ratably over 48 months.
Tranche B options were granted at $133.83 per share, expire ten years from the
date of grant and are exercisable only in the event of a change in control or a
registered public offering of common stock which provides certain minimum
returns (as defined).
On August 19, 1999, Parent adopted the 1999 Stock Option Plan for
Non-Employee Directors (1999 Plan). Under the terms of the 1999 Plan, 10,000
shares of Parent's common stock are reserved for issuance to non-employee
directors at prices that approximate the fair value of a share of Parent's
common stock at the date of issuance. Options vest ratably on the last day of
each month over four years following the date of grant, if the person is a
director on that day.
Stock option transactions during the past three years have been as follows:
1998 PLAN 1998 PLAN
1995 PLAN TRANCHE A TRANCHE B 1999 PLAN
-------------------- -------------------- -------------------- --------------------
WEIGHTED WEIGHTED WEIGHTED WEIGHTED
OPTIONS AVG. PRICE OPTIONS AVG. PRICE OPTIONS AVG. PRICE OPTIONS AVG. PRICE
------- ---------- ------- ---------- ------- ---------- ------- ----------
Options outstanding at
August 29, 1998..... 20,717 $19.19 38,850 $66.92 13,205 $133.83
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- ----- ------
Granted............. 4,500 $66.92 1,200 $133.83
Exercised...........
Canceled............
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- ----- ------
Options outstanding at
July 3, 1999........ 20,717 $19.19 43,350 $66.92 14,405 $133.83
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- ----- ------
Granted............. 4,400 $66.92
Exercised........... 4,959 $18.00
Canceled............ 11,795 $19.01 33,900 $66.92 9,605 $133.83
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- ----- ------
Options outstanding at
July 1, 2000........ 3,963 $21.22 9,450 $66.92 4,800 $133.83 4,400 $66.92
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======= ===== ======
Options exercisable at
July 1, 2000........ 3,963 4,922 1,008
====== ====== ====== =====
Options available for
grant at July 1,
2000................ 35,608 10,216 5,600
====== ====== ====== =====
F-17
119
LPA HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
OPTIONS OUTSTANDING
------------------------------------ OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
WEIGHTED ----------------------
AVERAGE WEIGHTED WEIGHTED
REMAINING AVERAGE AVERAGE
RANGE OF NUMBER CONTRACTUAL EXERCISE NUMBER EXERCISE
EXERCISE PRICE OUTSTANDING LIFE PRICE EXERCISABLE PRICE
- -------------- ----------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------
1995 Plan:
$18.00................ 3,213 5.2 years $ 18.00 3,213 $18.00
$35.00................ 750 6.4 years $ 35.00 750 $35.00
----- --------- ------- ----- ------
$18.00 to $35.00...... 3,963 5.4 years $ 21.22 3,963 $21.22
===== ========= ======= ===== ======
1998 Tranche A:
$66.92................ 9,450 7.9 years $ 66.92 4,922 $66.92
===== ========= ======= ===== ======
1998 Tranche B:
$133.83............... 4,800 7.9 years $133.83
===== ========= ======= ===== ======
1999 Plan:
$66.92................ 4,400 9.1 years $ 66.92 1,008 $66.92
===== ========= ======= ===== ======
The Company accounts for all options in accordance with APB Opinion No. 25,
which requires compensation cost to be recognized only on the excess, if any,
between the fair value of the stock at the date of grant and the amount an
employee must pay to acquire the stock. Under this method, no compensation cost
has been recognized for stock options granted.
Had compensation cost for these options been recognized as prescribed by
SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," the Company's net loss
would have been increased by (in thousands) $14 in 2000, $37 in 1999, and $58 in
1998. The Company is privately owned and there is no market for its stock. The
estimated compensation element is based on the time value of money at the U.S.
Treasury rates assuming that the value of the stock will be at least equal to
the grant price when fully exercisable. The estimated compensation expense above
is assumed to be amortized over the vesting period.
12. ACQUISITION
On July 21, 1999, the Company acquired all the outstanding shares of Bright
Start for $9.3 million in cash and assumed approximately $2.0 million in debt.
At the time of the acquisition, Bright Start operated 43 preschools in the
states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nevada, and New Mexico with one new school under
construction. For the year ended August 31, 1998, Bright Start had operating
revenue of $22.2 million and at August 31, 1998 total assets were $5.1 million.
The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase and, accordingly, the purchase
price has been allocated to the fair value of net assets acquired and resulted
in an allocation to goodwill of $10.1 million which is being amortized on a
straight-line basis over 20 years. The Company's financial statements reflect
the results of operations of Bright Start during the period subsequent to July
21, 1999. On an unaudited pro forma basis, assuming the acquisition had occurred
on July 4, 1998, the Company's operating revenue and net loss for the 52 weeks
ended July 3, 1999 would have been $352.0 million and $1.2 million,
respectively.
F-18
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LPA HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
13. RESTRUCTURING CHARGE
In the third quarter of 2000, management committed to a plan to close
certain Academies located in areas where the demographic conditions no longer
support an economically viable operation and to restructure its operating
management to better serve the remaining Academies. Accordingly, the Company
recorded a $7.5 million restructuring charge ($4.5 million after tax) to provide
for costs associated with the Academy closures and restructuring of 49
Academies. The charge consists principally of $5.9 million for the present value
of rent, real estate taxes, common area maintenance charges, and utilities, net
of anticipated sublease income, and $1.1 million for the write-down of fixed
assets to fair market value. At July 1, 2000, the Company had an accrual for the
closing of these Academies of $6.2 million. During fiscal year 2000, 39 schools
were closed. Subsequent to the end of the fiscal year, an additional four
schools have closed in connection with the restructuring plan. By the end of
fiscal year 2001, management plans to address the closing of the remaining six
schools.
Restructuring activity for fiscal year 2000 was as follows (in thousands of
dollars):
FACILITIES & OTHER
RELATED ASSETS COSTS TOTAL
-------------- ----- -------
Reserves recorded in fiscal year 2000........... $ 6,989 $ 511 $ 7,500
Amount utilized in fiscal year 2000............. (1,234) (149) (1,383)
------- ----- -------
Balance at July 1, 2000......................... $ 5,755 $ 362 $ 6,117
======= ===== =======
F-19
121
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
provides for the indemnification of officers and directors under certain
circumstances against expenses incurred in successfully defending against a
claim and authorizes Delaware corporations to indemnify their officers and
directors under certain circumstances against expenses and liabilities incurred
in legal proceedings involving such persons because of their being or having
been an officer or director. Pursuant to Section 102(b)(7) of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Certificate of Incorporation of La
Petite and parent company provide that the directors of La Petite and parent
company, individually or collectively, shall not be held personally liable to La
Petite or parent company (as the case may be) or their respective stockholders
for monetary damages for breaches of fiduciary duty as directors, except that
any director shall remain liable (1) for any breach of the director's fiduciary
duty of loyalty to La Petite or parent company (as the case may be) or their
respective stockholders, (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or
involving intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3) for
liability under Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware or (4) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper
personal benefit. The by-laws of La Petite and parent company provide for
indemnification of their respective officers and directors to the full extent
authorized by law.
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) Exhibits.
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
3.1(i) Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of LPA
Holding Corp.
3.2(i) Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of
Series A Redeemable Preferred Stock of LPA Holding Corp.
3.3(i) Bylaws of LPA Holding Corp.
3.4(i) Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of La
Petite Academy, Inc.
3.5(i) Bylaws of La Petite Academy, Inc.
3.6(vi) Certificate of Incorporation of LPA Services
3.7(vi) By-Laws of LPA Services
3.8(vi) Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Bright
Start, Inc.
3.9(vi) By-Laws of Bright Start, Inc.
3.10(v) Certificate of Amendment of the Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of LPA Holding Corp., filed on
December 13, 1999
3.11(v) Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Designations,
Preferences and Rights of Series A Redeemable Preferred
Stock of LPA Holdings Corp., filed on December 13, 1999
4.1(i) Indenture among LPA Holding Corp., La Petite Academy, Inc.,
LPA Services, Inc. and PNC Bank, National Association dated
as of May 11, 1998
II-1
122
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
4.2(iv) First Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 23, 1999,
among Bright Start, Inc., LPA Holding Corp., La Petite
Academy, Inc. and The Chase Manhattan Bank
5.1(i) Opinion of O'Sullivan Graev & Karabell, LLP
10.1(i) Purchase Agreement among Vestar/LPA Investment Corp., La
Petite Academy, Inc., LPA Services, Inc., Chase Securities
Inc. and NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC dated May 6,
1998
10.2(i) Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement among La Petite
Academy, Inc., LPA Holding Corp., LPA Services, Inc., Chases
Securities Inc., NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC dated
May 11, 1998
10.3(i) Merger Agreement by and between LPA Investment LLC and
Vestar/LPA Investment Corp. dated as of March 17, 1998
10.5(i) Stockholders Agreement among LPA Holding Corp., Vestar/LPT
Limited Partnership, LPA Investment LLC and the management
stockholders dated as of May 11, 1998
10.5a(v) Amendment #1 and Consent of the Stockholders Agreement among
LPA Holding Corp., Vestar/LPT Limited Partnership, LPA
Investment LLC and the management stockholders dated April
8, 1999
10.6(i) 1998 Stock Option Plan and Stock Option Agreement for LPA
Holding Corp. dated as of May 18, 1998
10.7(i) Preferred Stock Registration Rights Agreement between LPA
Holding Corp. and LPA Investment LLC dated May 11, 1998
10.8(i) Registration Rights Agreement among LPA Holding Corp.,
Vestar/LPT Limited Partnership, the stockholders listed
therein and LPA Investment LLC, dated May 11, 1998
10.9(i) Employment Agreement among LPA Holding Corp., La Petite
Academy, Inc. and James R. Kahl
10.10(i) Employment Agreement among LPA Holding Corp., La Petite
Academy, Inc. and Rebecca Perry
10.11(i) Employment Agreement among LPA Holding Corp., La Petite
Academy, Inc. and Phillip Kane
10.12(i) Credit Agreement dated as of May 11, 1998 among La Petite
Academy, Inc., LPA Holding Corp., Nationsbank, N.A., and The
Chase Manhattan Bank
10.13(i) Pledge Agreement among La Petite Academy, Inc., LPA Holding
Corp., Subsidiary Pledgors and Nationsbank, N.A. dated as of
May 11, 1998
10.14(i) Security Agreement among La Petite Academy, Inc., LPA
Holding Corp., Subsidiary Guarantors and Nationsbank, N.A.
dated as of May 11, 1998
10.15(i) Parent Company Guarantee Agreement among LPA Holding Corp.
and Nationsbank, N.A. dated as of May 11, 1998
10.16(i) Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement among Subsidiary Guarantor of
La Petite Academy, Inc., LPA Services, Inc. and Nationsbank,
N.A. dated as of May 11, 1998
II-2
123
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
10.17(i) Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement among La
Petite Academy, Inc., LPA Services, Inc., as Guarantor and
Nationsbank, N.A. dated as of May 11, 1998
10.18(ii) James Kahl option agreement
10.20(v) 1999 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors
10.21(iii) Agreement and Plan of Merger By and Between La Petite
Academy, Inc., LPA Acquisition Co. Inc., and Bright Start,
Inc.
10.23(v) Amendment No. 1, Consent and Waiver dated as of December 13,
1999, to the Credit Agreement dated as of May 11, 1998 among
LPA Holding Corp., La Petite Academy, Inc., Bank of America,
N.A. (formerly known as NationsBank, N.A.) as Administrative
Agent, Documentation Agent and Collateral Agent for the
Lenders and The Chase Manhattan Bank as Syndication Agent
10.24(v) Warrant No. 2 dated as of December 15, 1999, issued by LPA
Holding Corp. to LPA Investment LLC
10.25(v) Amendment No. 1 and Consent dated as of April 8, 1999, among
LPA Holding Corp., Vestar/LPT Limited Partnership, LPA
Investment LLC and the management stockholders named
therein, to the Stockholders Agreement dated as of May 11,
1999, among LPA Holding Corp., Vestar/LPT Limited
Partnership, LPA Investment LLC and the management
stockholders named therein
10.26(v) Amendment No. 1 to the LPA Holding Corp. 1999 Stock Option
Plan for Non-Employee Directors
10.27(vii) Employment Agreement among LPA Holding Corp., La Petite
Academy, Inc., and Judith A. Rogala
10.28(*) Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement
12.1(viii) Statement regarding computation of ratios
21.1(vi) Subsidiaries of Registrant
23.1(i) Consent of O'Sullivan Graev & Karabell, LLP (included in
Exhibit 5.1)
23.2(*) Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
24.1(*) Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page)
25.1(i) Statement of Eligibility and Qualifications under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 of PNC Bank, National Association as
Trustee
27.1(viii) Financial Data Schedule
- -------------------------
(i) Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to La Petite Academy, Inc.'s
Registration Statement on Form S-4, Registration No. 333-56239, filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 5, 1998.
(ii) Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to LPA Holding Corp.'s Form 10-K
for the Fiscal Year ended August 29, 1998, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on November 24, 1998.
II-3
124
(iii)Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to LPA Holding Corp.'s Form 8-K,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 7, 1999.
(iv) Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to LPA Holding Corp.'s Form
10-Q/A for the 16 weeks ended October 23, 1999, filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on December 16, 1999.
(v) Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to LPA Holding Corp.'s Form 8-K,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 21, 1999.
(vi) Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to LPA Holding Corp.'s Form S-4
Post Effective Amendment #1, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on December 23, 1999
(vii)Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to LPA Holding Corp.'s Form 8-K,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 16, 2000
(viii)
Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits to LPA Holding Corp's Form 10-K
for the Fiscal Year ended July 1, 2000, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on September 29, 2000
(*) Filed herewith
(b) Financial Statement Schedules:
Schedule I -- Condensed Financial Information of Registration
Schedule II -- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable
accounting regulations of the Commission are not required under the related
instructions, are inapplicable or not material, or the information called for
thereby is otherwise included in the financial statements and therefore have
been omitted.
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS.
(a) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake:
1. To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this registration statement;
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
in the registration statement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of
securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not
exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of
the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus
filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum
aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee"
table in the effective registration statement.
II-4
125
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement
or any material change to such information in the registration
statement.
2. That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
3. To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
(b) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the registrants pursuant to the DGCL, the Act, the
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of La Petite or parent company, or
otherwise, the registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy
as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the
event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
payment by the registrants of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer
or controlling person of any registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling, person
in connection with the securities being registered, the registrants will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(c) undersigned registrants hereby undertake to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to
Items 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of
such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or
other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents
filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the
date of responding to the request.
(d) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the registration statement when it became effective.
II-5
126
SIGNATURES
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE REGISTRANT
HAS DULY CAUSED THIS POST EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY
AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK ON THIS 2ND DAY OF
NOVEMBER, 2000.
LA PETITE ACADEMY, INC.
By: /s/ JEFFREY J. FLETCHER
-----------------------------------
Name: Jeffrey J. Fletcher
Title:Chief Financial Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSON BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Jeffrey J. Fletcher, his or her true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and re-substitution,
for such person and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, in connection with the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form
S-4 under the Securities Act of 1933, including to sign the Registration
Statement in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as a director or officer
of the Registrant and any and all amendments or supplements thereto, including
any and all stickers and post-effective amendments thereto, and any and all
additional registration statements relating to the same offering of securities
as those that are covered by the Registration Statement that are filed pursuant
to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and any applicable securities exchange or
securities self-regulatory body, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent,
full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all
intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying
and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or her substitute, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS POST
EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED ON THIS
2ND DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2000 BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE CAPACITY INDICATED.
SIGNATURE TITLE
--------- -----
/s/ JUDITH A. ROGALA Chief Executive Officer, President and
- ------------------------------------------------ Director
Judith A. Rogala
/s/ JEFFREY J. FLETCHER Chief Financial Officer (principal
- ------------------------------------------------ financial officer and principal
Jeffrey J. Fletcher accounting officer)
/s/ STEPHEN P. MURRAY Chairman of the Board and Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Stephen P. Murray
II-6
127
SIGNATURE TITLE
--------- -----
/s/ MITCHELL J. BLUTT, M.D. Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Mitchell J. Blutt, M.D.
/s/ BRIAN J. RICHMAND Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Brian J. Richmand
/s/ ROBERT E. KING Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Robert E. King
/s/ TERRY D. BYERS Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Terry D. Byers
/s/ RONALD L. TAYLOR Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Ronald L. Taylor
/s/ BARBARA FEIGIN Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Barbara Feigin
II-7
128
SIGNATURES
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE REGISTRANT
HAS DULY CAUSED THIS POST EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY
AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK ON THIS 2ND DAY OF
NOVEMBER, 2000.
LPA HOLDING CORP.
By: /s/ JEFFREY J. FLETCHER
-----------------------------------
Name: Jeffrey J. Fletcher
Title: Chief Financial Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSON BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Jeffrey J. Fletcher, his or her true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and re-substitution,
for such person and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, in connection with the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form
S-4 under the Securities Act of 1933, including to sign the Registration
Statement in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as a director or officer
of the Registrant and any and all amendments or supplements thereto, including
any and all stickers and post-effective amendments thereto, and any and all
additional registration statements relating to the same offering of securities
as those that are covered by the Registration Statement that are filed pursuant
to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and any applicable securities exchange or
securities self-regulatory body, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent,
full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all
intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying
and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or her substitute, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS POST
EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED ON THIS
2ND DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2000 BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE CAPACITY INDICATED.
SIGNATURE TITLE
--------- -----
/s/ JUDITH A. ROGALA Chief Executive Officer, President and
- ------------------------------------------------ Director
Judith A. Rogala
/s/ JEFFREY J. FLETCHER Chief Financial Officer (principal
- ------------------------------------------------ financial officer and principal
Jeffrey J. Fletcher accounting officer)
/s/ STEPHEN P. MURRAY Chairman of the Board and Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Stephen P. Murray
/s/ MITCHELL J. BLUTT, M.D. Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Mitchell J. Blutt, M.D.
II-8
129
SIGNATURE TITLE
--------- -----
/s/ BRIAN J. RICHMAND Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Brian J. Richmand
/s/ ROBERT E. KING Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Robert E. King
/s/ TERRY D. BYERS Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Terry D. Byers
/s/ RONALD L. TAYLOR Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Ronald L. Taylor
/s/ BARBARA FEIGIN Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Barbara Feigin
II-9
130
SIGNATURES
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE REGISTRANT
HAS DULY CAUSED THIS POST EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY
AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK ON THIS 2ND DAY OF
NOVEMBER, 2000.
LPA SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/ JEFFREY J. FLETCHER
-----------------------------------
Name: Jeffrey J. Fletcher
Title: Chief Financial Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSON BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Jeffrey J. Fletcher, his or her true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and re-substitution,
for such person and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, in connection with the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form
S-4 under the Securities Act of 1933, including to sign the Registration
Statement in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as a director or officer
of the Registrant and any and all amendments or supplements thereto, including
any and all stickers and post-effective amendments thereto, and any and all
additional registration statements relating to the same offering of securities
as those that are covered by the Registration Statement that are filed pursuant
to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and any applicable securities exchange or
securities self-regulatory body, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent,
full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all
intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying
and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or her substitute, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS POST
EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED ON THIS
2ND DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2000 BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE CAPACITY INDICATED.
SIGNATURE TITLE
--------- -----
/s/ JUDITH A. ROGALA Chief Executive Officer, President and
- ------------------------------------------------ Director
Judith A. Rogala
/s/ JEFFREY J. FLETCHER Chief Financial Officer (principal
- ------------------------------------------------ financial officer and principal
Jeffrey J. Fletcher accounting officer)
/s/ STEPHEN P. MURRAY Chairman of the Board and Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Stephen P. Murray
II-10
131
SIGNATURE TITLE
--------- -----
/s/ MITCHELL J. BLUTT, M.D. Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Mitchell J. Blutt, M.D.
/s/ BRIAN J. RICHMAND Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Brian J. Richmand
/s/ ROBERT E. KING Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Robert E. King
/s/ TERRY D. BYERS Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Terry D. Byers
/s/ RONALD L. TAYLOR Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Ronald L. Taylor
/s/ BARBARA FEIGIN Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Barbara Feigin
II-11
132
SIGNATURES
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE REGISTRANT
HAS DULY CAUSED THIS POST EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY
AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK ON THIS 2ND DAY OF
NOVEMBER, 2000.
BRIGHT START, INC.
By: /s/ JEFFREY J. FLETCHER
-----------------------------------
Name: Jeffrey J. Fletcher
Title: Chief Financial Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSON BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Jeffrey J. Fletcher, his or her true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and re-substitution,
for such person and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, in connection with the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form
S-4 under the Securities Act of 1933, including to sign the Registration
Statement in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as a director or officer
of the Registrant and any and all amendments or supplements thereto, including
any and all stickers and post-effective amendments thereto, and any and all
additional registration statements relating to the same offering of securities
as those that are covered by the Registration Statement that are filed pursuant
to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and any applicable securities exchange or
securities self-regulatory body, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent,
full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all
intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying
and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or her substitute, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS POST
EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED ON THIS
2ND DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2000 BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE CAPACITY INDICATED.
SIGNATURE TITLE
--------- -----
/s/ JUDITH A. ROGALA Chief Executive Officer, President and
- ------------------------------------------------ Director
Judith A. Rogala
/s/ JEFFREY J. FLETCHER Chief Financial Officer (principal
- ------------------------------------------------ financial officer and principal
Jeffrey J. Fletcher accounting officer)
/s/ STEPHEN P. MURRAY Chairman of the Board and Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Stephen P. Murray
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SIGNATURE TITLE
--------- -----
/s/ MITCHELL J. BLUTT, M.D. Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Mitchell J. Blutt, M.D.
/s/ BRIAN J. RICHMAND Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Brian J. Richmand
/s/ ROBERT E. KING Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Robert E. King
/s/ TERRY D. BYERS Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Terry D. Byers
/s/ RONALD L. TAYLOR Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Ronald L. Taylor
/s/ BARBARA FEIGIN Director
- ------------------------------------------------
Barbara Feigin
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LPA HOLDING CORP.
SCHEDULE I -- CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
BALANCE SHEETS
JULY 1, JULY 3,
2000 2000
--------- ---------
ASSETS:
Investment in La Petite Academy, Inc. .................. $ (21,207) $ (10,659)
--------- ---------
$ (21,207) $ (10,659)
========= =========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT):
Current liabilities:
Payable to La Petite Academy, Inc. ................... 55,132 70,214
--------- ---------
Total current liabilities........................ 55,132 70,214
Series A 12% redeemable preferred stock ($.01 par value
per share); 45,000 shares authorized, issued and
outstanding at July 1, 2000 at aggregate liquidation
preference of $1,211.291 as of July 1, 2000 and
$1,143.444 as of July 3, 1999
(Note 7).............................................. 47,314 29,310
Stockholders' deficit:
Class A common stock ($.01 par value per share);
950,000 shares authorized and 564,985 and 560,026
shares issued and outstanding as of July 1, 2000
and July 3,
1999............................................... 6 6
Class B common stock ($.01 par value per share);
20,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as
of July 1, 2000 and July 3, 1999
Common stock warrants................................... 8,596 5,645
Accumulated deficit..................................... (132,255) (115,834)
--------- ---------
Total stockholders' deficit...................... (123,653) (110,183)
--------- ---------
$ (21,207) $ (10,659)
========= =========
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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135
LPA HOLDING CORP.
SCHEDULE I -- CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT -- (CONTINUED)
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
52 WEEKS 44 WEEKS 52 WEEKS
ENDED ENDED ENDED
JULY 1, JULY 3, AUGUST 29,
2000 1999 1998
-------- -------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
Minority interest in net income of subsidiary... $ $ $ 2,849
-------- ----- --------
Loss before equity in net income of
subsidiary................................. (2,849)
Equity in net loss of La Petite Academy,
Inc. ......................................... (10,547) (797) (10,479)
-------- ----- --------
Net loss........................................ $(10,547) $(797) $(13,328)
======== ===== ========
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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136
LPA HOLDING CORP.
SCHEDULE I -- CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT -- (CONTINUED)
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
52 WEEKS 44 WEEKS 52 WEEKS
ENDED ENDED ENDED
JULY 1, JULY 3, AUGUST 29,
2000 1999 1998
-------- -------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss........................................ $(10,547) $(797) $(13,328)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
from operating activities:
Minority interest in net income of La Petite
Academy, Inc. ............................. 2,849
Equity in net loss of La Petite Academy,
Inc. ...................................... 10,547 797 10,479
-------- ----- --------
Net cash from operating activities....... $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
======== ===== ========
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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137
LPA HOLDING CORP.
SCHEDULE II -- VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS
BALANCE AT CHARGED TO BALANCE AT
JULY 3, COSTS AND JULY 1,
1999 EXPENSES WRITE-OFFS 2000
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
DESCRIPTION
Allowance for doubtful accounts............ $306 $2,958 $2,858 $406
---- ------ ------ ----
BALANCE AT CHARGED TO BALANCE AT
AUGUST 29, COSTS AND JULY 3,
DESCRIPTION 1998 EXPENSES WRITE-OFFS 1999
- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Allowance for doubtful accounts............ $196 $1,397 $1,287 $306
---- ------ ------ ----
BALANCE AT CHARGED TO BALANCE AT
AUGUST 30, COSTS AND AUGUST 29,
DESCRIPTION 1997 EXPENSES WRITE-OFFS 1998
- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Allowance for doubtful accounts............ $83 $1,717 $1,604 $196
--- ------ ------ ----
RESERVE FOR CLOSED ACADEMIES
BALANCE AT CHARGED TO BALANCE AT
JULY 3, COSTS AND CHARGED TO JULY 1,
DESCRIPTION 1999 EXPENSES RESERVE 2000
- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Reserve for Closed Academies............... $4,048 $7,500 $2,985 $8,563
------ ------ ------ ------
BALANCE AT CHARGED TO BALANCE AT
AUGUST 30, COSTS AND CHARGED TO JULY 3,
DESCRIPTION 1998 EXPENSES RESERVE 1999
- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Reserve for Closed Academies............... $5,417 $ $1,369 $4,048
------ ------ ------ ------
BALANCE AT CHARGED TO BALANCE AT
AUGUST 30, COSTS AND CHARGED TO AUGUST 29,
DESCRIPTION 1997 EXPENSES RESERVE 1998
- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Reserve for Closed Academies............... $7,469 $ $2,052 $5,417
------ ------ ------ ------
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